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… aria-level="1">Robopoet, a companion robotics company, completed an angel funding round in mid-2024, raising millions of RMB from undisclosed industry investors. The funding will advance the development of its companion robots, including its first product, with expectations for market release next year. —<a href="https://36kr.com/p/3015805862127111">36Kr</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Zhongke Bosheng, an advanced thermoelectric semiconductor company, has closed a pre-Series A funding round, raising tens of millions of RMB. Casstar led the round, joined by a Jiangyin state-backed angel fund, Sukong Venture Capital, and Oriza Seed. The funds will expand production, boost R&amp;D, and strengthen its team. —<a href="https://36kr.com/p/3017273903359495">36Kr</a></li>
</ul>
whereRelatedArticle
<h3>81Ravens, Honor, Eikto Battery, and more made recent headlines:</h3>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://81ravens.com/">81Ravens</a>, a Singapore-based game development company known for its arena shooter game <a href="https://paravox.games/">Paravox</a>, raised USD 4.5 million in a seed funding round co-led by Digital Hearts Holdings and Gree Ventures.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Honor, once a subsidiary of Huawei Technologies, reportedly attracted new investors, including China Telecom, CICC Capital, and Cornerstone.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.eikto-battery.com/">Eikto Battery</a>, a developer of industrial lithium-ion batteries from Anhui, secured RMB 400 million (USD 56 million) in a funding round led by state capital investors including Hefei Industry Investment and Kaisheng Group. A RMB 3 billion (USD 420 million) industry fund backed by China Galaxy Investment (CGI) also participated.</li>
</ul>
If there are any news or updates you'd like us to feature, get in touch with us at: <a href="mailto:hello@kr-asia.com">hello@kr-asia.com</a>.

Deals in brief: Insider raises USD 500 million, UOB FinLab funds ASEAN green tech pilots, six China deals, and more

