after

applicationId

count

entityId

scmpPlusPaywallTypeIds

superTopicQueueName

topicPageQuery

hooksTopicWidgetQuery

topic

discoveryWidgetPostMagazineQueueQuery

chinaScienceDiscoveryModuleQueueQuery

hundredTopTablesDiscoveryWidgetQuery

openQuestionsSeriesDiscoveryModuleQuery

appConfig

filter

entityUuid

advertZone

sponsor

name

urlAlias

hooksTopic

hooksUseDynamicMetaTags

topicAdsTopic

topicDescriptionTopic

topicHeaderTopic

topicRestContentsTopic

topicSeoTopic

topicTopContentsTopic

topicTopicPageTopic

queue

items

section

query topicPageQuery(
  $after: String
  $applicationId: String!
  $count: Int = 28
  $entityId: String!
  $scmpPlusPaywallTypeIds: [String]
  $superTopicQueueName: String!
) {
  ...hooksTopicWidgetQuery_49mQWb
  topic(filter: {entityId: $entityId}) {
    entityId
    entityUuid
    advertZone(version: 2)
    sponsor {
      name
      id
    }
    name
    urlAlias
    ...hooksTopic
    ...hooksUseDynamicMetaTags
    ...topicAdsTopic
    ...topicDescriptionTopic
    ...topicHeaderTopic
    ...topicRestContentsTopic
    ...topicSeoTopic
    ...topicTopContentsTopic
    ...topicTopicPageTopic_44JfPG
    id
  }
  superTopicQueue: queue(filter: {name: $superTopicQueueName}) {
    items(first: 10) {
      edges {
        node {
          __typename
          ... on Content {
            __isContent: __typename
            entityUuid
            ...homeSecondaryContentItemContent
            ...sectionTopLeadPrimaryContentItemContent
            ...topStoriesItemContent
          }
          ... on Node {
            __isNode: __typename
            id
          }
        }
      }
    }
    id
  }
}

fragment articleCommentArticle on Article {
  ...entityLink
  commentCount
  entityId
}

fragment blockquoteQuoteContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentShareWidgetContent
}

fragment checkersCheckContentContainsStarlingImageContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment chinaScienceDiscoveryModuleQueueQuery on Query {
  chinaScienceDiscoveryModuleQueue: queue(filter: {name: "section_top_328475"}) {
    items(first: 6) {
      edges {
        node {
          __typename
          ... on Article {
            entityId
            ...homeSecondaryContentItemContent
          }
          ... on Node {
            __isNode: __typename
            id
          }
        }
      }
    }
    id
  }
}

fragment contentActionBarContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  createdDate
  updatedDate
  publishedDate
  ...articleCommentArticle
  ... on Article {
    hasVideoContent
  }
}

fragment contentCoverImageContent_2m5Gjt on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  images {
    url
    title
    type
    size1200x800: style(filter: {style: "1200x800"}) {
      url
    }
    size540x360: style(filter: {style: "540x360"}) {
      url
    }
  }
}

fragment contentCoverImageContent_34Njms on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  images {
    url
    title
    type
    landscape250x99: style(filter: {style: "landscape_250_99"}) {
      url
    }
    size540x360: style(filter: {style: "540x360"}) {
      url
    }
  }
}

fragment contentCoverImageContent_4hzFNJ on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  images {
    url
    title
    type
    size768x768: style(filter: {style: "768x768"}) {
      url
    }
    size540x360: style(filter: {style: "540x360"}) {
      url
    }
  }
}

fragment contentHeadlineContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  headline
  socialHeadline
  ...contentHeadlineTagContent
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
}

fragment contentHeadlineTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...hooksContentHeadlineTagContent
}

fragment contentLiveTagContent on Article {
  ...helpersCheckHasLiveTagArticle
}

fragment contentNewsletterWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    relatedNewsletters {
      ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
      id
    }
    id
  }
  sections {
    value {
      relatedNewsletters {
        ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
        id
      }
      id
    }
  }
  ... on Article {
    relatedNewsletters {
      ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment contentReadingTimeContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  readingTime
  flag
}

