China: Society

February 2026 | 45 topics | 384 sources

Summary

Domestic

Beijing prepared for the Lunar New Year with a blend of technology and tradition, featuring robotic displays and cultural exhibitions. Across the country, activities included crafting traditional tiger-head hats and fish-shaped lanterns in Anhui province, while major transport hubs like Beijing West Railway Station experienced peak travel flows. Concurrently, state media highlighted domestic progress, reporting a sustained drop in serious crimes and drug cases, a narrowing urban-rural income gap, and a decline in pollution-related litigation. Social service expansions were also noted, including the nationwide rollout of direct maternity allowance payments and the expansion of commercial insurance coverage for high-cost drugs.

In other developments, Chinese athletes achieved success at the 2026 Winter Olympics, with skier Gu Ailing winning gold and silver medals and speed skater Ning Zhongyan earning a bronze. Separate reports focused on environmental conservation, citing revised regulations for nature reserves and wetland area now ranked first in Asia. However, a human rights group reported the detention of two journalists, Liu Hu and another, following corruption reporting, coinciding with reports of China's birth rate falling to its lowest level since 1949. Authorities also investigated several incidents, including a fatal boat capsizing in Yunnan Province and an explosion at a fireworks store that killed eight people.

Domestic and International Topics

10 topics | 384 sources

Global celebrations of Chinese New Year showcase cultural events and international exchanges

Chinese New Year celebrations are taking place worldwide, with major events in Beijing and Shanghai featuring traditional temple fairs and high-tech displays. Internationally, New York lit up the Empire State Building, the UK hosted festivities, and Chinese acrobats performed in Kenya. Cultural exchanges are highlighted through France-China programs and a French hiking trek to Shanghai, while the Solomon Islands' prime minister sent greetings and the FAO celebrated in Rome. Border officials in Sanya are preparing for an influx of international visitors during the holiday period.

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Feb 10 — Feb 24

China's athletes compete at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, with Gu Ailing winning multiple medals

Chinese athletes participated in the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, with the country sending its largest overseas Winter Games delegation. Skier Gu Ailing won a gold medal in the women's halfpipe and a silver medal in the women's big air event. Other Chinese athletes also won medals, including a bronze in the men's speed skating 1,000m and a bronze in the men's team pursuit speed skating. Some events saw setbacks, like an incident that disrupted China's medal hopes in the men's 1500m short track.

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Feb 22

China reports progress on domestic issues from crime to healthcare

Chinese state media has published a series of reports highlighting domestic progress across several areas. Officials announced a sustained drop in serious crimes and drug-related cases, a narrowing urban-rural income gap, and a decline in pollution-related legal cases. Other reports focused on social services, including the nationwide rollout of direct maternity allowance payments, the expansion of commercial insurance to cover high-cost drugs, and a pilot program in Beijing for online pediatric consultations to reduce hospital crowding. At the United Nations, a Chinese official stated that no single country should act as a 'human rights teacher' for others.

Feb 23

Hong Kong court sentences activist's father under national security law

A Hong Kong court sentenced the father of a U.S.-based democracy activist to eight months in prison under the city's national security law. Separately, imprisoned media tycoon Jimmy Lai won a rare appeal in a 2022 fraud case.

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Feb 26 — Feb 28

China faces criticism over journalist detentions and low birth rate

A human rights group says China detained two journalists, Liu Hu and another, after they reported on corruption. This happened as other reports show China's birth rate has fallen to its lowest level since 1949.

Feb 22

Chinese authorities investigate boat capsizing and respond to earthquake and explosion

Chinese authorities are investigating several domestic incidents. The State Council, China's cabinet, will oversee a probe into a fatal boat capsizing in Yunnan Province. Separately, a 5.1-magnitude earthquake struck the Xinjiang region. In another incident, an explosion at a fireworks store killed eight people ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday.

Feb 24