policy

China’s Mercury Thermometer Ban Sparks Debate, and a Buying Rush

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

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.

Fan Yiying

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.

Jiang Xinyi

After Hong Kong Fire, China Orders Sweeping High-Rise Safety Check

The country has more than one million high-rises. Authorities face growing pressure to manage the fire risks as these buildings age.

How China Unlocked a West African Mine to Reshape the Global Iron Ore Trade

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

SIXTH TONE ×

Against all odds, Guinea’s $20 billion Simandou megaproject, including a 600-km railway, a new Atlantic port, multiple tunnels and bridges, and a twin set of mines, stunned the global mining world.

Caixin Global

Down the Toilet: Shanghai Bids Farewell to Chamber Pots

A multi-decadelong government initiative to renovate the city’s old buildings and install indoor plumbing in all housing has brought an end to the era of chamber pots.

Chen Yiru

Life After Death: A Widow’s Fight for Her IVF Baby

After losing her husband in a work accident, a woman in eastern China wins a landmark battle to use their frozen embryos and receive financial aid.

China  Youth Daily

Guarded Looks: China’s Gatekeepers Bring Status and Suspicion

A crime writer explores why “young, tall, handsome” neighborhood security guards are hot property, and the distrust that can exist between residents and their protectors.

The Paper

Carbon Copies: China Moves to Regulate Plagiarism

Amid China’s push to curb governmental bureaucracy, local plagiarism scandals have triggered national regulation and dialogue.

Minding Nemo: Vlogger Finds Fatal Flaws at China’s Aquariums

A social media influencer touring aquatic attractions nationwide is exposing the perilous problems he finds in water quality, staff training, and erroneous signage.

Original (Jiefang Daily)

Has a Lawsuit Sidelined a Chinese Soccer Prodigy?

A contract dispute between an exclusive soccer academy and the family of a rising star has thrown a spotlight on China’s youth development system.

The  Beijing News

Crowd Control: Why China’s Marathon Boom Has Suddenly Hit the Brakes

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

Marathon organizers and runners across China face abrupt cancellations and new curbs, as officials rush to rein in a sport that expanded faster than it could be managed.

He Qitong

(Not) Old Enough! Chinese Kids’ Apps Under Fire for Explicit Ads

BabyBus, one of the nation’s largest educational app platforms, has been criticized by parents after their children witnessed violent and erotic ads on several of its apps.

Chinese Government Launches Campaign to Regulate Livestream Tipping

China’s internet regulator is stepping up efforts to curb fraudulent and exploitative tipping practices during livestreams, signaling intensified government scrutiny of the fast-growing sector.

Whiteout: Trapped Trekkers Discover Dangers of ‘Hidden Gems’

After a mountain hike ends in tragedy, trekkers warn of the risks surrounding China’s growing passion for outdoor adventures.

Fast Track: Chinese Cities Pilot Skipping High School Entrance Exam

A pilot program in Chengdu exempts some students from the grueling high school entrance exam, offering families relief from mounting academic pressure.

Winds of Change: China Unveils Vast Wind Power Goals for 2030

The country seeks to double its current wind capacity in the next five years, in line with its overall transition to renewable energies and a sustainable future.

All That and Dim Sum: Canton Moves to Regulate Morning Tea

The southern city of Guangzhou has drafted a policy regulating the labeling of dim sum dishes in an effort to preserve authenticity, freshness, and cultural heritage.

No Clean Slate: For Employers, Ex-Cons Still ‘Risky’ Hires

A retail chain’s recruitment drive has highlighted the challenges that China’s reformed convicts face in finding lasting employment.

Just a Number: China Eases Age Restrictions on Civil Service

Local governments across China are easing age restrictions for civil service applicants as part of a nationwide push to combat age discrimination, signaling a shift toward more inclusive hiring practices in the country.