fragment contentSchemaRenderContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...blockquoteQuoteContent
  ...imageContent
  ...inlineWidgetContent
  ...photoGalleryWidgetContent
  ...scmpYoutubeContent
}

fragment contentSectionsContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  sections {
    value {
      ...helpersCheckIfNewsSectionInFirstIndexSection
      ...entityLink
      name
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment contentShareWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  shortUrl
  socialHeadline
  headline
}

fragment contentSponsorTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
}

fragment contentSubHeadlineContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  subHeadline {
    json
  }
  summary {
    json
  }
  ...contentSchemaRenderContent
}

fragment contentSummaryContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  __typename
  summary {
    text
  }
}

fragment contentTopicLinkContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    urlAlias
    ...entityLink
    ...topicLinkTopic
    id
  }
}

fragment discoveryWidgetPostMagazineQueueQuery on Query {
  postMagazineDiscoveryQueue: queue(filter: {name: "section_top_71"}) {
    items(first: 6) {
      edges {
        node {
          __typename
          ... on Article {
            entityId
            ...postMagazineDiscoveryItemContent
          }
          ... on Node {
            __isNode: __typename
            id
          }
        }
      }
    }
    id
  }
}

fragment entityFollowButtonBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  __typename
  ... on Section {
    entityId
    name
  }
  ... on Author {
    entityId
    name
    disableFollow
  }
  ... on Topic {
    entityId
    name
    disableFollow
  }
}

fragment entityLink on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  __typename
  entityId
  entityUuid
  urlAlias
  urlRedirect {
    toUrl
    id
  }
  application {
    entityId
    id
  }
  ... on Section {
    fullSectionPath {
      entityId
      id
    }
    parentSection
  }
  ...helpersAppBarVariantBase
  ...helpersApplicationBase
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusArticle
  ...helpersStyleSectionContent
}

fragment followButtonBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  ...entityFollowButtonBase
  entityId
}

fragment helpersAppBarVariantBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  ...helpersCheckIsLiveArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusPage
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesPage
  ...helpersCheckIsPostMagazineArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsStyleArticle
  ...helpersSectionContent
  ...helpersStyleSectionContent
}

fragment helpersApplicationBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesPage
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusPage
}

fragment helpersCheckHasLiveTagArticle on Article {
  flattenTypeIds
  liveArticle {
    status
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIfNewsSectionInFirstIndexSection on Section {
  name
}

fragment helpersCheckIsLiveArticle on Article {
  flattenTypeIds
  liveArticle {
    status
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsMainTopicContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPlusArticle on Article {
  paywallTypes {
    entityUuid
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPlusPage on Page {
  urlAlias
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPostMagazineArticle on Article {
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle on Article {
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPostiesPage on Page {
  urlAlias
}

fragment helpersCheckIsStyleArticle on Article {
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter on Newsletter {
  entityId
  name
  alternativeName
  description {
    text
  }
  summary {
    text
  }
  homepageDescription {
    text
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizeArticleTypeEntityIdsArticle on Article {
  types {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizeAuthorTypesArticle on Article {
  authors {
    types
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizedAuthorEntityIdsArticle on Article {
  authors {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersSectionContent on Section {
  fullSectionPath {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersStyleSectionContent on Section {
  fullSectionPath {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersUseContentSponsorContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    sponsor {
      ...sponsorTagSponsor
      name
      type
      id
    }
    id
  }
  ... on Article {
    sponsorType
  }
  ...helpersCheckIsMainTopicContent
}

fragment homePrimaryContentItemContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  ...entityLink
  ...helpersCheckHasLiveTagArticle
  ...hooksContentItemProvidersContent_3FSKiH
}

fragment homeSecondaryContentItemContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  ...entityLink
  ...helpersCheckHasLiveTagArticle
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
  ...hooksContentItemProvidersContent_3VksLb
}

fragment hooksContentHeadlineTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ... on Article {
    types {
      value {
        name
        entityId
        description {
          text
        }
        id
      }
    }
    ...helpersCheckIsStyleArticle
  }
  flag
  sections {
    value {
      name
      id
    }
  }
  ...hooksContentHelperContent
}

