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China Trend Watch (week 8 | 2026)
Part of
Eye on Digital China
by Manya Koetse,
China Trend Watch
is an overview of whatâs trending and being discussed on Chinese social media. The previous newsletter was a chapter dive into the story of Chinaâs
latest hospital scandal
. This edition was sent to paid subscribers â
subscribe
to receive the next issue in your inbox.
O
ne Shanghai woman was so disappointed by what her boyfriendâs parents served for Chinese New Year that she ended the relationship over it.
The 26-year-old, who described her own family background as âpretty good,â shared her experience on social media. She said she had already known that her new handsome boyfriend came from a lower-income family. But after traveling to his hometown in Jiangxi for the Spring Festival and seeing what his mother had prepared for the New Yearâs dinner, she was so shaken that she immediately booked a train ticket back to Shanghai.
Here is a screenshot of her post and the picture of the dinner she posted:
This is actually
a story
that exploded on Chinese social media back in 2016, and its virality is quite typical of the period surrounding Chinese New Year â it is always a very special time when it comes to the kinds of trends that unfold.
It often feels as though stories simmering in the background suddenly boil over during the holiday season. Digital shifts become more visible, cultural traditions take on new meanings, consumer hypes mushroom across the country, and seemingly insignificant social topics can grow enormous: a road rage incident, a noteworthy TV moment, or that one familyâs New Yearâs dinner.
Whatâs perhaps most striking is that the story of that Shanghai woman (who really did break up with her boyfriend after that dinner) could have easily been a trending topic during this yearâs Spring Festival, and she would likely face the same backlash today (people found her disrespectful and snobbish). In fact, some stories that went viral during the holiday season years ago still resurface today, as if they exist in a recurring social cycle of their own.
Take the nagging questions from family and nosy neighbors about why the single sons & daughters returning to their hometowns for the New Year are
still
not married, for example; itâs a topic that somehow comes up every Spring Festival. The pressure caused by these âinterrogationsâ have led some single people to
rent
a boyfriend or girlfriend to bring home to meet the parents â a story covered by the media for years.
People still ârent a partnerâ to avoid another year of awkward questions about their (non-existent) love life. What has changed is the price. Ten years ago, one could rent a boyfriend or girlfriend for about 500 yuan (around $75). This week, social media reports suggested that these so-called âlife actorsâ (ç掻æŒć) â who rent out their services as a pretend partners â now charge up to 3,000 yuan per day (about $435) (#
æ·±ćłé€ć€ćœć€©ç§ç·ć3000ć
äžć€©
#).
All of this unfolds because so much happens around Chinese New Year (æ„è
Chƫnjié
) at once. While China is transforming rapidly, some things remain remarkably consistent. The holiday is not just a peak moment for consumer culture and travel, it is also the yearâs major moment for the box office and for Chinaâs largest live televised event, the Spring Festival Gala, which reflects what matters not only to commercial sponsors but especially to the Communist Party. At the same time, it is a period of family reunions and homecomings for those who may not have other chances during the year to visit their hometowns.
From living rooms to long train rides, from fear-of-missing-out to social media memes, from pressures and expectations to fun and traditions, this period offers a concentrated snapshot of Chinaâs current momentum, revealing social anxieties, political priorities, and pop culture obsessions all at once.
Letâs dive into some of the other trends that have been especially noteworthy during this yearâs Spring Festival.
Quick Scroll
đ§ Chinaâs short track speed skating, historically one of Chinaâs strongest Olympic teams, has exited the 2026 Milan Olympics with whatâs called âthe worst results in 28 years.â
đ„ Meanwhile, the gold medals for Xu Mengtao (ćŸæąŠæĄ) & Wang Xindi (çćżèżȘ) in freestyle ski aerials, Su Yiming (èçżéžŁ) in snowboard slopestyle, and Ning Zhongyan (ćźćż ćČ©) in 1500m speed skating were widely celebrated online.
đșđž The much-discussed TrumpâXi meeting has been confirmed for late March, scheduled from March 31 to April 2. Trumpâs planned trip will mark the first U.S. presidential visit to China since his own 2017 visit.
đż Chinaâs 2026 Spring Festival box office has surpassed the 4 billion yuan (US$550 million) mark. The February 15â23 holiday window â one of the most important periods for the Chinese film market â saw racing comedy
Pegasus 3
(éŁé©°äșșç3) top the charts this year.
đŹ One article called it the âhell yeah!â movie of the year.
Blades of the Guardians
(éäșș) by Xu Xianzhe (èźžć
ćČ) is the hardcore martial arts film that outperformed its opening-day numbers and became an audience favorite.
đź Beijingâs Yuanmingyuan (Old Summer Palace) has become a viral hit for its 4.6 km illuminated route with thousands of lanterns lighting up at 17:30 each evening.
đ Less popular: yellow lanterns used for New Year decorations in various cities triggered criticism online for looking âunfestiveâ or even representing âmourning colors,â leading local authorities to order a swap back to traditional red after the backlash.
đŻïž Two explosions in Jiangsu and Hubei brought the total number of deaths from fireworks-related incidents for the first week of the 2026 Spring Festival holiday to at least 20.
What Really Stood Out This Week
The Highlights of the 2026 Spring Festival Gala
Earlier this week, the 44th edition of the China Media Group Spring Festival Gala took place (see our liveblog of the entire show
here
). At its peak, an estimated 400 million people were simultaneously watching the 4.5-hour show, which, as usual, contained a variety of performances ranging from dance and song to comedy and acrobatics.
So, what was different this year?
In case youâre not an avid watcher of the Galaâwhich I fully getâletâs get one thing straight first: the show overall is highly predictable and follows comparable year-on-year patterns. There is always a performance featuring different ethnicities; besides the mainland entertainment elite, there must be a variety of older and younger singers from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macao; there is a military song; there is a traditional opera element; and there is always a comic skit that everyone finds cringeworthy. In these respects, 2026 was right on track with previous years.
However, there were definitely some noteworthy aspects to this yearâs Gala. Some are significant because they mark a subtle, broader shift, while others are more obvious.
âŠ
First, the theme
. The show was titled âGalloping Steeds, Unstoppable Forceâ (éȘéȘ„é©°éȘ ćżäžćŻæĄ). Every year has a theme, often nodding to the zodiac sign and usually focusing on messaging such as âa thriving nation,â âreunion,â or, as in 2020, âTogether Realizing the Moderately Prosperous Dream.â This yearâs theme felt less modest, aligning with a larger narrative about Chinaâs role on the world stage today as an âunstoppable force.â
âŠ
The role of the director
. The influence of the showâs director seems to have been somewhat overlooked in coverage of the Gala. Yu Lei (äșèŸ, b. 1979) is not only the first female director in the showâs 44-year history but also the first to lead the production for four consecutive years. As chief director, Yu Lei has established a very identifiable aesthetic framework, perfecting a style of show that merges Chinese tradition with high technology. Outstanding examples of this include the beautiful and innovative 2024 âKoi Carpâ (éŠéČ€)
dance
, and the 2022 âpaintingâ dance âOnly This Greenâ (ćȘæ€é绿)
inspired by
a famous Chinese handscroll.
This year featured even more segments blending traditional inspiration with state-of-the-art technology, from the creative âCelebrating the Flower Goddessâ (èŽșè±ç„,
watch here
) to the Xinjiang Dance Troupeâs âSilk Road Ancient Rhymesâ (äžè·Żć€é”,
watch
) and dancer Zhang Hanâs beautiful performance of âChasing Shadowsâ (èżœćœ±) (
link
).
These performances align with the broader
Guochao
(ćœæœź) trendâliterally ânational trendââand the promotion of traditional culture seen over the past years. Under Yu Leiâs guidance, this cultural pride is fused with technological innovation to create a new kind of Chinese aesthetic that is indeed âunstoppable.â If we donât recognize this as the trend of today, it will certainly be the new normal of tomorrow.
âŠ
Then the global outreach
. This is the first time Iâve seen the show so deliberately cater to foreign audiences. A promo added to the YouTube livestream explicitly stated: â
This is where it gets cool, this is where the future meets timeless Eastern aesthetics. This is where we feel warmth, where everyone belongs. When the CMG Spring Festival Gala begins, you are coming home
.â
This past year was a turning point where China became âcoolâ among younger Western audiences (see my piece on
Becoming Chinese
) â this soft-power effect is being fully embraced by Chinese state media, and the Gala is part of this. Beijing is increasingly positioning the event as a global celebration rather than just a national one, which explains the inclusion of more foreign performersâfrom Lionel Richie and John Legend to HĂ©lĂšne RollĂšs, Westlife, the Hungarian National Folk Ensemble, Spanish dancer JesĂșs Carmona, and the Austrian acrobatic troupe Jonglissimo.
âŠ
Lastly, AI and robotics
. Perhaps the most obvious shift was the heavy use of AI and robotics, which became a major talking point on X and in foreign media. While the Gala has already incorporated robots for two decades (!), this year marked the first time they participated across almost every genre, from dance and comedy sketches to martial arts and short films.
The abundance of robots was driven by a historical first: four domestic humanoid robot companiesâUnitree Robotics (ćźæ ç§æ), Noetix Robotics (æŸć»¶ćšć), MagicLab (éæłćć), and Galbot (é¶æČłéçš)âall appeared as official corporate partners. We also saw the worldâs first martial arts performance by a fully autonomous humanoid robot cluster.
Although the robots were a highlight, they were also a point of online critique for being a bit âoverdone.â Judging by social media comments, many viewers still preferred the classic, iconic performersâlike pop superstar Faye Wong (çèČ) or the legendary comedian Cai Ming (èĄæ), who has performed at the Gala for decades.
