Core Viewpoint - The launch of the first domestic eSIM-enabled phone, iPhone Air, has been met with operational challenges, particularly regarding age restrictions for eSIM activation, which may hinder access for older users [1][3]. Group 1: eSIM Activation Challenges - A user reported being denied eSIM activation due to being over 60 years old, as the current policy requires users to be between 18 and 60 years old [3]. - China Telecom confirmed the age restriction for eSIM activation, which is part of the trial phase of the eSIM service [5]. - In contrast, China Unicom and China Mobile have set lower age limits, with Unicom requiring users to be at least 16 years old and Mobile requiring 18 [5]. Group 2: Complexity of eSIM Process - The eSIM activation process is described as cumbersome, requiring users to visit physical stores with identification and devices, as online activation is not available during the commercial phase [5]. - Users must return to their number's original location for eSIM conversion, as cross-province conversions are not supported [5]. - A user managed to convert a physical SIM to eSIM by falsely claiming to have lost their SIM card, highlighting potential loopholes in the system [6]. Group 3: Security and Future Developments - The restrictions on eSIM services are attributed to risk management and technical security concerns, particularly regarding the potential for remote anonymous account creation and telecom fraud [8]. - The three major operators had previously suspended eSIM services, with a planned resumption in June 2025 under strict conditions, including offline real-name activation and security certificate requirements [8]. - Future advancements in remote real-name authentication technology and system upgrades are expected to simplify the eSIM activation process, allowing users to complete it online without visiting physical stores [8].

Core Viewpoint - Morgan Stanley has set a target price of HKD 9.5 for China Unicom (00762) and assigned an "Overweight" rating [1] Financial Performance - In Q3, China Unicom's service revenue was RMB 83 billion, remaining flat year-on-year, which met Morgan Stanley's expectations [1] - The cloud revenue for China Unicom increased by 26% year-on-year to RMB 15.3 billion [1] - EBITDA for the period was RMB 25.4 billion, also flat year-on-year, aligning with the bank's forecast [1] - The service EBITDA margin stood at 30.5% [1] - Net profit grew by 5.3% year-on-year to RMB 5.5 billion, in line with expectations, benefiting from a decrease in depreciation costs [1] Corporate Actions - The company plans to spin off its Smart Network Technology for a listing on the ChiNext board, pending regulatory approval [1]

Core Viewpoint - Morgan Stanley has set a target price of HKD 9.5 for China Unicom (00762) and assigned an "Overweight" rating [1] Financial Performance - In Q3, China Unicom's service revenue was RMB 83 billion, remaining flat year-on-year, which met Morgan Stanley's expectations [1] - The cloud revenue for the same period increased by 26% year-on-year to RMB 15.3 billion [1] - EBITDA for the quarter was RMB 25.4 billion, also flat year-on-year, aligning with the firm's expectations [1] - The service EBITDA margin stood at 30.5% [1] - Net profit grew by 5.3% year-on-year to RMB 5.5 billion, again meeting the firm's expectations, aided by a decrease in depreciation costs [1] Corporate Actions - The company plans to spin off its Smart Network Technology for a listing on the ChiNext board, pending regulatory approval [1]

Core Insights - The three major telecom operators in China reported revenue and net profit growth for the third quarter, despite a slowdown in revenue growth [2][3] - Total revenue for the three operators in the first three quarters reached 14,819.26 billion yuan, with a combined net profit of 1,549 billion yuan [2] Group 1: Financial Performance - China Mobile's revenue for the first three quarters was 7,946.66 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 0.41%, with a net profit of 1,153.53 billion yuan, up 4.03% [1] - China Telecom reported revenue of 3,942.70 billion yuan, a 0.59% increase, and a net profit of 307.73 billion yuan, up 5.03% [1] - China Unicom's revenue was 2,929.9 billion yuan, growing by 1%, with a net profit of 87.7 billion yuan, an increase of 5.2% [1] Group 2: User Growth - As of September 30, China Mobile had a total of 1.009 billion mobile customers, with a net increase of 4.559 million, and 622 million 5G network customers, netting an increase of 23 million [3] - China Unicom's mobile customer base reached 356 million, with a net increase of 12.48 million, including 225 million 5G network customers and 129 million fixed broadband users [3] - China Telecom had 437 million mobile customers, a net increase of 12.67 million, with 292 million 5G network customers and a penetration rate of 66.9% [3]

