China Stories
1,008 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 months ago - ★★★★★ - 50 ratingsChina 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
[Sixth Tone] Russia hoped for a Chinese tourist boom in 2023. It’s still waiting.
June 09, 2023 19:54 - 14 minutes - 13.3 MBIn Russia, many believed that China’s exit from “zero-COVID” restrictions would provide a shot in the arm to the country’s flatlining inbound tourism sector. Those hopes are now fading. Click here to read the article by Li Pasha. 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] Why are sad frogs invading China’s streets?
June 06, 2023 20:14 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MBAn invasion of people in frog costumes has taken China’s internet by storm—and posed a challenge to urban management. Click here to read the article by Huang Shichan. 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 internet trolls are adopting American racism to taunt Black users
June 06, 2023 20:13 - 6 minutes - 5.56 MBUsers are harassing Black creators with profile pictures of white police officers. Click here to read the article by Viola Zhou. 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.
[Sixth Tone] In China, Women Are Defying ‘Beauty Duty’ — With a Bold Haircut
June 06, 2023 20:07 - 12 minutes - 11.3 MBBuzz cuts are on the rise in a country where long hair is revered. Some women do it to reject the status quo, while others simply find it practical. Click here to read the article by Li Wei and Ni Dandan. 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] Chinese Fast Fashion Platforms Could Be Next U.S. Target
June 06, 2023 20:06 - 15 minutes - 13.9 MBChinese Fast Fashion Platforms Could Be Next U.S. Target - A scathing report from an advisory body to the U.S. Congress has industry insiders expecting firms like Temu and Shein to face regulatory pressure. Click here to read the article by Sun Yanran, Bao Hongyun and Mo Yelin. Narrated by Mina Greb. 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] Are Hollywood films losing appeal for Chinese audiences?
June 02, 2023 20:05 - 12 minutes - 11.9 MBAfter years of strict management on cinematic imports and a pandemic-induced disruption, China’s film sector is reopening to the world again. But while the regulatory environment is working in its favor, Hollywood seems to be struggling to satisfy Chinese audiences. Click here to read the article by Zhao Yuanyuan. 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 astronomer who calmed China’s UFO craze
June 02, 2023 19:51 - 18 minutes - 16.5 MBWhen sightings of celestial phenomena surged in China in the 80s, researcher Liu Yan’s letters helped keep people’s feet on the ground. Click here to read the article by Shanghai Observer. Reported by Chen Shuyi. 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] What really happened at the Battle of Luding Bridge?
May 31, 2023 23:21 - 8 minutes - 7.54 MBThe Battle of Luding Bridge is part of the founding lore of the Chinese Communist Party. People outside China first learned of the incident through the writings of American journalist Edgar Snow — but the battle was far less cinematic than Snow (and others) led the public to believe. 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] ChatGPT Gold Rush: How AI Business (and Crime) Is Taking Shape in China
May 30, 2023 20:40 - 8 minutes - 7.83 MBChatGPT and Chinese alternatives like Baidu’s Ernie have entrepreneurs harnessing AI for profit, while lawmakers are reigning in nascent ChatGPT and AI crime. Click here to read the article by Wang Jiawei. 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.
[Sixth Tone] In China, panda superfans want more than just bear necessities
May 30, 2023 20:00 - 7 minutes - 6.97 MBPanda fans have grown beyond sharing adorable videos. Their intense passion and online influence can even impact park management and policy. Click here to read the article by Wu Peiyue. 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] Barbe-queue forever: How social media hype changed Zibo
May 30, 2023 20:00 - 14 minutes - 13 MBAn online craze for Zibo’s barbecue has brought a deluge of tourists to the previously unheralded city, but does it change locals’ lives for better or worse? Click here to read the article by Roman Kierst. Narrated by Mina Greb. 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] Emotional storytelling and modernized folktales power a new era of Chinese animation
May 26, 2023 19:22 - 13 minutes - 12.1 MBFrom exploring personal subjects to reimagining ancient stories in a contemporary context, a new generation of Chinese creatives are elevating the world of animation beyond its legacy. Click here to read the article by Feng Jiayun. 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.
