China, Beyond the Stereotypes
Independent reporting on Chinese society, culture, digital life, and the everyday.
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Why are Chinese angry about Mbappe behavior?
Kylian Mbappé's casual 'Chinese dictator' remark about Mao Zedong triggered brand cancellations and a broadcast suspension. Here's why, for many Chinese people, that one-second joke was heard not as humor…
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Chinese Society
中国社会Understand the forces shaping modern Chinese society. This category explores education, employment, demographics, urban development, generational differences, and changing social attitudes. We provide context for complex issues, examine different perspectives, and draw on reliable sources to help readers understand not only what is happening in China, but also why.
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How Did China’s Reform and Opening-Up Transform the Country?
In 1978 China was poor, closed and mostly rural. What actually changed after reform and opening-up, in what order, and who paid the cost?
Rural China vs. Urban China: Two Different Ways of Life?
The city-countryside gap shapes income, schools and pensions in China. What the numbers show, what has changed in rural services, and whether the divide…
Culture & Traditions
文化传统Discover the customs, traditions, values, and cultural practices that shape life in China. From festivals, food, family relationships, and social etiquette to language and everyday expressions, we explain the meaning behind cultural practices and how they evolve in modern life. We also explore regional differences and recognize that Chinese culture is diverse rather than defined by a single set of traditions.
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China’s Noodle Map: Why a Bowl of Noodles Means Something Different in Every Region
Chinese noodles share a name and little else: the grain, the technique, and the topping all change by region. A guide to how wheat,…
Why Was the Great Wall of China Built?
The Great Wall was not one wall or one project. A look at why successive dynasties kept building it: cavalry defense, beacon networks, trade…
Digital China
数字中国Explore how technology shapes everyday life in China. From mobile payments, messaging apps, online shopping, and food delivery to digital services and internet culture, we explain the tools people use and the systems behind them. Our goal is to help readers understand China’s digital environment through practical examples, clear explanations, and the experiences of people who use these services.
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How Do WeChat and Alipay Shape Daily Life in China?
Mobile payment in China is less about going cashless than about one app becoming the front door to hospitals, transport, utilities and the corner…
Everyday China
日常中国Explore everyday life in China through the experiences of ordinary people. From work, family, housing, and education to social relationships, spending habits, and changing lifestyles, we look beyond headlines to understand how people live, what matters to them, and how daily life can differ across regions and generations.
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Is China Difficult for Foreigners to Visit? A Practical Guide
Visa-free entry has made China easier to reach than ever, but payments, phone numbers, language and hotels still demand preparation. A guide to which…
What Can 20 Yuan Actually Buy You in China Today?
Twenty yuan is about US$3 — but what it actually buys depends entirely on where you spend it. A real price survey of breakfast,…