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☆ China to invest $845 million on ramping up its advanced EV battery ambitions
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Earlier this month, the Biden administration imposed major new tariffs on Chinese EVs, advanced batteries and other goods. The European Commission is set to announce early next month its own decision on Chinese EV tariffs, which could spell trouble for Chinese EV makers that export hundreds of thousands of cars to Europe every year. In January, Toyota (TM) said it would launch vehicles with solid-state batteries in a few years, according to Reuters. Samsung SDI said in March that it would begin mass producing solid-state batteries in 2027. GAC Group, a state-owned automaker based in Guangzhou, said in November that it had achieved a breakthrough in solid-state batteries and would roll out vehicles with them in 2026.

Persons: Biden Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, China Daily, West, European, EV, Global, Toyota, Reuters, Samsung SDI, Volkswagen, GAC Locations: China, Hong Kong, Europe, Beijing, Guangzhou

☆ China’s Xi Jinping calls for peace conference and ‘justice’ over war in Gaza as Arab leaders visit Beijing
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Hong Kong CNN —Chinese leader Xi Jinping decried “tremendous sufferings” in the Middle East and called for an international peace conference as leaders from Arab nations visit Beijing this week amid mounting global concern over Israel’s war in Gaza. Justice should not be absent forever,” Xi said Thursday at the opening of a meeting between top diplomats from China and Arab states, also attended by several leaders from the region. Delegations from 22 Arab states joined that event at Beijing’s Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, according to Chinese state media. China has recognized a Palestinian state since 1988. Thursday’s ministerial meeting is the first such gathering since China held its first joint summit with Arab leaders in late 2022 in Saudi Arabia.

Persons: Xi Jinping, ” Xi, Israel, Xi, ”, Abdel, Fattah, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Kais Saied, China “, Yun Sun, Fatah, Joe Biden, Jamal Khashoggi, Egypt’s Sisi Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, United Arab Emirates, States Cooperation Forum, Diplomats, Stimson, UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, of Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, Gaza, “, Palestinian, Rafah, United States, Israel, Washington, United, Palestine, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Istanbul

☆ Samsung union calls first ever strike after pay negotiations stall
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Yoonjung Seo | Juliana Liu | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Seoul/Hong Kong CNN —A labor union representing tens of thousands of workers at Samsung Electronics in South Korea has called a one-day strike next week, in what would be the first such walkout at the smartphone and chipmaking giant. The Nationwide Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) said on Wednesday during a press conference streamed on its official Youtube channel that its 28,000 members — just under a quarter of the company’s total workforce in the country — would strike on June 7, following failed negotiations over pay and bonus arrangements. Son Woomok, leader of the Nationwide Samsung Electronics Union, speaks to CNN on May 29, 2024. The vast majority of the world’s advanced microchips are made in just two places: Taiwan and South Korea. Taiwan’s industry is larger and more dominant, something South Korea is keen to challenge.

Persons: —, ”, Woomok, Yoonjung Seo, chipmaker Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Samsung Electronics, Nationwide Samsung Electronics Union, CNN, Samsung, Wall Street, Intel Locations: Seoul, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan

☆ Apple slashed iPhone prices in China. Sales are bouncing back
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —A rebound in Apple’s iPhone sales in China is gaining momentum, after the company aggressively cut prices in its largest overseas market to lure back consumers actively hunting bargains in a weak economy. The increase is a major acceleration from the 12% growth logged in March by foreign-branded smartphones, according to previous data from CAICT. But iPhone sales started to bounce back in March after Apple and its retail partners slashed prices, according to CAICT data. The hefty reductions are “the only way” for Apple to defend its market share in China, Jefferies analysts said earlier this week. That will help Apple regain its lost market share but is also likely to put pressure on its competitors to cut prices further.

