Article: AI apps soar in China as Lunar New Year giveaway battle boosts user growth

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AI applications in China experienced significant user growth during the Lunar New Year holiday, fueled by promotional campaigns from tech giants. Alibaba's AI app Qwen processed nearly 200 million orders, including over four million from users aged 60 and above, for tasks like purchasing food and booking travel. Rival Meituan also reported over 100 million people used its AI assistant, Xiaotuan, for holiday planning.

This surge reflects how major Chinese tech firms are driving acceptance and commercialization of AI-powered services through holiday giveaways and integrated consumer activities.

The main topics covered are the surge in AI app usage during the Lunar New Year, specific user and order statistics from Alibaba and Meituan, and the broader context of AI commercialization competition among Chinese tech companies.

Original URL

https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3344432/ai-apps-soar-china-lunar-new-year-giveaway-battle-boosts-user-growth?utm_source=rss_feed

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Big Tech - South China Morning Post

Published Date

2026-02-24 09:30

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2026-03-04 14:30

Processed Date

2026-03-04 15:22

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AI apps soar in China as Lunar New Year giveaway battle boosts user growth
Tech firms score win as AI assistants become part of holiday consumption – from buying food and booking travel to planning entertainment
During the period, Alibaba Group Holding’s AI app Qwen saw nearly 200 million orders placed, according to data released by the company on Monday. Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post.
Among the users were more than four million people aged 60 and above who completed purchases within two to three exchanges with the Qwen chatbot instead of navigating multiple apps, Alibaba said.
“It is becoming a new custom during the Spring Festival for users to buy food and beverages, book flights and hotels, and purchase movie and attraction tickets through Qwen,” Alibaba said on the official WeChat account of the Qwen app.
Meituan, the on-demand delivery giant and a major rival of Alibaba, said more than 100 million people used its AI assistant Xiaotuan to plan holiday itineraries between February 12 and 22.
The extensive adoption reflects how Chinese tech giants are winning acceptance for AI-powered services, fuelled by multibillion yuan promotional campaigns amid the heated domestic race for AI commercialisation.