Saving Face at the Scanner

A Facebook post on September 03 by Cultural Perspective illustrates a practical example of Edward T Hall's high-context communication through the lens of Chinese state bureaucracy. 

By examining how immigration officers handle a traveler's defective passport chip, the interaction provides a textbook application of the cultural practice of saving face (保住面子, bǎozhú miànzi).

By framing the issue around the airport's technology rather than a personal fault, the Chinese officers applied distinct high-context behaviors:

• Preserving Social Harmony (和谐, hexie): Directly telling a traveler that their personal document is broken or defective can cause immediate stress, defensiveness, or public embarrassment. Guided by Confucian values of harmony, shifting the blame to an inanimate scanner neutralizes interpersonal tension and de-escalates a stressful border environment.
• Mutual Face Protection (面子, mianzi): In Chinese culture, protecting a stranger's dignity is a shared social responsibility. By claiming "our scanner is acting up," the officers proactively protect the traveler's face from public scrutiny. In return, the traveler cooperates smoothly, preserving the authority and face of the immigration department.
• Indirect Signaling and Polite Fiction: In a high-context culture, the true meaning is understood without being explicitly stated. Both parties participate in a "polite fiction" – they likely understand the actual issue, but keeping it unspoken maintains a polite, humanized, and cooperative atmosphere (人情, renqing).
• Shared Accountability via External Attribution: Blaming the machine removes psychological pressure from the individual. It transforms a potential confrontation (the law vs. the individual) into a shared problem (the humans vs. the faulty machine), allowing the traveler to be processed smoothly without feeling singled out or scrutinized by bystanders.

Ultimately, the officers demonstrated that in high-context cultures, maintaining the relational climate is just as important as enforcing the law. By blaming the machine, they transformed a bureaucratic hurdle into a masterclass in cultural diplomacy – proving that sometimes, a polite fiction is the most efficient path to cooperation. 

The said clip:

Liverpool and Fulham played to a disappointing 0-0 draw on Saturday.

The hosts fielded an attack costing just short of £400m as Alexander Isak, Bradley Barcola, and Florian Wirtz all started together in the Premier League for the first time. Yet Liverpool were limited to just two shots on target during a frustrating afternoon at Anfield. 

The tired-looking Reds struggled for rhythm, prompting even many of their supporters to admit that the clinical visitors deserved all three points. While Liverpool controlled 56% of the possession, it was Fulham who looked far sharper on the counter-attack, testing the keeper four times and forcing a crucial goal-line clearance. 

The result earned the Cottagers their first point of the Premier League season, while leaving a sluggish Liverpool with three draws in four matches.

An alarmingly disjointed start to the 2026/27 campaign has left Andoni Iraola’s new-look Liverpool suffocating under unexpected stalemates, an uncharacteristically blunt attack, and immediate tactical pressure.

I expect their current form to persist. They are toothless, tame, and turgid – and being hard to beat means nothing if you refuse to actually win the game. 😤🔴

Saving Children from Their Parents’ Creativity

"Ikea", "Fanta" and "Chanel". These names of a major furniture retailer, a soft drink and a luxury brand, respectively, have all also been given to babies in Germany. 

But joining this brand line-up, names drawn from Japanese such as "Taro" and "Kasai" are also said to be proving popular overseas in recent years. In Japan, the revised Family Register Act took effect in May 2025, requiring the readings of names to be added in family registers in the phonetic katakana syllabary. For so-called "kira-kira" names, or "sparkling" names with unorthodox readings, including foreign-style names and character names assigned to kanji, the revised law set a standard that readings differing from the original readings of the kanji must be "generally recognized as readings of characters used in names". 

The legal revision was reported around the world, including by The New York Times. The German magazine Der Spiegel, in an article with a headlined translating as "Japan introduces stricter rules for children's names", presented names symbolized in kanji for "Pikachu", "Nike" and "Kitty" as examples of kira-kira names. 

But as the German examples above show, "eccentric" names also exist in Europe and the United States. 

According to Knud Bielefeld (right), a name researcher in Ahrensburg in northern Germany, such names are rare but are sometimes chosen out of a desire to "give a child a special name". This appears to have something in common with parents in Japan who give their children kira-kira names. 

