Daily Dispatch
UnboxChina

What's new in China - explained.

Signal

July 22, 2026

What happened in China on this day (Beijing time). Curated and edited by HONG XU.

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Culture & Societyvia Weibo

Chinese fans buzz as Avengers 5 promises return of classic characters

复联5新老角色都回来了

The hashtag "Avengers 5 both new and old characters are returning" recently went viral on the Chinese social media platform WeiboSina's microblogging platform, China's closest equivalent to X (Twitter), whose trending hot search list functions as the country's public agenda meter.. Fans are eagerly dissecting rumors and official teasers about the upcoming installment of Fulian (the Chinese abbreviation for the Avengers franchise). While Hollywood movies have recently struggled to capture Chinese audiences, this massive wave of excitement shows that Marvel's legacy IP still holds unmatched nostalgic power and commercial pull in China.

WeiboEdited by HONG XU

Sources: Weibo Hot Search (微博热搜), translated & contextualized.

Tech & AIvia Zhihu

Is open-sourcing Kimi a form of AI decelerationism?

OpenAI 负责人称 Kimi 开源是减速主义,他的说法有道理吗?开源对 AI 的发展能带来什么?

A viral debate on ZhihuChina's largest question-and-answer knowledge community, similar to Quora, whose hot list captures what educated Chinese internet users are debating. (a Chinese Q&A platform) is questioning whether open-sourcing Kimi (a Chinese artificial intelligence model) constitutes "decelerationism." The discussion sparked after comments attributed to an OpenAI executive characterized the open-source move this way. Netizens are actively debating if open-sourcing slows competitive progress or accelerates collective innovation. This debate highlights how Chinese tech communities are critically evaluating global AI development pathways as they navigate geopolitical tech competition and seek their own self-reliance.

ZhihuEdited by HONG XU

Sources: Zhihu Hot List (知乎热榜), translated & contextualized.

Culture & Societyvia Zhihu

New Avengers teaser featuring Doctor Doom sparks massive buzz on Zhihu

《复仇者联盟5》新预告释出,钢铁侠「变身」毁灭博士登场,众多新老角色回归,对此你有何期待?

A new teaser for Avengers: Doomsday has set Chinese social media abuzz on ZhihuChina's largest question-and-answer knowledge community, similar to Quora, whose hot list captures what educated Chinese internet users are debating. (a Quora-like Q&A platform). Fans are highly anticipating the film after seeing "Iron Man" actor Robert Downey Jr. return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this time transforming into the villain Doctor Doom alongside a mix of nostalgic and fresh characters. Netizens are debating whether this casting choice will revive Marvel's box office dominance. This viral discussion highlights how Hollywood blockbusters, particularly Marvel franchises, still hold immense cultural and nostalgic sway over Chinese audiences.

ZhihuEdited by HONG XU

Sources: Zhihu Hot List (知乎热榜), translated & contextualized.

Consumer & Trendsvia Weibo

Carcinogens reportedly detected in US berry brand Driscoll's

美国品牌怡颗莓检出致癌物

A trending topic on the Chinese social platform WeiboSina's microblogging platform, China's closest equivalent to X (Twitter), whose trending hot search list functions as the country's public agenda meter. claims that carcinogens have been detected in products from Driscoll's (怡颗莓, a prominent US berry brand). The viral news has triggered sudden anxiety among Chinese consumers who frequently buy the brand's premium fresh berries. This incident highlights how quickly food safety scares can trigger intense public backlash in China, particularly targeting foreign brands that usually command a premium for their perceived safety.

WeiboEdited by HONG XU

Sources: Weibo Hot Search (微博热搜), translated & contextualized.

Culture & Societyvia Zhihu

Christopher Nolan's 'Odyssey' breaks records, sparking buzz on Chinese socials

如何看待诺兰新片《奥德赛》首周全球票房2.631亿,拿下诺兰职业生涯最佳成绩?

Christopher Nolan’s new film Odyssey has taken the global box office by storm, raking in $263.1 million in its opening weekend—the best debut of the director's career. The milestone quickly became a trending topic on ZhihuChina's largest question-and-answer knowledge community, similar to Quora, whose hot list captures what educated Chinese internet users are debating. (a Chinese Q&A platform), where moviegoers are eagerly dissecting Nolan’s cinematic mastery. This massive online reception suggests that while domestic films increasingly dominate local theaters, Chinese audiences still harbor a deep, resilient appetite for visionary Hollywood auteurs and high-concept global cinema.

ZhihuEdited by HONG XU

Sources: Zhihu Hot List (知乎热榜), translated & contextualized.

Travel & Placesvia Zhihu

Chinese netizens debate 'dual pricing' menus targeting tourists in Japan

韩国博主在日本探店遇阴阳菜单,英文菜单标价远高于日文,这在日本是普遍现象吗?如何避免旅游时遇阴阳菜单?

A viral post about a South Korean blogger encountering yinyang caidan (dual-pricing menus) in Japan has sparked intense discussion on the Chinese Q&A platform ZhihuChina's largest question-and-answer knowledge community, similar to Quora, whose hot list captures what educated Chinese internet users are debating.. The blogger found that English menus listed significantly higher prices than Japanese ones. Chinese netizens are actively debating how common this is and sharing tips on how tourists can avoid these traps, such as using translation apps to double-check local menus. The viral debate highlights how Chinese travelers, looking to explore international destinations, are increasingly prioritizing consumer vigilance and demanding fair pricing practices abroad.

ZhihuEdited by HONG XU

Sources: Zhihu Hot List (知乎热榜), translated & contextualized.

Culture & Societyvia Zhihu

Why Chinese netizens are stunned by streamer IShowSpeed’s World Cup appearance

「甲亢哥」居然成为了世界杯闭幕式的表演嘉宾,这是否让你感到意外,对此你怎么看?

Chinese netizens on the Q&A platform ZhihuChina's largest question-and-answer knowledge community, similar to Quora, whose hot list captures what educated Chinese internet users are debating. are buzzing over the unexpected appearance of American streamer IShowSpeed—affectionately dubbed "Jiakang Ge" (hyperthyroidism brother) in China for his eccentric, high-energy reactions—as a performing guest at the World Cup closing ceremony. Users are actively debating how a chaotic internet creator successfully transitioned to one of the world's most mainstream sporting stages. This viral fascination highlights how deeply Chinese youth are plugged into global internet culture, eagerly embracing international creators who transcend cultural boundaries through sheer entertainment value.

ZhihuEdited by HONG XU

Sources: Zhihu Hot List (知乎热榜), translated & contextualized.

Culture & Societyvia Zhihu

Why Chinese dating shows featuring elites are so boring

为什么恋综这么多高颜值精英、富二代、留学生,但是他们在恋综呈现出的生活依旧很无聊?

A trending question on ZhihuChina's largest question-and-answer knowledge community, similar to Quora, whose hot list captures what educated Chinese internet users are debating. asks why lianzong (reality dating shows) featuring highly attractive, wealthy, and overseas-educated elites are so boring. Despite casting wealthy heirs and returnees, these shows present highly curated, repetitive lifestyles. Viewers find these 'perfect' contestants too guarded, avoiding genuine emotional conflict to protect their personal brands and social status. This sterile perfection results in predictable television. It reveals how China's privileged class is increasingly risk-averse, prioritizing reputation management and social conformity over authentic self-expression even under the public gaze.

ZhihuEdited by HONG XU

Sources: Zhihu Hot List (知乎热榜), translated & contextualized.