Trending Now: China's Social Media Highlight #22 December - 28 December 2025#

Weibo | Hainan “Port-Close” Consumption Humour, Cruise Safety Concerns, Japan Flight Cancellations, and Brazil Visa-Free Signals

Source: Shanghai Observer

“Hainan After Port-Close Made Me Laugh at Being Broke”: Viral Humour Around Duty-Free Upgrades

The hashtag reflects a self-deprecating tone as travellers joke about “wallet pressure” amid stronger duty-free incentives after Hainan’s port-close operations. Posts highlight expanded duty-free categories (including pet supplies and musical instruments), easier access to international brands, and policy support such as talent tax incentives and broader zero-tariff coverage, fueling a “shop more, save tax, spend more” narrative. Read more ->

Chinese Traveller Missing on Mediterranean Cruise Sparks Cross-Border Safety Debate

A missing-person case involving a Chinese woman travelling solo on a Mediterranean cruise has drawn attention due to unclear circumstances and limited confirmed information. Online discussion centres on cruise security protocols, port-call tracking, and how travellers and families manage risk and emergency response while abroad. Read more ->

“Cliff-Edge” China–Japan Route Pullback: 46 Routes Cancel All Flights in the Next Two Weeks

Flight-tracking discussion highlights large-scale cancellations across China–Japan routes, with commentary framing the trend as more than a normal market adjustment, linking it to a combination of geopolitics, demand shifts, and operational cost pressures. This is becoming a key signal for short-term Japan travel sentiment and airline capacity reallocation. Read more ->

Brazil Reportedly Prepares Visa-Free Entry for Chinese Tourists and Business Travellers

Citing overseas reporting, the topic suggests Brazil may introduce visa-free entry for Chinese nationals for tourism and business purposes, potentially announced in early 2026. The narrative positions this as part of deeper bilateral ties with Brazil’s largest trading partner and as a lever to stimulate tourism, trade and investment. Read more ->

Douyin | Panda Diplomacy Narratives, and Year-End Travel Recap Content

Source: Nippon

Mainland Affairs Office Responds to “Panda” Discussion Involving Taiwan and Japan

Content focuses on official commentary following reports that a Japanese lawmaker discussed potential animal exchanges involving pandas in Taiwan, as the current China–Japan panda loan agreement approaches its end and Japan’s remaining pandas are expected to return in early 2026. Read more ->

“2025 My Travel Special Thanks”: Annual Travel Recap Videos Trend

Users are compiling year-end travel montages, thanking travel companions, memorable moments, and themselves for “staying in motion”. For brands, this is a high-emotion, UGC-friendly window for destination storytelling, memory-based content prompts, and recap-style product bundles. Read more ->

Xiaohongshu | Aesthetic “Blue-Pink” Moments, Ink-Wash Sunrises, and Border-Conflict Risk Alerts

Source: Lilili

Anaya’s “Blue-Pink Hour” Becomes a Healing Photo Pilgrimage

Creators spotlight Anaya’s sunrise/sunset colour window, encouraging check-ins at beaches, the church, swings, and local stays. The trend reinforces Xiaohongshu’s strength in turning short “light moments” into highly replicable itinerary content. Read more ->

Wuhan East Lake “Ink-Wash Sunrise” Drives Scenic City-Break Interest

Posts describe East Lake’s sunrise as an ink-wash landscape, blending poetic cultural references with visual travel content. This style continues to perform well for domestic short breaks, particularly when paired with easy transport tips and photography guidance. Read more ->

Thailand–Cambodia Border Conflict: Reports of Chinese National Injured and “Avoid Travel” Reminders

Content tracks escalation and humanitarian impact, including reports of casualties and displacement, plus renewed safety reminders for Chinese nationals. Travel risk communication and real-time updates are shaping destination sentiment and trip planning across the platform. Read more ->

Baidu | Hub Aviation Growth, Silver Price Volatility, and New Year Promotion “Price Traps”

Source: 21st Century Business Herald

Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Joins the “80 Million Passengers Club”

Baiyun’s passenger throughput reportedly surpasses 80 million, reinforcing the Greater Bay Area’s hub momentum. Discussion links capacity growth to stronger international route supply, improved outbound travel convenience, and broader “airport economy” spillover effects across services and logistics. Read more ->

Spot Silver Surges: Speculation Risk and Extreme Volatility Back in Focus

Baidu commentary highlights sharp silver moves and the risk of amplified swings given thinner liquidity versus gold, including debates around product premiums and the vulnerability of smaller markets to speculative flows. Read more ->

New Year Promotions: Regulators Warn Against Three Common Pricing Traps

Ahead of the New Year sales window, consumer protection guidance flags risks including “raise-then-discount” tactics, overly complex promotion rules, and difficulties enforcing price-protection promises, reinforcing the importance of transparent pricing and clear terms in campaign design. Read more ->

Zhihu | E-commerce Returns Logistics Reset, Precious Metals “Signal” Debate, and the Rise of “Zero-Debt Lifestyle”

Source: 新识研究所

SF Express Steps Back from Douyin E-commerce Returns: Who Benefits Next?

Discussion frames SF’s withdrawal as a strategic retrenchment under growth pressure, with returns fulfilment shifting towards JD Logistics, ZTO, YTO and others. The topic examines whether this will reshape competition in the returns logistics market and alter service standards for merchants and consumers. Read more ->

“Silver More Expensive Than Oil” Returns: Risk Signal or Fundamentals + Flow Story?

Zhihu users debate drivers behind precious metals strength, ranging from easing expectations and safe-haven sentiment to inventory tightness, industrial demand, and macro narratives around USD pricing power, while warning of leverage overheating and regulatory intervention risk. Read more ->

“Zero-Debt People” Goes Viral: De-leveraging as Lifestyle and Defensive Consumption

The term is discussed as both a conscious rejection of status-led spending and a practical response to weaker income expectations, redirecting resources towards savings, health, hobbies and time autonomy. For brands, it signals a stronger market preference for value clarity, durability and wellbeing-led positioning. Read more ->