China trends: week of 2026-10-19

Dong Mingzhu says Gree's technical school bans dating and overly long hair—is this reasonable, or is it a constraint or protection for students?

Background: Gree is a Chinese home appliance company.

What do you think of DeepSeek V4.1 Flash 1017 topping the “All-Time Worst AI Model Names” ranking?

Background: DeepSeek is a Chinese artificial intelligence company.

DeepSeek

A Chinese AI company that develops large language models and offers a chat service and developer API. Reference ↗

A 17-year-old Red Army soldier in Jiangxi ate a final farewell meal before heading off to war

Background: The Red Army refers here to the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, associated with the Chinese Communist movement.

Key core creator Jun Maeda has been diagnosed with throat cancer and abandoned aggressive treatment to focus on creating. How should we view his choice?

Background: Key is a Japanese visual novel and game studio known for emotionally driven stories.

How should we view media commentary on a Chinese student wearing the Rising Sun flag, calling for zero tolerance of “Jingri” words and conduct?

Background: In Chinese discourse, "Japanophile" can refer to people perceived as glorifying Japan's imperial history or wartime conduct.

How should we assess the U.S. Department of Homeland Security excluding DeepSeek and related third-party products from federal civilian procurement?

Background: DeepSeek is a Chinese AI company known for large language models. Model announcements and community claims require separate verification.

DeepSeek

A Chinese AI company that develops large language models and offers a chat service and developer API. Reference ↗

A Chinese student in Russia apologized after wearing a Rising Sun flag in class and has been deported. What accountability might he face in Russia and after returning to China?

Background: The Rising Sun Flag is a Japanese symbol associated with the country’s wartime military history.

The S16 Swiss Stage schedule accommodates LPL viewers

Background: LPL stands for the League of Legends Pro League, China's top professional League of Legends competition.

Why can Tang-style and Song-style hanfu expose the collarbone and neck, while Ming-style hanfu covers them completely?

Background: Hanfu refers to traditional Chinese clothing associated with historical Chinese cultural traditions.

An in-depth look at Grok Bot: Why it is more like a real team than a conventional agent

Background: Grok is an artificial intelligence chatbot developed by xAI.

Beijing takes a firm stance; APEC summit may have no place for Japan, while Sanae Takaichi seeks Trump’s help in getting a message across

Background: APEC is an economic forum bringing together economies around the Asia-Pacific region.

Xue Zhiqian and Wang Junkai: The Cowherd and Weaver Girl

Background: The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl are lovers in Chinese folklore who can meet only once a year.

[Day 0] I’m DeepSeek Whale Girl, and this Bilibili account belongs to me now

Background: DeepSeek is a Chinese AI company known for large language models. Model announcements and community claims require separate verification.

DeepSeek

A Chinese AI company that develops large language models and offers a chat service and developer API. Reference ↗

Huawei terminal spokesperson account “Juchang Xiaolaba” goes live without posting any content yet

Huawei

A Chinese technology company that makes telecommunications equipment, devices and computing products. Reference ↗

Why could Granny Liu ultimately risk losing her entire fortune to save Qiaojie?

Background: Granny Liu and Qiaojie are characters in the classic Chinese novel Dream of the Red Chamber.

Four LPL Teams Dominate the First Four Matches of the S16 Swiss Stage

Background: The LPL is China's top professional League of Legends esports league.

Xiao Zhan's fans, the Little Flying Knights, stun an entertainment-industry group chat

Background: Xiaofeixia is a nickname for Xiao Zhan's fans.

XTC's closed social network pressures parents to buy

Background: Xiaotiancai is a Chinese brand of children’s smartwatches.

People's Daily comments on an international student wearing the Rising Sun Flag

Background: The Rising Sun flag is a Japanese flag design associated with Japan’s wartime military history.

What Is Spring AI? A Java Engineer's First Step in AI Development

Spring AI

A Spring project that helps Java applications connect to AI models, tools and data stores. Reference ↗