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

news

Bank of Labubu: Branches Lure New Customers With Coveted Dolls

A Shenzhen-based bank is getting customers through the door with the promise of a much sought-after — and potentially lucrative — Labubu toy.

He Qitong

Breathe Easy: Chinese Device Offers No-Needle Diabetes Tracking

The device analyzes acetone in exhaled breath, offering a faster, noninvasive alternative to traditional blood tests.

Jiang Xinyi

Amid Gaokao, Students Turn to a Reclusive Math Genius for Luck

Wei Dongyi had largely stayed out of the public eye since going viral in 2021. But a surprise appearance on Douyin ahead of China’s college entrance exam last week drew millions of new followers within days.

Li Xin

Chinese Scientists Detect New ‘Super-Earth’ 2,500 Light Years Away

The breakthrough came using a cutting-edge observational method that detects unseen planets via subtle deviations in their orbit.

Chen Yiru

The Mother Line: Oldest Matrilineal Society Unearthed in China

An archeological site in Shandong province has provided evidence of a matrilineal society dating back to 2750 to 2500 BC, shattering previous assumptions.

Ding Rui

Time Travel to Super Memory: China’s ‘Brain’ Schools Sell the Surreal

Thousands of companies promising to unlock young children’s brain potential have opened in recent years, drawing in eager parents — and concern from the scientific community.

In Jiangsu, an Amateur Football League Scores Big With Tourists

Over the Dragon Boat Festival holiday, an amateur football league in eastern China drew crowds that rivaled top-tier matches, and gave local tourism an unexpected boost.

In the Ozempic Era, China Readies a Home-Grown Obesity Drug 

Mazdutide, used in the treatment of obesity and metabolic diseases, could become the first domestically-developed dual-target obesity drug to reach the market.

Despite Rain, Dragon Boat Festival Drives Travel Across China

Millions joined holiday races and cultural events, as tourism platforms tracked rising demand for heritage experiences and short-haul getaways.

Fan Yiying

At Shanghai Forum, Cities Stress Local Solutions to Climate Threats

Officials from 26 cities shared how local infrastructure, politics, and priorities are shaping efforts to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change.