he-qitong

Chinese Father Wins Symbolic Lawsuit Decades After Son’s Abduction

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

Lei Wuze, who spent more than 20 years searching for his son, sought six yuan and an apology in a civil case against the trafficker.

‘Nobody’ Wins Alone: Four Misfits Conquer China’s Box Office

The four antiheroes of new animated film “Nobody” follow in the footsteps of the cast of “Journey to the West,” striking a chord with the country’s downtrodden workers.

Fever Pitch: More Provinces Roll Out Soccer Leagues to Boost Tourism

In the wake of Jiangsu province’s ultra-popular “Suchao” Jiangsu Super League, provinces across China are launching their own soccer tournaments.

In Specialized Education Push, China Opens Wave of Elite Research Universities

A growing number of specialized research institutions are challenging the country’s traditional top universities with better facilities and more promising career prospects.

China’s Private Colleges Ease Entry, Still Struggle for Students

Recent reforms to the national college entrance system and high tuition fees are leaving private schools with thousands of vacant seats.

“No”: The Magic Word in a Viral Chinese AI Remake of Snow White

A dark AI‑crafted retelling of the Disney classic by Beijing-based screenwriter Wen Jing has captivated millions on social media, sparking debate over women’s roles in fairy tales and modern society.

The Art of Reviving an Abandoned Chinese Village — With Stray Cats

Back in the village he once left behind, an artist turned abandoned homes into a sanctuary for more than 200 cats — and watched it become a magnet for strays, artists, and thousands of tourists.

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.

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.

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.

Food Delivery Sales Frenzy Brings Bargains — and Market Turmoil

China’s three biggest food delivery platforms kicked off their summer promotions this weekend with rock-bottom prices. But while customers celebrated the deals, the benefits for merchants were sometimes less apparent.

Second Life: China’s Top Resale App Now Fuels Its Wildest Gig Market

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

From side jobs to oddball services, millions of young Chinese are turning to Alibaba’s Xianyu app to earn cash and cut corners, a marketplace running on trust, improvisation, and few rules.

Pet Degree: A Top Chinese School Debuts a Companion Animal Major

With an estimated 100 million-plus pet owners in the country, higher education institutions are beginning to realize the potential in pet-related courses.

The Chinese Neuroscientists Mapping Feelings Through Art

At Tsinghua University’s Neural Engineering Lab, researchers are using brain-computer interfaces to study how people respond to live art.

Shell Game: In China, a $14K Reward for a Turtle That May Be Extinct

The campaign drew hundreds of photos from the public — blurry shots, lookalike species, even copies pulled from the internet. None showed the real thing.

Bank of Labubu: Branches Lure New Customers With Coveted Dolls

A Shenzhen-based bank is getting customers through the door with the promise of a much sought-after — and potentially lucrative — Labubu toy.

Time Travel to Super Memory: China’s ‘Brain’ Schools Sell the Surreal

Thousands of companies promising to unlock young children’s brain potential have opened in recent years, drawing in eager parents — and concern from the scientific community.

Why Young Chinese Are Renting, Not Buying Their Wedding Jewelry

Amid rising gold prices, China’s newlyweds are bucking tradition and renting wedding jewelry instead — at a fraction of the cost.

China Bans Alcohol and Lavish Banquets Among Government Staff

In an attempt to rein in bureaucratic excess and promote frugality, the government has renewed guidelines taking aim at conspicuous consumption and glut.

‘Robot Marathon Just the Start’: China’s Engineers on What’s Next

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

Q & A

After China’s first humanoid robot marathon, Sixth Tone spoke with four startups about what worked, what didn’t, and how they’re preparing for the next big test this August.