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A woman who bought a “love insurance” policy for US$28 in 2016 has claimed US$1,400 a decade later after getting married. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Douyin

Trending in China

China woman buys US$28 ‘love insurance’, claims US$1,400 after marriage a decade later

Husband says he thought his wife had been scammed when told about policy; couple opt for cash payout over 10,000 roses.

Profile | Zhou Qunfei: ex-security guard becomes world’s richest self-made woman entrepreneur

China nurse suspended after posting photos of boyfriend writing reports, sorting IV bags

People & Culture

Filipino woman worships green statue for 4 years, finds out it is animated character Shrek

Woman treats green ogre figure with great reverence; says she will continue to worship ‘kind-hearted’ cartoon statue.

A woman in the Philippines spent four years worshipping a green Buddha statue, only to be told by a friend that it was a 3D-printed figure of the animated character Shrek. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/IG@thetropixs
A woman in the Philippines spent four years worshipping a green Buddha statue, only to be told by a friend that it was a 3D-printed figure of the animated character Shrek. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/IG@thetropixs

Trending in China

China wife shocked that ‘People’s Armed Police officer’ husband is convicted killer

‘Disgusted’ wife of fraudster introduced to her by an uncle discovers that he is serving a suspended death sentence; has child with another woman.

People & Culture

Explainer | How ancient Chinese ‘borrowing longevity’ custom helps to extend lifespan

In ancient China, people believed that fate predetermined lifespan, yet they also thought life expectancy could be borrowed or exchanged.

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People & Culture

Explainer | China ‘hair-shaving’ ritual for newborns uses stones, coins, eggs, symbolises success

Ancient custom sometimes saw babies’ eyebrows completely shaved by a highly skilled barber; tradition believed to remove ‘misfortune, evil’.

A traditional Chinese “hair-shaving” custom for newborns involves placing 12 stones, 12 coins, and 12 red eggs in water, symbolising intelligence and future success. Photo: Shutterstock
A traditional Chinese “hair-shaving” custom for newborns involves placing 12 stones, 12 coins, and 12 red eggs in water, symbolising intelligence and future success. Photo: Shutterstock

Business

Changing tastes: China’s new affluent consumers seek quality not extravagance

Rise of upper middle class reshapes China’s retail market, driving demand for quality goods and creating a battleground for global brands.

Trending in China

China woman, 23, exercises 6 times a week, stops menstruating due to rapid weight loss

Intense workouts see woman’s female hormone levels slump to that of a 50-year-old; doctors warn her to slow down, try yoga instead.

China Personalities

China woman who lost limbs in crash gives disabled staff jobs based on their strengths

30-year-old who suffered 3 heart attacks, 14 rounds of surgery dresses like a ‘warrior’; is described as the ‘pride of all women’ online.

A woman who lost her left arm and leg in a car accident, recently opened a shoe-washing factory in China, hiring disabled workers and creating roles based on their strengths. Photo: SCMP composite/Zhihu/Sina

China Personalities

China actor rejects US$2,800 mountain-climbing companion fee, plans to change jobs

Buff, struggling performer who adheres to a strict ‘non-sexual’ service policy plans to branch out into becoming a swimming buddy.

A 35-year-old Chinese actor known for offering paid companionship on mountain walks has rejected a proposed US$2,800 fee and plans to explore paid swimming companionship in 2026. Photo: SCMP composite/RedNote/QQ.com
A 35-year-old Chinese actor known for offering paid companionship on mountain walks has rejected a proposed US$2,800 fee and plans to explore paid swimming companionship in 2026. Photo: SCMP composite/RedNote/QQ.com

Trending in China

Self-taught China pupil impresses peers with TCM pulse diagnosis, praised online

Classmates queue up for youngster with facial expression of ‘an experienced doctor’; tells one boy ‘your problem is spicy food’.

Gender & Diversity

China tutoring school links civil service exam success to higher bride prices

Wedding betrothal advertisement emblazoned on public bus sparks public anger; officials order institution to stop marketing campaign.

China Personalities

Profile | Ex-Taiwan model, actress Jean Wang ends abusive marriage, excels in culinary arts

Entertainment star impresses with patisserie skills; maintains film career, becomes role model for women who face domestic violence.

Taiwanese model and actress Jean Wang, who once starring alongside icons like Brigitte Lin and Joey Wong and endured an abusive marriage, has emerged as a symbol of resilience after her divorce. Photo: SCMP composite/Sohu/Facebook

Trending in China

China ‘instant reply providers’ offer solace by responding to angry clients online

‘Good listeners’ with a high emotional quotient earn cash by listening to people’s gripes; offer to provide a ‘whole-day good mood’.

