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:#
Vogue China Editor-in-Chief Angelica Cheung.
— BUSINESS AND FINANCE —#
Shanghai vice mayor Ai Baojun to head up free-trade zone later this month.#
The zone is all set to launch, and experts are comparing its importance to that of Shenzhen's special economic zone. (SCMP)
Chinese travelers want service from those "who understand their culture, not just language."#
This was one of the key takeaways from Luxperience, a luxury travel trade show going on right now in Sydney. (Travel Daily News)
Ruder Finn is expanding to central and western China.#
Another sign that brands are zeroing in on second-tier cities. (PRWeek)
— FASHION —#
Vogue China#
's eighth anniversary is an auspicious one.#
Edit0r-in-Chief Angelica Cheung says the magazine serves not only to inform, but to "educate" consumers in China. (WWD)
Retailers take a "gloomier" view on China's growth numbers.#
They're complaining that the slowdown has not "bottomed out" yet, but it's not completely uniform: some luxury firms such as Prada and Tiffany are still reporting upbeat sales. (SCMP)
— LIFESTYLE —#
Mainland shoppers veering away from big-ticket items in Hong Kong.#
Sales growth is down, but they're still entering the city "in droves." (Scene Asia)
The UAE hopes to attract more Chinese tourists.#
Outbound tourism bookers are convening in Abu Dhabi right now to discuss ways to "lure more travelers from China to the Gulf state." (People's Daily)
Beijing eyes congestion fee for car owners.#
In addition to the limit on license plates, the measure should curb massive traffic growth, but overall pollution's going to need a lot more work than just traffic policies. (China Real Time)
Chinese automakers set sights abroad.#
However, even in places like Indonesia, they're having a tough time competing with Japanese, European, American, and South Korean companies. (China Daily)
— TECH —#
China's government promises nationwide broadband by 2020.#
Time for brands to step up their e-commerce plans. (Agenda)