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Beijing

In Okinawa, an independence movement finds an unlikely ally

Japan in Focus

For a small but vocal group of mostly older activists, reclaiming Okinawa’s history as the Ryukyu Kingdom and pushing for independence from Japan is a deeply personal mission. It’s being supported by an unlikely ally: Beijing.

a person at the exhibit

Artist Yun-Fei Ji grew up during China’s Cultural Revolution. He ponders art as ‘global citizenship.’

Graphic of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

China’s tech weapons roll in to quell demonstrations, identify protesters

Free speech
This address is listed on an official police website back in China as an “Overseas Police Service Center,” but the locale appears abandoned. 

China has a police network that stretches across some 30 countries, NGO says

Global Politics
Delegates applaud as Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks during the opening ceremony of the 20th National Congress of China's ruling Communist Party held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. 

China’s small business owners hope for a new normal ‘after the Party Congress’

COVID-19
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People take photos with Taiwan national flags during National Day celebrations in front of the Presidential Building in Taipei, Taiwan, Monday, Oct. 10, 2022.

Taiwan celebrates National Day amid heightened tensions with China

Global Politics

Underlying the festivities are increased concerns about Taiwan’s relationship with China as well as changes in its own national identity.

An image from the video game Genshin Impact

Chinese Genshin Impact is one of the most-profitable video games on Earth. It balances mass appeal with Beijing’s blessing.

Arts, Culture & Media

Genshin Impact’s unexpected global success highlights a precarious balance: How Beijing goes about nurturing Big Tech while holding true to Chinese Communist Party ideology.

Mehray Mezensof with her husband Mirzat Taher

This Uyghur woman was separated from her husband by Chinese authorities. She hasn’t given up hope.

Human rights

Mehray Mezensof’s husband was arrested by Chinese authorities in Xinjiang just days before the newlywed couple planned to fly to Melbourne to begin their lives together. Many others share similar stories among China’s minority Uyghur population.

World champion ice dancers Christopher Dean and Jayne Torvill of Great Britain are shown during their first workout, a few hours after they arrived for the Winter Olympic Games in Sarajevo

Maurice Ravel’s ‘Boléro’ makes a comeback at Beijing Winter Olympics

Music

First used during a near-perfect figure skating routine at the 1984 Olympic Games in Sarajevo, Maurice Ravel’s composition Boléro made a comeback at the Winter Olympics in Beijing this year.

Wu Dajing of China, races in his men's 500-meters heat during the short track speedskating competition at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing

China is boosting its efforts to nab gold medals at the Olympics

Sports

China is trying its best to increase the number of gold medals that athletes can win on its behalf at the Olympic Games, not just in Beijing, but in future competitions. Some strategies include recruiting foreign athletes or teaching winter sports to athletes used to playing summer games.

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