Latest headlines from Eye on Digital China, covering world, with clear attribution and direct links to the original publisher.
Why did Kylian Mbappé’s comments about Mao Zedong spark such a major backlash in China? Our recent article “Mbappé, Mao, and the Joke That Shall Not Be Named Mbappé”’ explored […] The post Mbappé, Mao & the Backlash on Chinese Social Media appeared first on Eye on Digital China.
Mbappé’s favorite Mao meme sparked major backlash in China. More on what the controversy reveals about political red lines, online humor, and censorship. The post Mbappé, Mao, and the Joke That Shall Not Be Named appeared first on Eye on Digital China.
From the decline of Europe to historical karma: these 5 narratives reveal how Chinese social media discusses the recent unrest in France. The post The French Protests, Viewed from China: Five Narratives on Chinese Social Media appeared first on Eye on Digital China.
What does 20 yuan mean in China today? Why are traditional living rooms disappearing? And can underwear and socks be washed together? Plus, China's latest travel trends. The post What Does 20 Yuan ($3) Mean Anymore? China’s Disappearing Living Rooms & the Great Laundry Debate appeared first on Eye on Digital China.
Starbucks rebrands as “Star-Bazaar” in Urumqi—what does it say about shifting perceptions of Western brands in China? Also: a cheating sports influencer and the souvenirs that became most hated. The post Starbucks Goes Xinjiang & The Kardashians in China appeared first on Eye on Digital China.
On Chinese social media, Washington’s red-carpet reception wasn't just diplomacy but read as recognition of China's restored status on the global stage. The post Red Carpet, Pandas, and Power: How China Read the Trump-Xi Summit appeared first on Eye on Digital China.
China’s defeat against Japan at the Asian Games trended on the same day as the commemoration of the Mukden Incident—not as a separate event, but as a painful reminder of the humiliation of war. The post Keeping Score of History: The Mukden Incident and China’s Basketball Defeat to Japan appeared first on Eye on Digital China.
Quick scrolls, zooming in, and what’s on the feed: catching up on what’s been trending. The post The Rise of “Shuaqi-ism,” Taking Starbucks to the Fields, and Pretending to Go to Work appeared first on Eye on Digital China.
China’s new school year brings shifting names and rising costs, and the trending history behind Japan’s surname diversity. The post Why Japan Has So Many Surnames, China’s Back-to-School Shifts & Taiwan Pavilion Trouble appeared first on Eye on Digital China.
How the Nepal–Tibet floods are being discussed on Chinese social media. From solidarity and sadness over Gyirong to censorship and anger at Taiwanese, Indian, and Western media. The post Blame Games & Bad Signs: Nepal–Tibet Floods, Huawei’s Toilet Trouble, “Screwed” Graduates appeared first on Eye on Digital China.
How the two-person animated film Niu Lai turned its “ugly” visuals, dreamcore nostalgia, and remarkable cinema journey into a nationwide participatory meme. The post The Power of Ugly: Why Niu Lai Became China’s Unlikeliest Box-Office Hit appeared first on Eye on Digital China.
Welcome to China Trend Watch (Week 32–33 | 2026), where I bring you the latest trends, memes, and debates driving conversation across Chinese social media. I’m Manya Koetse, a sinologist […] The post AI Actress Ad Pulled, Baihaitun Disrupts Shanghai and Cicada Meme Bugs Huawei appeared first on Eye on Digital China.
How viral AI videos turn racialized outsiders into threats and violent Chinese heroes into defenders of social order, China’s first nationally broadcast AI drama, and why a newspaper is being sold for 50 times its original price. The post How Chinese AI Videos Turned Foreigners into Villains appeared first on Eye on Digital China.
