This report is from this week's CNBC's The China Connection newsletter, which brings you insights and analysis on what's driving the world's second-largest economy. Each week, we'll explore the biggest business stories in China, give a lowdown on market moves and help you set up for the week ahead. Like what you see? You can subscribe here.

The big story

Even if AI and robots offer an exciting future, the daily grind for many in China holds more worries.

Among the trickle of gloomy headlines this summer, one stirred so much online attention that a state-run social media account published a commentary on Saturday to allay fears .

The concern was that a court ruling kicking in on Sept. 1 would force struggling businesses to buy national insurance for all employees, amid frequen

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