() -Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has warned that China will beat the United States in the artificial intelligence race, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday. "China is going to win the AI race," Huang said on the sidelines of the Financial Times' Future of AI Summit.

Taiwan must be allowed full and equal participation when China hosts APEC next year, the U.S. State Department said on Wednesday, after Taipei complained that Beijing had "added a lot of conditions" to its attendance.

In September the Dutch government took control of Nexperia, which is based in the Netherlands but owned by a Chinese company, citing national security concerns.

Take Shell Plc, one of the world's largest liquefied natural gas suppliers. It is investing billions into new LNG supply on the expectation that global demand will expand 60% by 2040, driven largely by China. Its boss, Wael Sawan, told a conference in June that gas could make up 20% of China's energy mix, compared with single digits today.

Starbucks announced Tuesday that it sold control of its stores in China to Boyu Capital for $4 billion. Starbucks will keep 40% and its intellectual property

The European Union says it has reached an agreement with China to stabilize the flow of rare earth materials crucial for high-tech and military products.

Taiwan said it welcomed a senior Fijian diplomat this week who met with Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, a highly unusual trip given the Pacific island state only has formal relations with Beijing, which decries any international exchanges with Taipei.

The US Navy needs multi-mission, long-range autonomous warships that can traverse and fight across the vast waters of the Pacific.

China has reported its factory activity contracted for a seventh straight month in October, reflecting pressure from higher U.S. tariffs and sluggish domestic demand.

(Reuters) -Shares of Chinese autonomous driving firms WeRide and Pony Ai dropped sharply on Thursday as the companies started trading in Hong Kong, after raising nearly $1.2 billion combined in their listings.