Staff at a Chinese supermarket chain can take ‘unhappy days’ whenever they want. Perhaps we’re finally recognising a basic truth: work doesn’t make us happyNo more croaky, fake phone-in-sick voice for the employees of one regional Chinese supermarket chain: the founder of Pang Dong Lai, Yu Donglai, is offering employees up to 10 days’ “unhappiness leave”.“I...

Citizen journalist Zhang Zhan’s search for the truth during the early days of the pandemic was seen as a threat by the authoritiesA Chinese citizen journalist who has been in prison for four years after reporting on the early days of the Covid-19 epidemic in Wuhan is due to be released on Monday.Zhang Zhan, a former lawyer, travelled to Wuhan in February...

Sources say Singapore-based online fashion retailer founded in China prefers a float in New York but faces tougher scrutiny than expectedThe fast-fashion company Shein is stepping up preparations for a London listing after its attempt to float in New York faced regulatory hurdles and pushback from US lawmakers, sources have told Reuters.The online clothing...

President likely to add sectors such as electric vehicles, batteries and solar cells to range of levies set up under Donald TrumpJoe Biden is expected as early as next week to announce fresh tariffs on Chinese trade, with levies focused on strategic sectors including electric vehicles, in a review of measures first put into place under Donald Trump.An...

Warm welcome for Chinese president contrasts with rest of EU, with up to 18 cooperation agreements expected Hungary has rolled out the red carpet for Xi Jinping in a show of warmth that contrasts with wariness in the rest of the EU about China’s stance on trade, global politics and human rights.On the third and final stop of his first European tour...

In a crisis of her own making, Qu Jing also threatened Baidu staff who dared to question her management styleThe head of public relations at China’s biggest search engine, Baidu, has apologised after creating her own PR crisis with a series of videos glorifying the country’s work-till-you-drop culture.Qu Jing, who is also vice-president at the company,...