Gaokao

A 24-year-old Hunan man admits his 11 name change applications in 13 months are a bid for fame and attention. He desires to revert to “Zhuque Xuanwu,” believing even infamy is recognition. Authorities deem his actions disruptive. He is also on his third attempt at the Gaokao, having previously scored poorly.

iFLYTEK’s Spark AI won a Gaokao essay competition against other domestic AI models, scoring high on a challenging prompt about expression in adversity. The victory highlighted Spark’s profound reasoning, cultural understanding, and ability to construct a compelling narrative praised by educators. This achievement marks a significant step for domestic AI in education, driven by a “teaching-thinking chain” that delivers personalized learning. It signifies the potential for self-reliant AI education and personalized learning globally.

On the first day of China’s Gaokao exams, a JD.com delivery driver, Cheng Xiaochong, assisted a student who forgot their ID, driving them home and back to the exam site just in time. JD.com will recognize his act of service and has deployed emergency assistance teams across several cities during the exam period, offering free help to students. The company also urges drivers to be cautious and create a quiet exam environment.

The first day of China’s 2025 Gaokao concluded, with the focus shifting to the Chinese language essay portion. Beijing students faced the most options: five prompts accounting for 60 points. These included mini-essays (150-character limit) and a larger essay section (700+ characters), covering topics like promoting a club, designing a teacher’s award, writing about “Lightness,” reflecting on “Second Wind,” or narrating “When Numbers Flash.”

Meituan launched a rewards program for delivery riders during China’s Gaokao to support students. Riders assisting with emergencies like forgotten IDs or transportation issues can receive bonuses and recognition as “Pioneer Riders.” The platform also exempts riders from penalties if their deliveries are delayed due to helping students or road closures related to the exam.

A four-second video propelled Peking University’s Professor Wei Dongyi (“Wei Shen”) to internet fame. Dubbed “The Unassuming Monk,” his modest appearance, contrasting with his mathematical genius, captivated millions. Wei’s simple lifestyle and recent video, including his missing teeth, sparked online discussion. The clip’s release, timed with China’s Gaokao, drew hopeful comments, symbolizing aspirations for academic success.

As the 2025 Gaokao nears, China is undertaking a massive logistical operation: nationwide distribution of exam papers. China Post, with police escorts and advanced technology like Beidou, is ensuring secure transport for over 13.35 million examinees. The operation highlights the exam’s importance and underlines the need for public vigilance and cooperation.

The Jacky Cheung “60+” concert in Dongguan, China, has been postponed from June 6-8, 2025, to August 29-31, 2025, due to the original dates coinciding with the Gaokao. Promoters are offering ticket transfers or full refunds. The rescheduling reflects logistical considerations related to the Gaokao and aims to minimize disruption while providing compensation for affected ticket holders, including covering potential hotel and travel arrangement costs.