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Michael Broza & Thomas Derksen
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What the world will talk about tomorrow, you’ll listen to here today. Innovation & Technology from Asia in 5 mins.

  1. 19.11.2025

    Louis Vuitton faces rising China rivals | asiabits Nov 19th

    What's in this episode: TOP BIT: LVMH Boss Shops for Chinese BrandsBernard Arnault purchased items from local Chinese brands during his latest Shanghai trip, a symbolic shift.The Chinese luxury market is slowing (down 20%), prompting consumers to turn to homegrown labels with sharper pricing and stronger local aesthetics.Domestic brands like Songmont, Laopu Gold (1,000%+ online sales surge), and Mao Geping are growing at double and triple-digit rates, challenging Western houses.NUMBER OF THE DAY: 313.3 Billion RMB (~$42 Billion USD)The size of China's coffee market in 2024.Consumption has jumped from 6 to 22.24 cups per person in seven years (+15% avg. growth).The market is driven by cheap, convenient brews from Luckin and Cotti, pressuring high-end specialty coffee.MARKET BIT: Manner Coffee Starts Billion IPO Run in Hong KongShanghai's Manner Coffee, backed by ByteDance and Temasek, is planning a Hong Kong IPO at up to $3 billion USD valuation.Manner serves as ByteDance's "offline behavior lab," using digital tracking for optimization.The IPO reflects Hong Kong's revitalized consumer-focused listing market.HEAD OF THE DAY: Kwon Young-soo (권영수)Former LG veteran who guided four affiliates as CEO, known for his "Attitude over intelligence" management style.He emphasizes that CEOs must take risks and execute the vision set by owners, and that investment in AI cannot be delayed.Partner Highlights:China pivots its foreign lending to US tech (semiconductors, AI) with over $200 billion USD flowing into US projects.Apple hit 25% smartphone market share in China in October, a temporary high before the Huawei Mate 80 launch.Singapore's transport authority confirmed its Chinese Yutong e-buses lack remote control functions, addressing cybersecurity concerns.Country Reads: Strong reforms boost M&A activity; Singapore leads Southeast Asian IPOs; Nvidia's HBM demand hikes chip prices.For more, subscribe to our newsletter at asiabits.com

    8 Min.

  2. 18.11.2025

    US sanctions crown China’s new chip billionaire | asiabits Nov 18th

    What's in this episode: TOP BIT: US Sanctions Turn China’s AI Chip Star into a BillionaireCambricon's founder Chen Tianshi has seen his fortune surge to $23 billion USD.Stock Surge: Share price up over 765% in 24 months after being pushed onto the US Entity List in 2022.Revenue Boom: Q3 revenue hit $240 million USD and net profit reached $78 million USD (a 500%+ increase year-over-year).The US chip ban and Beijing’s "buy local" policy redirect orders to domestic suppliers like Cambricon, despite a technology gap with Nvidia's ecosystem.NUMBER OF THE DAY: 491.000The percentage of China-Japan flight bookings canceled since the start of the diplomatic dispute.This cancellation wave risks shaving up to 0.5 percentage points off Japan’s GDP and is pushing tourism back to Covid-era levels.MARKET BIT: L’Oréal Buys into China’s Skincare BoomL’Oréal takes a minority stake in "clean-beauty" label LAN (following an earlier $62 million USD stake in Chando).This shortcut strategy counters the $75 billion USD "C-Beauty Boom," where local brands are rapidly gaining market share against foreign competitors.The goal is to stabilize L’Oréal China's business, which grew 3% in Q3, by tapping into local speed and mass-market access without cannibalizing core brands.HEAD OF THE DAY: Chen Tianshi The Cambricon founder whose net worth is now $23 billion USD, a visible leader of the new generation of Chinese chipmakers.His early AI chip vision was once rejected for funding and called "fantasy." Highlights:Goldman Sachs is in exclusive talks to buy Burger King Japan for about $452 million USD.European PE firm EQT plans to triple its Asia investments to $110 billion USD over five years, challenging KKR and Blackstone.Luckin Coffee reports Q3 revenue growth of 50% to €1.8 billion and record 110 million monthly active customers, but downplays US relisting plans.Country Reads: AirAsia X uses Istanbul to reach Europe; Samsung hikes memory chip prices by up to 60%; Vietnam and Germany deepen high-tech alliance.For more news, subscribe at asiabits.com

