«Данное сообщение (материал) создано и (или) распространено иностранным средством массовой информации, выполняющим функции иностранного агента, и (или) российским юридическим лицом, выполняющим функции иностранного агента»

.css-1xjkmih{color:var(–header-rubric-color, var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-5));font-family:var(–mb-typeface-serif);font-size:var(–mb-typestyle-body-2-size);font-style:normal;font-weight:var(–mb-font-weight-regular);line-height:var(–mb-typestyle-body-2-leading);font-variant:var(–mb-typestyle-body-2-figures);}

Extra points for minority students are going away

.css-vpmedt{position:relative;-webkit-align-self:auto;-ms-flex-item-align:auto;align-self:auto;}@media (min-width: 22.5rem){.css-vpmedt{grid-column-start:1;}}@media (min-width: 52.125rem){.css-vpmedt{grid-column-start:1;}}@media (min-width: 68.5rem){.css-vpmedt{grid-column-start:2;}}@media (min-width: 80rem){.css-vpmedt{grid-column-start:3;}}@media (min-width: 89rem){.css-vpmedt{grid-column-start:4;}}@media (min-width: 22.5rem){.css-vpmedt{grid-column-end:7;}}@media (min-width: 52.125rem){.css-vpmedt{grid-column-end:10;}}@media (min-width: 68.5rem){.css-vpmedt{grid-column-end:9;}}@media (min-width: 80rem){.css-vpmedt{grid-column-end:9;}}@media (min-width: 89rem){.css-vpmedt{grid-column-end:12;}}.css-vpmedt:last-child::after{height:0;}.css-18efhce{margin-top:var(–mb-spacing-xl);}.css-18efhce img{width:100%;}@media (min-width: 60rem){.css-18efhce{margin-top:var(–mb-spacing-2xl);}}.css-3mn275 img{display:block;}.css-3mn275 .e15o9k8g2{margin-top:0.25rem;}.css-1dkrsla{width:100%;font-family:var(–mb-typeface-sans);}.css-1st60ou{font-family:var(–mb-typeface-sans);font-size:var(–mb-typestyle-label-2-size);font-weight:var(–mb-font-weight-regular);font-variant:var(–mb-font-small-caps);line-height:var(–mb-typestyle-label-2-leading);text-transform:lowercase;color:var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-35);}.e15o9k8g0+.css-1st60ou{margin-left:0.25rem;}Photograph: Getty Images.css-1crn8pm .e9p4spg0{margin-bottom:2.1875rem;padding-top:1.75rem;border-top:0.0625rem solid var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-85);}.css-1crn8pm .ei4jjge0{padding:1.25rem 0;border-top:0.0625rem solid var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-85);display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;}.css-1crn8pm .ei4jjge0 +.em0l2j50{margin-top:0;}.css-1crn8pm .efrhgsj0{margin-top:1.3125rem;margin-bottom:2.1875rem;}.css-1lub2ht{margin-top:0.5rem;}.css-1lub2ht +.evrxsn0{margin-top:0.75rem;}@media (min-width: 37.5rem){.css-1lub2ht +.evrxsn0{margin-top:1.75rem;}}@media (min-width: 80rem){.css-1lub2ht{margin-top:0.5rem;}}.css-shlg5w{position:relative;border-bottom:0;color:var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-35);}@media (min-width: 37.5rem){.css-shlg5w{border-bottom:0.0625rem solid var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-85);}}.css-shlg5w .ebxshaw0{margin-top:0;}.css-shlg5w >.e5z0ibw0>*{padding:var(–mb-spacing-md) 0;}.css-shlg5w >.e5z0ibw0>*:nth-of-type(2){border-top:0.0625rem solid var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-85);}@media (min-width: 37.5rem){.css-shlg5w >.e5z0ibw0>*:nth-of-type(2){border-top:0;}}.css-shlg5w >.e5z0ibw0 .e5z0ibw0{gap:var(–mb-spacing-sm);}.css-z11z87{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-align-items:stretch;-webkit-box-align:stretch;-ms-flex-align:stretch;align-items:stretch;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;}@media (min-width: 37.5rem){.css-z11z87{-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;}}@media (min-width: 37.5rem){.css-z11z87{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;}}@media (min-width: 37.5rem){.css-z11z87{-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}}.css-1rlefqb{font-size:var(–mb-typestyle-label-2-size);font-variant:var(–mb-typestyle-label-2-figures);font-family:var(–mb-typeface-sans);font-weight:var(–mb-font-weight-regular);line-height:var(–mb-typestyle-label-2-leading);color:var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-35);} Jun 6th 2024.css-17do188{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;}.css-1s3lugw{display:none;}@media (max-width: 37.4375rem){.css-1s3lugw{display:block;}}.css-11yt5xn{position:relative;display:inline;}.css-11yt5xn .eeg8alx0{z-index:100;position:fixed;left:0;bottom:0;width:100%;border-bottom-left-radius:0;border-bottom-right-radius:0;}@media (min-width: 37.5rem){.css-11yt5xn .eeg8alx0{position:absolute;top:1.5rem;bottom:auto;left:auto;right:0;width:auto;border-radius:0.5rem;}}Share.css-ug4q19{margin-top:0.75rem;width:100%;display:inline-block;}@media (min-width: 37.5rem){.css-ug4q19{margin-top:1.3125rem;}.css-ug4q19:has(.ez7us1o0:first-child),.css-ug4q19:has(.e1wdoy1t0:first-child),.css-ug4q19:has(.eb1dths0:first-child){margin-top:0.875rem;}}.css-ug4q19 .e1wexn3l0{position:relative;}.css-80cr42 *+*{margin-top:0.875rem;}.css-80cr42 .e1mvczvy0{margin-top:0;}.css-80cr42 .ez7us1o0:first-child,.css-80cr42 .e1wdoy1t0:first-child,.css-80cr42 .eb1dths0:first-child{margin:0;}.css-80cr42 .ez7us1o0 +*,.css-80cr42 .e1wdoy1t0 +*,.css-80cr42 .eb1dths0 +*{margin-top:1.75rem;}.css-80cr42 .ez7us1o0 +.e1mvczvy0,.css-80cr42 .e1wdoy1t0 +.e1mvczvy0,.css-80cr42 .eb1dths0 +.e1mvczvy0,.css-80cr42 .ez7us1o0 +.enls6fv0,.css-80cr42 .e1wdoy1t0 +.enls6fv0,.css-80cr42 .eb1dths0 +.enls6fv0,.css-80cr42 .ez7us1o0 +.e1bfu45c0,.css-80cr42 .e1wdoy1t0 +.e1bfu45c0,.css-80cr42 .eb1dths0 +.e1bfu45c0{margin-top:2.1875rem;}.css-80cr42 *+.ez7us1o0,.css-80cr42 *+.e1wdoy1t0,.css-80cr42 *+.eb1dths0{margin-top:1.75rem;}.css-80cr42 .e1mvczvy0+*,.css-80cr42 .enls6fv0+*,.css-80cr42 .e1bfu45c0+*{margin-top:2.1875rem;}.css-80cr42 .exqb7zc0+*{margin-top:1.75rem;}.css-80cr42 *+.exqb7zc0{margin-top:1.75rem;}.css-80cr42 *+.e1w3wqse0{margin-top:1.75rem;}.css-80cr42 .e1w3wqse0+*{margin-top:1.75rem;}.css-80cr42 *+.e1ypdxhw0{margin-top:1.3125rem;}.css-80cr42 *+.e1bfu45c0{margin-top:2.1875rem;}.css-80cr42 .e1bfu45c0+*{margin-top:2.1875rem;}.css-80cr42 .e1bfu45c0+.e1mvczvy0{margin-top:2.1875rem;}.css-80cr42 .e1mvczvy0+.e1bfu45c0{margin-top:2.1875rem;}.css-80cr42 >.e18nv6n10+*{margin-top:0;}.css-80cr42 .ep3wan50+*{margin-top:1.3125rem;}.css-80cr42 .ep3wan50+.ep3wan50{margin-top:0.875rem;}.css-80cr42 >.e13g57ro0+*{margin-top:1.3125rem;}.css-80cr42 .e1ypdxhw0+.e1y9q0ei0{margin-top:1.3125rem;}.css-80cr42 .e13g57ro0+.e1w3wqse0{margin-top:1.3125rem;}.css-80cr42 .e13g57ro0+.exqb7zc0{margin-top:1.3125rem;}.css-80cr42 .e1bfu45c0+.e1bfu45c0{margin-top:1.3125rem;}.css-80cr42 .e1ypdxhw0+.e13g57ro0{margin-top:1.3125rem;}.css-80cr42 .e1ypdxhw0+.e18nv6n10{margin-top:1.3125rem;}.css-80cr42 .e18nv6n10+.e13g57ro0{margin-top:0.875rem;}.css-80cr42 .e18nv6n10+.exqb7zc0{margin-top:1.3125rem;}.css-80cr42 .enls6fv0+*,.css-80cr42 .e1mvczvy0+*{margin-top:2.1875rem;}.css-80cr42 *+.enls6fv0,.css-80cr42 *+.e1mvczvy0{margin-top:2.1875rem;}.css-80cr42 .enls6fv0+.enls6fv0,.css-80cr42 .e1mvczvy0+.e1mvczvy0,.css-80cr42 .enls6fv0+.e1mvczvy0,.css-80cr42 .e1mvczvy0+.enls6fv0{margin-top:1.3125rem;}@media (min-width: 37.5rem){.css-80cr42 .enls6fv1{margin-bottom:0.875rem;}}.css-80cr42 .e1ypdxhw0+.enls6fv1{margin-top:1.3125rem;}.css-80cr42 .e1ypdxhw0+.enls6fv1+.e1y9q0ei0{margin-top:1.3125rem;}.css-80cr42 .e1bfu45c0+.enls6fv1+.e1y9q0ei0{margin-top:2.1875rem;}.css-80cr42 .enls6fv1+.e1y9q0ei0+.e13g57ro0{margin-top:1.3125rem;}.css-80cr42 .e1w3wqse0+.enls6fv1,.css-80cr42 .e1w3wqse0+.enls6fv1+.e1y9q0ei0,.css-80cr42 .exqb7zc0+.enls6fv1+.e1y9q0ei0,.css-80cr42 .exqb7zc0+.enls6fv1{margin-top:2.1875rem;}.css-80cr42 .e1y9q0ei0+.enls6fv1,.css-80cr42 .e1y9q0ei0+.enls6fv1+.e1y9q0ei0,.css-80cr42 .e13g57ro0+.enls6fv1,.css-80cr42 .e13g57ro0+.enls6fv1+.e1y9q0ei0{margin-top:1.3125rem;}.css-80cr42 .e1y9q0ei0+.ep3wan50{margin-top:1.75rem;}@media (max-width: 37.4375rem){.css-80cr42 .enls6fv1+.e1y9q0ei0,.css-80cr42 .exqb7zc0+.enls6fv1+.e1y9q0ei0,.css-80cr42 .e1w3wqse0+.enls6fv1+.e1y9q0ei0{margin-top:0.875rem;}}.css-80cr42 .enls6fv1+*:not(.e1y9q0ei0),.css-80cr42 .enls6fv1+.e1y9q0ei0+*:not(.e1y9q0ei0){clear:both;}.css-80cr42 *:not(.evrxsn0)+.e1y9q0ei0:has([data-caps=’initial’]:first-child),.css-80cr42 *:not(.evrxsn0)+.e1y9q0ei0:has(.drop-cap:first-child){margin-top:1.75rem;}.css-80cr42 .ep3wan50+.e1y9q0ei0:has([data-caps=’initial’]:first-child),.css-80cr42 .ep3wan50+.e1y9q0ei0:has(.drop-cap:first-child){margin-top:1.3125rem;}.css-80cr42 .e1cbnkh80{clear:both;}.css-80cr42 *+.e1cbnkh80{margin-top:2.1875rem;}.css-80cr42 .e1cbnkh80+*{margin-top:2.1875rem;}.css-80cr42 *+.evrxsn0{margin-top:1.75rem;}.css-80cr42 .evrxsn0+*{margin-top:0.875rem;}.css-s6z5ja{margin:1.3125rem 0 2.1875rem;}.css-s6z5ja figure{margin:0;min-width:100%;}.css-s6z5ja figure figcaption{display:inline;font-family:var(–mb-typeface-sans);font-size:var(–mb-typestyle-label-3-size);font-variant:var(–mb-typestyle-label-3-figures);font-weight:var(–mb-font-weight-semibold);line-height:var(–mb-typestyle-label-3-leading);}.css-s6z5ja audio{display:block;margin-top:0.75rem;width:100%;}.css-s6z5ja +figure,.css-s6z5ja +.g-fallback+figure{margin-top:0;}Listen to this story

