Pandaily's Digest #20220909
Following Apple's new product launch on Thursday, the topic “Apple releases most expensive iPhones in its history” caused heated discussion on Chinese social media.
Apple Releases iPhone 14 – How Did Chinese Netizens Comment?
Apple held a new product launch event on September 8, Beijing time, during which it released the iPhone 14 series of smartphones, including the iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max.
On Chinese social media platforms, the topic “Apple releases most expensive iPhones in its history” caused heated discussion. One Chinese web user commented that “the idea of Dynamic Island is so awesome, but is that location inconvenient for users to operate?” Another user said, “You think I am looking at the configuration, but actually I care about the price.”
Meituan Cooperates With Over 1,100 Apple Authorized Stores in China
On September 8, with the end of Apple’s new product launch event, Meituan, a local life service platform, announced that it will continue to work with local Apple authorized stores throughtout China. The company will launch deliveries in more than 200 cities with the support of more than 1,100 authorized stores across the country.
Chinese Commercial Aerospace Firm GalaxySpace Bags New Round of Financing
Beijing-based commercial aerospace firm GalaxySpace announced on September 7 that it has completed a new round of financing, bringing it to a post-investment valuation of about 11 billion yuan ($1.58 billion).
Video Game Retailer GameStop Partners With Crypto Exchange FTX
Video game retailer GameStop announced on September 7 that it has entered into a partnership with FTX US, one of the biggest cryptocurrency exchanges. GameStop’s shares, which are down 35% this year, rose 11% in extended trading.
Alibaba’s Lazada Launches Southeast Asia’s First E-Commerce Anti-Counterfeit Consortium
In conjunction with an IP Week organized by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore, Alibaba‘s regional e-commerce platform Lazada came together with leading brands, including HP Inc. and BMW, to announce the launch of Southeast Asia’s first e-commerce anti-counterfeit consortium, according to a statement by the platform on September 7.
BYD Opens Its First Overseas Passenger Car Factory in Thailand
On September 8, BYD’s Thailand division and local industrial developer WHA signed a purchase agreement for 96 hectares of land, which will be the site of its first wholly-owned overseas passenger car factory in Thailand.
CEO Lei Jun: Xiaomi Didn’t Miss Race in EV Industry
Lei Jun, the founder and CEO of Chinese tech firm Xiaomi, on September 8 posted on Twitter: “Tesla entered the EV industry more than 10 years ahead of us. Some people think that we already missed our window to enter the market, but I disagree. The race is just getting started, and I think Xiaomi has plenty of opportunities.”
Battery Maker CALB Gets Green Light for Hong Kong Listing
Major battery manufacturer China Aviation Lithium Battery (CALB) received approval on September 8 from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange to carry out a public listing. CALB will begin assessing demand for the IPO as early as next week and is expected to raise up to $2 billion, with Huatai Securities serving as the sole sponsor. If the listing hearing goes through, it could be completed as soon as September.
Ant Group’s Digital Collection Platform Launches Custom Physical Object Function
On September 8, fintech giant Ant Group’s digital collection platform Jingtan officially launched an “entity customization” function, allowing users to customize some digital collections into derivative objects. More than 20 items have been supported so far, and the platform says more will follow.
CATL Vice Chairman: EV Penetration Rate to Exceed Expections in 2025
During an event held this week regarding Chinese-European cooperation, Li Ping, the vice chairman of leading battery firm Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL), said that “For the development of the industry as a whole, we believe that the replacement of internal-combustion engine automobiles with intelligent, pure-electric vehicles is irreversible, and that the penetration rate of pure EVs will far exceed current assumptions by 2025.”
