Jennifer Pak

#shanghai is a place where you can sample the best global cuisine. My social media used to be filled with friends boasting the best Sichuan hotpot to Michelin star French dining. Today in China’s wealthiest city this is what food postings look like. Here is my food diary:

With thanks to: Jasmine, Kate and the rest of the team.

China's Xi Jinping held a rare meeting with Cheng Li-wun, the leader of Taiwan's opposition KMT party. It comes ahead of a summit with President Trump, where Xi is likely to bring up his opposition to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan ... w/ @ashishval npr.org/2026/04/10/nx-…

With thanks to the team Jasmine, @nivincent Mallory, and all the editors and producers who helped get it across the finish line

China is extending a warm welcome this week to the leader of Taiwan's opposition party, Cheng Li-wun of the KMT. It's a rare outreach from Beijing, even as it continues military pressure on the self-ruled island. Listen here: npr.org/2026/04/06/nx-…

My latest for @NPR : Taiwan's opposition leader Cheng Li-wun may meet Xi Jinping later this week. She says the safety of Taiwan is her priority, though Taiwan's government doubts she can lower tensions. I report from Taipei with @jpak25 from eastern China. npr.org/2026/04/07/nx-…

Me and THE Tiny Desk. First rule of Tiny Desk: only post pictures AFTER the performance has been published. Check out Caamp’s performance youtu.be/J1vTi9ycpiA?si… You still get the best audio on YouTube but nothing beats a live performance.

With thanks to the team: @nivincent , @alexleff , @tinakraja and all the other editors who helped

China calls a U.S. investigation into the trade practices of dozens of countries a "pretext for political manipulation." It comes as Beijing lawmakers approved a roadmap that continues the types of practices that have irked some of its partners. Read: npr.org/2026/03/12/nx-…

It's the Year of the Horse, and for people born that year (along with those born in the years of the Rat, Ox and Rabbit) - watch out. Read how to ward off the bad luck. npr.org/2026/03/11/g-s… With thanks to the team: Jasmine, Hannah and Virginia

China's foreign minister, Wang Yi, on key issues like the Iran war (shouldn't have happened), U.S. (open to dialogue to avoid miscalculation and conflict), Gaza (two-state solution all the way) and more: npr.org/2026/03/08/nx-… With tks to the team: Jasmine, Robbie, @nivincent

Sluggish demand is part of the reason China set its lowest growth target in decades. We spoke to some consumers in Shanghai on what they will and won’t spend on. npr.org/2026/03/06/nx-… with thanks to the team: @nivincent Jasmine, and all the other producers and editors

China set its lowest growth target in decades at 4.5%-5%. Ahead of the big political meetings to announce this I joined The Indicator from Planet Money to talk about the anxiety that’s rattling young people. 🎧 👇 npr.org/2026/03/04/nx-…

China offers to mediate in the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. Zhai Jun has been named as the envoy for the task. What’s behind this and how is China making sense of this? 🎧 👉 npr.org/2026/03/05/nx-…

Visiting the mothership

@boatonsea37 @chris__pc You may have heard me on an NPR affiliate station but APM and NPR are different companies. Confusing I know.

@jpak25 @chris__pc But you have been working for NPR?

***MORE NEWS*** Here's what I'm up to next ... heading to Beijing (visa pending). npr.org/sections/npr-e… Excited to join the talented NPR lot! And thanks to @chris__pc I finally got the Shanghai skyline in the backdrop of my profile pic.

*SOME NEWS* For now, I want to say thank you to the Marketplace listeners who have left comments, messaged me for advice when you come to China, and told me your connection to China. You guys are the most dedicated audience I’ve ever served, it’s been a great privilege.

*SOME NEWS* Public media is going through a difficult time. I still very much believe in the mission to keep citizens connected and informed, even if the topics are not always entertaining. I’m not straying far as I’ve got more pins to put on the map (more on that later).

*SOME NEWS* I’ve been covering China on-and-off since 2006. A foreign correspondent/mentor once told me that every country he’s been posted in, he would try to go to every province/state at least once. I’ve hit only 3/4 of China’s provinces/autonomous regions/megacities.