«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);}

Dairy farmers are dumping the stuff, as some call for culling cows

.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: IMAGO.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);} Oct 3rd 2024.css-1x6wy4g{font-size:var(–mb-typestyle-label-2-size);font-variant:var(–mb-typestyle-label-2-figures);line-height:var(–mb-typestyle-label-2-leading);margin:0 var(–mb-spacing-xs);}|.css-xfxm4c{font-family:var(–mb-typeface-sans);font-weight:var(–mb-font-weight-regular);font-size:var(–mb-typestyle-label-2-size);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);}BEIJING.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:’ ‘;}

Milk is “indispensable for a healthy China and a strong nation”. So said officials in 2018 when they launched a campaign to supercharge the country’s dairy industry. They wanted to boost China’s food security by cutting its reliance on imported milk. At the same time, they hoped that the Chinese would become fitter by consuming more dairy products, which are rich in protein and calcium. Officials gave farmers subsidies to increase their herds of cows. They urged state propagandists to “nurture the habit of consuming dairy products”.

The campaign has achieved some of its goals. Since it began, China’s milk production has risen by a third. Last year the country’s cows yielded 42m tonnes of the stuff, surpassing a government target two years early. But the public has not fallen in love with milk. The average Chinese person still consumes only about 40kg of dairy products a year. That is a third of the global average and less than 40% of what China’s health authorities recommend.

.css-izf7kx{width:21rem;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;}@media (min-width: 37.5rem){.css-izf7kx{float:left;margin-right:var(–mb-responsive-grid-gutter);}.css-izf7kx .e1197rjj0{padding-top:0.375rem;}}Chart: The Economist

Because production has outpaced consumption, China’s dairy farms are awash in unwanted milk. As a result, they have been forced to lower their prices by 28% since August 2021 (see chart). At the end of September, one kilogram of raw milk sold for 3.14 yuan (45 cents) on average. That is below the cost of production for many farms. Most have been losing money since the second half of last year, reckons Lu Shi of StoneX Group, a financial-services firm.

.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

Why aren’t Chinese people consuming more dairy products? For a start, many are genetically predisposed to be intolerant of lactose, a sugar found in milk. Outside areas like the Mongolian steppe, where nomads have long herded cattle, dairy products are not a big part of traditional Chinese diets. In the 19th century some Chinese were shocked by the love of milk displayed by visiting Westerners. “In many places our practice of drinking it and using it in cooking is regarded with the utmost disgust,” wrote an American missionary at the time.

These days Chinese parents are much more likely to tell their children to drink milk. Dairy companies sponsor the country’s Olympic athletes. But dairy products have not become staples. Chinese consumption is largely limited to milk and yogurt. Butter and cheese, which account for lots of milk production in other countries, are unfamiliar in many parts of China. Most people still “don’t understand the culture of cheese or how to appreciate it”, grumbles Liu Yang, a cheesemonger in Beijing.

Chinese people are even less likely to buy exotic foodstuffs at the moment because of the ailing economy and its effect on incomes. Meanwhile, a baby bust has reduced demand for infant formula (made from cow’s milk).

When Chinese firms produce too much stuff for the domestic market, they often export it. But selling Chinese dairy products overseas is tough. Because China has to import much of its cattle feed, the cost of production is high by international standards. Chinese dairy products have a poor reputation, too. Memories linger of a scandal in 2008 when Chinese companies were found to be adding melamine, a dangerous chemical, to their milk powder. Six babies died and hundreds of thousands fell ill.

All this leaves Chinese dairy farmers in a bind. Some are reportedly dumping milk. The state is trying to help by encouraging banks to extend more loans to farmers and to accept cattle as collateral. Officials have also called for raising public awareness of the health benefits of dairy products. But Li Shengli of the China Dairy Association thinks the problem is too many cows. In comments published by state media last month, he called for culling 300,000 of them. ■

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 “Udder pressure”

.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

October 5th 2024

• →Worries of a Soviet-style collapse keep Xi Jinping up at night
• →A missile test by China marks its growing nuclear ambitions
• →Why China is awash in unwanted milk

.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 October 5th 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