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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 man who won an iPhone 17 Pro Max at his company’s year-end party was surprised to find tiles inside the box instead. It was his team manager’s idea of a prank. Photo: SCMP composite/RedNote
iPhone

Chinese man wins iPhone at firm’s party, finds tiles in box instead, seeks apology

Employee keeps unopened ‘iPhone’ box prize until he gets home to show wife; is dumbfounded to find ceramic slabs, chocolates, lollipops inside.

Lunar New Year

Cyber New Year trending with China youth who buy virtual goods, use digital incense

Dating

China dating scene sees rise in ‘hunter-style lovers’ who are attentive and caring

Scams and swindles

Public fury as China mental hospitals recruit fake patients for insurance scam

‘Healthy’ so-called patients lured into psychiatric facilities with promise of long, cheap stay; receive little treatment, face ‘beatings’.

A number of psychiatric hospitals in central China have been exposed for luring healthy people to pose as mental patients in a scheme to defraud medical insurance. Photo: SCMP composite/Weibo/Douyin
Parenting: teens

Chinese mum makes ‘thunder breakfast’ for son, goes viral with 900 million views

Stung by online critics who accuse her of neglect over morning meal choices, woman gets creative with bizarre line-up of dishes.

Chinese superstitions

Garlic in brides’ dowries: symbol of frugality and household management in China

More than a kitchen staple, garlic is revered as a ‘divine herb’; boasts 3,000-year legacy in medicine, rituals, home protection.

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China technology

Chinese woman, 30, earning US$140,000 a month running marketing firm retires

Deng says she has had strong business instinct from young age; opened store selling educational products after university graduation.

A 30-year-old woman from China, earning over 1 million yuan a month and leading a company in the performance marketing sector, has made headlines by announcing her retirement. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin
China technology

Opinion | ‘Becoming Chinese’ memes reflect a world shaped by China’s ascent

The memes are really about how deeply global digital life is embedded in Chinese-built systems – and how comfortable young people are with that.

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Children in China

China ‘genius’ girl, 10, invests lucky money in gold to keep parents from spending

On social media, many humorously asked the mother about her daughter’s next investment move.

China's population

Glimmer of hope? Why China’s marriage uptick could spark 2026 birth rebound

Double-digit jump in registration rate, boosted by policy and cultural tradition, offers modest upturn, but demographers are wary of weak fertility intentions.

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A couple participates in a group wedding in August, in China’s Guangdong province. Photo: Getty Images
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.

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
Quan Hongchan

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

Nation’s Olympic diving darling marks her move into adulthood by showcasing photographs which cast her in a new light.

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

Big-spending loser who was told by agent to bet responsibly, was aware of gambling risks, has case thrown out by court.

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.

German lingerie brand Triumph recently left the mainland China market, highlighting a trend where women are opting for comfortable, wire-free and sports bras over underwire styles. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/cb.com.cn
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

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

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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.

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Draco Malfoy, middle on top row, a fictional character from the Harry Potter series, along with celebrities whose names resemble the Chinese character “Ma,” have unexpectedly gained popularity in China. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Sohu/Weibo/Douyin/IG@t22felton
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.

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’.

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.

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