Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the phenomenon of "involution" in China, which refers to excessive competition that is affecting the performance of Japanese companies operating in China. However, some Japanese firms are adapting by leveraging the competitive environment to enhance their global competitiveness, which they had previously diminished or exited from [2]. Group 1: Panasonic's Strategy - Panasonic's automatic door business, which started in the 1970s, exited the Japanese market in 2009 due to poor performance but found growth opportunities in China, particularly with the 2008 Beijing Olympics [5]. - The company has established a comprehensive system in China from development to manufacturing and sales, integrating reliability and safety technology from Japan with local cost competitiveness [5]. - Panasonic aims to increase its overseas sales ratio from approximately 60% to nearly 85% by 2030, targeting a position among the top three globally [6]. Group 2: Honda's Development - Honda is utilizing its Chongqing base to develop a core business for general engines, which were previously produced in Japan. The production has now shifted to Chongqing, Thailand, and India for efficiency [7]. - The Chongqing facility accounts for about 70% of the global output of general engines, benefiting from significant scale effects and digital transformation initiatives [7]. - Honda plans to replicate the successful cost competitiveness and quality improvements from its Chongqing base to other countries [7]. Group 3: Supply Chain Adaptation - Panasonic has begun transferring some functions of its global parts supplier selection to its Shanghai base, reversing the previous model of importing parts from Japan [8]. - Approximately 6,000 companies that have excelled in the competitive environment are now supplying cost-competitive parts to Panasonic's global operations [8]. - A survey indicates that the business conditions for Japanese companies in China are expected to worsen in the first half of 2025 compared to the second half of 2024, highlighting the need for Japanese firms to adapt and leverage the advantages of Chinese companies [8].

Core Viewpoint - The discussion highlights the contrasting work cultures and efficiency perceptions between employees in different countries, particularly between Singapore and China, with a focus on work hours and productivity [1][2][3][4]. Group 1: Work Hours and Efficiency - A Singaporean employee shared their experience of leaving work at 7 PM, which sparked a debate about efficiency compared to Chinese employees who often start late shifts at 7 PM [1][2]. - Chinese employees argue that the culture of overtime is not necessarily linked to efficiency but is a result of internal competition and work culture [2][3]. - Comments from international employees indicate that 7 PM is considered late in many countries, with most employees in the UK and the US typically finishing work earlier [3][4]. Group 2: Cultural Differences in Work Environment - Employees from the UK and the US expressed that working until 7 PM is seen as excessive, with many expecting to leave by 5 or 6 PM [3][4]. - A Singaporean employee pointed out that the contractual obligation to leave at 7 PM should be respected, emphasizing that the focus should not be on comparing efficiencies but on adhering to agreed work hours [3]. - The discussion also reflects on the perception of work-life balance and the need for mutual understanding among international teams regarding different work practices [4].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the phenomenon of "involution" in industries, particularly in the solar energy sector, where increased competition leads to price wars and reduced profitability for companies, prompting the government to implement measures to counteract this trend [5][8][34]. Group 1: Industry Overview - China is the world's largest industrial nation, contributing $30 out of every $100 of industrial products globally [3]. - Despite the growth in industrial scale and product sales, many companies are operating at a loss due to intense competition and price reductions [5][20]. Group 2: Involution in the Solar Industry - The solar industry experienced a surge in demand due to global energy transition efforts, attracting numerous competitors, including over a hundred cross-industry entrants from 2022 to 2023 [10][17]. - The influx of competitors has led to severe product homogenization and intensified competition, resulting in price wars [20][22]. Group 3: Strategies of Dominant Players - Dominant players, referred to as "卷王" (involution kings), leverage their strong cash flow and lower production costs to outlast weaker competitors in the market [23][27]. - These dominant companies are willing to sustain short-term losses to gain market share and pricing power in the long run [29][30]. Group 4: Government Response - The Chinese government has recognized the risks posed by industrial involution, which threatens economic stability and employment, as the industrial sector accounts for over 30% of GDP [31][34]. - Starting from July of the previous year, the government has implemented various policies to combat involution, including production quotas in the solar industry to limit supply and stabilize prices [36][38]. Group 5: Market Impact - The solar sector has seen a price recovery and a significant increase in stock performance, with the sector rising over 17% this year, while the broader anti-involution index has increased by nearly 50% [43].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the phenomenon of "involution" in contemporary society, highlighting the pressures faced by individuals in a competitive environment and questioning the sustainability of this mindset as economic conditions change [5][26]. Group 1: Economic Growth and Individual Efforts - From 1978 to 2022, China's GDP grew at an average rate of approximately 9.5%, with urban residents' disposable income increasing from 343 yuan to 49,283 yuan, a growth of over 140 times [8]. - The real estate market saw significant price increases, with the average price per square meter of commercial housing rising from about 2,112 yuan in 2000 to 9,860 yuan in 2020 [8]. - In 2019, housing assets accounted for 59.1% of urban residents' total assets, significantly higher than the 24.8% in the United States, indicating that home buying is a core method of wealth accumulation [8]. Group 2: The Role of the Internet Industry - The rise of the internet industry post-2010 created numerous success stories, with companies like Tencent and Baidu rewarding employees with substantial bonuses, reflecting the potential for individual success through hard work [10][12]. - The perception that hard work can lead to significant rewards has driven many young people to adopt a competitive mindset, viewing "involution" as a rational strategy [9][14]. Group 3: Education and Career Choices - The article emphasizes the need for a diversified education system to alleviate societal pressures regarding career success and to shift the focus from academic credentials to skill-based training [16][18]. - In Germany, a stable middle class and a strong vocational education system allow students to choose paths that align with their interests and job market needs, reducing the stigma associated with technical careers [19][20]. Group 4: Societal Perspectives and Future Outlook - The article notes that many young people still believe in traditional success narratives, such as "education changes destiny," with 52% feeling compelled to compete due to societal pressures [24]. - The notion of "involution" is seen as a product of economic growth, but the article argues that true societal progress will come when individuals are allowed to slow down and redefine success beyond mere competition [26][27].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the phenomenon of "involution" in society, where individuals feel compelled to compete relentlessly despite changing economic conditions and diminishing returns on effort [3][17][28]. Group 1: Economic Context - China's economic growth from 1978 to 2022 averaged approximately 9.5% annually, with urban residents' disposable income increasing from 343 yuan to 49,283 yuan, a growth of over 140 times [6]. - The real estate sector saw significant price increases, with average housing prices per square meter rising from about 2,112 yuan in 2000 to 9,860 yuan in 2020, particularly in first-tier cities like Beijing, where prices surged from 4,000 yuan to 60,000 yuan per square meter [7]. - Housing assets accounted for 59.1% of urban residents' total assets, indicating that homeownership is not just for living but also a core component of wealth accumulation [8]. Group 2: Social Dynamics - The societal consensus has been that hard work leads to success, with young people saving for down payments and families upgrading properties to increase asset value [9]. - The rise of the internet economy post-2010 created numerous wealth opportunities, exemplified by significant bonuses in tech companies like Baidu and Tencent [10][11][12]. - Despite the decline in the marginal benefits of hard work since 2020, the ingrained survival logic from decades of competition continues to drive individuals to "roll" [17]. Group 3: Educational and Career Structures - The article highlights the need for a diversified education system to support a slower-paced lifestyle, emphasizing the importance of individual stability and a reformed vocational education system to alleviate societal pressures [19][20]. - Germany's education system exemplifies a stable social structure where vocational training is respected, and skilled workers can earn competitive salaries without stigma [22][23]. - A significant portion of German youth (over 70%) express willingness to pursue technical education, indicating a shift towards valuing practical skills over traditional academic routes [24]. Group 4: Cultural Perspectives - The article notes that many young people still believe in traditional success narratives, such as "studying changes fate" and "working in big companies equals success," with 52% feeling pressured to compete due to others' efforts [26]. - The pressure to conform to competitive norms makes it challenging for individuals to adopt a slower lifestyle, as they face financial and familial pressures [27]. - The article concludes that true societal progress involves allowing individuals to slow down rather than perpetually compete, suggesting a need for a cultural shift away from the current "involution" mindset [29][30].