As reported by Western media reports, there was a child in Britain in 2024 named "Everest", the same as the world's highest mountain. In the United States, "Kasai" is gaining popularity as a boy's name meaning fire, and several hundred children were given the name in 2025. It is also said to be derived from the Japanese word "kasai", meaning a destructive fire. 

In some cases, however, courts have rejected unusual names, citing concerns including the risk that children could become targets of bullying. 

In France in 2015, the court rejected the name "Nutella", the same as the popular chocolate spread, for a girl. In Sweden in 1996, there was reportedly a case in which parents tried to have a long name made up of 43 letters of the alphabet with no vowels and a number read as "Albin", but it was not approved. 

At their core, both Japan's kira-kira names and the brand-inspired names of the West stem from the same place – a parent's deep wish to gift their child a special identity. However, as the legal backlash in Sweden, France, and Japan demonstrates, a name is never just a personal choice. It is a child's first introduction to the world, and striking the balance between 'memorable' and 'practical' is a global challenge that isn't going away anytime soon.

Penang Gazettes Hungry Ghost Festival as State Heritage

In Malaysia, Penang has officially recognized the Teong Guan Phor Thor, or Hungry Ghost Festival, as an intangible cultural heritage item under the Penang State Heritage Enactment 2011. 

The gazettement actually took effect on June 25, 2026, following approval by the state government to safeguard local traditions. 

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow noted that the move highlights the diverse religious traditions practiced by the Chinese community. 

Celebrated during the seventh lunar month, the festival features large "Tai Su Yeah" (King of Hades) effigies, getai stage shows, and traditional Chinese opera.

Despite its association with ghosts, the Hungry Ghost Festival serves a deeper purpose. The event is more about teaching the younger generation the importance of filial piety, doing good deeds, and respecting their ancestors. These values are integral to the festival’s enduring relevance and significance.

In the second round of the China Masters 2026 today, Malaysia’s world No. 5 women's doubles pair Pearly Tan-Thinaah Muralitharan suffered an agonising defeat against Thailand's up-and-coming Benyapa-Nuntakarn Aimsaard. 

The Thai sister duo, ranked world No. 43, took the match in three hard-fought games in 67 minutes: 21-16, 17-21, 21-19. 

Pearly and Thinaah were originally drawn to face China's Luo Yi and Wang Tingge in the round of 32. However, following a wave of late withdrawals from top-seeded pairs, a Seed Withdrawal Movement (SWM) reshuffled the draw, giving the Malaysians a direct first-round bye straight into the round of 16.

I am really disappointed. It's unforgivable. Another tournament, another self-inflicted disaster from Pearly and Thinaah. As the world No. 5 pair, how are they still handing over the opening game like charity? 

This toxic habit of losing the first game is a ticking time bomb, and it again blew up in their faces against a pair ranked No. 43 in the world! They were handed fresh legs and a massive physical advantage on a silver platter. 

What did they do with it? They wasted it by playing catch-up yet again, turning what should have been a straightforward win into an exhausting three-game torture.

Move Over, Traditional Names: Anime Protagonists Are Taking Over Indonesia

In Indonesia, 190 people had the name "Uzumaki," apparently based on the popular anime series "Naruto," and 181 individuals were named "Nobita" from "Doraemon", according to resident registration data recently released by the country's Ministry of Home Affairs. 

The data announced by the ministry shows that many Indonesians have names believed to have been inspired by Japanese anime. The popularity of anime appears to have extended even to the naming of children. 

Of such names, the most common was Uzumaki, the same as the surname of the protagonist featured in "Naruto", which was followed by Nobita, the first name of the protagonist appearing in the long-running anime series "Doraemon". 

"It seems the parents are anime fans. No, I'm completely serious about this. If this were a lie, I could be sued. I'm talking based on population data, and there really are quite a lot of them", stressed Teguh Setyabudi (left), director general of Population and Civil Registration at the Indonesian Ministry of Home Affairs. 

He emphasized this at a meeting announcing population statistics for the first half of 2026, according to the news site Detik.com. 

Other likely anime-inspired names included Sasuke, Naruto, Uchiha and Boruto, all characters from "Naruto", Luffy and Usopp, characters from the famous anime series "One Piece", Shinchan from the long-standing anime series "Crayon Shin-chan", and Inuyasha, the protagonist of the anime series "Inuyasha". 

Teguh also jokingly pointed out that "there were eight people who are named after Suneo, the crybaby character" from "Doraemon". 

