1 . Be honest: how often does your social media scrolling lead to shopping? And how many of those things that TikTok made you buy did you actually need? Enter de-influencing, the TikTok trend flipping (颠覆) influencing on its head — and aiming to save our bank balances in the process.

De-influencing is the TikTok trend with hundreds of millions of views that’s challenging the hype (炒作) around so-called popular products by telling you what you shouldn’t buy, instead of what you should. It’s a response to a few different things, including a general feeling of overconsumption (you don’t need more stuff just because TikTok says you do) and the cost of living crisis.

It sounds progressive, but once you scratch the surface, there isn’t a huge difference between influencing and de-influencing. “De-influencing is a bit of a false product,” says Kendall. “It’s still influence but it’s telling people what not to buy.”While TikTokers may be warning consumers away from expensive or well-known products, some continue to influence by telling consumers what they should buy instead. For example, buying a heated roller set on Amazon over the Dyson Airwrap — this is still suggesting products with sweeping promises.

Ironically speaking, de-influencing is a good strategy for influencers and brands. Rising living costs mean consumers are less likely to spend a huge amount of money on big-ticket items, which means the influencers promoting them are less likely to generate income. Turning to promoting cheaper products plays into the so-called “Lipstick Effect,” where people treat themselves to little luxuries, instead of addictions, during times of economic uncertainty.

What is different about de-influencing is encouraging consumers to take a moment to think about whether they need a product and whether it’s right for them versus whether they’re simply being influenced because it’s new, popular, or exciting. This is part of a bigger movement in beauty. “There is also the reduction of regimens, the ingredient diet, the skin minimalism, and the stripping back of excess linked to sustainability and over-consumption,” says Kendall. “This is a positive approach to marketing.”

4 . Mu Sa, a livestream host from Zhongning, Ningxia, demonstrates how the Internet has transformed many young unemployed people into useful talents contributing to society.

After graduating from university. Mu worked as an office clerk in Shanghai, a marketing assistant in Beijing and a data analyst in Hangzhou. Each time he struggled to realize his dream in big cities. However, Mu found that what touched him most was the strong feeling of homesickness. Mu returned home to seek chances.

Depressed, Mu thought of himself a “failure” at first. However, he was not deterred by his difficulties and quickly lifted himself up. Mu decided to create short videos about local people’s daily lives and uploading them online. A video clip showing his mother cooking local food turned out to be a surprise hit, which inspired Mu to carry on. He gradually found that village-related content was popular among his followers. Since then, his families, friends and neighbors, their small courtyards, chickens, sheep, and vast fields have all become the subjects of Mu’s camera lens. Many fans know about his hometown through Mu’s work.

As his work attracted more and more followers, Mu started promoting local specialties on his account. The sesame oil, wolfberries and tea he sold on his first day totaled 700,000 yuan. The popularity of local specialties consolidated his confidence that he could work as a “salesman” for the agricultural produce. With more than 5 million followers on social networking websites, Mu has become the No.1 “salesman” in Zhongning county, helping his fellow-villagers to sell local specialties online.

In January, Mu was invited to take part in a program at China Central Television in Beijing. Possessing millions of fans on social media, Mu still felt nervous sitting in tront of the camera in the studio. “Although livestream host is a common job, as long as I. can take advantage of the platform to do something for my hometown, rather than only for myself, I think I can do an extraordinary job,” said Mu.

The National Healthcare Security Administration said on Monday that the coverage of China’s basic medical insurance is stabilized at over 95percent. It also said that the quality     1     the system had continuously improved.

Data from the administration show that from 2003 to 2023, the government’s     2     (contribute) to basic medical insurance for rural and non-working urban residents rose faster than the personal part,     3     offers further support for low-income households and other people in need.     4     (specific), if an ordinary resident is insured continuously from 2003 to 2023, the individual contribution is 2,640 yuan (about 371. 9 U. S. dollars),     5     (account) for about 30 percent of the total insurance expenses.

