Shanghai

Graphic of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

China’s tech weapons roll in to quell demonstrations, identify protesters

The latest demonstrations across China ended when the central government unleashed a digital arsenal that was less deadly than the tanks used to quell the 1989 protests, but just as effective. China managed to use the internet to defuse national outrage over President Xi Jinping’s strict COVID-19 policies without firing a single shot.

China’s tech weapons roll in to quell demonstrations, identify protesters
Delegates applaud as Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks during the opening ceremony of the 20th National Congress of China's ruling Communist Party held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. 

China’s small business owners hope for a new normal ‘after the Party Congress’

China’s small business owners hope for a new normal ‘after the Party Congress’
This Underwood typewriter features Yiddish letters of the aleph-beys, on display at the Museum of the City of New York.

A Yiddish revival is underway at this prestigious Chinese university

A Yiddish revival is underway at this prestigious Chinese university
Mini EV cars seen in Zhumadian, China.

Electric vehicles are gaining popularity across China as govt creates incentives

Electric vehicles are gaining popularity across China as govt creates incentives
Soccer may be China’s national sport, but enthusiasm for frisbee — a quintessential American sport — is soaring in China.

The rise of Ultimate Frisbee as a team sport in China

The rise of Ultimate Frisbee as a team sport in China
Chinese policemen patrol the bund area in Shanghai, June 1, 2022.

Massive data breach in China raises questions around govt's responsibility in securing data, expert says

Zeyi Yang, a China reporter with MIT Technology Review, looked at some of the data and spoke from New York with The World's host Marco Werman about the situation.

Massive data breach in China raises questions around govt's responsibility in securing data, expert says
A collage of video screenshots that feature Africans exploited for profit in a growing trend known as "blessings videos."

A new documentary uncovers the story behind China’s racist ‘blessings video’ trend

These trendy videos often feature African children who are prompted to parrot Chinese greetings and to act in inappropriate ways — for entertainment.

A new documentary uncovers the story behind China’s racist ‘blessings video’ trend
An image from the video game Genshin Impact

Chinese Genshin Impact is one of the most-profitable video games on Earth. It balances mass appeal with Beijing’s blessing.

Genshin Impact’s unexpected global success highlights a precarious balance: How Beijing goes about nurturing Big Tech while holding true to Chinese Communist Party ideology.

Chinese Genshin Impact is one of the most-profitable video games on Earth. It balances mass appeal with Beijing’s blessing.
Hu Xin and He Yan Xin as seen in the film "Hidden Letters"

These women are trying to preserve an ancient Chinese language invented as a secret code

Hundreds of years ago, women in China weren’t allowed an education and spent their days locked in rooms, embroidering and making crafts. They came up with a new language that men couldn't understand — Nüshu — and wrote it onto handmade fans to communicate with each other. A filmmaker is now trying to raise awareness to preserve it before it is lost.

These women are trying to preserve an ancient Chinese language invented as a secret code
Residents in a sealed-off Shanghai neighborhood receive bulk-ordered food supplies under the monitoring of health workers in hazmat suits

This Shanghai writer and translator shares his experience of the city's 2-month lockdown

As Shanghai begins to ease its two-month COVID-19 lockdown, writer and translator Xing Zhao says that the psychological impacts on residents are likely to linger for much longer.

This Shanghai writer and translator shares his experience of the city's 2-month lockdown
A man tries to receive medicine he bought at a pharmacy through its closed glass doors in Shanghai, China, May 22, 2022.

Shanghai sees exodus as people flee China's lockdown woes

China's zero-COVID-19 policy has shattered many people's trust in the government, especially in Shanghai. The monthslong lockdown has left people exhausted and plotting to escape. But getting out of the city isn't easy. 

Shanghai sees exodus as people flee China's lockdown woes
A woman wearing a face mask rests on a bench at the green space barricaded with fences and tapes to prevent residents from gathering due to pandemic measures on Thursday, May 19, 2022, in Beijing.

Shanghai's unvaccinated elderly remain vulnerable under lockdown

China’s elderly population — who are among the most vulnerable to COVID-19 — are not yet fully vaccinated.

Shanghai's unvaccinated elderly remain vulnerable under lockdown
Madeleine Wolczko, stranded on a ship in Shanghai during the COVID-19 lockdown, documents her experience.

Merchant mariners stranded on ships in Shanghai during COVID lockdown

Under a strict COVID-19 lockdown in Shanghai, some crew members on cargo ships have been stranded. Crew member Madeleine Wolczko has been documenting the harrowing ordeal.

Merchant mariners stranded on ships in Shanghai during COVID lockdown
Delivery drivers in Shanghai have been the unsung heroes during a strict COVID-19 lockdown that kept millions indoors.

Shanghai’s delivery drivers — the unsung heroes of a long pandemic lockdown

Delivery workers are pretty much the only people on Shanghai’s streets right now. They’ve kept the city running during lockdown, and millions of residents depend on them. But as gig workers, they have fewer labor protections, working long hours under difficult conditions.

Shanghai’s delivery drivers — the unsung heroes of a long pandemic lockdown
Ruthie sits next to the natural toilet her owner made for her during the COVID-19 lockdown in Shanghai, China

Pet owners in Shanghai struggle to care for their animals during COVID lockdowns

When Shanghai residents test positive for COVID-19 and are required to stay at quarantine facilities, there's no government plan for who will take care of their pets while they're away. Now, communities are banding together to deal with the problem.

Pet owners in Shanghai struggle to care for their animals during COVID lockdowns