China

China’s *People’s Daily* advocates a shift from price wars to value-driven strategies for sustainable growth, criticizing “burning money” tactics as detrimental to long-term quality and innovation. The article emphasizes that focusing on customer satisfaction and technological advancements, supported by legal safeguards and industry collaboration, can foster healthy competition, benefit all stakeholders, and drive high-quality economic development. Initiatives are underway to curb “involutionary” competition and promote fair market practices.

Tickets for Jackson Yee’s Shanghai concert sold out instantly on Damai, a Chinese ticketing platform, triggering frustration among fans. Demand was astronomical, with over 3.3 million users vying for only around 7,000 tickets, a 463:1 ratio. Damai cited high traffic for website slowdowns, attributing successful ticket acquisition to “pure luck.” The event highlights the challenges of managing high demand, combatting scalping, and ensuring positive fan experiences in China’s live entertainment market.

China’s Ministry of Public Security is increasing oversight of ADAS technologies amid growing adoption. New regulations and stricter scrutiny of automakers’ marketing claims are expected. The focus is on enhanced automaker accountability, refined legal frameworks for Level 0-2 ADAS, and public awareness campaigns emphasizing driver responsibility. Authorities will collaborate to clarify “human-machine co-driving” definitions and safety standards. The core message is that drivers are responsible for vehicle safety as current systems are not fully autonomous, and “hands-off, eyes-off” behavior carries risks.

Team Broadcasts (“Tuan Bo”), a rising trend on Chinese live streaming platforms, involves multiple hosts, often female, sharing a single broadcast. This format allows hosts to leverage collective charisma, skills, and audience reach.

China dominates global watermelon production, accounting for 60% of global output. This contrasts sharply with South Korea, where watermelons are considered a luxury. Recent heatwaves in South Korea have caused watermelon prices to surge, reaching approximately $22 USD each, a 36.5% increase year-over-year. Analysts predict further price increases, highlighting the disparity in watermelon affordability and availability between the two countries and raising questions about trade and climate change impacts on agricultural markets.

A recent incident in China highlights safety concerns surrounding low-speed electric vehicles (LSEVs). A parked EV, not recently charged, spontaneously combusted inside a home, resulting in its complete destruction. Online commentators identified the vehicle as a potentially substandard “Old Man’s Joy,” a type of LSEV known for lacking proper manufacturing standards and safety features. The incident underscores the need for stricter regulations in China’s rapidly expanding EV market to protect consumers from unsafe products.

Global YouTube star MrBeast, boasting approximately 800 million followers across platforms, will debut on Chinese platform Kuaishou with a livestream on July 26th. Ranked #1 on Forbes’ Top Creators list, MrBeast is known for his visually spectacular, challenge-based content featuring cash giveaways and philanthropy. He is reportedly planning a large-scale program in China later this year, highlighting the growing trend of Western influencers expanding into the Chinese market. His content style involves time-intensive extreme challenges and lucrative cash prizes.

A recent graduate in China claims a company threatened to blacklist him after he rejected a job offer due to a late salary payment and long commute. The company’s HR representative allegedly accused him of lacking integrity for applying to multiple positions. Legal experts suggest that publicly disseminating information about his actions could constitute a breach of his rights. Analysts emphasize that job seekers are entitled to apply for multiple positions and reject offers before signing a contract. The graduate could report the company to the police or pursue legal action.

A man in Hubei Province, China, was sentenced to five years in prison and fined 50,000 RMB for extorting restaurants by planting ants in his meals. Rong, unemployed since 2019, began the scam in 2022, targeting establishments in public locations and demanding compensation to avoid negative publicity. He received 71,661 RMB from 283 instances. The court convicted Rong of extortion, citing the substantial amount obtained and the adverse impact on public perception. He must also return the illegally gained funds.

China’s food delivery subsidy war is likely winding down. Reports indicate a decrease in the massive discounts that previously characterized the market. While coupons are still available, the period of heavily subsidized deliveries, sometimes offering meals for free, appears to be ending.