2021 in Review

2021-in-review

Sixth Tone’s 2021 in Illustrations

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

MULTIMEDIA

A selection of the year’s best illustrations curated by Sixth Tone’s visual editors.

Sixth Tone

China’s 2021 in Photos

A selection of the year’s best photos by Sixth Tone’s visual editors.

Mental Health Used to Be a Taboo in China. That’s Changing Fast.

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

The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked unprecedented discussion of mental health issues in China. In 2021, those conversations started driving real changes.

Fan Yiying

Zhu Ruiying

Year in Review: Sixth Tone’s Top Stories of 2021

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

Our most popular news, features, commentaries, and visual stories this year.

The Best Chinese Internet Slang, 2021 Edition 

A list of online buzzwords that lived a life of their own on online platforms this year.

In 2021, Extreme Weather Woke China Up to Climate Change

Following this year’s disastrous Zhengzhou floods, cities around the country are rethinking their preparations for a more precarious future.