after

applicationId

count

entityId

scmpPlusPaywallTypeIds

superTopicQueueName

topicPageQuery

hooksTopicWidgetQuery

topic

discoveryWidgetPostMagazineQueueQuery

chinaScienceDiscoveryWidgetQuery

hundredTopTablesDiscoveryWidgetQuery

openQuestionsSeriesDiscoveryWidgetQuery

appConfig

filter

entityUuid

advertZone

sponsor

name

urlAlias

hooksTopic

hooksUseDynamicMetaTags

topicAdsTopic

topicDescriptionTopic

topicHeaderTopic

topicRestContentsTopic

topicSeoTopic

topicTopContentsTopic

topicTopicPageTopic

queue

items

section

query topicPageQuery(
  $after: String
  $applicationId: String!
  $count: Int = 28
  $entityId: String!
  $scmpPlusPaywallTypeIds: [String]
  $superTopicQueueName: String!
) {
  ...hooksTopicWidgetQuery_49mQWb
  topic(filter: {entityId: $entityId}) {
    entityId
    entityUuid
    advertZone(version: 2)
    sponsor {
      name
      id
    }
    name
    urlAlias
    ...hooksTopic
    ...hooksUseDynamicMetaTags
    ...topicAdsTopic
    ...topicDescriptionTopic
    ...topicHeaderTopic
    ...topicRestContentsTopic
    ...topicSeoTopic
    ...topicTopContentsTopic
    ...topicTopicPageTopic_44JfPG
    id
  }
  superTopicQueue: queue(filter: {name: $superTopicQueueName}) {
    items(first: 10) {
      edges {
        node {
          __typename
          ... on Content {
            __isContent: __typename
            entityUuid
            ...homeSecondaryContentItemContent
            ...sectionTopLeadPrimaryContentItemContent
            ...topStoriesItemContent
          }
          ... on Node {
            __isNode: __typename
            id
          }
        }
      }
    }
    id
  }
}

fragment articleCommentArticle on Article {
  ...entityLink
  commentCount
  entityId
}

fragment blockquoteQuoteContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentShareWidgetContent
}

fragment checkersCheckContentContainsStarlingImageContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment chinaScienceDiscoveryWidgetQuery on Query {
  chinaScienceSection: section(filter: {entityId: "328475"}) {
    ...latestDiscoveryWidgetSection
    id
  }
  chinaScienceQueue: queue(filter: {name: "section_top_328475"}) {
    ...latestDiscoveryWidgetQueue
    id
  }
}

fragment contentActionBarContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  createdDate
  updatedDate
  publishedDate
  ...articleCommentArticle
  ...helpersIsArticleVideoAsHeroArticle
  ...helpersGetContentTypeNameContent
  ... on Article {
    hasVideoContent
  }
}

fragment contentCoverImageContent_2m5Gjt on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  images {
    url
    title
    type
    size1200x800: style(filter: {style: "1200x800"}) {
      url
    }
    size540x360: style(filter: {style: "540x360"}) {
      url
    }
  }
}

fragment contentCoverImageContent_34Njms on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  images {
    url
    title
    type
    landscape250x99: style(filter: {style: "landscape_250_99"}) {
      url
    }
    size540x360: style(filter: {style: "540x360"}) {
      url
    }
  }
}

fragment contentCoverImageContent_4hzFNJ on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  images {
    url
    title
    type
    size768x768: style(filter: {style: "768x768"}) {
      url
    }
    size540x360: style(filter: {style: "540x360"}) {
      url
    }
  }
}

fragment contentHeadlineContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  headline
  socialHeadline
  ...contentHeadlineTagContent
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
}

fragment contentHeadlineTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...hooksContentHeadlineTagContent
}

fragment contentLiveTagContent on Article {
  ...helpersCheckHasLiveTagArticle
}

fragment contentNewsletterWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    relatedNewsletters {
      ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
      id
    }
    id
  }
  sections {
    value {
      relatedNewsletters {
        ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
        id
      }
      id
    }
  }
  ... on Article {
    relatedNewsletters {
      ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment contentReadingTimeContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  readingTime
  flag
}

fragment contentSchemaRenderContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...blockquoteQuoteContent
  ...imageContent
  ...inlineWidgetContent
  ...photoGalleryWidgetContent
  ...scmpYoutubeContent
}

