Homie Weekly | News Update for This Week (May 10, 2024)

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1、Local Police Station Became China’s Hottest Holiday Destination

During this year’s May Day holiday, passersby in the center of the central Chinese city of Changsha witnessed an unusual scene: Hundreds of people lined up outside a local police station, eagerly waiting to be caught.

The station wasn’t making a mass arrest; instead, it had become the latest victim of China’s “check-in” culture, in which venues unexpectedly go viral on social media and then attract huge crowds of photo-seeking tourists.

Eventually, local authorities in Changsha appeared to become unnerved by the crowds, issuing notices urging the public to behave in an orderly manner while visiting the station and not to interrupt the police’s work.

The police station was catapulted to fame by the success of the Chinese documentary series “Guardians of Jiefangxi,” which offers an unvarnished portrayal of the officers’ everyday lives and the strange cases they often find themselves handling.

https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1015111

2、Blue Moon poster sparks controversy for stereotypical portrayal of mothers

A Mother’s Day commercial poster by detergent maker Blue Moon has triggered controversy on Chinese social media for its stereotypical portrayal of mothers, as the poster suggests that mothers should be the first ones to use the promoted laundry products. The company has reportedly replied that the original idea of expressing gratitude to mothers may not have been conveyed effectively.

The controversy was caused by an elevator advertisement that claims that mothers used big bottles of laundry detergent to wash clothes in the past, which was heavy and hard work. Now, the company uses a tech that makes laundry easier and more effortless for mothers.

In addition, the pattern of the poster background, features the image of a woman busy with housework, taking care of children, and working alone. Many netizens regarded the use of the phrase “mother, you can use it first” as a stereotypical portrayal of mothers.

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202405/1311805.shtml

3、Thai police allegedly involved in Bangkok hotel kidnap of Chinese tourists

Five Chinese tourists were kidnapped from a hotel in Bangkok, Thailand, and had 2.5 million Thai baht (US$67,659) extorted on April 25 by a group of 11 people, including several current and former Thai police officers, the Southern Metropolis Daily reported.

The group demanded the Chinese tourists transfer money to a designated bank account. Fearing they could be arrested in a foreign country, the abducted Chinese tourists transferred 2.5 million Thai baht into the account, and were later released.

The Chinese victims filed a police complaint on April 29.

The police have arrested 7 suspects involved in the case, while 3 suspects remain at large. Currently, the police have recovered part of the money, and are trying to trace the remaining funds.

https://www.shine.cn/news/nation/2405086701/

4、China’s first ‘AI cheating’ case in video games publicly adjudicated; defendant sentenced to years of imprisonment for selling illegal AI plug-ins

China's first "AI cheating" case in video games was publicly adjudicated on Monday at Yujiang District People's Court in Yingtan, East China's Jiangxi Province. The defendant was sentenced to three years in prison with a five-year probation, for profiting via illegally invading and controlling a computer system which disrupted video game's operation.

In Wang's case, he was found to have used an "AI cheating" program to access visual data from multiple games without authorization, modified mouse data instructions processed in video games, and introduced features such as "auto-aim" and "automatic shooting," thereby disrupting the normal gaming environment.

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202405/1311806.shtml

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5、Nationalism sells: Xiangpiaopiao profits from anti-Japan sentiment

An image of a paper sleeve from a tea drink has been going viral on Chinese social media since 4 May. The image is of a Meco fruit juice tea, from the instant milk tea brand Xiangpiaopiao (香飘飘). The sleeve contains the message: “Japanese politicians please drink up the wastewater!” in both Chinese and Japanese. It was supposedly taken in an Asian store in Tokyo.

This was greatly welcomed on Chinese social media and many showed support by announcing that they would be buying from Xiangpiaopiao. Later, it was said that it was an action taken by a single young employee without company knowledge.

Amid concerns about the employee getting fired due to stepping out of line, Xiangpiaopiao quickly showed support by meeting the person and giving them a cash prize of 100,000 RMB (14,105.40 USD) as well as releasing a public letter commending the employee.