So despite all the new technological developments and the clear look into the future, audiences still seemed to love the performances that leaned toward the past, highlighting a bit of a âbattleâ between innovation and nostalgia.
The Travel Trends to Know
There are two moments in the year that are the major travel periods for China, reflecting the current trends of the tourism industry: the National Day holiday and the Spring Festival holiday. These periods usually reveal trends that were either simmering and have now expanded, or upcoming trends surfacing for the first time.
Some things donât really change, such as cities like Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, and Shanghai being among the most popular domestic destinations. (As for international locations, Seoul, Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, and Bali
top
those lists).
These are some noticeable trends for this moment:
⊠A big love for small cities
has been noticeable among Chinaâs younger travelers recently. This is a different trend from what used to be the post-Covid âspecial forces travelâ (
çčç§ć
”
), which was the kind of tourism where travelers would do as much as possible within a short time and limited budget, almost like crossing destinations off a bingo card.
Now, travelers are turning more to âhidden gemsâ or what have been called âdark horse destinationsâ in Chinese media (é»é©Źçźçć°). The goal is not just to cross them off a list, but to slow down and experience local culture. Folk culture, markets, and arts & crafts have seen a rise in popularity.
Some examples are Jieyang and Chaozhou which, together with Shantou, lie in eastern Guangdong. Some of these places are seeing the fastest tourism growth rates in the entire country, thanks to strong local folk customs and food culture, with people preferring homestays or Airbnb-style holiday rentals for an authentic, local experience.
Cities like Jingdezhen, Kaifeng, Quanzhou, and Zigongâall previously not particularly known as top destinationsâare also new âbreakoutâ cities this season.
Another example is Chongzuo in Guangxi, located along the ChinaâVietnam border, with its Zhuang ethnic minority culture, karst mountains, rivers, and rural scenery.
All of this represents a big shift in Chinaâs domestic tourism industry, offering new experiences to Chinese travelers while also boosting the local economies of these places.
While these new destinations all sound lovely and peaceful, posts on Xiaohongshu show that the viral nature of these âhidden gemsâ have also caused them to be exceptionally busy during this season.Â
⊠Reverse Spring Festival
(ććèżćčŽ) has been a trend for several years, but it has been especially prominent this year. It is the trend where, instead of children traveling from big cities to visit parents in their hometowns, the parents are coming to celebrate the New Year with their kids in medium-sized or larger cities. This has also led to the rising popularity of Guangzhou as a Spring Festival destination.
What you also see are families all traveling together to a third location outside of both their hometowns and work-based cities.
⊠âGoing the opposite wayâ
is also a popular travel trend that has particularly emerged this year, with people from Chinaâs south traveling to the north and people from the north traveling to the southâone group seeking an experience of ice and snow, while the other wants warmth and sunshine.
The locations that stand out for this are Harbin in the north, with its Harbin Ice and Snow World (ćć°æ»šć°éȘ性äžç) holding a spot in the national top-ten scenic spots (although, unfortunately, Harbin has seen rising temperatures this winter, leading to melting snowmen).
The tourists from the south who come to visit Habrin are nicknamed âLittle Southern Potatoesâ (ćæčć°ćè±) for being all bundled up in brand-new puffy coats.
In the south, Yunnanâs Kunming has seen a surge in popularity, along with Lijiang, Xishuangbanna, and Dali, which all saw a drastic increase in bookings.
Especially Noteworthy Online Discussions
Door-to-door Pet Sitting as Emerging Business Model
⊠During Chinaâs 2026 Spring Festival travel rush, a specific phenomenon gained traction on Chinese social media in this pet-loving era: âdoor-to-door pet-sittingâ (äžéšććź ). This emerged as one of the holidayâs most surprisingly profitable side gigs after Shanghai pet sitter Huan Cong (æĄèȘ) told
Jiupai News
(äč掟æ°é») that his five-person team would complete some 2,000 jobs within the twenty-day holiday period, with an expected revenue of 160,000 yuan ($22,120).
Huan is not the only one profiting from this lucrative businessâpet sitters across the country are cashing in during the Spring Festival. This trending story reflects the massive scale of Chinaâs pet economy, an industry growing year-on-year as those born in the post-90s and post-00s now comprise the majority of pet owners.
At the same time, digging a bit deeper reveals the reality behind the trend. While relatively lucrative, the work is tiresome; Huan sometimes visits 55 households in a single day to ensure he and his team can feed all their customersâ dogs and cats. It might be good business, but itâs certainly not easy.
An Unusually Bad Karma Story
⊠One story that has been especially noteworthy this week involves a religious ceremony dedicated to honoring the Chinese sea goddess Mazu (ćŠç„). A protector of fishermen and sailors, Mazu has millions of worshippers in eastern and southeastern parts of the Chinese mainland and Taiwan; regions where people have traditionally relied on the ocean for their livelihoods.
On February 18, the second day of the Chinese New Year, something unusual happened during the annual Mazu procession in Shishi Village (æŸçłæ) in Zhanjiang, Guangdong province.
A unique local tradition involves the divine selection of a Mazu âmessenger,â a child believed to serve as a vessel for the goddessâs spirit during the procession. This is decided through the ritual of
shĂšngbÄi
(ćŁæŻ) throws or âdivination cupâ tosses: children throw crescent-shaped wooden blocks, and based on how they land, the child believed to have the closest connection to Mazu is selected to take the place of the statue during the parade.
For the past eight years, the same girl, now 14 years old, had reportedly been selected as the spirit medium through this sacred ritual.
However, this year, a wealthy businessman surnamed Xu (èźž)âthe financial sponsor of the processionâsuddenly replaced the chosen girl with his own son. That is where things started going wrong.
According to local reports, the boy seemed unfamiliar with ceremony protocols. He misaligned offerings on the ritual table, stood in the wrong position at the start of the procession, and accidentally stepped on a ritual spot reserved for divine generals, which living participants are forbidden from entering.
Most importantly, the
shĂšngbÄi
ritual, in which the boy had to seek Mazuâs approval through the blocks, kept giving the same negative result (
nĂčbÄi
 ææŻ) for no less than eight consecutive times. There are three possible outcomes, and the statistical chance of throwing the same negative result eight times in a row was seen as a sign of extreme divine disapproval. People were eventually too afraid to let the boy try a ninth time.
As a result, with no âgreen lightâ from Mazu, the bearers of the sedan chair needed for the procession refused to lift it, and the entire ritual halted.
Seeing no other choice, organizers got the girl to come back. Upon her first
shĂšngbÄi
 throw, a valid result was immediately obtained and the sedan chair was reportedly lifted without any difficulties. The procession then proceeded with both children riding the sedan chair together (which also prompted criticism from locals for being a further deviation from tradition). After the procession concluded, the girl was visibly distressed.
As this story has gone viral, many see it as a sign that wealth cannot buy a way into a sacred ritualâthe gods simply do not agree, and money cannot buy everything.
Consequently, Mazu and the
shĂšngbÄi
 ritual have unexpectedly become hot topics.
The actress Liu Tao (ćæ¶), who once played Mazu in a popular television drama, has resurfaced as a âlucky memeâ during this holiday. Liu Taoâs relationship to Mazu goes beyond just her role in the series. During the filming, she allegedly also went to the temple and performed the traditional divination ritual and got three positive throws in a row, which was seen as a positive omen for her taking the role.
Sheâs become a celebrity ambassador for Mazu culture, something that is now highlighted by netizens as the Shishi Village story trends. People have begun using Liu Taoâs image as Mazu as an auspicious phone wallpaper.
The irony, of course, is that the Xu family spent a fortune trying to force Mazuâs blessing, while millions of ordinary netizens are now getting their âlucky fixâ for free through their Liu Tao meme. How very âSpring Festivalâ is that? đź
â
Thatâs a wrap. Many thanks to Ruixin Zhang and Miranda Barnes for their input on this newsletter, and for managing to watch the full 4.5 hours of the Spring Festival Gala together with me!
Iâm taking a few days off now for some travel, but expect to be back with a new trend newsletter for you next weekend.
See you next edition.
Best,
Manya
Eye on Digital China, by Manya Koetse, is co-published on
Substack
andÂ
Whatâs on Weibo
. Both feature the same new content â so you can read and subscribe wherever you prefer. Substack offers community features, while Whatâs on Weibo provides full archive access. If youâre already subscribed and want to switch platforms, just get in touch for help. If you no longer wish to receive these newsletters, or are receiving duplicate editions, you can unsubscribe at any time. |
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#### Chinese Team EDG Wins LoL Esports World Championship 2021
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# Chinese Team EDG Wins LoL Esports World Championship 2021
âWe are the champions!!!â â EDG dominates todayâs trending topics on Weibo.
Published
4 years ago
on
November 7, 2021
By
[Manya Koetse](https://www.whatsonweibo.com/author/manya-koetse/ "Posts by Manya Koetse")
EDG, Chinaâs Edward Gaming team, is dominating trending topic lists on Chinese social media this weekend for winning the League of Legends World Championship (Worlds 2021) title. On Sunday, the hashtag âEDG Wins Championshipâ (\#[EDGć€șć ](https://s.weibo.com/weibo?q=%23EDG%E5%A4%BA%E5%86%A0%23&from=trendtop_api&refer=index_hot_new)\#) had over 2.6 billion views on social media site Weibo.
One post by the Edward Gaming team (âWe are the champions!!!!!â) had over 3,6 million likes.
League of Legends (LoL, è±éèç) is an online multiplayer video game developed and published by Riot Games in 2009 in which a team of players has to battle against the opposing team by gaining more strength through the accumulation of items and experience over the course of the game.
