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Trending in China
The latest news, trends and events people are talking about on China's internet, social media and elsewhere.
A retired soldier in China has saved an elderly woman from the same river where he was rescued by a passer-by 35 years ago. Photo: Douyin/Weibo

‘Cycle of goodwill’: Chinese ex-soldier saves woman from river where he was once rescued

‘Superhero’ dad with bleeding feet drags drowning elderly woman to safety; tells her grateful, tearful daughter of amazing coincidence.

Chinese superstitions

China mum jailed for accidentally killing daughter by pressing her chest in ‘exorcism’

China undertaker criticised for disrespecting the dead for wearing make-up at work

China worker paints digger in pink Hello Kitty style ‘to satisfy girlish heart’

Woman dubbed ‘Excavator Empress’ says garish construction vehicle takes monotony out of ‘extremely boring’ job; brings ‘romance’ to work.

An excavator operator in China has painted her digger bright pink with Hello Kitty decorations, making it stand out on the construction site. Photo: Douyin
Mainland China

Video | Watch SCMP’s most watched viral videos of 2025

Watch SCMP’s most viewed viral videos of 2025.

Meituan

China food delivery platform names Jay Chou as brand ambassador, backed by lookalikes

Group of imitators including a wedding singer and pancake vendor strike internet gold by donning delivery driver uniforms; get 140 million likes.

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Cancer

Long queues at China snack stall to support owner, whose dead son leaves 3 kids

Grieving seller of traditional sweet skewered delicacies sees 15-fold rise in daily takings as students rally round after son’s cancer death.

Long queues have formed at a food stall in China in support of a vendor whose son died of cancer, leaving him with three young children. Photo: RedNote
Children in China

China parents buy AI clips of regretful single women to urge childless kids to marry

Fake videos show frustrated, unmarried, childless middle-aged women crying and venting in hospital hallways about their life choices.

China education

China teacher turns tardy boys into ‘wrongdoers boy band’; dance video gets million likes

‘Multitalented’ fun-loving educator makes boys late for lessons perform on classroom podium to delight of fellow pupils.

Artificial intelligence

China paralysed man, who can only move a finger and a toe, creates smart farm system, start-up

Man who survives on a ventilator teaches his mother to become a ‘super technician’, plans future experiments using state-of-the-art technology.

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A paralysed young man in China who can only move a finger and a toe, dropped out of primary school but taught himself electronic circuits by reading books. Photo: SCMP composite/CCTV
Children in China

China pupils, inspired by suspense novels, use chalk dust to crack code of classroom phone safe

‘Creative’ boarding school pupils subjected to official investigation, hit with ‘serious’ warnings; online observers praise their ingenuity.

Several Chinese secondary school pupils, inspired by suspense novels, used chalk dust to crack the code of their classroom’s mobile phone safe. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock
Pets

China owner of poisoned ‘smiling Shiba Inu’ berated for exploiting canine’s death

Tearful custodian of ‘cute and obedient’ animal with 500,000 online followers posts video of dead pet; is slammed and praised.

Women and gender

China woman shocked to see male therapist at spa appointment; mocked for ‘ignorance’

Undressed client balks on hearing voice of masseur; spa boss tells her ‘she is old enough to be his mum’ so he would not be ‘interested’ in her.

Social media

Live-stream ban for China influencer with 44 million followers who focused on breasts

‘Foul-mouthed’ content creator hosts 3-hour pool party with scantily clad women; applies lotion to body of participant to sell product.

A Chinese influencer with 44 million followers was banned after live-streaming a pool party with inappropriate content, leading to criticism over the platform’s tolerance for such material. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin
Children in China

China teacher suspended for cursing at noisy pupils, hoping they get the flu

Outburst by irritated music tutor targeting ‘naughty’ children strikes sour note as she tells critics to ‘mind your own business’.

A school teacher in China has been suspended for cursing at noisy and naughty pupils and saying that she hopes they catch the flu. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock
Fujian Type 003 aircraft carrier

China aircraft carrier allows use of naked flames for TCM therapy popular with troops

Military chiefs describe flames used in cupping treatment as ‘necessary fire’; say strict fire prevention code enforced on ship.

China village imposes ‘unjust’ fines for out-of-province marriage, cohabitation

Village committee accused of being ‘crazy for money’ after seeking to impose fines for being ‘rowdy while drinking’ and ‘spreading rumours’.

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Human trafficking

‘Can’t buy true love’: Chinese man abducted as child returns to birth family after reunion

Now 26, man says he ‘feels a deep sense of belonging’ after being reunited; works as volunteer with group who help find missing children.

A man in China who was abducted 21 years ago has been reunited with his biological parents and has quickly severed ties with his previous life. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin
Chinese superstitions

Explainer | How China Dai women use chickens to find husbands, reject unwanted suitors

Women in 1.3 million-strong ethnic minority group use price of a cooked chicken, secret meetings in the woods to find the ideal partner.

China education

China university offers US$11,000 ‘micro’ overseas study to help students pass failed exams

Private educational institute ‘coerces’ parents to fork out huge sums for non-existent study sessions or face their children being expelled.

Smoking and vaping

China mall fits glass windows on men’s toilet doors that turn transparent when users smoke

Privacy fears emerge over special technology introduced after no-smoking warnings and sloganeering failed to extinguish problem.

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In a bid to stop people lighting up, a shopping centre in China has installed glass windows on its men’s toilet doors that turn transparent when someone smokes. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Douyin
Icons and Influencers

Profile | China actress Mao Xiaotong abandoned by dad, rejects his post-fame cash demands

‘Cute and sweet’ exterior of 37-year-old actress hides an inner strength that saw her stand up to her ‘alcoholic’ father, philandering ex-boyfriend.

Chinese actress Mao Xiaotong, who known for her pure image, has endured severe hardships in her life, including being abandoned at birth by her father and discovering her boyfriend’s affair in 2017. Photo: SCMP composite/Weibo/QQ.com
Japan

Japanese tourist in China gets extreme kindness after car crash, changes perceptions

Amid Sino-Japanese tensions, woman describes treatment she received as ‘incredibly warm, genuine and professional’.

China education

China school awards pupils with merit certificate-imprinted bedding sets

Teachers praised for understanding ‘juvenile psychology’ by presenting children with personalised quilt covers, bedsheets, pillows at awards.

Chinese Basketball Association

Pair arrested for faking AI video featuring China women’s basketball star Wang

Two 32-year-old suspects, surnamed Lin and Chen, detained over video using images and manipulated voice of Wang Siyu, head coach Gong Luming.

In the fake video, the manipulated image of Wang Siyu (left) claims to have carried China during the 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup. Photo: Getty Images
Health & Fitness

Chinese woman resembles actress Joey Wong after losing 20kg, plans dance career

Married 32-year-old who piled on pounds by binge-eating charts weight loss journey online, now has better skin, new-found confidence.

A woman in China who became overweight because of binge eating has lost 20 kilogrammes and now looks like Taiwanese actress Joey Wong. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin/Sohu

China boy breaks US$280,000 gold crown on display; owner will not pursue damages

Golden headgear lovingly made by husband as wedding gift for wife suffers ‘serious damage’ as exhibition display case tumbles over.

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Cancer

China eatery owners use cancer-hit business rival’s payment QR code for day to raise funds

Well-liked 50-year-old who worked so hard ‘he had no time to go to the toilet’ feels love of fellow food sellers who raise US$2,900 in 24 hours.

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