fragment hooksContentHelperContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...helpersSanitizeArticleTypeEntityIdsArticle
  ...helpersSanitizeAuthorTypesArticle
  ...helpersSanitizedAuthorEntityIdsArticle
  flag
}

fragment hooksContentItemProvidersContent_14w7Xi on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentCoverImageContent_2m5Gjt
  ...contentHeadlineContent
  ...contentSummaryContent
  ...contentReadingTimeContent
  ...contentSponsorTagContent
  ... on Video {
    __typename
    ...videoDurationOverlayVideo
  }
}

fragment hooksContentItemProvidersContent_3FSKiH on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentActionBarContent
  ...contentCoverImageContent_2m5Gjt
  ...contentHeadlineContent
  ...contentLiveTagContent
  ...contentSectionsContent
  ...contentSummaryContent
  ...contentSponsorTagContent
  ... on Video {
    __typename
    ...videoDurationOverlayVideo
  }
}

fragment hooksContentItemProvidersContent_3TpHBe on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentActionBarContent
  ...contentHeadlineContent
  ...contentSectionsContent
  ...contentSubHeadlineContent
  ...contentSummaryContent
  ...contentTopicLinkContent
  ...contentSponsorTagContent
  ... on Video {
    __typename
    ...videoDurationOverlayVideo
  }
}

fragment hooksContentItemProvidersContent_3VksLb on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentActionBarContent
  ...contentCoverImageContent_2m5Gjt
  ...contentHeadlineContent
  ...contentLiveTagContent
  ...contentSectionsContent
  ...contentSubHeadlineContent
  ...contentSummaryContent
  ...contentSponsorTagContent
  ... on Video {
    __typename
    ...videoDurationOverlayVideo
  }
}

fragment hooksContentItemProvidersContent_Y5tau on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentActionBarContent
  ...contentCoverImageContent_4hzFNJ
  ...contentHeadlineContent
  ...contentSponsorTagContent
  ... on Video {
    __typename
  }
}

fragment hooksTopic on Topic {
  types
  sponsor {
    __typename
    id
  }
}

fragment hooksTopicWidgetQuery_49mQWb on Query {
  topic(filter: {entityId: $entityId}) {
    entityId
    ...hooksTopic
    ...topicAdsTopic
    ...topicMetadataDisplayTopic
    id
  }
  ...discoveryWidgetPostMagazineQueueQuery
  ...chinaScienceDiscoveryModuleQueueQuery
  ...hundredTopTablesDiscoveryWidgetQuery
  ...openQuestionsSeriesDiscoveryModuleQuery_2uEaAo
  appConfig(filter: {entityId: "scmp_pwa_widget"}) {
    json
    id
  }
}

fragment hooksUseDeepLinkTagsBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  __typename
  urlAlias
  entityId
}

fragment hooksUseDynamicMetaTags on DynamicMetaTags {
  __isDynamicMetaTags: __typename
  metatags {
    key
    value
  }
}

fragment hundredTopTablesContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...entityLink
  ...hooksContentItemProvidersContent_Y5tau
}

fragment hundredTopTablesDiscoveryWidgetQuery on Query {
  hundredTopTablesQueue: queue(filter: {name: "section_top_517759"}) {
    items(first: 5) {
      edges {
        node {
          __typename
          ... on Article {
            entityId
            ...hundredTopTablesContent
          }
          ... on Node {
            __isNode: __typename
            id
          }
        }
      }
    }
    id
  }
  hundredTopTablesSection: section(filter: {entityId: "517759"}) {
    ...entityLink
    id
  }
}

fragment imageContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  headline
  ...checkersCheckContentContainsStarlingImageContent
}

fragment inlineWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentNewsletterWidgetContent
}

