WHAT’S HOT?WHAT’S NOT?

Village Watchmen Prevent Fires

For the past 26 years, residents of a village in Anhui Province have mobilized to protect its ancient architecture from fire outbreaks by patrolling at night, China Central Television Station (CCTV) reported in early September. Xidi Village is known for its Hui-style architecture – the iconic white-walled, blackroofed structures that dot the southern regions of the Yangtze River. Primarily made of wood, the buildings are vulnerable to fire. The fire watchers said there has not been a fire in the village since their watch began in 1996.

Revved Up For Relief

Over 1,000 motorcycle enthusiasts in Southwest

China’s Chongqing municipality are volunteering to transport supplies to firefighters battling wildfires in the megacity’s drought-stricken mountains. The two-wheeled volunteers are riding day and night in high temperatures to bring the much-needed supplies to the area’s remote mountains where roads are few. Many netizens said the volunteers’ actions have helped change the social stigma surrounding bikers.

Controversy a-brewin’

A Chinese coffee brand is in hot water over a slogan on its packaging that reads “every working mother owes their kids an apology.” Many on social media criticized Sobox Coffee for maligning working mothers and the slogan’s misogynist message. “Why can’t mothers choose to work and why don’t working fathers owe their kids an apology?” read one post. Facing backlash, the coffee brand said it will change the controversial packaging.

The 40-year-old Senior

A movie theater in Hebei Province apparently furrowed some brows after offering senior citizen discounts on tickets for people born between 1970 and 1985. A poster for the offer calls on younger people to bring the “seniors” of their family to see a film. According to the theater, the campaign aimed to attract families with young kids. Many in this 37-52 age group commented on social media that they never felt so old, but did not mind being called seniors as long as there was a discount. The theater responded that they just wanted to make a funny ad and have since changed it.