A survey released by Hakuhodo Inc. in March this year, targeting people ages 16 to 39 in the Jakarta metropolitan area who have watched or are interested in Japanese anime, found that six of the 10 most recognized anime series had recognition rates above 50%. 

"Pokemon" and "Naruto" were especially widely known. 

Regarding anime and manga, the perception that they are "entertainment that can be enjoyed by everyone from children to adults" surpassed the impression that they are "for a small group of hardcore fans".

One Year's Jail: The Cost of Disrespect

A Swiss tourist has been sentenced to a year in prison in Bali for posting Instagram videos boasting that he had broken the rules of Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence. 

Luzian Andrin Zgraggen had filmed himself walking to an empty beach during the observance, smiling at the camera, and in one clip called the scene crazy while swearing in the caption. The video, since removed, was widely reshared and drew anger from Balinese residents. 

Police traced him after public complaints and arrested him the following day at a villa in Legian, a tourist area near Kuta beach. 

The 26-year-old (right) told the court, in a trial that began in June, that he had never meant to insult the holiday or the Balinese people, and that he made the posts while hungry and frustrated at being unable to get food during the shutdown, without fully understanding how far the restrictions went. 

"I deeply regret what I did, I apologise to the Balinese people", he said in his defence plea, according to AP. 

Zgraggen was convicted at the Denpasar district court on August 20, of insulting a religious observance under Indonesia's criminal code. The court found he had made the posts after staff at the villa where he was staying explicitly explained the restrictions to him. 

"What the defendant did offended the Balinese people, hurt their faith and provoked public outrage", said presiding judge, Tjokorda Putra Budi Pastima, according to the Associated Press. "The defendant must be held accountable for his actions". 

Nyepi, marking the Balinese Hindu New Year, fell on March 19 this year. For twenty-four hours, the day is strictly governed by four primary rules (Catur Brata Penyepian):

• Amati Geni: No fire, light, or electricity.
• Amati Karya: No working or physical labor.
• Amati Lelunganan: No traveling or leaving your home/hotel accommodation.
• Amati Lelanguan: No entertainment, loud music, or revelry.

For the Balinese, Nyepi is a sacred day of reflection, restraint, and spiritual renewal. To observe the day, nobody leaves their home or accommodation, except in an emergency. Even Bali's international airport closes entirely, streets are completely emptied, and even local internet access is restricted. Local community watchmen, known as Pecalang, patrol the streets to ensure absolute silence and compliance. Entertainment is restricted, even the use of electricity is discouraged, and residents stock up on food beforehand so they can stay indoors. The rules apply to everyone on the island whatever their religion or nationality. 

While past tourist violations were usually resolved through apologies or immediate deportation, this jail sentence reflects a broader, ongoing crackdown by Indonesian officials targeting foreigners who publicly disrespect local culture.

LV vs. Molly Tea: The $1.5M Trademark Battle Sparking Backlash

Louis Vuitton have won the first round of their trademark dispute with popular Chinese tea chain Molly Tea, but the court of public opinion is proving much messier. 

On Tuesday, the hashtag "LV Accused of Monopolizing Ancient Chinese Patterns" climbed into the top 10 on the China's X-like Sina Weibo's trending list. Users expressed widespread frustration that traditional Chinese motifs such as the baoxiang flower and the persimmon calyx pattern – believed by many to be the origin of LV's iconic four-petal monogram – are part of China's shared cultural heritage and should not fall under the exclusive trademark control of a foreign brand. Some described the controversy bluntly as "cultural plunder plus trademark monopoly". 

The dispute traces back to a June 29 ruling by the Suzhou Intermediate People's Court, which found that Molly Tea had infringed seven of LV's registered four-petal flower trademarks. The court ordered the tea chain to pay 10.3 million yuan ($1.52 million) to the French luxury house.

According to the report of Guangming Online, the judgment has not yet taken effect, as the case remains within the appeal period. LV have also reportedly filed similar lawsuits against more companies, expanding their enforcement campaign. 

On the Chinese lifestyle platform RedNote, Chinese users have been posting side-by-side images suggesting LV's pattern was inspired by traditional Chinese motifs, including the baoxiang motif from the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Others have uploaded photos of a Tang Dynasty rosewood pipa and the four-petal window lattice at the Humble Administrator's Garden in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu Province, all bearing a similar quatrefoil design. 

