China Spektrum
@chinaspektrum.bsky.social
Experts' /popular online debates within China - joint project MERICS @merics.bsky.social & @unitrier.bsky.social - supported by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom
https://merics.org/de/china-spektrum
DE: https://www.threads.net/@sinologie.trier
https://merics.org/de/china-spektrum
DE: https://www.threads.net/@sinologie.trier
As part of its nuclear phase-out, Germany demolished two decommissioned nuclear plant cooling towers on October 25. （https://www.euronews.com/2025/10/25/germany-destroys-two-nuclear-plant-cooling-towers-as-part-of-nuclear-phaseout-plan）The move has garnered attention on Chinese social media. (1/6)
November 4, 2025 at 6:33 PM
As part of its nuclear phase-out, Germany demolished two decommissioned nuclear plant cooling towers on October 25. （https://www.euronews.com/2025/10/25/germany-destroys-two-nuclear-plant-cooling-towers-as-part-of-nuclear-phaseout-plan）The move has garnered attention on Chinese social media. (1/6)
The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee concluded in Beijing on October 23. The session adopted the proposals for the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development, which immediately sparked widespread debate among Chinese netizens. (1/6)
November 3, 2025 at 7:18 PM
The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee concluded in Beijing on October 23. The session adopted the proposals for the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development, which immediately sparked widespread debate among Chinese netizens. (1/6)
#WordOfTheWeek
懂王 (dǒng wáng) is a Chinese nickname for Donald Trump. It translates to the “King of knowing”. The name originated on Chinese social media around Trump’s first term. It began as a sarcastic term, poking fun at how Trump always claimed to understand everything.
懂王 (dǒng wáng) is a Chinese nickname for Donald Trump. It translates to the “King of knowing”. The name originated on Chinese social media around Trump’s first term. It began as a sarcastic term, poking fun at how Trump always claimed to understand everything.
October 31, 2025 at 3:39 PM
#WordOfTheWeek
懂王 (dǒng wáng) is a Chinese nickname for Donald Trump. It translates to the “King of knowing”. The name originated on Chinese social media around Trump’s first term. It began as a sarcastic term, poking fun at how Trump always claimed to understand everything.
懂王 (dǒng wáng) is a Chinese nickname for Donald Trump. It translates to the “King of knowing”. The name originated on Chinese social media around Trump’s first term. It began as a sarcastic term, poking fun at how Trump always claimed to understand everything.
As part of his trip to Asia, President #Trump met with President #Xi on Thursday in South Korea. Trump’s visit has become a major topic on #ChineseSocialMedia and the meeting is now one of the most searched topics on #Baidu. 1/6
October 31, 2025 at 3:34 PM
As part of his trip to Asia, President #Trump met with President #Xi on Thursday in South Korea. Trump’s visit has become a major topic on #ChineseSocialMedia and the meeting is now one of the most searched topics on #Baidu. 1/6
#WordOfTheWeek:
豆腐渣工程 (dòufu zhā gōngchéng) literally “Tofu-dregs project”. It is used to describe a shoddy or poorly constructed project — often the result of corruption, negligence, or corner-cutting.
豆腐渣工程 (dòufu zhā gōngchéng) literally “Tofu-dregs project”. It is used to describe a shoddy or poorly constructed project — often the result of corruption, negligence, or corner-cutting.
October 23, 2025 at 2:09 PM
#WordOfTheWeek:
豆腐渣工程 (dòufu zhā gōngchéng) literally “Tofu-dregs project”. It is used to describe a shoddy or poorly constructed project — often the result of corruption, negligence, or corner-cutting.
豆腐渣工程 (dòufu zhā gōngchéng) literally “Tofu-dregs project”. It is used to describe a shoddy or poorly constructed project — often the result of corruption, negligence, or corner-cutting.
