8 o'clock, 1st Kr | Official release on the handling of the factory that refurbished sanitary napkins; Customer flow at the Haidilao store involved in the urine incident has plummeted; The person involved in the red underwear incident at Fat Donglai apologized.
Top 3 Big News
Official Announcement on the Disposal of the Factory Recycling Sanitary Napkins: The Company's Responsible Person Has Been Taken into Custody
According to the joint investigation team in Jining City, after the Liangshan Xixi Paper Products Co., Ltd. was exposed by the CCTV 3·15 Gala for selling substandard sanitary napkins and baby diapers, the Jining Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government attached great importance to it and immediately established a joint investigation team composed of departments such as market supervision, health, and public security. The team rushed to the scene at the first time, sealed up the involved enterprise in accordance with the law, and took the company's responsible person into custody. The relevant situation is being thoroughly investigated. The provincial working group has rushed to the scene to guide the investigation and disposal work.
Previously, some consumers reported that the "Liangshan Xixi Paper Products Co., Ltd." located in Liangshan County, Jining City, was selling a large quantity of substandard sanitary napkins and baby diapers. After investigation by reporters, it was found that the enterprise recycled the production waste of sanitary napkins and diapers. Some products that were in good shape and had no obvious stains or damages were selected and directly sold in the market. The remaining parts that could no longer be selected and reused were put into machines to produce recycled materials, which then flowed into the production enterprises of disposable sanitary products again. (Xinhua News Agency)
Customer Flow at Haidilao Store Drops Sharply After Urination Incident, Staff Says Only 'Loyal Customers' Come
Recently, two 17-year-old men urinated into the hot pot at a Haidilao restaurant, which has drawn public attention. At around 3 p.m. on March 15, reporters visited the Haidilao store on the Bund in Shanghai where the incident took place. There were already quite a few customers dining in the store, but the overall occupancy rate was not high. Regarding the impact of the "urination in the hot pot" incident on the store's customer flow, a staff member in the store said, "The impact is huge. In the past, there used to be a queue outside at this time. Now only 'loyal customers' come to eat here." Another staff member responded, "Don't worry. We've carried out a thorough disinfection. We've almost 'torn down' the store."
According to Haidilao's official statement, the Shanghai Bund store replaced all hot pot utensils and tableware (including chopsticks) early on March 8. When reporters asked about the disposal method of the old utensils and tableware after the replacement, the staff member said, "They're discarded." (Poster News)
The person involved in the Fat Donglai red underwear incident apologized and denied being a "professional fraud fighter"
On March 14, "Two Xiaoduan", the person involved in the Fat Donglai red underwear incident, issued a statement saying that the remarks about him being a "professional fraud fighter", "making multiple malicious complaints", and "stealing Fat Donglai shopping carts" were purely fabricated. He also showed the case-filing notice and reported the case regarding the slander. The statement also said that he did not have any operation team. Although the relevant events were described based on the actual situation, due to his emotional expression, it caused negative impacts and occupied public resources. He sincerely apologized for this and would be more cautious in his words and deeds in the future.
Previously, on February 4, the internet celebrity "Two Xiaoduan" posted a video saying that the red underwear she bought from Fat Donglai faded after being washed, and she had an allergic reaction after using it. After making a complaint, she said that the way Fat Donglai's staff handled the matter made her angry and she felt disrespected. (Daily Economic News)
Large Companies/ Major Events
Walking with Hui: All Shrimp-related Products Have Been Removed from Sale, and "One Refund and Three Compensations" Will Be Paid in Advance
36Kr learned that on March 16th, Walking with Hui issued a statement: The 3.15 Gala this year reported the issue of suspected violations of frozen shrimp. Walking with Hui removed all shrimp-related products from sale last night at the first time and launched a re-review of such products. The statement said that regardless of the results of the subsequent investigation, Walking with Hui will provide after-sales service to consumers who have purchased the "Big Shore Waves Brand" frozen shrimp by paying "one refund and three compensations" in advance. The relevant payment work has already started and is expected to be fully completed within 1 - 3 working days.
JD Supermarket: 100-fold compensation for sanitary napkins and diapers whose quality does not meet national standards among self-operated products
On March 16, reporters learned from JD.com that in response to the issues of sanitary napkins and diapers exposed at the 3·15 Gala, JD Supermarket promised that if users purchase self-operated products from JD Supermarket and the sanitary napkins and diapers turn out to be second-grade products, defective products, products for destruction, or products whose quality does not meet national standards, they will receive 100-fold compensation. (Cailian Press)
Watsons Responds to Foreign Objects Found on Disposable Underwear Purchased by Customers: The Product Has Been Temporarily Taken Off the Shelf
On the evening of March 15th, actress Guo Xiaoting posted on Weibo, stating that foreign objects were discovered on disposable underwear she had purchased. Reporters noted in the comment section that some netizens identified the product as belonging to Watsons. On the morning of March 16th, reporters verified the matter with Watsons. Its customer service responded that they would document and escalate the case to specialists for investigation, and relevant professionals would provide answers and responses. Around 11:20 that day, reporters observed that the aforementioned "Watsons Comfortable Disposable Cotton Underwear" had been removed from the e-commerce platform.
