Culture

[Vox pop] Blood, lion dance or dialect: What makes a Chinese Singaporean?

As the movie Dear You brings the history of early Chinese migrants back into the spotlight, online conversations about Chinese identity and cultural heritage have grown louder. ThinkChina’s Lu Lingming and Yi Jina speak with Chinese Singaporeans about what Chinese identity, or “Chineseness”, means to them today.

Lu Lingming, Yi Jina

03 Jul 2026

[Big read] Too ‘cool’ to resist: China’s soft power captivates Taiwan’s youth

From TikTok trends to Chinese apps and pop culture, Beijing’s soft power is gaining traction among young Taiwanese, raising fresh questions over identity, influence and cross-strait competition. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Lai Oi Lai and journalist Zhang Guanghui find out more.

Lai Oi Lai, Zhang Guanghui

01 Jul 2026

Salt-baked chicken and tea-smoked ham: Songyang’s unforgettable flavours

A literary trip to southern Zhejiang unlocks the sensory soul of Songyang — a paradise where ancient mountain villages blend rich cultural history with unforgettable delicacies. Writer Shen Jialu uncovers the rare, centuries-old art of tea-smoked ham and more.

Shen Jialu

26 Jun 2026

Dear You: China’s Nanyang dream and Singapore’s lived reality

Chinese film Dear You about Nanyang migrants moves audiences in China, but for Jean Lee, a second-generation Nanyang migrant, the romanticised onscreen nostalgia clashes deeply with the gritty reality of her family’s history.

Jean Lee

26 Jun 2026

The truth behind Dear You, from a first-generation Nanyang migrant

The movie Dear You has struck a chord with audiences, but how closely does it reflect reality? Rongzi, a first-generation Nanyang migrant, weighs in with memories of the world the film seeks to recreate.

Rongzi

25 Jun 2026

[Video] Dear You: How grassroots authenticity wins over Chinese filmgoers

A small Chaoshan dialect film, made on a tight budget with no celebrities and minimal marketing, went on to gross over 1.6 billion RMB at the box office, outperforming a wave of expensive, star-studded blockbusters. Chinese audiences shared positive word-of-mouth on social media, describing it as a “slow-cooked” film that offers a sincere and understated portrayal of ordinary lives. ThinkChina’s Yi Jina explores the factors behind Dear You’s strong resonance with viewers.

Yi Jina

17 Jun 2026

[Big read] Why China’s viral cities rise fast and fade faster

As local governments in China bank on becoming the next viral sensation to revive local economies, experts warn that turning short-term internet hype into sustainable growth is a steep climb. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Zeng Shi tells us more.

Zeng Shi

17 Jun 2026

How a Chinese film sparked cognitive warfare on Singapore

A heartfelt film about a Teochew grandmother unexpectedly triggered heated debate about culture and politics. Han Yong May, deputy editor-in-chief of SPH’s Chinese Media Group, takes a look at the cognitive warfare campaign targeting Singapore’s multiracial identity.

Han Yong May

16 Jun 2026

Is ‘Dear You’ China’s perfect propaganda film?

Stripping away the tears, Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei examines how a 1.69 billion RMB blockbuster subtly targets the global Chinese diaspora, reflecting on the complex tug-of-war between ancestry and allegiance. 

Sim Tze Wei

15 Jun 2026

Built to impress: Why China’s tourism boom leaves white elephants behind

China’s tourism boom has produced a wave of ambitious megaprojects across the country, but many have stalled or failed to attract visitors, leaving behind costly white elephants. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Liu Liu reports.

Liu Liu

10 Jun 2026

What will movies be like without human actors?

iQIYI’s announcement of its AI talent pool has opened up new possibilities of using all-AI actors in film and TV. Yet how authentic are such productions without human emotion and expression? Academic Zhang Tiankan explores the issue.

Zhang Tiankan

05 Jun 2026

Is Ai Weiwei a figure of the past?

By embodying recognisable themes of political dissent, ideological trauma and cultural memory, early Chinese contemporary artists like Ai Weiwei acted as interfaces that helped the West understand China. But the milieu has changed, requiring new-gen artists to reexamine their identity and their art. Lianhe Zaobao visual journalist Fio Zhang gives her take on the issue.

Fio Zhang

29 May 2026