Newsletter
Weibo Watch: Buddha’s Happiness and a Storm in a Latte Cup
Why was HeyTea’s Buddha brew discontinued? How to explain the major drama surrounding e-commerce influencer Dong Yuhui? Which other topics went viral on Weibo? We discuss al the ins & outs in this 20th edition of Weibo Watch.
PREMIUM NEWSLETTER | ISSUE #20
This week’s newsletter:
◼︎ 1. Editor’s Note – Blessed objects
◼︎ 2. What’s Featured – A closer look at the featured stories
◼︎ 3. What More to Know – Highlighting 8 hot topics
◼︎ 4. What Lies Behind – Behind the Dong Yuhui drama
◼︎ 5. What’s Noteworthy – Zhang Xuefeng and liberal arts
◼︎ 6. What’s Popular – MayDay alleged lipsync incident
◼︎ 7. What’s Memorable – More attention for Nanjing Massacre
◼︎ 8. Weibo Word of the Week – “Rat-like Handsome Guy”
Dear Reader,
What was supposed to be a “zen” cup of tea caused a stir in China earlier this month – a storm in a latte cup.
The well-known Chinese tea chain HeyTea (喜茶), comparable to a tea-centric Starbucks, collaborated with the Jingdezhen Ceramics Museum to release a special ‘Buddha’s Happiness’ (佛喜) latte tea series adorned with Buddha images on the cups, along with other merchandise such as stickers and magnets. The series featured three customized “Buddha’s Happiness” cups modeled on the “Speechless Bodhisattva” (无语菩萨).
The “Speechless Bodhisattva,” originally named the “Contemplative Arhat” (沉思罗汉), is a small statue from the Jingdezhen Ceramics Museum that already became the ‘museum viral hit’ of the October holiday this year due to its facial expression. Videos that went viral on Weibo showed crowds of people in front of the statue, trying to get a glimpse of its expression – not unlike the crowds in front of Mona Lisa.
In light of this popularity, it is not surprising that the special Buddha HeyTea x Jingdezhen collaboration soon gained popularity, especially among younger consumers. On the first day of the launch in late November, people lined up and the cups soon sold out in HeyTea stores across Chinese cities.
The HeyTea Buddha latte series, including merchandise, was pulled from shelves just three days after its launch.
However, the ‘Buddha’s Happiness’ success came to an abrupt halt when the Ethnic and Religious Affairs Bureau of Shenzhen (深圳市民族宗教事务局) intervened, citing regulations that prohibit commercial promotion of religion. HeyTea wasted no time challenging the objections made by the Bureau and promptly removed the tea series and all related merchandise from its stores, just three days after its initial launch.
The decision not only disappointed many but also sparked questions about the extent to which the HeyTea Buddha series genuinely conflicts with Chinese law.
As the issue became a topic of discussion, scrutiny arose regarding why other ‘made-in-China’ products, including Buddha keychains and Boddhisatva phone covers, are still allowed to be sold in the country. The popular WeChat blogging account Xinwenge also highlighted that, technically, the images weren’t even of Buddha but sculptures representing Arhats – Buddhist adepts or the highest ideal of a disciple of the Buddha. Moreover, the Jingdezhen Museum itself contributed significantly to the virality of the Speechless Boddhisatva; they even issued a special WeChat sticker series.
WeChat stickers (left), keychains of the Speechless Boddhisatva.
Some Chinese internet users, however, agreed that it was inappropriate for HeyTea to sell such ‘Buddha’ teas. Although they praised efforts to spread more love for Buddhism, especially among young people, they thought it was “extremely disrespectful” to have a Buddhist image on a tea cup that would end up in the trash.
For others, the discontinued milk tea cups became even more ‘sacred’ as they used them to make their own little office altars or lights.
From office altars to holy lights, the HeyTea cups are transformed to spiritual objects.
The HeyTea Buddha latte tea saga provides insights into various facets of present-day China. It shines a light on the success of domestic coffee and tea chains and the original collaborations they launch to attract more customers. A recent academic study into the success and appeal of Chinese (bubble) tea brands even calls the long queues in front of these shops a “ritualised leisure experience” (Yan et al. 2023).
As we’ve seen in the past, whether it’s a new shop opening or the launch of a fresh collaboration, these events can quickly escalate from garnering local attention to becoming nationwide phenomena, with social media playing a pivotal role. Displaying your HeyTea cup holds a certain status, acting as social currency across Chinese social media platforms (Hutchins 2023, Ch5).
The story also underscores just how careful brands need to be when launching the next original idea; it cannot be too tame or else it won’t speak to China’s young consumers, but it also cannot be too bold or else it might rub Chinese authorities the wrong way.
Furthermore, the HeyTea story shows the interaction between Buddhism, consumerism, and the Chinese state. Nowadays, commodification of Buddha is everywhere, also in Tibet – even though it goes against traditions. Although the use of Buddhist images to sell merchandise unrelated to Buddhism could be seen as a form of “cultural misappropriation” (Cantanese 2019, 2), the commercial success of such products show that most people do not only see nothing wrong with it, they actually appreciate when their cup of latte has another layer of meaning to it: just because it’s commercial doesn’t mean it is meaningless.
As reported by Jing Daily earlier this year, Chinese temple visits have seen a significant surge and about 50 percent of Chinese temple visitors are millennials or were from Gen Z. Aside from burning incense and praying, these younger visitors are particularly fond of the temple shops that sell “blessed objects.”
Especially in a time when younger consumers are turning away from meaningless spending and are feeling more connected to spirituality, finding a bit of Buddha in their latte brings joy. “It’s a pity they discontinued,” one Xiaohongshu user wrote, “At least I still have the Buddha magnet on my fridge.”
To explore other viral topics on Chinese social media, check out our latest stories below. This week’s newsletter includes contributions from Miranda Barnes. You’ll hear back from us in our next newsletter, which you will get right before the start of 2024.
In the meantime, wishing you a merry Christmas, with lots of love, and perhaps some ‘blessed objects’ below the Christmas tree.
Best,
Manya
References:
Cantanese, Alex John. 2019. Buddha in the Marketplace: The Commodification of Buddhist Objects in Tibet. University of Virginia Press.
Hutchins, Joanna. Chinafy: Why China is Leading the West in Innovation and How the Rest of the World Can Catch Up. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish Business.
Yan, Qi, Xiaolei Shen & Haobin Ben Ye. 2023. “The Cue Is in the Queue, Smart! Assessing the Ritualised Leisure Experiences of Long Queuing for a Bubble Tea Brand in China.” Leisure Studies.
What’s Trending
1: Blood Donations in Tibet Trigger Controversy | The medical rescue of a critically injured Shanghai woman in Tibet has recently triggered major controversy on Chinese social media after netizens suspected that the woman’s treatment may have been facilitated through the abuse of power. Dozens of local public officials in Tibet donated blood to rescue a Shanghainese woman. Many believe it’s a matter of privilege.
2: Death after Binge Drinking | A woman who spent a night binge drinking with friends ended up experiencing cardiac arrest due to alcohol poisoning. A Chinese court has determined that her friends share partial responsibility for failing to prevent her from excessive drinking.
3: Doubts over Lucky Winner | A Chinese hardcore lottery player defied all mathematical logic last week by winning over USD 30 million by purchasing a staggering 50,000 tickets with the same number. The fortunate resident of Nanchang in Jiangxi province invested a total of 100,000 RMB (approximately USD 14,000) to buy tickets for the Chinese ‘Happy 8’ (快乐8) lottery, visiting multiple sales outlets. Since all the tickets shared identical numbers, each ticket yielded a prize and instantly made the man a multimillionaire. However, on Chinese social media, where the story went trending, people are skeptical and suspect foul play.