Your browser does not support the <audio> element.

.css-1l5amll{color:var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-5);font-family:var(–mb-typeface-serif);font-weight:var(–mb-font-weight-regular);font-size:var(–mb-typestyle-body-2-size);font-variant:var(–mb-typestyle-body-2-figures);line-height:var(–mb-typestyle-body-2-leading);}.css-1l5amll del,.css-1l5amll s{-webkit-text-decoration:strikethrough;text-decoration:strikethrough;}.css-1l5amll strong,.css-1l5amll b{font-weight:var(–mb-font-weight-bold);}.css-1l5amll em,.css-1l5amll i{font-style:italic;}.css-1l5amll sup{font-feature-settings:’sups’ 1;}.css-1l5amll sub{font-feature-settings:’subs’ 1;}.css-1l5amll small,.css-1l5amll .small-caps{display:inline;font-size:inherit;font-variant:var(–mb-font-small-caps);text-transform:lowercase;}.css-1l5amll u,.css-1l5amll .underline{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-underline-offset:0.125rem;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;}.css-1l5amll a{color:var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-5);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-color:var(–mb-colour-base-chicago-45);text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-underline-offset:0.1875rem;}.css-1l5amll a:hover{color:var(–mb-colour-base-chicago-30);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-color:var(–mb-colour-base-chicago-30);text-decoration-thickness:var(–mb-spacing-3xs);}.css-1l5amll a:focus{background-color:var(–mb-colour-base-chicago-90);color:var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-5);outline:none;-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-color:var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-5);text-decoration-thickness:var(–mb-spacing-3xs);}.css-1l5amll a:active{background-color:var(–mb-colour-base-chicago-90);color:var(–mb-colour-base-chicago-30);text-decoration-color:var(–mb-colour-base-chicago-30);text-decoration-thickness:var(–mb-spacing-3xs);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1l5amll [data-caps=’initial’],.css-1l5amll .drop-cap{float:left;font-feature-settings:’ss08′ 1;font-size:3.5rem;height:3.25rem;line-height:1;margin:0.0625rem 0.2rem 0 0;text-transform:uppercase;}.css-1l5amll [data-ornament=’ufinish’],.css-1l5amll .ufinish{color:var(–mb-colour-brand-red);}.css-1l5amll [data-ornament=’ufinish’]::before,.css-1l5amll .ufinish::before{font-size:var(–mb-typestyle-body-2-size);font-variant:var(–mb-typestyle-body-2-figures);line-height:var(–mb-typestyle-body-2-leading);content:’ ‘;}

Starting on June 7th millions of young people will sit for the world’s largest academic test. China’s university-entrance exam, known as the gaokao, is punishingly difficult. Students spend endless hours cramming for it. But it is also meant to be meritocratic. Work hard, score well and, no matter what your social background, you can get into a good college.

Yet the test is administered in ways that do not seem so meritocratic. Local governments are allowed to produce their own versions of the gaokao, with different questions and scoring methods. Students in elite cities, such as Beijing and Shanghai, enjoy an easier route into local universities, which include some of the country’s finest.

