Summary: A man in Guangzhou was detained for extorting small restaurants by claiming to swallow metal wires. He used steel wool, demanded money, and targeted busy shops. Police warn owners to install cameras, verify claims, and call police instead of settling privately.
On the evening of August 22, 2025, a restaurant owner in Guangzhou encountered a "special customer": a man ordered a simple meal at a small restaurant, and suddenly claimed to have swallowed a metal wire while eating, with the wire stuck in his throat. He demanded the owner accompany him to the hospital for treatment, and asked for 500 yuan for medical expenses, 80 yuan for cigarettes and 20 yuan for transportation fees.
Anxious to resolve the matter, the owner initially intended to compromise. Later, when communicating with fellow restaurant owners, he found that two other shops had also been extorted by the man in exactly the same way, with the total loss of the three businesses exceeding 1,000 yuan. To prevent more fellow operators from suffering harm, the owner posted a video on social media disclosing the incident.
Upon receiving the clue, the police quickly identified the suspect Chen. An investigation revealed that starting from May 2025, Chen had targeted small restaurants with few staff that wanted to avoid trouble. He carried a steel wool scrubber for dishwashing with him at all times, mixed steel wires into the meals when the restaurant was busy, then pretended to be a victim and demanded money on the grounds of medical treatment and compensation, defrauding an amount ranging from 266 yuan to 1,480 yuan each time.
In just a few months, Chen committed multiple consecutive crimes using this method and has now been placed under criminal detention in accordance with the law.
The high incidence of such cases stems from the fact that suspects take advantage of the psychology of some restaurant owners who "want to avoid trouble and damage to their store reputation", and commit fraud in a low-cost and high-frequency manner.
Here we remind all restaurant owners to take strict precautions:
1. Operate in a standardized manner and strictly control the quality of meals;
2. Install surveillance cameras to retain evidence of criminal acts;
3. Refuse to compromise and do not rush for a private settlement. First verify the situation stated by the other party, and call the police immediately if any suspicious points are found.
At the same time, everyone must clearly understand that such "extortion-style" acts of demanding money are not simple civil disputes, but suspected illegal and criminal acts. The relevant provisions are as follows:
1. Crime of Extortion. According to Article 274 of the Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China, whoever extorts public or private property for a relatively large amount or commits extortion multiple times shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not more than three years, criminal detention or public surveillance, and shall also or separately be imposed a fine; whoever extorts for a huge amount or has other serious circumstances shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not less than three years but not more than ten years, and shall also be imposed a fine. In accordance with relevant judicial interpretations, extorting public or private property of more than 2,000 yuan to 5,000 yuan shall be deemed a "relatively large amount", and multiple acts of extortion may be convicted and punished without reaching the amount standard.
2. Crime of Fraud. If a suspect fabricates the fact of accidentally eating a foreign object for the purpose of illegal possession and defrauds business owners of money for a relatively large amount, he may also be suspected of the crime of fraud. According to Article 266 of the Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China, whoever defrauds public or private property for a relatively large amount shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not more than three years, criminal detention or public surveillance, and shall also or separately be imposed a fine. Judicial interpretations issued by the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate clearly stipulate that defrauding public or private property of more than 3,000 yuan to 10,000 yuan shall be deemed a "relatively large amount", and each province may determine the specific standard in light of local economic conditions.
Note: The Chinese version of this article is also provided for your reference today.
The Chinese zodiac (生肖 shēngxiào) is an ancient system with profound cultural significance. 2026 brings us the energy of the Fire Horse (火马 huǒ mǎ). As we gallop into the Year of the Horse, let's explore this dynamic and much-loved zodiac sign.
If you were born in 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, or 2014, this is your year — your 本命年 (běn mìng nián)!
Whether you're curious about the year's impact on your fortunes or fascinated by the horse's symbolism, our Year of the Horse guide will illuminate what makes 2026 special.
Understanding the Chinese Zodiac System
The Chinese zodiac operates on a 12-year cycle, with each year represented by a different animal.
However, it is less widely known that this cycle doesn't simply repeat identically every 12 years. It's actually part of a more complex 60-year system called the Sexagenary Cycle (六十甲子 liùshí jiǎzǐ), a fundamental component of the traditional Chinese calendar used to count years, months, days, and even hours.
The zodiac also interweaves with the Five Elements (五行 wǔxíng): Wood (木 mù), Fire (火 huǒ), Earth (土 tǔ), Metal (金 jīn), and Water (水 shuǐ). Each element combines with the 12 animals to create 60 unique year types.
