Newsletter
TikTok Refugees, Xiaohongshu, and the Letters from Li Hua
PREMIUM NEWSLETTER | ISSUE #43
Overview:
▶ Dear Reader – “Dear Li Hua”: Explaining the TikTok Xiaohongshu Honeymoon
▶ What’s on Weibo Chapters – 15 Years of Weibo
▶ What’s Popular – ‘Black Myth Wukong’ at Spring Festival
▶ What’s Memorable – Fleeing to Iceland
Dear Reader,
Imagine you are Li Hua (李华), a Chinese senior high school student. You have a foreign friend, far away, in America. His name is John, and he has asked you for some insight into Chinese Spring Festival, for an upcoming essay has to write for the school newspaper. You need to write a reply to John, in which you explain more about the history of China’s New Year festival and the traditions surrounding its celebrations.
This is the kind of writing assignment many Chinese students have once encountered during their English writing exams in school during the Gaokao (高考), China’s National College Entrance Exams. The figure of ‘Li Hua’ has popped up on and off during these exams since at least 1995, when Li invited foreign friend ‘Peter’ to a picnic at Renmin Park.
Over the years, Li Hua has become somewhat of a cultural icon. A few months ago, Shangguan News (上观新闻) humorously speculated about his age, estimating that, since one exam mentioned his birth year as 1977, he should now be 47 years old—still a high school student, still helping foreign friends, and still introducing them to life in China.
This week, however, Li Hua unexpectedly became a trending topic on social media—in a week that was already full of surprises.
With a TikTok ban looming in the US (delayed after briefly taking effect on Sunday), millions of American TikTok users began migrating to other platforms this month. The most notable one was the Chinese social media app Xiaohongshu (now also known as Rednote), which saw a massive influx of so-called “TikTok refugees” (Tiktok难民). The surge propelled Xiaohongshu to the #1 spot in app stores across the US and beyond.
This influx of some three million foreigners marked an unprecedented moment for a domestic Chinese app, and Xiaohongshu’s sudden international popularity has brought both challenges and beautiful moments. Beyond the geopolitical tension between the US and China, Chinese and American internet users spontaneously found common ground, creating unique connections and finding new friends.
While the TikTok/Xiaohongshu “honeymoon” may seem like just a humorous trend, it also reflects deeper, more complex themes.
✳️ National Security Threat or Anti-Chinese Witchhunt?
At its core, the “TikTok refugee” trend has sprung from geopolitical tensions, rivalry, and mutual distrust between the US and China.
TikTok is a wildly popular AI-powered short video app by Chinese company ByteDance, which also runs Douyin, the Chinese counterpart of the international TikTok app. TikTok has over 170 million users in the US alone.
A potential TikTok ban was first proposed in 2020, amid escalating US-China tensions. President Trump initiated the move, citing security and data concerns. In 2024, the debate resurfaced in global headlines when President Biden signed the “Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act,” giving ByteDance nine months to divest TikTok or face a US ban.
TikTok, however, has continuously insisted it is apolitical, does not accept political promotion, and has no political agenda. Its Singaporean CEO Shou Zi Chew maintains that ByteDance is a private business and “not an agent of China or any other country.”
🇺🇸 From Washington’s perspective, TikTok is viewed as a national and personal security threat. Officials fear the app could be used to spread propaganda or misinformation on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party.
🇨🇳 Beijing, meanwhile, criticizes the ban as an act of “bullying,” accusing the US of protectionism and attempting to undermine China’s most successful internet companies. They argue that the ban reflects America’s inability to compete with the success of Chinese digital products, labeling the scrutiny around TikTok as a “witch hunt.”
Political cartoon about the American “witchhunt” against TikTok, shared on Weibo in 2023, also published on Twitter by Lianhe Zaobao.
“This will eventually backfire on the US itself,” China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin predicted in 2024.
Wang turned out to be quite right, in a way.
When it became clear in mid-January that the ban was likely to become a reality, American TikTok users grew increasingly frustrated and angry with their government. For many of these TikTok creators, the platform is not just a form of entertainment—it has become an essential part of their income. Some directly monetize their content through TikTok, while others use it to promote services or products, targeting audiences that other platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or X can no longer reach as effectively.
Initially, the mass migration of American users to Xiaohongshu was a symbolic protest against US policies. Users advocated for the right to choose their preferred social media, and voiced their frustration at how their favorite app had become a pawn in US-China geopolitical tensions. Rejecting the narrative that “data must be protected from the Chinese,” many pointed out that privacy concerns were equally valid for US-based platforms. As an act of playful political defiance, these users downloaded Xiaohongshu to demonstrate they didn’t fear the government’s warnings about Chinese data collection.
(If they had the option, by the way, they would have installed Douyin—the actual Chinese version of TikTok—but it is only available in Chinese app stores, whereas Xiaohongshu is accessible in international stores, so it was picked as ‘China’s version of TikTok.’)
Xiaohongshu is actually not the same as TikTok at all. Founded in 2013, Xiaohongshu (literal translation: Little Red Book) is a popular app with over 300 million users that combines lifestyle, travel, fashion, and cosmetics with e-commerce, user-generated content, and product reviews. Like TikTok, it offers personalized content recommendations and scrolling videos, but is otherwise different in types of engagement and being more text-based.
As a Chinese app primarily designed for a domestic audience, the sudden wave of foreign users caused significant disruption. Xiaohongshu must adhere to the guidelines of China’s Cyberspace Administration, which requires tight control over information flows. The unexpected influx of foreign users undoubtedly created challenges for the company, prompting a scramble to recruit English-speaking content moderators to manage the new streams of content. Foreigners addressing sensitive political issues soon found their accounts banned.
Of course, there is undeniable irony in Americans protesting government control by flocking to a Chinese app functioning within an internet system that is highly controlled by the government—a move that sparked quite some debate and criticism as well.
✳️ The Sino-American ‘Dear Li Hua’ Moment
While the initial hype around Xiaohongshu among TikTok users was political, the trend quickly shifted into a moment of cultural exchange. As American creators introduced themselves on the platform, Chinese users gave them a warm welcome, eager to practice their English and teach these foreign newcomers how to navigate the app.
Soon, discussions about language, culture, and societal differences between China and the US began to flourish. Before long, “TikTok refugees” and “Xiaohongshu natives” were collaborating on homework assignments, swapping recipes, and bonding through humor.
For instance, Chinese users jokingly asked the “TikTok refugees” to pay a “cat tax” for seeking refuge on their platform, which American users happily fulfilled by posting adorable cat photos. American users, in turn, joked about becoming best friends with their “Chinese spies,” playfully mocking their own government’s fears about Chinese data collection.
The newfound camaraderie sparked creativity, as users began generating humorous images celebrating the bond between American and Chinese netizens—like Ronald McDonald cooking with the Monkey King or the Terra Cotta Soldier embracing the Statue of Liberty. Later, some images even depicted the pair welcoming their first “baby.”
🇺🇸 At the same time, it became clear just how little Americans and Chinese truly know about each other. Many American users expressed surprise at the China they discovered through Xiaohongshu, which contrasted sharply with negative portrayals they’ve seen in the media. While some popular US narratives often paint Chinese citizens as “brainwashed” by their government, many TikTok users began to reflect on how their own perspectives had been shaped—or even “manipulated”—by their media and government.
