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Nvidia to Participate in China Supply-Chain Expo in July for First Time, CCTV Reports

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U.S. chip giant Nvidia (NVDA.O) will attend the China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing this July for the first time, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

The expo, now in its third edition, will take place from July 16 to 20 and feature more than 230 new Chinese and foreign participants, CCTV reported. Nvidia, the market leader in artificial intelligence-related chips, faces challenges in maintaining its share of the Chinese market amid tightening U.S. export controls restricting China’s access to advanced chips.

While the expo is not typically a venue for major deals, it offers foreign companies an important platform to demonstrate their commitment to the Chinese market. The event’s inaugural edition in 2023 saw Premier Li Qiang emphasize the reliability of Chinese supply chains, especially as some Western countries sought to reduce dependence on China.

Despite escalating trade tensions with the U.S., American companies will make up the largest group of foreign participants at this year’s expo, with a reported 15% increase over last year, according to CCTV.

Taiwan Cyber Unit Unfazed by China’s Bounty Threat on Alleged Hackers

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Taiwan’s cyber defense forces have vowed not to be intimidated by China’s offer of monetary rewards for the arrest of 20 individuals Beijing claims are Taiwanese military hackers, the island’s defense ministry said on Wednesday. Taiwan emphasized that China’s legal system holds no jurisdiction over the democratically governed island.

The controversy escalated last week when China’s Guangzhou Public Security Bureau named and published photos, names, and identity card numbers of the alleged hackers linked to Taiwan’s Information, Communications and Electronic Force Command, offering rewards exceeding $1,000 for their capture. Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Office warned that it would “pursue the matter to the end” and would not show leniency.

In response, Taiwan’s defense ministry condemned China for spreading false narratives and using “cross-border rewards” as part of what it called a disinformation campaign to weaken military morale. Taiwan’s constitution affirms that Chinese laws have no binding authority on the island or its people.

“The officers and soldiers of the Information, Communications and Electronic Force Command will remain steadfast,” the ministry said, “defending the digital frontier and ensuring national security through solid information defense.”

Taiwan has frequently accused China of extensive cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns aimed at undermining public trust in Taiwan’s government, amid increasing military and political pressure from Beijing.

Pony.ai Robotaxi Catches Fire After Malfunction, No Injuries Reported

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Pony.ai, one of China’s leading autonomous vehicle companies, confirmed on Wednesday that one of its driverless robotaxis caught fire in Beijing after a system malfunction triggered an emergency stop. The incident occurred while the vehicle was being handled by service personnel. Fortunately, no passengers were on board, and no injuries were reported.

According to a company statement, the car—operating without a human driver—experienced an “abnormal status” early Tuesday morning, prompting its safety system to initiate a stop. Service staff arrived within two minutes, but during the response process, the vehicle ignited and caught fire.

“No collision occurred and no one was injured. The specific cause is currently under investigation,” Pony.ai stated.

Incident Footage and Public Response

Videos circulating on Chinese social media show thick black smoke rising from a multi-lane highway, with a burned-out vehicle straddling a road divider. The car appears to be a Lexus, the luxury brand under Toyota, which is a known backer of Pony.ai. However, Reuters was unable to verify the model or authenticity of all media posted online.

An unnamed Beijing traffic police officer told Qingdao city’s broadcast outlet that the fire broke out when the engine was restarted, further complicating the cause analysis.

Regulatory and Industry Implications

The incident comes at a sensitive time, as Chinese regulators have begun tightening scrutiny on autonomous driving systems following a recent fatal autopilot-related crash involving a Xiaomi vehicle. The government has been encouraging the deployment of autonomous driving technology, with Pony.ai, Baidu, and others receiving approval to operate fully driverless robotaxis in designated urban zones.

However, high-profile failures—like the Waymo robotaxi incident in San Francisco where the vehicle was set on fire by a crowd—have raised broader concerns about safety, emergency response, and public trust in autonomous vehicles.

Ongoing Investigation

Neither Pony.ai nor Toyota provided additional details as of this writing. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and regulators are likely to monitor the situation closely as the government refines its autonomous vehicle safety standards.