Core Viewpoint - The A-share market is experiencing a significant increase in cash dividends, with over 600 listed companies distributing more than 300 billion yuan in cash dividends for the first half of the year, indicating a shift towards a return-focused capital market [1][2]. Group 1: Dividend Distribution - As of October 24, over 30 A-share companies, including China Ping An and China Unicom, have completed their cash dividend distributions for the first half of 2025 [2]. - The total cash dividend amount for A-share companies reached 649.7 billion yuan, with a payout ratio of 31.97%, slightly up from the previous year [2][3]. - Central enterprises are leading the way in dividend distribution, with companies like China Mobile and China Petroleum distributing over 100 billion yuan each [2]. Group 2: Future Dividend Plans - More than 3 billion yuan in cash dividends are still pending distribution, with major banks and coal companies expected to contribute significantly [3]. - The third-quarter dividend window has opened, with over 30 companies planning to distribute more than 4 billion yuan in dividends [3]. - Companies are increasingly adopting a multi-dividend strategy, with firms like WuXi AppTec and CRRC announcing their first interim dividends this year [3]. Group 3: Dividend Yield and Investor Sentiment - The average dividend yield for companies that have distributed dividends is 2.52%, with over 90 companies yielding more than 3% [4]. - The proactive approach of companies in returning capital to shareholders has been recognized, with total distributions over the past five years reaching 10.6 trillion yuan, significantly higher than previous periods [4]. - Companies are making long-term commitments to shareholder returns, with some planning to distribute at least 70% of their net profits as dividends from 2025 to 2027 [4]. Group 4: Investment Perspective - The stable dividend distribution in the A-share market is attracting more attention to dividend assets, which are viewed as long-term investments rather than short-term speculative plays [5]. - Investors are encouraged to focus on the sustainability of dividend payments rather than short-term stock price fluctuations, reinforcing the long-term logic behind dividend investments [5].

Core Insights - The Tianhong CSI Hong Kong Stock Connect Central State-Owned Enterprises Dividend ETF (159281) closed up 0.59% on October 23, with a trading volume of 45.18 million yuan [1] - The fund was established on August 20, 2025, with an annual management fee of 0.50% and a custody fee of 0.10% [1] - As of October 22, the fund's latest share count was 292 million, with a total size of 296 million yuan [1] - Over the past 20 trading days, the fund's cumulative trading amount reached 1.099 billion yuan, with an average daily trading amount of 54.94 million yuan [1] - The current fund manager is He Yuxuan, who has managed the fund since its inception, achieving a return of 1.32% during the tenure [1] Holdings Summary - The top holdings of the Tianhong CSI Hong Kong Stock Connect Central State-Owned Enterprises Dividend ETF include: - COSCO Shipping Holdings (0.85% holding, 218,000 shares, market value of 2.9175 million yuan) [2] - Orient Overseas International (0.40% holding, 10,500 shares, market value of 1.3717 million yuan) [2] - China Foreign Transport (0.33% holding, 270,000 shares, market value of 1.1396 million yuan) [2] - China Petroleum (0.32% holding, 162,000 shares, market value of 1.0973 million yuan) [2] - CITIC Bank (0.32% holding, 175,000 shares, market value of 1.1136 million yuan) [2] - CNOOC (0.29% holding, 58,000 shares, market value of 1.0041 million yuan) [2] - China Shenhua Energy (0.29% holding, 30,500 shares, market value of 982,600 yuan) [2] - China People's Insurance Group (0.29% holding, 164,000 shares, market value of 1.0107 million yuan) [2] - China Unicom (0.28% holding, 104,000 shares, market value of 952,800 yuan) [2] - Agricultural Bank of China (0.27% holding, 189,000 shares, market value of 933,900 yuan) [2]

Core Viewpoint - The agricultural sector in Heze is undergoing a significant digital transformation, driven by China Unicom's implementation of smart agriculture initiatives that enhance productivity, increase farmers' income, and contribute to rural revitalization [2][8]. Group 1: Digital Transformation in Agriculture - Heze, a major agricultural city in Shandong Province, has historically relied on traditional farming methods, but is now embracing a data-driven approach to agriculture [3]. - China Unicom has established a "smart agriculture" platform that integrates various IoT devices to monitor environmental conditions and crop health, enabling farmers to make informed decisions based on real-time data [3][4]. - The platform covers 10,000 acres of high-standard farmland, providing farmers with a digital toolbox for efficient farming practices, including real-time updates on optimal planting strategies and weather conditions [4]. Group 2: Technological Integration - In Dongming County, the integration of 5G, AI, and SaaS technologies in watermelon cultivation has led to a sophisticated monitoring and control system that optimizes growing conditions [5]. - The AI algorithms used in the smart greenhouses allow for dynamic adjustments to irrigation and lighting, resulting in improved crop quality and reduced deformity rates by over 20% [5]. - A traceability system has been established for watermelons, providing consumers with detailed information about the production process, which enhances consumer trust and increases revenue by over 15% per watermelon [6]. Group 3: Enhanced Market Connectivity - In Caoxian, the use of 5G and gigabit broadband has transformed the asparagus supply chain, allowing for real-time live streaming of harvests to consumers, thereby increasing sales and consumer confidence [6][7]. - The asparagus planting area in Caoxian has reached 100,000 acres, accounting for 60% of the national total, with an annual production of 120,000 tons, showcasing the scale and quality of the industry [7]. Group 4: Improved Agricultural Management - The "digital greenhouse" system in Dingtao District allows for remote monitoring and intelligent adjustment of environmental conditions across over 300 greenhouses, significantly enhancing operational efficiency [7]. - Farmers report that digital tools have reduced their workload and improved their ability to respond to extreme weather conditions, leading to greater satisfaction and a sense of security in their agricultural practices [7]. Group 5: Future Outlook - China Unicom's initiatives in Heze represent a commitment to leveraging technology for agricultural modernization and rural revitalization, with plans to further enhance the application of 5G, IoT, big data, and AI in the agricultural sector [8].

