China Internet Watch https://www.chinainternetwatch.com China Internet Stats, Trends, Insights Sat, 13 Jul 2024 08:26:11 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/wp-content/uploads/cropped-ciw-logo-2019-v1b-80x80.png China Internet Watch https://www.chinainternetwatch.com 32 32 China’s AI Industry Reaches New Heights with $521 Billion in Total Funding https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/47200/waic-insights-2024/ Tue, 16 Jul 2024 06:24:00 +0000 https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/?p=47200 At the recently concluded World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2024, significant insights and forecasts for the AI industry were revealed. Among the highlights was the substantial growth in China’s AI sector, with total funding reaching 3776.2 billion RMB (about US$521 billion). The conference underscored China’s pivotal role in the global AI landscape, featuring prominent predictions from industry leaders about the future of AI.

Key Developments in China’s AI Industry

According to the “2024 World Artificial Intelligence Legal Blue Book” released at the conference, China’s core AI industry reached a scale of 578.4 billion RMB in 2023, a year-on-year growth of 13.9% according to TMT Post.

Despite a decrease in the number of investment and financing events by 18.2% compared to 2022, the total financing amount surged by 51%, totaling 263.1 billion RMB.

China’s AI industry has seen a significant number of investments, primarily from industrial investors such as Qiming Venture Partners, Sequoia Capital, Shunwei Capital, Alibaba, Tencent, and Baidu.

As of December 14, 2023, the Chinese AI industry recorded 10,110 investment events with a total financing amount of 377.62 billion RMB. The primary investment areas include enterprise services, advanced manufacturing, and automotive transportation.

Global AI Landscape

Globally, there are approximately 30,000 AI enterprises, with the US accounting for 34% and China 15%, totaling over 4,500 companies in China. The period from 2023 to the first quarter of 2024 saw 234 AI unicorns globally, with the US hosting 120 and China 71.

The report indicates that there are currently 1,328 AI large models worldwide, with the US leading at 44% and China at 36%. This positions China as a significant player in the AI domain, with a robust development trajectory.

Expert Insights and Predictions

At the WAIC 2024, several experts provided their insights into the future of AI.

Tao Mei, a foreign academician of the Canadian Academy of Engineering and founder and CEO of Zhixiang Future, emphasized the rapid growth of the AI industry.

Mei predicted that generative AI would contribute to a 14% increase in global GDP, with 74% of the world’s economic output being impacted by AI technology. He also forecasted that 26% of China’s GDP growth would be related to generative AI.

Mei likened generative AI to fundamental infrastructure like water and electricity, suggesting that it will revolutionize human-computer interaction and various sectors, including AIGC and the metaverse.

The Emergence of AI Super Apps

Li Xuexia, co-founder and CEO of Wu Wenxin, described AI large models as “super models” and AI-native applications as “super apps.”

The discussion at the conference highlighted the growing anticipation for AI super apps akin to WeChat, TikTok, and Toutiao. However, industry leaders urged patience, noting that the development of such applications involves multiple factors beyond just technological advancements.

Zhang Peng, CEO of Zhipu AI, emphasized the importance of taking action rather than merely anticipating the arrival of super apps. He pointed out that the maturity of technology, market readiness, and demand discovery are all crucial elements in the emergence of these applications.

Jun Jie, founder and CEO of MiniMax, projected that it would take at least three years for AI super apps to become mainstream, underscoring the need for a step-by-step approach to achieving this goal.

The Future of Generative AI

Zhou Zhifeng, managing partner at Qiming Venture Partners, shared his expectations for the future of generative AI at the forum. He predicted that within three years, AI video generation technology would see widespread adoption, transforming industries such as film, animation, and short videos.

Other key forecasts included:

  • The gradual fusion of GPT and diffusion models, unlocking new capabilities.
  • Significant improvements in high-quality data acquisition and organization, with synthetic data playing a larger role in pre-training.
  • Advances in multi-agent technology enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of generative AI.
  • The emergence of unified continuous representation of images and text, leading to more powerful multi-modal models.
  • A five-fold increase in the compression rate of image and video latent space representation, accelerating generation speed.
  • The rise of super multi-modal large models incorporating diverse modalities like text, images, voice, music, 3D, and sensor data.
  • A reduction in the cost of commanding machines to complete complex tasks, driven by AI’s ability to bridge human and machine languages.
  • Significant growth in edge-side inference, propelled by advances in inference optimization algorithms, edge-side inference chips, and large models.

Zhou concluded by emphasizing the transformative potential of AI in various industries, advocating for patience as the world anticipates the advent of AI super apps.

Conclusion

China’s AI industry is on a trajectory of significant growth and innovation. With substantial funding and strategic investments, the sector is poised to make transformative impacts across various fields.

As experts predict the emergence of AI super apps and advancements in generative AI, the global AI landscape will continue to evolve, driven by technological breakthroughs and strategic foresight. The future of AI promises to be a dynamic and integral part of economic and technological development.

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What’s different in 618 Shopping Festival 2024? https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/47074/whats-different-in-618-shopping-festival-2024/ Mon, 01 Jul 2024 05:58:03 +0000 https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/?p=47074 In an aggressive move to streamline operations and enhance consumer experience, China’s leading e-commerce platforms, including Alibaba’s Tmall, Taobao, and JD.com, have significantly revamped their strategies for the 2024 618 Shopping Festival.

This mid-year retail bonanza, initially started by JD.com, has evolved into a crucial battleground for e-commerce dominance.

Strategic Overhaul: Eliminating Pre-Sales

For the first time, both Alibaba and JD.com have abolished the pre-sale mechanisms that have been a staple of past 618 festivals.

The pre-sale model, while beneficial for brands in securing early sales, often led to consumer frustration due to complicated purchasing processes and prolonged delivery times.

