Beauty
Economy
China’s beauty brands shine online as foreign rivals falter
China’s beauty upstarts are seizing the spotlight as foreign brands stumble in a fiercely competitive market. With digital savvy, localisation strategies and “self-developed” formulas, they are rewriting the rules of China’s cosmetics game. Will China’s cosmetics market become a battlefield foreign brands can no longer win?
Caixin Global
20 Feb 2026
Society
Why China’s fashion boom is still searching for its heart
Runways are thriving, investors are watching — but many in China’s fashion world say what’s missing is something money can’t buy: authenticity, patience and soul. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Li Kang speaks to industry players to find out more.
Li Kang
12 Nov 2025
Society
[Big read] Nip, tuck and cherry blossoms: How South Korea became the world’s beauty clinic
South Korea is known for its cosmetic surgery industry, with many foreigners among those who seek such services. What makes South Korea such a big draw? Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Kang Gwiyoung finds out more.
Kang Gwiyoung
18 Sep 2025
Culture
Beneath the plum tree: A Chinese culinary romance
From plum brine to plum blossom porridge, there is no stone left unturned in terms of exploring plum blossoms as an ingredient in Chinese cuisine. Writer Shen Jialu takes us on a sweet and savoury gastronomic journey to discover the versatility of plum blossoms.
Shen Jialu
11 Apr 2025
Society
[Vox pop] Is the concept of campus hunks and babes common in China?
The tradition of crowning the most attractive students with titles like 校花 (campus babe) and 校草 (campus hunk) remains a common part of school culture in China. As social media’s influence grows, how is this tradition evolving and should it stay? ThinkChina’s Yi Jina and Lu Lingming hear what some Chinese people have to say.
Yi Jina, Lu Lingming
21 Feb 2025
Culture
[Photos] Northern Xinjiang: A kaleidoscope of vivid colours and rich culture
A trip to northern Xinjiang in the fall is an unforgettable experience, replete with captivating scenery, lush nature, a vibrant cultural heritage and delicious cuisine. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Hedy Yang and photojournalist Ngoh Shian Bang give us a glimpse of the region’s beauty and appeal.
Hedy Yang, Ngoh Shian Bang
14 Feb 2025
Society
China’s Ailao Mountains: Preserving nature in the age of oversharing
With the Ailao Mountains experiencing a surge in visitors driven by social media, Chinese academic Zhang Tiankan argues that preserving the range’s mystery and pristine condition is more beneficial for humanity.
Zhang Tiankan
28 Oct 2024
Economy
[Big read] If China’s Xuchang city stopped producing wigs, many would be ‘a little bald’
Did you know that China’s wig industry mainly sources hair from young women in Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan? Premium human hair can fetch up to 30,000 RMB per kilogram, and many wigs are woven in North Korea before they are shipped globally. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Daryl Lim learns more in Xuchang city, Henan province — the wig capital of the world.
Daryl Lim
10 Oct 2024
Culture
A Singaporean's climb up Huangshan 40 years ago
Hua Language Centre director Chew Wee Kai describes his first visit to Huangshan some 40 years ago, which was a memorable trip in more ways than one. Aside from the unapologetic clouds and towering pine trees atop of the mountain, the climb up and descent down is one for the books.
Chew Wee Kai
15 Dec 2023
Society
Behind Apple's 'insult' of China
A photo on Apple's customer service webpage sparked controversy in China by featuring a person with "stereotypical" Chinese looks, with slit eyes and a long braid, coming under fire for "uglifying" Chinese people. While aesthetic preferences do differ, is there something deeper under the criticism of a stranger's looks?
China Desk, Lianhe Zaobao
22 Sep 2023