China Insights Weekly highlighted China's economic and technological advances. Here are some key points from this week:
- In China, 100 robotic trucks are now operating in mines, resulting in a reduction of 48,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year.
- The world's first ship dedicated to salmon farming is to reach an annual production of 8 000 tonnes.
- The e-sports hotel chain plans to open more than 100 new locations in China.
- The hybrid battery station supplies electricity to 270,000 households and reduces dependence on lithium.
Main News
DeepSeek has risen to the top of the AI world - catching up with Google Gemini 2.5 Pro
Chinese research lab DeepSeek has quietly launched a new version of its artificial intelligence model R1 0528. The results? A jump in the so-called Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index from a score of 60 to 68, meaning DeepSeek has matched Google's Gemini 2.5 Pro to become the second most powerful AI lab in the world. A significant improvement was noted especially in the area of coding - in the so-called Artificial Analysis Coding Index, DeepSeek R1 model caught up with Google. The new version of the model was trained on 99 million tokens, which is 40 % more than the previous model. This success demonstrates the growing power of open-weight models and China's role as a major player in global AI development. It also reinforces the importance of post-training and reinforcement learning to efficiently improve models with less cost.
Qatar invests in China's second largest fund manager - ChinaAMC
China's regulator has approved the acquisition of 10% stake by Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) in China Asset Management (ChinaAMC), the country's second largest fund manager. The stake will be bought by a subsidiary of Qatar Holdings from Tianjin Haipeng Technology Consulting, which is controlled by investment firm Primavera Capital. This will make Qatar Holdings the third largest shareholder after Citic Securities (62 %) and Canada's Mackenzie Investments (28 %). ChinaAMC manages more than 470 fund products with assets worth 1.9 trillion yuan (US$264.6 billion). This is another key investment for Qatar in China's financial sector and a strengthening of the strategic relationship between the two countries.
Son of casino tycoon launches e-sport hotel chain in China - first in Chengdu
Mario Ho, son of the famous Macau tycoon Stanley Ho, is launching the first e-sport hotel in China with his company NIP Group. The first location will open in Chengdu, Sichuan province, and the aim is to expand to more than 100 outlets within three years. Up to 95 % of these hotels are to operate as franchises. The project was developed in partnership with Homeinns Hotel Group and combines NIP's e-sports expertise with Homeinns' real estate background. NIP became the first Chinese e-sports company listed on Nasdaq in 2024 and raised over US$20 million. The hotels will offer gaming zones, community spaces and events for gamers.
China launches global mediation centre - IOMed in Hong Kong
The International Organization for Mediation (IOMed), the first intergovernmental legal body dedicated exclusively to mediation, was inaugurated in Hong Kong. The new body supports over 30 countries including Indonesia, Pakistan, Serbia and Belarus. IOMed is intended to offer an alternative to courts and arbitration, thereby strengthening China's influence in the global legal system. It will be based in a former police building in Wan Chai district, and is expected to open in late 2025. The project is part of an effort to strengthen China's legal diplomacy and attract support from developing countries through alternative dispute resolution.
China replaces thousands of drivers - 100 self-driving trucks already in operation
100 fully autonomous electric trucks have been deployed in China's Yimin coal mine in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Instead of 1,000 drivers, only 24 people are now needed in shift work. The truck technology is being developed by Huawei, and its use will save 15,000 tons of diesel and reduce CO₂ emissions by 48,000 tons annually. More than 10,000 of these cars are expected to be in operation by 2026. The project is part of a plan to digitize mining and achieve 60% "smart production" in the coal industry.
The world's first salmon farming boat - China is heading towards food self-sufficiency
China completes construction of first dedicated salmon farming vessel - Su Hai No. 1. The 250-metre-long vessel will be launched in June and will offer an annual production of up to 8 000 tonnes of salmon. It is equipped with on-board fish processing technology and the flexibility of movement to avoid typhoons and dangerous cyanobacteria. The first harvest is expected in 2026 in the Yellow Sea region. The ship, which cost 600 million yuan (about $83.6 million), is expected to reduce dependence on salmon imports - in 2024, China imported over 100,000 tonnes, mainly from Norway and Chile. The aim: to increase domestic production and ensure greater food security.
Hybrid battery station in Yunnan supplies 270,000 households with green energy
China's first hybrid station combining lithium-ion and sodium batteries has been commissioned in Yunnan province. The 400 MWh station can handle two full cycles per day and deliver up to 580 million kWh per year - enough for 270,000 homes. The advantage is its high stability and resistance to extreme temperatures (from -20 °C to 45 °C), making it suitable for renewable energy in regions such as Tibet, Gansu and Ningxia. Almost 98 of %'s energy comes from renewable sources. The use of sodium also reduces dependence on imported lithium.
China finishes first commercial mini nuclear reactor - powering over half a million homes
Hainan Island enters final phase of installation Linglong-1 - the world's first commercial small modular reactor (SMR). The project is being developed by the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) and is planned to generate 125,000 kW of electricity, equivalent to 1 billion kWh per year - enough for 526,000 homes. Compared to coal, it will reduce annual CO₂ emissions by 880,000 tonnes. The reactor is part of China's "14th Five-Year Plan" and aims to achieve its climate goals: carbon peak by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060.
China introduces visa-free entry for four more Arab countries - 73 countries in total
From 9 June 2025, China will allow visa-free entry for citizens of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain - for up to 30 days for tourism, business and family visits. This will bring the number of countries with visa-free travel with China to 73. Including earlier agreements with Qatar and the UAE, China now offers visa-free entry to all members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). China remains the GCC's largest trading partner, with a turnover of $297.9 billion in 2023. GCC countries supply China with over 4 million barrels of oil per day, accounting for 36 % of China's oil imports.
Shanghai opens new water park at the world's largest indoor ski slope
A unique water park was inaugurated in Shanghai's Lingang Free Trade Zone on 31 May Water World. It is part of a complex next to the largest indoor ski arena in the world - LSnow*. It offers 17,000 m² of indoor attractions and 12,000 m² of outdoor attractions on the roof. The main attractions include 20 slides, two interactive water zones and a 13-metre-wide wave pool. The new park is a key element in the development of the city's entertainment and tourism industry and is attracting the attention of domestic and international visitors.
Tomáš Kučera & Yereth Jansen
China-insights.com/gnews.cz - GH
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