Latest news with #LiuYifei
CNA
02-07-2025
- Business
- CNA
'A taste of China': Luckin Coffee's US debut draws cheers from Chinese media and consumers
BEIJING/WASHINGTON: Once dismissed as a cheap imitation of Starbucks, China's Luckin Coffee has not only overtaken its American rival on home turf - it is now expanding into the US, opening its first two stores in New York this week. News of Luckin's US store openings has been met with a wave of congratulatory messages and excitement on Chinese social media, with many celebrating the company's global expansion against the backdrop of the US-China tariff war. 'This is great. Luckin has gone (truly) global,' wrote a user by the handle Coffee Yi on the popular Sina Weibo microblogging site. 'Americans are going to pay (what we pay) in yuan for good coffee,' said another. On Instagram, users and influencers showed off free Luckin tote bags which were given out to promote the launch of its New York City storefronts and drinks that were priced as low as 99 cents. 'I love their iced coconut coffee and velvet latte drinks,' said a customer who visited a newly-opened Luckin branch on Sixth Avenue. 'Please open a store in California and bring your global ambassador Liu Yifei,' said another customer, referring to the Wuhan-born Chinese American actress best known for her role in Disney's 2020 live-action film Mulan. BREWING GLOBAL SUCCESS Chinese beverage companies have been having their moment in the spotlight - with Chagee CEO Zhang Junjie recently becoming a billionaire at age 30 after the tea chain successfully went public on the Nasdaq in April and beverage giant Mixue, now the world's largest F&B chain by store count, surpassing McDonald's and Starbucks, seeing success in Hong Kong after it made its IPO debut in March. Luckin first burst onto China's cutthroat coffee scene back in 2017 and industry watchers say young Gen Z customers have been vital to its success - many who flock to stores for a taste of its highly-affordable signature cold foams, brews and lattes. 'The rise of the Chinese coffee industry and Luckin is the result of China's embrace of the world,' wrote Chinese journalist Ding Gang in an opinion piece for state-run outlet Huanqiu, published on Wednesday (Jul 2). 'With flexible category innovation, digital operations and cost-effectiveness, Luckin has cultivated a variety of fresh flavors that suit young Chinese coffee drinkers,' he said. Ding noted that Luckin is one of the biggest buyers of coffee beans from Yunnan, a province in southwest China better known for its Pu'er tea. With a foothold in the US, industry observers will now be watching to see if Luckin's value-focused, app-based approach can win over American coffee drinks. 'The world has never lacked coffee (stores) and brands,' said Ding Gang, adding that the global coffee market would continue to expand. 'Luckin Coffee's (entry into) the US is not to copy Starbucks' strategy but to expand global taste boundaries - with coffee that carries a taste of China's heritage,' he said.
Independent Singapore
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Independent Singapore
‘Mulan' star Liu Yifei dines at celeb-favourite pho spot in France
FRANCE: Chinese-American actress Liu Yifei was spotted eating pho at a popular Vietnamese restaurant in France. VNExpress , citing Style UDN , reported that the star was dressed casually in a black top, while her hair was tied in a high bun, with minimal makeup, and accessorised with pearl earrings. Photo: Instagram/Liu Yifei Dining quietly until a fan noticed her The actress was initially seen eating at a highly visible spot near the entrance and was comfortable and unbothered by the surroundings. Liu's assistant quickly moved their table to provide more privacy when a fan recognised her. The assistant told the fans not to follow Liu. The Vietnamese restaurant that Liu went to is a favourite choice among international celebrities such as Japanese actor Yokohama Ryusei and director Hirokazu Koreeda. In France for a Louis Vuitton event So, the actress was actually in France for a special event put on by the fancy fashion brand Louis Vuitton . Liu, who's 38, was born in China but moved to the U.S. when she was just 10 after her parents divorced. She even became a U.S. citizen! Later, she headed back to China to chase her acting dreams, and it really paid off. She shot to fame in 2003 with the TV series The Story of a Noble Family. Since then, she's become a huge star, making a name for herself in both Chinese and Hollywood movies. See also Scarlett Johansson on upcoming Black Widow film In 2009, she was even recognised as one of China's 'New Four Dan Actresses,' which is basically a fancy way of saying she was one of the top four most successful and popular actresses in the country. More than just Mulan Liu Yifei is also known as Crystal Liu, who is not only an actress, but also a singer and model. She was born on August 25, 1987, in Wuhan, China, with the birth name An Feng. She was only 15 when she got accepted into the prestigious Beijing Film Academy's Performance Institute, and she successfully graduated in 2006. She gained significant recognition for her roles as Wang Yuyan in Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils (2003) and Zhao Ling'er in Chinese Paladin (2005), which further solidified her popularity. Since then, Liu has really made a name for herself, becoming a major star in both the Chinese movie scene and Hollywood. Her notable film roles include The Forbidden Kingdom (2008), The Assassins (2012), and Outcast (2014). See also A fan did something that caused Alex Man to glare at him She really made her mark on the global stage when she starred as Mulan in Disney's live-action film a few years ago, in 2020. She has also starred in recent TV series like A Dream of Splendor (2022), Meet Yourself (2023), and The Tale of Rose (2024).
