China trends: week of 2026-10-19

Jiang Long cries after learning of Golden Rooster Awards nomination: "I thought I was dreaming"

Background: The Golden Rooster Awards are major Chinese film awards.

Chinese student abroad may face expulsion and deportation for wearing a Rising Sun flag

Background: The Rising Sun Flag is a Japanese military symbol associated with Japan's wartime history.

30 million yuan can't buy a Moutai dealership: Unpacking the dispute over distribution rights

Background: Moutai is a renowned Chinese baijiu brand and producer.

The “official 400 after-sales hotline” found online isn't really official. How can you find a legitimate repair number?

Background: In China, 400 numbers are business customer-service phone numbers.

Central Archives opens over 5,000 Long March archival records to the public

Background: The Long March was a strategic retreat by Chinese Communist forces in 1934–1936.

Sam's Club Chancheng store opens October 23 with Lingnan flavors and new products debuting nationwide

Background: Lingnan is a region of southern China known for its distinctive cuisine and culture.

Chinese student studying abroad may be expelled for wearing Japan's Rising Sun flag; source says he is from Nanjing

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

DeepSeek first, MiniMax second! China's twin Flash stars are on a roll

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 ↗

Pedal controversy lingers as U.S. EVs take another swipe at hastily built cars; beware the auto industry's Evergrande, which could easily collapse

Background: Evergrande is a Chinese property developer known for its debt crisis.

Xiaomi SU9 LUX Trademark Enters Preliminary Approval Announcement Stage; New Car May Target the Executive Luxury Flagship Market

IT Home reports that the Chinese trademark publication for “Xiaomi SU9 LUX” entered the preliminary approval announcement stage. The article attributes the filing details to the 1986th trademark announcement and separates those recorded dates from speculation that a longer-wheelbase vehicle could target the executive luxury market. It also repeats reported dimensions, possible competitors and Xiaomi’s stated future product plans. The article is a technology-media report that combines a public trademark record with attributed previews; it is not an official vehicle launch, a completed registration decision, or proof that the described model will ship.

Xiaomi

A Chinese company whose products include smartphones, connected home devices and electric vehicles. Reference ↗

90 Years Since Lu Xun's Death: Did He Really Enjoy Insulting People?

Background: Lu Xun (1881–1936) was a major modern Chinese writer and literary critic.

People's Daily commentary: Zero tolerance for words and actions glorifying Japanese militarism

Background: Jingri is a derogatory Chinese term for people seen as identifying with Japan, particularly Japanese militarism.

90th anniversary of Lu Xun's death: A master teacher and a guide at his former residence discuss reading his works

Background: Lu Xun was a major Chinese writer and a pioneering figure in modern Chinese literature.

Bald Qiang is forever the GOAT

Background: Bald Qiang is a character from the Chinese animated series Boonie Bears.

Chinese international student wearing a Rising Sun flag may be expelled and deported

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

Spot the New Product: He Gang Previews Huawei’s New-Form Router, with the X2 Pro Resembling a Book

Huawei

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

iQOO Product Manager Xing Cheng (Walking Orange Q) Announces Departure, Says He Still Supports and Follows iQOO

Background: iQOO is a smartphone brand owned by vivo.

Liu Xiaolingtong discusses the AI-modified “Sheng Dai” CP pairing Sun Wukong and Lin Daiyu: The concept is fun, but adaptations must not cross legal, regulatory, and audience red lines.

Background: CP is Chinese internet slang for a favored romantic or relational pairing between characters or public figures.

What do people think of the “Sheng Dai” CP pairing Sun Wukong and Lin Daiyu?

Background: Sun Wukong is the Monkey King from Journey to the West; Lin Daiyu is a central character in Dream of the Red Chamber.

What do people think of the DeepSeek V4.1 Flash-1017 update?

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 ↗