https://www.scmp.com/rss/318202/feed The latest society, public affairs and community news from China. en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang Frustrated by low-quality materials, careless craftsmanship, and escalating prices, some young women in China are taking matters into their own hands by learning to sew their own underwear, accessories, and handbags. This summer, a surge of sewing enthusiasts flocked to RedNote to showcase their handmade creations. Many beginners embarked on their journey with underwear, assuming it would be a straightforward first project due to its minimal fabric requirements. However, they quickly encountered... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3368831/young-chinese-women-sew-own-underwear-clothes-amid-frustration-fast-fashion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3368831/young-chinese-women-sew-own-underwear-clothes-amid-frustration-fast-fashion?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Sep 2026 10:37:24 +0000 He Huifeng He Huifeng Mooncakes, a sweet staple for China’s annual Mid-Autumn Festival, are not just for people any more. Humans are pulling back, but dogs are digging in. So are cats. Pet mooncakes are popping up across China, from major retailers such as Sam’s Club to online stores and small bakeries. And many are quickly selling out. In the southwestern metropolis of Chengdu, a pack of pet mooncakes selling online for about 50 yuan (US$8) has racked up thousands of sales, news outlet thecover.cn reported. In the... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3368747/mooncakes-dog-how-china-reinventing-its-iconic-festive-snack?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3368747/mooncakes-dog-how-china-reinventing-its-iconic-festive-snack?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Sep 2026 06:00:26 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan A young seal gained widespread attention on social media in China after swimming 200km to return to an island where it had lived for months following its release into the wild. This two-year-old seal marks its second return to a human-inhabited area after being freed into open seas. Internet users were touched by videos showcasing the seal, affectionately named Nana, as it returned to the shores of Dachangshan Island in northeastern China’s Liaoning province. Nana was released into the ocean on... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3368734/china-seal-touches-hearts-swimming-200km-back-island-after-missing-humans?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3368734/china-seal-touches-hearts-swimming-200km-back-island-after-missing-humans?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Sep 2026 02:08:45 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu Retail tycoon Yu Donglai, widely known as China’s “most conscientious” boss, recently triggered public controversy with a proposal to sign only a four-year “training initiative” contract with future new hires, without renewing it. Yu has been nationally acclaimed for the many unconventionally humanistic rules he set up for Pangdonglai, a supermarket chain he founded in central China’s Henan province in 1995. Yu, for example, once said his 8,000 employees’ after-tax monthly salaries average 9,000... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3368684/chinese-retail-chain-faces-rare-backlash-limiting-new-hires-4-year-contracts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3368684/chinese-retail-chain-faces-rare-backlash-limiting-new-hires-4-year-contracts?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Sep 2026 11:19:21 +0000 Kevin McSpadden Kevin McSpadden When the weather turns warm around June, people all across China gather for the annual Dragon Boat Festival, and one of the most famous dishes from the celebration is the zongzi. Zongzi is a rice dumpling with a delicious filling, wrapped in bamboo leaves before being cooked. The leaves add aroma and flavour to the rice. In mid-August, a group of scientists from China announced they had discovered an ancient ancestor of zongzi made around 2,200 years ago. However, Yong Ge, a study author from... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3368584/chinese-archaeologists-find-2200-year-old-ancestor-dragon-boat-festival-treat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3368584/chinese-archaeologists-find-2200-year-old-ancestor-dragon-boat-festival-treat?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Sep 2026 02:45:21 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A South Korean dating reality show exploring human-AI romance has triggered curiosity and attention in China over how artificial intelligence could reshape people’s understanding of intimacy and love. In August, Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS) launched My AI Partner: Strange Love, the country’s first dating reality show focused on human-AI relationships. The programme follows three participants – a cartoonist, a television host and an actress – as they form emotional connections with AI... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3368509/korean-dating-show-featuring-ai-and-human-contestants-sparks-fascination-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3368509/korean-dating-show-featuring-ai-and-human-contestants-sparks-fascination-china?