sixth-tone

Shanghai Sessions: Four Notes From a City in Swing

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

VOICES & OPINION

A brief history of the misfits, migrants, and mavericks who improvised a musical revolution.

On the Trail of Shanghai Jazz

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

MULTIMEDIA

Her Eye, Her Era, Her Archive: Xiao Zhuang, One of China’s First Female Photojournalists, Dies at 93

Beginning as a young army photographer, Xiao’s eye for everyday human moments led her to document the rise of a nation.

China’s 2025 in Photos

A selection of the year’s best photos by Sixth Tone’s visual editors.

China Highlights Weight Management Products at 8th CIIE

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

This year’s import expo features gastric balloons, watches claimed to stimulate fullness, and interactive booths that measure body composition.

8th China International Import Expo Kicks Off in Shanghai

Thousands of companies from around the world attended the event, where China pledged to expand world access to its market and showcased hundreds of new products and technologies.

Shanghai Hosts Second World Conference on China Studies

The conference brings together researchers from more than 60 countries to deepen international understanding of Chinese civilization and modernization.

People Mountain, People Sea: Golden Week in Pictures

Millions travel, shop, and celebrate during China’s extended holiday.

Collage: China Sweats Through July Heatwave

With red alerts issued in several cities, experts warn extreme summer heat is becoming the new norm.

In Shanghai, a New Photo Exhibit Revisits the Flying Tigers Era

Photos and personal stories explore an alliance forged during World War II.

2025 Shanghai Int’l Film Fest Sees Record Premieres and Bigger Crowds

The festival, now in its 27th year, features 400 movies as well as numerous promotions geared toward attracting out-of-town crowds and boosting tourism spending.

Second Act: How a 500-Year-Old Chinese Opera Returned to Modern Life

Your questions, answered. In-depth interviews with the minds and makers shaping today’s China.

Q & A

Long dismissed as too slow for modern tastes, Kunqu opera is quietly being reinvented — with one performer bringing it into therapy sessions, elderly care, and daily life.

At Shanghai Forum, Cities Stress Local Solutions to Climate Threats

Officials from 26 cities shared how local infrastructure, politics, and priorities are shaping efforts to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change.

Shanghai’s Sister Cities Gather to Tackle Climate, Youth Development

City leaders from five continents gathered in Shanghai this week to strengthen ties and tackle shared challenges through the city’s expanding network of international partnerships.

Green Cities in Focus as Shanghai Hosts International Forum

The four-day event brings together leaders from Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas to deepen city-level cooperation on climate and innovation.

Young, Tired, and Still Trying: China’s Next Generation Rethinks Success

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

SIXTH TONE ×

Writer Peter Hessler and anthropologist Xiang Biao on the changing lives of young Chinese, the meaning of hard work, and why parents should cut their kids some slack.

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.

Tariffs to Climate: The Big Takeaways From China’s Two Sessions

Speaking at the opening of China’s top legislature Wednesday, Chinese Premier Li Qiang outlined plans to ramp up fiscal support, drive household spending, and stabilize key industries.

Collage: The Year of the Snake

The best art and installations celebrating the imminent arrival of the Year of the Snake.

The Big Switch

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

China is producing EVs at an unprecedented scale, reshaping industries, economies, and daily life. Sixth Tone unpacks what’s working, what’s breaking down, and what’s next in a race that’s upending the global auto market.