technology

China’s latest rules on facial recognition technology introduce mandatory registration for companies handling significant volumes of personal data, alongside a practical guide to compliance In an era where facial recognition technology is increasingly embedded in daily life, from unlocking smartphones to streamlining payments, China has introduced robust regulations to ensure its responsible use. On March 21, 2025, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) and the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) …

China’s semiconductor industry is rapidly advancing, driven by state-backed initiatives and domestic innovation China’s semiconductor sector has emerged as a cornerstone of its technological ambition, propelled by significant government investment and a strategic push for self-sufficiency. In 2024, the industry was valued at £134.2 billion, with projections indicating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8% from 2025 to 2034, potentially reaching £283.7 billion by 2034. This growth reflects China’s …

China’s technology and electronics industry is a dynamo of innovation, manufacturing, and digital transformation that shapes markets and economies worldwide For British businesses eyeing opportunities in this vibrant sector, understanding its scale, key players, and strategic undercurrents is not just useful, it’s essential. From the sprawling factories of Shenzhen to the R&D labs of Beijing, this industry is a complex tapestry of ambition, policy, and relentless growth. Here, we unpack …

Global health innovation and how the UK and China can work together to “prevent, optimise and thrive” was the focus of a panel at the UK-China Business Forum 2025 that explored the shift in healthcare from a focus on curing illness to preventative care and health optimisation As the NHS embraces social prescribing and China advances the “Healthy China 2030” strategy, the panel examined innovations in preventative care, digital health, …

The crackdown on Chinese tech firms like Baidu, Alibaba and Tencent since 2020 has been of concern not just to the tech firms themselves but to pretty much all businesses, local and foreign. Paul French discusses the fallout with author Andrew Collier Andrew Collier’s China’s Technology War: Why Beijing Took Down its Tech Giants (Palgrave Macmillan, 2022) discusses the political and economic context of China’s tech “crackdown”. Collier was previously …

The Chinese government is pinning the country’s development on science and technology, ensuring the Party can innovate its way out of any problems the future may hold. British businesses could find themselves at a disadvantage as a new ‘techno-nationalism’ grips China’s industrial markets and results in the adoption of a ‘China first’ principal in government procurement, writes Joe Cash “Mr Science” has made many cameo appearances in the Party’s presentation …

From ubiquitous mobile payments and online insurance to carbon neutrality and rural revitalisation, China’s 2022-2025 Fintech Development Plan has some very lofty ambitions. Qian Zhou from China Briefing reviews the main contents of the new fintech plan The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) recently released its Fintech Development Plan for 2022-2025, which seeks to further develop China’s fintech sector and drive the digital transformation of finance in the country over …

China offers a range of tax incentives to encourage the growth of industries and technologies such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence and biopharmaceuticals. But what kind of companies qualify for these innovation tax incentives? As China endeavours to shift from a low-end mass manufacturer to a high-end producer, the government has doubled down on encouraging targeted investments in R&D and technological innovation. The ongoing technology confrontation with the US is another …

In the fourth in our COP26 series, we look at how companies like Oxford Instruments, Thoughtworks and XAG are driving the development of technologies that enable clean energy, zero-emission vehicles and carbon capture The 20th century saw unprecedented technological advances. However, in our quest for progress, we failed to heed the impact that our industries were having on the planet. Although we now know that human activity started influencing the …

The priority for most brands as Q3 draws to a close is ensuring that plans have been finalised and locked in for Singles’ Day. The shopping festival has now become a month-long opportunity to gain more traction through e-commerce stores, write Ryan Molloy and Frank Ren from RedFern Digital  There are three major components to Singles’ Day (falling on 11 November and also known as 11.11 or Double 11) that …