Persons: Apple, Jefferies, “ Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, CNN, China Academy of Information, Communications Technology, Ministry of Industry, Information Technology, Global Times, Apple, Counterpoint Research, Huawei, Alibaba, Xiaomi Locations: China, Hong Kong

The Hong Kong and Beijing governments have repeatedly denied the national security law is suppressing freedoms, arguing it has ended chaos and “restored stability” to the city. Since the national security law came into effect in 2020, civil groups have disbanded, and independent media outlets have been shut down. They are the first defendants to be acquitted in a national security law trial in Hong Kong. But that strategy is in doubt after another local national security law enacted earlier this year curtailed access to reduced sentences for guilty pleas. “It’s absolutely clear that the national security law reduced the independence and the autonomy of the judiciary.

Persons: Hong Kong’s, Hong, Gwyneth Ho, Leung Kwok, ”, Lawrence Lau, Lee Yu, –, “, Joshua Wong, Benny Tai, Claudia Mo, Eric Lai, John Burns, Hong Kong Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Beijing, British, Hong, Hong Kong’s Legislative, Georgetown Center, Asian Law, Communist Party, city’s, University of Hong Locations: Hong Kong, Hong, Beijing, Hong Kong’s, China, University of Hong Kong

☆ America’s military has the edge in space. China and Russia are in a counterspace race to disrupt it
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +20 min

Direct-ascent anti-satellite missiles are fired from Earth to take out a satellite target in space. Since then, China is believed by analysts to have conducted multiple, nondestructive missile tests that could advance its ability to target satellites. Illustration by CNNThat’s because the US has done extensive non-offensive testing of technologies to approach and rendezvous with satellites, including close approaches of its own military satellites and several Russian and Chinese military satellites, SWF says. Chance Saltzman explained why the US felt it needed to be able to counter other countries’ space capabilities. Its tenets may be more relevant now than ever – but potentially under greater threat amid a new focus on military and space.

Persons: –, Russia’s, ”, Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan, Zang Jihui, Chance Saltzman, ” Saltzman, Juliana Suess, Kamala Harris, Etienne Laurent, SpaceX’s, Tong Zhao, ” Zhao, doesn’t, RUSI’s Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Russian, CNN, Getty, Sputnik, Center for Security, Strategy, Technology, Observer Research, Foundation, China, US Space Force, Liberation Army, PLA, Space Force, Washington, CNN That’s, Space, China’s PLA, US Space Command, Vandenberg Space Force, Bloomberg, Union of Concerned, Carnegie Endowment, International Peace, Modern Defense Technology ”, United Nations Security, US Locations: Hong Kong, Ukraine, Russia, Germany, Europe, United States, China, Moscow, North Korea, Iran, Beijing, AFP, Soviet, Soviet Union, America, New Delhi, India, CNN China, Washington, Japan, Guam, France, Australia, Israel, Gaza, London, California, Honolulu, Hawaii, powerlines

☆ China chip industry gets $47.5 billion in new funding
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Worth $47.5 billion, the fund is being created as the US imposes sweeping restrictions on the export of American chips and chip technology in a bid to throttle Beijing’s ambitions. The latest investment vehicle is the third phase of the China Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund. The first phase of the fund was set up in 2014 with 138.7 billion yuan ($19.2 billion). In 2022, the country’s anti-graft watchdog launched a crackdown on the semiconductor industry, investigating some of China’s top figures in state-owned chip companies. Last year, China’s Huawei shocked industry experts by introducing a new smartphone powered by a 7-nanometer processor made by China’s Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC).

Persons: Xi Jinping’s, Lu Jun, ”, Xi’s, Biden, China’s, Mark Rutte, Xi Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Worth, China Construction Bank, China Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund, National Enterprise, Ministry of Industry, Information Technology, IC, US, China’s Huawei, China’s Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation, Huawei, Dutch Locations: Hong Kong, China, ICBC, Beijing, Netherlands, Japan, United States, ASML

