China Faces Qipao and Sunflower Shortage Ahead of College Entrance Exam... Why?

Parents Show Support in Qipao on Exam Day
Sunflowers, Zongzi Keyrings, and Other "Good Luck Items" in High Demand

As the Chinese college entrance exam, the Gaokao, approaches, sales of traditional Chinese garments such as the Qipao, as well as sunflowers, rice cakes, and keyrings, have surged significantly.

On June 4, Chinese media outlet Qilu Evening News reported, "With the college entrance exam just around the corner, there is a boom in marketing products that are believed to bring good results for test-takers," adding that "sales of items wishing for exam success have skyrocketed."

Cheongsam available for sale on Chinese online shopping malls.

Chinese Parents Cheer Wearing Traditional Qipao

According to the report, online sales of the Qipao have increased more than fivefold over the past week. The character 'Qi' in Qipao is pronounced the same as 'Qikai Desheng,' which means 'victory as soon as the flag is raised,' so many parents choose to wear the Qipao on the day of the college entrance exam. According to industry sources, orders for custom Qipao usually begin about a month before the exam, but this year, Qipao featuring bamboo patterns are especially popular.

One parent of a test-taker said in an interview that she purchased three Qipaos to wear different outfits throughout the exam period. She stated, "The exam depends on my child's abilities, and wearing a Qipao won't raise their scores, but I bought it because I wanted to bring positive energy."

Sales Surge for Other Lucky Items with Similar Pronunciations

In addition to the Qipao, items such as sunflowers, Dingshenggao, and Zongzi keyrings are also popular. This is because the pronunciation of 'Kui' in 'sunflower' (葵花) is the same as the 'Kui' in the idiom meaning 'to become the top scorer at once.' As a result, sunflowers are in short supply every year before the Chinese college entrance exam. There are many cases where not only parents but also groups place bulk orders to show support.

Dingshenggao sold on Chinese online shopping malls.

Zongzi Keyring sold on Chinese online shopping malls.

The dessert Dingshenggao, which means 'certain victory,' is also a perennial favorite. Dingshenggao has become a major best-seller in the confectionery industry during exam season, with large supermarkets and well-known dessert brands quickly launching related products. China KFC released a limited edition 'Dingshenggao Box' set, offering 1.8 million units.

The 'Zong' in the traditional Chinese food Zongzi is pronounced similarly to the 'Zhong' in the word for 'passing' an exam, making it especially appealing to students. With the exam period overlapping with the Dragon Boat Festival, sales of Zongzi keyrings have soared.

The Chinese college entrance exam will be held from June 7 to June 10. According to the Ministry of Education, 12.9 million candidates nationwide are registered to take the exam this year. The Ministry of Education has called for cooperation with the Cyberspace Administration and the Public Security Bureau to reinforce security near test venues and crack down on the sale of cheating-related items. In particular, with the rapid adoption of AI-powered smart glasses, authorities are strengthening inspections of students' eyewear as part of efforts to prevent high-tech cheating.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.