aging

She Picked Up a Computer Mouse in Her 50s — Then Defeated a World Champion

Visual stories that get up close and personal with contemporary China. A mix of short videos, documentaries, photography, and data visualization.

MULTIMEDIA

Lü Xiao

China’s ‘Old Man’s Joy’ Cars Test the Limits of Road Safety

Timely reports on issues and events from across China. Drawing on a vast range of sources, these succinct articles provide insights into the significance of each issue in a wider context.

NEWS

Low-speed vehicles once aimed at older adults are now widely used across China, prompting calls for stricter safety regulation.

Li Xin

Silver Is the New Gold: How Retail Is Adapting to an Aging China

A new wave of stores is blending design, comfort, and dignity as China’s older consumers become impossible to ignore.

Fan Yiying

His Fight, My Future? A Childless Daughter in China Reflects on Her Dad’s Decline

Translations, cross-publications, and collaborative projects from Sixth Tone’s external partners. 

SIXTH TONE ×

A struggling architect reflects on her 92-year-old father’s final fight for dignity and the pressures facing childless singletons in China’s aging society.

White Night Workshop

As More Chinese Seniors Live Alone, ‘Outsourced Children’ Step In

Promoted on social media, the growing market sees strangers hired to provide companionship and care for the elderly, sparking debate over safety and regulation.

A Day in the Sanctuary of Rhythm

At Shanghai’s “New Dream” dance hall, time stands still as dancers hit the floor, year after year.

Wu Huiyuan 

“Teacher, My Bot Has No Girl”: Inside an AI Class for China’s Elderly

As AI becomes a part of everyday life in China, seniors are struggling to keep up. One grassroots course is trying to close the gap.

Chen Yiru

As Debt Concerns Grow, China Halts Pension Loans for Farmers 

Several banks in rural China have suspended their targeted loan services amid concerns they were exacerbating debt among the financially vulnerable.

Golden Oldies: Aging Fans Fuel Pop Singer’s Comeback

Articles that cut to the core of contemporary China. In-depth, informed, and carefully crafted, every piece is carried by the voices of the story’s participants.

FEATURES

After a decade away from the spotlight, musician Dao Lang has struck a chord with middle-aged and elderly fans for his grassroots style.

Jiang Xinyi

In China, Tourists Can Take a Hike — Or Let a Robot Do the Work

Robotic exoskeletons are being tested at China’s top tourist sites, offering visitors AI-powered assistance to tackle steep trails and staircases.

He Qitong

At CIIE, New Tech and Wellness Products Target China’s Elderly

This year’s expo highlights a wide array of health and wellness products for the elderly, from therapeutic treatments to smart devices.

Sixth Tone

Chinese City Gives Workers Paid Leave to Care for Aging Parents 

Yangzhou has become the latest city to pass new regulations to address the social pressures created by China’s rapid population aging.

Ding Rui

China Approves First Retirement Age Hike Since 1950s

The gradual increase, starting in 2025, aims to address China’s shrinking workforce and the economic strain of an aging population.

Ni Dandan

Elder Care Graduates in Hot Demand in China

As China’s population rapidly ages, elder care facilities are scrambling to secure access to young talent.

China Signals More Flexible Real Estate Policies

At the crucial third plenum this past week, China’s leaders vowed to give local governments greater freedom to set real estate policy.

In China, a ‘Good Death’ Still Means Putting the Family First

Contributions from individuals with unique perspectives to share. Hear from everyone, from experts and commentators to those whose voices are often marginalized.

VOICES & OPINION

One professor has spent years asking Chinese people how they would like to live out their last moments, finding most emphasized the importance of their families, with little mention of personal choice and autonomy.

Tu Jiong

Is China Ready for Hospice Care?

Hospices remain rare in China. Those that do exist are often underfunded and overlooked.

Demand for Insurance Is Rising in China, Report Finds

Chinese household spending on insurance rose in 2023, with private pensions, health insurance, and pet insurance among the main growth areas.

Old Age, New Stage: On China’s TikTok, the Elderly Find a Second Act

As China grapples with a rapidly aging population, hundreds of new short video accounts have emerged detailing life in care homes. Many look to reshape perceptions and the stigma around elder care.