This week we also take a look at how #ChineseNetizens are reacting to the election of this year’s #NobelPeacePrize winner – Venezuelan politician María Corina Machado. 1/6
October 23, 2025 at 1:19 PM
This week we also take a look at how #ChineseNetizens are reacting to the election of this year’s #NobelPeacePrize winner – Venezuelan politician María Corina Machado. 1/6
Japan’s parliament has elected #SanaeTakaichi as the country’s first #femalePrimeMinister. The topic quickly became one of the most discussed on #ChineseSocialMedia on Tuesday, the 21st. What do #ChineseNetizens have to say? 1/6
October 23, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Japan’s parliament has elected #SanaeTakaichi as the country’s first #femalePrimeMinister. The topic quickly became one of the most discussed on #ChineseSocialMedia on Tuesday, the 21st. What do #ChineseNetizens have to say? 1/6
Back on April 6, we covered online discussions about a Xiaomi SU7 that crashed and caught fire on a highway, killing three people. On October 13, another Xiaomi SU7 crash and fire caused one death. (1/6)
October 22, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Back on April 6, we covered online discussions about a Xiaomi SU7 that crashed and caught fire on a highway, killing three people. On October 13, another Xiaomi SU7 crash and fire caused one death. (1/6)
#WordOfTheWeek
纸老虎 (zhǐ lǎohǔ) means “paper tiger”. It looks fierce and dangerous, but it’s actually fragile and powerless. Mao Zedong said that “imperialism and all reactionaries are paper tigers”. Some Netizens use this phrase to describe the US in the context of trade war discussions online.
纸老虎 (zhǐ lǎohǔ) means “paper tiger”. It looks fierce and dangerous, but it’s actually fragile and powerless. Mao Zedong said that “imperialism and all reactionaries are paper tigers”. Some Netizens use this phrase to describe the US in the context of trade war discussions online.
October 15, 2025 at 3:14 PM
#WordOfTheWeek
纸老虎 (zhǐ lǎohǔ) means “paper tiger”. It looks fierce and dangerous, but it’s actually fragile and powerless. Mao Zedong said that “imperialism and all reactionaries are paper tigers”. Some Netizens use this phrase to describe the US in the context of trade war discussions online.
纸老虎 (zhǐ lǎohǔ) means “paper tiger”. It looks fierce and dangerous, but it’s actually fragile and powerless. Mao Zedong said that “imperialism and all reactionaries are paper tigers”. Some Netizens use this phrase to describe the US in the context of trade war discussions online.
The latest escalation in the #tradeWar between the U.S. and China sparked discussions on #Weibo and #Zhihu. After China announced that it would implement stricter controls on the export of rare earths, the U.S. government responded with a 100% increase in tariffs on Chinese products. 1/6
October 15, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Due to the celebrations of German Unity Day on October 3, discussions about the reunification of East and West Germany have sparked some attention on Chinese social media. Thirty-five years after reunification, Chinese netizens are sharing their views on Germany’s merger and its impact. (1/6)
October 10, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Due to the celebrations of German Unity Day on October 3, discussions about the reunification of East and West Germany have sparked some attention on Chinese social media. Thirty-five years after reunification, Chinese netizens are sharing their views on Germany’s merger and its impact. (1/6)
#WordOfTheWeek
鸡犬升天 (jī quǎn shēng tiān) means “when a man becomes immortal, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven”. Netizens use this classical #ChineseIdiom to mock free-riders or people who suddenly benefit when someone close to them gets famous or powerful.
鸡犬升天 (jī quǎn shēng tiān) means “when a man becomes immortal, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven”. Netizens use this classical #ChineseIdiom to mock free-riders or people who suddenly benefit when someone close to them gets famous or powerful.
October 10, 2025 at 8:51 AM
#WordOfTheWeek
鸡犬升天 (jī quǎn shēng tiān) means “when a man becomes immortal, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven”. Netizens use this classical #ChineseIdiom to mock free-riders or people who suddenly benefit when someone close to them gets famous or powerful.
鸡犬升天 (jī quǎn shēng tiān) means “when a man becomes immortal, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven”. Netizens use this classical #ChineseIdiom to mock free-riders or people who suddenly benefit when someone close to them gets famous or powerful.
