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Over 20% of Children in China’s Cities Use AI Devices, Report Finds

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

Children’s toys and smartwatches with integrated artificial intelligence-powered chatbots are rapidly gaining popularity in China, sparking concerns among experts.

Huawei Takes a Bite Out of Apple With Rival Phone Launch

The tech giants are going head-to-head in China by launching new handsets on the same day. And the momentum appears to be with Huawei.

Taobao Plans to (Finally) Allow Users to Pay Via WeChat Pay

The move is the latest signal that the era of “walled gardens” in China’s tech ecosystem is drawing to a close.

China Plans to Make It Simpler for Couples to Marry

The draft regulations would reduce the number of documents couples need to provide to tie the knot, as the country seeks to boost its falling marriage rate.

The Qinghai-Xizang Plateau Is Turning Into a Vast Grassland, Study Finds

A major Chinese expedition has found that glaciers are rapidly retreating on the “rooftop of the world,” putting Asia’s main water sources under threat.

Cooking Oil Scandal: Only 2 Trucks Contaminated, Gov’t Says

Chinese investigators confirmed that two truckloads of cooking oil had been contaminated with fuel but found no evidence of an industry-wide problem.

China Now Has Nearly 1.1 Billion Internet Users, Report Finds 

The country gained more than 7 million new users in the first half of 2024, with many signing up to watch short video content.

Search for Missing Chinese Hiker Ends in Tragedy

The woman from Shanghai went missing three weeks ago during a trek in the Himalayas.

Fool’s Gold: Fake Antique Livestreams Prey on China’s Elderly

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

In recent months, livestream scams targeting the elderly with counterfeit antiques like coins, pottery, and artwork have surged. Victims’ families have now banded together online to share advice, file complaints, and reclaim lost money.

University Offers China’s First Marriage-Related Degree

The new program is being launched in response to the government’s push to “construct harmonious families.”

China Signals More Flexible Real Estate Policies

At the crucial third plenum this past week, China’s leaders vowed to give local governments greater freedom to set real estate policy.

The Million-Yuan Tomb Heist Confounding Chinese Police

In 2010, a pair of priceless stone lions vanished from a Tang dynasty emperor’s mausoleum in northwest China. Fourteen years later, the case is still confounding Chinese police.

A School Bus, a Knife Attack, and an Unexpected Hero’s Last Stand

From a small village in eastern China, Hu Youping moved to the city seeking a better life. Her journey tragically ended during a school bus attack, where she sacrificed her life to protect the children in her care.

How Cooking Oil Became a Red-Hot Food Safety Issue in China

Chinese authorities start investigating revelations that companies are transporting fuel and cooking oil in the same trucks.

From ‘Hire Me’ to Better Call Tang, the Quirky World of Metro Ads

To diversify declining revenue streams, one city metro launched a personalized ad service earlier this year, allowing individuals to purchase ad space for messages ranging from birthday greetings and job searches to marriage proposals and quirky jokes.

As Devastating Floods Continue, Chinese County Issues Plea for Aid

Hunan’s Pingjiang County has been hit by the worst flooding in decades, leaving local residents short of food and drinking water.

How China Conquered the Dark Side of the Moon

China’s Chang’e-6 lunar probe has made history by bringing back the first ever samples from the far side of the Moon. This is how the groundbreaking mission took shape.

To Lure Talent, China’s Civil Service Is Betting on Contract Hires

As competition for traditional civil service positions intensifies, China is increasingly turning to contract-based roles to meet new governance needs. Unlike traditional positions, these contracts offer flexibility and competitive salaries, bypassing the rigorous civil service exams.

In Central China, a Vicious Heat Wave Strikes at Worst Possible Time

The central Henan province is often called “China’s granary” due to its vast grain farms. But a sudden drought is putting this year’s harvest under threat.

For 2024 Film Festival, Shanghai Puts the Spotlight on Itself

This year’s edition of the Shanghai International Film Festival is being billed as a celebration of the city’s own culture and revolutionary history.