🇨🇳 For Chinese users, the sudden interaction underscored their digital isolation. Over the past 15 years, China has developed its own tightly regulated digital ecosystem, with Western platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube inaccessible in the mainland. While this system offers political and economic advantages, it has left many young Chinese people culturally hungry for direct interaction with foreigners—especially after years of reduced exchange caused by the pandemic, trade tensions, and bilateral estrangement. (Today, only some 1,100 American students are reportedly studying in China.)
The enthusiasm and eagerness displayed by American and Chinese Xiaohongshu users this week actually underscores the vacuum in cultural exchange between the two nations.
As a result of the Xiaohongshu migration, language-learning platform Duolingo reported a 216% rise in new US users learning Mandarin—a clear sign of growing interest in bridging the US-China divide.
Mourning the lack of intercultural communication and celebrating this unexpected moment of connection, Xiaohongshu users began jokingly asking Americans if they had ever received their “Li Hua letters.”
What started as some lighthearted remarks evolved into something much bigger as Chinese users dug up their old Gaokao exam papers and shared the letters they had written to their imaginary foreign friends years ago. These letters, often carefully stored in drawers or organizers, were posted with captions like, “Why didn’t you reply?” suggesting that Chinese students had been trying to reach out for years.
Example letters on Xiaohongshu: ‘Li Hua’ writing to foreign friends.
The story of ‘Li Hua’ and the replies he never received struck a chord with American Tiktok users. One user, Debrah.71, commented:
“It was the opposite for us in the USA. When I was in grade school, we did the same thing—we had foreign pen pals. But they did respond to our letters.”
Then, something extraordinary happened: Americans started replying to Li Hua.
One user, Douglas, posted a heartfelt video of him writing a letter to Li Hua:
📝”Dear Li Hua, I’m sorry I didn’t get your letters. I understand you’ve been writing me for a long time, but now I’m here to reply. Hello, from your American friend. I hope you’re well. Life here is pretty normal—we go to work, hit the gym, eat dinner, watch TV. What about you? Please write back. I’m sorry I didn’t reply before, but I’m here now. Your friend, Douglas.”
Another user, Tess (@TessSaidThat), wrote:
📝”Dear Li Hua, I hope this letter finds you well. I’m so sorry my response is so late. My government never delivered your letters. Instead, they told me you didn’t want to be my friend. Now I know the truth, and I can’t wait to visit. Which city should I visit first? With love, Tess.”
Examples of Dear Li Hua letters.
Other replies echoed similar sentiments:
📝”Dear Li Hua, I’m sorry the world kept us apart.”
📝”Did you achieve your dreams? Are you still practicing English? We’re older now, but wherever we are, happiness is what matters most.”
These exchanges left hundreds of users—both Chinese and American, young and old, male and female—teary-eyed. In a way, it’s the emotional weight of the distance—represented by millions of unanswered letters—that resonated deeply with both “TikTok refugees” and “Xiaohongshu natives.”
Emotional responses to the Li Hua letters.
The letters seemed to symbolize the gap that has long separated Chinese and American people, and the replies highlighted the unusual circumstances that brought these two online communities together. This moment of genuine cultural exchange made many realize how anti-Chinese, anti-American sentiments have dominated narratives for years, fostering misunderstandings.
Xiaohongshu commenter.
On the Chinese side, many people expressed how emotional it was to see Li Hua’s letters finally receiving replies. Writing these letters had been a collective experience for generations of Chinese students, creating messages to imaginary foreign friends they never expected to meet.
Receiving a reply wasn’t just about connection; it was about being truly seen at a time when Chinese people often feel underrepresented or mischaracterized in global contexts. Some users even called the replies to the Li Hua letters a “historical moment.”
✳️ Unity in a Time of Digital Divide
Alongside its political and cultural dimensions, the TikTok/Xiaohongshu “honeymoon” also reveals much about China and its digital environment. The fact that TikTok, a product of a Chinese company, has had such a profound impact on the American online landscape—and that American users are now flocking to another Chinese app—showcases the strength of Chinese digital products and the growing “de-westernization” of social media.
Of course, in Chinese official media discourse, this aspect of the story has been positively highlighted. Chinese state media portrays the migration of US TikTok users to Xiaohongshu as a victory for China: not only does it emphasize China’s role as a digital superpower and supposed geopolitical “connector” amidst US-China tensions, but it also serves as a way of mocking US authorities for the “witch hunt” against TikTok, suggesting that their actions have ultimately backfired—a win-win for China.
The Chinese Communist Party’s Publicity Department even made a tongue-in-cheek remark about Xiaohongshu’s sudden popularity among foreign users. The Weibo account of the propaganda app Study Xi, Strong Country, dedicated to promote Party history and Xi Jinping’s work, playfully suggested that if Americans are using a Chinese social media app today, they might be studying Xi Jinping Thought tomorrow, writing: “We warmly invite all friends, foreign and Chinese, new and old, to download the ‘Big Red Book’ app so we can study and make progress together!”
Perhaps the most positive takeaway from the TikTok/Xiaohongshu trend—regardless of how many American users remain on the app now that the TikTok ban has been delayed—is that it demonstrates the power of digital platforms to create new, transnational communities. It’s unfortunate that censorship, a TikTok ban, and the fragmentation of global social media triggered this moment, but it has opened a rare opportunity to build bridges across countries and platforms.
The “Dear Li Hua” letters are not just personal exchanges; they are part of a larger movement where digital tools are reshaping how people form relationships and challenge preconceived notions of others outside geopolitical contexts. Most importantly, it has shown Chinese and American social media users how confined they’ve been to their own bubbles, isolated on their own islands. An AI-powered social media app in the digital era became the unexpected medium for them to share kind words, have a laugh, exchange letters, and see each other for what they truly are: just humans.
As millions of Americans flock back to TikTok today, things will not be the same as before. They now know they have a friend in China called Li Hua.
Best,
Manya
(@manyapan)
PS There is a lot more to say about this topic, and if you’d like to read more, I’d also recommend reading Wen Hao’s Newsletter: “American TikTok users and Beijing found their common villain—the United States.”
What’s on Weibo Chapters
Especially in these tumultuous TikTok and Xiaohongshu times, I’m excited to share the first long read of What’s on Weibo Chapters with you. This month, our theme is 15 Years of Weibo and this is a relevant read to understand the dynamics of Chinese social media.
“15 Years of Weibo: The Evolution of China’s Social Media Giant,” explores how Weibo became one of the most successful social media platforms in China’s internet history. It examines its strategies, struggles, and its role in shaping the country’s digital landscape—past, present, and future.
Here are some key questions the article addresses:
➡️What was China’s social media landscape like in the pre-Weibo era?
➡️Why did Sina Weibo succeed while other platforms failed?
➡️How has Weibo shaped public opinion and discourse in China?
➡️What is Weibo’s current role in China’s social media ecosystem?
➡️What are the prospects for Weibo’s future?
If you’re curious about any of these questions, this article has you covered. From its beginnings as ‘Chinese Twitter’ to its evolution into a digital dinosaur, the story of Weibo offers a window into China’s broader social media landscape.
What’s Popular
Is Chinese game sensation ‘Black Myth Wukong’ making a jump from gaming screens to the CMG Spring Festival Gala?
