China

As Trump reshapes foreign policy, China moves to limit risks, reap gains

President Trump's focus overseas may spare China for now, but Beijing still worries that his "America First" rhetoric hasn't softened what it calls U.S. "military adventurism."

China bans hidden car door handles, which can trap people after crashes

China has introduced new regulations, starting in 2027, requiring all car doors to open manually from both sides. Electric door handles can malfunction in a crash or battery failure.

Unmentioned but present, Trump is a common denominator in Asia-Europe ties

Trump was not the only factor behind the agreements, but his shaking up of the global order is worrying friends and foes and driving them closer.

In China, AI is no longer optional for some kids. It’s part of the curriculum

While debate rages in the U.S. about the merits and risks of AI in schools, it's become a state-mandated part of the curriculum in China, as the authorities try to create a pool of AI-savvy professionals.

China’s top general under investigation in latest military purge

Analysts believe these purges aim to reform the military and ensure loyalty to Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Another commission member, Liu Zhenli, is also under investigation.

Trump administration’s defense strategy tells allies to handle their own security

The Pentagon released a priority-shifting National Defense Strategy late Friday that chastised U.S. allies to take control of their own security and reasserted the Trump administration's focus on dominance in the Western Hemisphere above a longtime goal of countering China.

The Taiwanese president’s proposal to hike defense spending faces gridlock at home

Opposition parties are slamming the brakes on billions in defense funding as the China escalates military pressure.

Canada agrees to cut tariff on Chinese EVs in return for lower tariffs on Canadian farm products

Breaking with the United States, Canada has agreed to cut its 100% tariff on Chinese electric cars in return for lower tariffs on Canadian farm products, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Friday.

‘Fly, Wild Swans’ is Jung Chang’s painfully personal tribute to her mother

A historian of modern China, Jung Chang turns the lens back on herself in her newest book to understand how she sees the world and why she writes about China today.

Many Americans say the U.S. is not a moral leader but want it to be: NPR/Ipsos poll

Commissioned by NPR in partnership with Ipsos, the poll also highlights sharp partisan divides on key foreign policy issues.

Taiwan’s president pledges to defend island’s sovereignty after Chinese military drills

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te vowed to defend the self-ruled island's sovereignty in the face of what he termed China's "expansionist ambitions," days after Beijing wrapped up live-fire military drills near its shores.

China flexes blockade capabilities near Taiwan on second day of military drills

China's People's Liberation Army is staging a second day of large-scale military drills around Taiwan. It's unleashing live-fire exercises as part of what it calls "Justice Mission 2025."

In the shadow of U.S. export controls, China rallies its own chip industry

The chip industry in China is hustling to overcome a Western tech choke hold, even as President Trump appears poised to loosen U.S. chip restrictions.

TikTok signs deal to give U.S. operations to Oracle-led investor group

The agreement aims to resolve a yearslong standoff between the popular social media platform and the U.S. government over national security concerns tied to China's parent company, ByteDance.

A Chinese man who filmed secret footage in Xinjiang risks deportation from the U.S.

Guan Heng sailed to the U.S. by boat from the Bahamas after publishing footage he filmed of purported detention camps in China. He has been held in immigration detention since August.

U.S. and Japan flex military muscles in a show of force amid Tokyo’s feud with Beijing

This follows joint drills by Chinese and Russian strategic bombers and fighters on Tuesday that prompted Japan and South Korea to scramble planes to monitor them.

Trump’s security strategy slams European allies and asserts U.S. power in the Americas

The Trump administration has set forth a national security strategy that paints European allies as weak and aims to reassert America's dominance in the Western Hemisphere.

Pastors and staff from underground church are arrested in China

China has in recent years arrested and detained Christian leaders of underground churches, who are not registered with the government and under its control.

Lou Ye’s acclaimed ‘An Unfinished Film’ remains unfinished

Chinese director Lou Ye's An Unfinished Film is not a masterpiece, but why do so many seem to demand it to be?

India and China to resume direct flights after a 5-year suspension

The suspension, which began with the 2020 Covid outbreak, was prolonged by tensions along the Himalayan border.

China’s ride-hailing companies try to quell the smell in cars where some drivers sleep

China's ride-hailing car drivers work long hours to get enough fares, and often live in their cars. Companies and passengers are penalizing drivers for smelly vehicles.

‘Like ice melting’: Journalists warn press freedom is in decline across Asia

China's jailing of citizen journalist Zhang Zhan highlights a deeper press freedom crisis across Asia.

Trump advances TikTok deal with new executive order

The new order says that the deal to turn over a majority stake in TikTok to a group of U.S. investors meets the terms ordered by Congress, and will allow it to stay online in the U.S.

Deal for TikTok creates U.S. joint venture, and government won’t have a stake

The U.S. will get a copy of TikTok's prized content recommendation algorithm, and that the tech company Oracle will provide security.

Lawyers vs. engineers: Dan Wang sees U.S.-China dynamics in a new paradigm

In a new book, analyst Dan Wang uses "engineering state" vs. "lawyerly society" to explain how China got ahead and America stagnated.

Trump says talk with China’s Xi yielded progress, including on TikTok

Officials have been working on a deal to bring popular video app TikTok under U.S. ownership to avoid shutting it down in the United States.

Trump suggests U.S. troops could return to Afghan base over China concerns

Trump floated the idea during a press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer as he wrapped up a state visit to the U.K. and tied it to the need for the U.S. to counter its top rival, China.

Foreign influencers are doing their best to spin the Charlie Kirk assassination

Russia, Iran and China have all attempted to shape the narrative, but so far, their influence has been relatively minor, experts say.

Trump extends TikTok reprieve as deal nears

While legally questionable, the extension comes just as it appears China and the U.S. may finally have a deal on TikTok's fate.

Officials announce a ‘framework’ for keeping TikTok online in the U.S.

U.S. officials have announced a "framework" that would let Chinese-owned short video platform TikTok continue operations in the United States, although the two countries are still working out the details.

‘Chinese Encounters with America’ argues U.S. and China lost shared interests

The 12 profiles featured in this edited book highlight the positive aspects of the U.S.-China engagement, which began in earnest after diplomatic relations were established in 1979.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets with Chinese leader Xi Jinping

Experts say Kim likely hopes to restore ties with China, North Korea's biggest trading partner and aid provider, as there have been questions about the bilateral relationship.