Many argue that LV's design is itself derivative. One RedNote user, identified as Weijueye, traced the origin of LV's classic quatrefoil pattern to the Tang Dynasty baoxiang flower motif – a symmetrical design based on lotus and peony. 

"In essence, LV registered an element from the public domain as a trademark and is now using it to restrict Chinese brands from using similar patterns – that's commercial monopolization of a cultural element", the post read. 

The case has also tapped into deeper public anger over what many see as a long history of cultural appropriation by global luxury brands. Netizens brought up previous controversies, such as Dior's skirt design resembling China's traditional horse-face skirt and Givenchy patterns echoing motifs on bronze vessels from Shang and Zhou dynasties. 

In a show of support, some consumers said on Weibo they were intentionally ordering drinks from Molly Tea to back the local brand. 

For a tea chain competing in one of China’s most crowded consumer categories, that is a nice little shot in the arm. 

The case has given Molly Tea the kind of visibility most brands would struggle to buy, while also casting it as a local underdog facing down a global luxury house. 

Still, the Shenzhen-based tea company should take note that intellectual property remains a basic line for any serious brand.  

Bruce Lee Day

On Tuesday, California, US  Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation (AB 2455), sponsored by San Francisco Assemblymember Matt Haney, to officially mark May 17 as Bruce Lee Day. 

This marks the first time in state history that a Chinese American has been honored with a namesake day, celebrating the cultural and cinematic legacy of the San Francisco-born icon.

Lee's daughter, Shannon (left), who is CEO of the Bruce Lee Foundation, said the honour is a testament to her father's enduring legacy as a bridge between cultures. 

"From young people who found confidence and possibility in his philosophy, to families who finally saw themselves represented on screen, to athletes who still draw on his teachings of discipline and inner strength, his reach is profound", Shannon said in a statement. 

Haney, who represents the 17th Assembly District, which covers the eastern portion of San Francisco, called Lee the epitome of the best of California. 

"At a time when Asian Americans were too often absent from or stereotyped on screen, Bruce Lee helped generations see themselves represented with strength and dignity", he said in a statement. 

Born in 1940 to Chinese parents who were touring with an opera company, Lee was granted birthright citizenship. A few months later, the family returned to Hong Kong, where Lee became a child actor and began learning Chinese kung fu. 

He moved back to the US in 1959 and enrolled at the University of Washington in Seattle two years later – but he dropped out to throw himself into practicing and teaching martial arts. 

In the 1960s, Lee found work in Hollywood, most notably as Kato (right) in the TV series The Green Hornet, but studios wanted him to play racist stereotypes and paid him less than his Caucasian counterparts. 

Pivoting back to Hong Kong, he quickly became a martial arts megastar, starring in box-office hits like "The Big Boss" (1971), "Fist of Fury" (1972), "The Way of the Dragon" (1972) and "Enter the Dragon" (1973) 

Lee died tragically in 1973 at the age of 32 after an allergic reaction to pain medication. 

More than 50 years later, his name and likeness remain as popular as ever. 

FYI, the acclaimed crime drama hit TV show "Warrior" was officially based on original notes, treatments, and writings developed by Lee in the late 1960s. His vision was a show featuring a Chinese martial artist in the Old West. 

For decades, the concept went unproduced because Hollywood executives were hesitant to cast an Asian lead, but Shannon, and director Justin Lin ultimately brought his concept to life.

Dedicated fans regularly gather in locations like his ancestral hometown in Foshan, China to celebrate his birthday on November 27th.

Zongzi Embraces New Flavors and Forms

Every year, on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, drums return to rivers and lakes across China. Long, narrow boats cut through the water. Families unwrap sticky rice dumplings. Herbs appear on doors. Children wear threads of five colors around their wrists. 

This is the Dragon Boat Festival or Duanwu Festival, one of China's oldest traditional holidays. 

To many people outside China, the festival is best known for dragon boat racing. But the race is only one part of a much older tradition. Dragon Boat Festival brings together seasonal protection, food culture, family rituals and the memory of Qu Yuan, a poet and statesman whose story has shaped Chinese cultural imagination for more than two millennia. 

And in 2009, China's Dragon Boat Festival was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognizing its ceremonies, food customs, sports events and community practices as part of a living cultural tradition.