The countdown to the most-watched show of the year has begun. On January 29, the Year of the Snake will be celebrated across China, and as always, the CMG Spring Festival Gala, broadcast on CCTV1, will air on the night leading up to midnight on January 28.
Rehearsals for the show began last week, sparking rumors and discussions about the must-watch performances this year. Soon, the hashtag “Black Myth: Wukong – From New Year’s Gala to Spring Festival Gala” (#黑神话悟空从跨晚到春晚#) went viral on Weibo, following rumors that the Gala will feature a performance based on the hugely popular game Black Myth: Wukong.
Three weeks ago, a 16-minute-long Black Myth: Wukong performance already was a major highlight of Bilibili’s 2024 New Year’s Gala (B站跨年晚会). The show featured stunning visuals from the game, anime-inspired elements, special effects, spectacular stage design, and live song-and-dance performances. It was such a hit that many viewers said it brought them to tears. You can watch that show on YouTube here.
While it’s unlikely that the entire 16-minute performance will be included in the Spring Festival Gala (it’s a long 4-hour show but maintains a very fast pace), it seems highly possible that a highlight segment of the performance could make its way to the show.
Recently, Black Myth: Wukong was crowned 2024’s Game of the Year at the Steam Awards. The game is nothing short of a sensation. Officially released on August 20, 2024, it topped the international gaming platform Steam’s “Most Played” list within hours of its launch. Developed by Game Science, a studio founded by former Tencent employees, Black Myth: Wukong draws inspiration from the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. This legendary tale of heroes and demons follows the supernatural monkey Sun Wukong as he accompanies the Tang Dynasty monk Xuanzang on a pilgrimage to India to retrieve Buddhist scriptures. The game, however, focuses on Sun Wukong’s story after this iconic journey.
The success of Black Myth: Wukong cannot be overstated—I’ve also not seen a Chinese video game be this hugely popular on social media over the past decade. Beyond being a blockbuster game it is now widely regarded as an impactful Chinese pop cultural export that showcases Chinese culture, history, and traditions. Its massive success has made anything associated with it go viral—for example, a merchandise collaboration with Luckin Coffee sold out instantly.
If Black Myth: Wukong does indeed become part of the Spring Festival Gala, it will likely be one of the most talked-about and celebrated segments of the show. If it does not come on, which we would be a shame, we can still see a Black Myth performance at the pre-recorded Fujian Spring Festival Gala, which will air on January 29.
Lastly, if you’re not into video games and not that interested in watching the show, I still highly recommend that you check out the game’s music. You can find it on Spotify (link to album). It will also give you a sense of the unique beauty of Black Myth: Wukong that you might appreciate—I certainly do.
What’s Memorable
Social media can bring out the worst in people, but sometimes it also brings out the best. We saw this over the past week in the special moments shared between American ‘TikTok refugees’ and Chinese Xiaohongshu users. As they exchanged jokes online, it reminded me of a short but memorable trend that erupted on Weibo during the Covid era.
After the Embassy of Iceland posted about its bustling ‘post-pandemic’ travel season—suggesting that the Covid-19 “gloom is over”—jealousy spread among Chinese netizens. Seeing images of people having picnics and celebrating life in beautiful Iceland, many on Weibo suddenly began posing as natives of Iceland, claiming to feel homesick and longing to return to their “homeland.”
Others jokingly referred to themselves as Covid “refugees,” humorously trying to gain access to Iceland. One popular comment read: “I was abducted from Iceland at the age of three and taken to Henan.”
While the Embassy’s post served as a stark reminder of the contrast between China and other countries in handling Covid, it also provided a much-needed opportunity for online banter and sarcasm—momentarily making Chinese netizens feel a little closer to Iceland.
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: A New Chapter
About balloons, drone dragons, changes coming to What’s on Weibo, and much more.
PREMIUM NEWSLETTER | ISSUE #42
This week’s newsletter:
◼︎ 1. Editor’s Note – A New Chapter
◼︎ 2. What’s New – A closer look at featured stories
◼︎ 3. What’s Trending – Hot highlights
◼︎ 4. What’s Noteworthy – A strange record
◼︎ 6. What’s Popular – Jackson Yee’s stellar performance
◼︎ 7. What’s Memorable – Looking back at the 10 most-read stories of 2024
Dear Reader,
From Hangzhou to Wuhan, the New Year in China was celebrated with the release of thousands of balloons at midnight in cities across the country. In Hangzhou alone, approximately 70,000 people attended the New Year countdown celebrations, with some bloggers estimating that street vendors sold at least 20,000 balloons in one night. In Nanchang, the capital of Jiangxi province, thousands of people also released balloons in the city center, resulting in stunning crowd videos (see here).
While a sky filled with balloons makes for some spectacular images and footage, adding to the festive sphere, there are also worries about this contemporary ‘tradition.’
The Nanchang balloon moment at midnight.
The sight of tens of thousands of people gathering in city centers, such as in Nanchang, has triggered discussions about the dangers of unexpected incidents leading to panic, potentially causing stampedes like the tragic event in Shanghai a decade ago.
Beyond crowd safety, the release of thousands of balloons introduces another serious risk. Hydrogen-filled balloons (hydrogen is often illegally used in balloons because it’s cheaper than helium) are highly flammable, and contact with high-voltage lines or open flames can lead to explosions and hazardous situations. One such incident occurred in Xinyang on New Year’s Eve, when balloons exploded at the crowded entrance of a shopping mall (video). In Hangzhou, a 22-year-man was arrested at the scene for setting off fireworks in Hangzhou during the balloon release festivities, also causing local explosions.
And then, there are concerns about the environmental impact. The balloon release festivities in Hangzhou alone resulted in an estimated six tons of garbage being left behind, making the cleanup a massive and costly undertaking. While sanitation workers are mobilized to tackle the mess, many balloons end up caught in trees, tangled in bushes, or drifting so far that they’re beyond the reach of cleanup crews. The sheer amount of plastic waste left behind has sparked online discussions, with many questioning the environmental consequences of these celebrations.
So what’s the alternative?
This year, you might have seen a viral video of an impressive drone show supposedly held on the Bund in Shanghai, featuring a dragon formed by dozens of drones dancing in the night sky, crowned by a circle of fireworks. The video went viral across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X. Even Elon Musk liked the video, tweeting his “wow” comment: look how China celebrates the New Year!
The video, however, turned out to be fake. In fact, there was no show for New Year’s at the Bund at all.
The video creator combined elements from various other videos, including a drone light show featuring a majestic dragon that took place in Shenzhen on October 1st, marking the 75th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China (video).
The glowing circle in the sky was from a firework and AI show held in Liuyang, Hunan, on December 7, titled “Tears of the Gate of Heaven” (天空之门的眼泪). The falling lights symbolized tears from heaven and were designed by a local firework company boss to commemorate his late mother (video).
Upon further research, I found that the Liuyang show had inspired a series of edited videos, placing the Liuyang show highlight in different locations, with each version more spectacular than the last (see examples). As reported by Annielab, there are even online tutorials teaching netizens how to digitally insert the Liuyang ‘gate’ into different backgrounds with the Jianying (剪映, aka Capcut) editing app.
