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

news

China Busts Fetal Sex Testing Rings Smuggling Blood Samples

Authorities say the rings shipped more than 100,000 pregnant women’s blood samples out of the mainland for sex tests banned under Chinese law.

Jiang Xinyi

New Chinese Study Links City Childhood to Early Puberty in Girls 

Based on brain scans and survey data from nearly 3,000 young women, researchers used age at first menstruation and personality tests to examine how urban childhood environments shape development.

Chen Yiru

After Decades of Heavy Use, China Curbs Road Deicing Chemicals

Amid growing environmental concerns, Beijing and other pilot cities are moving to ban or curb the use of snow-melting chemicals.

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

China Mandates Registration, Real-Time Tracking for Civilian Drones

New rules, set to take effect in 2026, aim to curb airspace violations by requiring drones to transmit real-time flight data from takeoff to landing.

He Qitong

China Probe Faults Hospital in Baby’s Death After Heart Surgery

An infant died following a routine cardiac surgery in November. Now, the results of an investigation into her death reveal medical malpractice.

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.

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.