https://www.scmp.com/rss/501671/feed Tracy Qu is a Shanghai based technology reporter at the Post. She graduated from the University of Hong Kong with a master’s degree in journalism. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com The e-commerce platforms run by Alibaba Group Holding have become an important channel for European firms to sell goods overseas, according to a new study, as Chinese online shopping giants continue to invest in international expansion. Exports from 27 European countries via Alibaba’s platforms totalled about €32.3 billion (US$34.6 billion) last year, a third higher than in 2019, according to a study by Italy’s SDA Bocconi School of Management. Between 2019 and 2022, companies in those countries... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3244952/alibaba-e-commerce-platforms-key-channel-european-businesses-sell-china-says-study?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3244952/alibaba-e-commerce-platforms-key-channel-european-businesses-sell-china-says-study?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 Dec 2023 11:00:21 +0000 Tencent Holdings, China’s largest social media and video gaming company, has offloaded its loss-making animation and comics business to a subsidiary as China’s most valuable tech giant continues to slash noncore operations. China Literature, the country’s largest online publishing and e-book company that is 56 per cent owned by Tencent, said on Tuesday it struck a deal to buy Tencent’s animation and comics business for 600 million yuan (US$83.6 million). China Literature’s Hong Kong-listed... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3244816/tencent-sells-loss-making-animation-and-comic-business-subsidiary-china-literature-latest?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3244816/tencent-sells-loss-making-animation-and-comic-business-subsidiary-china-literature-latest?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Dec 2023 11:00:21 +0000 Chinese financial technology giant Ant Group is building a new version of mobile payment app Alipay based on HarmonyOS, the self-developed operating system of Huawei Technologies that is seeing growing adoption on the mainland, as the telecommunications equipment and smartphone maker reduces its reliance on Google’s Android. The collaboration between Ant, the fintech affiliate of South China Morning Post owner Alibaba Group Holding, and Shenzhen-based Huawei is expected to benefit consumers who... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3244442/chinese-fintech-giant-ant-group-huawei-build-harmonyos-based-alipay-app-amid-growing-adoption-home?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3244442/chinese-fintech-giant-ant-group-huawei-build-harmonyos-based-alipay-app-amid-growing-adoption-home?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 08 Dec 2023 13:30:14 +0000 Alibaba (China) Network Technology, a major Alibaba Group Holding subsidiary that serves as a holding vehicle for its equity stakes, has transferred shares in at least seven listed companies to a new local venture, according to Chinese corporate announcements. All of Alibaba’s holdings in those seven companies – which include Focus Media, an advertisement placement services provider, and YTO Express, a courier company – have been transferred to Hangzhou Haoyue Enterprise Management, a new... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3243816/alibaba-transfers-stakes-chinese-companies-new-vehicle-amid-restructuring-efforts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3243816/alibaba-transfers-stakes-chinese-companies-new-vehicle-amid-restructuring-efforts?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 Dec 2023 13:30:12 +0000 Alibaba.com, the international business-to-business wholesale marketplace of Alibaba Group Holding, expects the roll-out of a new artificial intelligence (AI) tool to help the platform’s merchants automate their client-facing operations, including writing emails, to entice more customers overseas. An AI-upgraded version of OKKI, the customer relationship management software-as-a-service (SaaS) offering under Alibaba Cloud, will be available to foreign trade merchants from Friday, according to... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3243395/alibaba-pushes-new-ai-software-tool-help-merchants-its-wholesale-platform-manage-overseas-clients?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3243395/alibaba-pushes-new-ai-software-tool-help-merchants-its-wholesale-platform-manage-overseas-clients?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Nov 2023 12:00:20 +0000 Didi Chuxing said the breakdown of its ride-hailing service in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou earlier this week was caused by an “underlying system software failure” and not external attacks. In a statement published on its official WeChat account on Wednesday, Didi said it “would carry out in-depth technical risk identification and upgrade work to fully ensure service stability and do our best to avoid similar accidents in the future”. “We let our users down, and apologise sincerely,” the... https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3243246/chinas-ride-hailing-giant-didi-blames-underlying-software-failure-breakdown-plunged-service-disarray?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3243246/chinas-ride-hailing-giant-didi-blames-underlying-software-failure-breakdown-plunged-service-disarray?