Despite a precipitous decline in cross-strait relations, products from mainland China hold appeal for many shoppers in Taiwan as the mainland’s technological capacity sharpens and economies of scale keep retail prices low.

Computers with chips that have built-in AI capabilities are expected to account for 86 per cent of laptops shipped in China in 2027, according to IDC.

The list of registered app stores in the country includes Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, Huawei and even Samsung, but not the mainland’s fourth-largest smartphone brand.

US PC giant Dell Technologies saw its Chinese sales plummet in the second quarter, amid a weaker macro environment and plans to cut reliance on China-based supply chains.

Lenovo has appointed US businessman John Thornton as an independent non-executive director and a member of the company’s Nomination and Governance Committee.

World’s biggest PC maker says net income fell 66 per cent to US$176.5 million, but it fended off HP to retain top position in the global PC market even though shipments shrank 18.4 per cent.

Micron’s president and CEO met with China’s Ministry of Commerce, according to report, as slew of US Chip companies signal commitment to market amid geopolitical tensions.

The world’s No 2 computer maker said it remains committed to its 20,000 square metre facility in Chongqing, as China is an important part of its supply chain.

MWC Shanghai, the regional edition of the world’s largest mobile communications industry trade show, marks its first decade in China this year.

That move by solid-state driver maker Memblaze reflect how Beijing’s actions against Micron could impact some local companies.

Inspur, which is under US trade sanctions, and Lenovo are among the biggest buyers of Micron products, which are under a partial ban in China.

Hong Kong stocks dropped for a third day as Lenovo and Xpeng reported disappointing earnings amid China’s weak economic recovery. A stalemate in debt ceiling talks in the US continued to sap sentiment.

The cooling demand is giving manufacturers the time ‘to make changes as many factories begin to explore production options outside China’, IDC said.

Lenovo saw a steeper-than-expected revenue decline to US$15.3 billion in the fourth quarter, as rivals HP and Dell also grappled with slowing PC sales after a work-from-home boom.

The decline comes amid rising inflation, supply chain disruption as a result of the pandemic, and the impact of the conflict in Ukraine.

Apple engineers are actively engaged in the project, although a launch has not been finalised, according to sources.

Analysts say more Big Tech brands are evaluating their exposure to China production amid increasing geopolitical headwinds.

Chinese companies at the world’s largest consumer electronics show are exhibiting new PCs, TVs and portable power stations, illustrating the country’s supply-chain strengths.

The recently approved IPO plans of nine Chinese semiconductor firms are expected to raise a total of US$3 billion from investors.

Speculation about retrenchment of workers in China’s AI industry reflects the uncertainties brought by US trade sanctions and further restrictions imposed by Washington.

The lay-offs are expected to be announced around the same time as Intel’s third-quarter earnings report on October 27.

In addition to slowing demand for consumer electronics, the semiconductor industry is also grappling with US export restrictions against Chinese companies.

Narendra Modi’s administration has been ramping up efforts to attract global electronics names through policy initiatives, as China’s allure wanes because of geopolitical tensions and its disruptive zero-Covid policy.

Top PC maker Lenovo reported record revenues and profits for its latest financial year, boosted by the global work-from-home trend, and despite domestic controversies over executive pay and past asset sales.

Lockdowns and shipment delays caused by China’s zero-Covid strategy are adding to cost pressures for global PC makers, who are moving to diversify production away from the world’s No 2 economy.

Jean Liu Qing, president of Didi Chuxing, and her father Liu Chuanzhi, founder of Lenovo, are the latest Chinese executives to hide their posts on Weibo amid a widening internet content crackdown.

Chinese companies could find themselves subject to huge fines and penalties for breach of sanctions if they work with targeted entities.

Regulators are redrawing the qualifications for listing on the Star Market, which was established in 2019 at the behest of the Chinese president to help the nation’s technology champions raise capital.