What More to Know
◼︎ Kathy Chow Hoi-mei’s Death and Leaked Medical Records | The death of the 57-year-old renowned Hong Kong actress Kathy Chow Hoi-mei (Zhou Haimei, 周海媚), who became famous for her role in various TV series in the ‘80s and ‘90s, became a major topic on Weibo this week. The actress, who had been suffering from autoimmune disease lupus for many years, still posted a happy video days before she passed, thanking people for the birthday wishes she received earlier this month. On December 11, rumors of her death started circulating and on Tuesday evening, a medical record believed to be related to Chow’s emergency treatment prior to her death surfaced and detailed the related medical rescue information. Kathy Chow’s studio later released an official statement confirming the news of her passing. A hospital worker from Beijing was later detained for leaking private, medical information (Weibo hashtag Zhou Haimei Passes Away #周海媚去世#, 1.5 billion views).
◼︎ Gree’s Dirty Laundry | Dong Mingzhu (董明珠, 1954), the famous Chinese businesswoman who serves as president of Gree Electric, the major home appliance maker known for its air conditioners, became a trending topic this week for lashing out against Meng Yutong (孟羽童, 1998) during her talk at at a ceremony for new employees on December 13. The 25-year-old Meng Yutong was previously a secretary for Dong, but left the company in May of 2023, saying she was pursuing postgraduate studies. Before joining Gree, Meng was working on a career as an online influencer and participated in various (reality) TV shows. She joined Gree in 2021. In her public talk, Dong Mingzhu criticized Meng by suggesting she used her position at Gree to become an online celebrity and that she had created “a negative impact” within the company. Many netizens think that Dong’s criticism actually has more to do with generational differences, saying Dong expected Meng to follow a similar path as her – but times have changed (Weibo hashtag “Dong Mingzhu Lashes Out Against Meng Yutong” #董明珠怒斥孟羽童#, 450 million views).
◼︎ Beijing Subway Carriages Break Apart | On the night of December 14, a train accident occured on the Beijing Changping subway line (昌平线). Over thirty passengers sustained injuries after one of the carriages broke apart in the middle; there was an abrupt break in the articulated joint of carriages 0244 and 0245. Passengers reported a “sudden impact” at around 19:00 as the train was on its way from Xi’erqi (西二旗 ) to Life Science Park (生命科学园站). The incident caused passengers to be stuck for a large part of the evening before rescue and evacuation teams arrived at the scene. The incident caused significant disruption for commuters, as they could not get their train back while hundreds of people were waiting for a taxi. The cause of the incident is still under investigation. (Weibo Hashtag “Beijing Subway Changping Line Experiences Sudden Malfunction” #北京地铁昌平线突发故障#, 290 million views).
◼︎ 86 Years Since Nanjing Massacre | The “Nanjing Datusha,” literally: “Nanjing Massacre,” was commemorated in China this week, both online and offline. The commemoration took place on December 12, marking the Japanese invasion of the city of Nanjing in 1937, starting a six-week long massacre during which people were bombed out of their homes and shot in the streets. Japanese soldiers tortured, raped, and killed large numbers of common people; their corpses were piled up along the river. According to China’s official data, at least 300,000 people, including children, elderly and women, were killed during this winter. Over recent years, Chinese social media has played an increasingly important role in the commemoration of the Nanjing Massacre. Although Chinese official media play a pivotal role shaping the way this is remembered online, ordinary netizens also show a lot of interest for this part of war history that is engraved in China’s collective memory. (Weibo hashtag “These Numbers Are Scars in Hearts of Chinese That Can’t Be Healed” #这些数字是中国人心里无法愈合的伤疤#, 170 million views).
◼︎ Gao Yaojie Passes Away | The Chinese renowned gynecologist, academic, and AIDS activist Gao Yaojie (高耀潔) passed away at the age of 95 this week. Gao achieved international acclaim as a ‘whistleblower’ for exposing an AIDS epidemic that spread across rural China due to irregular and illegal blood donation processes during the 1990s. She was actively involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS, but was also silenced and put under house arrest by authorities. She eventually fled to the US, where she stayed until her death. Although Gao’s passing went trending on Chinese social media, the narratives surrounding her death are very different from those in foreign media; one of the most popular posts on Weibo asserted that Gao’s pessimism about the Party and China’s future was “completely wrong.” Another popular post claimed that her work had become used as an anti-Chinese tool for “hostile Western forces.” (Weibo hashtag “Dr. Gao Yaojie Passed Away” #高耀洁医生去世#, 180 million views).
◼︎ Beijing’s First Snow | The Forbidden City dressed in white, Beijing Zoo pandas playing in the snow, and a winter wonderland at Summer Palace; this week Chinese netizens and online media accounts posted numerous photos of the first snow falling the Chinese capital. Although many enjoyed the snowfall, it also caused disruptions from airports to train tracks and from schools to offices. As temperatures keep plummeting, more snowfall is expected along with potentially record low temperatures. (Weibo hashtag: Beijing’s Snow #北京的雪#, 99 million views).
◼︎ Xi in Vietnam | Xi Jinping’s first state visit to Vietnam in six years made headlines this week. This visit, aiming to strengthen ties between the communist-run nations, follows Hanoi’s recent efforts to enhance diplomatic relations with Washington after a recent visit by Biden. During a summit in Hanoi, Xi and Vietnamese leader Trong advocated for strengthening strategic ties and agreed to collaborate on various issues, including maritime patrols, trade, and crime prevention. China is Vietnam’s largest trading partner, with significant economic and investment ties between the two countries. (Weibo hashtag: Xi Jinping’s Vietnam Visit #习近平访问越南#, 38+ million views)
◼︎ Toddler’s Tragic Death | A very tragic story coming from the city of Dongguan, Guangdong, attracted the public’s attention this week: a 2-year-old child fell into a supermarket bread/flour mixing machine on Decemer 8 and did not survive. The parents are the owners of the supermarket bakery, who would take their child to work due to lack of childcare at home. The incident has generated online discussions on the importance of parents providing a safe environment for their children (Weibo Hashtag “Dongguan Child Dies after Falling into Supermarket Bread Blender” #东莞一儿童掉进超市面包搅拌机身亡#, 290 million views; “The Child Who Fell in the Breadmaking Machine is Son of Owner” #掉进搅拌机的是面包店老板家孩子#, 15.2 million views).
What Lies Behind
Behind the Influencer Drama at East Buy
In recent days, Dong Yuhui (董宇辉) has become a hot topic on Chinese social media after a live broadcast that captured widespread attention. Dong is a top livestreamer for the e-commerce platform East Buy (东方甄选), which is part of New Oriental (新东方). Formerly a celebrated teacher, Dong has garnered popularity among Chinese netizens for his enthusiasm, humble background, English proficiency, witty jokes, personal stories, honest talks, and singing talent (read more here).
The current buzz around Dong stems from ongoing drama at East Buy. Livestream viewers and Dong’s loyal fans were angered when the editorial team behind Dong claimed that many of his popular livestream talks and stories were not created by him alone but were the result of collaborative teamwork. This led people to believe that the company team was taking credit for Dong’s individual efforts.
This influencer drama, while not the first this year, stands out because fans are vehemently defending Dong. His followers even refer to him as the ‘National Son-in-Law.’ Many view the team’s comments as a form of betrayal and backstabbing.
