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Xiaohongshu is piloting a voice comment feature, allowing verified users who log in daily for 28 days to post 60-second recordings in comment threads.…

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Pop Mart, a Chinese company, designs and sells toys, figurines, and collectibles, primarily in a blind box format.

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<a href="/company/xiaohongshu">Xiaohongshu</a> is piloting a voice comment feature, allowing verified users who log in daily for 28 days to post 60-second recordings in comment threads. The feature aims to add emotion and interactivity, though concerns remain over longer content consumption times and moderation challenges.

<a href="/company/catl">CATL</a> has halted mining at its Yichun project after the permit expired on August 9 and is applying for an extension. The company expects to resume production promptly once approved and said the suspension will have minimal impact on overall operations.

AliExpress said overseas sales of Chinese beauty products doubled over the past year, with Europe, Mexico, Brazil, and Japan among the top growth markets. To support this demand, the platform launched an end-to-end export solution that has drawn more than 20 brands, including Ruyi, Judydoll, Flower Knows, Fonce, and Joocyee.

OpenAI has reportedly applied to register two GPT-5 trademarks in China under website services and scientific instruments. Both are under review after initial rejection, while earlier applications by a Shenzhen tech firm for the same mark were also rejected as invalid.

<a href="/company/leapmotor">Leapmotor</a> has begun supplying self-developed battery packs to external customers, using cells from <a href="/company/catl">CATL</a> and other partners. Run by subsidiary Lingxiao Energy Technology, the unit has reportedly secured orders from over five commercial <a href="/industry/ev">EV</a> makers. The move aligns with Leapmotor’s strategy to combine vertical integration with component sales in a <a href="/company/byd">BYD</a>-style model.

Chinese firm Porosvoc has raised an eight-figure RMB sum in Series A funding from Hanlian Semiconductor Industry Fund to advance R&amp;D in intelligent speech enhancement and interaction technologies. Founded in 2018, the company develops tri-core audio <a href="/industry/ai">AI</a> chips and algorithms for products spanning smart terminals, AI PCs, intercoms, and AI-powered toys.

Agibot’s Lingxi division president Wei Qiang and co-founder Yan Weixin have left the startup, with CTO Peng Zhihui temporarily assuming their duties. The exits add to leadership turnover following a major R&amp;D restructuring, as the <a href="/industry/robotics">robotics</a> firm pursues a stake in Swancor and considers a domestic IPO less than three years after its founding.

<a href="/company/nvidia">Nvidia</a> and AMD have agreed to give the US government 15% of revenue from sales of their China-specific <a href="/industry/ai">AI</a> chips in exchange for export licenses, according to sources. The rare arrangement risks heightening tensions with Beijing, which has criticized the chips, and could limit US firms’ growth in China’s market.

<a href="/company/alibaba">Alibaba</a> is losing senior <a href="/industry/ai">AI</a> talent from its Tongyi Lab, with Yan Zhijie joining <a href="/company/jd">JD.com’s</a> Explore Academy and Bo Liefeng moving to <a href="/company/tencent">Tencent’s</a> Hunyuan unit. The exits come as Chinese tech firms ramp up hiring for LLM and AI research roles, mirroring recruitment battles in the US.

China logged USD 8.7 billion in net FDI inflows in Q2 2025, well below past peaks, as weak demand, a property downturn, and US tariffs dampen investor sentiment. Companies from the US and Japan are scaling back operations, while Beijing’s push to attract capital is challenged by tighter security laws and geopolitical tensions.

<a href="/company/pop-mart">Pop Mart</a>, the Chinese toymaker known for blind box collectibles, has opened its largest store worldwide at Bangkok’s Iconsiam complex. The 760-square-meter, two-story outlet features a cafe and exclusive Thai-themed designs. Southeast Asia accounted for 47.4% of Pop Mart’s overseas revenue in 2024, with regional sales rising nearly sevenfold, led by strong growth in Thailand.

Amid record earnings, the company is boosting shareholder returns through RMB 499 million in dividends and share repurchases.

Guoquan serves up strong H1 earnings on robust demand, cost control

CHENG Zi is based in China, covering technology and business-related events. She works with her colleagues at 36Kr Global to provide coverage in both English and Chinese.

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Cheng Zi

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CATL’s openness to the move suggests a deeper alliance may be forming.

Leapmotor starts selling battery packs, opening new front in EV competition

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Xiaohongshu trials voice comment feature

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Guoquan serves up strong H1 earnings on robust demand, cost control

AI applications go global: New report reveals gaps in infrastructure, market readiness, and scenario-based customization

Leapmotor starts selling battery packs, opening new front in EV competition