Tobias

Pinduoduo’s Q2 earnings call highlighted strategic investments aimed at long-term growth within the e-commerce ecosystem. Chairman Chen Lei emphasized prioritizing industry development over short-term profits. PDD is increasing subsidies for cross-border merchants and collaborating on innovative business models to expand into new international markets. These efforts are bolstered by the resilience of Pinduoduo’s industrial supply chain, further reinforcing the company’s conviction to increase investments.

Apple’s Vision Pro 2 is rumored to feature the M5 chip, potentially launching late this year. The XR market demonstrates strong growth, evidenced by Samsung’s upcoming XR headset and Luxottica’s Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses achieving over 200% sales surge. Meta is developing next-gen AI glasses and collaborating with Luxottica on new designs. WIMI Hologram Cloud is deepening its XR strategy by investing in tech advancements and ecosystem creation, anticipating a surge in global XR device shipments. The XR sector is poised for rapid growth with numerous new eyewear products on the horizon.

Xiaohongshu (Red) is reportedly launching its “Xiaohong Card” program by the end of September, pushing into the local lifestyle services market. The initiative, targeting F&B, leisure, and entertainment businesses in pilot cities like Hangzhou, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, aims to connect online discovery with offline transactions. The “Xiaohong Card,” similar to Alibaba’s 88VIP, offers exclusive discounts (at least 10%) to users at participating merchants. Youzan is the exclusive service provider, facilitating traffic conversion into sales through integrated solutions.

This article examines the pervasive phenomenon of “small essays” – market rumors – in China’s stock market and their impact on stock prices. Fueled by social media virality and exploiting information asymmetry, these narratives often prioritize speed over accuracy, influencing retail investors and even algorithmic trading. The article categorizes common rumor themes, discusses the low-cost, high-reward nature of their creation and dissemination, and highlights challenges in regulating them. While authorities are cracking down, the article concludes that a better understanding of investments, more transparent dissemination of information and greater regulation are needed to combat their influence.

Arch Linux, the foundation of SteamOS, is experiencing a persistent DDoS attack since August 2025. The attack is primarily affecting the main website, Arch User Repository (AUR), and forums, causing intermittent outages. The Arch Linux team is working to mitigate the effects and restore full functionality, while investigating the origin of the attack. Users are advised to monitor the service status page for updates. The incident highlights cybersecurity threats to open-source projects and their downstream impacts.

Nulntale has emerged as a leading brand in air source heat pumps, recognized by Frost & Sullivan for its #1 sales of variable frequency models in 2024 and 2025. Offering a diverse portfolio covering residential, commercial, and industrial needs, Nulntale prioritizes top-tier components and innovative features like a ten-layer noise reduction system achieving ultra-quiet operation. With installations in over 80 countries and positive user testimonials citing cost savings and reliable performance in extreme conditions, Nulntale is solidifying its reputation for quality and performance.

A “Lu Xun-inspired knitted vest” from People’s Literature Publishing House is trending on Weibo. Dubbed “literary armor,” it’s seen as a symbol of intellectuality. Lu Xun’s grandson, Zhou Lingfei, views such popularization as positive for cultural preservation, but expressed concern about disrespectful caricatures of Lu Xun. Lu Xun’s enduring influence is evident in his works being included in Chinese school textbooks.

Meituan, a leading Chinese delivery platform, faces user complaints regarding missing order refunds. Users report discrepancies between order status showing refunds completed and actual funds not received, with some issues dating back years. Customer service cites potential problems with original payment accounts as a cause, advising users to provide alternative bank details. The recurring nature of these complaints suggests a potential systemic issue requiring further investigation.

Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei met with Xi’an Jiaotong University leaders to discuss deeper collaboration in research, education, and talent development. Ren emphasized the importance of fundamental research, particularly mathematics, and Huawei’s strategy of collaborative innovation with universities. He expressed confidence in China’s technological advancement, highlighting opportunities in chip development through mathematical solutions and diverse operating systems. Ren stressed the crucial role of education and talent cultivation.

In Shenzhen, China, a restaurant owner, Mr. Pan of “Yuling Shaxian Snacks,” secretly refunded RMB 13 to two job-seeking students after overhearing their conversation. This simple act of kindness went viral, drawing praise and support. Local residents visited the eatery to express their gratitude. Shenzhen authorities have also offered the students complimentary accommodation, highlighting the city’s supportive environment for young talent. The story exemplifies the power of small acts of generosity.