Group 1 - The 2025 Suining International Lithium Battery Industry Conference was held in Sichuan from September 18 to 20, focusing on the theme "Lithium Towards New Quality, Winning the Future" [1] - Industry experts discussed the current "involution" dilemma in the lithium battery sector, emphasizing the need to explore new markets and applications to drive growth [1] - Wu Hui, Director of the Yiwei Economic Research Institute, highlighted the importance of expanding overseas markets and new application scenarios to break the "involution" cycle [1] Group 2 - Zhang Xiaocong, Vice President of Ruipu Lanjun Energy Co., stated that overseas markets have become a new growth engine, with exports of power batteries accounting for one-third and energy storage batteries over 60% of total sales [2] - The company is focusing on local production in Indonesia to overcome trade barriers and emphasized the importance of integrating into local economies [2] - Yuan Dingkai, Chairman of Yunshan Power (Ningbo) Co., noted that there is potential for new growth in existing markets, particularly in the Northeast region of China, where the penetration rate of new energy vehicles is only 20%-30% [2] Group 3 - Xu Fei, General Manager of Dufulu New Energy Technology Co., pointed out that price competition in overseas markets is as intense as in domestic markets, driven by factors such as unclear customer positioning and weak intellectual property protection [3] - Chen Yubi, President of Nord New Materials Co., expressed optimism about expanding into the Portuguese market due to lower labor costs and favorable sunlight conditions [3] - Chen emphasized the need for high-quality and technological advancements in the copper foil sector, predicting a market polarization where high-end technology will thrive while low-end price competition will be eliminated [3]

