Chinese Parents of Gay Children Call for Equal Marriage Rights

More than 100 parents of gays and lesbians from different parts of China have sent an open letter [zh] to delegates of China’s National People’s Congress asking the government to legalize same-sex marriage.

Interactive Maps of China’s Most and Least Polluted Places

Beijing recently experienced its worst day of air quality on record. Since then, reporting on China’s “airpocalypse” has been accompanied by what seems like a monochromatic slideshow of the country’s iconic cities all smothered in thick smog.

Open Letter to China on Human Rights

Just prior to China's annual “two meetings” of the NPC and CPPCC, which are scheduled to convene on March 5, more than 100 prominent individuals — including academics, journalists, lawyers and economists signed an open letter calling on China's government to immediately ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The open letter, circulated on Chinese social media...

China: Cultural Revolution Murder Trial

The trial of an elderly man named Qiu accused of murdering a doctor during the Cultural Revolution has generated discussions about the cultural revolution in China. China Media Project has translated the comments from Chinese social media and traditional media.  

China: Guangzhou Police Detain Protesters

Authorities in Southern China's Guangzhou city have detained 10 activists who staged a protest over North Korean nuclear test. The news triggered  netizens’ outrage. Radio Free Asia has more.

After Ang Lee's Oscar Win, China Imagines Cinema Beyond Censors

Looking to Taiwanese-born director Ang Lee's Oscar win for Best Director with pride and envy, mainland Chinese web users frustrated with China's tight grip on the film industry are wondering about their own country's cinematic potential.

China, Pollution and Cancer Villages

A Chinese billionaire's warning that no amount of money can protect the rich from China's environmental crisis has resonated with web users, many of whom are already alarmed about the country's toxic combination of air and water contamination and food safety issues.

Defying the Government, Chinese Families Resurrect Graves

Scores of families have fought back against a controversial campaign in China's central Henan province to raze millions of graves for farmland by re-erecting their ancestors' resting places during the Lunar New Year.

Chinese General Luo Yuan's Battle on Weibo

High-ranking Chinese military officer Luo Yuan opened a personal Weibo account on Feb 21. Since then, his pro-war comments on how to manage China's relationship with Japan and the recent nuclear test in North Korea have triggered sharp criticism from netizens. Offbeat recorded Luo Yuan's battle on Weibo.

In Pictures: The Polluted Rivers of China

Tencent News recently put together a photo story about the “colorful waters of China“, Offbeat China has translated the captions of the pictures.

Taiwan Politician Tries, Quits Sina Weibo

Frank Hsieh, former presidential nominee of Taiwan’s pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), opened an account on Sina Weibo on February 19, 2013. However, the account was deleted less than 24 hours later. More from China Beat.

Is Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Spread Racist?

Mitch Blatt from China Hush takes a look at debate over the appropriateness of Sports Illustrated magazine's set of photos for its swimsuit edition that feature ethnic minorities in China. While some think that the photos disparage minority culture in China, the blogger argues that such comments stem from a desire...

Hope on Horizon for Gays in China

Chengdu Living looks into the mindset of young people who, surprisingly, demonstrated an open attitude toward homosexuality despite their Chinese cultural background.

China Not Blocking Hack Attack Discussion

U.S. cyber security firm Mandiant has reported that the Chinese People's Liberation Army is behind many cyber attacks against American organizations, but the usually heavy-handed Chinese government is not blocking online discussion of the news, according to TeaLeafNation. Taiwan-based Next Media Animation has produced a cheeky animated explainer of the hacking revelations.

Citizens Document Extreme Water Pollution in China

As the effects of China’s toxic smog problem in mid-January reverberate through the country, severe water pollution is documented by online campaigns calling for a reality check on the state of rivers across China.

Japan-China War's Possible Economic Fallout

China: Foreign Men Are More Romantic

Rensi from ChinaSMACK translates a forum post about various myths or beliefs that Chinese girls have about foreign men.

Sina Weibo to ‘Great Firewall’ Architect: Get Lost

More than 10,000 Weibo users returned Fang Bingxing's new year greeting with a forward message: Get lost. Fang is the notorious architect of the Great Firewall (internet filtering system) in China. Beijing Cream has the full story.

North Korea's Nuclear Slap on the Chinese New Year

While the Chinese were celebrating their Lunar New Year, Pyongyang launched their third underground nuclear test just 100km away from their border with China. So far the Chinese government's response has been moderate. But online, both the pro-North Korea nationalists and the anti-North Korea liberals are not happy.

North Korea's Nuclear Test Old Hat for South Koreans

North Korea confirmed on February 12 that it had conducted its third nuclear test, drawing condemnation from the international community. South Koreans living in the shadow of their nuclear neighbor to the north had varying reactions to the news.

Politics Rings Loudly in Chinese Academia

China Digital Times has translated a list of focus areas for 2013 research proposals [zh] of the China’s National Planning Office of Philosophy and Social Science. It shows how tight academic research is connected with politics.