Artificial intelligence’s practical uses, not race to AGI, is what counts, Jeffrey Ding says

AdvertisementRoboticsTechTech Trends‘Optimus chain’: Chinese suppliers form the backbone of Tesla’s humanoid robot initiativeTesla’s pivot to producing humanoid robots is expected to engage a network of key Chinese component makers
Reading Time:3 minutesWhy you can trust SCMP3Wency Chenin ShanghaiPublished: 2:00pm, 1 Feb 2026Elon Musk wants to bring the production of its Optimus robot to the US amid electric carmaker Tesla’s plan to pivot towards manufacturing humanoids, smart machines that could one day serve as part of the workforce at American factories.That ambitious initiative, however, was expected to remain dependent on China’s vast and fast-developing robotics supply chain into the foreseeable future, even as the final assembly of Optimus would be established in the US, according to analysts and industry insiders.As early as three years ago, Tesla started sourcing and engaging with hundreds of Chinese component suppliers, working closely with some on research and development as..

AdvertisementHong Kong politicsHong KongPoliticsHong Kong to formulate first 5-year plan to align with national blueprintTask force led by Chief Executive John Lee will formulate plan, which one expert says signals greater government role in city’s development
Reading Time:2 minutesWhy you can trust SCMPMatthew ChengPublished: 3:20pm, 2 Feb 2026Updated: 3:46pm, 2 Feb 2026A new task force led by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu will formulate Hong Kong’s first five-year blueprint to align with China’s 15th five-year plan, with a political analyst saying the move signals greater government involvement in shaping the city’s development.
Lee also said on Monday that he would prioritise visits to Eastern Europe and Central Asia to explore new markets for local businesses, stressing the need to “avoid putting all eggs in one basket” and mitigate risk amid geopolitical tensions.
In an interview with the media, the city leader said that he would lead an interdepartmental task force to align Ho..

AdvertisementJapanThis Week in AsiaPoliticsJapan’s retreat from global health funding hands China diplomatic openingTokyo’s over 52 per cent funding cut to a global body fighting Aids and malaria risks damaging its hard-won reputation as a ‘peace nation’
Reading Time:3 minutesWhy you can trust SCMPJulian RyallPublished: 11:14am, 15 Dec 2025Updated: 11:18am, 15 Dec 2025Japan’s sharp reduction in funding for a leading international body fighting infectious diseases risks damaging Tokyo’s credibility and long-held “peace diplomacy”, in a move analysts say could give China an opening to expand its influence across developing nations.The Switzerland-based Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria, established in 2002, has saved an estimated 70 million lives in more than 100 countries by boosting testing capacity, surveillance systems, community networks and medical training.
At a meeting in Johannesburg last month, Japan pledged “up to” 81 billion yen (US$520 million) in contribut..