How Al is Reshaping Life in China and Making Waves Abroad—New Issue Launch
Join our livestream chat this Friday at 3 PM Beijing Time for a sneak peek of our latest issue, enjoy exclusive discounts, and a chance to win prizes!
Hello TWOC readers!
AI tools have never been more accessible, and we are witnessing the transformative effects firsthand.
In China’s classrooms, both educators and students are facing an unprecedented technological leap that promises to revolutionize how knowledge is acquired. AI is also helping rural China address challenges like an aging population and pest control, while easing the paperwork burdens of grassroots officials. Meanwhile, China’s savvy merchants are leveraging AI abroad to boost sales.
To learn more, join our livestream launch event this Friday at 3 PM Beijing Time on our official WeChat channel by scanning the code below.
Read on to find out more:
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Are China’s Schools Ready for the Onslaught of AI?
Interest in AI applications in the education and other sectors has surged over the past year or two. Last November, China’s Ministry of Education (MOE) vowed to make AI education “the norm” in elementary and secondary schools by 2030. But are teachers and students ready? Read more
China’s Rare Woods: Bearers of Beauty, Toil, and the Supernatural
For centuries, wood—especially rare species like nanmu (楠木, Phoebe wood), huanghuali (黄花梨, Chinese rosewood), and zitan (紫檀, red sandalwood)—has played a central role in everything from music-making to maritime expeditions, and remains a status symbol among older generations. But does it still hold the same appeal for young people today? Read more
Children Untaught: “Father-Destroying” Stories in Ancient China
A recent corruption scandal in China—sparked by a teenage actress posting a selfie wearing a pair of earrings reportedly worth 2 million yuan, which eventually led to her father being investigated—has brought the term kengdie (坑爹), meaning “father-destroying,” back into the spotlight. Ancient China also saw numerous cases of parents who faced dire, sometimes even fatal, consequences because of their “father-destroying” offspring. Check them out
What We’re Listening To
What the Cannes Festival Means for Chinese Cinema
Join host Aladin Farré and industry insiders, including this year’s Cannes award-winning director, for an in-depth podcast from Cannes. Discover what the festival means for Chinese filmmakers and how Chinese films reach global audiences. Listen Now
Chinese You Need
A Slang Guide to the Labubu Craze: More Than Just a Toy?
A furry little monster with pointy ears and nine sharp fangs is ripping through the international market—not with claws, but with its quirky appearance and staggering resale prices. If you haven’t heard, Labubu has taken the world by storm, sparking a global frenzy seemingly out of nowhere. Learn the viral slang and memes inspired by these “ugly-cute” dolls