Despite rising gold prices, young people’s enthusiasm for stockpiling gold has not decreased but increased #金价上涨年轻人囤金热情不降反升#
As the Year of the Snake approaches, gold jewelry with “snake-inspired designs” is becoming increasingly popular. Despite rising gold prices, young people remain enthusiastic about stocking up on gold.
In early 2025, international gold prices continue to climb, coinciding with the traditional peak season for gold consumption. The combination of rising prices and holiday demand has sparked a renewed “gold stocking frenzy.” Many major gold retailers are introducing new snake-themed products for the New Year, including items like “snake loop designs” and “snake-inspired fortune beads,” which are particularly favored by younger consumers.
The appeal of these “snake-inspired” gold pieces lies in their positive symbolism. The fortune bead shaped like a snake symbolizes “turning luck around,” while coiled snake designs are seen as a sign of good fortune. Snake-shaped gold pendants are given auspicious names like “Fortune-Gathering Snake” and “Wealth-Welcoming Snake,” symbolizing blessings and prosperity.
Even though the price of gold jewelry has exceeded 800 yuan per gram, many consumers are still eager to buy for the sake of “good luck”.
The next TikTok will likely still come from China #下一个Tiktok还是中国产#
“Why am I seeing so many English posts?” Many Xiaohongshu users have been asking this question recently. It turns out that, fearing TikTok might be banned in the U.S., many American users have flocked to Xiaohongshu, dubbing themselves “TikTok refugees.” This migration has propelled Xiaohongshu to the top of the U.S. App Store’s free app rankings.
The influx of American users is directly linked to TikTok’s looming ban. The U.S. government has demanded that TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, relinquish control of TikTok by January 19, 2025, citing “national security concerns”. If ByteDance does not comply, the app faces a ban. This move reflects blatant protectionism and bullying. Unable to dominate TikTok, the U.S. aims to suppress it. As the ban countdown continues, American users are searching for alternative Chinese platforms, signaling dissatisfaction with their own government’s approach and demonstrating the strong appeal of Chinese social media products.
TikTok’s popularity in the U.S., with 170 million active users – nearly half the country’s population – speaks volumes. Now, Xiaohongshu is becoming the next sensation, with “Americans at every corner”. This success is powered by cutting-edge technology. TikTok’s algorithms help creators expand their audiences, connect businesses with potential customers, and entertain ordinary users. Features like AI-driven music filters, AR stickers, and background segmentation have created global trends.
Beyond technology, the unique charm of Chinese social media culture has made an impact. Just like Chinese users, American users enjoy dancing to catchy music, sharing food, posting about pets, and documenting daily life. This cultural appeal makes these platforms hard to resist.
Curiosity about China is also growing among foreign users. For example, an American marine biologist posted, “Hi! I’m from California, learning Chinese. I can help with English too!” Others ask, “Can you show me real Chinese streets?” Such exchanges, even about everyday life, help break stereotypes and foster understanding.
The idea that the “next TikTok” might still be a Chinese product is ironic given the U.S. government’s efforts to suppress Chinese companies. The willingness of American users to overcome language barriers and cultural differences to “migrate” to Xiaohongshu is an unexpected boon for Chinese cultural exports. Although there may be disruptions, the vast majority of users seek genuine connections and shared experiences.
Chuang Asia 2″ officially announces permanent cast #创造营亚洲2常驻阵容官宣#
The official lineup for Chuang Asia 2 has been revealed. Xu Minghao and BamBam will serve as the show’s initiators, with Tia Ray, Jeff Satur, and Yaya joining as mentors. This impressive team will work together to support and guide young trainees in achieving their dreams.
The show is set to premiere on February 2, 2025, on Tencent Video and WeTV, airing every Sunday at 5:50 PM. With BamBam, Tia Ray, and other mentors bringing their wealth of experience, contestants will gain invaluable opportunities for growth and success.
Pop Mart no longer aims to be the ‘Disney of China’ #泡泡玛特不再希望成为中国迪士尼#
At the Entrepreneur’s Night event, Pop Mart CEO Wang Ning shared a shift in the company’s vision. “We used to say we wanted to learn from Disney, a company built on iconic IP, and become the ‘Disney of China’. But over time, we’ve realized we no longer want to be ‘China’s Disney’. Instead, we hope to one day become the world’s Pop Mart”.
Which movie do you most want to watch during the Spring Festival? #春节档你最想看哪部影片#
The Spring Festival movie season is almost here. So far, six movies are confirmed for release on the first day of the Lunar New Year: Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force, Nezha 2, The Legend of the Condor Heroes: The Great Hero, Detective Chinatown 1900, Operation Leviathan and Boonie Bears: Future Reborn.
Foreign media reports that TikTok plans to defy the U.S. ban #外媒称TikTok将硬刚美国禁令#
According to The Information, TikTok is planning to completely shut down its operations in the U.S. by Sunday, January 19, unless the U.S. Supreme Court intervenes to block the ban. Instead of allowing users with the app already installed to continue using it, TikTok has opted to directly close the app. Users will feel the immediate effects of the ban.
The report states that when users try to open the TikTok app, they will see a pop-up message directing them to a website with details about the ban. Additionally, TikTok plans to offer users the option to download their personal data to retain their information.