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Nov 2023 12:00:13 +0000 Jack Ma, the billionaire founder of Alibaba Group Holding who remains the spiritual leader of the tech giant despite keeping a distance from day-to-day business, has written a rare internal memo, encouraging staff to embrace change and stick to the company’s original vision. According to employees who have seen the memo, Ma – who retired as chairman of Alibaba in 2019 – praised PDD Holdings, its younger and fast-growing rival. PDD, operator of Chinese budget shopping platform Pinduoduo and its... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3243203/jack-ma-calls-alibaba-employees-embrace-change-rare-memo-e-commerce-giant-loses-momentum-rival-pdd?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3243203/jack-ma-calls-alibaba-employees-embrace-change-rare-memo-e-commerce-giant-loses-momentum-rival-pdd?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Nov 2023 06:30:08 +0000 TikTok owner ByteDance is making a big retreat from video gaming with hundreds of lay-offs at its main gaming unit, according to four sources briefed on the matter. Nuverse, ByteDance’s flagship gaming studio, has informed employees that it will shut down most projects not yet online, the sources said. It usually takes years to develop a new game and to obtain regulatory approval before the game can be put online to generate revenue in China. The studio will also sell the rights to at least two... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3242972/tiktok-owner-bytedance-retreats-video-gaming-cuts-main-studio-amid-stagnating-market-dominated?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3242972/tiktok-owner-bytedance-retreats-video-gaming-cuts-main-studio-amid-stagnating-market-dominated?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Nov 2023 13:30:14 +0000 Alibaba Group Holding’s Damo Academy is donating its quantum lab to Zhejiang University, as the e-commerce giant's in-house research initiative allocates more resources to artificial intelligence (AI). A Damo representative on Monday confirmed that donation, and that the academy will focus on fundamental research including AI in agriculture and healthcare. Hangzhou-based Alibaba, owner of the South China Morning Post, established Damo in 2017 to focus on fundamental science and disruptive... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3242956/alibaba-donates-its-quantum-lab-local-university-shifts-focus-ai-agriculture-healthcare?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3242956/alibaba-donates-its-quantum-lab-local-university-shifts-focus-ai-agriculture-healthcare?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Nov 2023 11:30:18 +0000 Alibaba Group Holding is developing a new version of its workplace collaboration app that is compatible with Huawei Technologies’ HarmonyOS platform, as the US-sanctioned telecoms equipment giant seeks wider adoption of its home-grown operating system and moves to cut dependence on Google’s Android. DingTalk, one of four business pillars newly tasked with spearheading Alibaba’s future growth, will also collaborate with Huawei in industrial innovation, technology application and business... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3242703/alibaba-develops-native-dingtalk-app-harmonyos-huawei-aims-end-support-android-apps?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3242703/alibaba-develops-native-dingtalk-app-harmonyos-huawei-aims-end-support-android-apps?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Nov 2023 09:30:14 +0000 Alibaba Group Holding has clarified In an internal letter the details of a plan by the family trust of founder and former chairman Jack Ma to sell shares in the e-commerce company, while also denying rumours that it plans to lay off 25,000 employees. In a letter published on Alibaba’s intranet, chief people officer Jane Jiang said the lay-offs speculation was completely false and that the company had reported the matter to police. Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post. “Rumours about Alibaba... https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3242479/alibaba-reassures-founder-jack-mas-share-sale-plan-and-moves-quash-lay-rumours-internal-letter?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3242479/alibaba-reassures-founder-jack-mas-share-sale-plan-and-moves-quash-lay-rumours-internal-letter?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Nov 2023 12:00:22 +0000 ByteDance’s Douyin, the Chinese sibling of TikTok that has over 600 million daily active users, has tightened its screening of advertisers in response to Beijing’s increased control of short video content. Under Douyin’s new requirement, which will come into effect on Thursday, advertisers looking to promote short-form dramas – budget productions with each episode lasting only a few minutes – will need to show proper licensing documents, according to a notice published by the company’s... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3242323/douyin-tiktoks-chinese-version-tightens-vetting-advertisers-beijing-takes-aim-booming-short-web?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3242323/douyin-tiktoks-chinese-version-tightens-vetting-advertisers-beijing-takes-aim-booming-short-web?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Nov 2023 13:00:19 +0000 Alibaba Group Holding is banking on four new business pillars to drive growth in the coming decade, according to CEO Eddie Wu Yongming, as the Chinese e-commerce giant bolsters its strategy after shocking investors with its decision to shelve the spin-off of its cloud unit. In his first conference call with analysts since new leadership took charge of the firm in September, Wu said Alibaba would focus on three key priorities in the next 10 years: technology-driven internet platform businesses,... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3241964/alibaba-looks-strategic-innovations-1688-xianyu-dingtalk-and-quark-growth-cloud-spin-falls-through?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3241964/alibaba-looks-strategic-innovations-1688-xianyu-dingtalk-and-quark-growth-cloud-spin-falls-through?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Nov 2023 12:30:20 +0000 Alibaba Group Holding has announced it will not proceed with a full spin-off of its cloud computing unit, as it posted 9 per cent growth in revenues in the September quarter, in its first earnings report since new leadership took over the Chinese e-commerce giant in September. The Hangzhou-based company said that a full spin-off of the Cloud Intelligence Group “may not achieve the intended effect of shareholder value enhancement” because of the uncertainties brought about by recently expanded US... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3241816/alibaba-hand-out-first-ever-annual-dividend-it-posts-9-revenue-growth-september-quarter-amid-chinas?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3241816/alibaba-hand-out-first-ever-annual-dividend-it-posts-9-revenue-growth-september-quarter-amid-chinas?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Nov 2023 12:34:07 +0000 Hangzhou-based Alibaba Group Holding inked a deal with the Cambodian government on Wednesday to support the country’s digital economy and small business sector, using a trade framework initiated by company founder Jack Ma and showcasing the e-commerce firm’s commitment to the Southeast Asia market. The ministry of commerce of Cambodia signed an electronic World Trade Platform (eWTP) agreement with Alibaba on the sidelines of the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing this week to enhance collaboration... https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3238492/alibaba-inks-deal-cambodia-jack-mas-trade-initiative-e-commerce-giant-doubles-down-southeast-asia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3238492/alibaba-inks-deal-cambodia-jack-mas-trade-initiative-e-commerce-giant-doubles-down-southeast-asia?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Oct 2023 09:30:07 +0000 Alibaba.com, the international online wholesale arm of Alibaba Group Holding, is trying to woo merchants from ByteDance-owned TikTok who sell in Southeast Asia after the short video app was forced to suspend e-commerce activities in Indonesia. Indonesia, the largest economy in Southeast Asia, in late September imposed a ban on e-commerce transactions via social media apps to protect the country’s small businesses. TikTok complied, ceasing sales on its e-commerce platform TikTok... https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3238268/alibabacom-seeks-woo-merchants-tiktok-after-bytedance-ends-social-commerce-activity-indonesia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3238268/alibabacom-seeks-woo-merchants-tiktok-after-bytedance-ends-social-commerce-activity-indonesia?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Oct 2023 00:00:08 +0000 Alibaba Group Holding’s Taobao & Tmall Group is defending its dominance in China’s e-commerce market by offering consumers massive rebates and discounts during this year’s Singles’ Day shopping season, putting a brave face on a price competition against rivals JD.com and Pinduoduo. Taobao Live is handing out 1 billion yuan (US$137 million) worth of cash coupons from October 12 to 23, ahead of the start of the sales season later this month, according to a statement by the live-streaming platform... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3238138/alibaba-jdcom-locked-brutal-price-war-singles-day-amid-weak-consumer-spending-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3238138/alibaba-jdcom-locked-brutal-price-war-singles-day-amid-weak-consumer-spending-china?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Oct 2023 13:00:23 +0000 Chinese smartphone-camera maker Ofilm Group, which was ejected from Apple’s supply chain after being put on a US trade blacklist in 2020, has found a new lease on life as a contractor for Huawei Technologies. Shenzhen-based Ofilm is now supplying the majority of camera modules used in Huawei’s latest Mate 60 smartphone series, according to a report by local media Chinese Business Network on Thursday. Ofilm founder and chairman Cai Rongjun was cited in the report as saying that the company was... https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3237843/tech-war-ofilm-formerly-blacklisted-us-and-dumped-apple-supplier-contractor-huaweis-mate-60-phone?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3237843/tech-war-ofilm-formerly-blacklisted-us-and-dumped-apple-supplier-contractor-huaweis-mate-60-phone?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Oct 2023 11:30:09 +0000 Storage systems specialist Shenzhen Longsys Electronics, one of US memory chip maker Micron Technology’s largest clients in China, has completed its US$132 million takeover of a mainland plant from Taiwan’s Powertech Technology, one of the world’s largest semiconductor assembly, packaging and testing companies. Longsys, which makes digital storage products that include memory modules and solid-state drives, said in a filing to the Shenzhen Stock Exchange on Wednesday that it has finalised the... https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3237720/chinese-storage-specialist-longsys-major-client-us-chip-maker-micron-completes-us132-million?