

Yao Ming's smiling emoji has emerged frequently in local traffic signs to remind people the road ahead is one-way. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)
In Everyday Use Abroad
This is not the first time the Chinese emoji takes the world stage. Earlier this year, one emoji from the Chinese basketball celebrity Yao Ming has been spread through the Middle East region. In Luxor, a city in southern Egypt, Yao's smiling emoji has emerged frequently in local traffic signs to remind people the road ahead is one-way.
And you may be surprised to find that many locals do not know Yao Ming but are familiar with his emoji and nickname "Chinese Funny Face". What's more, the emoji has been picked up by the Egyptian English-language daily newspaper Egyptian Gazette as the title picture for its humorous column Serious but Funny.
What's more, due to the huge influences of Chinese Sina Weibo, the Chinese version of Twitter, many renowned western celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and Madonna have opened their personal accounts on the platform.
Many Chinese fans are excited about this and now choose to greet them with their own funny pictures, a behavior arousing the attention of foreign media. American private Internet media company BuzzFeed reported on the cultural phenomenon.

Many renowned western celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and Madonna have opened their personal accounts on Sina Weibo. (Photo/Weibo)
As a newly emerging online language, emojis have risen to become an integral part of people's daily life. Emojis are able to help people express their views in a more vivid and precise fashion. Also, it can help foreigners learn about Chinese culture and learn the language.
As Chinese emojis have slowly entered the world stage, how to properly use "the fifth innovation in China", a humorous name for emojis, without hurting others and how to turn them into commercial advantages still need answers.
![]() |
Fire brigade in Shanghai holds group wedding
Tourists enjoy ice sculptures in Datan Town, north China
Sunset scenery of Dayan Pagoda in Xi'an
Tourists have fun at scenic spot in Nanlong Town, NW China
Harbin attracts tourists by making best use of ice in winter
In pics: FIS Alpine Ski Women's World Cup Slalom
Black-necked cranes rest at reservoir in Lhunzhub County, Lhasa
China's FAST telescope will be available to foreign scientists in April
"She power" plays indispensable role in poverty alleviation
Top 10 world news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 China news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 media buzzwords of 2020
Year-ender:10 major tourism stories of 2020
No interference in Venezuelan issues
Biz prepares for trade spat
Broadcasting Continent
Australia wins Chinese CEOs as US loses