Sixth Tone
@sixthtone.bsky.social
Fresh voices from today's China — news, features & commentary from a human perspective. Also on Facebook, Instagram, WeChat, & YouTube. Website: www.sixthtone.com
A literature undergrad’s AI tool made a near-perfect Mandarin version of Haruki Murakami’s new novel in just four hours. What might this mean for translators and copyright holders? https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1018966
Did AI Find Murakami’s Voice? Student’s $2 Experiment Divides China’s Literati
A literature undergrad’s AI tool made a near-perfect Mandarin version of Haruki Murakami’s new novel in just four hours. What might this mean for translators and copyright holders?
sixthtone.com
At Dunhuang, new technologies are opening up the Mogao Grottoes while helping protect the fragile art that has survived there for more than a thousand years. https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1018985
Can VR Capture the Power of China’s Ancient Caves?
At Dunhuang, new technologies are opening up the Mogao Grottoes while helping protect the fragile art that has survived there for more than a thousand years.
sixthtone.com
After nearly a decade in Shanghai, the immersive theater production “Sleep No More” has closed, ending a run that drew some fans back hundreds of times for its shifting storylines, favorite performers, and private one-on-one encounters. https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1019008
One Last Night With Shanghai’s ‘Sleep No More’ Superfans
After nearly a decade in Shanghai, the immersive theater production “Sleep No More” has closed, ending a run that drew some fans back hundreds of times for its shifting storylines, favorite performers, and private one-on-one encounters.
sixthtone.com
A proposed amendment to the nation’s national traffic law distinguishes between autonomous driving vehicles and driver assistance functions, as well as allocates responsibility in the event of traffic violations. https://ow.ly/j5lq50ZKl2L
China Moves to Address Self-Driving Cars in National Law
A proposed amendment to the nation’s national traffic law distinguishes between autonomous driving vehicles and driver assistance functions, as well as allocates responsibility in the event of traffic violations.
ow.ly
A literature undergrad’s AI tool made a near-perfect Mandarin version of Haruki Murakami’s new novel in just four hours. What might this mean for translators and copyright holders?
Did AI Find Murakami’s Voice? Student’s $2 Experiment Divides China’s Literati
A literature undergrad’s AI tool made a near-perfect Mandarin version of Haruki Murakami’s new novel in just four hours. What might this mean for translators and copyright holders?
sixthtone.com
One of China’s hottest idols is a 1,700-year-old emperor. Another is his dad. China’s “history fangirls” are chasing celebrities through bookstores and tomb complexes nationwide. https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1018940
Underground No More: China’s ‘History Fangirls’ Stand Up
One of China’s hottest idols is a 1,700-year-old emperor. Another is his dad. China’s “history fangirls” are chasing celebrities through bookstores and tomb complexes nationwide.
sixthtone.com
In the remote mountains of China’s Sichuan province, viral online soccer star Jifu Lama is spreading his love of the game to help ‘left behind’ Yi ethnic children find a sense of purpose. https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1018881
1,300 Meters Up, a Sichuan Soccer Hero Brings the Game Home
In the remote mountains of China’s Sichuan province, viral online soccer star Jifu Lama is spreading his love of the game to help ‘left behind’ Yi ethnic children find a sense of purpose.
sixthtone.com
At Dunhuang, new technologies are opening up the Mogao Grottoes while helping protect the fragile art that has survived there for more than a thousand years. https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1018985
Can VR Capture the Power of China’s Ancient Caves?
At Dunhuang, new technologies are opening up the Mogao Grottoes while helping protect the fragile art that has survived there for more than a thousand years.
sixthtone.com
Former animators, cinematographers, and VFX artists are helping build AI systems that can script, storyboard, generate, and revise short dramas with unprecedented speed. https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1018935
Inside the Chinese AI Studio Shrinking Short-Drama Crews to One
Former animators, cinematographers, and VFX artists are helping build AI systems that can script, storyboard, generate, and revise short dramas with unprecedented speed.
sixthtone.com
After a central government policy that banned AI services “that lead to emotional dependence” went into effect in July, some users say they feel an “emotional void.” https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1018959
China’s Chatbot Users Are Grieving the Loss of Their AI Partners
After a central government policy that banned AI services “that lead to emotional dependence” went into effect in July, some users say they feel an “emotional void.”
sixthtone.com
As summer heat waves send global orders for cooling solutions soaring, one Suzhou plant shows how China’s SMEs are absorbing the pressure. https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1018916
Cold Comfort: What Europe’s Heat Wave Means for Chinese Factories
As summer heat waves send global orders for cooling solutions soaring, one Suzhou plant shows how China’s SMEs are absorbing the pressure.
sixthtone.com
“Once Upon a Time in the Middle East” is something new in China: a film about the outside world that treats its location as more than just a backdrop. https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1018970
Chinese Cinema Turns Its Lens Outward
“Once Upon a Time in the Middle East” is something new in China: a film about the outside world that treats its location as more than just a backdrop.
sixthtone.com
At Dunhuang, new technologies are opening up the Mogao Grottoes while helping protect the fragile art that has survived there for more than a thousand years. https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1018985
Can VR Capture the Power of China’s Ancient Caves?
