Daily Dispatch
UnboxChina

What's new in China - explained.

Signal

September 13, 2026

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

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Tech & AIvia Bilibili

Hands-on with the iPhone Duo foldable phone

【影视飓风】iPhone Duo折叠屏真机上手

A trending video on BilibiliA video platform that grew out of anime, comics, and gaming fandom into China's defining Gen Z video community, famous for its bullet comments. from Yingshi Jufeng (a popular Chinese tech video creator channel) features a hands-on look at an iPhone Duo foldable phone. The video offers viewers an up-close demonstration of a foldable iPhone concept in action. It highlights how Chinese tech creators are using high-production custom projects to captivate local audiences.

BilibiliEdited by HONG XU

Sources: Bilibili Ranking (B站排行榜), translated & contextualized.

Culture & Societyvia Bilibili

First trailer released for sci-fi adaptation The Wandering Earth: Mang Ri

刘慈欣原著授权 |《流浪地球:望日》首支预告片

The first official trailer for The Wandering Earth: Mang Ri has debuted on Chinese video platform BilibiliA video platform that grew out of anime, comics, and gaming fandom into China's defining Gen Z video community, famous for its bullet comments.. Officially authorized by Liu Cixin (the acclaimed science fiction author of the original story), this new release expands the universe of humanity's epic struggle for survival. Fans across Chinese social media are already analyzing the video for storyline clues. The launch highlights how Chinese sci-fi is steadily evolving from standalone hits into expanding, multi-platform media franchises.

BilibiliEdited by HONG XU

Sources: Bilibili Ranking (B站排行榜), translated & contextualized.

Culture & Societyvia Bilibili

Wearing the earth as a dress in a viral video

当我把“大地”穿在身上|结合自然元素还原绝美大地女神

A trending video on BilibiliA video platform that grew out of anime, comics, and gaming fandom into China's defining Gen Z video community, famous for its bullet comments. (a popular Chinese video platform) titled "Wearing the Earth as a Dress" features a creator combining natural elements to recreate a stunning Earth goddess look. The creator transforms raw, natural components into imaginative wearable art. This highlights how Chinese content creators are increasingly blending nature-inspired aesthetics with digital storytelling to engage online audiences.

BilibiliEdited by HONG XU

Sources: Bilibili Ranking (B站排行榜), translated & contextualized.

Tech & AIvia Weibo

Discussions surge over alleged iPhone 18 Pro scarcity marketing

iPhone18Pro 饥饿营销

Topics around jie'e yingxiao (scarcity marketing) for the iPhone 18 Pro recently trended on Chinese social media platforms like WeiboSina's microblogging platform, China's closest equivalent to X (Twitter), whose trending hot search list functions as the country's public agenda meter.. Netizens are debating whether supply constraints and release buzz surrounding the smartphone are artificially manufactured to fuel consumer demand. As domestic tech competition intensifies, Chinese consumers are becoming far more vocal and skeptical about perceived artificial scarcity tactics from major global brands.

WeiboEdited by HONG XU

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

Culture & Societyvia Weibo

A female athlete's race track incontinence sparks debate in China

HYROX女选手赛场失禁引争议

A female contestant at a HYROX (a fitness competition) race experienced incontinence on the course, triggering intense debate on Chinese social media. The topic quickly surged on WeiboSina's microblogging platform, China's closest equivalent to X (Twitter), whose trending hot search list functions as the country's public agenda meter., dividing online commentators. While some questioned the limits of extreme physical strain, others rallied to support the athlete's dedication. The controversy reveals how China's growing enthusiasm for intense fitness challenges is pushing public conversation into previously taboo topics around female athleticism and body strain.

WeiboEdited by HONG XU

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

Daily Lifevia Bilibili

A Bilibili video shows makeup skills mistaken for plastic surgery

只不过是学会了化妆,对象非说我整容了……

A video titled "I just learned how to do makeup, but my partner insists I got plastic surgery..." has reached the top rankings on BilibiliA video platform that grew out of anime, comics, and gaming fandom into China's defining Gen Z video community, famous for its bullet comments. (a Chinese video-sharing platform). The content centers on how dramatic skill improvements in makeup application can lead to humorous relationship misunderstandings over cosmetic alterations. This highlights how lighthearted domestic routines and personal beauty content remain powerful drivers of viral engagement in China today.

BilibiliEdited by HONG XU

Sources: Bilibili Ranking (B站排行榜), translated & contextualized.

Consumer & Trendsvia Bilibili

HoYoverse releases a new Honkai: Star Rail video for Aventurine

《崩坏:星穹铁道》砂金•戏浪角色PV——「独家爆料」

Chinese studio HoYoverse released a new character PV (promotional video) featuring Aventurine for Honkai: Star RailHonkai: Star Rail is a massively popular space fantasy role-playing gacha game developed by Chinese company HoYoverse. (a space fantasy role-playing gacha game). Titled "Exclusive Leak," the preview video quickly surged up the BilibiliA video platform that grew out of anime, comics, and gaming fandom into China's defining Gen Z video community, famous for its bullet comments. trending leaderboards as players gathered to watch the reveal. Such teasers are key tools for studios to sustain long-term player engagement. This rapid rise on video platforms shows how Chinese gaming firms effectively use character storytelling to command massive online attention.

BilibiliEdited by HONG XU

Sources: Bilibili Ranking (B站排行榜), translated & contextualized.

Consumer & Trendsvia Bilibili

How seaweed snacks are made goes viral on Bilibili

如何制造海苔

A video explaining how haitai (crispy seaweed snacks) is manufactured has surged up the trending charts on BilibiliA video platform that grew out of anime, comics, and gaming fandom into China's defining Gen Z video community, famous for its bullet comments., a Chinese video platform. Viewers are tuning in to watch the step-by-step industrial process behind turning raw seaweed into the paper-thin, seasoned sheets sold in grocery stores across the country. The clip offers a detailed look at the machinery and processing involved in making this popular staple. Its viral success highlights a growing fascination among young Chinese consumers with behind-the-scenes industrial manufacturing and how their daily foods are produced.

BilibiliEdited by HONG XU

Sources: Bilibili Ranking (B站排行榜), translated & contextualized.

Daily Lifevia Bilibili

High Sugar vs. Sugar-Free: Does 14 Days Make a Difference?

高糖VS戒糖14天!真的差别很大吗?

A trending video on BilibiliA video platform that grew out of anime, comics, and gaming fandom into China's defining Gen Z video community, famous for its bullet comments. (a Chinese video-sharing platform) puts high-sugar and sugar-free diets to a 14-day test to see if cutting sugar truly makes a big difference. The experiment tracks the contrasting effects of high sugar intake versus strict sugar restriction over two weeks. This reflects how young Chinese consumers are turning to self-experiments to evaluate modern health and wellness trends.

BilibiliEdited by HONG XU

Sources: Bilibili Ranking (B站排行榜), translated & contextualized.