environment

Gridlocked: When Jellyfish Brought a China Power Plant to Its Knees

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 unexpected surge of jellyfish overwhelmed cooling systems, forcing workers to work around the clock to clear blockages and avert shutdowns — a crisis affecting coastal infrastructure worldwide.

Jiang Xinyi

Luo Yahan

China Moves to Tackle a Growing Menace: Rampaging Boars

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

Wily, aggressive, and weighing up to 200 kilos, wild boars have become a serious problem in many parts of rural China. Now, authorities are calling in the hunters.

The Bird-Whistling Guardian of Shanghai’s First World Heritage Site

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

SIXTH TONE ×

Retired bird catcher Jin Weiguo has helped collect data on countless species of migratory birds as part of the protection team at the Dongtan nature reserve.

The Paper

Into the Sandstorm: The 75-Year-Old Grieving Mother Creating a Green Miracle in the Desert

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

MULTIMEDIA

China Launches Three-Year Campaign Against Ocean Litter

The initiative aims to significantly clear 65 bay areas by 2025 and establish regular clean-ups by 2027.

Ye Zhanhang

Haitang, the Lost Chinese Whale, Finally Swims to Freedom

After a five-month rescue operation, the short-finned pilot whale has finally recovered from his injuries and been released back into the ocean.

Sixth Tone

The Villagers Turned ‘River Chiefs’ Helping to Protect China’s Waterways

Powerful Tornado Kills 5 as Extreme Weather Batters Guangdong

The EF2 level tornado, with wind speeds strong enough to rip out entire roofs, extended for about 1 kilometer, with videos showing debris from factory buildings being swept into the air.

He Qitong

Extreme Weather Battered China in 2023. This Year Could Be Worse.

The end of the current El Niño cycle will make severe heat waves, droughts, and floods even more likely, climate experts say.

Li Xin

China’s First Artificially Bred Pallas’s Cat Dies in Qinghai Park

In China, these elusive animals, which mainly inhabit the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, are at serious risk due to decades of hunting. Researchers say they are the most difficult feline to breed in the world.

4 Dead as Wildfires Sweep Across Yunnan and Sichuan

Authorities have attributed the heightened fire risk to dry weather, low rainfall, and human activities.

Spring Festival Travelers Fret as Extreme Weather Arrives

Some are bringing forward their travel plans to reduce the risk of cancellations and disruptions.

Cat Island: A Utopia For Shanghai’s Stray Felines

Lü Xiao

Wu Huiyuan 

Wetlands ‘Restoration’ Project Suspended After Environmental NGO Lawsuit 

A local court has ruled against a wetland restoration project for failing to fully consider its impact on local habitats crucial for migratory birds.

Ding Rui

Amur Leopard Killed in Northeast China, Tiger a Likely Culprit

Wildlife experts describe this clash between the two endangered species as highly unusual, given the rarity of tigers encountering the more agile and cautious leopards in the wild.

China Logs Hottest Ever Year in 2023 

Experts warn of even higher temperatures and more extreme weather in 2024.

Zhu Junxi

China Overhauls Marine Laws, Targets Rising Pollution and Waste

The amended law, which will take effect Jan. 1, focuses on better pollution control and waste management, while also introducing stricter penalties for violations.

Yang Caini

Winter Is Here: Temperatures Approach Record Lows in Northern China 

Sharp temperature drops are being seen around the country this week.

China Looks to Build on Air Pollution Reduction Success With New Action Plan 

The third-ever national-level plan to improve air quality introduces clear targets for the country’s most polluting regions.

What Did 2023 Bring for China’s Energy Sector?

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

VOICES & OPINION

COP28 offers the country a chance to reflect on its climate goals.