Author: Aris

  • The Tale of COTTI Coffee and Its Founders

    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…

  • Jiang Ge Case Revisited: From a Mother’s Live Streaming Endeavor to a Heart-Wrenching Legal Battle

    Jiang Ge Case Revisited: From a Mother’s Live Streaming Endeavor to a Heart-Wrenching Legal Battle

    Jiang Qiulian, mother of Jiang Ge, who tragically died protecting her roommate in Japan, ventured into live streaming sales. Ranging from household items to snacks, Qiulian’s first stream garnered up to 15 million views, moving items totaling 2.5 million RMB. This venture not just sparked a resurgence of discussions around Jiang Ge’s case, but also…

  • Exploring the Trend: Spec Ops Tourism(特种兵旅游) in China

    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…

  • Understanding China’s Bridal Gift(Cai Li) Culture: A Window into Tradition and Modern Controversy

    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…

  • Convenience Meets Tradition: Unraveling the Phenomenon of Ready-Made Meals in China

    Convenience Meets Tradition: Unraveling the Phenomenon of Ready-Made Meals in China

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    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…

  • Why Young People in China Aren’t Buying Houses: A Look Beyond Macro-Economics

    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…

  • The Grand Return of Li Ziqi: Triumph over Turbulence

    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…

  • Never Out of Power: A Brief History of China’s Shared Power Banks

    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…

  • Post-Pandemic, Why Are Chinese Tourists Less Keen on Traveling Abroad?

    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.

  • Understanding the No-Tipping Culture in China

    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…