fragment contentSectionsContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  sections {
    value {
      ...helpersCheckIfNewsSectionInFirstIndexSection
      ...entityLink
      name
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment contentShareWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  shortUrl
  socialHeadline
  headline
}

fragment contentSponsorTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
}

fragment contentSubHeadlineContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  subHeadline {
    json
  }
  summary {
    json
  }
  ...contentSchemaRenderContent
}

fragment contentSummaryContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  __typename
  summary {
    text
  }
}

fragment contentTopicLinkContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    urlAlias
    ...entityLink
    ...topicLinkTopic
    id
  }
}

fragment discoveryWidgetPostMagazineQueueQuery on Query {
  postMagazineDiscoveryQueue: queue(filter: {name: "section_top_71"}) {
    items(first: 6) {
      edges {
        node {
          __typename
          ... on Article {
            entityId
            ...postMagazineDiscoveryItemContent
          }
          ... on Node {
            __isNode: __typename
            id
          }
        }
      }
    }
    id
  }
}

fragment entityFollowButtonBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  __typename
  ... on Section {
    entityId
    name
  }
  ... on Author {
    entityId
    name
    disableFollow
  }
  ... on Topic {
    entityId
    name
    disableFollow
  }
}

fragment entityLink on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  __typename
  entityId
  entityUuid
  urlAlias
  urlRedirect {
    toUrl
    id
  }
  application {
    entityId
    id
  }
  ... on Section {
    fullSectionPath {
      entityId
      id
    }
    parentSection
  }
  ...helpersAppBarVariantBase
  ...helpersApplicationBase
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusArticle
  ...helpersStyleSectionContent
}

fragment followButtonBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  ...entityFollowButtonBase
  entityId
}

fragment helpersAppBarVariantBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  ...helpersCheckIsLiveArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusPage
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesPage
  ...helpersCheckIsPostMagazineArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsStyleArticle
  ...helpersSectionContent
  ...helpersStyleSectionContent
}

fragment helpersApplicationBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesPage
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusPage
}

fragment helpersCheckHasLiveTagArticle on Article {
  flattenTypeIds
  liveArticle {
    status
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIfNewsSectionInFirstIndexSection on Section {
  name
}

fragment helpersCheckIsLiveArticle on Article {
  flattenTypeIds
  liveArticle {
    status
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsMainTopicContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPlusArticle on Article {
  paywallTypes {
    entityUuid
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPlusPage on Page {
  urlAlias
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPostMagazineArticle on Article {
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle on Article {
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPostiesPage on Page {
  urlAlias
}

fragment helpersCheckIsStyleArticle on Article {
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersGetArticleTypeNameArticle on Article {
  types {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersGetContentTypeNameContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  __typename
  ... on Article {
    ...helpersGetArticleTypeNameArticle
  }
}

fragment helpersIsArticleVideoAsHeroArticle on Article {
  multimediaEmbed {
    json
  }
}

fragment helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter on Newsletter {
  entityId
  name
  alternativeName
  description {
    text
  }
  summary {
    text
  }
  homepageDescription {
    text
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizeArticleTypeEntityIdsArticle on Article {
  types {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizeAuthorTypesArticle on Article {
  authors {
    types
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizedAuthorEntityIdsArticle on Article {
  authors {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersSectionContent on Section {
  fullSectionPath {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersStyleSectionContent on Section {
  fullSectionPath {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersUseContentSponsorContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    sponsor {
      ...sponsorTagSponsor
      name
      type
      id
    }
    id
  }
  ... on Article {
    sponsorType
  }
  ...helpersCheckIsMainTopicContent
}

fragment homePrimaryContentItemContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  ...entityLink
  ...helpersCheckHasLiveTagArticle
  ...hooksContentItemProvidersContent_3ULXzP
}

fragment homeSecondaryContentItemContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  ...entityLink
  ...helpersCheckHasLiveTagArticle
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
  ...hooksContentItemProvidersContent_1YUsN1
}

fragment hooksContentHeadlineTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ... on Article {
    types {
      value {
        name
        entityId
        description {
          text
        }
        id
      }
    }
    ...helpersCheckIsStyleArticle
  }
  flag
  sections {
    value {
      name
      id
    }
  }
  ...hooksContentHelperContent
}

