zhang-liting

China’s Booming New Toy Market: Hyperrealistic ‘Military Lego’

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

Lego has found huge success in recent years by tapping into popular movie franchises like “Star Wars.” Its Chinese rivals are turning to a very different source of inspiration: the People’s Liberation Army.

A Day in a Shanghai Park: Strays

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

MULTIMEDIA

Young Chinese Are Still Seeking Serenity — Now Through Digital Fish

The country’s latest viral app is a wooden fish simulator.

China Adagio: A Photographer’s 40-Year Visual Journey

Photojournalist Andrew Wong has been documenting China’s rise since the early 1980s. His work offers a unique perspective on the country’s transformation.

Alibaba Built Its Success on Small Vendors. Now, It Fears Losing Them.

Ahead of the all-important Singles’ Day shopping festival, the Chinese e-commerce giant is struggling to cling on to the core of its business: the small merchants that populate its flagship Taobao platform.

For Young Chinese, Even State Sector Jobs Are No Longer a Safe Bet

Chinese graduates rushed to join the civil service during the pandemic, hoping to find security amid a turbulent economy. Now, many are facing steep pay cuts — and looking for a way out.