☆ Tesla is building a huge battery factory in Shanghai even as US-China trade tensions rise
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The factory, which was announced in April last year, aims to begin production in the first quarter of 2025. The battery facility will be close to Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory, which is the company’s largest plant outside the United States, producing almost one million cars a year. Rising tensionsWhile most Western companies are face rising barriers to doing business in China, things have been smoother for Tesla. “Tesla competes quite well in the market in China with no tariffs and no deferential support. I’m in favor of no tariffs,” Musk said.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN — Tesla, Elon Musk, Tom Zhu, Tesla, Wu Xiaohua, ” Musk, Li Qiang, Li, Joe Biden, Musk, “ Tesla Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Lingang Group, Tesla, Reuters, “ Locations: Hong Kong, Shanghai, China, United States, Beijing, Washington, Tesla’s Gigafactory, Europe, Paris

☆ Pinduoduo: Americans are flocking to Temu and making its Chinese owner very rich
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The Shanghai-based company reported Wednesday that net profit soared 246% to 28 billion yuan ($3.9 billion) in the first quarter of 2024, more than double the average analyst estimate of 12.62 billion yuan ($1.7 billion), according to LSEG data. Revenue jumped 131% to 86.81 billion yuan ($12 billion) in the period, also comfortably beating expectations. He is still the company’s biggest shareholder, with a stake of 25% stake, and ranks as China’s second richest man with a fortune of nearly $52 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Temu, PDD’s international app, was launched in 2022, and as of last November it had acquired nearly 17% of the US online discount store market, according to Earnest Analytics. Last month, South Korean regulators investigated Temu on suspicion of false advertising and unfair ppractices, according to the Yonhap news agency.

Persons: Nomura, PDD, Colin Huang, Pinduoduo, Alibaba’s Taobao, Morgan Stanley, ”, Lei Chen, Chen Organizations: Hong Kong CNN — PDD Holdings, Revenue, Nasdaq, Bloomberg, Data Locations: Hong Kong, Shanghai, “, PDD’s, Alibaba, Hangzhou, Beijing, China, European

☆ China’s 618 shopping festival begins with biggest-ever Apple price cuts and a boycott
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Hong Kong CNN —Apple is offering unprecedented price cuts in China as big brands and retailers launch promotions for the annual “618” shopping festival in the face of sluggish consumer demand. The JD.com Inc. headquarters during a ceremony marking company's 20th anniversary and 618 shopping event in Beijing, China, on Sunday, June 18, 2023. The 618 shopping festival, a key barometer of consumption in the country, has seen growing competition by e-commerce sites and retailing brands to offer discounts. One statement, issued by 10 publishing houses in Beijing, said the boycott was a necessary move to “maintain the stability and prosperity” of the book publishing market. Even major state-owned publishing companies voiced opposition to “chaotic” price wars.

Persons: Apple, Alibaba —, Alibaba, Rihanna, iPads, ”, Jefferies Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Apple, Huawei, Vivo, JD.com, Inc, Bloomberg, Getty, Counterpoint Research, Xiaomi, Shanghai Century Publishing Locations: Hong Kong, China, Shanghai, Beijing

☆ China is trying to end its ‘epic’ property crisis. The hard work is just beginning
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

“The policymakers recognize the urgency to prevent an outright property crisis,” said Zhaopeng Xing, senior China strategist at ANZ Research. According to Goldman Sachs, the total value of unsold homes, unfinished projects and unused land in China is about 30 trillion yuan ($4.1 trillion). On Friday, Tao Ling, deputy governor of the PBOC, said the relending program could eventually underpin 500 billion yuan ($69 billion) worth of bank loans to support the buying. The Housing Ministry said Friday that local governments can instruct local state-owned enterprises to help purchase some unsold homes from developers. Just the beginningAddressing the oversupply of unsold homes is only the first step, experts say.

Persons: ”, Zhaopeng Xing, Goldman Sachs, it’s, Tao Ling, Ting Lu, Nomura, Helen Qiao, It’s, Tao, ” Jing Liu, Taylor Wang, Xing, Goldman, Donald Trump, Michelle Lam, Wei Yao, Société Générale Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, ANZ Research, Goldman, People’s Bank of China, Greater China, Bank of America, Housing Ministry, HSBC, European Union Locations: China, Hong Kong, Hong Kong CNN — Beijing, Beijing, Greater, Société, Japan

