China Digital Digest Weekly: Exploring the Chinese Digital Landscape
- ClickInsights
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Hi folks, we are back with our weekly edition of China’s Digital Digest, wherein we bring you weekly updates on China’s digital space. The report takes a quick glance at China’s complex and rapidly evolving social media landscape by providing updates on the latest happenings across the social media industry. Here are the major highlights of the report.
1. Quora-Like Platform Zhihu Bets on AI to Become China’s X and LinkedIn
Zhihu, a question-and-answer platform in China, is betting on artificial intelligence (AI) search features to transform itself into the country’s equivalent of X and LinkedIn, as the company achieved quarterly profitability for the first time since going public, according to chief financial officer Wang Han.
The company not only leveraged its extensive network of professionals, executives and scholars to answer questions, but also used AI models such as DeepSeek-R1 and Zhihu’s proprietary algorithms to power its Zhida service. Often likened to Quora, Zhihu provides a platform for users to discuss myriad topics, from lifestyle to literature. With the company’s increasing focus on AI, Wang envisions that the platform will evolve to resemble X, which is inaccessible in mainland China, and LinkedIn, which ceased operations in the country in 2023.
2. Jack Ma Makes Rare Appearance for Alibaba Cloud’s 15th Anniversary
Alibaba founder Jack Ma made a rare and high-profile appearance on April 10, visiting Alibaba’s Yunxi Campus in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, to mark the 15th anniversary of Alibaba Cloud. His presence drew considerable attention, highlighting his continued connection to the tech giant he founded despite stepping back from executive responsibilities several years ago.
During his visit, Ma was seen casually dressed in a white commemorative T-shirt printed with the phrase “Alibaba Cloud 15th Anniversary since 2009,” emphasizing the importance of Alibaba Cloud’s milestone. His casual attire was complemented by Alibaba’s recently updated employee badge, which prominently featured his well-known alias, “Feng Qingyang” (风清扬). This new badge design is part of a broader initiative by Alibaba, intended to promote workplace identity and strengthen internal culture, urging employees to visibly wear their badges within company premises.
3. Alibaba International Launches AI Talent Recruitment Blitz to Power Global Growth
Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group (AIDC), the overseas-facing e-commerce arm of Alibaba Group, is doubling down on artificial intelligence to accelerate its global expansion. The company unveiled “Bravo 102,” a bold new initiative to recruit and cultivate top AI talent worldwide.
Under the program, AIDC announced that over 80% of its campus recruitment positions for 2026 will be AI-related, ranging from large language model (LLM) engineering to AI product management and data operations. This is part of a larger strategy to integrate AI deeply into the core of its international platforms like AliExpress, Lazada, and Trendyol — streamlining everything from search and recommendation to customer service and logistics.
4. Alibaba Poised to Unveil Upgraded Qwen 3 Large Language Model This Month Amidst AI Race
According to information circulating within Chinese tech media circlest, Chinese technology powerhouse Alibaba Group Holding is aiming to launch Qwen 3, an upgraded version of its proprietary large language model (LLM), later this month.
While sources suggest the timeline remains fluid, the anticipated release underscores Alibaba's commitment to rapid iteration and maintaining a competitive edge in the generative AI arena. This potential launch follows closely on the heels of other significant AI advancements from the company.
5. China’s AI Chatbot Price War Escalates as DeepSeek Cuts API Rates by 75%
AI startup DeepSeek has slashed the API usage rates of its large language model “DeepSeek-R1” by up to 75%, undercutting competitors like Tencent, Baidu, and iFlytek.
DeepSeek’s new pricing puts its model inference costs significantly below market averages, with tokens priced at less than ¥0.0005 ($0.00007) per call, according to public documentation. This follows Baidu’s move on April 1 to make its flagship ERNIE Bot (文心一言) completely free to the public — including previously paid premium tiers — in a bid to boost its user base and developer community.
6. Microsoft Denies Rumors of Ceasing Operations in China
Microsoft Corp has denied rumors that the company plans to cease operations in China.
A spokesperson said in a statement that reports claiming that the company will stop operating in China are untrue, adding that all inquiries regarding the business and operations of Wicresoft should be directed to them. Screenshots of an internal email by Wicresoft HR showed that due to evolving geopolitical dynamics and shifts in the international business environment, Wicresoft's project with Microsoft will cease operations in China, effective April 8, 2025.
7. Senator Mark Warner Says New Trump TikTok Extension May Violate Law
The top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee has said that US President Donald Trump’s decision to extend a deadline for China-based ByteDance to divest short video app TikTok’s US assets violates the law.
Senator Mark Warner also said the reported likely deal under consideration would not meet legal requirements for eliminating ByteDance’s influence over TikTok’s US operations under a 2024 law. Trump has extended the previous 75 day-deadline for ByteDance to sell US assets of the popular short video app to a non-Chinese buyer, or face a ban that was supposed to have taken effect in January under a 2024 law. Trump also said his administration was in touch with four different groups about a prospective TikTok deal.
8. Deliveroo Riders to Take Legal Action Over Compensation As it Exits Hong Kong
A group of couriers said they would file claims against Deliveroo after the food delivery platform failed to give them any compensation as the company exited the Hong Kong market.
The Riders’ Rights Concern Group said the 16 couriers were among an estimated 12,000 riders who were not given any employee entitlements by Deliveroo, as they were considered self-employed workers. London-based Deliveroo announced it was closing down in Hong Kong after a nine-year run, with certain assets to be sold to rival Foodpanda. The platform said in the announcement it had appointed two liquidators and pledged to offer employees an enhanced redundancy payment going beyond statutory requirements.
Wrapping Up
The vast and diverse nature of the Chinese Social Media space makes it incredibly challenging to keep a tab on the rapid developments taking place. However, China’s Digital Digest brings you all the latest updates from there to keep you abreast of all the evolving trends.
To delve deeper into the findings of our latest report, click here.
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