fragment openQuestionsSeriesDiscoveryModuleQuery_2uEaAo on Query {
  openQuestionSeriesTopic: topic(filter: {entityId: "518656"}) {
    name
    urlAlias
    contents(exclude: {paywallTypeIds: $scmpPlusPaywallTypeIds}, first: 6, orderBy: {field: PUBLISHED_DATE, direction: DESC}) {
      edges {
        node {
          __typename
          ... on Article {
            entityId
            ...homeSecondaryContentItemContent
          }
          id
        }
      }
    }
    id
  }
}

fragment photoGalleryDialogContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  __typename
  ...contentShareWidgetContent
}

fragment photoGalleryWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...photoGalleryDialogContent
}

fragment postMagazineDiscoveryItemContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  ...articleCommentArticle
  ...entityLink
  ...helpersCheckHasLiveTagArticle
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
  ...hooksContentItemProvidersContent_14w7Xi
}

fragment scmpYoutubeContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  publishedDate
}

fragment sectionTopLeadPrimaryContentItemContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  topics {
    ...followButtonBase
    id
  }
  ...entityLink
  ...contentCoverImageContent_34Njms
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
  ...hooksContentItemProvidersContent_3TpHBe
}

fragment sponsorTagSponsor on Sponsor {
  name
  type
  images {
    url
  }
}

fragment topStoriesItemContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...homePrimaryContentItemContent
  ...homeSecondaryContentItemContent
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
}

fragment topicAdsTopic on Topic {
  entityId
  advertZone(version: 2)
}

fragment topicDescriptionTopic on Topic {
  ...topicHeaderRelatedLinksTopic
  ...entityFollowButtonBase
  ...hooksTopic
  ...topicMetadataDisplayTopic
  extraMetadata {
    __typename
  }
  mobileImage: image(type: MOBILE_APP_IMAGE) {
    alt
    title
    style(filter: {style: "300x300"}) {
      url
    }
  }
  name
  description {
    text
  }
  chineseName
  updatedDate
}

fragment topicHeaderRelatedLinksTopic on Topic {
  ...hooksTopic
  relatedLink {
    title
    url
  }
  relatedTopics {
    name
    urlAlias
    id
  }
}

fragment topicHeaderTopic on Topic {
  ...topicHeaderRelatedLinksTopic
  ...entityFollowButtonBase
  ...hooksTopic
  mobileImage: image(type: MOBILE_APP_IMAGE) {
    alt
    title
    style(filter: {style: "300x300"}) {
      url
    }
  }
  name
  chineseName
  sponsor {
    ...sponsorTagSponsor
    id
  }
}

fragment topicLinkTopic on Topic {
  ...entityLink
  name
  shortName
}

fragment topicMetadataDisplayTopic on Topic {
  ...hooksTopic
  extraMetadata {
    key
    value
    topic {
      types
      urlAlias
      mobileImage: image(type: MOBILE_APP_IMAGE) {
        alt
        title
        style(filter: {style: "300x300"}) {
          url
        }
      }
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment topicRestContentsTopic on Topic {
  entityId
  advertZone(version: 2)
}

fragment topicSeoTopic on Topic {
  name
  description {
    text
  }
  urlAlias
  metaDescription
  ...hooksUseDeepLinkTagsBase
  ...hooksUseDynamicMetaTags
}

fragment topicTopContentsTopic on Topic {
  entityId
  advertZone(version: 2)
}

fragment topicTopicPageTopic_44JfPG on Topic {
  contents(after: $after, exclude: {paywallTypeIds: $scmpPlusPaywallTypeIds}, first: $count, filter: {applicationIds: [$applicationId]}, orderBy: {field: PUBLISHED_DATE, direction: DESC}) {
    edges {
      node {
        __typename
        __isContent: __typename
        entityUuid
        ...homeSecondaryContentItemContent
        ...sectionTopLeadPrimaryContentItemContent
        ...topStoriesItemContent
        id
      }
      cursor
    }
    pageInfo {
      endCursor
      hasNextPage
    }
  }
  id
}

fragment videoDurationOverlayVideo on Video {
  duration
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}


types

extraMetadata

relatedLink

relatedTopics

image

description

chineseName

updatedDate

metaDescription

json

section_top_71

section_top_328475

section_top_517759

PLA fires up world’s first underwater boron ramjet for unstoppable anti-ship missiles

An engine that can carry weapons at incredible speeds through both air and water has been developed by Chinese scientists.


