On December 18th, the Yancheng Supercomputing Center unveiled its "National New Generation AI Public Computing Power Open Innovation Platform" and officially kicked off the second - phase construction project. As per the strategic blueprint, Yancheng Supercomputing Center has opted to renew its collaborative agreement with Tercel (Wuxi) Electronics Technology Co., Ltd. The two parties will work hand - in - hand to construct an integrated computing system that combines the capabilities of next - generation supercomputing and AI. At present, leveraging Tercel's domestically produced AI acceleration cards, the Yancheng Supercomputing Center has successfully deployed 129P of indigenous intelligent computing power. Since its activation in 2022, the system has consistently showcased outstanding operational performance.

Shanghai has unveiled the 'Planning and Resource Allocation Guidelines for Prioritizing the Construction of a Science and Technology Innovation Hub, Optimizing the Use of Current Spatial Assets, and Fostering the Evolution of Fuxing Island into a Premier Global Innovation and Startup Cluster.' This initiative is designed to establish Fuxing Island as a thriving hub for international innovation and entrepreneurial activities. The strategy will harmonize Fuxing Island's strategic reserve positioning with its land reserve attributes, adhering to the guiding principles of 'balancing immediate and long-term objectives, unified planning, and maximizing existing resources.' It will seamlessly integrate with the overarching development blueprints for both banks of the Huangpu River and its central-northern regions, capitalizing on Yangpu's rich concentration of scientific, educational, and talent resources, as well as the abundant existing spatial and public amenities on Fuxing Island. The comprehensive planning will center on the unique attributes of the waterfront space, the holistic spatial configuration, and strategies for leveraging current resources, with the vision of creating a pioneering urban experimental zone, a vibrant innovation and startup talent hub, and a trailblazing area for spatial-temporal intelligence innovation, all in support of the construction of a science and technology innovation center.

On December 18th, Luo Yonghao took to his WeChat Moments to voice his dissatisfaction with Shanghai Telecom's exclusive gigabit broadband service. He revealed that since relocating to Shanghai and subscribing to the service, he has consistently experienced internet speeds well below the promised 1000 Mbps, often remaining under 100 Mbps for more than six months. Each time he reaches out to customer service, the problem is temporarily fixed, only to resurface after a mere three to five days. Luo Yonghao warned that if the issue remains unresolved, he will not hesitate to express his extreme frustration online.

Recently, Microsoft rolled out the December cumulative update KB5072033 for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, as well as for Windows Server 2025. This update altered the startup type of the AppX Deployment Service (Appxsvc) from 'Manual' to 'Automatic'. The Appxsvc service plays a pivotal role in the deployment, installation, and updating of apps available on the Microsoft Store. In the past, it would only spring into action when users ventured into the app store or installed apps. However, post - update, it will automatically kick in at system startup and continue to run in the background.

This change has stirred up a storm of controversy. For a long time, some users have considered Appxsvc a potential culprit behind sluggish system performance, especially on devices with lower specifications. There have been numerous cases where this process led to abnormally high CPU utilization, excessive memory consumption, and intense disk read/write operations. In addition, users have also voiced concerns about the severe resource - hogging nature of the Windows core update component Delivery Optimization (DoSvc). This component, which is enabled by default, takes up a portion of the upload and download bandwidth, thereby impacting the daily network experience.

On Thursday, Saudi Telecom Company (STC), the largest telecom operator in Saudi Arabia, declared its intention to form a joint venture with Humain, a prominent artificial intelligence (AI) enterprise within the nation. The collaboration is set to focus on the joint development and operation of data centers. The two entities have inked a memorandum of understanding, wherein Humain will retain a 51% stake, while STC will hold a 49% stake. This strategic move is geared towards expediting the growth of Saudi Arabia's AI sector, addressing the market's substantial demand for computing power. Furthermore, it aligns with the country's broader efforts to foster economic diversification and diminish reliance on oil revenues.

Data center real estate investment company Fermi has denied reports that Amazon is its potential tenant and has withdrawn its investment from the project. Previously, there were reports that Amazon had been in talks to become the first tenant of Fermi's data center in Texas, USA.

