China Media and Entertainment Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 80 Week of 15 December 2025
(1) China’s generative AI tiger MiniMax pursues Hong Kong IPO to expand global reach
MiniMax prepares HK IPO (possibly Jan 2026) to fund R&D; Alibaba/Tencent-backed “AI tiger” with US$4B valuation, 70% overseas revenue, joins Zhipu eyeing listings amid HK’s 2025 IPO boom.
(2) ByteDance, Alibaba keen to order Nvidia H200 chips after Trump green light
ByteDance, Alibaba inquire large H200 orders after Trump’s export approval to China; Beijing assesses demand cautiously amid self-sufficiency push, limited supply concerns persist for Nvidia’s second-most-powerful AI chip.
(3) MC Cheung dismisses rumours of multimillion-dollar Macao gambling debt
Stray Kids win Album of the Year for KARMA with tearful speech; G-Dragon takes Artist of the Year, teases BIGBANG 2026 reunion at subdued MAMA 2025 finale honoring Tai Po fire victims.
(4) Korea’s Big 4 agencies queried for Jan 2026 China K-pop concerts, signalling possible end to 9-year Hallyu ban
Korea’s Big 4 agencies queried for Jan 2026 China K-pop concerts, signaling possible end to 9-year Hallyu ban amid improved ties post-Lee Jae-myung presidency and Xi’s visit.
(5) Emperor Cinemas to open third Beijing theater in 2027
Emperor Cinemas partners Swire for third Beijing location in 2027 at Taikoo Place; eight screens, 1,100+ seats to boost premieres and cultural events, creating three-site synergy in capital.
(6) Leo Ku rallies 34 artists for therapeutic Music Panda special healing Tai Po fire victims
Leo Ku rallies 34 artists for therapeutic Music Panda special healing Tai Po fire victims; muted performances, no interviews, all ad/superchat revenue donated to charity amid community grief.
(7) Now United Makes Debut Performance at Sha Tin Racecourse – Aaron Kwok Attends to Cheer Members, Ariel Thanks Aaron for Heartfelt Guidance
Now United debuts at Sha Tin Racecourse for Longines International Races, performs hits including “Giddy Up”; Aaron Kwok cheers members, Ariel thanks his guidance, dance challenge winners meet group.
(8) Jacky Cheung, Eason Chan | Ultraman Stickers Used as Secret Code – 2 Security Guards Jailed for Letting 126 Ticketless Fans into Concerts
Two men jailed for bribery after using Ultraman stickers as signals to sneak 126 ticketless fans into Jacky Cheung/Eason Chan Wuhan concerts, earning RMB 194,000; guards escape prosecution.
(9) Wu Xiubo Ordered to Pay Over ¥62 Million in Enforcement Action – Blacklisted After Extramarital Affair Scandal
Wu Xiubo faces RMB 62M court enforcement amid ongoing RMB 216M dispute; blacklisted since 2018 affair scandal, actor blames fraud for financial ruin as companies hit with massive judgments.
(10) Keung To invited Jackson Wang as concert guest
Keung To invites Jackson Wang as concert guest, feels dreamlike; reveals past DM encouragement, duets on two songs, ends with hilarious “wait downstairs” quip sparking laughter and camaraderie.
(11) TikTok signs deal to form new US unit with investors, including Oracle, Silver Lake
TikTok forms U.S. joint venture with Oracle/Silver Lake/MGX (50%), ByteDance 19.9%; deal to be closed in January 2026 to comply with divestment law, Oracle secures data/algorithm, ensuring continued American operations.
(12) Hong Kong director says film was denied public screening on national security grounds
Kiwi Chow’s film Deadline banned in HK for “national security” risk without explanation; director calls ruling absurd, vows to continue despite censorship under 2021 ordinance amendments.
(1) China’s generative AI tiger MiniMax pursues Hong Kong IPO to expand global reach
(Photo Credit: Handout)
Chinese AI startup MiniMax is preparing for a Hong Kong IPO as early as January 2026, with funds earmarked for R&D to compete with global and domestic rivals. The Shanghai-based company, backed by Alibaba and Tencent, generates 70% of its revenue overseas and is targeting Hong Kong’s international investor base. The IPO size remains undetermined, though earlier reports suggested HK$4-5 billion, and the listing awaits approval from Chinese regulators.
