rumors

Rumors suggest Hainan province may implement a road maintenance fee for EVs, potentially diminishing EV adoption advantages, especially for ride-hailing services, by creating additional operating costs. The fee, ranging from 0.12 to 0.3 yuan/km, recalls pre-2009 policies. While unverified online, the speculation highlights the broader challenge of funding road maintenance as gasoline tax revenues decline. However, Hainan authorities have denied the rumors, emphasizing the need for transparent communication and sustainable funding models to address concerns about EV adoption’s long-term economic implications and prevent misinformation.

Ant Group has publicly denied rumors of a joint venture with the People’s Bank of China and China Rare Earth Group to launch a rare earth-backed RMB stablecoin. This follows a previous denial from AntChain regarding collaboration on Real World Assets with Hainan HuaTie. Ant Group cautions the public against investment scams and misinformation related to digital assets, particularly those falsely implying association with Ant Group or AntChain. The company reserves the right to pursue legal action against unauthorized brand use.

Online rumors allege Wells Fargo, via a cross-border factoring program led by “Mao XX,” funneled billions overseas to Chinese firms like Xiaomi and Nio. Both Xiaomi and Nio have vehemently denied any involvement with Wells Fargo or “Mao XX,” stating they’ve never cooperated or had contact. They are pursuing legal action against those spreading the false claims. These unverified accusations have generated online debate regarding misinformation and accountability.

Rumors circulated online suggesting Google would resume full services in mainland China on September 1st. However, Google’s official Weibo account quickly denied these claims, stating the information was “not true.” Google withdrew its search services from mainland China in 2010 but maintains a presence with offices and an AI research center. In February 2025, China’s SAMR launched an anti-monopoly investigation into Google, potentially focusing on the Android ecosystem.

Rumors of Jay Chou joining ByteDance’s Douyin with a **nine-figure yuan** signing fee sparked speculation, but officials denied the claims as “baseless misinformation.” Unofficial reports noted a verified private Douyin account (“@周同学”) linked to Chou, featuring his iconic branding. The artist previously demonstrated massive appeal on rival platform Kuaishou, gaining 10M+ followers in days (2020) and breaking viewership records with a 2022 concert livestream. The controversy underscores the high-stakes competition for celebrity partnerships in China’s $100B short-video sector, where A-list endorsements drive user engagement and ad revenue.

Xiaohongshu has officially denied rumors of an acquisition by Alibaba, labeling the speculation as “groundless.” This isn’t the first time such rumors have surfaced, with similar claims made in 2019. Xiaohongshu, founded in 2013, has seen its valuation reportedly surge to $26 billion, a significant increase from its previous $17 billion valuation at the end of 2023. Alibaba has not yet commented on the reports.

Rumors circulated online about “Feng,” a former Xiaomi executive, leading to speculation about demanding contracts. Xiaomi responded, clarifying that “Feng” was employed for two months in 2016 as a cafeteria worker, responsible for chopping vegetables, not an executive. He was terminated for absenteeism. The official statement debunked the rumors, generating amusement and surprise among social media users.

Fat Donglai refuted rumors of mass store closures, clarifying that founder Yu Donglai’s remarks about past closures were taken out of context. The retailer, which reported $1.56 billion in sales, highlighted strong financial performance and revealed generous employee perks, including an average monthly salary of $1240 and plans for a 36-hour work week with 40 days of annual leave.

Rumors surrounding Elon Musk having a child with a Japanese pop star, potentially Ayumi Hamasaki, have surfaced online, fueled by speculation and hints from his ex-girlfriend. Hamasaki has denied the claims. This speculation comes amidst reports suggesting Musk has many children, further stirred by a journalist’s claim that the number is far beyond the known figure.

ByteDance has denied rumors suggesting that internships are linked to bank deposits. The company clarified that its internship selection is based on established recruitment criteria and objective processes. These rumors emerged from reports of an internship program offered by Industrial Bank, allegedly targeting high-net-worth clients’ children, which has since been removed. ByteDance’s official 2025 internship program offers over 4,000 opportunities with potential full-time employment.