
The Context
NewsChina explores the perspectives driving today’s China and its people with a deep dive into the histories that shaped them.
Episodes
269 episodes
Guan Yu: The Immortal Legend of Loyalty and Righteousness
Today, we’ll talk about Guan Yu, the legendary general whose unwavering loyalty, courage, and righteousness transformed him from a historical figure into an enduring cultural and spiritual icon deeply revered across China and the world.
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20:28

Climate Special 20: Steady States (II)
Today, we continue our series on Sino-US climate cooperation with the second half of our story covering the importance of subnational cooperation between China and various states in the US as a way to mitigate the relative lack of progress ...
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11:00

Climate Special 19: Steady States (I)
Continuing our series on combating climate change, today we’ll present the first half of our story on how climate cooperation between China and the US at the subnational level may prove even more important than originally thought amid the p...
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12:20

Eyes Wide Shut: A Statue’s Missing Gaze
Today, we’ll talk about how a discovery at a humble flea-market led to the remarkable homecoming of a stolen Buddha’s eye and the high-tech quest to reunite Yungang Grottoes’ lost relics with their ancient statues.
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18:15

Climate Special 18: Greener Blueprints
As we continue our series on climate change, today we talk about how that after more than a decade of Sino-US collaboration, a trend called “nearly zero-energy tech” is transforming China’s building sector into a green-energy model for clim...
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18:00

Climate Special 17: Plugging the Leaks
As we continue our series on China-US climate cooperation, today we discuss how China is concentrating its efforts to reduce methane emissions, a powerful greenhouse gas, and opening up to international cooperation, especially with the US.<...
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21:59

Yungang’s Five Caves: The Intersection of Faith, Power, and Survival
Today, we’ll talk about how five monumental Buddha statues modeled after Northern Wei emperors were created to protect Buddhism during times of persecution and ensure the dynasty’s legacy endured well into the future.
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16:57

Climate Special 16: Emission to Earth
Today, we continue our series on China-US climate cooperation and look at how the world’s two largest emitters are including carbon capture and storage in their overall strategy to combat climate change. But will their decade-long cooperati...
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18:18

Climate Special 15: Care of the Wild
Today, we’ll continue our series on Sino-US climate cooperation and introduce how that partnership has entered a new chapter as China embraces one of America’s greatest contributions to ecological and biodiversity protection – the establish...
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19:05

The Pagoda of Fogong Temple: A Timeless Sentinel of Chinese Architecture
Today, we’ll talk about the Pagoda of Fogong Temple, a towering masterpiece of ancient Chinese architecture, where whispers of history, craftsmanship, and spirituality intertwine, standing resilient against centuries of wind, rain, earthqua...
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13:36

Climate Special 14: Clean Competition (II)
Today, we continue our series on climate cooperation and hear more from climate economist Zou Ji. In this installment, he shares a hopeful outlook on how China and the US can use their unique characteristics to prevent a climate catastrophe...
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13:56

Marquis Yi of Zeng’s Fridge: How Ancient Chinese Made Life Cool
Today, we’ll talk about an ancient artifact that served as Marquis Yi of Zeng’s “refrigerator.” Yes, you heard me right. It was a bronze cooling device from the Warring States period, and demonstrates early Chinese cooling technology using ...
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15:05

Climate Special 13: Clean Competition (I)
As we continue our series on climate cooperation, we hear from climate economist Zou Ji. Today we’ll share with you his insights on how China and the US must reach consensus on the opportunities presented by low-carbon development and what ...
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15:57

Zhang Zhongjing: The Medical Sage Who Revolutionized Ancient Chinese Medicine
Today we’ll talk about Zhang Zhongjing, a pioneering physician of the Eastern Han Dynasty who overcame such challenges as war, famine, and personal adversity to become the “Medical Sage” of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
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19:11

Climate Special 12: Cooler Relations (II)
Today, we continue our series on China-US climate cooperation with the second half of NewsChina’s interview with Former US Climate Envoy Todd Stern. This time, he explains how cross-cultural friendship helped push the Paris Agreement forwar...
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11:31

Between Ink and Rebellion: The Life of Zheng Banqiao
Today, we’ll tell the story of Zheng Banqiao, a legendary artist and poet known for his humor and unique life philosophy. He used his wit and creativity to inspire generations, demonstrating that a heart full of passion for life can transcend c...
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14:12

Climate Special 11: Cooler Relations (I)
Today, we continue our series on China-US climate cooperation spotlighting Former US Climate Envoy Todd Stern who discusses secret meetings that helped push the Paris Agreement over the finish line, and the necessity of US-China collaborati...
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11:57

Ancient Myths Reborn: Unveiling China’s Earliest Geographical Masterpiece
Today, we’ll talk about a newly opened exhibition that rekindled interest in the earliest geographical work to have survived to the present day in China, serving as a treasure trove of the legendary mountains, seas, natural resources, and m...
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14:13

Climate Special 10: Partners in Action (II)
Today, we continue our series on China-US Climate Cooperation and discuss how the US’s second withdrawal from the Paris Agreement will affect the momentum of intergovernmental cooperation between China and the US, but we’ll also learn how t...
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11:46

Weifang Kites: Ancient Innovation Meets Modern Flight
Today, we’ll talk about Weifang’s kites which symbolize cultural heritage and craftsmanship, attracting global enthusiasts to its annual International Kite Festival, where traditional techniques and modern innovations continue to soar....
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14:27

Climate Special 9: Partners in Action (I)
On today’s podcast, we hear from China’s Special Envoy for Climate Change, Liu Zhenmin, who expresses his optimism about the future of international cooperation on climate governance, particularly between China and the US.
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16:13

Qingzhou Smiles: The Hidden Legacy of Longxing Temple’s Buddhist Sculptures
Today, we’ll talk about the discovery of Qingzhou’s buried Buddhist sculptures at Longxing Temple. Famous for their serenely smiling expressions, these statues unveil a thousand-year legacy of artistic mastery, religious devotion, and cultural ...
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17:43

Climate Special 8: Staying the Course (II)
Today, in part two of our interview with Li Gao, China’s Vice Minister of Ecology and Environment, we’ll talk about the risks and benefits of Sino-US cooperation and the possible role China will play to combat climate change.
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12:40

A Moving Tribute: Yongle Palace and its 700-Year-Old Murals
Today, we’ll talk about the Yongle Palace which stands as a testament to ancient artistic mastery and religious devotion, while its mid-20th-century relocation highlights China’s remarkable efforts in cultural heritage preservation.
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17:49
