business

Hats Off: A Chinese Cap Maker Rides the MAGA Wave

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

SIXTH TONE ×

An entrepreneur in eastern China won big selling “Make America Great Again” hats in the U.S. — then came Trump’s tariffs.

Jiang Yifan

In Vino Veritas: Drinking for Deals in China

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

VOICES & OPINION

Alcohol is an integral part of China’s business culture. Two researchers decided to find out just how integral, firsthand.

Kang Siqin

With Tariffs Paused, China’s Holiday Goods Hub Races to Fill Orders

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

Inside Yiwu’s market stalls and factory floors, the Halloween and Christmas rush is back on after weeks of uncertainty. But as long-term risks grow, many are now looking beyond the U.S.

Ding Rui

Lights Out: Foshan’s Metro Cuts Power to Slash Operating Costs

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

Low ridership has pushed the city’s metro to scale back air conditioning, lights, escalators, and service hours in a bid to cut costs.

Chen Yiru

China’s Delivery Wars Intensify as Alibaba Launches Taobao Flash

The new service promises steep discounts and 30-minute delivery across major categories, aiming to capture younger consumers and expand into lower-tier markets.

Fan Yiying

Will Market Shake Up Smooth the Road for Takeout Couriers?

Platforms have pledged to provide food delivery riders with social insurance, but many of them appear not to want it.

The Paper

Leisurely Learning: Bars and Hotels Become New Classrooms

University guesthouses and “academic bars” are attracting young Chinese urbanites seeking knowledge and deeper cultural experiences.

Fu Xiaoqing

In Shanghai, All That Glitters Can Be Sold — at an ATM for Gold

In a corner of a busy Shanghai mall, a vending machine buys and sells gold as record prices draw both old and young to trade.

Retail Giants Collide as Meituan and JD Target Each Other’s Turf

The two firms are expanding into rival territory, escalating a high-stakes fight over speed, reach, and market share.

He Qitong

Wu Yufei

Humanoid Hype: Top VC Sounds the Alarm on China’s Robot Boom

Zhu Xiaohu, an early backer of unicorns like Didi and Xiaohongshu, says he’s pulling back from humanoid robotics. 

Li Xin

China’s CEOs Become Online Influencers to Gain Edge

Chinese entrepreneurs are taking a more personal, down-to-earth approach toward the public to gain an advantage in fiercely competitive markets.

Cat Clause: Pet ‘Loan’ Disputes Spread in China

Nationwide complaints about cat “adoption” businesses are exposing the darker side of China’s booming pet industry.

China’s Latest Marketing Craze? Rent-a-Robot

After a hit Spring Festival Gala show, Chinese merchants are renting out robots for thousands of yuan a day.

Chinese Home Repair Giant Promises Fix for Business Practices

Woodpecker, the country’s biggest home repairs platform, was dinged for price gouging during the consumer rights-focused “315 Gala.”

Zest for Zen: Brands Tap Spiritual Shift in Young Spenders

As young Chinese turn to mysticism for luck and protection, companies are capitalizing with brand tie-ins and metaphysical products and services.

Li Miaoran

Amid Retail Price Wars, JD.com Bets on a New Market — Food Delivery

The e-commerce giant is waiving commissions for early restaurant partners as it pivots beyond retail, entering China’s fiercely competitive food delivery market.

‘KOS’ Players: Can Social Media Revive China’s Luxury Sector?

To reverse the slump in sales, high-end brands are allowing media-savvy staff to create social content in the hope it engages broader audiences.

Jiemian News

A New Look: Can China’s EV Boom Rescue Its Design Industry?

China’s carmakers are spending wildly on dealerships, accessories, and branding. For designers still reeling from the real estate crash, it’s been an unexpected lifeline.

Cai Yineng

The Big Switch

SPECIAL PROJECTS

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.