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China Trend Watch

“God Won’t Save Us, but the PLA Will”: Floods, Faith, and Kung Fu Soccer Nostalgia

Also: the Hong Kong bookstore arrests that did not go trending, AI bank cards, Haaland becoming China’s summer meme king, and a delivery rider winning the Lu Xun Literature Prize.
Manya Koetse

Published

4 weeks ago

on

Welcome to China Trend Watch (Week 28–29 | 2026), where I bring you the latest trends, memes, and debates driving conversation across Chinese social media. Subscribe here to receive future editions.

 

In this issue, I’m catching you up on the stories you need to know about, including the extreme weather and the noteworthy narratives surrounding it, China’s second “DeepSeek moment,” the nostalgic summer hit at the cinemas, how the Hong Kong bookshop…

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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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1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. fred dijs

    July 24, 2026 at 10:56 am

    dit is niet de plek, manya, maar ik zou niet weten hoe ik het anders zou moeten doen… in le monde van vandaag staat een behoorlijk goed artikel over de flying tigers, waarover we al eens spraken, en de inzet van die club in het diplomatieke verkeer tussen china en de vs… zelfs, lijkt het wel, door xi jinping zelf… nou ja, zo… kijk maar even… https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2026/07/24/en-chine-la-celebration-opportune-des-tigres-volants-americains_6731341_3210.html

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China Memes & Viral

Auntie Goose Legs, China’s Shrinking Condom Market, and DeepSeek’s AI Blind Spot

If it walks like a duck, it might just be Auntie Goose Legs. A wrap-up of noteworthy trending stories in China. From the real Rolex recruiting fake crowds to diaper scares & a funny Deepseek moment.

Manya Koetse

Published

2 months ago

on

June 20, 2026

By

🔥 China Trend Watch (week 25 | 2026) Part of Eye on Digital China, this is my premium newsletter where I explain the stories, memes, debates, and viral moments shaping online conversations in China. This edition was sent to paid subscribers — subscribe to receive the next issue in your inbox.

China celebrated the more than 2,000-year-old Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) holiday this Friday, so I wish you health, good luck, and plenty…

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China Memes & Viral

A Chinamaxxing Brand, a Stressed-Out Possum, and Japan’s Lost Decades

How Adidas won and Nike lost, Japan’s lost decades as a mirror for China, and why a possum is the new workplace spirit animal.
Manya Koetse

Published

2 months ago

on

June 12, 2026

By

🔥 China Trend Watch (week 23-24 | 2026) Part of Eye on Digital China by Manya Koetse. Here I track and explain the stories, memes, debates, and viral moments shaping online conversations in China, so you don’t have to. This edition was sent to paid subscribers — subscribe to receive the next issue in your inbox.

 
What’s in this newsletter?

  • How Adidas turned a translation mistake into one of China’s most successful marketing campaigns.
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