The emergence of DeepSeek dominated morning coverage, with reports of its $6 million AI model causing NASDAQ turbulence and NVIDIA value drops. State media initially maintained their Spring Festival narrative focus, but by mid-morning shifted to incorporate DeepSeek's success into national achievement messaging.
Hong Kong Free Press revealed DeepSeek's programmed avoidance of sensitive political topics, while BBC Chinese and DW compared the AI breakthrough to historical technological disruptions like Sputnik and Pearl Harbor. Trump's framing of DeepSeek as a "wake-up call" received extensive coverage.
By afternoon, attention turned to broader implications, with Caixin reporting on Chinese automakers' Mexico operations facing new Trump tariffs. Coverage concluded with analysis of conditions needed for China to produce more AI breakthroughs, while state media returned to traditional Spring Festival themes.