Sports

China is everywhere at the World Cup except on the field

Despite the ambitions of Chinese President Xi Jinping for China to be in the World Cup, China has only qualified for the finals once before, and will not feature in this year’s edition — except in supporting roles. Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei notes that football is a grassroots activity and can only thrive if allowed to grow organically.

Sim Tze Wei

11 Jun 2026

As jobs dry up, personal trainers are going door-to-door

In China’s cities, trainers are bringing the gym to people’s doorstep — turning courtyards into classrooms and fitness into a booming “on-demand” service. But as doubts over income, trust and longevity grow, is this just a fleeting trend?

Caixin Global

06 Apr 2026

China looks to ‘experience economy’ for a consumption lift

China’s tourism boom is being reshaped by travellers chasing immersive, culture-rich experiences — from lantern parades to viral folk traditions — fuelling record spending and policy support, but can the country turn this surge into sustainable growth without losing its authenticity?

Caixin Global

27 Mar 2026

Baseball or diplomacy? Taiwan premier’s Japan trip draws scrutiny

Amid upcoming visits by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to the US and by US President Donald Trump to China, Taiwanese Premier Cho Jung-tai has also made headlines with his trip to Japan for a baseball game. Despite claims of it being a private visit, is there more to it? Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei looks at what signals Taiwan and Japan are giving.

Sim Tze Wei

12 Mar 2026

The Slam: The Chinese wrestler who created a nation of wrestlers

China had zero wrestlers, zero rings and zero clue. Then one man called The Slam built a whole wrestling scene from scratch. Two decades later, his students run the show — and he’s still in the ring. Shanghai-based writer Kyle Muntz takes us into the world of Chinese pro wrestling.

Kyle Muntz

21 Nov 2025

Jiangsu’s football boom: A model for China’s sporting future?

Jiangsu’s “Su Super League”, featuring 13 amateur teams and attracting over 30,000 fans both in stadiums and online, is creating a buzz in China. Researcher Jiang Jiang examines whether its success can be replicated in other cities.

Jiang Jiang

07 Aug 2025

[Video] How snooker became China’s newest status sport

Billiards fever has taken China by storm in recent years, especially since Chinese national player Zhao Xintong won the World Snooker Championship in May this year. Parents are now investing significant time, money and effort to nurture “the next Zhao Xintong”. Lianhe Zaobao news correspondent Yush Chau speaks with a few of these potentials.

Yush Chau

30 Jul 2025

From Beijing to Shanghai: How China’s invisible migrants claim space through sports

The decision to support a football or basketball team might seem like a trivial matter, but master’s candidate Wang Yuchen says that it reveals deeper issues of urban identity and social integration in China. He explains how internal migrants in cities like Beijing and Shanghai express dissatisfaction and negotiate their identity through their support for hometown teams.

Wang Yuchen

07 Jul 2025

[Photos] Xie Xin: The superstar bringing Chinese contemporary dance to the world

Shanghai-based writer Kyle Muntz speaks with Xie Xin, a star choreographer in China’s contemporary dance world. He learns about dancers’ commitment to their passion and a dance form that could be called the live equivalent of abstract painting.

Kyle Muntz

14 Mar 2025

[Video] Beyond the Olympics: China’s unique minority games

Ever seen tree climbing, swinging, or bamboo drifting in a sports festival? This is China’s National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities, where tradition meets athleticism. Join ThinkChina’s Yi Jina as she uncovers seven unique sports that might surprise you.

Yi Jina

03 Jan 2025

Majoring in football: Chinese universities revamp curricula for national goals

Lianhe Zaobao journalist Li Kang notes that Chinese universities are changing their programme offerings to align with the country’s development path, expanding majors in technology and sports while reducing humanities and business programmes.

Li Kang

05 Nov 2024

How award-winning athletes became ‘Taiwan’s Glory’

Sports and politics are intertwined, with the Olympic ideal often intensifying rivalry, says Taiwanese academic Ho Ming-sho. In Taiwan’s case, the contentious nature of its statehood has elevated its star athletes to symbols of “Taiwan’s Glory”, a phenomenon that carries significant and far-reaching implications.

Ho Ming-sho

13 Aug 2024