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

After Five Years, Chinese Travel Agencies Eye a Return to North Korea

The country briefly reopened to non-Russian tourists for the first time in five years in February, only to suspend entry again in March.

Chen Yiru

Chinese City Offers Families $13,800 for More Kids

Hohhot, in North China, says it will pay up to 100,000 yuan per child to families with three or more kids. 

Ding Rui

China’s Latest Health Trend? TCM Cocktails.

Bars are adding ingredients from traditional Chinese medicine to their drinks. But not all of their creations are safe — or legal.

Fan Yiying

Zest for Zen: Brands Tap Spiritual Shift in Young Spenders

As young Chinese turn to mysticism for luck and protection, companies are capitalizing with brand tie-ins and metaphysical products and services.

Li Xin

Li Miaoran

A Star Actor Tried His Hand at Teaching English. The Reviews Are Mixed.

The Hong Kong-based martial artist and actor Daniel Wu launched a spoken English course. Some fans aren’t buying it.

He Qitong

Love Without Labels: Chinese Revise the Rules on Relationships

More Chinese couples are opting for “situationships” over traditional intimate relationships as they put personal happiness ahead of commitment.

Zhou Hanchi

China Rolls Out Ambitious Weight-Loss Plan

China’s National Health Commission wants to open “weight management clinics” nationwide.

Jiang Xinyi

China’s Top Universities Want to Get Bigger. Literally.

Elite schools say they will enroll more students as the country tries to keep up in science and tech.

Two Sessions: Labor Rights, Child Safety, AI Scams Among Key Debates

Proposals on these issues have sparked widespread debate on social media, with related hashtags drawing hundreds of millions of views online.

Sixth Tone

China’s Antarctic Outpost Swaps Fossil Fuels for Hydrogen, Wind

The renewable energy system ensures stable power in Antarctica’s extreme conditions, and is estimated to cut fossil fuel use by more than 100 tons annually.