Nanjing Road, Shanghai’s most famous shopping street

They say the rise of China will be the biggest story of the 21st century. And for five days this month — Monday, April 14 through Friday, April 18 — On Point is headed straight into the heart of that story.

Broadcasting live from Shanghai, we’re diving into the ideas, economics, people, culture, and politics that are driving China today. We’re talking with movers and shakers, party bosses and those who challenge them, with artists and activists, business moguls and visionaries — all describing what China is today and imagining what China will become, its life as a nation and its looming impact on the world.

For me, the trip is a kind of “old home week” journey — to a changed home. I spent a decade of my early life, and my first years in journalism, in and around China. Now, as China bursts upon the world in the year of the Beijing Olympic Games, I’m going back with On Point.

On Point normally broadcasts live each day, from 10am to 12pm ET, from WBUR in Boston, and is rebroadcast at various times around the country. During our week in Shanghai, we’re broadcasting our regular schedule of two one-hour shows each day. The first hours will be live — with the phone lines open, as always, to our domestic audience. The second hours will be pre-recorded in Shanghai.

Here on the web, we’ll have streaming audio of all the shows, as well as a wealth of links and online extras. You can join the conversation in the comments sections on each of our show pages.

We hope you’ll join us on the air – and right here on the web.

Credits:

“On Point: Live from Shanghai” is produced by Julie Diop and directed by Eileen Imada, with assistance in Shanghai from producer Joy Le Li and Luo Tong, and assistance in Boston from Lydia Wallace. The technical director in Shanghai is Eric Johnson.

On Point’s producers in Boston are Karen Shiffman, Stefano Kotsonis, Hilary Barngrove McQuilkin, Chelsea Merz, Tania Ralli, and John Wihbey, with assistance from Pien Huang and Jamie Catsouphes. Its technical director is James Ross. On Point’s senior producer is Wen Stephenson.

The website is designed by Jesse Costa, developed by Will Smith, and produced by Angel Kozeli. WBUR’s new media director is Robin Lubbock.

On Point is a production of WBUR-Boston and NPR.

Major funding for On Point in China provided by the Henry Luce Foundation, with additional support provided by the Mosaic Foundation.