The story has gained significant traction because people see themselves in Dong—a former farmer’s son who rose to China’s e-commerce stardom due to his talent and hard work. For many, he represents hope for ordinary people, a path they can dream of themselves. Now, facing workplace bullying, Dong’s fans are not just expressing support online; they are also redirecting their spending elsewhere, saying, “I only bought from them because I like Dong.”
Faced with an online boycott, a loss of millions of followers, and a drop in stock market prices, subsequent PR efforts to silence the issue went awry. In the end, the CEO of EasyBuy was removed, and New Oriental founder and chairman Yu Minhong (俞敏洪) stepped in to try to alleviate the marketing disaster by hosting a live stream jointly with Dong.
Online discussions continue, with some pointing out that this reveals a power struggle between big individual influencers and the traditional corporate structure under the influencer economy. The recent support for Dong indicates that e-commerce platforms need to carefully consider how they handle their most well-known employees. Although these influencers have grown through the platform, efforts to limit their influence might backfire and result in greater losses. The key lesson here is that companies should never turn against their most beloved underdogs, as it may come back to bite them in the ass.
What’s Noteworthy
Zhang Xuefeng and Liberal Arts
Oops, he did it again. Chinese educational internet influencer and exam prep coach Zhang Xuefeng (张雪峰) recently stirred up another trending discussion by seemingly belittling liberal arts during a livestream. He claimed that having a Liberal Arts Degree is equivalent to ending up in a lower status within the service industry.
Not too long ago, Zhang already caused some controversy by strongly discouraging Chinese youth from pursuing a degree in journalism.
This time again, many people are offended by Zhang’s remarks, suggesting it is wrong and extreme of him to lump all liberal arts majors together. However, there are also those who agree, saying that choosing an educational route in science and engineering is more fruitful. The numbers also indicate that science and engineering graduates are much more likely to be employed after getting their degree than liberal arts graduates.
Zhang Xuefeng later attempted to clarify his comments and offered a quasi-apology by wearing a T-shirt saying ‘sorry.’ He emphasized that he did not intend to criticize the service industry, expressing that there is nothing inherently wrong with being a part of it. Instead, he just wants people to be realistic about their expectations when choosing their educational paths.
Zhang’s comments are especially impactful due to a record number of Chinese college graduates entering the job market while facing bleak employment outlooks. In this light, picking the right educational path has become an extra important and weighty issue for both students and their parents.
What’s Popular
MayDay Alleged Lipsync Incident
The question of whether the members of the Taiwanese pop band Mayday lip-synced during their concert on the Chinese mainland has stirred up discussions on Chinese social media, amassing millions of views recently. The popular band performed in Shanghai on November 16, but speculations about lip-syncing arose when some concertgoers shared videos on social media, casting doubt on whether they had sung live.
This story became especially big when one music blogger, Shenglixue (@声理学) used specific software to analyze the videos, asserting that the singers were lip-syncing. The issue gained so much attention because lip-syncing during performances, or pretending to play musical instruments, goes against the guidelines issued by the government-backed China Association of Performing Arts and is considered a form of deception.
However, the band denied allegations of not singing live, labeling the rumors as “malicious slander.” Their concert in Paris was also livestreamed last week, allowing attentive listeners to occasionally hear off-key notes that were definitely not lip-synced. Earlier this week, a veteran music agent and associate professor from Taiwan’s Nantai University’s Department of Popular Music Industry also weighed in on the issue, refuting the lip-syncing allegations.
The music blogger who initially published the allegations has vowed not to post about Mayday anymore, as his personal details, including his mum’s name and photos, were leaked online by doxers.
What’s Memorable
Increasing International Attention for Nanjing Massacre
As Weibo commemorates the Nanjing Massacre this week, we revisit an article from last year about an American pawn shop owner discovering potentially unseen photos from this particularly gruesome chapter of the Second Sino-Japanese War.
When a TikTok video showcasing these images went viral, Chinese netizens were astonished by how little awareness Western social media users had about the events during the Japanese invasion of Nanjing in 1937. While it remained uncertain whether the photos found by the pawn shop owner were genuinely previously undiscovered images of Nanjing, the entire incident ultimately shifted towards fostering greater international awareness of this historical tragedy.
Weibo Word of the Week
“Rat-Type Handsome Guy” | Our Weibo Word of the Week is “Rat-Type Handsome Guy” (shǔ xì shuài gē 鼠系帅哥).
The term “Rat-Type Handsome Guy” (鼠系帅哥) has actually been around for some time, but attracted more attention on Chinese social media recently. The word is part of a group of other terms to describe popular aesthetics of famous men with features resembling animals.
In 2022, for example, the “Monkey-Type Handsomes” (猴系帅哥) were especially popular. The term was used to describe the kind of Chinese celebrities who were undeniably handsome and also showed some resemblance to monkeys due to their strong brow ridges, narrow and long face, thin upper lip, and prominent T-zone.
When categorizing handsome men in China’s entertainment industry into animal-types, from monkeys to snakes, from dogs to birds, it is not always only about facial features but also about a certain air or vibe (氛围感) that surrounds an idol. A loyal and cute dog-like vibe, a calm and strong ox-like feeling, or a sharp and sexy cat-like character.
Thi year, the ‘rat-like’ handsome men have been more in vogue. They have small eyes, a pointed jaw and a small mouth. Although not all actors who are rat-like are deemed handsome, those that are handsome are all the more rare – and popular.
Chinese actor Yang Di (杨迪) went trending for being a representative of the “Rat-Type Handsome Guy” (鼠系帅哥) recently. Although he himself proudly posted about it on Weibo, there are also many netizens who think that being ‘rat like’ is actually not really attractive and not worth boasting about.
This is an on-site version of the Weibo Watch newsletter by What’s on Weibo. Missed last week’s newsletter? Find it here. If you are already subscribed to What’s on Weibo but are not yet receiving this newsletter in your inbox, please contact us directly to let us know.
Newsletter
Weibo Watch: The Future is Here
The future is here, but it looks different than we expected. This Weibo Watch covers driverless taxis and other noteworthy, popular topics.
PREMIUM NEWSLETTER | ISSUE #33
This week’s newsletter:
◼︎ 1. Editor’s Note – The future is here
◼︎ 2. What’s New and Noteworthy – A closer look at the featured stories
◼︎ 3. What’s Trending – Hot highlights
◼︎ 4. What’s Remarkable – A panicked mum goes to extremes
◼︎ 6. What’s Popular – The passing of Cheng Peipei
◼︎ 7. What’s Memorable – Virtual news anchors
◼︎ 8. Weibo Word of the Week – Bye bye, Biden
Dear Reader,
The future is here, and it is all unfolding so much differently than we could have imagined.
Scrolling through Douyin and Weibo’s video feeds recently, there are hundreds of videos about China’s self-driving taxi revolution. The wonder and excitement over the unmanned cabs is not surprising – it is the biggest thing happening in China’s taxi industry since ride-hailing apps Didi, Kuaidi, and Uber first entered the Chinese market over a decade ago.
Luobo Kuaipao (萝卜快跑) by Baidu, called ‘Apollo Go’ in English, is the ‘robotaxi’ ride-hailing platform that is now generating the most attention online. The concept is simple: customers order the taxi via the app and enter their destination, it arrives at the meeting point, and via a panel on the side of the car, the customer inserts the last four digits of their phone number. The door then automatically opens, and they can get in the car, which will take them to where they want to go. The car is private, and the price is comparable to ride-sharing fees, but then cheaper.
There is an additional benefit: the cars are equipped with a “smart cockpit”, allowing passengers to start their journey by tapping the screen in front of them, selecting a podcast or their favorite music, controlling the air-conditioning, and watching the traffic while en route.