On March 16th, "Watsons China" issued a statement: Watsons places utmost importance on product quality and consumer feedback. We are currently conducting comprehensive reviews and supply chain traceability for the relevant products. Out of respect for consumer experience, we have temporarily removed the product from shelves. We appreciate everyone's oversight and attention. (Dahe Daily)
Woodpecker has maintained a gross profit margin of over 80% for three consecutive years, and its founder was once a front - line maintenance worker
On March 15, 2025, the CCTV 3·15 Gala exposed a series of industry irregularities. Among them, Woodpecker Home Maintenance Platform was named for over - repairing non - existent problems, over - servicing minor issues, and over - charging, defrauding consumers.
As a maintenance platform that submitted listing applications to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange twice in January and October 2024, Woodpecker Maintenance's financial report performance is actually quite remarkable: from 2021 to 2023, the company's revenues were 401 million, 595 million, and 1.011 billion yuan respectively, and its revenue in the first half of 2024 was 623 million yuan, with a year - on - year growth rate of 45.07%. Even more astonishing is that its gross profit margins in the above three years were as high as 80.5%, 81.4%, and 84.2% respectively, making it a highly efficient profit - making machine. It is reported that Woodpecker Home Maintenance was founded in 1995, and its founder and chairman, Wang Guowei, started his career as a front - line maintenance worker. (Daily Economic News)
The State Administration for Market Regulation Announces Preliminary Verification and Handling of Issues Exposed at 3·15 Gala: Lawful and Immediate Resolution of Exposed Problems
In response to illegal activities in market regulation exposed during China Media Group's 3·15 Gala, the State Administration for Market Regulation immediately mobilized nationwide enforcement actions overnight to address the exposed issues lawfully and promptly. Market regulation authorities in Shandong, collaborating with local health, industry and information technology, public security departments, secured the premises, detained corporate executives of involved enterprises, and initiated investigations, interrogations, and evidence collection. In Guangxi and Guizhou, market regulators coordinated with public security and industry departments to confiscate 407 rolls of 11 types of wires and cables on-site, seized financial records and documentation, and arranged professional inspections through sampling. Moving forward, market regulation departments will conduct comprehensive verification of aforementioned enterprises in coordination with health, industry, and public security authorities, strengthen administrative-criminal justice coordination and joint disciplinary measures, and rigorously combat consumer rights violations. Concurrently, systematic industry-wide issues will be addressed through targeted governance initiatives to reinforce consumer safety safeguards. (CCTV News)
A member of the internet celebrity "Taiyuan Laoge"'s team was detained, and a merchant once claimed they engaged in fake orders
In August 2023, the media reported that the internet celebrity "Taiyuan Laoge" with 60 million (now 90 million) followers was accused of exploiting merchants. Merchant Wang Cui paid a high commission of 9 million yuan to invite him for live - streaming sales. However, the merchant claimed that out of the 28.11 million yuan in sales, 19.11 million yuan was from fake orders. "There were losses in express delivery fees, labor costs, and storage fees for returned products." This led to her losing over 10 million yuan, causing two of her companies to go bankrupt, and she had to sell her house and car to pay off debts. After Wang Cui reported the case to the police, in April 2023, the Public Security Bureau of Longkou City, Shandong Province, launched an investigation into Wang Cui's case of contract fraud. On March 14, reporters learned that Ge Moubei, a member of the live - streaming team, had been criminally detained by the police. (Red Star News)
Orient Group: Delisting risk warning will be implemented starting from March 18th, and the stock abbreviation will be changed to "*ST Orient"
36Kr learned that Orient Group announced that the company received the "Prior Notice of Administrative Penalty" from the China Securities Regulatory Commission on March 16, 2025. It was determined that the company had long - termly carried out financing trade and circular trade of agricultural products by artificially adding business links or fabricating business chains, resulting in false records in the annual reports from 2020 to 2023. The company's stock will be suspended for one day on March 17, 2025. A delisting risk warning will be implemented starting from March 18, 2025, and the stock abbreviation will be changed to *ST Orient, with a daily limit on price increases and decreases of 5%.
