Taipei remains Taiwan’s political heartbeat and economic hub, home to 2.5 million in the city and a gateway to Asia’s tech frontier.
SK Hynix has raised $26.5 billion by selling 177.9 million American depositary receipts priced at $149, marking the largest-ever U.S. share sale by a foreign company. Its ADRs began trading on the Nasdaq under temporary ticker SKHYV and will switch to SKHY; the company is using proceeds to expand fabs, packaging and EUV capacity amid booming AI-driven memory demand.
Paraguay's president Santiago Peña has visited Taiwan and has reaffirmed diplomatic support, signing cooperation agreements and praising shared democratic values. China has urged Paraguay to sever ties, saying most Paraguayans favour establishing relations with Beijing, and has criticised Paraguayan officials who visit Taipei.
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te says he has arrived in Eswatini, Taiwan’s only diplomatic ally in Africa, despite flight challenges reportedly due to Chinese pressure
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has joined President Trumps delegation to China and has been pictured in Beijing; the trip has been focusing on trade, AI export controls and Iran. China has not approved any purchases of Nvidias H200 chips and is continuing to push domestic chip development while U.S. export controls remain in place.
Taiwan has monitored and responded to Chinese military activity around the island, following a Beijing summit between Xi and Trump. The United States has signalled continued support for Taiwan’s defence under the Taiwan Relations Act, while Taipei cautions against independence. Washington is weighing a new arms package as relations with China remain tense.
Marvell Technology joins the S&P 500 on June 22, highlighting the growing role of semiconductors in the market, while Flex will also join; Pool Corp and The Campbell’s Company will be removed. Nvidia-linked optimism and a surge in Marvell’s stock follow the broader AI and data infrastructure boom.
Qualcomm has unveiled a data-center CPU, announced the acquisition of Modular to boost AI software capabilities, and detailed its broader data-center AI roadmap. The moves position Qualcomm to challenge Nvidia in enterprise AI and expand its reach into cars, robots, and connected devices, while continuing its growth in China amid export-control considerations.
Alibaba has filed a federal lawsuit arguing that the DoD’s 1260H designation labeling it a Chinese military-society link is baseless. The suit seeks removal from the list and challenges the process as unfair. Several other Chinese firms face similar actions as the government moves to tighten tech controls amid U.S.-China tensions.
The Guardian, The Japan Times, AP News, and others report Beijing’s export controls on dual-use items target Japanese firms as Tokyo expands its defense posture. Detentions of Japanese nationals in China over alleged rare-earths-related export violations are intensifying the diplomatic row. The moves come after Japanese comments on Taiwan and potential military action raised Beijing’s alarm.
Taiwan faces intensified pressure as China expands coast guard patrols and maritime activities near its east coast. Western capitals warn that regional stability is at risk, while Taiwan conducts drills to test rapid deployment amid ongoing defence modernization and new drone capabilities being debated in Taipei.
A two-seat sport aircraft crashed into the Citic Tower in Beijing, killing the pilot and injuring 13 others in a scene that has raised questions about airspace controls and security in the capital. Officials say the incident was caused by personal reasons, with the pilot described as having insomnia and anxiety. Investigations are ongoing.
New funding and product integrations are accelerating the deployment of humanoid robots globally. Investors back Zeroth in China, Unitree unveils an integrated Nvidia platform, and Morgan Stanley upgrades China’s market outlook as companies push from demos to real-world use.
Luxshare Precision Industry plans to raise up to HK$24.3 billion in a Hong Kong share sale, pricing shares at HK$63.28, as it expands beyond Apple and strengthens its position in automotive electronics and data centers. The IPO follows a wave of Hong Kong listings this week and reflects a push to diversify revenue sources.
Typhoon Bavi has struck Zhejiang province and weakened to a tropical storm while pushing inland on Sunday, July 12, 2026. Authorities have evacuated more than 2.8 million people, cut train and flight services and deployed emergency crews as heavy rain, uprooted trees and landslides hit cities from Zhejiang into Anhui.