Here are five articles the team at Influence Matters found interesting last week, covering China, tech, startups and communications.

Alibaba Arm EyesMore Capital to Build China Finance Empire | Bloomberg
Ant Financial is Alibaba’s financial arm, said to be valued at over $40 billion making it one of the largest private tech companies, is looking at raising more capital to help it build an internet financial giant.

China Unveils ‘Internet Plus’ Action Plan to Juice Slow Economy | Bloomberg
China’s State Council unveiled a plan to use the Internet to rejuvenate traditional industries and boost flagging economic growth. “Internet Plus,” as the plan is called, will help the manufacturing sector optimize and better serve clients through technologies such as cloud computing and artificial intelligence. There will be many opportunities for foreign companies to partner with Chinese ones looking at taking advantage of international experience.

With Xiaomi in its sights, Meizu launches high-spec, low-price MX5 smartphone | SCMP
Meizu launched a sub $300 high spec smartphone in China last week, as a direct competitor to Xiaomi, the other Chinese fast growing mobile startup. The device is sure to dent Samsung market share in China even more.

Foreign Brands Losing Luster in China | WSJ
Local Chinese companies have become more competitive and are leveraging their strength in smaller cities, where growth rates are higher than in top cities like Beijing and Shanghai, according to a new study from consultancies Kantar Worldpanel and Bain & Co, which looked at the shopping habits of 40,000 consumers.

Didi Kuaidi will raise $2B for the fight against Uber | Tech in Asia
In response to Uber saying it was raising $1,5 billion to support China growth with subsidies to drivers, local rival Didi-Kuaidi just announced their own plans to raise $2b, turning the fight into a cash burning party. It is said Uber is spending $1 for each $0.85 they earn.