Business Brief (April 20): DeepSeek Reportedly Seeks Funding

Published: Apr. 20, 2026 6:30 p.m. GMT+8

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Optical fiber demand

Prices for certain optical fiber products have surged by 650% year-on-year, driven by surging demand from artificial intelligence data centers. Top manufacturers have seen sales multiply, with backlogs stretching into the first quarter of next year.

New A-share leader

Optical chip leader Yuanjie Semiconductor Technology Co. Ltd. (688498.SH) closed at 1,445 yuan Friday, surpassing Kweichow Moutai to become the highest-priced stock on China’s A-share market. The company specializes in the research, development and sale of optical chips.

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Explore the story in 30 seconds

Optical fiber prices surged 650% YoY from AI data center demand; Yuanjie Semiconductor (688498.SH) closed at 1,445 yuan, topping A-shares.
HKEX proposes T+1 cash equities settlement by Q4 2027; PBOC to adopt moderately loose monetary policy.
DeepSeek seeks >$10B valuation funding; Seres joins BMW-Mercedes supercharging JV; record Chinese gold ETF buys in March.

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Who’s Who

Yuanjie Semiconductor Technology Co. Ltd.: Yuanjie Semiconductor Technology Co. Ltd. (688498.SH), an optical chip leader, closed at 1,445 yuan on Friday, surpassing Kweichow Moutai to become China's A-share market's highest-priced stock. It specializes in optical chip research, development, and sales.

Kweichow Moutai: Yuanjie Semiconductor Technology Co. Ltd. (688498.SH) closed at 1,445 yuan Friday, surpassing Kweichow Moutai to become the highest-priced stock on China’s A-share market.

DeepSeek: DeepSeek has reportedly initiated its first external financing round at a valuation exceeding $10 billion.

Seres: Seres took a stake in BMW and Mercedes-Benz's supercharging joint venture in China.

BMW: Seres took a stake in BMW and Mercedes-Benz’s supercharging joint venture in China.

Mercedes-Benz: Seres took a stake in BMW and Mercedes-Benz’s supercharging joint venture in China.

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