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China Stories

1,008 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 months ago - ★★★★★ - 51 ratings

China Stories from the Sinica Network on The China Project brings you audio narration of the best articles and op-eds appearing in Sixth Tone, Caixin Global, Week in China, The World of Chinese, and of course The China Project. Subscribe to the podcast and you can listen to features on the go, with narrators who won’t butcher the pronunciation of Chinese names and words.

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Episodes

[The China Project] China launches its youngest-ever astronauts into space

November 08, 2023 23:52 - 6 minutes - 6.02 MB

Three new astronauts are heading to China’s Tiangong space station, which is about to get even bigger in the coming years. Click here to read the article by Nadya Yeh. Narrated by Yingyun Zhang. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

[Caixin Global] The struggle facing big-box supermarkets in China

November 08, 2023 01:24 - 8 minutes - 7.45 MB

Carrefour’s shrinking presence is emblematic of broader gloom that has befallen the country’s supermarket operators that are competing with e-commerce platforms and smaller stores. Click here to read the article by Ding Yi and Sun Yanran. Narrated by Sarah Kutulakos. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

[The China Project] Toddler mauling in China prompts crackdown on dogs, rekindles debate over pet etiquette

November 03, 2023 21:05 - 10 minutes - 9.5 MB

In the aftermath of an off-leash Rottweiler’s attack of a two-year-old in China last week, officials in several counties have enacted sweeping measures against stray dogs. Click here to read the article by Zhao Yuanyuan. 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.

[The World of Chinese] How did ancient Chinese advertise?

November 03, 2023 21:00 - 10 minutes - 9.9 MB

Slogans, music, celebrities, and rhymes all helped ancient Chinese advertise their wares for sale. Click here to read the article by Sun Jiahui. 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.

[The World of Chinese] Bitter no more: How young Chinese became obsessed with TCM

October 31, 2023 20:54 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MB

Forget bubble tea, traditional Chinese medicine is the latest trend among youth. Click here to read the article by Shao Yefan. 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.

[The China Project] How China is attempting to change nature conservation

October 27, 2023 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MB

China is undergoing a great experiment — tightly controlled and driven by big data — that it hopes will offer an alternative way of protecting the planet. For all our sakes, let’s hope it works. Click here to read the article by Kyle Obermann. Narrated by Anthony Tao. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

[Caixin Global] Chinese in the crosshairs of ‘mushrooming’ transnational cybercrime

October 27, 2023 20:00 - 15 minutes - 14.2 MB

UN says hundreds of thousands have been forced into participating in unlawful online scam operations in Myanmar and Cambodia, many of them Chinese. Click here to read the article by Qin Jianhang and Han Wei. 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.

[The China Project] Los Angeles Chinatown, 1871: The forgotten mass lynching

October 25, 2023 16:43 - 8 minutes - 7.98 MB

In October 1871, 10% of the Chinese population in Los Angeles was wiped out in a senseless spasm of violence. Click here to read the article by James Carter. 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 World of Chinese] Acrobats, tai chi, kids: What makes a Chinese opening ceremony?

October 24, 2023 22:39 - 10 minutes - 9.47 MB

From celebrations of workers at the 1959 National Games to vast displays of technological prowess during this year’s Asian Games, China’s opening ceremonies have evolved dramatically over time. Click here to read the article by Dylan Levi King. 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 World of Chinese] Community Canteens For Seniors Take Off Among Chinese Youth

October 24, 2023 20:00 - 9 minutes - 8.96 MB

Young people turn to government-funded community canteens for seniors in China amid food safety scandals and the rising cost of meals. Click here to read the article by Yang Tingting. Narrated by Kim Dalrymple. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

[The China Project] A young Deng Xiaoping in France

October 23, 2023 19:31 - 9 minutes - 9.03 MB

In the early years of the Chinese republic, progressives looked west for political inspiration. This was how Deng Xiaoping — who would eventually lead China — came to be in France in the 1920s. He and his peers did indeed find inspiration abroad — just not the kind that his bourgeois sponsors anticipated. Click here to read the article by James Carter. Narrated by Kaiser Kuo. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privac...

[Rest of World] Why thousands of young Chinese people use a pink dinosaur as their alias

October 20, 2023 20:00 - 5 minutes - 4.97 MB

Users adopt the alias “momo” as a way to speak more freely, evade harassment, and protect personal privacy on Douban and Xiaohongshu. Click here to read the article by Caiwei Chen. 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.