With Dragon Boat Festival falling on Friday this year, bamboo leaves are once again returning to kitchens and food counters across China. Inside them, glutinous rice is wrapped, tied and steamed – forming zongzi, a seasonal staple that has long marked the arrival of summer.  

At its core, zongzi is defined as much by texture as by flavor. The glutinous rice becomes dense yet soft after steaming, with a sticky elasticity that holds its shape while remaining deliciously soft. 

Depending on regional styles, it can range from delicately loose and fragrant in lighter versions, to compact and richly layered in more indulgent savory varieties, where rice absorbs the oils and aromas of fillings such as pork or egg yolks.

More than a festival dish, zongzi is a culinary marker of time. It's a signature of the season and carries with it memories of family gatherings, regional traditions and seasonal rhythms. 

While the traditional recipes remain cherished, zongzi is also entering a new era of culinary reinvention. 

Food producers and chefs are introducing fillings inspired by desserts, beverages and fusion cuisine, including rose and hawthorn, taro with mochi, coconut cream and increasingly experimental savory combinations. The changes are seen by industry observers as an expansion of flavor options rather than a replacement of traditional recipes.

Packaging design has also become a key area of development, with festival foods increasingly positioned as gifts. 

At the Bvlgari Hotel Beijing, for example, Dragon Boat Festival gift boxes draw on the brand's Divas' Dream motif, blending Italian design elements with Chinese festive aesthetics. The boxes contain reinterpreted zongzi flavors, such as abalone with ham and dried scallop, and bird's nest with purple rice. 

At Huang Ting Chinese restaurant at the Peninsula Beijing, this year's selection includes green Sichuan pepper beef zongzi, pork with abalone, custard lava zongzi and honey jujube zongzi. 

The green Sichuan pepper beef variety delivers a distinctive numbing-spicy flavor, while the custard lava version adapts a popular dessert filling to the traditional rice dumpling format. 

Design and storytelling have also become an important part of festive food offerings. Global lifestyle and coffee brands operating in China have joined the seasonal trend, with Starbucks China introducing themed zongzi collections and crossover cultural collaborations. 

One recent initiative by Starbucks China is inspired by the acclaimed dance drama The Journey of a Legendary Landscape Painting, itself based on the Song Dynasty (960-1279) masterpiece "A Panorama of Rivers and Mountains" (只此青绿). The resulting product line features reinterpreted zongzi flavors such as rose and hawthorn, taro with mochi, coconut, and fermented rice with mung bean. Its packaging unfolds like a traditional landscape scroll, turning the opening of the gift box into an immersive cultural experience. 

Despite evolving forms and flavors, the cultural essence of zongzi remains consistent. As a seasonal delicacy, it continues to represent family gatherings, shared memories and the passing down of tradition – now reimagined through contemporary culinary language.

Malaysia too has its zongzi – we call it "Bak Chang" (from the Hokkien term for meat dumpling). 

Me, I prefer the nyonya chang. It is instantly recognizable because the glutinous rice is wrapped in fragrant pandan leaves (sometimes tinted blue with butterfly pea flower) and the filling is a delicious sweet-savory blend of spiced, minced pork, minced mushroom, and candied winter melon. 

Happy Pesta Kaamatan & Hari Gawai 2026

Happy Pesta Kaamatan & Hari Gawai!

FYI, Pesta Kaamatan (Sabah) and Hari Gawai (Sarawak) are both indigenous harvest festivals that mark the end of the rice harvesting season. And both share deep roots in agricultural thanksgiving, communal unity, and the preservation of rich cultural heritage of Sabah and Sarawak. 

[Note: Pesta Kaamatan falls on May 30th and 31st annually, while Hari Gawai takes place on June 1st and 2nd every year].

Berjaya Food Berhad posted another loss in the recently-ended quarter as costs and expenses continued to outsize the marginal revenue growth. 

Net loss at the franchisee of the Starbucks coffee chain was RM14.32 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 (3QFY2026), marking their 10th consecutive quarter in the red. 

Still, the loss was smaller than RM37.19 million in 3QFY2025 thanks to cost control and store closures. 

Revenue for the quarter rose 4.9% year-on-year to RM119.14 million, largely driven by their overseas operations.