MiniMax is part of China’s “four generative AI tigers” alongside Zhipu, Baichuan, and Moonshot AI, with Zhipu also reportedly considering a Hong Kong listing. Founder Yan Junjie, a former SenseTime expert, is developing multimodal AI models including MiniMax M2 and Hailuo 2.3 that process text, audio, images, video, and music. The company, which has secured over 1 billion in funding and achieved a 4 billion valuation, was among China’s first to use the “mixture-of-experts” architecture later popularized by DeepSeek.
MiniMax claims its models have served over 212 million individual users across 200+ countries and 100,000+ enterprises. The IPO comes as Hong Kong’s market is on track to become the world’s largest this year, having raised about 35 billion—the highest in four years. However, Momentum, however, appears to be slowing, with the broader equity index falling nearly 5 per cent in the fourth quarter and trimming its full-year gain to 27 per cent.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3336146/chinas-generative-ai-tiger-minimax-pursues-hong-kong-ipo-expand-global-reach
(2) ByteDance, Alibaba keen to order Nvidia H200 chips after Trump green light
(Photo Credit: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File)
ByteDance and Alibaba have inquired about purchasing Nvidia’s H200 AI chips following US President Donald Trump’s decision to allow their export to China. The Chinese tech giants are eager to place large orders for the powerful GPUs, which offer nearly six times the performance of the previously permitted H20 chips, pending approval from Beijing authorities. This policy reversal marks a significant loosening of US semiconductor export controls, though Chinese regulators have yet to provide clear guidance on whether they will permit domestic companies to import the advanced chips.
Limited quantities of H200 chips are currently available as Nvidia prioritizes production of its newer Blackwell and Rubin lines, creating supply concerns for potential buyers. Chinese companies are particularly interested in the H200 due to its unmatched AI training capabilities compared to domestic alternatives like Huawei and Cambricon chips, which are more suitable for inference tasks. Despite recent Chinese government restrictions on Nvidia chip purchases for government-funded data centers and tech companies, demand remains strong, with elite universities, military-affiliated entities, and data center firms already procuring H200 chips through grey-market channels.
Chinese authorities have gathered representatives from Alibaba, ByteDance, and Tencent to assess their H200 demand, indicating that Beijing may require companies to justify purchases and provide use cases. This cautious approach reflects China’s dual objectives: accessing advanced AI hardware while promoting domestic semiconductor self-sufficiency. Industry experts anticipate that leading Chinese tech companies will purchase H200 chips “in a low-key manner,” recognizing that the training of advanced AI models still relies heavily on Nvidia technology despite ongoing efforts to develop local alternatives.
News Source: https://www.thestandard.com.hk/tech-and-startup/article/318993/ByteDance-Alibaba-keen-to-order-Nvidia-H200-chips-after-Trump-green-light-sources-say
(3) MC Cheung dismisses rumours of multimillion-dollar Macao gambling debt
(Photo Credit: The Beat Macau)
As the year-end music awards season approaches, Hong Kong singer MC Cheung Tin-fu has again been drawn into speculation over alleged high-stakes gambling in Macao, with claims circulating that he ran up debts of several million. The rumours have prompted considerable discussion online.
Appearing at a concert yesterday alongside fellow artist Kaho Hung, Cheung addressed the reports with composure. He said that year-end periods routinely give rise to a flurry of stories, many of which are untrue, and urged the public to assess such claims critically. He told reporters he had already responded to the latest allegations, stressing that “none of it is true” and noting that scammers continually devise new tactics. Asked whether he would issue a formal statement, he replied that numerous clarifications already exist and that it would be impractical to respond to every rumour. However, he added that if any matter became more serious, he would consult his management company.
Cheung also rejected suggestions that the speculation was intended to influence awards outcomes, declining to comment directly but reflecting that public figures inevitably attract both admirers and detractors. He said he prefers to focus his attention on supporters. When asked if MC needed reassurance, Kaho Hung said it was unnecessary, adding that he knows Cheung’s character well and saw no need for further clarification.
