China Media and Entertainment Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 8 Week of 22 July 2024
(1) Director Stanley Tong Introduces AI in Chinese Cinema
The director merges AI with cinema, by recreating a young Jackie Chan using Deepfake in his latest movie.
(2) Douyin Takes Bold Steps Against Misleading Accounts
Douyin cracks down on misleading accounts posing claims of being experts.
(3) Challenges in Douyin E-Commerce
Douyin’s e-commerce fails to meet its performance target for the first half of 2024.
(4) Hong Kong Trade Development Council Collaborates with Mainland KOL
Over 20 mainland internet celebrities are invited to engage in live streaming ecommerce for the upcoming Hong Kong Shopping Festival 2024.
(5) Alibaba’s Taobao Takes on E-commerce Rivals with Free Overseas Shipping
Taobao, the retail platform of Alibaba Group, is planning to introduce free international shipping for clothing to compete with e-commerce rivals. The program is set to launch on August 3, 2024, initially benefiting customers in the Asian region, including Hong Kong.
(6) Digital Domain, the Hollywood Visual Effects Firm, to Set Up R&D Centre in Hong Kong
Digital Domain Holdings, which is renowned for its visual effects work in Marvel Cinematic Universe films, plans to establish a HK$204 million R&D centre at the Hong Kong Science Park, focusing on AI innovation and IP applications.
(7) Players from Manchester United and Liverpool May Visit Hong Kong
The upcoming Asian “Battle of the Reds” tour in Hong Kong may be set to take place in late 2025 and will feature the “Double Red Club” match involving 30 renowned players from Manchester United and Liverpool.
(8) International Festival of Extreme Sports: Battle of the Champions is Coming to Macao
Macao will host the 2025 International Festival of Extreme Sports: Battle of the Champions. (“IFES”). It is said to be the first skateboarding event of its kind in Macao and the broader Greater Bay Area. The event is part of IFES, which is the biggest global extreme sports event featuring skateboarding, rock climbing, BMX freestyle, and breakdancing.
(9) Two Hong Kong Exhibitions Celebrating Music Careers of James Wong and Joseph Koo
Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival 2024 features two exhibitions on Mr Joseph Koo (顧嘉煇) and Mr James Wong (黃霑), the music duo that produced numerous Cantonese classics.
(1) Director Stanley Tong Introduces AI in Chinese Cinema
(Photo Credit: Weibo)
A Legend, a Chinese film directed by Hong Kong filmmaker Stanley Tong, blends AI with the art of cinema.
The film uses AI to recreate a youthful version of Jackie Chan with Deepfake technology. While this technological achievement is noteworthy, the movie’s reception was mixed. Many commented that the AI falls short in capturing the intricacies of subtle human expressions, underscoring the current hurdles facing AI applications in filmmaking.
As AI progresses, others also shed light on ethical and legal concerns surrounding AI in the film; the establishment of regulations is imperative to prevent the misuse of technologies like Deepfake. In parallel, public awareness and education initiatives play a pivotal role in ensuring the responsible and ethical development of AI within the film industry.
News Source: Sohu – 《传说》上映遭遇滑铁卢 AI影视剧，能否走得更远
(2) Douyin Takes Bold Steps Against Misleading Accounts
(Photo Credit: Douyin / TVB)
Douyin is taking a strong stance against accounts that engage in deceptive practices for financial gain. On the platform, a multitude of personas present themselves as “breakup expert consultants”, “exam invigilator”, or even high-profile corporate figures.
In a notice released on Tuesday, Douyin emphasized that these actions violate platform regulations, potentially causing emotional or financial harm to users. The platform is now mandating that unverifiable accounts promptly update their profiles with accurate information or provide credible materials for verification. Failure to comply could lead to the removal of videos and the banning of accounts.
This proactive campaign primarily targets accounts that boast unverifiable professional achievements, executive positions, and self-proclaimed expertises. Recent data from last year indicates that Douyin identified and addressed nearly 27,000 accounts operating under false pretenses.
While the primary goal of this initiative is to enhance the overall user experience and strengthen user rights on the platform, there are concerns about a potential uptick in the fabrication of counterfeit credentials in response to the increased scrutiny surrounding verification requests.