The cancellation aims to simplify the shopping experience and enhance satisfaction by emphasizing immediate availability and competitive pricing.

Content-Driven Commerce and Live Streaming

In a bid to capture consumer attention and drive sales, platforms are heavily investing in content-driven commerce in recent years.

Livestreaming has emerged as a pivotal tool, with platforms like Taobao Live and JD Live featuring high-profile celebrities and influencers to attract millions of viewers.

This strategy is bolstered by the success of Douyin (TikTok) and Kuaishou, which have integrated more robust e-commerce functionalities to leverage their vast user bases.

Broad Product Range and Competitive Pricing

This year’s 618 festival has seen a surge in sales across diverse categories, from electronics to beauty products and new energy vehicles (NEVs).

For instance, Xiaomi reported 1 billion yuan in sales within the first 13 minutes of the event, underscoring the high demand for tech products.

Concurrently, JD.com and Taobao have introduced aggressive pricing strategies to lure price-sensitive consumers, including substantial discounts and subsidy programs aimed at undercutting rivals like Pinduoduo.

Enhanced Customer Service Initiatives

Improving customer service has been a focal point for these platforms. JD.com has rolled out services such as “Free At-Home Return” and expanded support for large-item returns, aiming to streamline the shopping experience.

Both JD.com and Taobao have also refined their policies on delayed shipments and customer service responsiveness, ensuring a smoother and more satisfying shopping experience for users.

Integration of Online and Offline Channels

The integration of online and offline shopping experiences is another notable trend. Platforms like Meituan and JD.com have expanded their reach to include offline retail, enhancing convenience and immediacy for consumers.

This hybrid approach aims to offer a seamless shopping journey, bridging the gap between digital and physical retail spaces.

618 Shopping Festival in 2024

The perception of the “618” shopping festival among consumers has been gradually declining as e-commerce platforms continuously roll out “billion-dollar subsidies.” This year, major platforms like Tmall and JD.com announced the cancellation of the pre-sale model during “618,” impacting both consumers and merchants.

For consumers, this means quicker access to desired products without the wait. For merchants, the shift to immediate sales is expected to boost the end-market performance in May but may lead to a decline in June.

Different consumer groups also exhibit distinct preferences for purchase channels. “Taste connoisseurs” and “prudent and respectable” consumers tend to purchase products offline, correlating with the distribution of high-end sales channels. The “thrifty and conformist” group values the reliability and low prices of online platforms, while “savvy and independent” users balance both online and offline channels, leveraging their ability to gather information and select optimal purchasing opportunities.

AI-Powered “618” Sales Surge

The growing influence of AI technology has penetrated daily life, with consumer demand for AI smart terminals increasing. During “618,” manufacturers have actively promoted AI terminal products.

Various brands launched new products and participated in platform promotions to meet consumer demand and expand the AI product market. Notable launches included Lenovo’s ThinkPad, Yoga, and Xiaoxin series; ASUS’s new Wuwei series; Huawei’s MateBook X Pro series; and HP’s Star Book, all performing well during “618.”

Xiaomi’s performance during “618” was particularly impressive, with cumulative sales across all channels reaching 26.3 billion yuan, setting a new record. Xiaomi led in mobile phone sales across platforms like JD.com, Tmall, Pinduoduo, Douyin, and Kuaishou, securing top positions in various price segments.

Retail Innovations and Performance Highlights

The “618” festival has also seen significant innovations and performance improvements across the retail sector:

  • JD.com: Reported record transaction volumes and order numbers, with JD Live order volume increasing by over 200% year-over-year. Major brands like P&G, Vivo, Midea, iQOO, Deschmann, Haier, Feihe, Aptamil, Gree, and SK-II were the most popular during JD Live broadcasts.
  • Xiaomi: Achieved outstanding sales across its ecosystem, with strong performance in home appliances and smart devices. Products like Xiaomi TVs, air conditioners, washing machines, and AIoT devices topped sales charts on multiple platforms.
  • Tmall: Simplified shopping mechanics, eliminated pre-sales, enhanced 88VIP member benefits, and offered significant promotions, resulting in over 190,000 small and medium-sized merchants doubling their sales year-over-year.
  • Red (Xiaohongshu): Emerged as a strong contender in the e-commerce space, with live streaming orders increasing 5.4 times compared to the previous year, driven by both buyer and store broadcasts.

The “618” shopping festival of 2024 highlighted significant shifts in consumer behavior and market trends. The integration of online and offline channels, the proliferation of AI-powered products, and innovative sales strategies have driven substantial growth and transformation in the retail sector.

As the market continues to evolve, consumers can look forward to enhanced shopping experiences, while companies can capitalize on new opportunities to stay competitive.

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Chinese e-commerce giants achieved an annual revenue growth rate of 41% https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/47187/top-5-global-e-commerce-giants/ Tue, 25 Jun 2024 06:58:00 +0000 https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/?p=47187

A recent report by the Korea Economic Research Institute (KERI) has unveiled the competitive dynamics in the global e-commerce sector.

The report identifies Amazon (USA), JD.com (China), Alibaba (China), Pinduoduo (China), and Coupang (South Korea) as the top five e-commerce companies by revenue.

Notably, Chinese e-commerce giants JD.com, Alibaba, and Pinduoduo (the parent company of Temu) have achieved an astounding average annual revenue growth rate of 41.0%, securing three spots among the global top five in e-commerce revenue rankings.

KERI's analysis highlights a significant shift in the e-commerce landscape, marked by AliExpress's entry into the South Korean market in 2018. At that time, the global e-commerce market was valued at $2.9 trillion. Within a few short years, the market has nearly doubled in size, reaching a staggering $5.8 trillion, driven by the rapid growth and increasing influence of online shopping worldwide.

