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Tag: China

  • Greater China Club Presents ‘A Taste of Guangdong Nostalgic Dining Experience’ at Chinese Dining Room Man Hing

    Greater China Club Presents ‘A Taste of Guangdong Nostalgic Dining Experience’ at Chinese Dining Room Man Hing

    Greater China Club’s classic Chinese dining room Man Hing is presenting ‘A Taste of Guangdong Nostalgic Dining Experience’ from 3 C 22 April 2019. A nostalgic menu of popular Cantonese dishes from the 1960s C 70s is being curated by veteran guest chef brothers Heung Chung-Kin and Heung Chung-Tat, bringing combined experience of over 90 years in classic Guangdong cuisine.

    Both in their 60s, the master chef brothers have a celebrated track record of cooking for Hong Kong’s rich and famous dating back to 1968.

    Elder brother Chef Chung-Kin, 67, helmed Chinese kitchens from The Oceania Restaurant, Furama Hotel and Grand Hyatt in Hong Kong to ANA InterContinental Tokyo, Grand Bay Hotel Zhuhai and Four Seasons Macau before becoming a tycoon’s personal chef.

    Younger brother Chef Chung-Tat, 60, rose to Head Chinese Chef at Great Eagle Hotel, Royal Garden Chinese Restaurant and exclusive Club Vendome at luxury Kowloon development Imperial Cullinan.

    “This vintage menu is a tribute to their vast knowledge of the roots of Guangdong cuisine, with a nostalgic menu recalling beloved Cantonese specialties from a charming era before Hong Kong became a global cosmopolitan powerhouse,” said Eric Ting, Founder and CEO of Bird Kingdom Group, managing company of Greater China Club.

    Guests can embark on a classic culinary journey back in time in the presentation of over 70 exquisite Guangdong favourites, from appetisers and soups to main courses, desserts and dim sum C many that once graced celebratory banquets but are rarely served today, requiring lengthy preparation and intricate skills.

    Once-popular starters include Deep-fried Chinese Egg Pudding with Yunnan Ham (HK$158), Crispy Chinese Milk Puddings Served with Sugar (HK$158) and Tossed Pork Intestines with Homemade Sauce (HK$138).

    Among soups, Braised Partridge Soup with Bird’s Nest (HK$188 per person) is a classic favourite combining partridge’s high nutritional value as a source of iron, selenium, vitamin B, potassium and magnesium with bird’s nest nutrients restoring health and helping chronic cases of cough and asthma. Also on the menu is Braised Fish Head Soup with Egg and Barbecued Pork (HK$148 per person); Double-boiled Winter Melon with Conpoy and Chinese Ham (HK$138 per person); and Double-Boiled Vegetarian Shark Fin Soup stuffed in Whole Pigeon (HK$488).

    Traditional main course favourites from the bygone era range from Sautéed Prawns stuffed with Chinese Ham and Bamboo Shoot (HK$288) to banquet classics Signature Crispy Chicken in Traditional Method (HK$588, limited supply daily), Sautéed Pork Stomach with Olive Kernel and Bell Pepper (HK$298, limited supply daily) C a classic test of slicing technique selecting most tender sections of eight stomachs per dish.

    Braised Pomelo Peel with Shrimp Roes (HK$188) has a uniquely soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture; and rare Braised Dried Giant Garoupa Skin with Thick Sliced Abalone in Oyster Sauce (HK$488, limited supply daily) is a tradition from Manchu Han imperial feasts, cooked with precious dried giant garoupa skin from Malaysia that costs over HK$50,000 per 9kg.

    1960s and 70s specialties extend to Sautéed Soft Shell Turtle Skin with Green Bell Pepper and Celery (HK$368); Deep-fried Caul Fat Rolls Stuffed with Shredded Pork and Eel (HK$188); Steamed Fresh Crab Claw in Superior Soup (HK$288, limited supply daily); Pan fried Shrimp Toast in Traditional Style (HK$288) and Braised Vegetarian Pockets Stuffed with Mushrooms and Vegetables (HK$168).

    Main dishes extend to Sliced Noodles with Crabmeat in Superior Soup (HK$88 per person), a Guangdong classic using deep-fried diamond shaped wonton wrappers; Fried Rice Noodles with Pork Liver, Barbecue Pork, Pork Stomach, Fish Maw and Chicken Kidney (HK$188); and Egg Noodles with Shrimps, Sliced Pork, Fish Maw, Squid and Barbecued Pork in Soup(HK$188).

