The term 熊市 is a perfect example of China's integration into the global financial system. Unlike ancient concepts rooted in Chinese philosophy, the “bear” and “bull” metaphors for markets were adopted directly from the West in the 20th century. The key cultural point is the universality of the metaphor. The image of a bear attacking by swiping its paws downward is the same logic used in English to describe a falling market. This is contrasted with a bull, which thrusts its horns upward, symbolizing a rising market (牛市, niú shì). For a learner, this is a huge relief; there's no deep, alternative cultural logic to decipher. While the term is imported, its impact is deeply felt in modern Chinese society. China has one of the world's largest populations of retail investors (股民, gǔ mín), many of whom are deeply and emotionally invested in the stock market's performance. Therefore, talk of a 熊市 is not just abstract financial news; it's a topic of household conversation, anxiety, and a major driver of public sentiment about the economy. It directly connects to the financial well-being and aspirations of tens of millions of ordinary people.
熊市 is used frequently and is considered standard terminology in any financial context.