Pandaily's Digest #20210825
Chinese authorities say "996" work culture is illegal, China's cybersecurity agency to tighten regulation of recommendation algorithms, Nayuki Tea's first financial report after IPO, and more.
Top Chinese Governing Bodies Call ‘996’ Work Culture Illegal
On Thursday, China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the Supreme People’s Court released a collective memo of ten court decisions related to workplace overtime disputes, and said that the ‘996’ work culture – a 12-hour, six-day working schedule that had been popular among Chinese tech companies until recently – represents a serious violation of the law pertaining to maximum work hours.
Foreign-Based Teachers Grapple with China’s Latest Education Policy
There are more to China's ban on foreign-based teachers than easing students' academic burden. But the new approach may miss the real target.
Vivo Confirms X70 Series Features Self-Developed V1 Imaging Chip
On Friday, Hu Baishan, the Executive Vice President of Chinese technology company Vivo announced that its X70 smartphone series will feature self-developed V1 imaging chips, to be released in September.
China’s Top Internet Regulator: Recommendation Algorithms Must Not Withhold Information or Manipulate Record Charts
On Friday, the Cyber Administration of China (CAC) issued draft guidelines on regulating the recommendation algorithms used by internet service providers, stating that they should not be used to withhold information, over-recommend or manipulate relevant record charts.
Nayuki Tea Releases First Financial Report After IPO
Nayuki Tea on Wednesday released its first financial report since listing publicly, showing that revenues in the first half of 2021 reached 2.126 billion yuan ($328.1 million), a year-on-year increase of 80.2%.
Chinese Regulators Target “Chaotic” Online Fan Culture While Actress Zheng Shuang Faces Probe for Tax Evasion and Fraud
The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) recently issued a new notice against what it calls “chaotic” online fan culture. Officials at the department said that since the launch of a nationwide campaign to discipline online fan clubs, certain results have been achieved. In order to further strengthen governance, 10 specific measures were listed, emphasizing the main responsibility of platforms.
E-Commerce Giant JD.com in Talks to Take Controlling Share of China Logistics
Leading Chinese e-commerce firm JD.com is reportedly in talks to obtain a controlling stake in China Logistics Property Holdings, one of the country’s largest shipping and warehouse companies.
Xpeng’s Revenues Increase 27.5% From Previous Quarter, Vehicle Delivery Surpasses 17 Thousand Units
Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng on Thursday announced its unaudited financial results for the second quarter of this year. The firm’s total revenues were 3.761 billion yuan ($582.5 million) during the second quarter, representing an increase of 27.5% from 2.951 billion yuan in the first quarter of 2021.
OPPO’s Tablet Could Run A New Version of ColorOS With Dock Bar and Desktop Widgets
Noted tech leaker, Shumaxianliaozhan, revealed on Thursday that OPPO was reportedly ready to release a mid-to high-end tablet with narrow edge and similar appearance to Huawei's MatePad Pro 12.6.
Baidu Apollo Launches First Automatic Driving Operation Route in Beijing’s Tongzhou District
The launching ceremony for an autonomous driving district was held on Thursday, as Beijing’s Tongzhou District saw the opening of the first of its kind. Baidu Apollo’s autonomous driving service platform “Luobo Kuaipao” officially landed in the district and now provides robotaxi services for the public.
Tech Tycoons Embrace Philanthropy as China Pushes for “Common Prosperity”
On August 24, Pinduoduo, China’s largest online consumer retailer, pledged to donate all of its net profit since going public and future earnings to support the country’s farmers and agriculture area until it’s given away a total of 10 billion yuan (about $1.542 billion).
Bytedance Reportedly Buys Pico for 5 Billion Yuan
TikTok’s parent company Bytedance is rumored to have invested 5 billion yuan ($771 million) in acquiring Chinese VR hardware maker Pico.
iQiyi CEO Gong Yu Cancels Platform’s Idol Talent Programs and Offsite Voting for Next Few Years
Gong Yu, Director of the China Television Associationand Founder and CEO of iQiyi, said at a symposium organized by the China TV Artists Association (CTAA) on Wednesday that iQiyi has cancelled its idol talent show and any offsite voting features on the platform for next few years.
Xiaomi to Proceed with $77.4M Acquisition of Autonomous Driving Startup Deepmotion, Affirms Chip Shortage is “Manageable”
Xiaomi Inc. delivered its financial report for the second quarter of 2021 on Wednesday evening, also outlining plans to continue its advance into the competitive field of autonomous vehicles and expressing confidence in its ability to overcome challenges posed by the ongoing global chip shortage.
Tencent Launches First Mobile Game Off Limits to Underage Users
Tencent announced on Wednesday that from 12 a.m. on September 25, 2021, all underage users will no longer be able to log into its mobile game Light and Night.
Neta S, Jointly Produced by Hozon and Huawei, to List Next Year
Chinese EV startup Hozon Auto, Neta’s parent firm, and Huawei inked an agreement on Wednesday to develop a long-term win-win partnership. The Neta S, which is scheduled to hit the market next year, will be the first model co-developed by Hozon Auto and Huawei.
Tencent Restarts eGame Site After Halt of Huya-Douyu Game-Streaming Merger
In mid-August, Tencent's IEG announced a series of departmental and personnel adjustments to set up an eGame Center, which would be fully responsible for product R&D, operation and promotion of eGame.
Ministry of Industry and Information Technology Plans to Develop Sodium-ion Battery Standards
MIIT has answered the proposal for vigorously developing sodium-ion batteries in China on Wednesday. The organization plans to coordinate the research institutions involved in the issue to formulate a standard of sodium-ion batteries and will support them in their formulations and approvals.
XPeng Ships First Batch of P7 Smart Electric Sedans to Norway
On Wednesday, Chinese smart electric vehicle company Xpeng started shipping its first batch of the XPeng P7, its flagship smart sedan model, from its Guangzhou production facility to Norway. This marks the first time that XPeng has exported the P7 to a market outside China.
Municipal Education Commission Introduces “Double Reduction” Work in Beijing
Li Yi, deputy secretary and spokesperson of the Beijing Municipal Education Commission, presented the current progress of the “double reduction” work in Beijing on Wednesday.
Huawei’s Dictionary Pen Launched on Zhixuan and Youdao, Priced at 999 Yuan
Netease’s Youdao and Huawei Zhixuan launched an Intelligent Dictionary Pen on Wednesday, at a price of 999 yuan ($154).