Annually since 2011, the American Riot Games hosts The League of Legends World Championship tournament. Over the past decade, LoL world championships have become increasingly successful, contributing to the overall rising popularity of esports.
In China, the League of Legend Championship first became widely known among the general public in 2018 when âInvictus Gamingâ (IG) was the first Chinese team ever to win the tournament. The victory became a [major trending topic](https://www.whatsonweibo.com/chinas-esports-craze-reaches-new-heights-with-the-victory-of-invictus-gaming-ig/), and videos showing Chinese college dorms going crazy over the IG championship circulated all over social media.
This time, it was the EDG team to win over South Korea with a 3-2 score on November 7 (China time). The LoL World Championship was originally [scheduled](https://ph.news.yahoo.com/shenzhen-host-2021-lol-world-championship-league-of-legends-045642201.html) to take place in Shenzhen, but due to logical issues relating to Covid-19 restrictions, the esports tournament was [eventually](https://www.dexerto.com/league-of-legends/the-2021-league-of-legends-world-championships-confirmed-for-iceland-1637658/) held in ReykjavĂk.
Website PCGamer [described](https://www.pcgamer.com/record-breaking-audiences-watch-edward-gaming-take-lol-world-championship-2021/) EDG as âan underdogâ in this final, because they had never appeared at a Worlds final before, and also because they were going up against South Koreaâs DWG KIA, who already won last yearâs Worlds.
The EDG team was established in 2013. The following players played in the Worlds 2021 finals: Flandre (*Li Xuanjun* æç«ć), Jiejie (*Zhao Lijie* 蔔瀌æ°), Meiko (*Tian Ye* ç°é), Scout (Korean name *Lee Ye-chan* ìŽìì°Ź/ææ±çŠ), and Viper (Korean name *Park Do-hyeon* ë°ëí/æŽć°èŽ€).
> This is what it looked like when the Chinese Edward Gaming team ([\#EDG](https://twitter.com/hashtag/EDG?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)) won the League of Legends World Championship this weekend. The topic is exploding on Chinese social media, probably biggest esports topic since IG won as the first Chinese team in 2018. [\#è±éèç](https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E8%8B%B1%E9%9B%84%E8%81%94%E7%9B%9F?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/cxmyXTig90](https://t.co/cxmyXTig90)
>
> â Manya Koetse (@manyapan) [November 7, 2021](https://twitter.com/manyapan/status/1457315041854771202?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
The craze over EDG winning was so huge, that some students at a school in Xianyang, Shaanxi province, attempted to change the national flag at the school and instead put up the EDG team flag. According to [online reports](https://s.weibo.com/weibo?q=%23%E6%A0%A1%E6%96%B9%E5%9B%9E%E5%BA%94%E5%AD%A6%E7%94%9F%E7%94%A8%E7%94%B5%E7%AB%9E%E9%98%9F%E6%97%97%E6%8D%A2%E5%9B%BD%E6%97%97%23), local authorities are currently involved and are investigating the matter.
Some online fans condemned the move, saying it only discredit the EDG team.
Meanwhile, the Edward Gaming team is more popular in China than ever before. A Weibo âsupertopicâ [dedicated](https://weibo.com/p/1008085852145e5c27adc0617ec5a0a8b8b7e4/super_index) to EDG has now seen over 4,5 billion views.
*Read more about esports in China [here](https://www.whatsonweibo.com/tag/esports/).*
***By [Manya Koetse](http://www.twitter.com/manyapan), with contributions by [Miranda Barnes](http://www.abearandapig.com/)***
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[Manya Koetse](https://www.whatsonweibo.com/author/manya-koetse/ "Posts by Manya Koetse")
Manya Koetse is a sinologist, writer, and public speaker specializing in Chinaâs social trends, digital culture, and online media ecosystems. She founded *Whatâs on Weibo* in 2013 and now runs the *Eye on Digital China* newsletter. Learn more at [manyakoetse.com](https://www.manyakoetse.com/) or follow her on [X](http://www.twitter.com/manyapan), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/manyakoetse/), or [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/manyakoetse/).
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#### 2 Comments
1. 
[PY](https://touristechinois.com/)
November 7, 2021 at 5:50 pm
Great news for China.
Situation might change in the future for the esport as Chinese young people will be limited fro playing.
[Reply](https://www.whatsonweibo.com/chinese-team-edg-wins-lol-esports-world-championship-2021/#comment-171895)
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### [China Memes & Viral](https://www.whatsonweibo.com/category/viral/)
# Two Sessions, a Celebrity Meltdown, and the Rise of Chinaâs âForget Itâ Mindset
Inside this weekâs trends: Two Sessions talking points, a massive celebrity meltdown, and a pet gym in Shanghai charging \$275 a month.
Published
1 month ago
on
March 8, 2026
By
[Manya Koetse](https://www.whatsonweibo.com/author/manya-koetse/ "Posts by Manya Koetse")
**đ„ China Trend Watch (week 10 \| 2026)** Part of *Eye on Digital China* by Manya Koetse, *China Trend Watch* is an overview of whatâs trending and being discussed on Chinese social media. The previous newsletter was a chapter dive into the [Chinese online discourse surrounding the Iran war](https://www.whatsonweibo.com/from-armchair-generals-to-womens-rights-defenders-inside-the-great-chinese-debate-over-the-iran-war/). This edition was sent to paid subscribers â [subscribe](https://www.whatsonweibo.com/subscribe/) to receive the next issue in your inbox.
####
####
âTaiwan never was, is not, and never will become a country,â Chinaâs Foreign Minister Wang Yi (çæŻ
) [said](https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-03-08/Taiwan-never-was-is-not-and-never-will-be-a-country-Wang-Yi-says-1LleD1RUA5a/p.html) during the annual press conference this Sunday on the sidelines of the Two Sessions, Chinaâs most important political gathering of the year.
Besides Taiwan, Wang Yi spoke about the Iran war (âshould not have happenedâ), Palestine (âtwo-state solutionâ), Sino-American relations (âmutual respectâ), and more. Although there are undoubtedly many things to disagree on, one thing Wang mentioned more than once is just how turbulent the world we live in today has become â I think we all agree about that.
If you missed Wednesdayâs newsletter about Chinaâs online discourse on the Iran war, you can [find it here](https://www.whatsonweibo.com/from-armchair-generals-to-womens-rights-defenders-inside-the-great-chinese-debate-over-the-iran-war/). In this edition, letâs dive into other trending topics beyond that conflict, which dominated much of the discussion this week.
####
#### Quick Scroll
- - đž Womenâs Day, March 8, falls on a Sunday in 2026, which ironically means women are not entitled to their usual half-day off under Chinaâs national holiday regulations this time.
- đ€ China has released its first national standards framework for humanoid robots and embodied AI, unveiled at an industry conference in Beijing. The move signals Beijingâs push to accelerate commercialization and large-scale production as China positions itself as a global leader in humanoid robotics.
- đŹ Zhang Yimouâs latest crime thriller *Scare Out* (æè°æ 棰), about national security officers battling enemy spies and produced under the guidance of Chinaâs Ministry of State Security, has become the highest-grossing crime film of the Spring Festival season at the Chinese box office.
- đ A Chinese Lynk & Co Z20 car owner recently crashed into a road divider at night after asking the carâs voice assistant to turn off all reading lights, but the system mistakenly turned off the headlights instead. When he tried to turn them back on, the AI assistant replied, âI canât do that yet.â The company has since apologized, but the incident has sparked criticism of automakers putting smart features ahead of safety.
- đ¶ A pet gym in Shanghai charging around 2,000 yuan (\$275) for a monthly membership shows just how hot Chinaâs pet economy is becoming. At the upscale gym, dogs can walk on treadmills, swim, get massages, and receive one-on-one training.
- đ The latest costume drama *Pursuit of Jade* (éç), which premiered on iQIYI and Tencent Video on March 6, has become a breakout success during its opening weekend, setting a record for the fastest-rising drama on Weibo, driven by a massive fandom known as the âPeach Blossom Chasersâ (æĄè±éçäșș).
- đ A Chinese student suffered cardiac arrest after traveling 31 hours in a hard-seat train back to school after Spring Festival. She survived, with doctors diagnosing âeconomy-class syndromeâ (ç»æ”è±ç»ŒććŸ): blood clots caused by prolonged immobile sitting.
- đ± The Chinese Honor brand came out with the worldâs thinnest Android tablet this week. The MagicPad 4 measures just 4.8mm thick, making it thinner than the iPad Pro or Samsung Galaxy Tab. As it also debuted OpenClaw collaboration technology, becoming the first commercial device to officially support running open-source AI agents, the device became a much-discussed âwannahave.â
#### What Really Stood Out This Week
## Holiday Debt, Bride Prices, and Meme CEOs: Whatâs Trending from Chinaâs Two Sessions
\[\#ć
šćœäž€äŒ\#\]
The annual Two SessionsâChinaâs National Peopleâs Congress (NPC) plenary and the Chinese Peopleâs Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)âare convening from March 4 to March 11. As usual, theyâve become a major topic of discussion on Chinese social media this week, alongside the ongoing developments in Iran.
This year, topics such as pensions, holidays, healthcare, tech, and AI have been receiving special attention. Here are three talking points that have generated considerable online discussion.
đ One issue that netizens especially seemed to care about is the phenomenon of Chinaâs âcompensatory working dayâ system (è°äŒ *tiĂĄoxiĆ«*), which allows people longer holiday blocks (such as seven days for the National Day holiday, or nine days for the recent Spring Festival) but requires people to make up for some of those days by working weekend days on either side of the holiday.
