Modern Family

2018 ISSUE 4

Modern Family

See how the traditional Chinese nuclear family is adapting to modern lifestyles, from LGBT and interracial romance to childless couples and single mothers. Tour Guangxi, find authentic chili sauce, and maybe move to a "new" first-tier city—there’s plenty of incentive, and much more, inside.

"Shock of the New" is a story from The Modern Family issue by the World of Chinese.

"One Belt" comes from The Modern Family issue and talks about the new trend of interracial couples.

From this issue

CHINESE CHARACTERS

On the Character: 亲

From kin to kindred, a character that connects people and brings them together

ANCIENT HISTORY

The Challenges of Adoption in Imperial China

The importance of male heirs made for complex negotiations of ritual, law, and lineage for those wishing to adopt

LIVING IN CHINA

The Chinese Couples Choosing to “Live in Sin"

More Chinese couples are breaking old taboos (and laws) by living together without marrying

LIVING IN CHINA

Shock of the New

Regional ‘new’ cities vie for graduates with cushy offers, but will the ‘talent war’ end in tiers?

TRADITIONAL CULTURE

Emerald in the Rough

Two generations’ dreams and disillusionment in a Chinese restaurant in Prague

BOOKS, ANCIENT HISTORY

Ming Matters

On the 650th year of this famous dynasty’s founding, a leading historian examines why its legacy endures

MODERN HISTORY

Chinese Idol

In Maoist China, a model worker discovers the price of fame

FOOD

Hot and Saucy

From ‘poor man’s salt’ to kitchen perennial, China’s spicy sauce has always blazed its own trail

FEMINISM

Unmarried, With Children

Faced with pregnancy permits, IVF restrictions, and social stigma, single women are fighting back—by having babies

LIFE

One Belt, One Love

As China goes global, so are many relationships—with mixed results

SOCIETY

Breakups to Makeups: Why Divorce Is Getting Harder

How have divorce and unmarried cohabitation been addressed in China?

SOCIETY

Baby, Come Back

As China regulates international adoption, attitudes at home make it difficult for domestic adopters

STREET TALK

Low Society

Trendy “gangster” terms for the society bro

FICTION

I Love Spider-Man | Short Story

Chinese author Yi Bei explores roommate relations in a crowded Beijing apartment

BOOKS, HISTORY

The Drug War

In “Imperial Twilight,” historian Stephen Platt shows how flawed decisions led to full-blown conflict between two mighty trading partners

TRAVEL

All Under Heaven

Sun Jiahui seeks an earthly paradise in Guangxi

BOOKS

All the Single Ladies

The publication of Roseanne Lake’s “Leftover in China” was greeted with controversy over attribution, but how well does the book address its topic?

SOCIETY

Going Coastal

China goes to the beach, come rain or shine

ENTERTAINMENT

Board to Death

Tabletop gamers gather weekly in bars to strategize—and “slay” each other

ARTS, MODERN HISTORY

Sound of a Century

A singular museum in north China offers a rare insight into its musical history

NEWS

Multi-level Misery

Despite illegality and violence, pyramid schemes are still frustrating both victims and police

SOCIAL CHINESE

Astro Babble

Whether you believe in it or not, astrology has a huge fan base in China

HEALTH

No Baby, No Cry

Growing individualism and an embrace of non-traditional values mean more young couples are choosing to stay childless—despite pressure to procreate

SOCIETY

Battle Grounds

Viral coffee chain has designs on Starbucks in Chinese market

ENVIRONMENT, NEWS

Garbage Gangsters

China’s trash ban leads to illicit smuggling, debate on domestic recycling

FOOD, SOCIETY

Quick Fix

Can China save its struggling fast-food industry?

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