business

One Year After Exit, Blizzard Games Eyes Return to China: Reports

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

Reports on Blizzard Entertainment’s negotiations with prospective Chinese partners surfaced after a domestic company appeared to be streaming World of Warcraft content.

Yang Caini

CEO of China’s Top Video Game Streaming Firm Held in Gambling Probe 

While police stated that Chen Shaojie, CEO of Douyu, was arrested on charges of opening a casino, the US-listed company warned investors of the potential fallout.

He Qitong

Collage: In Shanghai, China Expo Returns to Pre-Pandemic Bustle

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

MULTIMEDIA

Snapshots from the China International Import Expo.

Sixth Tone

The Fruits of Trade

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

VOICES & OPINION

Imported fruits have reshaped the Chinese market over the past 20 years.

Huang Xianhua

Tired of Being ‘Warm and Soft,’ China’s Women Step Into the Boxing Ring

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 women are increasingly seeking to break out of traditional gender norms. For many, that starts with building a muscular physique — and learning to kick some butt.

Eye on China Market, Top Pharma Firms Showcase Rare Disease Care

At the China International Import Expo, rare disease treatments have been in the limelight, with many quickly gaining market approval in China after their debut at the event.

At China Expo, a Next-Gen Prosthetic Knee Offers New Hope

Equipped with a microprocessor, a motor, and multiple sensors, Össur’s Power Knee adapts to users’ movements in real time. But its price will remain a hurdle for many.

The Bookstore Giving Shanghai’s Women a Room of Their Own

When Wang Xia opened Shanghai’s first “female-friendly” bookstore in 2020, she just wanted to create a safe space for women to express themselves. She had no idea how successful — or potentially sensitive — the business would become.

Fan Yiying

Liu Shuhuan

Moutai Raising Factory Prices to Improve Brand Image: Analysts 

Following high-profile collaborations with several mass consumer brands, Kweichow Moutai is taking steps to shore up its brand image and expand its sales channels.

Bridal Fashion Capital: How Chaozhou Holds Its Place in the Spotlight

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

SIXTH TONE ×

Chaozhou, once the world’s bridal gown-making hub, is resorting to legacy, adaptability, and originality as it grapples with challenges ranging from a shifting market to the pandemic.

The Paper

The Chinese Burger Startups Vying to Take a Bite Out of KFC

Armed with beefy venture capital investments, Chinese fast-food brands are winning over consumers with a combination of aggressive price cuts and patriotic marketing tactics.

Li Xin

Shanghai Mayor Meets Foreign Business Leaders, Vows Further Support

The city’s economy is recovering well following the pandemic, according to the mayor.

Ding Rui

In China, Life Coaches Are Seeing Booming Demand From Gen-Zers

Just a few years ago, life coaching was a tiny industry in China. But the profession is now rapidly going mainstream.

Can China’s JSTOR Bounce Back?

It’s been a tough few years for CNKI, the country’s largest academic database. But a challenging business environment could finally push academic publishers to embrace the digital era?

Sang Hai

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

Shanghai FTZ at 10: Businesses Eye Enhanced Policies for Growth

Having benefited from modern facilities and innovation, enterprises believe more support would help elevate the FTZ’s stature and solidify its role as a business epicenter.

Health Care in the Spotlight at Shanghai Innovation Forum

Chinese startups are developing pioneering health care innovations, but finding funding and talent remains challenging.

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.

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.