October 16, 2026

Heading to the County | “Jiangxi Stir-Fry” Goes Viral: Why Has a Small Town in Southern Jiangxi Become a Winner?

The Paper examines how Ningdu, a county in southeastern Jiangxi, has used interest in Jiangxi-style stir-fried food to promote its local cuisine. The report connects Ningdu's Hakka food traditions with restaurant branding, chef training and tourism, rather than treating an online food trend as an isolated viral moment.

Figures attributed to local authorities put the county's restaurant count at 3,872 in September 2026, up from 3,436 in 2021. The article traces a coordinated cuisine-branding effort to 2021 and describes standards for 65 dishes. Interviewees also identify shortages in skilled staff, chain management, cold-chain logistics and larger businesses. The reported growth and promotional claims come from local officials and industry participants; the article does not isolate how much growth was caused by social-media attention.

Background: Jiangxi stir-fry refers to a style of casual Chinese home-style cooking associated with Jiangxi Province.

I Hate the Word “Grind”: You Can Scrub Dishes and Shoes, but Don’t Grind Through Practice Questions

In a Guokr interview, physics educator Wu Yuren explains why her slogan against repetitive problem drilling does not mean students should stop solving problems. She argues that understanding the material, asking questions and doing experiments should come before repeated exam practice. She also acknowledges the importance of exam results and competition for education resources.

Wu describes building an exploratory physics laboratory at Tongji University and using ordinary objects for practical learning. She presents confidence gained through hands-on work as a way to keep children engaged when learning becomes difficult. The interview also discusses AI study tools: she questions whether answers supplied by software build a child's willingness and ability to think. This is an educator's stated approach, not a comparative study proving one teaching method is superior.

Background: Shua ti means repeatedly practicing exam questions.

Huawei executive Richard Yu comments on the three departments' joint investigation into brake-pedal bracket fractures: “Justice may be late, but it will never be absent!”

IT Home reports that Huawei executive Richard Yu shared Maextro's statement about a joint investigation into a reported brake-pedal bracket fracture involving the V800. His accompanying remark expressed confidence that justice would prevail. The article attributes the post to screenshots shared by bloggers.

According to the report, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Cyberspace Administration of China and the State Administration for Market Regulation formed a joint investigation team. Maextro said it would fully cooperate and support consumer rights. The source describes the inquiry and the company's response; it does not provide the investigators' findings, determine the cause of the reported fracture, or establish who is responsible.

Huawei

A Chinese technology company that makes telecommunications equipment, devices and computing products. Reference ↗

App+1 | I built an energy-management app specifically for “P-type” people and those with ADHD

On SSPAI, Pikko's developer introduces an iPhone task manager built around estimated energy rather than a fixed to-do list. Tasks receive four attributes: energy, device, setting and state of mind. The app uses these to reorder suggestions and initially shows only three tasks, with more available on demand.

The developer says estimates can use a chosen sleep schedule and, optionally, Apple Watch sleep and heart-rate data. A receipt-style task bundle and location-based filtering are among its paid features; basic functions are free. The article says processing stays on the device. These are the creator's product and privacy claims, not an independent technical audit or evidence that the app treats ADHD.

Background: “P people” refers to people with a Perceiving preference in the Myers-Briggs personality framework.

Apple Watch

Apple's smartwatch family. Health and safety features differ by model, software and region. Reference ↗

Joint Investigation Group of Four Departments Issues Findings on the Formamide Issue in Infant Diapers

The Paper reproduces an October 15 notice from a four-agency Chinese investigation into concerns about formamide in infant diapers. According to the notice, investigators sampled 368 finished-product batches covering 180 brands and 168 domestic manufacturers, including contract manufacturers; the commissioned tests did not detect formamide.

The authorities also reported problems with some earlier testing, including unclear identification criteria, missing control or parallel tests, and deleted original data. They said retesting of blood samples likewise did not detect formamide and that the investigation had not found related health harm from infant diapers. These are the stated findings of the official investigation and the samples it describes, rather than a universal assurance about every product or every possible health risk.

