PacTech Pulse: January 2026

Newsletter by Aryan D'Rozario

Published January 13, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

Australia unveils a National AI Plan. The plan will serve as a roadmap to ramp up the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) across its economy but would rely on existing laws to manage emerging risks, stepping back from earlier plans for tougher rules on high-risk scenarios.

Source: Media Selangor

In detail: Department of Industry Science and Resources, National AI Plan

Date: December 02, 2025

Australia releases new national guidance to help businesses identify and disclose AI-generated content. The guide, titled "Being clear about AI-generated Content: A Guide for Business," was published by the National AI Centre (NAIC) and the Department of Industry, Science and Resources in November 2025. It outlines voluntary best-practice measures for organizations that create, modify or deploy AI-generated text, images, audio, and video.

Source: Babl

In detail: Department of Industry Science and Resources, Being clear about AI - generated content

Date: December 03, 2025

China has put domestic artificial intelligence chips on an official procurement list for the first time. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology recently added AI processors from Chinese groups, including Huawei and Cambricon, to its government-approved list of suppliers. The step is designed to enhance the use of domestic semiconductors in China's public sector.

Source: Financial Times

Date: December 10, 2025

China issues draft rules that would tighten oversight of artificial intelligence services designed to simulate human personalities and engage users in emotional interaction. The move underscores Beijing's effort to shape the rapid rollout of consumer-facing AI by strengthening safety and ethical requirements. The proposed rules would apply to AI products and services offered to the public in China that present simulated human personality traits, thinking patterns and communication styles, and interact with users emotionally through text, images, audio, video, or other means.

Source: Reuters

In detail: Cyberspace Administration of China notice on draft 'Interim Measures for the Administration of Humanized Interactive Services Based on Artificial Intelligence'

Date: December 29, 2025

Japan publishes a draft of its basic program on the development and use of artificial intelligence. The draft document aims to increase the AI utilization rate among the public initially to 50 percent and eventually to 80 percent and emphasizes the need to boost AI usage with a view to developing Japan's own AI technologies. It also seeks a policy to attract about $6.4 billion (¥1 trillion) in private sector investment to enhance research and development activities. The government aims to adopt the basic program at a Cabinet meeting by the end of the year.

Source: Japan Times

Date: December 07, 2025

South Korea will require online platforms to label content generated by artificial intelligence (AI) in a bid to curb the rapid spread of fake and exaggerated advertisements. During a policy coordination meeting, the government announced measures to curb the influx of deceptive advertising disrupting the market through generative AI and other digital tools.

Source: The Korea Times

Date: December 10, 2025

South‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ Korea will be the first nation to implement a comprehensive AI regulatory framework as its AI Basic Act will be effective from January 22, 2026. This law provides for the creation of a national AI committee, a three-year plan for implementation and safety, transparency, and disclosure requirements for specific AI systems. There has been industry-wide concern about the industry's preparedness, especially startups, regarding the imminent Enforcement Decree, which is to be issued shortly before the law comes into force.

Source: Asia Business Outlook

Date: December 15, 2025

South Korea approves its AI Bio National Strategy. The government has decided to develop artificial intelligence (AI) models for research innovation in advanced biotechnology fields such as brain and anti-aging studies, and to secure large quantities of high-quality bio data for this purpose. Through this strategy, the government plans to establish and develop AI bio models in five major fields: drug development, brain and anti-aging, medical devices, bio-manufacturing, and agri-food.

Source: Business Korea

Date: December 18, 2025

Taiwan passes the Artificial Intelligence Basic Act. The act underscores that government promotion of AI research and application must adhere to principles including privacy protection, data governance, and accountability. The legislation establishes a legal framework to guide the development and use of artificial intelligence, with the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) designated as the central competent authority and county and city governments responsible at the local level. Under the law, the government must promote AI research and application while balancing social welfare, digital equity, innovation, and national competitiveness.

Source: Rti News

In detail: AI Basic Act Draft

Date: December 23, 2025

Vietnam passes the first-ever Law on Artificial Intelligence (AI), alongside the Law on amendments and supplements to several articles of the Law on Intellectual Property, and the revised Law on High Technology. The draft law establishes core principles, prohibited acts, and a risk management framework. The Law on AI will take effect on March 1, 2026.

Source: Asia News Network

In detail: Press Release

Date: December 11, 2025

Vietnam officially promulgates the Pilot Content Framework for introducing AI into the general education curriculum. According to the MOET, the AI education framework for students is developed based on four main knowledge strands, corresponding to four competency domains that are intertwined and complementary: human-centered mindset, AI ethics, AI techniques and applications, and AI system design. The content framework is designed corresponding to two educational phases: the Basic Education Phase (including primary and secondary levels) and the Career-Oriented Education Phase (upper secondary levels).