[The World of Chinese] Prepared to fail: Cafeterias and restaurants face backlash for pre-made meals

October 20, 2023 20:00 - 16 minutes - 15.6 MB

A school canteen scandal has Chinese consumers rethinking their growing demand for pre-prepared and ready-to-eat meals. Click here to read the article by Tan Yunfei. 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.

[Caixin Global] China struggles to wean itself off bear bile farming

October 17, 2023 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.6 MB

Amid growing concerns about the suffering that extraction causes the animals, the government has supported research into synthetic substitutes, but regulations are hampering the registration of alternatives to what some have dubbed ‘medicinal gold.’ Click here to read the article by Yang Yuqi and Kelly Wang. Narrated by Yingyun Zhang. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

[The World of Chinese] Will ChatGPT really kill the Chinese translation industry?

October 17, 2023 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MB

Four translators and interpreters talk about the impact new technologies like generative AI are having on their work and future career prospects. Click here to read the article by Roman Kierst and Sam Davies. Narrated by Anthony Tao. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

[The World of Chinese] How China’s Seniors Got Hooked on Short Video Influencers

October 13, 2023 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MB

With the suspension of a short video channel popular among elderly people, many are trying to understand the fascination behind these seemingly tacky influencers and the potential risks they carry. Click here to read the article by Yang Tingting. Narrated by Sarah Kutulakos. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

[The China Project] Double 10: The Wuchang Uprising and the end of the Qing

October 13, 2023 10:12 - 9 minutes - 8.7 MB

Had any earlier uprising against the Qing achieved its goals, 1911 would be just another year. But the 1911 Revolution succeeded, and catalyzed an entire series of events that led to fundamental change in China’s political system. Click here to read the article by James Carter. 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.

[Caixin Global] The slow-burning insurance crisis unfolding in the shadows

October 10, 2023 20:00 - 18 minutes - 16.6 MB

Despite government efforts to clean up the industry and improve oversight, the economic slowdown and a new risk-focused regulatory regime are adding to the problems. Click here to read the article by Wu Yujian and Zhang Ziyu. 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.

[The China Project] Chinese parents rally against school meals over food security concerns

October 06, 2023 20:00 - 7 minutes - 6.52 MB

The Chinese industry of pre-cooked, ready-to-eat food is now trying to create a new market in schools. The move, however, was immediately opposed by parents who criticized ready lunches as unsafe and unhealthy. Click here to read the article by Zhao Yuanyuan. 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.

[The World of Chinese] Why are Chinese websites stuck in 2003?

October 06, 2023 20:00 - 11 minutes - 10.1 MB

And do people even care about websites in China’s mobile-centric society? Click here to read the article by Roman Kierst. Narrated by Yingyun Zhang. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

[The China Project] Niche brands are on the rise as young Chinese consumers seek their own style

October 03, 2023 20:53 - 7 minutes - 6.98 MB

The rise of Chinese niche luxury brands. Click here to read the article by Capucine Cogné. Narrated by Sarah Kutulakos. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

[The World of Chinese] The rise and fall of China’s OG social media platforms

October 03, 2023 20:51 - 21 minutes - 20 MB

With the rise of short video, some of China’s earliest social media platforms have reached the end of their journey, with a few even transforming into a hub for misogynistic content. Click here to read the article by Hayley Zhao. 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.

[Rest of World] China’s AI boom depends on an army of exploited student interns

September 29, 2023 20:00 - 11 minutes - 10.2 MB

As part of China’s digital underclass, vocational school students work as data annotators — for low pay and few future prospects. Click here to read the article by Viola Zhou and Caiwei Chen. 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.

[Caixin Global] China’s mid-tier cities vie for EV battery supremacy

September 29, 2023 20:00 - 7 minutes - 7.08 MB

Manufacturing hubs like Yibin are bending over backward to win business from giants like CATL as they seek to boost jobs and economic growth. Click here to read the article by An Limin and Ding Yi. Narrated by Sarah Kutulakos. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

[The China Project] ‘One of the most troubling social policies of modern times’

September 27, 2023 23:34 - 10 minutes - 9.8 MB

China enacted its one-child policy in 1980. It was met with wildly divergent opinions, and resulted in suffering and trauma on a scale that family planners never anticipated. Click here to read the article by James Carter. 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 World of Chinese] Defending the field: China’s female sports fans struggle for inclusion

September 26, 2023 20:20 - 18 minutes - 16.7 MB

Faced with harassment in stadiums and online, female fans of soccer and basketball struggle to find a safe space for their hobby. Click here to read the article by Zheng Yiwen. Narrated by Kim Dalrymple. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

[The World of Chinese] Is China’s pet boom over?

