Deep Dive: Talks with Chinese Internationals: Recent Episodes
China Plus
They're Chinese, but they're also internationals. They have learned from the world and in return, they have made great contributions of their own. If you'd like to meet some of them, check in with our podcast series, "Deep Dive – Talks with Chinese Internationals."
Situated at the crossroads of Europe, Bosnia and Herzegovina boasts a strategic location. But the sluggish development in the country has been driving people away.
A UN survey shows that almost half of the young people in the country are considering emigration, citing poor life quality.
Authorities have rolled out ambitious infrastructure plans to boost economic development and green transformation.
What are changes taking place in the southeastern European country? We checked with CGTN reporter Xu Xinchen.
"Road to a Bright Future" is a special series that look at infrastructure projects around the world under the Belt and Road Initiative.
The gig economy, facilitated by internet platforms, has transformed our lives for the better. But what about the workers who drive us around, deliver our food, and perform other tasks through these platforms? As the gig economy grows, questions arise about worker protection, rights, and benefits. Is our labour market keeping up with this evolving economy? In this episode, we explore potential solutions to these issues with CGTN Radio reporter Li Yunqi. He followed China's political advisors this week in Beijing.
The numbers of minor offenders and victims in China have been rising over the past five years. This raises the alarm over mental wellness among young people. We spoke with CGTN Radio reporter Dou Hongyu who sat down with a juvenile court judge in the Chinese city of Guangzhou，who is also a National People's Congress deputy.
Many Chinese cities have rolled out reforms of public health care systems. In particular, the reforms focus on outpatient medical insurance. Authorities say the reforms aim to better coordinate funds and expand the coverage of the insurances. They say the changes will benefit vulnerable people such as seniors and those living with chronic diseases. Is that really so? What did China try to achieve with this reform of its medical insurance? At our Deep Dive studio this week, we sit down with CGTN Radio's Jiang Tao for answers.
China's No.1 central document sets out key tasks for the country's work in agriculture and rural areas for the year.Over 500 million people live in China's rural areas, making up 36 percent of the overall population. Farm production is vital to their livelihoods.In this episode, CGTN Radio reporter Guo Yan is exploring a less-discussed type of problem in farming: excessive salt in the soil.
This week, China continued its relaxation on traveling. Travel agencies can now restart group tours and bundle deals to 20 countries across the world. For Chinese travelers, they can’t wait to enjoy some international holiday time. Thailand and other ASEAN countries are among their top picks. Businesses and workers in the hospitality industry of these countries are also waiting for the arrival of Chinese clients. Some believe Chinese travelers will serve as a strong boost to their economy, especially after three years of struggles. CGTN correspondent in Bangkok Chaowarat Yongjiranon spoke with us on how much rebound Chinese travelers have brought and will bring to Thailand. Also, how have Chinese tourists changed post-pandemic?
For over 100 days, a search was carried out for a 15-year-old boy who mysteriously went missing in Jiangxi Province last year. His disappearance gripped China over the past three months. On January 30, his body was found near his school, causing despair across the nation. Authorities have ruled his death as suicide. Why did the boy decide to end his life? Why has this case drawn so much attention? We spoke with CGTN Radio Jiangxi reporter Luo Laiming for more.
The Chinese Lunar New Year is a time for celebrations and family gatherings. The holiday comes with its travel rush when billions of trips are made. Where are people traveling after China relaxed its most COVID restrictions? Are there halo effects revolving around the travel rush? What does it tell of the Year of the Rabbit ahead? We spoke with CGTN reporter Cen Ziyuan for this.
China has seen a key demographic U turn: the country had 850,000 fewer people last year than in 2021 as its population shrunk for the first time since 1961. Today, many young people in China are reluctant to give birth, citing a slew of reasons, from financial burden to limited medical resources. Along with many expectant mothers in China, CGTN reporter Cao Bing is looking forward to her baby's arrival. Why did she decide to have a child? What’s her view about a family-friendly society? She shared her thoughts in this week’s episode of Deep Dive.
On January 8, travelers from outside of Chinese mainland started flocking across the borders. This excitement came as China decided to lower its COVID management level from the highest A to a lower B level. This means COVID-related travel restrictions have mostly been scrapped. Why did China decide to lower COVID controls at this time? What are travelers saying about their trips back to the country? How will 2023 pan out for China with its new approach to COVID-19? We spoke with CGTN reporter Dai Kaiyi.
This week, we spoke with our colleague Luo Laiming, on his experiences with COVID in Jiangxi Province. He also shared how local communities dealt with infections.
On the last day of 2022, we took you on a tour looking back at some of the major events shaping our lives. What were our picks?
Africa was once the world’s most vulnerable part in the pandemic. A lack of vaccines and other medical resources left the continent in desperate hardship. But recently, the World Health Organization indicated that Africa is on track to control the pandemic this year. What’s the situation there now? How has the continent emerged from the novel coronavirus? We check in with China Media Group reporter Gao Junya who’s worked and lived in Zimbabwe for 5 years.