At Dunhuang, new technologies are opening up the Mogao Grottoes while helping protect the fragile art that has survived there for more than a thousand years.
sixthtone.com
After once leaving rural China behind, two filmmakers returned to document the farmers and workers whose stories are fading from view as the countryside changes.
Two Filmmakers, 1,100 Villages, and a Race to Record Rural China
After once leaving rural China behind, two filmmakers returned to document the farmers and workers whose stories are fading from view as the countryside changes.
sixthtone.com
China’s National Social Security Fund earned 390.7 billion yuan ($58 billion) from investments in 2025, posting a 13.22% return. Its assets totaled 3.8 trillion yuan at year-end.
“Once Upon a Time in the Middle East” is something new in China: a film about the outside world that treats its location as more than just a backdrop.
Chinese Cinema Turns Its Lens Outward
“Once Upon a Time in the Middle East” is something new in China: a film about the outside world that treats its location as more than just a backdrop.
sixthtone.com
After a central government policy that banned AI services “that lead to emotional dependence” went into effect in July, some users say they feel an “emotional void.” https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1018959
China’s Chatbot Users Are Grieving the Loss of Their AI Partners
After a central government policy that banned AI services “that lead to emotional dependence” went into effect in July, some users say they feel an “emotional void.”
sixthtone.com
Why do we need immersion? China’s immersive productions have grown ever larger and more spectacular. Their next challenge is turning audience participation into genuine understanding. https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1018941
After ‘Sleep No More,’ What’s Next for Chinese Immersive Theater?
China’s immersive productions have grown ever larger and more spectacular. Their next challenge is turning audience participation into genuine understanding.
sixthtone.com
Chinese robot Tiangong Ultra won the 100-meter race at the World Humanoid Robot Games in 8.64 seconds, nearly a second faster than Usain Bolt’s 9.58-second world record.
One of China’s hottest idols is a 1,700-year-old emperor. Another is his dad. China’s “history fangirls” are chasing celebrities through bookstores and tomb complexes nationwide. https://ow.ly/ETJV50ZFGEn
Underground No More: China’s ‘History Fangirls’ Stand Up
One of China’s hottest idols is a 1,700-year-old emperor. Another is his dad. China’s “history fangirls” are chasing celebrities through bookstores and tomb complexes nationwide.
ow.ly
A growing number of Chinese universities are allowing student pets both on campus and in university dormitories, drawing online support and sparking sharp debate over the safety, equity, and cost of campus pet ownership. https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1018948
Who Let the Dogs In? Chinese Universities Open Dorms to Pets
At least seven universities around the country now permit students to have pets, with some institutions creating animal-friendly dorms.
sixthtone.com
After slashing prices to survive, a small-town business attracts strugglers from far and wide seeking a low-to-no-cost lifestyle. https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1018854
Check in, Log on, Stay for Months: Life at China’s 9-Cent Internet Café
After slashing prices to survive, a small-town business attracts strugglers from far and wide seeking a low-to-no-cost lifestyle.
sixthtone.com
Thomas Sauvin’s archive of discarded family negatives captures an era when 36 photos could document years of birthdays, travel, and everyday life. https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1018921
China Before the Infinite Camera Roll
Thomas Sauvin’s archive of discarded family negatives captures an era when 36 photos could document years of birthdays, travel, and everyday life.
sixthtone.com
“Once Upon a Time in the Middle East,” one of China’s top-grossing films this summer, centers on a Chinese restaurant owner who saves local orphans during a war in the region. https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1018894
A Chef Caught in a Middle East War Is China’s Latest Hit
“Once Upon a Time in the Middle East,” one of China’s top-grossing films this summer, centers on a Chinese restaurant owner who saves local orphans during a war in the region.
sixthtone.com
Young Chinese are being sold a dream of a time before malls and chain restaurants. Read more: https://ow.ly/8uIz50ZCjC8
Young Chinese are being sold a dream of a time before malls and chain restaurants. https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1018914
What Happens When Chinese Dreamcore Meets the Real World?
Young Chinese are being sold a dream of a time before malls and chain restaurants.
sixthtone.com
As summer heat waves send global orders for cooling solutions soaring, one Suzhou plant shows how China’s SMEs are absorbing the pressure. https://ow.ly/nOI950ZBQOL
Chinese supermarket chain Pangdonglai has announced the recruitment of former convicts for the second year in a row, expanding its hiring scope to employees who have spent at least five years in prison.
Chinese Supermarket Chain Recruits Ex-Cons for 2nd Consecutive Year
Pangdonglai, known for its comparatively healthy working conditions and benefits, has announced it will recruit 20 former convicts who have served at least five years in prison.
ow.ly
A court in Shenzhen, southern China’s Guangdong province, on Thursday sentenced Xu Jiayin, founder of Evergrande Group, to life in prison after convicting him of multiple crimes. The court also fined Evergrande Group 8.82 billion yuan ($1.3 billion) and Evergrande Real Estate Group 7 billion yuan.
The film, made by a mother-son duo with no industry experience and without the use of AI, is projected to earn tens of millions of dollars at the box office.
Cash Cow: China’s Most Mocked Cartoon Is Suddenly a Viral Hit
The film, made by a mother-son duo with no industry experience and without the use of AI, is projected to earn tens of millions of dollars at the box office.
sixthtone.com