About Manya

Manya Koetse is a China social trend watcher and the editor-in-chief of What’s on Weibo, a website providing social, cultural & historical insights into an ever-changing China. She is a writer, public speaker, and consultant (Sinologist, MPhil) on social trends in China, with a focus on Chinese online media and digital trends, popular culture, and gender issues. Twitter: @manyapan
In short

I am a China social trend watcher and the founder and editor of www.whatsonweibo.com, an independent blog that sheds light on trends in China by closely following its social media, the latest digital developments & changing media landscape.

The unceasing interest for languages and cultures of East Asia has been the motor driving me throughout my studies. I previously graduated in China & Japanese Studies (Leiden University, Peking University), Literary Studies (University of Amsterdam), and completed my Research Master in Asian Studies (Chinese track, with a focus on Sino-Japanese relations). On my way to pursue a PhD at Leiden University focused on the representation of the Second Sino-Japanese War, I have halted my PhD project as What’s on Weibo is growing into a bigger platform that now requires all of my attention.

My experiences in China have resulted in an ongoing strong connection with this country, its language, people and culture. My academic interests are in social media and digital culture in China, popular culture, nationalism, and Sino-Japanese relations. I am also interested in women’s & gender issues, and like to concentrate on what is happening at the margins of (international) society.

Besides my activities as editor-in-chief and writer, I provide my services as a consultant, researcher, and public speaker on (consumer) behavior, social trends, digital developments & new media in China. Scroll down for more information about me and the media. Please ask permission if you would like to use my essays, pictures or journal content for anything other than personal purposes.

Voor Nederlands: Sinoloog Manya Koetse, spreker over China.

Media

Over de Moderne Vrouw in China Vandaag (VPRO Zomer Express)

(VPRO) – Vrouwen in China nemen steeds actiever deel aan de economie. Dat is een grote verandering in een land waar familie, huwelijk en kinderen altijd het hoogste doel waren. Hoe gaan moderne Chinese vrouwen hiermee om? We spreken erover met sinoloog Manya Koetse en Chinacorrespondent Eefje Rammeloo.

Why Chinese Filmgoers Won’t Be Seeing Christopher Robin (BBC World Update)

(BBC World Update) – Disney’s latest film Christopher Robin will not be released in Chinese cinemas. Manya Koetse speaks to Paul Henley at BBC World Update (see video by What’s on Weibo here):

Nieuwe Winnie de Poeh-film Verboden in China (NOS Jeugdjournaal)

(Jeugdjournaal) – De nieuwe Winnie de Poeh-film is deze zomer in bijna de hele wereld te zien. Maar niet in China. Volgens sommigen heeft dat te maken met de grapjes die er vaak worden gemaakt over de Chinese president.

Discussing Social Credit and Latest Trends on the China Experience Show (China.org)

(China.org) – In the latest episode of the ‘China Experience Show,’ an initiative by China state media outlet China.org, I was invited to talk to Bryan Michael Galvan about the most important trends we’ve seen on social media recently.

The Social Credit System (Asia Society)

(Asia Society) – Transparent citizens, police state, totalitarian rule: The catchphrases used to describe the Social Credit System (SCS) are oftentimes lurid. Manya Koetse of ‘What’s on Weibo’ on ordinary citizens’ lives under the Social Credit System.

De Disneyfabriek achter K-pop (NOS/Oog op Morgen)

(NOS/Radio 1, in Dutch) – Koreaanse popmuziek is al jaren populair in China. In Nederland raken we er nu pas bekend mee. Wat is het recept van het K-pop succes? Ik sprak erover in de NOS Studio.

Bij het Jeugdjournaal over Succes van Kpop in Nederland

(NOS Jeugdjournaal, in Dutch) – Boyband BTS komt naar Nederland! Waarom is een Koreaanse band zo popular in Europa en Amerika? Ik vertelde er over op het Jeugdjournaal.

China’s Controle op Werknemers middels Kunstmatige Intelligentie (Nieuwe Feiten/Radio 1)

(VRT1, in Dutch) – Chinese bedrijven experimenteren met nieuwe technieken waarbij werknemers helmen dragen die hersengolven monitoren – hoe zit dat en welke andere extreme vormen van controle hebben werkgevers en de overheid op werknemers en burgers? Ik sprak erover met Radio 1, Nieuwe Feiten.

In Gesprek met Wilfried de Jong over Verbannen Varkentje Peppa in China (Radio 1/Met Het Oog op Morgen)

(NOS, in Dutch) – “China boycot Peppa Pig! @manyapan weet waarom het onschuldige varkentje de ban in moet.” In gesprek met Wilfried de Jong. Kijk het fragment hier terug.

Chinese Kinderprogramma’s en Hun Boodschap (Wereld Vandaag/Radio 1)

(VRT1, in Dutch) – Belgium’s most popular producer for children’s tv programmes, Studio 100, will cooperate with Chinese producers to create new content for the Chinese market. What can they expect?

Peppa Pig Banned from Douyin as Icon of Chinese Online “Punks” (BBC World Update)

(BBC World Update) – Manya Koetse talking to BBC World Update’s Paul Henley on May 1st on the recent ban of Peppa Pig from Chinese short video app Douyin.

About the “Gay Content Ban” on Chinese Social Media Platform Weibo (BBC World Service)

(BBC World Update) – An announcement that Chinese social media platform Weibo would ban gay content triggered huge controversy amongst Chinese netizens. The decision was then reversed. I spoke about this remarkable issue with BBC World Service.

Daimler in Trouble in China over Dalai Lama Quote (BBC World Update)

Controversy over Daimler using a quote from Dalai Lama in their latest advertisement. I spoke about it with BBC World Update. Listen here.

End to the Two-term-Limit on Presidency in China (BBC World)

The possible end to the two-term-limit on the presidency in China has caused much controversy – I spoke about it with BBC World. Listen here.

The CCTV Gala Black Face Controversy (BBC World News)

(BBC World) – I joined BBC World News live to discuss this year’s CCTV New Year Gala’s controversy over a skit about Africa which many deemed offensive.

China’s Human Flesh Search Engine (Nieuwe Feiten/Belgium Radio 1)

(Belgium Radio 1) – From Studio Desmet in Amsterdam, I recently joined the Belgium national radio talk show ‘New Facts’ (‘Nieuwe Feiten’) to explain the phenomenon of China’s ‘human flesh search engine.’

Chinees Nieuwjaar – Hoe Zit Dat Eigenlijk? (Wild in de Middag)

(Radio 2, in Dutch) – In gesprek met Ruud de Wild over Chinees Nieuwjaar – wat houdt dat eigenlijk in? Kijk hier.

Interview – Interpreting Chinese Social Media (Caixin)

(Caixin) – Interview with renowned financial & economic online newspaper Caixin, about the founding of What’s on Weibo and a look back on the trends of 2017.

Interview – Digital and Social Trends in China (De Telegraaf)

(Telegraaf) – Interview with one of the leading newspapers in The Netherlands about What’s on Weibo and the latest digital and social trends in the People’s Republic of China. The entire article (in Dutch) can also be accessed online here.

Over Singles’ Day in China (Nieuwe Feiten/Radio 1 Belgium)

(Radio 1 Belgium) – For the radio program ‘New Facts’ [Nieuwe Feiten] I spoke with Radio 1 about the success of China’s Singles’ Day (11.11).