Venture Capital

Private Equity

Investment

Merger &amp; Acquisition

Singapore

Indonesia

Philippines

Southeast Asia

China

… design team of five. “It was more intense than at other startups I’ve been with,” the employee added.
This feedback-driven approach has made Talkie and its domestic counterpart, Xingye, MiniMax’s most resourced projects, with roughly 300 employees working on them compared to fewer than 100 on Hailuo AI. Talkie’s rapid and user-centered design keeps it ahead of imitators.
Each Talkie employee can point to details that make the app distinctive—from the elegant black and gold color scheme to the thoughtfully designed star icons embedded throughout the app, character designs, and payment buttons. Talkie’s chat feature even formats user responses to include parentheses, mirroring users’ habits of adding side comments.
<figure id="attachment_150614" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-150614" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-150614" src="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Talkie-Interface-1024x496.jpeg" alt="Screenshot displaying Talkie’s chat interface." width="1024" height="496" srcset="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Talkie-Interface-1024x496.jpeg 1024w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Talkie-Interface-300x145.jpeg 300w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Talkie-Interface-768x372.jpeg 768w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Talkie-Interface.jpeg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-150614" class="wp-caption-text">Screenshot displaying Talkie’s chat interface. Image source: 36Kr.</figcaption></figure>
By staying attuned to user preferences, Talkie has remained challenging to copy. “Most companies could recreate Talkie’s design, but they wouldn’t achieve the same results,” the product manager said. “Talkie works because it serves its specific audience, unlike other consumer AI apps that try to do everything but can’t retain users.”
<h3>A success hard to replicate</h3>
Despite Talkie’s triumphs, MiniMax’s reliance on the app as a cash cow reveals potential vulnerabilities. The first warning came in March 2023, when MiniMax encountered a significant hurdle: Glow, Talkie’s predecessor, was removed from app stores just six months after its release.
While no official reason was given, and AI licensing laws were still pending, many industry insiders and MiniMax staff believe Glow’s removal was linked to its loosely moderated user interactions. “Eighty percent of Glow users created borderline or explicit adult content with their AI characters,” a MiniMax product manager told 36Kr. This willingness to cater to user demand gave MiniMax’s consumer products an early boost but underscored the regulatory risks of similar models in the domestic market.
Adult content production is currently the most profitable commercial model for AI, according to one investor. Several AI products with international traction, like Replika and Civit AI, have also taken a relaxed approach to adult content. To maintain momentum, Talkie has shifted its focus to overseas markets with less stringent regulations. However, its domestic version, Xingye, hasn’t achieved the same level of success.
Launched in September 2023, Xingye mirrors Talkie in gameplay but with an upgraded interface. A former Talkie employee explained, “Talkie’s original design was kept simple for Western markets, where devices often lag behind Chinese models in performance. Adding extra visuals could create lag.” Despite these upgrades, Xingye hasn’t met MiniMax’s domestic expectations.
“To meet local licensing requirements, Xingye had to install a strict firewall for sensitive language,” the product manager said. “But this impacts user experience—users can’t vent or swear if they’re frustrated—the AI simply responds with ‘stay positive.’”
Data shows that female users are generally more inclined to pay for companion-style products. A former Talkie employee noted that Character.AI’s user base is 20% female and 80% male, whereas Talkie’s split is closer to 40:60. Xingye’s gender ratio, meanwhile, is 60% female to 40% male, highlighting different monetization challenges.
Even abroad, Talkie’s growth isn’t without risks. Anxiety about market risk has permeated MiniMax’s team since early 2024. “Talkie is MiniMax’s heartbeat,” one Hailuo AI employee said. “It’s risky when you depend so much on one revenue stream.” Concerns over a potential US ban prompted MiniMax’s leadership to keep Talkie’s US presence low-profile.
These concerns are well-founded. On October 17, <a href="https://us-east-1.envoy.cirrus.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2024-10-16/can-china-s-ai-dragons-make-it-in-the-us?srnd=opinion-technology-and-ideas">Bloomberg</a> reported that Chinese AI apps in the US might face scrutiny similar to TikTok due to escalating geopolitical tensions. In response, MiniMax has allocated resources to tightening Talkie’s content controls.
MiniMax employees confirm that Talkie’s responses to suggestive topics have become notably restrained due to new engineering measures. According to a product manager, users who seek out AI apps for such purposes typically don’t stay long, making them less ideal for retention.
Meanwhile, MiniMax has begun exploring ways to build the next Talkie. A Hailuo AI employee told 36Kr that MiniMax briefly experimented with adding companion features to Hailuo AI, but the results were underwhelming. Sources revealed that Hailuo AI’s ambiguous identity as both a productivity and companion tool led to team departures, and competitors like Kimi and Doubao have since entered the market, leaving Hailuo AI with low user retention.
whereRelatedArticle
MiniMax is also testing new growth avenues by expanding Talkie’s reach beyond the US and European markets.
One source said that, during this year’s spring, MiniMax CEO Yan Junjie mentioned a pivot to Southeast Asia in company meetings, stressing that Talkie would need local adaptations.
“English-speaking markets are saturated, but Asia’s niche language markets hold untapped potential,” the source said, adding that Southeast Asia also offers lower marketing costs and strong user engagement for nurturing games.
As MiniMax continues to expand Talkie’s reach, maintaining its growth trajectory will be key to securing a position in the highly competitive AI space.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3012129118414342">article</a> was written by Zhou Xinyu for 36Kr.

