Innovation 27 March 2026 AI glasses are catching on in China, from shopping to cheating Early adopters are renting AI glasses for $6 a day for navigation, translation, and school exams. By Viola Zhou
Innovation 12 February 2026 How cheap Chinese phones catapulted Kenya into the global digital economy In his new book “Silicon Elsewhere: Nairobi, Global China, and the Promise of Techno-Capital,” writer Andrea Pollio charts the growth of Chinese investment and companies in the Kenyan capital. By Andrea Pollio
China Outside China 25 November 2025 Chinese businesses are transforming Mexico City’s poshest neighborhood A growing Chinese techie community in Nuevo Polanco is fueling a boom in restaurants and markets to serve them. By Daniela Dib
EV Revolution 28 August 2025 Chinese EV makers are cashing in on Western luxury knockoffs As the mainland’s electric-vehicle industry expands globally, design mimicry is reshaping competition. By Ananya Bhattacharya and Kinling Lo
Tech Giants 7 April 2025 iPhones were already losing ground in China. Then came Trump’s tariffs Consumers ditch Apple for more advanced features and to support Chinese brands. By Selina Cheng and Joanna Chiu
China Outside China 11 March 2024 Chinese smartphone maker Transsion’s strategy to win hearts and wallets in small-town India After big successes in Africa, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, China's Transsion Holdings sets its sights on India. By Pratap Vikram Singh
China Outside China 29 August 2023 Xiaomi tries to win back Indian consumers Low demand in entry-level smartphones, a confusing portfolio, and excessive reliance on online sales have all contributed to Xiaomi losing its smartphone leader position. By Nilesh Christopher
Politics 5 October 2022 India cracked down on Chinese apps, but many still thrive under the radar At least eight of India’s 100 most-downloaded free apps were found to be from Chinese companies like ByteDance, Xiaomi, Alibaba, and Joyy. By Andrew Deck
Politics 15 August 2022 Chinese brands that pioneered India’s smartphone market are now being hounded by authorities As many as 119 bank accounts of Vivo India have been frozen, while Oppo India has been accused of avoiding taxes worth $551 million. By Meaghan Tobin
South Asia Newsletter 26 July 2022 The second wave of India’s crackdown on Chinese tech is here Indians have learned to live without TikTok, but brands like Xiaomi and Realme might be hard to ban. By Itika Sharma Punit
Bento 🍱 5 April 2022 A guide to pronouncing names of global tech companies BYJU’s. Shein. You’ve read about these companies everywhere, but you can’t say their names out loud. We’re here to help. By Rest of World Staff
South Asia Newsletter 30 November 2021 The myth of falling smartphone prices in India A drastic increase in smartphone prices over the years has created an unexpected benefactor: tech-enabled resale houses. By Nilesh Christopher