September 26, 2023 20:19 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MB

Sluggish consumption and a push for animal adoption are weighing on China’s once-hot pet market. Click here to read the article by Shao Yefan. 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.

[Caixin Global] Low-carbon transition has China’s shipbuilders seeing green

September 22, 2023 20:00 - 10 minutes - 9.83 MB

Global operators’ demand for lower-emission fleets is fueling a boom for Chinese shipyards. Click here to read the article by You Xiaoying and Li Rongqian. 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.

[The China Project] The origins of World War II in Asia

September 20, 2023 16:01 - 9 minutes - 8.84 MB

The Mukden Incident — when explosives detonated along the route of the South Manchurian Railway near Shenyang — was a pretext for Japanese aggression in Asia. Click here to read the article by James Carter. 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 World of Chinese] Golden connections: How a Chinese social-media site brings together seniors

September 19, 2023 20:28 - 18 minutes - 17.1 MB

Despite amassing millions of users, Meipian, a Chinese social-media app targeting the senior community, continues to grapple with monetization challenges. Click here to read the article by Tan Yunfei. 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.

[The World of Chinese] How China’s small-town bookstores innovate to survive

September 19, 2023 20:27 - 11 minutes - 10.7 MB

Benefiting from government subsidies and close-knit communities, independent bookstores try to compete and make profit in China’s smaller cities. Click here to read the article by Rebecca Wang. Narrated by Sarah Kutulakos. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

[The China Project] Lin Biao flew too close to the sun. But why did he really fall?

September 14, 2023 00:20 - 9 minutes - 8.94 MB

Lin Biao was a principal architect of the cult of Mao Zedong. It would lead to his undoing. Click here to read the article by James Carter. 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 China Project] Sushi restaurants in China left scrambling after Fukushima-linked seafood ban

September 12, 2023 22:49 - 9 minutes - 9.1 MB

Beijing’s ban on Japanese seafood, coupled with rising animosity toward all things Japanese, have sent sushi restaurants in China searching for alternative supplies and, in some cases, new recipes. Click here to read the article by Zhao Yuanyuan. Narrated by Sarah Kutulakos. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

[Rest of World] Why Chinese EV battery manufacturers are flocking to Hungary

September 12, 2023 20:00 - 11 minutes - 10.4 MB

BYD, EVE Energy, Huayou Cobalt and more have announced new projects in Hungary in the last few months. They are drawn to the country’s access to European automakers, government subsidies, and favorable relations with China. Click here to read the article by William McCormack. 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.

[The China Project] China’s other half: Wilderness

September 08, 2023 20:15 - 16 minutes - 15.1 MB

China is known for its megacities, but 42% of it is wilderness — the barren and primitive, but also pockets of spectacular biodiversity. As the country’s adventurers discover the joy of exploring these places, they are challenging preconceived notions of China’s relationship with nature. They also bring the power to destroy or protect. Click here to read the article by Kyle Obermann. Narrated by Anthony Tao. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy N...

[The China Project] Lean Lui’s critical look at bullying culture

September 08, 2023 20:00 - 9 minutes - 8.4 MB

“Being bullied in school is something that can happen to anyone,” Lui shares. “The subjects in my photos are meant to simply be symbolic. The bullies and victims could be you, maybe me, or anyone else.” Click here to read the article by Neocha. This article was originally published on Neocha and is republished with permission. 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. ...

[Rest of World] Chinese sextortion scammers are flooding Twitter

September 08, 2023 20:00 - 8 minutes - 7.57 MB

Scammers are targeting Chinese-language users, harassing political dissidents and influential figures. Click here to read the article by Caiwei Chen. 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 World of Chinese] Why are diamonds no longer China’s best friend?

September 08, 2023 20:00 - 10 minutes - 9.55 MB

As the diamond market plummets, young Chinese people are finding new alternatives to symbolize their love. Click here to read the article by Shao Yefan. Narrated by Sarah Kutulakos. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

[The China Project] A Shanghai bookseller gets kidnapped — and brings out the copyright police

September 07, 2023 20:23 - 10 minutes - 9.27 MB

In the early 20th century, Chessboard Street in Shanghai was the heart of the Chinese publishing industry. This is where our story begins: when Li Difan, a salesman for a small Shanghai bookseller, found himself in an opium den and approached by men claiming to represent a nearby province seeking textbooks… Click here to read the article by James Carter. Narrated by Kaiser Kuo. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/priv...

