Rebecca Kanthor

The World
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’

The refrain, “after the Party Congress,” has been heard constantly in China. It refers to the idea that once this week’s official National Congress of the Communist Party meeting wraps up on Friday, maybe things will get back to normal after a series of strict pandemic lockdowns.

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
A resident walks by shuttered Communication University of China in Beijing, Monday, Sept. 12, 2022.

Thousands of foreign students enrolled in Chinese universities await permission to return

Thousands of foreign students enrolled in Chinese universities await permission to return
People sit in a shallow pool of water in the riverbed of the Jialing River, a tributary of the Yangtze, in southwestern China's Chongqing Municipality, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022. 

China endures ‘heat wave from hell’ with record-breaking temperatures

China endures ‘heat wave from hell’ with record-breaking temperatures
Famed Taiwanese singer Jay Chou performs during his concert "The Invincible" in Taipei, Taiwan

China's hit summer song takes fans back through space and time

Mandopop megastar Jay Chou has released his first album in six years, with his new song, “The Greatest Works of Art," becoming an instant hit. The music video follows an antique piano on a journey to inspire famous artists of the past.

China's hit summer song takes fans back through space and time
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

Soccer may be China’s national sport, but enthusiasm for frisbee — a quintessential American sport — is growing in China. Ultimate Frisbee is one of the few no-contact, mixed-gender sports in the country. And that may be one of the reasons that women, especially, are now flocking to it. 

The rise of Ultimate Frisbee as a team sport in China
Filmmaker Crystal Kwok speaks to a customer at shop featured in the film,"Blurring the Color Line."

'I want people to have uncomfortable conversations': A new documentary explores Chinese and Black relations in the Jim Crow South

Crystal Kwok is the director of "Blurring the Color Line," a new documentary about her family’s experience in Augusta, Georgia, and the relationships between Chinese Americans and Black people during the Jim Crow era.

'I want people to have uncomfortable conversations': A new documentary explores Chinese and Black relations in the Jim Crow South
Namewee is a Malaysian Chinese singer-songwriter and filmmaker whose controversial songs go viral on Youtube.

'It’s controversial because it's important,' Malaysian Chinese pop artist says of his censored music

Namewee is a singer-songwriter and filmmaker who is known for speaking his mind and composing songs that go viral on YouTube. He tells The World's Rebecca Kanthor why promoting his music is important.

'It’s controversial because it's important,' Malaysian Chinese pop artist says of his censored music
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
Anesthesiologist Liu Jianmin prepares for an abortion at a clinic run by Marie Stopes International in Xi'an in central China's Shaanxi province

Abortion access in China has changed drastically amid declining birth rate

For more than 30 years, the Chinese government had restricted most people to having only one child. Illegal and forced abortions were common, and it led to a massive drop in the country’s birth rate. A new policy that started last year allows couples to have up to three children now, but many people aren't interested.

Abortion access in China has changed drastically amid declining birth rate
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
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