News Source: https://www.dimsumdaily.hk/mc-cheung-dismisses-rumours-of-multimillion-dollar-macao-gambling-debt/
(4) Korea’s Big 4 agencies queried for Jan 2026 China K-pop concerts, signalling possible end to 9-year Hallyu ban
(Photo Credit: Business Focus)
Reports from December 2025 indicate that South Korea’s four major entertainment agencies—HYBE, SM, JYP, and YG—have received inquiries from Chinese parties about potentially hosting large-scale K-pop concerts in mainland China as early as January 2026. This development, first reported by Korean media on December 15–16, is viewed as a positive signal that China’s unofficial “Hallyu ban” (limit on Korean cultural content), in place since 2016 over the THAAD dispute, may be easing after nine years.
The inquiries coincide with improved bilateral ties following Lee Jae-myung’s June 2025 inauguration as South Korean president and Xi Jinping’s October 2025 state visit to Korea (his first in 11 years), where leaders agreed to enhance cultural exchanges. Agencies confirmed schedule checks but stressed no events are finalized, with some noting artist availability constraints. Mainland fans, particularly of groups like BLACKPINK, express excitement, though domestic market maturity and potential policy reversals pose challenges.
Against strained China-Japan relations (cancellations of Japanese artists’ shows amid Taiwan remarks), the potential thaw is interpreted by some as strategic—China seeking closer Korea ties on historical issues like comfort women while countering Japan regionally. Economically, earlier signs like Tencent’s HYBE-SM stake underscore thawing trade, but K-pop’s reduced “irreplaceability” in China after nine years of local content growth means re-entry requires adaptability amid geopolitical sensitivities.
(5) Emperor Cinemas to open third Beijing theater in 2027
(Photo Credit: Emperor Cinemas)
Emperor Cinemas, under Emperor Culture Group (0491.HK), has partnered with Swire Properties (1972.HK) to open its third Beijing location in 2027 at Taikoo Place Beijing’s phase-two expansion. The eight-screen cinema, including one VIP hall and over 1,100 seats, follows Emperor’s entry into Taikoo Li Sanlitun last year and strengthens its presence in the capital.
Taikoo Place Beijing, encompassing the operational INDIGO mixed-use development and its expansion, marks Swire’s mainland debut of the Taikoo Place brand. Located near the 798 Art District with direct metro access, INDIGO fosters a vibrant work-live-play community. Emperor Group vice chairman Alex Yeung Ching-loong highlighted the strategic synergy of the three-location network in Beijing’s central business district.
The new cinema is poised to host more large-scale premieres and cultural events, building on the popularity of Emperor’s existing venues among film studios for Chinese and Hollywood launches. This expansion supports Beijing’s cultural industry growth while leveraging Taikoo Place’s prime positioning to attract diverse audiences, reinforcing Emperor Cinemas’ competitive footprint in mainland China’s premium exhibition market.
News Source:
(6) Leo Ku rallies 34 artists for therapeutic Music Panda special healing Tai Po fire victims
(Photo credit: Youtube @ ChillGOOD TV)
In response to the tragic fire at Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court, singer Leo Ku swiftly organised a special episode of his YouTube programme Music Panda on “ChillGOOD TV”, rallying 34 artists to record a therapeutic music session devoid of interviews and focused solely on healing songs. The lineup featured veterans like Karen Mok and Gigi Leung alongside rising stars including Gigi Yim, Sinnie Ng, Kiri T, Moon Tang, and CY, all dressed in muted tones to reflect the sombre mood.
The episode, performed with minimal accompaniment, aimed to provide emotional solace to affected residents, frontline rescuers, victims’ families, and the wider community, conveying the message “Disasters are merciless, but Hong Kong has love.” All artists delivered solo or cover performances of comforting tracks, offering a pure musical outlet amid widespread grief.
ChillGOOD TV pledged to donate all advertising revenue from the next two weeks and every cent of viewer superchats from the episode to charity, marking a tangible act of support where the industry had been relatively quiet post-tragedy. The rapid, heartfelt initiative underscores music’s role as a unifying force in Hong Kong during crises, filling a void left by the absence of larger-scale entertainment-sector fundraising efforts.
News Source: https://www.hk01.com/article/60304591?utm_source=01articlecopy&utm_medium=referral
(7) Now United Makes Debut Performance at Sha Tin Racecourse – Aaron Kwok Attends to Cheer Members, Ariel Thanks Aaron for Heartfelt Guidance
(Photo Credit: Singtao Headline)
Now United, the international pop group supported by the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s “Star Development Programme,” delivered their first-ever performance at Sha Tin Racecourse on 25 November 2025 during the Longines Hong Kong International Races. As the closing act, the group performed hits including “One Love,” “Now or Never,” “Parana,” and their Hong Kong-inspired track “Giddy Up” on the Parade Ring, captivating the crowd with high-energy choreography that linked music and racing culture.