And of course, Starbucks account for the biggest chunk of Berjaya Food's business, contributing about 80% of group revenue. Therefore, shifts in the coffee chain's performance dictate the financial health of the entire group.

A Classroom Ban on the Viral Six-seven

From viral catchphrases to bizarre inside jokes, internet memes have become an unavoidable part of youth culture, often spilling beyond social media feeds and into classrooms, homes and everyday conversations. 

The “six seven” meme, for one, has taken over not only online spaces among the younger generation but also real-life interactions, as the mere mention of these numbers may trigger an overly enthusiastic response from children, teenagers and even young adults who keep up with current online trends. 

[Note: If you don't know what this meme is all about, kindly check our my blog post "Six-seven" published October 29, 2025 – and you'll understand it].

The Sun, had, on May 22, highlighted a woman who had claimed to have come across a sign banning the popular meme in a classroom, even going so far as to impose punishment on students who either utter it or act it out.

The viral Threads post claimed that the punishment involves students writing 200 sentences if they are caught. 

“This kind of useless trend is ruining kids’ brains and attitudes”, the post was captioned. 

The woman also said in the comments section that the slang had become so overused that she actively avoids saying the two numbers herself. 

While some see these trends as harmless fun and a reflection of changing times, others argue that excessive obsession with online slang may be affecting students’ focus and behaviour in school. 

With the post garnering widespread attention, netizens were divided over the ban, with some agreeing and others criticising the move, highlighting the growing influence of internet culture on younger generations and the challenges educators face in balancing discipline with self-expression. 

“It disrupts the lesson. The moment you say ‘six seven’, students start repeating it, making them less focused”, one user pointed out. 

“There are levels to memes, but I don’t know why this current generation of memes is just straight-up nonsense. I genuinely prefer the older memes that were more relevant in many situations”, another netizen said. 

“Why are people so uptight about it? I’d rather kids say random brainless but harmless things instead of vulgar ones. Let kids be kids”, commented another. 

Netizens also pointed out that similar memes or slangs that were trending during their youth did not deter their focus from learning during school hours.

At the Singapore Open today, Pearly Tan-Thinaah Muralitharan crashed out in the second round.

The Thai sisters, Benyapa Aimsaard-Nuntakarn Aimsaard, who are ranked No. 105 in the world defeated the Malaysian women's doubles pair 21-16, 21-19 in 36 minutes.

Disappointing!!

Ditch Eggs For Potatoes

Eggs will roll. 

Animal rights activists are urging officials in both the US and UK to ditch traditional Easter eggs in favor of decorated potatoes at their annual egg-rolling festivities – pitching the swap as a win for both chickens and their constituents’ wallets. 

Advocates argue that swapping eggs for potatoes would spare hens from industrial farming while offering a more sustainable – and less breakable – alternative for kids hurtling their holiday “eggs” downhill. 

They meanwhile expressed concern on behalf of consumers who earlier this year faced soaring egg prices amid recent avian flu outbreaks. 

In a letter to First Lady Melania Trump, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) proposed rebranding the annual White House Easter Egg Roll – which dates back to 1878 – into a “Make America Great Easter Potato Roll,” complete with dyed spuds, sack races and “hot potato” games. 

In exchange for the First Lady’s cooperation, Newkirk offered her the gift of a dress made from vintage Idaho potato sacks, inspired by Marilyn Monroe’s iconic 1951 frock. 

The PETA proposal was brushed aside and the White House Easter Egg Roll went on as per tradition on April 06, 2026. 

Reps for PETA have made similar appeals across the pond, targeting the UK’s own egg-rolling traditions, according to a report by the Daily Mail. 

In a separate letter, Elisa Allen, PETA’s vice president of programs in the UK, claimed potato-rolling would “reduce animal suffering, teach children empathy and kindness, help the planet and support British potato farmers”. 

Allen went on to claim that chickens are “inquisitive, intelligent individuals who form complex social bonds. But Easter is far from a time of renewal of joy for them”. 

Potatoes, on the other hand, could serve as a practical stand-in that can still be dyed, decorated and rolled without cracking under pressure, according to PETA. 

“Potatoes are an icon in their own right”, Ingrid Newkirk, PETA co-founder wrote in her White House missive, calling the proposed overhaul a “spudtacular reinterpretation” that could modernize the beloved tradition while keeping the holiday spirit intact.