Talkie’s global traction puts MiniMax in AI’s top tier, but risks loom

East Asia

MiniMax

Artificial Intelligence

Deep Tech

… message the policy sends.
A woman living in Seoul, who asked not to be named, ordered a jumpsuit from a Chinese e-commerce platform in late August, but found the material didn't meet her expectations. She contacted the platform for a possible return and was told she could keep the item and still receive a full refund.
"The refund-only policy is a little disturbing to me; it feels like they are mass producing cheap items without caring about shoppers' preferences, focusing more on quantity than quality," she said, adding that because the jumpsuit's material felt too cheap to give away, she ended up throwing it out.
"While it's convenient for me as a shopper since I don't have to repack and return the item, I do feel guilty about the environmental impact. I would feel better if the item could be resold through the platform," she said.
Back in China, there is also debate over the policy. Eleven posted an image on social media of the letter she received, sparking heated discussion over the pros and cons of returnless refunds.
"It's really hard to reach a consensus," she told Nikkei. "As a consumer, I was very upset to see the warning. If there are no quality issues, I wouldn't return the goods. But in the current environment, I also understand the sellers' frustration."
This article first appeared on <a tabindex="0" href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Technology/Tech-Asia/China-s-e-commerce-industry-pushes-back-on-no-return-refunds" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-token-index="1">Nikkei Asia</a>. It has been republished here as part of 36Kr’s ongoing <a tabindex="0" href="https://www.kr-asia.com/nikkei-teams-up-with-36kr-in-asia-tech-news-coverage/" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-token-index="3">partnership with Nikkei</a>.

China's e-commerce industry pushes back on "no-return" refunds

JD.com

Taobao

Tmall

Temu

E-commerce

Consumer Economy

Li Auto, a leading Chinese electric vehicle maker, is stepping up its overseas strategy, having just established a dedicated division for international markets. This new division is helmed by Wang Jin, who reports directly to senior vice president Zou Liangjun. Wang, who previously managed Huawei’s sales in Chile, joined Li Auto over a year ago and brings crucial experience to the role.
For now, Li Auto’s overseas team is small, with limited activity. But the company is focusing its initial efforts on the Middle East and Central Asia, especially the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Earlier this year, Zou announced a shift to a direct sales model in these regions, with plans to create a dedicated after-sales network. The company expects to launch deliveries in the fourth quarter, with flagship models, the L7 and L9, leading the way.
Until recently, Li Auto’s international sales relied on a parallel export model—an approach that, while practical, marks a transitional phase. With the recent formation of a direct overseas division, Li Auto is signaling a deeper commitment to international growth.
However, the company has temporarily shelved its plan to open its own overseas stores. Sources close to the matter say Li Auto hesitated, fearing that such a move might alienate local partners and potentially drive them toward competitors.
As China’s automotive market grows increasingly competitive, international expansion is rapidly becoming a must for leading Chinese automakers. For Li Auto, the initial groundwork in the Middle East and Central Asia through parallel exports has built brand awareness, giving it an advantage as it begins expanding into these markets.
Now, Li Auto is experimenting with a more adaptable approach, recruiting local dealers to manage sales in regions where demand is already strong.
“Direct sales networks come with many challenges. Li Auto is now working with dealers in markets where there’s proven demand,” said a source familiar with the company’s plans.
The company is also customizing its models for international markets. “At the beginning of the year, we completed a review of the modifications needed for the Middle East,” an insider said. Besides the Middle East, Latin America is emerging as a target market for Li Auto. With Wang’s background in Latin American markets, this region could provide a promising new growth channel.
Li Auto declined to respond to these recent developments when 36Kr reached out for comment.
Li Auto’s journey toward international expansion has seen twists and turns. In 2020, CEO Li Xiang said that overseas markets were a necessary next step for the company. But by July 2022, he signaled a more reserved approach, announcing that Li Auto would delay foreign market plans until at least 2025. During a meeting held in October the same year, an even more conservative outlook emerged, with the company suggesting it might wait until 2028 to enter global markets in earnest, relying on parallel exports for the time being.
This year, however, Li Auto’s stance has shifted once again.
The adjustment reflects Li Auto’s evolving growth strategy. Following challenges in fully electric vehicle sales, Li Auto revised its 2023 sales target from 800,000 to around 500,000 units. Sources say the company now anticipates a longer timeline to reach its next million-unit milestone, with a slower growth trajectory.
Intense competition within China is also a factor. Aito, backed by Huawei, is matching Li Auto in sales. Meanwhile, brands like Xiaomi, Leapmotor, and Xpeng Motors are expanding rapidly, gaining traction in the domestic market.
whereRelatedArticle
For Li Auto, overseas expansion could present a new growth path amid the tight domestic competition.
Since the start of 2023, numerous Chinese automakers have accelerated their overseas expansion. Nio, Xpeng, Leapmotor, BYD, Chery, SAIC MG, Changan, Geely, and Voyah have all launched models in Europe.
However, the European Union’s tariffs on Chinese vehicles have made European factories a costly requirement for Chinese companies. BYD, for instance, plans to establish its first European factory in Szeged, Hungary. Chery will repurpose a former Nissan plant, and SAIC, Geely, and others are exploring European manufacturing options. Leapmotor, meanwhile, has chosen to leverage Stellantis’ European sales network.
Li Auto remains cautious about entering the European market. “Europe and the US are red lines for our export operations,” an insider said.
For now, Li Auto prefers expanding into markets validated by parallel exports. In 2023, many of its vehicles reached the Middle East, Central Asia, and Russia. In Russia, a Li L9, priced at RMB 450,000 (USD 63,000) in China, reportedly sold for as much as RMB 900,000 (USD 126,000) after parallel export.
Earlier this year, CEO Li posted on social media that monthly parallel export volumes had reached around 3,000 units across Central Asia and the Middle East. If this pace continues, Li Auto’s annual exports could exceed 30,000 units, providing a solid growth foundation. By contrast, Chinese startups exporting to Europe report annual sales of around 3,000 units.
However, parallel exports come with risks. This year, Russia introduced regulations requiring taxes on vehicles shipped through Central Asia, which could cut into profit margins.
Li Auto is also exploring new Latin American markets, including Mexico, Brazil, and Chile, where demand shows promise. According to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, Russia, Mexico, and Brazil were the top three destinations for Chinese vehicle exports in the first half of 2023.
These new markets bring potential for growth but will also challenge Li Auto to evolve and strengthen its capabilities.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3014837753144836">article</a> was written by Li Anqi for 36Kr.

