China’s 474 million-strong consuming class is starting to wonder whether the price they’ve paid for prosperity is worth it, if money can’t safeguard health. Too severe to be ignored, environmental concerns in China are finally beginning to trump economic ones.

For decades, the karaoke bar dominated Chinese nightlife in both its erotic and more innocent forms. But as young megacity dwellers develop more sophisticated tastes in alcohol, music and social scenes, karaoke is taking a supporting role.

Brands from around the world are keen to appeal to China's evolving middle market. But what do Chinese people want from foreign brands, and how do they choose between them? We spoke to marketing professor Lily Dong to find out.

Is tea still the most popular drink in China? And do logo-centric brands still dominate luxury? In our 2014 / 15 cultural snapshot of China, we demystify cultural myths, shed light on the country’s economic outlook, and explore the emerging and established trends across eleven sectors.