1. Putin and Kim Jong-un to Attend China’s WWII Victory Commemoration

These days, the upcoming September 3rd military parade is trending virtually every day on Chinese social media. On August 28, it was announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un are both among 26 foreign heads of state and government leaders expected to attend China’s commemorative event marking the 80th anniversary of victory in the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II. Leaders from countries including Cambodia, Vietnam, Iran, and Cuba are on the guest list, underscoring China’s global alliances amid tense geopolitical climates.

Manya’s Take: That Putin would attend the upcoming major parade is no surprise, but the presence of Kim Jong-un is more noteworthy—especially alongside other confirmed attendees, including leaders from Indonesia, Pakistan, Nepal, Iran, Myanmar, Malaysia, Vietnam, and others. At the same time, there is a clear absence of leaders from Western countries. According to state-linked Weibo commentator “Zhu Tianxia” (@煮天下), there is strong historical justification for Kim’s attendance. Yet he also emphasized that Trump’s absence is a loss for Washington, given Trump’s repeated statements that he wished to meet Kim, while US–Russia diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine have so far yielded little progress. This makes the gathering of Xi, Putin, and Kim Jong-un in the heart of Beijing not just a commemorative event but a symbolic ‘win’ for China, underscoring its ever-growing and shifting role on the global stage.

2. ‘Not the Zong Fuli Era’: Zong Fuli on Wahaha Leadership After Zong Qinghou

On the first anniversary of her appointment as chairwoman of the Chinese food & beverage producer Wahaha Group (娃哈哈集团), Zong Fuli (宗馥莉, also known as Kelly Zong) gave an exclusive interview to Caijing (财经) magazine where she addressed succession, leadership challenges, and public controversies. Responding to the label of the Wahaha Group being in its “Zong Fuli Era” (宗馥莉时代), she dismissed the notion, emphasizing that a company belongs to “everyone who works hard within it,” not just a single individual. In the interview, Zong also spoke more about her views on running Wahaha, advocating long-term strategic growth over short-term results, and sharing her determination to not let controversy distract her from business operations.

Manya’s Take:
Zong Fuli has big shoes to fill. Her father, Wahaha founder and chairman Zong Qinghou (宗庆后), was one of China’s most beloved and respected businessmen. Since his passing in March 2024, Zong has also faced one controversy after another — from outsourcing some of Wahaha’s production to a cheaper water brand, to a high-profile family inheritance dispute involving three alleged illegitimate children living in the US. These issues have dented the company’s brand image. Her latest interview is therefore a timely one, in which Zong demonstrates resilience and determination to keep this much-loved Chinese brand thriving. Especially the fact that she’s staying humble (not wanting this to be he ‘Zong Fuli era’, is something many consumers are likely to appreciate, as humbleness was one of the reasons why people loved Zong Qinghou so much. Is it enough to undo the harm done to Wahaha’s brand image? Perhaps not, but it’s certainly a step in the right direction.

3. Meituan To Scrap Late-Delivery Fines By End-2025

An internal briefing from Chinese food delivery company Meituan (美团) said the platform will eliminate “overtime” penalties for delivery riders by the end of 2025. The company also highlighted “rider-friendly communities” (骑手友好社区) to ease entry to residential compounds via data-linked QR access; 24,700+ communities across 150 cities have reportedly been upgraded. The move follows long-running public concern over rider safety and algorithmic pressures. Many users welcomed the change while asking how timeliness metrics and customer expectations will be managed without fines.

Manya’s Take: In recent years, there has been more attention to the hardships faced by Chinese food delivery workers. Not only do they face many hard or unsafe circumstances while doing their job—from hot weather and thunderstorms to roads or communities that are difficult to enter—but their daily work is also monitored by algorithmic management tools that put extreme pressure on them to deliver their orders on time. Riders can get caught in “algorithm traps” (算法陷阱) because the faster they work, the stricter the algorithm tightens delivery windows, and they may face penalties or reduced earnings if they fail to meet the expected times. Although the cancellation of the late fees is good for drivers, many consumers are skeptical, arguing that their Meituan deliveries are already taking a lot of time—with late fees being canceled, people fear it will only take longer. With Meituan now facing fierce competition from others, including JD and Eleme, the new measure might end up working against Meituan in the food delivery war.

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4. Man Wearing Horror Mask on Highway Sparks Public Outrage

A video went viral on Weibo these days showing a man wearing a horror mask on the Changshen Expressway (长深高速), allegedly scaring nearby vehicles. The incident occurred on August 24 and was captured by another driver who claimed the masked man was intentionally frightening passengers. After an investigation, Hangzhou traffic police identified the individual as Hugo, a 42-year-old foreign teacher in Hangzhou, who was a passenger and claimed the mask was a spontaneous joke while retrieving snacks in the car. Police determined the act did not constitute a criminal offense but noted it could affect road safety. Although the incident triggered some online debates over road behavior and safety, many netizens also commented that the fuss was exaggerated given the lack of malicious intent or actual danger caused. But we do wonder if Hugo got into trouble at school 😂

The masked man that triggered controversy.

