China

People walk on the Bund, the riverfront area next to the financial district in Shanghai. Many foreigners have descended on Shanghai to make money on China's economic expansion. NPR's Frank Langfitt met one such woman as part of the free taxi rides he's be

World News

Single Mom Leads Double Life On The Streets Of Shanghai

3:43pm July 02, 2015

by Frank Langfitt

NPR's Frank Langfitt is offering free rides around Shanghai in exchange for stories about one of the world's most dynamic cities. In his latest installment, he meets a woman whose work surprises him.

Queue Listen Now

NPR's Frank Langfitt has been offering free taxi rides around Shanghai to talk to ordinary Chinese. He drives a Camry around the city, but rented a van for a trip 500 miles outside the city earlier this year. He recently decided to buy a car, which can be

World News

Would You Buy A Used Car From A Man Named Beer Horse?

4:46pm June 30, 2015

by Frank Langfitt

NPR's Frank Langfitt has been giving free taxi rides around Shanghai to learn about the lives of ordinary Chinese. He's decided to stop renting a car and buy one. That's when he met Beer Horse.

Queue Listen Now

Sun Jianguo (left), from the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy, chats with U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter in May during the ministerial luncheon at the 14th Asia Security Summit in Singapore. Each country has grown increasingly wary of the ot

World News

China's Island-Building Has Neighbors On Edge, But Tensions May Be Easing

2:09pm June 24, 2015

by Frank Langfitt

In just 18 months, China has created more than 2,000 acres of new land where before there were just waves and reef, according to the U.S., which sees the work as a threat to regional stability.

Queue Listen Now

World News

Over-Aged: Chinese Authorities Seize Decades-Old Meat

12:36pm June 24, 2015

by Bill Chappell

The thousands of tons of meat have an estimated value of more than $480 million — but also pose serious health risks, officials said.

Zhou Qiang, president of the Supreme People's Court of China, speaks to the National People's Congress in Beijing on March 12. Chinese authorities are waging a major campaign against corruption, and that includes a list of 100 suspects believed to be over

World News

When Corrupt Chinese Officials Flee, The U.S. Is A Top Destination

8:51am June 24, 2015

by Anthony Kuhn

The U.S. is appealing because of its high standard of living and lack of an extradition treaty with China. The U.S. is also reluctant to arrest suspects unless provided with solid information.

Queue Listen Now

Supporters of free and open elections in Hong Kong march through the city streets ahead of a crucial vote on political reform in the city's Legislative Council.

World News

Beijing Brushes Aside Hong Kong's Rejection Of Electoral Reform

12:59pm June 18, 2015

by Scott Neuman

Lawmakers in the territory voted down the central government's plan to present a hand-picked slate of candidates for a vote on Hong Kong's next leader. But China says it will go ahead anyway.

World News

Hong Kong Protesters Renew Push For Electoral Reform

6:20am June 15, 2015

by Scott Neuman

Although turnout was far short of what activists had hoped for, demonstration leaders have promised nightly vigils to push for direct elections for the territory's next chief executive.

A 2012 photo of Zhou Yongkang, the then-Chinese Communist Party Politburo Standing Committee member in charge of security. Zhou has been sentenced to life in prison over charges of corruption.

China Sentences Former Security Chief To Life In Prison For Corruption

6:45am June 11, 2015

by Eyder Peralta

Zhou Yongkang became the highest-ranking official to be convicted in President Xi Jinping's campaign against corruption. Zhou was accused of taking bribes and leaking state secrets.

A woman smokes a cigarette in a Beijing shopping market, even though the practice is now banned inside public spaces.

How Does A City Stop 4 Million Smokers From Lighting Up?

2:30pm June 10, 2015

by Anthony Kuhn

A few years ago, smoking was so common in Beijing that doctors, nurses and patients would even puff away in hospital hallways. Now the city is trying — again — to ban smoking indoors. It isn't easy.

Queue Listen Now

Rescuers work in the hull of the upright ship Eastern Star to launch rescue work in the section of Jianli on the Yangtze River, central China's Hubei Province, on Saturday.

World News

Official Death Toll In China's 'Eastern Star' Disaster Rises To Nearly 400

1:10pm June 06, 2015

by Scott Neuman

The cruise ship, which was righted on Friday, capsized on Monday in the Yangtze River with 456 people aboard.