Chinese Travellers

This is us with Alibaba Group’s local management in Madrid, building skills to bridge East-West Leadership cultures in a realm that rapidly gains global importance: Chinese firms abroad. The focus? The speed and nuances of communication between European and HQ colleagues at a Chinese firms.

If you read Dragon Suit, you already know my “China in one word” game, which actually encourages people to share their biases about East-West collaboration. China: “Why can’t Europeans reply faster?” Europe: “Why can’t the Chinese provide full replies?”

We spent quite some time in Madrid discussing a specific secret of “China speed”: informal communication through personal channels including random visits and if distance stands in-between, then… Weixin/WeChat of course!

A few great practical lessons from the workshop to both sides:

To Europeans:
- When China calls (or emails), immediately send at least a placeholder in reply, otherwise you may miss the fast train.
- Incomplete replies is the price to pay for speed and agility. Keep asking for input ping-pong style until you get the data you need.
- China is more comfortable with constant changes than you are: confirm next steps in writing at milestones and get an “okay”.

To Chinese:
- Accept slower pace and more transparency as a price for business with the outside world (not just “The West”).
- Include a desired reply schedule in your message. Then check the calendar for weekends and holidays: adjust if needed.
- Learn from customer service pros and ask “Do you need anything else from me?” at the end of your mail or call.

Great thanks Vivian Liu for making the workshop happen, and the whole team for the great thoughts and dynamics!

For years, brands have been told that China’s next growth opportunities is in its lower-tier markets, with vast populations, rising incomes and less competition. But what is the reality on the ground?

China’s “multi-terrain” bionic spiders?! 🕷️ 
 
The NEW Gen of nature-inspired robots 🦾 
 
Just as the kingfisher inspired bullet train redesign, innovation looks to nature for inspiration. 
 
BUT - this time, coming from spiders?  
 
😳 These intelligent multi-terrain bots are designed to move across complex environments: 
 
- Rubble 
- Steep surfaces 
- Vegetation 
- Uneven ground 
 
Developed by leading research institutions like Harbin Institute of Technology and Tsinghua University. 🎓 
 
+ as well as by emerging robotics companies in Shenzhen. 
 
These multi-legged robots use:

- Flexible joints 
- Gecko-like adhesive pads 
- Lightweight frames 
 
They are great at navigating spaces that wheeled robots can’t reach! 🤯 
 
Their primary applications are in spaces like: 
 
- Urban search and rescue 
- Infrastructure inspection 
- Military reconnaissance 
 
They can quietly enter collapsed buildings, tunnels... 
 
OR narrow industrial pipelines to transmit video + environmental data. 
 
The robots went VIRAL on Chinese social media because they look visually striking.  
 
Western viewers sometimes misinterpret these clips as futuristic military weapons... 😅 
 
BUT, most models are research prototypes/inspection tools designed for safety and disaster response! 
 
What do you think of these robot *spiders*? 
 
PS. Want detailed report on Chinese innovation? Get in touch!

Arnold Ma #China #Technology | 14 comments on LinkedIn

Why luxury and craftsmanship brands should use Douyin (tiktok)to communicate their fabrication.
80% of Western fashion brands and Luxury are missing out Tiktok-Douyin...
🧐
1️⃣ In China, consumers don’t just buy products ; they buy the story behind them
Chinese audiences are extremely curious. They want to see how something is made. They love transparency, emotion, and authenticity.
On Douyin, you can show the world the magic behind the fabric:
- The artisan weaving by hand.
- The texture, the threads, the colors.
- The attention to detail that turns material into art.
- This kind of content doesn’t sell a product ; it sells a heritage.
And in China, heritage = trust = premium value. 💎

2️⃣ Douyin is visual, emotional, and immersive
Luxury is not about logic ; it’s about emotion and aspiration.
Douyin allows you to create short cinematic experiences that capture beauty and craftsmanship in motion.
Imagine:
A 15-second clip of a tailor cutting fine silk with perfect precision.
A slow-motion of natural light on a linen texture.
The sound of scissors, fabric, and focus.
This is not advertising ; this is art direction.
And it’s exactly what attracts high-end Chinese consumers today.

