Society

The practice of commoditising marriage through a “bride price” to be paid by the Chinese groom has grown to incredible proportions in recent years, especially in the rural areas of China. Untenable financial burdens aside, this practice is not doing women’s push for gender equality any favours.

The gutsy, confident 90s generation are carving out a niche for themselves in a new economy where the ability to engage an online audience and grow a fan base is highly prized.

Bram Barclay points out that the frenetic, results-based model of Chinese education must change if future generations are to reap the benefits of a true education.

Political commentator Leung Man-tao ruminates on the changing definitions of the "independence for Hong Kong" label. He worries that misuse of the term in times of instability will only diminish its significance as a political OB marker and further weaken the authority's power to get things done.

Are Hong Kongers a “stateless nation" struggling for autonomy? What are the current protests really about? How will Beijing respond? Han Yong Hong explores the deeper motivations behind the months-long protests in Hong Kong.

What is the hottest song in China right now? Apparently, a little rap song called Wolf Disco has been making waves, with its take on what life was like in the late '90s and early 2000s. Journalist Yew Lun Tian is reminded of her own teenage years, as she delves into what makes this song so popular.

Lance Gore opines that what is at stake in Hong Kong is really the Hong Kongers’ immediate interests, and the future of the Pearl of the Orient.  He spoke to protesters on the ground and found out that not only do they not identify in the least with mainland China, they overflow with resistance; not only do they feel no shame about Hong Kong’s colonial past, they are actually very proud of it. Wherein lies its future then?

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam delivered "The Chief Executive's 2019 Policy Address" on October 16, amidst Hong Kong’s worst political crisis since the 1997 Handover. She announced housing plans and living subsidies to low-income households. Economist Prof Paul Yip opines that these are too little, too late and the wrong measures for current Hong Kong.

The death of a teenager and the reduced sentence of a triad boss may seem unrelated, but these two cases in Kunming have united China's Internet community in a common search for truth and justice. Shanghai correspondent Yang Danxu looks at the lack of trust between the Chinese public and its law enforcement system.