China

A Westerner grows up in China

For decades, China demonized foreigners and capitalists. Today, businesspeople worldwide jet here from to find profits and a warm welcome. Born in Beijing in 1949, Carl “Ke Lu” Crook has seen the best and worst of Chinese hospitality.
Free expression grows in China (just don't talk politics)

Chinese intellectuals like Prof. Hu Xingdou relish their widening freedom to publish their opinions. But many topics remain taboo, and offenders are still subject to "reeducation through labor."
Pastor's private worship puts him under public scrutiny

Sidestepping 'patriotic' churches, Zhang Mingxuan actively promotes his faith – and pays the price in arrests and jailings.
Earnings wither in the Chinese countryside

Kang Xueji, a lifelong peasant, relies on remittances for half her income. Still, she’s glad to be rid of collective farms and sirens calling her to work.
China, Taiwan expand ties via trade

Beijing's envoy will also discuss financial links and present pandas in historic visit.
China's land reform aims to revolutionize 750 million lives

Beijing hopes the policy will improve farming and free peasants to seek a better livelihood.
Terrorism & Security
Taiwan arms deal sours U.S.-China relations

In a foreign military sales program, the US has sold Taiwan $18.3 billion worth of weapons between 1950 and 2006.
Unions in China still feeble, but gaining foothold

Most Fortune 500 companies operating there have agreed to let workers organize, but can expect little pushback from the state-controlled groups.
Terrorism & Security
Vietnam protests hawkish Chinese Web postings

Chinese officials have confirmed that plans posted online for an invasion of Vietnam do not reflect Beijing's official position. But the postings are heightening tensions at a time when China seeks to gain control of oil-rich regions in the South China Sea.
A proudly American shoe company ships jobs to China

Chaco Sandals in Paonia, Colo., succumbs to global market forces and lays off 45 full-time workers, silencing a manufacturing plant – and a town.
Post-Thaksin, a calmer Thailand?

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, facing corruption charges, fled to England this week. His absence may hurt the pro-Thaksin ruling party but also ease political strife.
Terrorism & Security
Historic port call marks Japan-China thaw

The arrival of a Japanese war ship in a Chinese port and the recent announcement of a joint gas-exploration deal signal improving bilateral ties, but territorial disputes remain unresolved.
China's massive postquake tasks

Still short 2 million tents, it must also rebuild homes and jobs for 5 million.
China-Taiwan flight deal marks further thaw in ties

The agreement, made during the first formal talks since 1999, will allow weekend charter flights starting in July. Critics say that Taiwan has made too many concessions too quickly.
Quake aid: Neither landslides nor Chinese troops stop this volunteer

Frank Dunne climbs hills and crosses streams to bring aid to remote villages in quake-hit Sichuan Province.
China's bereaved parents push for accountability

Furious, they are pressing local officials to explain why so many schools collapsed in the May 12 quake, killing their children, when surrounding buildings stayed standing.
China enjoys rare moment of global support

The country won long-sought international sympathy for its tragic earthquake and rapid government response.
Taiwan's President Ma faces high expectations at home and in China

Taking office Tuesday, Mr. Ma promised closer economic ties and more talks with Beijing.
After quake, China's migrant workers rush home

Laborers from across the country have returned to their native Sichuan Province, where many elderly Chinese have refused to leave devastated – and still at risk – villages.
China's next hurdle: shelter earthquake survivors

Officials need tents and a long-term plan for the stream of refugees.
After China's quake, firemen rise to rescue task

After 20 hours of persistence, Chengdu firemen pulled a man from the rubble of a collapsed hospital.
Volunteers flood in but China quake toll rising

In one Sichuan town, Chinese relief workers fill the streets as the overall death toll nears 15,000.
China's quake: Why did so many schools collapse?

Earthquake experts say the collapsed schools may be a sign of poor construction despite adequate building codes.
China moves quickly in quake zone

The country's deadliest quake in three decades hit central China Monday.
Uighurs struggle in a world reshaped by Chinese influx

In China's far west, the Muslim ethnic group finds itself relegated to menial jobs. Chinese officials also restrict religious practice and use of their language in schools.