Sixth Tone
@sixthtone.bsky.social
Fresh voices from today's China — news, features & commentary from a human perspective. Also on Facebook, Instagram, WeChat, & YouTube.
Website: www.sixthtone.com
Website: www.sixthtone.com
“Society is constantly changing, and so are people, but ‘change’ does not solely mean ‘progress.’”
After leaving education at 16 to work in factories, Zhang Sai is turning factory life into literature and documenting the people and pressures of China’s vast factory workforce.
ow.ly/UCXg50XztQQ
After leaving education at 16 to work in factories, Zhang Sai is turning factory life into literature and documenting the people and pressures of China’s vast factory workforce.
ow.ly/UCXg50XztQQ
December 2, 2025 at 10:32 AM
“Society is constantly changing, and so are people, but ‘change’ does not solely mean ‘progress.’”
After leaving education at 16 to work in factories, Zhang Sai is turning factory life into literature and documenting the people and pressures of China’s vast factory workforce.
ow.ly/UCXg50XztQQ
After leaving education at 16 to work in factories, Zhang Sai is turning factory life into literature and documenting the people and pressures of China’s vast factory workforce.
ow.ly/UCXg50XztQQ
Created by Hainanese migrants in Southeast Asia, the brew returned with re-migrants in the 1950s. Now, a new generation is pushing it into the future.
A Coffee of Exile and Memory Comes Home to Hainan
Created by Hainanese migrants in Southeast Asia, the brew returned with re-migrants in the 1950s. Now, a new generation is pushing it into the future.
www.sixthtone.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Created by Hainanese migrants in Southeast Asia, the brew returned with re-migrants in the 1950s. Now, a new generation is pushing it into the future.
Against all odds, Guinea’s $20 billion Simandou megaproject, including a 600-km railway, a new Atlantic port, multiple tunnels and bridges, and a twin set of mines, stunned the global mining world.
How China Unlocked a West African Mine to Reshape the Global Iron Ore Trade
Against all odds, Guinea’s $20 billion Simandou megaproject, including a 600-km railway, a new Atlantic port, multiple tunnels and bridges, and a twin set of mines, stunned the global mining world.
www.sixthtone.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Against all odds, Guinea’s $20 billion Simandou megaproject, including a 600-km railway, a new Atlantic port, multiple tunnels and bridges, and a twin set of mines, stunned the global mining world.
Chinese food became a popular American dinner because of the pioneering work of two women who, in the middle of the 20th century, set out to teach the flavors of home to their new country.
The Women Who Translated Chinese Cuisine Into American
Chinese food became a popular American dinner because of the pioneering work of two women who, in the middle of the 20th century, set out to teach the flavors of home to their new country.
www.sixthtone.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Chinese food became a popular American dinner because of the pioneering work of two women who, in the middle of the 20th century, set out to teach the flavors of home to their new country.
A social media influencer touring aquatic attractions nationwide is exposing the perilous problems he finds in water quality, staff training, and erroneous signage.
Minding Nemo: Vlogger Finds Fatal Flaws at China’s Aquariums
A social media influencer touring aquatic attractions nationwide is exposing the perilous problems he finds in water quality, staff training, and erroneous signage.
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November 13, 2025 at 10:54 AM
A social media influencer touring aquatic attractions nationwide is exposing the perilous problems he finds in water quality, staff training, and erroneous signage.
A contract dispute between an exclusive soccer academy and the family of a rising star has thrown a spotlight on China’s youth development system.
Has a Lawsuit Sidelined a Chinese Soccer Prodigy?
A contract dispute between an exclusive soccer academy and the family of a rising star has thrown a spotlight on China’s youth development system.
www.sixthtone.com
November 13, 2025 at 10:52 AM
A contract dispute between an exclusive soccer academy and the family of a rising star has thrown a spotlight on China’s youth development system.
Through her research, the sociologist Xu Lingling has discovered how those from rural and lower-class backgrounds are at a disadvantage for getting ahead — because of how much more time it takes them to catch up.
How Inherited Time Impacts the Lives of Young Chinese
Through her research, the sociologist Xu Lingling has discovered how those from rural and lower-class backgrounds are at a disadvantage for getting ahead — because of how much more time it takes them ...
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November 13, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Through her research, the sociologist Xu Lingling has discovered how those from rural and lower-class backgrounds are at a disadvantage for getting ahead — because of how much more time it takes them to catch up.
A college junior in Shanghai used a “universal key” to shut down elevator ad screens to protest their intrusive noise, going viral online after netizens applauded the move.
The Chinese College Student Who Took on Annoying Elevator Ads
A college junior in Shanghai used a “universal key” to shut down elevator ad screens to protest their intrusive noise, going viral online after netizens applauded the move.
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November 13, 2025 at 9:17 AM
A college junior in Shanghai used a “universal key” to shut down elevator ad screens to protest their intrusive noise, going viral online after netizens applauded the move.
AI software has made it possible to consistently analyze thousands of historical texts, allowing scientists to carefully map how people’s viewpoints changed between centuries and across regions.
