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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.
A Chinese delivery company is offering a “paid-for kowtowing service” in which customers pay US$145 for someone to kneel before their parents if they cannot return home for the Lunar New Year. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/RedNote
Lunar New Year

China delivery firm offers kneeling service to send New Year greetings for customers

Paid for holiday festival package includes door cleaning, couplet hanging; critics say offer cheapens sanctity of filial piety, is disrespectful.

Quan Hongchan

China buzzes as Quan Hongchan named Sports Person of the Year, makes magazine debut

Chinese man loses US$130,000 on lottery, sues shop, authorities for ‘illegal process’

Icons and Influencers

China official dies after horse riding accident filming publicity clip for local agriculture

Trend-setting woman nicknamed the ‘most valiant culture and tourism director’ inspired others to follow in her footsteps.

A Chinese government official and influencer has died from injuries suffered in a horse riding accident while filming promotional content for local agriculture. Photo: SCMP composite/RedNote
Women and gender

China exit of top German lingerie brand as women prefer comfort, reject male gaze

Popularity of going braless plus growing desire for practicality sees purveyors of wire-free underwear brands push up sales.

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’.

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China's ageing population

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

South Korean-influenced reality shows rise in popularity, in part driven by mature women who are brutally honest about the men taking part.

Young viewers in China are increasingly drawn to dating reality shows which feature older contestants. Since 2018, China has embraced the genre, influenced by South Korean formats. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Weibo
Social media

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

Names hold deep significance in Chinese culture, symbolising hope, luck, and prosperity, especially during the Lunar New Year.

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 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.

Luckin Coffee’s store network spans more than 300 cities across mainland China. Photo: Handout
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.

A Chinese woman has made headlines after quitting her job at a property development company in Beijing to work as a quality inspector at a fish feeding centre on a remote island in the East China Sea. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin
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’.

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.

A Chinese influencer with three million followers has accused her assistant of using her password to access her home, wearing her clothes for photographs and using artificial intelligence to insert her image into her content. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/RedNote
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’.

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.

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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.

As we celebrate the Lunar New Year, it’s vital to observe customs that promote positive energy and good fortune. Photo: Sohu
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.

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.

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.

Some experts believe that the “Becoming Chinese” trend is a phenomenon that highlights a growing disillusionment among some non-Chinese individuals with their own societal norms. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/RedNote
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.

Yang Lijuan, dubbed China’s “most capable waitress,” began her career at Haidilao, a small hotpot restaurant 30 years ago; she is now the CEO of its overseas unit, Super Hi. Photo: SCMP composite/SCMP_Wu Hao/Sohu
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.

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.

A farmer in China used a drone to transport pigs causing a 10-hour blackout when a power line became entangled with the device. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin
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.

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.

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