???? ???? China's Gallium & Germanium: Nobody wins in a trade war

Week 27 of 2023

Hey Smartivists!?

Welcome to the #SmartsNewsletter , your 3-minute weekly pass to the forefront of smart cities, tech, innovations, and regulations in Asia!?

This week, we’ll check out the?ASEAN Smart Cities program?and consider whether innovation is genuinely illuminating the future. Our focus shifts to?Vietnam, where we learn about the ambitious construction of 41 smart cities this year. Then, prepare for an amazing leap as we travel to?China, where the country sets out on an ambitious mission to construct?100 smart cities by 2025. Finally, we explore the complex world of trade conflicts and the compelling story of?China's supremacy in the germanium and gallium industries.

Put your smarty pants on and enjoy!

?????? ASEAN Smart Cities: Is the Future LIT or what?!

Governments, businesses, and the general public have a significant opportunity to work together on Southeast Asia's development of smart cities during the?ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN) annual meeting from July 12-13, 2023 .They'll talk about a wide range of topics, including social and health challenges, infrastructure safety, and innovation. They are expecting that the meeting will spark new collaborations and ideas that will contribute to the awesomeness of smart cities.

?? Takeaway??Asia is the continent with the highest level of urbanization, and its cities and urban population are growing rapidly. The annual ASCN shows that smart city developments are encouraged by several Asian governments. In fact, Asia, with 24 cities ranking in the top 100,?has one of the most smart cities in the world, according to the?2023 Smart City Index . Governments just have to ensure to?put its money where its mouth is.

???? Vietnam: Unleashing Smart Cities in 41 Localities!

At least?41 smart cities? are now being developed in Vietnam. In areas including transportation, energy, water management, and public safety, these communities will make better use of technology to increase efficiency and sustainability. This program has the support of the government, businesses, and international organizations. The development of smart cities is part of Vietnam's national strategy for sustainable urban development.

?? Takeaway??Asia, including Vietnam, is urbanizing far more quickly than other parts of the world. As a result, Asian cities must figure out how to integrate smart city technologies fast, effectively and sustainably.?Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Nha Trang, and other cities ?in?Vietnam are leading the way in the sharing economy and laying the groundwork?for future development, and the country is indeed quickly embracing smart cities!

???? ?? The Great Smart City Leap: China's Quest for 100 Smart Cities by 2025!

Similar to the?100 Smart Cities Mission in India, ?the?Chinese government ?is spending extensively in the construction of smart cities with a?target of 100 smart cities by 2025. This was unveiled during the "Building Smart Cities in a Changing World" forum which took place at Peking University last July 6. In order to enhance various facets of urban life, including transportation, energy, water management, and public safety, smart city technologies are being used. Even some of China's problems, like air pollution, traffic jams, and water scarcity, are being addressed with smart city technologies. Sounds epic!

?? Takeaway??Regionalization as seen in the expansion of international organizations associated with China, such as the?BRICS, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)?will likely affect and influence the smart city development not only in China but the Asian region. Rapid urban development is a primary driver of globalization and plays a crucial role in digitalization in cities and communities. China sees smart cities in its potential to encourage innovation, reform, and openness, and boosting cities' adaptability and resilience to broader societal changes.

?? Regulation Refresh

???? ???? China's Gallium & Germanium: Nobody wins in a trade war

Gallium and germanium, two metals essential in chip manufacturing, are now subject to export limitations, a development that might intensify China's tech rivalry with the United States. It is said to be a strategy for China to respond to US sanctions against Chinese technology firms. The restrictions can potentially affect the worldwide chip market by making it more challenging for chipmakers to get the components they require, 90% of which can only be found in China.

???Takeaway? In a trade war, everyone loses. China's Gallium and Germanium domination will likely spark chipmaker woes!?3 scenarios: 1) US and China will come to an agreement after the visit of the?Secretary Blinken to China , 2) the export controls could lead to a reshoring of chip manufacturing in the United States and other countries; and 3) this could also lead to the development of new technologies that can replace gallium and germanium. Or all of the above?!?

You or your organization are about to embark on an exciting voyage through the interesting world of new technologies, innovations, or smart cities in the Asia Pacific Region. And guess what? I'm your go-to person.??For more than a decade,?I've worked with public and private sector agencies, collaborating on research projects for API management, open ecosystems, AI governance and telecommunications. Feel free to contact me at [email protected]