The US embassy in China has stopped posting regular updates to its official social media accounts as a result of the government shutdown. This triggered a wave of discussion among social media users, many of whom used the occasion to take potshots at the American political system. “Because of the lapse in appropriations, this account…
Swiss watchmaker Swatch has issued an apology for a “slant eye” promotional image that has triggered strong criticism on Chinese social media, with the gesture widely considered offensive to Asians. In statements posted to Instagram and China’s Weibo on Saturday, the Swatch Group sought to “sincerely apologise for any distress or misunderstanding this may have…
The US consulate in the central Chinese city of Wuhan has suspended all visa interviews, citing “unsafe” indoor temperatures it blamed on building management. In a public notice posted on its official social media account on Friday, the consulate said temperatures in its interview waiting area exceeded 33 degrees Celsius (91 degrees Fahrenheit) in the…
Social media users in China have backed Elon Musk, celebrating him for challenging US President Donald Trump amid rising tensions between the two. The tech billionaire has stirred up online excitement in China after he criticised Trump’s sweeping tax and spending legislation and threatened to launch his own political platform. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla…
A waterfront town in northwestern Hong Kong has improbably become a hit with mainland Chinese tourists who say its charming neighbourhoods remind them of picturesque cities in Japan, such as Sapporo. Users of Chinese social media platform RedNote have been sharing various tips on how travellers can capture pictures of the above-ground Light Rail trains…
Tuen Mun, a satellite town located in the northwestern part of the New Territories, has become an improbably popular destination among tourists after it was dubbed Hong Kong’s version of Japan, with similarities to cities such as Sapporo. Users of Chinese social media platform RedNote have been sharing various tips on how travellers can capture…
Surrounded by a stream of passengers on an MTR platform in Hong Kong on a regular weekday, a couple paused to pose for photos next to a station sign to mark their journey. “We took photos at most of the metro stations we visited, just to record our metro route,” said Arale, a 36-year-old tourist…
Surrounded by a stream of passengers on an MTR platform in Hong Kong on a regular weekday, a couple paused to pose for photos next to a station sign to mark their journey. “We took photos at most of the metro stations we visited, just to record our metro route,” said Arale, a 36-year-old tourist…
Mainland Chinese candidates can no longer take an internationally recognised English-language exam on paper in Hong Kong because of the risks of “fraudulent test-day activity”, organisers have said. IELTS, a standardised test to assess the English-language proficiency for non-native speakers, recently said exam takers in Hong Kong had to confirm their residency in the city…
US TikTok users flock to Chinese app Xiaohongshu in protest with TikTok ban looming When RedNote, the Chinese social media app also known as Xiaohongshu (“Little Red Book”), rocketed to No. 1 on the Apple App Store this week, new American users were met with an unexpected cultural crossover: fancams and memes featuring Luigi Mangione,…