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

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Over 20% of Children in China’s Cities Use AI Devices, Report Finds

Children’s toys and smartwatches with integrated artificial intelligence-powered chatbots are rapidly gaining popularity in China, sparking concerns among experts.

Ding Rui

China Confronts a Worrying New Scam: Vanishing Businesses

The owners of struggling gyms, beauty salons, and tuition centers are hiring professional “store closers” to help them suddenly disappear without a trace — and take their customers’ money with them.

Li Xin

Li Miaoran

China Approves First Retirement Age Hike Since 1950s

The gradual increase, starting in 2025, aims to address China’s shrinking workforce and the economic strain of an aging population.

Sixth Tone

Growing Wild: Why Young China Can’t Get Enough of Mushroom Hunts

Driven by viral social media posts, mushroom foraging has become an adventure craze among young Chinese. Yet as more flock to the forests, concerns over safety and the risks of wild fungi are rising.

Li  Yanshu

Fan Yiying

Elder Care Graduates in Hot Demand in China

As China’s population rapidly ages, elder care facilities are scrambling to secure access to young talent.

Huawei Takes a Bite Out of Apple With Rival Phone Launch

The tech giants are going head-to-head in China by launching new handsets on the same day. And the momentum appears to be with Huawei.

Some Chinese Regions Report Slight Bump in Birth Rate

The small rebound in births in the first half of 2024 is being driven by a mix of factors, but probably won’t last long, experts say.

He Qitong

43 Banned for Life as China Tackles Corruption in Football

The move comes following a two-year probe that uncovered a series of online gambling, match-fixing, and bribery cases involving 120 matches, 128 criminal suspects, and 41 football clubs.

In China, Extreme Heat Is Disrupting the Start of the School Year

Some Chinese schools are postponing classes and others asking parents to donate air conditioning units as an intense heat wave stretches into September.

Lin Liuhan

China’s Livestream Industry Has a Fraud Problem

Livestreamers are routinely faking sales data and selling counterfeit products to boost their profits, a new investigation claims.