5. Shenzhen’s 12,000-Drone Light Show for 45th Anniversary

On August 26, Shenzhen celebrated the 45th anniversary of its Special Economic Zone with a record-breaking drone light show featuring 12,000 drones in a dual-venue performance at Renmin Square (市民广场) and Talent Park (人才公园). The show incorporated interactivity with the city lights and featured global artistic collaborations to tell a symbolic story about the history and transformation of the Special Economic Zone. The show drew tens of thousands residents and visitors from outside of Shenzhen, with some queuing five hours in advance. You can watch the full show here.

6. Xi Jinping Meets Cambodian Royalty Ahead of Anniversary

President Xi Jinping and First Lady Peng Liyuan met with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen Mother Monineath at Zhongnanhai on August 26. Xi invited King Sihamoni to attend China’s upcoming Tiananmen parade for the 80th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan and World War II. The visit is part of ongoing efforts to deepen the “ironclad” friendship between China and Cambodia.

7. Lu Xun Smoking Mural To Stay At Shaoxing Tourist Site

A mural depicting Chinese famous writer Lu Xun (鲁迅) holding a cigarette at his native place in Shaoxing has sparked debate after a citizen petitioned for its replacement over youth influence concerns. Site staff clarified the mural will not be changed. The discussion touches on historical authenticity versus public health messaging in cultural heritage spaces. Many commenters argued the depiction reflects the era and the author’s real-life image, while others called for more youth-oriented guidance nearby.

Manya’s Take: Lu Xun (1881–1936) was known for his heavy smoking, which ultimately contributed to his early death. There are many images of him holding a cigarette, and today this has sparked more discussion among younger generations who are increasingly aware of the dangers of smoking, with more people actively involved in efforts to discourage it. The debate around Lu Xun and his cigarette is perhaps comparable to Walt Disney. It is known that photos of Disney at Disneyland were retouched to remove his cigarette, in order to hide his habit from the children visiting the park—a decision that remains somewhat controversial. In the end, Lu Xun is not Walt Disney, and his legacy is not about being a role model for children but about being a major cultural figure in early 20th-century China. In this context, smoking should neither be romanticized nor censored. Instead, Lu Xun’s heavy smoking—reportedly as many as 50 cigarettes a day!—should also serve as a warning about how harmful smoking is. Lu Xun died at just 56, and he smoked until the very end of his life.

The controversial Lu Xun mural.

8. Esther Yu Surrounded by Controversy, Public Calls for Transparency

The hugely popular Chinese actress Esther Yu / Yu Shuxin (虞书欣) is at the center of a growing public controversy. She’s lost more than 720,000 followers in just one week after two issues resurfaced. First, an old reality show clip went viral showing her making harsh remarks about co-star Zhang Haoyue (张昊玥). More significantly, Chinese financial blogger “Lao Pan Caishang” (老潘财商) accused Yu’s father of funneling RMB 1.5 billion in state funds through private companies and possibly committing tax fraud or falsifying financial data. Combined with reports about her family’s wealth and legal troubles, netizens are now questioning whether Yu’s career was helped by improper financial backing. While the original allegations surfaced months ago, *Jimu News* is now calling for Yu’s team—and state authorities—to publicly address the matter and provide transparency.

9. “Middle-Class Darling” MUJI Faces Mass Closures Across China

Japanese lifestyle brand MUJI (无印良品) is facing a “closure wave” across China, shutting down numerous stores in cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Wuhan, and Changsha. Multiple branch managers cited declining foot traffic and reduced profitability. In response, MUJI’s official statement described these closures as a “normal operational adjustment.” Yet for many, the downsizing of what was once considered the “white moonlight of the middle class” (中产的白月光)—a hugely popular symbol of minimalist, middle-class lifestyle—is noteworthy. The news trended alongside reports of liquidation discounts and local store shutdowns. Quality controversies, such as a student scissors product failing safety inspections, have previously added pressure to MUJI’s reputation in China. Reactions are mixed: while some express continued love for MUJI, others complain that it is more expensive in China than in Japan, despite being manufactured locally.

10. Southwest University Faces Backlash Over “Food Delivery Monopoly”

Southwest University (西南大学) has sparked heated debate among students after announcing that the so-called “Xiaoshenghuo” (校生活) app (the “Campus Life” app) would become the sole authorized food delivery platform on campus. Under the new policy, outside couriers from food delivery companies like Meituan and Ele.me can no longer enter dormitory zones, with orders funneled through the designated app for secondary delivery to pickup lockers. The university said the change was meant to fix problems of lost or misplaced orders, but students worry about reduced choice, higher prices, and poorer efficiency. Reports note that the chosen company previously faced fines for food safety compliance failures, further intensifying suspicions of unfair contracting. Student feedback highlights longer delivery times, fewer restaurant options, and hidden costs—raising concerns that the school’s management measures are edging into monopoly territory.