patriotism

China’s Booming New Toy Market: Hyperrealistic ‘Military Lego’

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

Lego has found huge success in recent years by tapping into popular movie franchises like “Star Wars.” Its Chinese rivals are turning to a very different source of inspiration: the People’s Liberation Army.

Wu Peiyue

Zhang Liting

Patriotic Movies Dominate China’s Holiday Box Office, Again

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

“Home Coming” has become the latest chest-thumping blockbuster to score a big hit at the Chinese box office. But overall ticket sales are lagging compared with last year’s National Day holiday.

Fan Yiying

Amid Nationalistic Outcry, A Chinese Brand Vows ‘De-Japanification’

Lifestyle retailer Miniso apologized for promoting itself as a Japanese brand after its marketing practices ignited widespread fury on social media.

Ye Zhanhang

Will the Real Wu Jing Please Stand Up?

Contributions from individuals with unique perspectives to share. Hear from everyone, from experts and commentators to those whose voices are often marginalized.

VOICES & OPINION

Better known for his hyper-masculine public image, China’s macho man wasn’t always all bravado.

Liu Qing

The Patriotic Illustrators Trying to Paint the Internet Red

As China turns to new media to promote patriotic values, the country’s digital artists are gaining prominence.

Sixth Tone

How a Lost iPad Sparked Furious Online Debate in China

A student found a tablet on campus and posted a thoughtful lost-and-found note in Chinese and English. Then nationalists accused him of “fawning over foreigners.”

Du Xinyu

Liu Chuyue

China’s Keyboard Warriors Attack Vlogger’s Apology for COVID-19

Nihao Zhuzi deleted a post in which she had expressed regret that the coronavirus is spreading in other countries, after angry netizens insisted she had nothing to be sorry for.

Zhang Wanqing

Flag-Waving Fare Scores Big for China’s Flagging Film Industry

A trio of nationalistic films cleaned up at the box office Monday as the People’s Republic of China prepared to celebrate its 70th anniversary.

Xue Yujie

Channel Your Inner Ne Zha, Says Party Paper Commentary

The summer blockbuster that broke box office records is now being touted as a model for cadres’ good behavior.

Cai Xuejiao

Chinese Cartoonist, Collaborator Arrested for Unpatriotic Comics

Authorities say the pair shared hundreds of comics online that ‘twisted Chinese history.’

Hoi Ying Lo

Chinese Video Game Highlights Complex Reality of War With Japan

Genre-bending indie title “The Invisible Guardian” is part choose-your-own-adventure novel, part wartime drama.

Kenrick Davis

China Slams ‘Racist’ Satire Segment on Swedish TV

Sweden’s national network says it ‘made a mistake’ in lampooning a much-publicized dispute between a hostel, police, and a family of tourists — but will not apologize to China.

Qian Zhecheng

Proper Nouns Must Be Proper Chinese, Say Authorities

Ministry mandates that housing developments with names like ‘California Town’ and ‘Norwegian Wood’ must find Mandarin monikers.

Liang Chenyu

China’s Tech Luminaries Back Lenovo Amid Public Backlash

Netizens and domestic media have branded homegrown electronics giant ‘unpatriotic’ over 2016 incident.

Fan Liya

Why Chinese Filmgoers Don’t Buy Hollywood’s Values Anymore

Well-worn Western tropes of individualism and liberalism fail to resonate with audiences embracing a different form of national pride.

Wu Haiyun

More Nanjing Massacre Miscreants Detained by Police

In China, those who speak ill of the dead in chat groups are increasingly targeted by the authorities.

Why ‘Operation Red Sea’ Isn’t Like Other Chinese War Movies

The film turns away from grand, black-and-white depictions of conflict to capture its cruelty and complexity.

Li Yang

State Broadcaster Tells Tourists to Stop Chanting ‘China!’

CCTV commentary slams passengers for staging an impromptu display of patriotism as a form of protest.

State Media Slams Battle Hymn Spoof

Parody of ‘Yellow River Cantata’ is making patriots’ blood boil.

How Cinematic Heroes Reflect a New, Assertive China

A slew of hyper-nationalist protagonists help project the country’s strength, modernity, and supposed collective spirit.