Becoming Chinese Trend Goes Viral

China's Foreign Ministry on Friday of last week welcomed the growing global fascination with Chinese lifestyle after "Becoming Chinese" emerged as a viral trend across social media. 

It is delightful to see more foreigners eager to experience China's development and everyday life, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a press conference, as reported by CGTN on February 06. 

He noted that for many overseas visitors, understanding China now goes far beyond traditional symbols such as the Great Wall, pandas or cuisine. 

Foreign visitors can enjoy the convenience of a highly digitalized society, including mobile payments and high-speed transport, while also experiencing the cultural depth of Chinese daily life, the spokesperson said. 

From high-speed rail and 5G networks to lesser-known hidden gem cities and traditional cultural heritage, the mix of history and modernity offers a unique experience that continues to enhance China's attractiveness, he added. 

According to official data cited by Lin, China recorded more than 82 million foreign entries and exits in 2025, up 26.4 percent year on year, while visa-free entries rose by nearly 50 percent. 

With the Year of the Horse around the corner, Lin said China warmly welcomes foreign visitors to celebrate the holiday in the country. He noted that flight bookings by foreign travelers to China for the Spring Festival period have surged by more than 400 percent in the past three weeks.

It is timely that China is acknowledged, recognized and celebrated! 

Super Saiyan Fish

A new fish species has officially been named Vanderhorstia Supersaiyan, and yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like: a nod to Goku’s Super Saiyan transformation from Dragon Ball Z. 

Goku going Super Saiyan during his fight with Frieza is one of the most famous moments in anime. 

Now, that golden aura has inspired the name of a real underwater creature. The goby’s bright yellow fin stripes immediately reminded researchers of the series’ glowing power-up, pushing them to give it one of the most anime-inspired scientific names we’ve ever seen. 

The species was detailed in Ichthyological Research after a single specimen was collected near Ishigaki-jima Island in Okinawa at around 210 meters deep. It’s a small fish, just 77 millimeters long, but its coloring is what makes it stand out. It sports vivid yellow stripes along its second dorsal, anal, and caudal fins, faint yellow spots on its head, and a series of diamond-shaped blotches down its body. No other known Vanderhorstia species has this exact pattern, which makes it instantly recognizable. 

Scientists say the “Twilight Zone” where it was found is still one of Japan’s least-explored marine regions. Even in low light, this goby shows unusually bold colors for a deep-water species, especially compared to its shallow-water relatives. 

The combination of depth, shape, and its unmistakable yellow markings convinced researchers it deserved the Super Saiyan name. The team behind the discovery directly credits Dragon Ball as the inspiration, noting that the bright yellow fin pattern reminded them of the iconic transformation. 

It’s not often pop culture ends up in official species naming, but anime fans have run with it online.

Cool China

Of late, "Cool China" has emerged as a new label used by some Western media outlets to describe the country. 

From The Economist asking "How did China become cool?" to news outlets like Reuters, The New York Times, and Germany's Die Welt picking up the concept for discussion, "Cool China" has been gaining momentum in the international discourse. 

In English, "cool" typically connotes "fashionable" and "attractive". 

For years, Western conservative media outlets have frequently used ideologically biased vocabulary to portray China. Yet now, "cool" has entered their lexicon. So, what has led foreign media to begin describing China with the word "cool"?

If we examine the origins of this concept, we will find that "Cool China" didn't emerge from a top-down promotion, nor was it manufactured by foreign media. Rather, it grew out of the spontaneous and genuine reactions of the overseas public, especially young people, who, after looking beyond layers of preconceived "filters", are finally seeing China as it is. 

Nie Shujiang, an associate professor at the Guangming School of Journalism and Communication of China University of Political Science and Law, told Global Times that he studied the concept of "Cool Britannia" in his doctoral dissertation in 2012.  He never imagined that, years later, Western media would begin applying the word "cool" to China. 

In his view, "Cool China" is essentially the result of Chinese modernization development over the years, evoking a heartfelt admiration from international audiences when they witness the progress firsthand. 

The rapidly evolving technologies, including open-source model DeepSeek, Huawei's tri-fold smartphones, urban drone-delivery networks, and a well-developed new energy vehicle infrastructure, have become an integral part of daily life in China. These everyday technological scenes continue to amaze the overseas public, especially younger generations, eliciting genuine admiration. 

