law & justice

law-&-justice

China Passes Landmark Preschool Education Law

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

The new law aims to prevent unqualified and poorly trained teachers from finding work in the sector, after a string of scandals.

Ding Rui

Her Dog Was Poisoned. Now She’s Fighting to Reform Pet Laws in China.

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

After her dog was poisoned, Li Yihan’s pursuit of justice has become a landmark legal battle, one that could bring significant changes to China’s approach to pet protection laws.

Caught on Camera: Smart Locks Spark Privacy Battles

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

SIXTH TONE ×

Disputes between neighbors across China about the potential use of footage captured on home security devices have ignited a debate on privacy protection.

The  Beijing News

Is China’s Juvenile Delinquency Problem Really Getting Worse?

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

VOICES & OPINION

Amid high-profile reports of young people committing heinous crimes, a criminologist dives into the data to get a better sense of the scale and severity of China’s juvenile delinquency problem.

Xu Boyang

In Analysis: Lawsuit Sparks Debate on China’s Therapy Standards

A high-profile dispute between celebrity psychologist Li Songwei and a former client has led to discussion on the oversight for professional counselors in China.

The Paper

Why a New Women’s Law Has China Debating Property Rights

Starting June 1, Fujian province will allow women to legally access their partners’ property details without lengthy court proceedings. Critics argue the law favors women, but officials assert it does not infringe on men's rights.

He Qitong

How a Local Police Station Became China’s Hottest Holiday Destination

A hit documentary has turned a police station in the central city of Changsha into a viral hotspot — and caused some unease among local authorities.

In China, Parents Turn to ‘Magic Potions’ to Help Kids Run Faster

China has made sports a core subject in its national high school entrance exams. The result: a booming market for dubious performance-enhancing products.

China Moves Toward Ban on Japanese-Style ‘Maid Cafés’ 

A Chinese court has ruled that the controversial businesses violate women’s right to personal dignity.

Yang Caini

Uptick in Crime Against Minors in China Amid Rising Internet Use

While authorities have intensified efforts to bolster judicial protections for minors, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate emphasized that evolving criminal activity online poses new challenges for legal authorities.

Fan Yiying

Amid Gaps, China Makes Gains in Fighting Domestic Violence: Report

Compiled by a Beijing-based nonprofit, the report analyzed all publicly available media reports and cases since China’s landmark law against domestic violence came into effect on March 1, 2016.

Chinese Court Denies Father’s Claim to Children’s ‘Lucky Money’

Ruling on a divorce case, the court split all marital assets equally but rejected the father’s bid for money previously gifted to his children, emphasizing that such assets belong to them.

China’s Top Court Takes Aim at Owners of Aggressive Dogs 

Dog owners can be held liable even in cases where their dogs do not make contact with injured parties.

China’s Top Court Continues Campaign Against ‘WeChat Overtime’ 

Going home does not mean the work day is over for some Chinese employees.

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.

Shanxi Court Sentences Man to 3 Years for Raping Fiancée

The case has garnered significant public interest, sparking widespread debate on social media over multiple issues including marriage, consent, and bride prices.

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.

Refunds Allowed! China’s Top Court Clarifies When ‘Bride Prices’ Should be Returned

The custom of paying money to a bride’s family as a condition for marriage is a longstanding one in China, but rising prices and high-profile disputes have made it a focus of both the courts and local officials.

In a First, Beijing Court Grants Copyright to AI-Assisted Artwork

The court ruled that AI-generated images demonstrating human originality and intellectual input should be protected by copyright law.

Ye Zhanhang

A Food Courier’s Pursuit of Equal Treatment

Delivery rider Liang Ningning filed a lawsuit after a Beijing residential community told him to use the “back entrance,” to highlight the everyday discrimination facing food and parcel couriers.