I haven’t been back to China for over four years because of the pandemic. Now that things have opened up, I return at least once a year to visit family. Honestly, every time I step off the plane, I feel something different. I think it’s worth recording these feelings - not just as personal memories, but also a ground-level reflection and look at how Chinese economy and culture are shifting in real-time.
The Art of ‘Exaggeration’: Speed and Scalability
If I had to pick one word for China right now, it’s "exaggeration." By that, I mean an incredible ability to take an idea and make it significantly better, stronger, and faster in a way I’ve never seen anywhere else.
In the imperial era, China prided itself on the Four Great Inventions - paper, gunpowder, printing, and the compass. Today, it’s a bit more controversial; the original "seed" of an idea often comes from outside, but China absorbs it and makes it much more aggressive.
The AI Takeover: Look at LLMs. DeepSeek came out in 2023, following ChatGPT, but the way it has taken off in Chinese society is on another level. The government certainly played a huge part in this - Tencent’s AI app, Yuanbao, using DeepSeek's models, was a major sponsor of the 2026 Spring Festival Gala (the show almost every Chinese family watches on New Year’s Eve). Yuanbao gave out "red pockets" so frequently throughout the night that almost everyone was prompted to download it just to win money. Think about that: almost every person in the country (who is accessible to a mobile) interacted with an AI app in one night. Does the UK have that kind of coverage? I really doubt it.
The Content Ecosystem: Our social media is concentrated in just a few apps, and the recommendation systems are terrifyingly powerful. I was searching for AI news on Xiaohongshu (the TikTok-like competitor for Gen Z), and I was immediately hit with thousands of similar articles, which even prompted me to take a free AI Product Manager online course. I actually took it! The ecosystem is just so impressive. If you’re interested in something, you suddenly have 1,000 ways to learn it.
Robotics in Motion: This "exaggeration" is physical, too. At the Gala, I saw robots acting in a play with real humans and performing martial arts. Their movements - down to the fingers and joints - were so fluid. It’s a huge jump from last year when they could only dance.
The Coffee Culture: Even a simple cup of coffee is "exaggerated." In the UK, we mostly have the basics such as Americano, Flat White, Latte and Cappuccino. In China, every brand offers a massive range - 5+ types of flavored Americanos, 6+ flavored Lattes - and the menu changes constantly. You are totally immersed in options, and it’s incredibly cheap.
I finally understand why the job market in Asia is so competitive. With such a huge population and low labour costs, everything scales and "exaggerates" instantly. I do wonder, though: as the generation with fewer children starts to hit the workforce in a few years, will this hyper-competition finally ease up?
The Individualist Lens: The Weight of the "Human Society"
Looking at things through a more personal lens, I felt how much the culture can downplay personal growth - especially as a woman. China values family ties and human relationships so deeply that it’s "in the blood." You can never really just be alone.
Every choice you make is subject to judgment, and the intensity depends on who you’re talking to. It’s that same competitive nature I mentioned before, but applied to your life. It reminds me of university, where all your peers are competing for the same grade, but imagine that feeling extended to the entire society for your whole life.
The Marriage Comparison: My friend told me her mom is pressuring her to marry because a neighbour’s daughter is about to give birth. Her mom feels that girl is "better" than my friend, despite my friend having a higher income, better education, and a great personality.
The Mental Tax: In the UK, people keep their personal space. You have the freedom to choose without judgment or constant comparison. In China, my personal experience is that’s less likely. To survive it, your mind has to stay significantly strong and clear. You need massive self-confidence to block out the pressure, and I honestly wonder how long that can last for most people.
Final thoughts…
I’m proud of how fast China has grown and how quickly it’s leading in AI and tech. But I also see the struggles. It’s all about the choices we make regarding the lives we want to live. I feel very fortunate that my family is open-minded and allows me the freedom to choose my own path.
It brings me back to a book I’ve been reading, The Courage to be Disliked. It captures well what I’ve been feeling:
Your life is not something that someone gives you, but something you choose yourself. It’s not about what you are born with, but what use you make of that equipment. Life is a series of moments, and we should live in the "here and now."
A Note to Readers
These reflections are entirely my own personal opinions based on my specific journey and observations. This isn't about what is "right" or "wrong" in a society; rather, I hope these thoughts serve as a starting point to encourage you to reflect on your own experiences and create your own unique perspectives on the world around you.