“Star Development Ambassador” Aaron Kwok attended to support the members, building on his October 2025 studio session where he shared singing and dancing tips. He encouraged the group to focus on practice and stage enjoyment: “Your energy and potential are clear—keep refining every detail and you’ll succeed.” Ariel (Zeng Jiaying) thanked Aaron for his guidance, presenting him with two “Now United” horse plushies as a token of appreciation for his help with “Giddy Up.” Winners of the #GiddyUpDanceChallenge from Hong Kong, Brazil, and Korea were invited to meet the group and discuss the choreography’s inspiration.
The collaboration between Now United and the HKJC bridges global pop with Hong Kong’s iconic horse-racing culture, amplifying the “Star Development Programme” to inspire youth. Aaron Kwok’s mentorship and the dance challenge’s international winners highlight cross-cultural exchange, while the Parade Ring debut elevates the event’s prestige, blending entertainment and sport to engage diverse audiences and reinforce Hong Kong’s position as a vibrant cultural hub.
News Source: https://www.stheadline.com/film-drama/3527455/
(8) Jacky Cheung, Eason Chan | Ultraman Stickers Used as Secret Code – 2 Security Guards Jailed for Letting 126 Ticketless Fans into Concerts
(Photo Credit: The Standard)
Two men, Zhao and Wang, were convicted of non-state staff bribery after orchestrating a scheme to allow 126 ticketless fans into Jacky Cheung and Eason Chan concerts in Wuhan by using Ultraman stickers as identification signals on IDs. Zhao, who subcontracted security and ticket-checking for the concerts from 2023–2024, recruited temporary guards Li and Xu to man specific gates, while Wang sold “commemorative tickets” and stickers for RMB 1,500–2,000 each to desperate fans unable to buy official tickets.
Fans with the sticker on their ID corners were waved through without tickets during Cheung’s September 2023 shows and Chan’s April–May 2024 performances, netting the pair over RMB 194,000 in illegal profits (Wang transferred over RMB 90,000 to Zhao; guards received RMB 4,000–4,500). The Wuhan East Lake High-Tech Zone Court sentenced Zhao to one year in prison with a RMB 30,000 fine and Wang to 10 months with a RMB 10,000 fine; both accepted the verdict without appeal.
The guards Li and Xu received non-prosecution decisions due to minor roles, voluntary confessions, and full restitution. The case exposes vulnerabilities in outsourced concert security and the desperation of fans amid high-demand ticket shortages, while the quirky Ultraman sticker method highlights creative yet criminal evasion tactics in China’s tightly controlled live-entertainment sector.
News Source: https://www.stheadline.com/realtime-china/3527390/
(9) Wu Xiubo Ordered to Pay Over ¥62 Million in Enforcement Action – Blacklisted After Extramarital Affair Scandal
(Photo Credit: Singtao Headline)
Chinese actor Wu Xiubo, 57, famed for co-starring with Tang Wei in the Finding Mr. Right series, has been ordered by the Beijing Third Intermediate People’s Court to pay over RMB 62 million (≈HK$68 million) in a new enforcement action, according to recent filings on Qichacha. The former A-lister, who has been effectively blacklisted since his 2018 extramarital affair scandal, remains associated with 12 companies, only five of which are still operational, including Huhehaote Buer Culture Media and Changxing Zhuoyi Film Studio.
Wu is also restricted from high consumption and listed as a dishonest debtor in an ongoing intellectual property dispute with Huhehaote Huali Culture Media involving RMB 216 million. The latest RMB 62 million enforcement adds to previous reports of his companies facing RMB 466 million in forced executions in 2023, which Wu attributed to being defrauded via fake contracts and seals, claiming the scam left him financially ruined.
Since the 2018 scandal—where his seven-year affair was exposed by his former lover—Wu Xiubo has been largely absent from screens due to the unofficial industry ban on controversial figures. The mounting legal and financial pressures highlight the severe long-term consequences of personal scandals in China’s tightly regulated entertainment sector, where public image directly impacts commercial viability and court-enforced repayments can cripple even established careers.
