Tobias

Chinese appliance maker Gree Electric is increasing its investment in talent acquisition, onboarding over 5,400 university graduates this year, following 6,000 last year. Chairwoman Dong Mingzhu emphasizes the critical role of talent and Gree’s significant investment in young employees, estimated at $28,000 USD per graduate annually. Dong has also advocated for companies to recoup training fees from employees who leave after long-term development, sparking debate over ownership of skills and knowledge gained during employment.

JD.com’s Q2 earnings revealed a 22.4% revenue surge to RMB 356.7 billion, driven by a strong 618 shopping festival and robust performance from JD Retail and JD Logistics. However, aggressive expansion into delivery services, particularly JD Delivery, led to substantial losses (RMB 14.8 billion) within the “new businesses” segment, offsetting retail profit gains. Despite increased user engagement and order volume, these subsidies significantly impacted overall profitability, prompting JD.com to shift towards cross-selling strategies to reduce reliance on its retail business.

A Chinese company in Jinhua implemented a mandatory overtime policy due to increased orders, sparking online discussion. Absences are restricted to illness, weddings, or funerals. However, the policy includes a 25% pay raise, a summer heat bonus, clear overtime calculation, and drinks throughout the day. Employees are also allowed to bring their children to a supervised, air-conditioned room. Employees generally view the policy positively, praising the owner.

Didi Chuxing is introducing a revamped driver support program to stabilize driver earnings. Key initiatives include lowering the maximum commission cap per ride to 27%, implementing “Commission Rebate Pro” for active drivers guaranteeing a 25% monthly cap, and reducing high-commission rides through subsidies and dispatch optimization. These changes aim to foster a more fair and sustainable ecosystem and improve income transparency via the Didi driver app. The program is being piloted in select cities before a nationwide rollout.

Comedian Guo Degang intends to pass Deyun She to his son, Guo Qilin, but the latter prefers acting. According to Tianyancha, Beijing Deyun She is 99% owned by Guo Degang’s wife, Wang Hui, who is also the legal representative. Guo Qilin is not listed as an executive. Established in 2006, the company has a diverse business scope ranging from traditional comedy to retail and cultural exchange programs. Wang Hui is associated with 13 companies and is the legal representative for other Deyun She branches.

China’s semiconductor industry achieved a milestone with the rollout of the first domestically produced 28nm Critical Dimension Electron Beam Metrology equipment in Wuxi. Developed by Wuxi Gonsin Instruments, the CD-SEM features complete self-reliance in key components. This advancement addresses critical challenges in semiconductor metrology and inspection, filling a vital gap in China’s integrated circuit industry and enhancing self-sufficiency in high-end chip equipment. Gonsin aims to provide comprehensive CD-SEM solutions for diverse semiconductor manufacturing needs.

A video showing Insta360’s founder, Liu Jingkang, throwing cash at employees after the A1 drone launch went viral, sparking online debate. While some criticized the method as ostentatious, Insta360 clarified it was a playful team-building exercise to reward the R&D team’s hard work. The company expressed regret over the leaked video and unintended misinterpretations, vowing to use more effective and innovative recognition methods in the future.

WSTS forecasts a strong semiconductor market with $180 billion in sales for Q2 2025, a 19.6% year-over-year increase. This marks the sixth consecutive quarter of over 18% YoY growth. Nvidia leads the ranking of top semiconductor companies (excluding foundries and companies like Apple) with a projected $45 billion in revenue. Memory giants Samsung and SK Hynix follow. Nvidia’s stock surge, driven by AI demand, has significantly increased CEO Jensen Huang’s net worth, placing him among the world’s wealthiest individuals.

China’s new parental subsidy program (¥3,600 annually per child under three) is set to launch in 2025. However, scammers are already exploiting the initiative, using deceptive tactics on social media to lure parents with fake notifications. WeChat warns against clicking suspicious links or downloading files from unsolicited messages, as they may contain malware granting remote access for data theft. Official application portals will be available in late August; verify information through official government channels.

To mark its 20th anniversary, 360 Group announced its “All In Agent” strategy, shifting focus to AI and intelligent agents. Founder Zhou Hongyi emphasized AI’s transformative power, highlighting 360’s developed AI search engine and Nano AI Multi-Agent Swarm. The company launched the “Intelligent Agent Factory” and aims to reshape its products and processes with intelligent agents, encouraging employees to develop AI literacy. 360 also updated its mission, vision, and core values to align with its AI-driven future.