2016 in Review

2016-in-review

China’s 2016 in Photos

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

A selection of some of China’s best photos of the year 2016, juxtaposed by Sixth Tone’s visual editors.

Yang Shenlai

Pollution Levels Are Down, But Optimism Remains Low

Improved air-quality data not enough to convince experts and citizens that skies are clearing anytime soon.

Tomas Navia

Documentaries Fight for Attention Amid Box-Office Boom

With limited freedom and financing, documentary filmmakers cut their own paths to find audiences.

Yin Yijun

China Energy Reform Requires More Local Efforts 

Statistics show that China has taken steps toward replacing coal with renewable energy, but the root of the problem remains untouched.

Wang Yiwei

Sexually Abused Teens Start Afresh, Out of Media Spotlight

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

Sixth Tone follows up on how two victims are faring as awareness of child rape grows.

Ni Dandan

Fu Danni

Companies, Investors Pouring Into China’s Bike-Sharing Market

Forever, one of Shanghai’s oldest bicycle brands, is among the many companies to have entered the fray.

Wang Lianzhang

NGOs Sue Cleanup Companies Over Changzhou School Sickness Scare

Polluted former chemical-plant sites allegedly made hundreds of students ill.

Dong Heng

Of China’s Hundred Political Shooting Stars, One Has Fallen

In 2015, the Communist Party praised 102 county officials as “excellent party secretaries.” Here’s how their careers are panning out.

After Watershed Year, Chinese Trans Activists Hold First Summit

National conference wraps up momentous year of transgender activism in China.

Qian Jinghua

Big News Fills Baidu’s Top Search Terms of 2016

As the end of the year nears, the Chinese internet company releases its most popular queries of the past 12 months.

August Rick

Katrin Büchenbacher

Imaginative Chinese ‘Straddling Bus’ Gathers Dust

The TEB’s maiden voyage was a media spectacle, but interest since has dwindled.