A new job known as an “instant reply provider” has emerged in China. It involves individuals immediately responding to clients’ messages to vent frustrations through online platforms, phone calls or videos. Photo: Shutterstock
A new job known as an “instant reply provider” has emerged in China. It involves individuals immediately responding to clients’ messages to vent frustrations through online platforms, phone calls or videos. Photo: Shutterstock

Trending in China

Online appeal by Chinese woman to boost granny’s funeral crowd gets 130 million views

Granddaughter of introverted grandma who had few friends offers gifts, travelling expenses to thoughtful strangers who came to ceremony.

China Personalities

China basketball hall of fame honours pioneer wife of infectious disease expert

Household name blazed a sporting trail then branched out into health, sports science; fans say she should be hailed for her own achievements.

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People & Culture

Indonesian wife, 24, surprised husband, 62, was groom at event she attended at 9

After a young Indonesian woman married a much older man who had wed twice before, she realised they had met at one of his other nuptials when she was a child.

A 19-year-old Indonesian woman finds out after marrying a man aged 57, that she attended a previous wedding of his when she was just nine years old. Photo: SCMP composite/QQ.com
A 19-year-old Indonesian woman finds out after marrying a man aged 57, that she attended a previous wedding of his when she was just nine years old. Photo: SCMP composite/QQ.com

China Personalities

Profile | Mystery Chinese woman steals show at 2024 Cannes Film Festival, but who is she?

A mystery woman from China, who stole the show on the red carpet at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, has been revealed to be a rich online influencer and wife of a famous mainland musician.

Trending in China

Singaporean influencer becomes grandmother at 34, jokes that she ‘inspired’ son

A popular online influencer in Singapore who has become a grandmother at the age of 34 has pledged to support and guide her 17-year-old son.

Trending in China

Man has child by surrogate without telling family as he wants to be grandfather

A 50-something woman in China was shocked to find a baby in her home when she got in from work one day, and that the child belonged to her husband who had hired a surrogacy agency without telling her.

A man had secretly hired a surrogacy agency to get a baby girl after his only daughter told him she did not want to have children. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock
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HIGHLIGHTS FROM
Joe Wong poses for a portrait after his Joe Wong: The Twin Tariff Show in Hong Kong. Photo: Alexander Mak

Joe Wong, Ronny Chieng and the rise of Asian voices in comedy

Asian comedians were once forced to resort to stereotypes to find a platform – but a wave of pioneering stars is changing that.

Reading Time:8 minutes
Amy Lo Choi-wan of UBS, Mary Huen Wai-yi of Standard Chartered and Bonnie Chan Yiting of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing are all members of Women Chief Executives Hong Kong (WCE). Photos: Jocelyn Tam and HKEX

What it takes to lead HKEX, UBS and Standard Chartered – and still have a life

Reading Time:6 minutes
Ng Sze Kiat, founder of Bewilder, a Singapore-based design studio that works with fungi. Photo: courtesy Bewilder

Mushroom magic: is mycelium set to be the next ‘it’ material in homeware?

Reading Time:5 minutes
Lam Lau with his son Aidan at Lau Kee Boat Noodles in Hong Kong, which has been in business since 1981. Photo: Jocelyn Tam

How a vanishing Hong Kong boat culture has kept its cuisine afloat

Reading Time:7 minutes
Shanghainese tailor George Kay at his shop, Baron Kay’s Tailor, in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, in 1987. Photo: SCMP Archives

How Hong Kong’s tailoring industry has evolved through the ages

Reading Time:3 minutes
Aric Chen, director of the London-based Zaha Hadid Foundation, is co-curator of the Design Futures Forum, one of the highlights of Singapore Design Week. He’s pictured here in Milan, in 2021. Photo: Getty Images

Q&A | Aric Chen asks: will design-led solutions create more problems?

Reading Time:2 minutes
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MULTIMEDIA
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Stalking, illegal tracking, assault: is China’s fan culture off the rails?

When obsession tips over into stalking a number of studies have found that the stalked celebrity often represented an idealised version of the stalker. Photo: CGTN
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His son’s rare disease turned this Chinese father into a home-grown drug-maker

Despite having only a high-school education, a father in Kunming taught himself how to produce drugs for his son who suffers from Menkes disease. Photo: Weibo
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Zip line ‘retires’ after 20 years in China

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China’s female comedians tackle stereotypes

China’s new wave of young women stand-up comedians tackle stereotypes
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