Didi Chuxing is suspending its Hitch service (顺风车) for a week for “rectification”, the company said in a statement shared with TechNode. Didi also released new details regarding the investigation progress: “Our investigation found out that the driver account belongs to the suspect’s father who has passed the full verification process, criminal background screening, the […]
Posted inHeavy Hitters
WeChat has finally launched a mobile app for Official Accounts
Tencent just released a separate mobile app WeChat Official Account 订阅号助手, our sister site has reported. The app is now available on iOS (sorry, Android users). At the 2018 WeChat Open Class PRO event back in January, Allen Zhang, president of WeChat, teased the mobile version of Official Account. “WeChat is designed as a mobile-first product, […]
Posted inOn the Cusp
How China’s vision for aerospace can be used for social good
In 2015, China outlined its Made in China 2025 plan which would make the country a “world manufacturing power” within a decade. The aerospace equipment industry would be a significant factor in this plan to ramp up the country’s production power, as China also wanted to become a leader when it comes to satellite technology. […]
Posted inOn the Cusp
China launches new campaign to promote social credit system for youth
China kickstarted Light Up China with Trust (our translation of 诚信点亮中国) campaign tour in Beijing on Thursday, May 10, according to a Xinhua. The campaign aims to educate and raise awareness about the social credit system among the youth. The effort is jointly led by the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC), […]
Posted inNews
The first WeChat blockchain mini-app just got suspended one day after launch
Tencent’s WeChat has ordered the suspension of Xiao Xieyi (小协议) or “Mini Contract”, the first-ever blockchain mini-program on the messaging platform, local media is reporting. Xiao Xieyi, launched this May 8, is a third-party blockchain mini-program that drafts contract agreements for app users. The app was reportedly suspended on Wednesday evening, and again shortly after […]
Posted inHeavy Hitters
iQiyi to include FilmNation content in its lineup
On-demand video streaming platform iQiyi (爱奇艺) has inked an exclusive three-year deal with American independent film production company FilmNation, granting it exclusive rights to all of FilmNation’s content in mainland China. Our sister site reported that the signing of the agreement is the first time FilmNation has reached such a deal with a Chinese company. The American […]
Posted inHeavy Hitters
Alibaba Cloud’s FY2018 results inspire optimism
Investment bank and financial services company Morgan Stanely has increased Alibaba Cloud’s (阿里云) valuation from $39 billion to $68 billion. It said it expects the cloud computing company’s revenue to reach $28.5 billion in 2024. According to reports, the company is the third biggest cloud solutions provider globally, falling just behind Amazon and Microsoft. However, at home, […]
Posted inOn the Cusp
Mobike offers deposit and fare-free rides in Hefei
Bike rental company Mobike has announced complimentary rides and deposit-free use of its bicycle network in Anhui province’s capital of Hefei, local media is reporting. Unlike other bike rental platforms, users would not need to use Sesame Credit to sign up or use the bikes without paying a deposit. Existing users in the city who have […]
Posted inViews
Google Duplex announcement highlights key differences between US and Chinese markets
At the Google I/O conference, Sundar Pichai, CEO of the company, revealed what perhaps will be the killer feature for Google’s Assistant aspirations. In a series of real phone calls, Google Duplex was able to interact with real humans to book appointments and get information. Duplex’s ability to simulate a real human was stunning: Not […]
Posted inWith Chinese Characteristics
China to set up national standards for blockchain
China has begun establishing national standards for blockchain technology, hoping to complete the process by the end of 2019. While cryptocurrencies and initial coin offerings (ICOs) are prohibited in China, both regional and national governments have shown increasing support for the technology behind these platforms. Chinese authorities are looking at implementing top-level, or “top down,” […]