The maximum possible score on the gaokao can change from year to year and may vary according to province, but it is usually 750. Most provinces give extra points (ranging from five to 20) to certain groups, such as military veterans and Chinese who return from overseas. Until recently, some provinces showered points on students who exhibited “ideological and political correctness” or had “significant social influence”. But such arbitrary criteria led to corruption and calls by the central government to phase them out.

Unsurprisingly, the extra-points system has bred resentment among those who receive no help with their scores. Lately their ire has been directed at members of minority groups, who have long been awarded bonuses simply on the basis of their ethnicity. The policy, begun long ago, aims to assimilate minorities into the dominant Han culture. But some Han, who make up over 90% of the mainland’s population, wonder why communities that nationalists paint as often disloyal and ungrateful should receive such an advantage.

.css-1lhdxpm{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;container-name:onward-articles;container-type:inline-size;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;margin:2.188rem 0;}.css-1lhdxpm a>span,.css-1lhdxpm a:has(> span:first-child + span){margin-top:0;}.css-1lhdxpm ul{margin-top:var(–mb-spacing-md);}.css-1lhdxpm h2{font-size:var(–mb-typestyle-label-3-size);font-variant:var(–mb-typestyle-label-3-figures);line-height:var(–mb-typestyle-label-3-leading);}@container onward-articles (min-width:37.5rem) and (max-width:80rem){.e11kl3g90 .e1kb1ha80{float:none;margin:0;padding:0;width:100%;}.e11kl3g90 .e1kb1ha80 +.exn4l0u0{margin-top:0.5rem;}.ejvhmuq0:has(.e11kl3g90){display:grid;grid-gap:var(–mb-responsive-grid-gutter);grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr);}.ejvhmuq0:has(.e11kl3g90) li{border:0;padding-bottom:0;}.ejvhmuq0:has(.e11kl3g90) li+li{margin-top:0;}}@media (min-width: 80rem){.css-1lhdxpm{–total-columns:6;–total-gutters:calc(var(–total-columns) – 1);–component-columns:3;–component-gutters:calc(var(–component-columns) – 1);–offset:1;–width-per-gutter:var(–mb-responsive-grid-gutter);–remaining-column-space:calc( 100% – (var(–total-gutters) * var(–width-per-gutter)) );–width-per-column:calc( var(–remaining-column-space) / var(–total-columns) );–component-offset-left:calc( ( (var(–width-per-column) * var(–offset)) + (var(–width-per-gutter) * var(–offset)) ) * -1 );–component-total-width:calc( (var(–width-per-column) * var(–component-columns)) + (var(–width-per-gutter) * var(–component-gutters)) );float:left;margin-left:var(–component-offset-left);margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-bottom:1.656rem;padding-right:2.125rem;padding-top:1.375rem;width:var(–component-total-width);}}@media (min-width: 89rem){.css-1lhdxpm{–total-columns:8;–component-columns:4;–offset:2;}}

More from China

.css-14gnxf6 li{border-bottom:var(–mb-border-standard);padding-bottom:1rem;}.css-14gnxf6 li+li{margin-top:1rem;}.css-14gnxf6 li:last-child{border-bottom:0;padding-bottom:0;margin-bottom:0.5rem;}

• .css-195326x{position:relative;width:100%;margin-top:0;overflow:hidden;}.eeawncf0 .css-195326x,.e1ns5z760 .css-195326x{margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;}@media (min-width: 22.5rem){.eeawncf0 .css-195326x,.e1ns5z760 .css-195326x{margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;}}@media (min-width: 37.5rem){.eeawncf0 .css-195326x,.e1ns5z760 .css-195326x{margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;}}@media (min-width: 60rem){.eeawncf0 .css-195326x,.e1ns5z760 .css-195326x{margin-top:-0.25rem;margin-bottom:0;}}@media (min-width: 80rem){.eeawncf0 .css-195326x,.e1ns5z760 .css-195326x{margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;}}.e1ft9m2r0 .css-195326x{margin-left:0.75rem;margin-top:0;}@media (max-width:29.9375rem){.e1ft9m2r0 .css-195326x{padding-top:0.375rem;}}.css-5misog{position:relative;margin:0.25rem 0 0 1.5rem;padding:0;float:right;width:33%;}.css-5misog img{display:block;}.css-5misog svg{bottom:0;display:block;left:0;position:absolute;width:15%;}.css-5misog+.exn4l0u0{margin-top:0;}.css-5misog+.e9vcwtd0{margin-top:0;}.css-5misog+.e1etum70{margin-top:0;}.css-apziln{font-family:var(–mb-typeface-serif);font-size:var(–mb-typestyle-title-1-size);font-variant:var(–mb-typestyle-title-1-figures);font-weight:500;line-height:var(–mb-typestyle-title-1-leading);}.css-apziln a{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-5);display:block;}.css-apziln a:hover,.css-apziln a:hover{color:var(–mb-colour-base-chicago-30);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-apziln a:focus,.css-apziln a:focus{background-color:var(–mb-colour-base-chicago-95);color:var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-5);outline:none;-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-apziln a:active,.css-apziln a:active{color:var(–mb-colour-base-chicago-30);}.css-apziln a::before{bottom:0;content:”;display:block;left:0;opacity:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;right:0;text-indent:-999em;top:0;white-space:nowrap;z-index:1;}.css-apziln+.esimp700,.css-apziln+style+.esimp700{margin-top:0.25rem;}.e1p220na0 .css-apziln+.esimp700{margin-top:0;}
  

  Could China and India become friends?