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Sep 2026 10:00:09 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu The Qing dynasty’s Empress Dowager Cixi is renowned as a cosplay enthusiast, leaving behind photographs and paintings of herself embodying the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, Guanyin. However, she was not the first to engage in such role-playing while on the throne. Long before Cixi (1835–1908), the Qing dynasty’s emperors Yongzheng (1678–1735) and his son, Qianlong (1711–1799), indulged in role-playing, as evidenced in numerous paintings. Yongzheng, whose reign lasted 13 years, was known as a strict... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3368391/artworks-reveal-chinese-rulers-and-cixi-loved-role-playing-long-modern-cosplay?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3368391/artworks-reveal-chinese-rulers-and-cixi-loved-role-playing-long-modern-cosplay?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Sep 2026 02:00:05 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A man in northern China created a poignant record of his mother’s final 14 days, documenting her rapid decline from a vibrant woman to her last moments. Gao, hailing from the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, shared that his mother travelled to his city for medical treatment after developing a fever and a persistent cough. On August 29, he captured her arrival at the railway station. Dressed in her favourite red coat, she appeared energetic and in good spirits, walking with confidence and a... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3368371/chinese-sons-video-mums-final-14-days-sudden-leukaemia-death-moves-hearts-online?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3368371/chinese-sons-video-mums-final-14-days-sudden-leukaemia-death-moves-hearts-online?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Sep 2026 10:00:20 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan A woman in China, who dedicated over two decades to her career as a doctor, made a surprising choice three years ago to leave her profession and open a steamed stuffed bun store. As time passed, her store not only survived but flourished in the competitive food industry, prompting her to launch a second outlet in July. “When I was a doctor, the thought of quitting often crossed my mind. Now, running a bun shop keeps me busy and tired, but I am so happy that I can’t stop,” said Dong Min, 48, in... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3368333/chinese-doctor-quits-20-year-medical-career-open-steamed-bun-shop-mental-health-relief?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3368333/chinese-doctor-quits-20-year-medical-career-open-steamed-bun-shop-mental-health-relief?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Sep 2026 05:00:40 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A 65-year-old Chinese woman used artificial intelligence (AI) to impersonate both a young doctor and her mother, successfully scamming 170,000 yuan (US$25,000) from a man. Liu Hui, a resident of Shanghai, connected with a woman named Yu Xiuzhen on a social media platform in 2021. Yu asserted that she was a 29-year-old doctor at a prestigious Grade 3A hospital in Shanghai, claiming influence over her hospital’s property engineering projects. Over the past five years, Yu frequently shared details... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3368264/chinese-woman-65-plays-dual-roles-beautiful-doctor-and-mum-con-man-out-us25000?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3368264/chinese-woman-65-plays-dual-roles-beautiful-doctor-and-mum-con-man-out-us25000?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Sep 2026 10:16:27 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A woman in her 70s in northern China briefly exhibited signs of life after being placed in a coffin, but ultimately died two days later. The woman, from Hebei province, had been suffering from cerebral thrombosis for decades and was also battling cancer, according to reports from mainland sources. After doctors concluded that her cancer was no longer treatable, her family brought her home for end-of-life care. On September 8, relatives found no apparent signs of life and placed her in a... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3368184/chinese-woman-her-70s-wakes-coffin-dying-good-2-days-later?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3368184/chinese-woman-her-70s-wakes-coffin-dying-good-2-days-later?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Sep 2026 02:00:48 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu Online community in China is heart-wrenched over a driver’s goodwill in pulling a rope across a road as a warning sign, which ultimately took the life of a passer-by. The case emerged after the driver, surnamed Xie, was arrested for manslaughter in central China’s Henan province on September 11. While driving along a dirt road in a village, the concrete mixer truck driver noticed potholes that caused a bumpy ride. With some leftover concrete mix in his truck, Xie volunteered to fix the road... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3368138/chinese-good-samaritan-arrested-manslaughter-after-kindness-leads-fatal-accident?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3368138/chinese-good-samaritan-arrested-manslaughter-after-kindness-leads-fatal-accident?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 20 Sep 2026 10:00:08 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A man in eastern China filed a lawsuit against an AI company after he followed a chatbot’s recommendation for his mother’s burial date, which he later claimed was linked to a family misfortune. According to Jimu News, Shi, from Jiashan county in Zhejiang province, lost his mother to a sudden illness in April. As the youngest of five siblings, Shi sought an auspicious date for her burial. Such dates, derived from traditional Chinese almanacs reflecting ancient beliefs about celestial movements,... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3368136/chinese-man-sues-ai-firm-after-chatbots-auspicious-date-suggestion-leads-disaster?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3368136/chinese-man-sues-ai-firm-after-chatbots-auspicious-date-suggestion-leads-disaster?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 20 Sep 2026 02:21:40 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang In China, an increasing number of digital face-licensing platforms are connecting ordinary individuals with content creators, enabling them to authorise the use of their likenesses in AI-generated short dramas, advertisements, and games. Since April, private “face-selling” transactions that once circulated within film and television industry chat groups have progressively transitioned to public platforms. One bank employee reportedly earned nearly 2,500 yuan (US$370) after an advertising company... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3368108/people-china-earn-between-us7-and-us15000-licensing-faces-ai-content-producers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3368108/people-china-earn-between-us7-and-us15000-licensing-faces-ai-content-producers?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Sep 2026 10:02:47 +0000 Kevin McSpadden Kevin McSpadden Stealing someone’s cattle is a serious crime, and in many places, the thief would end up in jail. However, ancient Chinese justice could result in a truly horrific form of mutilation: the amputation of the nose. This harsh consequence has been well-documented by historians as one of the infamous “five punishments” from the penal system of the Xia dynasty (2070 BC–1600 BC). Until now, no physical evidence of this punishment had been discovered. A team of researchers from China and the US recently... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3368074/chinese-scientists-find-first-evidence-ancient-nose-chopping-punishment-cattle-thieves?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3368074/chinese-scientists-find-first-evidence-ancient-nose-chopping-punishment-cattle-thieves?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Sep 2026 02:00:10 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A Chinese professor has ignited controversy after asserting at a university conference that her extreme commitment to research involved sleeping less than two hours a day for a decade, investing two million yuan (US$300,000) of her own money, and completely sacrificing her personal and family life for over 20 years. The public health professor, Lu Chan, from the Xiangya School of Medicine at Central South University in Hunan province, sparked widespread debate after presenting these... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3368030/sadfishing-china-teacher-probed-over-sacrifice-claims-23-years-away-us300000-spent?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3368030/sadfishing-china-teacher-probed-over-sacrifice-claims-23-years-away-us300000-spent?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Sep 2026 10:30:41 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A 13-year-old boy from eastern China has garnered significant attention online for his ability to leverage artificial intelligence and programming to solve everyday challenges. Yang Xizhe, a junior secondary school student from Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, stands at an impressive 1.9 metres tall and has amassed a following of over 500,000 on mainland social media platforms. Growing up in a city celebrated for its vibrant technology ecosystem, he identifies as an “AI native.” Yang believes that... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3367936/chinas-future-elon-musk-solves-daily-problems-ai-vocabulary-method-draws-20-million-views?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3367936/chinas-future-elon-musk-solves-daily-problems-ai-vocabulary-method-draws-20-million-views?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Sep 2026 02:33:14 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu While the Chinese idiom, “Having ink in their stomach”, serves as a metaphor to commend the knowledgeable, the act of ingesting ink was a common practice among ancient literati. The earliest documentation of ink drinking dates back to the Northern and Southern dynasties (420–589), where it was used as a sanctioned punishment for scholars with illegible handwriting. According to the Book of Sui, the official history of the Sui dynasty (581–618), during an exam administered by a palace attendant... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367876/ancient-chinese-scholars-drank-ink-poetic-inspiration-or-poor-handwriting-penalties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367876/ancient-chinese-scholars-drank-ink-poetic-inspiration-or-poor-handwriting-penalties?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Sep 2026 10:27:18 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu Intense public discussions surrounding the downsides of technology have been sparked by a Chinese man accusing a phone company’s lock screen feature of obstructing his father from calling an ambulance, which he claims contributed to his mother’s death. On September 10, a 19-year-old man named Zhang shared on social media that his mother suffered a heart attack around 4am on August 30. His father attempted to dial the 120 emergency medical number, but accidentally swiped to the phone’s magazine... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367793/pop-ad-accused-delaying-life-saving-call-during-chinese-womans-heart-attack-sparks-debate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367793/pop-ad-accused-delaying-life-saving-call-during-chinese-womans-heart-attack-sparks-debate?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Sep 2026 06:00:09 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A romantic marriage proposal at a concert in northern China attracted significant backlash after the couple blocked the view of other spectators, leading to numerous complaints. On September 12, Chinese folk singer Zhao Lei performed at Beijing’s National Stadium, known as the Bird’s Nest. As tens of thousands of fans sang along, a man in the front section of the audience stood up to propose to his partner. Videos circulating online featured the woman in a white wedding dress, complete with a... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367787/concert-proposal-china-stirs-controversy-when-womans-reaction-blocks-angers-spectators?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367787/concert-proposal-china-stirs-controversy-when-womans-reaction-blocks-angers-spectators?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Sep 2026 01:15:05 +0000 Phoebe Zhang Phoebe Zhang One stormy night last month, a driver surnamed He saw two tall men get out of a car in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen and pull a young woman off the street and into the vehicle. During the struggle, her umbrella fell to the ground. She did not appear willing. Suspicious, He followed the vehicle and later reported the incident to local police, supplying them with footage he had recorded. Thanks to him and the police, the abducted 18-year-old was rescued from a forced marriage. According to... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3367606/why-women-china-are-still-risk-abduction-and-forced-marriage?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3367606/why-women-china-are-still-risk-abduction-and-forced-marriage?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Sep 2026 21:30:06 +0000 Mia Nurmamat Mia Nurmamat Chinese online travel platform Trip.com has launched a space-flight package priced from 5.1 million yuan (US$759,900), compared with Virgin Galactic’s publicly announced ticket price of US$750,000. The six-day trip includes several days of preflight training followed by a 90-minute suborbital flight operated by US-based provider Virgin Galactic, which departs from Spaceport America, near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. The first four days are devoted to preparation and training, with the... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3367720/chinese-travel-platform-sparks-debate-us760000-space-flight-package?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3367720/chinese-travel-platform-sparks-debate-us760000-space-flight-package?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Sep 2026 11:30:05 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang In the early hours of the morning, 29-year-old Guo Zihao awoke in a 24-hour billiards hall in Shenzhen, southern China. For months, such places had served as his makeshift shelter. At his lowest point, he found himself with merely 20 yuan (US$3) left in his pocket. “That period was more than a financial struggle,” Guo told the SCMP. “Every minute, every second, felt like torture.” Just a few years earlier, Guo was far removed from the image of a young man living on society’s fringes. Raised in a... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367698/new-wall-hanging-trend-sees-jobless-chinese-youth-working-1-day-lying-flat-3?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367698/new-wall-hanging-trend-sees-jobless-chinese-youth-working-1-day-lying-flat-3?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Sep 2026 10:00:12 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A Chinese boy with a remarkable talent for engaging customers at his family’s restaurant in central China has gone viral, drawing entertaining reactions from both domestic and international netizens. The four-and-a-half-year-old child gained overnight fame after a Serbian expat in China posted a video of him being approached in front of a diner in Huangshan, Anhui province, on his account @saitie, on September 12. In the video, the young boy skilfully attracted customers in front of his family’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367676/baby-boss-china-wins-hearts-after-clip-shows-him-playfully-courting-customers-outside-eatery?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367676/baby-boss-china-wins-hearts-after-clip-shows-him-playfully-courting-customers-outside-eatery?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Sep 2026 06:15:05 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A woman from northern China has been reunited with her biological family after 26 years, with striking before-and-after images from her disappearance renewing public attention on the plight of human trafficking survivors. Sun Meihua, from Shandong province, was located after an online user known as Chuxin shared her story. During a visit to a village captured on video, Chuxin encountered Sun, who had greying hair, a frail demeanour and signs of cognitive difficulties. Chuxin soon learned that... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367651/viral-then-and-now-photos-chinese-woman-reunited-family-spark-trafficking-debate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367651/viral-then-and-now-photos-chinese-woman-reunited-family-spark-trafficking-debate?