How AI Allows Us to Talk With Ancient Chinese People
AI software has made it possible to consistently analyze thousands of historical texts, allowing scientists to carefully map how people’s viewpoints changed between centuries and across regions.
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November 6, 2025 at 7:27 AM
AI software has made it possible to consistently analyze thousands of historical texts, allowing scientists to carefully map how people’s viewpoints changed between centuries and across regions.
An online job scam boasting flexible hours and high salaries has targeted fresh graduates, demanding thousands of yuan for training modules and jobs that fall far short of expectations.
The ‘Training Loan’ Scam Trapping Young Chinese in Debt
An online job scam boasting flexible hours and high salaries has targeted fresh graduates, demanding thousands of yuan for training modules and jobs that fall far short of expectations.
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November 6, 2025 at 7:26 AM
An online job scam boasting flexible hours and high salaries has targeted fresh graduates, demanding thousands of yuan for training modules and jobs that fall far short of expectations.
Thousands of companies from around the world attended the event, where China pledged to expand world access to its market and showcased hundreds of new products and technologies.
Eighth China International Import Expo Kicks Off in Shanghai
Thousands of companies from around the world attended the event, where China pledged to expand world access to its market and showcased hundreds of new products and technologies.
www.sixthtone.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Thousands of companies from around the world attended the event, where China pledged to expand world access to its market and showcased hundreds of new products and technologies.
Marathon organizers and runners across China face abrupt cancellations and new curbs, as officials rush to rein in a sport that expanded faster than it could be managed.
Read more: ow.ly/zF6V50XlsYe
Read more: ow.ly/zF6V50XlsYe
November 6, 2025 at 7:24 AM
Marathon organizers and runners across China face abrupt cancellations and new curbs, as officials rush to rein in a sport that expanded faster than it could be managed.
Read more: ow.ly/zF6V50XlsYe
Read more: ow.ly/zF6V50XlsYe
Since its release in March, Sultan’s Game has been taking Chinese players by storm. Yet amid the moral quandaries, chaotic evil choices, sex, and violence posed by the game, it is a microcosm of how traditional culture shapes the choices we make.
What Sultan’s Game Reveals About Chinese Players
Since its release in March, Sultan’s Game has been taking Chinese players by storm. Yet amid the moral quandaries, chaotic evil choices, sex, and violence posed by the game, it is a microcosm of how t...
www.sixthtone.com
October 29, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Since its release in March, Sultan’s Game has been taking Chinese players by storm. Yet amid the moral quandaries, chaotic evil choices, sex, and violence posed by the game, it is a microcosm of how traditional culture shapes the choices we make.
The court ordered the restaurant to cease use of Hepburn’s image, full name, issue a public apology, and pay 200,000 yuan ($27,600) in compensation.
Audrey Hepburn’s Son Wins Lawsuit Against Chinese Restaurant
A Chinese court has ruled that a Suzhou-based Audrey Hepburn-themed chain violated personality rights by using the late actress’s image and name on signage, in restaurants, and on promotional material...
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October 28, 2025 at 10:08 AM
The court ordered the restaurant to cease use of Hepburn’s image, full name, issue a public apology, and pay 200,000 yuan ($27,600) in compensation.
As studios rush to feed China’s short-drama craze, web novel writers say their work is being taken, rewritten, and sold without consent or credit.
Fast, Cheap, Stolen: The Plagiarism Behind China’s Short Drama Boom
As studios rush to feed China’s short-drama craze, web novel writers say their work is being taken, rewritten, and sold without consent or credit.
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October 28, 2025 at 4:47 AM
As studios rush to feed China’s short-drama craze, web novel writers say their work is being taken, rewritten, and sold without consent or credit.
On China’s biggest stand-up comedy shows, 2025 has been a breakout year for women. But it’s more a story of economics, not equality.
The Precarious Rise of Female Comedians in China
On China’s biggest stand-up comedy shows, 2025 has been a breakout year for women. But it’s more a story of economics, not equality.
www.sixthtone.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:45 AM
On China’s biggest stand-up comedy shows, 2025 has been a breakout year for women. But it’s more a story of economics, not equality.
As climate extremes grow across China, one farmer’s flooded fields outside Beijing show how quickly the country’s weather, and way of life, are being rewritten.
‘Huge Lesson’: A Beijing Farmer Learns to Live in Climate Extremes
As climate extremes grow across China, one farmer’s flooded fields outside Beijing show how quickly the country’s weather, and way of life, are being rewritten.
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October 27, 2025 at 9:17 AM
As climate extremes grow across China, one farmer’s flooded fields outside Beijing show how quickly the country’s weather, and way of life, are being rewritten.
For two years, Liu Yujia has crossed China on foot and by bike, photographing the tiled towers, tinted-glass hotels, and industrial relics of a disappearing urban era, once often dismissed as “ugly.”