#Japan's governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has elected right-wing conservative #SanaeTakaichi as its new president. She could become the country's first female prime minister. How are #ChineseNetizens reacting to Takaichi's election? 1/6
apnews.com/article/japa...
apnews.com/article/japa...
Japan's first female governing-party leader is an ultra-conservative star in a male-dominated group
In a country that ranks poorly internationally for gender equality, the new president of Japan’s long-governing Liberal Democrats is one of the most conservative members of the male-dominated party se...
apnews.com
October 10, 2025 at 8:35 AM
#Japan's governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has elected right-wing conservative #SanaeTakaichi as its new president. She could become the country's first female prime minister. How are #ChineseNetizens reacting to Takaichi's election? 1/6
apnews.com/article/japa...
apnews.com/article/japa...
#WordOfTheWeek
三观 (sān guān) literally means “three views” and refers to a person’s fundamental outlook on life and the world. The three views are “worldview”, “view of life” and “values”. 你的三观不正 can be translated as “your values are messed up/ I really disagree with your moral standards”.
三观 (sān guān) literally means “three views” and refers to a person’s fundamental outlook on life and the world. The three views are “worldview”, “view of life” and “values”. 你的三观不正 can be translated as “your values are messed up/ I really disagree with your moral standards”.
October 3, 2025 at 8:40 AM
#WordOfTheWeek
三观 (sān guān) literally means “three views” and refers to a person’s fundamental outlook on life and the world. The three views are “worldview”, “view of life” and “values”. 你的三观不正 can be translated as “your values are messed up/ I really disagree with your moral standards”.
三观 (sān guān) literally means “three views” and refers to a person’s fundamental outlook on life and the world. The three views are “worldview”, “view of life” and “values”. 你的三观不正 can be translated as “your values are messed up/ I really disagree with your moral standards”.
After winning what has been deemed China’s first criminal case on sexual assault at work,Cui Lili, continued to sue her employer seeking over 1.6 million yuan in compensation. Chinese netizens are sceptical. （https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E5%B4%94%E4%B8%BD%E4%B8%BD/64779135）(1/6)
September 30, 2025 at 8:41 AM
After winning what has been deemed China’s first criminal case on sexual assault at work,Cui Lili, continued to sue her employer seeking over 1.6 million yuan in compensation. Chinese netizens are sceptical. （https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E5%B4%94%E4%B8%BD%E4%B8%BD/64779135）(1/6)
#WordOfTheWeek
红色基因 (hóngsè jīyīn) “Red genes” frames the CCP’s revolutionary past as a political and cultural legacy, promoted to fuse Party history with national identity and reinforce the regime’s claim to legitimacy.
红色基因 (hóngsè jīyīn) “Red genes” frames the CCP’s revolutionary past as a political and cultural legacy, promoted to fuse Party history with national identity and reinforce the regime’s claim to legitimacy.
September 26, 2025 at 11:55 AM
#WordOfTheWeek
红色基因 (hóngsè jīyīn) “Red genes” frames the CCP’s revolutionary past as a political and cultural legacy, promoted to fuse Party history with national identity and reinforce the regime’s claim to legitimacy.
红色基因 (hóngsè jīyīn) “Red genes” frames the CCP’s revolutionary past as a political and cultural legacy, promoted to fuse Party history with national identity and reinforce the regime’s claim to legitimacy.
The latest decision by major Western countries to recognize #Palestine has attracted significant attention on the Chinese social media platform #Zhihu and in the online magazine #ThePaper 澎湃. 1/6
September 26, 2025 at 11:50 AM
The latest decision by major Western countries to recognize #Palestine has attracted significant attention on the Chinese social media platform #Zhihu and in the online magazine #ThePaper 澎湃. 1/6
On September 17, the #European Commission announced a proposal to suspend trade preferences with #Israel and sanction extremist ministers and violent settlers. The proposal is still pending approval by the Council. Chinese netizens have shared their comments on this matter. (1/6)
September 20, 2025 at 4:39 PM
#WordOfTheWeek
水能载舟，亦能覆舟 (shuǐ néng zài zhōu, yì néng fù zhōu) literally means: “Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it”. This old Chinese phrase was recently used to describe the situation in Nepal.