Mao Weiming, Deputy Secretary of the Hunan Provincial Party Committee and Governor of Hunan Province, presided over a dedicated meeting to deliberate on the strategic layout of computing power within the province. He underscored the imperative of scientifically defining the primary focus areas, striving for top-tier performance while maintaining a delicate balance between scale and quality-efficiency, autonomy and collaboration, as well as green development and security. To achieve this, he outlined five pivotal areas of action:
1. Optimize Computing Power Supply: Foster collaborative investments and systematically phase out inefficient production capacities to enhance overall efficiency.
2. Enhance Collaborative Scheduling: Develop platforms for seamless computing power scheduling and ensure robust connectivity with national channels.
3. Drive Technological Innovation: Pursue breakthroughs in computing power technology, upgrade existing technologies, and explore untapped frontiers.
4. Ensure Security and Control: Leverage inherent advantages to bolster the security and controllability of computing power, while refining the regulatory framework.
5. Guarantee Efficient Electricity Supply: Construct a new-type power system to ensure an efficient and reliable electricity supply that matches computing power demands.

The General Office of the Sichuan Provincial People's Government has unveiled a strategic initiative aimed at motivating state-owned enterprises to bolster their research and development (R&D) investments. This plan envisions the creation of a robust, incremental growth mechanism specifically tailored for R&D investments within local state-owned enterprises. It advocates for the seamless integration of R&D investments into the annual budget management processes of these enterprises. Furthermore, it encourages provincial state-owned enterprises to take the lead in establishing R&D funding pools.

Simultaneously, the plan introduces a fault-tolerant, trial-and-error, and exemption framework for innovative investments, fostering an environment conducive to risk-taking and experimentation. It also refines the existing categorized assessment system for R&D investments, ensuring a more nuanced and comprehensive evaluation. Ultimately, the plan aspires to achieve universal coverage in the assessment of technological innovation across all state-owned industrial and technology-driven enterprises, thereby propelling Sichuan Province to the forefront of innovation and technological advancement.

According to a research report by CSC Securities, 2025 is poised to emerge as the "pivotal year" for server liquid cooling technology, with the rollout of innovative solutions set to provide a significant boost to domestic manufacturers. The market is bracing for a substantial uptick in shipments of GB300 server racks in the fourth quarter, a period that will be crucial for ramping up production of liquid cooling components. Historically, the supply of liquid cooling components for GB200 servers has been predominantly dominated by Taiwanese firms, including AVC, Coolermaster, and Delta. Nevertheless, the GB300 project has witnessed a marked rise in sample submissions from mainland Chinese manufacturers, signaling increased participation. Concurrently, some Taiwanese companies are also shifting their focus towards mainland counterparts, with liquid cooling component producers actively engaging in sample submissions. This trend is expected to foster the growth of the domestic liquid cooling industry chain.

Due to the surge in electricity demand from data centers and rising natural gas prices, utility costs for U.S. households are expected to increase by 9.6% to 13%, heightening public concerns about affordability.

Oracle Corporation has clarified that the concluding stages of negotiations concerning the equity transaction for its Michigan-based data center project are advancing in line with the initial plan. Notably, these discussions exclude Blue Owl Capital, a financier that had been the subject of prior speculation. Over the past few months, while Blue Owl Capital has indeed extended financial backing to significant data center initiatives undertaken by entities like Oracle and Meta, its involvement is not part of this particular project.

On the morning of December 18, 2025, Xunce announced via the Hong Kong Stock Exchange that the company plans to globally offer 22.5 million H-shares, including 2.25 million shares for public offering in Hong Kong and 20.25 million shares for international offering. The issue price per share is set at HK$55, with public offering in Hong Kong commencing on the same day.