The sales on the Xiangpiaopiao livestream channel between 4 and 5 May grew 400 times from 2,500 RMB (352.63 USD) to 1 million RMB (141,054 USD).

https://daoinsights.com/works/nationalism-sells-xiangpiaopiao-profits-from-anti-japan-sentiment/

6、Apple, Huawei Launch New Tablets on Same Day

May 8 -- US tech giant Apple and its biggest rival in China, Huawei Technologies, both released their latest tablet computers and other smart products yesterday as competition in the high-end intelligent device market intensifies.

Apple unveiled its new iPad Pro and iPad Air, with starting prices of USD999 and USD599, respectively. It also released the next-generation smart stylus, Apple Pencil Pro, costing CNY999 (USD138). All three products are due to hit the market on May 15.

The same day, Huawei launched its MatePad, at a starting price of EUR399 (USD428), which comes with Huawei's latest operating system, Harmony OS 4.2. It also unveiled a number of new laptops and smart watches at the event held in Dubai aimed at overseas markets.

https://www.yicaiglobal.com/news/apple-huawei-launch-new-tablets-on-same-day

7、TikTok sues US government to block potential ban

TikTok, an online video entertainment platform, and its Chinese parent company ByteDance on Tuesday filed a legal challenge against the U.S. government over a law forcing ByteDance to sell off the ultra-popular app or face a nationwide ban in the country.

TikTok pointed out in the petition that the law - the Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act - is unconstitutional.

The law only gives ByteDance 270 days to sell TikTok to a non-Chinese buyer, with the possibility of a 90-day extension if the U.S. President determines it necessary.

"But in reality, there is no choice," said TikTok, noting that the "qualified divestiture" demanded by the Act to allow TikTok to continue operating in the United States is simply not possible: not commercially, not technologically, not legally.

https://english.news.cn/20240508/70e895eea0474d53873f4dbd8b10f4f1/c.html

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8、Elon Musk proposed to launch robotaxis in China during April visit

Elon Musk proposed testing Tesla's advanced driver-assistance package in China by deploying it in robotaxis, during his recent visit to the country, the state-backed China Daily newspaper reported on Wednesday, citing sources.

Chinese officials told the Tesla CEO that China "welcomes Tesla to do some robotaxi tests in the country" and hopes it can "set a good example."

However, Chinese authorities did not immediately approve its widespread use of Full Self-Driving (FSD) functions. Before the full rollout of its FSD functions, Tesla still needs to get approval to collect and transfer data that Tesla's cars need to train its driver-assistance features. The newspaper added that this issue wasn't discussed in detail during Musk's visit.

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/china-may-support-teslas-domestic-testing-demonstration-robotaxis-says-media-2024-05-08/

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9、Visa-free travel to China extended to end of

May 7 - Great news! Lin Jian speaking on behalf of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, announced today that China will extend visa-free entry for short-term visits by citizens from 12 countries until the end of 2025.

The first half of 2024 has seen several new policies announcements aimed at welcoming foreign residents and visitors to China.

Visa-free entry allows for a single stay of up to 15 days from the date of entry.

These countries are benefiting from the 2025 extension and currently have agreements in place to accommodate 15 days of visa-free travel from the date of entry: France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Malaysia.

https://www.shine.cn/news/nation/2405079711/

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10、Ryan Gosling's new movie pays tribute to Chinese kung fu legends

In an exciting fusion of Hollywood flair and Chinese martial arts tradition, the upcoming action comedy The Fall Guy, starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, pays homage to kung fu legends like Jackie Chan and Jet Li through its action choreography, as revealed by the movie's action choreographer Sun Nuo.

During the premiere, a recorded message from director David Leitch underscored his admiration for martial arts icons like Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan, drawing inspiration from Chan's journey from stuntman to director and producer.

Following a limited screening at the 14th Beijing International Film Festival, The Fall Guy is set for a widespread release across the Chinese mainland on May 17, promising audiences a thrilling blend of Hollywood spectacle and homage to Chinese martial arts heritage.

http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2024-05/09/content_117175805.htm