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Trending in China

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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.
Young people in China, labelled “love-brained” on social media, seek live-streams and influencers for “scolding” to gain visibility and guidance, reflecting a rise in the country’s emotional economy. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock
Dating

Emotional economy boom: China ‘love-brained’ youth seek strangers’ ire for guidance

People obsessed with love pay for tongue-lashing from self-styled influencers; some consider growing trend a form of ‘public humiliation’.

China's ageing population

Why young China viewers are being drawn to dating shows with older contestants

Social media

Stars with names sounding like Chinese character for horse gain popularity in China

videocam
Parenting: newborns to toddlers

‘My doll is like my child’: China Gen Z’s craze for cotton kids sparks debate

So-called doll mummies create mainland market worth US$1.4 billion; say toy companions of ‘emotional support’; even ‘smell’ like their owners.

China’s Generation Z are embracing the notion of “becoming mothers without pain” by nurturing stuffed toys as if they are real babies. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Douyin
China’s private sector

Luckin’s 30,000th store milestone adds buzz to China’s brewing coffee battle

Xiamen-headquartered chain pushes to integrate supply network worldwide and accelerate growth in markets from Asia to the US.

Environment

China woman leaves city job to live on uninhabited island, loves off-grid lifestyle

Former property development executive swaps rat race for ‘harsh’ and ‘stormy’ remote island; lives off plentiful supply of eels, crabs.

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Dating

New China dating trend sees people refer exes to new prospects, like job referrals

As trust in traditional dating techniques declines, people place ads detailing selling points of ex-partners in ‘second-hand market’.

Young people in China are embracing a dating trend that involves referring former partners to others, like a job referral. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock
Lunar New Year

Small China pupil praised for carrying large load of luggage home for New Year

Teenager uses skills learned at ‘military-style’ summer camps to pack quilt, mosquito tent, slippers, training shoes; secures items with ropes.

Icons and Influencers

Assistant of successful China influencer steals identities, earns US$158,000 in tips

Identity thief steals fashion content creator’s photographs; wears her pyjamas, stockings to stage lucrative live-streaming sessions.

Social media

How group live-streaming thrives in China, reshapes global industry dynamics

With online viewers in command, multi-person entertainment model is taking industry by storm; some stars earn US$390,000 in just one night.

The landscape of live-streaming is evolving, particularly with group live-streaming sessions in China, which typically feature five online idols performing sexy dances. Photo: SCMP composite/RedNote
Women and gender

China women pay for ‘companions’ in role-playing games, spark love debate

Sociologists suggest that many Chinese women view role-playing games as a safe, low-risk opportunity to ‘rehearse romance’.

A trend is growing among Chinese women that involves hiring a “love companion” during script-killing games where participants engage in a fictional scenario, often with a male host. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/RedNote
China’s private sector

China’s Year of the Horse shoppers let emotional satisfaction take the reins

Brand prestige fades in importance as consumers favour festival-themed toys, playful designs and pet items.

Lunar New Year

What to eat, say, or buy at Lunar New Year to bring positive energy, good fortune

From colours and hidden coins to language and gifts, the SCMP runs the rule over taboos that surround the annual festivities approach.

Medicine

Foreigners flock to China for cheaper medical treatment, drawn by free visa policy

Number of foreign visits to mainland hospitals spikes to 1.28 million in 2025, a rise of 73 per cent on the number 3 years ago.

Many foreigners are seeking medical treatment in China, attracted by the free visa policy and lower costs compared to their home countries. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Xinhua
Icons and Influencers

Silver surfers: how China ‘granfluencers’ steal spotlight, taking over social media

Some firms managing granfluencers exploit young people’s compassion by scheduling late-night live-streams for seniors to encourage tipping.

China is experiencing a surge in “granfluencers,” senior social media creators, driven by a significant rise in internet use among the elderly, aged 60 and older. Photo: SCMP composite/RedNote
United States

Cultural currents: how ‘Becoming Chinese’ trend is transforming Western lifestyles

Although trend may not persist indefinitely, cultural imitation driven by digital platforms will resurface time and again, expert says.

Haidilao

China ‘most capable waitress’ begins career at top hotpot chain; is overseas unit CEO

‘Loyal’ lowly restaurant worker makes meteoric rise to top of corporate career ladder; leads projects to boost company profits, takes chain global.

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Chinese superstitions

Why traditional Chinese paper horses are burned during festivals, big life events

Equine woodblock prints with long and varied history spanning dynasties are still used today; provide evidence of key printing technique.

We explain why paper horses which are traditional Chinese woodblock prints of deities are often burned during festivals or significant life events. Photo: SCMP composite/Sohu/daliwenlv.com/chinafolklore.org
Mainland China

Video | Terrifying rescue of boy stuck on amusement park ride in China

The boy was left hanging in mid-air until firefighters rescued him.

China farmer uses drone to move pigs, causes power outage when cables get ensnared

Mountainside farmer blames darkness, low visibility for porker bungle; police say he could face punishment for damaging electricity lines.

Disease

Chinese boy, 10, fights leukaemia, calls medicines ‘dessert’ before dying

Optimistic youngster who always thought of others despite his pain described as an ‘angel’, is buried on mountain overlooking family home.

A 10-year-old boy in China who fought a brave fight against leukaemia died this month. He arranged for his burial on a mountain to watch over his family. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin
Icons and Influencers

China celebrity known for photo of chubby face, scornful looks is unemployed

Short-lived online sensation who spawned internet memes including the Mona Lisa, Marilyn Monroe reveals his life out of the spotlight.

Two decades ago, a Shanghai teenager became famous for a photograph of his chubby face and disdainful expression, marking him as a first-generation celebrity. Photo: SCMP composite/Baidu
Animals

Story of China woman and wolf son gains renewed fame, gets 2.8 billion views online

Touching journey back to the wild of a rescued cub which grew up among humans and dogs leaves animal’s ‘mother’ in tears.

Icons and Influencers

China retail chain boss rescues man by pulling car from freezing river, earning high praise

Despite numerous health problems, 60-year-old entrepreneur ventures into icy water to pull stricken vehicle and its owner to safety.

China woman accidentally leaves tap on, turns community into ice rink overnight

Father scolds forgetful daughter whose water tank leaked for nine hours; mother buys all salt in local shops to melt ice.

A woman in China accidentally left her water tap on, flooding her residential community and turning it into an ice rink after the water froze overnight. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin/news.china.com
Parenting: teens

Clip of China dad’s fit of rage over daughter drying hair with tissues gains 110 million views

Enraged man loses control, slams plastic chair at bedroom door as daughter hides inside; smashes up hairdryer.

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A Chinese father became violent after suspecting his daughter of using tissues instead of a towel to dry her hair, resulting in a smashed hairdryer and a kicked door. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin

China woman adjusts community traffic mirror for better feng shui, causing series of accidents

Police called in after woman and her family suffer a run of bad luck, health; officers say superstitious behaviour could constitute criminal offence.

China education

China parents use giant homework papers to motivate kids, divide public opinion

As moves to ease academic pressure continue, some children embrace oversized learning while others see huge bits of paper as toys.

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