Markets

Chinese fruit retailer Pagoda (Baiguoyuan) is facing online criticism after its Chairman defended the company’s higher prices, stating they aim to “educate” consumers rather than “cater” to them. This sparked debate on Weibo, with many users questioning the pricing strategy and suggesting alternative options readily available in the market. Some consumers believe similar or better products can be found at a lower price. Pagoda maintains its commitment to quality despite the backlash.

A significant IP breach at TSMC, involving employees and possibly its 2nm process, has led to a legal battle. Tokyo Electron (TEL) confirmed dismissing an employee and attempted appeasement, sending executives to TSMC. However, TSMC rejected TEL’s efforts and initiated legal action, signaling a firm stance against data theft. TSMC will implement internal disciplinary measures. The incident underscores the importance of intellectual property protection in the semiconductor industry.

TotalEnergies SE (TTE) announced its voting rights and share capital figures as of July 31, 2025. The disclosure, mandated by French regulations, details the total number of shares, theoretical voting rights, and exercisable voting rights. These figures are essential for investors to assess their voting power, understand shareholder influence, and monitor potential shifts in corporate structure, particularly amidst TotalEnergies’ strategic evolution and investments in renewable energy. Analysts suggest investors carefully review this data alongside other financial information.

A Brazilian couple, Adriane Machado Ribeiro (42) and Marconi Silva Cardoso (26), died after their car plunged off a cliff. Initial investigations suggest the vehicle became unstable during intimate activity, potentially due to unintentional gear shift or brake disengagement. Residents reported hearing a crash, and rescue teams later found the car and the partially unclothed bodies in a ravine. Authorities are investigating the incident, highlighting the importance of safety and situational awareness. The couple had previously attended a party before driving to the cliffside paragliding launch point.

At the 2025 World Robot Conference, Unitree Robotics founder Wang Xingxing discussed the potential for taxing robots as they enter the workforce. He suggested taxing robots based on their generated value, even proposing their use in undeveloped land with output shared with the state, contingent on advanced capabilities. He also addressed price differences in Unitree’s robot models, stating that smaller, less sophisticated robots would be more affordable, aiming for wider adoption through tiered pricing strategy.

A restroom sign on a Chinese high-speed train, urging users to flip up the toilet seat, has sparked a gender equality debate online. Female netizens argue the sign implies standing urination as the norm, unfairly burdening those who require a seated position. Others view it as a practical hygiene measure. The controversy highlights sensitivity around gender roles and the potential for misinterpretations, raising questions about legitimate grievances versus overreactions on social media.

A translation error on a highway sign near China’s FAST telescope (“China Sky Eye”) in Guizhou Province sparked online criticism. The English translation of “China” was misspelled as “Ching,” and a Pinyin misspelling was also noted. Authorities from the scenic area and the Pingtang County Culture and Tourism Bureau pledged immediate verification and correction of the signage. The China Sky Eye scenic area, a popular tech-tourism destination, features the 500-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) and other attractions.

At the 2025 World Robot Conference, Unitree Robotics CEO Wang Xingxing discussed the pricing strategy for their new R1 humanoid robot (starting at ¥39,900). The R1, designed for development and customization, weighs 25Kg and integrates large language models for multi-modal interaction. Wang explained that the lower price point compared to the G1 reflects a model-specific approach, aiming to increase adoption by offering more affordable options within their robot product lines. Unitree previously launched the H1 and G1 humanoid robots.

At the 2025 World Robot Conference, Unitree Robotics CEO Wang Xingxing emphasized the need for robust and unified “embodied intelligence robot foundation models,” citing them as the industry’s core bottleneck. He believes current robotic model architectures are lacking, and the industry needs a “ChatGPT moment.” Unitree is focused on developing general-purpose humanoid robots for diverse tasks and sees unified models, affordable hardware, high-volume manufacturing, and accessible computational power as key priorities for the next 2-5 years.

At the China Brand Festival, Gree’s Dong Mingzhu staunchly defended the Rose air conditioner against design criticisms. Priced at $4,500, this bio-inspired, rose-exterior model targets newlyweds, aiming to infuse romance into the home. Dong insists on its innovative value, despite mixed reactions, stating it is “the world’s first.” The Rose embodies Gree’s strategy to elevate appliances beyond mere functionality, exploring emotive design in a competitive market as China’s appliance industry seeks artistic differentiation.