Technology: Tang Jie, a Chinese computer scientist and founder of Z.ai, said on Saturday at an event in Shanghai that using AI to build even smarter systems will make artificial general intelligence (AGI) more achievable, but stressed that it must be done safely. According to the South China Morning Post, the remarks reflect a race among US and Chinese companies towards "recursive self-improvement", in which AI systems also become better at improving themselves.
Capital markets: Hong Kong's IPO momentum cooled sharply in the fourth quarter amid market volatility and tighter regulatory scrutiny. According to SCMP, there have been only three new listings since October, all of which closed below their offer price on debut, and two other candidates shelved their listings after completing the procedures. Industry players say a year-end rush could still keep the city among the top three global venues for 2026.
Geopolitics: Kazakhstan, which is pursuing an AI adoption plan, refuses to pick sides between the US and China. According to SCMP, China's commercial footprint in the capital Astana is growing, with car brands such as BYD and Changan pushing into a market once dominated by Hyundai and Kia, while the country tries to keep technology ties with both powers.