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News & Politics

Mixue Bingcheng Posts 2.7 Billion Yuan H1 Profit, Showcasing China’s Low‑Cost Franchise Surge

Mixue Bingcheng, the Chinese tea‑and‑ice‑cream chain that has become a staple on the streets of small cities and county towns, announced that it pulled in a net profit of 2.7 billion yuan in the first half of the year. The figures, posted on the company’s Weibo account, show revenue climbing to 14.87 billion yuan — a 39.3 percent jump from the previous year — and net earnings swelling by 44.1 percent to 2.718 billion yuan.

Fashion & Beauty

Chinese Netizens Decry La Roche‑Posay’s “Water‑Only” Facial Mist as an Overpriced “Tax on Intelligence”

La Roche‑Posay, the French‑origin skin‑care brand known in China as 理肤泉, has found itself at the centre of a heated online debate after consumers discovered that its flagship facial mist, priced at more than 100 yuan (roughly $15‑$16), lists “water” as its only active ingredient. The revelation sparked a wave of criticism on Weibo, where users dubbed the product a “tax on intelligence” (智商税) and questioned how a simple spray of water could command such a premium price.

Leaders from a striking array of nations rolled into Beijing by high‑speed train on the evening of Sept. 1, 2024, in a visual display of what Chinese officials are dubbing “high‑speed rail diplomacy.” The arrivals were timed to coincide with commemorations of the 80th anniversary of China’s victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the broader World Anti‑Fascist War – a milestone Beijing marks as “9‑3 Victory Day.”