China Health & Science

China’s Booming Breast-Massaging Business Not Without Risk

New mothers struggling with breastfeeding problems increasingly turn to one of China’s many breastfeeding massage companies. But the myriad unskilled swindlers profiting from the unregulated booming breast-massaging business can seriously worsen the problems breastfeeding moms are facing.

Published

10 years ago

May 23, 2016

Manya Koetse

New mothers struggling with breastfeeding problems increasingly turn to one of China’s many ‘breastfeeding massage’ companies. But the myriad unskilled swindlers profiting from the unregulated booming breast-massaging business can seriously worsen breastfeeding problems.

Breastfeeding moms dealing with difficulties in giving milk or suffering from inflamed breasts increasingly turn to ‘breastfeeding masseuses’ instead of going to the hospital, Xinhua newsreports. But because breastfeeding massage companies are unregulated, masseuses often overcharge their clients, are unskilled…

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Manya Koetse

Manya Koetse is a sinologist, writer, and public speaker specializing in China’s social trends, digital culture, and online media ecosystems. She founded What’s on Weibo in 2013 and now runs the Eye on Digital China newsletter. Learn more at manyakoetse.com or follow her on X, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

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Chapter Dive

Chinese Postdoc Death Raises Questions as Key Details Remain Missing

About a widely discussed “chilling effect”, the death of Chinese researcher Wang Danhao, and unanswered questions. (April 3 update included)

Published

6 months ago

April 1, 2026

Manya Koetse

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A Chinese postdoc’s reported suicide after questioning by US authorities became a top trending topic in China this week. Despite the widespread attention, key details remain unclear, highlighting broader concerns about the increasingly sensitive position of researchers across the US–China scientific landscape.

On March 27, news about…

Chapter Dive

The Fake Patients of Xiangyang: Hospital Scandal Shakes Welfare System Trust

Han Futao’s explosive report on fake patients and systemic abuse has triggered a heated online debate over hospital malpractices, the fragility of the welfare system, and the vital role of investigative reporting.

Published

8 months ago

February 15, 2026

Ruixin Zhang

In early February, as China settled into the quiet anticipation of the Chinese New Year, one of the country’s leading investigative journalists, Han Futao (韩福涛), dropped a bombshell report that sent shockwaves of anger across the country.

Han Futao is known for breaking massive scandals. In 2024, he exposed how tank trucks that delivered chemical products also transported cooking oil, without being cleaned. That food safety scandalsparked waves of outrage and prompted a…