Competitive Dynamics in South Korea

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China’s retail revolution: foreign company tops the chain for the first time in 40 years https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/47172/chinas-retail-revolution-walmart/ Wed, 19 Jun 2024 06:27:00 +0000 https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/?p=47172

In a historic shift, Walmart has overtaken Suning to become the leader in China’s retail market, marking the first time in 40 years that a foreign company has achieved this position.

The Fall of Suning

Suning, once a dominant force in Chinese retail, has seen a significant decline. This transition mirrors the fate of Carrefour, another retail giant that struggled to maintain its position in the face of changing market dynamics. Walmart’s success, on the other hand, can be largely attributed to its Sam's Club stores, which have resonated well with Chinese consumers.

Suning’s decline is a reflection of broader challenges faced by traditional retail formats in China. Established in 1990 by the Zhang brothers in Nanjing, Suning quickly rose to prominence, diversifying into various retail segments including electronics, home appliances, and groceries.

However, the company's aggressive expansion and inability to sustain profitability led to a liquidity crisis, exacerbated ...

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ByteDance’s AI Surge: Introducing the Doubao Model Family https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/47052/bytedance-volcano-engine-ai-doubao/ Thu, 16 May 2024 12:32:48 +0000 https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/?p=47052 In the ever-evolving field of artificial intelligence, ByteDance has taken a significant leap forward with its recent announcements at the annual “Force Conference.” This event showcased ByteDance’s commitment to advancing AI, unveiling a series of updates from foundational models to top-layer applications under its subsidiary, Volcano Engine.

Unified Branding and New Releases

One of the most notable changes is the rebranding of ByteDance’s AI models. The previously known “Lark” models are now unified under the “Doubao Model Family” name.

This family includes nine models, streamlined into two primary categories: general-purpose models and seven specialized models tailored for various functions, including role-playing, speech recognition, speech synthesis, voice cloning, and text-to-image generation.

The Doubao general-purpose models are available in two versions: Pro and Lite, catering to different user needs. This approach contrasts with competitors’ broad, all-encompassing models, highlighting Doubao’s more focused strategy.

Impressive Performance Metrics

In terms of performance, Doubao models are impressive, according to data shared at the conference.

Currently, these models process an average of 120 billion tokens of text and generate 30 million images daily.

The Doubao App, a major AI application built on these models, leads the domestic AI-generated content (AIGC) market, topping download charts on both the Apple App Store and major Android platforms in China.

According to Zhu Jun, ByteDance’s Vice President of Products and Strategy, the app has seen the creation of over 8 million intelligent entities and boasts 26 million monthly active users.

Competitive Pricing Strategy

Volcano Engine also announced a groundbreaking pricing strategy, setting the cost at 0.0008 yuan per thousand tokens. This is significantly lower than competitors, such as OpenAI’s GPT-4o, which charges approximately 0.035 yuan per thousand tokens for input and 0.1 yuan per thousand tokens for output.

In comparison, domestic large model providers average around 0.12 yuan per thousand tokens.

This substantial price reduction is attributed to several factors, including optimization in model structure and the adoption of distributed inference methods, which enhance computing efficiency.

Volcano Engine’s head, Tan Dai, emphasized that this pricing strategy is not intended as a price war but follows a sustainable business logic aimed at fostering long-term commercial cooperation.

AI Market and Future Developments

Despite the advancements, the AI application market is still in its early stages.

According to QuestMobile, the AIGC industry had 73.8 million users as of March 2024, a significant increase from the previous year but still only 6% of the total mobile internet users.

The competitive landscape is gradually intensifying, with companies like Alibaba Cloud and Tencent Cloud also announcing price cuts, although primarily for CPU-based general computing power rather than AI-specific GPU computing power.

ByteDance’s aggressive pricing for AI capabilities is a strategic move to lower the barrier for AI adoption and expand market reach.

This strategy is expected to continue throughout the year as foundational model prices further decline, driven by technological advancements and increased market competition.

Human-like AI and Accelerated B2B Adoption

The trend towards more human-like AI is evident in this year’s major tech releases. OpenAI’s GPT-4o and Google’s Project Astra have set new standards for interactive AI, with real-time conversational capabilities and emotional intelligence.

Similarly, ByteDance’s Doubao App aims to provide a more human-like interaction experience, with enhanced ASR (Automatic Speech Recognition) and TTS (Text-to-Speech) technologies, making AI interactions feel more natural and intuitive.

In the B2B sector, ByteDance’s AI ecosystem is rapidly taking shape. Volcano Engine is building a robust developer ecosystem and AI services platform, supporting a wide range of applications from mobile phones to smart vehicles.

Strategic partnerships with major automakers like Geely, Great Wall Motors, and Seres, along with integration into smartphones from Oppo, Honor, and Xiaomi, highlight ByteDance’s comprehensive approach to AI adoption.

Volcano Engine has also launched the enterprise version of its low-code AI development platform, “Coze” (Kouzi), offering high flexibility and various integration options for developers.

This platform is already being utilized by leading enterprises such as China Merchants Bank, Haidilao Hot Pot, and Super Monkey fitness centers to build intelligent assistants and personalized services.

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Alibaba’s Strategic Investments Yield Mixed Results in Q1 2024 https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/31097/alibaba-quarterly/ Wed, 15 May 2024 12:28:02 +0000 https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/?p=31097 Alibaba Group Holding Limited reported a robust performance for the quarter ending March 31, 2024, showcasing a strategic rebound and growth across its diverse business segments.

The e-commerce giant’s focus on enhancing customer experience and strategic investments has resulted in notable year-over-year growth, despite challenging market conditions.

Strategic Initiatives and Business Review

Alibaba’s strategic initiatives have significantly impacted key sectors, including e-commerce, cloud computing, digital media, and logistics. The company’s focus on improving user experience, technological advancements, and expanding international commerce has paid off.