Comment | So Many Fake 400-Service Numbers Show Up in Search Results—Should Platforms Be Held Responsible?

A The Paper commentary examines misleading appliance-repair hotlines that appear prominently in search and social-platform results. It describes reporters finding numbers presented as brand after-sales services even though the operators were third-party repair businesses, including numbers already flagged as risky or disowned by brands.

The author argues that paid placement can make this impersonation particularly confusing: a consumer searching for official support may be led to an unrelated service with unclear prices and weak complaint channels. The piece calls on platforms to verify promotional claims and label third-party services, brands to publicize genuine support contacts, and telecom providers to check hotline applicants. It recommends obtaining repair contacts through a brand's official website or app. These accountability proposals are the commentary's analysis, rather than a reported court ruling against a particular platform.

Background: China's 400 numbers are business service hotlines that typically charge the receiving company rather than the caller.

CK Asset Holdings Debunks Rumor: Absolutely Nothing of the Sort Happened

The Paper reports that a person inside CK Asset denied an October 15 rumor that Li Ka-shing had died, describing it as untrue. The short item identifies Li as the group's founder and notes that he announced his retirement in March 2018.

The news here is the denial. The article does not substantiate the circulating death claim, and it should not be repeated as a confirmed event.

CK Asset

A Hong Kong-listed group whose activities include property development and investment. Reference ↗

Exclusive | Tim Cook: Apple Intelligence’s Core Features Have Been Approved in China, with a Test Version Coming by the End of October

In an October 15 interview reported by The Paper, Apple's Tim Cook said the first core Apple Intelligence features had received approval for China, with a beta expected later that month. The initial group described in the report includes live translation, Writing Tools and the Clean Up feature in Photos; the newer Siri AI is explicitly excluded.

The article connects that announcement with Chinese regulatory records for Apple devices and AI models, including Apple's own system and Alibaba's Tongyi models. It reports that several iPhone families had model-filing details added to their network-access documentation in September. Approval, beta availability and a full public release are separate milestones: the article's late-October statement concerns a test version, rather than a promise that every Apple AI feature will be available then.

Background: Apple Intelligence is Apple’s suite of generative artificial intelligence features.

Alibaba

A Chinese technology group whose businesses include commerce and cloud computing. Reference ↗

Apple Intelligence

Apple's collection of AI features for supported devices. Availability depends on device, software, language and region. Reference ↗

More Freedom for Photographers: Austin Mann Reviews the iPhone 18 Pro Camera Experience

SSPAI publishes an authorized Chinese translation of photographer Austin Mann's iPhone 18 Pro field review from Dunton, Colorado. Mann focuses on creative control: variable aperture, separate focus and exposure controls, manual shutter choices, focus tracking, and photographic styles with film and grain effects. He describes using those tools for night skies, close-ups and deliberate motion blur.

The review also discusses reference images for photo authenticity and 4K time-lapse capture. Mann generally recommends leaving aperture on automatic unless a particular creative effect calls for manual control, and using HEIF when applying photographic styles. His remaining requests include an interface better suited to professional still photography and more control over grain and time-lapse speed. These are one photographer's observations and preferences; the original includes the demonstrations and sample images behind them.

Austin Mann

An American travel photographer who publishes field reviews of iPhone cameras. Reference ↗

4499 → 3085 Yuan: Xiaomi REDMI K100 Pro Max Flagship Phone Gets an Official 11.11 Price Cut

An IT Home shopping post advertises an effective starting price of RMB 3,085 for the 12GB/256GB REDMI K100 Pro Max, compared with a launch price of RMB 4,499. The advertised figure depends on combining promotional benefits, including an 88VIP coupon, platform coins and a government subsidy; it is not an unconditional price available to every buyer.