[Rest of World] Chinese streaming platforms and chill?
May 26, 2023 14:05 - 9 minutes - 8.73 MBChinese streaming services put Netflix and Disney+ dominance in danger. Click here to read the article by William Yuen Yee. 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] Lonely Planet: Imperial China, by Xu Xiake
May 26, 2023 01:14 - 6 minutes - 5.77 MBXu Xiake was China's first, most popular, and most prolific travel writer. He visited 16 modern provinces over more than three decades, and the observations he left behind, from the scientific to the mundane, provide us with a comprehensive guide to 17th-century China. 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] Young Chinese love everything about Sweden. Except living there.
May 23, 2023 20:19 - 11 minutes - 11 MBYoung Chinese are moving to Sweden in record numbers, seeking better labor conditions and a more tolerant society. Many are underwhelmed by what they find. Click here to read the article by Chang Minxiao and Fan Yiying. 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] Grim year for China’s bankers and brokers as pays slashed
May 23, 2023 20:18 - 10 minutes - 9.6 MBAverage compensation at many securities firms fell roughly 20%, with remuneration squeezed for top executives at many banks, Caixin’s analysis shows. Click here to read the article by Yue Yue, Liu Ran, Wang Juanjuan, Wu Yujian and Qing Na. 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.
[Caixin Global] Scandal-ridden chinese soccer gets in foul trouble again
May 23, 2023 20:05 - 15 minutes - 14 MBSince November, at least a dozen high-ranking CFA officials or senior club executives have been caught up in the clampdown, amid persistent misconduct involving match-fixing and gambling. Click here to read the article by Qin Jianhang and Kelly Wang. Narrated by Mina Greb. 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] After a half-century, does panda diplomacy still work?
May 19, 2023 19:38 - 10 minutes - 10.1 MBLast week, Ya Ya the panda returned to Shanghai after spending 20 years in Memphis. Her arrival marked the end of a drawn-out saga that turned political, renewing an old question of whether panda diplomacy remains necessary. Click here to read the article by Yi 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.
[The China Project] Beijing LGBT Center shutters after 15 years, citing uncontrollable factors
May 19, 2023 19:35 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MB“I don't think the Center crossed a line, but rather the line crossed them.” Click here to read the article by Zhao Yuanyuan. Narrated by Mina Greb. 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] What atrocity looks like: John Magee’s Rape of Nanking footage
May 18, 2023 20:40 - 8 minutes - 7.69 MBA Life magazine cover in 1938 sought to rally American public support for the war in the Pacific. The images inside that front cover were much more horrifying, revealing war atrocities committed in Nanjing. 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] Growing pains: What’s behind China’s obsession with height?
May 16, 2023 19:54 - 10 minutes - 9.92 MBFaced with still-rampant height discrimination in society, Chinese parents go to great lengths to make their kids tall. Click here to read the article by Hatty Liu. 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] Last bus home: Are China’s coach services doomed?
May 12, 2023 20:12 - 17 minutes - 15.8 MBWith an aging ridership and canceled routes, China’s intercity buses struggle to survive. Click here to read the article by Tan Yunfei. 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] Words of the working class: Poems from everyday China
May 12, 2023 20:10 - 19 minutes - 17.7 MBFrom fields to vegetable farms to steel mills, ordinary workers across China document everyday mundanities in extraordinary verse. Click here to read the article by Zhu Lingyu. 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.
[Rest of World] How China’s hottest social media app turned Düsseldorf into a foodie destination
May 12, 2023 20:09 - 8 minutes - 7.9 MBThe trendiest food city in Europe isn’t Paris or London. It’s Düsseldorf — thanks to Xiaohongshu. Click here to read the article by Krish Raghav, Yan Cong and Carwyn Morris. 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.
