What is the “blind box” phenomenon in China and why is it sweeping the nation? Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock
Trending in China

Explainer | What is the ‘blind box’ economy and why is phenomenon sweeping China?

2 hours ago

The so-called blind box economy is a growing phenomenon in China and has extended beyond retail into the social sphere.

What is the “blind box” phenomenon in China and why is it sweeping the nation? Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock

Explainer | What is the ‘blind box’ economy and why is phenomenon sweeping China?

The so-called blind box economy is a growing phenomenon in China and has extended beyond retail into the social sphere.

2 hours ago

Taiwan teacher drops cat onto classroom floor as experiment, ignores squeals

A physics teacher in Taiwan dropped a cat on his classroom floor to prove a point during a science lesson, sparking a wave of criticism on social media.

2 hours ago

China girl, 12, amazes millions by teaching college-level maths online

A primary school girl in China who teaches college-level mathematics online and has close to 3 million followers on social media has sparked a public debate about child prodigies.

18 Mar 2024 - 6:00PM
A science teacher in Taiwan has been forced to apologise after he dropped a squealing cat onto a classroom floor as part of an experiment, sparking an angry backlash on social media. Photo: SCMP composite/Facebook

Taiwan teacher drops cat onto classroom floor as experiment, ignores squeals

A physics teacher in Taiwan dropped a cat on his classroom floor to prove a point during a science lesson, sparking a wave of criticism on social media.

2 hours ago
Trending in China

China girl, 12, amazes millions by teaching college-level maths online

A primary school girl in China who teaches college-level mathematics online and has close to 3 million followers on social media has sparked a public debate about child prodigies.

A primary school girl in China who teaches college-level mathematics online and has close to 3 million followers on social media has sparked a public debate about child prodigies.

18 Mar 2024 - 6:00PM
Trending in China

Red flag raised over China ‘blind box socials’ trend of meeting up with strangers

A new trend known as “blind box socials” in which – mostly young people – in China meet up with strangers for activities has received a mixed reaction on mainland social media.

A new trend known as “blind box socials” in which – mostly young people – in China meet up with strangers for activities has received a mixed reaction on mainland social media.

18 Mar 2024 - 2:00PM

China doctors hold circumcision contest to dispel myths about procedure

A group of surgeons in China have staged a professional online circumcision championship in a bid to correct an array of misconceptions that surround the penile procedure.

18 Mar 2024 - 8:25PM
China doctors hold circumcision contest to dispel myths about procedure

China PhD student in Canada suffers brain damage after brutal kickboxing match

The only son of a Chinese single mother was about to complete his PhD when he took part in a university kickboxing match in which his much more experienced opponent kicked him so hard he suffered serious head injuries.

3 hours ago
China PhD student in Canada suffers brain damage after brutal kickboxing match

Red flag raised over China ‘blind box socials’ trend of meeting up with strangers

A new trend known as “blind box socials” in which – mostly young people – in China meet up with strangers for activities has received a mixed reaction on mainland social media.

18 Mar 2024 - 2:00PM

China doctors hold circumcision contest to dispel myths about procedure

A group of surgeons in China have staged a professional online circumcision championship in a bid to correct an array of misconceptions that surround the penile procedure.

18 Mar 2024 - 8:25PM

China PhD student in Canada suffers brain damage after brutal kickboxing match

The only son of a Chinese single mother was about to complete his PhD when he took part in a university kickboxing match in which his much more experienced opponent kicked him so hard he suffered serious head injuries.

3 hours ago
Trending in China

‘Queen of Cantopop’ Faye Wong’s ex-husband a broken man in serious debt

The former husband of China singing sensation Faye Wong is living a life that is very different to that he once shared with his superstar ex-wife.

The former husband of China singing sensation Faye Wong is living a life that is very different to that he once shared with his superstar ex-wife.

18 Mar 2024 - 9:18AM

Star-struck China teen splurges US$563,000 on plastic surgery has 100 operations

A teenager in China who desperately wants to be a star but has felt insecure about her appearance since she was a little girl has endured so many surgical procedures that doctors fear any more could kill her.

A teenager in China who desperately wants to be a star but has felt insecure about her appearance since she was a little girl has endured so many surgical procedures that doctors fear any more could kill her.

3 Mar 2024 - 11:40AM

Young China makeup guru’s transformation business amasses 5.5 million followers

A young makeup artist in China has built a nationwide business by using her skills to dramatically transform the appearances of her clients.

A young makeup artist in China has built a nationwide business by using her skills to dramatically transform the appearances of her clients.

28 Feb 2024 - 10:07AM
11 Mar 2024 - 8:30PM

The Chubby Hearts art project was started in the UK by designer Anya Hindmarch. The Hong Kong edition drew criticism, but it has brought joy and laughter to the city, and we need more projects like it.

24 Feb 2024 - 9:15AM
21 Feb 2024 - 5:30AM

There is much to reflect on after the Inter Miami vs Hong Kong Team fiasco, such as how David Beckham could have averted a PR disaster, Hong Kong fans’ behaviour, and what the government can learn.

10 Feb 2024 - 8:15AM
3 Feb 2024 - 5:52AM

Hong Kong needs new ideas to attract tourists after underwhelming campaigns like ‘Night Vibes’. The success of Harbin, mainland China’s ice capital, offers valuable pointers.

8 Jan 2024 - 6:16PM
10 Dec 2023 - 4:30PM
Trending in China

‘Queen of Cantopop’ Faye Wong’s ex-husband a broken man in serious debt

The former husband of China singing sensation Faye Wong is living a life that is very different to that he once shared with his superstar ex-wife.