fragment hooksContentHelperContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...helpersSanitizeArticleTypeEntityIdsArticle
  ...helpersSanitizeAuthorTypesArticle
  ...helpersSanitizedAuthorEntityIdsArticle
  flag
}

fragment hooksContentItemProvidersContent_14w7Xi on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentCoverImageContent_2m5Gjt
  ...contentHeadlineContent
  ...contentSummaryContent
  ...contentReadingTimeContent
  ...contentSponsorTagContent
  ... on Video {
    __typename
    ...videoDurationOverlayVideo
  }
}

fragment hooksContentItemProvidersContent_1YUsN1 on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentActionBarContent
  ...contentCoverImageContent_2m5Gjt
  ...contentHeadlineContent
  ...contentLiveTagContent
  ...contentSectionsContent
  ...contentSubHeadlineContent
  ...contentSummaryContent
  ...contentTopicLinkContent
  ...contentSponsorTagContent
  ... on Video {
    __typename
    ...videoDurationOverlayVideo
  }
}

fragment hooksContentItemProvidersContent_3TpHBe on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentActionBarContent
  ...contentHeadlineContent
  ...contentSectionsContent
  ...contentSubHeadlineContent
  ...contentSummaryContent
  ...contentTopicLinkContent
  ...contentSponsorTagContent
  ... on Video {
    __typename
    ...videoDurationOverlayVideo
  }
}

fragment hooksContentItemProvidersContent_3ULXzP on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentActionBarContent
  ...contentCoverImageContent_2m5Gjt
  ...contentHeadlineContent
  ...contentLiveTagContent
  ...contentSectionsContent
  ...contentSummaryContent
  ...contentTopicLinkContent
  ...contentSponsorTagContent
  ... on Video {
    __typename
    ...videoDurationOverlayVideo
  }
}

fragment hooksContentItemProvidersContent_Y5tau on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentActionBarContent
  ...contentCoverImageContent_4hzFNJ
  ...contentHeadlineContent
  ...contentSponsorTagContent
  ... on Video {
    __typename
  }
}

fragment hooksTopic on Topic {
  types
  sponsor {
    __typename
    id
  }
}

fragment hooksTopicWidgetQuery_49mQWb on Query {
  topic(filter: {entityId: $entityId}) {
    entityId
    ...hooksTopic
    ...topicAdsTopic
    ...topicMetadataDisplayTopic
    id
  }
  ...discoveryWidgetPostMagazineQueueQuery
  ...chinaScienceDiscoveryWidgetQuery
  ...hundredTopTablesDiscoveryWidgetQuery
  ...openQuestionsSeriesDiscoveryWidgetQuery_2uEaAo
  appConfig(filter: {entityId: "scmp_pwa_widget"}) {
    json
    id
  }
}

fragment hooksUseDeepLinkTagsBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  __typename
  urlAlias
  entityId
}

fragment hooksUseDynamicMetaTags on DynamicMetaTags {
  __isDynamicMetaTags: __typename
  metatags {
    key
    value
  }
}

fragment hundredTopTablesContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...entityLink
  ...hooksContentItemProvidersContent_Y5tau
}

fragment hundredTopTablesDiscoveryWidgetQuery on Query {
  hundredTopTablesQueue: queue(filter: {name: "section_top_517759"}) {
    items(first: 5) {
      edges {
        node {
          __typename
          ... on Article {
            entityId
            ...hundredTopTablesContent
          }
          ... on Node {
            __isNode: __typename
            id
          }
        }
      }
    }
    id
  }
  hundredTopTablesSection: section(filter: {entityId: "517759"}) {
    ...entityLink
    id
  }
}

fragment imageContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  headline
  ...checkersCheckContentContainsStarlingImageContent
}

fragment inlineWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentNewsletterWidgetContent
}

fragment latestDiscoveryWidgetQueue on Queue {
  items(first: 6) {
    edges {
      node {
        __typename
        ... on Article {
          entityId
          ...homeSecondaryContentItemContent
        }
        ... on Node {
          __isNode: __typename
          id
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

fragment latestDiscoveryWidgetSection on Section {
  urlAlias
  name
  entityId
  parentSection
}

