Latest news with #RichardLin
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Why China is giving away its tech for free
Underpinning the digital economy is a deep foundation of open-source software, freely available for anyone to use. The majority of the world's websites are run using Apache and Nginx, two open-source programs. Most computer servers are powered by Linux, another such program, which is also the basis of Google's Android operating system. Kubernetes, a program widely used to manage cloud-computing workloads, is likewise open-source. The software is maintained and improved upon by a global community of developers. China, which had long stood at the periphery of that community, has in recent years become an integral part of it. After America and India, it is home to the largest group of developers on GitHub, the world's biggest repository of open-source software. Chinese tech giants, including Alibaba, Baidu and Huawei, have become prolific open-source funders and contributors. China has been particularly active in the development of open-source artificial-intelligence (AI) models, including those from DeepSeek, an AI startup that shook the world in January by releasing for free the cutting-edge models it had developed on a shoestring. According to Artificial Analysis, a website, 12 of the 15 leading open-source AI models are Chinese. This newfound interest in open-source has been fuelled by America's efforts to hobble its rival. Curbing China's access to code that is readily available online is tricky. This month Ren Zhengfei, Huawei's founder, told People's Daily, a Communist Party mouthpiece, that American tech restrictions were nothing to fear since 'there will be thousands of open-source software [programs] to meet the needs of the entire society.' Yet the rise in China of open technology, which relies on transparency and decentralisation, is awkward for an authoritarian state. If the party's patience with open-source fades, and it decides to exert control, that could hinder both the course of innovation at home, and developers' ability to export their technology abroad. China's open-source movement first gained traction in the mid-2010s. Richard Lin, co-founder of Kaiyuanshe, a local open-source advocacy group, recalls that most of the early adopters were developers who simply wanted free software. That changed when they realised that contributing to open-source projects could improve their job prospects. Big firms soon followed, with companies like Huawei backing open-source work to attract talent and cut costs by sharing technology. Momentum gathered in 2019 when Huawei was, in effect, barred by America from using Android. That gave new urgency to efforts to cut reliance on Western technology. Open-source offered a faster way for Chinese tech firms to take existing code and build their own programs with help from the country's vast community of developers. In 2020 Huawei launched OpenHarmony, a family of open-source operating systems for smartphones and other devices. It also joined others, including Alibaba, Baidu and Tencent, to establish the OpenAtom Foundation, a body dedicated to open-source development. China quickly became not just a big contributor to open-source programs, but also an early adopter of software. an e-commerce firm, was among the first to deploy Kubernetes. AI has lately given China's open-source movement a further boost. Chinese companies, and the government, see open models as the quickest way to narrow the gap with America. DeepSeek's models have generated the most interest, but Qwen, developed by Alibaba, is also highly rated, and Baidu has said it will soon open up the model behind its Ernie chatbot. China's enthusiasm for open technology is also extending to hardware. Unitree, a robotics startup from Hangzhou, has made its training data, algorithms and hardware designs available for free, which may help it to shape global standards. Semiconductors offer another illustration. China depends on designs from Western chip firms. As part of its push for self-sufficiency, the government is urging firms to adopt RISC-V, an open chip architecture developed at the University of California, Berkeley. Many Chinese firms also hope that more transparent technology will help them win acceptance for their products abroad. That has yet to prove true. Huawei's operating system has found few users elsewhere. Although some Western companies have been experimenting with DeepSeek's models, an executive at a global enterprise-software firm says that many clients outside China will not touch the country's AI tools. Some fear disruption from future American restrictions. Others worry about backdoors hidden in the code that might allow them to be spied on. China's open-source ambitions could be derailed in other ways, too. Qi Ning, a Chinese software engineer, points out that at international open-source conferences, attendees increasingly avoid naming Chinese collaborators, as they worry about reputational risk or political blowback. America's government may also make life difficult for Chinese open-source developers. Fearing nefarious meddling in the world's code, it could seek to cut China off from GitHub, which is owned by Microsoft. Mr Qi says many Chinese developers fear 'access issues in the future'. China's government has promoted Gitee, a domestic alternative. But few local programmers use it. Last year some American lawmakers argued for restricting China's access to RISC-V—though Andrea Gallo, head of the Swiss body that oversees the technology, contends that this is not feasible as it is a public standard, much like USB. Yet it is China's own government that poses the biggest threat to the country's open-source experiment, despite supporting it in principle. In 2021 the government restricted access to GitHub, concerned that the platform could be used to host politically sensitive content. Developers quickly turned to virtual private networks (which mask a user's location) to regain access, but the episode rattled many. In 2022 the government announced that all projects on Gitee would be subject to official review and that developers would need to certify compliance with Chinese law. A similar pattern is playing out in AI. Chinese law prohibits models from generating content that 'damages the unity of the country and social harmony'. In 2023 Hugging Face, a Franco-American platform for sharing open-source AI models, became inaccessible from within China. China's open-source movement is organic, driven by developers and tech firms. The government has so far encouraged it because it serves its objectives of accelerating domestic innovation and reducing reliance on Western technology. If China's leaders constrain the culture of freedom and experimentation on which open technology relies, however, they will limit its potential.