At the 2025 'Computing Power Pujiang' Conference, Shanghai made an official announcement regarding the release of three sets of standards within the computing power realm. The first is the Design and Construction Specifications for Intelligent Computing Center Infrastructure. This standard was meticulously drafted by China Mobile Shanghai. It zeroes in on the complete process involved in designing and constructing intelligent computing centers, ensuring a comprehensive and well - structured approach. The second standard is the Application Guide for Embedded Cryptographic Modules in Central Processing Units. Hygon Information took the lead in formulating this guide. It serves to regulate the application of cryptographic modules in various scenarios, particularly those related to cloud platforms, enhancing security and reliability in these crucial areas. The third one is the Capability Requirements for Intelligent Computing Visualization Platforms. Hiway Technology was responsible for drafting this standard. It precisely defines the technical standards for the visualization of intelligent computing resources, scheduling processes, and the platforms themselves, facilitating better management and utilization of computing power. These three standards are strategically designed to propel the high - quality development of Shanghai's computing power infrastructure. Moreover, they play a pivotal role in supporting the establishment of a world - class artificial intelligence industrial cluster, which is a significant step towards positioning Shanghai as a global leader in the AI field.

According to sources, asset management firm Blue Owl will no longer support Oracle's $10 billion data center project in Michigan.

Dutch AI infrastructure provider Nebius has introduced Nebius AI Cloud 3.1, integrating next-generation NVIDIA Blackwell Ultra computing technology and enhancing operational capabilities to expand its full-stack AI cloud platform. The platform has already been deployed in the UK and Israel, utilizing the latest GPU and networking technologies to support large-scale AI training and inference, meeting enterprise-level demands.

According to reports, Blue Owl has opted not to support Oracle's $10 billion data center deal. In response, Blackstone Group has stepped in to serve as the financial partner for the ongoing negotiations. However, as of now, no formal investment agreement has been reached or signed.

Pingzhi Information released an official announcement, revealing that its subsidiary, Hangzhou Zhaoneng Xuntong Technology Co., Ltd., has entered into a computing power service contract with the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Branch of China United Network Communications Co., Ltd. (commonly known as China Unicom). The total contract value, inclusive of taxes, stands at 38.25 million yuan. In the business context, it's worth highlighting that this agreement does not involve any related-party transactions, meaning there are no financial or business ties between the contracting parties that could potentially influence the deal's terms. Additionally, it does not fall under the category of significant asset restructuring, which typically refers to major changes in a company's asset structure, such as mergers, acquisitions, or divestitures. The contract has a performance period of five years, commencing from the date when the service is activated. This indicates a long-term commitment from both sides, aiming for sustained cooperation. It's crucial to understand that the stated contract amount does not represent a performance commitment or forecast. In other words, the company is not guaranteeing specific financial results or performance levels based on this contract. Consequently, the exact impact of this contract on Pingzhi Information's financial performance in the coming years remains uncertain and will depend on various factors, including market conditions, operational efficiency, and cost management.

Reporters at the 2026 China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT) In-Depth Observation Report Conference reported that during the implementation of the 14th Five-Year Plan, China has not only clearly outlined its vision and requirements for 6G development but also made initial strides in achieving technological breakthroughs. Moreover, the country has fully embarked on standard research endeavors. As China transitions into the 15th Five-Year Plan phase, the emphasis will shift towards accelerating the formulation of standards and boosting industrial research and development (R&D). It is projected that commercial applications of 6G will commence around 2030, with large-scale commercialization anticipated by 2035. This development is expected to give rise to a 6G industry and application market worth trillions of yuan.

Data from the Aiqicha App reveals that Hangzhou ByteDance Technology Co., Ltd. has recently undergone industrial and commercial modifications, elevating its registered capital from 470 million yuan to a substantial 500 million yuan. Established in December 2020, the company is helmed by legal representative Liu Hao. Its extensive business portfolio encompasses advertising creation and dissemination, computer system and data processing services, organization of cultural and artistic exchange events, conference and exhibition services, wholesale and retail of computer software, hardware, and auxiliary equipment, along with the sale of electronic products, among others. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Beijing Topology Source Technology Co., Ltd.

On December 17th, financial stocks strengthened in the afternoon. Huatai Securities rose nearly 8%, followed by gains in China Pacific Insurance and China Life Insurance, as the entire financial sector showed strength.