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

AI Study Rooms Are Filling China’s Tutoring Gap — For a Price

Promoted as a low-cost alternative to private coaching, study spaces are using AI-driven learning models and skirt strict tutoring regulations.

He Qitong

‘Red Ghost’ Algae Swarms China’s Coast, Threatening Marine Life

Residents in southern China report algae blanketing beaches as experts warn of increasing pollution, health hazards, and risks to fisheries.

Li Xin

To Dodge Phone Bans, Chinese Students Hide Them in Plain Sight

Students are using disguised water bottles, notebooks, and mirrors to sneak smartphones into classrooms, fueling a booming market for hidden phone gadgets.

Matryoshka Marketing: What’s Really Inside China’s Russian Shops

Regulators are cracking down on self-proclaimed Russian goods stores selling products from around the world — including China.

Chen Yiru

The Fish That Spun, Flipped, and Laid Eggs Aboard China’s Space Station

Four zebrafish spent 43 days in orbit aboard the Tiangong space station, breaking records and advancing space biology. In 2025, China will send more.

Jiang Xinyi

Chinese Actor’s Trafficking Ordeal Leaves Thai Tourism Reeling

The actor’s rescue from a trafficking ring has revived fears of cross-border scams, prompting Chinese tourists to cancel trips en masse.

Fan Yiying

Top Chinese Chess Players Banned in Widespread Corruption Probe

China’s sports authorities uncovered a decade-long match-fixing network in xiangqi, also known as Chinese chess, involving grandmasters, intermediaries, and the manipulation of rankings.

Positive Spin: Can AI and Algorithms Fix China’s Content Crisis?

Kuaishou is the latest platform to announce plans to combat mounting concerns over fraud, privacy breaches, and user manipulation.

In Shaanxi, a Long-Buried Han Dynasty Tomb Is a Study in Power

The tomb of a Han dynasty prime minister, found with gold artifacts and rare clay seals, offers insights into ancient feudal China.

Shigatse Earthquake: Over 120 Dead as Rescuers Battle Cold and Rubble

As officials warn of more tremors, rescue teams comb through collapsed homes in search of survivors, and medical experts and emergency supplies pour into the affected region.