Alibaba Cloud introduced a new AI-powered coding platform that lets developers switch between multiple leading Chinese models—including Qwen 3.5, Zhipu AI, Moonshot AI and MiniMax—under a single subscription. The lite version costs 7.9 yuan ($1.15) for month one and 40 yuan thereafter, while the pro tier is 39.9 yuan initially and 200 yuan per month afterward.

T-Head, Alibaba’s chip unit, unveiled the Zhenwu 810E, an application-specific integrated circuit designed for both AI training and inference with performance comparable to Nvidia’s H20. The chip has been integrated into multiple 10,000-card clusters and is in use by more than 400 customers, including State Grid, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and XPeng.

By combining affordable access to leading AI models with a domestically developed high-end chip, Alibaba aims to strengthen its AI infrastructure and reduce reliance on foreign semiconductors. This dual approach could accelerate adoption among enterprises and challenge incumbent players in China’s AI semiconductor and software markets.