Month: February 2018

China Gives Green Light to First Government-Led Personal Credit Scoring Firm

February 28, 2018

China’s central bank, the People’s Bank of China, has officially issued the first domestic personal credit scoring license to the state-led Baihang Credit Scoring Co. which partnered with domestic major credit scoring institutions backed by such internet giants as Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., Tencent Holdings Ltd. and NetEase Inc. The new platform will mainly provide … More China Gives Green Light to First Government-Led Personal Credit Scoring Firm

JD’s O2O service inks new deal with brick-and-mortar store chain FamilyMart

February 27, 2018

JD has been aggressively entering offline stores keeping pace with its biggest rival Alibaba. Its newest deal is with FamilyMart, Japan’s second largest convenience store chain after 7-Eleven. JD’s new cooperation deal means that users will be able to order goods through JD’s O2O service Jing Dong Dao Jia (京东到家 or “Door-to-Door JD”). Goods will … More JD’s O2O service inks new deal with brick-and-mortar store chain FamilyMart

Vodafone joins forces with China Mobile in Internet of Things partnership

February 27, 2018

Two of the biggest global players in the Internet of Things (IoT) Vodafone and China Mobile have joined forces to resell each other’s services for the first time. Under a new agreement each company will share new IoT project opportunities. Vodafone customers will be given access to China Mobile IoT SIMS for deployments in China, … More Vodafone joins forces with China Mobile in Internet of Things partnership

JD.com’s new accelerator focuses on blockchain startups

February 27, 2018

JD.com, one of China’s largest e-commerce companies, is launching a new Beijing-based accelerator program for artificial intelligence and blockchain startups. Called AI Catapult, its first batch includes six companies: Bankorus, CanYa, Bluezelle, Nuggets, Republic Protocol and Devery. In an announcement, JD.com said startups will work with its operational teams to “test real-world applications of their … More JD.com’s new accelerator focuses on blockchain startups

China’s web censors go into overdrive as President Xi Jinping consolidates power

February 27, 2018

A week that begins with the repeal of regulation that prevents dictatorship in China is likely to be a busy one for the country’s censorship people, and so it has proven to be. China’s web scrubbers have been busy banning a collection of terms and dropping the hammer on user accounts after the Xi Jinping, … More China’s web censors go into overdrive as President Xi Jinping consolidates power

The People’s Daily says China will lead global blockchain innovation and regulation

February 26, 2018

The People’s Daily has once again reassured readers that China is not only pro blockchain technology with an almost full page spread (in Chinese), but should also create “an invincible position in the future international blockchain battle.” While the technology is still immature, the paper says thatgovernment policy will continue to help the technology to … More The People’s Daily says China will lead global blockchain innovation and regulation

Microsoft and Xiaomi to collaborate on AI, cloud computing and hardware

February 23, 2018

After Microsoft signed a deal to test Windows 10 on Xiaomi devices in 2015 and then Xiaomi bought a trove of patents to help run other Microsoft services on its devices in 2016, today the two companies announced another chapter in its collaboration. Xiaomi and Microsoft have signed a Strategic Framework Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) … More Microsoft and Xiaomi to collaborate on AI, cloud computing and hardware

Chanel Teams Up With Farfetch. Will China’s Toplife Be Next?

February 22, 2018

Chanel has teamed up with Farfetch to develop new digital initiatives, the famously techno-cautious brand announced last week. Chanel has stopped short of selling its items on Farfetch, but the collaboration nevertheless brings the luxury brand much closer to one of Farfetch’s major shareholders, JD.com and its luxury e-commerce platform, Toplife. While other luxury brands … More Chanel Teams Up With Farfetch. Will China’s Toplife Be Next?

Helsinki Reaches out to Millions of Chinese Travellers with new Helsinki Mini Program

February 19, 2018

China is the largest outbound tourism market in the world. The cooperation between Helsinki and Tencent gives the Finnish capital a groundbreaking channel straight into the mobile devices of WeChat users. Helsinki has set itself the goal of being the most digitalised city in the world, and the cooperation with Tencent ensures that the city … More Helsinki Reaches out to Millions of Chinese Travellers with new Helsinki Mini Program

Renault, Tmall Partner for 2018 F1 World Championship

February 19, 2018

The Renault Sport Formula One Team has joined forces with Tmall, China’s leading B2C online marketplace, in a branding partnership for this year’s FIA Formula 1 World Championship, the French manufacturer announced on Tuesday. As part of the agreement, the team’s new 2018 car—the Renault R.S. 18 F1 challenger—will feature Tmall’s well-known cat logo during … More Renault, Tmall Partner for 2018 F1 World Championship