NPC delegate Tian Xuan (ç°èœ©) has proposed reducing or avoiding the use of these âmake-up days,â and instead increasing the number of public holidays. The proposal is receiving strong support from workers who have long been frustrated by this system of âborrowingâ free days, which creates a sense of being in holiday âdebt.â
đ Another proposal that went viral concerns child safety and stricter punishment for sex offenders. Female NPC delegate Fang Yan (æčç) suggested that convicted sex offenders against minors should be banned from professions involving close contact with children, prohibited from entering kindergartens and schools, and subjected to mandatory electronic location monitoring after serving their sentence.
đ NPC delegate Zhang Qiang (ćŒ ćŒș) put forward another proposal that generated online discussions, focusing on the topic of Chinaâs bride prices (ćœ©ç€Œ *cÇilÇ*), payments made by the groomâs family to the brideâs family. The issue has been widely debated [for years](https://www.whatsonweibo.com/problem-rising-bride-prices-chinas-bare-branch-villages/) as bride prices have been skyrocketing in rural China, where there are more men of marriageable age than women.
Zhang proposes that, in line with village rules, bride prices should be capped at no more than 20,000 yuan (US\$ 2,900). Zhang spoke from experiences from his own village, where some bride prices rose to a staggering 188,000 yuan (US\$27,260) â which allegedly almost made the marriage fall apart before it even started. Although many agree that there should be measures to break the cycle that puts rural families in debt, others think that the government shouldnât intervene in private family customs.
đ The most discussed NPC delegates are Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun (é·ć) and Zhou Yunjie (ćšäșæ°), top executive at the Haier Group. Xiaomi is one of Chinaâs leading smartphone and electronics makers, while Haier is one of the countryâs largest home-appliance groups. The two delegates already appeared together at the Two Sessions last year, when their contrasting roles drew attention: one representing Chinaâs younger, fast-moving digital companies, the other the face of Chinaâs older, traditional manufacturing industry.
This year, the two appearing together has become a source of memes, often portraying Lei Jun as the more playful, younger figure leading Zhou Yunjie into the world of social media. The stark difference between the two business leaders is what strikes a chordâZhou is seen as the more serious, traditional senior business leader. The pair is affectionately called the âHaiMi Brothersâ (æ”·ç±łć
ćŒ) by netizens.
Many netizens hope that beyond the Two Sessions, Lei and Zhou will continue to hang out and collaborate more by combining their strengths and expertise.
## The Celebrity Drama Taking Over Chinese Social Media
\[\#è°ąćšćèŻèäčè°Š\#\] \[\#æéšæĄćźćæ„æĄèäčè°Šéć©çœȘ\#\] \[\#æź”æŠćéżæ\#\]
Earlier this week, I promised to update you on the juicy celebrity story that almost managed to rival the Iran war as one of the most talked-about topics of the weekâdespite being entirely insignificant in comparison (which, of course, is exactly what makes it so irresistibleđż).
At the heart of the story is a decade-old celebrity feud involving singer Joker Xue (èäčè°Š Xue Zhiqian) that was reignited by his messy former girlfriend Li Yutong (æéšæĄ). On March 2, she posted a chaotic online rant filled with grievances against Xue, who left her in 2017 before reconciling with his ex-wife. Apparently, there is still a lot of unprocessed grief from those days, because there is no other obvious reason to explain why Li decided to share her since-deleted meltdown with millions of Chinese netizens earlier this week.
In more than 20 posts of threats and dirty laundryâfrom â*I will expose everything*â to accusing Xue of forcing her into an abortion and filing a public police report against him for bigamyâLi dragged her ex down while also mentioning details about Xue being nasty toward celebrity colleagues. Among them, she referenced mean remarks about Chinese pop star Zhang Jie (ćŒ æ°), also known as Jason Zhang. With more than 81 million Weibo followers and record-breaking ticket sales for 12 consecutive concerts at Beijingâs National Stadium, he is about as famous as you can get. His wife, Xie Na (è°ąćš), is arguably the most recognizable female television host in China.
The situation then spiraled into a much bigger controversy when fans began linking Liâs claims about Joker Xueâs remarks to a 2017 comedy roast program (ćæ§œć€§äŒ *TÇcĂĄo DĂ huĂŹ*). Soon after, Xie Na [published](https://weibo.com/1192329374/QukXOzNpC) an open letter on her personal Weibo directly addressing Joker Xue and demanding a formal apology to her husband Zhang Jie for the remarksâessentially accusing him of belittling Zhangâs supposedly âlow-classâ singing style.
As if that wasnât enough, another ex-girlfriend entered the scene with a [Weibo post](https://weibo.com/1261183267/QuoAa8Zqr). Duan Xi (æź”æŠ), seemingly triggered by Xie Naâs intervention, asked: if people are publicly demanding apologies nowââ*can I have one too?*â In a lengthy message, she recounted how she fell into loneliness and depression after Xie Na entered the life she had shared with Zhang Jie more than two decades ago, suggesting that their past behavior might not have been entirely clean either.
Should we care about this story? Not at all. But it contains all the elements of a soap drama. Former lovers seeking revenge, bitter jealousy, and long-standing feuds. Reality, in this case, is hardly less dramatic than a scripted series. Above all, it offers a glimpse into the lives of Chinaâs rich and famous. Although they often seem far removed from ordinary netizens, these occasional meltdown moments reveal something much more familiar: fragile egos, messy relationships, and very public outbursts.
There is also a commercial side to it. Besides other celebrities jumping in to boost their own online visibility and renew their relevance, the entire spectacle is lucrative for Weibo, once the central stage of Chinaâs celebrity culture. Even though regulators have spent years trying to curb celebrity gossip and âvulgarâ online content on platforms like Weibo, it remains exactly the kind of content that generates the most traffic and clicks.
In between news about the war in Iran and Chinaâs Two Sessions, it is stories like these that keep people returning to social mediaânot for foreign news or state media narratives, but for drama.
#### On the Feed
## The Little âCoal Miningâ Panda
One little panda cub born last summer at a conservation base in Sichuan has recently gone viral for its muddy black appearance, with some joking that itâs âcosplayingâ a black bear and others calling it the âcoal mining bearâ (æç
€ć°ç). The cub, now often referred to as the âSu Jin cubâ (èéŠćŽœ) since giant panda Su Jin is its mother, has quickly become a crowd favorite. Although there has been a lot of speculation about its color, the explanation is simple: even though staff wipe it down every day, little Su Jin just loves rolling through the mud.
***
#### Word of the Week
## âçźäșćäșșæ Œâ (*suĂ nle xĂng rĂ©nge* â âforget-it personality typeâ)
The âforget-it personalityâ can be seen as a kind of coping strategy for younger generations navigating modern life, where they face information overload and decision fatigue. In that sense, it can be added to the list of other self-labeling terms weâve seen in Chinese youth culture before, from âlying flatâ (èșșćčł *tÇng pĂng*) to ârat peopleâ (èéŒ äșș *lÇoshÇrĂ©n*).
The âforget-it personality,â however, is somewhat more pragmatic: it reflects a day-to-day attitude in which someone decides itâs simply not worth the trouble to fuss over something. You say âforget itâ because you already have enough on your plate.
One thing these terms have in common is a sense of emotional exhaustion, yet adopting such an attitude is not necessarily about giving up; for some people it has even become something to aspire to.
One Douyin user wrote:
â*I like browsing online, but sometimes comments make me so angry that I want to reply. Then I think about how many words Iâd have to type and how much Iâd have to think about the response, and suddenly Iâm too lazy to comment. My temper is bad, but I also hate hassle.*â
***
â*Thatâs a wrap.*
*See you next edition.*
*Best,*
*Manya*
***Eye on Digital China, by Manya Koetse, is co-published on [Substack](https://eyeondigitalchina.substack.com/) and [Whatâs on Weibo](https://www.whatsonweibo.com/). Both feature the same new content â so you can read and subscribe wherever you prefer. Substack offers community features, while Whatâs on Weibo provides full archive access. If youâre already subscribed and want to switch platforms, just get in touch for help. If you no longer wish to receive these newsletters, or are receiving duplicate editions, you can unsubscribe at any time.***
[Continue Reading](https://www.whatsonweibo.com/two-sessions-a-celebrity-meltdown-and-the-rise-of-chinas-forget-it-mindset/)
### [China Memes & Viral](https://www.whatsonweibo.com/category/viral/)
# Spring Festival Trend Watch: Gala Highlights, Small-City Travel, and the Mazu Ritual Controversy
Some stories going viral during the holiday season seem to exist in a recurring social cycle of their own.
Published
2 months ago
on
February 22, 2026
By
[Manya Koetse](https://www.whatsonweibo.com/author/manya-koetse/ "Posts by Manya Koetse")
đ„ **China Trend Watch (week 8 \| 2026)** Part of *Eye on Digital China* by Manya Koetse, *China Trend Watch* is an overview of whatâs trending and being discussed on Chinese social media. The previous newsletter was a chapter dive into the story of Chinaâs [latest hospital scandal](https://www.whatsonweibo.com/chinamaxxing-and-the-kill-line-why-two-viral-trends-took-off-in-the-us-and-china/). This edition was sent to paid subscribers â [subscribe](https://www.whatsonweibo.com/subscribe/) to receive the next issue in your inbox.
####
####
One Shanghai woman was so disappointed by what her boyfriendâs parents served for Chinese New Year that she ended the relationship over it.
