‘Value for money’: AI agent OpenClaw adopts Chinese models for cost edge over US rivals

OpenClaw adds Moonshot AI's Kimi and MiniMax as Chinese open-source AI models gain global appeal for cost and performance. — SCMP

Chinese open-source artificial intelligence models are being adopted by OpenClaw, the global hit AI agent, for their favourable balance of cost and performance, according to industry experts.

OpenClaw, which has been a runaway success since its late 2025 launch, announced on Friday that it was offering Chinese start-up Moonshot AI’s latest Kimi K2.5 and Kimi Coding agent for free in its service, while adding support for MiniMax, another Chinese foundational AI developer.