☆ Housing market: China unveils sweeping measures to rescue its crisis-hit property sector
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Hong Kong CNN —China has unveiled wide-ranging measures to rescue its property sector, including asking local governments across the country to buy unsold homes from beleagured developers and easing rules on purchases. In a coordinated move, the People’s China of China (PBOC) announced that it will set up a nationwide program to provide 300 billion yuan ($41.5 billion) in loans to fund state purchases of unsold homes. The 300 billion yuan provided by the central bank could eventually underpin 500 billion yuan ($69 billion) worth of credit to support such purchases, she estimated. Expectations that Beijing was preparing a plan to have local governments across the country buy millions of unsold homes have successfully buoyed China stocks. On Friday, He also urged local governments to buy back or directly purchase land that has been sold to developers but not yet used.

Persons: Lifeng, Tao Ling, Larry Hu, ”, Société Générale Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Communist, China Real Estate Business, Macquarie Group, Reuters, provident Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing

☆ In Beijing, Xi and Putin left no question of their close alignment in a divided world
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Putin’s two-day state visit comes as Western leaders have leant on Xi to ensure that soaring exports from his country aren’t propping up the Russian war effort – a claim Beijing denies. Putin also traveled to Beijing with top security officials who the Russian president said Thursday would join informal talks on Ukraine. Beijing, which says it is neutral on the war, has repeatedly defended its trade with Russia as part of normal bilateral relations. Xi, analysts say, is seeking to keep Putin as a close partner, while not stepping over Western red lines. For that reason, she added, “he’s okay with on-going dependency between Russia and China – and with inequality in this relationship.”

Persons: Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin’s, Xi, Putin, Putin’s, Andrey Belousov, Sergey Shoigu, “ Putin, he’s, Kurt Volker, “, ”, Alexandra Prokopenko Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, United, –, Israel, Hamas, Russian, Russian Security, Chinese Communist Party, Chinese Foreign Ministry, Observers, CNN, Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center Locations: Hong Kong, Beijing, United States, Taiwan, Gaza, Russian, China, ”, Russia, North Korea, Ukraine, China’s Harbin, Siberia, Europe

☆ Arup revealed as victim of $25 million deepfake scam involving Hong Kong employee
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Hong Kong CNN —A British multinational design and engineering company behind world famous buildings such as the Sydney Opera House has confirmed that it was the target of a deepfake scam that led to one of its Hong Kong employees paying out $25 million to fraudsters. A spokesperson for Arup told CNN on Friday that it notified Hong Kong police in January about the fraud incident, and confirmed that fake voices and images were used. “Unfortunately, we can’t go into details at this stage as the incident is still the subject of an ongoing investigation. According to Hong Kong police, the elaborate scam saw the employee duped into attending a video call with people he believed were the CFO and other members of staff, but all of whom turned out to be deepfake recreations, Hong Kong police revealed in February. Authorities around the world are growing increasingly concerned about the sophistication of deepfake technology and the nefarious uses it can be put to.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, Arup, ” Rob Greig, Michael Kwok Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Sydney Opera, Hong Kong, CNN, Hong, Beijing Olympic Games, Arup’s East Locations: Hong Kong, British, Hong, Arup’s East Asia

☆ China teases plan to buy unsold homes to fix property crisis. Markets are loving it
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The index has rallied nearly 30% from its January low, having entered a bull market earlier this month. Longfor Group, the ninth largest homebuilder in China, surged 11%, becoming the top performing stock on the Hang Seng Index. “We think this is a largely symbolic move to show support for the sector with a ‘national team’ for the housing market,” said Citi analysts. “We are cautiously optimistic about the ‘government-led buying on unsold units’ as it’s still being rolled out in more cities, “ said Jeff Zhang, an equity analyst at Morningstar. Nasdaq Golden China Index, which tracks Chinese companies listed on Wall Street, has gained 11% since the start of April.

