We gave it the old college try on 11/11

Hello TWOC readers!

We hope you gobbled up some good deals during Singles Day sales, i.e., 11/11, earlier this week. We at The World of Chinese thought we’d give livestream a try this year. If you'd like to watch us in action, follow our WeChat Official Account, @TheWorldofChinese汉语世界



Meanwhile, our reporter recently visited a once-thriving “garment kingdom” in Guangzhou. Here’s what she found:

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In Southern China’s Once-Thriving “Garment Kingdom,” Business Fades Amid Urban Renewal

Once a major hub for clothes manufacturing, Guangzhou’s Kanglu district has in recent years been beset by difficulties, including Covid-19, competition fueled by the rise of e-commerce, and a protracted facelift. Read more

Mastering the Art of Livestreaming Sales

Livestreamers have lots of tricks to get viewers to open their wallets. But in this current economic climate, they have to really duke it out to squeeze cash from an increasingly penny-pinching consumer base. Read more

Can Xue: The Experimental Voice of Chinese Literature

Once again, she didn’t win the Nobel Prize in Literature—but at this point, Can Xue’s legacy may already be secured. Read more

What We’re Watching

Is China’s “Buy Buy Buy” Mentality Over?

There are many ways in which Chinese e-commerce businesses are adapting to reach more cost-conscious shoppers. Check out some of the most popular.

What We’re Looking At

Through wool and raw honesty, needle felt artist Zhang Xian captures the unseen struggles of new mothers while reclaiming her own identity. Take a look.

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