diff --git a/tests/test_chinese_locale.py b/tests/test_chinese_locale.py
index cac42178..ac06bd04 100644
--- a/tests/test_chinese_locale.py
+++ b/tests/test_chinese_locale.py
@@ -79,18 +79,23 @@ def test_chinese_locale_block_exists():
 
 def test_chinese_locale_includes_representative_translations():
     src = read(REPO / "static" / "i18n.js")
-    expected = [
-        "settings_title: '\\u8bbe\\u7f6e'",
-        "login_title: '\\u767b\\u5f55'",
-        "approval_heading: '需要审批'",
-        "tab_tasks: '任务'",
-        "tab_profiles: '配置'",
-        "session_time_bucket_today: '今天'",
-        "onboarding_title: '欢迎使用 Hermes Web UI'",
-        "onboarding_complete: '引导完成'",
+    # Each tuple is a list of acceptable source forms for the same translation —
+    # either escape-encoded `\uXXXX` form or literal CJK characters. They produce
+    # the same runtime string; do not pin source encoding.
+    expected_alternatives = [
+        [r"settings_title: '\u8bbe\u7f6e'", "settings_title: '设置'"],
+        [r"login_title: '\u767b\u5f55'", "login_title: '登录'"],
+        ["approval_heading: '需要审批'"],
+        ["tab_tasks: '任务'"],
+        ["tab_profiles: '配置'"],
+        ["session_time_bucket_today: '今天'"],
+        ["onboarding_title: '欢迎使用 Hermes Web UI'"],
+        ["onboarding_complete: '引导完成'"],
     ]
-    for entry in expected:
-        assert entry in src
+    for alts in expected_alternatives:
+        assert any(alt in src for alt in alts), (
+            f"None of the expected forms found in i18n.js: {alts!r}"
+        )
 
 
 def test_chinese_locale_covers_english_keys():