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Chinese history

Chinese history
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Chinese history. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
A luxury poon choi from Hong Kong restaurant Duddell’s. Poon choi is a popular meal for family gatherings during the winter solstice in China. Photo: Nicholas Wong / Sixteen Photography
Chinese culture

Explainer | What is the winter solstice? History, food and how Hong Kong celebrates

Known as dung zi in Cantonese and dongzhi in Mandarin, the winter solstice is one of the most important celebrations for Chinese families.

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China-Japan relations

Tower of peace or sin? Why China says a Japanese wartime monument must be razed

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Books and literature

Hidden histories of China revealed at rare book fair in Hong Kong

History

After The War | Virtual reality and the Nanking massacre: where does immersion become trauma?

Amid push in China for museum digitalisation, one educator seeks to help students ‘feel history without being flooded by it’.

Simon Li, executive director of the Hong Kong Holocaust and Tolerance Centre, with students (from second left) Kavira S. Kazimoto, Gem Peduche and Josue Camarena, at Andrews University’s Hong Kong campus. Photo: Handout
Chinese culture

5 of the best-known horses in Chinese legend, from the Red Hare to qilin

Horses play a fascinating role in Chinese folklore, ranging from the downright disturbing – one kidnaps a girl – to the gently auspicious.

US-China relations

After The War | How an American family’s wartime bond with China brings the countries together

Daughter-in-law of Flying Tiger who taught in Fujian province sees lessons in ordinary people always finding ways to understand one another.

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Lessons from China's history

Reflections | Ancient China’s Labubu-like doll craze also saw fans splurge silly money

Mohele dolls featured expensive ‘special editions’, saw designer collaborations and even inspired cosplay, much like Labubus today.

Labubus hang for sale at a market in New York’s Times Square in November 2025. The dolls’ unprecedented popularity has led their value to surge as many buy them as investments and keep them entombed in plastic cases. Photo: Reuters
Science

US green tech retreat echoes mistake of China’s Qing dynasty before collapse

While Washington pulls back on climate, Beijing is making it possible for developing nations to leapfrog into a cleaner energy era.

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Art

Famous horse-related works of art as the Year of the Horse 2026 approaches

To celebrate the nearing Year of the Fire Horse, we look at paintings, books and plays that show how the use of horses in art has evolved.

Chinese culture

Why the Year of the Horse 2026 could bring chaos but also great progress

With 12 animals and 5 elements, the Year of the Fire Horse comes around every 60 years and tends to bring both good fortune and bad.

The Year of the Fire Horse begins on February 17, 2026. Being a “double fire” year, it could mean drastic change ahead. Photo: Shutterstock
Chinese culture

Language Matters | The enduring legacy of bamboo, a symbol of resilience and strength in Asia

Bamboo is used in everything from construction to food throughout Asia, and even lends itself to global concepts like the ‘bamboo curtain’.

Bamboo poles are seen used in the construction of a pavilion in Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong. Bamboo is used in everything from construction to food throughout Asia. Photo: Eugene Lee
Lessons from China's history

Reflections | In wake of Tai Po blaze, China’s long and difficult struggle fighting fire

The qualities that made buildings beautiful in premodern Chinese cities also made them dangerously flammable, and fire was a constant threat.

Trending in China

China boy, 14, acts like ancient scholar, turns bedroom into museum of artefacts

Teenager with a passion for history collects items stretching across China’s dynasties; says packed bedroom is the ‘container of my spirit’.

Lessons from China's history

Reflections | ‘Mar-a-Lago faces’ echo Chinese elites’ unhealthy attempts to please a king

King Ling of Chu’s preference for his officials to be thin-waisted saw them practically starve themselves in efforts to win royal approval.