    Among classic Guangdong dim sum are Steamed Buns Stuffed with Chicken, Black Mushrooms, Barbecued Pork, Shrimps and Salty Egg York (HK$68); Steamed Seafood Dumpling Stuffed with Superior Soup (HK$88 per person); Steamed Shrimp Dumplings with Chinese Celery (HK$68) or Steamed Shrimp Dumplings with Bamboo Shoot (HK$66); and the street-food staple, Pork Lard Buns in Traditional Style (HK$58).

    Completing the traditional menu are beloved retro desserts C from Cantonese Sponge Cake (HK$48) and Red Bean Rice Flour Pudding (HK$48) to Baked Egg Custard Pudding with Sago and Lotus Paste (HK$48).

    Greater China Club’s ‘Classic Guangdong Nostalgic Dining Experience’ continues a tradition of inviting guest chefs to showcase novel, authentic and exquisite regional Chinese cuisine, following previous presentations by star chefs from Beijing, Hangzhou and Chaozhou.

    Greater China Club is located at Unit A, 10/F, D2 Place One, 9 Cheung Yee Street, Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong. It opens from Monday to Thursday, Sunday and Public Holidays, 12:00 noon to 12:00 midnight and Friday and Saturday, 12:00 noon to 1:00 am.

    Greater China Club offers Corporate and Individual memberships entitling members to exclusive offers at the Club’s dining outlets, waived service charges and exclusive benefits.  Priced HK$18,888 for corporate membership with 3 nominees and exclusive benefits, including 10% discount on food consumption at Umai and Rustico, 3 bottles of Champagne (HK$1,080 each), HK$15,000 cash vouchers which can be used at all restaurants under Bird Kingdom Group; and HK$6,888 for individual members with exclusive benefits, including 10% discount on food consumption at Umai and Rustico, 1 bottle of Champagne (HK$1,080), HK$5,500 cash voucher can be used at all restaurants under Bird Kingdom Group, while monthly membership fees (which can be used for spending in the Club) are HK$600 and HK$300, respectively.

    Members enjoy special benefits, but the Club is also open to guests and tourists at D2 Place, a revitalised industrial building now buzzing with eclectic bars and restaurants, named after its MTR exit at Lai Chi Kok.

  • Fung and JD launch Hong Kong’s first AI checkout

    Fung and JD launch Hong Kong’s first AI checkout

    JD has partnered with Fung Retailing Group to unveil Hong Kong’s first AI checkout solution in a retail store environment.

    The AI-powered checkout technology is a result of a strategic deal between the firms signed last year. It represents the first AI checkout experience featuring image recognition technology in the territory. This technology is currently installed at the AI Retailing Zone in two Circle K stores in Hong Kong.

    Designed to make the checkout experience as easy and hassle-free as possible, customers can complete checkout using the AI-powered solution in just four seconds with three simple steps, including placing the products on the counter, scanning, and paying via Octopus card.

    The advanced AI algorithm enables the checkout counter to recognise up to five products within one second with an accuracy rate of more than 97 per cent, reducing the overall checkout time by 30 per cent.

    “This is an important milestone for Fung Retailing as the first in the industry to unveil the first AI-powered checkout pilot experience in a convenience store environment,” said group MD Sabrina Fung.

    “This underscores our ongoing commitment to experiment with new technologies like AI and to build partnerships like the one with JD to enhance the end-customer experience, further transforming the future of retail for Greater China.”

    “AI will continue to play a critical role in transforming the retail landscape,” said JD VP Dr Bowen Zhou.

    “Retailers who are able to capitalise on this trend, will have a competitive edge among their peers. Leveraging Fung Retailing’s offline retail expertise and JD’s leading retail technology, this pilot project represents a critical first step in collectively realising our vision for smarter and more convenient retail.”

  • Barclaycard partners with Alipay to help UK merchants increase sales from booming Chinese tourism

    Barclaycard partners with Alipay to help UK merchants increase sales from booming Chinese tourism

    Barclaycard, which processes nearly half of the UK’s credit and debit card transactions, today announced a new agreement with Alipay, the world’s leading payment and lifestyle platform, which will allow retailers to accept Alipay transactions in stores across the UK.

