China

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, center, is escorted by security staff before departing from Taoyuan airport on Saturday. Tsai Ing-wen left for the United States on her way to Central America, a trip that will be closely watched by Beijing.

In Transit, Taiwan President Set To Stop In U.S. — Much To China's Displeasure

1:46pm January 07, 2017

by Colin Dwyer

Tsai Ing-wen is on her way to Central America for a nine-day trip, but she will be stopping in Houston on the way. After a diplomatic dust-up last month, China is watching the trip closely.

A user in Beijing looks at The New York Times app on an iPhone.

Apple Pulls 'The New York Times' From Its App Store In China

5:25pm January 05, 2017

by Alina Selyukh

Apple says it has "been informed" that the app violated local regulations. It's the latest in a long history of media restrictions in China, but also of tech companies getting involved in the efforts.

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People wearing protective masks walk near the iconic headquarters of Chinese state broadcaster Central China Television in Beijing, which has been blanketed by heavy smog.

WATCH: Time-Lapse Video Shows Wall Of Smog In Beijing

4:42pm January 03, 2017

by Merrit Kennedy

The sky appears blue at the beginning of the 13-second video, then completely disappears from view in the haze of brown smog. Dozens of Chinese cities are currently under pollution alerts.

People in Shanghai overlook the financial district in June 2016. The Shanghai city government recently released an app that produces a "public credit score" for residents. A good score can lead to discounts, but a bad score can cause problems.

World News

What's Your 'Public Credit Score'? The Shanghai Government Can Tell You

10:08am January 03, 2017

by Rob Schmitz

The app gathers personal data and gives residents a rating. A good score ensures discounts. A bad score may lead to problems. It's part of China's effort to create nationwide social credit system.

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Fifteen tons of elephant tusks are set on fire during an anti-poaching ceremony at Nairobi National Park in Nairobi, Kenya in March 2015. Conservationists say a pledge by China to stop the ivory trade is a possible game-changer in the struggle to curb the

China Says It Will Shut Down Its Ivory Trade in 2017

6:49am January 02, 2017

by Christopher Joyce

After years of negotiation with wildlife conservation groups, China's government has now set a timetable to end its legal ivory trade--March 2017.

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Pan Pan sniffs a birthday cake made of ice for his 30th birthday, at the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda in Dujiangyan, on Sept. 21, 2015.

'Panda Grandpa' Pan Pan Dies In China

4:23pm December 30, 2016

by Maggie Penman

Pan Pan, who died this week at the age of 31, was known as the "panda grandpa": He has some 130 descendants worldwide, accounting for a quarter of the world's captive giant pandas.

World News

In China, Death Of A Young College Grad Sparks Protest From Fellow Alumni

1:27pm December 30, 2016

by Anthony Kuhn

Lei Yang, 28, died after a confrontation with police in May. Fellow college graduates are speaking out now that authorities have decided not to prosecute the police involved.

Moe stands behind her tiny bar in Shanghai, where there are only eight seats and reservations are a must.

In A Massive City, This Bar Serves Up Diverse Drinks — To 8 People At A Time

7:07pm December 29, 2016

by Rob Schmitz

Bar Moju in Shanghai is tiny and only serves authentic concoctions created by its owner, Moe. To visit, you must make a reservation.

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Stills from a video of a woman pretending to be hit by a stopped car. They're calling her "China's worst actress."

Health & Safety

A Chinese Lady Does A Really Bad Job Pretending To Be Hit By A Car

5:24pm December 28, 2016

by Rob Schmitz

It's an ancient scam, updated for modern times.

There are 12 million Catholics in China, less than 1 percent of the population. St. Peter's Catholic Church in downtown Shanghai is one of the country's few officially approved churches.

In China's Tiny Catholic Community, Hopes Rise For Beijing-Vatican Ties

5:53am December 23, 2016

by Rob Schmitz

China and the Vatican are working to settle longstanding differences. Their efforts may pave the way for the Holy See and Beijing to work together to ordain bishops inside of China.