News Source: https://www.stheadline.com/realtime-china/3527484/
(10) Keung To invited Jackson Wang as concert guest
(Photo Credit: Singtao Headline)
At the opening night of his 2025 solo concert series, Hong Kong singer Keung To (姜濤) surprised fans by inviting Jackson Wang (王嘉爾) as a special guest, describing the moment as “like a dream.” Keung To revealed he has long admired Wang, silently learning from his documentaries and works, never imagining he could invite him onstage. The duo performed “Made Me a Man” together, thrilling the audience.
Wang thanked Keung To for the invitation, saying he felt “honoured to meet you, your loved ones, and family.” Keung To shared that years ago Wang had privately messaged him on Instagram with encouraging words. Wang responded warmly: “The ones who stay through ups and downs are those who love you—and those who love me. I hope you all stay together forever.” They followed with “Every Single Time.”
The highlight came as Wang prepared to leave the stage; he shook Keung To’s hand and said, “I’ll be waiting for you downstairs,” prompting laughter from the crowd. Keung To playfully replied, “Can you come back up first?” The light-hearted exchange showcased their easy chemistry and mutual respect, adding a memorable, humorous moment to the concert.
News Source: https://www.stheadline.com/film-drama/3527858/
(11) TikTok signs deal to form new US unit with investors, including Oracle, Silver Lake
(Photo Credit: AP Photo/Anjum Naveed, File)
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew announced on 18 December 2025 via internal memo that ByteDance and TikTok have signed binding agreements to form a new U.S. joint venture, “TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC,” allowing continued operations for over 170 million American users. The deal, expected to close by 22 January 2026, follows President Donald Trump’s executive order easing export controls and stems from a 2024 law requiring divestment from Chinese parent ByteDance over national security concerns.
The joint venture will be majority American-controlled with a seven-member board (majority U.S. citizens): 50% owned by new investors (Oracle, Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi’s MGX each holding 15%), 30.1% by affiliates of ByteDance’s existing investors, and 19.9% retained by ByteDance. Oracle will serve as “trusted security partner,” auditing compliance, storing U.S. user data domestically, and overseeing a retrained algorithm using American data to ensure transparency and prevent external manipulation.
This resolution ends years of uncertainty, blending U.S. security demands with ByteDance’s retained minority stake and global integration (e.g., advertising/e-commerce). By avoiding full divestment while addressing data/algorithm risks, the hybrid model offers a pragmatic compromise, preserving TikTok’s U.S. presence amid geopolitical tech tensions while setting precedents for foreign-owned apps.
News Source: https://www.stheadline.com/realtime-world/3528297/
(12) Hong Kong director says film was denied public screening on national security grounds
(Photo Credit: Kelly Ho/HKFP)
Hong Kong director Kiwi Chow announced on 16 December 2025 that authorities have denied public screening approval for his latest Taiwan-produced film Deadline, a fictional drama about a suicide threat at an elite school. In a letter dated 12 December from the Office for Film, Newspaper and Article Administration (OFNAA), reviewers deemed the screening “contrary to the interest of national security,” without further explanation. Violating the decision carries penalties of up to three years’ imprisonment and a HK$1 million fine.
Chow, known for politically charged works like the 2021 documentary Revolution of Our Times (screened overseas) about the 2019 protests, called the ruling “absurd, exaggerated, rude, and unjust,” linking it to the 2020 national security law. He consulted lawyers on judicial review but was advised against it due to high costs and low prospects. Describing the film’s fate as “twisted” alongside his career and Hong Kong’s, Chow vowed to continue filmmaking and “not give up on Hong Kong.”
The ban — the 14th since the Film Censorship Ordinance’s 2021 national security amendments (with 50 films requiring edits as of July 2025) — highlights escalating content restrictions, even for non-explicitly political fiction. OFNAA’s opaque process and delays (Chow submitted in August) underscore chilling effects on creative freedom, despite assurances that expression is protected under the Basic Law and security law. As Chow’s commercial projects face scrutiny, the case reflects broader tensions for local filmmakers navigating self-censorship amid post-2019 political shifts.
News Source: https://hongkongfp.com/2025/12/17/hong-kong-director-says-film-was-denied-public-screening-on-national-security-grounds/