    Building on a successful pilot over the past two years, the new agreement will enable UK retailers to take full advantage of the growing volume and buying power of Chinese visitors. In addition to the UK’s 393,000 Chinese residents and 95,000 Chinese students, tourists from China represent an increasingly important customer segment for retailers. VisitBritain is expecting 483,000 visits from China in 2019, up 43 per cent on 2017, with Chinese visitors expected to spend more than £1 billion this year, up 50 per cent, moving it well into the UK’s top 10 tourism market. The increase in market size is also demonstrated by the fact that the number of Alipay users in the UK has doubled in the last year.

    By accepting Alipay, the world’s most-used app in 2018 outside of social apps according to App Anni, retailers will be able to capitalise on the growing appetite of Chinese tourists to use mobile payments over cash while abroad. According to a 2018 survey conducted by Nielsen, the vast majority (93 per cent) of Chinese tourists said they would likely spend more in a store that accepted mobile payments. In addition, among the merchants surveyed that had adopted Alipay, nearly 60 per cent said that they had clearly seen growth in both foot traffic and revenue[5].

    The new agreement will enable UK retailers to accept in-store Alipay payments without replacing their existing point-of-sale system, allowing them to take advantage of the boom in Chinese tourism without disrupting their existing customer experience[6]. Retailers will also benefit from being at the fingertips of hundreds of millions of highly-engaged Alipay users, who will be able to search for outlets near their location to find out details such as opening hours, directions, and whether there are any discounts available.

    Alipay serves over one billion users worldwide together with local e-wallet partners, and this new agreement offers its Chinese users travelling in the UK the familiar mobile payment and lifestyle experience they enjoy at home, as well as Alipay’s competitive foreign exchange rate.

    Feedback from retailers has been incredibly positive; Barclaycard is already in discussions with around 70 clients interested in becoming early adopters.

    Rob Cameron, CEO, Global Head of Payment Acceptance at Barclaycard, said:

    “Thanks to the significant investments we’ve made in our platform, our clients have access to a growing range of payment types, each of which can help them increase market share by meeting the needs of new customers.

    “Our new agreement with Alipay gives retailers a vital tool to help them seize the revenue opportunity posed by the growth of Chinese visitors to the UK. At the same time, Alipay users will benefit from a more convenient and familiar in-store payments process – enhancing their overall shopping experience.”

    Roland Palmer, Head of Europe, Middle East and Africa at Alipay, said:

    “Alipay is excited to announce that it will be working with Barclaycard to provide visitors from China with the mobile payment experience that they are already familiar with. Through this strategic partnership, Alipay will now be able to offer many more UK merchants the opportunity to connect and engage with a growing number of Chinese visitors. This is another step forwards in our vision to offer Chinese tourists a seamless travel and payment experience when travelling overseas.”

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  • Le Saunda sales plunge with 30 per cent

    Le Saunda sales plunge with 30 per cent

    Le Saunda sales plunged 30 per cent in the fourth quarter as the embattled shoe retailer struggles to attract customers.

    According to a stock exchange filing, sales at Le Saunda’s self-owned stores fell by 29.9 per cent in the quarter, with same-store sales declining 17.4 per cent.

    That followed a cull of 161 stores over 12 months across Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.

    Sales by the group’s e-commerce business fell by 4.1 per cent, compared with the same period last year.

    Le Saunda has 526 stores remaining across its three markets, with 464 of them self-owned and 62 franchised on the mainland.

    The company said it expects the group to record a net loss attributable to shareholders for the 2018-19 financial year, primarily attributable to the decrease in sales, and a declining gross profit margin. Le Saunda did not give an estimate for the loss.

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  • Meituan Dianping nearly doubled revenue

    Meituan Dianping nearly doubled revenue

    China’s Meituan Dianping, the world’s largest food-delivery service, nearly doubled its revenue last year, but the tech startup is still bleeding cash.

    In the second set of results since its high-profile IPO, Meituan Dianping reported total revenues of RMB65 billion (US$9.68 billion), up 92.3 per cent on its 2017 result. Gross profit rose to RMB15.1 billion ($2.25 billion), but its adjusted net loss blew out to RMB8.5 billion ($1.27 billion).

    In its results statement, the company said strong revenue growth was achieved across all major business segments and its food-delivery business and in-store, hotel and travel segments on a combined basis generated positive adjusted operating profit.

    Total gross transaction volume grew by 44.3 per cent to RMB515.6 billion and the number of annual transacting users rose from 309 million to 400.4 million last year.

    The losses have been incurred by new services including ride-hailing and bike sharing.

