{"id":13472,"date":"2024-01-04T06:30:40","date_gmt":"2024-01-04T06:30:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/focus.cbbc.org\/?p=13472"},"modified":"2025-04-23T09:03:26","modified_gmt":"2025-04-23T09:03:26","slug":"exploring-chinas-body-positivity-movement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/focus.cbbc.org\/exploring-chinas-body-positivity-movement\/","title":{"rendered":"Exploring China’s body positivity movement"},"content":{"rendered":"

For their latest market analysis paper, titled Health \u517b<\/a>, <\/span>Tong Global<\/strong> spoke to the <\/span>real women behind China\u2019s body positivity movement to uncover its origins and what it means for the future of health, beauty and feminism in the country<\/h2>\n

Last year, the hashtags \u201crejecting appearance anxiety\u201d and \u201canti-appearance anxiety alliance\u201d went viral on Chinese social media platform RED (aka Xiaohongshu<\/a>), with creators sharing authentic videos and unedited images and unveiling their genuine selves in front of the camera. In a cultural shift mirroring the established Western sentiment, body positivity has finally gained traction on China\u2019s social media platforms. From diverse posts showcasing unedited female bodies to championing comfortable clothing over runway trends, this movement is inspiring Gen Z social media users to embrace their unique sense of self, inside and out. Among them is RED user \u51bb\u611f\u5c0f\u9e45 \u2018donggan xiao-e<\/em>\u2019, a makeup KOC who, over the past year, has begun sharing videos dedicated to revealing her unedited and unfiltered natural features, including natural skin and acne marks. These videos are some of her most popular, with one reaching 37,000 likes.<\/p>\n

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Meanwhile, in London, Helena Yi, a fashion stylist renowned for crafting wearable mythical sculptures, is more than just a creative force. Committed to empowering individuals, Helena celebrates beauty in its myriad forms through her social media. Reflecting on her journey, Helena shares, \u201cI\u2019m never someone who fitted into the standard of beauty growing up, especially in China where the average size is smaller.\u201d Sharing her styling expertise on social media, Helena received unexpected support, realising that many people shared her doubts and struggles, regardless of their \u2018body size\u2019. \u201cSocial media has evolved into two different directions,\u201d she notes. \u201cThere\u2019s the \u2018very retouched\u2019 content fuelling beauty anxiety, and then there\u2019s the unedited side revealing our shared humanity and imperfections.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Helena Yi (Instagram\/@_shelenary_)<\/p><\/div>\n

A number of trends have emerged from China\u2019s new wave of body-positive content on social channels. The trending hashtag \u2018#laotoufeng\u2019<\/em> or \u2018old man style\u2019 embraces oversized men’s clothing and resonates with Chinese women who struggle to find clothes that fit according to typically petite Asian sizing systems. The recent \u201cbeauty duty\u201d trend, where young women in China are shaving their hair, refraining from spending money on makeup, wearing comfortable clothing and nourishing their bodies rather than starving themselves to meet society\u2019s ideal body type, can also be interpreted as a part of China\u2019s body positivity wave, representing a generation of women prepared to accept themselves as they are, and prioritise self-fulfilment over stringent beauty standards.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a shift from traditional values to more individualistic and self-expression-focused ideals,\u201d says Helena. \u201cBeing unique and creative is celebrated, thus leading to a more diverse concept when it comes to beauty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Beyond mere fashion, this trend reflects a broader social commentary, rejecting gender norms. The term \u2018weipang<\/em>\u2019, meaning \u2018a little bit fat\u2019, is gaining prominence as a symbol of body confidence, with the hashtag \u2018midsize outfit\u2019 on RED reaching over 7.8 billion views. This demand has led to the growth of \u201cMidsize Influencers\u201d characterised by bodies that don\u2019t conform to ultra-thin standards but also don’t fit the \u2018plus-size\u2019 label, who are challenging prevailing body image norms. Helena believes this is closely connected to Gen Z values and the increased globalisation that comes with social media.<\/p>\n