Homie Weekly | News Update for This Week (Jun 14, 2024)

1、2024 Dragon Boat Festival holiday: travel trends, box office, and mugwort bouquets

The three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday (8-10 June) saw a steady performance in China’s tourism market but a disappointing box office for films. However, the popularity of mugwort bouquets was an unexpected blessing.

1. Domestic tourism proceeds smoothly, on par with 2023 performance: China’s domestic tourism outings totalled 110 million trips, with domestic tourists spending a total of 40.35 billion RMB (approx. 5.57 billion USD). The hit drama ‘To the Wonder’ made local tourism in Altay popular fast, with hotel bookings in Altay during the Dragon Boat Festival increasing by 186% year-on-year.

2. Poor film box office and lack of quality content: By midday on 10 June, the 2024 Dragon Boat Festival box office (including pre-sales) reached 300 million RMB (approx. 41.4 million USD), a significant drop from last year’s 909 million RMB (approx. 127.26 million USD).

3. Mugwort bouquets as a trend: This year’s Dragon Boat Festival saw a surge in popularity for new Chinese-style mugwort door hangings across offline shops, e-commerce sites, and social media. The distinctive aroma of mugwort can repel mosquitoes and symbolises ‘peace and well-being’.

https://daoinsights.com/news/2024-dragon-boat-festival-holiday-travel-trends-box-office-and-mugwort-bouquets/

2、Supreme court rules employee covering office camera with umbrellas is misconduct

In a labor right lawsuit, China's Supreme People's Court gave the final verdict that a company's decision to terminate the contract with a female employee was lawful, rejecting the employee's demand for compensation after she was dismissed for serious disciplinary violation.

The case, which took place in 2019, made headlines across Chinese media recently. The company installed a number of high-definition cameras in the work area, one of which was located above the employee surnamed Wang's office cubicle. Wang feared that the camera could capture her in vulnerable ways and make it easy for a wardrobe malfunction, so she shielded the camera with two umbrellas.

The supreme court said that although the labor law clearly protect the interests of employees, employees are obligated to abide by the company's labor disciplines. As a middle-level manager at the company, Wang's behavior not only affected the normal working order of the company, but also caused negative impact on other employees.

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202406/1313981.shtml

3、Former One Direction star Zayn Malik reveals Chinese secret behind his voice

British singer-songwriter and former member of the boy band One Direction, Zayn Malik, has stunned mainland social media by revealing that a Chinese herbal syrup is among his must-carry daily belongings.

In a recent YouTube “What’s In The Bag” video with the magazine British Vogue, which had attracted 332,000 views in just six days following its posting, Malik shared what he carried in his Fendi duffle bag, including a bottle of Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa.

Also known as “Nin Jiom Herbal Cough Syrup”, it is a traditional Chinese natural herbal remedy used to relieve coughs, sore throats, fever, and aphonia.

Malik said in the video that the syrup is his “special elixir” that is “ridiculously good for your vocal cords”, adding that he takes it everywhere he goes, especially when he is singing.

https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3266289/revealed-china-secret-behind-voice-ex-one-direction-boy-band-star-zayn-malik

4、Apple Vision Pro to launch in China on June 28

On June 10, at WWDC 2024 (the Worldwide Developers Conference), Apple CEO Tim Cook announced plans for the Apple Vision Pro to be launched in markets outside the US, with pre-orders in China beginning on June 14 and official sales starting on June 28.

The Apple Vision Pro headset is finally arriving in mainland China after being on the market for four months. Japan and Singapore will also start sales on the same day.

The 256GB version of the Apple Vision Pro is priced at RMB 29,999 ($4,135), the 512GB version at RMB 31,499 ($4,342), and the 1TB version at RMB 32,999 ($4,549). Optical inserts, which are needed based on the user’s vision, must be purchased separately, starting at RMB 799 ($110).

https://technode.com/2024/06/11/apple-vision-pro-to-launch-in-china-on-june-28/

5、EU slaps additional duties of up to 38% on Chinese EVs

The European Commission announced on Wednesday import tariffs of up to 38% on Chinese electric vehicles, after its investigation found that producers in China benefited from "unfair subsidies" throughout their supply chains -- from lithium refining to the transportation of the final products.

China's Ministry of Commerce responded to Wednesday morning's EU announcement by saying the tariffs are "excessively high" and "lack factual and legal basis."

