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

features

Hit New Film Offers a Striking Portrait of Beijing’s Migrant Villages

Liang Junjian’s award-winning new documentary “Bitter Sweet Ballad” has shocked viewers with its portrayal of the lives of migrant children in Beijing.

Mathew Scott

In Laos, a New Railway Signals a Future in China’s Orbit

In Laos, a new $6 billion rail line is driving rapid social and economic changes — and bringing China ever closer.

Sixth Tone

Swipe Right to Hire Me: How Tinder Became China’s Hottest Networking App

Young Chinese are increasingly using the dating app to hunt for potential job openings amid soaring graduate unemployment. But the trend is sparking concern among the platform’s users — and inside Tinder itself.

Shu Xinrou

On the China-Laos Border, a Cautionary Tale of Hot Money and Wild Dreams

Chinese investors have poured money into the small Lao town of Boten, believing a new railway would bring massive growth. But the hoped-for boom has yet to arrive.

Cai Yiwen

To Rescue Its Devastated Tourism Sector, Laos Looks to China

Emerging from a pandemic-induced slump, Laos is leaning on a multi-billion dollar railway to revitalize tourism. A significant portion of its recovery blueprint hinges on drawing more visitors from China.

In a Post-COVID Laos, China’s Influence Grows Ever Larger

A new $5.5 billion railway is bringing a flood of Chinese investment to the Lao capital of Vientiane. After COVID-19, it’s desperately needed.

The Villages Caught Up in China’s Massive Panda Conservation Drive

China has created a giant new national park to protect its wild pandas. There’s just one problem: Tens of thousands of people already live there.

Ni Dandan

As Live Music Booms in China, Disabled Fans Call for More Inclusion

The return of large-scale pop concerts has sparked huge excitement in China over recent months. But fans with disabilities still face serious barriers to accessing the events — and they’re calling for change.

Xu Cen

In China’s Clothing Markets, a Battle Over the Future of Livestreaming

During the pandemic, Chinese wholesalers turned to livestream e-commerce in a desperate bid to revive flatlining sales. Now, a growing number are trying to return to business as usual — and kicking the livestreamers out.

Wang Lianzhang

With Graduate Jobs Scarce, Young Chinese Are Becoming ‘Full-Time Kids’

As China’s youth unemployment rate soars, parents are hiring their own adult children as “full-time kids” — paying them a monthly wage to clean, run errands, and take care of elderly relatives.