Asian Tech Roundup: Hong Kong blocks WeChat
Plus: Billionaires face off in India
Welcome to Computing's weekly roundup of tech news in Asia. This time we look at Hong Kong cracking down on data sharing, a billionaire face-off in India and the potential for nuclear power in Taiwan.
China
- Apple CEO Tim Cook has travelled to China, supposedly linked to the launch of its new Apple Intelligence system in the country. Source
- Local telco China Telecom has posted a tender for more than 150,000 new servers, mostly ‘G-class’ - a designation meaning they should be designed and produced in China. Source
- In an effort to raise cybersecurity, Hong Kong’s Digital Policy Office has blocked the use of multiple apps – including WeChat, WhatsApp and Google Drive – on government computers. Source
India
- Nvidia is said to be working with the Indian government and companies to develop AI chips, though discussions are still at the preliminary stage. Source 1 Source 2
- China’s Vivo has become the most popular smartphone brand in India, followed by fellow Chinese firm Xiaomi. Source
- Elon Musk and Mukesh Ambani are preparing to face off over contracts to provide satellite internet in India, after the government announced it would allot spectrum “administratively,” rather than by auction. Source 1, Source 2
- The 2024 World Internet Summit in Wuzhen next month will focus on artificial intelligence. Source
Japan
- A US House Select Committee is trying to clamp down on Japanese companies in an effort to restrict sales of chipmaking equipment to China. Source
Taiwan
- Intel and Samsung are allegedly discussing cooperation in the semiconductor foundry sector, to challenge Taiwan’s TSMC. Source
- President Cho Jung-tai has indicated Taiwan may change its longstanding opposition to nuclear power, due to the surging power demands from AI. Source
- The Philippines is reaching out to Taiwanese chip firms like TSMC and UMC in the hope of boosting its domestic chip manufacturing capabilities. Source