West Australian
4 days ago
- Business
- West Australian
THE ECONOMIST: Why China is giving away its technology for free
Underpinning the digital economy is a deep foundation of open-source software, freely available for anyone to use. The majority of the world's websites are run using Apache and Nginx, two open-source programs. Most computer servers are powered by Linux, another such programme, which is also the basis of Google's Android operating system. Kubernetes, a programme widely used to manage cloud-computing workloads, is likewise open-source. The software is maintained and improved upon by a global community of developers. China, which had long stood at the periphery of that community, has in recent years become an integral part of it. After America and India, it is home to the largest group of developers on GitHub, the world's biggest repository of open-source software. Chinese tech giants, including Alibaba, Baidu and Huawei, have become prolific open-source funders and contributors. China has been particularly active in the development of open-source artificial-intelligence (AI) models, including those from DeepSeek, an AI startup that shook the world in January by releasing for free the cutting-edge models it had developed on a shoestring. According to Artificial Analysis, a website, 12 of the 15 leading open-source AI models are Chinese. This newfound interest in open-source has been fueled by America's efforts to hobble its rival. Curbing China's access to code that is readily available online is tricky. This month Ren Zhengfei, Huawei's founder, told People's Daily, a Communist Party mouthpiece, that American tech restrictions were nothing to fear since 'there will be thousands of open-source software (programs) to meet the needs of the entire society'. Yet the rise in China of open technology, which relies on transparency and decentralisation, is awkward for an authoritarian state. If the party's patience with open-source fades, and it decides to exert control, that could hinder both the course of innovation at home and developers' ability to export their technology abroad. China's open-source movement first gained traction in the mid-2010s. Richard Lin, co-founder of Kaiyuanshe, a local open-source advocacy group, recalls that most of the early adopters were developers who simply wanted free software. That changed when they realised that contributing to open-source projects could improve their job prospects. Big firms soon followed, with companies like Huawei backing open-source work to attract talent and cut costs by sharing technology. Momentum gathered in 2019 when Huawei was, in effect, barred by America from using Android. That gave new urgency to efforts to cut reliance on Western technology. Open-source offered a faster way for Chinese tech firms to take existing code and build their own programs with help from the country's vast community of developers. In 2020, Huawei launched OpenHarmony, a family of open-source operating systems for smartphones and other devices. It also joined others, including Alibaba, Baidu and Tencent, to establish the OpenAtom Foundation, a body dedicated to open-source development. China quickly became not just a big contributor to open-source programs, but also an early adopter of software. an e-commerce firm, was among the first to deploy Kubernetes. AI has lately given China's open-source movement a further boost. Chinese companies and the government see open models as the quickest way to narrow the gap with America. DeepSeek's models have generated the most interest, but Qwen, developed by Alibaba, is also highly rated, and Baidu has said it will soon open up the model behind its Ernie chatbot. China's enthusiasm for open technology is also extending to hardware. Unitree, a robotics startup from Hangzhou, has made its training data, algorithms and hardware designs available for free, which may help it to shape global standards. Semiconductors offer another illustration. China depends on designs from Western chip firms. As part of its push for self-sufficiency, the government is urging firms to adopt RISC-V, an open chip architecture developed at the University of California, Berkeley. Many Chinese firms also hope that more transparent technology will help them win acceptance for their products abroad. That has yet to prove true. Huawei's operating system has found few users elsewhere. Although some Western companies have been experimenting with DeepSeek's models, an executive at a global enterprise-software firm says that many clients outside China will not touch the country's AI tools. Some fear disruption from future American restrictions. Others worry about backdoors hidden in the code that might allow them to be spied on. China's open-source ambitions could be derailed in other ways, too. Qi Ning, a Chinese software engineer, points out that at international open-source conferences, attendees increasingly avoid naming Chinese collaborators, as they worry about reputational risk or political blowback. America's government may also make life difficult for Chinese open-source developers. Fearing nefarious meddling in the world's code, it could seek to cut China off from GitHub, which is owned by Microsoft. Mr Qi says many Chinese developers fear 'access issues in the future'. China's government has promoted Gitee, a