  • E-commerce: Alibaba’s Taobao and Tmall Group saw a 4% year-over-year revenue growth, reaching RMB 93.2 billion, driven by a 5% increase in customer management revenue. The group also reported double-digit growth in online GMV and orders.
  • Cloud Computing: The Cloud Intelligence Group reported a 3% revenue increase, reaching RMB 25.6 billion, with a notable 45% rise in adjusted EBITA. This growth was driven by higher adoption of public cloud services and AI products.
  • International Commerce: The Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group experienced a 45% revenue increase to RMB 27.4 billion, thanks to strong performance in cross-border e-commerce, particularly from AliExpress.
  • Logistics: Cainiao Smart Logistics Network’s revenue surged by 30% to RMB 24.6 billion, primarily due to increased demand for cross-border fulfillment services.
  • Local Services Group: Reported a 19% revenue increase to RMB 14.6 billion, driven by Ele.me and Amap’s strong order growth.
  • Digital Media and Entertainment Group: Revenue slightly decreased by 1% to RMB 4.9 billion, despite growth in Alibaba Pictures and Damai.

Financial Highlights

Alibaba’s financial results for the March quarter demonstrated resilience and strategic growth:

  • Revenue: The company reported a 7% year-over-year increase in revenue, totaling RMB 221.9 billion (US$30.7 billion).
  • Income from Operations: Despite a 3% decline, income from operations stood at RMB 14.8 billion (US$2.0 billion).
  • Net Income: Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders decreased by 96% to RMB 919 million (US$127 million), mainly due to investment losses.
  • Adjusted EBITA: Non-GAAP adjusted EBITA decreased by 5% to RMB 24.4 billion (US$3.3 billion).
  • Share Repurchases and Dividends: Alibaba repurchased US$12.5 billion worth of shares in fiscal 2024 and announced a US$4.0 billion dividend.

Alibaba’s Q1 2024 results highlight the success of its strategic initiatives and investments in enhancing customer experience and technological infrastructure. The company’s focus on e-commerce, cloud computing, and international expansion positions it well for future growth. As Alibaba continues to innovate and adapt, it remains committed to delivering value to shareholders and capturing new market opportunities.

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Top 50 Mobile Apps in China in Q1 2024 https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/30778/top-mobile-apps/ Wed, 15 May 2024 06:30:00 +0000 https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/?p=30778

China's mobile internet is booming, with active users surging past 1.23 billion in March 2024, a jump of over 20 million year-on-year, according to QuestMobile.

This growth underscores the continued dominance of mobile in China's digital landscape. QuestMobile also unveiled its ranking of the top 50 apps for Q1 2024 (below) across diverse categories, providing a fascinating snapshot of the apps captivating Chinese consumers.

The list, which excludes categories like app stores, carrier services, and gaming platforms, highlights the leading app in each sector based on average MAU over the three-month period.

Unsurprisingly, Tencent's WeChat reigns supreme, towering over the competition with over 1 billion MAU. It's the only app to breach the 1 billion user mark, solidifying its status as the undisputed king of China's mobile ecosystem.

Alibaba's Taobao and Alipay secure the second and third spots with 921 million and 800 million MAU, respectively, demonstrating the end...

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Top 10 e-commerce apps in China in Q1 2024 https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/30760/mobile-shopping-apps/ Mon, 13 May 2024 06:00:00 +0000 https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/?p=30760

China's e-commerce market continues to evolve, with leading platforms solidifying their dominance and adapting to new consumer behaviors, according to QuestMobile's "2024 China Mobile Internet Spring Report."

The report reveals a clear trend towards greater concentration in the mobile shopping sector. The top 10 e-commerce apps have all experienced growth in monthly active users (MAU), signaling an increasingly competitive landscape where established players are capturing a larger share of the market.

Alibaba, Pinduoduo, and JD.com Reign Supreme

Alibaba's Taobao platform remains the undisputed leader, boasting 928 million MAU in March 2024, significantly ahead of Pinduoduo (677 million) and JD.com (507 million). 

The year-on-year growth rates for these three giants were particularly noteworthy, highlighting their ability to attract and retain users in a mature market.

Holiday Shopping Fuels Growth

The report highlights the impact of major shopping festivals on e-...

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AI Patent Landscape in China https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/43838/ai-patent-landscape/ Tue, 30 Apr 2024 05:36:00 +0000 https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/?p=43838

As China cements its position as a global technology leader, recent data highlights its prowess in artificial intelligence (AI). A new report by IPRdaily, a global intellectual property information service provider, has unveiled the top companies dominating the AI patent scene in China, showcasing the competitive edge and innovative capabilities of these tech giants.

Dominance in AI Patents

Tencent and Baidu have emerged as the leaders in AI invention patents in China, claiming the top two spots with 15,626 and 13,723 patents respectively.

They are followed by Ping An Group, which holds 13,139 patents. Other notable entries in the top ten include State Grid, Huawei, Ant Group, Alibaba, JD Group, OPPO, and China Mobile, highlighting the diverse industries investing heavily in AI technology.

This ranking is based on AI patents filed and disclosed in China over the last decade, reflecting the strategic emphasis placed on AI by major Chinese corporations. The sheer volume...

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China Digital Landscape 2024 – Commercial Transactions https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/43734/transactional-applications-trends/ Tue, 16 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/?p=43734

In 2023, China witnessed significant advancements across various sectors of its digital economy, highlighted by remarkable growth in online payments, shopping, delivery services, and travel booking, driven by technological innovations and robust policy support.

Online Payments

By December 2023, China's online payment user base reached 954 million people, an increase of 42.43 million from December 2022, accounting for 87.3% of netizens.

In 2023, China's online payment industry continued to make steady progress, with an expanding user base and a diversification of payment methods, contributing to the efficient operation of the national economy.

