I have revered Zha Jianying since I first read China Pop in the late 90s and it was was the greatest to work with her + @goldkorn.bsky.social on her part-memoir, part polemical lament, "Trains." Here's a short interview we did about the project.

Journalist and author Zha Jianying joined @chinafile.bsky.social to discuss her piece "Trains: A Chinese Family History of Railway Journeys, Exile, and Survival." https://www.chinafile.com/reporting-opinion/notes-chinafile/family-derailed-writing-trains

The latest Hǎi newsletter from @chinafile.bsky.social with a profile of Accent Sisters, an independent Chinese-language books store and LGBTQ friendly event space:

Incredible reporting from the wreckage of a brutal Chinese-run scam center in Myanmar that wreaked devastation across the globe and in the lives of its workers from @hkbeech.bsky.social. Must read. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/13/w...

"my grandfather told her in great detail about that train station farewell, how they parted and his French wife was holding this baby girl and waving this white scarf until they disappeared and none of them knew this was going to be forever…"

"my grandfather told her in great detail about that train station farewell, how they parted and his French wife was holding this baby girl and waving this white scarf until they disappeared and none of them knew this was going to be forever…"

"We know from public opinion data that perceptions of the U.S. and faith that the U.S. is a trustworthy ally have declined since Trump returned to office." (Lev Nachman)

In @chinafile.bsky.social's conversation on whether the capture of Maduro affects Beijing's calculus for Taiwan with a number of distinguished experts www.chinafile.com/conversation...

We asked a panel of experts: How will Trump's moves and threats against Venezuela, Greenland and other countries affect Beijing’s investments in Venezuelan oil industry, its calculus on Taiwan, and its relations with the rest of the world?

'Mistress Dispeller' has been shortlisted for the Oscars. Here is a recent interview with director Elizabeth Lo by ChinaFile Editor-in-Chief Susan Jakes:

The verdict in the national security trial of Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai is set to be delivered next Monday, according to the judiciary. In full: buff.ly/mahJGVX

Lettere d'amore di un artista cinese dal carcere Gao Zhen attende il processo in Cina sua moglie è in un limbo sostenuta dai lavori che lui realizza con la carta Le immagini sono state accuratamente strappate a mano da fogli di carta da lettere realizzate dal marito in carcere di notte 👇

I did a Q&A with Violet Feng on her new film:

This is fascinating

Filmmaker Violet Du Feng's latest work is ‘The Dating Game,’ which premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Filmed in Chongqing, the film follows a group of desperate bachelors participating in a dating “boot camp.” Read her @ChinaFile.bsky.social Q&A:

👉What does this trend reveal about China’s fertility pressures, shifting social norms, and the global surrogacy economy? chinaobservers.eu/a-surrogacy-... Originally published in @chinafile.bsky.social

Violet Feng's "The Dating Game" follows a romance coach in Chongqing and three of his students. In this Q&A, Feng talks about: • China's gender imbalance • 'Left behind' children • AI boyfriends in China • Pick up artist culture & global crises of masculinity

Two days after our preview of independent Chinese-language film festivals in Berlin and New York, the NY event was cancelled because of pressure on filmmakers in China. We've updated out story with links to a statement from the organizer and NYT piece.

25% of the polysilicon in solar panels comes from China’s Uyghur region. While the global solar industry is on the rise, so is forced labour in the sector. New piece from @chinafile.bsky.social on ensuring the green transition doesn't come at the cost of slavery: www.chinafile.com/reporting-op...

With mini profiles of filmmaker/curators Echo Xuedan Tang and Zhu Rikun, and a quote from @shellyk.bsky.social

As China’s space for independent film continues to shrink, two filmmakers-turned-curators have established festivals in Berlin and New York, creating vital platforms for Chinese cinema that can no longer be shown at home.

"Mistress Dispeller" — at @chinafile.bsky.social, @susanjakes.bsky.social talks with filmmaker Elizabeth Lo about her provocative new documentary on infidelity and reconciliation.

In case you missed it last week: We gathered a few friends and colleagues to write about the extraordinary life of Jerome A. Cohen (1930-2025), renowned lawyer and scholar of Chinese law.