domestic alternative. But few local programmers use it. Last year some American lawmakers argued for restricting China's access to RISC-V — though Andrea Gallo, head of the Swiss body that oversees the technology, contends that this is not feasible as it is a public standard, much like USB. Yet it is China's own government that poses the biggest threat to the country's open-source experiment, despite supporting it in principle. In 2021 the government restricted access to GitHub, concerned that the platform could be used to host politically sensitive content. Developers quickly turned to virtual private networks (which mask a user's location) to regain access, but the episode rattled many. In 2022 the government announced that all projects on Gitee would be subject to official review and that developers would need to certify compliance with Chinese law. A similar pattern is playing out in AI. Chinese law prohibits models from generating content that 'damages the unity of the country and social harmony'. In 2023 Hugging Face, a Franco-American platform for sharing open-source AI models, became inaccessible from within China. China's open-source movement is organic, driven by developers and tech firms. The government has so far encouraged it because it serves its objectives of accelerating domestic innovation and reducing reliance on Western technology. If China's leaders constrain the culture of freedom and experimentation on which open technology relies, however, they will limit its potential.
South China Morning Post
6 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Spark Deep Dive: How Labubu is captivating fans around the world
News: Labubu, the adorable Chinese phenomenon, is captivating global fans The toy is drawing comparisons to Hello Kitty with its universal appeal and clever marketing Pop Mart is the company behind the hit collectible character Labubu. It was virtually unknown outside mainland China before 2024. Now, some analysts are comparing its success to that of Hello Kitty. Labubu is a sharp-fanged but cute little monster often sold as a plush clip-on charm for handbags. He has attracted high-profile fans. April marked the debut of the Labubu 3.0 series, which drew long queues in London, New York and Dubai. For years, there's been a push [for Chinese companies] to 'go global' by exporting heritage and storytelling,' said Chris Pereira. He is the founder and CEO of iMpact, a brand consulting company in Singapore. 'But Labubu flips that script. It's not trying to explain China; it's just trying to be lovable.' The constant hype around Labubu has 'great similarities' to Hello Kitty, which turned 50 last year, according to JPMorgan Chase. International sales rose more than 480 per cent in the first quarter of this year compared to last year. This growth was led by increases of 900 per cent in the US and 600 per cent in Europe. Pereira said the popularity of the intellectual property (IP) opens the door for a wave of Chinese brands to succeed not because they are about China, but because they tap into universal emotions. Labubu's rise in popularity is due to a few factors, said Richard Lin. He is the chief consumer analyst at SPDB International, a Hong Kong-based investment bank. 'This includes the scarcity of the product itself, which has fuelled spontaneous social-media promotion by those lucky enough to get their hands on the toy,' he said. The character also appeals to global consumers with its 'mischievous, cheeky image' that fans find irresistible, he said. 'In today's context, Hello Kitty might not resonate as much with younger audiences, who tend to look for characters with more individuality and edge,' he added. Shen Hao is a marketing professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He said that social media fuels the craze for toys like Labubu. 'People can easily find others online who have similar interests, to discuss and share photos, and they get a lot of likes or can even trade their toys,' he said. 'This creates an immersive experience to interact with each other and feel connected as a group.' As stunning as Labubu's success has been, it has decades to go to match Hello Kitty's staying power. Staff writers Staff writers Question prompts 1. According to the news, which of the following is true? (1) Labubu's international sales rose more than 480 per cent compared to last year in the first quarter of this year. (2) The Labubu 3.0 series drew huge queues in Chile and London. (3) Pop Mart's sales rose by 900 per cent in Europe last year. (4) Pop Mart was mostly unknown outside China until Labubu went viral in 2024. A. (1), (2) only B. (2), (3) only C. (3), (4) only D. (1), (4) only 2. List TWO reasons why Labubu has become so popular globally. 3. Name TWO ways in which Labubu is being compared to Hello Kitty in the news. Cartoon Question prompts 1. What is being shown in this cartoon? What might it represent? 