China has officially ended most foreign adoptions, closing a significant chapter that spanned over three decades. During this time, tens of thousands of children were sent overseas for adoption, largely due to the country’s one-child policy, which led many families to abandon their babies. The Chinese government stated that this decision aligns with global trends, signaling a shift in the country’s approach to international adoption.
In July, The Beijing News, one of China’s most daring newspapers, released a shocking report that has sent ripples across the nation. The article revealed an alarming practice witnessed by their reporter: a tanker truck that had just delivered coal oil was immediately loaded with soybean oil. This incident, which occurred in late May in Yanjiao, Hebei Province, just a stone’s throw from Beijing, has raised serious concerns about food safety and industry practices.
Several truck drivers, interviewed for the report, disclosed a disturbing norm: before these tankers are used to transport edible oil, syrup, or other consumable liquids to wholesalers and businesses, they are typically not cleaned. Cleaning the tank, they explained, would take several hours and cost at least three to four hundred Chinese Yuan (~ 50 USD). Consequently, to save time and money, companies often skip this crucial step, potentially compromising the safety and purity of the food products being transported.
This revelation underscores a significant gap in regulatory oversight and the need for stricter enforcement of hygiene standards in the food transportation industry. As consumers, it is imperative to question and demand transparency about the safety protocols in place to ensure that the food reaching our tables is not tainted by such hazardous practices.
In a recent incident in Suzhou, China, a Japanese mother and her child were attacked by a man wielding a knife while they were waiting for a school bus. The attacker, a Chinese national identified as Zhou, also critically injured a Chinese woman, Hu Youping, who intervened to protect the mother and child. Despite her brave efforts, Hu succumbed to her injuries a few days later.
The attack occurred on June 24, 2024, near a bus stop serving the Suzhou Japanese School. The Japanese mother and her child suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were treated at a hospital. The suspect was detained at the scene, and the motive for the attack remains unclear.
The Japanese Embassy in Beijing has urged Japanese nationals in China to take precautions due to a rise in such incidents.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has expressed regret over the attack and emphasized its commitment to ensuring the safety of all foreigners in the country.
Who knew a trip to Manner Coffee on Shanghai’s Weihai Road could turn into such a spectacle? On June 17, in the latest episode of “Customer Service Gone Wild,” an impatient customer and a stressed-out barista clashed over the issue of service speed. Naturally, the customer threatened to complain—because what else are you going to do when your caffeine fix is delayed?
But hold on to your coffee cups, folks! The barista, clearly having a day that could rival a soap opera, decided to spice things up by hurling coffee grounds at the customer. Talk about a special blend!
This dramatic encounter, captured on video and now the toast of social media, has everyone buzzing. People are calling for the employee’s head on a platter and demanding Manner Coffee teach their staff how to handle complaints without resorting to food fights. As the video continues to brew online, it’s a vivid reminder that a little patience and professionalism can go a long way—especially when coffee is involved.
Living in the suburbs of Philadelphia, the prominent Chinese exile writer Deng Yuwen frequently criticizes China and its authoritarian leader, Xi Jinping. Recently, China’s response has been severe, launching aggressive and malicious attacks against his daughter online.
Research by Clemson University and Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, reveals that a secret propaganda network, possibly linked to China’s security apparatus, has targeted Deng Yuwen and even his teenage daughter on popular social media platforms. These attacks involve posts filled with sexual innuendos and threats, posted by fake identities. They appear in replies to Deng’s posts on platform X and comments on public school accounts in his community, falsely accusing his 16-year-old daughter of drug use, arson, and prostitution.
“Blocking isn’t effective,” Deng Yuwen remarked in an interview about the relentless online assaults. “Today you block it, tomorrow it resurfaces under a new alias.”
Researchers note that crude comments targeting Deng’s daughter have also appeared on Facebook community pages, as well as platforms like TripAdvisor, local news site Patch, and school rating site Niche. This harassment fits a pattern of cyber intimidation that has raised alarms in Washington, Canada, and beyond, highlighting China’s increasingly brazen attacks abroad.
For Deng Yuwen and his family, these attacks represent an escalation. Despite federal laws prohibiting severe online harassment or threats, China’s actions continue unchecked, reflecting a growing concern over its global influence and tactics aimed at stifling dissent, even beyond its borders.
On Friday, a court in southern China sentenced prominent feminist journalist Huang Xueqin to five years in prison for inciting subversion of state power, marking Beijing’s latest crackdown on civil society. Labor activist Wang Jianbing received a three-year, six-month sentence on the same charge. Their activities leading to arrest and conviction included organizing discussions, supporting other activists, and receiving overseas training. Experts note the severity of these legal actions, even by Chinese standards, signaling a shrinking space for independent social discourse. Huang, once a vocal figure in China’s #MeToo movement and later a writer on Hong Kong protests, and Wang, an advocate for worker and disability rights, faced prolonged detention before a brief trial last September. Critics argue these cases reflect broader suppression of topics like women’s and workers’ rights under increasingly expansive interpretations of “threats to public order.”