Currently, Luobo Kuaipao has some 500 robotaxis operating without safety drivers in Wuhan, now the world’s largest city for driverless taxis. Baidu plans to expand this fleet with an additional 1,000 robotaxis soon. Shanghai will also launch a public testing program for driverless taxi services by SAIC in the upcoming week.1
Across China, at least 16 cities are now testing self-driving vehicles, with at least 19 Chinese car manufacturers competing for global leadership. Nationwide, 20 provinces have already released policies and regulations for autonomous driving.23
In many bigger Chinese cities, smart autonomous vehicles are already part of daily life. For years now, autonomous cleaning cars have been a common sight in popular tourist spots. I remember seeing a cute little car working hard to clean the area around the Terracotta Warrior museum in Xi’an in 2019. There are also self-driving tourist shuttles, driverless trucks operating between Beijing and Tianjin, and AI-driven service carts that precisely know where crowds gather during lunch breaks, stop when people wave, and process mobile payments for hamburgers or chicken salads on the spot.
So far, so ‘futuristic.’
But it’s not all roses. Besides the many enthusiastic videos taken by Chinese riders posting their experiences of taking an unmanned, self-driving taxi for the very first time, the emergence and rising popularity of robotaxis is also leading to worries, complaints, and aggravation.
A commonly heard objection to the unmanned taxis is that they are taking away jobs in the taxi industry. Perhaps even more so than when ChatGPT first emerged, the question of AI replacing people rather than serving them is frequently popping up, with taxi drivers fearing they’ll lose their jobs as robotaxis spread throughout China. These worries can still be countered by the numbers. After all, Wuhan has more than 100,000 registered ride-hailing cars, and Luobo Kuaipao holds just around 0.40% of the market – an insignificant number. 4 But with the rise of the industry, including its competitive prices, that number is bound to change.
Another far more unexpected concern about the rise of China’s robotaxis is that they’re causing chaos in the streets by being ‘too polite.’ These autonomous taxis are trained to follow the traffic rules and act civilized in traffic – something that seems out of place in some areas, where not following the rules almost seems like a rule.
By staying in the right lane, stopping for red lights, and giving priority to other cars, pedestrians, and animals, Chinese robotaxis are causing road congestion and sometimes accidents. They often struggle with complex traffic situations; for example, a viral video showed two Luobo Kuaipao cars waiting for each other to move, holding up traffic. In Wuhan, where drivers are known for their aggressive driving style, these autonomous cars face additional challenges. They strictly follow traffic laws and are not accustomed to pushing their way into traffic, which can lead to long waits for simple turns or merges, causing delays for other drivers.
This behavior has earned them the nickname ‘Sháo Luóbo’ (勺萝卜, “silly radish”), suggesting they are sluggish, or dumb. Although Luobo Kuaipao translates to ‘Radish Runs Fast’ or ‘Carrot Run,’ implying speed and efficiency, the reality is quite different.
Also unexpected is how ‘driverless’ is not what you might have thought it is; because every car still has a “safety operator” who is remotely monitoring it from another location. One person can monitor 10 cars or even more, but they’re allegedly penalized if they close their eyes for more than three seconds.5 Videos and pictures from these robotaxi headquarters sometimes look like old-fashioned game halls or internet cafes.
Complaints about Luobo Kuaipao not being as modern as people hoped and not being as assertive as they thought ultimately boil down to a clash of cultures. Luobo Kuaipao is made in China, but it’s not programmed with the personality and ways of a Wuhan taxi driver. In the end, Wuhan drivers will need to learn from Luobo Kuaipao, and Luobo Kuaipao will need to learn from Wuhan traffic. One side will learn to become more ‘polite,’ while the other will need to add some ‘aggression’ in order to mix in with traffic.
As ‘silly’ as Luobo Kuaipao may seem now, let’s not forget that everything starts small – we all began in diapers. Nothing significant ever came without humble beginnings. The future is here, but what we consider truly ‘futuristic’ will perhaps always be a vision for the days to come.
Miranda Barnes and Ruixin Zhang have contributed to the compilation and interpretation of some topics featured in this week’s newsletter. As always, if you have any observations or ideas you’d like to share, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
Best,
Manya Koetse
(@manyapan)
References:
1 Wu Qingqing 吴青青. 2024. “The Luobo Kuaipao Versus Tesla War”[萝卜快跑，与特斯拉终有一战].” Auto Business Review (汽车商业评论), July 18 https://inabr.com/news/19693 [Accessed July 22, 2024].
2 Bradsher, Keith. 2014. “China Is Testing More Driverless Cars Than Any Other Country.” New York Times, June 14 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/13/business/china-driverless-cars.html [Accessed July 22, 2024].
3 Qi Xu 齐旭. 2024. “Which City is China’s First City for Autonomous Driving? [谁是中国自动驾驶“第一城”？]” China Electronics News 中国电子报, July 16 https://new.qq.com/rain/a/20240716A00W2N00?suid=&media_id= [Accessed July 22, 2024].
4 Wu Qingqing 吴青青. “The Luobo Kuaipao Versus Tesla War.”
5 Jones, Phil. 2014. “Behind Driverless Cars – The Safety Operators Who Can’t Close Their Eyes[无人驾驶车背后，是无法闭眼的安全员].” The Paper, July 19 https://m.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_28124126 [Accessed July 22, 2024].
What’s New
“As smooth as a flying bullet” | The assassination attempt on former US President Trump at a Pennsylvania campaign event also became a major topic on Chinese social media, where Trump’s swift reaction and defiant gesture after the shooting have not only sparked discussions but also fueled the “Comrade Trump” meme machine.
Park with a view | “The ‘sea in Ditan Park’ is a perfect example of how Xiaohongshu netizens use their imagination to change the world,” a recent viral post on Weibo said. This seaview spot in the Beijing public park has become a new ‘check-in spot’ among Chinese Xiaohongshu users and influencers.
From Hollywood to Beijing | For the Dutch national broadcaster’s summer series ‘From Hollywood to Bollywood,’ I spoke about the Chinese blockbuster Battle at Lake Changjin (2021) this week. This spectacular war film depicts the story of Chinese troops during the massive Battle of the Chosin Reservoir in the Korean War, where they encircled and pushed back American forces. The film is an impressive visual spectacle, but it’s a landmark movie in other aspects as well. Under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, China is striving to become a global powerhouse in the film industry. At the same time, this film also helped shape new narratives of the Korean War that foster patriotism. Dutch readers can listen to or watch the entire conversation via the link. If you’re interested in learning more about this topic but not that good at understanding Dutch—nobody’s blaming you—check out this article on WoW from our archive.
What’s Trending
JULY 11
🛢️🍳 Cooking Oil Scandal | A major news topic that’s been fermenting over the past month is the revelation that some cooking oil transport trucks in China are also being used for transporting industrial oil. The issue went trending after a publication by Beijing News authored by investigative journalist Han Futao (韩福涛) on July 2, which detailed how the same tanks were used for transporting both edible oils like soybean oil and chemical oils like kerosene without any cleaning process. The food safety scandal sparked outrage online and led to people meticulously tracking the whereabouts of oil tankers and how they operate, while various tanker companies came forward to provide clarity on their procedures. The incident has raised significant awareness about the potential misuse of tankers and intensified concerns about food safety in China.
