A | (ECNS) -- Shenzhen's Huaqiangbei electronics market, known as "China's Hardware Silicon Valley," has received an average of nearly 8,000 foreign buyers a day so far this year, according to the Huaqiangbei Subdistrict Office. Its dense “one-kilometer” supply chain allows more than 100 types of components to be sourced within a day and prototypes to be produced within a week. As of July 2026, AI products accounted for 61% of electronics in the district, up from 41% in 2025. Sales across AI product categories rose more than 55% year on year in the first seven months. Sales of AI glasses doubled, while those of drones and robots grew by 60% to 70%. AI plush toys that can recognize users and remember past interactions have also gained popularity among children overseas. The core trading area is home to more than 115,000 business entities and offers around 1.1 million types of electronic components. At a printed circuit board manufacturer in Shenzhen’s Futian District, an in-house AI system has cut prototyping costs from 500 to 800 yuan ($74 to $118) to about 20 yuan ($3), while reducing delivery time from around a week to as little as 12 hours. (By Intern Yang Hongran, Zhang Dongfang) 。 (Yonhap)South Korea’s business sentiment rose to its highest level in nearly four years in August, driven by improving confidence in the manufacturing sector led by semiconductors, increased passenger demand during the summer vacation season, and a recovery in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector.According to the Bank of Korea on Wednesday, the composite business sentiment index (CBSI) for all industries rose 1.1 points from July to 99.6 in August. It was the highest level since September 2022, when the index stood at 102, marking a second straight monthly increase after falling 1.2 points in June and rising 0.8 points in July.The CBSI is a measure of corporate sentiment calculated from five major indicators for manufacturing and four for non-manufacturing. A reading above the 2003-2025 average of 100 signals optimism, while a reading below 100 signals pessimism.The BOK noted that manufacturing, led by semiconductors, has driven the recovery in business sentiment since the downturn in late 2022, while nonmanufacturing also improved this month, pushing overall sentiment to a nearly four-year high.The manufacturing CBSI rose 0.6 point to 103.8 in August, extending its gains to five straight months and reaching its highest level since June 2022, when it was 107.1. It has stayed above its long-term average of 100 for four months after surpassing it in May at 100.8, its first reading above 100 in three years and nine months.Higher finished-product inventories, up 0.6 point, and improved financial conditions, up 0.4 point, drove the August gain.The CBSI for large companies fell 1.6 points to 103.7, ending a five-month rise, while the index for small and midsize enterprises rose 2.2 points to 99.8, its highest since June 2023, when it was 103.2. Sentiment among small and midsize enterprises has risen for two straight months since July.The CBSI for export-oriented companies rose 1 point to 108.5, its highest since May 2022, when it was 114. The index for domestic-oriented companies fell 0.6 point to 99.4.The BOK, however, called the declines at large and domestic-oriented companies temporary, saying sentiment has broadly improved across companies of all sizes and both export- and domestic-oriented businesses since the start of the year.The nonmanufacturing CBSI rose 1.5 points to 96.7, rebounding after two straight monthly declines from May’s 97.5. Higher sales, up 0.6 point, and improved financial conditions, up 0.5 point, led the gain.The BOK said nonmanufacturing sentiment improved more sharply as transportation and passenger demand increased during the summer vacation season and the broadcasting, film and services industries recovered.Among manufacturers, sentiment in electronics, video and telecommunications equipment improved on higher printed circuit board prices and the use of stockpiled inventories as operating rates were reduced during the vacation season.Food products also improved as the exchange rate lowered prices for imported ingredients and selling prices rose for products including processed meat.In nonmanufacturing, transportation and warehousing sentiment improved on higher ocean freight rates and increased passenger demand, while information and communications sentiment rose on better performance among video, broadcasting and IT service companies.The outlook for September also improved, with the all-industry CBSI forecast rising 3.1 points from August to 99.6. The manufacturing outlook rose 2 points to 102.5 and the nonmanufacturing outlook 3.9 points to 97.6.The Economic Sentiment Index (ESI), which combines the BSI and Consumer Sentiment Index (CSI), rose 1.5 points to 99.4 in August. Its seasonally adjusted cyclical component rose 0.4 points to 96.9, the highest since September 2022, when it was 97.9.The survey was conducted from August 10 to 18 among 3,524 companies nationwide, with 3,170 responding, including 1,770 manufacturers and 1,400 nonmanufacturers.。