水能载舟，亦能覆舟 (shuǐ néng zài zhōu, yì néng fù zhōu) literally means: “Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it”. This old Chinese phrase was recently used to describe the situation in Nepal.
September 17, 2025 at 5:09 PM
#WordOfTheWeek
水能载舟，亦能覆舟 (shuǐ néng zài zhōu, yì néng fù zhōu) literally means: “Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it”. This old Chinese phrase was recently used to describe the situation in Nepal.
水能载舟，亦能覆舟 (shuǐ néng zài zhōu, yì néng fù zhōu) literally means: “Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it”. This old Chinese phrase was recently used to describe the situation in Nepal.
#US and #China Representatives meet in Madrid this week to hold #tradeTalks. Chinese #Netizens share their opinion. On #Zhihu the topic was one of the top three most discussed topics of the day on September 16. 1/6
September 17, 2025 at 5:01 PM
#US and #China Representatives meet in Madrid this week to hold #tradeTalks. Chinese #Netizens share their opinion. On #Zhihu the topic was one of the top three most discussed topics of the day on September 16. 1/6
US-President D. Trump ordered flags to be flown at half-staff until sunset on September 14 for Charlie Kirk, who was killed on September 10(www.bbc.com/news/article...). The whole incident sparked heated discussion on several Chinese social media platforms. (1/6)
September 15, 2025 at 2:24 PM
US-President D. Trump ordered flags to be flown at half-staff until sunset on September 14 for Charlie Kirk, who was killed on September 10(www.bbc.com/news/article...). The whole incident sparked heated discussion on several Chinese social media platforms. (1/6)
#WordOfTheWeek
精神内耗 (jīngshén nèi hào) – “spiritual burnout” a social media cultural phrase, capturing a deeply felt sense of emotional burnout in modern life.
精神内耗 (jīngshén nèi hào) – “spiritual burnout” a social media cultural phrase, capturing a deeply felt sense of emotional burnout in modern life.
September 10, 2025 at 3:33 PM
#WordOfTheWeek
精神内耗 (jīngshén nèi hào) – “spiritual burnout” a social media cultural phrase, capturing a deeply felt sense of emotional burnout in modern life.
精神内耗 (jīngshén nèi hào) – “spiritual burnout” a social media cultural phrase, capturing a deeply felt sense of emotional burnout in modern life.
This week, a speech by the Director of the Department of #Philosophy at #PekingUniversity has generated significant resonance on the video platform #Xiaohongshu (小红书). In his address, he urges students to seek authentic ways of living and learning rather than conforming to standardized success. 1/6
September 10, 2025 at 3:18 PM
This week, a speech by the Director of the Department of #Philosophy at #PekingUniversity has generated significant resonance on the video platform #Xiaohongshu (小红书). In his address, he urges students to seek authentic ways of living and learning rather than conforming to standardized success. 1/6
#WordOfTheWeek
情绪消费 (Qíngxù xiāofèi) — literally “emotional consumption”. This trending term describes spending money for companionship or comfort. In China, consumers can hire someone to join them on a hiking trip.
情绪消费 (Qíngxù xiāofèi) — literally “emotional consumption”. This trending term describes spending money for companionship or comfort. In China, consumers can hire someone to join them on a hiking trip.
September 3, 2025 at 11:11 AM
#WordOfTheWeek
情绪消费 (Qíngxù xiāofèi) — literally “emotional consumption”. This trending term describes spending money for companionship or comfort. In China, consumers can hire someone to join them on a hiking trip.
情绪消费 (Qíngxù xiāofèi) — literally “emotional consumption”. This trending term describes spending money for companionship or comfort. In China, consumers can hire someone to join them on a hiking trip.