IN BRIEF (Page 18)

PRIVATE BUSINESS REJUVENATED

Wenzhou in southern Zhejiang province is seen as a pioneering city, together with Shenzhen and Shanghai, in the country's reform and opening-up over the past four decades, and is moving to help its small businesses grow further.

Machines replace humans as labor costs keep rising

On one side of the roaring factory, machine arms cut, weld, press and gauge a steady flow of circuit breakers, while self-driving carts carrying piles of products shuttle between assembly lines and storage areas.

FTSE considers A shares inclusion

The London-based index business FTSE Russell will announce its decision concerning the inclusion of the Chinese mainland's A shares early Thursday morning.

Policies creating huge growth opportunities for foreign firms

New economic momentum is boosting growth and emerging businesses in China, and in turn creating huge opportunities for foreign companies, according to a top industry player.

LexinFintech eyes high-tech to better meet credit needs

LexinFintech Holdings Ltd, a Chinese online consumer finance technology platform, said it will continue to focus on serving the credit needs of educated young adults, and to apply artificial intelligence-enabled technologies throughout its online product offering.

Microsoft to deepen AI push

Microsoft Corp plans to deepen its artificial intelligence push in China by teaming up with healthcare players and empowering them with algorithms needed to prevent and detect certain diseases, according to the company's top executive in China.

Online sticker makers eye off-screen opportunities

XIAMEN - Online stickers are not only a quintessential part of everyday life in China, but also a profitable business.

Apple supplier embraces robotic automation

NANCHANG - In a factory workshop in Ji'an county in East China's Jiangxi province, an automatic curing machine is spraying ultraviolet glue on the components of Apple earbuds relayed along a conveyor belt.Four years ago, it was Zhao Bulan, a post-90s worker, that sprayed the glue with gloved hands. Now, she only needs to check the components on a routine basis.

Bamboo trees help villagers grow local wealth and beauty in Sichuan

CHENGDU - Working hard to cook dishes made from different parts of bamboo in his restaurant, Liao Song welcomes the busiest time of the year at the Shunan bamboo tree resort.

Evergrande invests for expansion

China's Evergrande Group, a Fortune 500 company, announced it has signed a strategic deal with Urumqi-based Guanghui Group to expand cooperation in developing automobile sales, energy, real estate, logistics and related industries in the coming years.

UK, China blockchain collaboration hailed

Blockchain technology could be a highlight of collaboration between China and the United Kingdom in the years to come, according to a Chinese diplomat in London.