Blackpink in Vietnam, Fukushima water release, China’s demand for durian: SCMP’s 7 highlights of the week
- From China’s demand for durian to girl group Blackpink facing outrage in Vietnam, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting
We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues.
1. How durian became the coveted gift for girlfriends, future in-laws in China
Durian, the pungent tropical fruit, is growing increasingly popular in China, with imports soaring by more than 150 per cent in the first quarter. Ma Qian, a twenty-something based in Miyang county, said: “The old folks believe that durian is highly nutritious and that eating one durian is equal to eating three chickens.”
2. Blackpink, Barbie and Beijing’s South China Sea claims collide in Vietnam
First it was a scribbled map in the Warner Bros’ Barbie film, now Blackpink is facing the ire of Vietnamese nationalists calling for a boycott of the K-pop girl group’s coming tour dates in Hanoi, as pop culture increasingly takes collateral damage from geopolitics.