About What’s on Weibo
What’s on Weibo is an independent news site, led by Manya Koetse, dedicated to reporting social trends in an ever-changing China. What’s on Weibo sheds light on Chinese social media, dynamic digital culture, and the key shifts shaping modern China.
With a strong focus on China’s online media environment, What’s on Weibo aims to explain the story behind the hashtag and in doing so, hopes to build a small bridge between Western and Chinese online media spheres. It is meant for people and companies to create a deeper understanding of China today and the growing importance of the Internet, social media, digital developments, brands, and popular culture in the PRC. We report on prominent trends, as well as the stories behind the headlines, on major social media platforms such as Weibo, WeChat, Douyin, Bilibili, and Xiaohongshu.
What’s on Weibo is fully independent, and is not affiliated with Sina Weibo in any way. There’s no major news site backing us, no political parties supporting us, and no big brands sponsoring us. Please subscribe here to support us!
What’s on Weibo articles have been featured and mentioned by numerous international media from all around the globe, including BBC, Buzzfeed, Business Insider, Caixin Global, Calcalist, China Daily, China Digital Times, CNBC, Daily Mail, Global Times, GeenStijl, Huffington Post, International Business Times, La Tribune, Munchies, New York Post, New York Times, Newsweek, NOS, NPR, Newsweek, Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Parool, Spiegel Online, South China Morning Post, Time (magazine), The Guardian, The Sun, The Week, That’s Mag, VICE Magazine, USA Today, Washington Post, 360 Magazine, 內幕雜誌 [Inside Magazine], 新浪 [Sina News], and many others.
Readers can become a What’s on Weibo (premium) member here, and can support our site by donating here. Do you want to become a contributor? Please contact us!
Editor-in-Chief
Manya Koetse
Founder & Editor-in-chiefManya Koetse is a China media watcher and the founder and editor-in-chief of whatsonweibo.com. She is a writer, public speaker, and researcher (Sinologist, MPhil) on social trends, digital developments, and new media in Mainland China, with a focus on Chinese society, pop culture, and gender issues. She shares her love for hotpot on www.hotpotambassador.com.
Manya founded What’s on Weibo in 2013 to provide societal, cultural, and historical insights into an ever-changing China through the lens of social media. What’s on Weibo is fully managed by Koetse, who has authored around a thousand articles on this site over the past decade.
For more about What’s on Weibo and its media coverage, see about What’s on Weibo. For more about Manya’s media appearances, from BBC World to CCTV, see Manya’s personal website.
Email:manya@whatsonweibo.com
Contributing Editor
Miranda Barnes
Assignment EditorMiranda Barnes is a Chinese blogger, media watcher, and part-time translator. She has a strong interest in Chinese online media and culture, and has been What’s on Weibo’s assignment editor, selecting news events and feature stories, since the summer of 2017. Born in Shenyang, and having lived in Beijing, Barnes is now based in London together with her British husband. On www.abearandapig.com they share news of travels around Europe and Asia.
Contributing Researcher/Author
Ruixin Zhang
ContributorRuixin is a Leiden University graduate, specializing in China and Tibetan Studies. As a cultural researcher familiar with both sides of the ‘firewall’, she enjoys explaining the complexities of the Chinese internet to others.
Periodic Contributor
Wendy Huang
ContributorWendy Huang is a China-based Beijing Language and Culture University graduate who currently works for a Public Relations & Media software company. She believes that, despite the many obstacles, Chinese social media sites such as Weibo can help Chinese internet users to become more informed and open-minded regarding various social issues in present-day China. Check out her stories here.
