Trending Now: China’s Social Media Highlights #8 December –14 December#

Weibo | Japan Earthquake Alerts, Thailand–Cambodia Escalation, and Consumer Policy Momentum

Source: TIME

Japan’s Strong Quakes Trigger Rare “M9 Risk Rising” Warning and Mass Evacuations

A sequence of powerful earthquakes off eastern Honshu, including a maximum 7.6 event prompting a 3-metre tsunami warning, has driven over 100,000 evacuations and intensified attention on aftershock risks, casualties and disaster preparedness. Travel sentiment and near-term Japan demand are likely to be affected. Read more ->

Thailand Conducts Airstrikes Following Border Clashes with Cambodia

Reports of casualties and the use of air power in response to cross-border fire have lifted regional security concerns, with both sides blaming the other, highlighting how rapidly escalating incidents can reshape outbound travel confidence and destination risk perception. Read more ->

“14th Five-Year Plan” Consumption Upgrades: Trade-Ins and New Energy Lead the Growth Narrative

Platform discussion spotlights China’s consumption expansion, online retail leadership, rising services consumption, and EV penetration above 50%, alongside large-scale trade-in programmes across 12 product categories, reinforcing policy-backed confidence in consumer upgrading. Read more ->

US Proposal May Require 5 Years of Social Media History from Visa-Waiver Visitors

A draft proposal suggests adding social media details as a mandatory field for travel authorisation applications, against a backdrop of intensified screening and large-scale visa revocations, raising attention to privacy, compliance and cross-border travel friction. Read more ->

Douyin | Overseas Security Warnings, Japan Travel Risk, and Thailand–Cambodia Conflict Updates

Source: Harvard Kennedy School

China’s Embassy in Mali Urges Immediate Halt to Illegal Gold Mining and Evacuation

The embassy warns of heightened terrorist activity, attacks and kidnappings outside Bamako, urging Chinese nationals involved in illegal mining to stop operations and withdraw, underscoring rising overseas security risks and enforcement pressure. Read more ->

Ministry and Consulates Reiterate: Avoid Non-Essential Travel to Japan Amid Quakes and Tsunami Risk

Following a series of earthquakes official reminders emphasise monitoring alerts, following evacuation orders and avoiding coastal high-risk areas, likely amplifying Japan-related travel caution across social channels. Read more ->

Thailand Navy Enters Full Combat Readiness; Conflict Drives Large-Scale Evacuations

Videos and commentary track reports of civilian casualties, evacuations across multiple provinces, and claims that strategic sites have been targeted, demonstrating how fast-moving conflict narratives can dominate attention and shape destination sentiment. Read more ->

Xiaohongshu | “Addictive” Travel Aesthetics, Product Substitution, and Global Security Shock

Source: 心觉大人在友邦搬砖的日子

1) Hulunbuir’s “Blue-Pink Sky” Moment Goes Viral as a Winter Dreamscape

Users describe post-trip “withdrawal” from Hulunbuir’s surreal skies, villages and full moon scenery, driving a surge of route guides, photography spots and winter itinerary sharing. Read more ->

2) Mercury Thermometers Set for Production Ban: Prices Spike and Stock Runs Out

As “mercury thermometers and blood pressure meters to be banned from production next year” trends, users track shortages and price dispersion across e-commerce and pharmacies—an example of regulation-driven substitution demand. Read more ->

3) Sydney Shooting at Bondi Beach Triggers Terror-Attack Discussion and Safety Anxiety

Breaking updates on a deadly shooting feed wider concerns about overseas safety and community-targeted violence, with users closely watching official investigations and consular statements. Read more ->

Baidu | Central Economic Work Conference, Moutai Price Volatility, and “Low-Fare” Ticket Traps

Source: Zhuhai Network

Central Economic Work Conference Frames the Bridge from “14th Five-Year” to “15th Five-Year”

Coverage highlights priorities including building a healthier cycle across production, distribution and consumption, and advancing institutional opening-up—positioning China’s policy direction as a confidence anchor for markets and global observers. Read more ->

2025 Feitian Moutai Jumps Four Times in One Day Amid Supply/Policy Rumours

Rapid intra-day price moves and speculation about 2026 distributor policies and product allocation have reignited debate over liquor pricing, channel expectations, and sentiment at an “industry bottom” narrative. Read more ->

“£London for ¥100” Goes Viral—But Taxes and Fees Tell the Real Price

A widely shared “¥100” Shanghai–London fare is clarified as a tax-exclusive base price, with final totals far higher—fueling consumer discussion about transparency and “price trap” mechanics in air ticketing. Read more ->

Zhihu | Delivery Labour Rules Reset and Pop Mart’s “IP Premium” Under Repricing

Source: Shanghai Observer

Taobao Flash Delivery Cancels Overtime Penalties—What Changes for Riders and Users?

Discussion suggests lower income volatility and reduced safety risk for riders, while consumers may accept slightly longer delivery windows—signalling a shift from extreme efficiency to sustainability and service quality. Read more ->

Pop Mart Shares Slide Despite Profit Growth: Why Capital is Repricing the “Blind Box” Story

Users argue that expanded production weakens flagship IP scarcity and secondary-market premiums, while investors focus more on long-term content capability, deeper IP portfolios and predictable profitability than short-term hype. Read more ->