🤰Why are flights from Georgia to China full of crying babies? Our analyst @emma-belmonte.bsky.social wrote a very interesting investigative piece on the phenomenon of the "Surrogacy Silk Road" for @chinafile.bsky.social, read it here 👇 www.chinafile.com/reporting-op...

In case you missed it last week: We gathered a few friends and colleagues to write about the extraordinary life of Jerome A. Cohen (1930-2025), renowned lawyer and scholar of Chinese law.

What's the latest on U.S.-China trade talks? Scholars and experts evaluate the current state of the trade and tech tussle via @chinafile.bsky.social https://www.chinafile.com/conversation/chips-and-soybeans

A @chinafile.bsky.social Conversation that showcases the many contributions Jerry Cohen made to the study of Chinese law, and the innumerable lives he touched during his 95 years with us.

Join us tonight for a special screening of “Made in Ethiopia.”

Having children by surrogacy is illegal in China, and so, reports, Emma Belmonte, aspiring Chinese parents are turning to places like Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan to find women to bear children for them:

Having children by surrogacy is illegal in China, and so, reports, Emma Belmonte, aspiring Chinese parents are turning to places like Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan to find women to bear children for them:

Where are U.S.-China trade talks now? ChinaFile invited a group of scholars and specialists to evaluate the current state of the trade and tech tussle:

Watch the trailer for “Made in Ethiopia” youtu.be/mUBm1FZ_ro4?... And purchase tickets to the screening today! asiasociety.org/new-york/eve...

Made In Ethiopia is a film that lifts the curtain on China’s historic but misunderstood impact on Africa, and explores contemporary Ethiopia at a moment of profound crisis. Join us and @chinafile.bsky.social for a screening on October 6, followed by a Q&A with co-directors Xinyan Yu and Max Duncan.

Saddened by the passing of our mentor, friend, inspiration and frequent ChinaFile contributor Jerry Cohen and remembering his remarkable big, long, rich life with gratitude-https://usali.org/institute-news/remembering-jerome-a-cohen

On October 6, join @chinafile.bsky.social for a screening of Made in Ethiopia, a documentary that strives to lift the curtain on China’s historic but misunderstood impact on Africa. Followed by a conversation with co-directors Xinyan Yu and Max Duncan and @susanjakes.bsky.social.

A warm tribute to one of Shanghai's best-loved chroniclers of the city, by her friend Tina Kanagaratnam:

Cash, tax breaks, housing incentives, free fertility treatment: nothing seems to convince young Chinese people to have more babies:

Beijing is rolling out new policies to prod China's young people to have children. Demographer Emma Zang explains why these efforts seem unlikely to succeed. www.chinafile.com/reporting-op...

On October 6, ChinaFile presents "Made in Ethiopia"—a documentary film about a massive Chinese factory complex in rural Ethiopia, and 3 women in search of prosperity who have their faith in industrialization tested to the limit.

"Real tensions and fault lines remain beneath the televised displays of camaraderie" between India, China, Russia, and North Korea. Five scholars and journalists reflect on last week's events in Beijing and Tianjin in this ChinaFile Conversation:

"…we can finally lay to rest the idea that the Trump administration is in the process of executing a sophisticated “reverse Kissinger” maneuver that will draw Russia away from China" —@katiestallard.bsky.social

Has the U.S. driven its rivals closer together? Latest conversation: www.chinafile.com/conversation...

How should we think about China's military parade, the SCO Summit, and the diplomatic theater performed for the cameras by Xi, Modi, Putin, and Kim? We asked Farwa Aamer, Katie Stallard, Tanvi Madan, Maria Repnikova, and Sun Chenghao:

How should we think about China's military parade, the SCO Summit, and the diplomatic theater performed for the cameras by Xi, Modi, Putin, and Kim? We asked Farwa Aamer, Katie Stallard, Tanvi Madan, Maria Repnikova, and Sun Chenghao:

Has the U.S. driven its rivals closer together? Latest conversation: www.chinafile.com/conversation...

A new book by political economist Pascale Massot examines how China is heavily import-dependent for many raw metals and minerals despite its market size and power. Author Paul French asked her all about it:

Over internetcensuur in China: