he-qitong

Crowd Control: Why China’s Marathon Boom Has Suddenly Hit the Brakes

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

Marathon organizers and runners across China face abrupt cancellations and new curbs, as officials rush to rein in a sport that expanded faster than it could be managed.

Banned, Cancer-Linked Dye Found in Chinese Skin Care Products: Report

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

Amid China’s biggest shopping festival, a third-party testing group has reported that several major skin care brands sold in the country contain trace levels of Sudan Red, a dye banned globally for its potential cancer risk.

Fast Track: Chinese Cities Pilot Skipping High School Entrance Exam

A pilot program in Chengdu exempts some students from the grueling high school entrance exam, offering families relief from mounting academic pressure.

In China’s New Livestream Factories, Bodies, Data, and Dreams Collide

With idol reality shows off the air, group livestreams have filled the void, where dancers perform in rotating squads as viewers send gifts and even pay to control the show.

Age-Old Scams: Short Drama Crews Are Preying on China’s Elderly 

Scammers are posting job ads online seeking older people to fill parental roles in ultrashort dramas, lying to applicants about high salaries and low entry requirements.

All That and Dim Sum: Canton Moves to Regulate Morning Tea

The southern city of Guangzhou has drafted a policy regulating the labeling of dim sum dishes in an effort to preserve authenticity, freshness, and cultural heritage.

As Rain Hits Holiday Travel, China Braces for Record Return Rush

More than 2.4 billion trips are expected this year, with transport officials expanding lanes and services to manage one of the busiest travel weeks on record.

Over 350 Rescued After Blizzard Hits Everest’s Eastern Slope

Rescue crews cleared roads and evacuated stranded trekkers four days after a snowstorm buried campsites on Mount Qomolangma during China’s National Day holiday.

Shanghai School Lunch Scandal Leads to Investigation, Reforms

The lunches, supplied by catering company Green Express, were recalled after some schools had already served them, prompting outrage from parents and city-wide reform of school catering contracts.

Street Smart: Why China’s 5-Star Hotels Are Now Cooking Curbside

With banquet bookings on the decline and budgets tight, some luxury hotels are selling discounted takeout on the street, betting visibility will bring customers back inside.

Toxic Acid Discarded in Public Lot Kills Woman in Hangzhou

After exposure to discarded hydrofluoric acid outside led to the woman’s tragic fatal poisoning, netizens have been left wondering about the reliability of the country’s toxic chemical management.

China Makes HPV Vaccine Free for Girls in National Program

Beginning this year, the vaccine schedule will now protect young girls from the two strains of HPV accounting for most invasive cervical cancers, at no cost to families.

Chinese Father Wins Symbolic Lawsuit Decades After Son’s Abduction

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.