Millions of Chinese individuals and businesses have been labelled as untrustworthy on an official blacklist banning them from any number of activities, including accessing financial markets or travelling by air or train, as the use of the government’s social credit system accelerates. The annual blacklist is part of a broader effort to boost “trustworthiness” in Chinese society and is an extension... 

China has acknowledged the existence of so-called “cancer villages” as Chinese people have been concerned about the impact of pollution on their health for years. The environment ministry released its latest report on Friday entitled “Guard against and control risks presented by chemicals to the environment during the 12th Five-Year period (2011-2015)”. “The toxic chemicals... 

Chained: Two-year-old Chen Chuanliu is regularly padlocked to a tree while his rickshaw driver father touts for customers in Beijing No escape: The padlock securing the toddler At first sight it seems the ultimate in child cruelty – a two-year-old boy chained to a lamp post to stop him getting away. Yet his parents say this is the only way they can guarantee not to lose him. His father Chen Chuanliu... 

Africans are learning the hard way that in China the consequences for drug smuggling are more grave than a stained criminal record or a long sentence behind bars. Drug smugglers face a life penalty, but not in prison. Despite increasing diplomatic relations on the continent, when it comes to sentencing African nationals for drug offenses, China is showing no mercy. Those convicted are being sentenced...