Dive into the heart of Fujian, China's captivating southeastern coastal province, rich in ancient culture, profound history, and vibrant traditions!

In this episode of Trending in China, host Yolanda Lu sits down with two unique perspectives: Andre Bloem, a South African editor experiencing Fujian for the very first time, and Diego Yao, a Fuzhou native and seasoned journalist steeped in local wisdom.

Hear Andre's fresh insights as a cultural explorer: What surprised and delighted him? How does Quanzhou and Xiamen resonate through foreign eyes? Then, journey deep with Yao as your local guide, uncovering hidden gems, age-old traditions, and the exciting new trends shaping Fujian today.

Whether you're planning a trip or simply fascinated by Chinese regional culture, this compelling conversation offers a rich, multi-layered look into the soul of Fujian. Tune in and unlock the secrets of Fujian!

Highlights:

06:13 Fujian's tea-drinking culture

07:45 Mazu culture in Fujian and how it has influenced the world

19:21 Why Xiamen University is the most beautiful university in China

22:42 Food culture in Fujian and how it's connected to the rest of the world

28:01 How small businesses in Fujian thrive in harmony with nature

39:47 Traditions in Fujian/Quanzhou puppet show

50:05 Tips of traveling to Fujian/Be aware of the snakes!

57:35 Quiz time! Test your knowledge of Fujian

This podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcast and YouTube, among many platforms.You are also more than welcome to check our newsletter where you can find more in-depth sharings around Chinese economy: pekingensight.substack.com

In this episode of Trending in China, host Zhang Yiyi is joined by Guo Shanqiuyun 郭山秋韵, an overseas returnee and the honorary village head of Tangjiazhuang Village in east China’s Anhui Province.

Often called "Village CEO," Guo is also the founder of rural tourism projects in Anhui and Yunnan provinces.

In Part I, Guo shares her journey from studying abroad to diving headfirst into rural development in Huangshan’s Tangjiazhuang Village. Discover how youthful energy, creative collaborations and national policies are breathing new life into quiet villages.

This episode is co-hosed by Zhao Jinzheng 赵金正, a reporter based in Anhui, who loves to share on-the-ground insights from the province.

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This podcast, recorded on April 20, is available on Spotify, Apple Podcast and YouTube, among many platforms.

In this episode, host Zhang Yiyi brings you to the 2025 Global South Financiers Forum held in Beijing.

Its theme, Illuminating Global South, highlights the growing influence of emerging economies and their efforts to reshape the global financial order.

The Global South now accounts for 80% of global economic growth and 40% of the world’s GDP, yet financial governance structures still favor the Global North.

At this forum, policymakers, economists, and business leaders gathered to explore alternative financing, debt sustainability, and currency diversification.

In this episode, you will hear expert perspectives from Jiao Jie from Tsinghua University on how the Global South’s economic rise is reshaping global finance. Also Insightful conversations with:

David Sumual, chief economist of Bank Central Asia on the role of alternative financing and China’s impact on South-South cooperation;

Marc Uzan, executive director of Reinventing Bretton Woods Committee on the need for financial reform, and China’s role in financial institutions.

Highlights:

06:30 - Jiao Jie on the economic transformation of the Global South

10:45 - David Sumual on Alternative Financing: How new funding models are reshaping global financial cooperation

21:50 - Marc Uzan on Financial Reform: Challenges facing the Global South in the Bretton Woods system

34:00 -The future of financial governance in an increasingly multipolar world

This podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcast and YouTube. You are also more than welcome to check our newsletter where you can find more in-depth sharings around Chinese economy: pekingensight.substack.com

Music Credits:

• Lesion x - Discovery
• Alex Productions - Christmas Magic
• Pyrosion - Take a Moment

The Year of the Snake is approaching!

春节chūn jié, the Spring Festival, also known as the Chinese New Year, is one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture. This year, it has been officially added to UNESCO’s representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

In this special Spring Festival episode, host Zhang Yiyi is joined by three special guests. They are:

Carmen Xiao肖疆, IKEA Product Design Developer

Lian Zhelin 连哲林, IKEA Designer

Qian Jing 钱菁, IKEA Designer

They explore how the globally recognized Swedish home furnishing brand, celebrates the Spring Festival. 

The guests share their unique insights into their Chinese New Year designs and how they bring tradition and innovation together in IKEA products. 

