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Latest news, analysis and opinion on ecommerce, covering new technology, consumer habits and the growth of digital payment options.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
Workers check solar panels at a solar power station on a factory roof in Changxing, eastern China’s Zhejiang province in 2012. Like many other sectors in China, the solar industry has become a global powerhouse but faces headwinds from punitive tariffs abroad to a brutal price war at home. Photo: AP
China economy

Opinion | China will rein in vicious competition at the root of its overcapacity

New reforms for a unified national market, including addressing unfair competition, will rein in unchecked competition and the damage it is causing.

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Tencent

US trade office removes Tencent’s WeChat from counterfeit sellers list

TikTok

TikTok Shop rival raises funds at US$5 billion valuation

China's economic recovery

China’s logistics sector stands and delivers with busiest year ever in 2024

State Post Bureau reports highest delivery volume ever, estimates a banner 2025 as consumption becomes economic imperative.

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China’s logistics sector saw a record number of package deliveries in 2024. Photo: Getty Images
Alibaba

Alibaba revamps gift-giving feature on Taobao to fend off Tencent competition

After placing an order, the buyer sends a virtual gift card with passcode to the recipient, who has to claim the goods within 24 hours.

Britain

Shein lawyer evades questions on China cotton at UK hearing, angering lawmakers

The fast-fashion giant is accused of forced labour in its supply chains as it reportedly prepares for a US$62 billion listing in London.

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China technology

PDD’s billionaire investor Duan Yongping showers praise on Temu

In a speech at his alma mater Zhejiang University, Duan professes his admiration for PDD founder and fellow alumnus Colin Huang Zheng.

Duan Yongping, a Chinese-American billionaire investor and entrepreneur. Photo: Handout
TikTok

TikTok expands e-commerce operation into Mexico amid potential US ban

TikTok Shop’s geographic expansion south of the United States shows it is undeterred by Washington’s ‘sell-or-ban’ law.

Electric & new energy vehicles

China’s 30,000 car dealers face bleak 2025 as price war, e-commerce crimp margins

Despite a 4.7 per cent rise in nationwide car sales, some 4,000 dealerships have closed due to a financial squeeze.

Artificial intelligence

China’s tech giants vow to fix algorithm issues amid crackdown

ByteDance’s Douyin, PDD’s Pinduoduo, and Xiaohongshu have promised to address issues related to the misuse of algorithms.

ByteDance’s Douyin app is shown on a smartphone. Photo: Xinhua
Alibaba

E-commerce giants jump on China’s new trade-in programme for home appliances

Alibaba and JD.com are among the earliest to join the country’s renewed subsidy programme for home-appliance shoppers.

A washing-machine production line at a factory in China. The government has renewed its trade-in subsidy programme for home appliances in 2025. Photo: AFP
Alibaba

Alibaba set on growth path after divesting offline retailing assets: analysts

After disposing of Sun Art and Intime, an ‘asset-light’ Alibaba is expected to be in a better position to compete against e-commerce rivals.

Technology

Opinion | Asia’s embrace of refurbished smartphones is a trend to dial into in 2025

It’s great for the environment, for brands looking to seduce customers into switching and for consumers hunting for a bargain.

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Human rights

UK lawmakers summon Shein and Temu for questioning over labour practices

Both online retailers have faced allegations of poor working practices at product factories in China and of forced labour in supply chains.

Shein and Temu sell clothes, shoes, gadgets and accessories at rock-bottom prices. Photo: Reuters
Apple

Apple offers fresh price cuts on iPhones in China as Huawei competition heats up

A promotion running from January 4 to 7 will provide Chinese consumers a US$68 discount on Apple’s top-of-the-line iPhone 16 Pro models.

Apple’s latest sales promotion in China, covering iPhones and other products, will also be available at its bricks-and-mortar stores on the mainland. Photo: Shutterstock
Alibaba

Alibaba sells retailer Sun Art for US$1.7 billion to refocus on e-commerce

Alibaba agreed to divest its entire stake in Sun Art Retail Group to Chinese private-equity firm DCP Capital.

Mexico

Mexico unveils new tariffs that may put Shein, Temu in the crosshairs

Goods that enter Mexico from countries that do not have an international treaty with Mexico will be subject to a duty of 19 per cent.

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Alibaba

Alibaba’s Freshippo records 9 straight months of profit, CEO says

The grocery chain has hit a profitability milestone this year, according to CEO Yan Xiaolei, who assumed the role in March.

Alibaba’s supermarket Freshippo, also known as Hema in China. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Hong Kong should focus on finding compelling uses for generative AI

Foundational tech is important but what people need and want will dictate the success or failure of generative AI and the return on investment.

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Meituan

Meituan ditches delivery penalty amid China’s algorithm crackdown

The shift is part of the changes to the company’s overarching algorithms that determine a series of operational procedures for its couriers.

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Amazon

Amazon asks Chinese sellers not to offer cheaper prices on Temu

As competition heats up, the US retailer has started tracking product pricing on rival platform Temu, according to merchants.

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Some Chinese merchants say they have been asked by Amazon to stop offering products at a cheaper price on Temu. Photo: EPA-EFE
China technology

China’s tax authority to demand online influencer, merchant revenue numbers

A newly proposed regulation would require internet platform operators to report revenue information about users.

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Live streamer Viya Huang Wei sells goods on Taobao in 2019. The Chinese influencer was fined US$210 million in 2021 for tax evasion. Photo: Getty Images
China trade

‘Resilient’ trade gains see Shenzhen poised to overtake Shanghai despite US tech siege

Total trade value in city dubbed China’s Silicon Valley surged past 4 trillion yuan from January to November, with a record year-on-year increase.

Tencent

China’s super app WeChat flexes e-commerce muscles with gift feature

The new function could be Tencent’s next big hit after electronic red packets, says one merchant.

Meituan

China’s food delivery platforms force riders to take breaks after long hours

Meituan and Ele.me are using ‘fatigue management’ systems in several cities, halting orders after 12-hour days, as work climbs in slowing economy.

Food delivery couriers for Ele.me (left) and Meituan cross paths in Beijing on September 01, 2023. Photo: Simon Song
Walmart

Walmart partners with Chinese delivery giant Meituan for speedy service

The world’s largest retailer is partnering up with another Chinese tech firm four months after dumping its stake in JD.com.

A Meituan food courier rides an electric bike along a street during a lockdown in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province, on January 15, 2021. Photo: VCG via Getty Images
Artificial intelligence

Chinese start-up Zhipu AI adds US$412 million to war chest in crowded market

Zhipu said it doubled its revenue year on year in the 11 months to November, without providing an exact figure.

Alibaba

Alibaba to lose US$1.3 billion on Intime sale in retreat from offline retail

The deal for the department store chain is valued at 7.4 billion yuan, less than half of what Alibaba sank into it.

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