The Communist Party of China first gained power in the 1920s. At the time, China was weak and dominated by outside powers. Communism, founded on the principle of anti-imperialism, helped China forge its own national identity by uniting against foreign enemies. Today, even though the force of communism in China has faded, the country continues to rail against foreign powers and to cultivate a strong sense of nationalism that sometimes puts it at odds with powers like the U.S. Listen to learn more about the history of communism in China and how communist ideology has shaped the relationship between China and the U.S. in the past century.
Story Length: 5:40
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August 11, 2021
4:06
Gymnast Sunisa Lee won gold at the Tokyo Olympics, and the American Hmong community is celebrating proudly. Lee grew up in Minnesota among many other Hmong, an ethnic group that first arrived as refugees to the U.S. from parts of China and southeast Asia. Listen to learn how Suni Lee’s victory represents both American and Hmong cultural values and hear more about the excitement and hope that it has generated within the community.
Read MoreMay 4, 2021
4:38
The U.S. and China have a long history of mistrust and competition. In 1971, though, an unusual situation helped thaw this chilly relationship. At the invitation of China’s communist leader, Mao Zedong, the U.S. Olympic table tennis team visited China for a 10-day tour and tournament. The widely publicized visit sparked a process that eventually allowed President Richard Nixon to accomplish one of his top priorities – opening dialogue with China. Listen to learn how Ping-Pong Diplomacy influenced the relationship between the U.S. and China and where that relationship stands 50 years later.
Read MoreMay 31, 2017
4:22
China is scheduled to host more than 400 marathons this year as part of the central government’s national campaign to boost tourism and promote exercise. During a period of slowed economic growth, more and more cities in China are signing up to hold marathons. However, the central government has also criticized runners for lack of health awareness and organizers for poor safety practices. Listen to learn more about the growing interest in marathons in China and how organizers are trying to improve the process.
Read MoreNovember 2, 2015
3:00
For 35 years, the Chinese government limited families to having one child. This week that policy changed and most families now have the option of having two children. The Communist party declared the previous policy a success. Population control was part of a political plan to reduce the number of people and raise the per capita income. Families who want to have more children welcomed this announcement. Others were more cynical, asking if the government will now force them to have more children. Listen to this story to hear various opinions about this policy change in China.
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