Cross-border sales surge on Tmall during 618

The ASEAN rail corridor faces delays as customs hurdles and mismatched rail gauges disrupt cargo flows, stalling the express service months after launch. While Laos’ China-backed railway shows promise, reviving regional freight links will require unified standards and stronger cross-border cooperation. A Malaysia-led plan aims to cut shipping times and boost trade to USD 4.5 trillion by 2030.

JD.com has revised its store rating rules, renaming the system and eliminating rank-based calculations. New assessment metrics include return rates and delivery performance, with logistics now carrying more weight. The updated ratings will influence store visibility, search placement, and access to marketing programs.

Huawei is expected to produce no more than 200,000 Ascend AI chips in 2025, a US official said on June 12, warning that China is closing the tech gap despite export controls. Most of the chips will go to Chinese buyers as Beijing ramps up AI investment to rival US firms like Nvidia.

AstraZeneca and CSPC Pharmaceutical have signed a research deal worth up to USD 5.3 billion to co-develop oral therapies for chronic and immunological diseases. CSPC will lead discovery in China using AI-driven tools, while AstraZeneca gains global licensing rights. The partnership follows AstraZeneca’s USD 2.5 billion Beijing investment in March.

Baidu has launched an AI search service through its AppBuilder platform, combining real-time retrieval with generative summaries powered by its core engine. The tool supports multimodal, secure, and customizable data access for industries including finance, government, and tourism, with daily free quotas and tiered pricing.

Transsion’s Tecno has partnered with Spanish distributor MCR to roll out its AIoT product line, including laptops, gaming PCs, and smart wearables. The deal grants access to a 10,000-strong distributor network and advanced logistics, supporting Tecno’s push into the European market.

ByteDance's TikTok surpassed one billion overseas monthly users in May, according to Sensor Tower. AI-powered tools, e-commerce platforms, and short drama apps also gained in Southeast Asia and Latin America, driven by localized content and enhanced recommendation algorithms.

Nearly half of China’s listed supermarket chains posted losses in 2024, with over 900 store closures as firms scrambled to adapt. While Walmart and Sam’s Club bucked the trend, others launched aggressive overhauls, adopting leaner models and benchmarking top performers to stay competitive.

Once discontinued, peel-apart film is making a comeback in China as Gen Z consumers embrace its rarity and vintage aesthetic. Promoted by celebrities and photo studios, the unpredictable medium now commands steep prices, with some paying over RMB 900 for just three shots, despite expired stock and no option for reshoots.

Meta has reportedly taken a 49% non-voting stake in Scale AI for USD 14.3 billion and brought CEO Alexandr Wang onto its AI team. The move bolsters Meta's "superintelligence" ambitions as it works to close gaps with OpenAI and Google after underwhelming model releases.