What began as an online meme (“I haven’t been to the Liuyang show, but I can bring it to my town”) eventually resulted in the viral video combining the Shenzhen and Liuyang shows against the backdrop of the Bund. For the quick scrollers, it apparently was so realistic that even Elon Musk thought it was genuine.
Stills from the fake drone dragon video.
The fake drone dragon New Year video is interesting for several reasons. It highlights how quickly fake news about China spreads across social media, with few questioning the authenticity of viral posts—even when they’re shared with millions of followers. We’ve seen this pattern before, with stories about the social credit system, a supposed Xi Jinping chatbot, and heavily edited cyberpunk-style Chongqing scenes.
These trends often repeat themselves, portraying China in extremes: either as a futuristic utopia or a dystopian threat. They go viral because they serve as clickbait, used by both hostile “anti-China” accounts and propaganda-heavy “pro-China” accounts to push their narratives—look how great China is or look how scary China is.
The dragon video, though fake, also underscores China’s role as a global tech power. Its components—real drone and AI shows in Liuyang, Shenzhen, and other cities—demonstrate just how advanced the technology has become, to the point where reality and fabrication are increasingly difficult to distinguish.
It’s just a video, but it points to something bigger: the lack of understanding about what is actually happening in China. Whether it’s about China’s digital space or society at large, most people don’t take the time—or simply don’t have the time—to look beyond the surface of fast-moving stories. This tendency risks amplifying misconceptions. Before you know it, you might retweet a fake dragon video, interpreting it as evidence of a powerful or intimidating China, without realizing it’s part of a broader grassroots trend that’s misunderstood—or missing the fact that, for now, far more balloons than drones still rise into the skies during New Year’s celebrations.
Before I wander off with the balloons, what’s the takeaway? As we step into 2025, with AI playing an ever-growing role on social media and global influencers shaping the news we consume—often with their own agendas—it’s more important than ever to examine the stories we amplify critically. Only by paying attention to the details can we truly understand the bigger picture.
Announcing some changes to What’s on Weibo
This brings me to an exciting new chapter for What’s on Weibo and how I see the future of the site. The China-focused global news environment has evolved significantly since I first started this platform. There’s now an increased focus in mainstream media on China’s social media trends, and niche China-related news has become accessible to many thanks to innovative tools at our fingertips. While there’s more information than ever, it’s also becoming increasingly chaotic and fleeting.
As a smaller, independent voice in this fast-paced and crowded media arena, I’m committed to offering you unique and meaningful insights into Chinese society and digital culture that you won’t find anywhere else. In this video, I’ll explain the changes coming to the site, introducing What’s on Weibo Chapters. In these turbulent, dragon-drone times, I hope you’ll appreciate this new chapter for What’s on Weibo.
Our first Chapter, of course, is “15 Years of Weibo,” reflecting on the platform’s evolution since its launch in 2009 and its role in China’s competitive social media ecosystem today. We’ll explore the most popular influencers on Weibo, go deeper into Weibo diplomacy aka ‘Weiplomacy’, and will feature a special contribution by an expert guest writer. More on that coming soon!
A shout-out to Miranda Barnes and Ruixin Zhang for helping select some of the topics for this newsletter, and a very special thanks to Wytse Koetse for filming and editing the What’s on Weibo Chapters video.
Stay tuned!
Warm greetings,
Manya Koetse
(@manyapan)
What’s New
Our picks | From ‘Chillax’ to ‘Digital Ibuprofen,’ this compilation of ten Chinese buzzwords and catchphrases by What’s on Weibo reflects social trends and the changing times in China in 2024.
What’s Trending
🏚️ Earthquake in Tibet
The devastating 7.1 magnitude earthquake that struck Shigatse’s Tingri County high on the Tibetan plateau on the morning of January 7th has already claimed the lives of at least 95 people and left over 130 injured. Approximately 6,900 people reside in the villages surrounding the earthquake’s epicenter. On Weibo, videos reveal the catastrophic impact of the earthquake, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble.
Shigatse City’s Deputy Mayor Liu Huazhong (刘华忠) appeared visibly emotional as he announced the latest death toll and shared that 14 townships have been severely affected by the disaster. At the time of writing, the government has activated the highest-level emergency response for disaster relief, with hundreds of rescue workers deployed to the affected areas to provide medical assistance, conduct search and rescue operations, and distribute emergency supplies.
🤒 Peak Flu Season
It’s peak flu season, and it’s evident in the various trending topics circulating on Chinese social media. As discussions grow about crowded hospitals, face masks, and flu medication, concerns about the rapidly rising rates of influenza viruses have also emerged. Currently, according to monitoring data from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, over 99% of flu cases in China are identified as the Influenza A virus subtype H1N1 (“甲流”).
There have also been reports of an increase in flu-like human metapneumovirus (HMPV, 人偏肺病毒) infections in northern China, particularly among children under the age of 14. On social media, Chinese experts are largely addressing these concerns by emphasizing that HMPV is not the same as Covid-19, is less common compared to influenza and mycoplasma infections, and that the recent rise in HMPV cases is not unusual but rather reflects the typical higher prevalence of respiratory viruses during winter.
🏓 Chinese Table Tennis Superstars Withdraw from World Rankings
There has been a lot of buzz about the world of table tennis recently. After a tumultuous 2024 in which Chinese table tennis players shone at the Paris Olympics, super popular table tennis stars Fan Zhendong (樊振东) and Chen Meng (陈梦) announced on Weibo (post 1, post 2) their withdrawal from the World Rankings (WR) due to new fines imposed by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) for players not participating in tournaments.
Fan wrote that the Paris Olympics had left him “mentally exhausted” and that the new rules imposing fines for not participating in tournaments left him no other choice but to withdraw entirely. He also said he would not retire yet and quoted the Wicked line, “It’s time to try defying gravity 💚.” That post received more than 2.8 million (!) likes. Likewise, Chen also wrote about the impact of Olympic stress and that she still needs time to recover.
The withdrawal of these major table tennis icons—veteran athlete Ma Long (马龙) later also announced his withdrawal—has ignited discussions and criticism over WTT’s mandatory participation rule and whether it merely serves commercial interests instead of protecting athletes. Liu Guoliang (刘国梁), president of the Chinese Table Tennis Association (CTTA), said he would press World Table Tennis to revise its rules.
🏛️ Verdict in Handan Schoolboy Murder Case
A case in which a young boy from Feixiang County in Handan, Hebei, was murdered by three classmates shocked the nation in March 2024. The young boy, Wang Ziyao (王子耀), had suffered years of bullying before his three classmates, all 13 years old, killed and buried him. Wang had been missing for one day before his body was discovered buried in a greenhouse in a field near the home of one of the suspects. The case attracted major attention at the time, not just because of the cruel crime, but also due to its legal implications. Since an amendment to China’s Criminal Law in 2021, children between the ages of 12 and 14 can be held criminally responsible for extreme and cruel cases resulting in death or severe disability, if approved for prosecution by the Supreme People’s Procuratorate (SPP).
Now, the court verdict has been reported by Chinese media. Two of the male defendants were sentenced to life imprisonment, while the third defendant was not legally punished due to his minor role in the crime but was still placed under “special correctional education.” The verdict has triggered discussions on its implications and how it should now be clear to minors aged 12 and above, and their parents, that they cannot escape severe punishment for extreme crimes.
