8 o'clock, 1 Krypton News | The average monthly take - home pay of Fat Donglai employees is 9,886 yuan; Lay's potato chips are reported to contain carcinogenic additives; Liu Cixin says that DeepSeek could completely replace human writers.
Top 3 Big News
The average monthly actual salary of Fat Donglai employees is 9,886 yuan, and the monthly salary of store managers will reach 78,058 yuan in 2025
36Kr learned that Yu Donglai, the founder of Fat Donglai, publicly revealed at the 2025 China Supermarket Week on March 28 that from January to February 2025, after paying social insurance, the monthly salary of Fat Donglai employees was 9,886 yuan. Yu Donglai also revealed that in 2025, the salaries of Fat Donglai's management have also changed significantly compared with 2024. Fat Donglai has eight levels including store managers, assistant store managers, and employees. In 2024, the average monthly take - home salary of store managers at the first - level was 44,193 yuan, and in 2025, it reached 78,058 yuan.
Customer service responds to Lay's potato chips being exposed for containing carcinogenic additives: The products meet national regulations
On March 28th, some media reported that Lay's potato chips contain the carcinogenic additive TBHQ. In response, Lay's customer service stated, "According to the GB2760 Food Additive Usage Standard, the maximum allowable addition of TBHQ in food is 0.2 grams per kilogram, determined by its content in fats. TBHQ is an antioxidant, and Lay's products meet national regulations."
The reason why TBHQ has sparked heated discussions is largely due to its controversial status in international standards. Japan has explicitly prohibited the use of TBHQ, while the US FDA, when approving its use, made public its safety assessment report and solicited public opinions. Some food manufacturers use natural antioxidants (such as vitamin E and rosemary extract) as alternatives to meet the market's demand for more natural food additives. (Jiemian News)
Liu Cixin Says DeepSeek Could Completely Replace Human Writers, Advises Facing It Calmly
Recently, a reporter interviewed Liu Cixin about the question "Is it possible for DeepSeek to replace science fiction writers in the future?" Liu Cixin said that it's unlikely for now, but in 10 or 20 years, it's theoretically possible for it to replace science fiction writers.
He believes that from a scientific perspective, there's nothing about human writers that can't be replaced by AI. When talking about how to deal with this situation, Liu Cixin said, "Personally, I think we should first stop self - consolation and calmly face the impact of technology and the earth - shattering influence it has on our field." (CCTV Finance)
Big Companies/Big Events
Japan Completes 11th Round of Fukushima Nuclear-contaminated Water Discharge, Releasing Approximately 7,800 Tons in Total
On March 30 local time, Japan's Tokyo Electric Power Company announced that the 11th round of discharging nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant has ended. This was the last discharge in the fiscal year 2024 (from April 2024 to March 2025). Approximately 7,800 tons of nuclear-contaminated water were released in this round. (CCTV News)
The market value of Li Ka-shing's four companies has evaporated by over HK$78.1 billion, and selling the port has put him in a dilemma
The topic of "Li Ka-shing selling the Panama port" has continued to simmer. Now, there are only a few days left until the final agreement is signed on April 2nd. If he persists with the deal, he may face stricter regulatory scrutiny and public criticism. If he terminates the agreement, he will have to pay a huge penalty to BlackRock. Affected by this, the market value of four companies under Li Ka-shing, namely CK Hutchison Holdings, Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings, CLP Holdings, and CK Asset Holdings, has evaporated by more than HK$78.1 billion. (Nanfang Daily)
Earthquake in Myanmar Kills 1,700 and Leaves About 300 Missing
As of noon local time on the 30th, the death toll from the powerful earthquake that hit Myanmar on the 28th has reached 1,700, with another 3,400 people injured and about 300 missing. (CCTV News)
Midea Group Liquidated All Xiaomi Stocks in 2024, Holding Them for Nearly a Decade
On the evening of March 28, Midea Group (000333.SZ) released its 2024 annual report, which showed that Midea Group completely liquidated all the stocks of Xiaomi Group (01810.HK) it held in 2024. Since 2015, Midea Group had held Xiaomi stocks for nearly a decade. It started to accelerate the sale of Xiaomi stocks in 2020 and has cashed out nearly 2 billion yuan in total. (Red Star News)
Humanoid robots' "daily salary" exceeds 10,000 yuan, the rental market is booming, and the products are in short supply
Since the Spring Festival Gala in 2025, when Unitree Robotics brought 16 H1 humanoid robots onto the stage to present a wonderful performance to the national audience, humanoid robots and robotic dogs have seen a continuous surge in online popularity. Many businesses have keenly smelled the business opportunity and opened up a new market for robot rental "gigs".