A herd of wild Asian elephants became global stars last year during a long trip in China’s Yunnan Province. What’s going on with them now? Why did they take that trip? Was it an awakening call for us to take actions to protect nature and its biodiversity? We spoke with CGTN reporter Tao Yuan who’s been following this herd.
Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent trip to Middle East has opened a new era for the relations between China and the Arab world. He attended two regional summits both held in Saudi Arabia and paid a state visit to the country. How important is China for Saudi Arabia? Why is Riyadh pushing for larger-scale cooperation between the two sides? We check in with CGTN reporter Lu Sirui who has been following China's ties with Arab countries.
China has significantly changed its response to COVID-19, from what it calls the dynamic zero policy to a new approach expected to better balance the pandemic control and economic recovery. What has the country achieved and learned from its fight against the coronavirus over the past three years? Why has it decided to make the change? How are people living under the eased control measures? We check in with CGTN reporter Huang Yue.
China vows to further immunize its older population, who are the most vulnerable to COVID-19 infections. The country announced a slew of measures on Wednesday to further optimize its COVID-19 response and getting the elderly vaccinated is one of them. At the same time, a new inhalable vaccine has become popular among the elderly as a booster. Is the new vaccine going to help increase vaccination rates among the elderly? How is the government carrying out the immunization drive for this group? We speak with CGTN reporter Liu Jiaxin for this.
Beijing is hosting a week of diplomacy with visits by state leaders from Cuba, Mongolia, and Laos. A senior European official also arrived on the heels of these visits. Why are these politicians visiting China? What did they discuss? And most importantly, what will follow these talks? We check in with CGTN reporter Huang Yue.
When world leaders gather, meet and talk, we often ask why it matters. During a time when face-to-face meetings are a rarity, the significance of leaders' meetings like the one between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden seem elevated. For this episode, we speak with CGTN current affairs reporter Dong Xue to explore how these meetings could change the political landscape of the world.
Bangkok kicked off the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum on Friday with talks on trade starring on the agenda. In this episode, we will look at one of Thailand's most signature products: durian. The spiky, pungent fruit makes up a big part of trade across Asia. The two ends of the trade see Thailand being the biggest exporter and China the biggest buyer. How did durians win over the Chinese palate? We check with CGTN Bangkok correspondent Chaowarat Yongjiranon.
Right after the G20 summit wrapped up in Bali, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indonesian President Joko Widodo witnessed virtually a trial run of the first high-speed railway in Indonesia, built with Chinese technologies. Who's behind the building of the railway? What does this railway mean for the local people? We spoke with CGTN Southeast Asia correspondent, Dusita Saokaew.
This week in Shanghai, companies, governments and individuals gathered elbow-to-elbow for the China International Import Expo. They say the CIIE is a stage to showcase what they’ve got and serves as a communication platform for getting closer to the Chinese market. How does this platform work? What kinds of displays can we find at the expo? Why is the CIIE lucrative for the participants? We explore the event with CGTN Radio reporter Dou Hongyu.
The Mengtian module is now attached in its permanent position on China's Tiangong space station, giving the orbiting structure its planned "T" shape. What does this shape mean for the space station? What tasks will be conducted in the Mengtian module? How will the Chinese Space Station work in the future? We checked with CGTN Sci-Tech reporter Zheng Yibing.
Rishi Sunak, the UK's third Prime Minister this year, is making the economy his policy priority. Is he able to clean up the country's economic mess? What can be done? Do the British people still have faith in the ruling party after three prime ministers in less than two months?
On Sunday, the CPC unveiled its new central leadership lineup, including the General Secretary and other members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, who were elected at the first plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. The session was held the day after the 20th CPC National Congress concluded in Beijing. This episode dives into the key messages sent out through the events and what they mean for China.
All eyes are on China this Sunday (Oct. 16), as the Communist Party of China holds its 20th National Congress in Beijing, one of the most consequential political events for China's present and future. What is the National Congress about? What are some of the key messages being sent out? Why does it matter? What's the significance of this event? We spoke with reporters Yang Guang and Ge Anna who are with the reporting team of the congress.
A recent U.N. report warns that life in Afghanistan is reaching new lows, and prospects are dim without the unfreezing of Afghan assets held mainly by the United States. The West has blamed the Taliban for the deteriorating situation. But what's going on there? How do local people view the Taliban and the U.S.? Huang Yue recently traveled through the country. Let's follow her to find out more.
The trip by a young woman from Taiwan to her ancestral home on the mainland became an instant online sensation. Connections and people-to-people exchanges across the Taiwan Strait remain active regardless of the political environment. Dou Hongyu explains why the trip is special and what makes the ties across the Strait resilient.
In August, prices for pork increased on average by over 22 percent compared to the same period last year. As China's week-long national holiday draws closer, can pork prices be stabilized?
Sichuan has activated the highest level of emergency response for a 6.8-magnitude earthquake that jolted Luding County at noon on Monday. The quake has claimed nearly 90 lives as of Thursday. We examine what has been done to save people and how the emergency response system works at the community level.
On the day to remember the victory of China's war against Japanese aggression, we bring you the untold story of a 20-year journey of seeking and healing for the victims of Japan's biological warfare in Lishui, Zhejiang, between 1942-1944.
