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

EDUCATION

Meet the Mature Chinese Students Ditching Deadend Jobs to Study Abroad

More over-35s are escaping the rat race in China to study abroad, but meeting challenges integrating too

EDUCATION

Degrees of Disillusionment: What’s Driving China’s Certification Craze?

Young workers are turning to qualifications, exams, and certificates to stay ahead in a competitive job market and to feel productive in their spare time

STREET TALK

Scent of the Office: What Does Hard Work Smell Like?

Chinese netizens have a new term to describe their exhausting office culture—“work smell”

LIFE

The Young Chinese Workers Struggling to Make Social Security Contributions

With a slumping job market, young workers agonize over whether to pay their social security contributions or risk trading security now for an uncertain future