wu-haiyun

The Historian Rewriting China’s Understanding of the World

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

Q & A

Qian Chengdan is one of China’s best-known historians. In a new book, he and his team attempt to produce a comprehensive Marxist history of the world.

Witches and ‘Poisonous Cats’: A Scholar’s Search for Society’s Scapegoats

Wang Mingke has spent his life studying marginalized communities in China’s far west. That work has helped him better understand everything from anti-Asian hate to social media polarization.

The Terra-Cotta Army’s Secret Weapon

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

The ghostly army of China’s first emperor is known for its thousands of clay foot soldiers. But new excavations are revealing that the force was far more diverse — and tactically sophisticated — than previously assumed.

How China’s Silk Road Ambitions Are Reshaping the World of Archaeology

Until a decade ago, Chinese archaeologists had never conducted major excavations overseas. Now, as China pours funding into Silk Road research, they are quietly transforming our understanding of the ancient world.

China’s Tech Firms Are Slashing Staff. Creators Are First in Line.

When China’s tech companies torpedoed the traditional media industry, thousands of journalists and other creators jumped ship. Now, the startups that hired them are sinking, too.

Disabled Man in Chinese Countryside Inspires Disillusioned Youth

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 viral video of a 66-year-old man’s life story of him overcoming the odds has left millions of viewers reflecting.

Acclaimed Chinese Lyricist Qiao Yu Dies at 94 

“My Motherland” and “Unforgettable Tonight” are among the songwriter’s most well-known works.

New Sanxingdui Relics Offer More Clues of Ancient Civilization 

Nearly 13,000 artifacts have been excavated from the site in southwestern China so far.

The Mysterious Ancient City That’s Rewriting Chinese History

The discovery of a 3,000-year-old civilization at Sanxingdui raised profound questions about China’s ancient past. Now, researchers believe they’re finally close to finding some answers.

Inside the Race for a COVID-19 Cure

Scientists across the world are rushing to develop effective treatments for the novel coronavirus. But how soon can they be on the market?

COVID-19 Highlights Need for Better Infectious Disease Clinics

With its abundant resources, Shanghai has fared relatively well in the current outbreak — but what about cities that lack the same advantages?

China’s Students Battle Coronavirus From Behind Their Keyboards

University students are coordinating online to solicit donations for hospitals needing medical equipment, fact-check what’s being reported about the epidemic, and relay first-person accounts from frontline cities.

China To Begin Testing Ebola Drug on Coronavirus Patients

The country’s health authorities approved the trial just days after an academic paper suggested the drug might be effective against the novel coronavirus, but not everyone is convinced.

Leading Expert on Epidemic Outcomes, ‘Psychological Intervention’

Zhang Wenhong, the infectious disease expert tasked with managing Shanghai’s response to the novel coronavirus, spoke to Sixth Tone about the epidemic’s present state and possible future.

Viral Star Fang Jinlong on Making Chinese Folk Music Fun

The virtuoso musician discusses how he learned over 100 instruments and found fame with his quirky approach to classical performances.

The New Face of the Terra-cotta Warriors

Innovative archaeological techniques are transforming our understanding of the Qin emperor's ghostly army.

Beyond Buddhism: Exhibition Spotlights Early Tibetan Culture

At the site of China’s famed Mogao Caves, a new exhibit co-organized by the Dunhuang Academy and the Pritzker Art Collaborative reveals the rich history of an ancient Tibetan kingdom.

The Last of the Oroqen Hunters

In the frozen wilderness of China’s Hinggan Mountains, an ethnic minority group watches its heritage slip away amid tightening gun control.

Q&A With Writer Ding Yan on China’s ‘Factory Boys’

Author of ‘Factory Girls’ re-examines factory laborer experience, this time focusing on the young men manning the machines.

Mogao Grottoes Call Overseas Relics Home, Electronically

Digital gallery of ancient Buddhist caves turns to Harvard University for missing piece.