Maogeping Collaborates with Palace Museum, De Beers to Shut Down Lightbox and Fresh Names New Ambassador

Qeelin Appoints Table Tennis Player Wang Chuqin as Brand Ambassador

Chinese table tennis player Wang Chuqin has been announced as the new brand ambassador for Qeelin, a fine jewelry house under Kering. Known for its fusion of Chinese heritage and modern design, Qeelin sees a resonance between Wang’s distinctive left-handed playing style and its own boundary-pushing craftsmanship. The partnership aims to reinterpret traditional aesthetics through contemporary forms, with Wang offering a new perspective on Qeelin’s signature Wulu motif.

Maogeping Launches First High-End Fragrance Line with Palace Museum

Chinese beauty brand Maogeping has launched its first high-end fragrance collection in collaboration with the Palace Museum. The series features 13 EDP perfumes inspired by traditional Eastern scent culture, with three scents currently available online. Priced comparably to other niche brands in China, the launch marks Maogeping’s entry into the premium fragrance market. The brand reported a 34.6 percent year-on-year revenue growth in 2024, reaching RMB 3.89 billion.

Alibaba’s Cross-Border E-Commerce App Kaola Removed from App Stores

Alibaba’s cross-border shopping app Kaola has been removed from major app stores including Apple App Store, Xiaomi, and Vivo platforms. Originally launched by NetEase and acquired by Alibaba in 2019 for $2 billion, the app was once a key player in China’s imported goods market.

China’s April Export Growth Remains Resilient Amid US Tariff Pressures

In April, China’s total exports grew 8.1 percent year-on-year, despite a 21 percent drop in shipments to the US Exports to ASEAN, Latin America, and Africa remained strong, while demand shifted toward mechanical and electronic products. Private enterprises expanded their share of foreign trade, and exports of integrated circuits and automobiles hit record highs. Meanwhile, new US tariffs contributed to declining exports of labor-intensive goods and raised concerns over future global trade growth.

Tommy Hilfiger Names K-Pop Star Jang Won-Young as New Brand Ambassador

Tommy Hilfiger has appointed K-pop singer Jang Won-Young, a member of the group IVE, as the new ambassador and face of the Tommy Jeans summer campaign. The campaign, photographed by Mok Jung-Wook, features Jang in casual and feminine styles. It aims to connect global audiences by blending American streetwear with Korean pop culture. The collection is available globally and priced between $35 and $139.

China Leads World in Renewable Energy Integration

At the 2nd Scientific and Technological Innovation Conference of the Electric Power Industry held in Guangzhou, China announced it has become the world’s largest and fastest-growing country in renewable energy grid integration. Huang Xuenong of the National Energy Administration emphasized that technological innovation is a key driver behind China’s secure, stable power supply and its shift toward low-carbon development. The conference highlighted major industry achievements and unveiled five key technology breakthroughs.

De Beers to Shut Down Lightbox Lab-Grown Diamond Business

De Beers Group has announced plans to close its lab-grown diamond jewelry brand, Lightbox, as part of its strategy to concentrate on natural diamonds. The decision follows a significant decline in lab-grown diamond prices. De Beers will reallocate resources to promote natural diamond demand and continue supporting Lightbox customers during the transition. Its subsidiary, Element Six, will focus exclusively on industrial applications for synthetic diamonds.

Fresh Names Actor Li Yunrui as Brand Ambassador

LVMH-owned skincare brand Fresh has announced Chinese actor Li Yunrui as its new brand ambassador, aligning with the launch of two new products: the Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask and the Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask. The brand highlighted Li’s disciplined lifestyle as a fit with its energetic skincare message. The new masks aim to deliver quick revitalization and firming effects with targeted ingredients.