As we mark the 35th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre, it’s a somber moment to reflect on a pivotal event in modern history. On June 4, 1989, peaceful protests in Beijing demanding democratic reforms met a tragic end as Chinese authorities cracked down with force, resulting in countless deaths and injuries.
The memory of those brave individuals standing for freedom and democracy resonates globally, reminding us of the enduring struggle for human rights. Despite efforts to suppress the truth, the spirit of Tiananmen lives on through the courage of those who continue to seek justice and accountability.
Renowned mainland dissident artist Yan Zhengxue passed away early Tuesday morning in Beijing at the age of 80. Yan, a staunch advocate for vulnerable communities’ rights, faced forced labor, secret detention, and a three-year prison sentence in 2006 for “inciting subversion of state power.” His sculptures, including one of Lin Zhao, executed during the Cultural Revolution, were deemed too sensitive for public display, shrouded in curtains during exhibitions. Despite government suppression, Yan’s art persisted, urging remembrance of China’s tumultuous political history. His passing marks a solemn moment for free expression advocates, echoing the enduring resilience of artists under authoritarian regimes.
In a Beijing police station, walls are covered with papers, each representing a building in a large residential area. These papers list residents’ names, phone numbers, and other details, with color codes indicating their risk levels. Green means safe, yellow means to be watched, and orange signifies strict monitoring. A police officer marked a third-floor apartment in yellow, noting its high turnover and labeling it as “high risk” for follow-up.
This meticulous surveillance is a cornerstone of Xi Jinping’s grassroots governance strategy: more visible, invasive, and vigilant against real or perceived threats. Police officers immerse themselves in communities, understanding neighborhood disputes and recruiting retirees as extra eyes and ears. Employers are required to appoint “security advisors” to report regularly to the police.
Historically, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has implemented extensive surveillance on activists and dissenters. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this surveillance expanded to track nearly every urban resident. Xi Jinping aims to make this control permanent, embedding the Party deeply into daily life to prevent any disruptions, no matter how minor or non-political.
This approach, known as the “New Era Fengqiao Experience,” revives a method from Mao’s era where citizens were mobilized to publicly shame and control class enemies. Xi frequently references Fengqiao to highlight the Party’s commitment to addressing people’s needs, despite suppressing free speech and dissent.
This strategy aims to strengthen Beijing’s ability to quash dissent amid growing economic challenges and social unrest, solidifying the Party’s control and extending its reach into every aspect of citizens’ lives.
Last Tuesday, the UK Foreign Office summoned the Chinese ambassador for a formal rebuke following the arrest of three men accused of aiding Hong Kong intelligence and raiding a residence.
The Foreign Office condemned China’s recent actions, including offering rewards for information on dissidents settled in the UK and elsewhere. While the trial is ongoing, these arrests have spotlighted “transnational repression,” where authoritarian regimes monitor, harass, or attack their citizens abroad.
Transnational repression isn’t new but is increasingly prevalent. Globalization and the internet facilitate activism among exiles while enabling authoritarian regimes to suppress diaspora political activities more effectively.
Today, it remains a favored tool. Chinese students abroad report a climate of fear due to government intimidation. Governments now see overseas dissidents as potent threats due to their ability to influence from afar. This has led authoritarian regimes to share suppression tactics and increase cooperation, putting more lives at risk.
In the midst of heated debates about anti-Semitism and free speech on American college campuses, China has witnessed a viral controversy over a video teaching how to cook fried rice. Fried rice, a staple in Chinese households and often the first dish many learn to cook, holds a cultural significance akin to macaroni and cheese in the United States. This culinary icon has thrust Wang Gang, one of China’s most popular food bloggers, into the spotlight with his “perfect” fried rice recipe sparking both acclaim and critique.
However, a particular video stirred outrage among Chinese state media and the internet. On November 27th, just two days after the anniversary of Mao Zedong’s son Mao Anying’s death, Wang posted a fried rice video. Speculation arose that Mao Anying was preparing fried rice when he died in the Korean War.
China’s landscape has become increasingly politicized, turning everyday topics like cooking into potential minefields. Wang, who started working in restaurants at 15, has always focused solely on cuisine in his shows. Despite this, he found himself embroiled in political currents.
In China’s highly controlled online environment, coded language and cautious expressions have become common as citizens navigate what can and cannot be openly discussed. Wang’s experience highlights the constraints on free speech in China, where even seemingly innocuous topics can lead to controversy and censorship.