The scale of users reached a historic high. With more refined top-level design and an enriched supply of services, the scale of online payment users in China continued to expand, and the transaction volume significantly grew, supporting the high-quality development of the national payment system.

The online payment user base r...

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Over 4,100 brands surpass billion-yuan sales on Alibaba Tmall in 2023 https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/43752/alibaba-tmall-billion-yuan-gmv-brands/ Tue, 09 Apr 2024 23:47:00 +0000 https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/?p=43752

The year 2023 marked a significant milestone for Tmall, one of China's leading online retail platforms, with the emergence of over 4,100 brands each achieving annual sales exceeding one billion yuan, according to data shared at Tmall's TopTalk conference.

This surge underscores a broader trend of digital marketplace evolution, characterized by innovative sales strategies, substantial investment in marketing and membership benefits, and a strategic shift towards personalized industry support.

Strategic Innovations and Investment

Tmall's transformation strategy was vividly showcased at the TopTalk conference, highlighting the shift from a singular, industry-wide approach to specialized, sector-specific sessions.

This pivot aims to grant vertical industries more autonomy in decision-making, a move poised to redefine resource allocation and benefit provision for merchants.

The disclosed data from the conference revealed a commitment of 50 billion yuan to bolster cros...

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China Digital Landscape 2024 – Medical Services https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/43737/digital-medical-services-trends/ Mon, 08 Apr 2024 06:00:00 +0000 https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/?p=43737 By December 2023, China’s internet medical services user base reached 414 million people, an increase of 51.39 million from December 2022, accounting for 37.9% of China internet users, according to data from CNNIC.

In 2023, China’s internet medical sector enjoyed a wave of favorable policies, significant revenue growth, and accelerated application of digital technologies, showcasing an overall positive development trend.

Strong policy guidance played a crucial role in March, with the issuance of “Opinions on Further Improving the Healthcare Service System” by the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council.

These policies stressed leveraging information technology to develop “Internet + Healthcare” initiatives, construct smart platforms for the medical field, and fast-track the application of the internet, blockchain, and IoT in healthcare, thereby enhancing the provision of high-quality medical services.

Revenue growth for internet medical enterprises was notably significant. The service coverage of these companies expanded continuously, driving substantial revenue increases.

In the first half of the year, JD Health extended its reach to over 400 cities nationwide, covering more than 100,000 stores, which propelled a 34.0% year-on-year revenue increase.

From March to September, Alibaba Health’s income and profit grew by 12.7% and 172.2%, respectively, with the number of merchants on its Tmall Health platform exceeding 32,000, an increase of more than 4,000 compared to the previous year.

The deployment of digital technologies also saw rapid progress. The deep integration of digital technologies like artificial intelligence and cloud computing with the medical industry led to the preliminary formation of AI medical models and smart medical information platforms.

In July, SenseTime launched the “SenseCare Smart Hospital” comprehensive solution, focusing on smart diagnosis and treatment, medical research, and other scenarios. This solution provides hospitals with one-stop services to improve treatment outcomes, optimize patient experiences, and support the smart transformation of hospitals.

China Internet Overview

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China Internet Overview https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/overview/ Fri, 29 Mar 2024 10:23:59 +0000 https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/?page_id=43553 As of December 2023, China’s internet user base reached 1.092 billion, marking an increase of 24.8 million from December 2022, according to data from CNNIC released in March 2024.

CIW Annual and Premium plan subscribers can download the related but much more comprehensive China Digital Landscape report here.

The internet penetration rate was 77.5%, up by 1.9 percentage points. Of these, 1.091 billion accessed the internet via mobile phones, accounting for 99.9% of internet users. Rural internet users constituted 29.8% of the total, amounting to 326 million, while urban users made up 70.2%, totaling 766 million.

The usage of mobile phones for internet access remained dominant at 99.9%, with desktop computers, laptops, televisions, and tablets being used by 33.9%, 30.3%, 22.5%, and 26.6% of the internet population, respectively.

The user bases for ride-hailing, online travel booking, online shopping, live streaming, and internet medical services grew by 90.57 million, 86.29 million, 69.67 million, 65.01 million, and 51.39 million respectively compared to 2022, with growth rates of 20.7%, 20.4%, 8.2%, 8.7%, and 14.2% respectively.

Following are the specific user demographics and their growth in various internet services as of December 2023:

  • 📺 Video streaming users: 1.067 billion (up by 36.13 million, 97.7%)
  • 📱 Short video users: 1.053 billion (up by 41.45 million, 96.4%)
  • 💬 Instant messaging users: 1.060 billion (up by 21.55 million, 97.0%)
  • 🏛️ Online government services users: 973 million (up by 47.01 million, 89.1%)
  • 💳 Online payment users: 954 million (up by 42.43 million, 87.3%)
  • 🛒 E-commerce users: 915 million (up by 69.67 million, 83.8%)
  • 🔍 Search engine users: 827 million (up by 25.04 million, 75.7%)
  • 🎥 Live streaming users: 816 million (up by 65.01 million, 74.7%)
  • 🎵 Online music users: 715 million (up by 30.44 million, 65.4%)
  • 🍔 Online food delivery users: 545 million (up by 23.38 million, 49.9%)
  • 🚖 Ride-hailing users: 528 million (up by 90.57 million, 48.3%)
  • 📚 Online literature users: 520 million (up by 27.83 million, 47.6%)
  • ✈️ Online travel booking users: 509 million (up by 86.29 million, 46.6%)
  • 🩺 Internet healthcare users: 414 million (up by 51.39 million, 37.9%)

Instant Messaging

By December 2023, China’s instant messaging user base reached 1.06 billion people, an increase of 21.55 million from December 2022, accounting for 97.0% of netizens.

In 2023, the development momentum of China’s instant messaging services was strong, with accelerated technology innovation and steady industry growth, contributing to the construction of a powerful internet nation.