JULY 15
🚗 Trump Photo Copyrights | After the Trump rally shooting went viral across Chinese media, another trending hashtag emerged regarding the copyright of the iconic ‘raised fist photo,’ shot by award-winning photographer Evan Vucci. Chinese online sources attributed the photo’s rights to the photo agency “Visual China” (视觉中国), allegedly charging 2100 yuan ($288) per use on social media, with threats of lawsuits for unauthorized use. This sparked debates over copyright ownership, as Evan Vucci was not mentioned. In the past, the same company triggered controversy for claiming copyright for an image of the Chinese national flag. They were also sued by a Chinese photographer for claiming ownership of 173 of his photos. Visual China later clarified that they, as a partner of AP, only have distribution rights but do not own the Trump photo.
JULY 16
🌧️ Floods | Thousands of households across China have been affected by floods recently, from Sichuan to Hunan, from Henan to Shaanxi. The city of Xiangyang in Hubei is one such affected area, which experienced its strongest rainfall since the start of the flood season. Some areas nearby broke single day rainfall records, with cars in the streets being swept away by the water. In Henan, floods forced over 100,000 people to evacuate their homes, according to state media. The floods have been catastrophic, especially for farmers, leaving widespread devastation.
JULY 19
🏥 Wenzhou Doctor Killed | A vicious attack on a doctor at the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University has gone viral this week, sending shockwaves across Chinese social media. The incident occurred on the afternoon of July 19, when a man suddenly attacked and stabbed Dr. Li Sheng (李晟), who was on duty in the hospital’s cardiology department. The attacker subsequently jumped off the building. Despite extensive rescue efforts, Li succumbed to his injuries that night. The incident has sparked outrage, particularly in light of several recent stabbing incidents and the ongoing issue of patient-doctor violence, leading many netizens to call for improved security measures in hospitals. Tributes to Dr. Li Sheng online describe him as a man fully dedicated to his work and patients. China’s National Health Commission condemned the attack, stating there is zero tolerance for any form of violence against medical personnel.
JULY 20
🌉 Collapsed Bridge | After heavy rain and flash floods, a highway bridge that had been in use for less than six years in Shangluo, Shaanxi Province, collapsed on July 19th, causing 25 vehicles to fall into the river. While rescue efforts were still underway, the incident has resulted in 12 known deaths and 31 missing. The past weekend, two missing vehicles were found downstream, 4 kilometers from the collapse site. More than 700 professionals from various emergency services, along with over 1,500 local officials and residents, have been mobilized for search and rescue operations.
JULY 17
🔥🚒 Shopping Mall Fire | Videos of a terrible fire at the 14-story Jiuding Department Store in Zigong, Sichuan, spread on Chinese social media on Wednesday night. Initially, the death toll stood at 8, but it later emerged that at least 16 people lost their lives in the flames despite extensive rescue efforts by firefighters. Thirty-nine people were hospitalized. The fire, now known as the “7·17 major fire accident” (“7·17重大火灾事故”), is suspected to be linked to ongoing construction work.
JULY 21
🏅🧳 Olympic Suitcase Fever | Just a few days before the start of the Olympic Games in Paris, and the Olympic fever is noticeable on Chinese social media. Chinese state media have issued phone wallpaper featuring Olympic athletes. However, what recently attracted the most attention are the suitcases used by Chinese athletes traveling to Paris. These suitcases, called “Ying Yong” (英俑), were designed exclusively for the Chinese sports delegation by a company in Hangzhou. The design is themed around the Terracotta Warriors, using red and black and featuring other details inspired by the Terracotta Army.
JULY 22
🏫 Professor Mi | A story about renowned Chinese professor Wang Guiyan (王贵元) has been blowing up on Chinese social media after he was accused of sexual misconduct by a former female doctoral student. She made these allegations through an online video against the professor, who also served as the Party Secretary and Vice Dean of the School of Liberal Arts at Renmin University of China. On July 22, the university responded to the allegations and stated that their investigations found them to be true. As a result, Wang has been expelled from the Party, his professorship has been revoked, his qualification as a graduate supervisor has been canceled, he has been removed from his teaching position at Renmin University, and his employment has been terminated.🔚
What’s Noteworthy
A mother who lost her child while shopping in a mall in Shiyan, Hubei, went to extreme measures to get her child back as soon as possible. On July 19, the panicked woman triggered the mall alarm by smashing the displays at a jewelry store with a fire extinguisher. This caused the mall to shut all its doors and prompted a police squad to arrive within minutes. A viral video of the incident showed the mother shouting for help as she broke glass displays. The child was soon located.
In the past, there have been various stories about children being kidnapped and having their appearances changed quickly, making it much more challenging to find them. One such story from 2018 showed the speed at which human traffickers work: a 5-year-old girl went missing from a local playground at 14:41, and it later became clear that the little girl, taken away in a minivan with a middle-aged woman and another child, departed her city by train just fifteen minutes later. She got off at a station some 60 miles away with changed clothes and a shaved head (read here).
Although the mother may have thought she did the right thing by smashing the displays to get help to locate her child as soon as possible, she is also receiving a lot of criticism online. Commenters argue that the woman should have never lost sight of her child in the first place, let alone vandalized mall property. The jewelry store also had nothing to do with the child going missing. The local police stated that the woman’s actions would be handled according to public security regulations, so she can expect to pay a fine and compensation to the store.
Meanwhile, there are also people who sympathize with the mother, as they don’t want to imagine what could have happened to the child if standard, slower procedures were followed. However, state media outlets warn others not to take the woman as an example.
What’s Popular
She was known as the heroine and villain of Wuxia movies, the queen of the swords, and a martial arts diva. Hong Kong actress Cheng Pei-pei (郑佩佩) trended all day on Chinese social media after news broke that she had died at the age of 78.
The Shanghai-born Cheng had a background in ballet and modern dance—skills she incorporated into the fight choreographies of the martial arts films she made for the Shaw Brothers in the 1960s and 70s. She later moved to the United States. Cheng gained international fame when she starred as Jade Fox in Ang Lee’s “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” in 2000. Cheng suffered from Corticobasal degeneration (CBD), which shares some similarities with Parkinson’s disease.
On social media, Cheng is remembered not only by other actors and celebrities but also by many regular netizens who see her passing as a major loss to the Chinese film industry. (To read more about the Shaw Brothers & Chinese cinema, check our article here.)
What’s Memorable
For this pick from the archive, and in the context of the future being here, we revisit a 2023 article about Chinese state media introducing a virtual news anchor. While the first virtual presenter was introduced in 2019, People’s Daily introduced Ren Xiaorong (任小融) as a virtual presenter/news anchor in 2023. Although virtual news presenters are not yet the norm, this is a trend that is still developing. For example, this week, China’s Military News Agency also launched their virtual anchor to improve communication efficiency.
Weibo Word of the Week
Bye Bye Biden | Our Weibo phrase of the week is Bye Bye Biden (bài bài Bàidēng 拜拜拜登).
As news of Biden dropping out of the presidential race went viral on Weibo early Monday local time, it’s time to reflect on some of the popular nicknames and phrases given to US President Joe Biden on Chinese social media.
🔹 Biden in Chinese: Bàidēng 拜登
Biden in Chinese is generally written pronounced and written as Bàidēng 拜登. Although the character 拜 (bài) means “to pay respect, to worship” and 登 (dēng) means “to ascend, to climb,” they’re used here primarily for their phonetic similarity. The characters chosen are neutral to avoid any negative implications in the official translation of Biden’s name.
Why are non-Chinese names translated into Chinese at all? With English and Chinese being vastly different languages with entirely different phonetics and scripts, most Chinese people find it difficult to pronounce a foreign name written in English. Writing foreign names in Chinese not only standardizes them but also makes pronunciation and memorization easier for Chinese speakers.
