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China’s Milk Tea Industry Gets a Health Check

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 new grading system currently being tested in Shanghai aims to give consumers a clearer picture of the sugary drinks’ nutritional value — or lack thereof.

Creator of Beloved Cartoon Cat Abandoned His Own Pet, Fans Discover

Artist Zhang Ping is in hot water after revealing that he abandoned the pet kitten that inspired his iconic character, Luo Xiaohei.

As China’s Summer of Extremes Continues, Floods Engulf South

The famous tourist city of Guilin has been hit with the worst flooding in decades, as freak weather disrupts the lives of millions across southern China.

Starting a New Job in China? It Might Involve a 60-Kilometer Hike. 

Some companies are forcing new hires to take part in military-style boot camps to “foster team spirit.” But is the practice even legal?

Paris 2024: Why Chinese Brands Are Betting on Sports Over Stars

Chinese brands are increasingly turning to athletes for endorsements before the Olympics, seeking to avoid the pitfalls associated with celebrity scandals and capitalize on the positive image of sports figures.

China Has a Solution for Misleading Tinder Profiles: ‘Dating Analysts’

It’s no secret people often lie on their online dating profiles. In China, professional “dating analysts” help clients work out what their matches are trying to hide.

China’s ‘Small-Town Literature’ Trend Turns Rural Into Retro

An increasing number of travelers are visiting smaller cities and counties across China, hiring photographers to document their experiences. Critics, however, argue that it reinforces negative stereotypes, portraying small towns as stagnant.

Her Boyfriend Killed Himself. The Internet Blamed Her.

After a Chinese gaming influencer took his own life, his former girlfriend was subjected to a vicious online hate campaign. Now it has emerged that the influencer’s family orchestrated the doxxing.

For Stressed Young Chinese, Chiikawa Toys Are Digital Ibuprofen

Based on the hugely popular Japanese manga, Chiikawa characters are growing more popular in China. Until now, Chinese fans could only buy merchandise through proxy shoppers at inflated prices from overseas.

Harsher Recess Rules in China Turn School Toilets Into Social Hubs 

Schools fearful of accident liability are clamping down on recess activities. Critics say the trend could condemn a generation’s childhood memories to be defined by time spent in restrooms.

‘Office Farmers’ Grow Fruit Plants for Novelty and Stress Relief

Mundane desktop plants are slowly being replaced by edible, decorative, and conversation-starting “work pals” like bananas and pineapples.

Gaokao Gateway: How First Academic Degrees Shape Careers in China

Despite government clarifications, emphasis on the prestige of first academic degrees over higher degrees remains a key factor in hiring. New reform proposals to shift this focus towards skills and experience have renewed the debate around the practice.

Chinese Star’s Online Health Updates Fuel a Clickbait Controversy

Authorities have confirmed that several photos and videos that Chinese celebrity Gao Junyu shared last week, documenting her brain tumor treatment, were actually from last year.

China’s New Hit: A Cheesy Drama About a Time Traveling Stepmother

Tapping into China’s fast changing family values and societal norms, “I Became a Stepmother in the 1980s” is striking a chord with millions.

Scents of Self: Why Young Chinese are Obsessed with Fragrances

The fragrance industry in China is on the upswing as younger consumers embrace scents for self-expression and comfort.

2023: The Year of the Brand Crossover

To attract younger customers, major consumer brands are launching co-branded products with increasing frequency.

It’s Year-end Party Season For Chinese Companies — Do Workers Like Them?   

Every year, Chinese companies hold lavish year-end parties featuring live performances and lucky draws. A hit comedy film has captured many workers’ apathy towards the practice.