Nicholas Tse Photos Used as ‘Typhoon Amulets’ as Super Typhoon Ragasa Batters Asia

Super Typhoon Ragasa, the world's strongest storm this year, has caused devastation in the northern Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and southern China.

At least 14 people have died in Taiwan after a barrier lake burst in Hualien County, with over 120 still reported missing.

In the Philippines, there have been at least 10 reported dead, with several missing. Over 1.8mil people people have been evacuated in China's Guangdong province as Ragasa made landfall in the area. 

As of press time, the typhoon has weakened, but still brings damaging winds and heavy rain while moving towards northern Vietnam. 

In parts of Hong Kong and China, people have decided to use humour to cope with an otherwise scary situation. 

On Weibo, netizens have been posting photos of their windows and the unusual ‘amulets’ they’re using to ward off the typhoon — pictures of Hong Kong star Nicholas Tse.

Windows already crisscrossed with tape are now topped with printouts of the actor-turned-celeb-chef and his name.

Why Nic, you ask.

Nic’s Mandarin name, Xie Ting Feng (谢霆锋), is pronounced the same way as the phrase ‘thanks for stopping the wind’ (谢停风).

It seems many have caught onto the wordplay, with residents in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Dongguan posting photos of their new window ‘set-ups.’

‘I’ve pasted Xie Ting Feng on my window, hope this works,’ one netizen wrote. Another added: ‘Don’t worry guys, we have Nicholas.’

Whether or not the charm works is anyone’s guess... but if it brings comfort, that can only be a good thing.