Persons: ”, “, Jeff Zhang Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Longfor, China Holdings, National Development, Reform Commission, ’, Citi, ING Group, Morningstar, homebuyers, Communist Party, Nasdaq Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, Hangzhou, Xi’an, Chengdu, Shanghai

☆ Vladimir Putin arrives in China for state visit as Russian troops advance in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Beijing for the start of a two-day state visit underlining close alignment with Chinese leader Xi Jinping as Russian troops advance in Ukraine. Ahead of the trip, Putin hailed the “unprecedented level of strategic partnership” between the countries in an interview with Chinese state media Xinhua. The two leaders – who declared a “no limits” partnership weeks before the February 2022 invasion – have continued to strengthen their countries’ diplomatic, trade and security ties since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Xi hosts Putin in Beijing as the Chinese leader comes under under mounting pressure from the US and Europe to ensure exports from China aren’t propping up Russia’s war effort. This is the fourth in-person meeting between Xi and Putin – known for their personal chemistry – since the invasion and Putin’s second visit to Beijing in that time.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky, Russia’s, China’s, –, Xi Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, West, Wednesday, Xinhua, ”, Trade, China aren’t, Kremlin Locations: Hong Kong, Beijing, Ukraine, Kharkiv, Gaza, ” Beijing, United States, Europe, China, Moscow, Harbin, China’s, Heilongjiang, Russia’s

This week, Xi is welcoming him to China for a two-day state visit — their fourth in-person meeting since Russia’s onslaught in Ukraine began. China has repeatedly defended its trade with Russia as part of normal bilateral relations. Russia has also become China’s main oil supplier, overtaking Saudi Arabia, according to official Chinese trade data. Governments warn against support for Russia’s war effortThe wartime surge in trade, and growing purchases of oil, have sparked criticism in the West that China was helping to fund Russia’s war. It mirrors Xi’s state visit to Russia in March 2023, which was the Chinese leader’s first overseas trip after starting a norm-shattering third term as president.

Persons: Vladimir Putin’s, Xi, Putin, Antony Blinken, Emmanuel Macron, Ursula von der Leyen, Von der, ’, Volodymyr Zelensky, Joe Biden, Biden Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, United, European Union, International Monetary Fund, —, EU, White, European Commission Locations: China, Hong Kong, Russia, Ukraine, Russian, United States, Saudi Arabia, India, West, Beijing, France, Chinese

☆ Putin to meet Xi in China as world convulses from global conflicts
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Pyongyang – which has an economy almost entirely dependent of China – is believed by Western governments to be aiding Russia with war supplies. Xi has ramped up his calls for Europe and other countries to help the world avoid a “Cold War,” suggesting they resist what Beijing sees as US efforts to contain China. They have also criticized Israel and the United States – converging with mounting global backlash, especially across the Global South against Israel’s war. The conflict has also impacted how China and Russia view their relations with countries there, he added. China “wants to use Russia” for its aims, but Russia is making China weak, he said.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, Putin, –, It’s, China –, Xi, France –, Jens Stoltenberg, Sergei Guneyev, ”, Li Mingjiang, Manoj Kewalramani, Russia doesn’t, Stringer, Gaza —, Sergey Lavrov, presser, Wang Yi, Israel, “, Privately, Shen Dingli, China “, Alexander Dugin, Donald Trump, Li Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, West, NATO, Forum, Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, EU, Takshashila, Boys, Getty, United, Global, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Russia, Weibo, Moscow, CNN Locations: Hong Kong, China, Russian, Gaza, Ukraine, Moscow, Washington, Iran, North Korea, Pyongyang, Russia, Tehran, Beijing, Europe, France, Serbia, Hungary, Bangalore, Rafah, AFP, Israel, United States, Kewalramani, South, Taiwan, Shanghai, Singapore

Hong Kong CNN —Hong Kong’s leader responded on Tuesday after three people were charged by British police for allegedly spying on behalf of the city’s intelligence services. Relations between Hong Kong and its former colonial ruler Britain have soured in recent years following mass pro-democracy protests in the Chinese city in 2019 and 2020. The British government has criticized Hong Kong’s Beijing-backed crackdown on almost all opposition in the years following the protests, while Hong Kong authorities have bristled at Britain providing a safe haven for pro-democracy leaders sought by the Hong Kong police. Hong Kong leader Lee noted in his Tuesday news conference that one of the men charged was the office manager of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London but did not directly address a question over whether it was involved in surveillance of Hong Kong dissidents in the UK. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee is speaking at a press conference on April 30, 2024.

