China Insight

‘Wo Shi Chali’ – China’s Response to Je Suis Charlie

Freedom of speech has always been a complicated issue in the PRC. The terrorist attack of January 7th on the French magazine Charlie Hebdo quickly became a trending topic on Sina Weibo. One netizen angrily says: “You are quick to report foreign affairs, but if Chinese are killed you just cover up.”

Published

12 years ago

January 8, 2015

Manya Koetse

READING TIME: 2 MINUTES, 38 SECONDS

Freedom of speech has always been a complicated issue in the PRC. In spite of that, or perhaps exactly because of it, the terrorist attack of January 7th on the French magazine Charlie Hebdo quickly became a trending topic on Sina Weibo. One netizen angrily says: “You are quick to report foreign affairs, but if Chinese are killed you just cover up.”

International media have published countless supportive messages after the…

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