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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

Wang Tao: Father of Chinese Journalism and Advocate for Reform

Today, we’ll talk about Wang Tao, a pioneering Chinese journalist and reformist, who founded the Universal Circulating Herald in 1874, marking the first major Chinese-led newspaper advocating modernization and political reform. His exposure to Western ideas profoundly shaped his journalism, leaving a lasting impact on China’s media landscape and reform movements.

Dec 10, 202415 min

Wu Yifang: A Trailblazer in Women’s Education and Peace Advocacy

In the first installment of what will be a two-part feature, we’ll talk about stories of Wu Yifang who emerged as a pioneering figure in women’s education. Her dedication to advancing women’s roles in society left an indelible mark on both education and global diplomacy.

Nov 19, 202414 min

Sanxingdui’s Bronze Wheel: A Puzzle Connecting Ancient Worlds

Today, we’ll introduce a mysterious artifact that may offer insights into ancient cross-cultural exchanges, potentially linking Sanxingdui with far-flung civilizations like Egypt or Mesopotamia. Its unique design and possible connections to sun worship raise intriguing questions about its origins and influence.

Nov 05, 202417 min

Wu Zetian: The Rise of China’s Only Empress

In this first installment of what will be a two-part feature, we’ll talk about Wu Zetian’s ascent from a lowly concubine to the only female emperor in Chinese history. Her remarkable ambition and strategic acumen culminated in her establishment of a new dynasty.

Oct 22, 202419 min

The Exquisite Legacy of Northern Wei Lacquer Screens

Today, we’ll introduce a set of lacquer screens from the turbulent Northern Wei Dynasty of more than 1,500 years ago. Due to their exquisite craftsmanship and similarity to early Chinese silk paintings, they were some of the first cultural relics prohibited from going abroad for exhibition.

Oct 15, 202412 min

A New Relationship with New Audiences

Today, we’ll delve further into how innovations adopted in recent years by museums in Shanxi Province are enhancing the visitor experience, blending history with interactive exploration.

Oct 11, 202413 min

Tech Meets Heritage: Mural Museum and its Modern Makeover

In this first installment of what will be a two-part feature, we’ll be talking about the innovative Taiyuan Northern Qi Dynasty Mural Museum, which has embraced modern technologies including VR and 3D displays to bring its ancient murals to life.

Oct 08, 202415 min

Cultural Relics: Collect Calls

Today, we’ll delve further into the developments regarding the repatriation of looted cultural relics to their respective countries of origin. The ethical considerations surrounding collection practices are gaining prominence, with experts cautioning that essential historical knowledge is at risk of being lost.

Oct 04, 202418 min

Cultural Relics: Unanswered Prayers

In the first installment of what will be a two-part feature, we’ll talk about how almost 30 years after a statue containing the 1,000-year-old mummified remains of a Buddhist master was stolen and sold overseas, the people of a small village in Southeast China are still fighting for its return.

Oct 01, 202418 min

The Man Who Changed the Game: King of Asian Football

Today, we’ll talk about Lee Wai-tong, a pioneering figure in Chinese football who achieved global recognition through his exceptional playing and coaching career. His remarkable journey transformed the perception of Chinese football, leaving a lasting legacy both domestically and internationally.

Sep 24, 202414 min

Searching for Sunken Ships of the Beiyang Fleet

Today, we’ll continue to talk about the endeavors of underwater archaeologists as they work to salvage the remnants of the Beiyang Fleet warships that were lost in the world’s first large-scale naval battle between steam-powered armored fleets, known as the Battle of the Yellow Sea.

Sep 20, 202417 min

The Sinking of Beiyang Fleet Warships

In the first installment of what will be a two-part feature, we’ll delve into the courageous resistance displayed by the Beiyang Fleet warships against the Japanese Combined Fleet in the Battle of the Yellow Sea during the First Sino-Japanese War in 1894.