Li Auto expands overseas with dealer partnerships in Middle East, Central Asia

China Tech

Electric Vehicles

Mobility

Central Asia

MENA

… months prior, after which suppliers begin production—a process that can take four to five months. Finished goods then undergo sorting and distribution, requiring another month.
In contrast, Shein’s initial orders per SKU are typically just 100–200 items, significantly improving both efficiency and product variety. Wang said that his factory, initially accustomed to large, lengthy traditional orders, had to adapt quickly to Shein’s high turnover model. Early on, he almost lost Shein as a client.
To support suppliers in adapting to its operational model, Shein is said to provide training across areas like management, planning, production scheduling, stock operations, and quality assurance. Shein has even designed a three-stage supplier development program tailored to each supplier’s growth stage, offering targeted technical and resource support.
For trial-phase suppliers, Shein assigns mentors to provide one-on-one guidance, sharing professional advice and tips on avoiding pitfalls. For growth-phase suppliers, Shein offers training in supply chain integration, system support, and management practices. For core suppliers, Shein uses project-based training, allowing them to access additional cooperative benefits.
After five years, Wang has become one of Shein’s leading suppliers. His factory adapted to Shein’s flexible model and saw a near 150% sales increase during last year’s Black Friday sale. Many other Shantou-based businesses in lingerie and loungewear have undergone similar transformations.
Shantou, once known as “China’s underwear and loungewear capital,” supplies roughly 45% of the nation’s loungewear and 75% of related branded products. Wang’s factory, launched in 2010, grew into one of Shantou’s major apparel exporters, mirroring the boom and digitalization challenges of the local industry. With Shein’s steady demand, Shantou’s lingerie exports have flourished, leading to an industry-wide transformation.
This partnership exemplifies Shein’s decade-long role in upgrading the global fashion industry. Shein’s ongoing platform strategy extension helps a wider array of suppliers enter international markets.
<h3>Empowering more small businesses to go global</h3>
Since 2012, Shein has transformed itself from a single brand into a global platform, with site visits surpassing all other fashion websites as of September and third-quarter 2024. By the year-end, Shein is expected to be France’s top-selling fashion brand, outranking global icons Nike, H&amp;M, and Zara—companies founded 52, 77, and 49 years ago, respectively.
While Shein’s swift rise marks a significant achievement for a fashion brand, its platform strategy offers an even faster track for many vendors eyeing global markets.
During the early stages of this strategy, Shein invested substantial resources in vendor development, as well as warehouse and logistics center construction, securing long-term competitive advantages. In 2023, Shein announced plans to extend its outreach to the industrial belts in 500 cities in China, which would enable businesses across over 20 provinces in China to access global markets through cross-border e-commerce.
Beyond operating its brand, Shein began incorporating third-party products and brands years ago. In 2023, it further refined its platform strategy, developing a two-pronged approach with both its brand and platform businesses. The platform offers options for fully managed operations, semi-managed support, or self-management.
Under the fully managed model, Shein handles logistics, warehousing, marketing, and after-sales services, allowing merchants to focus on product development and supply. This option suits traders and manufacturers with existing supply strengths.
The self-managed model, meanwhile, is for businesses with cross-border e-commerce expertise, requiring them to independently handle selection, pricing, operations, logistics, and after-sales.
In contrast, the semi-managed model, introduced this year, allows vendors to manage inventory and pricing while Shein supports the rest. Launched in markets like the US, UK, Germany, and France, this model offers greater autonomy and lower entry barriers.
Compared to Shein’s direct support for its brand’s supply chain, the platform model allows for a broader industry impact, reaching more sectors. Although on-demand production in small batches has been attempted previously, Shein’s established platform, methods, resources, and traffic help empower a wider range of businesses to grow.
In 2023, Shein also launched an initiative aimed at supporting 10,000 global vendors, including those in China, achieve annual sales of USD 1 million, and to assist 100,000 small businesses in reaching USD 100,000.
At the recent 2024 China Cross-border E-commerce Trade Fair, Guangdong’s department of commerce named Shein’s initiatives as model cases in cross-border e-commerce.
As the cross-border e-commerce industry shifts from rapid expansion to a focus on quality and sustainability, Shein’s initiatives support industrial belts and boost vendors’ global competitiveness. By nurturing quality vendors and promoting premium products, Shein helps drive sustainable global expansion for more small businesses.
Currently, Shein’s 500-city initiative includes more than 20 product categories, such as apparel, footwear, accessories, home goods, beauty, personal care, electronics, and outdoor sports products. Entrepreneurs across these sectors, like Wu and Wang, are experiencing similar growth stories.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3006249826574850">article</a> was written by Wang Hanbo for 36Kr.

