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Fran Lu

At the latest Berlin International Film Festival, Chinese director Huo Meng won a Silver Bear award for best director with his film Living the Land.
Chinese actress and producer Yao Chen congratulated Huo on her Weibo account which has 84 million followers.
Yao is the supervisor of the film, and her company, Bad Rabbit Pictures, produced it.
Yao and her husband, cinematographer Cao Yu, founded the company in Shanghai in 2016.
The firm has been a pioneer in weaving feminist themes into Chinese films in recent years.
Yao, 45, was first widely known for her chivalrous waitress character in the 2006 comedy drama My Own Swordsman.

She rose to further prominence around 2010, becoming known as the Weibo queen, for amassing more than 10 million followers on the social media platform.
What marked her out was her humorous linguistic style and ability to tell personal stories despite being a celebrity.
As one of the first influencers on the platform at a time when it allowed relatively free speech, Yao spoke up on social issues and for disadvantaged groups.
She was named the first United Nations Refugee Agency Goodwill Ambassador in China in 2013.
In 2014, she became one of the most influential people on the Times 100 List.
Yao said she treated Weibo as a platform for serious discussions, and did not want to “post whatever I want to post”.
She calls herself a self-disciplined freelance writer.
“Every time when I post content, I question what my purpose is. Do I want to help people or just make myself look good? I will not post anything if the reason is the latter,” she said.
Many people have also been attracted to her content because it depicts the daily life of her and her ex-husband, Chinese actor Ling Xiaosu.
They were classmates at Beijing Film Academy, and tied the knot in 2003 immediately after graduation.

They separated in 2011. Yao married Cao in 2012. The couple have a son and a daughter.
Yao starred in many phenomenal TV dramas, including Lurk in 2018, Divorce Lawyers in 2014, and the 2019 production All is Well.
Yao also played leading roles in many films her company produced, such as the 2019 feminist film Send Me to the Clouds.
Directed and written by woman director Teng Congcong, the film tells the story of a self-disciplined journalist in her 30s, who discovers she has ovarian cancer and decides to seek sexual pleasure before it is too late.
Yao has been recognised for her work multiple times.
She has won best actress at the Huading Awards, and was nominated numerous times at the Magnolia and the Flying Apsaras Awards.


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Trending in China

Pioneering Chinese actress and producer, known widely as the “Weibo queen”, Yao Chen, is one of the nation’s first filmmakers to focus on feminist issues. Photo: SCMP composite/Weibo

Yao Chen’s down-to-earth storytelling style has endeared her to millions. Photo: QQ.com

Yao has won multiple awards for her work and taken her place on the world stage. Photo: Xinhua/Guo Cheng

4 quirky China customs you never knew existed – carry big ice cubes, show belly for good health

The Post takes a look at four quirky Chinese customs you never knew existed. Photo: SCMP composite/CCTV/Baidu/Sohu

The sleep therapy sees participants wrapped up in a concoction of heated, mixed herbs. Photo: Sohu

This ice-carrying ritual is said to give blessings and prevent disasters. Photo: Baidu

Bridal tears: crying is used as a form of thanks for gifts in this unusual, centuries-old custom. Photo: hunan.gov.cn

Members of the Miao ethnic group blow pellets from specially made “guns”. Photo: Sohu

A little girl in China who asked her mother to treat her well in public has highlighted the value of face-saving in Chinese culture. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Douyin


Mibao received a wave of online support for asking her mother to treat her well in public. Photo: Douyin

The concept of “saving face” is a major component of Chinese culture. Photo: Shutterstock

‘Stingy’ firm: China new mum wins case after breastfeeding leave revoked due to illness

A new mother in China sued her employer for cancelling her breastfeeding leave after her illness prevented her from nursing her newborn. Photo: Shutterstock

Following her baby’s jaundice diagnosis, the doctor recommended that she discontinue breastfeeding for two weeks until her child fully recovered. Photo: Shutterstock

China’s new births peaked at 17.86 million in 2016 after relaxing birth controls, but have declined for seven consecutive years since. Photo: Shutterstock

China funeral home tasty noodles draw diners pretending to host services to gain access

A funeral home in China has gained fame for its delicious rice noodles. Photo: SCMP composite/Sohu/Douyin

The intrigue started when a local blogger shared an enthusiastic review of the canteen’s noodles, causing it to go viral almost instantly. Photo: Douyin

Patrons raved about the rich flavours and quality of the noodles, prepared with carefully sourced ingredients and a delicious broth. Photo: Douyin

Chinese grandmas fall head over heels for ‘AI grandsons’ who cook dinners, spread laughter

AI grandsons bring joy to their grandmothers with adorable acts, offering companionship and emotional support to ease loneliness. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/RedNote

During the Lunar New Year, family members returned home to see their grandmothers happily enjoying the sight of chubby toddlers in festive outfits, affectionately referred to as “AI grandsons”. Photo: Sohu

In various online clips, the “AI grandsons” are portrayed as chubby little ones boldly walking while gripping gold ingots and beaming with joy. Photo: Sohu

One clip features an AI grandson skilfully chopping eggplants in preparation for a family meal. Photo: Sohu

An AI grandson is captured preparing a dinner, complete with several dishes and soup for the whole family. Photo: Sohu

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People & Culture

China Personalities

Gender & Diversity

Award-winning actress, producer amasses millions of followers on social media thanks to her humorous, down-to-earth storytelling ability


Award-winning actress, producer amasses millions of followers on social media thanks to her humorous, down-to-earth storytelling ability.


Women and gender

Asian cinema: Chinese films

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Profile | Pioneering China filmmaker ‘Weibo queen’ Yao Chen puts focus on feminist issues

Award-winning actress, producer amasses millions of followers on social media thanks to her humorous, down-to-earth storytelling ability