The focal points of today’s STAR Market Morning Express are as follows: 1) Shanghai is set to actively promote future industries like brain-computer interfaces and fourth-generation semiconductors; 2) Speculations regarding VAT rate increases in the gaming industry are deemed unreliable by experts; 3) AMD reported a net profit of $2.52 billion in Q4, marking a 42% year-on-year rise; 4) The world’s fastest humanoid robot has been unveiled.
Welcome to the latest updates, brought to you by Xiao K, your anchor from STAR Market Daily.
[Market Dynamics]
The Central Document No. 1 of 2026 propels the integration of artificial intelligence in agriculture and expands the application of drones, the Internet of Things, and robotics. This document, titled “Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Focusing on Agricultural and Rural Modernization,” was made public, emphasizing the urgent need to enhance agricultural science and technology innovation.
This initiative aims to coordinate scientific innovation platforms, secure breakthroughs in core agricultural technologies, and promote the effective transformation of technological achievements. Key focuses include nurturing leading agricultural tech enterprises, advancing the seed industry revitalization initiative, and enhancing the research and application of intelligent agricultural machinery suited for various terrains.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) also recently emphasized the need for advancements in several cutting-edge technologies, including 6G, quantum technology, biomanufacturing, hydrogen energy, brain-computer interfaces, and embodied intelligence. Minister Lecheng Li chaired a meeting promoting holistic planning and forward-thinking strategies necessary for the next era of technological innovation.
Debates regarding VAT rate increases in sectors like gaming and finance have emerged, but experts reassure that these claims lack credibility. Recent online chatter suggested that VAT rates for the gaming industry might leap from 6% to a staggering 32%; however, industry insiders have firmly rejected such assertions, noting that China’s VAT law caps rates at 13%.
Turning to the tech landscape, AMD showcased outstanding financial performance in Q4, reporting a net profit of $2.52 billion, which marks a remarkable 42% increase from the previous year. The company’s revenue ballooned to $10.27 billion, exceeding estimates and revealing an impressive growth trajectory, particularly in its data center revenue segment.
In a surprising development, NVIDIA is reportedly nearing a significant investment of $20 billion in OpenAI. This deal, if finalized, would represent NVIDIA’s largest injection of capital into OpenAI thus far, symbolizing the growing importance and interconnectedness of AI advancements in the tech industry.
Meanwhile, the world has been introduced to the fastest humanoid robot, Bolt, unveiled by the Humanoid Robotics Innovation Research Institute at Zhejiang University. Capable of sprinting at a speed of 10 meters per second, Bolt represents a remarkable achievement in robotics and illustrates the rapid advancements occurring in this field.
In matters concerning transparency, Cambricon issued a statement clarifying they have not organized any recent small-scale exchanges nor provided annual or quarterly revenue guidance figures. They reassured stakeholders that operations and R&D progress remain stable.
Adding to the industry’s buzz, Yanmai Technology’s recently acquired AXIS-TEC is poised to offer innovative solutions related to silicon photonics wafer testing. However, market sentiment appears cautious as the company acknowledges that revenue from these products constitutes less than 1% of total revenue currently.
Zhiyang Innovation has announced plans to acquire Shenzhen Lingming Photonics Technology Co., Ltd. through multiple financial methods, marking a significant step towards a major asset restructuring with anticipated impacts on trading activities.
On the technology frontier, a collaborative team from Monash University and the University of Melbourne has developed a groundbreaking optical wireless communication method inspired by quantum technology. This innovation promises to enable high-speed, stable wireless connections in complex environments, heralding advancements toward more efficient 6G networks.
Finally, for health and wellness advocates, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have quantified the global burden of preventable cancer for the first time. Their findings indicate that nearly 40% of new cancer cases worldwide in 2022 could be attributed to modifiable risk factors, underscoring the critical need for continued public health initiatives aimed at smoking cessation, infection control, and moderation of alcohol consumption.
Moreover, recent research from the University of Miami and the University of Tours highlights the potential of nanobodies in precision medicine, showcasing their promising effects in combating stress-induced depression among other ailments. This development signals a burgeoning interest and investment in this novel therapeutic avenue.