Markets

A recent investigation reveals that some restaurants are offering different food quality for dine-in and delivery orders, using fresher ingredients for in-house customers and cheaper alternatives for takeout. High commission rates charged by delivery platforms are allegedly squeezing restaurant profits, incentivizing this “two-tiered” system. This practice risks a downward spiral in the food delivery industry. Experts urge delivery platforms to embrace transparent fee structures and restaurants to prioritize integrity to ensure consistent quality and ethical operations.

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, VAPORESSO launched “Innovation X” in Jakarta with a hypercar parade, kicking off “The Roar On Rush” world tour. The event showcased the XROS 5 and highlighted VAPORESSO’s focus on vaping innovation and user experience. The tour continues in Paris, London, and Las Vegas. VAPORESSO will also host online events in August, inviting users to explore technology and collaborate on future designs.

The trending “Free Bubble Tea is Gone” hashtag on Weibo signals a potential shift in China’s food delivery market. Intense subsidy wars between giants like Meituan and Ele.me led to rock-bottom prices, but the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has intervened, urging a more sustainable competitive approach. Experts question the long-term viability of aggressive discounts, suggesting that neither platforms nor merchants can indefinitely bear the financial burden of these “delivery wars,” which aim to dominate China’s local services market.

Nearly expired bottles of Nongfu Spring’s “Scream” energy drink are being sold at surprisingly high prices (up to $12 USD) on Chinese secondhand online marketplaces. This price surge for a soon-to-expire product, despite its reputation as one of China’s “worst-tasting” beverages, sparks questions about market dynamics and consumer behavior. The red variant of “Scream” aims to replenish electrolytes lost during exercise, a function crucial for athletic performance and mitigating dehydration.

Deep Robotics, a leader in embodied intelligence, has established a “Zhejiang Province Postdoctoral Research Station,” approved by the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Human Resources and Social Security. In partnership with Zhejiang University, the station offers premier research resources, a dual-mentor system, and a full-chain system for technology industrialization. This signifies a new phase in Deep Robotics’ R&D and talent development, with the first postdoctoral researcher already on board, and solidifying the company’s commitment to bridging research and industry.

The 2025 China Unicom Partner Conference in Shanghai focused on “Synergy for Real-World Impact.” Qualcomm highlighted its collaboration with China Unicom, receiving an award for contributions to the terminal ecosystem. Qualcomm showcased 5G Advanced and AI innovations across devices, emphasizing on-device AI’s growth and its impact on industries. The partnership between Qualcomm and China Unicom drives advancements in 5G-A and AI integration, enabling a robust digital ecosystem. They demonstrated AI applications, 5G-A Gigabit network capabilities, and XR experiences, paving the way for intelligent connectivity and new quality productivity.

Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and CHRO Kristin Carbo are on leave pending an investigation after being filmed in a public embrace at a Coldplay concert. The incident, captured on video and shared widely online, is reportedly under board review. Both Byron and Carbo are married. Byron has apologized for the incident, which garnered attention including a reaction from Elon Musk. The concert venue displayed the couple on its large screens, prompting commentary from Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.

SF Express CEO Wang Wei was spotted wearing Xiaomi’s new AI glasses, sparking online buzz and jokes about him being a brand ambassador. The glasses, starting at $275, feature a 12MP camera, EIS, and long battery life claims, powered by a Snapdragon AR1 chip. However, early user reviews cite issues with low-light camera performance and shorter-than-advertised battery life. Reports indicate a high return rate of around 40% on platforms like Douyin, suggesting Xiaomi needs to address these issues.

Despite regulatory warnings from SAMR to Ele.me, Meituan, and JD.com regarding fair competition, the online food delivery subsidy war continues in China. Taobao Flash Sales maintained its “Super Saturday” promotion, but with tempered subsidies. While “zero-yuan” takeout orders were still possible, discounts were less aggressive than previous weeks. Meituan also reduced its high-value coupons. JD.com offered milder subsidies. The long-term impact of regulation on market competition is yet to be determined.

AI-generated videos are going viral, reimagining scenes from the historical drama “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” with a modern twist. One video features Diao Chan singing Lady Gaga’s “Always Remember Us This Way,” while other characters like Cao Cao and Lü Bu also perform the song. The seamless fusion of historic settings and contemporary music, made possible by sophisticated AI, is drawing large audiences and sparking conversations about AI’s entertainment potential on platforms like TikTok.