How Shein’s strategy pushed it past H&M, Zara, and the rest

Fashion

Creative

Retail

Consumer Services

… "rectification" process over its monopolistic practices is over. The crackdown on Alibaba, which followed founder Jack Ma's critical remarks about financial regulators in 2020, led to the scrapping of a blockbuster listing of fintech affiliate Ant Group and a record RMB 18.2 billion (USD 2.6 billion) fine against the e-commerce giant.
But when it comes to venture capital, the Chinese government is doubling down on the state-led approach. Premier Li Qiang chaired a State Council meeting on September 18 that studied initiatives to advance the development of venture capital. The meeting pointed out that "state capital needs to become more responsible, long-term, and patient capital."
The policy was reflected in the lobby of a "venture capital building" managed by the Shenzhen government. "Follow our party, start your business" read a slogan posted on the wall, along with the emblem of the ruling party.
This article first appeared on <a tabindex="0" href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Technology/Tech-Asia/China-s-entrepreneurship-for-everyone-era-ends-as-state-sets-agenda" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-token-index="1">Nikkei Asia</a>. It has been republished here as part of 36Kr’s ongoing <a tabindex="0" href="https://www.kr-asia.com/nikkei-teams-up-with-36kr-in-asia-tech-news-coverage/" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-token-index="3">partnership with Nikkei</a>.