Ancient Chinese proved the Pythagorean theorem in 17 characters: mathematician

A leading academic has highlighted China’s rich mathematical history, including a startling fact about a well-known theorem.


China is a long way from reaching this year’s space launch target

Nearly half of the planned 100 missions have yet to take place, with one rocket engineer saying that lofty goal was ‘never possible’.


China unveils rock-catching spacecraft, ‘Jay Chou of fitness world’: SCMP’s 7 highlights

From EU warning China against making drones for Russia to Malaysia’s fitness influencer, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.


Chinese supercomputer tops global computing efficiency list as race on for AI dominance

Tianhe Exa-node Prototype tops big data category, as Graph500 deems energy-aware big data computing necessary for future industry.


China tech firm gains altitude as Brazil embraces alternative to Elon Musk’s Starlink

Deal between Shanghai-based SpaceSail and Brazil telecoms company follows country’s earlier dispute with Musk’s social media platform X.


Your Hong Kong weekend food guide for November 21-24

Dish in Focus: Why the smoked butter chicken at Leela stands out from the rest

Your Hong Kong weekend drinks guide for November 15-24

Your Hong Kong weekend food guide for November 15-17

Drink in Focus: the Thai Beef Salad cocktail at The Savory Project

Trump, Cop29 and why Chinese eco-warrior Ma Jun sees green shoots of hope

NGO founder explains how mapping initiative helps hold authorities and companies accountable for carbon emissions and cover-ups.


Historian Jay Winter on why we aren’t heading towards WWIII yet and how wars have changed

US historian Jay Winter explains how the nature of war shifted after WWI and WWII, and the impact it has on the world today.


Middle East ‘the best place’ for China and US to cooperate, observer says

Prominent academic Pan Guang gives his view on Beijing’s role in conflict mediation, its engagement with the Global South, and belt and road security.


China’s property bender has led to long, tough hangover: economist Mao Zhenhua

Chinese economist Mao Zhenhua, who was among the first to spot weaknesses in the country’s real estate sector, says the era of large-scale construction which fuelled the property crisis has ended.


Justin Lin Yifu on China’s third plenum, overcapacity and avoiding Japan’s fate

Professor and economist Justin Lin Yifu says China’s industrial policy is paramount to continued development, tech innovation and the transition to higher productivity.


Why this China analyst says full decoupling is unlikely, and what’s missed in reform talk

Founder of Gavekal Dragonomics says efforts to dislodge China from global supply chains are unlikely to succeed and discussions of ‘reform’ from outside the country often miss vital context.


Open Questions series

Meet the low-profile founder of Paris’ iconic Collette boutique – who’s finally embracing the limelight

Her Parisian concept store was a retail pioneer – now Sarah Andelman helps Pharrell and Chanel take a mindful approach to consumerism.


This week in PostMag: Clockenflap, The Fringe Club and even more art

What to expect from this week’s print issue, from interviews with indie pop artist St Vincent and former Fringe Club head Benny Chia, to PST ART in California.


The little-known history of one of Hong Kong’s oldest districts, Happy Valley

Tai Kwun’s new exhibition unveils tales of ecology, history, religion and high stakes in one of Hong Kong’s oldest neighbourhoods.


What to expect from Clockenflap 2024, Hong Kong’s music and arts festival

From November 29 to December 1, the weekend promises exciting music from former White Stripes member Jack White, indie darling St Vincent, rapper Central Cee, English rock band Suede, and many more.


The design secrets of Hong Kong’s private housing estates

These residential complexes may look identical, but new book Cities of Repetition unveils their distinct architectural identities – from Mei Foo Sun Chuen to Sha Tin’s City One.


Inside the biggest art event in the US, featuring 800-plus artists

Combine over 800 artists in various mediums, and US$20 million in funding from The Getty Foundation, and you get ‘PST ART: Art and Science Collide’.


