MODERN HISTORY

Bullets of Revolution: A Brief History of Political Assassinations in China

A look back on China’s attempts to end imperial rule through political assassinations

MODERN HISTORY

Lonely Hearts Transformed: The Evolution of Chinese Marriage Advertisements

A history of Chinese marriage ads, from newspaper columns to matchmaking TV shows and mobile dating apps

MODERN HISTORY

Letters of Revolution: The Failed Movement to Eradicate Chinese Characters

The campaign to replace traditional characters with a phonetic system reflected Chinese society’s desire for change during the 20th century

MODERN HISTORY

How Labor Day Shaped Modern China

Discover the origin of Labor Day celebrations in China and how it became one of the country’s most important holidays

MODERN HISTORY

One Card to Rule Them All: The History of China’s ID System

How Chinese ID cards evolved from simple handwritten cards in 1984, to sophisticated digital documents essential for everything from riding the train to playing video games

MODERN HISTORY

A Brief History of China’s Hotel Industry

How China’s hotels transformed from exclusive spaces for the privileged to accommodation for the masses

MODERN HISTORY

Two-Way Communication: How China Adopted Japanese Terms to Discuss Modernity

In the early 20th century, debate raged in China over whether to accept a deluge of Japanese loanwords

MODERN HISTORY

Acrobats, Tai Chi, Kids: What Makes a Chinese Opening Ceremony?

From celebrations of workers at the 1959 National Games to vast displays of technological prowess during this year’s Asian Games, China’s opening ceremonies have evolved dramatically over time

MODERN HISTORY, EDUCATION

30 Years of Choosing College Majors in China

How did Chinese students earn the right to choose their own majors, and how did the most popular choices evolve over time?

MODERN HISTORY

How the Whampoa Academy Gave Birth to Famous Enemies in Chinese Political History

Founded on June 16, 1924, China’s first modern military academy aimed to reunite a divided nation. It didn’t quite work out that way.