🎬 Li Mingde’s Livestream Permanently Banned
The young Chinese actor Li Mingde (李明德), also known as Marcus Li, has been the center of attention on Chinese social media recently due to the drama surrounding the production of the Chinese TV series The Triple Echo of Time (三人行). In a Weibo post published on the night of January 4, Li, a supporting actor in the series, accused co-star Ma Tianyu (马天宇), the male lead, of displaying diva behavior on set. He also complained about the harsh filming conditions, alleging that he was made to wait in freezing temperatures wearing nothing but a t-shirt.
The production team has since issued a statement denying Li’s claims and turned the tables, accusing Li of being unreasonable, negative, and frequently late or leaving early during filming. They also confirmed that they had officially terminated their collaboration with him.
Adding to the controversy, Li Mingde’s livestream channel was suddenly shut down on January 7, with Douyin permanently banning his account. The platform cited “deliberately stirring controversy to attract attention” as the reason for the ban, sparking widespread discussion online. Li, who has over 7.6 million followers on Weibo, continues to post updates at the time of writing. After Ma Tianyu suggested in a now-deleted post that Li might be suffering from a mental illness, Li refuted the claim and stated he plans to take legal action. It seems this drama is far from over.
What’s Noteworthy
Did you know that the final Guinness World Record of 2024 was set by Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com? Honestly, the record is so unusual that I initially struggled to understand what the achievement was: JD.com now holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s “largest object unveiled” in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, on December 29, 2024—a staggering 400.66 meters long.
Is it a rocket? A train? A cruise ship?
No, it’s actually a list of 173,583 authentic user comments—a 400-meter-long comment section reviewing the platform’s major home appliance products. JD.com, one of the leading players in China’s home goods and household appliances market, seems to have orchestrated this extravagant marketing stunt to emphasize its position as a trustworthy market leader with an alleged 98% satisfaction rate.
The 400+ meter list, via Digitaling.
As an online retailer, printing reviews and displaying them in an offline setting where virtually no one but Guinness World Records takes notice does seem wasteful. But here we are, talking about it—along with a trending hashtag (#24年最后一个吉尼斯纪录是京东的#), so I suppose the PR effort paid off.
What’s Popular
After the 2024 success of Her Story(好东西) directed by Shao Yihui (邵艺辉) YOLO (麻辣滚烫) by Jia Ling (贾玲), Like A Rolling Stone (出走的决心) by Yin Lichuan (尹丽川), we are now seeing another hit film by a female director, highlighting the growing prominence of female directors in Chinese cinema.
The hashtag for the new movie Little Me (小小的我) has received over a billion views on Weibo this week (#电影小小的我#), noting its popularity. The movie was directed by Yang Lina (杨荔钠), the female director also known for her film Song of Spring (妈妈), which tells the moving story of an 85-year-old mother caring for her 65-year-old daughter with Alzheimer’s disease.
Little Me again touches on profound themes as it tells the story of a young man suffering from cerebral palsy who nevertheless tries to find his own direction in life. The role is played by Jackson Yee (易烊千玺), the superstar with an enormous fanbase on social media. Although he is still known as the youngest member of the boyband TFboys, Yee has gone far beyond that and shows his talent and dedication as an actor in this film with a credible performance.
Although Jackson Yee’s standout performance in Little Me is praised across social media, some have also commented that the actor might be too good for the film. Qilu Evening News published a sharp movie review, noting that Yee’s performance creates a stark divide between his brilliance and the film’s otherwise mediocre quality. This disparity has led some viewers to comment that Little Me is “a dumpling made just for the vinegar” (“为了一碟醋包了一顿饺子”). Despite this criticism, the film is still scoring a 7.2 on the Douban platform, where it has been rated by over 164,000 people.
What’s Memorable
As we’re entering the second week of 2025, I’d still like to take this time to look back look back at 10 of the most popular stories on
What’s On Weibo of 2024 for this week’s archive lookback. From viral trends to shocking incidents, it was a tumultuous year with some moments that’ll be ingrained in China’s collective digital memory. 🧵👇
1️⃣🐱 When ‘Fat Cat’ Jumped into the Yangtze River | He invested all he had for a girl he’d met online. Then she broke up with him. The tragic story behind the suicide of a 21-year-old Chinese gamer nicknamed ‘Fat Cat’ (胖猫) became a major topic of discussion on Chinese social media in May of 2024, touching upon broader societal issues from unfair gender dynamics to businesses taking advantage of grieving internet users.
🔗
https://www.whatsonweibo.com/the-tragic-story-of-fat-cat-how-a-chinese-gamers-suicide-went-viral/
2️⃣✨ Chengdu Disney | How did a common park in Chengdu turn into a hotspot that got everyone talking? By mixing online trends with real-life fun, blending foreign styles with local charm, and adding humor and absurdity, Chengdu had the recipe for its very own ‘Chengdu Disney’ in 2024. Undeniably, the quirkiest trend of the year.
🔗
https://www.whatsonweibo.com/chengdu-disney-the-quirkiest-hotspot-in-china/
3️⃣💧 Nongfu and Nationalists | One of the most noteworthy online phenomena in China during 2024 was the big battle over bottled water after the death of Zong Qinghou (宗庆后), the founder and chairman of Wahaha Group (娃哈哈集团), the country’s largest beverage produce. What started as a support campaign for Wahaha morphed into a crusade against another major water brand, Nongfu Spring, led by online nationalists.
🔗
https://www.whatsonweibo.com/in-hot-water-the-nongfu-spring-controversy-explained/
4️⃣🔪 Beishan Park Stabbings | 2024 was, unfortunately, a year of many deadly mass attacks by individuals ‘taking revenge on society,’ from Zhuhai to Changde. One such incident that made headlines around the world was the June 10 stabbing at Beishan Park in Jilin, which left four American teachers injured, among others. While the story spread widely on X, it was initially kept under wraps on the Chinese internet. This article analyzes how the incident was reported, censored, and discussed on Weibo.
🔗
https://www.whatsonweibo.com/the-beishan-park-stabbings-how-the-story-unfolded-and-was-censored-on-weibo/
5️⃣🥇 Golden Olympics | The 2024 Paris Olympics were the talk of Chinese social media. Beyond the gold medal moments, there were plenty of happenings on the sidelines, at the venues, and on the award stage that went viral, sparking countless memes. From China’s cutest weightlifter to viral sensation Quan Hongchan, this top 10 list of meme-worthy moments was a favorite among readers.
🔗
Team China’s 10 Most Meme-Worthy Moments at the 2024 Paris Olympics
6️⃣🚗 Land Rover Woman | In 2024, ‘Land Rover Woman’ (路虎女) became the latest addition to the Chinese Lexicon of Viral Incidents. A female Land Rover driver sparked outrage among Chinese netizens with her entitled behavior, driving against traffic and reacting aggressively when confronted—even striking a Chinese veteran in the face. The incident highlighted widespread frustration with social class injustice, as many viewed it as reflecting existing power imbalances between the wealthy and the working-class.