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3237720/chinese-storage-specialist-longsys-major-client-us-chip-maker-micron-completes-us132-million?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Oct 2023 11:02:02 +0000 China’s Taiwan affairs office has accused Taipei of “obstructing” cross-strait economic cooperation after the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said it would investigate four Taiwanese firms that were reportedly helping mainland Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei Technologies in chip production. Chen Binhua, a spokesman for the State Council’s Taiwan Affairs Office, told a media briefing on Wednesday that the firms mentioned in media reports were “not part of the semiconductor... https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3237580/china-downplays-reports-taiwanese-firms-helping-huaweis-chip-project-saying-they-are-not-part?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3237580/china-downplays-reports-taiwanese-firms-helping-huaweis-chip-project-saying-they-are-not-part?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Oct 2023 11:30:09 +0000 The US government’s recent decision allowing South Korea’s Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix to buy advanced manufacturing equipment for their semiconductor plants in mainland China is expected to make life more difficult for rival domestic memory chip makers like Yangtze Memory Technologies Co (YMTC), according to analysts. In a major concession to Seoul, Washington has granted both Samsung and Hynix an indefinite waiver on broad restrictions to export advanced chip-making equipment to the... https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-war/article/3237485/tech-war-us-waiver-china-export-restrictions-advanced-semiconductor-equipment-south-koreas-samsung?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-war/article/3237485/tech-war-us-waiver-china-export-restrictions-advanced-semiconductor-equipment-south-koreas-samsung?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Oct 2023 23:00:20 +0000 The arrival of Chinese shopping apps like Shein and Temu, which bring made-in-China goods directly to overseas consumers, is changing the face of Chinese commerce and making the world’s most powerful export machine even more formidable, according to data and merchants. Kenny Li, who runs a garment factory in Guangzhou, capital of southern Guangdong province, is typical of the new breed of Chinese exporters. His business has been simplified thanks to fast-fashion app Shein, as he can now delegate... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3236657/how-shein-and-temu-are-changing-face-chinas-export-machine-making-life-easier-army-small-businesses?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3236657/how-shein-and-temu-are-changing-face-chinas-export-machine-making-life-easier-army-small-businesses?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Oct 2023 02:00:09 +0000 The head of Alibaba Group Holding’s e-commerce unit Taobao and Tmall Group, which provides 70 per cent of parent company revenue, has stepped away from multiple roles at Alibaba subsidiaries amid an ongoing business shake-up, according to local media reports and business registration information. Trudy Dai Shan, an early aide to Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma and who returned to the front line of Alibaba in 2022, no longer holds legal representative positions at Hangzhou Alimama Software Services Co... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3236159/alibabas-taobao-and-tmall-chief-dai-steps-away-roles-subsidiaries-focus-core-e-commerce-business?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3236159/alibabas-taobao-and-tmall-chief-dai-steps-away-roles-subsidiaries-focus-core-e-commerce-business?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 28 Sep 2023 12:00:13 +0000 China has published the country’s first batch of 26 mobile app stores that have submitted business details to regulators, but Apple’s app store is absent from the list. The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), the country’s top internet regulator, published the list of properly registered “app distribution platforms” on its website on Wednesday. They include platforms run by tech giants Xiaomi, Samsung Electronics, Tencent Holdings, Baidu, Oppo, Vivo and Huawei Technologies. Apple, the... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3236017/apple-missing-chinas-list-26-registered-app-stores-after-requirement-submit-information-government?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3236017/apple-missing-chinas-list-26-registered-app-stores-after-requirement-submit-information-government?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 27 Sep 2023 23:00:09 +0000 About a decade after Jack Ma pushed forward the establishment of logistics enterprise Cainiao, a big opportunity looms for global investors to own a stake in one of the Alibaba Group Holding founder’s grand projects. Cainiao Smart Logistics Network is the first of the e-commerce giant’s six spin-off companies to test the appetite for new listings in Hong Kong, where it has applied to raise at least US$1 billion in what is widely expected to be the world’s second-largest initial public offering... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3236024/alibabas-cainiao-one-founder-jack-mas-grand-projects-heat-chinas-logistics-industry-after-us1?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3236024/alibabas-cainiao-one-founder-jack-mas-grand-projects-heat-chinas-logistics-industry-after-us1?