On January 10, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a ban on TikTok unless ByteDance divests its American operations, potentially shuttering the platform in the U.S. by January 19. As a result, millions of TikTok users, dubbed “TikTok refugees,” have turned to alternatives, including popular Chinese social media app Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book).
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Tmall Sees Influx of New Merchants in 2024
Alibaba’s flagship e-commerce platform, Tmall, has reported a significant surge in new merchants joining its platform in 2024, underscoring the continued dynamism and attractiveness of China’s online retail landscape. According to Tmall’s newly released 2024 Merchant Onboarding Report, the number of new businesses setting up shop on the platform saw a remarkable 83% year-on-year increase. This […]
Decoding the “Reverse Haitao” Phenomenon: Why Global Consumers are Flocking to Chinese E-Commerce
This article explores the growing trend of “reverse haitao,” where international consumers, even those who don’t speak Chinese, are increasingly purchasing goods from Chinese e-commerce platforms. It delves into the reasons behind this
10 Marketing Trends in China to Watch in 2025
As the curtains close on a turbulent 2024 marked by global economic headwinds and widespread fatigue, many brands, marketers, and consumers find themselves looking ahead to 2025 with cautious optimism. Economic indicators suggest a modest rebound—what some analysts are calling a “wobbly recovery.” However, from the reemergence of brand advertising to the proliferation of AI-driven […]
China’s EV Market Poised for Nearly 40% Surge in 2024
China’s electric vehicle (EV) market is expected to witness a pivotal shift in 2024, as EV sales outpace those of traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) cars for the first time, according to data from multiple industry sources including UBS, HSBC, Morningstar, and Wood Mackenzie. The projected annual sales of EVs, forecast to exceed 12 million […]
Lost in Southeast Asia: China’s Young Digital Nomads Seek Freedom and Meaning
In the early hours on the streets of Chiang Mai, Jian, a 25-year-old from Yunnan, looked up and sighed, “I’m out of money again. I’ll have to go home, find a job, save up, and then hit the road once more.” Jian’s cyclical journey—leaving China to travel abroad, running out of money, and returning to […]
Pinduoduo Surpasses Taobao in User Engagement During Double 11, While Taobao Leads in Daily Active Users
The annual Double 11 shopping festival has once again revealed the fierce competition among China’s e-commerce giants. QuestMobile’s latest report highlights the changing dynamics of the sector, showcasing a pivotal moment in user behavior and market competition during the extended promotional period, which now spans nearly 30 days compared to 20 days in previous years. […]
China’s Generative AI Software Market to Reach $3.54 Billion by 2025
The International Data Corporation (IDC) has unveiled a report that sheds light on the rapid evolution of the generative AI software market in China, which IDC forecasts will hit $3.54 billion by 2025. The Demand for Unified AI Development Platforms As enterprises increasingly adopt generative AI applications, the report emphasizes the pressing need for a […]
Tencent’s in Q3 2024: mini program GMV over 2T yuan
Tencent Holdings Limited, the Shenzhen-based internet and technology giant, showcased a robust performance for the third quarter of 2024, with revenues reaching RMB 167.2 billion (USD 23.9 billion), an 8% year-on-year (YoY) growth. The company’s results reflect strong execution across key business sectors—gaming, social media, cloud services, and financial technology—alongside strategic initiatives to leverage artificial […]
JD.com Reports Robust Q3 2024 Growth
JD.com, one of China’s leading supply chain-based technology and service providers, has delivered a solid set of financial results for the third quarter of 2024. The company reported strong growth across key business areas, underpinned by its expanding ecosystem, innovative initiatives, and enhanced operational efficiency. Steady Revenue Growth Amid a Competitive Landscape In the three […]
Alibaba Reports Resilient Q3 2024 Performance Amid Strategic Investments and Market Expansion
Alibaba Group (NYSE: BABA; HKEX: 9988) announced robust financial results for the quarter ending September 30, 2024, underscoring its diversified revenue streams and strategic advancements in key sectors such as e-commerce, cloud computing, and international commerce.
Double 11 2024: China’s biggest shopping festival shifts focus from discounts to user experience and brand growth
As the clock struck midnight on November 11, China’s Double 11 shopping festival—one of the world’s largest online retail events—came to a close, setting new records in sales, user engagement, and strategic shifts. Leading platforms like Tmall and JD.com took a fresh approach this year, extending the duration of the festival and shifting focus from […]
China’s AI Advantage: Faster, Cheaper Commercialization of Large Models, Says Kai-Fu Lee
As AI technology moves from breakthrough innovations to widespread commercial applications, China’s AI landscape is gaining confidence in its ability to compete globally, particularly with Silicon Valley. According to Kai-Fu Lee, former Google China president and founder of AI startup 01.AI, Chinese AI firms have a unique edge over their U.S. counterparts: faster and more […]
WeChat Quietly Mimics Xiaohongshu as Tencent Strengthens Its Core Strategy
In an unexpected yet strategic move, WeChat has been quietly introducing a new content feature, closely resembling the popular Chinese lifestyle platform, Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book). Through subtle UI adjustments, primarily using red dot notifications, WeChat has begun channeling users into a dual-column, image-text format that feels strikingly similar to Xiaohongshu’s interface. This development, which […]
Searches Surge 500% as EDC Toys Become Popular for Stress Relief in China
In 2024, a unique trend has emerged in China, where EDC (Every Day Carry) toys have skyrocketed in popularity, especially among men. According to data from Taobao, searches for EDC toys increased by 532% year-on-year, with transaction growth reaching an impressive 345%. Over 70% of buyers are male, particularly those between the ages of 18 […]