Trending Now: China's Social Media Highlights #31Mar-6April#
- Alice
- Apr 7
- 2 min read
Image Source: Weibo
China’s Embassy in Japan Issues Travel Safety Alert The Chinese Embassy in Japan warns of increased risks for tourists including telecom fraud, traffic incidents, and safety disruptions. As Japan gears up for peak travel season and the Osaka Expo, vigilance is urged. According to China Trading Desk, 2.12 million Chinese visitors are expected in Japan over the next six months.
Image Source: Baidu
China Passport’s Global Mobility Improves China’s passport gains new ground as more countries, including Samoa, sign mutual visa exemption agreements. The outbound tourism market is recovering robustly, nearing 2019 levels at 146 million trips in 2024.
Douyin
Myanmar Earthquake Kills 3 Chinese Citizens A 6.0+ magnitude earthquake in Myanmar has led to fatalities and injuries among Chinese nationals. User sentiment on Douyin remains measured but underscores concern around travel safety in the region.
Tonga Earthquake Sparks Tsunami Risk A 7.3 magnitude quake hit Tonga on March 30, raising tsunami concerns. Chinese travellers are advised to monitor updates before planning South Pacific itineraries.
China’s Consumer Market Sees Steady Growth in Early 2025 Travel, transportation, and leisure demand continue to rise as household confidence improves. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, total retail sales of consumer goods reached ¥8.37 trillion during Jan–Feb, up 4.0% year-on-year, with growth accelerating by 0.5 percentage points from last year.
Japan’s Megaquake Risk Update Japan’s Meteorological Agency released an updated megaquake risk assessment for the Nankai Trough. Potential damage could reach ¥292 trillion with casualties up to 298,000. This poses implications for both travel and investment.
Xiaohongshu
UK Visa Fee Hikes Coming in April 2025 All UK visa categories—including tourist, student, and work—will see increased fees. Despite this, Oxford Economics predicts Chinese traveller volumes and spending will rebound to pre-pandemic levels.
Thailand Emerges as Budget Hotspot Xiaohongshu users are favouring Thailand’s beaches like Bangkok and Phuket for affordable, relaxing getaways. Posts emphasize the “no worries, just fun” theme, suggesting renewed interest in SEA travel.
Spring-Summer Japan Fireworks Guide Hanabi season in April–May is drawing attention. Travel agencies are pairing Tokyo and Osaka flower/firework itineraries with guided Chinese-speaking tours—great for travellers wary of language barriers.
Baidu
Japan’s Megaquake Loss Estimate: ¥292 Trillion This reiterates the Douyin concern, but search activity surged this week on Baidu. The risk is influencing tour cancellations and insurance discussions among prospective tourists.
Offline Retail Lifts Travel Spending Offline consumption rose 14.2% YoY, driving momentum in tourism-related sectors like retail, hospitality, and transportation.
Image Source: Baidu
“Economic ID” Boosts Travel Convenience
With 1.16 billion Chinese citizens now in the national credit registry, positive credit records are enabling easier access to visas, travel services, and hospitality perks.
Comments