After interviews and comprehensive information from multiple e-commerce and second-hand platforms, reporters found that the current robot rental market is booming. The rental price of a robotic dog (including the air version and pro version) from Unitree Robotics is 1,500 - 2,800 yuan per day, and the "daily salary" of humanoid robots ranges from 3,000 to 14,000 yuan. (Star Market Daily)
Five medical institutions and individuals in Wuhan suspected of using “reflux drugs” have been placed under investigation
Since March 28th, China Media Group has reported on an investigation into illegal “medical insurance cash withdrawals” involving some hospitals, pharmacies, drug dealers, and insured individuals in Wuhan, Hubei. Currently, reporters have learned from Wuhan that relevant medical institutions and medical staff from five primary healthcare institutions in Xinzhou District, Wuhan, suspected of using “reflux drugs” have been placed under investigation. The Wuhan Medical Insurance Bureau has suspended the medical insurance settlement of the five involved medical institutions in Xinzhou District in accordance with regulations and terminated the medical insurance service agreements. The Wuhan market supervision department said it will carry out special rectifications on pharmacies across the city. The Wuhan public security authorities have legally taken control of the suspects involved, and several drug dealers have been criminally detained. (CCTV News)
Interest rates on credit consumer loans at multiple banks will be temporarily raised starting from April, and consumer loans with an interest rate below 3% may be suspended
It is reported that multiple banks have received notices from their head offices stating that the annualized interest rates on credit consumer loan products may be raised to no less than 3% starting from April. A staff member from the consumer loan department of a branch of a joint - stock bank in East China has informed customers who have obtained loans with an interest rate below 3% that "customers who have not withdrawn the funds should do so before Monday (March 31)". In addition, a consumer loan staff member from a large state - owned bank in South China has issued an internal notice stating that "customers should be promptly notified to measure their loan quotas or withdraw funds".
Since the beginning of this year, the consumer loan market has witnessed a new round of "price war". Many banks have launched consumer loan products with an interest rate below 3% in order to seize market share. The interest rates of products from multiple institutions have been continuously lowered, and the interest rate of some bank products has dropped as low as 2.4%, which is 10 - 70 basis points (BP) lower than the one - year loan prime rate announced by the central bank in March. Some industry experts have warned that banks should consider customers' repayment ability and avoid excessive competition in terms of interest rates. (People's Financial News)
Lottery officials comment on AI predicting lottery winning numbers: All claims of predictable lottery numbers are scams
Recently, the incident of lottery players being deceived after receiving 100 express deliveries related to lottery prediction software has drawn attention. Reporters interviewed officials from the Welfare Lottery. The officials introduced that each lottery draw is an independent and random event, unaffected by previous results and without any patterns. Therefore, AI cannot predict lottery winning results.
In addition, the China Welfare Lottery Issuing and Management Center has never carried out online lottery sales activities through any platforms, self - media, websites, etc., nor has it carried out online lottery sales activities through cooperation with any units or individuals. Please stay vigilant against individuals, institutions, and online platform accounts claiming to be able to predict lottery winning results to prevent being deceived. (CCTV.com)
Stellar Map: There has never been any direct communication with Zhu Xiaohu, and the relevant rumors are untrue
36Kr learned that in response to the online discussions about the cooperation between GSR Ventures and Stellar Map, Stellar Map, an embodied intelligent robot company, issued a statement saying that GSR Ventures participated in the company's angel round financing in November 2023 and requested to exit the equity investment in May 2024. The company actively cooperated and assisted it in successfully completing the equity investment exit in September 2024. The company has never had any direct communication with Mr. Zhu Xiaohu and does not have his contact information. The relevant rumors are untrue. "We deeply respect Mr. Zhu's investment achievements and contributions to the industry."