    During the last year, Meituan Dianping has been boosting its customer base by targeting internet users who have not previously used food-delivery services from an online platform. It also launched a rewards program to maintain customer loyalty and incentivise user referrals through social media platforms.

    “In addition, through creating more diversified service categories, consumption scenarios and upgrading marketing programs, we increased users’ transaction frequency and further boosted transaction volume growth,” the company said in a results filing.

    “We continued to expand the service categories on our platform to include breakfasts, afternoon tea and midnight snacks. Delivery volume of fast food, snacks, desserts and drinks achieved strong growth during last year.”

  • NBA to Focus on Market Growth in Southeast and Asia-Pacific Regions

    NBA to Focus on Market Growth in Southeast and Asia-Pacific Regions

    NBA basketball is undoubtedly one of the most popular sporting leagues in the world, with fans everywhere. The league’s second-biggest market after the U.S. surprisingly isn’t Canada or even anywhere in Europe. It is, in fact, China. The NBA’s social media following in China is in the hundreds of millions, with large companies like Tencent distributing over 600 NBA games each year on its proprietary digital platforms. As of last year, the market for NBA China was worth a staggering $4 billion. Now, the average NBA team is worth triple what it was only five years ago, and this is primarily due to the league’s smart moves in international expansion over the past few years.

    Caption: Basketball’s popularity has expanded worldwide, and the NBA has made smart moves to capitalize on this interest.

    In recognizing how popular the game is and lucrative the international market can be, NBA bosses now look to expand viewership further afield, focusing their growth efforts specifically on the Southeast and Asia-Pacific regions. In an interview with CNBC, NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum pointed to the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Japan as the next big markets for the NBA to penetrate. Tatum reported that currently, “we have got greater distribution in this region than we ever had before.” He also claimed that of the 1.5 billion NBA social media followers, “half of that traffic comes from outside the United States, and a large portion of that comes from Asia.” In the Philippines, for example, the game already enjoys large popularity, with a reported 75 percent of homes having watched an NBA game in this season alone. The league has also opened stores across the country with the aim of generating merchandising revenue and catering to existing interest in the game.

    In their efforts to further growth and viewership across Asia, they now have an exclusive distribution deal worth $225 million with Rakuten in Japan and have over 25 different media partners to distribute games throughout the Southeast and Asia-Pacific regions. That means everyone can watch, enjoy and debate the odds of their favorite teams winning games.

    Youth Engagement Programs


    Caption: The NBA seeks to increase youth engagement in basketball all over the world.

    A key part of this market growth is to get people playing basketball, specifically by developing international youth engagement in the sport. The NBA has developed a strong outreach program called Jr. NBA, which seeks to get kids playing basketball. In the CNBC interview, Tatum said the program had already reached over five million kids and had the ambitious goal of reaching another 15 million by the end of next year. Also, in 2016, they opened NBA academies aimed at training international youth talent. As it stands, they now have academies in China, Australia, Senegal, Mexico and Australia. Not surprisingly, China is the only one of these countries to have more than one academy, with the league introducing trials of the program and opening its first three academies in Shandon, Xinjiang and Zhejiang. These outreach programs are no doubt effective as China reportedly has over 300 million people playing basketball on a regular basis.

    Player Development

    International expansion is no doubt a lucrative business for the NBA. However, along with the Jr. NBA program, it also has the benefit of being a strong source of player development. As the game gets more popular, and more people grow up playing and developing their skills at basketball, the league ensures it will not be short of top talent and recruitment options in the future. Currently, the league enjoys its largest-ever international player-ship, with a record 62 international players competing professionally, hailing from 33 countries.

    The expansion in Asia also has a remarkable effect on the values of domestic teams, with a record 15 league teams out of the total 30 hosting pregame Chinese New Year celebrations this year. Houston, the former club of Chinese basketball legend Yao Ming, as well as the Golden State Warriors went a step further in their outreach to Chinese fans by wearing new uniforms inspired by Chinese culture and decorated with Chinese symbols.


    Caption: Chinese basketball legend Yao Ming.

    The expansive efforts taken by the NBA in international outreach programs, and increasing international viewership, are lucrative business moves for the league. However, they also have the benefit of increasing youth interest and engagement in the rigorous sporting activity, keeping our youth healthier and more active. In addition, if the expansion efforts can help talented young players follow their dreams to some-day play professionally in the biggest basketball league in the world, then it’s all good news.

