5 Must-Read Tech Stories in China This Week

Welcome to the first in a new weekly roundup edition of top tech stories in China.

This past week saw Alibaba still in the news a lot, a tantalizing hint at a new American company aiming at China, and Hong Kongers and Shanghaiiers got a new fruit store. Or something like that.

1. Alibaba Announces Real-Name Requirement for China Users

As we first broke this news in English on Monday, there was a big reaction on Twitter as people seemed enormously suspicious of a web company demanding to see your ID. But since we’re talking about an e-commerce platform and not a social media site, the new mandate is aimed at something different from the Facebook and G+ implementation.

1. First Apple Store Opens in Hong Kong – and a New One for Shanghai

You wait years and years for a new Apple store to come along – and then two open in Greater China within two days! Hong Kong residents got their first ever official glass and pine temple on Saturday, while lucky Shanghai folks got their third venue a day before that.

I reckon the Shanghai one looks like the more awesome of the two, and I look forward to dropping in soon to loving stroke objectively review the newest MacBook Airs, which only rolled out in China this month. The Shanghaiist blog got plenty of photos of the new new store, as well as the crowds and excitement.

1. Pandora Prepping a Move Into China, Looking for Local CEO?

The biggest rumor of the week was that Pandora, the subscription steaming music service, was actively looking for a capable, experienced Chinese CEO. This points, of course, to the newly-IPO’d American company being about to make a move into China. Interesting to think that if this occurs, China might now be a more attractive prospect than Europe – which already has more mature competition in the online music industry.

1. DST, Silver Lake and Yunfeng Lead $1.6 Billion Tender Offer Aimed at Alibaba Employees

This story was done so comprehensively – and fantastically – by AllThingsD’s Kara Swisher that we decided not to rewrite it. Essentially, three equity firms – one Russian, one Chinese, and one American – are aiming to buy US$1.6 billion worth of shares from employees of Chinese e-commerce giant, Alibaba Group. Singaporean VC fund Temasek is also in the running, albeit for a smaller chunk.

This would value Alibaba at $32 billion. It also gives an updated value for Yahoo’s 49 percent stake in the group.

1. The Best Buy Empire Strikes Back