Author: Aris
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The Tale of COTTI Coffee and Its Founders
COTTI Coffee, a new venture by former Luckin Coffee founders, is making waves in the competitive Chinese coffee market with approximately 5000 outlets launched by August 2023. Emphasizing affordable pricing and a mix of marketing strategies, the chain represents the current Chinese entrepreneurial spirit. Nevertheless, challenges relating to rapid expansion and market competition exist, alongside…
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Exploring the Trend: Spec Ops Tourism(特种兵旅游) in China
Spec Ops Tourism (特种兵旅游), a trend centered around high-intensity, multi-destination travel within a condensed timeframe, continues to rise in popularity in China, especially among youth and university students. The phenomenon emerged against a backdrop of slow economic recovery and travel restrictions due to Covid-19. Enabled by China’s expansive high-speed rail network, it reflects a desire…
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Understanding China’s Bridal Gift(Cai Li) Culture: A Window into Tradition and Modern Controversy
Cai Li, or bridal gifts, is an ancient Chinese tradition where the groom’s family offers money or gifts to the bride’s family as a gesture for their daughter’s hand in marriage. Historically, Cai Li has reinforced social norms, family honor, and the groom’s commitment to his future family. In modern times, while its practice varies…
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Convenience Meets Tradition: Unraveling the Phenomenon of Ready-Made Meals in China
The popularity of ready-made meals in China reflects changes in lifestyle dynamics favoring convenience and efficiency. This market has grown to a size of 419.6 billion yuan in 2022, a trend fueled by urbanization, dual-income families, and middle-class growth. Despite controversies regarding school meals and public perception, ready-made meals offer a potential platform for standardizing…
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Why Young People in China Aren’t Buying Houses: A Look Beyond Macro-Economics
Homeownership among young individuals in China is decreasing due to shifts in wealth perception, social psychological changes, and microeconomic factors. Unlike past generations who associated stability with owning a home, contemporary youth prioritize quality of life, opting to rent instead. Influenced by cultural concepts like “over-competition” and “lying flat”, young Chinese individuals now value personal…
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The Grand Return of Li Ziqi: Triumph over Turbulence
In the hustle and bustle of modern-day life, finding tranquility and simplicity is like stumbling upon a rare gem. That gem for many, including myself, has been the soothing world encapsulated in the vlogs of Li Ziqi, a prominent Chinese internet personality. Through her lens, she graciously invites us into her serene countryside existence, where…
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Never Out of Power: A Brief History of China’s Shared Power Banks
In today’s bustling society, staying connected through our devices is more important than ever. This rings especially true in the busy streets of China, where technology intertwines with daily life at almost every corner. One innovative concept that caught my eye upon moving here was the shared power banks, a solution to the all-too-common problem…
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Post-Pandemic, Why Are Chinese Tourists Less Keen on Traveling Abroad?
Chinese tourists are noticeably shifting from overseas travel to domestic exploration post-pandemic, with factors such as cultural dynamics, economic recovery, online fraud cases, and geopolitical tensions influencing this change. This trend impacts the global tourism ecosystem, particularly destinations that rely on Chinese tourism.
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Understanding the No-Tipping Culture in China
In China, tipping isn’t widespread as it is taken as a potential disruption to social harmony. Rooted in Confucian values, the Chinese see tipping as creating inequality. The idea of ‘face’ (reputation) is also a factor, with tipping potentially implying a lower social status. Chinese service workers typically earn a fixed monthly salary that isn’t…