     

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  • Tiger Sugar to open first Korea store next month

    Tiger Sugar to open first Korea store next month

    Bubble milk tea brand Tiger Sugar Korea will open first branch in Hongdae, a bustling university town of Seoul.

    Located at a popular hang-out area for young people, the Hongdae store will offer the same taste as that in Taiwan and use premium ingredients to “become the hottest dessert drink this year”.

    In order to do that, Tiger Sugar Korea will be competing with another original Taiwanese chain Gong Cha, which is now popular among locals.

    First opened in Taiwan in 2017, Tiger Sugar is known for drinks with dark-brown sugar syrup inside. The chain now has branches in eight countries including Hong Kong, Singapore, and Korea.

    It also plans to open stores in the US and China.

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  • Alibaba Group sales down this month

    Alibaba Group sales down this month

    Alibaba Group sales soared 41 per cent in the December quarter as its customer based neared 700 million.

    The Chinese company’s turnover for the three months reached US$17.057 billion and its net income attributable to shareholders $4.807 billion.

    “Our resilient operating and financial performance is a direct reflection of our persistent focus on better serving our growing base of nearly 700 million consumers across retail, digital entertainment and local consumer services,” said CEO Daniel Zhang. “Our growth is also driven by the power of Alibaba’s cloud and data technology that helps expedite the digital transformation of millions of enterprises.”

    Alibaba group sales from core commerce increased 40 per cent to $14.958 billion, while the cloud-computing division posted 84 per cent growth, turning over $962 million. The digital media and entertainment division achieved 20 per cent growth to reach $944 million.

    In a statement, Alibaba said its Taobao platform achieved “robust user growth and enhanced engagement”. Last December, its China retail marketplaces had 699 million mobile monthly average users, representing a quarterly net increase of 33 million. The annual active consumers on its China retail marketplaces was 636 million for the 12 months ended December 31, compared to 601 million for the 12 months ended September 30 last year, “reflecting successful user acquisition programs, such as referrals through the Alipay app”.

    More than 70 per cent of the increase in annual active consumers was from third-and-lower tier cities.

    Tmall thrives

    Alibaba said GMV on its Tmall business grew 29 per cent year on year in the December quarter, outpacing the industry.

    “This robust growth was driven by strength in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), apparel and home furnishing categories,” the company said.

    During the quarter, Tmall signed up new brands to the platform including Valentino, Ermenegildo Zegna, Stuart Weitzman and Sergio Rossi which opened flagship stores and joined the Tmall Luxury Pavilion.

    Meanwhile, Alibaba’s proprietary grocery retail chain Freshippo (formerly Hema) continued to expand its footprint, “optimise its stores and introduce new initiatives that improve customer experience”. As of December 31, there were 109 self-operated Freshippo stores in China, primarily located in tier 1 and tier 2 cities, which continued to achieve “robust same-store sales growth” through the quarter.

    ‘Robust’ Lazada growth

    Alibaba’s Southeast Asian e-commerce platform Lazada achieved what the company described as “robust growth” in GMV. The company upgraded Lazada’s technology, which resulted in boosting the number of active users and achieved greater user engagement on Lazada’s mobile app.

    “We continue to invest resources to integrate Lazada’s business and technology operations into Alibaba with the aim of building a strong foundation for us to extend our offerings in Southeast Asia.”

  • YJY Maike Opens New Centre Flagship

    YJY Maike Opens New Centre Flagship

    The city of Xi’an was once known as Chang’an the seat of several important dynasties in ancient China; today, it is home to the Xi’an Hi-tech Industries Development Zone, a leading center of technological development. This project involved the design of the YJY Maike Centre Flagship (Store), a bookstore and commercial complex occupying 4,500 m2 on the first and second floors of an elegant building in the Development Zone. The goal of the design was to create a place for encounters between people, cultures, and books from around the world by building on three remarkable features of the site: its location in an ancient city that boasts the extraordinary World Heritage Terracotta Army as well as the origin of the Silk Road; its luxurious surroundings, including a Grand Hyatt on the upper floors; and the elegant lines of the twin building.

    The overall concept for the project was “Library & Gallery.” Libraries are spaces for learning and valuing independent time, while galleries serve as intellectual spaces for displaying culture. The design blends elements of both and also incorporates features of palace architecture in order to encourage visitors and the store to collaboratively exchange and develop creative ideas. The layout resembles a Japanese or Chinese palace in its human scale and arrangement of interlinked rooms, while also evoking the universal concept of a house through its expression of the intimate connections between people, books, and the space itself.