• 
  

  Chinese authorities try to stop parents gaming the exam system (again)

• 
  

  China’s alarming sex imbalance

⇒All of our China coverage

The state itself has backed away from the policy in recent years. In 2014 the central government indicated a desire for it to be re-evaluated. Since then a number of provinces—such as Anhui, Jiangsu, Shandong and Shanxi—have stopped giving extra points to minority students. Last month Henan joined them. In provinces where the policy is still in place, adjustments are being made. This year Hunan and Fujian have reduced the extra points that minority students can get, with the aim of removing the system soon. Even in Inner Mongolia, home to a large ethnic-Mongol population, the bonuses are shrinking.

Under Xi Jinping the Communist Party has promoted the idea of a single Chinese identity, an effort that has involved trampling on the freedoms of minority groups and abolishing affirmative-action policies. But the authorities justify the latest moves as a way to promote “exam equality” and prevent cheating in the admissions process. Officials also claim that the schools in regions with big minority populations have improved so much that the bonuses are no longer needed to even things out.

That is questionable. Students from minority groups still lag behind their Han peers. And if the government were so concerned about fairness, it would do away with other extra-point schemes, such as the one targeting Taiwanese students in an attempt to lure them to mainland universities. But none of this is likely to make young Han cramming for the gaokao feel any less anxious. ■

Subscribers can sign up to Drum Tower, our new weekly newsletter, to understand what the world makes of China—and what China makes of the world.

.css-1h7zq19{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;margin:1.3125rem 0 2.1875rem 0;gap:var(–mb-spacing-sm);}@media (min-width: 60rem){.css-1h7zq19{-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;gap:var(–mb-spacing-sm);}}.css-1h7zq19 nav{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:wrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:var(–mb-spacing-sm);-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;}.css-rb5rp6{font-family:var(–mb-typeface-sans);font-size:var(–mb-typestyle-title-1-size);font-style:normal;font-weight:var(–mb-font-weight-regular);line-height:var(–mb-typestyle-title-1-leading);font-variant:var(–mb-typestyle-title-1-figures);white-space:nowrap;-webkit-align-self:start;-ms-flex-item-align:start;align-self:start;}@media (min-width: 60rem){.css-rb5rp6{padding-top:var(–mb-spacing-2xs);}}

Explore more

China.css-2x8c4j{margin:0.875rem 0;}.css-2x8c4j .e12sz0jx0+*{margin-top:0.875rem;}.el1rg701+.css-2x8c4j{margin-top:0;}.css-1aogxph{color:var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-20);font-family:var(–mb-typeface-sans);font-size:var(–mb-typestyle-label-2-size);font-variant:var(–mb-typestyle-label-2-figures);line-height:var(–mb-typestyle-label-2-leading);}.css-1aogxph s,.css-1aogxph del{-webkit-text-decoration:line-through;text-decoration:line-through;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;}.css-1aogxph b{font-weight:var(–mb-font-weight-semibold);}.css-1aogxph i{font-style:italic;}.css-1aogxph sup{font-feature-settings:’sups’ 1;}.css-1aogxph sub{font-feature-settings:’subs’ 1;}.css-1aogxph u{text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;}.css-1aogxph a{color:var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-20);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-underline-offset:0.1875rem;}.css-1aogxph a:hover,.css-1aogxph a:focus,.css-1aogxph a:active{text-decoration-thickness:var(–mb-spacing-3xs);}.css-1aogxph a:hover{color:var(–mb-colour-base-chicago-30);}.css-1aogxph a:hover span{text-decoration-color:var(–mb-colour-base-chicago-30);}.css-1aogxph a:focus{background-color:var(–mb-colour-base-chicago-90);color:var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-5);text-decoration-color:var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-5);outline:none;}.css-1aogxph a:active{background-color:var(–mb-colour-base-chicago-90);color:var(–mb-colour-base-chicago-30);text-decoration-color:var(–mb-colour-base-chicago-30);}

This article appeared in the China section of the print edition under the headline “Scoring political points”

.css-1i1rou5 div>div:first-child{margin-left:var(–mb-spacing-lg);}.css-1i1rou5 ul>li:last-child{padding-bottom:0;border-bottom:0;}

China

June 8th 2024

• →Watch out Beijing, China’s second-tier cities are on the up
• →Changes to China’s gaokao exam are about politics, not fairness
• →It’s a bird, it’s a plane…it’s a Chinese flying car
• →China unites America and Europe in alarm

.css-ra48xw{font-family:var(–mb-typeface-serif);position:relative;}.css-duuyjs{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:column;-ms-flex-pack:column;-webkit-justify-content:column;justify-content:column;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;text-align:center;-webkit-column-gap:var(–mb-spacing-lg);column-gap:var(–mb-spacing-lg);}.css-s61v3v{border-radius:0.125rem;box-shadow:-0.125rem 0.125rem 0.25rem 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.4);margin-bottom:0.75rem;min-width:10rem;max-width:12rem;}@media (min-width: 37.5rem){.css-s61v3v{min-width:12rem;}}.css-s61v3v img{display:block;max-width:100%;}.css-std7t4{max-width:16rem;}.css-nba04v{color:var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-5);font-family:var(–mb-typeface-serif);font-size:var(–mb-typestyle-title-3-size);font-variant:var(–mb-typestyle-title-3-figures);font-weight:var(–mb-font-weight-medium);line-height:var(–mb-typestyle-title-3-leading);margin-bottom:0.25rem;}