This includes significant growth in internet advertising revenues, such as Tencent’s over 13 billion yuan increase in the first three quarters of 2023, a 23.5% growth rate. New areas like short video content within apps like WeChat and QQ saw rapid development, with WeChat Video Account’s total views and user watch time increasing by over 50% and nearly 100% year-on-year, respectively.

Alibaba’s business messaging app DingTalk integrates the “Tongyi Qianwen” large language model into its core functions such as group chats and video conferences, enabling users to activate artificial intelligence services through conversational interactions.

Meanwhile, ByteDance’s Feishu has launched a new product, “Feishu Intelligent Companion,” which offers innovative services such as smart translation and automatic Q&A in multiple scenarios, including content creation, data analysis, and system construction, effectively enhancing the level of intelligence in instant messaging products.

Search Engines

By December 2023, China’s search engine user base reached 827 million, an increase of 25.04 million from December 2022, accounting for 75.7% of Chinese netizens.

In 2023, the intelligent level of search engine products in China continued to improve, with applications becoming more enriched in both personal and business contexts.

China’s search engine companies are driving the integration of LLMs with the industrial sector, gradually enhancing the level of manufacturing intelligence and continuously enriching and expanding new application scenarios.

For example, Baidu’s “Kaiwu” platform, which is upgraded based on LLMs, currently serves 220,000 enterprises and has developed over 40,000 industrial models. It covers areas such as safe production, smart logistics, and smart quality inspection, helping enterprises reduce costs and increase efficiency.

Collaboration & Communication

By December 2023, China’s Collaboration and Communication Software user base reached 537 million people, accounting for 49.2% of China internet users.

The sector in China continued to introduce emerging technologies, achieving positive progress in enhancing product intelligence levels and user interaction experience.

Firstly, the level of product intelligence has been enhanced.

By incorporating artificial intelligence technology, the intelligence level of online office products has been effectively improved, aiding users in boosting their work efficiency.

For example, Kingsoft Office’s smart application “WPS AI” can generate texts such as weekly reports and job postings, and it can also create PowerPoint presentations with one click. DingTalk has transformed more than 20 product lines and over 80 scenarios with AI, promoting its application in over 700,000 enterprises.

Secondly, the interactive experience is continuously upgraded.

By introducing technologies such as naked-eye 3D and Augmented Reality (AR), online office products can help users view designs and manufacturing processes more intuitively and accurately, improving the interactive experience.

For instance, Tencent Meeting launched a naked-eye 3D video conferencing feature, allowing users to see three-dimensional content from different perspectives by moving left and right, offering a more realistic experience.

The domestic AR glasses company Rokid released the “Rokid AR Studio,” which enables immersive office scene interactions through gestures, voice, and other interaction modes.

Find out more (subscriber-only content):

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China’s Cloud Infrastructure Services Surge to $9.7 Billion https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/30820/cloud-infrastructure-services/ Fri, 29 Mar 2024 09:27:45 +0000 https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/?p=30820

China's cloud infrastructure services spending soared to $9.7 billion in Q4 2023, marking a 22% year-over-year increase and capturing 12% of the global cloud expenditure. Throughout 2023, China's cloud market witnessed a 16% growth, a notable rise from 2022's 10%. This momentum is expected to continue, with forecasts predicting an 18% growth in 2024.

In the final quarter of 2023, Alibaba Cloud, Huawei Cloud, and Tencent Cloud—China's leading cloud service providers—dominated the market, collectively achieving a 28% growth and securing a 74% market share.

This dominance is partly due to their emphasis on expanding partner ecosystems. Since the beginning of the year, both Huawei Cloud and Tencent Cloud have hosted partner summits, highlighting the significance of channel-driven sales, which constituted 25% of China's cloud revenue in Q4 2023, a figure anticipated to rise.

During the same period, Alibaba Cloud maintained its market leadership in China with a 39% share, desp...

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Alibaba-Backed Moonshot AI Unveils Kimi Chatbot’s Breakthrough https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/43706/moonshot-ai-kimi-chatbots/ Tue, 26 Mar 2024 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/?p=43706

In a groundbreaking development that is set to redefine digital communication, Kimi, the AI assistant developed by Moonshot AI (backed by Alibaba Group), has announced support for an unprecedented 2 million-character dialogue window.

This enhancement, achieved within just six months of its initial release in October 2023, signifies a monumental leap in AI capabilities. The progress comes on the heels of Moonshot AI's recent funding announcement, where it secured over $1 billion, with significant backing from tech giant Alibaba.

Kimi's advancement is not merely a technical achievement; it's a stride towards realizing the full potential of AI in everyday interactions.

Initially supporting a 200,000-character dialogue window, Kimi's tenfold increase in capacity is a testament to Moonshot AI's commitment to pushing the boundaries of what AI can achieve. This expansion allows Kimi to delve deeper into discussions, mirroring a more nuanced, human-like understanding of complex...

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Tencent Revenues Up 10% in 2023 https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/47050/tencent-2023/ Thu, 21 Mar 2024 12:01:00 +0000 https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/?p=47050 In a year marked by innovation and strategic foresight, Tencent Holdings Limited not only bolstered its financial standing but also set new benchmarks within China’s digital arena. The conglomerate’s 2023 financial results, alongside a series of strategic undertakings, shed light on the thriving dynamics of China’s technology sector and Tencent’s pivotal role therein.

Financial Highlights: A Glimpse into Growth

Tencent’s fiscal narrative for 2023 is one of notable achievements, underscored by a 10% year-over-year growth in total revenues, reaching an impressive RMB609.0 billion (USD86.0 billion).

This expansion is further emphasized by a 23% increase in gross profit, showcasing the company’s enhanced profitability in a fiercely competitive digital marketplace. Furthermore, the non-IFRS profit attributable to equity holders witnessed a substantial 36% increase from the previous year, indicating strong core earnings performance .

