This week on the Caixin-Sinica Business Brief: Semiconductor prices continue to rise; the fintech arm of Chinese ecommerce giant JD.com withdrew its application for an IPO in Shanghai; and China’s central bank begins cross-border tests of the virtual yuan.

In addition, we speak with Caixin Global podcast producer Nandini Venkata, who tells us about doctors and researchers who are turning to paper mills and ghostwriting companies to help write fraudulent research papers.