[Sixth Tone] The lost art of chrysanthemum cultivation
May 12, 2023 20:08 - 8 minutes - 7.74 MBYu Jiangang’s hometown used to be a “sea of flowers.” What was lost when the sea dried up? Click here to read the article by Yu Jiangang. 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] Battle of Tunmen: The first clash between China and Europe
May 10, 2023 18:11 - 8 minutes - 7.66 MBAn age-old story of diplomatic misunderstanding and technology transference. 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] AI is starting to replace humans in China’s creative sector
May 09, 2023 19:33 - 7 minutes - 6.75 MBWhile some employees are worried about the latest competition, others feel machines cannot entirely replace human minds. Click here to read the article by Ye Zhanhang. 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] Online mindfulness courses are booming in China, but do they actually work?
May 05, 2023 20:04 - 15 minutes - 13.9 MBAs meditation and mindfulness apps continue to surge in popularity, consumers struggle to get their money’s worth. Click here to read the article by Liu Sha. 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] China’s latest cynical buzzword is a cry for help
May 05, 2023 20:02 - 7 minutes - 6.94 MB“Kong Yiji literature” is often seen as a sign of disillusionment. But the willingness to criticize is cause for hope, not despair. Click here to read the article by Cao Dongbo. 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 Peking Express: A train heist for the ages
May 03, 2023 19:18 - 8 minutes - 7.82 MBChina's greatest train hijacking, by a band of outlaws calling themselves the Autonomous Army, changed the Republic of China. 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] AI is already taking video game illustrators’ jobs in China
May 02, 2023 21:45 - 9 minutes - 9.12 MB“AI is developing at a speed way beyond our imagination. Two people could potentially do the work that used to be done by 10.” Click here to read the article by Viola Zhou. 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.
[Caixin Global] China’s EV battery boom goes bust
May 02, 2023 19:30 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBThe rush to build up capacity as vehicle sales surged over the last few years has led to an overhang that resulted in production and job cuts, as well as falling prices. Lu Yutong, Qu Yunxu and Bonnie Cao. 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.
[Rest of World] How Temu topped the U.S. app charts by turning shopping into a game
May 02, 2023 19:29 - 10 minutes - 9.45 MBE-commerce giant PDD Holdings' U.S. app hooks customers with referral giveaways. Click here to read the article by Viola Zhou. Narrated by Mina Greb. 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] Sanmao and her ‘Stories of the Sahara’
April 28, 2023 20:03 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBCelebrating one of Taiwan's greatest writers. 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.
[The China Project] Remembering the Yellow Flower Mound Uprising against the Qing
April 27, 2023 21:57 - 8 minutes - 7.85 MBThe Yellow Flower Mound Uprising, also known as the Second Guangzhou Uprising, may have failed, but its legacy is now celebrated in mainstream Chinese culture. Here's how it happened. 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] China is trying to boost fertility. Can its sperm banks keep up?
April 25, 2023 20:01 - 10 minutes - 9.53 MBAlthough sometimes talked about as a solution to the country’s falling birth rate, the country’s assisted reproductive technology facilities, including sperm banks, aren’t ready for prime time. Click here to read the article by Ayo Wahlberg. 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] A year after my father’s death, I finally made it home to mourn
April 25, 2023 20:01 - 8 minutes - 8.2 MBStories of two post-Covid homecomings to mourn loved ones and sweep the tombs on Qingming Festival. Click here to read the article by Wang Lin. 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.
[Sixth Tone] Standing tall: A runner’s unlikely journey to the top — of trees
April 25, 2023 19:59 - 10 minutes - 9.65 MBA national tree climbing champion, Yu Yanling now runs her own company, organizes climbing competitions, and teaches the art to adults and children. Click here to read the article by Li Pasha. 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.