Meanwhile, the contemporary creativity of Chinese culture forms another core dimension of what makes China "cool". As Zhang Yiwu, a professor of Chinese language and literature at Peking University, notes, by creatively transforming traditional culture and drawing inspiration from contemporary lifestyles, China is producing a range of "cool" cultural products that resonate beyond its borders, gaining popularity among young people in the West. 

The Chinese top-tier video game "Black Myth: Wukong" sold more than 10 million units globally in three days, Labubu dolls sparked long queues on the streets of London, UK and elsewhere and Chinese cross-border e-commerce live streams and micro-drama exports have reached scale – all of which underscore China's rising cultural influence. 

"Cool China" also benefits from an "open and confident China". In recent years, China has significantly relaxed visa restrictions for foreign citizens traveling to the country. Data shows that China's Beijing ports observed a notable rise among foreign tourists, with entries and exits totaling 5.78 million – a sharp increase of over 35 percent. Approximately 60 percent of these foreign travelers benefited from China's visa exemption or temporary entry permit policies. 

It is because China insists on sharing more opportunities and benefits with the world that people from all countries have greater access to experience an increasingly "cool" China. This also reflects China's deep-seated confidence, which is embodied in its willingness to allow content creators, entrepreneurs, and innovators from around the world to freely observe, authentically document, and engage in candid exchanges here. 

A "cool" China is awakening global interest to rediscover the country, significantly enhancing the international visibility and positive perceptions of Chinese culture. In fact, China looks forward to more international friends breaking through the information cocoons created by algorithms and the narrative traps set by Western media, personally experiencing a vibrant, open, and innovative China, and openly expressing that heartfelt admiration – "China is Cool!"

A respected Toastmaster. Farewell, dear friend! 

Note: Yat Seow passed away on November 29 in Adelaide, Australia.

2026 Happy Chinese New Year Celebration Mascot Unveiled

On November 25, China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism unveiled the mascot for the 2026 "Happy Chinese New Year" global celebration – the auspicious horse. 

The mascot and its related cultural and creative products will be widely used throughout the 2026 festivities, bringing new highlights to Spring Festival celebrations around the world. 

"The auspicious horse figure is beloved across cultures worldwide. We hope that through this mascot, overseas audiences can gain a more intuitive and emotional connection to the Chinese New Year, Chinese culture, and especially the zodiac tradition", Lin Cunzhen, head of the design team at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, told the Global Times. 

Drawing inspiration from the Bronze Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow in the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), which was unearthed in 1960s Wuwei, Northwest China's Gansu Province, the auspicious horse incorporates mane decorations referencing the Tang-era (618-907) wuhua (literally translated as five colors) horse style. Its primary color is Chinese red, complemented by classic motifs such as auspicious clouds and ruyi patterns (a symbol of good luck), embodying the warmth and festive spirit of the Chinese New Year. 

"The auspicious horse's mane is styled in five tufts. In traditional culture, wuhua ma [five-color horse] does not refer to color but to a decorative form in which the mane is arranged into five braided groups", Lin explained. 

"By adopting this classic motif, we aimed to give the horse a more dynamic, flowing look, while grounding the design firmly in cultural heritage", she added. 

During research, and following the advice of paleontologists, the design team selected the Zhada three-toed horse, an ancient equid that lived on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau around 4.6 million years ago and the highest-altitude ancient horse species known to science – as the biological prototype for the mascot, according to Lin. 

"The core function of the Happy Chinese New Year mascot is to serve as a cultural vehicle that helps bring Chinese culture to the world", Lin noted. "In the past, these mascots were used mainly overseas, but now they are increasingly appearing in China as well, including in commercial products and onsite events". 

Liverpool secured a much-needed 2-0 victory over bottom of the table West Ham United in the Premier League on Sunday. 

Florian Wirtz linked up well with Cody Gakpo, who crossed for Alexander Isak, and the Sweden international opened up his body before guiding his shot past the Hammers keeper on the hour mark. And the Reds wrapped up the win through Gakpo, who fired a half-volley into the back of the net in the 92nd minute.

This triumph allows the English champions to move up to eighth place in the table – three points off the top four.

Next, Liverpool play Sunderland on Wednesday in what is another big match at Anfield. If the Reds can make it back-to-back wins, they will look in a much better place.