Source: Vn Economy

In detail: Press Release

Date: December 16, 2025

Data Centers

Malaysia has revised its electricity supply planning methodology for data centers in Peninsular Malaysia to focus on verified accuracy. Specific contractual and regulatory mechanisms are enforced to align power supply with actual usage patterns. Filtering out speculative ventures will require new data center projects to obtain mandatory approval from the Data Centre Task Force (DCTF), co-chaired by the Miti and Digital ministers, prior to any implementation.

Source: The Edge

Date: December 29, 2025

Energy Technology

Australia has released draft access arrangement decisions that will apply to gas distribution networks Evoenergy, Australian Gas Networks, and the Amadeus Gas Pipeline for the 2026-31 period. The draft decisions provide guidance and are an opportunity for businesses to consider what further information and analysis may be required to support prudent and efficient investment as part of revised proposals.

Source: Australian Energy Regulator Press Release

In detail: Amadeus Gas Pipeline access arrangement 2026 to 2031 Draft decision

Date: November 28, 2025

Australia's Energy Regulator (AER) has published its second combined annual Electricity and gas distribution networks performance report. The report analyses the key outcomes and trends in the operational and financial performance of 25 network service providers regulated by the AER. It is a point in time report, covering the regulatory period up to June 2024.

Source: Australian Energy Regulator Press Release

In detail: Electricity and gas networks performance report 2025

Date: December 18, 2025

Australia announces a gas reservation scheme. The aim of the scheme is to provide security for Australia's domestic supply and put downward pressure on prices. The scheme, working though permits, will only affect new contracts. Although it will apply to all new contracts from now on, the plan will not begin operating until 2027.

Source: The Conservation

In detail: Australian Government Press Release

Date: December 22, 2025

Bangladesh mandates rooftop solar installation under the net metering system mandatory for buildings with at least 1,000 square feet of usable roof space for a minimum of 20 years. According to the circular, any building that has 1,000 square feet or more of roof area suitable for use over at least 20 years must install rooftop solar panels when applying for a new electricity connection under the net metering system. The circular states that residential consumers applying for single-phase connections may install rooftop solar systems if they are interested.

Source: Press Release

Date: December 21, 2025

India issues a draft framework for Integrated Energy Storage Systems (IESS). The draft notification amending the CERC Tariff Regulations, 2024 formally recognizes storage as a regulated asset within both generating stations and the inter-state transmission system, signaling that energy storage is no longer an experimental add-on for renewable balancing but a core component of India's future grid architecture.

Source: Down to Earth

In detail: Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Terms and Conditions of Tariff) (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2025

Date: December 02, 2025

India amends the standard operating procedure (SOP) for the approved list of models and manufacturers wind (ALMM-wind) and wind turbine components (ALMM-WTC). As per the amendment, manufacturers are now encouraged to conduct prototype testing in India. The mandatory requirement for in-India prototype testing will come into effect only after two years from the date of issuance of the amendment from December 1, 2027.

Source: Power line

In detail: Notification

Date: December 05, 2025

India notifies new Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, 2025. The rules bring into force a modern regulatory framework aimed at attracting investment and improving ease of doing business in the oil and gas sector. The rules, issued under the recently approved Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Act, 2025, replace the earlier system of multiple licenses with a single petroleum lease covering exploration, development, and production of all hydrocarbons, including shale, according to a gazette notification.

Source: The Week

In detail: Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, 2025

Date: December 12, 2025

India notifies the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPM). The scheme has a total outlay of $812.4 million (INR 7,280 crore) and aims to reduce India's dependence on China for critical inputs used across electric vehicles, electronics, aerospace, and green energy sectors.

Source: Economic Times

Date: December 17, 2025

India passes the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill. The legislation proposes the grant of licenses to private companies to operate nuclear power plants, the removal of an existing contentious liability clause for suppliers of fuel and technology, as well as the simplification of the levels of payouts by operators in case of accidents.

Source: Hindustan Times

In detail: Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India bill, 2025

Date: December 18, 2025

India issues detailed guidelines for Virtual Power Purchase Agreements (VPPAs). The guidelines create a structured regulatory framework for over-the-counter (OTC) renewable energy contracts to help designated consumers meet their Renewable Consumption Obligation (RCO) targets. The guidelines classify VPPAs as Non-Transferable Specific Delivery (NTSD) bilateral contracts under the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC)'s jurisdiction.