🔹 Bye Biden: Bài Bài Bàidēng 拜拜拜登
Because Biden is Bàidēng, and the Chinese for ‘bye bye’ is written as bài bài 拜拜, some netizens quickly created the wordplay “bài bài Bàidēng” 拜拜拜登 (“bye bye Biden”) upon hearing that Biden would not seek reelection. Try saying it out loud—it almost sounds like you’re stammering.
🔹 Old Joe: Lǎo Dēng Dēng 老登登
Another common farewell greeting to Biden seen online is “bài bài lǎo dēng dēng” 拜拜老登登, which sounds cute due to the repetition of sounds.
“Old Biden” or “lǎo dēng dēng” 老登登 is a common online nickname for Biden in Chinese. The reduplication of the 登 (dēng) makes it sound playful and affectionate, while the “old” prefix is commonly used when referring to someone older. It’s similar to calling someone “Old Joe” in English.
🔹 Biden Variations: 拜灯, 白等, 败蹬
Let’s look at some other ways Biden is nicknamed online:
Besides the official way of writing Biden with the 拜登 Bàidēng characters, there are also other variations:
拜灯: bài dēng
白等: bái děng
败蹬: bài dèng
These alternative ways of writing Biden’s name are not neutral. Although the first variation is not necessarily negative (using the formal Biden 拜 bài character but with ‘Light’ 灯 dēng instead of the other 登 ‘dēng’), the other two variations are usually used in more negative contexts.
In 白等 (bái děng), the first character 白 (bái) means “white,” which can evoke associations with old age due to white hair (白发). The character 等 (děng) means “to wait,” and the combination can imply being old and sluggish.
败蹬 (bài dèng) is typically used by netizens to reflect negative sentiments towards the American president. The characters separately mean 败 (bài): “to be defeated,” “to fail,” and 蹬 (dèng): “to step on,” “to kick.” This would never be used by official media and is also often used by netizens to circumvent censorship around a Biden-related topic.
🔹 Revive the Country Biden: Bài Zhènhuá 拜振华
Then there is 拜振华 Bài Zhènhuá: revive the country Biden
In recent years, Biden has come to be referred to with the Chinese nickname “Revive the Country Biden,” also translatable as ‘Thriving China Biden’. This nickname has circulated online since 2020 and matches one previously given to former President Trump, namely “Build the Country Trump” (Chuān Jiànguó 川建国).
The idea behind these humorous monikers is that both Trump and Biden are seen as benefitting China by doing a poor job in running the United States and dealing with China.
🔹 Sleepy King: Shuì wáng 睡王
Shuì wáng 睡王, Sleepy King, is another common nickname, similar to the English “Sleepy Joe.” During and after the 2020 American presidential elections, there were numerous discussions on Chinese social media about ‘Trump versus Biden.’ Many saw it as a contest between the ‘King of Knowing’ (懂王) and the ‘Sleepy King’ (睡王).
These nicknames were attributed to Trump, who frequently boasted about his unparalleled understanding of various matters, and Biden, who gained notoriety for being older and tired. Viral videos, some manipulated, showed him nodding off or seemingly disoriented. The name ‘Sleepy King’ then stuck.
🔹 Grandpa Biden: Bài Yéyé 拜爷爷
Throughout the years, Biden has also been nicknamed Bài yéyé 拜爷爷, “Grandpa Biden.” This is usually more affectionate, though it emphasizes his age—Trump is not much younger than Biden and is not nicknamed ‘Grandpa Trump.’
Another similar nickname is lǎo bái 老白, “Old White,” referring to Biden’s age and white hair. 白 (bái, white) can also be a surname in Chinese. This nickname makes it seem like Biden is an old, familiar friend.
On Weibo, many speculate that American Vice President Kamala Harris will be the new candidate for the Democrats, especially since she’s been endorsed by Biden. Many have little confidence that she can compete against Trump. Her Chinese name is Kǎmǎlā Hālǐsī 卡玛拉·哈里斯, commonly referred to as ‘Harris’ (Hālǐsī).
In light of the latest developments, some netizens jokingly write: “Bye bye Biden, Ha ha ha, Harris.” (Bài bài, Bàidēng. Hā hā hā, Hālǐsī 拜拜，拜登。 哈哈哈，哈里斯). With a new Democratic candidate entering the presidential race, we can expect a fresh batch of creative nicknames to join the mix on Chinese social media.
Want to read more? Also read: Why Trump has Two Different Names in Chinese.
This is an on-site version of the Weibo Watch newsletter by What’s on Weibo. Missed last week’s newsletter? Find it here. If you are already subscribed to What’s on Weibo but are not yet receiving this newsletter in your inbox, please contact us directly to let us know.
China Memes & Viral
Weibo Watch: Get Up, Stand Up
This week, Chinese netizens discussed subway seat confrontations, a shocking public stabbing, and Hu Youping’s heroism. Also: more trending topics, from hallucinogenic mushrooms to traveling pandas and reactions to the Biden vs. Trump debate.
PREMIUM NEWSLETTER | ISSUE #32
This week’s newsletter:
◼︎ 1. Editor’s Note – Get up, stand up
◼︎ 2. What’s New and Noteworthy – A closer look at the featured stories
◼︎ 3. What’s Trending – Hot highlights
◼︎ 4. What’s Remarkable – Seeing little people
◼︎ 6. What’s Popular – Wild Child: missing in action
◼︎ 7. What’s Memorable – Bystander effect
◼︎ 8. Weibo Word of the Week – “City bu City”
Dear Reader,
Over the past few weeks, there has been a lot of discussion on Chinese social media about young people refusing to give up their seats for older people on the subway, sometimes leading to explosive situations.
On June 16, security was called when a young man on a Shenyang subway crumbled after an old man demanded that he’d give up his seat for him. In a video of the incident, which soon went viral, the young man can be heard screaming: “Are you giving me money? No? Then don’t bother me! I’m just happy to be sitting here. What’s wrong with me grabbing a seat?
Another subway incident went trending a week later. On June 24, a 65-year-old man started harassing a young woman on Beijing Subway Line 10 after she refused to give up his seat to him. The man became aggressive, started slapping the woman and put his cane in between her legs, trying to force her to stand up. The incident, which was filmed by other passengers, caused outrage on social media and the man was later detained by Beijing police.
A day later, in Wuhan, an elderly man and a young woman also got into an altercation that was caught on camera. After female passenger took the only available seat during morning rush hour on Line 2, the man reminded her that she should give up her seat out of respect for the elderly. “Why should I?” she asked: “I don’t owe you anything. I work overtime until 12:00 at night every day, and now you expect me to give up my seat during the morning rush hour?”
These incidents have sparked discussions about how people feel about these situations. In China, where respect for the elderly is deeply ingrained in the culture, should you give up your seat to the elderly on public transport because it is your duty, or is it just a personal choice? In an online poll held by Sina News, over 93% of respondents said they felt it was not their duty to give up their seat but a personal choice—a matter of courtesy.
“As long as you’re not sitting in a priority seat, you don’t have to give up your seat,” a top comment said. “It’s not easy being working class.” Many people echoed this sentiment, siding with the younger people who are facing their own tough struggles in China today. “I’d advise the elderly not to crowd public transport during the morning and evening rush hour,” another popular comment said, receiving thousands of likes.
These discussions signal a social shift: “When the topic comes up about young people not giving up their seats for the elderly, have you ever considered that these young people have been working all day? If you feel so strongly about it being your duty, how about you call a taxi for the elderly yourself?”
While many commenters expressed that people are not obliged to give up their seats to others, some, including pregnant women, complained about the overall reluctance of other passengers to give up their seats for them. “It feels like everybody is tired,” one Weibo user wrote.