Sep 17, 202416 min

Tan Kah Kee’s Enduring Educational Legacy

Today, we’ll delve further into Tan Kah Kee’s philanthropic legacy, which resonates most profoundly through his generous donations to education. By establishing schools, funding scholarships, and supporting infrastructure development, he sought to lift Chinese communities out of poverty and backwardness.

Sep 10, 202416 min

Tan Kah Kee: Bridging Hope Amid China’s Turmoil

In the first installment of what will be a two-part feature, we’ll talk about Tan Kah Kee, an overseas Chinese businessman in Singapore who was driven by a deep sense of duty and patriotism, devoting enormous resources to social causes and education in China at a time when the country was ravaged by war and poverty.

Sep 03, 202414 min

Han Qi and the Hall of Daytime Elegance

Today, we’ll introduce a statesman from the Northern Song Dynasty and a stone stele from his personal study that records his political achievements. Infused with marvelous literary and artistic value, the stele and the study have become a “spiritual home” pursued by literati of future generations.

Aug 27, 202414 min

Preserving Excellence: Top Scorer Exam Paper at Qingzhou Museum

Today, we’ll talk about a unique document that stands as a testament to the scholarly achievements of the past. It’s the mainland’s only surviving top-scorer exam paper, a significant artifact offering a glimpse into the academic excellence and historical legacy of China’s imperial examination system.

Aug 16, 202415 min

Preserving the Past: The Art and Science of Ancient Book Restoration

Today, we’ll delve into the intricate training processes of ancient book restorers and appraisal experts. These essential guardians are tasked with preserving the vast repositories of ancient books that have survived over the course of China’s history.

Aug 13, 202416 min

Kong Yingda: Great Scholar of a Prosperous Age

Today, we’ll talk about how the 32nd generation descendant of Confucius inherited and advanced traditional Confucianism by unifying the interpretation of Confucian classics during the early Tang Dynasty, becoming a prominent Confucian master of his time.

Aug 06, 202419 min

Tu Shou’e: A Visionary in China’s Aerospace History

Today, we’ll talk about the life of a Chinese aerospace engineer, an expert in the field of structural mechanics, who has made groundbreaking contributions to the design of China’s intercontinental ballistic missiles and Long March carrier rockets.

Jul 30, 202415 min

Intertwined Joys and Sorrows: The Tale of Master Hong Yi

Today, we’ll recount the life story of a stunningly talented polymath from early 20th-century China. An established artist, teacher and sophisticate in the first half of his life, he completely altered the course of his life at the height of his fame, and has come to be remembered as one of China’s most preeminent, modern Buddhist masters.

Jul 23, 202412 min

Kuliang: Echoes of Harmony

Today, we’ll share some stories about a place called Kuliang. It’s a summer resort in Fuzhou of Southeast China’s Fujian Province that stands as testament to a bygone era when two worlds met and connected through a shared humanity that transcended boundaries.

Jul 16, 202419 min

Peking Opera Maestro Whose Art Transcended Borders

Today, we’ll continue to talk about the life of Mei Lanfang whose global influence extends far beyond the realm of Peking Opera, leaving an indelible mark on the world stage and cementing his legacy as a cultural ambassador of unparalleled stature.

Jul 09, 202417 min

Iconic Actor Mei Lanfang: A Tale of Courage and Artistry

In the first installment of what will be a two-part feature, we will delve into the enduring legacy of Peking Opera master Mei Lanfang. As a cultural icon who resonates across generations, he embodies a spirit of resilience and artistic expression in the face of adversity.

Jul 02, 202418 min

Xu Beihong: Master Painter of Equine Elegance

In this second installment of our two-part feature, we’ll talk about Xu Beihong's contribution to horse painting. Through meticulous attention to detail and mastery of form, he elevated horse painting to new heights, becoming renowned as a trailblazer in capturing the majestic beauty and spirit of these noble creatures.

Jun 25, 202413 min

Xu Beihong: A Journey Through China’s Artistic Heritage

In the first installment of what will be a two-part feature, we’ll talk about Xu Beihong, a famed Chinese painter and art educator known for blending traditional Chinese ink techniques with Western realism.

Jun 18, 202413 min
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