China's consumer prices rose 1.0% year-on-year in July

Chinese Restaurant Brands Going Global: What Keeps Customers Coming Back After the Opening?

How long can the queues outside a brand’s first overseas store last? And how many customers drawn in by the novelty will become regulars? For Chinese restaurant brands expanding internationally, opening a store is only the beginning of the challenge of building a local business and retaining customers.

Midea Completes Controlling Acquisition of Italian Medical Imaging Firm Esaote

Midea Group (美的集团) completed its acquisition of a controlling stake in Italian medical imaging company Esaote S.p.A. (百胜医疗) on October 9, the companies said. Esaote will join Midea Healthcare while continuing to operate as an independent business headquartered in Genoa, with research and manufacturing facilities in Italy and the Netherlands.

Manus Parent Butterfly Effect Raises More Than $500 Million After Meta Deal Unwind

Butterfly Effect, the China-founded company behind AI agent Manus, has completed a funding round of more than US$500 million, the company announced on October 8. Boyu Capital and IDG Capital led the round, with existing investors Tencent, HSG and ZhenFund also participating. The company did not disclose its valuation or how it plans to use the proceeds.

ANTA Sports Becomes PUMA’s Largest Shareholder in €1.51 Billion Deal

ANTA Sports Products Limited（安踏体育用品有限公司）completed its acquisition of a 29.06% stake in PUMA SE on October 7, paying €1.5055 billion in cash to Artémis SAS, the investment company of the Pinault family. The transaction makes ANTA PUMA’s largest shareholder and gives the Chinese sportswear group a significant stake in a major European brand, while leaving PUMA independently governed.

Another Look at China's Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment Industry

For years, China has been building up its own semiconductor manufacturing equipment industry – it's maybe time for the country to make its presence heard.