The 26-year-old, who described her own family background as âpretty good,â shared her experience on social media. She said she had already known that her new handsome boyfriend came from a lower-income family. But after traveling to his hometown in Jiangxi for the Spring Festival and seeing what his mother had prepared for the New Yearâs dinner, she was so shaken that she immediately booked a train ticket back to Shanghai.
Here is a screenshot of her post and the picture of the dinner she posted:
This is actually [a story](https://www.whatsonweibo.com/spring-festival-dinner-break-up-goes-viral/) that exploded on Chinese social media back in 2016, and its virality is quite typical of the period surrounding Chinese New Year â it is always a very special time when it comes to the kinds of trends that unfold.
It often feels as though stories simmering in the background suddenly boil over during the holiday season. Digital shifts become more visible, cultural traditions take on new meanings, consumer hypes mushroom across the country, and seemingly insignificant social topics can grow enormous: a road rage incident, a noteworthy TV moment, or that one familyâs New Yearâs dinner.
Whatâs perhaps most striking is that the story of that Shanghai woman (who really did break up with her boyfriend after that dinner) could have easily been a trending topic during this yearâs Spring Festival, and she would likely face the same backlash today (people found her disrespectful and snobbish). In fact, some stories that went viral during the holiday season years ago still resurface today, as if they exist in a recurring social cycle of their own.
Take the nagging questions from family and nosy neighbors about why the single sons & daughters returning to their hometowns for the New Year are *still* not married, for example; itâs a topic that somehow comes up every Spring Festival. The pressure caused by these âinterrogationsâ have led some single people to [rent](https://www.whatsonweibo.com/booming-market-renting-chinese-new-year-girlfriend/) a boyfriend or girlfriend to bring home to meet the parents â a story covered by the media for years.
People still ârent a partnerâ to avoid another year of awkward questions about their (non-existent) love life. What has changed is the price. Ten years ago, one could rent a boyfriend or girlfriend for about 500 yuan (around \$75). This week, social media reports suggested that these so-called âlife actorsâ (ç掻æŒć) â who rent out their services as a pretend partners â now charge up to 3,000 yuan per day (about \$435) (\#[æ·±ćłé€ć€ćœć€©ç§ç·ć3000ć
äžć€©](https://s.weibo.com/weibo?q=%23%E6%B7%B1%E5%9C%B3%E9%99%A4%E5%A4%95%E5%BD%93%E5%A4%A9%E7%A7%9F%E7%94%B7%E5%8F%8B3000%E5%85%83%E4%B8%80%E5%A4%A9%23)\#).
All of this unfolds because so much happens around Chinese New Year (æ„è *ChĆ«njiĂ©*) at once. While China is transforming rapidly, some things remain remarkably consistent. The holiday is not just a peak moment for consumer culture and travel, it is also the yearâs major moment for the box office and for Chinaâs largest live televised event, the Spring Festival Gala, which reflects what matters not only to commercial sponsors but especially to the Communist Party. At the same time, it is a period of family reunions and homecomings for those who may not have other chances during the year to visit their hometowns.
From living rooms to long train rides, from fear-of-missing-out to social media memes, from pressures and expectations to fun and traditions, this period offers a concentrated snapshot of Chinaâs current momentum, revealing social anxieties, political priorities, and pop culture obsessions all at once.
Letâs dive into some of the other trends that have been especially noteworthy during this yearâs Spring Festival.
Quick Scroll
- - đ§ Chinaâs short track speed skating, historically one of Chinaâs strongest Olympic teams, has exited the 2026 Milan Olympics with whatâs called âthe worst results in 28 years.â
- đ„ Meanwhile, the gold medals for Xu Mengtao (ćŸæąŠæĄ) & Wang Xindi (çćżèżȘ) in freestyle ski aerials, Su Yiming (èçżéžŁ) in snowboard slopestyle, and Ning Zhongyan (ćźćż ćČ©) in 1500m speed skating were widely celebrated online.
- đșđž The much-discussed TrumpâXi meeting has been confirmed for late March, scheduled from March 31 to April 2. Trumpâs planned trip will mark the first U.S. presidential visit to China since his own 2017 visit.
- đż Chinaâs 2026 Spring Festival box office has surpassed the 4 billion yuan (US\$550 million) mark. The February 15â23 holiday window â one of the most important periods for the Chinese film market â saw racing comedy *Pegasus 3* (éŁé©°äșșç3) top the charts this year.
- đŹ One article called it the âhell yeah!â movie of the year. *Blades of the Guardians* (éäșș) by Xu Xianzhe (èźžć
ćČ) is the hardcore martial arts film that outperformed its opening-day numbers and became an audience favorite.
- đź Beijingâs Yuanmingyuan (Old Summer Palace) has become a viral hit for its 4.6 km illuminated route with thousands of lanterns lighting up at 17:30 each evening.
- đ Less popular: yellow lanterns used for New Year decorations in various cities triggered criticism online for looking âunfestiveâ or even representing âmourning colors,â leading local authorities to order a swap back to traditional red after the backlash.
- đŻïž Two explosions in Jiangsu and Hubei brought the total number of deaths from fireworks-related incidents for the first week of the 2026 Spring Festival holiday to at least 20.
#### What Really Stood Out This Week
## The Highlights of the 2026 Spring Festival Gala
Earlier this week, the 44th edition of the China Media Group Spring Festival Gala took place (see our liveblog of the entire show [here](https://www.whatsonweibo.com/inside-chunwan-2026-chinas-spring-festival-gala/)). At its peak, an estimated 400 million people were simultaneously watching the 4.5-hour show, which, as usual, contained a variety of performances ranging from dance and song to comedy and acrobatics.
So, what was different this year?
In case youâre not an avid watcher of the Galaâwhich I fully getâletâs get one thing straight first: the show overall is highly predictable and follows comparable year-on-year patterns. There is always a performance featuring different ethnicities; besides the mainland entertainment elite, there must be a variety of older and younger singers from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macao; there is a military song; there is a traditional opera element; and there is always a comic skit that everyone finds cringeworthy. In these respects, 2026 was right on track with previous years.
However, there were definitely some noteworthy aspects to this yearâs Gala. Some are significant because they mark a subtle, broader shift, while others are more obvious.
⊠**First, the theme**. The show was titled âGalloping Steeds, Unstoppable Forceâ (éȘéȘ„é©°éȘ ćżäžćŻæĄ). Every year has a theme, often nodding to the zodiac sign and usually focusing on messaging such as âa thriving nation,â âreunion,â or, as in 2020, âTogether Realizing the Moderately Prosperous Dream.â This yearâs theme felt less modest, aligning with a larger narrative about Chinaâs role on the world stage today as an âunstoppable force.â
⊠**The role of the director**. The influence of the showâs director seems to have been somewhat overlooked in coverage of the Gala. Yu Lei (äșèŸ, b. 1979) is not only the first female director in the showâs 44-year history but also the first to lead the production for four consecutive years. As chief director, Yu Lei has established a very identifiable aesthetic framework, perfecting a style of show that merges Chinese tradition with high technology. Outstanding examples of this include the beautiful and innovative 2024 âKoi Carpâ (éŠéČ€) [dance](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dh6Zv4GuN2c), and the 2022 âpaintingâ dance âOnly This Greenâ (ćȘæ€é绿) [inspired by](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZlUvIV50Ww) a famous Chinese handscroll.
This year featured even more segments blending traditional inspiration with state-of-the-art technology, from the creative âCelebrating the Flower Goddessâ (èŽșè±ç„, [watch here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CELpUCjLzp8)) to the Xinjiang Dance Troupeâs âSilk Road Ancient Rhymesâ (äžè·Żć€é”, [watch](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iVXALAV62M)) and dancer Zhang Hanâs beautiful performance of âChasing Shadowsâ (èżœćœ±) ([link](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FywBZWaD1kk)).
These performances align with the broader *Guochao* (ćœæœź) trendâliterally ânational trendââand the promotion of traditional culture seen over the past years. Under Yu Leiâs guidance, this cultural pride is fused with technological innovation to create a new kind of Chinese aesthetic that is indeed âunstoppable.â If we donât recognize this as the trend of today, it will certainly be the new normal of tomorrow.
⊠**Then the global outreach**. This is the first time Iâve seen the show so deliberately cater to foreign audiences. A promo added to the YouTube livestream explicitly stated: â*This is where it gets cool, this is where the future meets timeless Eastern aesthetics. This is where we feel warmth, where everyone belongs. When the CMG Spring Festival Gala begins, you are coming home*.â
This past year was a turning point where China became âcoolâ among younger Western audiences (see my piece on *[Becoming Chinese](https://www.whatsonweibo.com/chinamaxxing-and-the-kill-line-why-two-viral-trends-took-off-in-the-us-and-china/)*) â this soft-power effect is being fully embraced by Chinese state media, and the Gala is part of this. Beijing is increasingly positioning the event as a global celebration rather than just a national one, which explains the inclusion of more foreign performersâfrom Lionel Richie and John Legend to HĂ©lĂšne RollĂšs, Westlife, the Hungarian National Folk Ensemble, Spanish dancer JesĂșs Carmona, and the Austrian acrobatic troupe Jonglissimo.
⊠**Lastly, AI and robotics**. Perhaps the most obvious shift was the heavy use of AI and robotics, which became a major talking point on X and in foreign media. While the Gala has already incorporated robots for two decades (!), this year marked the first time they participated across almost every genre, from dance and comedy sketches to martial arts and short films.
The abundance of robots was driven by a historical first: four domestic humanoid robot companiesâUnitree Robotics (ćźæ ç§æ), Noetix Robotics (æŸć»¶ćšć), MagicLab (éæłćć), and Galbot (é¶æČłéçš)âall appeared as official corporate partners. We also saw the worldâs first martial arts performance by a fully autonomous humanoid robot cluster.
