China’s Manufacturing PMI Edges Higher in October, Non-Manufacturing PMI Sees Slight Dip

According to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on November 30, China’s Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for October stood at 50.3%, marking a 0.2 percentage point increase from the previous month and signaling continued expansion in the manufacturing sector.

• Large Enterprises: The PMI fell to 50.9%, a 0.6 percentage point decrease, though it remained above the critical threshold.
• Medium-Sized Enterprises: PMI reached 50.0%, exactly at the critical threshold, rising 0.6 percentage points.
• Small Enterprises: PMI rose to 49.1%, an increase of 1.6 percentage points, though still below the threshold.

Among the manufacturing PMI sub-indices:

• The production index rose by 0.4 percentage points to 52.4%, staying above the threshold.
• The new orders index climbed 0.8 percentage points to reach the critical threshold of 50.0%.
• The supplier delivery time index rose by 0.6 percentage points to 50.2%.
• However, the raw material inventory index (48.2%) and employment index (48.2%) remained below the critical threshold, with the latter declining by 0.6 percentage points.

In the non-manufacturing sector, the Non-Manufacturing Business Activity Index for November fell to 50.2%, a decline of 0.2 percentage points from the previous month. Meanwhile, the Composite PMI Output Index held steady at 50.8%, showing no change from the previous month.

These figures highlight mixed economic signals, with the manufacturing sector showing modest expansion while the non-manufacturing sector reflects subdued activity.

Data Source: https://www.stats.gov.cn/sj/zxfb/202411/t20241130_1957624.html

Temu Opens Doors to U.S. Sellers Amid Intensifying E-Commerce Competition

On November 26, Temu announced a major expansion, fully opening its marketplace to U.S.-based sellers by simplifying the registration process and removing the need for invitation codes. Sellers can now ship directly from U.S. warehouses, enabling some products to reach customers within one business day. A spokesperson confirmed to Modern Retail that Temu is actively welcoming local sellers as part of its growth strategy.

This move comes while the U.S. e-commerce market is projected to reach $1.22 trillion in 2024 and $1.88 trillion by 2029, according to Statista. The sector is dominated by players like Amazon, Walmart, and eBay, with Amazon’s new budget-friendly marketplace, Amazon Haul, posing a direct challenge to Temu.

Temu’s localized shipping model aims to compete by offering faster delivery and lower costs, appealing to small and medium-sized businesses. However, it faces stiff competition and must differentiate itself with competitive fees, strong seller support, and seamless customer experiences. With its streamlined approach, Temu is positioning itself as a strong contender in the increasingly crowded U.S. e-commerce landscape.

Uniqlo Founder Clarifies Position on Xinjiang Cotton, Reaffirms Commitment to China Operations?

On November 28, the BBC reported that Tadashi Yanai, the founder of Uniqlo, addressed the company’s stance on Xinjiang cotton during an exclusive interview.

Directly translated from Japanese, he stated, “I do not use it, but if you ask me where the cotton comes from, I cannot say for sure. If we continue discussing this, it becomes a political issue, so let’s stop here.”

As of the end of August 2024, Uniqlo operated 1,032 stores across Greater China, including 926 in mainland China, surpassing the number of outlets in Japan, which stands at fewer than 800. Yanai also expressed plans to expand Uniqlo’s footprint in China to 3,000 stores, emphasizing that the company has no intention of withdrawing from Chinese production.

China remains Uniqlo’s largest production base. According to a September report by Fast Retailing, Uniqlo’s parent company, 211 of its 397 garment production partners are located in China, followed by 61 in Vietnam and 26 in Bangladesh. Of its 155 global textile factories, 75 are situated in China.

Yanai has repeatedly affirmed his commitment to China, underscoring that Uniqlo will not abandon Chinese manufacturing, even amid global tensions. Decisions about sourcing materials should be evaluated objectively and without political bias.

Business is Just Business.

Chinese NEV Makers Report Robust November Deliveries

On December 1, China’s new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturers released their monthly delivery reports for November. As of the publication time, companies such as Xiaomi, Leapmotor, Avatr, Li Auto, and XPeng have disclosed their figures, showcasing strong growth in the NEV market.

• Xiaomi: The Xiaomi SU7 maintained its momentum, with deliveries exceeding 20,000 units for the month.
• Li Auto: Achieved an impressive 48,700 vehicle deliveries, marking an 18.8% year-on-year growth.
• XPeng: Delivered 30,895 vehicles in November, surpassing the 30,000-unit milestone for the first time. This achievement also marked the third consecutive month of record-breaking delivery volumes.

These figures highlight the continued robust performance of China’s NEV sector, with companies setting new benchmarks and maintaining strong upward momentum. However, the intense competition within the market is also evident. While some automakers are achieving record-breaking sales and rapid growth, many smaller players are struggling to maintain traction.

“Her Story”: Shao Yihui’s Latest Film Highlights Gender Equity and Empowerment

Shao Yihui, the award-winning screenwriter and director, has received widespread acclaim for her latest feature film, Her Story, which recently premiered in theaters across China. Drawing praise for its insightful and witty examination of contemporary gender dynamics, the film offers a fresh perspective on modern womanhood, positioning itself as a thematic counterpart to Shao’s highly successful 2021 film B for Busy.

Her Story delves into the lives of three central characters: two adult women and a precocious schoolgirl, offering a compelling narrative on urban female friendships, romantic entanglements, and shifting family roles. The film blends humor with sharp, relatable dialogue, as it explores a variety of timely themes, including intimate relationships, menstrual stigma, women’s labor within the family, and issues of consent.

At the heart of the story are Wang Tiemei, a fiercely independent single mother who challenges societal norms, Xiao Ye, a “romantic fool” navigating emotional dependency and the complexities of unbalanced love, and Wang Moli, Tiemei’s sharp-witted daughter, who defies her divorced parents’ assumptions about love and loyalty. Their evolving relationships create a vibrant portrayal of women supporting one another, underscoring the growing movement of “female mutual empowerment” in contemporary society.

Shao Yihui commented, “This film connects with the interests and values of China’s internet-savvy, young audiences. It addresses a range of important issues — from intimate relationships to the inequities women face in family and society — while encouraging women to break free from outdated expectations and redefine their roles on their own terms.”