Guangzhou

The Cantonese-speaking heartland of southern China is also the country’s most populous region. But Beijing still considers the region’s native language of Cantonese to be a minority dialect, and now it wants Cantonese broadcasters to switch to Mandarin — but why now?

China has its share of athletes. Chinese ping pong champions, figure skaters, divers and gymnasts have all brought home Olympic medals. But football is a bit more of an unknown. And the NFL wants to change that.

Residents of Beijing an other parts of northern China are still dealing with terrible pollution, but it’s not nearly as bad as it was on Saturday, when pollution levels exceeded the scales used to measure such problems. But while the pollution is horrible, China’s not the first place to deal with deadly pollution.

Spartan Arinze is pursuing the American dream, in China. He’s created a social network for Nigerians and Nigerians living in China called Gbooza! It’s part Facebook, part Huffington Post and completely devoted to Nigerians. It’s not a run-away success yet, but Arinze is confident.

New York Times Hong Kong bureau chief Keith Bradsher says strict new guidelines were introduced this summer to limit the number of new cars on Guangzhou’s crowded streets.