SoftBank Considers Splitting China Robotics to Save Deal
Japan’s SoftBank Group and Switzerland’s ABB are exploring the possibility of excluding and separating the Chinese operations of the robotics division from the $5.4 billion acquisition deal after Beijing halted it. The preliminary talks aim to establish an independently owned Chinese entity to complete the rest of the deal, amid questions about the impact on financial valuation and industrial assets.
Roughly 600,000 Nvidia chips reportedly pile up in Hong Kong
An exclusive Reuters report on November 5, 2026, citing two knowledgeable sources, revealed that approximately 600,000 Nvidia H200 artificial intelligence chips are being held in Hong Kong while awaiting Chinese authorities’ approval to enter the mainland. This buildup comes despite U.S. export rules permitting the sale of certain chip categories.
China blocks SoftBank’s acquisition of ABB robotics
Swiss engineering company ABB confirmed that China’s National Development and Reform Commission has blocked the proposed $5.4 billion sale of its robotics division to Japan’s SoftBank Group. The decision poses a major hurdle to Masayoshi Son’s investment strategy amid Chinese concerns over the transfer of sensitive industrial robotics data.
US lawmakers request briefing from Nvidia CEO
Three top Republican lawmakers in the US House of Representatives have asked Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang to provide a classified congressional briefing on November 18 regarding security and counter-espionage protocols. The request follows a New York Times report concerning dealings with a Chinese businesswoman at Singapore-based Megaspeed.
Baidu launches Apollo World autonomous driving simulation platform
Chinese company Baidu has announced the launch of Apollo World, an AI-generated simulation environment aimed at creating dynamic road scenes for autonomous driving research and training. The company says the platform is capable of simulating up to 100,000 kilometers of driving per day and generating camera and LiDAR sensor data to support its Apollo Go robotaxi operations.
Official Chinese warning regarding the concentration of artificial intelligence investments
A high-ranking Chinese financial official warned that capital investments in the artificial intelligence sector have become excessively concentrated, raising fundamental questions about the efficiency of capital allocation across the broader economy. Reuters explained that this warning addresses the composition of investments and their potential risks, rather than representing a regulatory constraint or a freeze on the sector.
China’s smart robotics investments reach $13 billion
A new Reuters investigation revealed a shift in China’s robotics sector from showy displays toward developing embodied artificial intelligence capable of practical tasks. Data showed the injection of approximately 93.5 billion yuan ($13 billion) across 322 deals in the first half of 2026, roughly 5 times the previous year.
China and Singapore deny reports of spying on Nvidia
The Chinese government has denied a New York Times report claiming that a Chinese businesswoman close to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang was passing information to Chinese intelligence, while Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs also dismissed a separate Wall Street Journal report on the same issue. Nvidia maintained that its CEO’s communications with regional clients are routine and natural.
Machine learning excels in precise poultry nutrition
A new scientific review conducted by Chinese researchers at Jilin University, China Agricultural University, and the Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences has concluded that machine learning algorithms predict poultry feed energy values and nutritional requirements with greater accuracy than traditional linear regression models. The researchers explained that integrating big data and the Internet of Things with biotechnologies could help producers lower costs and reduce carbon emissions.
China’s CXMT to begin limited advanced memory production
Reuters reported in an exclusive report that ChangXin Memory Technologies, China’s largest dynamic random-access memory producer, is preparing to start limited production of next-generation high-bandwidth memory over the next two months. This move comes despite usable chip yields ranging between only 20% and 30%, compared to roughly 70% at global leader SK Hynix.