Stories from Beijing · China

A portion of China's population, specifically those in the "eighth income group and later," have not yet entered the middle-income group or are only approaching it. The 'Eighth Group' in China refers to individuals who have not yet fully entered the middle-income group, with some being close, and their overall income level is relatively low, presenting a prominent issue. China became the world's largest tourism destination in 2014, with its international tourism income accounting for 20.5% of the global total. In 2015, China's international tourism income accounted for 30.5% of global tourism income, while the United States' share was 13.1%. The source reported China's international tourism revenue accounted for 30% of global tourism revenue in 2015, and 20.5% in 2014.

The State Administration for Market Regulation launched an investigation into e-commerce refund practices. E-commerce platforms are facing scrutiny over "instant refund" policies, which some merchants claim lead to malicious returns and financial losses.

Data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology indicates that in the first quarter of 2026, the added value of China's scale-above electronic information manufacturing increased by 13.6% year-on-year.

China's AI sector is experiencing increased investment in computing infrastructure, but valuations are considered high.

The discussion highlights that AI's essence is not the problem, but rather how merchants use it, enabling "bad businesses" to conveniently copy designs and infringe copyright without payment.

China's shipbuilding industry achieved a strong start globally, with completed shipbuilding volume reaching 15.68 million deadweight tons from January to March 2026, a 46.0% year-on-year increase. China's shipbuilding completion volume reached 15.68 million deadweight tons in Q1 2026, a 46.0% year-on-year increase, with exports making up 96.1%. New orders surged by 195.2% to 59.53 million deadweight tons, and total orders held by the end of March grew 43.6% to 322.30 million deadweight tons. The international utilization rate for China's FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading) vessels, with the first built in 2019, has increased from 60% to 90%. China holds over 80% of global new shipbuilding orders, representing more than 8 out of every 10 newly constructed vessels.

Eight departments in China have issued documents to rectify the chaos of payment lock-package loans, where regular online deductions turn into loans. Many payment platforms have modified their rules regarding online payments that convert into loans.

China is observing the '515 National Investor Protection Publicity Day' with a special program titled 'Top Priority'. Wealth New Observation is presenting a special feature for China's 515 National Investor Protection Day.

China's Market Supervision Administration has issued an implementation plan for a special action aimed at raising the threshold for certification bodies. The Market Supervision Bureau has issued an action plan for certification bodies to raise thresholds, effective immediately.

More than 800 people participated in a commemorative event in Beijing this year, related to the Great Patriotic War. The participants included citizens from post-Soviet countries, diplomats from Belarus and Kazakhstan, and Russians living and working in the city. Citizens of Russia and CIS countries participated in a commemorative event in Beijing.