China Bans Non-Compliant Power Banks on Flights Amid Safety Crackdown
Starting June 28, China’s Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC) will enforce a new regulation banning power banks that lack valid 3C certification, bear unclear 3C labeling, or have been subject to product recalls from being carried on domestic flights. The move is part of a broader push to enhance aviation safety, following recent high-profile product safety issues.
The China Compulsory Certification (3C) is a mandatory national standard for consumer safety, overseen by the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR). It applies to products that may affect personal health, safety, or environmental protection, including power banks. Without 3C certification, products are legally prohibited from being manufactured, sold, or used within China.
Airports and airlines across the country have been instructed to tighten inspections, with enforcement already in effect at major hubs. At Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, passengers report being told that certain Romoss and Anker power banks are no longer permitted, with signage and announcements reinforcing the ban. Similar measures have been observed at airports in Shenzhen, Chengdu, and Changsha.
Social media platforms have since been flooded with images of bins overflowing with confiscated devices, as security personnel crack down on uncertified power banks. Travelers are urged to check their devices for compliance before heading to the airport to avoid last-minute surprises.
The regulatory tightening follows recent mass recalls linked to faulty battery components and fire hazards, underscoring how safety—and not just convenience—is becoming a central concern in China’s travel infrastructure.
Triple Debut at HKEX: Bling, Babies, and Big Brands Ring the Bell
June 26 was anything but ordinary at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX), as not one—but three companies made their public trading debuts in a single day. Jewelry powerhouse Zhou Liu Fu, high-end maternity care provider Saint Bella, and luxury brand distributor Eternal Beauty Holdings each took the stage, turning the trading floor into something of a red carpet for IPOs.
Zhou Liu Fu: Bling Leads the Way
Among the trio, Zhou Liu Fu glittered the brightest. The Chinese jewelry chain’s IPO was oversubscribed more than 700 times, a statistic that would make even veteran investment bankers do a double-take. The stock jumped 18% at open, closed up 25%, and now sits on a valuation of HKD 11.36 billion.
Founded in 2002 by Li Weizhu from Shantou, Zhou Liu Fu opened its first store in Shenzhen in 2004. The brand scaled quickly by leaning into a light-asset franchise model, growing to 4,129 locations by the end of 2024—with just 91 self-operated stores. Revenue has steadily risen from CNY 3.1 billion to CNY 5.72 billion over the past three years, while net profits climbed from CNY 575 million to CNY 706 million. Not bad for a company named after a day of the week.
Saint Bella: Postnatal, but Make It Luxury
Also joining the bourse was Saint Bella, China’s most glamorous name in postpartum care. Founded by Xiang Hua, an Oxford-trained bioengineer with an eye for both science and service, Saint Bella markets 28-day luxury confinement packages starting at CNY 138,000. In case you’re wondering: yes, that’s per baby.
The company is well-fed with capital—having raised funds from a who’s who of investors, including Tencent, C Capital, China Life, and Sun Hung Kai. Its debut brought in a valuation near HKD 4 billion, with an intraday pop of 44% before settling with a 4.14% gain, and a closing market cap of HKD 5.37 billion. Apparently, there’s gold in bassinets too.
Eternal Beauty: Luxury at Scale
Rounding out the lineup is Eternal Beauty Holdings, a seasoned distributor of luxury brands, particularly in optical and fragrance. Founded in 1980s Hong Kong by Liu Jurong, the company now manages 63 brands, including Hermès, Van Cleef & Arpels, Bvlgari, Versace, and Anna Sui—across 7,500+ retail outlets in more than 400 cities across Greater China. With a 2 million–strong loyalty program, Eternal Beauty is less of a retailer and more of a consumer magnet.
Post-IPO, the firm is valued at HKD 3.2 billion, bringing a more mature, stable presence to the mix—a counterpoint to the sparkle of jewelry and the buzz of baby talk.
In a market often dominated by tech and biotech, this IPO trifecta reminds us that diamonds still shine, luxury care still sells, and heritage brands still matter. Whether it’s jewelry, premium postnatal pampering, or designer perfumes, Chinese consumers—and investors—are still willing to pay a premium for the finer things in life.
DJI Drones Face Major Shortage in U.S., Amid Speculation Over Market Exit
On June 25, tech outlet The Verge reported that DJI drones are facing a significant shortage in the U.S. market, fueling speculation that the Chinese drone giant may be pulling out of the American market altogether.