Three major telecom operators respond to reports on telemarketing in the communication industry: Attach great importance and conduct comprehensive self - inspections
On March 15th, reporters from "Xinhua Viewpoint" found through investigation that there are various forms of telemarketing in the communication industry, and phenomena such as inducing upgrades and hidden deductions still exist. In response, on March 16th, China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom all issued statements saying that they attach great importance to this issue and will conduct comprehensive self - inspections in accordance with the deployment requirements of the 2025 work conference on improving work style and rectifying misconduct in the information and communication industry of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. (Red Star News)
Renrenxin Apology: Immediately Establish a Rectification Team
The CCTV "3·15" Gala exposed that consumers who borrowed money through electronic signature platforms such as JD Borrow and Renrenxin encountered situations such as usury, being charged upfront fees and overdue fees, being violently collected debts, and being unable to find the lenders. On March 16, Renrenxin issued a statement saying that in response to the relevant issues mentioned in the CCTV "3·15" report, the company attaches great importance to them and immediately established a rectification team to thoroughly solve the problems existing in business and management. It will continue to actively cooperate with the police to severely crack down on lawbreakers, better protect the rights and interests of users, and sincerely ask all sectors of society to supervise. The company sincerely apologizes to all affected users and the public and is determined to implement the rectification. (Jiemian News)
Manus R & D Team in Optics Valley is Recruiting Extensively, Covering Over 10 Positions
On March 16th, after the domestic AI agent Manus suddenly became extremely popular overnight, its Wuhan R & D team - Butterfly Effect Company released recruitment requirements in Optics Valley to expand the team size. There are over 10 positions in this recruitment, and the recruitment will continue. The job responsibilities cover Linux, operation and maintenance, Golang, Web front - end, client development, user operation, etc. The monthly salary ranges from 5,000 yuan to 40,000 yuan. (Caixin Press)
Harbin Introduces New Real Estate Regulations: Public - shared Area, Indoor Floor Area, etc. Must Be "Crystal Clear"
On the 14th, reporters learned from the Housing and Urban - Rural Development Bureau of Harbin that in order to further standardize the publicity system of sales area by real estate development enterprises and effectively safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of consumers, the bureau issued the "Notice on Further Standardizing the Publicity of Commercial Housing Sales Area", which will be implemented immediately. The "Notice" requires that when real estate development enterprises sell commercial housing, they must publicly display the construction area and indoor floor area of each set of commercial housing in a prominent position in the sales office, and publicize the public - shared parts and areas of the building, as well as the calculation basis for each household's share, so as to improve the transparency of area publicity. (e Company)
The central finance has pre - allocated the first batch of funds for the trade - in program, with the total budget increasing by 150 billion yuan compared to last year
According to the central financial budget arrangement, 300 billion yuan of ultra - long - term special treasury bonds will be issued this year to support the trade - in program for consumer goods, an increase of 150 billion yuan compared to the previous year. To ensure the continuity and stability of the implementation of the "trade - in" policy, the central finance has pre - allocated 81 billion yuan as the first batch of funds for the trade - in program for consumer goods this year. According to the budget report, not only will the coverage of the trade - in policy for consumer goods be expanded, but also the subsidy application process will be optimized, and the recycling and utilization system will be improved. Meanwhile, this year, service consumption in areas such as health, elderly care, and childcare will be expanded, and new consumption hotspots in digital, intelligent, cultural and tourism, and sports sectors will be promoted to develop at a faster pace. (CCTV.com)
SpaceX Dragon spacecraft docks with the International Space Station. Two astronauts stranded for over nine months may return to Earth in three days
At 12:04 a.m. EDT on March 16, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, whose launch had been repeatedly postponed, successfully docked with the International Space Station. Two American astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been stranded in space for over nine months, could return to Earth as early as March 19. The "Falcon 9" rocket of SpaceX was used for this launch, and the mission lasted about 29 hours. (Jiemian News)
Tesla's Chief Engineer for CAE Crash Safety, Peter Winberg, Announces Departure
Peter Winberg, the Chief Engineer for CAE Crash Safety at Tesla, announced his departure after 14 years of service to the company. In his departure statement, he wrote, "After leading the development of models such as Model S, S - DM, X, 3, Y, Y - SP and the future crash safety architecture, I believe it's time for me to leave. Thank you, Tesla. Keep moving forward! What an amazing team. I'll miss you all." (Jiemian News)
OpenAI Writes a Letter to Attack DeepSeek and Demands US Government Action
On the 13th, OpenAI, an American artificial intelligence company, submitted a 15 - page letter to the US government, stating that DeepSeek's latest model, R1, is a development worthy of attention. In the letter, OpenAI also attacked DeepSeek, claiming that it would bring "significant risks" and demanded that the US government take action.
Reports said that Chris Lehan, the deputy director of global affairs at OpenAI, admitted in the letter: "Although the United States currently leads in the field of artificial intelligence, DeepSeek shows that our leading edge is not significant and is shrinking." (Global Times)
Financial Reports of Large Companies
Tuniu: Net profit of 83.7 million yuan in 2024, turning losses into profits
On the evening of March 14th, Tuniu Tourism Network disclosed its financial report, showing that in 2024, Tuniu achieved a net revenue of 513.6 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 16.4%. The net profit was 83.7 million yuan, compared with a net loss of 101.1 million yuan in 2023. Under non - US GAAP, the net profit in 2024 was 87.3 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of nearly 72%. (e Company)
Compiled | Yuting He