Cognitive Asia

Xinhua | English | News | Jan. 15, 2026 | UndeterminedTech Development/Adoption

Wang Shulong, a former logger in eastern China, has transformed into a forest guardian, monitoring biodiversity in the Qianjiangyuan protected area, which spans 252 square kilometers at the intersection of Zhejiang, Anhui, and Jiangxi provinces. This region is notable for its rare subtropical low-altitude evergreen broad-leaved forests and hosts a diverse array of species, including 2,244 plants, 535 macrofungi, and 2,427 animals, making it a critical biological gene pool in eastern China.

Advanced technology supports conservation efforts through an integrated "air-space-ground" monitoring system established by the Zhejiang Qianjiangyuan Forest Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station. This system uses satellite remote sensing, forest canopy cranes, and ground-level sensors to facilitate extensive ecological monitoring. Local knowledge complements technology, with residents like Wang managing infrared cameras that have captured increasing rare animal activity, including a stable population of black bears.

Research in Qianjiangyuan is a collaborative effort involving scientists, students, and local residents who assist with field surveys, specimen collection, and data recording. A major recent initiative was a 134-day, paperless forest census on a 24-hectare plot, involving 76 participants and yielding over 330,000 data entries. This survey marked a technological advancement in standardized and modernized data collection, providing essential scientific evidence for ecosystem analysis and conservation strategies.

For Wang, the collected data and footage represent only a fraction of the biodiversity protected in the dense forests, underscoring ongoing efforts to safeguard and understand this vital ecological hotspot through a blend of smart technology and local expertise.

Times of News | English | News | Jan. 15, 2026 | Geopolitical Conflict and Disputes

The US has approved the export of Nvidia's H200 chips to China, imposing some conditions on the sales. Chinese technology companies have ordered over 2 million H200 chips, priced around $27,000 each, exceeding Nvidia’s current inventory of 700,000 chips. Nvidia is increasing production to meet strong demand, both domestically and internationally, which is also driving up rental prices for these chips in cloud data centers.

Saif Khan, former White House National Security Council technology and national security director, noted that allowing about two million advanced AI chips like the H200 to China could significantly enhance China’s AI capabilities. The US administration will face challenges enforcing restrictions meant to prevent Chinese cloud providers from using these chips for unauthorized or nefarious purposes.

Previously, the Biden administration had blocked advanced AI chip sales to China due to security concerns. However, the Trump administration supported the exports, arguing that shipping advanced AI chips to China could discourage Chinese companies, such as Huawei, from closing the technology gap with US firms like Nvidia and AMD. Despite approval for shipments under conditions meant to ensure national security, questions remain about the enforcement of limits on these chip exports and whether the Chinese government will permit their domestic use.

Semiconductor Engineering | English | AcademicThink | Jan. 15, 2026 | UndeterminedOperating Results

EDA and IP revenue increased by 8.8% in Q3 2025, reaching $5.566 billion compared to $5.115 billion in the same quarter of 2024, according to data from ESD Alliance. China experienced a return to double-digit growth after previous quarters of weak sales, contributing significantly to this overall growth.

South Korea and Taiwan showed the most notable revenue increases, driven by heavy investments in AI, with South Korea's revenue rising to $1.4 billion and Taiwan close behind at $1 billion. China accounts for 10% of the total EDA market with $1.9 billion annually. The U.S. and Europe exhibited more modest growth rates of 3.4% and 4.6%, respectively. India’s sales are growing but saw less activity in Q3 2025, currently generating around $500 million annually.

Breaking down revenue by segment in Q3 2025, computer-aided engineering increased by 9.1% to $2.097 billion, IC physical design and verification grew by 1.3% to $865 million, PCB and MCM revenue rose 3.4% to $466.2 million, semiconductor IP revenue climbed 13.6% to $1.915 billion, and services revenue grew by 10.2% to $221 million.