Pandaily Digest | Mar 6, 2023
Editor's note: Recently, rumors about layoffs in Google’s China division caused some concern. This round of layoffs is for reducing the operating costs while improving overall work efficiency.
Google China Starts Layoffs, Compensation Provided
Recently, rumors about layoffs in Google’s China division caused some concern. This round of layoffs is mainly hitting senior positions and high-paying employees in an effort to reset the salary standard and reduce operating costs while improving overall work efficiency. Link
Headlines from China
Xiaomi Auto Expects to Start Mass-Production in H1 Next Year
"Xiaomi Auto has made more progress than expected. Recently, the winter test has been finished and we expect to mass-produce within the first half of the next year," said Lei Jun, founder, chairman and CEO of Xiaomi, at a meeting on March 5. Link
Tesla’s Decision to Remove Rare Earths from Its EVs Causes Chinese Stocks to Tumble
Global electric vehicle giant Tesla said on the 2023 Investor Day that it is creating a permanent magnet electric vehicle motor with zero rare earth elements, citing the need to lower costs and environmental risks that accompany mineral mining. Link
Former NIO Intern Claims Unfair Treatment after Sexual Assault
Chinese leading electric vehicle maker NIO became a central topic on Chinese social media over the weekend after a former intern said she was sexually assaulted and then treated unfairly while working at the company. Link
BYD-backed FinDreams Technology Unveils Millimeter-Wave Radar
On March 3, FinDreams Technology, a subsidiary of BYD, released a new generation of millimeter-wave radar, which will be mass-produced in March this year. Link
Science and Technology Minister in China Talks about ChatGPT Using Football as Metaphor
Within the last ten days on two different occasions, the Chinese Minister of Science and Technology, Wang Zhigang, has twice mentioned the smart chat tool ChatGPT, confirming its importance. Link
XPeng In-car App Requires User Facial Recognition Using Outside Camera
Recently, a video depicting XPeng’s on-board app requiring users to adopt strange postures in order to complete its facial recognition verification, caused some negative feedback online. Link
Head of Algorithm at DAMO Academy Leaves Company to Explore Outdoor Cleaning Robots
Chen Junbo, the former head of algorithm at the Alibaba-backed DAMO Academy, has left his post to start a new business. Together with two other executives from Alibaba and vice president of tech startup Hengtian, Chen founded Youlu Intelligence that specializes in outdoor cleaning robots. Link
Didi Senior Vice President Fu Qiang to Leave Company
Fu Qiang, senior vice president of Didi and CEO of the Urban Transportation and Service Department within the ride-hailing giant, will leave his post in the near future, and his next job is unknown, LatePost reported on March 3. Link
MWC 2023: Chinese Electronics Companies Showcase IoT and Promote 5G
MWC 2023 came to an end on March 2. Global consumer electronics companies showcased their products at the event, including Huawei, Honor, Xiaomi, and other Chinese companies in the mobile communication industry. Link
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