https://www.scmp.com/rss/508148/feed en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang China’s pet scene has found its digital answer to cottagecore icon Li Ziqi – “Meow Ziqi,” a social media account featuring three AI-generated cats that cook traditional Chinese dishes and practise heritage crafts. Since bursting onto the scene in April, the account has amassed over 1.76 million followers and more than 500 million views. The parallels with Sichuan-born cultural influencer Li Ziqi are unmistakable. Li captivated over 56 million fans worldwide with her cinematic depictions of... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3373622/ai-generated-cats-showcasing-rural-life-chinese-cuisine-land-major-brand-sponsorships https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3373622/ai-generated-cats-showcasing-rural-life-chinese-cuisine-land-major-brand-sponsorships Sat, 07 Nov 2026 02:00:31 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan China’s first UFC champion recently shared that her family has been pressuring her to get married, but she is afraid to use her real name on dating websites for fear of revealing her identity. Thirty-six-year-old mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Zhang Weili discussed her difficulties finding a boyfriend during an interview with mainland influencer Papi Jiang (known in English as Pepi Sauce) in late October. The interview has received a total of 230,000 likes and more than 10,000 comments across... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3373480/china-mma-champion-zhang-weili-faces-family-pressure-find-partner-go-blind-dates https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3373480/china-mma-champion-zhang-weili-faces-family-pressure-find-partner-go-blind-dates Fri, 06 Nov 2026 02:36:06 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A Chinese influencer who became known for bravely battling bone cancer after her parents abandoned her following her diagnosis has died, prompting widespread mourning online. On October 27, the account of anti-cancer influencer Miracle Xia Xia posted an obituary announcing that she had died in a Shanghai hospital. The video shows Xia Xia choosing her own memorial portrait, turning it black and white, and typing her own eulogy on her phone. She apologised to her followers for becoming a... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3373208/abandoned-parents-after-cancer-diagnosis-chinese-woman-dies-after-solo-battle https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3373208/abandoned-parents-after-cancer-diagnosis-chinese-woman-dies-after-solo-battle Wed, 04 Nov 2026 10:00:08 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu China’s first female conductor, Zheng Xiaoying, is 97 years old, but she continues to give outstanding performances to audiences. In August, the nonagenarian conducted the Chinese-language version of the opera Carmen in Xiamen, in southeastern China’s Fujian province, where she lives. Tickets for the performance were like gold dust, and audiences marvelled, as always, at her elegant, expressive conducting. Zheng has led a remarkable life. Born in Shanghai in 1929, she began studying piano at age... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3372882/97-chinas-first-female-conductor-still-performs-public-wowing-audiences https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3372882/97-chinas-first-female-conductor-still-performs-public-wowing-audiences Sun, 01 Nov 2026 10:00:17 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A Gen Z tech influencer from central China has brought science fiction to life by handcrafting a manned hoverboard and teaching himself flight control and mechanical engineering. Song Xingyu, 26, from Enshi, Hubei province, is known online as “Amazing Ayu.” He has amassed more than 3 million social media followers by sharing videos of his aerial inventions. On October 15, Song stunned the internet with a video of himself riding a hoverboard he had spent about two months building, soaring over... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3372367/chinese-can-actually-fly-man-pilots-homemade-hoverboard-over-mountains-across-yangtze-river https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3372367/chinese-can-actually-fly-man-pilots-homemade-hoverboard-over-mountains-across-yangtze-river Wed, 28 Oct 2026 02:24:19 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A man from southeastern China, dubbed the “Wind-Breaking Rider,” has mastered his wheelchair and stunned the internet with his skateboarding skills. Xie Junwu, 55, lives in Nanchang, Jiangxi province. At 19, he fell from a tree, injuring his thoracic spinal cord and leaving him paralysed from the waist down. For the first eight years after his injury, Xie depended entirely on his mother. Confined to his home, he struggled with the loss of his independence. “The pain was secondary,” Xie recalled... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3371897/running-his-hands-chinese-world-record-holder-wows-public-skateboarding-skills https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3371897/running-his-hands-chinese-world-record-holder-wows-public-skateboarding-skills Fri, 23 Oct 2026 10:00:06 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan Lu Yong, who has a slow-growing blood and bone marrow cancer and inspired the 2018 blockbuster Dying to Survive, has begun reducing his medication and hopes to stop taking it completely within three months. The acclaimed film is based on Lu’s experience. He has chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and helped patients across China obtain affordable, life-saving generic drugs from India, but was prosecuted by Chinese authorities for selling “fake drugs”. Before his diagnosis, 58-year-old Lu was a... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3371839/china-cancer-patient-who-inspired-hit-film-hopes-stop-treatment-after-35000-pills-over-2-decades https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3371839/china-cancer-patient-who-inspired-hit-film-hopes-stop-treatment-after-35000-pills-over-2-decades Fri, 23 Oct 2026 02:00:19 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A Chinese influencer has sparked heated online discussions after posting about her remarkable recovery from a fall from the 35th floor nearly a year ago. On October 12, the influencer, who uses the handle @wananan, returned to her account after an almost 17-month hiatus, saying she “had been reborn through adversity”. The 27-year-old woman from Hunan province in central China said she had almost fully recovered from the fall, which happened more than a year ago. It was previously reported that... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3371699/chinese-influencer-who-survived-35-floor-fall-returns-social-media-after-near-full-recovery https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3371699/chinese-influencer-who-survived-35-floor-fall-returns-social-media-after-near-full-recovery Thu, 22 Oct 2026 02:01:55 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan Beijing-based smartphone and electric vehicle giant Xiaomi announced in mid-October that it would promote 31-year-old Luo Fuli to its highest-level position, once again putting the “AI prodigy” at the centre of heated discussion. The move came 10 months after Luo joined the company as head of its large language model (LLM) unit. Luo attracted significant public attention in late 2024, when Xiaomi founder and CEO Lei Jun said during a live-stream that he hoped to hire her at an annual salary of... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3371581/china-ai-researcher-rises-xiaomis-top-level-10-months-talks-work-life-balance https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3371581/china-ai-researcher-rises-xiaomis-top-level-10-months-talks-work-life-balance Wed, 21 Oct 2026 10:00:10 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan An increasing number of Chinese celebrities are voluntarily sharing their histories of mental illness, rather than following the previous practice of keeping them hidden, in what some see as an effort to win empathy and audience support. These conditions include depression, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In January last year, famous actress Zhao Lusi’s suspension of work due to severe depression put celebrities’ mental health... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3371507/china-celebrities-speak-out-mental-health-diagnoses-seek-authentic-connections-fans https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3371507/china-celebrities-speak-out-mental-health-diagnoses-seek-authentic-connections-fans Tue, 20 Oct 2026 10:00:13 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan After Chinese tennis player Zheng Qinwen won the China Open in early October, a series of photos showing her in a white dress and studded high heels, holding the trophy on the Great Wall, unexpectedly drew criticism from female internet users who accused the athlete of trying to please men and of not looking like an independent woman. Chinese social media celebrated Zheng’s victory, which made her the first Chinese player to win the championship in the tournament’s 22-year history. The... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3371350/seeking-male-approval-chinese-tennis-star-criticised-glamorous-photo-shoot-trophy https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3371350/seeking-male-approval-chinese-tennis-star-criticised-glamorous-photo-shoot-trophy Mon, 19 Oct 2026 10:00:06 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A mainland-produced film about a Chinese restaurant in Baghdad that became a wartime refuge has been selected as China’s entry for next year’s Oscars, bringing global attention to untold stories from the Iraq War. Directed by Wen Muye and starring Shen Teng and Jiang Qiming, Once Upon a Time in the Middle East became a box-office hit after its domestic release in China in August, earning more than 2.3 billion yuan (US$344 million). The film follows Xu Fu, a chef who travels to the Middle East to... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3371020/chinas-iraq-war-safe-haven-restaurant-film-real-people-represent-country-oscars https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3371020/chinas-iraq-war-safe-haven-restaurant-film-real-people-represent-country-oscars Thu, 15 Oct 2026 10:00:15 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan A grassroots singer in China rose to fame after standing in for Hong Kong singer Hacken Lee, giving an impromptu two-hour set after Lee was delayed. On the evening of September 26, the touring concert Hear Yourself, featuring six acclaimed singers from Hong Kong and Taiwan, was held in Baotou, Inner Mongolia, in northern China, Shenzhen TV reported. Lee was scheduled to give the grand finale performance. But he did not arrive in time because his flight, originally bound for the nearby city of... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3370519/china-grass-roots-singer-shoots-fame-after-saving-delayed-hacken-lee-concert-2-hour-set https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3370519/china-grass-roots-singer-shoots-fame-after-saving-delayed-hacken-lee-concert-2-hour-set Mon, 12 Oct 2026 02:00:33 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A former Chinese Olympic diving champion’s quest for independence has struck a chord online, after her mother’s controlling behaviour drew widespread criticism following their appearance on a reality TV show. Zhang Jiaqi, 22, grew up in a modest Beijing family and went on to win gold in the women’s synchronised 10-metre platform event at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. Her youthful charm and exceptional talent have also attracted 3.3 million followers on Douyin. Zhang began diving at six, won her... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3370440/retired-china-olympic-champion-diver-sparks-debate-after-reality-show-reveals-toxic-parenting https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3370440/retired-china-olympic-champion-diver-sparks-debate-after-reality-show-reveals-toxic-parenting Sat, 10 Oct 2026 10:00:15 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang From a humble working-class family in northeast China to becoming a celebrated actress on the Hollywood stage, 53-year-old Li Bingbing’s ascent has never been a solo journey. At the heart of her decades-long career is her younger sister, Li Xue, 51, who transitioned from journalism to become Li Bingbing’s manager. Together, they co-founded Hesong Entertainment, a talent company that has represented performers across generations. The sisters have long been recognised as one of China’s most... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3369820/chinese-actress-li-bingbing-credits-success-younger-sister-who-acts-manager-confidante https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3369820/chinese-actress-li-bingbing-credits-success-younger-sister-who-acts-manager-confidante Tue, 06 Oct 2026 02:00:07 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan An 86-year-old grandmother in China has become a social media sensation for operating a coffee shop for over a decade – a business she took over from her son in 2015, despite having no experience with coffee at the time. Zhao Qiying, affectionately known as the “Coffee Grandma,” revealed that the shop, located in downtown Qingdao in eastern China’s Shandong province, was nearly bankrupt due to her son’s lack of business acumen, according to the Peninsular Metropolis News. At that time, Zhao was... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3369741/chinese-coffee-grandma-learns-brewing-save-sons-cafe-inspires-female-independence https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3369741/chinese-coffee-grandma-learns-brewing-save-sons-cafe-inspires-female-independence Mon, 05 Oct 2026 10:00:07 +0000 Kevin McSpadden Kevin McSpadden It is no secret that Chinese emperors had many women in their lives, and the imperial concubine system was a significant feature of feudal social structures. Ming-era (1368–1644) emperors could have upwards of 9,000 consorts, ostensibly to ensure an heir. Unfortunately, these women often existed in gilded prisons, barred from leaving the palace grounds and frequently subject to the wrath of a cruel emperor. However, one leader stands out for doing just the opposite; the Hongzhi Emperor (r.... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3369702/chinas-only-monogamous-emperor-why-hongzhi-refused-harem-remained-dedicated-wife https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3369702/chinas-only-monogamous-emperor-why-hongzhi-refused-harem-remained-dedicated-wife Sun, 04 Oct 2026 10:30:22 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan A 60-year-old woman in southern China has defied public stereotypes surrounding senior citizens by becoming a popular e-game live-streamer. Zhong Juanjuan, affectionately known as Auntie Juan by internet users, has amassed 527,000 followers on social media. She hosts two daily live-streaming sessions, each typically attracting around 10,000 viewers, as reported by Beijing News. Zhong, who lives in a suburban area of Meizhou in Guangdong province, only began playing computer games six years ago.... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3369504/chinese-woman-60-becomes-gaming-streamer-after-playing-understand-sons-addiction https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3369504/chinese-woman-60-becomes-gaming-streamer-after-playing-understand-sons-addiction Fri, 02 Oct 2026 10:00:07 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang China’s veteran filmmaker Zhang Jizhong, 75, and his 44-year-old wife, Du Xinglin, ignited online debate after announcing they are contemplating having a fifth child. The Beijing-born director and producer is renowned for his adaptations of celebrated television versions of classic Chinese novels, including Water Margin and Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils. Du, who studied in France, holds a doctorate in intellectual property law. The couple married in 2017 and have since welcomed a son and two... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3369481/surrounded-total-love-china-director-75-criticised-5th-child-plan-wife https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3369481/surrounded-total-love-china-director-75-criticised-5th-child-plan-wife Fri, 02 Oct 2026 02:00:21 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu Renowned Chinese singer and songwriter Liu Huan passed away in Shanghai on September 25 at the age of 63 due to illness, prompting widespread mourning among the mainland public. The University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, where Liu taught the History of Western Music for three decades, issued an obituary but did not disclose details about the illness. His death saddened many, as Liu was a beloved figure across China. As one of the country’s most famous and respected male... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3369199/china-mourns-death-music-legend-liu-huan-voice-2008-beijing-olympic-theme-song https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3369199/china-mourns-death-music-legend-liu-huan-voice-2008-beijing-olympic-theme-song Tue, 29 Sep 2026 10:00:23 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan A 20-year-old woman who collects and sorts rubbish in eastern China gained online fame after her modelling talents were discovered by the renowned self-made “village supermodel” Lu Xianren, who shares a similar childhood background. Identified by her alias Chaoren Leng (translated as “Superman Leng” in English), the woman assists her boyfriend’s father in managing his rubbish collection business in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, as reported by Shenzhen TV. Born Leng Minghui in a village in Fuyang,... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3368927/chinese-rubbish-station-worker-scouted-striking-looks-refuses-full-time-modelling https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3368927/chinese-rubbish-station-worker-scouted-striking-looks-refuses-full-time-modelling Sun, 27 Sep 2026 02:14:32 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A 13-year-old boy from eastern China has garnered significant attention online for his ability to leverage artificial intelligence and programming to solve everyday challenges. Yang Xizhe, a junior secondary school student from Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, stands at an impressive 1.9 metres tall and has amassed a following of over 500,000 on mainland social media platforms. Growing up in a city celebrated for its vibrant technology ecosystem, he identifies as an “AI native.” Yang believes that... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3367936/chinas-future-elon-musk-solves-daily-problems-ai-vocabulary-method-draws-20-million-views https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3367936/chinas-future-elon-musk-solves-daily-problems-ai-vocabulary-method-draws-20-million-views Fri, 18 Sep 2026 02:33:14 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A 106-year-old man in eastern China has inspired many online with his unconventional lifestyle and enduring marriage. Wang Dinggao, from Rui’an in Zhejiang province, remains remarkably independent despite experiencing some hearing loss, according to the mainland media outlet Daxiang News. In contrast to most people, he adheres to a “reverse schedule”: sleeping around 4 or 5pm, waking at 1am, enjoying breakfast at 3am before embarking on his morning walk. His son has adapted to this unusual... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3367118/chinese-man-106-embraces-reverse-schedule-celebrated-alongside-wife-model-couple https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3367118/chinese-man-106-embraces-reverse-schedule-celebrated-alongside-wife-model-couple Fri, 11 Sep 2026 01:14:03 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan A 98-year-old man in eastern China has garnered widespread praise for his remarkable philanthropy, which includes donations totalling 60 million yuan (US$9 million), while leading an exceptionally frugal life himself. Wang Chunwen, a resident of Ninghai county in Zhejiang province, has been honoured with the China Charity Award by the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the highest accolade in the country to recognise significant contributions to charitable efforts. In early September, Wang’s son... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3367066/china-living-buddha-honoured-us9-million-donation-after-saving-every-cent-charity https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3367066/china-living-buddha-honoured-us9-million-donation-after-saving-every-cent-charity Thu, 10 Sep 2026 10:12:41 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A Chinese man has recently achieved his ambitious goal of travelling to 233 countries and regions around the world, sharing the life wisdom that “time waits for no man.” Chen Jinwei, 53, returned to his hometown in Zhuji, in eastern China’s Zhejiang province, after a remarkable 33-year global tour that ended when he returned from Peru after visiting various corners of the world. Reports indicate that only about 70 individuals in China have previously travelled to 233 countries, territories, and... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3366726/time-waits-no-man-chinese-mans-33-year-us15-million-world-trip-inspires-many https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3366726/time-waits-no-man-chinese-mans-33-year-us15-million-world-trip-inspires-many Tue, 08 Sep 2026 10:00:18 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan A 62-year-old woman from southern China, who cannot speak standard Mandarin or recognise the English alphabet, has gone viral on social media for singing over 100 songs in six different languages. Li Deru, known online as @Auntie Ru, boasts 800,000 followers and has garnered millions of likes across both domestic and international social media platforms. In addition to English, Li performs songs in Korean, Japanese, Thai, Hindi, and Italian. In her videos, Li, always elegantly dressed,... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3366718/chinese-grandma-who-struggles-mandarin-sings-6-foreign-languages https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3366718/chinese-grandma-who-struggles-mandarin-sings-6-foreign-languages Tue, 08 Sep 2026 06:00:05 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A retired American teacher has reunited with a Chinese farmer 26 years after their initial encounter, returning to the once-barren sandy landscape transformed by his generous donation into a lush green environment. In 1999, Ronald Sakolsky, now 67, was teaching English in Luoyang, Henan province, central-eastern China, when he discovered Inner Mongolian farmer Yin Yuzhen’s efforts to combat desertification. Inspired by her dedication, he donated US$5,000 to support her mission. The pair first... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3365725/green-miracle-us-teacher-returns-china-after-26-years-find-donation-grew-forest https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3365725/green-miracle-us-teacher-returns-china-after-26-years-find-donation-grew-forest Sun, 30 Aug 2026 02:01:31 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A Chinese cryptocurrency tycoon is suing an actress and her parents to recover a bride price of 30 million yuan (US$4.5 million), then revealed details of their relationship online while the actress urged that the dispute be left to the courts. Justin Sun, 36, founder of the blockchain platform Tron, has an estimated net worth of US$8.5 billion, according to Forbes. On August 27, Sun published a post titled “My Girlfriend Jing Tian,” recounting their relationship and touching on surrogacy and... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3365611/never-sell-love-money-china-actress-jing-tian-hits-back-crypto-mogul-justin-suns-claims https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3365611/never-sell-love-money-china-actress-jing-tian-hits-back-crypto-mogul-justin-suns-claims Fri, 28 Aug 2026 10:11:33 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A famous Chinese mathematician known for his dishevelled genius image recently began selling workbooks for primary and secondary school students, which were quickly sold out within days. Wei Dongyi, 35, is an associate professor in the Mathematics Department at Peking University. He gained instant fame in 2021 after a vox pop on the Peking University campus. In the video, he appears dressed simply, carrying a 1.5-litre plastic bottle of water and a bag of steamed buns. In the clip, he shared... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3365462/viral-china-maths-genius-new-workbook-sells-26000-copies-4-days-sparking-mixed-reactions https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3365462/viral-china-maths-genius-new-workbook-sells-26000-copies-4-days-sparking-mixed-reactions Thu, 27 Aug 2026 10:00:10 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu The Chinese podcaster Zhongshu, who garnered widespread international acclaim for her recent interview with filmmaker Christopher Nolan, is now facing allegations of paraphrasing and plagiarism in her podcasts and published works. The interview between Zhongshu and Nolan concerning The Odyssey, released on July 31, quickly went viral and was celebrated as “smart,” “the most interesting and profound,” and “peak journalism” by commentators in media and culture. In the 17-minute video, the PhD... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3365025/china-phd-student-famous-christopher-nolan-interview-accused-widespread-plagiarism https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3365025/china-phd-student-famous-christopher-nolan-interview-accused-widespread-plagiarism Mon, 24 Aug 2026 10:00:07 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A young Chinese man who has just graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Technology from the prestigious Wuhan University is set to embark on a new life as a doctoral student at the same institution. Peng Wenle is not just another ordinary 21-year-old; he was abducted at the age of three in 2008 from outside his parents’ telephone service shop in southern China’s Shenzhen and was recovered three years later, thanks to his parents’ tireless search. Wenle seized this academic... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3364113/chinese-boy-abducted-3-who-inspired-child-trafficking-film-enters-direct-phd-programme https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3364113/chinese-boy-abducted-3-who-inspired-child-trafficking-film-enters-direct-phd-programme Sat, 15 Aug 2026 01:00:13 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A 73-year-old Chinese female entrepreneur has recently become the 22nd passenger of the domestically developed spacecraft CYZ1. On August 8, Huang Xiaochi was officially designated as passenger No 022 for CYZ1, a project by the commercial space start-up InterstellOr. Huang is scheduled to embark on a suborbital mission aboard the spaceship in 2028, reaching the Kármán line, the widely recognised boundary of Earth’s atmosphere where outer space begins, allowing her to view Earth from that vantage... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3364058/ex-factory-worker-and-engineer-make-history-one-chinas-first-space-passengers https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3364058/ex-factory-worker-and-engineer-make-history-one-chinas-first-space-passengers Fri, 14 Aug 2026 10:00:10 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A pyramid scheme mastermind has been uncovered, having transformed himself into a traditional Chinese culture guru who “educates” students through corporal punishment. In July, a pre-recorded video by a 16-year-old Chinese girl named Lin went viral among her friends. In the video, Lin pleads for help: “I don’t want to be sent to an internet addiction treatment school or a behaviour boot camp. If you can’t reach me, please call the police and rescue me.” Lin recorded the video just before the... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3363751/ex-chinese-pyramid-scheme-boss-rebrands-culture-guru-charges-us18000-discipline-kids https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3363751/ex-chinese-pyramid-scheme-boss-rebrands-culture-guru-charges-us18000-discipline-kids Wed, 12 Aug 2026 06:54:21 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A 1991 black-and-white portrait photograph has become an iconic symbol of impoverished Chinese students’ yearning for knowledge, profoundly altering the life of its subject. The photograph, titled “I Want to Go to School,” captures a poignant moment of an eight-year-old Primary One girl studying at a rural school in central China’s Anhui province. Her bright eyes gaze ahead, radiating an insatiable thirst for learning. Affectionately known as “Big Eyes,” the picture was taken by photojournalist... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3363419/iconic-1991-photo-chinese-girl-symbolises-thirst-knowledge-changing-lives https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3363419/iconic-1991-photo-chinese-girl-symbolises-thirst-knowledge-changing-lives Sun, 09 Aug 2026 08:00:10 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu After winning China’s prestigious Lu Xun Literary Prize, grass roots delivery rider and poet Wang Jibing expressed his intention to continue delivering food, describing himself as “a river that quietly flows.” Wang, 57, widely known as the “delivery rider poet”, won the elite literature prize in the poetry category for his third collection, Low Flight. The Lu Xun Literary Prize, named after one of China’s most celebrated modern writers, Lu Xun, is regarded as one of the nation’s most respected... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3363266/china-delivery-rider-poet-known-writing-verses-scrap-paper-wins-elite-literature-prize https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3363266/china-delivery-rider-poet-known-writing-verses-scrap-paper-wins-elite-literature-prize Fri, 07 Aug 2026 06:27:28 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A barbecue chef in northwest China has become an internet sensation after users noticed his striking resemblance to Elon Musk, prompting a wave of memes and jokes online. Ma Jianping, 48, from Tongchuan in Shaanxi province, co-owns and operates Yilan Restaurant, where he showcases his culinary skills. Originally from Gansu province, Ma spent years working as an electrician before transitioning to the catering industry. On July 26, a video showing Ma serving dishes at his restaurant quickly... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3362355/shy-chinese-elon-musk-lookalike-chef-draws-photo-seeking-crowds-prefers-work-over-fame https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3362355/shy-chinese-elon-musk-lookalike-chef-draws-photo-seeking-crowds-prefers-work-over-fame Thu, 30 Jul 2026 06:06:14 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu Li Chengru is a nationally famous Chinese actor, but before he gained fame as an entertainer, he was a self-made businessman who lost his entire US$13 million in foreign currency trading. Beijing-born Li, 71, is famous for many classic roles, such as police officer Da Zeng in one of China’s first crime dramas, The VI Group of Fatal Case, and a psychopath who delivers a sharp monologue about the real estate market in Feng Xiaogang’s 2001 film Big Shot’s Funeral. Li was the youngest son of 11... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3361114/bankruptcy-viral-critic-remarkable-journey-chinese-veteran-actor-li-chengru https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3361114/bankruptcy-viral-critic-remarkable-journey-chinese-veteran-actor-li-chengru Tue, 21 Jul 2026 10:00:08 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu When 'Dear You', a low-budget Teochew-language story of migration became one of China’s biggest films in late spring and early summer, its lead actress Li Sitong, who played Zia Lamgi, became a university graduate and said she wished to continue her acting career. The film directed by Lan Hongchun tells a story of a young Teochew man travelling to Thailand to search for his estranged grandfather Ten Baksheng, and ending up discovering that he had long been dead and it was his friend, Lamgi, who... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3360974/china-student-discovered-video-platform-shines-heroine-acclaimed-film-dear-you https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3360974/china-student-discovered-video-platform-shines-heroine-acclaimed-film-dear-you Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:27:31 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu Chinese motorcycle tycoon Zhang Xue has donated five million yuan (US$735,000) to flood-stricken Guangxi right after clearing a 100-million-yuan (US$15 million) corporate debt, moving many online. Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, in southern China, was hit by heavy rains that caused dam breaches and flooding, which had killed 39 people. On July 9, the founder of motorcycle manufacturer ZXMOTO posted on his social media account that the company had donated five million yuan to the Guangxi... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3360613/chinese-motorcycle-tycoon-donates-us735000-flood-victims-after-clearing-us15-million-debt https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3360613/chinese-motorcycle-tycoon-donates-us735000-flood-victims-after-clearing-us15-million-debt Wed, 15 Jul 2026 06:00:07 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A young Chinese man has been dubbed “Yunnan’s strongest matchmaker” for his funny matchmaking videos that turn clients’ flaws into advantages. The 24-year-old man from southwestern China’s Yunnan province, who goes by the nickname Panlong, has amassed nearly three million online followers. He went viral for a series called “A matchmaker’s language skills”, in which he boasted about his clients in a fun way, turning their flaws into strengths. For example, in one video when a man says he works at... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3360500/yunnans-strongest-matchmaker-wins-china-fans-turning-clients-flaws-dating-strengths https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3360500/yunnans-strongest-matchmaker-wins-china-fans-turning-clients-flaws-dating-strengths Tue, 14 Jul 2026 07:38:34 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu Taiwanese-American singer-songwriter Leehom Wang continued his concert despite suffering from sudden injuries that later required 39 stitches to his face and ear, winning him widespread applause but raising concerns over stage safety. In the early hours of July 5, Wang posted images of his injured face, reporting that he was given 27 stitches to his ear and 12 stitches to his face at a hospital in Chengdu, in southwestern China’s Sichuan province. The 50-year-old musician tripped over a safety... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3360256/singer-leehom-wang-gets-39-stitches-after-stage-cable-trip-china-sparking-safety-concerns https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3360256/singer-leehom-wang-gets-39-stitches-after-stage-cable-trip-china-sparking-safety-concerns Sun, 12 Jul 2026 08:00:11 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan A three-year-old girl is fed extensively by her parents leading her to weigh as much as 35kg from eating hearty meals in front of a camera as a live-streamer. A young boy and a girl of his age are presented as a couple and perform intimate exchanges onscreen. Another young boy is filmed eating live worms and snails. These unsettling scenes are from viral videos featuring so-called online celebrity children, a group which emerged years ago but has triggered controversy in the meantime. In early... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3359967/china-child-influencers-slammed-distorting-values-staged-online-videos https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3359967/china-child-influencers-slammed-distorting-values-staged-online-videos Thu, 09 Jul 2026 10:00:08 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A young Chinese man is reviving China’s most famous poet Li Bai at a tourist site, and has become millions of visitors’ emotional outlet for burnout. Wang Haonan, 24, amasses more than a million followers online after he went viral playing the role of Li Bai at Hetou Old Street, a Tang dynasty-themed tourist district in Tangshan in northern China’s Hebei province. The Tang dynasty (618–907) is recognised as the golden age of Chinese poetry, and Li Bai (c. 701–762) is widely honoured as the most... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3359447/chinese-tourist-site-performer-portraying-poet-li-bai-offers-advice-burned-out-visitors https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3359447/chinese-tourist-site-performer-portraying-poet-li-bai-offers-advice-burned-out-visitors Sun, 05 Jul 2026 00:59:14 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan A top social media agency in mainland China, suspended from business operations two years ago for selling fake Hong Kong brand mooncakes, is back in the spotlight for selling live-streaming courses. Three Sheep Network, based in eastern Anhui province, boasts top influencers Zhang Qingyan and Zhang Kaiyang, who are twin brothers. The former, better known as Crazy Younger Brother Yang, has 95 million followers, a big drop from his more than 100 million followers before the network was... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3359380/top-chinese-influencer-sells-pricey-courses-after-government-live-streaming-ban https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3359380/top-chinese-influencer-sells-pricey-courses-after-government-live-streaming-ban Sat, 04 Jul 2026 08:00:15 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A teenager from northern China who lost his sight in a brutal attack has emerged as one of the top scorers in the national college entrance examination for students with disabilities. Thirteen years ago, Guo Bin was just six years old when a middle-aged woman lured him away from his home in Shanxi province. After threatening to gouge out his eyes if he continued to cry, the woman attacked him with a tree branch, resulting in permanent blindness. Guo was later found conscious but covered in... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3358630/pass-warmth-blind-chinese-teen-aces-gaokao-chooses-medicine-help-others https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3358630/pass-warmth-blind-chinese-teen-aces-gaokao-chooses-medicine-help-others Mon, 29 Jun 2026 01:00:08 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan A 19-year-old influencer in China has announced he has been admitted to top-tier Boston University, with tuition and living costs to be covered entirely by himself, as he has earned money through his online activities in recent years. Zhong Meimei, born Zhong Yusheng, shot to fame in May 2020 when he released his first batch of videos in which he mimicked female teachers at primary and middle schools, the National Business Daily (NBD) reported. His works quickly captivated internet users, who... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3358385/imitation-genius-china-influencer-overcomes-abusive-dad-self-fund-us-education https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3358385/imitation-genius-china-influencer-overcomes-abusive-dad-self-fund-us-education Fri, 26 Jun 2026 06:00:07 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu China’s most renowned amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patient, Cai Lei, has been battling the illness for seven years following his diagnosis. His wife, Duan Rui, has supported him in her own way, also becoming a pillar for other families affected by ALS. After the former vice-president of Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com received his ALS diagnosis in 2019, Cai, now 48, emerged as one of the world’s most determined advocates against the disease, investing over 100 million yuan (US$15 million)... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3358200/wife-als-stricken-china-e-commerce-tycoon-refuses-divorce-despite-request https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3358200/wife-als-stricken-china-e-commerce-tycoon-refuses-divorce-despite-request Wed, 24 Jun 2026 10:00:11 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A former hospital director in northern China has dedicated over two decades to creating an educational sanctuary for children living with HIV. Guo Xiaoping, 63, a former director of an infectious diseases hospital in Linfen, Shanxi province, began his mission in 2004 after discovering children in a hospital’s Aids ward who had reached school age but lacked access to proper education. He transformed a ward into a makeshift classroom, where he and the nurses taught Pinyin and multiplication... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3357934/ex-hospital-director-opens-chinas-only-school-hiv-positive-children-provide-shelter https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3357934/ex-hospital-director-opens-chinas-only-school-hiv-positive-children-provide-shelter Mon, 22 Jun 2026 10:15:55 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A former Chinese e-commerce executive in the final stages of a rare disease is still working 12-hour days, devoting what time he has left to accelerating the search for a cure. Cai Lei, 48, a former vice-president of JD.com, one of China’s largest e-commerce companies, has spent seven years battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), an incurable disease that progressively attacks motor neurons. His condition has recently deteriorated to an advanced stage. Unable to move or speak, Cai can now... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3357415/only-death-can-stop-me-terminally-ill-chinese-tycoon-works-12-hours-daily-cure-als https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3357415/only-death-can-stop-me-terminally-ill-chinese-tycoon-works-12-hours-daily-cure-als Sun, 21 Jun 2026 01:00:06 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A 77-year-old man in southeastern China has spent nearly six decades turning homesickness, hardship and family duty into letters sent across the sea. Jiang Mingdian, from Quanzhou in Fujian province, is regarded as one of China’s last active professional letter writers, though no public figures show how many still practise the trade. Over 59 years, he has reportedly written more than 100,000 letters for local families to relatives overseas, reaching countries including the Philippines,... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3357390/last-professional-letter-writer-chinese-city-pens-100000-missives-over-59-years https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3357390/last-professional-letter-writer-chinese-city-pens-100000-missives-over-59-years Sat, 20 Jun 2026 08:00:06 +0000