XIAMEN, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese selfie-enhancing tech giant Meitu on Monday announced its financial results for the first half of 2025, reporting a total revenue of 1.8 billion yuan (about 252.4 million U.S. dollars) -- a year-on-year increase of 12.3 percent.

The company recorded an adjusted net profit attributable to equity holders of 467 million yuan, which was a 71.3 percent surge compared to the same period of last year.

Meitu attributed the revenue and profit growth primarily to breakthroughs in AI applications, an increase in global paid subscribers, and the rapid expansion of its subscription-based imaging and design product business.

The company, which is headquartered in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province, said that its imaging and design product business segment maintained strong momentum in the first six months of 2025. Revenue from the segment came in at 1.35 billion yuan, marking a significant 45.2 percent year-on-year increase and accounting for 74.2 percent of Meitu's total revenue.

This growth was driven by an expanding paid-subscriber base. By June 30, 2025, Meitu's paid subscribers hit a record 15.4 million, representing a year-on-year increase of over 42 percent.

The company's global monthly active users (MAU) totaled 280 million by the end of June, which was up 8.5 percent year on year. Notably, MAU in markets outside the Chinese mainland stood at 98 million, reflecting a robust growth of 15.3 percent year on year.

Research and development expenses for the period totaled 450 million yuan -- an increase of 6.1 percent. As Meitu's core tech hub, the Meitu Imaging and Vision Lab (MT Lab) has secured 463 authorized patents and holds 317 software copyrights in the field of AI.

Founded in October 2008, Meitu is an AI-driven technology company that aims to "beautify" users with its image products and beauty management services. ■