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2023 WorldCon Kicks Off

An interior view of the Chengdu Science Fiction Museum, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, in Chengdu, Sichuan province, Oct. 17, 2023. It is the main venue for the 81st World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon). VCG

Class Clown

Literally meaning “eye-catching,” 显眼包 (xiàn yǎn bāo) and its variations appear in a number of Chinese dialects. The term became widespread online after Guo Beibei — a phenomenally popular internet celebrity who later lost her account for violating short video platform Kuaishou’s rules on “vulgar” content — began using it to describe herself. Now, it’s become a byword for attention-seekers, goofballs, and anyone who is willing to get weird for a like.

Sluggish iPhone

On Harmful Wildlife Releases

New Guangzhou Regulations Set to Curb Harmful Wildlife Releases

In a first for China, the new law prohibits the release of foreign wildlife, with certain species like the alligator gar and plecos explicitly listed. But native species can be set free with prior government approval.