economy

China’s Year in Numbers

Visual stories that get up close and personal with contemporary China. A mix of short videos, documentaries, photography, and data visualization.

MULTIMEDIA

From gamer highs to box office lows and everything in between.

Luo Yahan

Wang Jingyang

Diamonds and Eels: China's Year in Trade

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

SIXTH TONE ×

Data highlights new trends in China’s global trade.

The Paper

The Woman Who Found ‘Home’ in an Unfinished Building

Without power or running water, her newly built apartment was virtually uninhabitable. She moved in anyway.

White Night Workshop

How China’s Love for Cute Collectibles Spiraled Into a Mania

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

Chinese teens are spending big money to collect cards, badges, and toys based on popular anime characters — and sparking chaos on the stock market.

Fan Yiying

Star Power: China’s Businesses Count Cost of Fake Reviews

Business owners and employees expose the physical and mental pressures of chasing ratings on China’s review platforms.

Liang Ting

China to Create ‘Flying Car’ Pilot Zones in 6 Major Cities

The move is seen as a key step to help China’s burgeoning “low-altitude economy” achieve lift-off.

He Qitong

At CIIE, New Tech and Wellness Products Target China’s Elderly

This year’s expo highlights a wide array of health and wellness products for the elderly, from therapeutic treatments to smart devices.

Sixth Tone

U-Turn: Female Food Couriers Find Strength in Stereotypes

In a new book on China’s platform economy, female delivery riders talk about overcoming the roadblocks they face in a male-dominated industry.

Sun Ping

After Ye, What’s Next for International Artists 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

Does the controversial rapper’s recent visit to the southern island of Hainan signal an open door for musicians?

Cai Yineng

China’s Gen Z Thinks It Can Ride the Stock Market Frenzy

Young investors are piling into China’s A-share market in the wake of a week of historic gains. But experts warn that they are playing a risky game.

Ding Rui

China Launches Policy Blitz to Tackle Unemployment

The central government has issued its first package of job creation measures since 2012, as concerns rise over China’s high youth unemployment rate.

Jiang Xinyi

China Rolls Out Major Stimulus, Cuts Mortgage Rates to Spur Growth

The plan reduces mortgage rates by 0.5 percentage points, lowers down payments for second homes, and injects 1 trillion yuan in liquidity.

‘Flying Cars’ Are Part of China’s New Economic Growth Plan

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

China is targeting a new economic growth driver by opening up the skies to drones and helicopters.

Li Xin

Li Miaoran

Extreme Weather Sends Food Prices Soaring in China

Vegetable prices have spiked over 40% after a summer blighted by heat waves and severe flooding.

Food Fight: The Competitive World of ‘Last-Mile Runners’

Banned from parking outside skyscrapers, food delivery riders in Shenzhen have come to rely on a group of self-employed, mostly middle-aged couriers to complete their orders.

Should China Develop Manufacturing or Services? It’s Not Either Or 

Industry and policymakers must do away with overly simplistic assumptions about the economy as China enters a new stage of development, writes a leading Chinese economist.

Lu Ming

Mainland Families Make Their Move After Hong Kong Relaxes Housing Measures

Fare Game: Why China’s Ride-Share Boom Is Leaving Drivers Behind

As oversaturation hits the world’s largest ride-hailing market, drivers are struggling to cope with low earnings, long hours, and increased health risks. Despite government efforts to regulate the industry, experts call for a more comprehensive approach.

Ye Zhanhang

For China’s Workers, 2024 Is the Year of Staying Put

Looking Good: China’s Cosmetics Appeal to Overseas Markets

Chinese brands are taking advantage of growing cross-border e-commerce to win consumers across Asia with low-price products.