7 Ways China Has Changed in the Last 5 Years

Source: The Culture Trip

People who lived in China 20 years ago like to talk about the days when there was only one subway line, but there are other differences just as noticeable in the China of just a few years ago and the China of today. From society to politics, its a tough country to keep up with. Herere some things you might have missed.

Street Food

One of the most unfortunate changes spreading across China these days is a crackdown on street food. While it is certainly positive that the government is getting serious about food safety, it comes at the expense of the once vibrant street food scene in many Chinese cities. Its still possible to find street food in many places, but whole streets that were at one time filled with cart after cart of roujiamo and chou doufu are now lined with real estate offices and clothing stores.

Mobile Reliance

Its hard to believe that its only been seven years since WeChat was released. Today, the mobile app has over one billion monthly users and has ingrained itself in nearly every facet of life. Its not just WeChat though. Mobile reliance has reached an all-time high in China, with society going cashless in favor of mobile payment methods and certain apps like Didi Chuxing and Eleme being essential to live a normal life in the cities.

Visa Laws

While the laws around the presidency have been relaxed, those surrounding visas have tightened up. In 2017, China implemented a three-tiered ranking system for foreign talent seeking a work permit. The system names candidates either A, B, or C level, with A being the highest tier and C being the lowest. The system favors foreigners who can contribute something unique to the Chinese market and restricts the number of low-skilled workers hoping to cash in on their China dreams.

Environmental Awareness

China may still have a global reputation as one of the worlds worst polluters, but that is changing. In 2014, Premier Li Keqiang announced a war on pollution, and, as of late 2017, over 30,000 companies and 5,700 officials have been penalized for environmental violations. The country has a long way to go before it totally cleans up its act, but at every level, China is finally getting serious about the environment.

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