Although the robots were a highlight, they were also a point of online critique for being a bit âoverdone.â Judging by social media comments, many viewers still preferred the classic, iconic performersâlike pop superstar Faye Wong (çèČ) or the legendary comedian Cai Ming (èĄæ), who has performed at the Gala for decades.
So despite all the new technological developments and the clear look into the future, audiences still seemed to love the performances that leaned toward the past, highlighting a bit of a âbattleâ between innovation and nostalgia.
## The Travel Trends to Know
There are two moments in the year that are the major travel periods for China, reflecting the current trends of the tourism industry: the National Day holiday and the Spring Festival holiday. These periods usually reveal trends that were either simmering and have now expanded, or upcoming trends surfacing for the first time.
Some things donât really change, such as cities like Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, and Shanghai being among the most popular domestic destinations. (As for international locations, Seoul, Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, and Bali [top](http://english.scio.gov.cn/m/in-depth/2026-02/14/content_118334242.html) those lists).
These are some noticeable trends for this moment:
**⊠A big love for small cities** has been noticeable among Chinaâs younger travelers recently. This is a different trend from what used to be the post-Covid âspecial forces travelâ ([çčç§ć
”](https://www.whatsonweibo.com/the-rise-of-chinas-special-forces-travel-the-mission-to-get-the-ultimate-budget-trip-in-limited-time/)), which was the kind of tourism where travelers would do as much as possible within a short time and limited budget, almost like crossing destinations off a bingo card.
Now, travelers are turning more to âhidden gemsâ or what have been called âdark horse destinationsâ in Chinese media (é»é©Źçźçć°). The goal is not just to cross them off a list, but to slow down and experience local culture. Folk culture, markets, and arts & crafts have seen a rise in popularity.
Some examples are Jieyang and Chaozhou which, together with Shantou, lie in eastern Guangdong. Some of these places are seeing the fastest tourism growth rates in the entire country, thanks to strong local folk customs and food culture, with people preferring homestays or Airbnb-style holiday rentals for an authentic, local experience.
Cities like Jingdezhen, Kaifeng, Quanzhou, and Zigongâall previously not particularly known as top destinationsâare also new âbreakoutâ cities this season.
Another example is Chongzuo in Guangxi, located along the ChinaâVietnam border, with its Zhuang ethnic minority culture, karst mountains, rivers, and rural scenery.
All of this represents a big shift in Chinaâs domestic tourism industry, offering new experiences to Chinese travelers while also boosting the local economies of these places.
While these new destinations all sound lovely and peaceful, posts on Xiaohongshu show that the viral nature of these âhidden gemsâ have also caused them to be exceptionally busy during this season.
**⊠Reverse Spring Festival** (ććèżćčŽ) has been a trend for several years, but it has been especially prominent this year. It is the trend where, instead of children traveling from big cities to visit parents in their hometowns, the parents are coming to celebrate the New Year with their kids in medium-sized or larger cities. This has also led to the rising popularity of Guangzhou as a Spring Festival destination.
What you also see are families all traveling together to a third location outside of both their hometowns and work-based cities.
**⊠âGoing the opposite wayâ** is also a popular travel trend that has particularly emerged this year, with people from Chinaâs south traveling to the north and people from the north traveling to the southâone group seeking an experience of ice and snow, while the other wants warmth and sunshine.
The locations that stand out for this are Harbin in the north, with its Harbin Ice and Snow World (ćć°æ»šć°éȘ性äžç) holding a spot in the national top-ten scenic spots (although, unfortunately, Harbin has seen rising temperatures this winter, leading to melting snowmen).
The tourists from the south who come to visit Habrin are nicknamed âLittle Southern Potatoesâ (ćæčć°ćè±) for being all bundled up in brand-new puffy coats.
In the south, Yunnanâs Kunming has seen a surge in popularity, along with Lijiang, Xishuangbanna, and Dali, which all saw a drastic increase in bookings.
## Especially Noteworthy Online Discussions
**Door-to-door Pet Sitting as Emerging Business Model**
⊠During Chinaâs 2026 Spring Festival travel rush, a specific phenomenon gained traction on Chinese social media in this pet-loving era: âdoor-to-door pet-sittingâ (äžéšććź ). This emerged as one of the holidayâs most surprisingly profitable side gigs after Shanghai pet sitter Huan Cong (æĄèȘ) told *Jiupai News* (äč掟æ°é») that his five-person team would complete some 2,000 jobs within the twenty-day holiday period, with an expected revenue of 160,000 yuan (\$22,120).
Huan is not the only one profiting from this lucrative businessâpet sitters across the country are cashing in during the Spring Festival. This trending story reflects the massive scale of Chinaâs pet economy, an industry growing year-on-year as those born in the post-90s and post-00s now comprise the majority of pet owners.
At the same time, digging a bit deeper reveals the reality behind the trend. While relatively lucrative, the work is tiresome; Huan sometimes visits 55 households in a single day to ensure he and his team can feed all their customersâ dogs and cats. It might be good business, but itâs certainly not easy.
**An Unusually Bad Karma Story**
⊠One story that has been especially noteworthy this week involves a religious ceremony dedicated to honoring the Chinese sea goddess Mazu (ćŠç„). A protector of fishermen and sailors, Mazu has millions of worshippers in eastern and southeastern parts of the Chinese mainland and Taiwan; regions where people have traditionally relied on the ocean for their livelihoods.
On February 18, the second day of the Chinese New Year, something unusual happened during the annual Mazu procession in Shishi Village (æŸçłæ) in Zhanjiang, Guangdong province.
A unique local tradition involves the divine selection of a Mazu âmessenger,â a child believed to serve as a vessel for the goddessâs spirit during the procession. This is decided through the ritual of *shĂšngbÄi* (ćŁæŻ) throws or âdivination cupâ tosses: children throw crescent-shaped wooden blocks, and based on how they land, the child believed to have the closest connection to Mazu is selected to take the place of the statue during the parade.
For the past eight years, the same girl, now 14 years old, had reportedly been selected as the spirit medium through this sacred ritual.
However, this year, a wealthy businessman surnamed Xu (èźž)âthe financial sponsor of the processionâsuddenly replaced the chosen girl with his own son. That is where things started going wrong.
According to local reports, the boy seemed unfamiliar with ceremony protocols. He misaligned offerings on the ritual table, stood in the wrong position at the start of the procession, and accidentally stepped on a ritual spot reserved for divine generals, which living participants are forbidden from entering.
Most importantly, the *shĂšngbÄi* ritual, in which the boy had to seek Mazuâs approval through the blocks, kept giving the same negative result (*nĂčbÄi* ææŻ) for no less than eight consecutive times. There are three possible outcomes, and the statistical chance of throwing the same negative result eight times in a row was seen as a sign of extreme divine disapproval. People were eventually too afraid to let the boy try a ninth time.
As a result, with no âgreen lightâ from Mazu, the bearers of the sedan chair needed for the procession refused to lift it, and the entire ritual halted.
Seeing no other choice, organizers got the girl to come back. Upon her first *shĂšngbÄi* throw, a valid result was immediately obtained and the sedan chair was reportedly lifted without any difficulties. The procession then proceeded with both children riding the sedan chair together (which also prompted criticism from locals for being a further deviation from tradition). After the procession concluded, the girl was visibly distressed.
As this story has gone viral, many see it as a sign that wealth cannot buy a way into a sacred ritualâthe gods simply do not agree, and money cannot buy everything.
Consequently, Mazu and the *shĂšngbÄi* ritual have unexpectedly become hot topics.
The actress Liu Tao (ćæ¶), who once played Mazu in a popular television drama, has resurfaced as a âlucky memeâ during this holiday. Liu Taoâs relationship to Mazu goes beyond just her role in the series. During the filming, she allegedly also went to the temple and performed the traditional divination ritual and got three positive throws in a row, which was seen as a positive omen for her taking the role.
Sheâs become a celebrity ambassador for Mazu culture, something that is now highlighted by netizens as the Shishi Village story trends. People have begun using Liu Taoâs image as Mazu as an auspicious phone wallpaper.
The irony, of course, is that the Xu family spent a fortune trying to force Mazuâs blessing, while millions of ordinary netizens are now getting their âlucky fixâ for free through their Liu Tao meme. How very âSpring Festivalâ is that? đź
***
â*Thatâs a wrap. Many thanks to Ruixin Zhang and Miranda Barnes for their input on this newsletter, and for managing to watch the full 4.5 hours of the Spring Festival Gala together with me\!*
*Iâm taking a few days off now for some travel, but expect to be back with a new trend newsletter for you next weekend.*
*See you next edition.*
*Best,*
*Manya*
***Eye on Digital China, by Manya Koetse, is co-published on [Substack](https://eyeondigitalchina.substack.com/) and [Whatâs on Weibo](https://www.whatsonweibo.com/). Both feature the same new content â so you can read and subscribe wherever you prefer. Substack offers community features, while Whatâs on Weibo provides full archive access. If youâre already subscribed and want to switch platforms, just get in touch for help. If you no longer wish to receive these newsletters, or are receiving duplicate editions, you can unsubscribe at any time.***
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| Readable Markdown | đ„ **China Trend Watch (week 8 \| 2026)** Part of *Eye on Digital China* by Manya Koetse, *China Trend Watch* is an overview of whatâs trending and being discussed on Chinese social media. The previous newsletter was a chapter dive into the story of Chinaâs [latest hospital scandal](https://www.whatsonweibo.com/chinamaxxing-and-the-kill-line-why-two-viral-trends-took-off-in-the-us-and-china/). This edition was sent to paid subscribers â [subscribe](https://www.whatsonweibo.com/subscribe/) to receive the next issue in your inbox.