    Books play an integral role in the design of the first floor, with a 10-meter-high bookshelf just inside the entryway viscerally conveying the store’s identity the instant visitors step inside. The area around the open spiral staircase functions like a courtyard, with a bright floor and mirrors on the ceiling to distinguish it from other areas. The void above the staircase is illuminated by lights that resemble fluttering sheets of paper, while the stage at its base features an inlaid stone map of Xi’an and its surroundings, offering a gorgeous space for events.

    The second floor does double duty as a hotel lounge, with a counter bar where office workers can socialize. On the 50-meter-long “Book Street,” a low ceiling, dark colors for the floor and ceiling, and display boxes set in bookshelves come together to create a subdued gallery-like atmosphere. The distinctive artwork incorporated throughout the store is all original, commissioned to reflect themes appropriate to the location. The overall effect is a tasteful, classic environment that reflects China’s long and proud history, where visitors can relax, unwind, learn, think, enjoy life, and embark on a creative journey that transcends space and time.

     

     

     

  • China Telecom chief moves to China Mobile

    China Telecom chief moves to China Mobile

    China Telecom announced that Yang Jie (pictured) has resigned from his role as chairman of parent company China Telecom Corporation, and has been re-designated as chairman of China Mobile Communications Group.

    Yang has also resigned from his positions as executive director, chairman and CEO of Hong Kong-listed China Telecom Limited, due to the change in work arrangement, according to a company announcement released last week [pdf].

    He replaces Shang Bing, who is stepping down as chairman of China Mobile upon reaching retirement age.

    Shang, a former vice minister of the telecom watchdog, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), was appointed the chairman of China Mobile in September 2015 when the Beijing government reshuffled the heads of the country’s three state-owned telecom carriers.

    In a statement, China Mobile acknowledged Shang’s outstanding contributions to the company with “the highest regard and deepest gratitude”.

    The changes take effect on March 4, 2019.

    Yang was chairman and CEO of China Telecom since May 2016 and previously served as the company’s president and COO. China Telecom hasn’t yet made any announcement on Yang’s replacement at the company.

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  • Huawei takes US government to court

    Huawei takes US government to court

    Huawei lost its trade mark reticence when it announced yesterday that it is suing the US government for banning federal agencies from buying its products.

    The complaint filed in a U.S. federal court challenges the constitutionality of Section 889 of the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Through this action, Huawei seeks a declaratory judgment that the restrictions targeting Huawei are unconstitutional, and a permanent injunction against these restrictions.

    From Huawei’s perspective, the NDAA restrictions prevent the company from providing more advanced 5G technologies to U.S. consumers, which will delay the commercial application of 5G, in turn, impeding efforts to improve the performance of 5G networks in the U.S.

    “The U.S. Congress has repeatedly failed to produce any evidence to support its restrictions on Huawei products. We are compelled to take this legal action as a proper and last resort,” Guo Ping, Huawei rotating chairman said in a press conference held yesterday at company’s Shenzhen campus.

    “This ban not only is unlawful, but also restricts Huawei from engaging in fair competition, ultimately harming U.S. consumers,” he said.

    The lawsuit was filed in a U.S. District Court in Plano, Texas. According to the complaint, Section 889 of the 2019 NDAA not only bars all U.S. Government agencies from buying Huawei equipment and services, but also bars them from contracting with or awarding grants or loans to third parties who buy Huawei equipment or services, without any executive or judicial process.

    The Chinese telecoms and IT equipment vender claims this violates the Bill of Attainder Clause and the Due Process Clause. The Huawei lawsuit also claims the violation of the Separation-of-Powers principles enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, because Congress is both making the law, and attempting to adjudicate and execute it.

    “Section 889 is based on numerous false, unproven, and untested propositions,’ said Song Liuping, Huawei’s chief legal officer.” Contrary to the statute’s premise, Huawei is not owned, controlled, or influenced by the Chinese government.”

    He added: “Moreover, Huawei has an excellent security record and program. No contrary evidence has been offered.”

    Citing industry sources, Huawei claims that allowing them to compete would reduce the cost of wireless infrastructure by between 15% and 40%. This would save North America at least US$20 billion over the next four years.

    “If this law is set aside, as it should be, Huawei can bring more advanced technologies to the United States and help it build the best 5G networks,” Guo Ping said. “Huawei is willing to address the U.S. Government’s security concerns. Lifting the NDAA ban will give the U.S. Government the flexibility it needs to work with Huawei and solve real security issues.”