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Sep 2026 01:04:14 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A new business trend has emerged in China where young people get paid to throw out rubbish for others at a small fee – and it is proving to be a surprising success. While many people consider taking out the rubbish merely an incidental chore, it has evolved into a paid service in China. On social media platforms, some entrepreneurs promote their rubbish disposal services. Their fees range from three to five yuan (45 to 75 US cents) per pickup, with an option for a monthly package priced at... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367598/lazy-economy-us15-monthly-rubbish-services-china-gain-popularity-benefitting-elderly?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367598/lazy-economy-us15-monthly-rubbish-services-china-gain-popularity-benefitting-elderly?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Sep 2026 10:00:16 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A Chinese woman’s quest to reconnect with a former foreign teacher who profoundly influenced her outlook on life has sparked a collective online effort to locate him. Wang Yu, a community worker in Shanghai, graduated from East China Normal University in 2005 with a degree in tourism management. Wang informed the SCMP that the teacher, known only as Evans, was an American who taught her an elective English course during her university years. For three years, he selflessly supported her academic... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367562/chinese-womans-search-kind-former-foreign-tutor-sparks-flood-shared-memories?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367562/chinese-womans-search-kind-former-foreign-tutor-sparks-flood-shared-memories?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Sep 2026 07:10:52 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu Children in China are embracing the trend of consuming “homework” made from rice paper as a way to alleviate their heavy study burdens, raising concerns regarding food safety. Recently, a snack called “homework” has gained viral popularity among primary and secondary school students. These snacks resemble miniature versions of Chinese textbooks and workbooks, but they are marketed as entirely edible. On China’s e-commerce platforms, these edible workbooks are priced at less than 0.50 yuan (7.5... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367520/chinese-students-eating-homework-relieve-exam-stress-draws-amused-public-reactions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367520/chinese-students-eating-homework-relieve-exam-stress-draws-amused-public-reactions?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Sep 2026 01:27:25 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A Hunan restaurant brand from China has become a sensation in the US, yet faces scrutiny at home regarding its once-esteemed title of “Stir-Fried Pork King.” Founded in 2003, Chef Fei has evolved into one of China’s most recognisable Hunan restaurant chains, celebrated for its fiery flavours and signature stir-fried pork dish. The brand now operates over 200 outlets nationwide and reports having served more than 100 million customers in China by 2025. On August 29, Chef Fei launched its first US... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367466/chinese-dining-chain-drops-stir-fried-pork-king-title-amid-award-scandal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367466/chinese-dining-chain-drops-stir-fried-pork-king-title-amid-award-scandal?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Sep 2026 10:01:32 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A growing number of young Chinese employees are increasingly turning down promotions, challenging the traditional notion that career advancement is the ultimate marker of success. This trend has gained significant traction on mainland social media, where related posts have attracted over 40 million views. Workers have shared scripts online that highlight their decisions to decline promotions, often expressing gratitude, citing feelings of insufficient readiness, and seeking better compensation... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367390/conscious-unbossing-china-youth-reject-promotions-avoid-intense-corporate-stress?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367390/conscious-unbossing-china-youth-reject-promotions-avoid-intense-corporate-stress?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Sep 2026 06:00:07 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A 75-year-old woman from Shanghai spent three million yuan (US$450,000) on beauty treatments in a salon, completely depleting her retirement savings before her daughter uncovered the situation. The elderly woman’s daughter recently sought assistance from a Shanghai television programme after discovering that her mother had exhausted all her savings on beauty services. The woman, surnamed Yu, had spent her savings at a branch of Yongqi Beauty and Hairdressing Company, as well as a medical beauty... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367377/china-grandma-drains-life-savings-us450000-beauty-fraud-daughter-discovers-it?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367377/china-grandma-drains-life-savings-us450000-beauty-fraud-daughter-discovers-it?