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 27 Sep 2023 13:30:10 +0000 Consumers in the United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium and South Korea will now receive their parcels within five working days of placing an order on AliExpress, thanks to a joint initiative between Alibaba Group Holding’s international e-commerce platform and its Cainiao Smart Logistics Network. That global five-day delivery service will soon expand to more countries after its initial run in those five markets, according to a statement from Cainiao on Tuesday. Cainiao and AliExpress... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3235863/alibabas-cainiao-and-aliexpress-start-5-day-global-delivery-service-consumers-uk-spain-netherlands?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3235863/alibabas-cainiao-and-aliexpress-start-5-day-global-delivery-service-consumers-uk-spain-netherlands?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Sep 2023 13:30:10 +0000 China’s two biggest internet companies have tightened their collaboration, allowing users who click on advertisements on Tencent Holdings’ WeChat to be directed to Alibaba Group Holding’s Taobao and Tmall e-commerce platforms. The two tech giants announced on Monday that “high-quality” advertisements placed on WeChat Channels, a short-video sharing platform, through Alimama Uni Desk, an Alibaba-affiliated digital marketing platform, can be connected to shops and live-streaming rooms on Taobao... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3235835/alibaba-tencent-break-more-digital-barriers-between-wechat-and-taobao-tmall-economic-uncertainty?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3235835/alibaba-tencent-break-more-digital-barriers-between-wechat-and-taobao-tmall-economic-uncertainty?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Sep 2023 11:30:14 +0000 Cainiao Smart Logistics Network has applied to raise funds in Hong Kong in what is widely expected to be the city’s second-largest initial public offering (IPO) this year, as the first of Alibaba Group Holding’s six spin-off companies tests the appetite for new listings in Asia’s third-biggest capital market. Cainiao has submitted its A1 filing to the Hong Kong stock exchange, Alibaba said in an exchange filing in Hong Kong. The company is aiming to raise at least US$1 billion, subject to market... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3235860/alibabas-cainiao-files-us1-billion-ipo-helping-hong-kong-land-worlds-second-biggest-listing-2023?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3235860/alibabas-cainiao-files-us1-billion-ipo-helping-hong-kong-land-worlds-second-biggest-listing-2023?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Sep 2023 09:42:26 +0000 Artificial intelligence-generated content (AIGC) is set to change video-streaming and the entertainment industry but technology will not replace influencers, according to Gong Yu, chief executive of video-streaming giant iQiyi. “In improving the video experience, AIGC is changing all aspects of film and television entertainment. In the next three to five years, production methods, cost structures, personnel structures, etc will definitely undergo major changes,” he said on Thursday at an event... https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3235510/ai-will-disrupt-live-streaming-not-about-replace-writers-and-directors-iqiyi-executive-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3235510/ai-will-disrupt-live-streaming-not-about-replace-writers-and-directors-iqiyi-executive-says?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 Sep 2023 14:30:12 +0000 Meng Wanzhou, rotating chairwoman of US-sanctioned Huawei Technologies, said the telecoms giant would embrace a new “all intelligence” strategy to transform itself into a key provider of computing power to support China’s artificial intelligence (AI) development. While Meng did not talk about specific products in her speech at the Huawei Connect summit in Shanghai on Wednesday, the heir-apparent of the company founded by her father Ren Zhengfei stressed that it aimed to contribute to China’s... https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-war/article/3235199/huawei-heir-apparent-meng-wanzhou-sets-ai-chinese-giants-business-focus-next-decade-despite-us?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-war/article/3235199/huawei-heir-apparent-meng-wanzhou-sets-ai-chinese-giants-business-focus-next-decade-despite-us?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 20 Sep 2023 09:19:47 +0000 Financial technology giant Ant Group has expanded the number of Asian e-wallets and payment apps that it supports in mainland China, bolstering its cross-border operations and making it easier for more foreign tourists to pay for goods and services in the country. Hangzhou-based Ant on Tuesday announced that its “Alipay+-in-China” (A+China) programme now supports 10 different Asian e-wallets and payment apps on the mainland after adding seven more digital services to its ecosystem. Users of... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3235059/ant-groups-alipay-expands-support-e-wallet-and-payment-apps-singapore-south-korea-and-thailand-help?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3235059/ant-groups-alipay-expands-support-e-wallet-and-payment-apps-singapore-south-korea-and-thailand-help?