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Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year Brings a Baby Boom

The new Lunar Year will bring a baby boom in mainland China. Not only because the ‘two child policy’ has come into effect, but also because the Year of the Monkey is a particularly good time to have a baby: kids born under this zodiac are generally believed to be smart and happy.

Manya Koetse

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The new Lunar Year will bring a baby boom in mainland China. Not only because the ‘two child policy’ has come into effect, but also because the Year of the Monkey is a particularly good time to have a baby: kids born under this zodiac are generally believed to be smart and happy.

Many people in China believe that children born in the Year of the Monkey are smart, resourceful, confident and happy (“聪明机智自信快乐”).…

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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China Memes & Viral

Spring Festival Trend Watch: Gala Highlights, Small-City Travel, and the Mazu Ritual Controversy

Some stories going viral during the holiday season seem to exist in a recurring social cycle of their own.

Manya Koetse

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🔥 China Trend Watch (week 8 | 2026) Part of Eye on Digital China by Manya Koetse, China Trend Watch is an overview of what’s trending and being discussed on Chinese social media. The previous newsletter was a chapter dive into the story of China’s latest hospital scandal. This edition was sent to paid subscribers — subscribe to receive the next issue in your inbox.

One Shanghai woman was so disappointed by what…

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Chinese New Year

Inside Chunwan 2026: China’s Spring Festival Gala

Watch the CGM Spring Festival Gala with us. It’s that special annual evening show that captures millions of viewers on the night of the Chinese New Year. Loved by many, hated by some, it always generates social media buzz.

Manya Koetse

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🔴 This liveblog is complimentary today:. Support us and get future newsletters in your inbox by subscribing on the main site or Substack (same content), or buy us a cup of tea 🍵

Watch the CGM Spring Festival Gala with us. It’s that special annual evening show that captures millions of viewers on the night of the Chinese New Year. Loved by many, hated by some, it always generates social media buzz. We’ll bring…

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