Earlier reports revealed that the law requires TikTok to separate from its parent company, ByteDance, by January 19, 2025, or face being banned in the U.S. This decision has further clouded TikTok’s future in this crucial market.
TikTok has appealed to the Supreme Court based on the First Amendment, and is awaiting a ruling. However, during oral arguments last Friday, questions from the justices suggested the Court may uphold the ban.
The law does not require TikTok to close the app entirely but mandates that app stores like Apple and Google stop offering TikTok for download and that TikTok’s cloud service provider, Oracle, stop hosting U.S. user data.
TikTok currently has over 170 million users in the U.S., and many “TikTok refugees” have already begun looking for alternative platforms. Whether this shutdown plan will happen depends on the final decision of the U.S. courts.
This is the real reason young people don’t want to go home for Chinese New Year #这才是年轻人不想回家过年的真相#
Many netizens have shared their complex feelings about going home for Chinese New Year. Some feel that the greatest joy of the holiday is actually the journey itself, and the sense of anticipation of getting closer to home is the happiest moment. Others mentioned that New Year is not as fun as it used to be, lacking the festive atmosphere. Additionally, some young people want to return home but are worried about running into relatives they don’t want to see or facing questions from family members about their work. This psychological pressure makes them hesitate about going home.
There are also young people who have different views. For example, some want to use the holiday to rest and would rather stay in bed than go out. Others choose to extend their vacation, avoiding the peak travel period and spending money in more valuable ways. These different choices reflect a shift in young people’s attitudes toward traditional New Year celebrations.
Netizens generally believe that young people are reluctant to return home for New Year for several reasons: First, the psychological pressure of switching roles. Many young people are already independent in their careers but still face the expectations of their parents at home, creating a dual identity pressure that makes them feel exhausted. Second, worries about work and marriage, especially the various questions from relatives, often make them feel awkward and uncomfortable. Third, urbanization has changed the appearance of many places, making young people feel unfamiliar and out of place when they return to their hometowns, further reducing their sense of belonging. Fourth, economic pressure is also a significant factor, as high travel costs and living expenses make many people reluctant to return home. Fifth, the development of modern communication technology has weakened the meaning of face-to-face gatherings, and many people prefer to maintain family bonds through online communication. Finally, the younger generation is more focused on personal growth and development, seeking personalized ways of relaxation, and no longer values traditional family reunions as much as in the past.
Cities with low wages but high living costs 工资低但是消费很高的城市
Netizens have been sharing their experiences of cities where wages are low but the cost of living is high. For example, someone mentioned their hometown, Putian in Fujian Province, which is a fourth-tier city, but has living costs comparable to first-tier cities, and housing prices are also very high. Others complained that their daily breakfast costs 4.5 yuan, but their monthly salary is only around 2,000 yuan, almost all of which goes towards household expenses and their children’s education, making it impossible to afford a home. Wuhan was also mentioned – despite having many wealthy people, ordinary citizens’ wages are very low, making it difficult to afford the high cost of living.
Certain cities have been frequently mentioned, including Zhengzhou, Nanning, Wenzhou, Qingdao, and Changsha. As a provincial capital, Zhengzhou has a large population, but most people earn only about 3,000 yuan, while housing prices are very high, with better homes costing over 10,000 yuan per square meter. Nanning attracts many people due to its good air quality and environment, but job opportunities are limited, and wages are low, while housing prices and rents are expensive. Wenzhou, once a hot spot for property speculation, now has high housing prices and rapidly rising rents. Qingdao, a popular tourist destination, attracts many residents, but for recent graduates, finding a decent job and buying a home is very difficult. Changsha, known for its entertainment industry, has high daily living costs, but wages are not high.
In addition to the cities mentioned, other places have also been pointed out by netizens. For example, while wages in Kunming are not high, the prices of goods and housing are not low. Cities like Dalian, Chongqing, Xi’an, Shantou, Zhengzhou, and Xiamen are also considered typical examples of cities where wages are low but the cost of living is high. Additionally, Taiyuan stands out as a city where wages are mostly around two to three thousand yuan, but the cost of living is very high.
Many women around me have already stopped eating sweets 身边很多女性已经不吃甜食了
In recent years, many women have started to reduce or completely cut out sweets from their diets. There are several reasons behind this change. First, reducing sweets is seen as helpful for weight management and improving body shape. Many women have noticed a decrease in weight, a smaller waistline, and a slimmer overall figure after cutting back on sweets for a few months. Second, reducing sweets has led to improvements in skin condition. Many people report that their skin has become smoother and more refined, with fewer breakouts. Additionally, cutting back on sweets helps control appetite, making it easier to manage overall food intake. It’s important to note that reducing sweets doesn’t mean completely cutting out sugar, but rather reducing added sugars while still consuming moderate amounts of natural fructose and healthy carbohydrates.
From a scientific standpoint, reducing sugar intake is indeed beneficial for health. A study published in the journal Obesity by American medical experts found that just 10 days without sugar can lead to positive changes in the body, including lower levels of “bad cholesterol” and triglycerides, as well as a reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes, fatty liver, and cancer. Therefore, reducing sweets not only improves appearance but also serves as an investment in long-term health.
