With the US election dominating the news this week, our stories might bring refreshing perspectives over the weekend.
Alibaba continues to push boundaries with innovations and global partnerships. A standout is the record-breaking 500-petabyte data migration for Xiaohongshu, “China’s Instagram.” Equivalent to storing 11,000 4K movies, this year-long project consolidated 11 years of digital assets, underscoring Alibaba Cloud’s market dominance (36% share) and its preparedness for AI-driven data solutions.
On the AI front, DAMO Academy’s “Baguan” weather model sets new benchmarks in precision forecasting, tackling global climate challenges.
Meanwhile, the 7th CIIE saw Bayer China launch OPERA 2.0 on Alibaba Cloud, and Freshippo introduced global delicacies like Chilean cherries🍒. Double 11 is heating up, with Fliggy’s travel passes flying off the shelves 🚀, reflecting booming travel enthusiasm.
Next week promises even more action with a wrap-up of this year’s Double 11 and Alibaba’s quarterly earnings on November 15th! Stay tuned!
Alibaba Cloud Completes Landmark 500-Petabyte Data Migration for ‘China’s Instagram’ Xiaohongshu
As reported by SCMP, Alibaba Cloud has shattered records with a colossal 500-petabyte data migration for Xiaohongshu, China’s leading lifestyle platform with over 300 million monthly active users. Equivalent to storing 11,000 4K movies, this year-long feat highlights Alibaba Cloud’s technical prowess and its role as the top cloud provider in China (36% market share). The migration helped Xiaohongshu consolidate its 11 years of digital assets, overcoming “unimaginable” challenges. Amid fierce competition in cloud services, this achievement strengthens Alibaba’s positioning in the AI-driven data era while addressing past outage concerns.
Alibaba’s “Baguan” AI Weather Model: Precision Forecasting for a Climate-Challenged World
In a significant advancement for climate science, Alibaba’s DAMO Academy recently unveiled “Baguan,” an AI-powered weather model designed to provide highly accurate, hourly weather forecasts up to ten days ahead. Leveraging cutting-edge AI architecture, including Siamese Masked Autoencoders, Baguan processes detailed atmospheric data at one square-kilometer spatial resolution, setting a new standard in real-time forecasting accuracy.
Baguan is already helping sectors like renewable energy, agriculture, and civil aviation to manage resources more efficiently. For instance, when temperatures unexpectedly dropped in Shandong, Baguan’s forecast allowed power grid operators to adjust for a 20% demand reduction, achieving 98.1% accuracy and enhancing grid stability. This precision supports sustainable energy practices and showcases the model’s potential for broader climate adaptation.
By combining local and global data, Baguan’s hybrid modeling approach enables reliable forecasting across varied regions. DAMO Academy plans to expand Baguan’s capabilities, emphasizing its role in agriculture, aviation, and even sports event planning. This AI innovation is a glimpse into a future where technology aids in global climate resilience, making advanced forecasting accessible even to regions with limited computational resources.
Bayer China Launches OPERA 2.0 on Alibaba Cloud
Bayer China has introduced OPERA 2.0, a next-generation healthcare engagement platform powered by Salesforce hosted on Alibaba Cloud. Debuting at the 7th CIIE, OPERA 2.0 integrates Bayer’s systems into a seamless, customer-centric CRM tailored to China’s regulatory needs. This collaboration highlights Alibaba Cloud’s pivotal role in enabling secure, high-performance CRM solutions for multinational brands, with localized compliance and low-latency capabilities.
Learn more about the new platform.
Freshippo Transforms CIIE Finds into Dining Table Favorites
Also at the 7th CIIE, Freshippo continues to leverage the platform to integrate global products into daily Chinese consumption. By overcoming logistical and cost challenges, Freshippo has introduced items like Malaysian durians, Chilean cherries, and Russian ice cream, achieving over 30% annual growth in fruit imports.
Initiatives such as cross-border shopping zones enhance consumer access to over 400 global products, while Freshippo’s “6+365” trading platform strengthens year-round global sourcing and export capabilities. These efforts position Freshippo as a leader in connecting global supply chains with Chinese retail demand.
Meanwhile, Freshippo partnered with Chilean fruit supplier GarcesFruit at the 7th CIIE, for high-quality cherries and plums and launched its first direct sourcing base in Chile to enhance fruit imports.
✈️ 11.11 Travel Craze: Young Shoppers Go Big on Flight Passes!
This 11.11 also means shopping for travel. Flexible “Fly As You Wish” and multi-trip flight passes took off 🚀, selling over 500,000 units by October 24, with cross-border passes accounting for nearly 80%! Popular routes included Japan, Singapore, and Thailand—ideal for young travelers chasing value-packed adventures. 🗺️ Fliggy is also continuously introducing new flight pass options, with efforts underway to restock previously sold-out popular items.
Why the buzz? Huge savings! For instance, a Scoot Singapore pass was ¥503 cheaper than a standard ticket. Plus, smarter tools like one-click booking and streamlined scheduling made these passes irresistible. Travel demand is clearly soaring 🌏—are airlines ready to keep up? 👀
