Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:10pm on 30 Oct 2026,Friday International
China’s stock market has lost an estimated $2.4 trillion since May amid growing concerns over the profitability and sustainability of its artificial intelligence boom. The STAR 50 Index has fallen 40 per cent since June, while other major indexes declined around 20 per cent. Weak domestic demand, thin profit margins, rising US interest rates and potential Western restrictions on Chinese technology have fuelled investor anxiety. Despite heavy state investment, including a 60-billion-yuan AI fund, robotics companies struggle to generate mass-market profits. Shares in leading robot-maker Unitree have halved since August. Meanwhile, Beijing faces pressure to stimulate investment, but major policy measures appear unlikely before politically significant party meetings. (PC: Getty Images)
