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

RisingTones

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.

Chen Yiru

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

Bilibili Star Slams Cab Driver Ratings. Quickly Loses His Own.

Top influencer He Shijie built his career on likes, shares, and glowing feedback. Then he told ride-hailing drivers not to expect the same.

Li Xin

Think Twice: China Tells Tourists and Students Eyeing the U.S.

Warnings on safety, visas, and sentiment reflect how U.S.-bound travel, once routine, is now anything but.

Ding Rui

Spring Interrupted: Rare April Cold Wave Sweeps Across China

From DIY window tape to food delivery delays, residents scramble to prepare for one of April’s most extreme weather events in years.

What Does Climate Justice Look Like in a Language Without Sound?

Blending sign language, digital art, and public space, Night Bloom reimagines who gets seen — and heard — in climate conversations.

Fan Yiying

Need for IShowSpeed: A YouTuber’s Wild Ride Through China’s Internet

What began as a chaotic online tour turned into a cross-cultural spectacle — fueled by fans, food, filters, and unexpected friendships.

Jiang Xinyi

Unpaid Staff, a Runaway Bear, and a Baby Orangutan in Sunglasses

Two recent viral incidents have sparked a broader debate in China over animal care, safety lapses, and wildlife as entertainment.

No Lease, No Hassle: Young Renters Check Out Hotel Life

With 24/7 gyms and laundry service, more young people are opting for long-term hotel deals over the traditional rental market.

Zhou Hanchi

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. 