SoraNews24 —Japan News—

After seeing Google’s artificial intelligence system “AlphaGo” beat one of the best Go players alive last week, I decided to try the popular game myself.

China, Games & Tech, Global
(AlphaGo • board game • Chess • China • GO • Google • how to play)

Chinese soldiers smash concrete blocks, break sticks on their various appendages【Video】

Philip Kendall
Mar 15, 2016

If China ever goes to war with a species made predominantly out of building materials, it’ll definitely win.

China
(China • display of strength • soliders • training • video • wtf)

China is trying to build an empire of electric cars—but the strategy has one huge flaw that will benefit Tesla

BUSINESS INSIDER
Mar 11, 2016

The Chinese government is going all in on electric cars. After all, China is currently plagued with some of the worst air pollution in the world.

China, USA
(cars • China • electric vehicles • EV • tech)

This is the most ridiculous claim that China has on the South China Sea

BUSINESS INSIDER
Feb 26, 2016

Since the establishment of modern China following World War II, both China and Taiwan have claimed nearly the entirety of the South China Sea as their own.

China
(China • claim • politics • South China Sea • territorial dispute)

This is what happens when a crowded escalator suddenly reverses【Video】

Meg Murphy
Feb 24, 2016

This escalator has apparently had enough of being walked all over.

China
(accidents • China • escalator • human avalanche • take the stairs for your health • video)

Flight delay ruins woman’s Valentine’s Day, airline apologizes, books her into S&M love hotel

Mike
Feb 18, 2016

After an airline scuppered passengers’ Valentine’s Day plans with a huge delay, one woman found herself in yet another bind when she learned that her complimentary hotel stay would be in an S&M dungeon-themed love hotel.

China
(airlines • China • flights • hotels • travel disaster • weird • wtf)

Quick-thinking truck driver takes burning vehicle to fire fighters instead of calling them to him

Philip Kendall
Jan 23, 2016

“Hello? Yes, my truck seems to be on fire… No, don’t worry, I’m bringing it to you. See you in five!”

China
(China • fire • news • video • wtf)

Japanese internet has brief but passionate love affair with hot Chinese cosplayer Huang Jingxiang

Cara Clegg
Dec 18, 2015

Girls in Japan are going gaga over this unbelievably perfect Chinese cosplayer, but much about him remains a mystery.

China
(China • cosplay • hot guy • Touken Ranbu)

China could give 100 million people new identities in a bid to save its economy

BUSINESS INSIDER
Dec 12, 2015

Chinese officials are set to discuss ways to stimulate the country’s sputtering housing market during its Central Economic WorkingConference later this month, according to Chinese state media.

China
(business • China • economy • Housing • migrant workers)

Chinese company mimics levitation trick, unamused authorities immediately shut it down【Video】

Philip Kendall
Dec 10, 2015

Whether it’s deserved or not, China has something of a reputation for producing convincing copies. Another thing the country is known for, however, is having authorities that do not suffer fools gladly…

China
(arrest • bus • China • floating • illusion • magic • stunt)

Shocking slogans promoting China’s one-child policy threaten to kill, sterilize, take away riches

Joan Coello
Dec 1, 2015

Back when China enforced its one-child policy, slogans were publicly displayed to deter citizens from having too many children. Many of them were not so much educational, however, as disturbing…

China
(China • one child policy • past • slogans • threats)

Chinese artisans use traditional foot-powered lathe to craft beautiful wooden bowls【Video】

Jessica
Nov 25, 2015

At one time, nearly all of the 270 households in the village of Shawo would have been engaged in woodcraft, but today just six elderly men know the old techniques. Luckily, a younger generation is taking steps to ensure that the craft does not die out.

China
(art • bowls • China • crafts • traditional • video • wood)

Shanghai Disneyland to feature Chinese elements and the largest castle ever, opens spring 2016

Joan Coello
Nov 6, 2015

Disney’s very first amusement park in mainland China, Shanghai Disneyland, is slated to open its doors in spring 2016. With the Chinese government’s recent decision to end its controversial one-child policy and allow citizens to have up to two children per family without facing fines, the world’s most populated country is bound to be teeming with more people than ever in the years to come.

Disney chairman and CEO Robert “Bob” Iger has expressed delight over the government’s change on the one-child ruling, and has revealed some of the company’s plans to incorporate China’s rich culture into the magic of Shanghai Disneyland and satisfy Chinese visitors of all generations.

China
(attractions • China • Disneyland • Shanghai • Shanghai Disney Resort • theme parks)

13 Chinese customs that are shocking to foreigners

BUSINESS INSIDER
Oct 29, 2015

Every country has its own culture and unique customs that come with it. Understanding the social etiquette of the country before visiting can help to make the experience less overwhelming.

In China, you might be surprised to find that burping is considered a way of complimenting the chef or that a gift will be refused several times before it is accepted.

Here are 13 customs to know before traveling to China.

China
(China • customs • etiquette • tips • travel • weird)

We order a bag of cicadas from China and eat them, because summer 【Taste Test】

Jessica
Aug 19, 2015

Some things are inseparable from a Japanese summer: fireworks festivals, face-melting heat and humidity, young men and women awkwardly courting in yukata, and of course the deafening roar of cicadas. Here, the vociferous critters just provide the soundtrack to summer, but did you know that in some places, they are on the summer menu too?

Our intrepid Japanese reporter Ponkotsu did and he sent off to the cicada-producing center of Lishui in China’s Zhejiang Province for a bag of bugs to taste test.

China
(bugs • China • cicadas • food • taste test)

Soaring temperatures put pressure on China’s power lines, cause TVs to explode

Cara Clegg
Jul 8, 2015

Soaring summer temperatures can bring more dangers than sunburn and heatstroke. In Zhuzhou City, Hunan Province, TVs, computers and fans simultaneously caught on fire in 50 apartments when the voltage of the electrical supply suddenly surged above the standard level.