From the June 8th 2024 edition

.css-exdolm{color:var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-5);font-size:var(–mb-typestyle-body-1-size);font-variant:var(–mb-typestyle-body-1-figures);font-weight:var(–mb-font-weight-regular);line-height:var(–mb-typestyle-body-1-leading);margin-bottom:1.5rem;}

Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents

⇒Explore the edition.css-v7aorn{margin-top:0.875rem;}.css-v7aorn +.eq1asik0{margin-top:3rem;padding-bottom:0;}.el1rg701+.css-v7aorn{margin-top:0;}.css-9ejc71{position:relative;border-bottom:0;border-top:0.0625rem solid var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-85);color:var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-35);}.css-9ejc71 .ebxshaw0{margin-top:0;}.css-9ejc71 >.e5z0ibw0>*{padding:var(–mb-spacing-md) 0;}.css-9ejc71 >.e5z0ibw0>*:nth-of-type(2){border-top:0.0625rem solid var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-85);}@media (min-width: 37.5rem){.css-9ejc71 >.e5z0ibw0>*:nth-of-type(2){border-top:0;}}.css-9ejc71 >.e5z0ibw0 .e5z0ibw0{gap:var(–mb-spacing-sm);}.css-yb4x8x{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-align-items:stretch;-webkit-box-align:stretch;-ms-flex-align:stretch;align-items:stretch;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;}@media (min-width: 37.5rem){.css-yb4x8x{-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;}}@media (min-width: 37.5rem){.css-yb4x8x{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;}}@media (min-width: 37.5rem){.css-yb4x8x{-webkit-box-pack:end;-ms-flex-pack:end;-webkit-justify-content:flex-end;justify-content:flex-end;}}.css-1j1j36d{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:wrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;row-gap:0.6rem;-webkit-column-gap:var(–mb-spacing-sm);column-gap:var(–mb-spacing-sm);}ShareReuse this content.css-169lzn0{position:relative;-webkit-align-self:auto;-ms-flex-item-align:auto;align-self:auto;display:none;}@media (min-width: 80rem){.css-169lzn0{grid-column-start:9;}}@media (min-width: 89rem){.css-169lzn0{grid-column-start:13;}}@media (min-width: 80rem){.css-169lzn0{grid-column-end:13;}}@media (min-width: 89rem){.css-169lzn0{grid-column-end:17;}}@media (min-width: 80rem){.css-169lzn0{grid-row-start:1;}}@media (min-width: 80rem){.css-169lzn0{grid-row-end:span 4;}}@media (min-width: 80rem){.css-169lzn0{display:block;}}.css-169lzn0:last-child::after{height:0;}.css-1y1zooy{display:inline;}.css-1y1zooy >*+*{margin-top:2rem;}.css-1y1zooy >*:only-child{margin-top:1.25rem;}.css-1y1zooy >*:last-child{position:-webkit-sticky;position:sticky;top:1.5rem;}.css-mqgbir{margin-top:6rem;}.css-mqgbir .ds-section-headline{margin-bottom:1rem;}