The former husband of China singing sensation Faye Wong is living a life that is very different to that he once shared with his superstar ex-wife.

18 Mar 2024 - 9:18AM

Star-struck China teen splurges US$563,000 on plastic surgery has 100 operations

A teenager in China who desperately wants to be a star but has felt insecure about her appearance since she was a little girl has endured so many surgical procedures that doctors fear any more could kill her.

A teenager in China who desperately wants to be a star but has felt insecure about her appearance since she was a little girl has endured so many surgical procedures that doctors fear any more could kill her.

3 Mar 2024 - 11:40AM

Young China makeup guru’s transformation business amasses 5.5 million followers

A young makeup artist in China has built a nationwide business by using her skills to dramatically transform the appearances of her clients.

A young makeup artist in China has built a nationwide business by using her skills to dramatically transform the appearances of her clients.

28 Feb 2024 - 10:07AM

People & Culture Spotlight

People & Culture | OPINION
Advanced Micro Devices CEO Lisa Su holds up a chip during her keynote address at CES, formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show, on January 4, 2023. In corporate America, white women and men are still more than twice as likely to reach the executive suite than their Asian counterparts. Photo: Matt Haldane

Opinion | Is the US’ ‘bamboo ceiling’ slowing East Asian career progress?

A closer look finds East Asians significantly behind South Asians in climbing corporate rungs in the US. One difference could be that modesty, reticence and other traditional East Asian attributes are seen as weaknesses in the brash, self-promoting West.

11 Mar 2024 - 8:30PM

My Hong Kong | Why bash this Hong Kong art project? Its Chubby Hearts are in the right place

The Chubby Hearts art project was started in the UK by designer Anya Hindmarch. The Hong Kong edition drew criticism, but it has brought joy and laughter to the city, and we need more projects like it.

The Chubby Hearts art project was started in the UK by designer Anya Hindmarch. The Hong Kong edition drew criticism, but it has brought joy and laughter to the city, and we need more projects like it.

24 Feb 2024 - 9:15AM
Why bash this Hong Kong art project? Its Chubby Hearts are in the right place

Opinion | ‘Chubby Hearts’ won’t make Hong Kong an arts and culture hub

Rather than look towards foreign artists and celebrities, the government must ditch its shortsighted, utilitarian view of the arts and culture, and instead nurture genuine local aspirations.

Rather than look towards foreign artists and celebrities, the government must ditch its shortsighted, utilitarian view of the arts and culture, and instead nurture genuine local aspirations.

21 Feb 2024 - 5:30AM
‘Chubby Hearts’ won’t make Hong Kong an arts and culture hub

My Hong Kong | Beckham could have played for Messi in ‘PR disaster of the century’ match

There is much to reflect on after the Inter Miami vs Hong Kong Team fiasco, such as how David Beckham could have averted a PR disaster, Hong Kong fans’ behaviour, and what the government can learn.

There is much to reflect on after the Inter Miami vs Hong Kong Team fiasco, such as how David Beckham could have averted a PR disaster, Hong Kong fans’ behaviour, and what the government can learn.

10 Feb 2024 - 8:15AM
Beckham could have played for Messi in ‘PR disaster of the century’ match

Opinion | Superstition or fact? What Chinese zodiac predictions really tell us

Don’t take zodiac predictions literally or dismiss them out of hand. If we can understand the deeper message, we have the chance of a happier life.

Don’t take zodiac predictions literally or dismiss them out of hand. If we can understand the deeper message, we have the chance of a happier life.

3 Feb 2024 - 5:52AM
Superstition or fact? What Chinese zodiac predictions really tell us
Children play at the Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin during the opening ceremony of the 39th Harbin China International Ice and Snow Festival on January 5, 2023. To reignite its tourist appeal, Hong Kong could take lessons from the mainland Chinese city. Photo: AFP

My Hong Kong | Hong Kong needs lessons on tourism. China’s icy north provides them

Hong Kong needs new ideas to attract tourists after underwhelming campaigns like ‘Night Vibes’. The success of Harbin, mainland China’s ice capital, offers valuable pointers.

8 Jan 2024 - 6:16PM
Thousands of activists, indigenous groups and students march in New York to end fossil fuels, on September 17. Photo: AFP

Opinion | Cop28: leaders must deliver meaningful climate action or face public fury

Governments need to come out of Cop28 in Dubai with a promise of genuine action and a vision of a greener future, or people may soon be saying ‘not in our name’.

10 Dec 2023 - 4:30PM
Advanced Micro Devices CEO Lisa Su holds up a chip during her keynote address at CES, formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show, on January 4, 2023. In corporate America, white women and men are still more than twice as likely to reach the executive suite than their Asian counterparts. Photo: Matt Haldane

Opinion | Is the US’ ‘bamboo ceiling’ slowing East Asian career progress?

11 Mar 2024 - 8:30PM

The Chubby Hearts art project was started in the UK by designer Anya Hindmarch. The Hong Kong edition drew criticism, but it has brought joy and laughter to the city, and we need more projects like it.

24 Feb 2024 - 9:15AM
21 Feb 2024 - 5:30AM

There is much to reflect on after the Inter Miami vs Hong Kong Team fiasco, such as how David Beckham could have averted a PR disaster, Hong Kong fans’ behaviour, and what the government can learn.

10 Feb 2024 - 8:15AM
3 Feb 2024 - 5:52AM

Hong Kong needs new ideas to attract tourists after underwhelming campaigns like ‘Night Vibes’. The success of Harbin, mainland China’s ice capital, offers valuable pointers.

8 Jan 2024 - 6:16PM
10 Dec 2023 - 4:30PM