🔗
https://www.whatsonweibo.com/weibo-watch-the-land-rover-woman-controversy-explained/
7️⃣🧮 Controversial Math Genius Jiang Ping | It’s rare for a math competition to become the focus of nationwide attention in China. But when 17-year-old vocational school student Jiang Ping made it to the top 12 of Alibaba’s Global Math Competition, competing against contestants from prestigious universities worldwide, her humble background and outstanding achievement sparked debates and triggered rumors. She was called China’s version of Good Will Hunting, but her math story had a disappointing ending.
🔗
https://www.whatsonweibo.com/chinas-controversial-math-genius-jiang-ping/
8️⃣🇺🇸 Trump’s Triumph |The assassination attempt on former US President (now President-elect) Trump at a Pennsylvania campaign event in July 2024 became a major topic on Chinese social media. Trump’s swift reaction and defiant gesture after the shooting not only sparked widespread discussions but also fueled the “Comrade Trump” meme machine.
🔗
https://www.whatsonweibo.com/a-triumph-for-comrade-trump-chinese-social-media-reactions-to-trump-rally-shooting/
9️⃣📚 Crusade against Smut | A recent crackdown on Chinese authors writing erotic web novels sparked increased online discussions about the Haitang Literature ‘Flower Market’ subculture, the challenges faced by prominent online smut writers, and the evolving regulations surrounding digital erotica in China. But how serious is the “crime” of writing explicit fiction in China today? Ruixin Zhang explored this topic in an insightful and widely-read article, with a sad update.
🔗
https://www.whatsonweibo.com/the-price-of-writing-smut-inside-chinas-crackdown-on-erotic-fiction/
🔟🚴♂️ Cycling to Kaifeng | The term ‘yè qí‘ (夜骑), meaning “night ride,” suddenly became a buzzword on Chinese social media in late fall of 2024, as large groups of students from various schools and universities in Zhengzhou started cycling en masse to the neighboring city of Kaifeng on shared bicycles in the middle of the night. From city marketing to the spirit of China’s new generation, there are many themes behind their nightly cycling caravan, explained in this article, which also became one of the best-read pieces on What’s on Weibo this year:
🔗
https://www.whatsonweibo.com/the-cycling-to-kaifeng-trend-how-it-started-how-its-going/
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Newsletter
Weibo Watch: Christmas in China Is Everywhere and Nowhere
Christmas is an interesting time in China: here are some must-knows about this merry and military time of the year.
PREMIUM NEWSLETTER | ISSUE #41
This week’s newsletter:
◼︎ 1. Editor’s Note – Christmas in China: everywhere and nowhere
◼︎ 2. What’s New and Noteworthy – A closer look at featured stories
◼︎ 3. What’s Trending – Hot highlights
◼︎ 4. What’s Noteworthy – ‘It’s My Party’ book launch
◼︎ 6. What’s Popular – Goodbye, my lover
◼︎ 7. What’s Memorable – Santa Bao
◼︎ 8. Weibo Word of the Week – Scaring myself
Dear Reader,
Even before December arrived, malls, shops, and hotel lobbies across Chinese cities were already busy putting up Christmas decorations, ensuring that Christmas trees, snowmen, and reindeer would spread joy and festive season vibes.
Christmas seems to be everywhere in China-but nowhere at the same time. Throughout the years, Christmas has become more popular in China, but as a predominantly atheist country with a small proportion of Christians, the festival is far more about the commercial aspects of the holiday season—including shopping, promotions, decorations, and entertainment—than it is about the birth of Jesus Christ.
Christmas in China is generally perceived as a “foreign” or “Western” festival, and there have been ongoing concerns and social media discussions about whether the festivities associated with Christmas clash with traditional Chinese culture.
These dynamics make it clear that Christmas is an interesting time in China, so I’ll take this occasion to highlight some must-knows about Christmas in China.
1: In China, It’s Not Merry Christmas, but Military Christmas
Now that Christmas time is here, a different kind of message is emerging on Chinese social media, countering the festive spirit. Some recurring comments include:
•”It’s not Santa Claus who brings you a silent night—it’s Chinese soldiers! Salute to them!” (“给你带来平安的不是圣诞老人，而是中国军人! 致敬!”)
•”December 24 isn’t Silent Night; it’s the night of victory at the Chosin Reservoir.” (“12月24日不是平安夜，是长津湖战役胜利之夜。”)
•”China doesn’t celebrate Christmas! On our ‘Silent Night,’ we wrapped the U.S. military like dumplings!” (“中国人不过圣诞节！中国人的平安夜，包美军的饺子。”)
These statements reflect China’s complicated relationship with Christmas. Especially in recent years, Chinese state media and influential social media accounts have been promoting an alternative Christmas narrative, emphasizing that the peace and safety enjoyed in China today is not thanks to a Western “Father Christmas,” but rather the sacrifices and strength of China’s military forces.
The main argument propagated is that this time of year in China should not focus on Christmas or Santa Claus, but instead on commemorating the end of the Korean War and honoring the country’s soldiers.
In the context of the Korean War (1950-1953), December 24 marks the conclusion of the Second Phase Offensive (1950), which was launched by the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army against the United Nations Command forces–primarily U.S. and South Korean troops. The Chinese divisions’ surprise attack countered the ‘Home-by-Christmas’ campaign. This name stemmed from the UN forces’ belief that they would soon prevail, end the conflict, and be home well in time to celebrate Christmas. Instead, they were forced into retreat and the Chinese reclaimed most of North Korea by December 24, 1950.
Especially in recent years and in light of the launch of success of the blockbuster movie Battle at Lake Changjin and its sequel, there has been increased attention on the Chinese offensive at Chosin Reservoir. This battle has been framed as a decisive and glorious victory, turning the tide of the Korean War and reinforcing the military strength of the People’s Republic of China as a new global force to be reckoned with.
Various online posters posted on Weibo by various channels, reinforcing the message that China’s ‘Christmas’ should be about remembering the victory at the Chosin Reservoir.
This growing official narrative highlights the importance of this military history for Chinese national identity, offering a stark contrast to the traditionally Western themes of December 24. It underscores the message that this time in China should be about honoring the military, not celebrating imported festivities.
2: When Mao Canceled Christmas
A true communist wouldn’t celebrate Christmas, would they? To solve China’s ‘Christmas problem,’ all Christmas celebrations were canceled during the Cultural Revolution (1966–1976) under Mao Zedong as part of the fight against foreign influence and the complete abolishment of all religion and religious customs.
As described in Gerry Bowler’s book Christmas in the Crosshairs (2017), after Mao’s death in 1976 and the subsequent economic reforms under Deng Xiaoping, attitudes changed. A new consumer culture emerged and China began to open up to global influences, which included Western holidays like Christmas.
As Christmas slowly gained popularity in China, it took on a primarily secular and commercial identity. It first found its way into society in larger cities, such as Shanghai and Beijing, as businesses began incorporating a commercial Christmas theme into their winter promotions and activities. Foreign communities in China also contributed to the holiday’s visibility by organizing parties and events.
Foreign chains like Pizza Hut and Starbucks further added to the festive season. Many restaurants in larger cities began offering Christmas-themed menus featuring foods like cheese, baked bread, and chocolate. It soon became a tradition to see Christmas trees, Santa, and his reindeer at malls and shops.
Christmas in China is commercial and non-religious: shopping, food, and entertainment. Images posted on Weibo and Xiaohongshu.
But not everyone is happy about the growing popularity of this foreign holiday. Over the past ten to fifteen years, resistance to the further popularization of Christmas in China has increased.