3️⃣ Craftsmanship builds differentiation in a market of noise
China’s digital space is crowded ; everyone is selling, everyone is shouting.
But when you show your process, you are not selling ; you are educating.
That’s powerful.
It says:
“We are not fast fashion. We are slow luxury.”
“We are not manufacturing ; we are creating.”
This resonates deeply with younger consumers, especially Gen Z and Millennials in China who now crave authentic, meaningful luxury.

4️⃣ The Douyin Algorithm loves storytelling
The algorithm rewards videos that retain attention — and the process of creation is naturally captivating.
When viewers stay to watch how a fabric is dyed or woven, your content gets more visibility organically.
It’s algorithmic storytelling : emotion drives engagement, and engagement drives sales. 😉

China’s 2025 Double 11 (Singles’ Day) shopping festival revealed significant shifts in platform strategies, consumer behavior, and technological integration. This report compiles key data and trends from the event. 1. Did people stop caring about Double 11?

Digitally savvy, brand loyal, and with substantial disposable income, China’s affluent retirees are a force to be reckoned with.

In Chinese, the word for snack is “点心”, which literally translates into “touching the heart”. Such reflects the integral role of snacking and snack foods in the lives of Chinese, a historical phenomenon persevering into the present day.

South Korea has emerged as the top outbound destination for Chinese travelers in terms of the volume of international flight tickets booked, data from online travel agency Qunar showed on Monday, citing the data over the past weekend (November 15–16).

Chinese tourists are shifting toward Southeast Asian destinations.

China Market Update – November 2025 As we counsel destination and brand partners across Asia, this month’s China Market Update reveals a profound shift happening beneath the surface of trade tensions and policy friction. While headlines focus on tariffs and aviation restrictions, China’s elite trave

In search of new definitions of success, Chinese youth are moving to lower-tier cities to become coffee shop owners, artisans, and digital nomads.

NEW: Q3 2025 WeChat Rankings Report for Tourism

Fireworks and foliage captured Chinese travelers’ attention on WeChat in Q3 2025, while travel brands around the world got ready for the Golden Week travel rush. Our latest report reveals new developments and trends, as well as tried-and-tested content strategies.

Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/eqPWksbW

Congratulations to the top-ranking tourism brands:
Japan National Tourism Organization
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Philippine Department of Tourism
Tourism Malaysia
Destination Canada
Macao Government Tourism Office
Hong Kong Tourism Board
Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism
Destination Ontario
Tourism and Events Queensland
Destination British Columbia
AirAsia
All Nippon Airways
Air Macau Co, Ltd.
Cathay Pacific
China Airlines
Royal Caribbean International
Adora Cruises
Viking
Airport Authority Hong Kong
Changi Airport Group
Kansai Airports
Hong Kong Disneyland
Hong Kong Palace Museum
M+
Victoria and Albert Museum
Van Gogh Museum
Marriott International
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
Rosewood Hotel Group
Hilton Hotels & Resorts
Bulgari Hotel Group
Avis Budget Group
Hertz

Things have been looking brighter for brands eyeing China’s lower-tier cities. However a new report paints a vivid picture of daily life on the commercial streets of smaller Chinese cities, which isn’t all rosy. The winners have tailored their offer to the specific needs, habits, and quirks of the l

From virtual anchors to predictive commerce, China’s AI-driven e-commerce strategies are forcing Western brands to rethink their retail playbook.

Over the past decade, both China and South Korea have shaped influential cultural movements, but the engines behind them, and the way they expand globally, are fundamentally different.

🎬How Guochao and Hallyu diverge:Guochao has moved from domestic cultural confidence to early global ambition, driven largely by consumer brands aiming to export design and aesthetics. Hallyu, meanwhile, builds on two decades of entertainment-powered soft power, from K-pop to K-dramas, giving it a more unified and global cultural reach.

📱 What they share in common: Both waves are fueled by young consumers. China’s Gen Z shows strong confidence in local brands, while Korea’s MZ Generation is driving global interest in Hallyu, reflected in a rising share of young foreign visitors.

📺Hallyu’s spread: K-dramas and films continue gaining massive traction worldwide, including in China, influencing trends from F&B to lifestyle. This global audience makes product placement in Korean content a strategic tool, even for Chinese brands.

⚠️When Guochao marketing misses the mark: Recent missteps by luxury brands show the sensitivity required when referencing Chinese cultural symbols.Cases involving Dior and Fendi illustrate how misinterpretation or cultural ambiguity can trigger strong public backlash.