The victims, most of them villagers now in their 80s or 90s, have endured a lifetime of suffering, physically and psychologically, from the atrocity. Volunteers who came to their aid wish the victims’ voices to be heard, as local communities still face threats from these germ weapons 80 years after they were developed.
Sichuan is known to be a fiery furnace in China. But this year, the heat wave and lingering drought are beyond the recent memory of many, just like what people have seen in other parts of the Northern Hemisphere. The region has resorted to power rationing and has shut down almost all industrial activities. For more, Su Yi spoke to reporter Nicole Ng, who works for the Sichuan Bureau of CGTN in Chengdu. She is now in Chongqing.
Six months into the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, it is showing no signs of ending soon. What is life like for the people caught in the middle of the Russia-Ukraine conflict? How do wars change people in the 21st century, a time where many are used to living in largely peaceful regions? Li Jianhua spent four months in the conflict zone and traveled to Donbas to check out the situation on the ground. Professionals are now scavengers (13:00). Humanitarian corridors are difficult to maintain (15:55). What it is like to be a war correspondent (22:44).
Shen Yushi was born in 1978, the year when China first adopted its policy of reform and opening up. In China, we have a saying: "四十不惑" (si shi bu huo), which means "when you turn 40 you should be without doubts". From Beijing to the Silicon Valley, and then back to China’s capital, does this middle-aged tech guru now have a clear picture of his life calling? Shen Yushi sat down with China Plus for an in-depth interview for our series "Deep Dive: Talks with Chinese Internationals".
Joe Wong is a biochemist turned standup comedian. He established a name for himself in the United States before coming back to Beijing. Now in his 40s, this humble-looking man with a deadpan expression is bringing laughs to audiences from both the West and the East. How did he come to make a living from cracking jokes on both sides of the Pacific? Find out in our series "Deep Dive: Talks with Chinese Internationals".
Yu Lizhong, the chancellor of New York University Shanghai, is one of the first university presidents who embrace the social media platforms in China. Now, he has more than 1.5 million followers on Weibo. While some educators frown at social media for being a distraction for students, why Yu Lizhong puts it high on his agenda? Click and listen to our program.
Victor Gao has many roles to play in his life: he's a current affairs commentator, a policy advisor, and a lawyer. His diverse career started back when he joined China's foreign service in his 20s as an English interpreter. That job gave him rare opportunities to work with some of the world's great leaders, including late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping and veteran U.S. politicians George H.W. Bush, Bob Dole, and Henry Kissinger. How did those great figures influence his vision of the world and his career? Gao shares his memories with us in our series "Deep Dive: Talks with Chinese Internationals".
Guo Bei is the vice president of EIC Group, a Chinese company that specializes in international education. During her spare time, she has delivered more than 180 lectures in about 30 cities, in an effort to help motivate more Chinese students to reach for their goals. But Guo told China Plus that she isn't a natural born public speaker, and that this took perseverance. How did she do it? Listen to her story in this episode of our series "Deep Dive: Talks with Chinese Internationals".
Wang Huiyao is the founder of the Center for China and Globalization, an influential think tank in China. When we asked him if he prefers to call himself a scholar or a government advisor, Wang rejected both of these labels. Instead, he prefers the term "social entrepreneur". What does that mean? Wang Huiyao explains this and much more in our series "Deep Dive: Talks with Chinese Internationals".
Born in 1990, Zhou Yifu belongs to China's "post-90s generation", which refers to people who were born in 1990s. Unlike many of his peers who are still seeking for life goals, this young man is now leading a team to realize his Virtual Reality production dream in China. After he and his team brought their highly original virtual-reality film to the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, Zhou shared with us some of the stories behind its creation in our series "Deep Dive: Talks with Chinese Internationals".
In 1998, Tang Min and his wife Zuo Xiaolei, both economists, wrote a three-page letter to then Premier Zhu Rongji. In it, they suggested expanding college enrollments and charging tuition fees to ease the impact of the Asian financial crisis. Twenty years later, some people are still criticizing this suggestion. Did Tang Min regret writing the letter? We ask him this and more in our series "Deep Dive: Talks with Chinese Internationals".
In what sounds like the beginning of an unlikely adventure story, Pan Qingzhong started his first trip to the Big Apple with 30 U.S. dollars in his pocket. After moving to the United States, Pan earned a Master's degree, married the woman he loves, and started a family. He also started a company that he floated on the stock exchange. Life was good. But that didn't stop him from making the decision to return to his alma mater Tsinghua University. What was it about China that drew him back? Pan shared his story with China Plus for our new series "Deep Dive: Talks with Chinese Internationals".
When Wu Changhua started her career as an English editor at China Environment News 28 years ago, she thought that environmental protection meant sweeping the streets and planting trees. Now, she has become one of Asia's leading scholars on climate change and a senior policy advisor. Through her journey in this field, Wu has witnessed China's role change on the international stage. She shared with China Plus some of her insights about the country's changing role in the world for our new series "Deep Dive: Talks with Chinese Internationals".