2. What makes Labubu different from other popular characters? Explain using the news and your own knowledge. Glossary intellectual property (IP): creations of the mind used in business. This can include inventions, art, literary work, designs, names and images. IP is protected by laws such as patents, copyrights and trademarks. These laws allow creators and artists to get recognition or money for their work. scarcity: the limited availability of resources such as supplies, raw materials or labour, which impacts the production of goods and services and their prices spontaneous: something that is done out of a natural impulse, without having been thought about beforehand. Sample answers News D Labubu has gained popularity partly due to its cute yet mischievous appearance and the buzz generated on social media. Richard Lin noted that the toy's scarcity creates a craze, resulting in higher demand than the available supply, while Shen Hao added that fans of the character have connected on social media, which has allowed them to form a community and share photos and stories about their toys. (accept all reasonable answers) Both Labubu and Hello Kitty possess a charming quality, but as Lin noted, Labubu may appeal more to younger audiences because of its edgy quality. Additionally, while Labubu has recently garnered considerable attention, Hello Kitty's long-standing presence in the market remains a significant factor to consider. (accept all reasonable answers) Cartoon The image depicts a variety of plushies, dolls and toys gathering around a map of the world. On the map, several light bulbs are marked in different locations. This illustrates how dolls and toys, especially those from Pop Mart, are gaining popularity worldwide, with many hotspots emerging. (accept all reasonable answers) Labubu is extremely popular worldwide. The fact that the doll was designed by an artist from Hong Kong and is sold by a company based in Beijing will attract more attention to China. Enthusiasts of dolls and toys may become interested in discovering more toys made in China, which could have a positive impact on the economy, especially if Labubu rises to the same level of popularity as Hello Kitty. In addition, Labubu has an edgy quality, while other popular characters tend to look more cute. (accept all reasonable answers)
South China Morning Post
18-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Mainland Chinese retailers take advantage of falling rents to expand Hong Kong presence
Mainland Chinese retailers are stepping up their expansion in Hong Kong, taking advantage of falling rents to target value-seeking consumers, with analysts suggesting the city may serve as a launch pad for broader international ambitions. Brands from the mainland accounted for 35 per cent of the total number of firms entering Hong Kong so far this year, up from 29 per cent last year, according to Lawrence Wan, head of advisory and transaction services for retail at CBRE Hong Kong. 'For mainland brands, Hong Kong is a more easily accessible market in terms of language and familiarity,' Wan said. Analysts agreed that these brands see the city as a testing ground and a launch pad – part of a broader strategy to seek growth in overseas markets like Southeast Asia – amid weakening consumption at home. The mainland discount grocery chain HotMaxx debuted in the city in September last year. Photo: Connor Mycroft 'Mainland retailers are not looking to make a lot of money in Hong Kong; it's more about having a presence in the city,' said Richard Lin, chief consumer analyst at SPDB International, a Hong Kong-based investment bank. 'It's all about sending a signal to the market, saying, 'we're expanding'.'
South China Morning Post
11-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Starbucks, Luckin get buzz from smaller-city coffee sales in China
As coffee chains in China struggle with a bitter combination of sluggish consumption and cutthroat pricing, Starbucks and Luckin Coffee regained momentum in the last quarter by focusing on lower-tier cities. Advertisement Same-store sales were flat for Starbucks' China operations in the quarter ended March 30, but a 4 per cent increase in transactions helped to offset a 4 per cent decline in the average tab, the company said last month. This came after the Seattle-based firm suffered an 8 per cent decline in comparable-store sales in the country in the year ended September 29. Operating revenue rose 5 per cent year on year to US$740 million in the quarter. The company said it added 665 stores in China over the past year, bringing its total to 7,758, second only to the US at 17,122, and covering more than 1,000 of China's county-level markets. 'The fact that Starbucks is trading a lower ticket size for better transaction volume is a positive sign,' said Richard Lin, chief consumer analyst at SPDB International, a Hong Kong-based investment bank. 'It shows that the company is making efforts to defend its market share in China as price competition persists.' However, Lin noted that it would also be important to monitor how much further Starbucks could expand beyond the wealthier cities, where customers could afford to pay for a premium brand. Advertisement A total of 66,920 coffee shops opened across China over the past year, according to a food and beverage data provider. Much of that growth was concentrated in second and 'new first-tier cities' – urban centres less globally connected than Beijing or Shanghai, but rising in population and economic power. For example, Chengdu, capital of southwestern Sichuan province, added 1,995 coffee shops over the past year, ranking third nationwide, while tech hub Hangzhou, capital of eastern Zhejiang province, ranked sixth with 1,725 new openings, data showed.
