Daily Buzz: 8 January 2026

China Probes Japan Imports of Chemical Vital in Chipmaking

China's ministry of commerce said it has launched an anti-dumping investigation into imports from Japan of a key chemical compound used in integrated-circuit manufacturing. The probe, which will cover the year ended June 30, 2025, was triggered by a complaint filed by domestic producers of dichlorosilane, a chemical used in thin-film deposition processes in chip manufacturing. The ministry said preliminary evidence indicates that imports of the compound rose between 2022 and 2024 while prices fell 31 percent, causing harm to mainland producers. The ministry published an industry document of major dichlorosilane sellers that includes three companies from Japan: Shin-Etsu Chemical, Air Liquide Japan GK and Mitsubishi Chemical Group. The anti-dumping probe has a one-year timeline but could be extended an additional six months, the ministry said. It comes at a time when trade and political relations between Japan and China are strained.

Trump Says Venezuela to Surrender Millions of Barrels of Oil

In the aftermath of the US attack on Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, President Donald Trump said Venezuela will turn over 30 million-50 million barrels of oil to the US and he will control the proceeds from its sale. At current market prices, that volume of oil is valued at up to US$2.75 billion. The oil concession comes as the Trump administration deals with a Venezuelan government still in the hands of Maduro supporters. The crude handover will come from barrels already in storage. Trump earlier said US oil companies will invest billions of dollars to rejuvenate Venezuelan oil production, which peaked at 3 million barrels a day but subsequently declined to 800,000 barrels a day because of deteriorating infrastructure, corruption and mismanagement. Venezuela holds the world's largest proven reserves of dense, high-sulfur crude.

US-Denmark Talks Set on Greenland

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he will meet leaders of Denmark next week as tensions flared again over President Donald Trump's insistence that the US needs to take over Greenland for national security reasons. Greenland is a semi-autonomous island under Denmark's jurisdiction since the early 18th century. Although the US has said it is willing to purchase the largest island in the world, Trump isn't ruling out taking it by force. Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly said the mineral-rich territory is not for sale. The US threats create a dilemma because both countries are members of NATO and an attack on one member by another would be unprecedented. The US has long operated a major air base in Greenland, which is part of its Arctic defense system. Trump said Russian and Chinese vessels are skulking around Greenland, a claim Denmark disputes.

US Seizes Two More Oil Tankers

The US seized two more tankers accused of operating as "shadow fleets" used to carry crude from countries under US oil sanctions. Both vessels are linked to Venezuelan oil. One tanker was seized in the Caribbean on Wednesday; another was apprehended in the North Atlantic after weeks of pursuit. The latter ship originally heading for a port in Venezuela under the name Bella 1 and the Guyanan flag when it eluded a US blockade, but the vessel had changed its name to the Marinera and reflagged itself as Russian by the time of its capture near Iceland. Russia condemned the US action.

Top Business

China Cracks Down on E-Commerce and Online Influencers

China, in a new set of guidelines announced on Wednesday, will ban major e-commerce platforms such as Alibaba, JD.com and Meituan from coercing online merchants into offering promotions, as the central government tries to tamp down on cutthroat retail competition. The new regulations take effect next month. Meituan said last year that "irrational competition" in its fast-food delivery battle with rivals Alibaba and JD let to its first quarterly loss in three years. A separate set of regulations unveiled on Wednesday ban online influencers from making false claims when selling products. The government last year began a crackdown on what it calls "disorderly" market behavior.

Ikea China to Close Shops in Seven Cities

Ikea China said it will close seven stores in the cities of Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Nantong, Xuzhou, Ningbo and Harbin, effective next month. The Swedish flat-pack furniture merchant said it is shifting its focus from large-scale expansion to targeted growth prospects, with plans to open 10 smaller-format stores over the next two years, targeting Beijing and Shenzhen as core locations. Ikea first entered the mainland market in 1998 with a store in Shanghai. The company currently operates 41 bricks-and-mortar outlets in addition to online sales. "The closing of these stores is linked to economic headwinds, as well as a highly developed online sales market that has squeezed the survival space of physical retail outlets," Fan Xinyu, assistant professor of economics at Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business in Beijing, told the South China Morning Post.

