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Tired of Running in Place, Young Chinese ‘Lie Down’

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 “Why try hard when you can just skate by?” mentality embraced by some young people has not been enthusiastically received in official circles.

Viral Video of Posh High School Sparks Heated Debate on Privilege

After an alumnus of an elite Beijing high school made a video showing off its pristine facilities and supposedly laid-back pace, many online demanded that she and her ilk stop rubbing their privilege in others’ faces.

Push to Suspend Divorces on Day for Lovers Backfires

Local authorities felt it would be inappropriate for couples to split up on May 20, one of several days that China has dedicated to love.

COVID-19 Clusters in Anhui, Liaoning Traced to Photography Workshop

The 29 new positive cases across two provinces represent China’s largest coronavirus outbreak in over a month.

Chengdu Student’s Death Highlights Need for Campus Counseling

New evidence suggests the teen had been going through a tough time and may have benefitted from mental health services.

After Another Campus Death, a Mother Demands Answers

Authorities in Chengdu say a 16-year-old student died by suicide with no signs of foul play, but his parents have accused the school being negligent and evasive in its handling of the tragedy.

China Targets ‘Chaotic’ Online Fan Groups to Tame Teen Culture

Authorities say hate and abuse on social media may be negatively impacting young people.

Celebrity Doctor Investigated for Allegedly Harassing Dozens of Women

Dermatologist Lin Xiaoqing blamed an assistant for inappropriate messages sent from his social media account.

‘OK Boomer,’ Retort Chinese Youth Accused of Being Lazy

Nothing says “happy Youth Day” like old people complaining you’re not working hard enough.

Months After Surrogacy Scandal, Actor Investigated for Contract Fraud

Days earlier, Zheng Shuang’s ex-husband alleged that she had received 160 million yuan for her latest TV project, even though her contract stipulated less than a third of this amount.

China Sends Space Station’s First Building Block Into Orbit

Over the next two years, the country’s space agency plans to add new modules for conducting experiments, a state-of-the-art telescope, and two massive robotic arms.

China Reminds Schools That Gym Class Isn’t Optional

Though physical education is supposedly an integral part of school curricula, teachers and students alike have a tendency to sideline gym class to load up on academic subjects.

Critics Accuse Award-Winning Chinese Writer of Pandering to Foreign Readers

Jia’nan Qian won an O. Henry Prize for her short story about stark countryside living during China’s tumultuous Cultural Revolution.

‘The Six’ Recounts Tragic Tale of China’s Titanic Survivors

The story of how the survivors received a racist response in the U.S. is prompting viewers to reflect on China’s rise.

How to Hot Pot on a Shoestring Budget Is Trending in China

Some are stirring up anger by boasting of spending less than $3 on meals while gorging themselves on free snacks at famously generous hot pot chain Haidilao.

Vlogger Sheds Light on Habitat Loss in Suburban China

A vlogger documented wildlife living near Nanjing to raise awareness of growing human encroachment.

Truck Driver’s Suicide Spotlights Mandatory Satellite Tracking

A 51-year-old truck driver killed himself at a police checkpoint in northern China in protest over a 2,000 yuan fine because his onboard Beidou navigation system was turned off.

Chinese Border City Reports 112 Coronavirus Cases After Mass Testing

A citywide vaccination drive has been put on hold while Ruili conducts a second round of mass testing.

How a Uruguayan Novel Broke China’s Go-To Review Site

The Chinese version of Mario Benedetti’s “La Tregua” has become an unexpected punching bag following a negative online review of its translation.

Chinese Netizens Enraged by ‘Too Light’ Rape Sentence, Again

A Zhejiang court handed a minimum sentence to a man convicted of rape, prompting social media users to loudly call for stricter punishments for such crimes.