The final quarter of 2023 continued this trend, with revenues escalating by 7% year-over-year to RMB155.2 billion (USD21.9 billion), and gross profit and non-IFRS profit attributable to equity holders of the company experiencing significant increases of 25% and 44% respectively.

In 2023, Tencent’s revenue breakdown highlighted the diversity of its business portfolio, with significant contributions from various segments.

The FinTech and Business Services sector emerged as the largest revenue source, representing 31% of the total revenue and amounting to RMB189.0 billion. This segment’s leading position underscores Tencent’s stronghold in the FinTech industry and its successful foray into comprehensive business services.

Following the FinTech and Business Services sector, the Online Games segment was the second-largest contributor to Tencent’s revenue, accounting for 29% and totaling RMB177.0 billion. This demonstrates the continued vitality of online gaming within Tencent’s business model.

The fastest-growing segment in 2023 was Tencent’s Cloud Computing business, which experienced a remarkable 30% year-over-year revenue increase, reaching RMB109.0 billion. This growth outpaced the other segments, notably the Social Networks segment, and underscored Tencent’s effective strategy and execution in the competitive cloud services market.

Overall, Tencent’s 2023 financial performance showcased the strength of its FinTech and Business Services as the leading revenue generator, with the Cloud Computing segment leading in growth, reflecting the company’s adaptability and strategic positioning in China’s evolving digital landscape.

Strategic Endeavors and Innovation

2023 saw Tencent advance through strategic milestones:

Enhancing User Experience: Tencent’s WeChat Video Accounts doubled in user time spent, thanks to improved algorithms and creator support. Additionally, the Mini Games platform’s gross receipts soared by over 50%, reinforcing Tencent’s leadership in China’s casual gaming sphere .

Pioneering in AI: The launch of Tencent Hunyuan, an AI model of a trillion-parameter scale, marks a leap in Tencent’s technological prowess, solidifying its commitment to spearheading digital innovation .

Commitment to Society and Environment: Tencent’s digital philanthropy platform set a new record with RMB3.8 billion raised during the 99 Giving Day campaign, while its New Cornerstone Investigator Program supported 104 scientists, promoting scientific research .

As of the end of 2023, Tencent Music Entertainment Group (TME) reported a notable increase in its music subscribers. The total number of online music paying subscribers reached 90 million, marking an 18% year-over-year growth.

Market Engagement and User Dynamics

Tencent’s operational statistics reveal evolving trends in user engagement:

  • The MAUs of Weixin and WeChat stood at 1,343 million by December 2023, a 2% increase year-over-year, highlighting the platforms’ expanding influence in social media .
  • Despite a marginal decline in VAS revenues, Tencent’s strategic emphasis on content diversity and innovative services positions it for sustained growth amidst market challenges .

Tencent’s 2023 saga is one of strategic brilliance and financial vigor, positioning it at the forefront of China’s digital transformation. With its commitment to innovation, user-centricity, and societal impact, Tencent is poised to continue shaping the contours of China’s digital future.

Mobile reach in China: Tencent, Alibaba, Baidu, ByteDance, vs. Kuaishou

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Idle Fish Shatters Records: A New Era in China’s Second-Hand Economy https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/43695/idle-fish-xianyu-secondhand-marketplace/ Mon, 18 Mar 2024 23:53:00 +0000 https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/?p=43695

In an unprecedented leap, Idle Fish (a.k.a. Xianyu), Alibaba's leading second-hand trading platform, has broken significant ground in China's digital marketplace.

As of 2023, the platform has astonishingly surpassed a daily Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) of 1 billion yuan (US$141 million), marking a colossal shift in consumer behavior towards the second-hand market.

This surge reflects not only changing economic patterns but also evolving societal attitudes towards sustainability and consumption.

The platform's success is underpinned by its massive user engagement, with over 100 million individuals listing their idle goods, contributing to a vibrant circular economy.

The platform sees 4 million items listed on a daily basis, ranging from tech gadgets to apparel, highlighting a shift towards more conscientious consumption among Chinese netizens.

A noteworthy trend is the rising influence of post-95s consumers, who are not only active participants but also key driv...

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China’s Tech Giants Lead in Global User Spending, Tencent Tops the Chart https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/43649/data-ai-top-publisher-2023/ Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/?p=43649

Tencent and ByteDance Secure Top Positions in Global Rankings

Data.ai, a leading provider of internet data and analytics, has released its Global Publisher Awards for the year 2024, showcasing the world's top 50 publishers based on user spending across iOS and Google Play stores in 2023.

Leading the pack, Tencent and ByteDance, both hailing from China, have claimed the top two spots with annual user spending of $8.67 billion and $5.05 billion, respectively.

This achievement marks Tencent's seventh consecutive year at the pinnacle, largely fueled by the success of its MOBA game, "Honor of Kings," which also stands as the second-highest-grossing product globally, trailing only behind the match-three game "Candy Crush Saga."

In total, Tencent boasted 10 products each exceeding $100 million in global annual user spending in 2023.

Following closely, miHoYo surpassed NetEase to secure the eighth position, with annual user spending reaching $2.15 billion. NetEase, anothe...

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Alibaba’s “Hui Wa”: Future of E-commerce or Mere Hype? https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/43628/alibaba-genai-ec-huiwa/ Thu, 07 Mar 2024 00:19:00 +0000 https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/?p=43628

In the evolving landscape of digital commerce, Alibaba's recent foray into AI-driven e-commerce with the launch of "Hui Wa" marks a significant milestone. As the digital giants of China, including Baidu and ByteDance, pave their paths in AI e-commerce, the question arises: Is AI the new frontier for e-commerce, or is it simply a buzzword?

ihuiwa.com

Alibaba's AI team initiated the "Hui Wa" project in January, entering the AI e-commerce domain. Owned entirely by Alibaba (China) Co., Ltd., "Hui Wa" aims to revolutionize marketing efficiency for Taobao and Tmall merchants by enhancing content creation, including AI-generated marketing copy and the training of exclusive AI models for product promotion.

