China’s groundbreaking algorithm, cyberattack on DeepSeek: SCMP daily highlights

From a high-performance algorithm to Chinese consumers’ growing demand for meat, here’s a round-up from today’s China and economy coverage

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Scientists in China have developed an algorithm that could increase the speed of computations which could help a variety of sectors, including military and bridge design. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 9:15pm, 30 Jan 2025

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1. Chinese algorithm boosts Nvidia GPU performance 800-fold in science computing

A high-performance algorithm that could solve complicated material design problems on consumer GPUs has been developed by Chinese researchers, achieving a groundbreaking 800-fold increase in speed over traditional methods.

2. Cyberattack on DeepSeek started in US: Chinese state media

A massive cyberattack targeted at China’s AI start-up DeepSeek in recent days originated in the US, according to China’s state broadcaster.

3. High-steaks challenge: how China feeds its huge, meat-hungry population

Shoppers purchase beef at a supermarket in southeastern China. The country’s meat consumption has risen rapidly over the past decade. Photo: Getty Images

For decades, China has had to confront the challenge of feeding nearly one-fifth of the world’s population with less than one-tenth of its arable land. But that task has become even more daunting in recent years, as Chinese consumers increasingly adopt meat-heavy, Western-style diets that require far more resources to sustain.