What I gained (and lost) as a native Chinese writing in English

I learned English as a bored young factory worker and began writing in it to avoid censorship. But my decision has come with pros and cons.


Why battling over the bill is a Chinese tradition worth fighting for

Economic and societal shifts have forced me to reconsider the fight-to-pay ritual at multi-generation family gatherings.


In US vs Chinese soft power, guess how children are voting?

As children around me get sucked into the rabbit hole of Disney, Marvel and Netflix, I wonder about the reach of Chinese culture.


Hard truths about growing up Chinese and female in Malaysia

A defining childhood moment came when I was warned my identity as a Chinese female would count as ‘two strikes’ against me.


If China’s love of Western luxury is fading, I think I know why

Chinese may be growing out of their obsession with high-end Western brands, like how I outgrew my fascination with ‘decadent Western’ jeans.


What does it mean to be Chinese? Views from SCMP Opinion

In the Being Chinese column, SCMP writers and contributors – whether they are Chinese by birth, descent or osmosis – explore the different aspects of Chinese identity and experience in personal reflections.


I am a Chinese mother. Hear me worry

Like Mencius’ mum, I want to give my son a better learning environment, including by moving house. Yet I also want him to be happy.


How I transcended my Hong Kong identity crisis

I felt neither British nor Chinese growing up in Hong Kong. Travelling the world and living in Beijing helped me find my bearings.


Put a ring on it? Chinese women don’t need marriage any more

Women in China once believed marriage to be a necessary passage in life. Now they know they can choose to follow their desires.


Could Olympic-inspired Hong Kong dare to fail?

For Hong Kong youth who want to take an unconventional path in life, the bar for parental approval is set too high.


Why must Chinese parents make children dread piano?

Music lessons are practically a rite of passage for Asian children but when forced, they can strip our kids of a lifelong enjoyment of music.


What I know as a Chinese-looking person travelling the world

It is remarkable how assumptions and expectations of a Chinese-looking person have evolved, as China’s fortunes changed over decades.


Being Chinese is an occasional column that contemplates and explores the cultural, existential and related aspects of Chinese experience, whether the writers are Chinese by birth, descent or osmosis.


Being Chinese

Being Chinese | English took me out of a Chinese factory, but not China out of me

I learned English as a bored young factory worker and began writing in it to avoid censorship. But my decision has come with pros and cons.

Being Chinese | We’re Chinese and we fight to pay for dinner

Being Chinese | In US vs Chinese soft power, guess how children are voting?

Being Chinese | From my Chinese Malaysian childhood, a lifelong reality check

A defining childhood moment came when I was warned my identity as a Chinese female would count as ‘two strikes’ against me.

Being Chinese | What’s come between China and It bags? Maybe it’s not just the economy

Chinese may be growing out of their obsession with high-end Western brands, like how I outgrew my fascination with ‘decadent Western’ jeans.

What does it mean to be Chinese? Views from SCMP Opinion

In the Being Chinese column, SCMP writers and contributors – whether they are Chinese by birth, descent or osmosis – explore the different aspects of Chinese identity and experience in personal reflections.

Being Chinese | I am a Chinese mother. Hear me worry

Like Mencius’ mum, I want to give my son a better learning environment, including by moving house. Yet I also want him to be happy.

Being Chinese | How I transcended my Hong Kong identity crisis

I felt neither British nor Chinese growing up in Hong Kong. Travelling the world and living in Beijing helped me find my bearings.

Being Chinese | Put a ring on it? Chinese women don’t need marriage any more

Women in China once believed marriage to be a necessary passage in life. Now they know they can choose to follow their desires.

Being Chinese | Could Olympic-inspired Hong Kong dare to fail?

For Hong Kong youth who want to take an unconventional path in life, the bar for parental approval is set too high.

Being Chinese | Why must Chinese parents make children dread piano?

Music lessons are practically a rite of passage for Asian children but when forced, they can strip our kids of a lifelong enjoyment of music.

Being Chinese | How the world has changed for a Chinese-looking person

It is remarkable how assumptions and expectations of a Chinese-looking person have evolved, as China’s fortunes changed over decades.