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SCMP

We have selected five Trending in China stories from the past seven days that resonated with our readers. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.
1. Single Chinese women fake baby bump photos to capture moments before ageing
A new craze has swept social media in China in which young, single women who are not pregnant wear fake bellies to take maternity photos in advance of giving birth. The so-called pre-set photoshoot trend sees the women hoping to capture and celebrate significant moments while they are still in their prime.
2. Disgraced top China banker married son’s girlfriend, causing his chronic depression
Disgraced Chinese banker Liu Liange, who has been sentenced to death for corruption, has had his romantic life come under public scrutiny. This includes frequently changing partners and sabotaging his son’s relationship before marrying his girlfriend, leading to widespread criticism and reportedly contributing to the young man’s chronic depression.
3. China table tennis champion sidelined at event, sparks fan outrage, boycott calls

Chinese internet users were outraged after witnessing national table tennis Olympic champion Wang Chuqin being sidelined during a recent event sponsored by American beverage giant Coca-Cola.
4. China dim sum diners eat while watching live wrestling as bouts gain popularity
Diners at Cantonese tea restaurant in China can enjoy dim sum while watching live professional wrestling, a unique form of entertainment that has sparked much attention on mainland social media. Unlike the genuine sport, professional wrestling, which is widely known as pro wrestling, is a choreographed stage combat performance. The wrestlers are both athletes and actors.
5. China KOLs banned for posing as Dubai royalty to sell subpar household products

Influencers in China who posed as “Middle Eastern princesses” to market “royal” lifestyle products have had their accounts banned on mainland social media platforms, igniting widespread attention.


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SCMP Highlights

Fake baby bumps, Chinese posing as Dubai royalty, dim sum wrestling: 5 trending stories

Young, single women in China are taking fake pregnancy photos so they can look good when the real thing comes along. Photo: SCMP composite/Xiaohongshu

Fans were outraged by Chinese table tennis champion Wang Chuqin’s relocation from the central position, as they considered it a crucial symbol for their idol. Photo: Weibo

China KOLs who pretended to be wives of Dubai royalty while promoting household items have had their accounts banned and videos removed. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin

China’s ‘white mafia’ services, sick baby at fireworks show: 5 trending stories

A Chinese boy with heart disease tragically died in his mother’s arms while watching fireworks. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock

A Hong Kong woman was rejected for her height at a “matchmaking corner” in mainland China, sparking humorous debate about dating preferences. Photo: SCMP composite/Sohu/Xiaohongshu

Research indicates that songs with a high beats per minute (BPM) can affect a driver’s mental state and cardiovascular activity, potentially increasing the likelihood of accidents. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock

China’s controversial university love course, US$4 million for divorce: 5 trending stories

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

Tian’s journey through the world of blind dates was filled with ups and downs, but everything changed when he met the stunning Namei. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin

People expressed sympathy and rallied behind Wu Liufang after learning about her personal struggles. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin/Weibo

Chinese tourists in Japan spark outrage, Angelababy’s ex-husband: 5 trending stories

A Japanese blogger using the handle @roketdan2 posted on X that five travellers from China left a guest house in disarray between November 18 and 21. Photo: SCMP composite/X.com

Huang Xiaoming is believed to have split from Ye Ke after he deleted a previous post that confirmed their relationship, which had only lasted two months. Photo: SCMP composite/Weibo

A police officer in China slapped and kicked a primary school boy for allegedly bullying two schoolmates, sparking nationwide outrage. Photo: SCMP composite/Weibo

AI Musk as Ming official, China singer Zhang Mi’s cancer battle: 5 trending stories

In a humorous and imaginative twist, an AI clip of Elon Musk, reimagined as a Ming dynasty official, has gone viral. Photo: Bilibili

Gao Yang got lost in a train station and was sent to an orphanage, where he was adopted by a Dutch couple. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin

Xinxuan (left) and Shirley Lin (right) are both high-profile Chinese influencers regarded for their elite personas due to their access to international organisations such as the UN. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Xiaohongshu

Actress Rosamund Pike embraces Mandarin, fake whales in aquariums: 5 trending stories

Hollywood star Rosamund Pike has professed her deep affection for Chinese language and culture. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Wikipedia/bridge.chinese.cn

China’s aquariums utilise robotic whales to reduce the costs associated with keeping live animals. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Weibo

Popular influencer in China, Li Ziqi, has made a surprise online comeback after a self-imposed period of exile. Photo: SCMP composite/Weibo/YouTube

News

People & Culture

Trending in China

From a disgraced Chinese banker marrying his son’s girlfriend to dim sum live wrestling, here are five stories from recent SCMP reporting


From a disgraced Chinese banker marrying his son’s girlfriend to dim sum live wrestling, here are five stories from recent SCMP reporting.


Fake baby bumps, Chinese posing as Dubai royalty, dim sum wrestling: 5 trending stories

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}From a disgraced Chinese banker marrying his son’s girlfriend to dim sum live wrestling, here are five stories from recent SCMP reporting

1. Single Chinese women fake baby bump photos to capture moments before ageing

From a disgraced Chinese banker marrying his son’s girlfriend to dim sum live wrestling, here are five stories from recent SCMP reporting