As the Chinese New Year approaches in February 2026, China’s tech giants, led by Alibaba, are engaged in an aggressive AI marketing war, using massive subsidies and promotions to gain dominance. Alibaba’s introduction of the Qwen AI chatbot sparked a viral sensation with its innovative campaign, offering a no-threshold 25 yuan voucher for free bubble tea at over 300,000 locations. Within just 9 hours, Qwen generated over 10 million orders, driving its app to #1 on the Apple App Store, surpassing competitors like Tencent and Baidu.
Participating brands struggled to keep up, creating visible chaos and boosting Qwen’s visibility. This campaign highlights the importance of real-world incentives in user engagement. By integrating Qwen into Alibaba’s ecosystem, the company effectively transformed its chatbot into a practical shopping tool. As the competition heats up with further cash giveaways and incentives, the battle for AI supremacy in China is just beginning, emphasizing the connection between user acquisition and appealing promotions.
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