social media

social-media

Words of the Working Class: Poems From Everyday China

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

SIXTH TONE ×

From fields to vegetable farms to steel mills, ordinary workers across China document everyday mundanities in extraordinary verse.

Zhu Lingyu

BMW Hits a Rocky Road, Apologizes for Ice Cream ‘Discrimination’

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

At the Shanghai Auto Show, a viral video showed staff at BMW’s booth offering free ice cream to foreigners, while Chinese visitors were turned away.

Li Xin

Chinese Netizens Celebrate Court Ruling Exposing ‘WeChat Overtime’

A Beijing court has ordered compensation to an employee for “invisible overtime work,” but the ruling may not necessarily be applicable elsewhere.

Can a Cleanup Campaign Cleanse This Misogynist Online Forum?

Baidu Tieba has warned “dog fans” of popular livestreamer Sun Xiaochuan about “insulting and malicious” posts.

Yang Caini

Dark Rumors on Chinese Social Media Alarm the Thai Gov’t

Rumors that Chinese tourists are being kidnapped and trafficked in Bangkok have spread like wildfire on Chinese social media in recent days. Thai authorities are scrambling to contain the fallout.

Wu Peiyue

‘Teenager Mode’ in Video Apps Has Flaws, Authorities Find 

Consumer rights watchdog says minors were still able to bypass the restrictions, and there wasn’t enough relevant content for them online.

Ye Zhanhang

Online Influencer With Disability Hits Back at Trolls

Attacks against the earthquake survivor come amid a growing spate of online violence.

University Expels Student Accused of Selling ‘Deepfake’ Porn 

The male student is said to have been making sexually explicit content using photos of women from his personal social media account.

Young Chinese Embrace Temple Visits to Evade Life’s Pressures

Online travel platforms are seeing a surge in bookings to religious sites from young people seeking a “heart-cleansing experience.”

How an Army of Elderly Influencers Took Over China’s Instagram

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

The pandemic led to a surge in the number of Chinese seniors using a range of mobile apps. Now, retirees are migrating onto an unexpected platform: the lifestyle app Xiaohongshu.

Fan Yiying

Cut Children’s Access to Vulgar Memes, Says State Media Commentary

People’s Daily commentator argues such memes are negatively influencing children, as well as the traditional language system.

From Cosplay to Viral Videos, New Tourism Ads Are a Sight to See

Hoping to capitalize on renewed travel interest, officials in lesser-known destinations hope social media campaigns will lure more visitors.

To Fight Trolls, A Campaign Wants People to Flaunt Pink Hair

It comes weeks after a 23-year-old woman was pushed to suicide after being attacked online for coloring her hair pink.

Targeted Online for Months, Douyin Livestreamer Kills Himself 

He recently complained of the attacks on his channel; his wife says he had become depressed in the past six months.

The Hunt for China’s Ugliest Building

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

VOICES & OPINION

For 13 years, the “China’s Ugliest Buildings” poll has documented the misfires and gambles that defined the country’s urban building spree. What can the results teach us about taste in architecture?

You Xudong

China’s Cyber Cleanup Targets COVID Rumors, Online Influencers

The country’s top internet watchdog says they aim to create a “festive and peaceful” online spirit during the holiday season.

Luo Meihan

Fans of a Wealthy Influencer Slammed for Kowtowing to the Rich

Lavish displays of wealth on social media have both fans and critics online.

How COVID Misinformation Swamped Chinese Social Media

Messaging failures and bad incentives have left Chinese social media groaning under a deluge of COVID-related misinformation.

Cai Yineng

Online Donation for Court Compensation Sparks Outcry in China

The woman is held liable for failing to protect her friend who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in Japan.

The Chinese Online Slang That Took Over the Internet in 2022

Sixth Tone lists the buzzwords that reflected the varying moods of the digital masses.