China's 10 Most Popular Internet Searches Of 2016

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China's most popular search engine, Baidu, released a list of their top ten searches so far in 2016. Distinctively lacking in porn movie titles or K-pop idols, here is the list of most searched terms as released by the search engine giant:

10

Comprehensive Two-child Policy

China abolished it's one-child policy earlier this year, allowing Chinese families to have two kids. This most likely became a hot topic what with wives pestering their husbands about when they can have their second child.

9

Anti-Corruption

Keeping with his 2012 promise to purge the government of corrupt officials, President Xi has intensified China's anti-graft crackdown this year. Thousands of people have since been punished for their corrupt deeds inside the government, probably prompting officials to search for what gruesome punishment they'll get when Uncle Xi finds out they took that easy bribe. 

8

Internet Finance

Who doesn't want to skip the DMV-esque bank queues and avoid talking to the assholes that often work at your bank? Unsurprisingly more and more people in China are warming to the convenience of managing their finances online -- so it's not a shock that it's one of the most searched keywords on Baidu.

7

Artificial Intelligence

AI is on the rise in China. Self-driving cars and trucks are slowly commandeering the city's highways, and many speculate that China is now ahead of the US in the robot race. Even Pizza Hut Shanghai has installed robot waiters at their newest location.

6

Comprehensive Lifting of Hukou Application Limits

For all you laymen out there, China's Hukou system essentially requires citizens to register their household by law and determines where they are allowed to live. This rigid system has made it hard for individuals to leave their hometowns and find work in urban areas. Fortunately, China relaxed some of its restrictions earlier this year, making it easier for university graduates, skilled workers, and overseas returnees to resettle. 

5

Vaccine Safety

This past March, reports surfaced of an illegal vaccine ring that been operating since 2011. Apparently police had been aware of the gang for around a year before warning the public about potential health risks from the illegal injections. 

4

Business Tax to Value-Added Tax Reform

In a major reform, China expanded the tax system used in Shanghai since 2012 to go nationwide across all economic sectors. Value-added tax has replaced business tax, easing burdens for a reported 97 percent of tax payers. 

3

License Plate Lottery

In an effort to control traffic and pollution it causes, the government introduced a complicated lottery system that drivers must use to apply for a license plate. One man complained of applying 47 times for a Beijing license plate only to have very application rejected.

2

Skyrocketing House Prices

The real estate market in China has seen soaring prices ever since 2005. Apartments in major cities like Shanghai have seen such a huge increase in cost over the last ten years that many couples nowadays can only afford homes far away from the city center.

1

Rio Olympics

China had a bipolar Olympics this year. While the public was disappointed with Middle Kingdom placing third in the total medal tally, they were also enamored with irrepressible swimmer Fu Yuanhui and her adorable hilarious facial expressions. However, this was slightly dampened by diver Qin Kai's controversial marriage proposal and swimmer Sun Yang's feud with the Australian swimming team. 

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