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Sep 2023 08:49:32 +0000 Alibaba Group Holding has said it plans to invest US$2 billion in Turkey, as the Chinese e-commerce giant doubles down on fast growth after its online retail platform Trendyol made an operating profit in the country for the first time between April and June this year. In a meeting with Turkey president Tayyip Erdogan, Alibaba president Michael Evans said the company plans to invest US$2 billion in Turkey via its Trendyol platform, according to a statement by the Turkish platform. Between April... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3234961/alibaba-pledges-invest-us2-billion-turkey-online-platform-trendyol-growth-gathers-steam?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3234961/alibaba-pledges-invest-us2-billion-turkey-online-platform-trendyol-growth-gathers-steam?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Sep 2023 12:00:31 +0000 Chongqing Ant Consumer Finance, the consumer credit unit of Ant Group, has received 4 billion yuan (US$550 million) of credit from a bank consortium arranged by the China banking unit of Japanese financial giant Mizuho Financial Group, Mizuho Bank said in a statement on Thursday. In the deal, Mizuho Bank and Bank of East Asia led the round of credit. The consortium also includes another 12 banks: Fubon Bank (China); Hana Bank; Kasikornban Bank; Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp; Xiamen Bank; KDB... https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3234577/ant-groups-consumer-credit-arm-secures-4-billion-yuan-loan-mizuho-led-consortium?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3234577/ant-groups-consumer-credit-arm-secures-4-billion-yuan-loan-mizuho-led-consortium?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 Sep 2023 14:00:22 +0000 Alibaba Group Holding’s cloud computing unit has opened its large language model (LLM) Tongyi Qianwen to the public, following a slew of similar moves by other local technology companies that received the government’s approval to launch commercial ChatGPT-like services. In an article published on WeChat on Wednesday, Alibaba Group Intelligence Group said it aimed to “let every ordinary person and enterprise benefit from LLMs”, the technology that underpins cutting-edge artificial intelligence... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3234385/alibaba-opens-ai-model-tongyi-qianwen-public-competition-baidu-tencent-and-other-chinese-big-tech?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3234385/alibaba-opens-ai-model-tongyi-qianwen-public-competition-baidu-tencent-and-other-chinese-big-tech?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 Sep 2023 11:00:09 +0000 Alibaba Group Holding will sharpen its strategic focus on two main themes, “users first” and “artificial intelligence-driven”, as the Chinese tech giant grapples with growing competition and a shifting internet landscape, according to new group CEO Eddie Wu Yongming. “As traditional internet models become increasingly homogeneous and face the competitive pressures of saturation, new technologies such as AI are emerging as the new engine of global business growth,” Wu, who assumed his new role on... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3234213/new-alibaba-ceo-eddie-wu-sharpens-focus-ai-and-users-amid-leadership-reshuffle-and-spin-efforts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3234213/new-alibaba-ceo-eddie-wu-sharpens-focus-ai-and-users-amid-leadership-reshuffle-and-spin-efforts?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Sep 2023 04:00:15 +0000 Former Alibaba Group Holding chairman and CEO Daniel Zhang Yong has stepped down as head of the e-commerce giant’s cloud division, a move that came as a surprise on the same day he was scheduled to hand the reins of the parent company to co-founder Joe Tsai. Alibaba’s new CEO Eddie Wu Yongming, who like Tsai assumed his new role on Sunday, has also taken over for Zhang as acting chairman and CEO of Alibaba Cloud Intelligence Group on the same day, according to an Alibaba spokesperson. “Four... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3234066/former-alibaba-ceo-daniel-zhang-steps-down-cloud-unit-surprise-move-amid-leadership-transition?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3234066/former-alibaba-ceo-daniel-zhang-steps-down-cloud-unit-surprise-move-amid-leadership-transition?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 Sep 2023 22:17:38 +0000 Alibaba Group Holding, the Hangzhou-based e-commerce giant, is ratcheting up efforts to expand its business in the US by adding features such as an updated image search on its cross-border wholesale platform. Alibaba.com, the company’s original cross-border business-to-business (B2B) platform, is holding a “Co-Create” event in Las Vegas on Thursday and Friday, with chief technology officer Yang Zhou and vice-president Andrew Zheng attending. The event brings together business enthusiasts, B2B... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3233742/alibaba-eyes-b2b-expansion-us-las-vegas-event-rivals-bytedance-and-pdd-also-grow-american-e-commerce?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3233742/alibaba-eyes-b2b-expansion-us-las-vegas-event-rivals-bytedance-and-pdd-also-grow-american-e-commerce?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 Sep 2023 17:00:12 +0000 Tracy Qu,Ann Cao Tracy Qu,Ann Cao Eric Jing Xiandong, chairman and CEO of fintech giant Ant Group, pledged support to the Chinese sovereign digital currency e-CNY in his latest public appearance at a conference in Shanghai, the country’s finance capital. The e-CNY could be as valuable to the industrial internet as mobile payments were to the consumer internet, Jing said at the “Inclusion Conference on the Bund” on Thursday, according to Chinese media reports. “Because the biggest feature of the e-CNY is programmability, it can... