China Stories

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.

Explore the last Maoist village in China that maintains collectivization and embraces Maoism, with features like Mao portraits in every apartment and propaganda posters shaping the lives of its residents. Discover the unique red culture and lifestyle of this village, where new party members take oaths and couples marry in a collective ceremony, while enjoying universal benefits like free healthcare, education, and housing. Delve into the distribution of salaries and benefits, concerns about corruption, and villagers' devotion to Communist ideology. Learn about the history of Nandia, its rapid growth, incorporation of Maoist and Deng Xiaoping's ideas, and development of public facilities and infrastructure. Lastly, explore the story of a failed invention by a national model worker and the debt crisis faced by the village of Nandia.

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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.

This podcast discusses rumors of Premier Li Keqiang challenging Xi Jinping's rule and ending his plans for a third term. It explores their divergent positions on economic integration and modernization in China. Li's alleged challenge to Xi's economic direction is analyzed, but it is concluded that Li is unlikely to effectively challenge Xi.

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.