India.com
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
This Goddess can actually talk to worshippers, has an Identity card, and addresses their concerns; temple is located at...
Artificial Intelligence has changed our lives in ways we could not have imagined. Every day, we see innovations and possibilities powered by AI. These days, AI is transforming industries such as healthcare through evolving diagnostics, personalized treatment plans, and even drug discovery. Not only healthcare, but the entertainment sector is also witnessing changes due to AI. But what if we tell you that there is a temple in Malaysia that has introduced the world's first AI-powered Mazu statue, letting worshippers connect with a digital version of the sea goddess. According to the Times of India(TOI) report, the technology-driven Mazu statue in Malaysia's Tianhou Temple allows worshippers to interact with the goddess in a digital form. By blending ancient spirituality with modern innovation, Malaysia's Tianhou Temple is creating a unique way for people to connect with their faith. Developed by the tech company Aimazin, the AI Mazu enhances the worship experience by making it more interactive, according to a report from the South China Morning Post. Instead of merely admiring a statue, worshippers can now ask questions, receive fortune readings, and get personalized advice—all powered by artificial intelligence. This Goddess can actually talk to worshippers, has an Identity card, and addresses their concerns; temple is located at… But how does it perform its tasks? Well, it begins with the digital version of Mazu displayed on a screen, allowing worshippers to interact with her in real-time. The AI is programmed to respond to a variety of requests, whether it's asking for blessings, seeking life advice, or looking for help with personal challenges. It provides comforting and thoughtful answers, reflecting the nurturing spirit of the goddess. According to the South China Morning Post, the AI Mazu is depicted as a beautiful woman dressed in traditional Chinese attire, with features that resemble a more rounded version of Chinese actress Liu Yifei. This portrayal adds a relatable and comforting human touch to the digital goddess, making her more approachable for worshippers. Worshippers are encouraged to seek blessings from the AI Mazu, ask her to interpret the fortune sticks they draw at the temple, and get answers to their personal questions and doubts. During a live demonstration, Shin Kong, the founder of the company behind the project, interacted with AI Mazu by asking whether she would be fortunate enough to receive an unexpected windfall — referred to as pian cai yun in Mandarin, reported South China Morning Post. According to the South China Morning Post report, AI Mazu, speaking in a calm and gentle voice, tells the worshipper that she would have better luck with an unexpected fortune if she stays at home. In another interaction, an influencer shared with AI Mazu that she was having trouble sleeping at night and asked for guidance. Gently addressing her as 'my child,' AI Mazu recommended drinking warm water before bed to help her relax and sleep better. The AI Mazu was unveiled just before the 1,065th birthday of the sea goddess, which was celebrated on April 20 this year. Mazu was originally born as a mortal named Lin Mo in the year 960 on Meizhou Island in Putian, located in China's southeastern Fujian province. Mazu is worshipped by Chinese communities across the world, especially in Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. To ensure that people outside her birthplace can receive her blessings, statues of Mazu from Meizhou Island are sometimes transported by train or plane to other cities in China and abroad. The report further mentioned that Mazu even has her own identity card and number, listing her real name, birthplace, and birth date — all to make her travels smoother and more official.
