Tobias

Laifen’s CEO, Ye Hongxin, publicly criticized a former employee, Pan Jian, on Weibo, alleging biased reviews and unethical conduct. The dispute arose after a tech blogger’s review questioned Laifen’s shaver performance. Ye accused Pan of colluding with internal employees for inflated content collaboration fees and hindering investment. The online discussion also highlights concerns about transparency within China’s influencer marketing and the reliability of third-party product reviews.

Cambricon, a Chinese AI chip company, has received approval from the Shanghai Stock Exchange for a RMB 4 billion private placement. The funds will be used for AI chip and software platform development, particularly for large-scale AI models, and to supplement working capital. Cambricon’s Q1 2025 revenue surged by 4230.22% year-on-year, with net profit also significantly increasing. The company focuses on cloud, edge products, and IP licensing, aiming to build a comprehensive AI ecosystem.

A Morgan Stanley report reveals high profitability in AI inference, with average profit margins exceeding 50% for “AI inference factories.” NVIDIA’s GB200 NVL72 leads with a near 78% profit margin, followed by Google’s TPU v6e pod (74.9%) and AWS’s Trn2 UltraServer (62.5%). Huawei’s Ascend CloudMatrix 384 achieves 47.9%. AMD’s MI300X and MI355X, however, show significant negative profit margins due to insufficient token generation efficiency.

China honored Luan Enjie, the first chief commander of its Lunar Exploration Program, with the “Touching China 2024” award. Luan, instrumental in the Chang’e missions, expressed his dedication to further space exploration, stating the “Chinese people’s footsteps will extend further.” The Lunar Exploration Program is China’s third major space endeavor. His contributions, including the naming of asteroid “Luan Enjie Star,” are a testament to China’s advancements. Despite personal sacrifices, Luan affirms his commitment to the space industry, highlighting China’s ambition in space exploration.

Huawei’s Richard Yu addressed the company’s use of the phrase “leading far ahead” in a recent interview, clarifying he uses it sparingly, reserved for genuine achievements. He highlighted the significant impact of U.S. sanctions, causing smartphone shipments to plummet from 240-250 million annually to just over 20 million. Yu also refuted rumors of a fine imposed by Ren Zhengfei for using the phrase, stating it has been overused and the rumors were false. The company aims to only use the term when definitively leading in a specific area.

Guangdong’s express delivery sector is experiencing a price correction with rates increasing by approximately ¥0.4 per parcel, exceeding an average of ¥1.4. Implemented on August 4th, this floor price aims to eliminate below-cost deliveries and has been adopted by major companies. Primarily affecting e-commerce parcels, this shift follows a period of intense, unsustainable price competition. Experts see this as a turning point towards a more stable market, urging companies to prioritize innovation and service quality over price wars.

Changzhou FC celebrated their first goal and victory in the Jiangsu Urban Football League, defeating Zhenjiang 1-0 after an eight-game winless streak. Zhao Lianping’s goal sparked city-wide excitement, trending on social media. JDDelivery, a league sponsor, congratulated the team and offered vouchers. This follows JD.com’s strategic partnership with the Jiangsu Provincial Sports Industry Group, aiming to integrate sports, e-commerce and food delivery to enhance fan experience and expand its market reach.

Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun’s recent tweet asking about the first generation Xiaomi phone sparked a wave of nostalgia and reminiscence among users. The post, featuring the original device with its removable battery, triggered a digital forum of memories and testimonials. Users shared experiences highlighting the phone’s initial appeal, perceived superior functionality, and the brand loyalty it fostered across different user segments in China. The event underscores the lasting impact of Xiaomi’s early products and the power of social media in maintaining customer loyalty.

A prized Akhal-Teke horse, purchased for 90,000 yuan, was injured in an accident during transport via Chinese logistics platform Hualala. The owner intended to transport the horse to Hunan for training. The driver reported the incident after traveling 100 kilometers. Due to the horse’s injuries, it is being cryopreserved, pending resolution and potential humane disposal. The Akhal-Teke breed is historically significant, known for its endurance and unique characteristics contributing to its perceived value.

Mixue Ice Cream & Tea, a popular Chinese tea chain, is facing backlash after a customer found a cockroach in an unopened Jasmine Milk Tea in Ganzhou. The incident went viral, raising concerns about quality control. While the customer received a refund and compensation, the company is investigating, citing possible CCTV footage. Analysts suggest Mixue’s extensive franchise model (99.96% of their 46,479 stores are franchised) may contribute to food safety issues. The company apologized and pledged to improve service and awareness.