One Shanghai woman was so disappointed by what her boyfriendâs parents served for Chinese New Year that she ended the relationship over it.
The 26-year-old, who described her own family background as âpretty good,â shared her experience on social media. She said she had already known that her new handsome boyfriend came from a lower-income family. But after traveling to his hometown in Jiangxi for the Spring Festival and seeing what his mother had prepared for the New Yearâs dinner, she was so shaken that she immediately booked a train ticket back to Shanghai.
Here is a screenshot of her post and the picture of the dinner she posted:
This is actually [a story](https://www.whatsonweibo.com/spring-festival-dinner-break-up-goes-viral/) that exploded on Chinese social media back in 2016, and its virality is quite typical of the period surrounding Chinese New Year â it is always a very special time when it comes to the kinds of trends that unfold.
It often feels as though stories simmering in the background suddenly boil over during the holiday season. Digital shifts become more visible, cultural traditions take on new meanings, consumer hypes mushroom across the country, and seemingly insignificant social topics can grow enormous: a road rage incident, a noteworthy TV moment, or that one familyâs New Yearâs dinner.
Whatâs perhaps most striking is that the story of that Shanghai woman (who really did break up with her boyfriend after that dinner) could have easily been a trending topic during this yearâs Spring Festival, and she would likely face the same backlash today (people found her disrespectful and snobbish). In fact, some stories that went viral during the holiday season years ago still resurface today, as if they exist in a recurring social cycle of their own.
Take the nagging questions from family and nosy neighbors about why the single sons & daughters returning to their hometowns for the New Year are *still* not married, for example; itâs a topic that somehow comes up every Spring Festival. The pressure caused by these âinterrogationsâ have led some single people to [rent](https://www.whatsonweibo.com/booming-market-renting-chinese-new-year-girlfriend/) a boyfriend or girlfriend to bring home to meet the parents â a story covered by the media for years.
People still ârent a partnerâ to avoid another year of awkward questions about their (non-existent) love life. What has changed is the price. Ten years ago, one could rent a boyfriend or girlfriend for about 500 yuan (around \$75). This week, social media reports suggested that these so-called âlife actorsâ (ç掻æŒć) â who rent out their services as a pretend partners â now charge up to 3,000 yuan per day (about \$435) (\#[æ·±ćłé€ć€ćœć€©ç§ç·ć3000ć
äžć€©](https://s.weibo.com/weibo?q=%23%E6%B7%B1%E5%9C%B3%E9%99%A4%E5%A4%95%E5%BD%93%E5%A4%A9%E7%A7%9F%E7%94%B7%E5%8F%8B3000%E5%85%83%E4%B8%80%E5%A4%A9%23)\#).
All of this unfolds because so much happens around Chinese New Year (æ„è *ChĆ«njiĂ©*) at once. While China is transforming rapidly, some things remain remarkably consistent. The holiday is not just a peak moment for consumer culture and travel, it is also the yearâs major moment for the box office and for Chinaâs largest live televised event, the Spring Festival Gala, which reflects what matters not only to commercial sponsors but especially to the Communist Party. At the same time, it is a period of family reunions and homecomings for those who may not have other chances during the year to visit their hometowns.
From living rooms to long train rides, from fear-of-missing-out to social media memes, from pressures and expectations to fun and traditions, this period offers a concentrated snapshot of Chinaâs current momentum, revealing social anxieties, political priorities, and pop culture obsessions all at once.
Letâs dive into some of the other trends that have been especially noteworthy during this yearâs Spring Festival.
Quick Scroll
- - đ§ Chinaâs short track speed skating, historically one of Chinaâs strongest Olympic teams, has exited the 2026 Milan Olympics with whatâs called âthe worst results in 28 years.â
- đ„ Meanwhile, the gold medals for Xu Mengtao (ćŸæąŠæĄ) & Wang Xindi (çćżèżȘ) in freestyle ski aerials, Su Yiming (èçżéžŁ) in snowboard slopestyle, and Ning Zhongyan (ćźćż ćČ©) in 1500m speed skating were widely celebrated online.
- đșđž The much-discussed TrumpâXi meeting has been confirmed for late March, scheduled from March 31 to April 2. Trumpâs planned trip will mark the first U.S. presidential visit to China since his own 2017 visit.
- đż Chinaâs 2026 Spring Festival box office has surpassed the 4 billion yuan (US\$550 million) mark. The February 15â23 holiday window â one of the most important periods for the Chinese film market â saw racing comedy *Pegasus 3* (éŁé©°äșșç3) top the charts this year.
- đŹ One article called it the âhell yeah!â movie of the year. *Blades of the Guardians* (éäșș) by Xu Xianzhe (èźžć
ćČ) is the hardcore martial arts film that outperformed its opening-day numbers and became an audience favorite.
- đź Beijingâs Yuanmingyuan (Old Summer Palace) has become a viral hit for its 4.6 km illuminated route with thousands of lanterns lighting up at 17:30 each evening.
- đ Less popular: yellow lanterns used for New Year decorations in various cities triggered criticism online for looking âunfestiveâ or even representing âmourning colors,â leading local authorities to order a swap back to traditional red after the backlash.
- đŻïž Two explosions in Jiangsu and Hubei brought the total number of deaths from fireworks-related incidents for the first week of the 2026 Spring Festival holiday to at least 20.
#### What Really Stood Out This Week
## The Highlights of the 2026 Spring Festival Gala
Earlier this week, the 44th edition of the China Media Group Spring Festival Gala took place (see our liveblog of the entire show [here](https://www.whatsonweibo.com/inside-chunwan-2026-chinas-spring-festival-gala/)). At its peak, an estimated 400 million people were simultaneously watching the 4.5-hour show, which, as usual, contained a variety of performances ranging from dance and song to comedy and acrobatics.
So, what was different this year?
In case youâre not an avid watcher of the Galaâwhich I fully getâletâs get one thing straight first: the show overall is highly predictable and follows comparable year-on-year patterns. There is always a performance featuring different ethnicities; besides the mainland entertainment elite, there must be a variety of older and younger singers from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macao; there is a military song; there is a traditional opera element; and there is always a comic skit that everyone finds cringeworthy. In these respects, 2026 was right on track with previous years.
However, there were definitely some noteworthy aspects to this yearâs Gala. Some are significant because they mark a subtle, broader shift, while others are more obvious.
⊠**First, the theme**. The show was titled âGalloping Steeds, Unstoppable Forceâ (éȘéȘ„é©°éȘ ćżäžćŻæĄ). Every year has a theme, often nodding to the zodiac sign and usually focusing on messaging such as âa thriving nation,â âreunion,â or, as in 2020, âTogether Realizing the Moderately Prosperous Dream.â This yearâs theme felt less modest, aligning with a larger narrative about Chinaâs role on the world stage today as an âunstoppable force.â
⊠**The role of the director**. The influence of the showâs director seems to have been somewhat overlooked in coverage of the Gala. Yu Lei (äșèŸ, b. 1979) is not only the first female director in the showâs 44-year history but also the first to lead the production for four consecutive years. As chief director, Yu Lei has established a very identifiable aesthetic framework, perfecting a style of show that merges Chinese tradition with high technology. Outstanding examples of this include the beautiful and innovative 2024 âKoi Carpâ (éŠéČ€) [dance](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dh6Zv4GuN2c), and the 2022 âpaintingâ dance âOnly This Greenâ (ćȘæ€é绿) [inspired by](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZlUvIV50Ww) a famous Chinese handscroll.
This year featured even more segments blending traditional inspiration with state-of-the-art technology, from the creative âCelebrating the Flower Goddessâ (èŽșè±ç„, [watch here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CELpUCjLzp8)) to the Xinjiang Dance Troupeâs âSilk Road Ancient Rhymesâ (äžè·Żć€é”, [watch](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iVXALAV62M)) and dancer Zhang Hanâs beautiful performance of âChasing Shadowsâ (èżœćœ±) ([link](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FywBZWaD1kk)).
These performances align with the broader *Guochao* (ćœæœź) trendâliterally ânational trendââand the promotion of traditional culture seen over the past years. Under Yu Leiâs guidance, this cultural pride is fused with technological innovation to create a new kind of Chinese aesthetic that is indeed âunstoppable.â If we donât recognize this as the trend of today, it will certainly be the new normal of tomorrow.
⊠**Then the global outreach**. This is the first time Iâve seen the show so deliberately cater to foreign audiences. A promo added to the YouTube livestream explicitly stated: â*This is where it gets cool, this is where the future meets timeless Eastern aesthetics. This is where we feel warmth, where everyone belongs. When the CMG Spring Festival Gala begins, you are coming home*.â
This past year was a turning point where China became âcoolâ among younger Western audiences (see my piece on *[Becoming Chinese](https://www.whatsonweibo.com/chinamaxxing-and-the-kill-line-why-two-viral-trends-took-off-in-the-us-and-china/)*) â this soft-power effect is being fully embraced by Chinese state media, and the Gala is part of this. Beijing is increasingly positioning the event as a global celebration rather than just a national one, which explains the inclusion of more foreign performersâfrom Lionel Richie and John Legend to HĂ©lĂšne RollĂšs, Westlife, the Hungarian National Folk Ensemble, Spanish dancer JesĂșs Carmona, and the Austrian acrobatic troupe Jonglissimo.
⊠**Lastly, AI and robotics**. Perhaps the most obvious shift was the heavy use of AI and robotics, which became a major talking point on X and in foreign media. While the Gala has already incorporated robots for two decades (!), this year marked the first time they participated across almost every genre, from dance and comedy sketches to martial arts and short films.
