China

A video on Douyin showing a woman in Jiangsu province running a red light on a bicycle and then defiantly questioning her violation has sparked widespread online debate in China. The near-collision highlights issues with traffic law enforcement and road safety awareness. Under Chinese law, cyclists must obey traffic signals, and violators are liable for damages in accidents. Authorities have reiterated the need for education and enforcement, especially with the increasing use of e-bikes in urban areas.

A dashcam video from Kaifeng, China, shows a truck driver subtly preventing a car from overtaking, averting a potential accident. The truck driver, Gao Chong, noticed oncoming traffic in the adjacent lane and acted proactively to protect the smaller vehicle. After the road cleared, Gao allowed the car to pass safely. The video went viral, sparking widespread praise on social media for Gao’s responsible driving and highlighting the importance of proactive safety measures on the road.

China’s NRTA is implementing new measures to enrich television content, including a “Content Revitalization Plan.” This plan aims to boost content creation through refined management policies, streamlined review processes, UHD programming prioritization, and encouragement of documentaries, animations, and micro-dramas. They’ll also promote international programs and strengthen copyright protection. This initiative follows the surge in popularity of micro-dramas, which reached 662 million viewers and a market value exceeding China’s total annual box office revenue.

BYD’s Zhengzhou Speedway opening highlighted China’s dominance in NEV technology. CAIC rankings show Chinese companies, particularly BYD, leading in new energy, hybrid, and pure electric patent authorizations. BYD’s R&D (over 120,000 employees, averaging 45 daily patent filings) drives innovation, including the Blade Battery and advanced hybrid tech. This technological prowess fuels BYD’s sales, with significant domestic and overseas growth, solidifying China’s rising influence in the global NEV market.

A recent report indicates a decline in the popularity and sales of mechanical parking systems in China since 2020. Developers are losing interest due to user-unfriendly designs, difficulty parking modern wider vehicles, and lack of maintenance leading to damaged or unsafe systems. While policies mandate parking spaces, they don’t require mechanical systems, which are often used by developers solely for compliance. The industry is urged to improve R&D and competitiveness, as user satisfaction with fully automated systems highlights mechanical parking’s potential with better execution.

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.

A Chinese-Israeli couple in Nanchang, China, named their daughter “Wu Xuelisha Barui,” sparking online debate. The unusual six-character name, a combination of the mother’s surname, a Chinese term of endearment, and a transliteration of the father’s Israeli surname, was chosen with specific Chinese character components in mind. While legally registered and favored by the parents, some netizens worry about the child’s future challenges with such a unique name and its social implications. The event reflects cross-cultural naming trends.

Nvidia and AMD have agreed to remit 15% of their AI chip sales revenue in China to the U.S. government in exchange for export licenses. The White House confirmed the arrangement, initiated by the Trump administration, aims to reduce U.S. national debt, which exceeds $37 trillion. Nvidia’s H20 chip is currently the primary product affected. The Treasury Secretary sees this as mutually beneficial, allowing Nvidia to maintain its Chinese market presence while benefiting American taxpayers. This agreement may extend to other companies and sectors in the future.

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.

A Chinese student, identified as Zeng, has gone viral on Chinese social media for her striking resemblance to Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun. The unexpected fame began after a commenter pointed out the similarity, prompting Zeng to create a video that quickly spread. Zeng stated she was unfamiliar with Lei Jun before this incident. While her daily life remains largely unaffected, her parents are reportedly thrilled with her newfound internet attention.