The Paris Olympics Bring Consensus Between China and the U.S
The First Handshake of US-China This Year: Air Conditioning
A meme that went viral on the Chinese Internet about air conditioning for the Paris Olympics.
The meme is basically saying, “Air conditioning is a lifesaver, and those who didn’t get it are in for a rough time.” It pokes fun at the organizers of the Paris Olympics who didn’t install air conditioning, leaving athletes of China and U.S. both to bring their own units.
China’s Milk Tea Market Shifts to 10 Yuan–Half Price of Starbucks
Recently, many of China’s leading milk tea brands have slashed prices by adjusting their menus, issuing coupons, and employing other strategies to combat the “10 yuan price zone.” From 2020 and 2023, consumption of new tea brands priced under 10 yuan(about$1.4) have increased by 20%, while the market share of those priced above 20 yuan(about $2.7) have declined by 30%.
The tea drink market in China has seen explosive growth, with over 30,000 stores catering to budget-friendly brands like MXBC, LUCKIN, COTTI, and others, alongside premium offerings such as HEYTEA and LELECHA, which are now resorting to subtle price adjustments to maintain their market share.
This surge is driven by the rapid expansion of tea drink options in China, offering consumers a diverse range including juices, coffee, new Chinese teas, English and Cantonese milk teas, and even diet beverages. Among the hundreds of brands, five have already been listed on the Hong Kong stock market. With competition intensifying, Chinese consumers are increasingly unwilling to spend more than $4 to explore new flavors.
Regarding this market trend, many Internet users have expressed agreement with the sentiment that “milk tea priced over 30 yuan is indeed too expensive and simply unaffordable.” The economic downturn has further contributed to a downgrade in Chinese consumption of milk tea drinks. As the result, the market has found a balance between taste and cost.
Misinformation Sparks Controversy of China’s Retirement Age Policy
Recently, a WeChat official account named “Regulatory Voice” published an article on July 21, claiming that “People born after 1990 will retire at 65, regardless of gender.” Screenshots of the article quickly circulated widely, sparking widespread outrage. The topic dominated Chinese social media, with nearly half of the top 50 trending searches related to it, and even unrelated topics were forcibly linked to the discussion. Casual chat groups were abuzz with jokes and memes about working until 65, imagining workplaces filled with elderly individuals.
Many Internet users have criticized the concept of working until 65, humorously imagining workplaces filled with elderly individuals. Memes have circulated, such as “A 64-year-old forgetting where the company is and getting sent home by the police,” “A 62-year-old forgetting their hearing aids and being scolded by a 26-year-old boss behind their back for three hours,” and “Requesting day-off to celebrate a 60th birthday, hoping for approval from leadership.”
These humorous anecdotes reflect the skepticism and resistance towards the idea of an extended working life, highlighting concerns about age-related challenges in the workplace
However, it was later revealed by a journalist that the account was fake. It changed its name and disappeared after causing a major uproar on the Internet.
Official documents do not specify a mandatory retirement age of 65, but the public speculation was fueled by expert predictions on addressing China’s demographic aging through delayed retirement policies. The gap between public perception and actual policy implementation could be significant. We will see if the picture that the office is filled with the elderly will unfold.