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Is China's an upwardly mobile society? “Ascension” examines the Chinese dream.

The Oscar-nominated documentary explores the rise of China's middle class, zeroing in on an economy in transition.
The Oscar-nominated documentary explores the rise of China's middle class, zeroing in on an economy in transition.
Visit Films

How Shanghai's DIY supply chains helped us live through the long COVID lockdown

Jun 6, 2022
What happens when supply chains collapse and it's up to district governments, neighbors and friends to fill the gap?
A volunteer clad in safety gear delivers food during the lockdown while Shanghai residents were not allowed to leave their apartments.
Charles Zhang/Marketplace

How to rank the world’s economic superpowers, according to Ray Dalio

Jun 3, 2022
Also, why Dalio says we’re entering a period of stagflation.
Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio said the U.S.’s relative power on the world stage is deteriorating while China’s is growing.
Eoin Noonan /Web Summit via Getty Images

Need a CT scan? You may have to wait weeks, thanks to lockdowns in China and dye shortages

May 31, 2022
Because of COVID-19 restrictions, a critical Shanghai plant that produces the dye has been operating at reduced capacity for weeks.
Hospitals low on contrast dye are doing some CT scans without it or are booking patients weeks or months in advance. 
Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty Images

Cities in China not under lockdown still feel the pain

May 23, 2022
Dozens of cities are under lockdown or COVID-19 restrictions, and that is affecting businesses across China.
COVID-19 restrictions in China make it hard to attract new overseas investment and foreign talent, a member of the European Union chamber of commerce in China says.
Hu Chengwei/Getty Images

China's lockdowns haven't greatly affected maritime shipping

May 19, 2022
"What we've seen is consistent cargo flow," says Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles.
Shipping hasn't slowed at the Port of Los Angeles, according to executive director Gene Seroka.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

China's zero-COVID policy is sending ripples through the world economy

May 9, 2022
As one region after another locks down, companies struggle and delays hinder the production and transportation of goods.
As China continues its lockdowns to prevent coronavirus transmission, delays hit manufacturing and transport operations.
Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Shanghai firms drift back to work but hurdles remain

May 4, 2022
Shanghai is allowing a small number of firms to resume operations. In a heavily locked-down environment, many of them are finding it's not that easy.
Regular COVID-19 tests are required for workers in Shanghai who receive work permits — though the process to getting there can be arduous.
Jade Gao/AFP via Getty Images

Shifting supply chains settle on Mexico

May 2, 2022
After a pandemic, trade war and rising wages, many manufacturers have been looking for other options outside of China.
With rising labor costs in China and the delay in receiving goods, some U.S. manufacturers are moving operations to Mexico. Above, workers at a truck parts factory in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, in May 2020.
Mauricio Palos/AFP va Getty Images

China’s efforts to address domestic problems can lead to global challenges

Restrictions on exports like fertilizer and steel have major economic ramifications for trading partners.
When the prices of fertilizer began to increase last year, China moved to restrict fertilizer exports. Above, workers move bags of fertilizer in China's northwest Qinghai province in 2005.
Peter Parks/AFP via Getty Images