China's "entrepreneurship for everyone" era ends as state sets agenda

Jess Ling, a 35-year-old in Malaysia, manages a day job in administration but finds a creative outlet as a content creator on Lemon8. For her, the app offers an easy entry point for new creators, largely thanks to its high engagement rates.
Jess is far from obsessive about her posts, usually sharing just once a month. Despite a modest following of under 1,000, her posts typically get around 100 views. Yet, between September 28 and October 4, after a month-long hiatus, one of her posts rocketed past 1,700 views.
Jess, who also shares content across similar platforms, told 36Kr that achieving such high engagement without regular updates is rare. Lemon8, she said, feels like a promising channel for creators—a sentiment that seems to be catching on as Lemon8 expands from Southeast Asia to the US and Europe.
A ByteDance platform, Lemon8 focuses on sharing lifestyle photos and videos in a dual-column feed. Its bright yellow palette and Xiaohongshu-inspired design have earned it the nickname “Xiaohuangshu,” or “little yellow book.”
In the US, Lemon8 has led the lifestyle category for iPhone apps over the past month and regularly ranks within the top 30 overall, according to Diandian. Though not yet a viral sensation, Lemon8’s steady growth has caught attention.
Bunny (pseudonym), a US-based marketer, believes that Lemon8’s affordable content creation and Xiaohongshu’s proven model in China have given the platform an edge in the US. “We’re already getting on board,” he said.
<h3>What is behind Lemon8’s appeal?</h3>
Locally tailored content plays a major role.
For instance, Nini (pseudonym), a Malaysian user who speaks with a strong Southeast Asian accent, uses popular Xiaohongshu and Douyin phrases like “sisters” and “scoring deals.” On Lemon8 and TikTok, she often incorporates Malaysian slang, such as “gou li,” which she described as similar to “amazing.” Nini values Lemon8 for its international flavor, with content primarily in English and Malay. “Thais, Indonesians, and Malaysians are all on it,” she said, adding that she frequently browses for posts on budget finds, gossip, food, and travel tips.
Meanwhile, Endia, a US-based Lemon8 creator with over 10,000 followers, shared with a fellow creator that beauty and skincare content performs exceptionally well.
Ling and Nini both appreciate Lemon8’s sleek, user-friendly templates, which they describe as “very Instagram.” Last November, Lemon8 added an artificial intelligence-driven photo studio with features like facial analysis, skin assessment, body evaluation, and an idea notebook, aiming to draw more female users.
Yet, these features alone don’t fully explain why Lemon8 has thrived in a crowded social media landscape.
Ling credits TikTok as a key source of Lemon8’s traffic, noting that creators can post their Lemon8 content directly to TikTok. Both platforms offer one-click sharing, and TikTok even allows users to link their Lemon8 profiles for easy cross-promotion. On TikTok’s “For You” page, content tagged “#Lemon8” has surpassed 4 billion views, with many TikTok influencers receiving invitations to join Lemon8.
In many ways, TikTok is Lemon8’s growth engine.
The app’s recent surge in downloads also ties to its increased advertising. According to App Growing, Lemon8’s daily ad volume in October tripled from the same time last year. Users who spoke to 36Kr reported seeing frequent Lemon8 ads on Instagram and Facebook.
Data.ai indicates that Lemon8 has reached over 56.1 million global downloads. As of September, Thailand was its largest market, with active users comprising 36.18% of the total, followed by the US at 22.13%. Southeast Asian users drive engagement, while US users represent the app’s next growth wave.
<h3>An app inspired by Xiaohongshu, but not from Xiaohongshu</h3>
So why does a Xiaohongshu-like platform come from ByteDance?
Xiaohongshu has, in fact, launched several international products, including Uniik in Japan (February 2021), Spark in Southeast Asia (April 2022), and Catalog, a lifestyle-sharing app in Europe and the US (November 2022). Each echoes Xiaohongshu’s design and user experience.
Jae (pseudonym), who led Xiaohongshu’s overseas product Spark from 2022–2023, witnessed its launch and eventual decline. She told 36Kr that Xiaohongshu recently outsourced its latest overseas app, S'more, a review platform, to a third-party team in March.
Looking back on Lemon8, Jae, who left Xiaohongshu nearly two years ago, is still frustrated, noting that she and former colleagues refer to it as a “copycat.”
Three years ago, Jae initially felt uneasy about Lemon8, but over time, she and her team focused on replicating Xiaohongshu’s domestic success abroad. In retrospect, Xiaohongshu’s overseas apps and Lemon8 never even had a direct faceoff.
Xiaohongshu, however, did have a model to learn from: TikTok.
Jae recalled that one of her four product managers and many engineers had previously worked at ByteDance. In Xiaohongshu’s overseas strategy, the company sought to incorporate some of TikTok’s features, including live commerce.
whereRelatedArticle
For TikTok, Lemon8 is more of a complement than a competitor, reaching new audiences and engagement that TikTok itself may not fully capture.
In contrast, while Lemon8 capitalizes on TikTok’s reach, aggressive ads, and Xiaohongshu’s model, Xiaohongshu’s subdued approach has led some users to doubt Spark is even its product, mistaking it for a knockoff. Jae cited several reasons for Xiaohongshu’s international struggles, such as limited local expertise and unclear objectives.
In the end, Xiaohongshu’s apps like Uniik and Spark faded, while Lemon8 established itself in Southeast Asia and the US, leveraging Xiaohongshu’s playbook.
Yet, Xiaohongshu still resonates among overseas Chinese users, with over 1.5 million in Malaysia alone in 2022. Jae shared a story of one former student who, after graduating, went full-time on Xiaohongshu and now earns over RMB 1 million (USD 140,000) annually through brand sponsorships.
Whether Lemon8 will reach TikTok-level success remains uncertain, especially with Instagram’s billion-strong user base.
For now, Lemon8 rides a wave of traffic but needs time to show it’s more than a passing trend.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/2997661048630920">article</a> was written by Lan Jie for 36Kr.

