A new report on China's online audiovisual sector was released today. The report indicates that as of December 2025, the number of online audiovisual users in China reached 1.099 billion, maintaining its position as the top internet application for many years. Notably, short video applications have seen continuous growth in both usage rate and user numbers, with 44.6% of new internet users accessing short videos during their first online experience. In December 2025, the average daily usage time per person for mini-drama applications reached 129 minutes, surpassing long-form video to become the second-largest segment in the online audiovisual market.
Tickets for the 2026 May Day holiday travel period are now on sale starting today. According to China State Railway Group Co., Ltd., the 2026 railway transport period for the May Day holiday will run from April 29 to May 6. The railway department has made comprehensive arrangements to ensure smooth ticket purchases and travel for passengers during the holiday; tickets for April 29 became available for purchase today (15th). An official from the passenger transport center stated that strong demand for family visits, tourism, and leisure travel is expected during the May Day period, with railway passenger flow anticipated to remain high.
During HAITIAN FLAV's 2025 annual performance briefing on the afternoon of the 13th, Executive Director and President Guan Jianghua responded to an investor's inquiry about whether the company's foray into beverages represents a regular strategic direction. Mr. Guan stated that venturing into beverages is an appropriate extension of the business, but the company will continue to focus deeply on its core condiment products. On April 15, in addition to its main products like soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sauces, HAITIAN FLAV's official Tmall store introduced a new "Beverages" category, listing three main types of products: apple cider vinegar, soy milk, and drinking water.
A recent online chat record mentioning that job applicants "would not be granted an interview if their WeChat balance was less than 300 to 500 yuan" has attracted public attention. On the afternoon of the 14th, the Human Resources Bureau of Bao'an District in Shenzhen responded, stating that upon receiving the relevant report, the bureau attached great importance to the matter and immediately dispatched personnel to the involved company for an on-site verification. After verification with the person in charge of Shenzhen Shuangyi Technology Co., Ltd., the company explicitly stated that it has never imposed any requirement to check WeChat balances during its recruitment process. Furthermore, the company stated that, in light of the negative impact caused by the incident, it would immediately terminate its cooperation with the original labor dispatch agency.
According to reports from media outlets including The Wall Street Journal, the Texas Attorney General's office announced on the 13th local time that it has launched an investigation into the US subsidiary of the athletic apparel brand Lululemon. By the close of trading on the 14th local time, Lululemon's US-listed stock price had fallen by 1.21%. As of the market close on the 14th, the company's stock price has accumulated a decline of over 20% in the US stock market since the beginning of this year.
Multiple European airlines called on the European Commission on the 14th to take urgent measures to ensure the supply of aviation fuel, in response to energy supply concerns stemming from the conflict in Iran.
According to a Reuters report, the Trump administration in the United States plans to officially launch a tariff refund system on April 20th local time, intended to refund importers $166 billion (approximately 1.13 trillion yuan) in tariffs. These tariffs were ruled "illegal" by the US Supreme Court in February of this year.
Crude oil prices fell sharply. Signals from the US indicating potential new rounds of negotiations with Iran, coupled with the International Energy Agency's downward revision of its global oil demand forecast for the year, led to a decline in international crude oil futures prices overnight. Losses widened further during trading on the 14th, with New York crude futures closing below $92 per barrel. At the market close, the price of light sweet crude oil for May delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange fell by $7.80 to settle at $91.28 per barrel, a decrease of 7.87%. The price of Brent crude for June delivery fell by $4.57 to settle at $94.79 per barrel, a drop of 4.6%.
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