iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

With the New Year approaching, Chinese netizens reflect on 2025 in various ways. Bilibili user @完美的残缺 created a video reviewing major world events for 2025.@我的音乐live日记 commented on the video, saying, "Well, I hope for world peace."

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 21/12/2025

On December 20, Deng Xijun, China's Special Envoy for #Asian Affairs, visited Phnom Penh to promote a ceasefire between #Thailand and #Cambodia. The dispute between Thailand and Cambodia was an long-standing unresolved issues. The two sides engaged in multiple ceasefire attempts before December 7.

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 21/12/2025

#WordOfTheWeek 画蛇添足 (huà shé tiān zú) — “to draw a snake and add feet.” Meaning: to ruin something by adding unnecessary details; overdoing it.

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 21/12/2025

The gun attack at a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach, which killed 15 people and injured dozens, sparked discussions on Chinese social media platforms such as #Weibo and #Zhihu. 1/6

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 14/12/2025

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul visited China from December 8th to 9th, visiting Beijing and Guangzhou respectively. He had originally planned to visit China on October 26th, but abruptly cancelled his trip before departure, ultimately making his trip six weeks later.

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

On 1 December, Putin signed a decree granting Chinese citizens visa-free travel to Russia until 14 September 2026, with stays limited to 30 days per visit. As early as 2 September, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs had announced a trial visa-free policy for Russian citizens.

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

#WordOfTheWeek 转世党 (zhuǎnshì dǎng) literally “Reincarnation Party” is a Chinese internet slang term used for users whose accounts are repeatedly banned and who keep creating new ones. The word groups these frequently “reborn” accounts together as if they were a single camp or faction.

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

This week, French President Emmanuel #Macron is visiting #China. On Thursday the 4th he will meet with President Xi Jinping and talk about China's influence on Russia and the possibility of a ceasefire. #Netizens discuss the impact of his visit. 1/6

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

🔥On the afternoon of November 26, a fire broke out in several residential buildings in Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong, resulting in 146 deaths, 79 injuries, and approximately 100 people whose condition remains unknown. The community has been donating funds and supplies in an emergency response.

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

This week, #ChineseNetizens are commenting on the #G20 summit in South Africa and on European countries’ reaction to Trump’s peace plan for Ukraine. 1/6

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

#German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil led a delegation on a visit to #China from 16 to 21 November 2025, aiming to strengthen commercial ties with China, ease trade tensions, and address concerns among German businesses regarding issues such as so-called ‘Chinese overcapacity’.

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

This week #ChineseNetizens are discussing the rising tensions between China and Japan. On November 7 Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi stated that a Chinese attack on Taiwan would be a security threat and could trigger a military response. Beijing has responded by issuing travel warnings for Japan.

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 15/11/2025

On 11 November, the Hongqi Bridge in Aba, #Sichuan, collapsed. As issues had been identified in advance, no casualties were reported. The direct cause of the collapse was a geological hazard. The bridge having been in use for less than ten months, prompting public concern over engineering safety.

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

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)

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

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)

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

#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.

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

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

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

#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.

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

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

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

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

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

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)

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

#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.

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

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

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

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)

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

#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.

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

#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”.

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

This week, new visa regulations take effect in #China. The #KVisa allows young foreign STEM graduates entry, residence, and work without a job offer. The topic sparked discussions on various social media platforms with some #netizens sharing racist comments. 1/6

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

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)

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

#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.

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

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

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 20/09/2025

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)

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

#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.

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

#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

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

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)

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

#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.

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

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

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

#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.

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

After attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin remained in China to hold talks with President Xi Jinping and also attend the military parade. What are Chinese Netizens’ views on the China–Russia relationship? 1/6 www.bbc.com/news/article...

bbc.com

Russia's Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping begin talks in Beijing

The two leaders are seeking to promote "a more just and reasonable global governance system".

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

#WordOfTheWeek 霉霉 (Méi méi) “Miss Unlucky” is used as a nickname for #TaylorSwift in #China. 霉 literally means mold but in slang it also means bad luck. Swift got this name because in the 2010s when she got famous in China she went through a lot of unlucky public incidents.

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

The announcement of popstar #TaylorSwift’s engagement to American football player Travis Kelce has blown up across all social media platforms - also in China. #Netizens share their congratulations and comment on #PresidentTrump's reaction. 1/6

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

On Aug 21, President Zelenskyy said Ukraine doesn’t need China as a security guarantor, citing its “aid to Russia” via the drone market. The next day, FM spokesperson Mao Ning said China has upheld an objective stance on the Ukraine crisis and is ready to play a constructive role. (1/6)

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 23/08/2025

A case of #humanTrafficking is occupying the #ChineseOnlineCommunity this week. A 17-year-old sold her 19-year-old boyfriend to scam gangs in Myanmar. His family paid to free him after 4 months. His body showed signs of torture. On #Zhihu, netizens are discussing a legal loophole. 1/6

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

#WortOfTheWeek 钓鱼(diàoyú) means “fishing” but it's mostly used metaphorically, meaning the act of luring someone into a reaction.

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

On Monday, there was a collision in the South China Sea between a vessel of the China Coast Guard and a PLA warship. The Philippine Coast Guard released a video of the incident. 1/6 www.bbc.com/news/article...

bbc.com

China rams own warship while chasing Philippine vessel

The crash in the disputed Scarborough Shoal rendered a Chinese warship "unseaworthy", Manila said.

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

On August 3rd, the phrase “a dark day in the history of global trade integration” trended on Chinese social media. It is a quote by Cornell University trade policy professor Eswar Prasad, who said it when discussing the U.S. 's newly introduced “reciprocal tariffs” in the New York Times. 1/6

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

The new trade agreement between the EU and the U.S. is being discussed only marginally on Chinese online platforms. On Zhihu and Weibo, users have shared their differing opinions on the topic. 1/6

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

On July 28, China announced a new plan called the “National Childcare Subsidy.” It gives 3,600 yuan per year for each child under 3 years old, if the child is born legally. The money is given once a year until the child turns 3. The news quickly caused many people to talk about it online. (1/6)

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

On Thursday the #EU-ChinaSummit took place in Beijing. António Costa and Ursula von der Leyen, as EU-Representatives went to meet with Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. Talking points were EU-China relations, China's support for Russia and the climate crisis. How are #ChineseNetizens reacting? 1/6

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China Spektrum @chinaspektrum.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

On July 20, a topic about steamed eggs trended on Chinese social media. Many users pointed to a video by a German TikTok blogger showing how to make steamed eggs, labeled “Japanese steamed eggs.” Chinese users claimed the dish is Chinese, not Japanese, which sparked a wider discussion. (1/6)

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