[The China Project] How Crocs made a comeback in China this summer

September 05, 2023 20:05 - 12 minutes - 11.3 MB

In an otherwise restrained era for Chinese youth, the return of brightly colored, highly customizable rubber clogs allows for both escape and self-expression. Click here to read the article by Zhao Yuanyuan. 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.

[The China Project] Once banned, Mandarin learning in Indonesia on the rise amid improving ties with China

September 05, 2023 20:03 - 15 minutes - 14.2 MB

Indonesia suspended diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China from 1967 to 1990 and restricted Chinese-language lessons and literature. But the two countries now have robust political and commercial connections, and large numbers of young Indonesians are learning Mandarin. Click here to read the article by Randy Mulyanto. Narrated by Sylvia Franke. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell...

[The China Project] The ‘near miracle’ that was China’s first modern treaty with a European state

August 30, 2023 20:07 - 10 minutes - 9.51 MB

The Treaty of Nerchinsk established a border between Manchu China and Romanov Russia. It was negotiated in a remote region between two sides that distrusted each other and with deeply different conceptions of both diplomacy and politics — and somehow withstood the test of time. Click here to read the article by James Carter. 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.

[Rest of World] Hong Kong politicians are making a splash on Chinese social media – and finding mainland fans

August 29, 2023 20:00 - 7 minutes - 6.63 MB

Chinese social media like Weibo and Xiaohongshu have become places for Hong Kong government officials to connect with mainland users. Click here to read the article by Joshua Yang. 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.

[Caixin Global] Yi Gang’s legacy after five years running China’s central bank

August 29, 2023 20:00 - 14 minutes - 13.6 MB

The former PBOC governor, who stepped down last month, spearheaded interest rate reform, helped reduce risks in the financial system, and supported the green and digital transformation of the financial sector. Click here to read the article by Huo Kan and Zhang Yukun. 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.

[Sixth Tone] The Cold Reality of China’s Vanishing Glaciers

August 25, 2023 20:03 - 22 minutes - 20.2 MB

As temperatures rise, the melting of the unique Urumqi Glacier No. 1 can be slowed but not stopped, experts say. Click here to read the article by The Paper. 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.

[Sixth Tone] AI is booming in China, but its grads are trapped in a talent gap

August 25, 2023 19:41 - 14 minutes - 13.5 MB

Despite a talent shortfall in China’s tech industry, fresh graduates from AI programs across the country say they’re stuck in the mud amid a mismatch in skills and job requirements. Click here to read the article by Ye Zhanhang. 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.

[The China Project] China’s ‘southern disaster’: France lays waste to a Qing fleet

August 23, 2023 18:11 - 10 minutes - 9.41 MB

A French sneak attack in 1884 led to a fundamental misunderstanding of Qing technological prowess. It’s time to reexamine the popular — but simplistic, if not outright wrong — idea that China’s military losses to Europe (and, later, Japan) owed to its inability to modernize. Click here to read the article by James Carter. 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.

[Sixth Tone] For this rural county, internet fame is about more than just money

August 22, 2023 20:42 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MB

One of the last counties in China to be lifted from poverty, Rongjiang County in Guizhou province has gone viral because of its village soccer league. Though the huge tourism influx has boosted the local economy, for locals, it is not just money that drives their fervor for the sport. Click here to read the article by Li Xin. Narrated by Anthony Tao. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. ...

[Caixin Global] The budding market for microscopic organ testing

August 22, 2023 20:00 - 10 minutes - 9.41 MB

The Budding Market for Microscopic Organ Testing - ‘Organoid-on-a-chip’ has already been used to evaluate Covid vaccine efficacy in China, but a lack of regulation means the uptake of the niche technology is lagging behind the West. Click here to read the article by Cui Xiaotian and Wang Xintong. Narrated by Sarah Kutulakos. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

[The World of Chinese] Inside the secret files China still keeps on every worker

August 18, 2023 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.1 MB

Every Chinese worker has a “dang’an” (personnel file), but hardly anyone ever sees inside them. Click here to read the article by Sun Jiahui. 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.