The post also lists offers for other memory configurations and the K100 Pro, with alternative JD.com deals. It repeatedly warns that promotions can change and the final checkout amount governs. The source labels the article as advertising and includes outbound shopping links. This is a summary of the listed offer conditions, not an independent price comparison or a guarantee that the promotion remains available.

Xiaomi

A Chinese company whose products include smartphones, connected home devices and electric vehicles. Reference ↗

Update: Refundable again after relisting—JD.com's 7,999-yuan Apple iPhone Duo early-bird benefits package was taken down after some consumers complained they could not get refunds

IT Home covered complaints about a RMB 7,999 iPhone Duo early-bird benefits package sold on JD.com. The original October 14 report said it was limited to PLUS members and bundled services and accessories, while the phone itself still had to be purchased at full price. Buyers questioned the separate charge and an initial restriction on refunds; the package was subsequently removed from sale.

The article carries an important update from 22:16 on October 14: the package was relisted and could be refunded. Readers should distinguish that correction from the earlier complaints. The reported price was for the benefits package, not the handset, and the account does not establish the current terms of every listing.

Three government departments, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, jointly investigate reports of vehicle brake pedal bracket fractures; Maextro says it will fully cooperate with the investigation team.

IT Home reports that China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Cyberspace Administration and State Administration for Market Regulation formed a joint team to examine reports of a broken brake-pedal bracket on the Maextro V800. The notice says the authorities will investigate and handle the matter under applicable rules, with further information to be announced.

The article reproduces Maextro's response: the company says it will comply with and fully cooperate in the investigation, while protecting consumers' rights. The report describes an investigation and a company statement; it does not announce a technical conclusion, a recall or a final determination of responsibility.

Apple's domestic AI suppliers emerge: Alibaba and Baidu; reports say the features will launch on iOS 27.3 in December

IT Home, citing Bloomberg and earlier Chinese reporting on October 15, says Apple is preparing a mainland-China launch of Apple Intelligence, with a December iOS 27.3 release under consideration. The account concerns an initial set of AI features across supported Apple devices, rather than the newly announced Siri AI assistant. The reported timing remains a plan, not a confirmed release date.

The article describes different roles for Chinese partners: Baidu for search and Siri-related services, and Alibaba for model capabilities including Qwen and Tongyi Wanxiang. It points to regulatory filings and a Baidu Visual Search module found in beta software as supporting context. These details do not establish that every feature will launch together; the report specifically notes uncertainty around the newer Siri AI reaching China.

Qwen

Alibaba's family of large language models, also known as Tongyi Qianwen. Reference ↗

Alibaba

A Chinese technology group whose businesses include commerce and cloud computing. Reference ↗

Baidu

A Chinese technology company known for internet search, AI and autonomous-driving technology. Reference ↗

Apple Intelligence

Apple's collection of AI features for supported devices. Availability depends on device, software, language and region. Reference ↗

DeepSeek's web and API services experienced partial outages today, displaying “The server is temporarily unavailable”

IT Home reported on October 15 that some DeepSeek users were receiving a “server temporarily unavailable” message. The short report said DeepSeek's own status page showed partial disruption to both its website and API, with an investigation underway.

At the time of that report, the disruption had lasted more than 50 minutes. The article did not establish the cause or give a recovery time; it should not be read as a statement that the service is still unavailable now.

Background: DeepSeek is a Chinese AI company known for large language models. Model announcements and community claims require separate verification.

DeepSeek

A Chinese AI company that develops large language models and offers a chat service and developer API. Reference ↗

Yu Shenghai’s Major Work *The Oil War* Published: A Century-Spanning History of Oil Wars

A promotional article on Guokr announces Oil Wars, a book by Chinese author Yu Shenghai published by Zhejiang People's Publishing House. The introduction describes a history of more than a century of competition over petroleum, linking energy resources with war, finance and geopolitical influence.

