China’s August Data Shows Steady Industrial and Services Growth, Retail Recovery Modest

 

 

On September 15, China’s National Bureau of Statistics released key August economic indicators:

 

 

• Industry & Services: Industrial output from large enterprises grew 5.2% year-on-year (+0.37% month-on-month), while the services production index rose 5.6% year-on-year.

• Consumption: Retail sales reached CNY 3.97 trillion, up 3.4% year-on-year and 0.17% month-on-month.

• Investment: Fixed-asset investment (excluding households) totaled CNY 32.61 trillion in the first eight months, up only 0.5%. Stripping out real estate, however, FAI growth stood at 4.2%.

• Trade: Total imports and exports in August hit CNY 3.87 trillion, up 3.5% year-on-year. Exports rose 4.8%, while imports gained 1.7%.

• Employment & Prices: The surveyed urban unemployment rate averaged 5.2% in Jan–Aug. In August, it edged up to 5.3%. CPI fell 0.4% year-on-year but was flat month-on-month; core CPI (ex-food & energy) rose 0.9%, slightly faster than July.

 

 

The data suggests a balanced picture: manufacturing and services continue to expand at a solid pace, external demand is improving, while retail and investment remain under pressure from a sluggish property sector.

 

 

Data Source: https://www.stats.gov.cn/sj/zxfb/202509/t20250915_1961181.html

 

 

CATL Launches NP3.0 Battery Platform in Munich, Targets Europe’s EV Market

 

 

On September 7, CATL unveiled its NP3.0 technology platform at a global launch event in Munich, alongside its first product under the platform—the Shenxing Pro lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery.

 

 

According to CATL, NP3.0 integrates eight core technologies: flame-retardant electrolyte, safety separator, nano-coated cathode material, cell-level safety device, aerogel insulation, fireproof coating, circuit stability control, high-voltage active cooling, and advanced system strategies. The result: even if a battery pack experiences thermal runaway, NP3.0 can maintain stable high-voltage output for up to one hour, enhancing safety in extreme conditions.

 

 

CATL released two Shenxing Pro versions:

 

 

• Long-Life Edition: WLTP range of 758 km, designed for Europe’s cross-border travel needs and long-term lease models. It carries a lifespan of 12 years or 1 million km—the longest among passenger EV batteries today.

• Ultra-Charge Edition: WLTP range of 683 km, built to handle Europe’s cold climates. With a peak charge rate of 12C, it can recharge from 20% to 80% in 20 minutes at -20°C, making it the fastest LFP battery for ultra-fast charging in Europe, according to CATL.

 

 

With China’s domestic market becoming increasingly competitive, CATL is ramping up its overseas strategy. It already operates factories in Germany and Hungary, with a Spanish plant set to start production in 2026. The NP3.0 launch marks what could be the next chapter in CATL’s European expansion.

 

 

When Gossip Meets Governance: Xiaohongshu Under Scrutiny

 

 

On September 11, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) publicly called out lifestyle platform Xiaohongshu for failing to manage its information ecosystem responsibly. Regulators noted that the platform’s trending search list had been repeatedly filled with sensational celebrity gossip and trivial content, which they said undermines the integrity of the online environment.

 

 

The CAC instructed the Shanghai Cyberspace Administration to take corrective measures, including interviews with platform representatives, formal directives for reform, and disciplinary actions against those responsible, citing the Regulations on the Governance of the Online Information Content Ecosystem.

 

 

Xiaohongshu responded swiftly, acknowledging the criticism and promising to “engage in profound reflection” while forming a dedicated task force to clean up the trending list. The company pledged to strengthen oversight and launch special governance initiatives to prevent similar issues.

 

 

The controversy highlights a recurring tension in China’s digital landscape: the commercial incentives that drive platforms to amplify celebrity gossip versus the state’s push to cultivate a “healthy” online discourse. While trending lists boost traffic and ad revenue, regulators warn that a constant stream of low-value content risks distorting public attention and corroding the credibility of online platforms.

 

 

Xibei vs. Luo Yonghao: A Fresh Fight Over “Pre-Made” Meals

 

 

On September 10, tech entrepreneur and outspoken internet personality Luo Yonghao ignited a storm online after dining at Xibei with colleagues. In a social media post, he claimed that “almost all the dishes were pre-made and sold at high prices,” and called for legislation requiring restaurants to clearly label pre-prepared dishes. With his large following, the remarks quickly went viral, pulling Xibei into the center of public scrutiny.

 

 

Xibei, a household name in Northwest Chinese cuisine with nearly 400 outlets across 60 cities, swiftly pushed back. Founder and CEO Jia Guolong denied the allegations outright, insisting that none of the chain’s dishes qualify as pre-prepared meals under national standards. According to Chinese regulations, hot dishes produced in a central kitchen and distributed across chain restaurants are not classified as “pre-prepared,” even if unused portions can be preserved for months.

 

 

Luo responded again on September 12 in a livestream, sharpening his critique. While stressing that he does not oppose pre-made dishes in principle, Luo argued that marketing heavily processed or long-preserved food as “fresh” without transparency misleads diners. “The issue,” he said, “is not whether pre-made dishes exist, but whether consumers have the right to know—and whether what they’re paying for matches what they expect.”

 

 

Amid the controversy, Xibei leaned on its long-promoted “open kitchen” policy, inviting media and customers to observe food preparation. Yet by midday on September 14, reporters and diners said they were temporarily barred from entering kitchens for filming or livestreaming—an awkward twist that only intensified debate.

 

 

National media soon weighed in. On September 13, Xinhua News Agency remarked: “It’s not pre-made food that worries us, but not telling us.” A day later, People’s Daily called the discussion “a clash of views moving toward consensus,” while CCTV News pressed the key question: “What exactly counts as pre-made food?”

 

 

By September 15, Xibei issued a public apology on its official Weibo account. The chain pledged that by October 1, 2025, all of its outlets would switch from standard soybean oil to non-GMO soybean oil, and that certain dishes—such as kids’ meals and grilled lamb skewers—would return to being freshly cooked in-store.

The spat has tapped into a broader public anxiety in China’s dining scene: as cost pressures push restaurants toward central kitchens and standardized production, consumers are increasingly questioning where the line between “fresh” and “factory” really lies.

 

 

Xiaomi executive Wang Teng has been dismissed

 

 

On September 8, Xiaomi issued an internal notice announcing the dismissal of Wang Teng, general manager of Xiaomi’s China marketing department and head of the Redmi brand, citing “serious violations” of company rules. According to the notice, Wang was found to have leaked confidential company information and engaged in conflicts of interest, leading to his immediate termination.

 

That evening, Wang took to Weibo with a public apology, saying he accepted the consequences of his mistakes, thanked Xiaomi founder Lei Jun and the leadership team for their support, and added that he planned to “take a short break before starting anew.”

 

 

Wang’s abrupt fall is striking. A seasoned Xiaomi veteran, he had reached level 21 in the company’s hierarchy — one step below the highest rank — positioning him among Lei Jun’s core lieutenants.

 

 

Xiaomi’s handling of the matter has also drawn notice. The company’s statement focused not on information leaks, but on a conflict of interest, with the decision framed as outright dismissal rather than a face-saving resignation. Insiders note this approach falls somewhere between quiet internal settlement and legal escalation: achievements acknowledged, mistakes penalized, but no criminal proceedings.

 

 

Equally notable was Wang’s response. His apology struck a markedly humble tone, accepting fault, expressing gratitude, and publicly conceding the company had shown leniency. The exchange highlights a delicate corporate balance — a high-profile executive exit carried out with formality, but without burning bridges.