10 must-read tech stories in China this week

Craving more China tech news? We got your back. Here are our top picks from last week.

1. New regulations force China’s e-stores to offer hassle-free, 7-day product returns

The new regulations should be a positive step for consumer rights, and will bring China’s e-stores in line with more enlightened brick-and-mortar retailers who have long offered seven-day or even fourteen-day item returns.

2. How Chinese New Year affected China’s mobile habits in 2014

Between January 16 and February 6 – when the majority of people head home for the holiday – app activity was 51.5 percent higher than average.

3. Chinese Coursera-style education portal scores $16.5 million funding

Uniquedu is backed by several noteworthy Chinese universities, including Beihang University, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Dalian University of Technology, and Xiamen University. The certificates that students receive upon completion of a course can be exchanged for credits at these universities.

4. China’s Xiaomi is working on phone launches in India, Indonesia, and other Asian markets

At the company’s Singapore launch event, Xiaomi’s Hugo Barra explained why that startup chose Singapore as its first stop in Southeast Asia – indeed, as its international HQ – by saying that it was tempted by the small but very sophisticated market, which would allow them to iterate fast. Xiaomi can then use those lessons in neighboring markets like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.

5. Tencent takes 20% stake in China’s Yelp, will add local listings and restaurant reservations to WeChat

This major deal will see a lot of Dianping content – such as local listings, consumer reviews, daily deals, online restaurant reservations and take-out ordering services – added to Tencent’s two main social networks, WeChat and QQ.

6. IDC: Samsung continues to take the lead for smartphone shipments in China

Samsung remains the king of Android in China, with over 19 percent smartphone share. It’s followed by Lenovo with 13 percent market share, then Coolpad with 11 percent, and Huawei with 10 percent market share.