li-xin

China Confronts a Worrying New Scam: Vanishing Businesses

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

The owners of struggling gyms, beauty salons, and tuition centers are hiring professional “store closers” to help them suddenly disappear without a trace — and take their customers’ money with them.

In China, Extreme Heat Is Disrupting the Start of the School Year

Some Chinese schools are postponing classes and others asking parents to donate air conditioning units as an intense heat wave stretches into September.

Why Are Chinese Hospitals Charging Men for Gynecological Exams?

A government investigation has uncovered thousands of examples of hospitals falsifying insurance claims.

Chinese Women Spark Fury After Locking Crying Toddler in Plane Toilet

The women said they were just trying to help the child’s grandparents “set some rules.”

Why China’s Parents Are Bulk-Buying Recycling Waste Online

Chinese schools are trying to teach kids to recycle by making them collect huge volumes of plastic waste every month. The result: a thriving online trade in used milk cartons.

With AI, China’s New Hit Dramas Are Virtually Writing Themselves

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

More and more of China’s ultrashorts are now being crafted entirely by AI, from script to special effects. But as the technology advances, concerns about creativity and authenticity continue to grow.

China’s Delivery Riders Demand Respect After Major Stand-off

A confrontation between delivery riders and security guards in the eastern city of Hangzhou has sparked an outpouring of sympathy for China’s gig workers.

Chinese City Scraps Plan to Rename Streets After ‘Confusing’ Idioms

Four years ago, Handan renamed dozens of roads after idioms linked to the city’s ancient past. But even local residents found the phrases “difficult to remember,” local authorities admit.

China Makes More Films Accessible for Blind People

Several of this year’s summer blockbusters include audio description for blind and visually impaired cinemagoers, as China’s film industry begins to embrace accessibility.

Why China’s Degree Programs Are Getting Longer

Universities across China are lengthening their postgraduate degree programs, as students look to delay entering the job market.

Not All Fun and Games: Collectible Card Craze Grips China’s Youth

As a new collectible card trend sweeps the country, there are concerns that the hobby is fueling addictive tendencies among children.

China’s Milk Tea Industry Gets a Health Check

A new grading system currently being tested in Shanghai aims to give consumers a clearer picture of the sugary drinks’ nutritional value — or lack thereof.

Chinese Talent Show Exposes Stupidity of AI — and Some Humans

Which vote share is higher: 13.8% or 13.11%? Most generative AI models — and a surprisingly large number of people — insist it’s the latter.

Creator of Beloved Cartoon Cat Abandoned His Own Pet, Fans Discover

Artist Zhang Ping is in hot water after revealing that he abandoned the pet kitten that inspired his iconic character, Luo Xiaohei.

China Confronts an Insidious New Privacy Risk: Lifelike Silicone Masks

In China, it is now possible to buy masks so lifelike that they can be used to fool facial recognition scanners. And criminals already appear to be using them.

Lonely Planet Reaches the End of the Road in China

The travel guide publisher has announced it is shuttering its mainland operations, sparking an outpouring of nostalgia among Chinese millennials.

As China’s Summer of Extremes Continues, Floods Engulf South

The famous tourist city of Guilin has been hit with the worst flooding in decades, as freak weather disrupts the lives of millions across southern China.

Why China’s Small Merchants Are Checking Out of Mega Shopping Fests

Frustrated by high return rates and dwindling profits, small merchants are questioning the long-term viability of discount-driven shopping festivals. Some are even opting out and returning to more traditional business models.

Starting a New Job in China? It Might Involve a 60-Kilometer Hike. 

Some companies are forcing new hires to take part in military-style boot camps to “foster team spirit.” But is the practice even legal?

Paris 2024: Why Chinese Brands Are Betting on Sports Over Stars

Chinese brands are increasingly turning to athletes for endorsements before the Olympics, seeking to avoid the pitfalls associated with celebrity scandals and capitalize on the positive image of sports figures.