Healthcare
Economy
China’s bid for a slice of the medical tourism market
Driven by vast surgical experience and lower costs, China’s medical tourism sector is expanding. However, Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yush Chau finds out that building an international reputation and managing domestic resources remain key challenges.
Yush Chau
02 Jun 2026
Economy
Hooked on tobacco: Why China can’t quit despite decades of control
As public fights over smoking ignite fierce debate, China faces a deep structural dilemma: protecting public health without stubbing out a lucrative fiscal pillar. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Liu Liu finds out what keeps China hooked on smoking.
Liu Liu
25 May 2026
Technology
ByteDance’s billion-RMB bet on China’s first AI-native hospital
Backed by the deep pockets of ByteDance, a private hospital in Beijing is attempting an ambitious architectural experiment: building a medical centre where AI is not just an assistant, but the “native” brain of the entire institution — though the path from “digital employee” to medical reality faces steep technical and financial hurdles.
Caixin Global
20 Apr 2026
Society
Fighting cigarettes hits the state’s wallet: Can China crack down on smoking?
Chinese netizens are waging an online war against secondhand smoke, but with tobacco contributing billions to state coffers, can authorities truly crack down on smoking? Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Li Kang looks into the issue.
Li Kang
09 Apr 2026
Society
Xiamen: The city that gives residents a score and rewards good behaviour [Eye on Fujian series]
The familiar Minnan saying that harmony brings prosperity, is given a distinctly modern take in Xiamen’s Bailu Score (白鹭分), or “White Egret Score”. This is a personal credit score developed under the Xiamen municipal government which turns trust into usable currency in daily urban life. Economics professor Cai Xiqian explains.
Cai Xiqian
25 Mar 2026
Society
Tu Zhiliang: The man who believes Chinese medicine can save the world
Just as Chinese restaurants thrive wherever there is an ethnic Chinese community, Gu Sheng Tang TCM CEO Tu Zhiliang wants the same for TCM services. Lianhe Zaobao senior lifestyle correspondent Dennis Ng speaks to the wuxia fan with a vision of saving the world through traditional Chinese medicine.
Dennis Ng
11 Mar 2026
Technology
China’s tech giants burn cash to try to dominate AI healthcare
Tech giants in China are splashing huge sums on AI healthcare assistants, while regulators and medical tests push the technology forward — but with most services still free and business models unclear, can AI really transform healthcare and make money?
Caixin Global
27 Feb 2026
Technology
Pudu Robotics founder Zhang Tao: Humanoid robots will be bigger than cars
Pudu Robotics founder Zhang Tao predicts humanoid robots will outgrow the auto industry. Lianhe Zaobao senior writer Lee Kuo Ai talks with him about his journey from a university passion to his third start-up and the pandemic-driven shift to delivery and service robots.
Lee Kuo Ai
29 Jan 2026
Society
The hidden crisis of China’s boom in premature births
Amid China’s decline in birth rate, there has been a rise in premature births. This has proven difficult for many new parents, who sometimes do not have the necessary funds or experience to deal with the associated challenges. Thankfully, there are avenues to get help.
Caixin Global
23 Jan 2026
Technology
SenseTime Act 2: From China’s AI dragon to regional innovator
With artificial intelligence being the latest buzzword, it is becoming increasingly difficult to stand out among the crowd of companies in the sector. One of the pioneer companies in AI is SenseTime, which has expanded into Singapore and Southeast Asia. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Li Yaning speaks to Jeff Shi, president of SenseTime’s Asia Pacific business, to get his take on where the company is going.
Li Yaning
23 Jan 2026
Society
When doctors earn 3,000 RMB: China’s healthcare pay squeeze
After years of training, some Chinese doctors now earn as little as 3,000 RMB a month. Pay cuts, rising pressure, and bleak prospects are forcing many to rethink a once-secure profession. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Li Kang finds out more.
Li Kang
15 Jan 2026