The Architect Saving China’s ‘Ugly’ Buildings, One Photo at a Time
For two years, Liu Yujia has crossed China on foot and by bike, photographing the tiled towers, tinted-glass hotels, and industrial relics of a disappearing urban era, once often dismissed as “ugly.”
www.sixthtone.com
October 27, 2025 at 9:12 AM
For two years, Liu Yujia has crossed China on foot and by bike, photographing the tiled towers, tinted-glass hotels, and industrial relics of a disappearing urban era, once often dismissed as “ugly.”
Guangzhou, the capital of China’s southern Guangdong province, has drafted a policy requiring dim sum restaurants to label dishes as made using “traditional” or “non-traditional” methods and set up a talent-training system to protect the region’s culinary craft.
All That and Dim Sum: Canton Moves to Regulate Morning Tea
The southern city of Guangzhou has drafted a policy regulating the labeling of dim sum dishes in an effort to preserve authenticity, freshness, and cultural heritage.
www.sixthtone.com
October 27, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Guangzhou, the capital of China’s southern Guangdong province, has drafted a policy requiring dim sum restaurants to label dishes as made using “traditional” or “non-traditional” methods and set up a talent-training system to protect the region’s culinary craft.
From silk and porcelain to cotton and tea, Li Bozhong traces how centuries of exchange bound China to global markets long before modern globalization.
The Historian Showing How Trade Shaped China’s Ties to the World
From silk and porcelain to cotton and tea, Li Bozhong traces how centuries of exchange bound China to global markets long before modern globalization.
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October 16, 2025 at 1:37 PM
From silk and porcelain to cotton and tea, Li Bozhong traces how centuries of exchange bound China to global markets long before modern globalization.
Across China’s short-video platforms, group livestreaming, or tuanbo, has become a nationwide obsession. The format has exploded in recent months, filling the gap left by China’s 2021 ban on idol survival shows. For many, it offers a second chance at stardom.
In China’s New Livestream Factories, Bodies, Data, and Dreams Collide
With idol reality shows off the air, group livestreams have filled the void, where dancers perform in rotating squads as viewers send gifts and even pay to control the show.
www.sixthtone.com
October 14, 2025 at 4:43 AM
Across China’s short-video platforms, group livestreaming, or tuanbo, has become a nationwide obsession. The format has exploded in recent months, filling the gap left by China’s 2021 ban on idol survival shows. For many, it offers a second chance at stardom.
In her latest book, Professor He Guimei challenges the framework of “Chineseness” at its core, highlighting a need to frame it in terms of civilization, rather than nation, and to change how we talk about tradition when constructing ideas of the present.
Read more: ow.ly/BjIc50Xakor
Read more: ow.ly/BjIc50Xakor
October 13, 2025 at 5:09 AM
In her latest book, Professor He Guimei challenges the framework of “Chineseness” at its core, highlighting a need to frame it in terms of civilization, rather than nation, and to change how we talk about tradition when constructing ideas of the present.
Read more: ow.ly/BjIc50Xakor
Read more: ow.ly/BjIc50Xakor
“Please help me recognize the last word my father left me.” “He’s wishing you a Happy New Year.”
“The Worst Handwriting Group in History,” which began as a way to bond over poor penmanship, has recently expanded into a place to seek solace and help in deciphering notes left by deceased relatives.
“The Worst Handwriting Group in History,” which began as a way to bond over poor penmanship, has recently expanded into a place to seek solace and help in deciphering notes left by deceased relatives.
China’s ‘Worst Handwriting Group in History’ Rewrites Grief
The online forum, which began as a way to bond over poor penmanship, has recently expanded into a place to seek solace and help in deciphering notes left by deceased relatives.
www.sixthtone.com
September 25, 2025 at 8:13 AM
“Please help me recognize the last word my father left me.” “He’s wishing you a Happy New Year.”
“The Worst Handwriting Group in History,” which began as a way to bond over poor penmanship, has recently expanded into a place to seek solace and help in deciphering notes left by deceased relatives.
“The Worst Handwriting Group in History,” which began as a way to bond over poor penmanship, has recently expanded into a place to seek solace and help in deciphering notes left by deceased relatives.
Marathon star Zhang Shuihua promises to tread lightly after post-race comments about her hospital job spark a social media pile-on.
Crossing the Line? China’s ‘Fastest Nurse’ Runs Into Trouble
Marathon star Zhang Shuihua promises to tread lightly after post-race comments about her hospital job spark a social media pile-on.
www.sixthtone.com
September 25, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Marathon star Zhang Shuihua promises to tread lightly after post-race comments about her hospital job spark a social media pile-on.
The lunches, supplied by catering company Green Express, were recalled after some schools had already served them, prompting outrage from parents and city-wide reform of school catering contracts.
Shanghai School Lunch Scandal Leads to Investigation, Reforms
The lunches, supplied by catering company Green Express, were recalled after some schools had already served them, prompting outrage from parents and city-wide reform of school catering contracts.
www.sixthtone.com
September 25, 2025 at 8:01 AM
The lunches, supplied by catering company Green Express, were recalled after some schools had already served them, prompting outrage from parents and city-wide reform of school catering contracts.