Persons: Hong, Chi Leung, Peter, Wai, Matthew Trickett, Chung Biu Yuen, Hong Kong’s, John Lee, ” Lee, Chi Leung Wai, Yui Mok, Jonathan Brady, Yuen, Louisa Cieciora, Lee, Vernon Yuen, ”, Dominic Murphy Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, British, Hong, city’s Metropolitan Police, Hong Kong, Embassy, Westminster Magistrates, Administrative, Police, Hong Kong Economic, Trade Office, . Hong, Economic, Trade, Metropolitan Police, UK National Security, Crown Prosecution Service, Command, Met Police Locations: Hong Kong, Westminster, London, city’s, Britain, Hong Kong’s Beijing, . Hong Kong, England

☆ Chinese journalist imprisoned for her Covid reporting due to be released after four years
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Hong Kong CNN —A Chinese citizen journalist who has been behind bars for four years over her reporting on the initial Covid-19 outbreak in Wuhan is due to be released Monday after serving her sentence, according to supporters and a court verdict. Zhang is due to finish her sentence on Monday, according to the court verdict on her case obtained and published by human rights groups. In the lead-up to her expected release on Monday, supporters and rights groups have called on the Chinese government to free Zhang on schedule. Failing healthThe 40-year-old has been on multiple hunger strikes since being detained and her health conditions have sparked concerns from supporters and rights groups. During a previous hunger strike, Amnesty International alleged Zhang was shackled and force fed, treatment the group said amounted to torture.

Persons: Zhang Zhan, ”, Zhang, ’ ”, Zhang’s, “, ” Zhang Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Twitter, YouTube, Amnesty International, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, CNN, Foreign Ministry Locations: Hong Kong, Wuhan, Shanghai, China

☆ Apple, Tesla and Starbucks struggle in China’s economic slump after making a fortune for decades
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Hong Kong CNN —For decades, Western companies made a fortune betting on the inexorable rise of the Chinese consumer. Now an economic slump and the emergence of ferocious local competitors means those bets look less safe as price wars erupt. Tesla’s China market share shrank to 4% in April, almost halving from 7.7% in March, according to data released by the China Passenger Car Association on Friday. In the 1990s, “every company in the West” was hiring consultants and having boardroom meetings about how to do more in China, according to Stevenson-Yang. He added that he continues to feel optimistic about the Chinese market in the long term.

Persons: ”, Anne Stevenson, Yang, Stevenson, aren’t, Yang Wang, Kevin Frayer, Tim Cook, iPhones, Cotti, Luckin, Belinda Wong, “, McDonald’s, Wallace Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, China Passenger Car Association, J Capital Research, EV, Apple, Starbucks, Counterpoint Research, Macao —, Huawei, China Academy of Information, Communications Technology, Luckin Coffee, McDonalds, KFC, Burger Locations: China, Hong Kong, Shanghai, United States, Germany, Brazil, Beijing, Greater China, Taiwan, Macao, Starbucks China, Dominos, India

☆ China’s Xi Jinping highlights Europe’s divisions ahead of expected Putin visit
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-12 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Chinese state media played up the warm diplomacy, with headlines proclaiming China’s “ironclad” bond with Serbia and “golden friendship” with Hungary. Both are sure to closely watch any summit between Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin in China, expected to happen soon. Chinese leader Xi Jinping is welcomed at the airport in Belgrade on May 7 for his two-day state visit. Xi also marketed a shared worldview during his meeting with Orban in Hungary, which is a member of both the EU and NATO. Chinese leader Xi Jinping talks with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Budapest on May 9.