Core Viewpoint - UBS has lowered the target price for China Unicom (00762) from HKD 11.6 to HKD 11 while maintaining a "Buy" rating, reflecting adjustments in profit forecasts due to macroeconomic headwinds affecting business growth [1] Financial Performance - For Q3 2025, China Unicom reported service revenue of RMB 83.3 billion, a year-on-year increase of 0.2% [1] - EBITDA for the same period was RMB 25.4 billion, showing a year-on-year growth of 0.1% [1] - Both service revenue and EBITDA figures were below market consensus by 1-2%, but in line with industry peers [1] - Net profit increased by 5.3% year-on-year, consistent with the 5% growth rate observed in the first half of 2025 [1] Depreciation Policy Change - Starting from October 1, 2024, China Unicom will extend the depreciation period for its 4G assets from 7 years to 10 years, benefiting from depreciation savings [1] - This change is expected to contribute to profit growth in Q3 2025, allowing China Unicom to outperform its peers [1]

Core Points - The iPhone Air has officially launched in mainland China, marking the first phone in the region to support eSIM technology [1] - The eSIM service is currently supported by major carriers in mainland China, including China Unicom, China Telecom, and China Mobile, while China Broadcasting Network does not support it [3][4] - The eSIM business is still in its early stages in mainland China, with ongoing improvements in processes and policies [19] Carrier Support - China Unicom, China Telecom, and China Mobile support eSIM services for the iPhone Air (model: A3518), while China Broadcasting Network does not [3] - Not all physical stores support eSIM services; only designated stores of China Unicom can process eSIM applications [3] - China Unicom previously announced a door-to-door eSIM service in Shenzhen, but the status of this service is currently unclear [3] Requirements for eSIM - The requirements for obtaining an eSIM are similar to those for traditional SIM cards, with a limit of 5 active cards per carrier and a total of 10 across all carriers in mainland China [4] - There are no restrictions on the type of plans available for eSIM services, allowing both new applications and transfers from existing cards [5] Application Process - The application process for eSIM is reported to be convenient, taking approximately 10 minutes for activation at a physical store [6] - eSIM services are available for both local and some cross-province applications, but there are limitations on cross-city and cross-province services depending on the carrier [8][9] Eligibility for Foreign Residents - Residents from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan can apply for eSIM services using specific travel documents, but cannot do so from different locations [11] - Foreigners can also apply for eSIM services using their passports or permanent residency documents, but China Telecom does not support this group [12] eSIM Management - Users can manage their eSIMs directly through their device settings, including deleting and switching eSIMs [15][16] - Deleting an eSIM does not cancel the number; users must visit a physical store to transfer or reactivate the eSIM [18] Conclusion - The launch of the iPhone Air signifies the beginning of the eSIM era in mainland China, with expectations for further development and improvements in eSIM services from various brands and products [19]

Market Performance - Hang Seng Index (恒指) fell by 245 points or 0.9%, closing at 25,781 points[1] - Shanghai Composite Index (滬指) decreased by 2 points or 0.07%, ending at 3,913 points[1] - S&P 500 dropped by 35 points or 0.5%, closing at 6,699 points[2] Trading Volume - Total trading volume in the Hong Kong market reached 227.54 billion HKD[1] - Shanghai Stock Exchange's trading volume was 741.5 billion CNY[1] - Shenzhen Component Index (深證成指) recorded a trading volume of 926.3 billion CNY[1] Currency and Monetary Policy - The central parity rate of RMB against USD was adjusted down by 24 points to 7.0954[1] - People's Bank of China conducted a 138.2 billion CNY reverse repo operation at a rate of 1.4%[1] - Net injection of liquidity was 94.7 billion CNY after 43.5 billion CNY reverse repos matured[1] Corporate Earnings - Sands China (金沙中國) reported a net revenue increase of 7.5% year-on-year to 1.9 billion USD for Q3[3] - China Unicom (中國聯通) posted a revenue of 292.985 billion CNY, up 1% year-on-year, with a net profit growth of 5.1%[3]