The abundance of robots was driven by a historical first: four domestic humanoid robot companiesâUnitree Robotics (ćźæ ç§æ), Noetix Robotics (æŸć»¶ćšć), MagicLab (éæłćć), and Galbot (é¶æČłéçš)âall appeared as official corporate partners. We also saw the worldâs first martial arts performance by a fully autonomous humanoid robot cluster.
Although the robots were a highlight, they were also a point of online critique for being a bit âoverdone.â Judging by social media comments, many viewers still preferred the classic, iconic performersâlike pop superstar Faye Wong (çèČ) or the legendary comedian Cai Ming (èĄæ), who has performed at the Gala for decades.
So despite all the new technological developments and the clear look into the future, audiences still seemed to love the performances that leaned toward the past, highlighting a bit of a âbattleâ between innovation and nostalgia.
## The Travel Trends to Know
There are two moments in the year that are the major travel periods for China, reflecting the current trends of the tourism industry: the National Day holiday and the Spring Festival holiday. These periods usually reveal trends that were either simmering and have now expanded, or upcoming trends surfacing for the first time.
Some things donât really change, such as cities like Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, and Shanghai being among the most popular domestic destinations. (As for international locations, Seoul, Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, and Bali [top](http://english.scio.gov.cn/m/in-depth/2026-02/14/content_118334242.html) those lists).
These are some noticeable trends for this moment:
**⊠A big love for small cities** has been noticeable among Chinaâs younger travelers recently. This is a different trend from what used to be the post-Covid âspecial forces travelâ ([çčç§ć
”](https://www.whatsonweibo.com/the-rise-of-chinas-special-forces-travel-the-mission-to-get-the-ultimate-budget-trip-in-limited-time/)), which was the kind of tourism where travelers would do as much as possible within a short time and limited budget, almost like crossing destinations off a bingo card.
Now, travelers are turning more to âhidden gemsâ or what have been called âdark horse destinationsâ in Chinese media (é»é©Źçźçć°). The goal is not just to cross them off a list, but to slow down and experience local culture. Folk culture, markets, and arts & crafts have seen a rise in popularity.
Some examples are Jieyang and Chaozhou which, together with Shantou, lie in eastern Guangdong. Some of these places are seeing the fastest tourism growth rates in the entire country, thanks to strong local folk customs and food culture, with people preferring homestays or Airbnb-style holiday rentals for an authentic, local experience.
Cities like Jingdezhen, Kaifeng, Quanzhou, and Zigongâall previously not particularly known as top destinationsâare also new âbreakoutâ cities this season.
Another example is Chongzuo in Guangxi, located along the ChinaâVietnam border, with its Zhuang ethnic minority culture, karst mountains, rivers, and rural scenery.
All of this represents a big shift in Chinaâs domestic tourism industry, offering new experiences to Chinese travelers while also boosting the local economies of these places.
While these new destinations all sound lovely and peaceful, posts on Xiaohongshu show that the viral nature of these âhidden gemsâ have also caused them to be exceptionally busy during this season.
**⊠Reverse Spring Festival** (ććèżćčŽ) has been a trend for several years, but it has been especially prominent this year. It is the trend where, instead of children traveling from big cities to visit parents in their hometowns, the parents are coming to celebrate the New Year with their kids in medium-sized or larger cities. This has also led to the rising popularity of Guangzhou as a Spring Festival destination.
What you also see are families all traveling together to a third location outside of both their hometowns and work-based cities.
**⊠âGoing the opposite wayâ** is also a popular travel trend that has particularly emerged this year, with people from Chinaâs south traveling to the north and people from the north traveling to the southâone group seeking an experience of ice and snow, while the other wants warmth and sunshine.
The locations that stand out for this are Harbin in the north, with its Harbin Ice and Snow World (ćć°æ»šć°éȘ性äžç) holding a spot in the national top-ten scenic spots (although, unfortunately, Harbin has seen rising temperatures this winter, leading to melting snowmen).
The tourists from the south who come to visit Habrin are nicknamed âLittle Southern Potatoesâ (ćæčć°ćè±) for being all bundled up in brand-new puffy coats.
In the south, Yunnanâs Kunming has seen a surge in popularity, along with Lijiang, Xishuangbanna, and Dali, which all saw a drastic increase in bookings.
## Especially Noteworthy Online Discussions
**Door-to-door Pet Sitting as Emerging Business Model**
⊠During Chinaâs 2026 Spring Festival travel rush, a specific phenomenon gained traction on Chinese social media in this pet-loving era: âdoor-to-door pet-sittingâ (äžéšććź ). This emerged as one of the holidayâs most surprisingly profitable side gigs after Shanghai pet sitter Huan Cong (æĄèȘ) told *Jiupai News* (äč掟æ°é») that his five-person team would complete some 2,000 jobs within the twenty-day holiday period, with an expected revenue of 160,000 yuan (\$22,120).
Huan is not the only one profiting from this lucrative businessâpet sitters across the country are cashing in during the Spring Festival. This trending story reflects the massive scale of Chinaâs pet economy, an industry growing year-on-year as those born in the post-90s and post-00s now comprise the majority of pet owners.
At the same time, digging a bit deeper reveals the reality behind the trend. While relatively lucrative, the work is tiresome; Huan sometimes visits 55 households in a single day to ensure he and his team can feed all their customersâ dogs and cats. It might be good business, but itâs certainly not easy.
**An Unusually Bad Karma Story**
⊠One story that has been especially noteworthy this week involves a religious ceremony dedicated to honoring the Chinese sea goddess Mazu (ćŠç„). A protector of fishermen and sailors, Mazu has millions of worshippers in eastern and southeastern parts of the Chinese mainland and Taiwan; regions where people have traditionally relied on the ocean for their livelihoods.
On February 18, the second day of the Chinese New Year, something unusual happened during the annual Mazu procession in Shishi Village (æŸçłæ) in Zhanjiang, Guangdong province.
A unique local tradition involves the divine selection of a Mazu âmessenger,â a child believed to serve as a vessel for the goddessâs spirit during the procession. This is decided through the ritual of *shĂšngbÄi* (ćŁæŻ) throws or âdivination cupâ tosses: children throw crescent-shaped wooden blocks, and based on how they land, the child believed to have the closest connection to Mazu is selected to take the place of the statue during the parade.
For the past eight years, the same girl, now 14 years old, had reportedly been selected as the spirit medium through this sacred ritual.
However, this year, a wealthy businessman surnamed Xu (èźž)âthe financial sponsor of the processionâsuddenly replaced the chosen girl with his own son. That is where things started going wrong.
According to local reports, the boy seemed unfamiliar with ceremony protocols. He misaligned offerings on the ritual table, stood in the wrong position at the start of the procession, and accidentally stepped on a ritual spot reserved for divine generals, which living participants are forbidden from entering.
Most importantly, the *shĂšngbÄi* ritual, in which the boy had to seek Mazuâs approval through the blocks, kept giving the same negative result (*nĂčbÄi* ææŻ) for no less than eight consecutive times. There are three possible outcomes, and the statistical chance of throwing the same negative result eight times in a row was seen as a sign of extreme divine disapproval. People were eventually too afraid to let the boy try a ninth time.
As a result, with no âgreen lightâ from Mazu, the bearers of the sedan chair needed for the procession refused to lift it, and the entire ritual halted.
Seeing no other choice, organizers got the girl to come back. Upon her first *shĂšngbÄi* throw, a valid result was immediately obtained and the sedan chair was reportedly lifted without any difficulties. The procession then proceeded with both children riding the sedan chair together (which also prompted criticism from locals for being a further deviation from tradition). After the procession concluded, the girl was visibly distressed.
As this story has gone viral, many see it as a sign that wealth cannot buy a way into a sacred ritualâthe gods simply do not agree, and money cannot buy everything.
Consequently, Mazu and the *shĂšngbÄi* ritual have unexpectedly become hot topics.
The actress Liu Tao (ćæ¶), who once played Mazu in a popular television drama, has resurfaced as a âlucky memeâ during this holiday. Liu Taoâs relationship to Mazu goes beyond just her role in the series. During the filming, she allegedly also went to the temple and performed the traditional divination ritual and got three positive throws in a row, which was seen as a positive omen for her taking the role.
Sheâs become a celebrity ambassador for Mazu culture, something that is now highlighted by netizens as the Shishi Village story trends. People have begun using Liu Taoâs image as Mazu as an auspicious phone wallpaper.
The irony, of course, is that the Xu family spent a fortune trying to force Mazuâs blessing, while millions of ordinary netizens are now getting their âlucky fixâ for free through their Liu Tao meme. How very âSpring Festivalâ is that? đź
***
â*Thatâs a wrap. Many thanks to Ruixin Zhang and Miranda Barnes for their input on this newsletter, and for managing to watch the full 4.5 hours of the Spring Festival Gala together with me\!*
*Iâm taking a few days off now for some travel, but expect to be back with a new trend newsletter for you next weekend.*
*See you next edition.*
*Best,*
*Manya*
***Eye on Digital China, by Manya Koetse, is co-published on [Substack](https://eyeondigitalchina.substack.com/) and [Whatâs on Weibo](https://www.whatsonweibo.com/). Both feature the same new content â so you can read and subscribe wherever you prefer. Substack offers community features, while Whatâs on Weibo provides full archive access. If youâre already subscribed and want to switch platforms, just get in touch for help. If you no longer wish to receive these newsletters, or are receiving duplicate editions, you can unsubscribe at any time.*** |
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