As of June 24, DJI’s official U.S. store on Bestbuy listed only older-generation models, including the Mavic 3 Pro (priced at $3,890), refurbished versions of the same model, and the 2022 DJI Avata—also refurbished. Notably, newer versions of both product lines have already been released globally, intensifying concerns about DJI’s U.S. presence.
Responding to the rumors, Daisy Kong, a spokesperson for DJI, clarified the situation:
“DJI remains committed to the U.S. market. As we’ve previously shared, we’ve been working with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to resolve a misunderstanding related to customs procedures. Unfortunately, this issue has affected our inventory and import of drones and components. We understand the disappointment from customers and hope this matter will be resolved soon.”
The statement suggests that the shortage is logistical rather than strategic, but with mounting political and regulatory scrutiny of Chinese tech firms in the U.S., DJI’s long-term future in the American market remains uncertain.
Xiaomi YU7 Roars Onto the EV Track—But Can It Keep Up With Demand?
On the evening of June 26, Xiaomi rolled out its latest electric vehicle—the YU7—at its glitzy “Human-Car-Home Full Ecosystem” launch event. The car’s pricing was aggressive: CNY 253,500 (~USD 34,900) for the base model, CNY 279,900 (~USD 38,500) for the Pro, and CNY 329,900 (~USD 45,400) for the Max. The YU7 promises a maximum range of 835 kilometers, and Chinese EV fans wasted no time—orders surpassed 200,000 within just three minutes, according to Xiaomi’s Weibo account.
What’s fueling the hype? Specs that read like a wishlist: lidar sensors standard, end-to-end assisted driving powered by 10 million Clips, zero-gravity seats, sky screens, an 800V high-voltage platform, and a neck-snapping 0–100 km/h in just 2.98 seconds. Not bad for something that costs less than a third of Lei Jun’s own valuation: “You can’t find a car like this under one million yuan,” he declared.
The YU7’s true target? It’s not a secret—Xiaomi is gunning straight for Tesla’s Model Y. Lei Jun made the comparison explicit at the launch, claiming the YU7 outperforms Tesla in virtually every metric except Full Self-Driving (FSD) and energy efficiency.
And why so confident? Xiaomi already has an EV trophy on the shelf. Its debut model, the SU7, sold 130,000 units in its first year. The new SU7 Ultra racked up 10,000 orders in two hours this spring. Clearly, Xiaomi has found product-market fit.
But now comes the hard part: actually delivering the cars.
Xiaomi’s EV factory is humming at full capacity—churning out 20,000–30,000 units per month—yet wait times for the SU7 are still 30 weeks and counting. The second production facility remains under construction. Now, with the YU7 entering the fray, Xiaomi’s biggest challenge may not be designing the next game-changing car, but getting it into customers’ garages before they lose interest.
In the EV arms race, specs may win the headline war—but supply chain speed wins the market.
Louis Vuitton Sets Sail in Shanghai with Giant Cruise-Inspired Flagship
In the early hours of June 25, Louis Vuitton unveiled its latest architectural statement in the heart of Shanghai’s Jing’an District—a cruise-ship-shaped concept store named simply “Louis.” Anchored on Wujiang Road, this striking structure serves as the main vessel for the brand’s “Visionary Journeys” exhibition and marks LV’s first flagship of its kind in China—and Asia.
Inspired by Shanghai’s heritage as the “Gateway to the East,” the project blends travel, culture, and commerce into one floating metaphor. The 1,600-square-meter landmark (spanning 114.5 meters in length and 30 meters in height) houses a three-story experience: two levels dedicated to the “Visionary Journeys” exhibit and a top-floor Louis Vuitton Café, merging coffee culture with curated luxury.
This is the third LV flagship globally to center its design around the brand’s iconic trunk motif, joining siblings on the Champs-Élysées in Paris and Fifth Avenue in New York. Its ship-like silhouette—complete with a Monogram bow and hard-case-inspired top deck—appears to be embarking on a symbolic voyage from Shanghai’s Taikoo Hui, a hub of lifestyle retail.
Officially opened to guests on June 26, and open to the public from June 28, the store is more than a retail space—it’s a multi-sensory showcase of Louis Vuitton’s roots in travel, its flair for spectacle, and its ambitions in Asia’s fast-evolving luxury market.
From luxury fashion house to experiential architect of journeys, Louis Vuitton continues to remind the world: the suitcase may be classic, but the destination is always new.