The rise of Chinese innovation, exemplified by platforms like DeepSeek, TikTok, and Temu, highlights the country’s rapid technological advancements driven by intense domestic competition and a shift toward high-quality, sophisticated products. With a strong foundation in robotics, renewable energy, and AI, China is poised to extend its cost and quality advantages globally, reshaping industries and challenging traditional leaders in the tech and manufacturing sectors.

Fleeing a potential TikTok ban, millions of American users joined RedNote, skyrocketing its downloads worldwide. This unexpected migration fostered cross-cultural exchanges, breaking stereotypes and sparking newfound interest in Chinese culture.

DeepSeek’s latest open-source AI model has stunned the industry by matching top-tier performance at a fraction of the cost, challenging closed-source giants like ChatGPT. Its success highlights the potential for cost-efficient AI development and raises questions about the future of open-source innovation in a rapidly evolving field.

In the 2025 outlook, Dr. Joseph Lai explores investment opportunities within emerging markets. With attractive valuations, robust economic growth, and high-potential regions like China, Vietnam, and Indonesia, these markets present a strategic advantage. He also highlights the transformative impact of AI advancements, positioning these markets as key drivers of global innovation.

Emerging markets are poised for a resurgence in 2025, driven by robust fundamentals, attractive valuations, and opportunities in key regions like China, Indonesia, and Vietnam, making this an opportune time for investors to capitalize on growth potential in a shifting global economic landscape.

While the long-term fundamentals remain attractive, the high valuation of the Indian market and a rather notable slowdown in economic activities will impact stock market performance.

China’s policy shift aims to tackle deflation by revitalising the property sector and supporting the stock market with targeted liquidity. Key measures include the government buying old properties and providing financing for developers, all designed to restore confidence and spur economic recovery.

Indonesia’s economy is undergoing an economic transformation, driven by its young population and abundant resources, yet foreign investors continue to overlook its promising equity market.

China’s latest economic policies suggest a potential turning point for market growth and recovery.

Emerging markets have contributed over 60% of global GDP – discover what factors are driving the current investment potential in emerging markets.