This means that while the Horse returns every 12 years, a Fire Horse specifically only occurs once every 60 years. The last Fire Horse year was 1966, and the next (after 2026) will be 2086. Each time an animal returns, it carries a different elemental energy, creating unique characteristics and influences for that particular year.
For the exact timing of the zodiac-year transition in 2026 (which follows the lunar calendar, not January 1), see our Chinese New Year guide and the 2026 Chinese holiday calendar.
The twelve zodiac signs interweave with the five elements, creating the 60-year cycle of the traditional Chinese calendar.
Fire Horse Meaning in the Chinese Zodiac
The horse (马 mǎ) is the seventh animal in the overall cycle and represents freedom, passion, and boundless energy. In 2026, these traits combine with the Fire element to create the Fire Horse (火马 huǒ mǎ), a particularly potent combination in Chinese astrology.
In some traditional calendrical/astrology systems, the Fire Horse year is also associated with the label "Heavenly River Water" (天河水 tiānhé shuǐ).
This creates an interesting duality. While the zodiac horse embodies fire's passion and intensity, the year is also described (in some traditions) with water imagery—suggesting a year that balances powerful energy with graceful movement.
In 2026, it is believed that the fire attribute will bring innovation, revolution, and forward momentum, which are qualities often celebrated in Chinese idioms—like "马到成功" (mǎ dào chéng gōng), meaning "immediate success" or literally "success arrives with the horse." If you want more examples like this, see our guide to Chinese idioms.
The Fire Horse (火马) of 2026 blends the Horse's freedom and passion with fire's bold momentum—tempered by the year's "Heavenly River Water" energy (in some traditional systems).
Horse Zodiac Personality Traits
In Chinese tradition, zodiac animals are more than simple symbols. They are believed to influence personalities, behaviors, and a person's fortune.
Strengths and weaknesses
Those born under the sign of the Horse are known for their positive and free-spirited personality (积极自由 jījí zìyóu). Horses love adventure, detest constraints, and are filled with the drive to take action.
Their passionate and cheerful disposition (热情开朗 rèqíng kāilǎng) makes them naturally magnetic in social situations, though this enthusiasm can sometimes tip into impatience and impulsiveness.
The horse's independent and confident character (独立自信 dúlì zìxìn) means they set clear goals and pursue them with unwavering self-assurance.
Horse zodiacs also face certain challenges. Their tendency toward restlessness can make it difficult to see long-term projects through to completion. While they are natural motivators, they may sometimes act before thinking things through carefully.
Those born under the sign of the Fire Horse, in particular, may exhibit enhanced stubbornness and a heightened competitive spirit that can work both for and against them.
To celebrate Chinese New Year, families gather together to share delicious meals and decorate their homes with bright red and gold decor.
Meaning of the Year of the Horse in 2026
The horse's symbolism emphasizes movement and vitality. A common cultural belief holds that staying physically active and socially engaged helps align with the year's pulsing character.
Those familiar with zodiac principles often view this as an auspicious time for initiating new ventures and breaking from routine. This is the year to be decisive!
The horse's swift nature is thought to favor those who act fast when opportunities arise, though strategic thinking remains important to rein in some of that impulsiveness.
Many view the Year of the Horse as particularly favorable for striving toward significant goals or making life transitions. Whether it's in personal growth, career advancement, or new experiences, Chinese zodiac followers consider this a year of especially abundant opportunity for those courageous enough to embrace its adventurous spirit.
The Year of the Horse channels the concept of the "Dragon-Horse Spirit" (龙马精神, lóngmǎ jīngshén), a phrase that symbolizes vigorous energy, tireless determination, and a will to push forward. This expression combines the power of the Dragon with the stamina of the Horse to represent the kind of spiritedness that Chinese culture associates with this zodiac year. For more cultural context on dragons, see our guide to Chinese dragons.
Start a fresh project, explore a new country, or pursue a long-held goal. The Year of the Horse encourages harnessing the year's dynamic spirit.
The Fire Horse carries the momentum of innovation, composing a cosmic symphony of balance, transformation, and success.
For Those Born in the Year of the Horse
If you belong to the Horse zodiac sign, 2026 is your 本命年 (běnmìngnián), the zodiac year of your birth.
In Chinese tradition, one's 本命年 is considered a time of heightened vulnerability and (potential) misfortune. To ward off bad luck, customs advise wearing red (particularly red underwear, belts, or accessories), carrying small protective talismans, and visiting temples for blessings. (You'll also see red featured prominently during Chinese New Year traditions, including giving hongbao (red envelopes).)
