Welcome to Jing Daily‘s China Luxury Brief: the day’s top news on the business of luxury and culture in China, all in one place. Check out today’s stories below:#
The Cadillac ATS, which is expected to debut in China this year, with an oddly Photoshopped Chinese flag. (IBT)
— BUSINESS & FINANCE —#
China to audit military officials in move to fight graft.#
No more Maseratis for military officials: in order for military members to retire, they have to undergo an audit of their "real estate property, their use of power, official cars and service personnel." (Reuters)
People actually do live in China's "ghost cities".#
And some are filling up quickly. (China Real Time)
— LIFESTYLE —#
American surrogate mothers the "newest Chinese luxury item".#
Surrogates help wealthy Chinese skirt the one-child policy and gain U.S. green cards, although calling them a "luxury item" is kind of a stretch. (The Week)
Cadillac ATS to hit Chinese showrooms this year.#
The company is in a hurry to compete with Audi and BMW. (IBT)
RV sales boom in China, supposedly because they're nicer to hang out in during massive traffic jams.#
“An RV makes long trips less painful. We can lounge around, have drinks, listen to music — and use the bathroom," says one owner. Can we get some numbers on how prevalent this reason actually is? (Bloomberg)
— TECH —#
Startup Kawo helps big brands engage with China.#
The site "repurposes and automates social content onto Chinese channels like Sina Weibo and Renren, unlocking material that would otherwise be blocked." (Mashable)
Twitter and Facebook will be free to use in Shanghai's free-trade zone.#
Can't have a true financial center without them. (WWD)
In relation, Shaun Rein says the Great Firewall is hurting Chinese companies.#
Will we see more Chinese companies marketing internationally on social media from the FTZ? (China Herald)
Will Apple's sales pick up in China after all the criticisms of its iPhone unveiling?#
One research firm says they're going to double. (China Real Time)