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China Trend Watch

Why This Year’s Nanjing Memorial Day Felt Different

As December 13 marked the 88th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre, this Memorial Day trended online amid rising China–Japan tensions and sharper official rhetoric.
Manya Koetse

Published

8 months ago

on

🔥China Trend Watch — Week 50 (2025) This text is part of the Eye on Digital China newsletter which was sent to paid subscribers — subscribe to receive the next issue in your inbox.

 

December 13 marked the 88th anniversary of the fall of Nanjing, and this year’s Nanjing Memorial Day (南京大屠杀难者国家公祭日), although described as a low-key commemoration by foreign media, was trending all over Chinese social media.

During the Second Sino-Japanese…

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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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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

July 19, 2026

By

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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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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