Trump Says He “Doesn't Care” if Automakers Raise Prices Due to Tariffs
On March 29 local time, US President Donald Trump said in an interview that he “doesn't care” if automakers raise prices due to tariffs. As tariffs on foreign - made cars take effect, Trump said he hasn't warned auto industry executives against raising prices. He believes that imposing permanent tariffs on foreign - made cars will boost the development of US factories and that this move will increase the sales of US - made cars. Trump also said he hopes automakers will raise prices because if they do, people will buy US - made cars. (CCTV News)
UN Urgently Allocates $5 Million for Earthquake Relief in Myanmar
On March 30, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said on March 29 local time that the United Nations has urgently allocated $5 million for earthquake relief work in Myanmar. The office said that relevant coordination work is underway to conduct a rapid needs assessment and scale up the emergency response. The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund has urgently allocated $5 million to support the disaster relief operation in Myanmar. In addition, health partners are preparing to deploy mobile surgical and medical teams as well as temporary hospitals to provide emergency life-saving care. (CCTV News)
Jiang Shangyi: Intel Is Now an "Unknown Figure" and Should Merge with a Company in Mature Chip Technology
On March 30, Jiang Shangyi, former co-chief operating officer of TSMC, said that Intel could only win by adopting mature chip manufacturing processes because it lags far behind TSMC and cannot catch up. Jiang added that although Intel was once the "king" in the chip industry, it is now an "unknown figure." He believes that Intel should acquire a factory with mature manufacturing processes. (Caixin Press)
Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Says Will Continue Consultations with the US on Tariff Issues
Yoshiharu Muto, the Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, said that he will continue discussions with the US on tariff measures while closely monitoring their impact. (Sina Finance)
New US-Ukraine Mineral Agreement Requires Ukraine to Repay Principal and Interest
On March 30, according to reports from Reuters and other media outlets, the United States submitted a new draft mineral agreement to Ukraine, with demands far exceeding those previously exposed. The draft agreement requires Ukraine to transfer the proceeds from the development of natural resources into a joint fund. The proceeds obtained by the joint fund should first be transferred to the US side to repay all the funds provided by the US to Ukraine since 2022, and Ukraine also needs to pay an annual interest rate of 4%. Only after the "repayment" is completed can Ukraine use the fund's proceeds for matters such as reconstruction. (Jiemian News)
The Cutting - Edge of AI
Elon Musk Announces xAI, His Company, Acquires X
According to reports from media such as the U.S. Cable News Network (CNN) on the 28th, U.S. billionaire Elon Musk announced that xAI, his artificial intelligence startup, acquired his social platform X for $33 billion. Musk posted on X on the 28th local time that xAI acquired X through an all - stock transaction. After this deal, the valuation of xAI is $80 billion, and the valuation of X is $33 billion. (Sina Technology)
The EU will invest 1.3 billion euros in key technologies such as AI
The European Commission announced on the 28th that it will invest 1.3 billion euros between 2025 and 2027 to deploy key technologies of strategic importance to Europe, including artificial intelligence and cloud computing. The European Commission said in a press release that the relevant funds will be injected through the "Digital Europe" program into areas such as the deployment of artificial intelligence and its application in enterprises and public administration, cloud computing and data, network resilience, and the cultivation of digital technology talents. (Xinhua News Agency)
Beijing's Haidian District Launches "Zhongguancun AI North Latitude Community", with AI Enterprises Eligible for Up to Three - year Rent Exemption
On March 29th, at the 2025 Zhongguancun Forum Annual Conference's Artificial Intelligence Leading Talents Development Forum, Haidian District officially launched the "Zhongguancun AI North Latitude Community". Enterprises settling in the community can enjoy rent reduction, industrial policies, talent support, and enterprise service empowerment, providing all - round support for the development of artificial intelligence start - ups. For eligible AI start - ups that sign a three - year lease contract, three types of support are available: technology transfer projects from high - level universities, research institutes, and new R & D institutions can enjoy up to three - year rent exemption; newly established enterprises can be exempted from rent in the first two years and get a 50% rent reduction in the third year; enterprises within the region can be exempted from rent in the first year and get a 50% rent reduction in the second year. In addition, thousands of high - quality talent apartments in the surrounding area provide sufficient supporting facilities for enterprises in the park. (Jiemian News)
Financial Reports of Large Companies
Tsingtao Brewery: Net profit attributable to the parent company reached 4.345 billion yuan in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 1.81%
Tsingtao Brewery released its annual report for 2024, achieving an operating income of 32.138 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 5.30%. The net profit attributable to shareholders of the listed company was 4.345 billion yuan, compared with 4.268 billion yuan in the same period of the previous year, a year-on-year increase of 1.81%. The basic earnings per share were 3.191 yuan. It plans to distribute a cash dividend of 2.2 yuan per share (including tax). (Yicai Global)
China National Petroleum Corporation: Net profit attributable to the parent company reached 164.684 billion yuan in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 2%
China National Petroleum Corporation released its annual report for 2024. It achieved an operating income of 2.94 trillion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 2.5%. The net profit attributable to shareholders of the listed company was 164.684 billion yuan, compared with 161.416 billion yuan in the same period of the previous year, a year-on-year increase of 2%. The basic earnings per share were 0.9 yuan. It plans to distribute a cash dividend of 0.25 yuan per share (including applicable taxes) for the final dividend in 2024 to all shareholders. (Securities Times)
Sunac China: Revenue in 2024 was approximately 74.02 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of about 52%
36Kr learned that Sunac China announced that its revenue in 2024 was approximately 74.02 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of about 52%; the attributable loss to the company's owners was approximately 25.7 billion yuan, compared with an attributable loss to the company's owners of approximately 7.97 billion yuan in the same period of the previous year.
Compiled | Yuting He