Middle Class

The rise of China’s ‘affordable MUJIs’ and what it means for the original

China’s homegrown brands like Miniso and NetEase Yanxuan are rapidly gaining ground with affordable, stylish products that challenge MUJI’s dominance. As these “affordable MUJIs” grow, the original brand is forced to rethink its strategy in a shifting market. Lianhe Zaobao’s China Desk takes a look at MUJI’s strategy to expand in China.

China Desk, Lianhe Zaobao

01 Sep 2025

Luxury brands close shops across China as domestic demand drops

Once a booming market for high-end fashion, China’s middle class is eschewing luxury goods from designer labels like Louis Vuitton and Chanel, amid economic difficulties such as mass layoffs. Lianhe Zaobao Shanghai correspondent Li Kang tells us more about how these luxury brands are grappling with the downturn.

Li Kang

05 Jun 2025

Property and stock markets worsen wealth gap and financial anxiety in Taiwan

The sudden surge in Taiwan’s stock market index along with inflows to ETFs have left officials and analysts concerned. This could signal a wider wealth gap once markets return to normal and greater home ownership woes for youths. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Chuang Hui Liang looks into the matter.

Chuang Hui Liang

13 May 2024

‘Poor man’s deals’ trending among China’s youths

Given the gloomy economic and employment outlook, China’s youths are changing the way they spend. Lianhe Zaobao’s China Desk takes a look at the new trend of “poor man’s deals” whereby youths try to find the best value for money for their next meal, which could even come from high-end restaurants.

China Desk, Lianhe Zaobao

09 May 2024

Is China's middle class slipping back into poverty?

As the group of people most sensitive to social change, the middle class is a yardstick for measuring the state of China's current economy and a window into the future. At the moment, the signs are there that China's middle class is not doing as well as before, leading to cutting down on spending and saving on daily expenses.

China Desk, Lianhe Zaobao

03 Apr 2024

China's middle-class families are giving up their pianos

The poor performance of the piano industry has revealed a dying trend of learning how to play the piano in China's middle class. No longer seen as a gateway into a higher social status, the piano has become a burden given the tough economic situation and the officials' de-emphasis on piano talent in national examinations. Lianhe Zaobao's China desk tells us more.

China Desk, Lianhe Zaobao

25 Jan 2024

Pinduoduo's popularity a sign of Chinese consumption downgrading wave

Popular Chinese online shopping app Pinduoduo has done well in terms of profits, outdoing competitors such as Alibaba and JD.com. While a major factor is due to revenue from Pinduoduo's multinational e-commerce platform Temu, it may also be a sign that consumers in China are changing their spending habits and going for cost-effectiveness and value for money.

Wong Siew Fong

06 Dec 2023

[Video] China's young families sending kids to international schools in Thailand

Given the intense competition and rigidity in China's education system, an increasing number of Chinese middle-class families are moving to Thailand and putting their children in international schools there. Zaobao journalist Liu Liu speaks to families and academics to find out more about the factors behind this trend.

Liu Liu

11 Apr 2023

[Comic] Dystopia or 'a beautiful new world'?

Comic artist Bai Yi's artwork gives a glimpse into a dystopian world where individual lives are considered insignificant before the all-powerful and all-important state machine, and where herculean efforts are needed to uphold the dignity of human lives.

Bai Yi

16 Sep 2022

China needs to work towards a new socialism

China is tottering between capitalism and old socialism in its pursuit of "socialism with Chinese characteristics", says Lance Gore. Instead of further entrenching a system that feeds nationalism in the name of socialism, it would do well to update to a new socialism in which the concept of employment, wealth and happiness are redefined to better take advantage of the new technological revolution. But is China ready?

Lance Gore

28 Feb 2022

US academic: Equality is a myth, whether in the US or China

Wu Guo notes that equality is very much a mirage, whether in the socialist or liberal democracy conception of the term. The sum total of one's head start in life is often tied to his or her family background. And often, no amount of levelling up can change that. But this does not mean that equality is of no relevance or should not be aspired to. Adopting an attitude of equality can help ensure that people's rights are protected, even if the ideal of equality may never be achieved.

Wu Guo

14 Feb 2022

China's pet industry booms as the post-90s generation seeks to fill a void

The pet economy is thriving in China, driven mostly by the one-child generation who crave an emotional connection and young job seekers taking up "animal communication" gigs during the pandemic. Analysts are optimistic about this sector, where middle class households are more than willing to spend more on the physical and emotional well-being of their furkids. Zaobao correspondent Wong Siew Fong speaks to pet owners and business owners to uncover more about this emerging industry.

Wong Siew Fong

22 Nov 2021