Laowai Idol contest draws young talents

In a packed auditorium, the spotlight shines down on a young woman with Afro hairstyle standing at the stage center. She sings Schubert's Ave Maria while making hand gestures as if telling a story.

Andersen awards highlight Danish writer's appeal in China

While pieces like The Little Match Girl and The Emperor's New Clothes by Hans Christian Andersen are all too familiar to Chinese families, the translation and understanding of the Danish writer's fairy tales has evolved in stages in the past century.

Firmly in the driver's seat

In a fast-changing market like China where many popular commodities prove to be fleeting fads, sport utility vehicles or SUVs have been an exception.

A passion for cross-country driving that even mom can support

"Cross-country drives bring me closer to Mother Nature and give me the thrill of life and a sense of achievement," said Fang Jialin, a fresh graduate and a die-hard SUV lover. "Anything but a girlfriend."

Robot coding for kids hot in China

Five-year-old Duoduo is clearly hooked on her new toy, a blue robot called Dash. The only child in her family, Duoduo teaches the robot how to dance on her iPad - even naming it meimei, or little sister.

Toy group Lego says more learning from education program

Danish international toy group Lego says that its robot education program - which teaches children from the ages of 3 up the basics of coding - is doing really well in China.

Up close with the man behind Xue Buhui

Do you know Xue Buhui? The 28-year-old single woman has different occupations, such as flight attendant, a waitress of a hot pot restaurant, a taxi driver and an intern doctor.

German theater company returns to China with two productions

After its successful premiere in China last year, Theatertreffen in China will come to China again from June 7 to July 8. The program is jointly presented by Berliner Theatertreffen, one of the most important cultural forces in German-speaking countries, and Wu Promotion, a private Chinese events-promotion agency for the performing arts.

Sitting in comfort

Traditional Chinese chairs are admittedly beautiful, but are they comfortable to sit in, and how can they fit in a modern home? These are questions that modern Chinese designers have been grappling with.

Celebrities drive demand for luxury-bag brand

Celebrities and internet personalities often have a dramatic influence on the consumption patterns of Chinese fashionistas. A good example is the Italian luxury-bag and accessories brand Valextra. It was relatively unknown before it opened its first China store in Shanghai in January.

IN BRIEF (Page 18)

Making pizzas fly

How does somebody grow up and become famous for throwing giant pizzas in the air?