fragment openQuestionsSeriesDiscoveryWidgetQuery_2uEaAo on Query {
  openQuestionSeriesTopic: topic(filter: {entityId: "518656"}) {
    name
    urlAlias
    contents(exclude: {paywallTypeIds: $scmpPlusPaywallTypeIds}, first: 6, orderBy: {field: PUBLISHED_DATE, direction: DESC}) {
      edges {
        node {
          __typename
          ... on Article {
            entityId
            ...homeSecondaryContentItemContent
          }
          id
        }
      }
    }
    id
  }
}

fragment photoGalleryDialogContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  __typename
  ...contentShareWidgetContent
}

fragment photoGalleryWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...photoGalleryDialogContent
}

fragment postMagazineDiscoveryItemContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  ...articleCommentArticle
  ...entityLink
  ...helpersCheckHasLiveTagArticle
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
  ...hooksContentItemProvidersContent_14w7Xi
}

fragment scmpYoutubeContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  publishedDate
}

fragment sectionTopLeadPrimaryContentItemContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  topics {
    ...followButtonBase
    id
  }
  ...entityLink
  ...contentCoverImageContent_34Njms
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
  ...hooksContentItemProvidersContent_3TpHBe
}

fragment sponsorTagSponsor on Sponsor {
  name
  type
  images {
    url
  }
}

fragment topStoriesItemContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...homePrimaryContentItemContent
  ...homeSecondaryContentItemContent
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
}

fragment topicAdsTopic on Topic {
  entityId
  advertZone(version: 2)
}

fragment topicDescriptionTopic on Topic {
  ...topicHeaderRelatedLinksTopic
  ...entityFollowButtonBase
  ...hooksTopic
  ...topicMetadataDisplayTopic
  extraMetadata {
    __typename
  }
  ...entityLink
  mobileImage: image(type: MOBILE_APP_IMAGE) {
    style(filter: {style: "300x300"}) {
      url
    }
  }
  name
  description {
    text
  }
  chineseName
  updatedDate
}

fragment topicHeaderRelatedLinksTopic on Topic {
  ...hooksTopic
  relatedLink {
    title
    url
  }
  relatedTopics {
    name
    urlAlias
    id
  }
}

fragment topicHeaderTopic on Topic {
  ...topicHeaderRelatedLinksTopic
  ...entityFollowButtonBase
  ...hooksTopic
  ...entityLink
  mobileImage: image(type: MOBILE_APP_IMAGE) {
    style(filter: {style: "300x300"}) {
      url
    }
  }
  name
  chineseName
  sponsor {
    ...sponsorTagSponsor
    id
  }
}

fragment topicLinkTopic on Topic {
  ...entityLink
  name
  shortName
}

fragment topicMetadataDisplayTopic on Topic {
  ...hooksTopic
  extraMetadata {
    key
    value
    topic {
      name
      ...entityLink
      types
      urlAlias
      mobileImage: image(type: MOBILE_APP_IMAGE) {
        style(filter: {style: "300x300"}) {
          url
        }
      }
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment topicRestContentsTopic on Topic {
  entityId
  advertZone(version: 2)
}

fragment topicSeoTopic on Topic {
  name
  description {
    text
  }
  urlAlias
  metaDescription
  ...hooksUseDeepLinkTagsBase
  ...hooksUseDynamicMetaTags
}

fragment topicTopContentsTopic on Topic {
  entityId
  advertZone(version: 2)
}

fragment topicTopicPageTopic_44JfPG on Topic {
  contents(after: $after, exclude: {paywallTypeIds: $scmpPlusPaywallTypeIds}, first: $count, filter: {applicationIds: [$applicationId]}, orderBy: {field: PUBLISHED_DATE, direction: DESC}) {
    edges {
      node {
        __typename
        __isContent: __typename
        entityUuid
        ...homeSecondaryContentItemContent
        ...sectionTopLeadPrimaryContentItemContent
        ...topStoriesItemContent
        id
      }
      cursor
    }
    pageInfo {
      endCursor
      hasNextPage
    }
  }
  id
}

fragment videoDurationOverlayVideo on Video {
  duration
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}


types

extraMetadata

relatedLink

relatedTopics

image

description

chineseName

updatedDate

metaDescription

parentSection

json

section_top_71

section_top_328475

section_top_517759

China is training super-pilots with qigong for stealth jet and drone battle

As the physical demands on top Chinese pilots continues to rise, an ancient form of exercise is keeping them fighting fit.