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3233759/ceo-fintech-giant-ant-group-pledges-support-digital-yuan-shanghai-conference-promotes-cross?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3233759/ceo-fintech-giant-ant-group-pledges-support-digital-yuan-shanghai-conference-promotes-cross?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 Sep 2023 13:00:08 +0000 Ren Zhengfei, founder and CEO of Chinese telecoms equipment maker Huawei Technologies, urged the US-sanctioned tech giant to maintain its technological lead in specific areas and focus on developing internal talent, according to his latest speech published on the company’s employee website on Monday. “Huawei will save talent, not US dollars,” Ren said in the speech, which he delivered on July 28. “We will try hard to lead in some business aspects globally, not all aspects. For our products, the... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3233364/huawei-founder-ren-zhengfei-urges-us-sanctioned-tech-giant-grow-talent-base-not-coffers-amid-tech?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3233364/huawei-founder-ren-zhengfei-urges-us-sanctioned-tech-giant-grow-talent-base-not-coffers-amid-tech?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 Sep 2023 11:30:16 +0000 Alipay+, a cross-border payments solution run by Ant Group, is expanding in South Korea in collaboration with Korea Easy Payment Foundation, the operator of local electronic wallet ZeroPay, as the Chinese financial technology giant broadens its footprint in Asia. From Friday, tourists using any of the six digital payments apps in the Alipay+ network – including the mainland and Hong Kong versions of Alipay, Macau’s MPay, Thailand’s TrueMoney and Malaysia’s Touch ‘n Go eWallet – are able to pay... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3233111/fintech-giant-ant-group-expands-alipay-cross-border-payments-service-south-korea-zeropay-tie?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3233111/fintech-giant-ant-group-expands-alipay-cross-border-payments-service-south-korea-zeropay-tie?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 Sep 2023 09:30:13 +0000 China’s most famous teacher-turned live streamer has set up shop on Alibaba Group Holding’s Taobao e-commerce platform, as internet giants in the country jostle to attract customers in a saturated market by bringing in popular influencers. Dongfangzhenxuan, the live-streaming brand of New Oriental Education & Technology Group led by former teacher Yu Minhong, made its debut on Taobao Live on Tuesday and sold more than 100 million yuan (US$13 million) worth of goods in the first 12 hours,... https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3232840/alibaba-scores-win-taobao-debut-chinas-most-famous-teacher-live-streaming-e-commerce-race-heats?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3232840/alibaba-scores-win-taobao-debut-chinas-most-famous-teacher-live-streaming-e-commerce-race-heats?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Aug 2023 13:00:30 +0000 Budget shopping app provider Temu, owned by multinational e-commerce group PDD Holdings, has started operations in the Philippines to kick off its expansion into Southeast Asia, where it faces tough head-to-head competition against Alibaba Group Holding unit Lazada, ByteDance’s TikTok Shop and Singapore-based Shopee. Temu over the weekend quietly made its “grand opening” in the Philippines, where the Boston-based sibling of Chinese online retailer Pinduoduo offered up to 90 per cent off items... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3232584/pdd-owned-temu-enters-philippines-heat-competition-southeast-asias-e-commerce-market-against?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3232584/pdd-owned-temu-enters-philippines-heat-competition-southeast-asias-e-commerce-market-against?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Aug 2023 11:30:08 +0000 China’s tourism industry will grow faster on average than the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) in the next decade, according to Fan Lei, chief financial officer of online agency Tongcheng Travel. While the Chinese economy has slowed down and consumption in education, property and cars has weakened, people are still spending money – but in areas different from before, Fan said in interview with the South China Morning Post on Thursday. “One of the most important [consumption] trends is that... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3232185/chinas-tourism-grow-faster-its-gdp-people-spend-less-property-more-travel-tongcheng-executive-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3232185/chinas-tourism-grow-faster-its-gdp-people-spend-less-property-more-travel-tongcheng-executive-says?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Aug 2023 12:00:19 +0000 Chinese technology companies got back on track for growth in the second quarter, as they continue to pin high hopes on generative artificial intelligence (AI) services amid uncertainties in the macro environment. Short-video app operator Kuaishou Technology on Tuesday posted quarterly revenue of 27.7 billion yuan (US$3.8 billion), up 27.9 per cent from the same period in 2022. The increase was primarily attributed to growth of its online marketing services, live-streaming and e-commerce... https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3232070/kuaishou-iqiyi-chinese-tech-firms-see-stronger-profits-they-tout-potential-generative-ai?