For example, in December 2015, a group of Hunan high school students dressed in traditional Chinese clothing (hanfu) protested by holding red placards reading, “Boycott Christmas—don’t celebrate foreign festivals.”
In 2017, the city of Hengyang stirred controversy by ordering government officials and their families not to celebrate Christmas, calling it “spiritual opium.” Local authorities further warned Party members and officials they would face heavy fines for making or selling artificial snow.
At the time, Chinese state media suggested that although this was a local policy, it was part of a wider campaign against Christmas as people in other cities, including students and workers, had received a similar notices. Several media reported that some universities across China, including one in Shenyang, banned their students from celebrating Christmas.
This year, similar stories are emerging. One company in Dongying, Shandong, issued a notice this week strictly prohibiting employees from participating in Christmas-related activities. The notice reportedly stated that Christmas decorations were not allowed and that employees should not share any content related to “foreign holidays” on their social media (#山东一公司禁止员工过圣诞节#).
In this way, it seems that Mao’s ban on Christmas still resonates nearly five decades later.
3: China as the World’s Christmas Factory
There is some irony in the efforts to replace Christmas narratives with stories of China’s military victories, or in the broader resistance to the presence of Christmas in China—both in its religious and commercial forms.
Why? Because China, in fact, is the home of Christmas as we know it today. Whether it’s the decorations on your tree, the toys underneath it, or the stockings by the fireplace, chances are they’re all “Made in China.”
In the Organizing Christmas (2024), author Philip Hancock highlights China’s critical role in the global Christmas economy. In particular, the town of Yiwu, in eastern Zhejiang Province, produces about 60% of the world’s Christmas decorations. It’s essentially Santa’s workshop brought to life.
With Christmas being serious business for around 600 local factories operating year-round, Yiwu has become known as the “Christmas Capital of the World.” While countries with Christian traditions focus on the spiritual aspects of the holiday, China handles the industrial and logistical side of Christmas.
Hancock also notes that beyond China’s position as the preeminent global manufacturer and exporter of Christmas-related goods and ornaments, the festival has gained increasing entertainment appeal among Chinese consumers.
In an effort to capitalize on the popularity of Finland’s Santa Park among Chinese tourists, the city of Chengdu once planned to build the world’s largest Santa-themed park—a 13-square-kilometer attraction dedicated to Santa Claus and his workshops. However, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors, the plans were never realized. Still, as Hancock concludes, “the very fact that the project came so far attests to the popularity of Christmas in the country.”
Christmas may officially have no place in China, but in reality, it’s everywhere.
Lastly, in case you’re wondering: is it okay to sing Jingle Bells in China? Yes—but you might want to tweak the lyrics:
“Jī gōng bāo, jī gōng bāo, jīng guò wǒ de wèi”
(鸡公煲，鸡公煲，经过我的胃)
(“Chicken hot pot, chicken hot pot, passing through my stomach.”)
Sing it out loud and you’ll find it fits the tune perfectly and captures the fun (food-loving) spirit of Chinese Christmas! 😂
For those celebrating, I wish you a Merry Christmas. And for everyone, I hope these winter days bring you warmth and joy.🎄✨🌟🎄
I would like to thank Miranda Barnes and Ruixin Zhang for their contributions to this newsletter.
Warm greetings,
Manya Koetse
(@manyapan)
What’s New
The Disappearance of an MA Graduate | In this article, we explore the story that recently took Chinese social media by storm: the case of Ms. Bu, a once-promising Master’s graduate in Engineering, who was missing for 13.5 years. Her unexpected return brought an end to her family’s long and painful search but sparked the beginning of an online movement. Chinese netizens are not only demanding answers about how she could have remained missing for so long but are also seeking clarity regarding the puzzling inconsistencies in her story. Read on:
Her name is Bu Xiaohua | In this article, we delve deeper into the remarkable story Ms. Bu Xiaohua. Her case is more than just a mystery—it exposes systemic failures and sheds light on the vulnerabilities faced by women in rural China. Read more to unpack the key aspects of her story.
HPV case silenced | This case, also a major topic recently, has some connections to the Bu Xiaohua story. A 12-year-old girl from Shandong was diagnosed with HPV at a local hospital. When a doctor attempted to report the case, she faced resistance. Weibo users are now criticizing how the incident was handled.
What’s Trending
💥 What to Know about the Shenzhen Bay Explosion
The devastating explosion that occurred in a residential building in Shenzhen’s Nanshan District on December 11 has become a major topic of discussion on Chinese social media this month. The incident took place just after 14:30 on the 28th floor of Building 1 of Shenzhen Bay Yuefu Phase II (深圳湾悦府二期), affecting multiple surrounding floors. Shortly after the explosion and subsequent fire, videos and images of the scene began flooding Weibo. Some were particularly harrowing—one video showed a woman sitting on the window frame with flames raging behind her. Tragically, she fell to her death. By late afternoon, the fire was fully extinguished. The explosion is suspected to have been caused by a gas leak, as some neighbors reported smelling gas prior to the incident.
Much of the online discussion surrounding the explosion has focused on the lack of safety measures and the inadequate enforcement of fire safety regulations during construction. The fire occurred in a building located in an affluent area, known for its luxury apartments with sky-high prices—some of the larger units reportedly sold for over 59 million yuan (more than $8 million USD). Moreover, the building is relatively new, having been completed between 2015 and 2018. If such a high-end residential complex is not safe, then what is?
The company behind the construction, Huarun Real Estate Management Company (华润物业公司), stated that they would fully cooperate with relevant government departments to handle the aftermath, provide assistance and care to the affected residents, and “overcome the difficulties together with them” (#华润物业回应深圳高层爆炸事故#). “It’s all a bunch of nonsense!” one netizen responded.
🛂 China Further Relaxing Visa Policies
China is further relaxing its visa-free policies. Last Tuesday, official channels announced that eligible foreign travelers from 54 countries, including Russia, Brazil, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, who transit through China en route to a third country or region are now allowed to stay in China allowed stay in China for up to 240 hours, or 10 days, instead of the previous 72 to 144 hours.
The move, intended to attract more international visitors, took effect immediately. China has continuously optimized its transit visa exemption policies since it first opened its doors to foreign travelers after its stringent Covid policies. Now, China has unilaterally exempted visa requirements for travelers from 38 countries, and they recently extended the visa-free stay duration from the current 15 days to 30 days, to remain in effect until December 31, 2025.
🗣️ Trump All Over
He hasn’t even moved into the White House yet, but Trump is already a trending topic on Weibo these days. Whether it’s about him saying he has “a warm spot for TikTok” after being asked about the potential ban on the app, claiming that “China and the United States can together solve all the problems of the world,” smilingly telling an audience that Musk will never become president, reigniting the debate over Greenland, or vowing that the US will only recognize two genders (#特朗普承诺美国将只承认两种性别#), Trump has once again become a favorite topic on Chinese social media. It almost feels like we’re back in 2016.
Although Trump is a laughingstock for some netizens, I’ve also noticed waves of support for him on Weibo, with some calling him “clear-headed,” “savage,” and praising his ability to always make a “surprising” move.
📚 Smut Writer Update
We wanted to provide some updates about the erotic content writers we discussed previously (read here), as their final sentencing results were announced recently.
