Xiaohongshu (RedNote): where Chinese consumers trust strangers more than ads
Xiaohongshu has become the place where urban Chinese consumers check a purchase before they make it, and that position is now under pressure from its own business model. The app told Beijing Business Today in May 2026 that it had passed 400 million monthly active users and about 800 million searches a day. Three quarters […]
A comprehensive guide to China’s social media platforms in 2026
The ecosystem at a glance Social media platforms in China sit at the center of daily life, folding messaging, short video, search, payment, and shopping into a single screen. One app here covers what messaging, video, and payment apps handle separately in most other markets, which is why screen time concentrates in a handful of […]
Douyin vs TikTok in 2026: A comparative journey to the top
At first glance, it’s common to view Douyin and TikTok as two versions of the same platforms. Both apps share similar traits: short-video-based, algorithmic reliance, etc. However, there actually are fundamental differences between the two. They serve different markets and have evolved to meet different consumer requirements and commercial environments. For foreign brands looking to […]
WeChat Mini Programs: From digital storefronts to consumer operating systems
WeChat (微信) has evolved from a basic social messaging app into one of China’s leading digital ecosystems. Within this system, WeChat Mini Programs (小程序) act as a platform enabling companies and brands to connect directly with Chinese consumers. These Mini Programs provide an app-like experience seamlessly integrated into WeChat, which includes features like identity verification, […]
Structural shift in consumption: The rise of the silver economy in China
Driven by one of the fastest-aging populations globally, China is entering a demographic turning point that will redefine how businesses, governments, and families think about aging, longevity, and value creation. The silver economy in China has become one of the most structurally important forces reshaping consumption, public policy, and service innovation. Understanding China’s seniors is […]
From learning platform to live commerce giant: New Oriental Education’s business turnaround
China boasts one of the highest numbers of private schools globally. By 2023, over 33.4% of all educational institutions in China were privately owned, with nearly 16% of the country’s total student population enrolled in these institutions. Among the prominent players in this sector is the “New Oriental Education & Technology Group” (新东方企业网). Established in […]
China’s virtual influencers now endorse brands and livestream e-commerce
Due to the growing demand for entertainment and the rapid development of technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), China’s virtual influencer industry is experiencing exponential growth. According to iiMedia, in 2022, China’s virtual influencer industry was valued at RMB 186.61 billion overall, with a core market size of RMB 12.08 billion. Projections indicate that by 2025, […]
“Why do more and more people choose not to get married and have children?”: Trending hashtag on Chinese social media
Despite the various endeavors made to encourage population growth after the abandonment of the one-child policy in 2015, China had only 9.56 million births in 2022, marking a record low since 1950. With a fertility rate as low as 1.09 in 2022, it seems China has fallen into the “low-fertility trap,” a concept that suggests the challenges in increasing […]
Bungee jump temperature drops boost the “warm economy”: Trending hashtag on Chinese social media
With the approaching winter solstice (冬至), the day that marks the arrival of winter in the twenty-four solar terms, temperatures have dropped drastically in China. In some northern regions, by over 20 degrees Celsius in one week, according to the National Meteorological Center. But the cold weather is causing more than just rosy cheeks, on December 15th, […]
Kuaishou is much more than just another Douyin
Kuaishou, a massive short-video app that has already gone public, might not be widely recognized beyond China, unlike Douyin. For foreign investors, it could be perceived as just another Chinese tech unicorn that has undergone an IPO. Among Chinese urban dwellers, however, the app is often labeled as a 土tu (tacky) app, known for its […]
“Do you feel like you have downgraded your spending?”: Trending hashtag on Chinese social media
In recent years, there has been a notable increase in discussions about the concept of consumer spending, especially on consumption downgrade. Chinese consumers, impacted by the prolonged pandemic, are increasingly inclined to save more and spend less. Social media poll reveals mixed responses to consumption downgrade On Weibo, the hashtag #A 5.9 yuan (US$0.81) foundation liquid […]
How social commerce in China is transforming shopping and social media
Social commerce defines an ecosystem that combines social media and e-commerce platforms in a dynamic and distinctive manner. It forms a space where the boundaries between online shopping and social interactions blend seamlessly. This fusion is achieved through the integration of social media, online marketplaces, and mobile payment systems, resulting in an environment that immerses […]