China targets 10,000 humanoid robots in commercial use by end-2026
China has launched a national initiative to accelerate the deployment of humanoid robots and embodied artificial intelligence, setting a goal of putting more than 10,000 humanoid robots into commercial use by the end of 2026. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission on Tuesday issued a joint directive mandating local governments and state-owned enterprises to test and integrate embodied artificial intelligence into manufacturing, logistics, retail, and healthcare. The plan targets the creation of over 100 high-value application scenarios. To lower adoption barriers, regulators are encouraging a “Humanoid Robot-as-a-Service” business model, which allows companies to pay for robotic labor based on performance or through operational leases.
Chinese tech insiders cash out after AI stock rally
A wave of share-sale plans is sweeping across Chinese technology companies listed on the A-share market, as executives and major institutional investors move to lock in gains after a sharp AI-driven rally. Since May, executives and major shareholders at dozens of A-share tech companies have announced plans to offload their holdings to lock in profits. Net weekly share reductions in the sector jumped to roughly 12 billion yuan ($1.8 billion) in May, up from 8 billion yuan in April, according to Huatai Securities. The selling highlights how Chinese investors are cashing in on the global AI frenzy while signaling growing caution over whether the rapid valuation gains can be sustained.
Pentagon adds Alibaba, Baidu, BYD and Nio to Chinese military-linked list
The U.S. Department of Defense has added Chinese tech giants Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and Baidu Inc., along with top electric vehicle makers BYD Co. Ltd. and Nio Inc., to a restricted list of companies allegedly linked to Beijing’s military. The Pentagon alleges these companies are affiliated with China’s government ministries, the People’s Liberation Army, or state-owned asset regulators. The list, which now totals 188 entities, prevents the U.S. defense department from signing contracts with the companies or their affiliates. It also creates a ripple effect for U.S. defense contractors, who must conduct stricter due diligence and are barred from using lobbying firms that also represent listed entities. Several targeted companies swiftly denied the allegations. Alibaba, Baidu and Nio issued statements calling the designation baseless and saying they have no military ties. Alibaba and Baidu emphasized that their inclusion does not affect their commercial operations, restrict general U.S. procurement, or ban the trading of their securities.
AI power demand sends energy storage supplier up 625% in Shenzhen debut
Shares of energy-storage system maker Hangzhou Gold Electronic Equipment Co., Ltd. surged 624.6% in their debut on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange’s ChiNext board Tuesday, as investor enthusiasm for artificial-intelligence data centers spilled into the power-storage supply chain. Gold Electronic’s stock opened sharply higher and rose as much as 799% intraday before closing at 51.3 yuan ($7.5) a share, compared with its initial public offering price of 7.1 yuan. Founded in 1998, Gold Electronic began as a lead-acid battery testing company before expanding into battery-management systems for electric vehicles and, later, energy storage. The company has become a domestic leader in energy-storage battery management systems, a niche in which it has been recognized by Beijing as a “little giant” enterprise for its specialized technology.
Meituan releases AI browser
Meituan’s GN06 team officially launched its AI-native browser, Tabbit 1.0, on Tuesday. Tabbit integrates several leading large models, including LongCat, DeepSeek, Zhipu GLM and Kimi, allowing it to automatically execute complex cross-software and cross-webpage tasks based on user prompts. Core functions such as basic conversation, webpage reading and common tools will remain permanently free for general users. For high-frequency automated agent calls and advanced customized applications, Tabbit will explore a differentiated subscription model to offset computing costs.
