☕️ Good morning, friends,

We all know that asiabits readers are unusually good-looking and care about their appearance.

So here’s a public-service announcement: never skip taking off your make-up!

A woman in China’s Jilin Province didn’t remove hers for more than 20 years and now her face has turned purple…

These photos are seared into our memories. 👉 Have a look (if you dare)!

🤝 P.S. Partner of the week: e-commerce powerhouse Genuine Asia

BENCHMARKS

NUMBERS

1,864 miles

That’s the potential EV range claimed for Huawei’s new solid-state battery technology, up to three times more than current EV batteries.

51%

That’s the stake tea giant Chagee sold in its Thai unit to accelerate overseas expansion.

3.7 billion USD

That's how much foreign companies are investing in new projects in Shanghai, with 56 contracts signed at a centralized event.

TOP BIT

🇨🇳 Brain Gain: How China Is Attracting Researchers, Top Rankings & Talent

A German research power-couple, Roland Eils and Irina Lehmann—world leaders in AI-driven medicine—have resigned high-profile posts in Heidelberg and Berlin to join state-run Fudan University in Shanghai. Their move is one of many similar shifts as Chinese universities climb global league tables and more top scientists leave the United States and Europe for the East.

The Details

🏥 New Research Hub: Fudan is creating a Center for AI Medicine, pledging tens of millions for data platforms, genome analysis, and AI diagnostics.

📈 Ranking Surge: Tsinghua (11), Peking U. (25), and Zhejiang U. (45) are now among 15 Chinese institutions in the global top 100—up from just two in 2018.

👩‍🔬 Talent Balance: In 2024 China counted 32 511 highly cited researchers, surpassing the U.S. at 31 781.

🤖 AI Elite: A new UN study finds 65 of the world’s top 100 AI scientists are Chinese, with 50 already working inside China.

✈️ U.S. Deterrents: Tighter visa rules and shrinking grants in the U.S. are sending Chinese PhD students and senior scholars home—or straight to China.

Why It Matters

• Competition: Western research hubs lose innovative power when top talent departs.
  

• Market Dynamics: China’s lead in AI medicine promises multibillion-dollar revenue in diagnostics and pharma.
  

• Geopolitics: Science becomes a soft-power instrument in the U.S.–China contest.
  

• Feedback Loop: More citations attract more grants and talent, reinforcing China’s rise.

Background

For over a decade Beijing has poured tens of billions into R&D, offering generous start-up packages to returnees and making entrepreneurship easier. At the same time, stricter U.S. visas and budget cuts discourage foreign scientists—accelerating the eastward talent flow.

📊 All Data & Details: SCMP, China Science

OUR PARTNER
💡 Your Powerhouse for E-Commerce in China

China is complex. China moves fast. China forgives no mistakes. Yet some brands seem to thrive there with ease.

GENUINE is your full-service partner for conquering the Chinese market:

• Local know-how: 100 + specialists across Shanghai, Berlin, Hong Kong and more.

• Proven track record: 50 + international brands successfully positioned in China—including Zwilling, Cosnova and Electrolux.

• Full transparency: real-time reporting and direct communication.

• Complete toolkit: E-commerce, social media, offline retail and TikTok-shop optimization.

In short: GENUINE delivers where others merely promise.

👉 Book your call here and take your China business to the next level.

HEAD OF THE DAY
🇰🇷 Kim Jung-soo & Chun In-jang

🥢 From the kitchen counter to a billion-dollar hit: Kim Jung-soo joined Samyang Foods in 1998, launched the fiery Buldak noodles in 2012, and catapulted her net worth to $1.3 billion. Together with Chun In-jang, this dynamic entrepreneur duo turned instant noodles into a global cult phenomenon.

👉 Lesson learned: With authentic flavor, a special hot spice and clever storytelling, even the simplest dish can become a runaway success.

MARKET BIT
🔋 Panasonic Pumps $4 B Into U.S. Battery Gigafactory

Details

🏭 Mega-Plant Opens: For roughly $4 B, Panasonic has brought its second U.S. EV-battery factory online in De Soto, Kansas.

🔋 High Capacity: The plant makes 2170 cells and will ramp to 32 GWh a year by 2027—about 20 % more efficient than its Nevada sibling.

👷 Jobs Engine: Over 1 000 staff already hired; up to 4 000 permanent roles plus 16 500 construction jobs are planned.

🚗 U.S. Onshoring: The facility advances Washington’s push to relocate key battery production inside America’s borders.

Why It Matters

• Onshoring: The U.S. shortens its EV supply chain and cuts reliance on foreign cell makers.
  

• Local Boost: Kansas gains billions in construction, payroll and tax revenue—fuel for jobs and training.
  

• Range Race: More domestic capacity lets North-American automakers scale affordable EVs faster, accelerating the energy transition.
  
  
  👉🏻 Full story: Nikkei, Panasonic

TOP READS

🛰️ China Pulls Off Satellite Docking: Two Chinese satellites autonomously docked in geostationary orbit for refueling. The US has not yet achieved this. US satellites closely monitored the historic maneuver. Full Story.

🧲 Rare Earth Export Record: China’s June shipments soared 60 percent to 7,742 tonnes, the highest since 2009. Auto and magnet makers rush to stockpile as China eases controls and hints at US trade deals. Full story.

🚗 Nissan and Honda Join Forces On Car Software: Both companies develop unified vehicle software to rival Tesla and Chinese EV giants. Launch planned for late 2020s. Alliance talks continue despite failed merger. Full story.

OPTIONAL READS

Singapore: Airalo becomes first unicorn in the eSIM industry after raising US$220 million in funding, led by CVC. More on this.

Thailand: Bangkok attracts digital nomads with affordable healthcare, strong infrastructure and a vibrant lifestyle. More on this.

Japan: Government-backed Chipmaker JS Foundry files for bankruptcy, leaving $110 million in debt. More on this.

TOILET COOKIE

Our Fortune Cookie today comes from Vietnam, courtesy of our loyal reader Boas Ruoss!

First of all, thank you for the feedback, Boas.

We stared at the photo for ages, imagining all kinds of scenarios—each one somehow hilarious …

And because our community is awesome, Boas even sent the exact GPS coordinates in case you’re in Vietnam and need a family-friendly restroom.

No thanks necessary!

Send us your fortune cookie and win the highly coveted asiabits T-shirt!

Spotted something funny, interesting, or noteworthy in or about Asia? Send it to [email protected] and we’ll feature it right here!

FEEDBACK

See you tomorrow in your inbox, 

Thomas, Michael & the Team of asiabits