Core Viewpoint - The event highlighted the need for innovation in the industry to address profit distribution among stakeholders, emphasizing that current platforms are taking excessive profits from the industry [1] Group 1: Industry Insights - Liu Qiangdong discussed the concept of "involution" in the industry, categorizing it into two types: downward involution towards low-end products and a more equitable pricing strategy [1] - The focus on innovation in delivery and product offerings is seen as a way to resolve the profit-sharing issues among practitioners, consumers, and platforms [1] Group 2: Company Positioning - The collaboration between JD.com and Kweichow Moutai at the tasting event signifies a strategic move to enhance brand visibility and consumer engagement [1] - Liu Qiangdong's remarks reflect a broader concern within the company regarding the sustainability of current profit models in the e-commerce and beverage sectors [1]

Market Regulation & Competition - Focus on rectifying disorderly low-price competition among enterprises, especially in "involution" prone areas, using legal and regulatory measures [1] - Strengthen the self-regulatory role of industry associations to guide enterprises in improving product quality [1] - Promote the orderly exit of outdated production capacity [1] - Continue to carry out special actions to regulate law enforcement involving enterprises [1] Unified Market Construction - Improve the fiscal and tax system, statistical accounting system, and credit system to facilitate market unification [1] - Focus on rectifying irregularities in government procurement bidding and strengthen the fairness review of winning bid results [1] - Focus on rectifying irregularities in local investment promotion and formulate a unified national list of local investment promotion behaviors [1] - Facilitate the path for export products to be sold domestically [2]

Core Viewpoint - The current era is characterized by low costs for ordinary people to "lie flat," which can be seen as both a benefit and a sign of the disappearance of other benefits [4][8]. Group 1: Delivery Industry Insights - The low cost of food delivery in China is attributed to a significantly lower labor cost, averaging around $1 per delivery compared to $5 in the U.S. [9]. - Delivery riders face harsh penalties for delays, with a 20% deduction for being late by 3 minutes and a 50% deduction for being over 3 minutes late [9]. - A significant portion of delivery riders, nearly 45%, are aged between 31 and 45, with 37% working over 10 hours a day, yet only 2% earn over 10,000 yuan per month [9]. - Restaurants bear more than half of the costs for user subsidies, leading to a dilemma where they must choose between participating in subsidies for order growth or maintaining profitability [9][10]. - Major tech companies like Didi, Alipay, and Douyin have previously attempted to enter the food delivery market but exited due to low profitability [13][14]. Group 2: Market Dynamics - The ongoing food delivery competition is driven by companies seeking to use delivery services as a means to attract customers to their core businesses, rather than a genuine interest in the delivery market itself [15][18]. - The absurdity of the current delivery war lies in the fact that no major player is truly committed to making food delivery profitable, as evidenced by the historical losses incurred by companies in this space [15][18]. - The competitive landscape reflects a broader trend across various industries where all parties involved are pressured to perform, leading to a cycle of "survival of the fittest" [15][16]. Group 3: Societal Reflections - The notion of "lying flat" is not a new concept but rather a response to the overwhelming pressures of modern life, where individuals feel trapped in a cycle of relentless competition [32]. - The current era offers a unique opportunity for individuals to pursue personal interests without the immediate pressure of societal expectations, contrasting sharply with previous generations [34][35]. - The narrative of success has shifted, with the current generation facing different challenges compared to those who thrived during the previous economic boom [24][34].

Group 1 - The current era is characterized by low costs for consumers, allowing them to enjoy services like food delivery at minimal expense, which is unprecedented in history [1][4] - However, this low cost comes at the expense of the income of service providers, highlighting a disparity in the benefits of the current economic model [3][5] - The low labor costs in China's food delivery sector are starkly contrasted with those in the US, with an average cost of approximately $1 per delivery compared to $5 in the US [6][7] Group 2 - Delivery riders face harsh penalties for delays, with significant income deductions for being late, and many work long hours with low pay, indicating a challenging work environment [7][10] - Restaurant owners are also dissatisfied, as they bear a significant portion of the costs associated with consumer subsidies, leading to a dilemma between participating in promotions or risking a loss of orders [8] - The overall sentiment among workers in the food delivery ecosystem is one of discontent, as their wages do not reflect the increasing demand for services [9][10] Group 3 - Major tech companies have previously attempted to enter the food delivery market but have exited due to low profitability, indicating that the food delivery business is not as lucrative as it appears [14][15] - The current competition among major players in the food delivery market is driven more by the need to attract users rather than a genuine interest in the food delivery business itself [16][19] - The ongoing food delivery wars reflect a broader trend of companies burning cash to gain market share, reminiscent of past market battles where losses were absorbed by platforms and investors [24][25] Group 4 - The current economic environment allows individuals more freedom to pursue personal interests without the pressure of traditional success metrics, contrasting with previous generations [58][61] - The notion of "lying flat" is not a new concept but reflects a response to the overwhelming pressures of modern work life, suggesting a shift in societal values [54][56] - The era presents a paradox where the pursuit of personal happiness and interests is now more accessible, yet the underlying economic pressures remain [60][62]