Persons: Xi, Peng Liyuan, Aleksandar Vucic, Viktor Orban, China’s, Vucic, Orban –, Emmanuel Macron, Ursula von der, Vladimir Putin, Orban, Hungary “, ’ ”, Philippe Le Corre, ”, Putin, Le Corre, Xi Jinping, Dimitrije Goll, Xi’s, Serbia’s Vucic, ” Vucic, Bruno Le Maire, BYD, Liu Dongshu, Vivien Cher Benko, Tamas Matura, Mark Rutte, Olaf Scholz, Matura, Von der, “ Orban, Gabor Scheiring Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Russia, Ukraine, China, Europe …, Asia Society, Center for, Forum, Anadolu, Getty, EU, NATO, ”, Xi, Hong Kong’s City University ., Hungarian, Central, Dutch, Georgetown University Locations: Hong Kong, France, Ukraine, China, Belgrade, Budapest, Paris, Serbian, Hungarian, Serbia, Hungary, Europe, Russia, Russian, ”, Europe … Hungary, Center for China, Beijing, United States, EU, Hong, Central, Eastern Europe, Eastern, Moscow, Qatar, “ Hungary

☆ Japan aging: Women’s participation in ‘naked festival’ a sign of how aging is forcing changes to male-centric traditions
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Himari Semans | Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Tokyo/Hong Kong CNN —With a history spanning more than 1,200 years, “hadaka matsuri,” or the naked festival, is Japanese masculinity on full display. Some women in Japan still battle deep-rooted cultural expectations that require them to take the role of “shufu,” or housewife, experts say. But in the naked festival, women have recently found hope. Men strip naked — except for a delicate piece of crotch-covering white loincloth — to take part in the naked festival at Konomiya Shrine on February 22, 2024. Women — donning happi, a traditional festive coat — are responsible for carrying a bamboo offering during the naked festival at Konomiya Shrine on February 22, 2024.

Persons: —, Saudi Arabia —, “, Christopher Gallagher, ”, we’ve, ” Haruhiko, Atsuko Tamakoshi, Chris Gallagher, Enyukai, Ayaka Suzuki, Mitsuko Tottori, Yoko Kamikawa, Fumio, Kaori Katada, Hiyori Kon, Sumo, won’t Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Economic, Japan, Reuters, Mikiko, Hosei University, pre, CNN, ”, Ministry of Health, ” Eto, Organization for Economic Cooperation, Development, Japan Airlines, Netflix, Little Locations: Tokyo, Hong Kong, Japan, jostle, Germany, Britain, United States, India, Saudi Arabia, Konomiya Shrine, Konomiya

☆ Big Chinese cities are making it easier to buy homes to boost depressed property market
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Last October it removed curbs in most districts, and in March loosened restrictions on purchases of second homes. Other cities have also taken major steps to make the process of buying property easier. Changsha, the capital city of Hunan province, has also lifted home purchase curbs since last month. “The April Politburo meeting set a more supportive tone for the property sector, prioritizing the reduction of existing home inventory,” they said. “This may suggest that more local governments may be allowed to purchase homes directly from the market for social housing purposes.”

Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Geely, Hangzhou Housing Security, Real, Administration, Getty Images, homebuyers, Communist Party, UBS Locations: China, Hong Kong, Hangzhou, Chengdu, China's, Sichuan, Getty Images Chengdu, Changsha, Hunan province, Evergrande, Beijing

☆ Qu Jing: Baidu’s PR chief sparks a PR nightmare for the Chinese tech giant
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Hong Kong CNN —Chinese search engine giant Baidu has found itself in a public relations crisis, thanks to its own PR chief. Qu, Baidu's vice president and head of communications, has sparked backlash over her comments endorsing a tough workplace culture. China’s young workers have increasingly spoken out against the harsh workplace culture that has come to dominate many industries. Qu had asked all members of the PR team to create their personal accounts, according to the person, who requested anonymity. A former Baidu employee said Qu brought Huawei’s aggressive corporate culture with her to Baidu.

Persons: Qu Jing, Qu, I’m, ” Qu, “, ”, Jing, China’s, Ivy Yang, ” Yang, Alibaba, Jack Ma, Ma, Baidu, Cristina Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Baidu, Xinhua, Huawei, CNN Locations: China, Hong Kong, Weibo

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