    8 Min.

  3. 17.11.2025

    China–Japan conflict escalates – asiabits Nov 17th 2025

    What's in this episode: TOP BIT: Travel Warnings, Warships, and Sharp WordsJapan's PM Sanae Takaichi states a Chinese attack on Taiwan poses an "existential threat" to Japan, sparking a diplomatic storm.Beijing responds with harsh rhetoric (a diplomat suggesting Japan's "dirty neck" be "severed") and summons ambassadors.China issues travel warnings for Japan, leading to free rebookings/refunds for flights.Increased military presence: China's Coast Guard patrols near disputed islands; Taiwan reports more military aircraft/vessels.Beijing advises Chinese students to "carefully reconsider" studying in Japan, while simultaneously courting Taiwanese travelers with visa-on-arrival.Historical context: Tensions fueled by past disputes (2012 Senkaku crisis), China's military buildup, and Japan's strategic shift in defense policy.NUMBER OF THE DAY: $11.2 BillionThe amount Chinese tourists spent in Japan in 2024, making them Japan’s strongest spending group (one-fifth of all foreign tourist spending).Early slowdown signs: Hotel cancellations and paused marketing activities in China due to political tensions.MARKET BIT: Samsung’s $310 Billion Mega PlanSamsung plans a $310 billion investment in South Korea over five years to lead the global AI race.Key projects include Pyeongtaek Plant 5 (chip fab, 2028 launch) and new AI data centers by Samsung SDS for proprietary AI models and GPU capacity.Part of a national re-industrialization push, with Hyundai also investing $86.5 billion in AI, autonomous tech, and EVs.Samsung creates its first dedicated M&A team for AI, semiconductors, and automotive tech.WORD OF THE WEEK: Nunchi (눈치)A crucial Korean soft skill meaning "eye measure"—the ability to read the room and unspoken cues.Essential for navigating strict hierarchies in Korean companies, influencing behavior and feedback.Partner Highlights:China approves foreign in-car AI (Tesla, Volvo, Mercedes-Benz) for the first time.Alibaba adopts digital bank tokens (JPMorgan partnership) for faster global payments.Marathon madness in Seoul disrupts daily life, with events jumping from 19 to 254 in four years.Country Reads: Japan split on collective self-defense if China attacks Taiwan; Thailand's king visits China; Malaysia's 2025 growth forecast.Read more at asiabits.com

    9 Min.

  4. 14.11.2025

    The end of China’s cheap parcels? | asiabits Nov 14th 2025

    What's in this episode: TOP BIT: The End of One-Euro Parcels from ChinaThe EU plans to scrap duty exemptions for low-value imports (under €150) by 2026, two years earlier than planned, due to surging volumes from China.An additional 2-euro admin fee per parcel is planned.4.6 billion low-value parcels entered the EU in 2024, 91% from China (Temu, Shein), shipped on 35 daily cargo flights.China’s tax office is also cracking down, with retroactive 13% tax claims on previously under-declared sales.NUMBER OF THE DAY: $80 MillionThe amount Vietnamese app developers earned abroad in 2024.Vietnam is an "app powerhouse" with over 6 billion downloads (5.7B from overseas); 12,000 apps installed per minute globally.AI is a key growth engine, cutting development time by up to 40%.MARKET BIT: Grab + GoTo Mega-Monopoly MergerGrab and GoTo are negotiating a $29 billion merger in Indonesia, ending costly market-share battles.The Indonesian government is backing the deal, potentially with a "golden share" for its sovereign wealth fund.Monopoly concerns are high, as the merged entity would control over 90% of Indonesia's ride-hailing and delivery market.Regulatory scrutiny focuses on pricing, data dominance, and impact on drivers and smaller rivals.STARTUP OF THE WEEK: Foodie MediaFounded by Nicholas Lim from a chicken rice blog in 2016, it's now a major Southeast Asian food media company going public.46 million followers across platforms, $64.5 million USD valuation, with an IPO planned for Nov 28 aiming to raise $18 million USD.Investing in AI tools for video translation and lip-syncing for global reach.Partner Highlights:Germany excludes Huawei from future 6G networks, replacing existing components for digital sovereignty.Thailand scraps afternoon alcohol ban (2-5 p.m.) in a pilot scheme to boost tourism.LG & Mercedes-Benz plan deep collaboration on EV batteries, SDV software, and displays.Country Reads: Updates from New Delhi (terrorist attack), Malaysia (smart-factory initiative), and Hong Kong (phone scam).For more, subscribe to our newsletter at asiabits.com

