-
People & Culture /
Gender & Diversity
Related Topics:
LGBTQ in China
Women and gender
Families in China
Children in China
Mental health
Trending in China
Explainer
|
Why old Chinese custom requires brides to bring ‘toilet’ for ceremony
In rural Wuhan, a pair of chopsticks is placed inside chamber pot, representing swift birth of son.
24 Jan 2026 - 6:00PM
Trending in China
Explainer
|
China Manchu ethnic group birth ritual uses bow and arrow for boys, red strip for girls
18 Jan 2026 - 6:00PM
Trending in China
Japan ramen eatery bans ‘troublesome’ China diners, charges more for English menu
16 Jan 2026 - 8:32PM
videocam
4
Trending in China
Explainer
|
China folk custom beats women to boost fertility, dire results for not conceiving
Ancient ritual saw women beaten with bamboo sticks, brooms, wooden clubs; in variation of tradition, women were held over a fire.
15 Jan 2026 - 6:14PM
We explain the reasons behind the distressing Chinese folk custom of Da Sheng in which women faced beatings to exorcise evil spirits and promote fertility. Photo: Shutterstock
Viral stories
Japan woman mocked for ‘ugly’ looks, resists cosmetic surgery, uses make-up
Ridiculed as a child, woman takes more than 30,000 selfies in 13 years on fashion journey; says it was like a ‘scientific study’.
15 Jan 2026 - 2:00PM
Trending in China
Profile
|
Zhou Qunfei: ex-security guard becomes world’s richest self-made woman entrepreneur
Woman who began life in destitution goes from factory floor to US$16 billion fortune; says success comes from ‘refusal to accept defeat’.
12 Jan 2026 - 6:00PM
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Trending in China
China woman who lost limbs in crash gives disabled staff jobs based on their strengths
30-year-old who suffered 3 heart attacks, 14 rounds of surgery dresses like a ‘warrior’; is described as the ‘pride of all women’ online.
10 Jan 2026 - 6:00PM
A woman who lost her left arm and leg in a car accident, recently opened a shoe-washing factory in China, hiring disabled workers and creating roles based on their strengths. Photo: SCMP composite/Zhihu/Sina
China education
China tutoring school links civil service exam success to higher bride prices
Wedding betrothal advertisement emblazoned on public bus sparks public anger; officials order institution to stop marketing campaign.
10 Jan 2026 - 9:00AM
Trending in China
Profile
|
Ex-Taiwan model, actress Jean Wang ends abusive marriage, excels in culinary arts
Entertainment star impresses with patisserie skills; maintains film career, becomes role model for women who face domestic violence.
9 Jan 2026 - 6:00PM
Trending in China
China basketball hall of fame honours pioneer wife of infectious disease expert
Household name blazed a sporting trail then branched out into health, sports science; fans say she should be hailed for her own achievements.
8 Jan 2026 - 6:00PM
Trending in China
Explainer
|
Why China custom requires new wife to leave husband’s home, hide from family lantern
Decorations normally seen as a sign of ‘light and hope’, but turn taboo for newlywed women during annual festival.
6 Jan 2026 - 6:00PM
We explain why, in northern China, a custom known as “hiding from the lanterns” requires new wives to leave home and hide from the groom’s family lantern during their first Lantern Festival after marriage. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock
Trending in China
Chinese ex-policewoman ‘Hotpot’ tackles workplace stereotypes in stand-up comedy
36-year-old who learned combat skills from monkeys in her village growing up as a ‘left-behind child’ uses comedy to help women fight abuse.
3 Jan 2026 - 2:07PM
Trending in China
Explainer
|
China Bao’an ethnic group’s ritual ‘whips’ bride’s dad for not disciplining daughter
Ritual ‘punishment’ carried out as woman’s father kneels in courtyard of groom’s family; 3-day wedding also involves soot smearing custom.
1 Jan 2026 - 2:00PM
Trending in China
China undertaker criticised for disrespecting the dead for wearing make-up at work
Embalmer who looks like famous singer talks to dead bodies as she works on them; she says it gives them comfort on their journey to afterlife.
30 Dec 2025 - 6:00PM
Trending in China
China woman shocked to see male therapist at spa appointment; mocked for ‘ignorance’
Undressed client balks on hearing voice of masseur; spa boss tells her ‘she is old enough to be his mum’ so he would not be ‘interested’ in her.
27 Dec 2025 - 6:00PM
A woman in China has been mocked after she expressed shock on finding a male therapist at her spa appointment. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Weibo
Trending in China
Explainer
|
How China Dai women use chickens to find husbands, reject unwanted suitors
Women in 1.3 million-strong ethnic minority group use price of a cooked chicken, secret meetings in the woods to find the ideal partner.
25 Dec 2025 - 6:00PM
Viral stories
Japan girl pop star comes out as transmasculine non-binary after breast removal
20-year-old rapper says being born, raised a woman caused her ‘deep discomfort’; hopes operation can ‘shine a light’, divides online opinion.
24 Dec 2025 - 9:46AM
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Trending in China
Ex-painter is first China woman in world slap contest, says helps to confront fears
Ding leaves a thriving career in gaming industry as art director with an annual salary of US$43,000.
21 Dec 2025 - 2:09PM
A former art director, who became China’s first woman contestant in a world slapping competition, says it helps her to confront fears. Photo: Douyin.QQ.com
Trending in China
Bikini-clad Taiwan ‘bodybuilding grandma’, 72, flaunts toned muscles at competition
Lin’s anti-ageing regimen is simple; she commits first hour of each morning to weight training, focuses on whole foods.
17 Dec 2025 - 9:00AM
Trending in China
Privacy row as women in China community chat group required to share menstrual dates
Anger after village doctor asks for period dates, phone numbers; online critics slam move, ask if next step is ‘forced fertilisation’.
11 Dec 2025 - 2:00PM
Trending in China
China ‘most beautiful’ bodyguard in spotlight during French president visit
As an elite Central Guard Bureau bodyguard, she protects Chinese leaders and their foreign counterparts during China official visits.
11 Dec 2025 - 10:31AM
4
Trending in China
Explainer
|
Why Chinese believe morally, ‘it’s better to marry a widow than a divorced woman’
Ancient beliefs dictated strict standards for women when it came to obeying men, speaking properly, physical appearance, domestic skills.
9 Dec 2025 - 9:56AM
We explain why the old Chinese saying “It’s better to marry a widow than a divorced woman,” reflects ancient views on women’s morality. Photo: Shutterstock
Trending in China
‘Breasts will be larger’: China parenting app messages leave expectant dads uneasy
Customer service representative from Baby Tree clarifies that these notifications are generated automatically by an AI tool.
5 Dec 2025 - 6:00PM
Trending in China
China wife of gay husband contests estate against his lover, parents after man’s death
Homosexuals posed as ‘father and son’ in public before older of the two was killed in road accident, sparking bitter legal dispute.
3 Dec 2025 - 11:42PM
Trending in China
China clothing brand slammed for laundry tag, ‘please give it to your beloved woman’
‘Inappropriate’ expression on tag not intended to ‘insult’ women, say firm as some online observers call upon ‘sisters’ to boycott company.
2 Dec 2025 - 9:00AM
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
