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Chinese culture

Chinese culture
Latest news and updates on Chinese culture including the country’s traditions, food, values, history and festivals.
A visitor views relics from China’s Bronze Age at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco in 2024. Photo: Xinhua
Chinese overseas

Being Chinese | The 30-word identity pitch of an overseas Chinese

To some, “Are you Chinese?” is a question about nationality. To others, it’s about ethnicity. To cover all bases, I’ve crafted a 30-word answer.

Lessons from China's history

Ancient China’s Labubu-like doll craze also saw fans splurge silly money

Art

Famous horse-related works of art as the Year of the Horse 2026 approaches

Asian diaspora

How Boston Chinatown overcame constant threats to win its place in history

New England’s last surviving Chinatown, Boston Chinatown has long suffered hostile urban renewal but now its community is stronger than ever.

A paifang gate marks an entrance to Boston Chinatown. Although at one time or another, Chinatowns existed in other cities in the United States’ New England region, today, Boston’s is the only one remaining. Photo: Hei-kiu Au
US-China relations

US commission wants more Mandarin language courses to curb Beijing’s sway

Move would deepen students’ linguistic and cultural understanding amid cuts to US cultural exchange programmes to China.

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My Life

‘Architects are always jumping in water that’s over our heads’

Billie Tsien, founding partner of Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, tells of designing the Asia Society Hong Kong Centre and the Obama Presidential Centre.

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Food and Drinks

Hong Kong-style cafe receives top recognition. Owner has been to the city once

Tarek Hassan fell in love with Hong Kong culture as a teen. Now his Gongfu Cafe & Bao in Ottawa, Canada, serves authentic tastes of the city.

Tarek Hassan is a 46-year-old Egyptian-Canadian who opened Gong Fu Cafe & Bao in Ottawa as an ode to Hong Kong’s traditional cha chaan teng cafe culture. Photo: Tarek Hassan
Hong Kong culture

Why the Year of the Horse 2026 could bring chaos but also great progress

With 12 animals and 5 elements, the Year of the Fire Horse comes around every 60 years and tends to bring both good fortune and bad.

Horoscopes

What’s your luck like in December 2025, the month of the Earth Rat?

It’s the luckiest month of the year for the Ox with the Rat being its astrological friend, while the Snake can also expect smooth sailing.

Hong Kong culture

Language Matters | The enduring legacy of bamboo, a symbol of resilience and strength in Asia

Bamboo is used in everything from construction to food throughout Asia, and even lends itself to global concepts like the ‘bamboo curtain’.

Bamboo poles are seen used in the construction of a pavilion in Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong. Bamboo is used in everything from construction to food throughout Asia. Photo: Eugene Lee
Food and Drinks

Best things to eat in Chaoshan, a food paradise in China’s Guangdong province

Chef Huang Jinghui reveals the secrets of Chaoshan cuisine – also called Chiu Chow cuisine – from seasonal seafood to lion-head goose.

Blanched Canadian geoduck in chicken broth at Jiang by Chef Fei. Photo: Mandarin Oriental Guangzhou
China consumption

Pursuit of hoppiness: how China’s cash-conscious drinkers embraced craft beers

As discerning alcohol consumers seek ‘wallet-friendly’ products, premium beers are winning out over higher-end options.

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Food and Drinks

Peking duck diplomacy? How a US president’s China visit made the dish famous

Richard Nixon’s televised China trip in 1972 was the first glimpse behind the ‘bamboo curtain’ for many and their first exposure to the dish.

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Women and gender

Being Chinese | Why Chinese women like me are done being quiet and ‘appropriate’

Chinese women are praised for gentleness. Our tone must please; our anger must be graceful. But a new generation is speaking out.

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Young women go through etiquette training at a vocational school in Beijing in 2007, ahead of the 2008 Olympics. Photo: Reuters
China consumption

China’s liquor capital faces long march to rebirth as ‘liquid gold’ glory wanes

In Maotai town, baijiu producers diversify offerings while expanding to markets such as Hong Kong and Southeast Asia amid a culture shift and economic challenges.

Illustration: Brian Wang
Art

Taiwan’s National Palace Museum marks 100-year history with stunning displays

The Taipei museum’s centennial exhibitions feature spectacular works spanning paintings, sculptures, pottery and more.

Food and Drinks

How Hong Kong-born chef’s Chinese kitchen knives are cutting through stigma

Chef says ‘made in China’ does not mean low quality and that his modern, affordable chef’s knives challenge ones from Japan and Germany.

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Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

How Bruce Lee hit the big time and other Hong Kong cinema highlights from 1972

Amid Bruce Lee’s rise to stardom, we look at what else made Hong Kong film headlines in 1972, from a Lee challenger to a local ‘Bond Girl’.

Bruce Lee in a still from Fist of Fury. The 1972 movie cemented the martial arts actor’s superstar status in the Hong Kong cinema industry. Photo: Criterion Collection
Trending in China

Explainer | What Chinese phrase ‘wearing small shoes’ means, how it links to painful bridal shoes

Idiom stretches back to ancient times, invokes acts of revenge and humiliation, is commonly used in today’s workplace.

Lessons from China's history

Reflections | From slapping body parts to National Games, China’s history of exercise

Used to train soldiers long before its benefits were taught to regular folk, exercise has become a matter of national resilience in China.

Food and Drinks

TCM gets a delicious, Insta-worthy makeover in food and drink

At these gelato and cocktail places in Shanghai and Kuala Lumpur, traditional Chinese medicine is the secret ingredient for their success.

Springtime Pomelo is a TCM-inspired drink at Que Tang Yu Fang in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which blends traditional Chinese medicine with modern flavours. Photo: Instagram/quetangyufang_my
World of performing arts

San Francisco Opera’s The Monkey King is a landmark in cultural exchange

This timeless Chinese folk tale retold as an opera is a sumptuous feast for the eyes and ears that provides a showcase of Chinese culture.

The tenor Kang Wang as the Money King with members of the San Francisco Opera Chorus in Huang Ruo and David Henry Hwang’s “The Monkey King”. The new opera premiered on November 17, 2025. (Photo: Cory Weaver/ San Francisco Opera)
Trending in China

Explainer | Why China Miao ethnic group shows love by biting each other; gentle bites mean unloving

Couple then hold engagement ceremony called ‘eating chicken’ to symbolise approval of marriage.

Art

How one factory is keeping Hong Kong’s porcelain craft alive

Set up in 1928, Yuet Tung China Works produces guangcai porcelain used by luxury hotels in Hong Kong and royal families in Europe.

Food and Drinks

One of the fastest Michelin stars ever – Hong Kong-born chef’s restaurant

Udtryk in Copenhagen, Denmark, gained a Michelin star just 41 days after it opened. Owner and chef Edward Lee recounts his culinary journey.

Croustade with lobster claw paired with pickled magnolia and lobster shell jelly at Udtryk, in Copenhagen, Denmark. Hong Kong-born chef Edward Lee’s latest restaurant opened on May 7 this year and gained its first Michelin star 41 days later. Photo: Restaurant Udtryk
Chinese zodiac predictions

Is the Year of the Snake’s 10th month lucky for you? Forecasts for all signs

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan breaks down this lunar month’s prospects for all 12 Chinese zodiac signs in health, love, work and finances.

Snakes grab the attention of young visitors during the Premium Pet Supplies Expo 2025 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on June 7, 2025. How’s your luck in the Year of the Snake’s 10th month? Feng shui master Andrew Kwan gives his predictions for all 12 Chinese zodiac animal signs. Photo: Nora Tam
Art

The enigmatic collectors’ society opening its vault of Chinese masterpieces

Hundreds of exceptional works go on show at HKMoA as a famously discreet circle of collectors marks its 65th year.

China-Japan relations

Japanese concerts cancelled in China as diplomatic row takes cultural toll

Fans of Kokia and JO1 left disappointed as diplomatic dust-up over Sanae Takaichi’s comments ripples out into the economy.

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