China Insight

Student Helps Old Lady and Is Accused – China’s Bystander Problem

This is not the first time a ‘Good Samaritan’ gets into trouble in China. There are many stories of people who are disadvantaged for helping others in need.

Published

11 years ago

September 11, 2015

Manya Koetse

When an Anhui student was blamed for causing the fall of the elderly woman she helped, she decided to take matters into her own hands and look for eyewitnesses on Weibo. The case has now became a matter of online debate.

It has become somewhat of an urban Chinese legend: a passerby assists an old lady who has fallen down, and is then held liable for her injury. Stories like these often come up…

China Digital

How Chinese AI Videos Turned Foreigners into Villains

How viral AI videos turn racialized outsiders into threats and violent Chinese heroes into defenders of social order, China’s first nationally broadcast AI drama, and why a newspaper is being sold for 50 times its original price.

Published

2 weeks ago

August 3, 2026

Manya Koetse

Welcome to China Trend Watch (Week 30–33 | 2026), where I bring you the latest trends, memes, and debates driving conversation across Chinese social media. Subscribe here to receive future editions.

Over the past few weeks, a noteworthy amount of AI-related news has been trending on Chinese social media, which is reflected in this week’s edition.

Now that AI has entered every corner of media consumption and online life, related discussions seem…

China Insight

“Even Pigs Have AC”: The European Heatwave Through Chinese Eyes

As Europe struggles through record heat, Chinese social media is turning the story into something much bigger than the weather. Plus: the graduation speech everyone is talking about & more.

Published

1 month ago

July 5, 2026

Manya Koetse

🔥 China Trend Watch (week 26/27 | 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.

Here’s your weekly update on what’s been trending. In case you missed it, earlier this week I published a deep dive