According to the announcement, the book ranges beyond the Middle East to examine world wars, the Cold War, dollar-denominated oil trade and newer energy-security disputes. It also discusses clean energy, China's energy transition and the possible role of AI in the energy sector. These are the author's analytical themes and the announcement's account of the book, rather than independently established explanations of the conflicts it mentions.

“Steam, Steel, and Infinite Minds: A Survival Guide to the AI Era” Published, Drawing Broad Attention

A book announcement on Guokr introduces Yu Shenghai's Steam, Steel and Infinite Minds: A Survival Guide for the AI Era, published by Guangdong People's Publishing House. It presents the book as a guide to how AI may change businesses, jobs and everyday decision-making, rather than as a technical programming manual.

The announcement says its topics include industrial applications, changes to management and business models, choosing AI tools, and risks involving data security and ethics. It argues that companies should connect AI projects to practical needs and train employees for collaboration with automated systems, while individuals should keep learning and develop critical thinking. Claims about the book's reception and its predictions for the future come from this promotional introduction; they are not findings from an independent review.

I Suggest Updating Immediately: China-Market Apple Watch Finally Gets This “Lifesaving Feature”

An APPSO article republished by Guokr reports that sleep-apnea notifications have become available on supported mainland-China Apple Watches following an iOS and watchOS update. It lists Apple Watch Series 9 and later, Ultra 2 and later, and SE 3 among supported models. Users must update their devices, enable sleep tracking and complete setup in the iPhone Health app. The feature is intended for adults who have not already been diagnosed with sleep apnea.

The article explains that the watch uses its accelerometer to look for breathing disturbances during sleep. Assessment requires at least 10 nights of wear within a 30-day period; users can export a report to discuss with a clinician. This is a longer-term notification feature, not a real-time alarm that wakes someone during a breathing interruption, and a notification is not a medical diagnosis.

Background: Apple Watch is Apple's smartwatch.

Apple Watch

Apple's smartwatch family. Health and safety features differ by model, software and region. Reference ↗

Joint Investigation Group of Four Departments Issues Findings on the Formamide Issue in Infant Diapers

The Paper reproduces an October 15 notice from a four-agency Chinese investigation into concerns about formamide in infant diapers. According to the notice, investigators sampled 368 finished-product batches covering 180 brands and 168 domestic manufacturers, including contract manufacturers; the commissioned tests did not detect formamide.

The authorities also reported problems with some earlier testing, including unclear identification criteria, missing control or parallel tests, and deleted original data. They said retesting of blood samples likewise did not detect formamide and that the investigation had not found related health harm from infant diapers. These are the stated findings of the official investigation and the samples it describes, rather than a universal assurance about every product or every possible health risk.

CK Asset Holdings Debunks Rumor: Absolutely Nothing of the Sort Happened

The Paper reports that a person inside CK Asset denied an October 15 rumor that Li Ka-shing had died, describing it as untrue. The short item identifies Li as the group's founder and notes that he announced his retirement in March 2018.

The news here is the denial. The article does not substantiate the circulating death claim, and it should not be repeated as a confirmed event.

CK Asset

A Hong Kong-listed group whose activities include property development and investment. Reference ↗

More Freedom for Photographers: Austin Mann Reviews the iPhone 18 Pro Camera Experience

SSPAI publishes an authorized Chinese translation of photographer Austin Mann's iPhone 18 Pro field review from Dunton, Colorado. Mann focuses on creative control: variable aperture, separate focus and exposure controls, manual shutter choices, focus tracking, and photographic styles with film and grain effects. He describes using those tools for night skies, close-ups and deliberate motion blur.

The review also discusses reference images for photo authenticity and 4K time-lapse capture. Mann generally recommends leaving aperture on automatic unless a particular creative effect calls for manual control, and using HEIF when applying photographic styles. His remaining requests include an interface better suited to professional still photography and more control over grain and time-lapse speed. These are one photographer's observations and preferences; the original includes the demonstrations and sample images behind them.

Austin Mann

An American travel photographer who publishes field reviews of iPhone cameras. Reference ↗