US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle speaks during the Republican National Convention in July 2024. Guilfoyle is one of Trump’s allies said to have a “Mar-a-Lago face”, which typically features inflated lips and sharply sculpted contours. Photo: AP
Lessons from China's history

Reflections | From slapping body parts to National Games, China’s history of exercise

Used to train soldiers long before its benefits were taught to regular folk, exercise has become a matter of national resilience in China.

新华社照片，广州，2025年11月9日 这是11月9日拍摄的开幕式现场表演。 当日，第十五届全国运动会开幕式在广东奥林匹克体育中心举行。 新华社记者 卢汉欣 摄
Art

The enigmatic collectors’ society opening its vault of Chinese masterpieces

Hundreds of exceptional works go on show at HKMoA as a famously discreet circle of collectors marks its 65th year.

Chinese culture

Shameful period? How China’s Qing dynasty brought both wealth and humiliation

China’s final dynasty saw the arts and economy thrive under Manchu rule. But internal and external struggles corroded centuries of stability.

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Lessons from China's history

Reflections | Andrew’s loss of ‘prince’ title echoes the downfall of China’s past royals

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s fall from prince to commoner mirrors how many disgraced royals in imperial China also lost their titles.

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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor at the coronation ceremony of King Charles and Queen Camilla, in London, in May 2023. Last month, Charles moved to strip Andrew of his princely title entirely. Photo: Reuters
Chinese culture

How China’s Ming dynasty brought us everything from porcelain to novels

The prosperous Ming dynasty restored Han Chinese rule after the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty and introduced numerous cultural and social changes.

Chinese zodiac predictions

What’s your luck like in November 2025, the month of the Fire Pig?

The Pig symbolises wealth in Chinese culture – it’s also a ‘double month’, meaning both good luck and bad energy are doubled.

Chinese culture

How China changed during the Yuan dynasty, when Mongols ruled

Mongol rulers shook up Chinese society as Silk Road trade routes thrived, paper money became common and China’s influence in Eurasia grew.

A statue of Kublai Khan, China’s first Mongol emperor, in the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar. The Yuan dynasty brought about big changes in China, but also a big increase in the country’s influence across Eurasia. Photo: AFP
Lessons from China's history

Reflections | How Asean differs from the alliances of China’s Warring States Period

Asean’s consensus-driven approach, based on non-aggression, generally fosters regional peace, unlike the factious alliances in China’s past.

(From left) Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, from left, East Timor’s Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao and East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta during the 47th Asean summit, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in October 2025. Despite criticisms, Asean’s consensus-driven approach fosters regional peace. Photo: AP
Women and gender

‘New women but no new men’: feminist evolution unfinished in China, scholar says

Wang Zheng says many women in China may have redefined their roles but, as with much social progress, there have been setbacks.

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Hong Kong

Letters | Hong Kong and the irony of history

Readers discuss the transformation of Hong Kong, and viewer memories of Benz Hui.

Lessons from China's history

Reflections | How Trump’s new ballroom echoes the grand monuments of China’s emperors

Many monuments built by the emperors of old were architectural marvels and stunning spectacles of power, but perilous in consequence.

US President Donald Trump’s new White House ballroom, privately funded at an estimated cost of US$250 million, echoes the monuments built by China’s ancient emperors. Photo: The White House
Hong Kong society

‘Highest security standards’ at Hong Kong Palace Museum for ancient Egypt show

Museum is putting on show three Egyptian statues, including one weighing 1.8 tonnes, ahead of main exhibition.

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A 2.4-metre (7.9-foot) tall statue of the pharaoh Merenptah is uncrated at the Hong Kong Palace Museum. Photo: Sam Tsang
Chinese culture

The Song dynasty was a great time for China. But a terrible one for many women

While the Song dynasty saw huge advancements in culture, commerce and technology, it also gave rise to the horrific practice of foot binding.

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History

Where do witch hats come from? China’s Tarim mummies may hold the answer

The ‘witch hat’-wearing mummies have long caused debate among historians. Could they suggest Europeans reached Asia earlier than we thought?

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