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
In early 20th-century Shanghai, jazz was made by composers, performers, and bandleaders from across Asia and beyond. This is the first article in a four-part series tracing how that sound took shape, and who made it matter.
The Music Teacher Who Rewrote the Rules of Chinese Pop
Reviled by elites, adored by the masses, Li Jinhui turned Shanghai’s din into China’s first pop music.
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January 27, 2026 at 9:41 AM
In early 20th-century Shanghai, jazz was made by composers, performers, and bandleaders from across Asia and beyond. This is the first article in a four-part series tracing how that sound took shape, and who made it matter.
Unveiled in 1947, the MingKwai typewriter was the product of a Chinese novelist’s yearslong obsession to build a machine that tackled the problem of typing Chinese decades before personal computers arrived.
The MingKwai Experiment: Typing Chinese Before Computers
Unveiled in 1947, the MingKwai typewriter was the product of a Chinese novelist’s yearslong obsession to build a machine that tackled the problem of typing Chinese decades before personal computers ar...
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January 27, 2026 at 9:39 AM
Unveiled in 1947, the MingKwai typewriter was the product of a Chinese novelist’s yearslong obsession to build a machine that tackled the problem of typing Chinese decades before personal computers arrived.
A Chinese-developed acne vaccine has entered domestic clinical trials for the first time, marking a national milestone in efforts to treat one of the world’s most common skin conditions.
China Begins Clinical Trials of Its First Acne Vaccine
The recombinant, protein-based vaccine is one of only a handful of acne vaccines worldwide promising alternative treatment.
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January 23, 2026 at 11:32 AM
A Chinese-developed acne vaccine has entered domestic clinical trials for the first time, marking a national milestone in efforts to treat one of the world’s most common skin conditions.
Why Young Chinese Think the World Is a ‘Ragtag Troupe’
A 2025 buzzword speaks to how many in China have grown disenchanted by once highly respected companies and institutions.
Read more: ow.ly/jWYy50XUBKH
A 2025 buzzword speaks to how many in China have grown disenchanted by once highly respected companies and institutions.
Read more: ow.ly/jWYy50XUBKH
January 21, 2026 at 4:45 AM
Why Young Chinese Think the World Is a ‘Ragtag Troupe’
A 2025 buzzword speaks to how many in China have grown disenchanted by once highly respected companies and institutions.
Read more: ow.ly/jWYy50XUBKH
A 2025 buzzword speaks to how many in China have grown disenchanted by once highly respected companies and institutions.
Read more: ow.ly/jWYy50XUBKH
In a break with older generations, young Chinese are opting for self-love without first imposing hardships on themselves.
The Buzzword Capturing Chinese Gen Z’s Individualism
In a break with older generations, young Chinese are opting for self-love without first imposing hardships on themselves.
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January 21, 2026 at 4:43 AM
In a break with older generations, young Chinese are opting for self-love without first imposing hardships on themselves.
You and Me, a free experimental music festival in Beijing, grew from one teenager’s search for refuge. Now it faces demolition, debt, and an uncertain future.
How a Bullied Teenager Built China’s Unlikeliest Music Festival
You and Me, a free experimental music festival in Beijing, grew from one teenager’s search for refuge. Now it faces demolition, debt, and an uncertain future.
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December 30, 2025 at 7:17 AM
You and Me, a free experimental music festival in Beijing, grew from one teenager’s search for refuge. Now it faces demolition, debt, and an uncertain future.
China will ban retractable car handles beginning Jan. 1, 2027, amid growing safety concerns that electrically powered designs can prevent passengers from escaping or being rescued after mishaps.
China Bans Retractable EV Door Handles Over Safety Concerns
Safety concerns after fatal crashes have prompted rules requiring doors to open without electricity.
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December 30, 2025 at 6:23 AM
China will ban retractable car handles beginning Jan. 1, 2027, amid growing safety concerns that electrically powered designs can prevent passengers from escaping or being rescued after mishaps.
As ultrashort dramas boom in popularity in China, writers are reliant on storylines that require the use of preschool performers. The work is fast-paced, with children sometimes having to endure long days of filming and handle scripts that involve adult themes far beyond their comprehension.
Act Your Age? Chinese Dramas Thrust Preschoolers Into Adult Roles
With children central to many ultrashort dramas, young actors are enduring grueling schedules to shoot scripts far beyond their understanding.
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December 30, 2025 at 6:11 AM
As ultrashort dramas boom in popularity in China, writers are reliant on storylines that require the use of preschool performers. The work is fast-paced, with children sometimes having to endure long days of filming and handle scripts that involve adult themes far beyond their comprehension.
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 30, 2025 at 6:01 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.
Chinese cinemagoers are increasingly discerning. They prefer high-quality movies over holiday blockbusters, and pick films that appeal to their demographic.
Read more: ow.ly/L9mj50XQetx
Read more: ow.ly/L9mj50XQetx
December 30, 2025 at 5:59 AM
Chinese cinemagoers are increasingly discerning. They prefer high-quality movies over holiday blockbusters, and pick films that appeal to their demographic.
Read more: ow.ly/L9mj50XQetx
Read more: ow.ly/L9mj50XQetx
“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.
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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.
www.sixthtone.com
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.
www.sixthtone.com
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.
www.sixthtone.com
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.