Standing By
Another noteworthy discussion on Chinese social media recently was not about sitting down but about standing by. In a stabbing incident caught on camera by bystanders, a man locally known as “Bag-Clutching Brother” (夹包哥) was killed in the city of Songyuan in China’s Jilin province on June 30. His real name was Mr. Zhao, but he earned the nickname “Jiabaoge” (夹包哥, “Brother Clutch Bag”) for his eccentric square dancing while clutching a bag.
A video of the horrific incident shows Mr. Zhao happily dancing in a public square in Songyuan, with dozens of people present, when a man suddenly draws a knife and starts stabbing him. As the crowd watches on, the attack continues. Moments later, Mr. Zhao can be seen lying in a puddle of blood while still being attacked. Bystanders did not intervene. The attacker, a local drunk who did not even know “Brother Clutch Bag,” was detained by police. Zhao died of his injuries.
The incident caused a shock wave on social media. “They all stand in a circle and watch,” a typical comment said. “Not one of them stepped forward to help.” Some people called the onlookers “cold and detached” (“冷漠围观”).
While many suggest the onlookers are selfish and too preoccupied with filming to actually intervene, others suggested they were just scared to face the consequences of intervening.
There is a complex interplay of factors associated with the likelihood of people intervening when witnessing a crime or other emergency. Research points out that the higher the levels of fear among bystanders, the less likely they are to intervene. The more they perceive themselves as strong, the more likely they are to help. Additionally, the more people witnessing an emergency, the less personal responsibility is felt, reducing the chances of intervention.
As a victim, you might be more fortunate if just one person sees your predicament—and comes to your aid—than if a hundred people look on and do nothing.
Hu Youping
This issue perhaps also played a role in a third noteworthy topic that became a major trend recently, which I also wanted to mention here. It concerns the death and honoring of Ms Hu Youping (胡友平). Hu Youping, a 54-year-old school bus attendant, stepped in to help when a Japanese mother and child were attacked by a man with a knife at a school bus stop in Suzhou on June 24.
Hu was working that day when, around 4 pm, someone wielding a knife started attacking people at the bus stop near Xindi Center on Tayuan Road. As she rushed forward to stop the attacker, she was stabbed multiple times—one of the stabs hit her heart. On June 26, two days after the incident, Hu succumbed to her injuries.
The story of Hu Youping is remarkable on many levels. Not only was she brave, but she also intervened during a time when multiple stabbing incidents were making the news (also see: Jilin stabbings). Her courage became the focus of Chinese media reports about the Suzhou stabbing, diverting attention from the suspect’s motivations and discussions questioning China’s public safety. Adding to the story is that Hu protected a Japanese mother and child, which, in the context of Sino-Japanese tensions, reinforced her selflessness.
Hu’s face was suddenly everywhere. Netizens praised her kindness, and state media honored her bravery. As she officially received the title of “Model of Righteousness,” she was exemplified as embodying the kindness and courage of the Chinese people by local authorities. The Tianjin Radio and Television Tower even lit up in honor of Hu Youping, projecting her portrait on the side of the building.
Hu Youping is seen as a selfless heroine. Her story is not just propagated by official channels, it also resonates with the people. “People like Ms. Hu Youping and other heroes are remarkable, not only for their willingness to sacrifice themselves but also for inspiring those around them,” one Weibo blogger wrote.
Perhaps Hu Youping is the role model people need at this time, when so many stories about a lack of altruism, conflicting values, and moral crises are trending on social media. She was not necessarily an extraordinary person; she was a normal, kind-hearted and hard-working woman who would not stand by while seeing people in trouble.
However, while Hu Youping’s bravery is inspiring, her courage also serves as a cautionary tale. In one thread about the passive crowds watching Mr. Zhao get killed, commenters wrote: “Look what happened to Ms. Hu Youping. She got killed while bravely intervening, so who would dare to step in here?”
Her courage and ensuing death have ignited a realistic debate on what helping others may look like when confronting an armed attacker directly is not an option: “If someone is attacking with a knife and you are unarmed, your only option is to run. If you can help others to run with you, you are already a hero.”
In the end, Hu Youping triggers discussions on kindness, fearlessness, and doing what’s right. At a time when the social moral compass seems adrift, people like Hu help recalibrate it. Whether it means standing up or sitting down, stepping in or getting out, it’s always best to follow that personal moral compass regardless of what others do. Sometimes, that might mean sitting down when you need to rest, knowing that taking care of yourself is just as important. At other times, it means standing up when nobody else does, and rising not because it’s your duty, but because you know it’s the right thing to do.
Miranda Barnes and Ruixin Zhang have helped compile some of the topics mentioned in this week’s newsletter. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if you’d like to share something you’ve spotted or share your ideas with me.
Best,
Manya Koetse
(@manyapan)
What’s New
Humble Prodigy or Deceptive Impostor? | It’s rare for a math competition to become the focus of nationwide attention in China. But since 17-year-old vocational school student Jiang Ping made it to the top 12 among contestants from prestigious universities worldwide, her humble background and outstanding achievement sparked debates and triggered rumors.
“Scared to Intervene” | In a shocking incident caught on camera, a well-known Songyuan resident nicknamed “Brother Clutch Bag” was tragically stabbed to death. On Weibo, people have reacted with disbelief.
Another One Bites the Dust | Li Shangfu allegedly “took advantage of his position to seek benefits for others” and received large sums of money.
What’s Trending
JUNE 26
🇺🇸 Biden vs Trump | Just like in the rest of the world, Biden and Trump’s presidential debate became a hot topic on Chinese social media. Chinese America watchers harshly criticized the debate, describing it as a race between a “madman and a senile patient.” Others perceived the overall energy and quality of the debate as indicative of troubled times for America and see the presidential campaign as a sign of Western democracy falling behind. Many commenters suggest that it does not really matter for China who becomes president, as both candidates are expected to adopt a tough stance on China. Nonetheless, there were various posts indicating a preference for Trump because he generates more memes and jokes on Chinese social media and is “more fun to watch.”
JUNE 29
🐼 From Sichuan to San Diego | They are the first set of pandas to make their way to the U.S. in 21 years: Yun Chuan (云川) and Xin Bao (鑫宝) safely arrived in San Diego on June 28 after a long flight from China. Their caretakers in Sichuan had to say goodbye to them for a loan period of at least ten years. On Chinese social media, many commenters expressed sadness about the pandas leaving China, wondering if their American adventure is really in their best interest.”
JUNE 30
🚀 Accidental Rocket | Was it a plane? Was it a meteor? Videos of an explosion in the hills near Gongyi City in Henan recently went viral (link). The huge impact was not caused by a meteor; it was a rocket. While performing a ground test, the Chinese rocket by space startup Space Pioneer (天兵科技) was accidentally launched and crashed near a residential area. There were no reports of casualties. A few days later, Space Pioneer sincerely apologized and promised that the company would compensate anyone who suffered property damage due to the test failure. The incident has sparked questions on why a private enterprise was able to test out rockets in Gongyi in the first place.
JULY 1
🏸 Zhang Zhijie Dies | On June 30, the young Chinese badminton player Zhang Zhijie (张志杰) collapsed and convulsed during a game in Indonesia. Videos of the incident (link) showed how it took about 40 seconds before medics arrived to attend to him. After being rushed to the hospital, the 17-year-old player from Jiaxing, Zhejiang, passed away. According to Indonesia’s badminton association, Zhang died due to sudden cardiac arrest. On Weibo, a hashtag about Zhang’s death garnered over 560 million views (#张志杰去世#) since late June. Zhang’s sister shared her grief and shock about her brother’s death on her Weibo account. Zhang’s mother was so overcome with grief that she had to be temporarily hospitalized earlier this week. Zhang’s family is now in Indonesia, seeking more clarity on his death and holding those responsible accountable.