News Source: TVB 抖音整治以虛假人設獲利帳號 嚴重個案帳號將被停用https://news.tvb.com/tc/greaterchina/66a0ed03f5cbd241b0703972/%E5%85%A9%E5%B2%B8-%E6%8A%96%E9%9F%B3%E6%95%B4%E6%B2%BB%E4%BB%A5%E8%99%9B%E5%81%87%E4%BA%BA%E8%A8%AD%E7%8D%B2%E5%88%A9%E5%B8%B3%E8%99%9F-%E5%9A%B4%E9%87%8D%E5%80%8B%E6%A1%88%E5%B8%B3%E8%99%9F%E5%B0%87%E8%A2%AB%E5%81%9C%E7%94%A8
(3) Challenges in Douyin E-Commerce
(Photo Credit: Douyin)
During the first half of this year, Douyin e-commerce did not meet its performance targets. In 2023, it achieved a Gross Merchandise Volume (“GMV”) of 25-26 trillion yuan and aimed to increase this by about 1 trillion yuan in 2024. The expected GMV for the third quarter is 780-800 billion yuan. Even with an optimistic estimation, if the fourth quarter hits 1 trillion Yuan, the annual GMV would only reach 32-33 trillion yuan, showing a 10% drop from the 35 trillion yuan target.
The decline in GMV growth could be attributed to a shift towards lower prices. Orders on Douyin have experienced a significant reduction in average price, signaling a change in consumer behavior. The average spending per customer per transaction in the Douyin e-commerce platform last year was 100-120 yuan, but it has now fallen to over 80 yuan, marking a decrease of 30-40%.
News Source: ONCC 抖音電商據報上半年GMV錄1.4萬億人幣未達標https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/finance/20240725/bkn-20240725115142155-0725_00842_001.html
(4) Hong Kong Trade Development Council Collaborates with Mainland KOL
(Photo Credit: Hong Kong Trade Development Council)
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (“HKTDC”) is organizing the first-ever Hong Kong Shopping Festival 2024 (香港好物節) from 1-31 August to help local small and medium businesses (“SMEs”) expand their e-commerce in mainland China. Over 230 brands will join, covering various categories like clothing, accessories, personal care, and food.
To support the festival, the HKTDC has invited over 20 mainland internet influencers, including Li Jiaqi (a KOL with 37 million fans on Douyin who had set the record of selling 15000 lipsticks within 5 minutes during a live stream) to engage in live streaming ecommerce for over 80 brands. This initiative aims to give SMEs a chance to learn about online platform operations, particularly in areas like live streaming sales, where they might lack experience.
News Source: Now TV【香港好物節】逾230個品牌參與 小紅書賣廣告谷銷情 https://finance.now.com/news/post.php?id=871681
(5) Alibaba’s Taobao Takes on E-commerce Rivals with Free Overseas Shipping
(Photo Credit: Reuters; Nikkei)
Taobao, the primary retail platform of China’s Alibaba Group, is planning to offer free international shipping (covering both goods delivery and returns) for clothing to compete with cross-border e-commerce rivals such as Temu and Shein. Apparel is potentially the most competitive product category on Taobao, as it presents a significantly wider array of options compared to other platforms.
Taobao’s program is scheduled to launch on 3 August 2024 and will first benefit customers in Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau, with plans to expand the list of eligible countries.
Though the overseas logistics adopted by Taobao may vary, in general, when purchasing goods from China through Taobao, the vendor will first dispatch the goods to Taobao’s warehouse in China. Then the warehouse, which could be run by Alibaba’s logistics arm, Cainiao, will take up the shipping task and deliver the goods across the border to Taobao’s overseas clients.
When an overseas client wants to return an item, the client will also only need to return it to Taobao’s overseas warehouse, and an operator like Cainiao will handle subsequent return procedures.
Delivery and return can be issued through Taobao’s mobile application, and it is reported that Taobao will subsidise all shipping costs, including the vendor’s costs to deliver goods to the warehouse and the purchaser’s costs to return the goods to the overseas warehouse.
News Source – Nikkei – Alibaba’s Taobao takes on Temu, Shein with free overseas shipping (https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Retail/Alibaba-s-Taobao-takes-on-Temu-Shein-with-free-overseas-shipping)
(6) Digital Domain, the Hollywood Visual Effects Firm, to Set Up R&D Centre in Hong Kong
(Photo Credit: David Wong; SCMP)
Digital Domain Holdings, a Hong Kong listed company which is known for its acclaimed visual effects studio behind the popular Marvel Cinematic Universe films, is making plans to establish a research and development (R&D) centre at the Hong Kong Science Park in Sha Tin.
It is reported that the company is looking to invest HK$204 million (equivalent to US$26 million) in the R&D centre by the end of 2029 to expand its expert team. The R&D centre will be focused on advancing “virtual humans powered by AI” and the applications in service-oriented scenarios. Furthermore, it will also be dedicated to developing technology in AI produced videos.
Digital Domain aims to take advantage of its database and copyright resources and intends to file five Hong Kong patents to drive technological innovation. The report comments that such a move in Hong Kong represents Digital Domain’s most recent endeavour to extend its operations beyond its acclaimed visual effects expertise in Hollywood films.
