Driverless testing

WERIDE, a Chinese autonomous vehicle startup, said it has become the first autonomous company to start fully driverless vehicle testing in China, as the world’s biggest auto market accelerates development of autonomous technologies.

Three-year-old WeRide, backed by Nissan, Renault and Mitsubishi, said that it started tests last week on open roads in a designated area of Guangzhou after the city granted permission. WeRide said it will use a remote center to take control of their vehicles if needed.

Medicine producer

SHIJIAZHUANG Yiling Pharmaceutical Co., the producer of Lianhua Qingwen Capsules, an effective medicine recommended by China’s National Health Commission for COVID-19 treatment, has reported notable profit growth in the first half of the year.

Net profits attributed to its shareholders rose by a range of 50 percent to 60 percent year on year to reach a range of 682 million yuan (US$97.5 million) to 728 million yuan in the first half of the year, the company said Sunday in its preliminary earnings estimate. The company cited rapid growth in the sales of Lianhua Qingwen Capsules in the first half of the year, especially in the second quarter, when rising recognition of the traditional Chinese medicine, both at home and abroad, fueled sales.

Revenue plunge

HAIDILAO, China’s leading hot pot chain, has posted figures pointing to a likely drop in revenue for the first half of the year, due largely to the COVID-19 epidemic.

The company estimated a 20 percent drop in revenue year on year from January to June, according to its profit warning. The loss was due mainly to the COVID-19 outbreak and accompanying epidemic control measures, the report said.