    9 Min.

  5. 13.11.2025

    China declares war on deepfakes | asiabits November 13th 2025

    What's in this episode: TOP BIT: China Cracks Down on DeepfakesStarting 2026, China will enforce stricter rules against fake images and AI-generated content.Mandatory labels for AI content will be required from platforms, app providers, and creators to combat manipulation.The revised Cybersecurity Law includes multi-million dollar fines for violations and requires immediate deletion of misinformation.Real-world cases include arrests for faking child abduction and earthquake damage using AI.515 million Chinese now use generative AI, driving demand for detection and labeling tools.NUMBER OF THE DAY: 3000 YenJapan's departure tax per person for international travelers is set to triple, adding about 2,000 yen to return tickets.The revenue aims to combat overtourism at popular sites, which is leading to overcrowding and congestion.MARKET BIT: Succession Crisis: Wealth Without a PlanAsia’s private wealth is projected to hit $99 trillion by 2029, much of it in founder-led companies.Nearly half of first-generation families have no clear succession roadmap, often waiting until health scares or business pressure."Dynasty drift": Heirs often lack motivation or prefer to build their own ventures, leading to conflicts between "Pro over Patriarch" approaches.Weak succession planning risks frozen assets and family disputes, impacting key growth markets.HEAD OF THE DAY: Hiroshi Mikitani 三木谷浩史The architect of Japanese e-commerce, who founded Rakuten after the 1995 Kobe earthquake.Rakuten is a global ecosystem (e-commerce, fintech, telecom) generating $10 billion USD in annual revenue.Famous for making English the company's official language in 2010, symbolizing Japan's global ambition.Partner Highlights:Luckin Coffee eyes a return to US markets after its accounting scandal, betting on rapid expansion.VinFast expands EV production in Vietnam, shifting focus to stronger Asian growth prospects.Singapore pushes for an EU-ASEAN Digital Economic Agreement to boost regional trade and data flows.Country Reads: Updates from New Delhi (terrorist attack), Malaysia (smart-factory initiative), and Hong Kong (phone scam).For more subscribe at asiabits.com

    9 Min.

  6. 12.11.2025

    AI race: Asia outruns Europe | November 12th 2025

    What's in this episode: The Chinese influencer who spent an estimated $500,000 on 10,000 hyaluronic acid injections for artificial eight-pack abs, seeking a Guinness World Record.TOP BIT: Asia’s Data Boom — The New Power RaceAsia is set to account for 40% of global data center capacity by 2030, requiring over $800 billion in investments, turning the region into a geopolitical battleground for data dominance.Focus areas include: Singapore's "green" facilities, Thailand's fast-track billion-dollar projects, South Korea's $35B AI-driven 3 GW complex, and India's rise to a projected 4.5 GW market by 2030.Global giants (AWS, Google, Meta) are investing over $360 billion in new infrastructure worldwide.NUMBER OF THE DAY: $300 BillionThe projected revenue scale of Southeast Asia’s digital economy in 2025 (with GMV expected to surpass $300 billion).E-commerce remains king; social commerce is a major growth driver, projected to account for 25% of online sales.Investor capital is stabilizing, focusing on late-stage startups and growth in AI, fintech, and cross-border QR payments.MARKET BIT: SoftBank Goes All-In on OpenAISoftBank sold its entire Nvidia stake for $5.83 billion to fund a strategic shift toward AI applications and infrastructure.$30.5 billion in Q4 allocations, primarily for OpenAI and Ampere, to fuel the Stargate project.The pivot drove a massive Vision Fund gain, but also caused investor concerns about high valuations and the thin financing cushion for the mega-project.HEAD OF THE DAY: Carl PeiThe visionary behind Nothing and OnePlus, known for building global fan communities and focusing on design, emotion, and curiosity in tech.Nothing generates around $600 million in annual revenue.Highlights: Sentiment lifted across Asia amid hopes for an end to the US government shutdown. Tokyo saw strong gains, and China's gold stocks rose.China’s Singles Day is losing its shine due to consumer fatigue and a weak economy.India and South Korea deepen defense ties with a joint shipbuilding alliance.Apple removes popular gay dating apps from its Chinese App Store under government order.Country Reads: Updates from Japan, South Korea, and Thailand.share it with a friend or subscribe to our newsletter at asiabits.com Thanks for listening. See you tomorrow.