News Source – SCMP – Hollywood visual effects firm Digital Domain to set up R&D base in Hong Kong Science Park (https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3271738/hollywood-visual-effects-firm-digital-domain-set-rd-base-hong-kong-science-park?module=top_story&pgtype=section)
(7) Players from Manchester United and Liverpool May Visit Hong Kong
(Photo Credit: on.cc)
The upcoming stop of the Asian BATTLE OF THE REDS tour in Hong Kong may be set to occur in the latter part of 2025. The event’s centrepiece is the “Double Red Club” match, which will showcase a competition involving 30 renowned players from Manchester United and Liverpool.
According to the report, World Football Legends (WFL), the organization behind BATTLE OF THE REDS, has consistently focused on arranging tournaments for footballers aged 35 and older since 2012. The BATTLE OF THE REDS premiered in 2019, inviting legendary football players from Liverpool and Manchester United for live performances in Singapore and Malaysia.
News Source – ONCC -雙紅會一觸即發！30位英超經典球星明年訪港 (https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/sport/20240724/bkn-20240724160318638-0724_00882_001.html)
(8) International Festival of Extreme Sports: Battle of the Champions is Coming to Macao
(Photo Credit: the macao news)
Macao is set to be the host of the 2025 International Festival of Extreme Sports: Battle of the Champions (“IFES”) as announced by Melco Resorts & Entertainment (“Melco”), the event’s co-organizer.
Additionally, Melco also revealed its plans to open a dedicated skatepark at its Studio City. According to the company, this initiative aims to provide local skateboarding enthusiasts with a well-equipped facility for training, attract international visitors, and position Macao as a sports-friendly destination.
Clarence Chung, a board director at Melco, reiterated IFES as the “first event of its kind” in Macao and the broader Greater Bay Area. It is reported that Melco is working with Rakuten Sports and IFES organizer Hurricane Group to promote this exclusive event as part of the IFES World Series tour.
Originating from Montpellier, France, IFES stands as the biggest global extreme sports event, featuring sports such as skateboarding, rock climbing, BMX freestyle, and breakdancing.
News Source – the macao news – world-renowned skateboarding competition is coming to Macao (https://macaonews.org/life/sports/macau-fise-battle-of-champions-studio-city-melco-skateboarding-macao/)
(9) Two Hong Kong Exhibitions Celebrating Music Careers of James Wong and Joseph Koo
(Photo Credit: Sing Tao Daily)
As part of the Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival 2024, two exhibitions showcasing the legendary music careers of composer Mr Joseph Koo, and songwriter Mr James Wong, are currently open at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum and Tai Kwun.
Koo and Wong had a prolific collaboration spanning from 1972 to 2003, producing enduring Cantonese classics that remain popular to this day. Notable songs include Below the Lion Rock (獅子山下) performed by Roman Tam, Conflict (奮鬥) sung by Jenny Tseng, and Liang Wang Yan Shui Li (倆忘烟水裡) sung by Michael Kwan Ching Kit and Susanna Kwan Kuk Ying.
Their works serve as witnesses to the transformation of Hong Kong from a humble fishing village to a bustling international metropolis, while also reflecting the evolution of music production and consumption patterns over the past half-century. These exhibitions highlight the significant contributions of Koo and Wong to Cantonese pop music, including their work in commercial jingles, TV theme songs, chart-topping hits, and film soundtracks.
News Source: HK01 – 兩場黃霑展覽｜超像真場景聽煇黃粵語金曲 逾百藏品回顧霑叔一生https://www.hk01.com/article/1039880?utm_source=01articlecopy&utm_medium=referral
(10) In Memory of Cheng Pei-pei
(Photo Credit: Liang Weiye/VCG via Getty Images)
It is reported that Cheng Pei-pei, a Chinese-origin Hollywood star, has unfortunately passed away at the age of 78.
Pei-pei set off her career in Hong Kong in 1964 as a promising actress in martial arts movies and migrated to the United States in the 1970s. She has been active in the entertainment industry and has notably starred in both Hollywood and Hong Kong films, including Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (臥虎藏龍) and Come Drink with Me (大醉俠). It is said that Pei-pei’s advancement as a female martial arts star has motivated aspiring actors across generations.
In light of her battle with a neurodegenerative disease that shares similarities with Parkinson’s, Pei-pei’s spirit remained undaunted. It is reported that, in a selfless act, she donated her brain to a non-profit organization for research, hoping to aid those afflicted with similar conditions. Pei-pei also made significant donations to the institution. These noble gestures are testament to her character and her enduring legacy.
News Source – comingsoon.net – https://www.comingsoon.net/guides/news/1806804-what-happened-to-cheng-pei-pei-death