More from China

@media (min-width: 60rem){.css-1os14tz .e141dkbw0 .e141dkbw0:last-of-type{padding-bottom:1.5rem;}}@media (min-width: 60rem){.css-1os14tz .e141dkbw0 .e141dkbw0{padding-bottom:1.5rem;}}@media (min-width: 80rem){.css-1os14tz .e141dkbw0 .e141dkbw0{padding-bottom:0;}}@media (min-width: 60rem){.css-1os14tz .e141dkbw0>hr+.e11kl3g90:last-of-type{padding-bottom:1.5rem;}}@media (min-width: 60rem){.css-1os14tz .e141dkbw0:nth-of-type(5){padding-bottom:1.5rem;}}.css-1os14tz .e3mhczn0 .e3mhczn0{margin-top:-0.25rem;}@media (min-width: 80rem){.css-1os14tz .e141dkbw0:nth-of-type(3) .e3mhczn0{margin-top:0;}}.css-114o6rp{display:grid;grid-auto-flow:row;grid-column-gap:var(–mb-responsive-grid-gutter);grid-row-gap:2.75rem;grid-auto-columns:1fr;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;max-width:89.5rem;overflow:hidden;position:relative;grid-row-gap:1.5rem;grid-template-areas:”group1″ “line” “group2” “line2” “group3″;}@media (min-width: 60rem){.css-114o6rp{grid-template:auto/repeat(12, minmax(0, 1fr));}}@media (min-width: 60rem){.css-114o6rp{grid-template-areas:”group1 group1 group1 group1 group1 group1 group2 group2 group2 group2 group2 group2” “line line line line line line line line line line line line” “group3 group3 group3 group3 group3 group3 group3 group3 group3 group3 group3 group3″;}}@media (min-width: 80rem){.css-114o6rp{grid-template-areas:”group1 group1 group1 group1 group2 group2 group2 group2 group2 group3 group3 group3″;}}.css-1f07iwu{grid-area:group1;position:relative;-webkit-align-self:auto;-ms-flex-item-align:auto;align-self:auto;}.css-1f07iwu::after{background-color:var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-85);content:”;height:100%;position:absolute;right:-1rem;right:calc(-1 * var(–ds-grid-gap));top:0;width:1px;}.css-1f07iwu:last-child::after{height:0;}.css-12lyffs{position:relative;width:100%;margin-top:0;overflow:hidden;display:block;}.eeawncf0 .css-12lyffs,.e1ns5z760 .css-12lyffs{margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;}@media (min-width: 22.5rem){.eeawncf0 .css-12lyffs,.e1ns5z760 .css-12lyffs{margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;}}@media (min-width: 37.5rem){.eeawncf0 .css-12lyffs,.e1ns5z760 .css-12lyffs{margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;}}@media (min-width: 60rem){.eeawncf0 .css-12lyffs,.e1ns5z760 .css-12lyffs{margin-top:-0.25rem;margin-bottom:0;}}@media (min-width: 80rem){.eeawncf0 .css-12lyffs,.e1ns5z760 .css-12lyffs{margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;}}.e1ft9m2r0 .css-12lyffs{margin-left:0.75rem;margin-top:0;}@media (max-width:29.9375rem){.e1ft9m2r0 .css-12lyffs{padding-top:0.375rem;}}.css-koo8ga{position:relative;float:none;width:100%;margin:0;padding:0;}.css-koo8ga img{display:block;}.css-koo8ga svg{bottom:0;display:block;left:0;position:absolute;width:15%;}.css-koo8ga+.exn4l0u0{margin-top:0.5rem;}.css-koo8ga+style+.exn4l0u0{margin-top:0.5rem;}.css-koo8ga+.e9vcwtd0{margin-top:0.5rem;}.css-koo8ga+style+.e9vcwtd0{margin-top:0.5rem;}.css-koo8ga+.e1etum70{margin-top:0.5rem;}.css-koo8ga+style+.e1etum70{margin-top:0.5rem;}.css-fjl2tu{font-family:var(–mb-typeface-serif);font-size:var(–mb-typestyle-title-4-size);font-variant:var(–mb-typestyle-title-4-figures);font-weight:normal;line-height:var(–mb-typestyle-title-4-leading);}.css-fjl2tu a{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-5);display:block;}.css-fjl2tu a:hover,.css-fjl2tu a:hover{color:var(–mb-colour-base-chicago-30);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-fjl2tu a:focus,.css-fjl2tu a:focus{background-color:var(–mb-colour-base-chicago-95);color:var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-5);outline:none;-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-fjl2tu a:active,.css-fjl2tu a:active{color:var(–mb-colour-base-chicago-30);}.css-fjl2tu a::before{bottom:0;content:”;display:block;left:0;opacity:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;right:0;text-indent:-999em;top:0;white-space:nowrap;z-index:1;}.css-fjl2tu+.esimp700,.css-fjl2tu+style+.esimp700{margin-top:0.5rem;}.e1p220na0 .css-fjl2tu+.esimp700{margin-top:0;}

Chinese authorities try to stop parents gaming the exam system (again)

.css-1p38euj{color:var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-5);font-family:var(–mb-typeface-serif);max-width:43.75rem;font-size:var(–mb-typestyle-body-1-size);font-variant:var(–mb-typestyle-body-1-figures);line-height:var(–mb-typestyle-body-1-leading);}

They will go to great lengths to try

.css-o65eh1{grid-area:group2;position:relative;-webkit-align-self:auto;-ms-flex-item-align:auto;align-self:auto;}.css-o65eh1::after{background-color:var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-85);content:”;height:100%;position:absolute;right:-1rem;right:calc(-1 * var(–ds-grid-gap));top:0;width:1px;}.css-o65eh1:last-child::after{height:0;}.css-153odn9{position:relative;width:100%;margin-top:0;overflow:hidden;display:block;}.eeawncf0 .css-153odn9,.e1ns5z760 .css-153odn9{margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;}@media (min-width: 22.5rem){.eeawncf0 .css-153odn9,.e1ns5z760 .css-153odn9{margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;}}@media (min-width: 37.5rem){.eeawncf0 .css-153odn9,.e1ns5z760 .css-153odn9{margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;}}@media (min-width: 60rem){.eeawncf0 .css-153odn9,.e1ns5z760 .css-153odn9{margin-top:-0.25rem;margin-bottom:0;}}@media (min-width: 80rem){.eeawncf0 .css-153odn9,.e1ns5z760 .css-153odn9{margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;}}.e1ft9m2r0 .css-153odn9{margin-left:0.75rem;margin-top:0;}@media (max-width:29.9375rem){.e1ft9m2r0 .css-153odn9{padding-top:0.375rem;}}.css-cxlel1{position:relative;float:none;width:100%;margin:0;padding:0;}.css-cxlel1 img{display:block;}.css-cxlel1 svg{bottom:0;display:block;left:0;position:absolute;width:15%;}.css-cxlel1+.exn4l0u0{margin-top:0.5rem;}.css-cxlel1+style+.exn4l0u0{margin-top:0.5rem;}.css-cxlel1+.e9vcwtd0{margin-top:0.5rem;}.css-cxlel1+style+.e9vcwtd0{margin-top:0.5rem;}.css-cxlel1+.e1etum70{margin-top:0.5rem;}.css-cxlel1+style+.e1etum70{margin-top:0.5rem;}@media (min-width: 30rem){.css-cxlel1{margin:0.25rem 0 0 1.5rem;padding:0;float:right;width:33%;}.css-cxlel1+.exn4l0u0{margin-top:0;}.css-cxlel1+.e9vcwtd0{margin-top:0;}.css-cxlel1+.e1etum70{margin-top:0;}}.css-1mxvqtz{font-family:var(–mb-typeface-serif);font-size:var(–mb-typestyle-title-3-size);font-variant:var(–mb-typestyle-title-3-figures);font-weight:normal;line-height:var(–mb-typestyle-title-3-leading);}.css-1mxvqtz a{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-5);display:block;}.css-1mxvqtz a:hover,.css-1mxvqtz a:hover{color:var(–mb-colour-base-chicago-30);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1mxvqtz a:focus,.css-1mxvqtz a:focus{background-color:var(–mb-colour-base-chicago-95);color:var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-5);outline:none;-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1mxvqtz a:active,.css-1mxvqtz a:active{color:var(–mb-colour-base-chicago-30);}.css-1mxvqtz a::before{bottom:0;content:”;display:block;left:0;opacity:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;right:0;text-indent:-999em;top:0;white-space:nowrap;z-index:1;}.css-1mxvqtz+.esimp700,.css-1mxvqtz+style+.esimp700{margin-top:0.5rem;}.e1p220na0 .css-1mxvqtz+.esimp700{margin-top:0;}

