industry

Behind the Numbers: China’s Diamond Industry

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

MULTIMEDIA

How did China get a cut of the global diamond trade?

Luo Yahan

Wang Jingyang

Sound Check: How High Costs Are Silencing China’s Music Festivals

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

With rising costs, shifting consumer demands, and stricter regulations leading to a wave of music festivals being canceled, festival organizers are struggling to attract price-sensitive audiences while maintaining profitability.

Ye Zhanhang

Huang Yang

China’s Labor Day Box Office Hits Near-Record Highs

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

Increased ticket sales in smaller cities and an uptick in older audience attendance underscored a growing demand for family-oriented films during the five-day holiday.

Li Xin

Last Stop: Looking Past the Stigma Facing China’s Morticians

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

SIXTH TONE ×

A long-serving mortuary technician in Shanghai explains the tough conditions he faces in the workplace and the societal prejudices that persist against his profession.

Shanghai Observer

Gaming Giant Blizzard Returns to China, Sparking Joy — and Some Anger

U.S.-based video game maker Blizzard Entertainment has announced a new deal to re-enter the Chinese market. But some gamers still haven’t forgiven the company for leaving in the first place.

Yang Caini

Meet AI001, Alibaba’s First AI Employee

The AI-powered assistant, accessible to all employees as a plugin, is expected to write at least 20% of the company’s code in the future.

He Qitong

Xiaomi Enters China’s EV Race, Targets Tesla With Lower Pricing

The smartphone and consumer electronic giant’s entry into an already crowded EV market is likely to increase competition and drive industry-wide efforts to reduce costs.

China’s Top Tech Giants Clash on Social Media Over Plagiarism Claims

NetEase has accused Tencent’s “Honor of Kings” of copying its character art, sparking widespread online debate.

Over 70% of Trip.com Staff Choose Working From Home

The travel giant allows remote work two days a week, a model especially popular among younger employees, parents, and women.

Amid Competition from Huawei, iPhone Sales Tumble 24% in China

According to a new market report, China’s smartphone sales dipped 7% in the first six weeks of 2024, with some domestic brands also witnessing a decline in sales.

Ding Rui

On E-commerce Platforms, Young Chinese Turn Savings Into Sport

In an effort to spend more wisely, young shoppers are scouring for the best possible deals. Social media tips and tags, and e-commerce algorithms are playing key roles in their search.

Lin Pingxiu

How China Became a Car Country

Your questions, answered. In-depth interviews with the minds and makers shaping today’s China.

Q & A

Zhang Jun’s new book explores how China fell in love with the personal automobile.

Cai Yineng

Chinese Carmakers Enter 2024 Fighting Price War, Heightened EV Competition

China’s automakers — on track for record sales in 2023 — have little to celebrate in the New Year as a continuing price war squeezes profitability and increased competition in the market for new energy vehicles (NEV) overhangs a key segment for growth.

Caixin Global

Up and Down: The Risky Business of Winter Jackets

In Pinghu, home to China’s largest wholesale market for down jackets, manufacturers are competing each winter to clear their stock, as pressure grows from livestream sellers.

BlueWhale Finance

China’s Internet Content Kings Struggle to Keep Users Paying

China’s internet content industry has finally cultivated its first group of paying customers following years of heavy spending and heated competition. Now the challenge is retaining them and expanding the subscriber base.

One Year After Exit, Blizzard Games Eyes Return to China: Reports

Reports on Blizzard Entertainment’s negotiations with prospective Chinese partners surfaced after a domestic company appeared to be streaming World of Warcraft content.

Trick or Treat: The Rise of China’s Snack Food Stores

As the snack food market expands rapidly in China, franchise store owners in towns and small cities might be biting off more than they can chew.

Xianwei Story

Bridal Fashion Capital: How Chaozhou Holds Its Place in the Spotlight

Chaozhou, once the world’s bridal gown-making hub, is resorting to legacy, adaptability, and originality as it grapples with challenges ranging from a shifting market to the pandemic.

The Paper

The Superstore Betting on China’s Animal Attraction

As pet stores in China go, Marsmart is somewhat of an anomaly — not least because it’s often the pets that are browsing the aisles.

Hu Xiu

Shanghai’s CIIF Showcases Latest in Robotics and Green Innovation

After a two-year hiatus, the China International Industry Fair hosted 2,800 exhibitors from more than 30 countries this year, highlighting new materials, smart logistic systems, and 5G technologies.