Geely develops anti-virus cars; Lei Jun defeats Dong Mingzhu; Saudi Aramco seeks $10 billion loan

@OneSmash: This isn’t a health code—it’s similar to Singapore’s contact-tracing app. @Student Luo: With things like this, is privacy still not being violated?? @Ji Ge’s Eagle Eye: I believe Americans will uninstall and delete that feature and turn off location services. [Alibaba establishes new company with RMB 10 million registered capital; business scope includes medical device sales] On April 16, media reports indicated that Nantong Runhan Commercial Co., Ltd. was established on April 14, with registered capital of RMB 10 million. Yuan Bin serves as its legal representative, and its business scope includes sales of Class I and Class II medical devices. Its sole shareholder is Shanghai Hexiao Ma Network Technology Co., Ltd. The ultimate controlling party is suspected to be TAOBAO HOLDING LIMITED, holding a total equity stake of 43.8906%. Comments: @ShellShock201402: The global pandemic will persist for many years. @Kan Tianxia Bichengzhi: In the long run, healthcare is a highly promising sector—major companies likely involved in all aspects they can. [Lei Jun finally defeats Dong Mingzhu: Xiaomi’s 2019 revenue exceeds Gree’s] On April 16, media reports stated that Gree Electric Appliances released its 2019 annual and Q1 2020 earnings forecast. According to the earnings release, Gree’s 2019 revenue stood at RMB 200.508 billion, up 0.24% year-on-year, while net profit totaled RMB 24.672 billion, down 5.84% year-on-year. On March 31, 2020, Xiaomi Group released its Q4 2019 and full-year financial results, reporting full-year 2019 revenue of RMB 205.8 billion, up 17.7% year-on-year—surpassing Gree Electric Appliances’ total revenue. Comments: @DX An’an: Net profit remains far behind. @Business Panorama: A smartphone seller has outperformed an air-conditioner maker—this reflects the changing times. @Tiangao Yundan_Tiangaoyundan: Both are domestic enterprises—mutual promotion matters more than winning or losing. [Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation pledges additional $150 million, calls for global cooperation to protect people] On April 16, media reports indicated that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced an additional grant of $150 million and urged world leaders to join forces against the pandemic, ensuring equitable access to diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines for all. Beyond supporting diagnostic tools, therapeutics, and vaccine development, the grant will also fund pandemic response efforts in low- and middle-income countries. Comments: @pushu98_959: Hope he donates to WHO. @Qiu Xiaogua1972: America’s Gates is the world’s Gates; China’s Jack Ma is the world’s Jack Ma. [JD.com discloses latest equity structure: Liu Qiangdong holds 15.1% shares, 78.5% voting rights] On April 16, media reports indicated JD.com recently filed its 20-F form with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, disclosing updated shareholder holdings. As of February 29 this year, Liu Qiangdong, Chairman of JD.com’s Board, holds 15.1% of shares—down 0.3 percentage points year-on-year—with 78.5% of voting rights. Meanwhile, Tencent remains JD.com’s largest external shareholder, holding 17.9% of shares and 4.6% of voting rights. Comments: @Tan Caizhu: Being a behind-the-scenes player is much better—fewer disputes and grievances. @Qi Sansan Nüxia: Down 0.3 percentage points year-on-year—but he still calls the shots. [Rumors say Saudi Aramco is negotiating with banks to seek approximately $10 billion in loans]

Seeking $10 billion in loans—the Middle East’s oil king is having a hard time

Original work by Coolplay Lab To avoid losing touch, you can also find me on "Shi Er Jun Sees the World." Follow us so you won’t go “offline” in the future! 01 Even billionaires run low on cash Falling oil prices mean tough times for the Middle East’s oil king. Recently, Saudi Arabia was reported to be seeking a massive loan of around $10 billion from several major Wall Street banks—an unprecedented public loan for the country in recent years. Known globally for never lacking money, how did this Middle Eastern tycoon suddenly need to rely on loans just to get by? Could it be that even the oil king’s pantry is running empty? Though still far from poverty, Saudi Arabia’s fiscal situation has indeed deteriorated recently. In Q1 this year, the kingdom recorded a fiscal deficit exceeding $3.3 billion, continuing last year’s trend of roughly $30 billion in annual deficits. Officials project that the country will maintain fiscal deficits for several years to come. As a nation literally built atop oil fields, the root cause of Saudi Arabia’s current fiscal woes clearly lies in fluctuations in global oil prices. Hit by weakening global demand amid economic slowdown and surging crude output in the Americas, Brent crude prices have tumbled over the past year—from over $80 per barrel to about $65 today—well below the $90-per-barrel threshold Saudi needs to balance its budget. To stabilize oil prices, OPEC+, led by Saudi Arabia, has repeatedly cut production in recent years in a bid to prop up prices by restricting supply. Yet markets appear unmoved: the International Energy Agency previously warned that even if OPEC+ refrains entirely from increasing output, global oil markets will face oversupply by 2025. After years of daily production cuts averaging 2.2 million barrels—yielding little visible effect—OPEC+ members reached consensus: rather than let oil sit unsold, better to earn less than nothing. Starting mid-year, member states began gradually restoring output to safeguard market share. With the production standoff over, Middle Eastern oil producers resume their easy life of lying on oil fields and raking in profits. Yet for Saudi Arabia—currently at a critical juncture of national transformation and urgently needing funds—this is hardly good news. As one of the most active new players in international investment markets, Saudi Arabia’s name has appeared frequently across emerging industries worldwide in recent years—from artificial intelligence and chip manufacturing to new-energy vehicles and sports e-sports. Wherever high-potential, capital-intensive projects exist, Saudi Arabia has invested almost without exception. From relying passively on oil revenues to proactively investing in emerging sectors, Saudi Arabia has entered an era of unrestrained spending—buying abroad and building domestically—to reduce dependence on petroleum and diversify its economy. Behind all these ambitious, costly reforms stands one pivotal figure: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aged 40. In January 2015, King Salman—then over 80—succeeded the late King Abdullah as Saudi Arabia’s new monarch. Two years later, breaking with the royal family’s traditional “brother-to-brother” succession model, King Salman formally appointed his eighth son, Mohammed bin Salman—who already wielded real authority over national defense, administration, and finance—as Crown Prince. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (left) and King Salman of Saudi Arabia (right)

Saudi Aramco Nears Signing of $10 Billion Loan With Global Banks

5 days ago

Saudi Aramco is finalizing a $10 billion revolving credit facility with major global banks to bolster finances amid Middle East conflicts threatening crude exports. This move mirrors broader Gulf energy companies seeking debt financing amidst regional instability.

bloomberg

2026-05-12

Aramco Targets Raising Over $10 Billion From Property Portfolio

2026-05-15

Saudi Aramco Launches $35 Billion Asset Divestment Plan to Wall Street

2026-08-03

Aramco posts 44% rise in net profit as Iran war drives up oil prices

2026-10-18

Saudi Helicopter Crashes Near Yemeni Border as Houthi War Rages

2026-10-26

Saudi Aramco Nears Signing of $10 Billion Loan With Global Banks

Saudi Aramco Nears Signing of $10 Billion Loan With Global Banks

FAQ