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

In Hangzhou, a Dying Photographer Plans His Goodbye

A man who spent decades photographing others now becomes the subject.

Hu Jiani

In National First, Beijing Launches Dedicated Self-Driving Car Insurance

The new policies provide vehicle coverage for a range of autonomous driving levels, supporting consumers and delivering legal benefits for automakers.

He Qitong

High Rankings of China’s ‘Pursuit of Jade’ Draw Skepticism

The show’s popularity on international and domestic streaming services, combined with polarized comments online, has led some to doubt its true popularity.

China to Offer Expanded Legal Assistance to Vulnerable Groups

Minors, domestic violence victims, and people with disabilities, among others, may now seek procuratorial support in filing civil cases at no cost, lowering barriers to legal counsel and evidence collection.

Li Xin

Are China’s 8-Person University Dorm Rooms on Their Way Out?

Heilongjiang is the latest province to begin phasing out the living quarters, as the nation seeks to upgrade its student housing and eliminate crowding and dormitory shortages.

Chen Yiru

Shanghai Concludes Its First AI-Assisted Surgical Training Program

Doctors can choose between two training pathways to obtain AI-assisted surgery certification, granting them permission to provide cutting-edge surgeries going forward.

Fan Yiying

Fed Wrong? Chinese Scientists Question Lab Mouse Diets

Purified diets have long been used in lab animal research. But a recent argument posits that there may be a reason why successful animal research doesn’t always translate into the same clinical outcomes.

Jiang Xinyi

Controversy Erupts Over Chinese AI Actors in Upcoming Short Drama

The announcement has sparked debate on social media about the AI performers’ resemblance to real actors, as well as the potential impact on industry jobs.

Chinese Scientists Find Climate-Related Sleep Loss May Result in Economic Inequality

The study has the potential to inform fairer climate policy to reduce the effects of sleep loss due to global warming.

Chinese Regions Ease Weight of Biology and Geography on Zhongkao

As China seeks to curb student pressure, multiple regions have announced that the two subjects will no longer count toward students’ total scores on the notoriously competitive high school entrance exam.