social media

social-media

Amid Gaokao, Students Turn to a Reclusive Math Genius for Luck

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

Wei Dongyi had largely stayed out of the public eye since going viral in 2021. But a surprise appearance on Douyin ahead of China’s college entrance exam last week drew millions of new followers within days.

Li Xin

Prestige or Profit? The Dilemma Facing Jingdezhen’s Artists

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

SIXTH TONE ×

In China’s “porcelain capital,” traditional craftsmanship is making way for cuteness, as social media shapes consumer habits.

White Night Workshop

Casting Call: How Actors are Faking Livestreaming Drama

Amid intense competition, many social media hosts are relying on scripted interactions with hired actors to boost traffic and market products.

Zhong Chudi

Niu  Linfeng

Fame, Pursued by Goose: The Chongqing ‘Uncle’ Who Became an Internet Star

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

MULTIMEDIA

Lü Xiao

Amid Push Against Involution, Xiaohongshu Ends Overtime Grind 

Facing high employee turnover, the company says the changes aim to build longer-term relationships with staff.

He Qitong

Wu Yufei

From Viral to Radioactive: Can Pang Mailang Make a Comeback?

The Paper

Before the Dawn: Young Chinese Reimagine the Last Goodbye

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

A growing number of young Chinese are challenging long-held taboos around death, turning farewells into personal, creative acts of remembrance.

Chen Yiru

Stairway Porters Rise to the ‘1,000-Yuan Man’ Challenge

As laborers flock to become “kanglou” porters in southern China, industry insiders share what it takes to shoulder the physical and mental strain.

Need a Side Gig? In China, Just Shake Your Phone

As flexible work becomes more common in China, WeChat users can now find nearby part-time jobs — directly from the messaging super app.

Baidu Exec Tries to Diffuse Doxxing Controversy

Baidu vice president Xie Guangjun issued an apology after his daughter was accused of publishing social media users’ private data.

My Year as a RedNote Professor

Contributions from individuals with unique perspectives to share. Hear from everyone, from experts and commentators to those whose voices are often marginalized.

VOICES & OPINION

An academic speaks on the ups and downs of social media engagement in China.

Thomas DuBois

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

Cold Reality: Tragedy Exposes Perils of Extreme Livestreaming

The death of an outdoor lifestyle influencer in the frozen wilds of North China has cast light onto the risks facing some livestreamers.

Last Word: Closing the Book on China’s Slang Gang

The idealistic team behind Jikipedia, an online dictionary of Chinese internet slang, shares the highs and lows of creating a pop culture phenomenon.

BIE  (biede)

‘KOS’ Players: Can Social Media Revive China’s Luxury Sector?

To reverse the slump in sales, high-end brands are allowing media-savvy staff to create social content in the hope it engages broader audiences.

Jiemian News

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.

Like, Comment, Prescribe: The Vloggers ‘Diagnosing’ Their Followers

As short videos analyzing personality disorders flood Chinese social media, netizens are starting to convince themselves they have one.

China  Youth Daily

City or Not City? The Buzzwords That Defined China’s 2024

Did you spend 2024 as a “beast of burden” or embracing your destiny as the “Greek god of sleep”? Unsure what we’re talking about altogether? Sixth Tone has you covered with the year’s top slang.

China’s Dark New Trend: ‘Self-Discipline Challenges’

The games have eerie similarities to the Netflix series “Squid Game,” with debtors attempting to complete practically impossible tasks to win a huge cash reward.

China’s Facebook Goes Dark, Taking a Generation’s Memories With It

Renren captured campus life, friendships, and milestones before smartphones and cloud storage. This week, its sudden suspension left a generation scrambling to salvage their digital past.