China Insider

News.

What we're reading, writing, and arguing about — every week.

Tech

From fixing bikes in a village to winning on the world stage: this founder just made Chinese motorcycle history

On March 28–29, 2026, at the Portimao round of the FIM Supersport World Championship (WorldSSP), part of the WorldSBK series, Chongqing-based ZXMOTO made…

Apr 41 min read
Tech

China’s most tear-jerking Qingming short this year was made by AI

A 5-minute AI short just made millions of people in China cry — and that might be a bigger signal for the future of film than most AI demos.

Apr 31 min read
Tech

Chinese Gen-Z are buying Xiaomi SU7s… and this fluffy accessory is partly why

Xiaomi is showing something a lot of traditional car brands still don’t fully understand: Young people are not just buying a car.

Apr 11 min read
Viral

Why are Gen-Z in China suddenly using this American celebrity as their avatar?

If you’ve been scrolling Rednote (also known as Xiaohongshu) and suddenly feel like Kris Jenner is everywhere, you’re not imagining it 💅💸 A growing number of…

Mar 281 min read
Lifestyle

This funeral aesthetics brand in China just released pet memorial incense for Qingming

In China, one funeral brand is quietly changing how people deal with loss — and yes, it involves incense for pets 🐾 Founded in 2023 by former furniture…

Mar 261 min read
Society

These women in China are taking over home repairs — and bookings are booming

In Chengdu, a small team of women with toolboxes is quietly reshaping an entire industry — and the internet is obsessed 🔧 Founded in 2024 by Li Xiaoxiao (also…

Mar 241 min read
Business

Duolingo’s owl just quit… and became a Meituan delivery rider 🛵

Duolingo’s chaotic green owl just pulled the most unexpected career move in China — it quit its job… and joined Meituan as a delivery rider 🛵💚 In the lead-up…

Mar 221 min read
Culture

Why are these Chinese women wearing motorcycle helmets at banquets?

At banquets in Fujian, you might notice something unexpected: many women keep their motorcycle helmets on at the table.

Mar 201 min read
Fashion

This Chinese brand is challenging a luxury world long dominated by Western brands

When Bernard Arnault — the boss of LVMH — stopped by a Songmont store in Shanghai and bought two bags, people in China immediately knew this wasn’t just a…

Mar 191 min read
Viral

This Chinese makeup artist goes viral recreating the internet’s memes 😂

A Chinese makeup artist is going viral online for turning internet memes into full-on makeup transformations — and the results are both hilarious and…

Mar 161 min read
Viral

A Tianjin uncle jumps into the Haihe River and delivers the city’s best life philosophy

Spring might be arriving in northern China, but in Tianjin, the legendary river-diving uncles are still very much part of the city’s daily entertainment.

Mar 141 min read
Tech

China’s OpenClaw craze hits the streets: aunties line up as Tencent installs it for free in Shenzhen

If you thought AI hype only lived online, Shenzhen just proved otherwise.

Mar 121 min read