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

Rising Tones

China’s Mercury Thermometer Ban Sparks Debate, and a Buying Rush

As authorities move to end production by 2026, households are split between safety concerns and trust in familiar devices.

Li Xin

China’s Tough New E-Bike Rules Spur Black Market Surge

New e-bike rules have triggered a rush for modified secondhand bikes that evade speed caps and registration requirements.

Fan Yiying

China Loves Zootopia’s Blue Snake. Now Fans Are Buying Real Ones.

Amid the sequel’s box office success, fans are flocking to e-commerce platforms to buy live vipers that resemble a new character.

China Taps Private Insurance for Costly New Drugs

China is asking private insurers to cover certain pricey innovative drugs, pushing toward a multi-tier health-care system that goes beyond state funding.

Jiang Xinyi

Reality Bites: Meituan’s ‘Rosy’ Delivery Ad Hits a Nerve in China

An advertisement by food delivery giant Meituan about the possibilities of delivery work has led to criticism that the ad romanticizes a profession known for long hours and time pressure.

After Exposé, China Probes Sale of Sex Dolls Resembling Children

Findings about the manufacture and online availability of childlike sex dolls across Chinese e-commerce platforms have fueled national debate and calls for stronger protections.

He Qitong

China’s Cliff Coffins: DNA Ties a 3,000-Year-Old Enigma to the Living

Suspending coffins on sheer cliffs is a mysterious and 3,000-year-old burial tradition. New genetic evidence shows how it may have spread in China and beyond.

Revised Law Sparks Debate in China Over Petty Offense Privacy

As part of a law amended earlier this year, China will now mandate the confidentiality of “administrative violations” relating to drug use, prostitution, and gambling, except in select situations.

No Free Lunch: China’s Takeout War Wraps Up Without a Winner

Meituan, JD.com, and Alibaba poured billions into subsidies. Now they’re pulling back after steep losses.

Chen Yiru

After Hong Kong Fire, China Orders Sweeping High-Rise Safety Check

The country has more than one million high-rises. Authorities face growing pressure to manage the fire risks as these buildings age.