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Sep 2026 01:23:36 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A Chinese Porsche owner covered his luxury sports car with 90 flyers of missing children, garnering significant attention online. Recently, a Porsche 718 from Kunming, in southwestern China’s Yunnan province, went viral on Chinese social media, with many residents posting about their encounters with the eye-catching vehicle. They filmed the car not for its luxury appeal, but for the striking sight of the flyers featuring missing children that adorned it from bumper to bumper. The owner, Du Lin,... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367348/china-porsche-owner-covers-car-90-missing-child-flyers-successfully-reuniting-family?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367348/china-porsche-owner-covers-car-90-missing-child-flyers-successfully-reuniting-family?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Sep 2026 10:00:09 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu Young dieters in China are increasingly turning away from low-calorie foods in favour of a new trend: chewy snacks. On social media, they are sharing their new-found favourites, including beef jerky, frozen buns, and even baby teething biscuits – each characterised by their toughness and chewiness. Many prefer chewy foods as a way to keep their mouths busy and trick their brains into feeling satisfied, reducing the urge to eat more. For these dieters, taste is not the top priority; instead, the... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367339/forget-low-calorie-food-chinese-youth-turn-tasteless-chewy-snacks-lose-weight?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367339/forget-low-calorie-food-chinese-youth-turn-tasteless-chewy-snacks-lose-weight?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Sep 2026 06:16:29 +0000 Deepa Padmanaban Deepa Padmanaban Some of my earliest memories of Bengaluru, where I spent my summer holidays, are of looking up in wonder at the towering canopy of trees in Cubbon Park. Even in the height of summer, Bengaluru could be cool enough to require a light jacket. Today, the iconic Cubbon Park, the pride of the city I now call home, is under threat. So is Lalbagh Botanical Garden, another of the city’s iconic green spaces, with roots stretching back more than 250 years. On a Sunday morning in Bengaluru last month,... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3366905/warming-cities-cant-afford-sacrifice-their-urban-parks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3366905/warming-cities-cant-afford-sacrifice-their-urban-parks?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Sep 2026 01:30:07 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A Chinese influencer faced widespread criticism after a purported donation of 1 million yuan (US$150,000) to flood relief efforts was allegedly revealed as fabricated. Since July, typhoon-induced torrential rains have ravaged the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region in southern China, resulting in the deaths of 159 people, according to local reports. On September 7, internet users accused a RedNote influencer known as Anlan of fabricating a donation record for flood relief in Guangxi, sharing... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367330/china-influencer-exposed-over-fake-us150000-flood-gift-red-cross-finds-only-15-cent-offers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367330/china-influencer-exposed-over-fake-us150000-flood-gift-red-cross-finds-only-15-cent-offers?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Sep 2026 01:23:12 +0000 Kevin McSpadden Kevin McSpadden It sometimes guards kingdoms and empires; other times, it hoards treasures within a hidden cave. The dragon frequently symbolises power, strength, and good fortune. In contrast, its counterpart, the phoenix, meets its end in a pile of ashes only to be reborn at the pinnacle of its beauty, symbolising grace, beauty, and rebirth. Individually, the dragon and phoenix are iconic figures in Chinese mythology. Together, these contrasting creatures embody a yin-and-yang that serves as an important... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367261/symbol-harmony-chinese-scientists-discover-earliest-dragon-phoenix-pairing-ancient-tomb?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367261/symbol-harmony-chinese-scientists-discover-earliest-dragon-phoenix-pairing-ancient-tomb?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Sep 2026 10:00:08 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan A premature baby in southern China, weighing just 330 grams and measuring as large as an adult’s palm, was discharged from the hospital in good health after a 105-day stay. The newborn baby boy was born on May 20, when his mother was only 23 weeks and four days pregnant, at Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, as reported by the South Daily. Nicknamed Little Zebao, he is recognised as the lightest premature baby in Guangdong province. His skin was as thin as a cicada’s wing, with... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367257/330-gram-premature-chinese-baby-defies-odds-reach-25kg-105-days-heads-home?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367257/330-gram-premature-chinese-baby-defies-odds-reach-25kg-105-days-heads-home?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Sep 2026 06:00:13 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan A teenage girl in mainland China travelled to Hong Kong to attend a concert of her idol, resulting in her family losing their government living allowances due to her actions being classified as a form of “high-end consumption.” This incident has sparked intense debate in China and has divided public opinion since it was reported by the mainland news portal, The Cover. According to a social media post shared by the girl’s cousin in early September, the girl is a technical secondary school student... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367251/china-teens-hong-kong-concert-trip-costs-family-government-subsidies-sparking-mixed-reaction?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367251/china-teens-hong-kong-concert-trip-costs-family-government-subsidies-sparking-mixed-reaction?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Sep 2026 01:00:13 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A Chinese milk tea chain has ignited a debate about workplace culture and employee autonomy after reports of its military-style onboarding training garnered public criticism. Frontline employees at Chayanyuese, also known as Modern China Tea Shop, recently voiced their concerns on mainland social media, alleging that the company’s “Cornerstone” induction programme infringes on personal boundaries. Headquartered in Hunan province, Chayanyuese is one of China’s most recognisable milk tea brands,... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367188/chinese-milk-tea-chain-sparks-heated-debate-over-military-style-onboarding-programme?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367188/chinese-milk-tea-chain-sparks-heated-debate-over-military-style-onboarding-programme?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Sep 2026 10:00:14 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan A secondary school in southern China has faced significant backlash since implementing a quota that restricts students to using the toilet only once during class for the entire term. This toilet policy was highlighted in a photo reportedly taken by a teacher at Ruyuan County High School in Guangdong province during an internal management meeting in late August, as reported by the Xiaoxiang Morning Herald. Concerning classroom discipline, the school specifies that each student is permitted to use... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367155/chinese-school-restricts-students-1-bathroom-break-term-during-class-sparks-probe?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367155/chinese-school-restricts-students-1-bathroom-break-term-during-class-sparks-probe?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Sep 2026 06:00:12 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A 106-year-old man in eastern China has inspired many online with his unconventional lifestyle and enduring marriage. Wang Dinggao, from Rui’an in Zhejiang province, remains remarkably independent despite experiencing some hearing loss, according to the mainland media outlet Daxiang News. In contrast to most people, he adheres to a “reverse schedule”: sleeping around 4 or 5pm, waking at 1am, enjoying breakfast at 3am before embarking on his morning walk. His son has adapted to this unusual... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3367118/chinese-man-106-embraces-reverse-schedule-celebrated-alongside-wife-model-couple?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3367118/chinese-man-106-embraces-reverse-schedule-celebrated-alongside-wife-model-couple?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Sep 2026 01:14:03 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan A 98-year-old man in eastern China has garnered widespread praise for his remarkable philanthropy, which includes donations totalling 60 million yuan (US$9 million), while leading an exceptionally frugal life himself. Wang Chunwen, a resident of Ninghai county in Zhejiang province, has been honoured with the China Charity Award by the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the highest accolade in the country to recognise significant contributions to charitable efforts. In early September, Wang’s son... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3367066/china-living-buddha-honoured-us9-million-donation-after-saving-every-cent-charity?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3367066/china-living-buddha-honoured-us9-million-donation-after-saving-every-cent-charity?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Sep 2026 10:12:41 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A pair of Chinese cousins in their 50s have redesigned ethnic brocade and promoted it by cross-dressing in women’s clothing made from the fabric, despite facing objections from their family. Uncle Yang, 56, hails from Fujian province in southeastern China, while his older cousin, Uncle Song, is from Heilongjiang province in northeastern China. Although they grew up separately, they reunited for their shared passion for fashion in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. Videos of them wearing... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367000/chinese-cousins-their-50s-redesign-revitalise-ethnic-fabric-model-sell-clothing-globally?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3367000/chinese-cousins-their-50s-redesign-revitalise-ethnic-fabric-model-sell-clothing-globally?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Sep 2026 06:00:07 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A Chinese man’s seven-year affair with an insurance agent has ignited a legal dispute, revealing dramatic details uncovered by his wife. Guo, from Liuzhou in Guangxi province, southern China, is married to Zhen, with whom he shares a two-year-old daughter, according to Hongxing News. In 2017, Zhen discovered flirtatious messages exchanged between her husband and Li, an insurance agent eight years his junior. These texts included “I miss you” and multiple transfers of 520 yuan (US$77), a figure... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3366981/china-wife-exposes-husbands-us15-million-insurance-buying-affair-involving-180-hotel-stays?