The conversation also touches on their observation of the Chinese market, including evolution of consumer behavior and home decoration trends.

Highlights:

02:25 IKEA's journey in celebrating Spring Festival

10:30 Warm drinks on the go: even thermos are taken into consideration

10:55 Design challenges: balancing festive colors with everyday usability 

14:49 Key motifs and cultural elements in IKEA’s 2025 Spring Festival Collection (FÖSSTA)

18:26 Incorporating Chinese aesthetics into modern ceramics

21:11 How IKEA's Spring Festival collections have influenced Chinese families and global consumers, reconnecting with traditional customs through tangible designs.

25:36 Evolution of consumer behavior and home decoration trends in the Chinese market

29:03 Incorporating cultural elements to a wider landscape

This podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcast and YouTube. You are also more than welcome to check our newsletter where you can find more in-depth sharings around Chinese economy: https://pekingensight.substack.com/

The Year of the Snake is approaching!

春节chūn jié, the Spring Festival, also known as the Chinese New Year, is one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture. It has been officially added to UNESCO’s representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

In this special Spring Festival episode, host Zhang Yiyi is joined by Wen Xiaodong 温笑冬, senior concept designer at the LEGO Group, also the first designer from Chinese mainland to join the headquarters of the global toy giant.

Wen shares his experiences in integrating Chinese culture into LEGO sets, also the challenges and rewards of representing a diverse culture through toys.

The designer walks us through highlights of the LEGO Group’s efforts to incorporate Spring Festival traditions into their products, and also the features of the 2025 series.

He also reflects on his journey to becoming a LEGO designer, the process of designing culturally significant LEGO sets, and his pride in contributing to the spread of Chinese culture internationally.

Highlights:

03:26 Celebrating Spring Festival overseas: sharing unique cultural experiences

04:57 The LEGO Group's journey in embracing Chinese New Year Culture

08:57 Extensive brainstorming and consumer feedback sessions across China to create unique festival sets

11:38 Rewards and challenges: design process details for Spring Festival-themed sets

19:15 Spring Festival: a gateway to Chinese culture

20:38 From concept artist to LEGO designer: an unexpected journey

26:30 Inspiration behind the Monkey Kids Series

32:24 LEGO aspirations for cultural relevance in China

This podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcast and YouTube. You are also more than welcome to check our newsletter where you can find more in-depth sharings around Chinese economy: https://pekingensight.substack.com/

Trending in China, a podcast where we dive into the latest buzz around Chinese economy and beyond.

Starting this season, we are bringing you new content from tech trends to culture and consumption, with a focus on what'smaking waves in China's fast-paced society.

In this episode of Trending in China, host Zhang Yiyi is joined by Lucas Zhang, a frequent blind box buyer and art toy collector. They dive into the fascinating world of China’s rapidly expanding art toy market, with a particular focus on Pop Mart and its viral blind boxes, where Lucas shares insights into how these toys transcend their function as simple playthings and instead serve as cultural ambassadors, offering emotional fulfillment and self-expression for Gen Z consumers.

They explore the growing trend of emotional consumption, where younger generations prioritize products that connect with their individuality and offer a deeper emotional resonance, rather than just fulfilling material needs.

The conversation also touches on the role of intellectual property (IP) in shaping art toys, how these toys reflect not just a consumer trend but a shift towards self-expression and community-building, and also the consumption upgrades taking place in China.

This episode was recorded in December 2024.

Highlights:

4:47 Adults also need to play with toys

10:08 Art toys like Pop Mart make art more approachable

13:00 Labubu storms Southeast Asia

16:21 When we talk about IPs, what are we talking about?

20:00 Huge market reflected by growth of Pop Mart and Gen Z’s growing purchasing power

25:16 What makes them buy: emotional value

26:06 Shopping malls in Beijing are providing services different from the past

28:39 China is shifting from a production-driven to a consumer-driven society

29:40 Gen Z consumers are spending money to buy happiness and please themselves

34:25 Purchases of art toy blind boxes is not about escapism but shows confidence of GenZ consumers

36:36 How brands should adapt to the evolving market landscape to attract the younger generation of consumers

This podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcast and YouTube.

You are also more than welcome to check our newsletter where you can find more in-depth sharings around Chinese economy: https://pekingensight.substack.com/