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

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Fantastical, False, and Absurd: Ultrashort War Dramas Come Under Fire

Ahead of the 80th anniversary of China’s victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, regulators crack down on war drama plotlines that test viewers’ suspension of disbelief.

He Qitong

“Teacher, My Bot Has No Girl”: Inside an AI Class for China’s Elderly

As AI becomes a part of everyday life in China, seniors are struggling to keep up. One grassroots course is trying to close the gap.

Chen Yiru

In a Landlocked Corner of China, a Farmer Builds a Submarine From Scratch

Zhang Shengwu completed a successful dive in his 2-ton, 40,000-yuan homebuilt submarine — one of a new batch of countryside entrepreneurs eligible for government grants.

China’s Latest Viral Product Is a Bunch of Hot Air

Another canned air product has gone viral in the country, reigniting debate as to whether such items are a playful novelty or a brazen scam.

Gansu Kindergarten Poisoning: 6 Arrests, Probe Finds Cover-Up

Authorities say over 240 children were poisoned by lead-tainted food at Peixin Kindergarten, with school leaders, hospital staff, and regulators all implicated in a widening investigation.

Northeast China Scrambles for AC Amid Record-Breaking Heat

A recent heatwave in the traditionally cool Northeast region has kick-started an air conditioner buying frenzy among residents, but installation manpower remains lacking.

Li Xin

As Debt Concerns Grow, China Halts Pension Loans for Farmers 

Several banks in rural China have suspended their targeted loan services amid concerns they were exacerbating debt among the financially vulnerable.

Fan Yiying

We Do: On China’s New Dating Apps, Parents Make the Match

As more young Chinese delay marriage, a new wave of dating platforms is giving parents the power to screen, filter, and initiate matches — often before their kids are even told.

Chen  Zhenyang

China’s New Bet to Spur Urban Spending: Pet-Friendly Buses

To invigorate pet-related markets, some Chinese cities have launched animal-friendly public transportation services — but their economic viability remains unclear.

In China, a Good Year for Lychees Becomes a Bad One for Farmers

Fruit growers in southern China are struggling to cover costs in a bumper year, as cheap supplies flood the market.