China surges ahead of South Korea in the sodium-ion battery race

As global demand for alternative battery technologies grows, sodium-ion batteries are emerging as a promising contender in the next phase of energy storage innovation. Yet while Chinese firms are moving swiftly to commercialize the technology, South Korea’s major battery manufacturers remain firmly in the research phase, raising concerns that the country may be falling behind in the next key battleground for battery dominance.

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Samsung accelerates Pyeongtaek P4 to boost 1c DRAM mass production

Samsung Electronics is accelerating the resumption of construction at the fourth phase (PH4) of its Pyeongtaek Campus Line 4 (P4) in South Korea, where construction was halted last year. The urgency stems from Samsung’s need to mass-produce its 10nm-class sixth-generation DRAM (1c DRAM). Samsung plans to begin preliminary work in August 2025 to ensure the smooth commencement of official construction in November.

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Lisuan, Intellifusion unveil SMIC-based GPUs and NPUs to anchor China’s AI stack

At the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), Chinese AI chipmakers announced major advances in high-end chip design, manufacturing, and deployment. Lisuan Tech introduced its first self-developed GPU, the 7G106, while Shenzhen-based Intellifusion outlined a new AI inference chip roadmap. The developments reflect China’s broader push to build a homegrown AI compute ecosystem and reduce reliance on global semiconductor leaders.

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Samsung chairman heads to Washington as Musk backs chip pact amidst tariff standoff

Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong departed for Washington, DC, on July 29 in a bid to bolster South Korea’s final efforts to avert a 25% reciprocal tariff from the US. The visit marks Lee’s first official international trip since his acquittal and signals a return to the global stage just ahead of the August 1 tariff negotiation deadline.

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VIS expects continued gross margin pressure in 3Q25

Specialty IC foundry Vanguard International Semiconductor (VIS) announced its latest financial results on July 29, reporting a second-quarter 2025 consolidated revenue of NT$11.7 billion (approx. US$394.18 million), a 2.1% sequential decline and a 5.7% year-on-year increase. The net income totaled NT$2.04 billion for the quarter, down 15.4% from the previous quarter and up 13.6% from the same period last year.

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Samsung-Tesla deal gives South Korea new leverage in US tariff negotiations

Samsung has secured a major deal with Tesla, creating new opportunities for its foundry business and providing leverage in South Korea-US tariff negotiations. The partnership extends beyond commercial interests, aligning with US semiconductor policy, investment attraction strategies, and Washington’s push for technological independence from China. Samsung will produce Tesla’s next-generation autonomous driving chip AI6, at its Texas Taylor plant starting in 2026, using Samsung’s 2nm process technology.

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China’s humanoid robots evolve from showpieces to service staff

Humanoid robots dominated the spotlight at this week’s World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai. According to Chinese outlets TMTPost and Chinastarmarket.cn, the 2025 event featured over 80 robotics firms — among them Ubtech Robotics, Faraday Technology, DEEP Robotics, Leju Robot, Engine AI, X Square Robot, and Proto-Sentient Intelligence (Psi-Robot) — showcasing more than 60 humanoid models, up sharply from just 18 in 2024.

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Taiwan manufacturers adopt three-step survival strategy in response to tariff disruptions and economic downturn

As the US prepares to announce reciprocal tariffs on Taiwan, concerns persist over the potential impact on Taiwanese industries, including exports, technology, and agriculture. If the US imposes zero tariffs on imported products, further pressure could be placed on Taiwan’s automotive and agricultural sectors. Despite high potential risks, most technology companies are currently adopting a passive approach due to uncertainty about the final direction of US policy.

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