China Stories

Photographer Chen Wei's visions of modern life. Click here to read the article by Neocha . Narrated by Jenny McKenzie. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

China’s political structure is simultaneously simple and dense. As we approach the Party Congress on October 16 — a monumental meeting in which Xi Jinping is expected to begin a third term as leader — let’s lay out some basics about the Chinese government. Click here to read the article by Florence Duchet. Narrated by Elyse Ribbons. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Pr...

The first Beijing 798 Biennale, in 2009, came during a time of hope that the Chinese government would be more permissive of free expression. But the core of the art scene would soon become co-opted and eventually controlled by the state. Click here to read the article by Florence Duchet . Narrated by Kaiser Kuo. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https...

Philanthropy in China is in the middle of doing everything everywhere all at once — building a broad-based culture of charitable giving; appealing to a new generation of donors; and experimenting with the use of technology to meet these goals. Read the article by Josephine Lau . Narrated by Sarah Kutulakos. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://ar...

As Europe burns and China swelters through a merciless summer, the Paris climate goals are a distant mirage. Determined to double China’s GDP by 2035 and overtake the U.S., it seems impossible that Xi Jinping can meet both his political and environmental commitments. Click here to read the article by Richard Smith . Narrated by Cliff Larsen. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Cali...

When treatment options run out in China, some patients turn to the U.S., where clinical trials unavailable at home offer a potential and affordable lifeline. Click here to read the article by Shi Yonggang . Narrated by Elyse Ribbons. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Most Chinese pet owners have no idea where their animals come from. That’s allowing a dark breeding trade to flourish unchecked. Click here to read the article by Wang Junlin . Narrated by Ryan Cunningham. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

China is growing increasingly concerned about a spike in mental health problems among students. But “zero-COVID” is taking a shocking toll on teachers, too. Click here to read the article by Fan Yiying and Chen Jiangyi . Narrated by Sylvia Franke. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

A century ago today, Xi Shangzhen, the first woman employee of a progressive Shanghai newspaper, committed suicide. The case transcended individual tragedy after details of her life were seized upon by the media to debate the social and economic upheaval of the times. Click here to read the article by James Carter . Narrated by John Darwin Van Fleet. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy...

Shangguan Wan’er was an accomplished politician and poet. So why have later generations painted her as a promiscuous striver? Click here to read the article by Mao Ming . Narrated by Kaiser Kuo. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

The heinous saga of Zhang Chenggong spotlights the long-standing problem of corruption in China’s judicial and prison systems. Click here to read the article by Wang Heyan and Wang Xintong . Narrated by Cliff Larsen. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

We take a trip to every Maoist’s favorite travel destination: Nanjie Village. Click here to read the article by Liu Jue . Narrated by Kaiser Kuo. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

After footage of a group of men sexually harassing and assaulting a woman in a restaurant went viral, authorities in the city of Tangshan have vowed to get tough on the perpetrators who they say are gang members, and on the officials who have apparently protected them. But Chinese social media users are not convinced. Click here to read the article by Zhao Yuanyuan . Narrated by Jenny McKenzie. Se...

Around 57,000 people die of drowning each year in China. What is the country doing to help? Click here to read the article by Yang Tingting . Narrated by Sylvia Franke. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

In this entry to Sixth Tone’s China Writing Contest, writer Zhou Shuxuan digs into her family’s past. Click here to read the article by Zhou Shuxuan . Narrated by Cliff Larsen. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

On August 28, 1928, rising political star Shen Dingyi was gunned down by assassins at a bus stop near his home. No one was ever charged in his murder: too many people had wanted Shen dead. Click here to read the article by James Carter . Narrated by John Darwin Van Fleet. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info...

It’s been more than five years since Canadian athleisure brand Lululemon, known for its yoga pants, entered the Chinese market. But one specific product — workout leggings — never took off until this summer… alongside the rise of an alternative sport. Click here to read the article by Zhao Yuanyuan . Narrated by Elyse Ribbons. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy...

Cases spark discussion on difficulty victims face in escaping abusers amid institutional bias, evidence requirements and social pressure. Click here to read the article by Wang Xintong, Huang Yuxin and Li Yifan . Narrated by Nandini Venkata. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Rumors, tweets, and even reports in serious newspapers are suggesting that Premier Li Keqiang is challenging Xi Jinping’s authoritarian rule, and may even put an end to Xi’s plans to rule for a third term after the upcoming Party Congress. Forget about it, argues veteran China business journalist Dexter Tiff Roberts. Click here to read the article by Dexter Tiff Roberts . Narrated by Sylvia Franke...

Across China, failing developers are halting construction on new housing complexes. Desperate buyers are moving in anyway. Click here to read the article by Wu Peiyue . Narrated by Cliff Larsen. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Dozens of small and midsize private fund management firms say they have been defrauded by con artists who each work at multiple companies simultaneously with the intention of only collecting their base salaries. Click here to read the article by Xu Zeyi, Ren Huilan and Zhang Yukun . Narrated by Jenny Mckenzie. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy No...

Song Jiaoren is China's "lost future," remembered as a democrat who opposed authoritarianism — and not for reneging on promises in the naive hope that he could build an electoral coalition. Click here to read the article by James Carter . Narrated by John Darwin Van Fleet. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info...

In 18th century China, evil spirits and sorcerers were a constant menace to the public and the government. Click here to read the article by Jeremiah Jenne . Narrated by Ryan Cunningham. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Dog ownership in China is booming, but finding inclusive spaces for animals remains a tall order in most cities. Click here to read the article by Dragos C. Cacio & Hatty Liu . Narrated by Cliff Larsen. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

China, then and now. Click here to read the article by Neocha . Narrated by Cliff Larsen. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .