At 8 a.m., here are the latest news: "Walking with Hui" denies that Dong Yuhui earns two to three billion yuan a year; Insta360 apologizes after its chairman threw money at employees; Li Guojing, the founder of Dangdang, held a wedding.
Top 3 Big News
Luo Yonghao Claims Dong Yuhui's Annual Income Reaches 2 to 3 Billion After Independence, "With Yuhui" Officially Denies
Recently, Luo Yonghao posted on Weibo, claiming that after Dong Yuhui founded his own business "With Yuhui", his annual income reached 2 to 3 billion yuan, and he even had to borrow money for the down payment before leaving Dongfang Zhenxuan. In response, "With Yuhui" stated that this information was untrue. In January this year, Dong Yuhui ranked first on the "2024 China Online Livestreamer Net Income Ranking List" with an annual income of 2.8541 billion yuan. Subsequently, Dong Yuhui refuted the rumor during a live broadcast, saying, "I was shocked when I saw that screenshot. It's so easy to spread rumors, but so hard to refute them." (Yicai Global)
Insta360 Apologizes for CEO Throwing Cash to Employees
Recently, a video of Liu Jingkang, the founder and CEO of Insta360, throwing cash to employees has been circulating online and sparking heated discussions. In the video, Liu stood on an upper floor and threw money down to the employees below, who reached out to catch it. On the evening of August 15th, Insta360 issued a statement responding to the CEO's act of throwing cash during an internal event and apologized for the social media backlash caused by this incident.
The statement said that at 9 p.m. on August 14th, 2025, the company's drone brand "Antigravity" announced the start of a public beta for its products. That night, the company's CEO used his personal salary to distribute cash red - envelopes at a small - scale team - building event for the project team. In response to this incident, the company has comprehensively reviewed the loopholes in its internal management behavior norms, strengthened relevant behavior regulations, and educated employees and management to meet the requirements for the public image of a listed company. (21st Century Business Herald)
Li Guoqing, the founder of Dangdang, held a wedding ceremony. Celebrities such as Yu Minhong and Zhang Chaoyang attended.
Li Guoqing, the founder of Dangdang and the chairman of Zaowan Reading, held a wedding ceremony on August 16th. Photos taken at the wedding scene show that Yu Minhong, Zhang Chaoyang and others were present to celebrate. According to a person close to Li Guoqing, the wedding was held at Ziyunxuan Hotel in Beijing yesterday. The on - site photos show that Li Guoqing and Zhang Danhong were walking hand in hand, and the words "Still believe in love" were printed on the backdrop behind them.
In June this year, some netizens posted Li Guoqing's wedding invitation, which caught people's attention. The invitation shows that the wedding was held in Beijing on August 16th. The groom is Li Guoqing, and the bride is Zhang Danhong, an alumnus of Peking University of Li Guoqing. Public information shows that Zhang Danhong is a German - Chinese, an economic journalist, graduated from the Department of German Language and Literature of the School of Western Languages at Peking University, and is the author of the book "From Charlemagne to the Euro". (Jiemian News)
Big Companies/Big Events
87-year-old calligrapher and painter master Fan Zeng reported missing, police: no report received from Fan Zeng's family for now
On August 16, Fan Zeng's daughter, Fan Xiaohui, posted on Weibo that her father went missing after being taken away from his residence by Xu Meng. A seal was pasted on the door of the residence, and his calligraphy, paintings, and antique collections worth billions were packed and removed. Some long-time employees were dismissed, and Xu Meng threatened the employees not to disclose the news. On April 10, 2024, 86-year-old Fan Zeng announced his remarriage on a social platform. Fan Zeng revealed that his new wife is Xu Meng, and it is reported that there is a 50-year age gap between them.
The on-site photos published by Fan Xiaohui on Weibo show that a seal pasted on the door reads "Mr. Fan seals the house", and neither a personal seal nor an official seal can be seen. On August 17, reporters contacted the police in Changping, Beijing, and the local police station said that they had not received a report from Fan Zeng's family. Previously, the company in which Fan Zeng holds shares responded that the news of Fan Zeng's disappearance was a rumor. On the evening of August 16, Fan Yifu, Fan Zeng's stepson, posted on-site photos of Fan Zeng and Xu Meng visiting an exhibition in France, indirectly refuting the rumor of Fan Zeng's disappearance.
Public information shows that Fan Zeng was born on July 5, 1938. His courtesy name is Shiyi, and his studio name is Baochongzhai. He is a master of Chinese calligraphy and painting and a contemporary Confucian scholar. (China Newsweek)
Swatch Issues Apology Statement for the Slit-Eye Gesture in Advertisement: All Related Content Has Been Deleted Globally Immediately
On August 16th, Swatch, a brand under the Swiss Swatch Group, issued an apology statement, saying that the company had noticed the recent attention regarding the model images in the pictures of the Swatch ESSENTIALS series. The company attaches great importance to this matter and has immediately deleted all relevant materials globally. The company deeply apologizes for the offense and trouble caused. Previously, a promotional photo with a "slit-eye" image on the brand's official website caught the attention of netizens. In the promotional photo, a male model posed in an exaggerated "slit-eye" posture, which was suspected of being racially discriminatory. (Yicai Global)
Funds are flowing into the stock market at an accelerated pace. Non-bank deposits increased by a record 2.14 trillion yuan in July
Among the latest financial data for July released by the central bank, one figure has attracted wide market attention: Deposits of non-banking financial institutions increased significantly in July, with a net increase of 2.14 trillion yuan, the highest level for the same period since records began in 2015, and an increase of 1.39 trillion yuan compared with the same period last year. It can also be said that non-bank deposits mainly refer to the "free cash flow" of institutions such as securities firms, funds, insurance companies, and trusts. Experts analyzed that the continuous decline in deposit interest rates, the strengthening of the stock market, and the increasing demand for household wealth management have driven funds from household deposits to non-bank institutions. Since the beginning of the year, the A-share market has been steadily rising, and the money-making effect has gradually emerged. Looking ahead, more funds may enter the market indirectly through institutional equity products or directly enter the stock market. (CCTV Finance)
Wahaha's Tmall flagship store has changed its name, and the current actual controller of the store has become Zong Fuli
Recently, a netizen posted that when they opened an order from the former Wahaha flagship store on Tmall, they found that the store name had been changed to "Tongyuankang Food Specialty Store". The netizen questioned whether the Tmall Wahaha flagship store account had been sold. Searching for "Tongyuankang Food Specialty Store" on Tmall shows that the store has been operating for 7 years, and the registered enterprise is Tongyuankang E-commerce (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd. Public information shows that Tongyuankang E-commerce (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd. is 75% controlled by Sanjie Investment Group Co., Ltd., and Sanjie Investment Group Co., Ltd. is 99.8% owned by Du Jianying.
Currently, the operator of the new "Wahaha flagship store" has been changed to Hangzhou Hengyi E-commerce Co., Ltd. It is reported that this company is controlled by Zong Fuli through Hangzhou Hongchen Marketing Co., Ltd. Regarding the above news, the reporter inquired with Wahaha, but had not received a response as of the time of publication. (Sina Finance)
Zheng Qinwen Awarded Person of the Year by Moving China: Showcasing Chinese Strength to the World with Her Racket
On August 16, during the awarding ceremony of the "Moving China" Person of the Year 2024 program broadcast on CCTV, Zheng Qinwen, who won the gold medal in women's singles tennis at the Paris Olympics, was awarded the title of "Person of the Year by Moving China". At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Zheng Qinwen participated in the women's singles tennis competition. She endured two consecutive tough matches that lasted over three hours. Encouraged by the cheers, she persevered with an unyielding will. Before the final, she was so nervous that she could hardly hold her racket steadily. However, upon seeing the Five-starred Red Flag in the spectator stands, she regained her strength and fought with all her might to win a gold medal. This is also the first Olympic singles gold medal in the history of Chinese tennis. (Beijing Daily Sports)
Fat Donglai: Hourly wage for part - time workers ranges from 30 to 40 yuan, with a 4 - hour workday
36kr learned that on August 16th, Fat Donglai issued a statement regarding the wages of part - time workers. The wage standards for non - full - time employment and temporary employment in various business formats are comprehensively evaluated based on factors such as labor intensity, working environment, technical skills, professional abilities, and created value. The wage standard is 30 - 40 yuan per hour, with a 4 - hour workday and a maximum of 24 working hours per week. Meanwhile, positions involving high - temperature or cold - weather subsidies will receive subsidies according to the standards.
South Korea Faces a Shortage of Fresh Cream, and High Temperatures Cause Mass Deaths of Poultry and Livestock
Since the onset of summer this year, South Korea has been hit by rare high - temperature weather, and the agricultural and livestock industries have been significantly impacted. A large number of poultry and livestock have died due to the high temperatures, and the milk production of dairy cows has dropped significantly, leading to a tight supply of fresh cream in the market. Recently, the prices of some dairy products, including fresh cream, have risen significantly in South Korea, and some have even been out of stock at one point. Seoul Milk, the company with the highest market share in the South Korean milk market, said that the shortage of fresh milk supply is expected to last until early September. In addition, the continuous high - temperature weather has also caused a large number of poultry and livestock deaths in South Korea. Affected by this, the prices of eggs and chicken in South Korea have risen significantly. (CCTV Finance)
89-90, China Men's Basketball Team narrowly loses to Australia and wins the runner-up in the Asian Cup
Early in the morning on August 18th, Beijing time, in the final of the 2025 FIBA Men's Asian Cup, China lost to Australia 89-90 and won the runner-up. After the game, Hu Jinqiu said in an interview with China Media Group: "Everyone wants to do something for the 'CHINA' on the jersey. Despite not being favored by the outside world, we won respect with our performance. I hope this all-out fighting spirit will continue!"
On the afternoon of August 16th, local time, in the semi-final of the 2025 FIBA Men's Asian Cup held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, China Men's Basketball Team defeated New Zealand. This is the second time for China to reach the Asian Cup final since winning the championship at home in 2015. (Xinhua News Agency)
McDonald's milkshakes become a "nostalgia trigger" with clear - marked prices, sold for $150 for two cups on second - hand platforms
From August 13th to August 31st, McDonald's milkshakes were sold for a limited time at the "McDonald's Island" flagship stores in 13 cities across the country, with each cup priced at $15. Due to limited supply, consumers often had to wait in line for 1 - 2 hours to buy them.
The booming demand has given rise to a scalper and proxy - purchasing market. On a second - hand trading platform, for two milkshakes with an original price of $30, the proxy - purchasing fee is $110 (excluding flash delivery fees), and on weekends, the price soars to $150 for two cups. In addition, some scalpers also offer a "queue - standing service", with a queue number priced at $88. (Lanjinger News)
Official Response to Online Rumors of Levying "Landlord Tax": No New "Landlord Tax" Imposed
According to a report by Nanfang Daily, the "Regulations on Housing Leasing" will come into effect on September 15, which requires lessors to file lease contracts with the real estate management department. Online rumors claim that filing rental housing means that landlords will be fully taxed, and the so - called "landlord tax" will be officially levied with the implementation of the regulations.
The Chengdu Taxation Bureau refuted the rumors, stating that the tax policies for rental housing have been in place for decades and have not been adjusted due to the introduction of the regulations. There is no new "landlord tax." Taxes on rental income have always existed. For individuals renting out residential properties with a monthly rent of no more than 100,000 yuan, the taxes involved include property tax and individual income tax. In many cities, these taxes are levied together at a comprehensive tax rate. (Nanfang Daily)
12306 Responds to Encountering a Passenger with a Large Build on the High - speed Train: It's Impossible to Predict Passengers' Builds, and There's No Targeted Improvement Method for Now. Seats Can Be Coordinated and Changed on - site
Recently, a netizen posted a complaint online, saying that when taking the high - speed train, the passenger sitting next to them was a 400 - pound man. Due to the large build of the neighboring passenger taking up space, they had difficulty using their seat normally. The netizen believed that body build factors should be considered when selling second - class seats. According to the pictures posted by the netizen, there was indeed a male passenger with a large build sitting beside their seat. The netizen said that this topic resonated with many other netizens.
On August 16th, a staff member of China Railway 12306 stated that if passengers encounter a situation where the neighboring passenger's large build causes space congestion on the train, they can report it to the train staff immediately and negotiate to change seats. The staff can use the handheld terminal to check the seat reservation and boarding information in real - time, which facilitates the coordination. However, if the train is full or there are no empty seats, the seat change may not be possible, and passengers need to endure the situation temporarily. Regarding the improvement suggestion of "avoiding passengers with significant build differences sitting next to each other", the customer service admitted that currently, the ticket - purchasing system assigns seats based on ID numbers, and it's impossible to know passengers' builds in advance. There is no targeted improvement method for now. (Jingshi Live)
Another $2 Trillion Company Is Born
When the U.S. stock market opened on August 15, META rose nearly 2% during the session, hitting a new all-time high. Its total market value exceeded $2 trillion for the first time, making it the sixth listed company in the U.S. stock market with a total market value of $2 trillion. Since the beginning of this year, META's stock price has cumulatively soared by 36%. (Cailian Press)
CCTV Exposes Airport-Intercepted Power Banks Flowing Back into the Market and Being Sold in Large Quantities on Second-Hand Platforms
According to a report by CCTV Finance, after the power bank recall incident, many passengers discarded non-compliant power banks at the airport before boarding. These power banks are now appearing on e-commerce platforms labeled as "second-hand power banks." Reporters searched for "second-hand power banks" on several platforms and found that there are still sellers selling power banks without 3C certification in bulk. Some posts clearly state that the power banks are from airport inspections.
According to several recycling enterprises, the average price of one ton of power banks flowing out of the airport is now about 9,000 yuan. One ton is about 4,000 pieces. Including shipping costs, the average cost of each airport power bank transported to Dongguan is about 2 - 3 yuan. Reselling second-hand power banks can earn 8,000 to 12,000 yuan per ton, but only 4,000 yuan can be earned by disassembling and powdering them, with the profit being half as much. In addition, selling second-hand power banks allows for quick turnover and the transfer of the risk of fire and explosion. Currently, through the airport channel alone, a certain person in charge can obtain at least 20 tons of power banks every month. (CCTV Finance)
Apple Opens Another Store in China, with People Queuing for 26 Hours at the New Store's Opening
At 10 a.m. on August 16, the Apple Store located on the first floor of Qianhai One Fangcheng in Bao'an District, Shenzhen, officially opened. This is Apple's third retail store in Shenzhen. Reporters learned on - site that on the evening of August 15, relevant staff began to distribute bracelets with digital codes, and by around 8 a.m. on August 16, over 1,000 had been distributed.
Mr. Wu, the "Apple fan" with the number 001, became the first customer to enter the store. He told reporters that he arrived at the store at 8 a.m. on August 15. He flew from Ningbo to Guangzhou and then transferred to a vehicle to reach Shenzhen, all in order to be among the first batch to enter on the new store's opening day. This wait lasted 26 hours. Previously, he also specially participated in the opening events of the Apple Store in Jing'an, Shanghai (in 2024) and the Apple Store in Wenzhou (in 2023). "It's purely out of love." Mr. Wu is not an exception. Many Apple fans with high - ranked numbers also stayed up all night. Some sat on the ground playing with their mobile phones, while others simply lay on the ground taking naps. The queue snaked for dozens of meters. (Daily Economic News)
Foreign Media: Zuckerberg's Security Expenses Last Year Reached 190 Million Yuan, Exceeding the Total Security Expenses of CEOs of Many Silicon Valley Tech Giants
A report published by Fortune magazine on August 16 stated that in 2024, the security expenditures of CEOs of many American tech giants such as Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon exceeded $45 million. Among them, Meta spent $27 million (approximately 194 million yuan) on security for its founder, Mark Zuckerberg, which is 26% more than the total security expenditures of the CEOs of Apple, NVIDIA, Microsoft, Amazon, and Google. (Global Times)
The Cutting - Edge of AI
ChatGPT Head: GPT-5 Still Has "Hallucination" Issues, Advises Users to Double-Check Answers
Although ChatGPT has launched the new GPT-5 model, there is still a possibility of errors. A senior executive at OpenAI emphasized this point again this week. Nick Turley, the head of ChatGPT, pointed out in an interview: "There is a significant discontinuity between being reliable and being completely reliable in terms of reliability." He further explained: "Unless we can prove that ChatGPT is more reliable than human experts in all fields, not just some, we will continue to advise you to carefully double-check the answers." (Sina Finance)
OpenAI Plans to Sell Approximately $6 Billion in Equity
According to a report by CNBC on the 16th, sources revealed that the US artificial intelligence company OpenAI is currently seeking to sell approximately $6 billion in equity at a valuation of $500 billion. These shares will be sold by current and former OpenAI employees to investors such as SoftBank. However, the current sale plan is still in the early negotiation stage. In March this year, OpenAI announced the completion of a $40 billion financing round, reaching a valuation of $300 billion. (Yicai Global)
Cool Products
ZhiYuan Robotics Launches OmniHand 2025 Dexterous Hand
36Kr learned that on August 17th, ZhiYuan Robotics officially launched the OmniHand 2025 series of dexterous hands, including two major products: the "Agile Edition" for interactive services and the "Professional Edition" for specialized operations. Among them, the guidance price of the Agile Edition 2025 dexterous hand is 14,800 yuan, and the online launch price of the Agile Tactile Edition is 14,800 yuan (the original price is 19,800 yuan).
The First "Flying Man" in the 100-Meter Race in the History of Humanoid Robots Is Born
According to CCTV News, the 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games are being held at the National Speed Skating Oval. In the finals of the 100-meter "flying man battle" that ended on August 17, the "Embodied Tiangong Ultra" robot of the Beijing Tiangong Team won the championship in the 100-meter sprint event of the world's first humanoid robot games with a time of 21.50 seconds. This robot was developed by the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center. It is the only contestant in the World Humanoid Robot Games that uses a fully autonomous navigation system and runs on the track without manual remote control throughout the whole process. (CCTV News)
Compiled | Chi Yu