The breakthrough has galvanized China’s AI scene, despite hurdles posed by rivalry with the US, and fears of a global market bubble. Photo: AFP“It gave a lot of people confidence” that China’s AI community previously lacked, Wu said. Shi, the fund’s vice-president, described a “clear surge” in enthusiasm around Chinese AI and competition among investors since the DeepSeek shock. The logo of Chinese artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek is displayed in January last year over its mobile application in Beijing. Photo: AFPENGINEER DIVIDENDShares in two leading Chinese AI startups, Zhipu AI and MiniMax, soared on their market debuts in Hong Kong this month.

Source: Taipei Times January 20, 2026 17:14 UTC