The Daily

Kicked Out of China

Apr 16, 2020

Paul Mozur, Asia technology reporter for The New York Times, shares his harrowing experience of being forced to leave China after a decade of reporting. He delves into the emotional turmoil of sudden expulsion amidst rising tensions and government surveillance. Mozur also discusses the unsettling rise of xenophobia during the pandemic, particularly against minority groups. He highlights the impact of misinformation regarding COVID-19 origins and the need for better communication in strained U.S.-China relations moving forward.

28:32

Creator website

Episode guests

Paul Mozur

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

2min

Departure and Disbelief

10min

Experiencing Change Amidst Tensions in China

2min

Xenophobia and Misinformation in COVID-19 Origins

12min

Navigating U.S.-China Relations Post-Pandemic

3min

U.S. Retail Sales Plummet Amid Lockdowns

2min

Note: This episode contains strong language.

The New York Times’s reporters working in China have been expelled by the Chinese government, alongside reporters covering China for The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post. Today, we speak with one of our correspondents about his experience learning that he would have to leave the place he has called home for the last decade — and about the last story he reported before he left. Guest: Paul Mozur, the Asia technology reporter for The New York Times, formerly based in Shanghai. For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily.

Background reading:

China’s announcement of the journalists’ expulsion came weeks after President Trump limited the number of Chinese citizens who can work in the United States for five state-run Chinese news organizations.
While the Chinese government’s official statement cited diplomatic tension as the reasoning for the expulsion, state media outlets pointed to our critical reporting of China’s mass detention of Muslims, government surveillance and its response to the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan as reasons for the move.

Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.