China’s alarming sex imbalance

By 2027 one in six young Chinese men won’t be able to find a partner

.css-1r8cil5{border-width:0;border-top:1px solid var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-85);margin:1.5rem 0;margin:1.5rem 0 1.25rem;width:100%;}

Behind DeepSeek lies a dazzling Chinese university

It models itself on Stanford, and is in the tech hotspot of Hangzhou

.css-tmnt5q{font-family:var(–mb-typeface-serif);font-size:var(–mb-typestyle-title-2-size);font-variant:var(–mb-typestyle-title-2-figures);font-weight:500;line-height:var(–mb-typestyle-title-2-leading);}.css-tmnt5q a{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-5);display:block;}.css-tmnt5q a:hover,.css-tmnt5q a:hover{color:var(–mb-colour-base-chicago-30);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-tmnt5q a:focus,.css-tmnt5q a:focus{background-color:var(–mb-colour-base-chicago-95);color:var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-5);outline:none;-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-tmnt5q a:active,.css-tmnt5q a:active{color:var(–mb-colour-base-chicago-30);}.css-tmnt5q a::before{bottom:0;content:”;display:block;left:0;opacity:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;right:0;text-indent:-999em;top:0;white-space:nowrap;z-index:1;}.css-tmnt5q+.esimp700,.css-tmnt5q+style+.esimp700{margin-top:0.25rem;}.e1p220na0 .css-tmnt5q+.esimp700{margin-top:0;}

Panama symbolises the Sino-American struggle for influence

The superpowers use soft and hard power

.css-xxci4{grid-area:group3;position:relative;-webkit-align-self:auto;-ms-flex-item-align:auto;align-self:auto;}.css-xxci4::after{background-color:var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-85);content:”;height:100%;position:absolute;right:-1rem;right:calc(-1 * var(–ds-grid-gap));top:0;width:1px;}.css-xxci4:last-child::after{height:0;}.css-tlw2sg{display:grid;grid-auto-flow:row;grid-column-gap:var(–mb-responsive-grid-gutter);grid-row-gap:2.75rem;grid-auto-columns:1fr;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;max-width:89.5rem;overflow:hidden;position:relative;}@media (min-width: 60rem){.css-tlw2sg{grid-template:auto/repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr));}}@media (min-width: 80rem){.css-tlw2sg{grid-template:auto/repeat(1, minmax(0, 1fr));}}.css-1smej6r{position:relative;-webkit-align-self:auto;-ms-flex-item-align:auto;align-self:auto;}.css-1smej6r::after{background-color:var(–ds-color-london-85);bottom:-1.5rem;content:””;height:1px;position:absolute;left:0;width:calc(110% + var(–ds-grid-gap));}@media (min-width: 60rem){.css-1smej6r::before{background-color:var(–ds-color-london-85);content:””;height:100%;position:absolute;right:calc(-1 * var(–ds-grid-gap));top:0;width:1px;}.css-1smej6r::after{background-color:var(–ds-color-london-85);bottom:-1.5rem;content:””;height:1px;position:absolute;left:0;width:calc(110% + var(–ds-grid-gap));}}@media (min-width: 80rem){.css-1smej6r::after{background-color:var(–ds-color-london-85);bottom:-1.5rem;content:””;height:1px;position:absolute;left:0;width:calc(110% + var(–ds-grid-gap));}}.css-1smej6r:last-child::after{height:0;}

Tensions with the West are fuelling China’s anxiety about food supplies

Grain pains are growing

Hail China’s new “ice-and-snow economy”

The country is betting on winter sports and tourism to boost growth in its rustbelt

.css-15mtz82{border-width:0;border-top:1px solid var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-85);grid-area:line;margin:0;margin:1.5rem 0 1.25rem;margin:0;width:100%;display:block;}@media (min-width: 80rem){.css-15mtz82{display:none;}}.css-kph0pz{border-width:0;border-top:1px solid var(–mb-colour-greyscale-london-85);grid-area:line2;margin:0;margin:1.5rem 0 1.25rem;margin:0;width:100%;display:block;}@media (min-width: 60rem){.css-kph0pz{display:none;}}

Источник: www.economist.com