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The Context

NewsChina explores the perspectives driving today’s China and its people with a deep dive into the histories that shaped them.
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Episodes

Four-Ram Square Zun: Masterpiece of Ancient Chinese Bronze Art

Today, we’ll continue to talk about the Four-Ram Square Zun from the Shang Dynasty, which stands as a masterpiece of ancient Chinese bronze art, showcasing unparalleled craftsmanship and embodying profound cultural and historical significance.

Sep 09, 202512 min

Four-Ram Square Zun: War, Destruction, and Renewal

In the first installment of what will be a two-part feature, we’ll talk about the Four-Ram Square Zun, a masterpiece of Shang Dynasty bronze art, which has endured centuries of turmoil and restoration, symbolizing the nation’s ancient cultural heritage and its rebirth in the twentieth century.

Sep 02, 202514 min

Potala Palace: Where History, Religion, and Architecture Converge

Today, we’ll talk about the Potala Palace, a 1,300-year-old architectural and cultural marvel that has served as the spiritual and political heart of Tibetan Buddhism, housing sacred relics, murals, and scriptures that embody the region’s rich heritage and enduring legacy.

Aug 26, 202517 min

Tibetan Carpet: Weaving A New Story

On today’s podcast, we’re going to talk about how modern technology and designs, in conjunction with social media, are injecting new energy into the art of traditional Tibetan carpet weaving in order to sustain and promote its cultural legacy.

Aug 19, 202527 min

Tibetan Opera: The Masked Singers

On today’s podcast, we’ll talk about the ancient art of Tibetan Opera, which had been dwindling but is now reaching new stages of development thanks to greater support from the government as well as audiences.

Aug 12, 202520 min

Past Forward: Heritage Meets Innovation

On today’s podcast, we’re going to talk about ways in which Lhasa’s historical architecture – from its historic temples to some industrial relics – is being carefully repurposed into modern cultural and artistic spaces that blend heritage with innovation.

Aug 05, 202522 min

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.

Jul 29, 202520 min

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 at the national level.

Jul 27, 202511 min

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 persistent turbulence of the national bilateral relationship.

Jul 25, 202512 min

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.

Jul 22, 202518 min

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 climate progress.

Jul 20, 202518 min

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.

Jul 18, 202522 min

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 cooperation unlock solutions or spark new controversies?

Jul 13, 202518 min

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 establishment of national parks.

Jul 11, 202519 min

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 while pursuing sustainable development.

Jul 04, 202514 min

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 ice and clever design to chill food and drinks.

Jul 01, 202515 min

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 healthy competition can accomplish in tackling the climate crisis.

Jun 27, 202516 min

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 forward, and he brings us up to date on the Sunnylands Statement that was announced in 2023.

Jun 20, 202512 min

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 challenges and leave a lasting legacy.

Jun 17, 202514 min

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 collaboration to overcome challenges in our global transition to a zero-carbon future.

Jun 13, 202512 min

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 the two countries still have potential to continue their partnership on climate issues.

Jun 06, 202512 min

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.

Jun 03, 202514 min

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.

May 30, 202516 min

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.

May 23, 202513 min

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.

May 20, 202518 min
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