First registered private business owner in China reflects on the changing times
While meeting with Premier Li Keqiang on Monday, Zhang Huamei was introduced as “the first registered private business owner in China.” Li shook her hand and asked what business she ran. “Buttons,” she replied, “Now it's an enterprise.”
Cultural differences hinder AIDS prevention efforts in Tibetan-populated regions
Jampa Chupal Sangpo, 38, is dedicated to protecting Tibetan-populated regions in China from AIDS.
Hugo Award winner pushes genre's boundaries in China
Hao Jingfang, the winner of this year's international sci-fi award Hugo Award, tries not to be influenced by the public's insistence on putting her into certain categories.
Student maps sexual harassment on campus
Student Kang Chenwei waited anxiously outside a teahouse while his female schoolmate secretly recorded a professor from her Beijing university, a sting operation they set up after a third student claimed the professor had harassed, drugged and groped her.
Chinese teacher on a mission to build ties with France
Relics looted from the Summer Palace in 1860 and wine sales seem to be two totally separate things, but in Gao Naping's class, they are inextricably linked.
“One day, two bandits entered the Summer Palace. One plundered, the other burned…Before history, one of the two bandits will be called France; the other will be called England.” Gao was reading to her French students in a class on China's wine market in a business college in Montpellier in the Languedoc-Roussillon region, south of France.
Despite anti-discrimination rules, HIV-positive man refused job
After working at a public institution in a county government in Shangrao, East China's Jiangxi Province, for several years, Wang Ke (pseudonym), aged 30, was ready for a career move from the county to the city, even though he was HIV positive – a secret he had kept from all but his family.
Guangzhou professor teaches class on death amidst controversy
For 16 years, there's one homework assignment Hu Yian always gives his class: to write a will.
When his students hear this, the class usually breaks into chaos, but Hu always insists.
50-year-old astronaut serves as mentor to next generation
"Isn't this cool?" 50-year-old Jing Haipeng asked his fellow astronaut Chen Dong in the cabin of Shenzhou-11 spaceship after it launched successfully from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on October 17. "Very cool!" Chen, flying for the first time, answered in awe.
Graffiti artist decorates city despite destruction of work
In big cities like Beijing, it is not rare to see graffiti on some deserted wall get painted over without drawing much reaction from the public. But one artist has been so prolific that he has outpaced continuing clean-up efforts, and started to call people's attention to his paintings and street art culture in general.
Director compares foreign medical care reform with China's
Sun hopes that her documentary can offer some insights into China's health care reform, which is currently high on the government's agenda.
Great Leap Forward pioneer now builds 'new socialist countryside' in his home village
Among the pile of books stacked beside Wang Baojing's bed are Xi Jinping: The Governance of China and Learn the People's Skills with Chairman Mao.
62-year-old still hopes to find legendary wildman
Zhang Jinxing has spent the last 22 years in search of the Chinese Bigfoot, or yeren, in Shennongjia, a nature reserve in the western part of Central's China Hubei Province. No solid proof of its existence has been found so far, but Zhang's efforts have earned him a nickname – Zhang yeren.
Firefighter pays tribute to comrades slain in Tianjin blast
For most people, the memory of the August 12, 2015 blasts in the coastal city of Tianjin, which killed 159 people, is fading away. But for Zhang Mengfan, a firefighter with the Tianjin No.8 fire brigade, the explosions continue to haunt him.
Chinese campaigner to take her fight for disability rights global
In October, a Chinese woman will become the new president of Rehabilitation International (RI), a global organization that empowers people with disabilities and provides sustainable solutions towards achieving a more inclusive society for them.
Chinese migrant offers solace to Syrian refugees in Turkey
Every month, Wu Zhen drives to the outskirts of the Turkish capital Ankara to visit Syrian refugees living there.
Former cop writes about shady police practices
Nine years after taking off his police uniform for the last time, 42-year-old Wu Youming feels more than content about his life.
Woman keeps on petitioning after serving jail term for forming 'fake government'
Rural woman Zhang Haixin, 48, returned to her dilapidated rented home in the small city of Dengzhou, after finishing a two-year prison term.
British hiker mobilizes volunteers to clear up litter on the Great Wall
China has been Briton William Lindesay's home for 30 years. Now 60, he is married to a Chinese woman, and they have two children. But his love affair with China started at the Great Wall. For decades, he has dedicated himself to the protection of the ancient structure which is marred by garbage left behind by increasing numbers of visitors.