In November 2022, Li Ying, a young artist and recent graduate from an art academy in Milan, found himself trapped in sorrow, fear, and despair. Strict pandemic controls in China meant three years without seeing his parents, unsure of his country’s future.
In China, enduring endless COVID-19 tests, isolation, and lockdowns, people staged the most widespread protests in decades. Many held up A4 sheets of paper in defiance of censorship and authoritarian rule—the White Paper Movement.
Unexpectedly, Li transformed his Twitter account into an information hub, receiving censored photos, videos, and eyewitness accounts from within China, disseminating them globally via the platform. His profile picture—a cute yet fierce cat he painted—quickly became iconic.
Within weeks, his followers grew to half a million. To the Chinese government, he became a troublemaker; to many, a superhero against Xi Jinping’s regime.
As the government abruptly ended pandemic policies in December, Li and other activists faced a pivotal question: was their protest a historic moment or just a footnote?
Li reflected, “The White Paper—it’s a beginning, not an end.” He evolved from a young artist to a rebellious internet figure, navigating fear, guilt, courage, and hope. For many peers, this path is all too familiar.
At 31, Li Ying is part of a generation of young Chinese activists driven by a sense of justice and dignity, standing up against the government and Xi Jinping. They are not professional revolutionaries but have become activists by necessity, as Xi turns their country into a massive prison and their future into a black hole, compelling them to speak out.
They face the consequences, some within China, others abroad. They are arrested, harassed by police, or forced into exile out of fear of government threats. As more people join their resistance, their activism continues.
Li Ying never intended to be a hero. Over the past year, he has paid a heavy personal price. Sometimes, he cried, wanting to give up. But the government’s relentless punishment left him no choice but to keep moving forward.
Returning to China is too risky for him. Police often harass his parents. All his bank accounts, payment methods, and even gaming accounts in China have been frozen. He lost his only source of income in Milan, where he has been studying and living since 2015; he says this is because the company he worked with received a letter from the Chinese embassy. He receives death threats almost weekly. A man once broke into his residence, an address Li Ying says only the Chinese consulate knew. For safety, Li Ying has moved four times in the past year.
Li’s dedication to his cause is unwavering, driven by love for his country and its people. Despite personal risks and sacrifices, he persists, knowing there’s no turning back.
He remains a lifeline for Chinese seeking uncensored news, a testament to the cracks in China’s Great Firewall and the resilience of those striving for change.
At China’s 13th National Women’s Congress, the spotlight was on male leaders, with Xi Jinping prominently seated at the opening ceremony. The state media highlighted his presence, signaling the Communist Party’s stance on women’s issues. This year, notably, no women were included in China’s top leadership for the first time in two decades, underscoring a symbolic but significant shift.
Xi Jinping’s emphasis on traditional family values like promoting marriage and childbirth reflects a broader strategy amid China’s demographic challenges. The declining birth rate has prompted drastic measures to reverse the trend, including cash incentives and tax breaks. Yet, critics argue this focus sidelines broader gender equality issues, relegating women to traditional roles rather than acknowledging their contributions in the workplace.
While Xi Jinping acknowledges gender equality in principle, his recent speeches have predominantly focused on familial duties, signaling a regression from previous platforms advocating for women’s empowerment and self-fulfillment. This shift raises concerns among Chinese women who have long fought against societal pressures and government policies that restrict their freedoms and rights.
The congress’s discussions highlighted the government’s preference for reinforcing traditional values to address economic and demographic concerns, potentially sacrificing women’s progress in the process. As China navigates its most significant economic challenges in decades, the role of women in shaping its future remains a contentious issue.
The two-year-long saga of Evergrande Group’s financial meltdown has reached a dramatic peak. On the evening of September 28, China Evergrande Group, listed in Hong Kong, announced that its Chairman, Xu Jiayin, is under investigation for suspected illegal activities and has been subjected to mandatory measures. Several other senior executives of Evergrande are also being investigated.
On August 10, U.S. President Biden called China’s economy a “ticking time bomb” during a political fundraising event, drawing criticism from Chinese state media. Shortly after, China’s National Bureau of Statistics announced it would no longer release youth unemployment data, sparking heated discussions online.
In June 2023, China’s youth unemployment rate was as high as 21.3%, but on August 15, the authorities announced they would stop publishing the data.
Real estate companies like Evergrande and Country Garden continue to face debt defaults, and China’s largest asset management group Zhongzhi Enterprise Group is also in trouble, with financial trust products’ defaults spreading. Foreign direct investment in China has dropped to its lowest level since 1998, and the pace of foreign capital withdrawal is accelerating. In the next ten years, China’s economy might decouple from the West, regressing to the pre-reform era.
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