Nüshu, the Centuries-Old Female-Only Script, Is Getting Reimagined for the Digital Age
Discover how young Chinese women find strength in “women’s script,” why a Guangdong artist was crowned the “Slipper King,” and key proposals from this year’s Two Sessions in this newsletter
Hello TWOC readers!
March marks Women’s History Month in the US. While China doesn’t have a dedicated month, it observes International Women’s Day on March 8, celebrating the achievements of women across fields. In recent years, the country has experienced a notable cultural shift, with young women increasingly embracing feminist ideas—even as many continue to navigate challenges in their careers and personal lives.
At The World of Chinese, we are committed to telling stories from women’s perspectives. Explore our special collection of reporting on Chinese women—from figures of antiquity to the voices shaping arts and society today.
Women of China: Past, Present, Future
Read on to find out more:
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Once a secret script shared among women in Jiangyong, Hunan, Nüshu now inspires young female creators to reimagine its origins, create new works, and carry its culture and spirit forward. Read more
A Man, Three Pairs of Flip-Flops, and 574 Kilometers of Hike Home
Young artist Guo “Slipper King” Dingfen is rebranding a maligned footwear from his hometown into a collective memory of a generation. Read more
Two Sessions Proposals You Shouldn’t Miss in 2026
From childbearing-friendly policies to AI regulations, here are the Two Sessions proposals you shouldn’t miss. Read more
What We’re Reading
A Short Stay in the Woods | Fiction
“The arm was merely a piece of metal, but, having spent so much time with it, Song Zhen felt as if she had formed some mysterious connection with it.”
Step into the short sci-fi story by Fei Siren, a post-90s writer and recipient of the 2023 Hubei Literary Award. Read more
Chinese History You Need
Step back 1,000 years into the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, when political chaos produced a litany of historical curiosities. Learn more
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New Markets, Young Makers: How Millennials and Gen Z Are Shaping the Future of Consumption
Catapulted by the rise of designer toys, the “emotional economy (情绪经济)” emerged as one of China’s hottest buzzwords in 2025, as millennials and Gen Z gravitated toward brands offering enjoyment, comfort, and self-expression. At the same time, thrift- and sustainability-minded consumers are driving a booming secondhand market, while the next generation of factory owners steps into leadership within their family businesses. All this and more in our latest magazine issue. Support on-the-ground reporting from China—get your copy today!