ByteDance’s Lemon8 borrows from Xiaohongshu, but can it keep users hooked?

Lemon8

Entertainment

Content

Creator Economy

Porsche’s Chinese R&amp;D team is expanding, aiming to fortify its capabilities in intelligent cockpits and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), sources told 36Kr. A Porsche spokesperson said that the R&amp;D team is a strategic priority for Porsche China, tasked with adapting smart applications specifically for this market.
Porsche’s R&amp;D operation in China began in 2022, initially focusing on preparing imported models for local sales. In two years, it grew to a modest team of under 50 people, with this hiring round marking the second major expansion.
In Porsche’s cockpit division, the mission is clear: sharpen voice recognition and optimize control features, while ADAS development remains at an early stage and is focused mainly on researching China’s smart driving landscape.
Tesla, another international competitor, spent three years building a 400-person China team to deliver a localized cockpit experience. Porsche’s first hiring push may be smaller, but the company’s roadmap shows a readiness to scale.
An insider told 36Kr that Porsche’s China R&amp;D team is relocating from Shanghai’s Pudong district to Jiading, a city where automotive research gathers pace. There, Porsche will establish its own R&amp;D lab.
In August, Porsche launched its second all-electric model, the Macan SUV, starting at RMB 598,000 (USD 83,720). However, the Macan has yet to recreate the success of the Taycan sports sedan, with buyers in China increasingly prioritizing cost-effective and tech-forward vehicles.
Can this latest tech-driven pivot help Porsche shake off its China sales slump?
<h3>Porsche’s path to intelligent driving</h3>
Known for its driver-centered brand identity, Porsche is no stranger to smart driving technology, though its rollout has been measured.
In late 2023, Porsche appointed Sajjad Khan, former CTO at Mercedes-Benz, to oversee its smart driving efforts. Khan’s arrival sparked a flurry of investment in tech firms, including US-based Applied Intuition, which specializes in autonomous driving.
On the practical front, Porsche is adopting a diversified strategy.
Initially, the company relied on Cariad, the software subsidiary of its parent company Volkswagen. However, after repeated delays, Porsche announced a partnership with Mobileye in May last year, working together to produce scalable ADAS solutions.
The collaboration centers around Mobileye’s “SuperVision” system, designed for hands-free driving on various terrains. Porsche retains control over integration and feature adjustments to bridge human and automated driving.
With the new Chinese R&amp;D team, Porsche will conduct market research for intelligent driving and later expand the team to tailor these technologies for local drivers.
Porsche is also urgently prioritizing cockpit technology.
The automaker has relied heavily on Apple CarPlay as its primary interface and remains one of the few companies supporting CarPlay 2.0. Starting this year, Porsche updated all models to CarPlay 2.0, enabling users to stream music and control air conditioning and ambient lighting.
Yet, current Porsche models only support basic voice commands. For instance, the Taycan’s voice control includes functions like air conditioning and seat heating, but its recognition speed is limited. Against Chinese brands actively integrating artificial intelligence, Porsche’s voice control experience lacks richness.
However, Porsche’s R&amp;D expansion in China signals a shift in focus.
<h3>Can Porsche win back the Chinese market?</h3>
Porsche faces steep challenges as its China sales continue to slide.
In 2022, Porsche sales in China approached 100,000 units, maintaining its position as Porsche’s largest market for the eighth year running. But in 2023, annual sales fell to 79,000 units, and this year’s tally from Q1 to Q3 is only 43,000. China’s declining market performance has impacted Porsche’s profits and returns.