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3366981/china-wife-exposes-husbands-us15-million-insurance-buying-affair-involving-180-hotel-stays?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Sep 2026 01:25:22 +0000 Kevin McSpadden Kevin McSpadden Imagine it is the height of the Tang dynasty (618–690, 705–907), and the imperial court awaits a gift of pure opulence. The exotic luxury would not have been a golden statue or precious gem; those were easy enough for high royalty to procure. Rather, it was a humble peach, specifically, the “golden peach of Samarkand,” which symbolised the allure and mystery of a faraway land. Originating in what is modern-day Uzbekistan, the luscious peach shows how food spread along the Silk Road and how... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3366921/how-silk-road-east-west-melting-pot-turns-central-asia-culinary-destination?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3366921/how-silk-road-east-west-melting-pot-turns-central-asia-culinary-destination?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Sep 2026 10:00:14 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu An elderly Chinese couple reported their granddaughter to the police after she took 20,000 yuan (US$3,000) and a gold bracelet from their home without permission, igniting intense discussions online. The woman, identified by her surname Chen and hailing from northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, received a six-month jail sentence for theft, along with a fine of 2,000 yuan, according to the Legal Daily on September 1. Chen had taken the money and jewellery from her grandparents... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3366860/chinese-grandparents-let-court-jail-granddaughter-stealing-us3000-teach-her-lesson?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3366860/chinese-grandparents-let-court-jail-granddaughter-stealing-us3000-teach-her-lesson?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Sep 2026 06:00:12 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A pair of Chinese sisters, aged 20 and 15, have exposed a decade-long affair between their father, a former professor at the prestigious Wuhan University, and his student, who is now a professor at the same institution. Recently, they published an 86-page expose of this affair online, sparking heated discussions across social media platforms. The sisters are targeting their father, Fu Lei, a 47-year-old former professor and doctoral supervisor at Wuhan University’s College of Chemistry and... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3366842/chinese-sisters-86-page-expose-accuses-phd-supervisor-affair-dad-academic-misconduct?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3366842/chinese-sisters-86-page-expose-accuses-phd-supervisor-affair-dad-academic-misconduct?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Sep 2026 01:19:27 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A Chinese man has recently achieved his ambitious goal of travelling to 233 countries and regions around the world, sharing the life wisdom that “time waits for no man.” Chen Jinwei, 53, returned to his hometown in Zhuji, in eastern China’s Zhejiang province, after a remarkable 33-year global tour that ended when he returned from Peru after visiting various corners of the world. Reports indicate that only about 70 individuals in China have previously travelled to 233 countries, territories, and... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3366726/time-waits-no-man-chinese-mans-33-year-us15-million-world-trip-inspires-many?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3366726/time-waits-no-man-chinese-mans-33-year-us15-million-world-trip-inspires-many?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Sep 2026 10:00:18 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan A 62-year-old woman from southern China, who cannot speak standard Mandarin or recognise the English alphabet, has gone viral on social media for singing over 100 songs in six different languages. Li Deru, known online as @Auntie Ru, boasts 800,000 followers and has garnered millions of likes across both domestic and international social media platforms. In addition to English, Li performs songs in Korean, Japanese, Thai, Hindi, and Italian. In her videos, Li, always elegantly dressed,... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3366718/chinese-grandma-who-struggles-mandarin-sings-6-foreign-languages?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3366718/chinese-grandma-who-struggles-mandarin-sings-6-foreign-languages?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Sep 2026 06:00:05 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A woman in eastern China took legal action against her son, seeking more than 360,000 yuan (US$54,000) in compensation for her role in caring for his daughter. This dramatic case has ignited a nationwide debate concerning evolving perspectives on grandparental childcare responsibilities. In April, a Shanghai court disclosed details of a case from last year involving Xu, a woman in her 60s, who sued her son, surnamed Liang. Years after divorcing her husband, Xu had been living with her son.... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3366701/chinese-woman-sues-son-us54000-childcare-fees-after-15-years-sparking-debate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3366701/chinese-woman-sues-son-us54000-childcare-fees-after-15-years-sparking-debate?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Sep 2026 01:03:16 +0000