economy

Swipe Right to Hire Me: How Tinder Became China’s Hottest Networking App

Articles that cut to the core of contemporary China. In-depth, informed, and carefully crafted, every piece is carried by the voices of the story’s participants.

FEATURES

Young Chinese are increasingly using the dating app to hunt for potential job openings amid soaring graduate unemployment. But the trend is sparking concern among the platform’s users — and inside Tinder itself.

Shu Xinrou

Many College Grads Drawn to Gig Work: Report

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

An analysis of job postings and résumé submissions on a leading jobs site has found that demand for “flexible employment” such as delivery driving and livestreaming has increased even as supply of such jobs has fallen post-pandemic.

Ding Rui

On the China-Laos Border, a Cautionary Tale of Hot Money and Wild Dreams

Chinese investors have poured money into the small Lao town of Boten, believing a new railway would bring massive growth. But the hoped-for boom has yet to arrive.

Cai Yiwen

To Rescue Its Devastated Tourism Sector, Laos Looks to China

Emerging from a pandemic-induced slump, Laos is leaning on a multi-billion dollar railway to revitalize tourism. A significant portion of its recovery blueprint hinges on drawing more visitors from China.

In a Post-COVID Laos, China’s Influence Grows Ever Larger

A new $5.5 billion railway is bringing a flood of Chinese investment to the Lao capital of Vientiane. After COVID-19, it’s desperately needed.

China Sets Up Bureau to Support Private Sector 

The bureau is the first national-level body dedicated to promoting private sector development.

China Raises Tax Breaks to Ease Burden on Young Families

The new policies will double tax deductions for families with children under three and provide increased deductions for elderly care.

Discount Duel: China’s Top Retail Giants Go Head-to-Head on Prices

With several traditional supermarket chains shutting shop, Sam’s Club and Freshippo are locked in a race to expand their market share and adapt to a new consumer landscape in Beijing and Shanghai.

He Qitong

With Graduate Jobs Scarce, Young Chinese Are Becoming ‘Full-Time Kids’

As China’s youth unemployment rate soars, parents are hiring their own adult children as “full-time kids” — paying them a monthly wage to clean, run errands, and take care of elderly relatives.

Ni Dandan

Zhang Han

Dip In Spending Kicks off Price War in China’s Fast-Food Industry

Discounted menus targeting the price-conscious are emerging across the country, leaving small eateries at risk in an increasingly price-sensitive market.

Price Drops Beckon for Money-Conscious Chinese Consumers  

Prices of meat and vegetables are flatlining in China despite serious disruptions to supply. Consumers are happy, suppliers less so.

Li Xin

Hostels in China Set Upper Age Limit for Guests, Spark Debate

With hostels in several cities refusing guests above the age of 35, many on social media said the move amounted to discrimination against this demographic.

Ye Zhanhang

To Boost Revenue, Bilibili Shifts Focus From Views to Watch Time

The platform’s new viewership display is aimed at boosting commercialization and enhancing revenue for long-video content creators.

Have Savings, Will Travel: Chinese Youth Go the Extra Mile for Higher Interest

Translations, cross-publications, and collaborative projects from Sixth Tone’s external partners. 

SIXTH TONE ×

Millennials in China today are traveling far from home to earn a few thousand yuan extra in interest as they go from big spenders to big savers.

The Paper

WeChat Pay Service Fee Triggers Backlash and University Bans

While the introduction of new service fees by WeChat Pay sparked widespread debate, the company apologized and said it was a “communication blunder.”

As Travel Resumes, WeChat, Alipay to Support Foreign Bank Cards

To register on such apps and use mobile payments in China, foreign travelers previously had to set up a Chinese bank account or have a local phone number.

How a Chinese Village Defied the Odds and Became a Climbing Hub

For years, international climbers and authorities were locked in a standoff over Liming’s sandstone cliffs. Now, the sport’s popularity and China’s success on the global stage have transformed climbing into a valuable resource.

Li Pasha

As IT Booms in China, Humanities and Arts Majors Struggle 

A new report shows that fresh graduates in China earned an average of 5,990 yuan per month in 2022, while IT graduates averaged 7,113 yuan.

How a Chinese Town Made a Fortune From the World’s Lockdown Pets

During the pandemic, millions around the world adopted cats and dogs to keep them company during lockdown. That produced a bonanza for a small factory town in eastern China.

Fan Yiying

Bordering on Recovery: Life on China’s Vietnamese Frontier 

Visual stories that get up close and personal with contemporary China. A mix of short videos, documentaries, photography, and data visualization.