Tracing the Trend, A TONG Podcast

In the first episode of series two of Tracing Trend, we explore the rise of experience travel in the wake of China's Zero-Covid restrictions. Chenyu Zheng is a best-selling author, business owner and travel-trail blazer. Feeling burnt out and disillusioned with the 996 lifestyle she found herself in working in finance and tech, Chenyu embarked on a new lifestyle, inspired by the idea of living locally. Her experiment, 365 days on Airbnb, led to the creation of her book, "606 Days Without a Lease," in which Chenyu documents her fascinating exploration of the sharing economy, the highs and lows she experienced and how this altered her approach to life.

  It's the world's largest market for clean beauty, so it's no surprise that in China, both foreign and domestic brands are adapting and evolving in a bid to appeal to a new segment of increasingly conscious consumers. Largely driven by millennial and Gen-Z consumers, the growing movement is presenting an opportunity for beauty brands to reposition themselves as more than simply effective skincare, but standing for a more important purpose.  In this episode we're joined by Lisa Shiqi Yi founder of GENLAB, a brand incubator specialising in emerging beauty brands, as we delve under the skin of the most important shift in the Chinese beauty landscape.

In this episode, we talk with the London-based Chinese-language sci-fi reading group founder, Guangzhao, and another key member, Stella. They take us through how their group Sci-fi in London has brought together young Chinese studying and living in London through a shared interest. Chinese sci-fi is an exciting window on contemporary issues in China and the genre is gaining traction across the world, with the hit novel "Three Body Problem" currently being adapted into a TV series set to air on Netflix. Find out how Guangzhao and Stella developed a home away from home through cultural exchange, social bonding, and technology as they chat with co-hosts Stefan Harvey and Rebecca Miller.

In the first episode of the second series of Tracing the Trend, we explore China's ballroom and vogueing scene, hearing from voices on the ground. Bazi and Hal, active members in the queer ballroom community, help us gain an insight into the scene's cultural significance, how it empowers local queer youth, and what it means for Chinese society. Tune in to hear moving personal stories combined with cutting-edge fashion and radical realness.   Follow us and join the conversation: Instagram: @tongglobal Twitter: @tong_global www.tong.global

In the wake of the pandemic, China's travel restrictions have created a surge in young people seeking joys on home turf, causing tourism revenues in the hot-spot of Hainan Island to surpass those recorded pre-pandemic. The activity taking centre stage is surfing. What was once known as a ‘dirty pastime', the sport has undergone a revamp especially since it joined the lineup of competitive sports for Tokyo 2020. With surf enthusiasts now living, competing and flocking to the island, this destination is shaping its own culture, nurturing diverse communities and activities unique to the country. In this episode, we are joined by Darsea Liu, China's first female professional surfer and ocean conservationist. Follow us and join the conversation: Instagram: @tongglobal Twitter: @tongdigital www.tongdigital.com

The past few decades of economic growth has impacted China's countryside, characterised by the mass migration of people to cities and metroplexes that represent wealth, aspiration, and greater opportunities. While there is a prevailing image amongst many urbanites of the countryside as being disconnected and stagnant, attitudinal shifts and growing mobility instigated by Covid-19 are transforming these views. In this episode, we examine China's young people returning to nature in the short and long term seeking adventure, solace, and escapism from their working city lives. Our guest speaker for this episode is Mei Zhang, founder of WildChina, pioneering sustainable travel and off-the-beaten-path experiences. Follow us and join the conversation: Instagram: @tongglobal Twitter: @tongdigital www.tongdigital.com

Alcohol has shaped Chinese culture for thousands of years, influencing art, philosophy, politics and tradition. More recently, increasing alcohol consumption has been tied to changing political and economic conditions, with young Chinese consumers increasingly willing to try new drinks such as whisky, beer and wine. Whilst Baijiu remains the favourite tipple for many, sales are declining as a new generation of drinkers continue to associate it with business and banqueting culture. In this episode, we examine the preferences for alcoholic beverages in terms of taste and environment, paying particular attention to the major players reclaiming and reinterpreting Baijiu for the next generation. Our guest speaker for this episode is Bastien Ciocca, cofounder of San You and Hope & Sesame, awarded China's Bar of the Year 2020. Follow us and join the conversation: Instagram: @tongglobal Twitter: @tongdigital www.tongdigital.com

