BUSINESS, FEMINISM

Why Is China Struggling to Find More Female Maintenance Workers Amid Surging Demand?

Women in China are calling for more representation in door-to-door maintenance, yet those already in the field continue to face societal discrimination

STREET TALK

“Retirement Lit” is Helping China’s Youth Reimagine a Future Without Rest

With the government officially confirming the long-speculated decision to raise the country’s retirement age, young Chinese workers are turning to sarcasm to cope with the seemingly endless toil that lies ahead

STREET TALK

Havoc in HR: How Chinese Workers Found a New Champion in ‘Wukong’

The much-anticipated video game has birthed various memes on the tribulations of the Monkey King (and Chinese “corporate monkeys”)

TRADITIONAL CULTURE

Why are Chinese Doctors’ Offices Full of Red Pennants?

The bestowing of red pennants, or “jinqi,” has evolved from a simple acknowledgment of appreciation to a token for career advancement and even a means to subvert authority

MODERN HISTORY

How Labor Day Shaped Modern China

Discover the origin of Labor Day celebrations in China and how it became one of the country’s most important holidays

SOCIETY

Writing on the Wall: A Brief History of China’s Guerrilla Ads

Since their first appearance in the 1990s, China’s ubiquitous “little ads“ have evolved alongside the cities they serve

SOCIETY

Why Are Chinese Urbanites Wearing Their Ugliest Clothes to Work?

A new trend has weary, overworked young urbanites wearing “disgusting outfits” to their office jobs and annoying their bosses in the process

EDUCATION

Bottom of the Class: The Woes of China’s Liberal Arts Students

China’s liberal arts students still value their expertise in the face of poor employment prospects, low salaries, and societal pressure to switch to STEM subjects

FILM

A New Movie Takes Aim at China’s Corporate Culture

“Johnny Keep Walking!” has struck a chord with young Chinese workers who relate to its biting satire of pointless bureaucracy, lazy bosses, and the tradition of annual galas at Chinese companies

TECHNOLOGY

Pixel Passion: Stories of Hope and Hustle From China’s Indie Game Makers

Small game developers vie for creative and commercial success in an industry often blurring the line between work and leisure