Love Without Labels: Chinese Revise the Rules on Relationships


SHANGHAI — To outsiders, Zhao Shiyan might appear to be in a typical romantic relationship. Since matching with his partner on a dating app two years ago, they’ve spent their time much like any other couple — holding hands, enjoying movie nights, and sharing intimate moments. Yet, the 25-year-old says that neither of them have explicitly defined the nature of their relationship. “We don’t think … Continue reading Love Without Labels: Chinese Revise the Rules on Relationships

Looking for Love in China? Get Into Esports.


For many couples, a relationship starts with a swipe of a finger or a glance across a crowded room. For Gao Yuchen and Li Zhaoxuan, it all began with a bloody battle on the online shooter game “Apex Legends.” The college students admired each other’s ability to slaughter their rivals inside the game’s digital battlefield. After a few games, they began chatting, and then Gao … Continue reading Looking for Love in China? Get Into Esports.

On Chinese Dating Shows, the Stars Are Old, Single, and Ready to Mingle


Inside a colorfully lit TV studio, a middle-aged woman dressed in a tight-fitting silk dress is trying to convince an older man to loosen up. “Can we hold hands and hug right now?” she asks, stepping toward him. The man, a 60-something wearing a traditional Tang jacket, looks visibly shocked by how forward she’s being. “Holding hands is fine,” he replies awkwardly. But the woman … Continue reading On Chinese Dating Shows, the Stars Are Old, Single, and Ready to Mingle

China Has a Problem With Bad Sex Advice. Can a New Exam Fix It?


Guo Yun finally found the courage to step into a sex shop last year to buy a dildo for her birthday. Before long, however, she retreated back to the streets of downtown Shanghai, confused and disappointed. “It was one of the most elegant sex shops I’ve seen in the city, and I thought they’d have professional sales assistants as well,” says Guo. “But instead, they … Continue reading China Has a Problem With Bad Sex Advice. Can a New Exam Fix It?

How China’s Post-90s Think About Love


This year’s inofficial Chinese Valentine’s Day has brought about love-related online surveys and discussions, bringing new insights into how China’s younger generations think about love: the Post-90s generation holds other views than expected. In Chinese, the pronunciation of ‘520’ sounds like “wo ai ni”, which means “I love you”. That’s why netizens in China have chosen 5/20, May 20th, as their unofficial Internet Valentine’s Day. … Continue reading How China’s Post-90s Think About Love