China Inc by BBW

Linklogis has jumped on the crypto bandwagon in a new blockchain alliance with XRP Ledger, owner of the ripple cryptocurrency. What's the significance of this tie-up? And leading dating app operator Hello Group has added an AI function that suggests ice-breakers for young men to say to their dates. Will this help to get young people spending again?

Read at: https://thebambooworks.com/china-tech-virtualizing-debt-ai-for-daters-linklogis-momo

Unitree plans to file for an IPO by year end, capitalizing on the recent popularity of its dancing humanoid robots. But are these products really ready for market? And China has quietly lifted a nearly decade-old ban on K-Pop. What's behind the sudden change of heart?

China's stock market rally is fast approaching its one-year mark, with the benchmark Hang Seng and Shanghai composite indexes both up around 40%. How much longer can it last, especially given the weak state of China's economy? And internet giants Meituan and DiDi have sued each other in Brazil, where they are competing in the takeout dining market. How is this case likely to end up? Read at: https://thebambooworks.com/chinas-state-driven-stocks-and-its-corporate-wars-abroad/

China is floating yet another plan to rescue its oversupplied solar sector, including a mass shuttering of excess capacity. Will the government-led effort work this time? And a former online educator says it wants to become the new online Sam's Club of China. Does East Buy have what it takes to succeed?

China rolls out new rules restricting the export of cutting-edge technology for EV battery manufacturing. How will this affect Chinese battery makers setting up factories abroad? And hydrogen fuel cell maker Refire reports its revenue fell 10% in the first half of the year. What does this say about a Chinese sector that's getting huge government support, but has yet to find a mass audience?  

Read at: https://thebambooworks.com/china-plays-defense-on-ev-batteries-offense-on-hydrogen-fuel-cell-catl/

Burger King withdraws from Hong Kong, after facing similar issues on the Chinese Mainland. Why is life so difficult in China for this fast food giant? And Ant Group's purchase of a Hong Kong brokerage is getting extra scrutiny from Chinese regulators. Why is China so wary of this company?

JD.com has purchased brick-and-mortar retail chains in Germany and Hong Kong. Why is the company taking this route instead of sticking to e-commerce? And car trader Autohome has reported a fourth consecutive quarter of revenue contraction, as its ad revenue plunged. When will price wars hobbling China's oversaturated car market finally end? Read more: https://thebambooworks.com/jd-com-flees-chinas-retail-wars-europe-beijing-fails-to-tame-price-cutting/ 

Apple returns to revenue growth in China, as it also closes its first store in the city of Dalian. What's next for the company in the world's largest smartphone market? And Transsion considers a Hong Kong IPO. Should investors buy into this biggest smartphone maker you've never heard of, banking on its status as Africa's top cellphone brand?

Smartphone glass maker Biel is building up an Indian production base, while appliance giant Haier is selling half of its Indian business. What's driving these two very different moves by Chinese companies in the fast-evolving Indian market? And two dairy companies are reporting stagnating sales. Is China's dairy sector past its high-growth glory days, and what's behind the slowdown?

Two mid-sized Chinese venture capital firms are moving in new directions, one embracing cryptocurrencies and the other diversifying beyond retail. What's driving these moves? And up-and-coming online travel agent Klook is eying a major New York IPO. Why isn't it following a more recent trend to list in Hong Kong, and is there room for yet another travel agent in a crowded field of listed companies like Trip.com and Booking.com?