Source: Energetica

In detail: Virtual Power Purchase Agreements - Guidelines

Date: December 26, 2025

New Zealand approves an amendment to an existing Electricity Industry Participation Code 2010 exemption for WEL and NewPower to support more local generation. The updated exemption covers a 5MW battery energy storage system, a 2.4MW solar opportunity, and a 700kW and 220kW rooftop solar system. It brings the total generation capacity covered by the exemption to 101.333MW. These changes are part of the Electricity Authority's wider efforts to support local energy generation and build a more secure, resilient, and efficient electricity system for New Zealand.

Source: New Zealand Electricity Authority

In detail: Amendment

Date: December 03, 2025

New Zealand publishes updates to its compliance strategy and monitoring framework. These updates reflect increased focus on consumers and add the two new high-priority areas for monitoring revisions of submission information for reconciliation and restrictions on materially large contracts

Source: New Zealand Electricity Authority

In detail: Compliance Strategy and Compliance Monitoring Framework

Date: December 17, 2025

Pakistan publishes proposed revisions to solar net-metering regulations. A key change under consideration is a reduction in the tariff for surplus solar power, which could be cut by half from $0.093 (PKR 26) per kWh to $0.046 (PKR 13) per kWh. Under the new rules, the sale of surplus power to the grid will be made through a new net billing arrangement, with PV system owners being credited based on a nationally determined average energy purchase price rather than full one-to-one net credits.

Source: PV Magazine

In detail: NEPRA Prosumer Regulations 2025

Date: December 18, 2025

Singapore institutes better protection for electricity consumers on automatic renewal contracts. Beginning June 19, 2026, retailers will have to notify residential consumers twice, instead of once, about upcoming auto-renewal of their contracts. The notifications must be sent via mail communication (email or postal mail) and mobile communication (such as SMS, WhatsApp, or via the retailer's mobile application). Retailers must also waive any early termination fee for residential consumers within the first 60 days of the auto-renewal, instead of 30 days.

Source: Channel News Asia

In detail: Energy Market Authority of Singapore

Date: December 19, 2025

Vietnam issues decree detailing several provisions of the Law on Atomic Energy and measures for its implementation. The order focuses on the development and application of atomic energy. Under the decree, the government will ensure funding for the construction, development and maintenance of nuclear science and technology infrastructure, while encouraging the mobilization of other lawful sources of capital under a long-term roadmap aligned with the pace of nuclear power development.

Source: VietNam Net

In detail: Press Release

Date: December 25, 2025

Biotechnology/Pharmaceuticals

India sets a minimum import price (MIP) for certain key pharmaceutical inputs to combat aggressive undercutting from Chinese manufacturers. The government imposes the floor price restrictions on import of potassium clavulanate, and some intermediates used for the manufacturing of clavulanic acid and potassium clavulanate. Potassium clavulanate is used by the pharmaceutical industry in manufacturing drugs to treat bacterial infections.

Source: Economic Times

Date: December 20, 2025

India bans the manufacture, sale, and distribution of all oral formulations of pain and fever medications containing Nimesulide above 100 milligrams. The decision comes amid scrutiny of the medications risks to human health and the availability of safer alternatives.

Source: Money Control

Date: December 31, 2025

Medical Technology

India amends rules in the Medical Devices Rules, 2017. The amendments include the issuance of registration certificates and manufacturing licenses for certain classes of devices valid in perpetuity subject to conditions. The amendment also inserted a new Form MD-44 as a format for report of test or evaluation by registered medical devices testing laboratory (MDTL) and to declare the quality of the device.

Source: Pharmabiz

In detail: Gazette notification

Date: December 18, 2025

Aerospace Technology

China introduces new guidelines designed to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) within the country's civil aviation sector. The recently published document, titled "Implementation Opinions on Promoting High-Quality Development of 'AI and Civil Aviation'," sets forth a strategic framework aimed at harnessing AI to improve operational efficiency, safety, and innovation throughout the industry.

Source: Eplane AI

In detail: Civil Aviation Administration of China - News

Date: December 05, 2025

China announces two new mandatory national standards for civil drones. The two standards, approved by the State Administration for Market Regulation, are set to take effect on May 1, 2026. The first standard establishes a real-name registration system, requiring drones to be inoperable before activation and after deactivation. The second rule obligates drones to continuously transmit identification, location, speed, and status data to regulatory authorities from power-on through the entire flight, enabling real-time monitoring.

Source: Xinhua

In detail: Civil Aviation Administration of China - News

Date: December 09, 2025

China adopts a revised Civil Aviation Law. The new law imposes tighter regulatory oversight on unmanned aircraft, updating its legal framework to keep pace with the rapid shifts in the aviation sector. The amended law will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Source: China Daily

In detail: Civil Aviation Administration of China - News

Date: December 29, 2025

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