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

RisingTones

China’s Latest Season of ‘Ride the Wind’ Goes Viral Due to Poor Performances, Drama

Marketed as a platform for female empowerment, the show casts famous women to compete to become part of a girl group. But its latest season is trending for different reasons.

He Qitong

Chinese Robot Runner Beats Men’s Half-Marathon World Record

The robot, named “Lightning,” was crowned the winner of the country’s second annual mixed human-robot half-marathon.

Chen Yiru

How an Influencer Made the Prefrontal Cortex Go Viral in China

A neuroscience Ph.D. student posted videos online to raise awareness about the brain region’s development. Netizens started using it to describe themselves.

Jiang Xinyi

In China, MBTI’s Unhinged Twin Asks About Constipation and Diarrhea

SBTI, or “Silly Big” Type Indicator, borrows the MBTI format but replaces introspection with absurd questions and irreverent personality types.

Fan Yiying

Chinese Supplement Brand Falsely Claiming to Be Australian Ignites Scandal

Spurred by netizens, a domestic investigation found that the company’s listed overseas production address was linked to an unrelated Australian auto shop.

Li Xin

China Issues Draft Regulations on AI Copyright Infringement

The draft comes amid growing pressure from the entertainment industry to combat “AI face stealing.”

The Chinese Restaurant That ‘Didn’t Want Fame’ and the Internet That Wouldn’t Listen

Netizens have become fascinated by the restaurant owner’s claims that his chicken causes diarrhea and that he doesn’t want to become too popular, as crowds flock to the restaurant from around the country.

China’s Tech Giants Are Recruiting High Schoolers

Citing insufficient talent in universities, tech companies are increasingly seeking out high schoolers to fulfill research and internship roles.

Yang Yang

Chinese Cities Are Issuing Housing Subsidies to Marathon Runners

Those who register or compete in specific races are eligible for discounts on homes in specific areas.

‘Blind Scoop’: The Online Shopping Craze Taking Hold of China

Fans of the product-reveal videos say they enjoy their healing, cheerful, and personalized nature.

‘The Dark Romance’: Chinese TV Series Spotlights Pickup Artists

The series is intended to raise awareness of psychological manipulation in relationships in China and alludes to several high-profile cases in the media.

Chinese Sites Are Selling Tutorials on How to Use AI to Create Porn

Though AI chatbots and apps are moderated for explicit content, using specific prompts, English, or vague wording allows users to bypass restrictions.

Ice, Ice, Maybe: China Drills to Record Depth in Antarctica

As part of the country’s 42nd Antarctic expedition, the drilling sets the stage for future research on sediment, biological evolution, and climate change.