Author: Phoebe Zhang

Membership of the Chinese Communist Party reached 99 million last year and is expected to hit 100 million by the end of 2024, although the growth rate is slowing. The Central Organisation Department announced a net increase of 1.14 million members in 2023, emphasizing the importance of party-building and governance over the party. Chinese President Xi Jinping highlighted the necessity for reform in grass-roots party organizations and the application of technology for efficient party-building. The party’s demographic profile shows an increase in educated members and improved representation of women and ethnic minorities. Despite efforts to enhance female participation, representation in…

A recent report has uncovered widespread corruption in over 100 counties in China. The report reveals that billions of yuan have been misappropriated, with funds used to settle government debts, basic social insurance, and school meals. Additionally, some counties colluded with suppliers for kickbacks while providing substandard materials. Research shows the importance of school meals in reducing malnutrition and improving academic performance among children in impoverished areas. China’s government has been providing subsidies for rural students since 2011, now covering nearly 1,570 counties and benefiting millions of students. The audit report also highlighted instances of local governments bending rules for…

Li, a young woman in China, faced challenges in finding a job due to societal norms. Despite her parents’ efforts to set her up with men in government jobs, she pursued a career as a website editor. This decision reflects a growing trend in the northeast region, where young people prioritize stability in government jobs for marriage prospects. Research shows that having a government job, known as a “bianzhi,” is crucial for social status and marriage opportunities. This preference stems from past economic hardships and job insecurities, leading to a cultural emphasis on job stability and security. While efforts are…

Tragedy struck in Hunan province as a landslide claimed the lives of eight individuals on Sunday amidst ongoing extreme weather conditions in southern China. The victims, belonging to two families, were trapped in four houses and were later declared dead by rescue workers. An aerial drone photo shows some of the devastation in China’s Hunan province on Sunday. Photo: Xinhua Heavy rains have wreaked havoc across Hunan, with Taoyuan county bearing the brunt of 39.5cm of rainfall in just one night. The region witnessed severe flooding, leading to evacuations and road closures while rivers surged to alarming levels. The extreme…

The “Go West” plan in China aims to boost development in the western and central regions, focusing on the four provinces and Chongqing municipality. The recent forum highlighted ongoing issues hampering shipping along key transport routes, such as frequent traffic jams near the Three Gorges Dam and impediments on important tributaries like the Wu, Jialing, and Min rivers. This has led to increased waiting times for cargo ships and disruptions in industrial production. Experts emphasized the need to enhance shipping capacity on the Yangtze River, suggesting simplifying procedures for ships, prioritizing essential materials, and supporting inland shipping construction. Improving river…

In a recent forum in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, experts discussed gender bias in AI models and AI-generated content, emphasizing the need for balanced data and design for more equal rights in the real world. The rapid development of AI in China, driven by technology like ChatGPT, aims to boost economic growth and global competitiveness. Gender bias in AI content stems from training data with existing stereotypes, affecting tasks and user perceptions. Examples from Chinese search engines and advertisements illustrate the objectification of women. This bias can have real-world consequences, such as women facing disadvantage in job applications and loan assessments.…

Beijing’s top anti-espionage agency revealed a significant espionage case involving a married Chinese couple passing information to MI6. This is the latest in a series of cases disclosed by China’s Ministry of State Security as part of its campaign to combat espionage. The agency named MI6, along with the CIA, as the only foreign spy agencies involved in these cases. According to the MSS, Wang, one of the employees, was recruited by MI6 when he went to Britain on an exchange program in 2015. He was enticed by financial rewards to share sensitive information gradually. MI6 then trained Wang as…

In a shocking revelation, lawyers in China discovered judges were remotely giving instructions on a case through a WeChat group, undermining the legal system. The incident was reported by liberal-leaning newspaper Southern Weekly, where a lawyer captured evidence of judicial officers discussing the case in a group chat. The Haixi intermediate court and the Tianjun county court were implicated in the scandal, prompting an investigation by authorities. The lawyers involved called the police and reported the incident to higher judicial offices. They also requested the case to be heard in a different court due to the interference. The Haixi court,…

China’s agriculture minister, Tang Renjian, is currently under investigation by the country’s top anti-graft watchdog, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. The investigation is based on suspected serious violations of Communist Party discipline and the law. Tang Renjian was last seen at a rural talent conference just three days prior to the announcement, where he emphasized innovation in the agricultural industry and farmer training. Tang’s career in agriculture began in the 1980s, and he was appointed as the agriculture minister in December 2020. Under his leadership, China has focused on food security, including the implementation of the Seed Law to…

The journey to the gynaecologist during pregnancy can be a daunting experience for many women. The feeling of being examined as a vessel rather than a person is a common sentiment. A recent viral post on Weibo highlighted the discomfort women feel during pelvic exams, comparing the speculum to a “modern-day torture instrument”. The lack of improvements in this area has left many women feeling ignored and misunderstood. Unfortunately, discussions about women’s health in this context are still rare in China, making it a taboo subject. The focus on women as vessels for bearing children often overshadows their well-being. The…