Chinese Airlines Chalk Up Another Profitable Year

China's airlines were profitable in 2025 for the second year running after four years of losses triggered by the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China. The carrier earned an aggregate 6.5 billion yuan (US$931 million) last year as passenger and cargo loads increased and fuel prices declined. Data on the performance of individual airlines will come when they report earnings. Passenger traffic rose 5.5 percent to 770 million last year, with a target of 810 million passengers this year.

Robots Take Center Stage at Las Vegas Show

Chinese firms unveiled a wave of new cleaning robots at the annual CES technology show in Las Vegas, highlighting advances in mobility, artificial intelligence and expansion of household applications. Roborock showcased what it described as the world's first stair-climbing robot vacuum, the G-Rover. Ecovacs Robotics introduced a broad lineup of new products, including flagship indoor Deebot models and several outdoor models that can clean windows and swimming pools. Chinese smart home brand Mova showcased its flying robot vacuum cleaner Pilot 70 that it boasts can reach difficult-to-reach outdoor locations on buildings.

China Targets 50,000 Industry Network Upgrades

China aims to push at least 50,000 companies to upgrade their industrial networks by 2028 as part of a plan to deepen the integration of industrial Internet technologies and artificial intelligence, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said. The ministry said the initiative is aimed at improving allocation of resources and strengthening the development of digital, smart industries.

Economy & Markets

China Reviewing Meta Takeover of Manus

China's commerce ministry is reviewing Meta's US$2 billion December takeover of Manus, a Chinese AI startup that has relocated to Singapore, to ascertain if export controls were violated, the Financial Times reported. Manus last year claimed the world's first general artificial intelligence agent capable of making decisions and executing tasks autonomously.

Citic Securities Ranks First in Investment Fees

Chinese investment bank Citic Securities took top spot in investment fee income last year in the Asia-Pacific region outside of Japan, according to the London Stock Exchange Group. The Beijing-based bank strongly performed in business related to underwriting bonds and initial public offerings, generating US$1.45 billion in fees,5.8 percent of the Asia-Pacific total and a 29 percent increase from a year earlier.

China Forex Reserves Rise

China's foreign-exchange reserves increased for the fifth consecutive month in December, reaching a decade-high of US$3.4 trillion, Xinhua reported, citing the State Administration of Foreign Exchange. Gold reserves rose for a 14th month to 74 million ounces. The agency said the increase in reserves reflects a declining dollar and continuing stability in the Chinese economy.

Corporate

Lenovo, Nvidia Team Up on Data Center Project

Lenovo, the world's largest personal computer maker, said it is partnering with Nvidia on a project that will provide faster deployment of data centers, called AI Cloud Gigafactory. The Chinese company announced the tie-up at the CES technology show in Las Vegas. Lenova said the data-center project combines its hybrid AI infrastructure with the US chipmaker's next-generation platform. Lenovo also unveiled its Qira AI system to work in tandem with Lenovo and Motorola PCs, phones, tablets and wearables, and showcased its concept AI glasses.

Xiaomi Begins Pre-Orders for Updated SU7 Model

Electric carmaker Xiaomi said it is accepting pre-orders for its next-generation model of the popular SU7, likely due out in April. The updated model stresses safety features and will come equipped with remote-sensing light detection and ranging technology. The emphasis on safety comes after several high-profile accidents involving the SUV last year. The new model also comes with a longer driving range. Pre-order prices start at 229,900 yuan (US$32,891).

Realme to Become Sub-Brand of Oppo

Chinese smartphone maker Realme is being integrated as a sub-brand into Shenzhen-based consumer electronics giant Oppo by their parent BBK Electronics, Reuters reported. Realme sells phones in India, Southeast Asia and Europe. BBK also owns the Vivo smartphone brand.

Xusheng Wins US$1.1 Billion Auto-Parts Contract

Ningbo-based Xusheng Group, a maker of aluminum alloy auto parts, said has secured a contract from a North American new energy vehicle company to supply components valued at up to 7.8 billion yuan (US$1.1 billion) over an eight-year contract. The buyer wasn't identified. The contract would include supply of powertrain components, body parts and battery housings to be made at Xusheng plants in China and Mexico.