TOPIC

Trending in China

Trending in China
The latest news, trends and events people are talking about on China's internet, social media and elsewhere.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
Wang Chin-lin (left) and Lee Yang show off their badminton gold medals at the Paris Olympic Games. Photo: Reuters
Badminton World Federation (BWF)

Chinese Taipei badminton doubles pair under fire for pro-independence support

Lee Yang and Wang Chi-lin were the targets of ‘China, Taiwan’ chants from fans at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Expo Centre.

Icons and Influencers

Profile | How Hong Kong KOL Jacky Heung generates US$7 million in sales in 2 days

Chinese superstitions

Explainer | Why red cloth covers guardian stone lions in China during auspicious events

Human trafficking

China abductee declines flats and car from birth family to avoid altering ‘mindset’

Man tells father he just needs a flat for his future marital home with girlfriend.

An abductee from China has chosen to decline lavish gifts from his affluent birth family to avoid altering his mindset towards material wealth. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin

Chinese man arrested for posing as delivery rider with baby to gain online sympathy

Man claims wife had left him and their baby, but police discovered that she still ‘lives happily’ with them.

Sexual harassment and assault

China KOL with 46 million fans detained for poking woman in miniskirt with stick

After his release from prison for fraud, Meng became a successful blogger, but his videos often feature harassment of women.

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Disability

‘Almighty’ China PhD student inspires many as first blind person to pass college exam

Dorm mate, Che Meng, expresses her amazement at Huang Ying’s extraordinary abilities in everyday life.

Huang is grateful that her roommate, Meng Meng, does not treat her any differently, and they do everything together. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin
Accidents and disasters in China

China seafood vendor praised for putting out blaze, losing pricey marine products

Courageous act garners outpouring of admiration, with some affectionately referring to him as ‘Fish Dealer Brother’.

Animals

China half-marathon offers unique prizes including cow, wild fish, chickens

In past year, China held 622 marathons and half marathons, averaging nearly two daily, highlighting rising commitment to health.

China birth rate

China love course proposal for universities to encourage marriage draws backlash

Proposal has drawn widespread criticism from netizens, who describe it as ‘desperate, ill-conceived remedy’.

Netizens have criticised the love course proposal as a “desperate, ill-conceived remedy” that ignores low unemployment and other youth challenges. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Sohu
Women and gender

China KOL mimics famous athlete in sexy video, igniting objectification debate

‘No matter how hard she tries to look like Wu Yanni, she cannot run as fast as her,’ says a commenter.

A Chinese KOL (right) provocatively mimics national athlete Wu Yanni, top left and bottom, in a video, igniting debate over the objectification of female athletes. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin/Ifeng News
Belarus

Chinese man finds love with tall Belarusian woman after many failed blind dates

Tian says he always believed he could find true love, and that’s when Namei appeared.

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Women and gender

Former Chinese national athlete pushes back criticism over revealing swimsuit

Liu Xiang asks if there is something wrong with her lifestyle as ‘many people are calling me a soft-porn live-streamer’.

Viral stories

Japan man uses wig, props to create dating photos with imaginary girlfriend

Man notes that a natural photo features a shy smile, much like a bashful boyfriend being photographed by his girlfriend.

A Japanese man creates dating photos with an imaginary girlfriend, amusing social media, but some warn it may worsen loneliness. Photo: SCMP composite/QQ.com
China society

Top 10 China buzzwords reflect cultural shifts – ‘city not city’, ‘smell of work’

They mark beginning of intelligent era, where youth are central to social discourse, the elderly play vital role in societal development.

This year’s buzzwords in China mark the beginning of an intelligent era, with youth leading social discussions and the elderly playing a key role in societal development. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Douyin
China's economic recovery

Chinese economists’ social media on ice after critical comments fire up debate

Two Chinese economists have seen account restrictions after transcripts of speeches questioning official data garnered attention online.

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Icons and Influencers

Profile | Ex-China gymnast Wu Liufang gains 3.5 million fans after sexy dance ban lifted

She suffered neck injury in May 2012 during Olympic trials, ending her gymnastics career.

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Olympics

Backlash against ‘sexy’ China athletes a reflection of traditional values: experts

Academics say critics seem to hold the view that Chinese women should be ‘pure’ and a way of projecting the nation’s soft power through sport.

Chinese hurdler Wu Yanni is another sportswoman often called out for her appearance. Like all Chinese athletes, she has to cover her tattoos when she competes. Photo: Xinhua
Profile

Who’s trending on Instagram? A Chongqing tour guide

A tour guide-influencer shows there’s more to the Chinese city than hotpot, posting surrealist, dystopian yet hilarious reels on Instagram.

Chinese woman wins US$1,400 for not feeling anxious without mobile for 8 hours

Winner is sales manager at finance firm who tutors her child, rarely browses her phone.

Icons and Influencers

Chinese ‘fairy sister’ student in Taiwan delegation celebrated for ‘pure beauty’

The term ‘fairy’ is used to describe women with pure, innocent beauty, emphasising grace, charm, and youthful appearance.

A Chinese university student on a delegation to Taiwan earned the nickname “fairy sister” for her beauty and smile. Photo: SCMP composite/Weibo
Thailand

China wife pushed off Thai cliff by husband says he demands US$4 million for divorce

Imprisoned husband demands substantial amount as compensation for ‘emotional and youth loss’.

A Chinese woman, pushed off a cliff in Thailand by her husband, says he is demanding US$4 million for their divorce. Photo: SCMP composite/The Paper

Police officer reunites nearly 500 Chinese families, inspiring special unit

Officer Shang studied genetic principles and algorithms to create ageing images from old photographs.

Shock as photos of China ride-hailing car with taped-up damaged boot go viral

Passenger recounts experience riding in car, saying they chose to get off early, switch to subway for safety reasons.

Asian cinema: Chinese films

China actress Fan Bingbing rents Hong Kong flat for US$84,000, setting media abuzz

Fan says she will split her time between Hong Kong and various locations, including Hollywood.

Fan Bingbing’s decision to rent a super luxury property on The Peak has intensified speculation about her plans to settle in Hong Kong. Photo: SCMP composite/Weibo
Icons and Influencers

Profile | Chinese actress Zeng Li celebrated as most beautiful student at university

Zeng’s beauty sparked rumours that director Zhang Yimou considered her for film role, but chose Zhang Ziyi instead due to her school absence.

Rumour has it that Zeng Li, left, missed an opportunity to work with the renowned director Zhang Yimou, middle, during his visit to her university, which resulted in a film role being awarded to Zhang Ziyi, right. Photo: SCMP composite/Weibo/Sohu

China funeral parlour accused of disrespect for using stew pots as urns

Man says he was shocked to find urn he kept at home resembled pots used for nutritious soup in hospital.

Viral stories

Man trapped in Thai well for 3 days as villagers think shouting sounds from haunting

Residents report strange cries from remote forest at night, growing louder and more intense.

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