China Society

The Rising Online Movement for Smoke-Free Public Spaces in China

From foreign anti-smoking bloggers to the “Modern Lin Zexu,” China is seeing a rise in online anti-smoking activism.

Published

1 year ago

August 14, 2025

Anti-smoking activism, especially by foreigners, has recently drawn attention on Chinese social media. A renewed online push to stop smoking in no-smoking areas highlights broader challenges of enforcing public smoking bans in a country where smoking remains prevalent.

From “smoking is prohibited in public spaces” (#公共场所禁止吸烟#) to “tobacco control” (#控烟#), anti-smoking hashtags have been popping up more frequently on Chinese social media. Many of them accompany videos from influencers who call out or try…

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Wendy Huang

Wendy Huang is a China-based Beijing Language and Culture University graduate who currently works for a Public Relations & Media software company. She believes that, despite the many obstacles, Chinese social media sites such as Weibo can help Chinese internet users to become more informed and open-minded regarding various social issues in present-day China.

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China Insight

What Does 20 Yuan ($3) Mean Anymore? China’s Disappearing Living Rooms & the Great Laundry Debate

What does 20 yuan mean in China today? Why are traditional living rooms disappearing? And can underwear and socks be washed together? Plus, China’s latest travel trends.

Published

2 weeks ago

October 14, 2026

Manya Koetse

Welcome back to Signals, my newsletter about the slower trends, broader shifts, and cultural currents shaping Chinese society and its digital landscape. Want to receive the next edition in your inbox? Become a paid subscriber here.

It’s been some time since the last Signals newsletter, so it’s high time for a new edition. This is where I bring you the slower trends, broader shifts, and cultural currents that I’ve been keeping an eye on. Next to the more regular China Trend Watch & deeper dives, this is meant to give you a fuller picture of ongoing conversations and themes in Chinese society and the digital landscape. I hope you find it insightful!

📰 In this edition: Is Hangzhou setting an example with a ban on daytime dog-walking? China’s traditional living rooms are disappearing, what is the value of 20 yuan ($2.99) nowadays and why are people discussing it, and a resurfacing of an old debate: can socks and underwear be washed together? Also: four travel trends that stood out during this year’s National Day holiday.

📶 SHORT SIGNALS

🎬 This year has seen mind-blowing changes in the production and consumption of Chinese short dramas. Now, so many popular short dramas are AI-generated (19 out of 20 microdramas on a recent Hongguo hot list made by AI) that Chinese netizens are wondering if short-drama actors might be disappearing altogether.

💰 70% of households in China have less than 100,000 yuan (about US$14,900) in savings, according to Chinese media reports, which state that the median household savings stand at 87,000 yuan ($13,000). Only 6% – the “lucky few” (人上人) – have 300,000 ($44,800) yuan or more in liquid assets.

🐕 In main urban districts of Hangzhou, people aren’t allowed to walk their dogs during the day, and some netizens hope these strict dog-control rules will set an example for the rest of China. The local rule only allows owners of small dogs – larger breeds aren’t allowed – to walk their furry friends between 7 PM-7AM. The strict rule is supported by many, who hope other…

China Brands, Marketing & Consumers

Starbucks Goes Xinjiang & The Kardashians in China

Starbucks rebrands as “Star-Bazaar” in Urumqi—what does it say about shifting perceptions of Western brands in China? Also: a cheating sports influencer and the souvenirs that became most hated.

Published

4 weeks ago

October 4, 2026

Manya Koetse

Originally published in the Eye on Digital China newsletter on Sunday, October 4, 2026.

Welcome back to China Trend Watch (Week 40 | 2026), my regular tour through the latest trends, memes, and debates driving conversation across Chinese social media. I’m Manya Koetse, a sinologist specializing in Chinese digital culture. Want to receive the next edition in your inbox? Become a paid subscriber here.

In this edition:

Quick scrolls: A Chinese athlete cheated her way to the Berlin Marathon’s finish
Zooming in: When Localization Gets Political: Starbucks Goes Xinjiang
On the Feed: The Kardashians in China
Phrase of the Week: The 3 souvenirs sold everywhere, but nobody wants them

🗞️ QUICK SCROLLS

🇯🇵 The National Day holiday has begun, but nobody’s going to Japan. Although Japan was the number one outbound destination for Chinese travelers during last year’s October holiday, it has now dropped out of the top ten destinations entirely. According to data from Chinese tour operator Tuniu (途牛), Indonesia, Turkey, and South Korea are among this year’s most-booked overseas destinations.

🚲 Chinese fitness influencer “Abeeeer” was caught cheating during the Berlin Marathon after she posted about running her “personal best.” The sport-blogger (530k+ followers on Xiaohongshu) was photographed riding on the back of a bicycle around the 38-kilometer mark. On Saturday, she publicly apologized and admitted that she had broken the rules and that she was “feeling unwell.”

The sports influencer was caught hitching a ride to the finish line.

🏳️‍🌈 Japanese volleyball player Rui Takahashi came out as gay on Tuesday, saying he wanted to help others struggling with their sexuality by coming out publicly. On Douyin, many Chinese fans and commenters praised Rui for his bravery.

🤖 Former Global Times editor-in-chief Hu Xijin (胡锡进) published a National Day essay praising the country’s achievements but forgot to delete the AI chatbot’s closing follow-up question (”Would you like me to read through the whole text again and check it for omissions?”). Hu quickly deleted the AI prompt, but “Hu Xijin’s National Day AI ghostwriting fail” had already gone trending.

⚽ Chinese football produced…