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  • KFC China opens tribute to Lei Feng

    KFC China opens tribute to Lei Feng

    KFC China has held a promotion honouring Communist Lei Feng. The “Lei Feng Spirit” promotion was first launched in the legendary young soldier’s home province of Hunan on the national holiday dedicated to his memory. The figure of Lei Feng has been considered an inspiration to the Chinese people since he was first held up as a figurative icon of the communist movement by leader chairman Mao Zedong.

    KFC China is celebrating “the Lei Feng spirit in its over 250 outlets in the province and encouraging its staff to learn from the role model,” according to local news outlet Xinhua.

    KFC’s operator Yum China has also opened a 27,000sqft innovation centre in downtown Shanghai. The integrated R&D facility is designed to generate new ideas and concepts and enable the rapid roll out of localised and innovative products.

    The centre features a test kitchen, a sensory test area, as well as a suite of labs covering quality assurance, equipment and restaurant technology testing, packaging innovation, new store model prototypes, and content production.

    “The establishment of the Innovation Centre is testament to our commitment and vision to become the world’s most innovative pioneer in the restaurant industry,” said Yum China CEO Joey Wat.

    “Through creating an integrated hub, we look forward to continuing to explore innovative ways to drive growth, deliver value, and enhance every aspect of the customer experience.”

  • Smartwatches to dominate eSIM adoption in China

    Smartwatches to dominate eSIM adoption in China

    A new joint report by GSMA and Telecommunication Terminal Industry Forum Association (TAF) titled “eSIM in China: the road ahead” suggests that smartwatches, not smartphones, will dominate the eSIM market in China.

    The report acknowledged that eSIM smartwatches still account for a small percentage of total smartwatch ownership but hold hope that this is likely to increase in the future. To drive adoption, Chinese operators are allowing consumers to use their smartwatches as secondary devices with one mobile subscription.

    For now, Chinese phone manufacturers are not formally adopting eSIM technology for devices targeted for the China market. This is because the transition will require appropriate regulation and new manufacturing, logistical and supply chain processes. Globally, over fifty mobile operators already support eSIM functionality in smartphones.

    “In China and around the world, the huge adoption of eSIM technologies has been underpinned by the GSMA’s common and interoperable specification that is reducing fragmentation and delivering a consistent consumer experience,” GSMA CTO Alex Sinclair said.

    “From consumer electronics to automotive we are seeing a diverse array of products hitting the market utilizing the benefits of connectivity and bringing consumers choice.”

    Smartwatches not smartphones

    “China has a unique mobile market, both in terms of size and revenue growth and leadership in mobile developments and tech innovation has reached unprecedented levels. China is increasingly demonstrating its technological innovation and is emerging as a leading global market to test and implement new technologies,” said Xie Yi, Chairman of TAF.

    “Promoting the steady development of eSIM in China will help support developments in both the consumer and industrial markets. Based on the premise of national conditions, TAF has been committed to all parties in the joint industrial chain and cooperation with the GSMA, to make the best efforts to this end,” Xie added.

    The GSMA-TAF report highlights industry-wide collaboration in driving eSIM developments in China involving operators, government and regulatory bodies. China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom are all developing eSIM solutions and have launched cellular M2M and IoT eSIM platforms. The Chinese eSIM market is still in an early phase of development in which some proprietary solutions coexist with GSMA specifications. However, it is anticipated that there will be a transitional period as the market matures before it settles on the GSMA specification.

    Regulation as driver

    The report highlights efforts by China to set a favorable regulatory framework for eSIM deployments. These include streamlining procedures and setting clear, unified rules on eSIM requirements for consumer and industrial devices, credentials management, designation of root certificate issuing and security and cross-border interoperability – all important to accelerating the deployment of eSIM technology and its market adoption.

    The report also recommends that the government should facilitate trials of eSIM services, particularly in the nascent industrial IoT to promote an open eSIM ecosystem.

    Early adopters of eSIM

    To date over 90 mobile industry players are supporting the GSMA’s specifications for Remote SIM Provisioning of consumer devices around the world. All are aligned behind a single, defacto approach avoiding industry fragmentation and interoperability issues, driving global developments and allowing consumer choice.

    Devices to come eSIM capable include tablets, laptops, notebooks and smartphones. The automotive industry is also at the forefront of eSIM deployments and built-in connectivity is also now a specific requirement in Europe following the European Emergency Call (eCall) initiative.

