business

The Foot Soldiers Steering China’s EV Ambitions Abroad

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 exported more than a million EVs in 2024. But between a price war at home and trade tensions abroad, the industry’s future depends on a handful of expat sellers.

Li Xin

Matryoshka Marketing: What’s Really Inside China’s Russian Shops

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

Regulators are cracking down on self-proclaimed Russian goods stores selling products from around the world — including China.

Chen Yiru

China Slaps Heavy Fine on Top Dating Platform for False Ads

Zhenai, one of China’s oldest matchmaking services, was penalized for misleading users with fake profiles, exaggerated claims, and aggressive sales tactics, according to regulators.

Fan Yiying

Touch and Go: Will Alipay’s ‘Tap!’ Gamble Pay Off?

The tech company is trying to disrupt China’s mobile payment market. The response from merchants and shoppers has been mixed.

Harbin Firm Under Fire for Banning Employees From Ice Festival

A local company’s attempt at hospitality snowballed into a public relations disaster over the weekend.

Li Miaoran

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

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

SIXTH TONE ×

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

Liang Ting

Factory Reset: A New Generation Races to Save China’s Family Businesses

Across China, family-run factories are passing to a new generation on an unprecedented scale. Can they overcome e-commerce challenges, rising costs, and family pressures to reshape their businesses for the future?

He Qitong

They Built an Entire ‘Ancient Town.’ Practically Nobody Came.  

The vast Dayong Town complex cost over $300 million to build, but only receives about 20 visitors per day.

Chinese Livestreamers’ Latest Sales Tactic: Fake Life Crises

Livestream hosts are going to ever greater lengths to win viewers’ sympathy — from faking divorces to pretending their kids have been kidnapped.

AstraZeneca Executive Behind China Growth Under Investigation

The pharma giant confirmed that Wang Lei, the executive vice president who oversaw AstraZeneca’s rapid expansion in China, is cooperating with authorities, though details of the investigation are unclear.

For Alibaba, This Year’s ‘Singles’ Day’ Is a Brutal Dogfight

As it gears up for its flagship shopping festival, the Chinese e-commerce giant is fighting a desperate battle to defend its market share.

Chinese City Wants to Know Who Is Getting Late-Night Massages

Massage parlors in Nanning will be required to record customers’ personal details as part of a campaign targeting fraud, gambling, and prostitution rings.

Meituan Report on Delivery Workforce Provokes Pushback

The Chinese delivery platform is touting the high salaries earned by its riders. Others say the figures are deceptive.

Tea but No Sympathy: Top Chain Under Fire for Ad Shaming Workers

A viral ad from bubble tea chain Good Me sparked outrage after showing workers apologizing for minor mistakes. The company was forced to apologize, and the video was quickly taken down.

Jiang Xinyi

Cracking the Love Code: The Struggles of AI Romance Apps

Developers of AI software in China have found it difficult to convert romance into revenues despite users’ desire to splash out on virtual lovers.

Hu Xiu

This Holiday, Mooncake Vouchers Fuel a Secret Gray Economy

Originally meant to simplify gift-giving, vouchers to buy mooncakes, a traditional Mid-Autumn Festival treat, now fuel a booming gray market with scalpers profiting from multiple resales.

Huawei Takes a Bite Out of Apple With Rival Phone Launch

The tech giants are going head-to-head in China by launching new handsets on the same day. And the momentum appears to be with Huawei.

Ding Rui

Taobao Plans to (Finally) Allow Users to Pay Via WeChat Pay

The move is the latest signal that the era of “walled gardens” in China’s tech ecosystem is drawing to a close.

In China, Drones Are Now Delivering Takeout to the Great Wall

The new airdrop service is part of China’s push to quickly develop its “low-altitude economy.”

Ye Zhanhang

Zheng Qinwen: China’s Tennis Ace Wins On and Off Court

After winning gold in the women’s singles at the Paris Olympics, Zheng and the brands that backed her look set to reap the commercial rewards.