[Caixin Global] New business comes with old risks for China’s struggling tutoring industry
April 21, 2023 20:41 - 9 minutes - 9.14 MBSales of ‘learning tablets’ helped keep companies going after the crackdown on for-profit education, but looming regulation and growing competition show the shift is no cure-all. Click here to read the article by Guan Cong and Wang Bowen. 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] The complex legacy of the Doolittle Raid and U.S.-China allyship
April 19, 2023 23:59 - 8 minutes - 7.65 MBIn 1942, a band of American pilots conducted a daring bombing run over Japan, with the plan to land in airfields set up in China. The mission "succeeded" thanks to the assistance of Chinese civilians who sheltered and guided the pilots — and who suffered immeasurably for their kindness. 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-in...
[Sixth Tone] Faraway family members use smart cameras to monitor the elderly
April 18, 2023 19:39 - 7 minutes - 6.9 MBWhile some users say the devices help them to keep an eye on older family members, others are doubtful about the technology and concerned about privacy issues. Click here to read the article by Ye Zhanhang. 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.
[Caixin Global] TikTok’s Chinese twin is taking on Alibaba and Meituan for e-commerce market share
April 18, 2023 19:38 - 16 minutes - 15.4 MBLike ByteDance’s TikTok, the Douyin video sharing app deploys live-streaming in the competition for consumers in the online marketplace. Click here to read the article by Guan Cong, Yang Jinxi, Sun Yanran, Qian Tong, Qu Yunxu 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.
[Sixth Tone] How Liang Qichao rewrote China’s future
April 14, 2023 19:38 - 8 minutes - 8.1 MBAlthough better known today as a reformer and activist, Liang also composed the first work of Chinese sci-fi. Click here to read the article by Emily Xueni Jin. 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] Last logout: The memories left behind when World of Warcraft ended in China
April 14, 2023 19:36 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MBWhen World of Warcraft ended in China earlier this year, players lost more than just a computer game. Click here to read the article by Roman Kierst. 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] Titanic’s six Chinese survivors tell a story that goes far beyond a shipwreck
April 13, 2023 21:33 - 8 minutes - 7.57 MBEight Chinese passengers boarded the Titanic in Southampton, six survived. Their story — largely untold until Steven Schwarkert came across it during his research on Chinese maritime history, and now a documentary produced by James Cameron — opens a window to wide-ranging political issues of the day. 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-...
[The World of Chinese] 'I think you’re just bored': China’s depressed teens' struggle for understanding and treatment
April 11, 2023 20:57 - 12 minutes - 11.4 MBMental health services and families struggle to understand, recognize, and treat rising teen depression. Click here to read the article by Yang Tingting. 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.
[Sixth Tone] How an army of elderly influencers took over China’s instagram
April 11, 2023 20:56 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MBThe pandemic led to a surge in the number of Chinese seniors using a range of mobile apps. Now, retirees are migrating onto an unexpected platform: the lifestyle app Xiaohongshu. Click here to read the article by Fan Yiying. 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.
[Sixth Tone] China’s newest dating craze: Real-life meetups with virtual boyfriends
April 11, 2023 20:55 - 14 minutes - 13.3 MBDuring the pandemic, women across China became infatuated with the dashing male characters in a series of viral video games. Now, many are hiring cosplayers to bring their digital beaus to life. Click here to read the article by Wu Peiyue. 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] Fabric of life: The final days of Hong Kong’s famous Pang Jai Market
April 07, 2023 20:50 - 11 minutes - 10.6 MBCatch a last glimpse of Kowloon’s Pang Jai fabric market, once a thriving center of East Asia’s textile industry, before it makes way for new construction. Click here to read the article by Roman Kierst. 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] Xiaohongshu is teaching young Chinese women how to buy the perfect life
April 07, 2023 20:48 - 9 minutes - 8.32 MBKnown as China’s “lifestyle bible,” the social media platform is an aspirational living guide or a consumerist trap. Click here to read the article by Viola Zhou. 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.