China-US study replicates ancient rice wine identified from 10,000 years ago

Researchers from Stanford and Chinese Academy of Sciences affiliate find evidence that people were drinking mijiu far earlier than realised.


SpaceX and the 7 dwarves: Chinese space firms line up to enter reusable rocket race

Chinese rocket companies ramp up efforts to close the gap with SpaceX while hoping to replicate its success with reusable rockets.


China’s hypersonic jumbo jet prototype hits Mach 6 in Gobi Desert test flight

Chinese institute reveals test footage of aircraft that could help turn dream of ‘one-hour global travel’ into reality.


China intrigued by Russia’s planned rail link to planet’s largest coalfield

A Chinese association reveals it is keeping an eye on a project that aims to unlock potentially trillions of tonnes of the fossil fuel.


Hopes for hepatitis B ‘cure’ with China-led treatment advance

Drug combination reaches key threshold for ‘functional cure’ of chronic liver infection that affects more than 250 million people worldwide.


Science

Your Hong Kong weekend drinks guide for December 12-14

Your Hong Kong weekend food guide for December 13-15

Dish in focus: honey baked feta from Middle Eastern restaurant Bedu

7 best Christmas cocktail menus in Hong Kong: from JW Marriott’s Asian-inspired mulled wine and a spin on Irish coffee, to spiked masala chai and naughty milkshakes

What is an izakaya and why do Hongkongers love these casual Japanese eateries? From Central’s Akatsuki and The Aubrey at the Mandarin Oriental, to the traditional En Tsim Sha Tsui and Rakuen

Trump, Cop29 and why Chinese eco-warrior Ma Jun sees green shoots of hope

NGO founder explains how mapping initiative helps hold authorities and companies accountable for carbon emissions and cover-ups.


Historian Jay Winter on why we aren’t heading towards WWIII yet and how wars have changed

US historian Jay Winter explains how the nature of war shifted after WWI and WWII, and the impact it has on the world today.


Middle East ‘the best place’ for China and US to cooperate, observer says

Prominent academic Pan Guang gives his view on Beijing’s role in conflict mediation, its engagement with the Global South, and belt and road security.


China’s property bender has led to long, tough hangover: economist Mao Zhenhua

Chinese economist Mao Zhenhua, who was among the first to spot weaknesses in the country’s real estate sector, says the era of large-scale construction which fuelled the property crisis has ended.


Justin Lin Yifu on China’s third plenum, overcapacity and avoiding Japan’s fate

Professor and economist Justin Lin Yifu says China’s industrial policy is paramount to continued development, tech innovation and the transition to higher productivity.


Why this China analyst says full decoupling is unlikely, and what’s missed in reform talk

Founder of Gavekal Dragonomics says efforts to dislodge China from global supply chains are unlikely to succeed and discussions of ‘reform’ from outside the country often miss vital context.


Open Questions series

Awol Erizku refuses to be typecast

Much more than the photographer behind Beyoncé’s viral pregnancy announcement, the multi-hyphenate artist arrives in Hong Kong with his street hieroglyphics.


The hottest new openings in Hong Kong, December 8-14

A wine bar and restaurant inspired by Melbourne vibes, harbour views atop the Star Ferry pier, steak in Wan Chai, and an old gallery’s new home.


Planning a Chinese family’s multigenerational holiday itinerary to Hokkaido, Japan

Keeping everybody happy on a multigenerational holiday to the Japanese island proved to be far simpler than feared.


Meet the man who brought poker out of Hong Kong’s shadows

Stephen Lai caught the gambling bug at university in England – on his return to Hong Kong, he played his cards right and formed the Hong Kong Poker Players’ Association.


Disappointed by your 2024 Spotify Wrapped? Blame Google’s AI

Spotify decided to shake things up for its 2024 Wrapped recap, employing Google AI to make a generative ‘podcast’ – but users were not impressed.


Inside the evolution of travel photography in Hong Kong

What did tourists in Hong Kong choose to photograph in earlier times, and how have these subjects changed – or not – over the years?


Why mahjong tiles changed from bamboo, ivory and bone to acrylic

‘One of life’s delights’ - a columnist reflects on the sheer joy generated by friends around a mahjong table.


Mahjang

Reflections | Why mahjong tiles changed from bamboo, ivory and bone to acrylic

‘One of life’s delights’ - a columnist reflects on the sheer joy generated by friends around a mahjong table.