Tobias

Alibaba Pictures rebrands as Damai Entertainment, effective May 2025, following its 2023 acquisition of ticketing platform Damai (¥1.2B) and parent group’s renaming to Orca Entertainment. The shift reflects post-acquisition success: live entertainment and IP monetization now drive growth, with Q1 2025 revenue rising 12% to ¥5.55B and adjusted EBITA turning profitable (¥36M). Damai’s 2024 revenue surged 236%, while IP licensing hit ¥1.43B (+73%). Despite China’s booming live events (¥57.95B票房 in 2024), challenges include streaming arm Youku’s uncertain profitability amid declining ad spending and rising production costs. The rebrand underscores a pivot from traditional cinema to IP ecosystems and live experiences.

Chinese tech influencer Xiaosuanmiao Zhang was banned from gaining followers on Weibo and Douyin after a Beijing court upheld Xiaomi’s defamation lawsuit, requiring her to delete posts, issue a public apology, and pay ¥56,595 in damages. The ruling aligns with China’s *Private Sector Promotion Law* enacted May 20, 2024, which protects private enterprises from defamation. State media recently condemned online “toxic practices” targeting companies, while analysts view the verdict and law as dual mechanisms empowering businesses to combat reputational harm and curbing “digital vigilantism,” reflecting heightened regulatory focus on stabilizing corporate environments.

A viral social media trend in China has labeled McDonald’s Coke-and-fries combo as the “Migraine Meal,” with netizens claiming caffeine’s vasoconstrictive properties and fries’ sodium content alleviate headaches. Neurologists acknowledge potential biochemical mechanisms but warn against self-treatment, noting risks of delaying medical diagnosis. The phenomenon reflects emerging “accidental functional foods” in fast-food culture, coinciding with a reported 12% surge in combo sales. While McDonald’s hasn’t endorsed the claims, the trend highlights evolving consumer health perceptions, prompting experts to stress distinguishing fleeting trends from serious conditions requiring professional care.

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang criticized U.S. AI chip export controls to China as a “failed strategy,” arguing they have spurred China’s semiconductor self-reliance while harming American firms. Speaking at COMPUTEX 2025, Huang noted Nvidia’s China market share dropped from 95% to 50% as local competitors emerged, with potential losses up to $15 billion from H20 chip restrictions. He warned Biden-era bans unintentionally accelerated China’s domestic R&D, with over half of global AI researchers now based there. The 2022 U.S. chipmaking equipment export ban drew backlash, with China condemning “unilateral bullying” harming global supply chains. Trump’s revocation of the “Intelligence Diffusion Rule” highlighted shifting market dynamics, underscoring policies that hinder innovation risk U.S. competitiveness.

Actress Zhu Yuanyuan and musician Zhao Yingjun, pivotal to China’s acclaimed film *Hi, Mom* (2020), have died of cancer, reigniting discussions on the drama’s themes of resilience and human connection amid illness. Zhu portrayed the mother of a terminally ill teen, while Zhao composed its evocative soundtrack. Directed by Han Yan, the film explores two cancer patients’ transformative bond, earning nominations at China’s Hundred Flowers and Huabiao Awards. Its enduring relevance highlights global cinema’s shift toward narratives that humanize medical adversity and amplify societal empathy. Critics praise their artistic legacy for mirroring real-world struggles with quiet courage.

A 360 kg man from Inner Mongolia, once China’s heaviest person, lost nearly half his weight through bariatric surgery and lifestyle changes in four months, highlighting obesity management challenges. China’s obesity rate has tripled since 2004, with severe obesity (BMI ≥35) causing cascading health risks. Experts stress tiered interventions: behavioral changes, medications (e.g., GLP-1 agonists), and surgery, which requires lifelong monitoring. The global weight loss surgery market, valued at $2.4 billion in 2023, grows as obesity costs economies $2 trillion annually. While technology aids management, lasting success hinges on medical rigor and personal resolve, offering both caution and hope amid rising healthcare burdens.

In Q1 2025, WeRide reported RMB72.44 million ($10.1M) revenue and a 35% gross margin, with Robotaxi revenue surging 22.3% to RMB16.1M. The company expanded its Uber partnership, securing a $100M strategic investment and launching a $100M share buyback. Milestones included France’s first fully driverless permit, licenses across five countries, and an autonomous minibus pilot in Spain with Renault. Domestically, it tested Robovan W5 in Guangzhou’s smart city hub and launched a 24/7 autonomous ride-hailing network. The CFO emphasized scalable tech and global growth, as analysts highlighted WeRide’s dual regulatory-commercial strategy targeting a projected $2 trillion autonomous mobility market by 2040.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk acknowledged BYD’s growing competitiveness in EVs during a May 21 CNBC interview, contrasting his 2011 dismissal of the Chinese automaker. BYD outsold Tesla by 79,707 units in Q1 2025, capturing 15.4% of global BEV sales through vertical integration and aggressive pricing. While Musk emphasized focusing on Tesla’s mission over rivalries, analysts note BYD’s rise challenges Tesla’s dominance, potentially accelerating industry-wide decarbonization. The shift reflects evolving market dynamics as both companies vie for leadership in the electric transition. (98 words)

U.S. silicon carbide chipmaker Wolfspeed plans to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy within weeks amid $5.3B debt struggles, regulatory filings show. After rejecting creditor proposals, the majority-backed bankruptcy aims to restructure obligations while maintaining operations. Shares plunged 60% post-announcement, exacerbating months of instability marked by leadership changes, 1,180 layoffs, and facility closures. Wolfspeed’s 2026 revenue projection of $850M trails analysts’ $958.7M forecast. The Durham-based firm, once a pioneer in EV/5G wafer tech, may attract acquisition bids despite debt hurdles. Its collapse risks disrupting silicon carbide supply chains and U.S. semiconductor self-sufficiency goals.

Gree Electric Chairman Dong Mingzhu and former protégé Meng Yutong will reunite in a May 23 livestream, their first joint appearance since 2022 rift rumors. The event, teased with “Long Time No See” on social media, follows Meng’s viral Weibo post—featuring private messages with Dong—that drew 15M+ views. In 2022, Gree trademarked both names across finance, tech, and advertising as Meng emerged as China’s top Gen-Z executive influencer. Analysts call the reunion a strategic fusion of leadership clout and youth marketing, while critics label it “calculated brand theater.” Public reactions range from skepticism to bewilderment.