This development follows a period of intense speculation around e-commerce market shares, notably after Pinduoduo's financial reports last November hinted at a potential overtaking of Alibaba in terms of market value.

This stirred internal discussions within Alibaba, prompt...

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CIW Premium https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/premium/ Fri, 16 Feb 2024 08:41:00 +0000 https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/?page_id=43555 China Digital Insights

CIW Dossier China Digital Insights (DCDI) is compiled to provide statistical information about China digital insights on the internet economy, digital trends, online users, mobile apps, and e-commerce. Click here to download.

Archive

E-commerce Market

Jul 2021

CIW Dossier “China E-Commerce” is compiled to provide statistical information about China’s e-commerce market including online retail, cross-border e-commerce, e-commerce users, and mobile shopping apps. If you need an overall insight into China’s e-commerce market, this is what you should read.

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China 618 Shopping Festival

Jun 2021

CIW Dossier “China 618 Shopping Festival” provides a perspective of the merchants regarding the performance, advertising budget, and sales expectations from the top e-commerce platforms for 618 shopping festival.

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China Social E-Commerce

Apr 2021

CIW Dossier “China Social E-Commerce” is compiled to provide four business models and statistical information about China’s social e-commerce market. Four social e-commerce models: group buying, membership, community-based, content-driven.

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China Pets Retail Market

Jan 2021

CIW Dossier on China Pets Market provides an overview of China’s pet retail market as long as the characteristics of internet users in the corresponding segment.

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Double 11 (Singles Day)

Nov 2020

CIW Dossier Double 11 is compiled to provide statistical information about China’s largest shopping festival led by Alibaba Tmall platform including pre-sale data, top retailers’ performance by GMV, and top brands on Double 11 by categories, etc.

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Payment

Oct 2020

CIW Dossier Payment is compiled to provide statistical information about China’s payment market on online payment, mobile payment, third-party mobile payment, and users’ preference for payment method in different usage scenarios. If you need an overall insight on China’s payment market, this is what you should read.

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Top Mobile Apps

Jun 2020

China’s mobile apps market, including mobile internet overview, mobile apps market, top mobile apps, select mobile apps, and mini programs.

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Taobao Live

Apr 2020

CIW Dossier Taobao Live – is compiled to provide statistical information about Alibaba’s live streaming platform.

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China Outbound Tourism

Nov 2019

Statistical information about China’s outbound travel market.

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China Online Travel Market

Nov 2019

CIW Dossier China Online Travel Market is compiled to provide statistical information about China’s online travel market including market overview, online air ticket booking, online accommodation booking, online vacation booking, outbound travel, and high-end travel.

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China Media Ad Spending

Feb 2019

China’s overall media advertising market growth and the top advertisers in China in 2018.

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Luckin

June 2019

Luckin is China’s second largest and fastest-growing coffee network, in terms of the number of stores and cups of coffee sold, according to the Frost & Sullivan Report. While operating three types of stores, Luckin strategically focus on pick-up stores, which accounted for 91.3% of their total stores as of March 31, 2019.

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China Internet Users in Tier-3 to Tier-5 Cities

Jun 2019

Quick view of China’s internet users’ time usage and expenditure in lower-tier cities (tier-3, 4, 5).

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WeChat Official Account

July 2019

CIW Dossier “WeChat Official Account” is compiled to provide a quick view of Tencent’s WeChat content ecosystem Official Account.

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Cross-border E-Commerce Female Shoppers

Jan 2019

Statistical overview of China’s female shoppers purchasing overseas consumers goods.

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China Advertising Market

Dec 2018

Statistical information about China’s advertising market on traditional advertising market, online advertising market, invalid traffic of digital ads, and mobile e-commerce ads. If you need an overall insight on China’s advertising market, this is what you should read.

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China Smartphone

Dec 2018

CIW Dossier China Smartphones is compiled to provide statistical information about China’s smartphone market including smartphone shipments, sales, and market share information as well as top smartphone brands and user profiles.

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Weibo Online Shoppers

Nov 2018

CIW Dossier Weibo Online Shoppers is compiled to provide statistical information about Weibo users who are interested in online shopping. If you need an overall insight on the demographics, purchasing behavior, and engagement, etc. of Weibo online shoppers, this is what you should read.

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China’s High-end Travelers

Aug 2018

CIW Dossier “China’s High-end Travelers” is compiled to provide an overview of China’s high-end travelers, including their travel choices, demographics, and travel habits.

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WeChat Intro

July 2018

CIW Dossier on WeChat is compiled to provide an introduction of this digital ecosystem and statistical information about China’s top mobile social application. It provides insights on WeChat Official Accounts, WeChat Pay, Mini-Programs, and advertising channels.

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Online video market

Sep 2018

CIW Dossier China Online Videos is compiled to provide statistical information about China’s online video market including online video apps, mobile video users, paid video users, short video apps, and live streaming apps. If you need an overall insight on China’s online video market, this is what you should read.

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Pinduoduo (PDD)

Sep 2018

CIW Dossier Pinduoduo is compiled to provide statistical information about Pinduoduo on group purchase model, app ranking, financial performances, user profile, IPO, and counterfeit problems.

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Golden Week Tourism

Oct 2018

CIW Dossier Golden Week (National Day) Tourism is compiled to provide statistical information about China’s tourism market for the peak travel period – Golden Week / China’s National Day holidays.

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Sports & Fitness Mobile Apps

Nov 2018

CIW Dossier China Mobile Fitness & Sports Apps is compiled to provide statistical information about China’s sports & fitness mobile app market.

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