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. TikTok Explores Local Services Markets in Indonesia and Thailand
TikTok, the global hit short video platform owned by ByteDance, is set to jump into Southeast Asia’s local services sector, initially enabling users in Indonesia and Thailand to obtain vouchers for restaurants, flights, and hotels via links on their feeds.
According to a Chinese media outlet, restaurant owners and merchants in those two countries are being encouraged to join the social media platform’s “TikTok Local Services”. TikTok also plans to make a foray into leisure categories, allowing users to obtain coupons for flights and hotels provided by third-party service providers, according to an Indonesia-based source who declined to be identified because the initiative has not been made public yet.
2. Big Brands Reduce TikTok Ad Spending Ahead of US Removal
With the U.S. TikTok sell-off bill still in place, which could see the app removed from America as of January next year, advertisers are already considering their options, according to new insights.
The overall TikTok ad spend declined in both April and May, while four of the platform’s biggest spending advertisers have significantly reduced their TikTok ads focus in recent months. Among the biggest declines, Target has reduced its TikTok ad spend by 30%, DoorDash has slashed its TikTok spending by 25%, while Bayer (-20%) and Procter & Gamble (-10%) are also shifting their focus.
3. China’s Olympics Opening Ceremony Outfits Slammed on Social Media
Social media users in China have slammed officials for having “backward gender awareness” as the country’s outfits for the Paris Olympics opening ceremony went viral for the wrong reasons.
China’s outfits, to be worn by its athletes at the opening ceremony on July 26 and the closing ceremony two weeks later, were unveiled last month, with men set to sport a red suit jacket with white trousers and women donning a jacket, skirt, and high heels. But there was growing disgust among users on Xiaohongshu, China’s Instagram-like platform, with many calling the entire ensemble sexist.
4. Microsoft Defends iPhone-Only Order for China Staff After Backlash
Microsoft defended its request for all mainland China-based employees to use iPhones at work, saying it is necessary due to the absence of Google’s Android services there after the decision triggered speculation over the company’s intent.
As part of its global cybersecurity initiative to fend off worldwide hackers, the US tech giant has started requiring all employees in mainland China to verify their identities through the Microsoft Authenticator password manager and Identity Pass apps, available on Apple’s App Store and Google Play only. Google Mobile Services – a collection of Google apps and other tools, such as Play, Search, YouTube, and Gmail – are blocked in mainland China.
5. Alibaba Bets on Generative AI Tools To Help Cross-Border Merchants, Executive Says
Chinese tech giant Alibaba Group Holding’s international e-commerce unit is tapping tools powered by generative artificial intelligence (AI) to help cross-border merchants with translation, content creation, and product returns, according to the firm’s vice-president Zhang Kaifu.
Speaking on stage at the Reuters Next Conference in Singapore, Zhang – head of Alibaba International Digital Commerce’s AI initiative – said he was bullish on the technology’s potential for the company, even in the face of increasing tensions between China and the United States. The sprawling tech conglomerate has been grappling with how to make its global marketplaces, including AliExpress and Lazada, more competitive after restructuring its international e-commerce unit into a stand-alone business.
6. Alibaba.Com Signs NBA Legend Tony Parker as Brand Ambassador
https://footwearnews.com/fashion/fashion-news/alibaba-tony-parker-global-ambassador-deal-1203663037/
Alibaba.com, the cross-border business-to-business e-commerce platform owned by Alibaba Group Holding, has signed French-American basketball star Tony Parker as its new brand ambassador ahead of the Paris Olympics, as the Chinese technology giant focuses more attention on the European market.
Advertisements featuring the four-time NBA championship winner will appear across the French capital at airports, train, and metro stations, as well as on the famed Champs-Elysees, according to a WeChat post published by Alibaba.com. The latest marketing move by Alibaba.com reflects widening efforts by the Hangzhou-based online shopping juggernaut to grow its international business amid tepid demand at home.
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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