Porsche’s electric transition also faced hurdles. The automaker previously announced an ambitious target for 80% of its lineup to be electric by 2030. While Porsche did introduce the electric Macan this year, it hasn’t matched the Taycan’s popularity. Following its debut at RMB 598,000, reception from local markets was muted, according to one Porsche dealer who spoke with 36Kr.
Domestic brands have raised the bar, delivering spacious interiors, luxurious features, and advanced smart driving technology at a lower price point. Porsche’s steep premiums, without the draw of competitive features, are becoming a barrier to sales.
For 2025, Porsche’s Panamera, Cayenne, and Taycan models will feature the latest in-car systems, including popular Chinese apps like iQiyi and native navigation apps. However, voice activation—a top priority for Chinese drivers—remains limited.
Several Porsche owners told 36Kr that simple commands like adjusting temperature or controlling volume often go unrecognized, and advanced navigation functions, such as setting or changing destinations, are not supported. “It feels like Porsche doesn’t understand Chinese,” one owner said. “I need these features. The built-in navigation rarely finds my destination, so I don’t even bother using it.”
Through this R&amp;D expansion, Porsche aims to deliver a more intuitive experience, making its cars “understand Chinese” with broader command capability.
This step could raise the bar for Porsche’s in-car experience, but it may not be enough to close the gap entirely.
Tesla, another international competitor, faced similar localization issues in China. Since 2019, Tesla has assembled a 400-person team to build local features, partnering with Baidu Maps for reliable navigation, and refining voice controls to enhance climate and navigation features with a recent update.
Meanwhile, Chinese brands are advancing with AI-driven voice technology, making Tesla’s standard command-based interface feel outdated. Porsche, facing similar challenges, risks falling further behind.
Porsche’s data shows that the average age of its Chinese customers is 37, with half of them women. Many of these drivers are now favoring brands like Li Auto, Nio, and Xiaomi, where smart cockpit technology is essential. To reverse its sales decline, Porsche could need more aggressive investments in intelligent features to meet this demand.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3003270930489350">article</a> was written by Xu Caiyu for 36Kr.

Porsche ramps up R&D in China to reclaim its edge amid slowing sales

… together investors, universities, industry leaders, and government representatives from across the region. Given Singapore’s market characteristics, we may also invite experts in areas like food security and agritech. Our goal is to foster new dialogues and collaborations that create unique partnerships.
We chose Singapore and Southeast Asia as the host region because of its strategic location. Just as Dubai serves as a global hub, Singapore’s geography makes it convenient for businesses from China, Japan, South Korea, and India. While Southeast Asia is our focus, we’re committed to fostering regional and global connections, making GITEX Asia a pan-Asian platform.
<h3>Q: Can we expect GITEX Asia to have the same depth and breadth as GITEX Global?</h3>
TL: This is GITEX’s mission and our promise in all our events. We have built the world’s largest network of tech startups, investors, and corporations, making GITEX a trusted platform for clients exploring new markets. As we expand into new regions, we stay dedicated to helping our community build unprecedented connections in these markets—a unique offering that other expos don’t provide.
We look forward to everyone’s support in our Asia expansion. We are committed to delivering a remarkable event and look forward to welcoming all attendees.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3016290954241539">article</a> was written by 36Kr Chuhai.

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