China’s international trade in services grew by 17 percent year-on-year to $397.31 billion in the first half of 2018, setting a record even amid the current global economic troubles, the Ministry of Commerce said.

German carmaker Audi AG announced on Thursday that its sales in the Chinese market reached new record in July, as well as in the first seven months. A total of 53,191 units were delivered to Chinese customers in July, representing a year-on-year increase of 3.8 percent.

Cainiao Network, Alibaba’s delivery arm, has completed its first delivery test via drone helicopter in Jingdezhen city in East China’s Jiangxi province, the company said Thursday.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa opened the 10th summit of the BRICS countries(Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) in Johannesburg, South Africa. Following regular meetings among their countries’ ministers throughout the year, the annual BRICS summit serves as a  platform for BRICS heads of state and government to affirm their joint commitments within the political bloc for the year ahead.

Chinese smartphone manufacturer OnePlus surpassed Samsung and Apple as the fast-growing premium (price of over $436) smartphone brand in India, a report has showed.

China’s e-commerce behemoth Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and global coffee giant Starbucks announced on Thursday a deep, strategic new retail partnership to transform the country’s coffee industry.