BYD electric cars face import duties of 17.4%, while those from Geely Holding would be subject to 20% and state-owned SAIC Motor's models would be hit with 38.1%, the European Commission said in a statement. Chinese-made EVs already face 10% EU import tariffs.

The tariff rates are provisional at this stage and would be introduced from July 4 if negotiations with Chinese authorities do not yield any resolution.

https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Trade-war/EU-slaps-additional-duties-of-up-to-38-on-Chinese-EVs

6、Dragon boat races gain momentum worldwide

In China, dragon boat races are integral to the Dragon Boat Festival, celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. This year, the Dragon Boat Festival falls on June 10, with races held in various cities, each adding its unique local flavor to the ancient tradition.

One of the most notable events was the 20th Shanghai Suzhou Creek Dragon Boat Invitational, held from June 1 to 2. The tournament featured over 700 participants from 36 teams worldwide.

Beyond Asia, dragon boat racing has seen significant growth in Europe, North America, and Africa, attracting enthusiasts from diverse cultural backgrounds.

In London, dragon boat racing has become a significant cultural and sporting event. The annual London Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival, held at the Royal Docks on Saturday this year, was a major highlight, drawing up to 10,000 attendees annually.

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202406/1313859.shtml

7、How did Shanghai earn its nickname, the City of Films?

Shanghai, a metropolis in east China, is getting ready to embrace guests from around the world this week as the Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) kicks off on Friday, with the theme "City of Films." The SIFF is China's only A-category international film festival accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers.

During the 10-day event, about 450 works will hit the screens in 47 cinemas across Shanghai and six cinemas in other cities in the Yangtze River Delta region.

The city is the birthplace of Chinese cinema and no one can discuss Chinese film history without mentioning Shanghai. As a microcosm of China's rapid development, Shanghai has undergone enormous changes, which means that many legendary stories played out in the city. In addition to being shooting locations for today's filmmakers, the city also produces generations of high-quality talents for the film industry with its academies.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-06-12/How-did-Shanghai-earn-its-nickname-the-City-of-Films--1un3JSzmQYE/p.html

8、Japanese director's Yangtze film hailed for boosting China-Japan ties

Japanese director Ryo Takeuchi's documentary film about China's Yangtze River and the people living along its banks was praised for its cultural value and role in promoting Sino-Japanese cultural exchanges during a special screening in Beijing.

"Although I am not Chinese, I have loved the Yangtze River since childhood. If the Yangtze is the mother river of the Chinese people, then because I am a son-in-law of China, she should be my 'mother-in-law river,'" Takeuchi said during a Q&A session.

The Yangtze River, known as China's mother river, has been the cradle of Chinese civilization for millennia, shaping the country's geography, cultural heritage, and national spirit. Takeuchi's film focuses on the sweeping changes that have taken place along the river over the past decade, showcasing China's rapid economic development and social progress.

http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2024-06/09/content_117244302.htm

9、Intelligent mini rover captures photo of Chang'e-6 on far side of moon

A recent photo of the Chinese Chang'e-6 probe's lander-ascender combination on the far side of the moon has captured a historic moment in human lunar exploration.

The photograph was taken by a mini rover that was carried to the moon by the Chang'e-6 mission.

The probe has collected samples from the moon's far side and is currently in lunar orbit, awaiting the optimal time for its return journey.

After Chang'e-6 collected the samples on the far side of the moon, the mini rover autonomously detached from the lander, moved to a suitable position, selected an ideal angle for the photograph, and then captured the image.

http://www.china.org.cn/china/2024-06/13/content_117250977.htm

10、China keeps its World Cup hopes alive despite a 1-0 loss to South Korea

China kept its 2026 World Cup hopes alive by the narrowest of margins despite a 1-0 loss to South Korea on Tuesday in Asian qualifying.

China advanced to the third qualification round because Thailand, needing to beat Singapore by three goals, only won 3-1.

Six of the 18 Asian teams in the next stage will secure automatic spots at the World Cup. Two more teams will earn direct entry to the World Cup from a fourth stage in Asian qualifying and another will go into intercontinental playoffs for a spot at the global tournament.

China’s only appearance at a men’s World Cup so far was in 2002, when the tournament was co-hosted by South Korea and Japan.

https://apnews.com/article/asia-world-cup-qualifying-c0cc154f46c86c1da9a96b12b2c21e99