Main content

Chinese Characters

Why workers who make American-brand footwear in China have walked off the job.

We hear why some Chinese factory workers who make American-brand footwear are demanding more money and better treatment by their bosses. And, how American-style graffiti is allowed to thrive on the concrete walls of Beijing. Plus, what China can learn from America when it comes to building skyscrapers. The Chinese-American re-enactor taking on the British at the Battle of Lexington. We meet an American man who goes hunting for a Chinese name, and learn why more and more Chinese are adopting American-sounding names like 'Tom' and 'Cinderella'.

(Photo: Nike shoes displayed at an outlet in Jakarta. Credit: Adek Berry/AFP/Getty Images)

Available now

27 minutes

Last on

Sun 27 Apr 2014 14:32GMT

Chapters

  • Shoe Factory Strike

    Chinese workers making America鈥檚 favourite footwear walk off the job

    Duration: 04:00

  • Graffiti

    American-style graffiti is thriving on the concrete walls of Beijing

    Duration: 02:26

  • Chinese-American Minuteman

    A Chinese-American does his part to re-enact a famous battle of the American Revolution

    Duration: 05:42

  • Skyscrapers

    What China can learn from America鈥檚 skyscrapers

    Duration: 05:10

  • English Names for Chinese

    What is behind all the strange American-sounding names so popular in China

    Duration: 05:15

  • Chinese Name for an American

    An American goes hunting for a Chinese name of his own

    Duration: 03:50

Broadcasts

  • Sat 26 Apr 2014 03:32GMT
  • Sat 26 Apr 2014 08:32GMT
  • Sat 26 Apr 2014 18:32GMT
  • Sun 27 Apr 2014 14:32GMT

Free Download

Subscribe to receive every episode automatically

Boston Calling Clips

Big stories, short listens - highlights from Boston Calling

Podcast