JULY 2
🚗 Molly and Mr. Musk | “Hello Mr. Musk, I’m Molly from China. I have a question about your car. When I draw a picture, sometimes it will disappear like this. You see it? So can you fix it? Thank you.” Recently, a 7-year-old girl from Beijing named Molly recorded a video for Elon Musk, in which she complained in English about a bug in Tesla’s sketchpad: when adding a new stroke to her drawing, Molly found that previous strokes would sometimes disappear. In response, Musk replied to her on the X platform, “Sure.” The little exchange generated a lot of attention for Molly on Chinese social media, where the little girl was applauded for how she managed to address an issue with her drawing pad directly with Mr. Musk himself.
JULY 6
🌊 Dongting Floods | A dike of Dongting Lake in Yueyang, Hunan Province, burst on Friday afternoon, causing serious flooding in the area. What started as a 10-meter-wide breach eventually became a breach of approximately 225 meters (738 feet) wide. This flooding of China’s second-largest freshwater lake has already affected approximately 5,000 people, and around 3,000 people were relocated on Saturday. Efforts to seal the breach in the embankment in Huarong County are underway, with over 4700 people actively helping to control the flood.
JULY 7
📈 Peak in Death Rates | On Sunday, reports of China facing an imminent peak in death rates went trending on Weibo, where a related hashtag became one of the most-searched topics (#中国将迎来人口死亡高峰#). Chinese news outlet Jiemian News reported on a new study published in the latest issue of the Chinese magazine “Population Research” (人口研究), where researchers predict an unprecedented peak in death rates due to various factors, including China’s rapidly aging population, historical birth fluctuations, and increased longevity. As the aging population from the post-war mid-20th-century birth boom leads to a rapid rise in deaths, researchers emphasize the need to prepare for the societal impacts of this peak, including improved palliative care and better planning for funeral services. “Can we first fix the problem of post-graduate unemployment?” one top commenter wondered.
What’s Noteworthy
Do you remember when US Treasury Secretary Yellen had some supposed ‘magic mushrooms’ in Beijing? The mushroom dish she had at a local restaurant is called “jiànshǒuqīng” (见手青) in Chinese; it’s the Lanmaoa asiatica mushroom species that grows in China’s Yunnan region and is considered hallucinogenic if not prepared properly, causing visions that locals call “xiǎorénrén” (小人人), literally meaning seeing “tiny people.” The Chinese is similar to the English term “Lilliputian hallucinations” that refers to visual hallucinations which could also include seeing tiny humans.
The fact that Yellen had this dish actually made it more popular online in China, leading more people to order the mushrooms through online channels.
This week, one Chinese girl named Xiaolin who had ordered 500 grams of the mushrooms became a top trending topic online. She used them for her mushroom soup and added them to her noodles. She consumed all of the mushrooms within one day. Later that night, Xiaolin started feeling unwell. She started seeing numerous “tiny people” running around her house, and when the little figures tried to whisper in her ear and get into her bed, the terrified girl rushed to her friend’s house, who decided to take her to the hospital due to her incoherent speech and strange behavior. The girl was eventually hospitalized due to wild mushroom poisoning.
The story garnered 160 million views on Weibo (#女子吃1斤见手青后看见一屋人#), where many people are now more aware of the dangers of consuming wild mushrooms if not properly cooked. However, there are also many others who are only more curious now; they also want to see ‘little people’ walking around their house.
Meme comparing Vision Pro to the ‘magic’ jianshouqing mushroom: which surreal experience is better?
Some memes relating to this topic suggest that having “jiànshǒuqīng” is a cheaper and more interactive VR experience than getting the Apple Vision Pro. It surely isn’t something that authorities would like to see more people experiment with: a vlogger who tried out some raw mushrooms on her livestream was immediately shut down this week.
What’s Popular
The highly anticipated Chinese film Wild Child (野孩子) was scheduled for a nationwide premiere on July 10. Earlier this year, Wild Child won the Weibo award for the most-anticipated movie of the year. Starring the immensely popular former TFBoys leader Wang Junkai (also known as Karry Wang 王俊凯, 1999), the film had generated significant excitement among Chinese movie-goers. However, this week, the film distributor abruptly announced the cancellation of its release, citing alleged post-production delays. The cancellation, which quickly trended and sparked widespread discussion on Chinese social media, was particularly surprising as tickets were already being sold in the presale box office.
Directed by Yin Ruoxin (殷若昕), Wild Child is based on a true story about two boys from a poor background who struggle to get by. The film addresses the theme of “children living in difficulty” (困境儿童), depicting the lives of children growing up in poverty. The two boys, one a thief and the other an orphan, are united by fate and bond as brothers as they face their challenges together.
Why was the movie canceled so close to its premiere date? Was the withdrawal a purely commercial decision driven by poor presale figures, as suggested in a recent column by People’s Daily, or were there political motivations involved? Could its theme be misaligned with the upcoming Party’s third plenary session? Or is the portrayal of children facing social difficulties simply too sensitive? While the true reasons remain unclear, many fans are hopeful they will still have the opportunity to see the film.
What’s Memorable
For this pick from the archive, and in the context of recent discussions on bystanders not intervening, we revisit a 2015 article about a young Chinese student who helped an elderly lady who had fallen on the street, only to be held liable for her injuries. Stories like these are often cited to explain why people hesitate to help someone in need.
Weibo Word of the Week
“City or not” | Our Weibo phrase of the week is City bu City a (City不City啊), translated as “City or not?”, a phrase that has recently taken the Chinese internet by storm.
The phrase first became popular thanks to American influencer Paul Mike Ashton, nicknamed “Bao Bao Xiong” (保保熊, Baby Bear), who runs a Chinese-language account on Douyin. On his channel, Ashton shares humorous snippets about his life in China, where he works as an entertainer and tour guide.
In one video from April this year, Ashton posted a clip in which he cycles through the city like a Shanghai ‘city girl’ who often mixes Chinese and English words, calling himself “very city” (“我是好city”). He says: “I’m so city, a city girl. It’s so cool, breezy. Life in the city is so good, I feel so free.”
Ashton later began incorporating this phrase more frequently in his videos, often involving his sister, who also speaks Chinese in these humorous exchanges. Walking on the Shanghai Bund, the brother and sister describe Shanghai as “so city” (“好city啊”). While walking on the Great Wall, Bao Bao asks his sister if it’s “city or not” (it’s not).
In other videos in which the two are traveling through China, Ashton repeatedly asks his younger sister if certain things are “city or not,” to which she usually responds humorously: “It’s very city.”
In this context, “city” has evolved from a noun into a quirky adjective, describing something that embodies the essence of urban life; something that is ‘city’ is metropolitan, lively, and modern. It’s very tongue-in-cheek and also serves as a playful commentary on how young Chinese people often mix Chinese and English words to sound more sophisticated and trendy.
This phenomenon sparked the ‘city or not’ meme, which even reached the Foreign Ministry this week when spokesperson Mao Ning was asked about it. She responded that she had heard about the new use of the phrase and that it is a positive sign of foreigners enjoying life in China.
Chinese authorities and state media have also jumped on this trend to promote tourism. By now, the meme has been imitated and adapted by various local tourism departments. Ashton himself has encouraged foreigners to come and experience Chinese culture (and its very ‘city’ city life), further boosting its popularity.
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