Guochao and Hallyu both shape consumer culture, but their foundations differ: one is brand-driven and still evolving globally, while the other is entertainment-driven with established soft-power momentum. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for brands navigating Asian markets and cultural influence.

Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gtVVQRbi

#Guochao #Hallyu #CulturalTrends #DaxueConsulting #Daxuestories

The most beloved supermarket in China is making too much money? 😳

AND its founder says the company's runaway success is destroying its core value.

Yap, the company’s sales are soaring, yet the founder is begging to slow down. 

❗It seems Pang Dong Lai, the most beloved supermarket in China, fears its own runaway success.

The legendary Chinese retailer achieved sales of US$2.5 billion in just nine months of 2025—surpassing its entire 2024 total. 

But founder Yu Donglai issued a startling warning: such rapid, unchecked growth forces overtime and undermines the company’s core values.

​​📌 The "People-First" Model

Pang Dong Lai’s culture is its business model. The company is famous for:
- An average employee salary over $1,260 USD/month —significantly above industry standard.
- No mandatory overtime and generous vacation policies.
- A publicly declared goal of employee happiness.

This philosophy transformed grocery shopping from a chore into a joyful, viral experience built on trust and human warmth.

​📌 ​​The Genius Behind the Model​​
The "soft" values create "hard" business results. Happy, fairly compensated employees provide exceptional service, which builds fierce customer loyalty. 

This allows Pang Dong Lai to:
- Curate a dazzling array of products, from dozens of soy sauces to premium imported goods, creating a sense of discovery.
- Build immense trust in its high-quality house brands.
- Become a destination, not just a utilitarian store.

​📌 Yu Donglai’s concern reveals the central challenge: 
- Can a company scale its soul? 
- Is it possible to grow without sacrificing the very principles that made it successful? 
- He is actively trying to cap growth to protect the culture.

💬 Can a company's culture truly remain its top priority during hyper-growth?

Pang Dong Lai’s experiment tests a fundamental question for modern business: Is sustainable, human-centric scale the next competitive frontier?

What’s your take?

____
#leadership #retail #pangdonglai #ashleytalks

❌ Still measuring success by revenue growth alone?
✅ DM me to discuss how to build operational strategies that protect company culture during expansion. | 12 comments on LinkedIn

"European destinations had to totally rethink their content strategies during COVID-19, and in the early period after reopening when Chinese arrivals were slower than expected," said Gary Bowerman, director of Check-in Asia, a consultancy specializing in the Asia-Pacific region.

🍷 Why D2C is no longer optional for wine brands in China


I was talking to a large European wine producer this week about China. It was a great discussion, lots of great questions.

Their challenge? Absolutely no presence or brand awareness in China. Zero.

The conversation mirrored so many others I have had recently.

It started something like this "Should we find a distributor first, or build our own presence?"

My answer?

The China market has flipped on its head in the last 5 years, you need to flip the script as well.

The pandemic did a lot more than just change how Chinese consumers drink, it fundamentally rewired how they buy wine.

What we're seeing now in China is a permanent recalibration.

70% of all alcohol purchased in China is now bought through ecommerce and social commerce channels.

That’s huge.

In Australia it’s 11%, the US around 5%, and UK 21%.

Chinese consumers discovered that buying wine directly online isn't just convenient, it's so much better.

Better selection, better information, better prices.

And here's what makes China unique.

The infrastructure is built. And it works.

The combination of sophisticated ecommerce platforms, hyper efficient logistics networks, and seamless social commerce means you can reach consumers in Tier 3 cities as easily as Shanghai.

Anywhere in China in under 48 hours 😲

That's not an exaggeration, it's the reality of China's digital ecosystem today.

Social media + social commerce + ecommerce is more than a disruption.

It's transformed the whole market from top to bottom.

But here's where it gets really interesting, and where most brands miss out.

Going D2C doesn't mean abandoning offline channels. It means entering the market from a position of strength.

When you've already built brand awareness, proven consumer demand, and established direct channels, distributors come to you.

And when they do, you're negotiating with data, with proof of concept, with leverage.

Compare that to the traditional approach. Pushing your product at distributors cold, negotiating the price down, accepting the terms they offer, hoping they'll prioritize your brand, watching your margins evaporate.

