Tobias

Investor Duan Yongping maintains that long-term investments in strong companies like Kweichow Moutai and Tencent are superior to bank deposits. While acknowledging China Shenhua Energy as potentially better than a bank, he emphasizes Tencent’s higher potential. Duan warns that outperforming bank returns is significant, as most lose money in the stock market. He cites Moutai’s brand strength and Tencent’s ecosystem as drivers of sustained value, contrasting them with the vulnerability of bank interest rates to macroeconomic changes and inflation, while also acknowledging inherent market risks.

JD.com is entering the food delivery market, addressing consumer concerns about safety and hygiene by partnering exclusively with established restaurants. They’ve launched “Seven Fresh Kitchen,” a delivery-focused concept, and plan to establish 10,000 locations in three years. JD.com is investing heavily in its supply chain and a “Recipe Partner” program to ensure quality. Their strategy includes rigorous quality checks, hygiene protocols, and 24/7 kitchen livestreams, emphasizing safe and delicious meals.

Power bank manufacturer Romoss is facing a severe financial crisis following a recent product incident, with estimated monthly losses of 100-200 million yuan. Reports indicate a significantly reduced workforce, large amounts of idle inventory, and employee/supplier protests outside the Shenzhen headquarters. Senior management is reportedly “disappeared” and core executives allegedly fled to Malaysia. Romoss issued a work stoppage notice, claiming after-sales services would continue, but these claims are disputed. The company’s legal representative has changed multiple times recently, raising governance concerns.

During heavy rain, an Air India Airbus A320 (flight AI2744 from Kochi) veered off the runway at Mumbai Airport, leading to the temporary closure of the affected runway. All passengers and crew deplaned safely. The aircraft sustained damage, including engine intake damage and burst tires. A secondary runway is in use. This incident follows a recent fatal crash involving Air India and precedes a planned EASA investigation into Air India Express, amid concerns about engine maintenance and falsified safety records.

QuestMobile’s Q2 2025 AI app ranking reveals a sharp 72.2% drop in DeepSeek’s monthly downloads, signaling a decline from its previous dominance. While Doubao leads overall, MAU decreased across similar AI assistants. New contenders emerged in specialized areas like “AI+Office” (ima, 360 Wenku) and “AI+Education” (Doubao Aixue, KuaiDui AI). Experts attribute DeepSeek’s decline to competitive API pricing from rivals, technology integration into other apps, lack of vertical integration, and delays in releasing the DeepSeek-R2 model.

UBTECH Robotics secured a RMB 90.5 million contract with MIIX Automobile for robotic equipment, marking the largest humanoid robot order globally. This follows the Walker S2 release with autonomous battery-swapping. UBTECH’s presence is growing, exemplified by the “Tiangong Walker” and increasing production. The company collaborates with automotive leaders and plans to deploy 500 Walker S robots in smart manufacturing. This order validates the cost-efficiency of humanoid robots. UBTECH’s future hinges on technological advancement and commercial deployment expansion.

On July 19th in Los Angeles, a man stole a pickup truck, leading police on an unusually slow-speed chase after his tires were flattened by a spike strip. The suspect continued driving at approximately 5 mph, even running red lights and shouting at other drivers while police followed. The 90-minute pursuit ended when police strategically collided with the truck. The suspect surrendered, and no injuries were reported. The incident raised questions about resource allocation and disruption to the city.

The U.S. ITC preliminarily ruled that BOE infringed on Samsung Display’s trade secrets, potentially leading to an import ban on BOE’s OLED panels. Apple, a customer of both companies, stated that current iPhones are unaffected. BOE is a potential supplier for the iPhone 16, and Samsung Display and LG Display could absorb BOE’s orders if the ban takes effect. Separately, BOE is suing Samsung over Galaxy devices, seeking import bans and damages. A final ITC ruling is expected in November.

Li Fugui, a 27-year-old tofu seller from Xinxiang, has gained internet fame in China for her videos showcasing her work and rural life. Starting her day at 5 a.m., she delivers tofu and other necessities to elderly residents in rural villages. Beyond selling goods, Li assists the elderly, helping them with tasks and connecting them with family. Her videos highlight the beauty of the countryside and her genuine community care, resonating with viewers who appreciate her authenticity and hard work.

A South Korean BBQ restaurant on Ulleung Island is facing backlash after a blogger revealed alleged price gouging, charging a premium for fatty pork belly. The video went viral, sparking outrage among locals and tourists who accuse the restaurant of exploiting visitors. This incident highlights the need for tourists to be cautious, verify prices, and clarify fees before ordering to avoid negative experiences on the otherwise scenic island destination.