This special episode from Eastern Margins, TONG and China-Britain Business Council is a journey of new perspectives and inspiration through the lens of music from different corners of China's vast contemporary creative scene and youth culture today. A collection of interviews, beats and soundscapes, we dive into the intersection of music and tradition with TempleRat from Nanchong, before zooming through the impact of rapid urbanisation on the electronic scene in Shenzhen by Warmchainss. British-born artist Harikiri explains how he infiltrated and helped build the rap scene in Chengdu and finally, Shanghai native Difan provides insight into the impact of China's breakneck digital-tech innovation on music. Our host for this episode is Anthony Ko from Eastern Margins, a music collective dedicated to platforming music from the Margins of East & South-East Asia and the diaspora. Follow us and join the conversation: Instagram: @tongglobal Twitter: @tongdigital www.tongdigital.com

From public messaging to commercial advertising and the space in between, the media depiction of women in China continues to change and evolve. In our latest podcast, we explore the intersection and impact of politics, economics, society and culture on female representation. Whether through ‘The New Woman' of the 1930s, or the rising 'She Economy' of the late 2000s, we dive into some of the communications successes and failures that serve as a window on to the changing position of women in China. Our guest speaker for this episode is Elva Zhu, a commercial video producer and filmmaker for brands such as Adidas, AirAsia and Huawei across Chinese and Western markets. Follow us and join the conversation: Instagram: @tongglobal Twitter: @tongdigital www.tongdigital.com

As COVID-19 erupted in Wuhan last year, China's state-run People's Daily released a video showing a group of infected doctors and patients dancing in a makeshift hospital. This dance, referred to as Public Square Dancing or 广场舞 (guangchang wu) gained attention across China and beyond, raising questions and commentary on this genre's role in self-expression, building community, health and well-being historically and the part it plays today. Whilst the pandemic has brought exposure to this popular pastime, we dig a little deeper to understand the origins of Public Square Dancing, and why it's synonymous with older women in Chinese society. As a country ageing faster than any other in modern history, those over fifty make up a sizeable segment that has garnered attention from academics, policy-makers, and organisations alike.  In our second episode, we are joined by Ruohan Chen, co-author of 'The People's Dance: The Power and Politics of Guangchang Wu' and a teacher of Chinese dance. Follow us and join the conversation: Instagram: @tongglobal Twitter: @tongdigital www.tongdigital.com

China is home to the world's largest gaming industry with League of Legends considered as the country's third most popular professional sport. We examine the communities and spaces in which grassroots esports originated - China's internet cafes. As neighbourhood places to congregate, they appealed to certain members of society despite negative criticisms and strict policies, gaining recognition in recent years as a hotbed for gaming talent. Internet cafes and esports seem inextricably linked but are the lockdowns in 2020 starting to affect this relationship? Our guest speaker for this episode is Karen Chiu, a technology journalist at SCMP who regularly covers social media, internet culture, games and the everyday experiences of netizens in China. Follow us and join the conversation: Instagram: @tongglobal Twitter: @tongdigital www.tongdigital.com

TONG is on a mission to create a more informed and connected global society. Fascinated by people, markets, attitudes, behaviours and digital as the new frontier, our aim is to provide an insider's perspective on the things in China that need more explanation. From Daigous to Diaosi, Square Dancing to Shanzhai, we explore the historical, political and anthropological origins of phenomena past and present across Chinese society and culture. A conversation filled with expert analysis, opinions on the ground, TONG voices and many open-ended questions, our goal is to create discussion and spark curiosity. Follow us and join the conversation: Instagram: @tongglobal Twitter: @tongdigital www.tongdigital.com