It would be wrong to say that offline channels are dead, far from it.

But the pathway to offline success now runs through digital.

Build your D2C presence first. Prove your brand can resonate with Chinese consumers. Then let the distribution opportunities come to you.

That's not just a smarter strategy. In today's China market, it just might be the only strategy that makes sense.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm Iain Langridge 毅安 and I use my experience to launch, grow, and manage premium consumer brands in China.

Follow or DM me to find out more.

#chinamarket #chinabusiness #chinawinemarket #chinawine #wine #premiumwine In2Asia Wine

Photo: Jing'an Temple, West Nanjing Road, Shanghai

China's official 2026 public holiday calendar has just been released today! What do tourism brands need to know?
1️⃣ Following last year’s extension of the Chinese New Year holiday from seven to eight days, in 2026, the public holiday for Chinese New Year will be extended by yet another day, to nine days.
2️⃣ There will be a three-day weekend for Mid-Autumn Festival in late September, followed by three working days before the National Day holiday begins on 1 October. It’s likely that many Chinese travelers will opt to take those three days as annual leave, effectively creating a 12-day Golden Week, which will create excellent opportunities for long-haul trips and in-depth travel.
3️⃣ Chinese New Year and Dragon Boat Festival are both fairly late this year, with Chinese New Year starting from the middle of February, and Dragon Boat Festival near the end of June.
4️⃣ While Chinese New Year gets yet another day in 2026, the other public holidays will be the same length as in 2025, including the five-day holiday for Labor Day in May.

Airlines and rail operators rush to add capacity as family travel demand surges.

Number of valid Chinese ordinary passports surpasses 160 million: NIA Xinhua | Updated: 2025-07-30 12:49 BEIJING -- The number of valid ordinary passports held by Chinese citizens has surpassed 160 million, an immigration official announced at a press conference on Wednesday.

From first-tier saturation to small-town sensation: As coffee and milk tea brands crowd China’s major cities, the next growth wave is brewing in emerging-tier markets (tiers 3–5). These markets blend affordability, aspiration, and digital storytelling, redefining what “everyday indulgence” means for millions of new consumers.

☕ Emerging cities: China’s new beverage growth engine: With first-tier markets reaching maturity, emerging-tier cities are the new battlefield. Local brands like Mixue, Good Me, and Luckin Coffee thrive with “affordable indulgence”, using localized flavors, youth-driven marketing, and savvy social promotions to capture fast-growing small-town demand.

🧋 Milk tea rules, coffee rises: Milk tea still dominates thanks to its sweet, comforting, and low-cost appeal (RMB 5–10), but coffee is quickly catching up as a badge of aspiration.

💛  “Affordable happiness”: In emerging-tier cities, a drink isn’t just a beverage — it’s a daily dose of joy and self-care. Social media conversations around “happiness from a cup of milk tea” surged 833%, reflecting a culture of slow living and small pleasures, where novelty and emotional connection matter more than brand loyalty.

🌟 Good Me’s winning formula in emerging markets: Once known for milk tea, Good Me smartly entered coffee through a familiar route, replicating Luckin’s coconut latte at a friendly RMB 8.9. Its partnership with Daniel Wu added an aspirational touch, proving that “affordable can be aspirational” when marketing aligns with relatable dreams and everyday sophistication.

Emerging-tier markets are no longer followers. They’re trendsetters in their own right, blending value consciousness with emotional satisfaction. Brands that democratize indulgence, embrace digital storytelling, and adapt to local sentiment will define the next chapter of China’s beverage boom.

Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gCX8xRe5

#ChinaConsumerTrends #BeverageMarket #EmergingMarkets #DaxueConsulting #Daxuestories

The Chinese travel retail powerhouse said by plunging full-heartedly into the health and wellness sector, it is aligning with a recent national initiative to boost health-related consumption.

Worried language barriers might cost you a deal at the Canton Fair?

Weixin/WeChat helps you communicate clearly no matter what language you speak.

Whether you’re chatting with suppliers, confirming specs, or reading product brochures, translation tools in Weixin/WeChat help you stay on the same page.

👉 Discover the translation tools hidden in plain sight by reading the guide below.

#WeChat #Weixin #CantonFair #DigitalChinaAcces