Core Viewpoint - The recent disclosure by Midea Group's chairman about a "negative 9-day cash cycle" has sparked discussions on the fairness of supply chain funding distribution, highlighting the financial strategy of using suppliers' funds for business operations [1][2] Group 1: Midea's Financial Strategy - Midea's operational model allows the company to conduct business without using its own capital, relying instead on funds from over 5,000 suppliers, resulting in a significant cash cycle advantage [2] - In 2024, Midea's accounts payable increased to 118.8 billion RMB, a 26.04% rise from 94.24 billion RMB in 2023, while revenue grew by only 9.47% to 409.1 billion RMB, indicating a shift of cost pressure onto suppliers [2][3] Group 2: Supplier Challenges - The accounts payable turnover days for Midea increased from 96.4 days in 2014 to 128 days in 2024, extending the payment cycle by 31.6 days over ten years, which poses challenges for suppliers [3] - Macro data shows that the average collection period for industrial enterprises increased by 4.0 days year-on-year, reflecting the broader trend of extended payment terms in the industry [9][10] Group 3: Policy Response - In response to the pressures on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), regulatory bodies have begun to implement measures to ensure timely payments from large enterprises, including a new regulation limiting payment terms to 60 days [10][11] - A collective action by major automotive companies to standardize payment terms to 60 days reflects the industry's recognition of the need for reform in supply chain practices [11]