    6 Min.

  7. 11.11.2025

    Burger King attacks McDonald’s in China | Nov 11th 2025

    What's in this episode: Spain’s King Felipe visits China, focusing on Spanish ham exports (up 8% to $700M this year).TOP BIT: Burger King’s XXL China ExpansionJV: Burger King forms a joint venture with Chinese investor CPE.Investment: CPE is injecting $350 million USD into “Burger King China.”Goal: Expand from 1,250 to over 4,000 stores by 2035 (McDonald's aims for 10,000 by 2028).Strategy: Local adaptation with healthier, regional menus to align with "Healthy China 2030."Highlights: Asia starts the week strong on hopes for an end to the U.S. government shutdown.NUMBER OF THE DAY: $3.1 Billion USDTotal investment for four newly approved data center projects in Thailand.Includes an 84-MW facility by DAMAC Digital ($731M) and a 200-MW hyperscale facility ($1.5B).Thailand seeks to become a new regional data hub, reviving $9.2 billion in frozen projects.MARKET BIT: Japan’s M&A MomentumRecord Year 2025: $33 billion USD in closed deals in nine months (up 80% YoY).Drivers: Corporate governance reforms by the Tokyo Stock Exchange push for capital returns, fueling carve-outs and spin-offs.Private Credit: Japan’s private credit market is projected to grow 34% within three years.HEAD OF THE DAY: Maggie KangMastermind behind KPop Demon Hunters, Netflix’s most successful English-language film and the first Western animated franchise to center Korean culture.The film has 250M+ streams and a $19.2M USD opening weekend, demonstrating cultural bridge-building as a profitable model.Short News:EU plans network ban on Huawei and ZTE technology in critical infrastructure over espionage concerns.Japan and China clash over Taiwan after Japanese PM calls attack an "existential threat."FBI Director Kash Patel made a secret visit to Beijing to discuss fentanyl and law enforcement cooperation.South Korea: Exports hit a record $185 billion USD in Q3. Read more on asiabits.com

    7 Min.

  8. 10.11.2025

    Trade war: China ends chip blockade | asiabits Nov 10th 2025

    What's in this episode: Opener: Chinese fashion retailers fight ~80% return rates during Double 11 by using conspicuous A4-sized tags on clothing.Highlights: Goldman Sachs notes a surge of U.S. investment into Japanese tech/AI stocks (Nikkei up 30%). Pop Mart shares drop 5.5% after a controversial livestream.TOP BIT: China Lifts Nexperia Export BanAction: China resumes exports of "discrete chips" from its Nexperia plant (70% of Nexperia's output).Impact: Averted production stoppages for major automakers like VW, Honda, Volvo, and Jaguar Land Rover.Context: The ban was Beijing’s retaliation after the Dutch government cited "national security risks" and stripped Nexperia of control.NUMBER OF THE DAY: 10,000 BahtMaximum fine for tourists in Thailand caught drinking or being served alcohol between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.The 1972 law is now being strictly enforced, shifting liability to the consumer, impacting tourism.MARKET BIT: Pop Mart Livestream FailPop Mart employee called a 79 CNY blind box “a bit expensive” on a viral livestream.Controversy: Fueled "IQ tax" criticism after reports of a low production cost (under 8 CNY per figure).Result: Pop Mart stock fell, and resale prices for popular figures like Labubu are dropping below retail.WORD OF THE WEEK: KOL (Key Opinion Leader)—Asia's term for a high-trust, high-influence social media personality or expert, commonly used in Chinese commerce.Short News:China loosens export brakes on strategic metals like gallium and germanium to the US, part of a one-year Xi-Trump trade truce.Taiwan VP Hsiao Bi-khim addressed the European Parliament.Ant Group pivots to AI-powered healthcare for China's aging population.Read more on asiabits.com

    6 Min.
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What the world will talk about tomorrow, you’ll listen to here today. Innovation & Technology from Asia in 5 mins.

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