In 2026, those born in 1990 (庚午年, gēngwǔnián, Metal Horse) will turn 36 by Western age reckoning and 37 by traditional Chinese age counting (虚岁, xūsuì, which counts a person as "one" at birth and adds a year at each Lunar New Year).
What's the significance of "本命年"?
One's 本命年 (běnmìngnián; the year of one's birth sign) is a significant life threshold (关卡, guānkǎ) requiring extra caution and mindfulness, occurring once per 12-year zodiac cycle.
In some folk astrology traditions, certain numbers and colors are said to be symbolically significant during Horse years. The numbers 2, 3, and 7 are viewed as auspicious, while 1 and 6 are considered less favorable. For related cultural context, see Chinese numerology.
During a Fire Horse year, colors associated with the fire element, such as red, purple, pink, and orange, are believed to strengthen energy, with green also seen as supportive through the generative principle of wood feeding fire (木生火 mù shēng huǒ).
Conversely, black and gray, which represent the water element (水 shuǐ), are traditionally shunned as water suppresses fire (水克火 shuǐ kè huǒ).
While these traditional associations need not dictate every choice, those who follow Chinese zodiac practices may choose to be mindful of these elements during important decisions or events.
Celebrating 本命年 (běnmìngnián), a pivotal year of heightened significance that calls for mindfulness and reflection as one navigates their personal zodiac cycle.
Horse Symbolism in Chinese Culture
Beyond the confines of astrology, horses in traditional Chinese art and folklore are celebrated as icons of success, speed, and nobility.
Many mythological tales helped shape these associations in Chinese consciousness, including the story of Emperor Mu of Zhou (周穆王 Zhōu Mù Wáng), who was said to have possessed eight legendary horses capable of galloping thousands of miles in a single day.
These horses carried him across vast territories, reinforcing the horse's connection to endurance, freedom, and the ability to transcend limits. Over time, stories like this influenced how the Horse came to be understood in Chinese culture, shaping idioms and zodiac interpretations.
Chinese Character for Horse (马 / 馬)
The character for horse is 马 (mǎ) in simplified form and 馬 in traditional form.
The character for horse is a classic example of Chinese pictographic writing. In ancient oracle bone inscriptions (甲骨文 jiǎgǔwén), it depicted a side view of a horse, emphasizing its mane and powerful legs.
Over time, the traditional character 馬 preserved this imagery, while the simplified form 马 minimized it for ease of writing.
In Chinese culture, the horse is much more than a zodiac sign; it is a timeless icon of nobility, speed, and success. The horse remains a powerful symbol of the drive to transcend limits and the endurance required to achieve greatness.
Learn Chinese in the Year of the Horse
The rich traditions of Chinese culture offer immersive insights into understanding the Chinese zodiac and beyond. As we enter this Fire Horse year of 2026, embrace the energy, vitality, and forward momentum it brings.
Whether you're curious about the language and lore behind concepts like 本命年 and 五行, or simply ready to embark on a fresh adventure that embodies the Fire Horse's bold spirit, our Chinese immersion programs make it easy to get started—many based in Guilin.
After all, what better way to honor a year of dynamic progress than by cultivating a meaningful new skill?
Vocabulary About the Year of the Horse
Chinese
Pinyin
English
生肖
shēngxiào
Chinese zodiac
马
mǎ
Horse
火马
huǒ mǎ
Fire Horse (zodiac)
六十甲子
liùshí jiǎzǐ
Sexagenary Cycle
五行
wǔxíng
Five Elements
木
mù
Wood (element)
火
huǒ
Fire (element)
水
shuǐ
Water (element)
马到成功
mǎ dào chéng gōng
immediate success
龙马精神
lóngmǎ jīngshén
Dragon-Horse Spirit
积极自由
jījí zìyóu
positive and free-spirited
热情开朗
rèqíng kāilǎng
warm and outgoing
独立自信
dúlì zìxìn
independent and confident
本命年
běnmìngnián
(One's own) zodiac year of birth
虚岁
xūsuì
traditional Chinese age
关卡
guānkǎ
life threshold / critical stage
About CLI
The Chinese Language Institute (CLI) was founded by a dedicated team of Western and Chinese educators in 2009. Drawing on years of combined personal and professional experience in China, they created an educational model that provides students a unique path to learning Chinese and understanding the PRC through a high degree of customization and complete immersion within a Chinese language environment. Based in the picturesque city of Guilin, CLI delivers a highly effective intensive Chinese Immersion Program, online one-on-one lessons, and custom travel programs for students of all levels and backgrounds.