Daily Dispatch
UnboxChina

What's new in China - explained.

Signal

September 29, 2026

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

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Consumer & Trendsvia Zhihu

Why Chinese internet users suggest exporting high-sugar mooncakes to the US

既然国人嫌弃月饼高油高糖,为啥不把月饼出口到喜爱糖油混合物的美国呢?

A viral question 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) asks why domestic food makers do not export traditional mooncakes (a festival pastry high in oil and sugar) to Western markets like the US, where rich treats are popular, given local rejection of high-calorie foods. Netizens are debating the feasibility of selling traditional holiday treats abroad. This discussion highlights how Chinese consumers are becoming more health-conscious while contemplating the international reach of traditional Chinese culture.

ZhihuEdited by HONG XU

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

Tech & AIvia Bilibili

Wuthering Waves showcases combat for new Resonator character Xin

《鸣潮》共鸣者战斗演示 | 心

A combat demonstration video for Xin, a Resonator (a playable character type) in Wuthering Waves, has climbed 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.'s trending video charts. The video highlights character movesets and battle animations. It shows how polished character reveal showcases continue to drive massive online engagement among China's gaming generation.

BilibiliEdited by HONG XU

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

Consumer & Trendsvia Weibo

Shanghai Brandy Melville store removes fitting rooms

上海BM门店取消试衣间

A Shanghai store of BM (Brandy Melville, a popular fashion brand) has removed all of its fitting rooms. Customers visiting the shop must now buy items without trying them on first. The move quickly soared up WeiboSina's microblogging platform, China's closest equivalent to X (Twitter), whose trending hot search list functions as the country's public agenda meter. trending topics as shoppers debated the convenience and intention behind the policy. This trend illustrates how highly sought-after youth fashion brands in China can stretch standard retail norms, testing consumer patience in a market fueled by strong brand hype.

WeiboEdited by HONG XU

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

Tech & AIvia Bilibili

HoYoverse releases new Honkai: Star Rail character video for Pearl

《崩坏:星穹铁道》真珠角色PV——「如何描绘一种希望」

Chinese company HoYoverse released a new character PV (promotional video) titled "How to Paint a Hope" for Pearl, a character in Honkai: Star RailHonkai: Star Rail is a massively popular space fantasy role-playing gacha game developed by Chinese company HoYoverse.. The space fantasy role-playing gacha game's latest video quickly surged up the trending rankings on the 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.. The rapid surge shows how character reveals for hit Chinese gacha games continue to drive massive, instant digital engagement.

BilibiliEdited by HONG XU

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

Culture & Societyvia Bilibili

Zenless Zone Zero unveils Roxy, a mysterious coffin bearer

《绝区零》洛克茜角色展示 | 神秘负棺人

A character showcase for Roxy, a mysterious coffin bearer in Zenless Zone Zero (an action video game), is currently trending 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). The promotional video highlights Roxy's distinct design and intriguing persona. This surge in interest underscores how stylized character reveals drive massive online engagement and shape fan culture in China's thriving digital entertainment market.

BilibiliEdited by HONG XU

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

Tech & AIvia Zhihu

Honkai: Star Rail character trailer sparks online debate in China

如何评价《崩坏:星穹铁道》真珠角色PV——「如何描绘一种希望」?

A character promotional video titled "How to Paint a Kind of Hope" for Pearl in 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 by Chinese company HoYoverse) is trending on ZhihuChina's largest question-and-answer knowledge community, similar to Quora, whose hot list captures what educated Chinese internet users are debating.. Gamers are reviewing the video's artistic choices, visual direction, and emotional themes. The active discussion shows how Chinese gaming companies are leveraging high-production character marketing and cinematic storytelling to build strong community engagement.

ZhihuEdited by HONG XU

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

Consumer & Trendsvia Bilibili

Recreating Shanghai's ¥300 fried chicken at home

在家破解¥300一块的上海最贵炸鸡,成本只要...

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 site) shows a creator reverse-engineering Shanghai’s most expensive fried chicken, which costs ¥300 per piece at a restaurant. By making the dish at home, the creator reveals that the actual ingredient cost is only a tiny fraction of the menu price. This trend of decoding luxury dishes shows how Chinese consumers are becoming more value-conscious and eager to demystify premium dining markups.

BilibiliEdited by HONG XU

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