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  • Mulberry Launches on Alibaba Group’s Tmall Luxury Pavilion

    Mulberry Launches on Alibaba Group’s Tmall Luxury Pavilion

    British luxury brand Mulberry is excited to announce the launch of its brand f lagship on Tmall’s Luxury Pavilion – Alibaba Group’s dedicated platform for premium brands. This launch is an important step in Mulberry’s strategy to develop the brand presence in China, providing access to a substantial local customer base through the world’s second largest online retailer.

    Following the creation of new owned subsidiaries in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and Korea during the last two years, Mulberry is now focusing on developing its omni-channel and digital distribution in the region.

    Launched in 2017, the Tmall Luxury Pavilion creates a new type of e-commerce which looks to replicate the same feeling of brand exclusivity and personalised shopping experience that luxury consumers have become accustomed to having when shopping in physical stores.

    The Mulberry Tmall f lagship store features a wide selection of the brand’s iconic leather goods, luggage, soft accessories, footwear and jewellery.

    The official launch week coincided with Lunar New Year and saw Mulberry offer an exclusive Year of the Pig capsule collection through the Tmall Luxury Pavilion. The range featured some of the brand’s most popular bag silhouettes rendered in Scarlet Croc Print leather and accessorised with a bespoke bag scarf designed by Chinese artist Li Rui.

    “Launching the Mulberry flagship on Tmall’s Luxury Pavilion is an important step in growing our Chinese customer base and further developing the brand in key international markets.”- Thierry Andretta, Mulberry CEO.

    We are really excited to have an iconic British brand like Mulberry joining the Luxury Pavilion stable,” said Jessica Liu, president of Tmall Fashion and Luxury. “Since its launch in 2017, Luxury Pavilion has been committed to provide consumers in China with the finest and curated selection of premium products from the best luxury brands in the world, designing at the same time a unique

    and immersive shopping experience for them. Our partnership with Mulberry represents an important enrichment of our offering and we look forward to working with them while they expand in China”.

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  • China’s baby-care market sees boost

    China’s baby-care market sees boost

    China’s baby-care market achieved total sales of RMB9.617 billion (US$1.4 billion) last year, reflecting rapid growth, according to new research from Mintel. Between 2013 and last year, the market recorded a CAGR of 19 per cent thanks to the relaxation of the one-child policy and a consumer trend towards premiumisation in the country.

    Baby skincare is the largest segment of China’s baby-care market, accounting for 60 per cent. The baby-bath and soap segment comes in second, at 31 per cent, followed by the baby-hair products segment which accounts for roughly 10 per cent.

    “China’s baby-care market grew at a considerable rate in recent years and will see sustained growth in the next five years,” said Vicky Zhou, research analyst at Mintel China.

    “Although the current slower birth rate will affect the market, increased spending on each child and higher usage frequency should make up for the market’s growth.”

    Usage

    Insect repellents for babies was the fastest-growing sector last year, with as many as 47 per cent of Chinese consumers aged 20-39 with children aged up to three years old saying they have used baby insect repellents more often during the last year.

    Meanwhile, nearly half of Chinese consumers say that they have been using baby shower gels and baby body lotions or creams more often in the past year, rounding up the top three products with the highest change in usage frequency among Chinese consumers.

    Baby suncare also has recorded the least increase in usage frequency with only 15 per cent of Chinese consumers having used this more often in the past year, and more than 65 per cent have not used baby sun-care products.

    Skin is always a priority among Chinese parents. ‘Solve skin problems’ (71 per cent) and ‘contain ingredients that can benefit skin’ (68 per cent) are the top two attributes that parents are willing to pay a premium for when purchasing baby-care products.

    Problems

    Just over a third (34 per cent) of Chinese consumers say their biggest concern when choosing products is not knowing if it is suitable for their babies, while 32 per cent say they are afraid to try products they have not used before.

    Furthermore, 29 per cent say they do not know the ingredients used in the products, and lack understanding of the advantages of one brand versus another.

    “Parents are interested in and willing to pay a premium for baby-care products with premium claims, specifically products that can solve skin problems or contain ingredients that can bring benefits to their babies’ skin,” Zhou concluded.

    China’s baby-care market is expected to see sustained growth during the next five years, with total sales set to grow at a CAGR of 14.5 per cent, reaching RMB18.888 billion in 2023.

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