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3232070/kuaishou-iqiyi-chinese-tech-firms-see-stronger-profits-they-tout-potential-generative-ai?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Aug 2023 00:00:11 +0000 Ant Group, which was forced to pull its US$40 billion initial public offering at the last minute in 2020, is regaining the government’s favour as its payment service Alipay is promoted as a key element to a successful Asian Games, the biggest public relations event for the city of Hangzhou this year. In the downtown centre of the capital city of eastern Zhejiang province, where Jack Ma started Alibaba Group Holding and later its spin-off Ant, nearly all stores now prominently display their... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3231903/fintech-giant-ant-group-back-beijings-good-graces-uses-alipay-burnish-hangzhous-tech-image-asian?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3231903/fintech-giant-ant-group-back-beijings-good-graces-uses-alipay-burnish-hangzhous-tech-image-asian?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Aug 2023 23:00:10 +0000 Alibaba Group Holding’s Taobao Tmall Commerce Group is establishing a logistics department to better manage deliveries, according to local media reports and its recruitment website. From June to August, the logistics department had 45 openings posted, including positions in areas such as logistics ecosystem strategy, warehouse management and data analysis, according to the official recruitment website of Taobao and Tmall. The department is led by Chen Ming, who has experience in supply chain and... https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3231899/alibabas-taobao-tmall-commerce-group-sets-logistics-department-improve-efficiency?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3231899/alibabas-taobao-tmall-commerce-group-sets-logistics-department-improve-efficiency?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Aug 2023 10:00:22 +0000 Alipay, the digital payment service run by financial technology giant Ant Group, has updated its app’s international interface to support overseas travellers to China, including facilitating credit card purchases made via Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club, Discover and JCB. The update was made ahead of the 2023 Asian Games to be held in Hangzhou, capital of eastern Zhejiang province, from September 23 to October 8, according to Ant’s announcement on Thursday at this year’s edition of its Alipay... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3231422/ant-groups-alipay-updates-apps-international-interface-support-visa-mastercard-other-major-credit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3231422/ant-groups-alipay-updates-apps-international-interface-support-visa-mastercard-other-major-credit?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Aug 2023 11:30:10 +0000 E-commerce titan Alibaba Group Holding reported the biggest percentage growth in revenue in over a year as China’s economy continues to recover from the ending of strict zero-Covid measures. Revenue reached 234.16 billion yuan (US$32.29 billion) for the three months to June 30, up 14 per cent from 205.56 billion yuan a year ago, beating the consensus estimate of 223.75 billion yuan, and driven by “improvements across all business segments”. Net income rose 51 per cent to 34.3 billion yuan under... https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3230653/alibaba-posts-strong-revenue-growth-chinese-economy-continues-bounce-back-covid-doldrums?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3230653/alibaba-posts-strong-revenue-growth-chinese-economy-continues-bounce-back-covid-doldrums?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Aug 2023 10:33:07 +0000 Douyin, the domestic sister app of short video hit TikTok, has achieved steady growth in its local services business although it is still some way off from challenging Meituan’s dominant market position, according to a local media report by LatePost. Local services at ByteDance-owned Douyin reached a gross merchandise volume (GMV) of over 100 billion yuan (US$13.9 billion) in the first half, less than half of the same business at Meituan. Douyin had previously set a GMV target of 290 billion... https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3230412/douyin-sees-steady-growth-demand-services-some-way-mounting-serious-challenge-meituan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3230412/douyin-sees-steady-growth-demand-services-some-way-mounting-serious-challenge-meituan?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Aug 2023 23:00:13 +0000 China’s latest proposed regulation to tackle internet addiction, which aims to limit minors’ smartphone usage to no longer than two hours a day, is unlikely to deal a heavy blow to the bottom line of Chinese Big Tech companies, according to analysts. As part of Beijing’s efforts to keep children from being glued to electronic gadgets, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) earlier this week published draft rules requiring device manufacturers and app stores to provide users with the option... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3230003/chinas-proposed-limits-childrens-smartphone-use-unlikely-hurt-tencent-bytedance-analysts-say?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3230003/chinas-proposed-limits-childrens-smartphone-use-unlikely-hurt-tencent-bytedance-analysts-say?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 04 Aug 2023 12:00:17 +0000