Throughout the years, a total of 744     6     (drug) have been added into the medical insurance catalog, and more than 80 percent of innovative drugs can     7     (include) within two years after entering the market. Currently, the compensation rate for inpatient medical bills     8     (cover) by basic medical insurance for rural and non-working urban residents is about 70 percent. In 2023, individuals     9     (pay) 349.7 billion yuan of the total insurance expenses of basic medical insurance for rural and non-working urban residents, while the government subsidy (补贴) was nearly 697.8 billion yuan. In this year’s government work report, the government committed to improve medical services with     10     patient-centered approach.

9 . In China, people call a man of great virtue a gentleman. In the world of flowers, plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo and chrysanthemums are known as the four gentlemen in China because these plants’ natural characters have something in common with human virtues.

Plum blossoms

Plum blossoms are cold-resistant flowers that bloom in early spring and together with pines and bamboos they are considered as the “three trends in winter” “Without going through the bone-chilling cold, how can the plum blossom smell fragrant?” By praising the strong character of plum blossoms, the motto poem aims to inspire people to overcome difficulties and make achievements with firm determination.

Orchids

Orchids are one of the top ten well-known flowers in China. With delicate fragrance refreshing people’s minds, and the elegant figures swaying slightly in the wind, orchids are equal to elegance in Chinese people’s eyes. It is said that Su Shi, a famous poet in Song Dynasty, once painted orchids with some thorns between them, implying that a gentleman can put up with a mean person.

Bamboo

In traditional Chinese culture, bamboo is a metaphor of energy, elegance, plainness, longevity and perseverance. Their firm and unbeatable willpower was admired by many ancient literati (文人). Famous poet Su Shi once wrote down “Rather eat without meat than live without bamboo” in his poem to express his deep love for bamboo.

Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemum is a traditional flower loved by Chinese people. When nearly all the flowers are dried-up and bare in late autumn, only the chrysanthemums resist the heavy frost and bloom energetically in graceful shapes and bright colors. Chrysanthemums have been given more meanings under the pen of literati. The most well-known poem about chrysanthemums comes from the amous poet Tao Yuanming. Drinking, showing the leisure of Tao’s reclusive life.

10 . Formula One Lenovo Chinese Grand Prix 2024

From April 19 to 21, the much-anticipated 2024 Formula One Lenovo Chinese Grand Prix will come alive with the roar of engines at the Shanghai International Circuit. Details about tickets for the event are as follows.

Ticket Price:

[Grandstand]              [Session]                                        [Price (RMB)]

A Platinum                    3 Day Ticket                                        3880

• A High                    3 Day/Fri./Sat./Sun. Ticket              2880/490/890/2490

• A Low                    3 Day/Fri./Sat./Sun. Ticket              2280/390/690/1990

• H/K                           3 Day/Fri./Sat./Sun. Ticket              1480/290/590/1290

• C/F/J/L                    3 Day Ticket                                        480

Ticketing Instructions:

• This event adopts electronic tickets with one ticket per person. Children require a full-priced ticket, and children under the age of three are not allowed entry.

• For each session of this event, a maximum of 4 tickets per mobile phone number and 1 ticket per ID card number can be purchased. When purchasing tickets, buyers must provide the audience’s real name, a valid personal ID, and a valid mobile phone number. After a successful purchase, ticket purchasers should retain e-ticket seat information appropriately.

• Ticket refunds can be requested without fees from the date of purchase until 24: 00 on February 29, 2024. From 00:00 on March 1, 2024, to 24: 00 on April 15, 2024, refunds will invite a 10% handling fee. No refunds will be accepted from 00: 00 on April 16, 2024. Returned within 7 working days.

• This event implements real-name verification with ID card and facial recognition for entry.

• The schedule and arrangement of the competition may be subject to changes, and please stay tuned to Formula One Lenovo Chinese Grand Prix official WeChat and Weibo for the latest information.