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Fran Lu
Reporter, Culture
Fran has been a reporter since 2014, mainly covering social and cultural stories about China. She writes about lifestyle, social trends and youth culture.
Fran has been a reporter since 2014, mainly covering social and cultural stories about China. She writes about lifestyle, social trends and youth culture.
Areas of Expertise:
Society, culture, artLanguages Spoken:
English, Mandarin
Epic New Year journeys by land and sea 2,000 years ago used to take a month to complete; then nation began developing transport systems.
Increasing demand from retirees leaves country facing challenge of finding ‘deeper’ learning strategies, not just ‘hobby’ courses.
Employee keeps unopened ‘iPhone’ box prize until he gets home to show wife; is dumbfounded to find ceramic slabs, chocolates, lollipops inside.
Growing number of love seekers are on the lookout for observant and thoughtful partners; experts say trend is based on science.
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On social media, many humorously asked the mother about her daughter’s next investment move.
Trend-setting woman nicknamed the ‘most valiant culture and tourism director’ inspired others to follow in her footsteps.
Popularity of going braless plus growing desire for practicality sees purveyors of wire-free underwear brands push up sales.
South Korean-influenced reality shows rise in popularity, in part driven by mature women who are brutally honest about the men taking part.
Identity thief steals fashion content creator’s photographs; wears her pyjamas, stockings to stage lucrative live-streaming sessions.
Some firms managing granfluencers exploit young people’s compassion by scheduling late-night live-streams for seniors to encourage tipping.
‘Loyal’ lowly restaurant worker makes meteoric rise to top of corporate career ladder; leads projects to boost company profits, takes chain global.
Equine woodblock prints with long and varied history spanning dynasties are still used today; provide evidence of key printing technique.
Optimistic youngster who always thought of others despite his pain described as an ‘angel’, is buried on mountain overlooking family home.
Police called in after woman and her family suffer a run of bad luck, health; officers say superstitious behaviour could constitute criminal offence.
Police forced to take youngsters into their care after mother and father fail to answer phone calls; anger online as parents get off with warning.
Pregnant 31-year-old manicurist beaten and stabbed to death in own home; police arrest suspect after viewing surveillance footage.
32-year-old with difficult past suffers sudden heart attack; wife says if she could turn back time, she would ‘force him to quit his job’.
Serial ‘loser’ in business undergoes a reputational rejuvenation; is hailed as a ‘philanthropist’ after helping treat kids with birth defects.
Porker killing event sparks stampede of visitors to 23-year-old’s home; spawns series of copycat events raising safety fears.
In digital age, spiritual practices are evolving as various apps and devices now digitise rituals like incense burning, Buddhist chanting.
Mandopop queen’s stage set said to contain ‘dark elements from Western religions’; fans liken it to Olympic Games opening ceremony.
Unique tradition sees pottery dried in sunlight, fired on open bonfires; male members of group banned from even looking at items.
While many praise boy’s thoughtfulness, his mum says they never taught him about filial piety, but involving him in caring for elderly at home.
Reflecting on initial diagnosis at 18, Xia shares feelings of being lost and in pain but now strives to ‘spend every day as if it were my last’.
Musician plays ‘farewell song’ for dying mother who sacrificed her own romantic happiness to bring up child alone.
Mother blames stress of debt incurred to give girl a ‘better’ education for punishment; netizens say she should ‘see a psychiatrist’.
Officials at scared mountainside sanctuary threaten to close shrine to visitors permanently; online observers decry disrespect to Buddhism.
Following move to tax condoms, contraceptives, online observers deride Beijing move as desperate attempt to boost birth rates.
Working-on the run craze hits big cities as some firms formalise fitness regimes; trend mirrors rise in popularity of marathon running.