One of the authors convicted is Yunjian (云间), one of the more prominent writers of these sexually explicit web novels. As reported by Lianhe Zaobao, she was sentenced to 4 years and 6 months in prison for profiting from illegal activities. Some authors who were unable to gather funds to return illicit gains faced even longer sentences. On Weibo, some people are outraged over the severity of the punishment, especially since Yunjian reportedly earned no more than 2 million RMB (~$275,000) over several years of publishing. However, there are also some who defend the state’s crackdown on online “obscenities,” arguing that distributing such explicit content is a serious crime.
One commenter on Weibo wrote:
“I don’t want to describe works filled with hope as ‘obscene materials’ (淫秽物品). I don’t want to define the hard-earned income from creative efforts as ‘illegal earnings’ (赃款). I don’t want to reduce the warm and joyful exchanges between readers and authors to the act of ‘distributing obscene materials’ (传播淫秽物品). This is the most degrading and evil form of humiliation.”
🇺🇸 New York Subway Incident
The shocking incident of the woman going up in flames in the New York subway while people passed by is being widely discussed on Weibo (#美国一男子在地铁把一女子点燃#, #纽约地铁一男子在睡觉女子身上纵火#, #美国男子向地铁车厢睡觉女子纵火#). Noteworthy enough, some of the top comments on the incident are more about (foreign) perceptions of China than about the US: “(…) If this happened in China, it would trend for a week,” “This level of apathy is truly terrifying,” and “If something like this happened in China, it would be criticized from multiple angles: the lack of subway security checks, gender issues, and the apathy of bystanders.”
In the past, there have been many incidents in China where horrific things happened without people stepping in—such as the 2011 Foshan toddler incident—leading to widespread reflection, especially in foreign media, on how China’s socio-cultural and historical circumstances contributed to such incredible social apathy. The New York incident, sadly, shows that the ‘bystander problem’ is universal. Perhaps this will become New York’s “Foshan moment,” reflecting on how society has gone this far, this cold.
What’s Noteworthy
Earlier this month, I attended the celebration for the publication of the book It’s My Party: Tat Ming Pair and the Postcolonial Politics of Popular Music in Hong Kong by Yiu Fai Chow, Jeroen de Kloet, and Leonie Schmidt. I’d like to share it with you because it offers a fascinating account of the legendary Cantopop electronic duo Tat Ming Pair (達明一派), one of the most influential and groundbreaking bands in Hong Kong’s 1980s music scene.
Over the past decade, the politically engaged duo—Anthony Wong Yiu Ming and Tats Lau Yee Tat—have faced increasing suppression of dissent in Hong Kong under Beijing’s growing influence. Anthony Wong, in particular, has been a vocal supporter of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movements and an advocate for LGBTQ rights. His song “Memory Is a Crime,” commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown, exemplifies his commitment to challenging government suppression. However, spaces for critical voices in Hong Kong have been steadily shrinking. In 2019, all of Tat Ming Pair’s music was removed from Apple Music and other streaming platforms in mainland China. By January 2022, they were blacklisted by Hong Kong’s government-funded broadcaster RTHK, and their name is now censored on platforms like Weibo.
The book situates their music within the historical context of Hong Kong’s transition from British to Chinese rule, exploring how popular music can serve as a medium for cultural memory, resistance, and community building during times of political upheaval. While the hard copy of the book is priced at EUR 109.99, the digital version is available for free download via Springer here.
What’s Popular
Are you familiar yet with See You Again (再见爱人, literally: “Goodbye, Lover”)? It’s the Chinese reality show that EVERYBODY is talking about right now—each episode is sparking massive online discussions. If you’re looking for something to binge-watch this Christmas holiday, it’s available on YouTube with English subtitles (see link below).
Now in its fourth season, the show is produced by Mango TV (芒果TV) and follows three celebrity couples who are teetering on the edge of divorce. Through the course of the show, they attempt to reconcile with their partners by embarking on an 18-day journey—both figuratively, through honest discussions, and literally, by RV travel. Interestingly, the creators of the show drew inspiration from the movie Nomadland.
During this journey, the couples confront the issues that have been haunting their relationships, giving viewers a glimpse into their personal struggles. For instance, Liu Jishou (留几手) and Ge Xi (葛夕) candidly discussed their three-year lack of intimacy, a topic that quickly became a trending topic online.
Beyond the couples’ emotional trials and tribulations, this season has also caught viewers’ attention for the impeccable fashion choices displayed in the “observation room.” Panelists like Papi Jiang (Papi酱) and Pattie Hou (侯佩岑) have stood out for their simple yet chic and practical styles, providing plenty of inspiration for everyday wear. Their outfits have also become a goldmine for Taobao sellers, who are now promoting accessories like earrings and hats “similar to what’s worn in See You Again.”
What’s Memorable
Let’s remember how on Christmas Day 2018, Sina Weibo introduced a new festive emoticon based on Lei Bao (雷豹), the iconic character from the 1990s comedy film Hail the Judge (九品芝麻官). Played by actor Xu Jinjiang (徐锦江), Lei Bao’s red costume, white beard, and bushy eyebrows bear a resemblance to Santa Claus.
Weibo Word of the Week
I Scare Myself | Our Weibo phrase of the week is 自己吓自己 (zì jǐ xià zì jǐ), which translates to ‘scaring oneself.’
This popular catchphrase originates from a line in the recently released animated film The Mermaid’s Summer (美人鱼的夏天). The movie tells the story of Xiao Ai, a mermaid who transforms into a human and embarks on a series of misadventures far more challenging than she ever imagined.
Created by independent filmmaker Shen Xiaoyang (沈晓阳) from Xiamen, the film took over seven years to complete. Its first trailer debuted online in 2022, and the film premiered last month.
Despite the extended production time and a marketing campaign that built up expectations, public reception was underwhelming at best. The movie faced widespread ridicule for its awkward pacing and peculiar voice acting. Some critics went so far as to call it the “biggest joke in domestic animation of the year.”
The phrase 自己吓自己 (zì jǐ xià zì jǐ) comes from an unintentionally comedic scene in the movie. In the scene, Xiao Ai walks by the water when a sudden gust of wind causes her to sense danger coming from nearby bushes. She nervously brushes it off, saying the now-iconic line, “啊呵呵呵自己吓自己” (“Ah-hehe~ hehe~ scaring myself”) in a lifeless tone—only to be ambushed moments later and thrown into the river by a mysterious man in black.
This moment became an instant hit on platforms like Douyin, Xiaohongshu, and Bilibili and catapulted the phrase into meme territory as a moment of abract humor, inspiring countless parodies and spin-offs. Even well-known influencers, such as the “City Bu City” guy Paul Mike Ashton, reenacted the scene on social media. To date, there are hundreds of reinterpretations, including dialect versions, pet reenactments, and everyday life parodies.
Parodies on Xiaohongshu.
‘I scared myself’ has gone beyond the animated movie scene, it’s now a funnily ‘non-dramatic dramatic’ way to react to unexpected events in your surroundings.
Amid the criticism surrounding the film, Shen Xiaoyang has reportedly withdrawn from all social media platforms. However, there’s a silver lining: the viral fame of the phrase has brought the flopped film renewed attention and modest box office gains.
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