The state of China’s economy in 15 charts: Growth, challenges and expanding global role
Posted: October 21, 2026 Filed under: AI, Discovering China | Tags: AI, Artificial Intelligence, China, Chinese economy, consumer confidence, debt, economy, global economy, history, housing, infrastructure, international economics, international trade, news, politics, retail sales, robotics, stock market, unemployment Leave a comment
China’s economy is undergoing a profound transformation. The world’s second-largest economy remains a manufacturing powerhouse, a global trading giant and an increasingly important leader in emerging technologies. But beneath the impressive numbers lie significant challenges, including a struggling property market, weak consumer confidence, youth unemployment and simmering trade tensions.
Much of the global media coverage has tended toward the extremes: the rising economic power that will overtake the United States and end the American Century — or an over-levered, debt-fueled mess that cannot sustain the government-juiced growth of the past decade and is heading toward inevitable decline.
How can we make sense of these seemingly contradictory and overly simplistic visions?
Sometimes, the best way to understand a complicated economic story is to visualize it.
These 15 charts and infographics examine the state of China’s economy from several different perspectives. They explore the country’s changing economic structure, its expanding global trade relationships, the remarkable growth of electric vehicles and robotics, and its ambitions in artificial intelligence. They also examine the pressures facing Chinese households, workers, property owners and investors.
The graphics reveal an economy of striking contrasts: technological dynamism alongside structural weaknesses, global competitiveness alongside domestic uncertainty, and extraordinary industrial capacity amid questions about future growth.
No single statistic can adequately capture an economy as large and complex as China’s. Taken together, however, these visualizations provide a broader picture of where China stands today, how it got here and what may lie ahead.
They also demonstrate how data visualization can turn complicated economic statistics into accessible stories for an international audience. Enjoy! And please share your feedback and predictions.
Note: I used AI research to help me with find the latest data for this project. I tried to confirm all data that I used. If you see anything that is incorrect, please let me know and I will fix it.
12 essentials for creating effective digital stories
Posted: October 21, 2026 Filed under: Journalism Training, Rick's Rules | Tags: audience, data visualization, journalism tips, Journalism Training, multimedia journalism, Multimedia Reporting Leave a comment
By RICK DUNHAM
Writing for digital platforms requires different writing styles than the legacy news platforms it has eclipsed.
Readers who consume news on their phones or laptops prefer writing that is briefer and livelier than traditional print articles. Yet they want greater depth and insight than contained in a traditional television news report.
Here are 12 essential elements that will help you succeed in the digital news world.
1. No wasted words
There is no room for self-indulgence in digital writing. Every word matters. People click away from stories if they get bored or annoyed. If you write something and no one reads it, you are not an effective journalist in the digital age.
2. Think short
Short sentences. Write like you speak to a friend, not the way you’d write a report for a government agency or for a thesis.
Short leads. Don’t pack too many words into the first sentence. And don’t write it like a routine wire story lead: “Something happened today in our city, officials said.” Boring!
Short paragraphs. A screen containing one paragraph of dull, gray type is deadly. Vary paragraph lengths, but keep them to a maximum of three sentences.
One thought per paragraph. Don’t try to say everything all at once. Flow naturally from idea to idea. Keep the structure simple.
“A general rule of thumb: Web content should have about half as many words as its printed equivalent,” journalism trainer Tony Rogers has written.
3. Think visually
Don’t just think of the words you will write. Think of how it will look on the screen. You want it to be attractive visually. That means white space (and not just text). It means attractive and easy-to-understand graphics. And it means engaging and, ideally, shareable images.
4. Know your audience
Your writing may differ in subtle or significant ways based on your audience’s profile. Is it older? younger? more educated? more conservative? What is the audience’s nationality (or nationalities)? Is it regional or national within a country? Is it global? Does it have a particular interest in certain subject matter (economics, commerce, the environment, diplomacy)? , may write differently
5. Focus most items around a single theme
Forget about the traditional “kitchen sink” round-up story that deals with a number of developments on a single topic. Pick an important or engaging development and write a narrowly focused, compelling piece. If two or three developments are newsworthy and interesting to your audience, you can write multiple posts. Many news outlets combine these single-topic articles under the banner “the latest news on” today’s big story.
6. Be direct
Always use active sentence structure. Be conversational. Use strong verbs, precise nouns and as few adjectives and adverbs as possible. (Examples: Avoid wasted words like “very,” “a few” or “unfortunately.”) Never use stilted language or flowery prose. Get to the point. Always stay on point.
7. Be immediate
Make it clear quickly why someone would want to read your story now. Unless you are writing a long narrative that someone can bookmark and return to, you want to be immediate. Your target audience will either read it now – or never. Make it now!
8. Be more analytical
Try to add value, even in short stories. Provide analysis, context and even a bit of relevant history. Explain why something happened or what might happen next. Always consider what you might include that would make the reader leave you story thinking that they learned something interesting.
9. Use more lists and “bullet points”
Articles made up of lists, or structured to include a list of “bullet points” (the big dots that resemble bullets), are easier on the eye. They also save space by eliminating transition sentences from one thought to the next. Another plus: Younger audiences (age 35 and under) are particularly drawn to these so-called “listicles.”
10. Liberally insert links
Your digital stories can be easier to find on search engines if you include embedded links in your story. Embedded links have an added advantage: They save space by allowing you to link to background material rather than describing it in your own story. In addition to embedded links, keep people on your app or website by linking to related stories or other articles by the author.
11. Consider embedding social media posts and videos in your stories
Digital stories don’t have to be use a single storytelling medium. By embedding social media posts, short videos or even mini-documentaries in your post, you create a user-friendly multimedia melange.
12. Find your voice
Write like a person, not like a computer. Sound like you are someone the reader would like to know. It’s OK to include some “personality” in the story, as long as the personality is inviting. But don’t let that personality interfere with – or overwhelm – the main points of your article.
Rick Dunham is co-director emeritus of the Global Business Journalism program at Tsinghua University and a visiting professor in the Tsinghua School of Journalism and Communication. He is the author of the textbook, “Multimedia Reporting,” published globally by Springer, and co-editor of “The Routledge Companion to Business Journalism.”
Mr. Dunham is a veteran Washington journalist, White House correspondent and former president of the National Press Club. He also served as Washington bureau chief of the Houston Chronicle and White House correspondent for Business Week magazine.
Mr. Dunham has offered news analysis for news outlets from countries including the United States, China, Finland, the Philippines, Denmark, Estonia and Russia. He has trained professional journalists, journalism students and journalism educators in locations including the United States, China, Finland, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Lebanon and the Philippines.
Explaining the Trump TACO phenomenon (video)
Posted: October 19, 2026 Filed under: Dunham's Discourses, U.S. politics | Tags: American politics, Donald Trump, trade, international trade, economics, tariffs, trade war Leave a commentEver since Donald Trump launched his global trade war in January 2025, there has been a cycle of threats, tariffs and retreats. Critics have dubbed this the “TACO” effect: Trump Always Chickens Out.
What is the logic behind the American president’s actions? And why do his detractors believe his trade policy resembles the widely popular Mexican fast food staple?
In this YouTube video explainer, I tackled this politically tricky and economically confusing question.
How to nail data journalism with compelling storytelling
Posted: October 17, 2026 Filed under: Journalism Training, Rick's Rules | Tags: audience, Data Journalism, data visualization, SEO, storytelling, writing Leave a comment
By RICK DUNHAM
In today’s digital landscape, data journalism stands as a powerful tool in uncovering truths, engaging audiences, and informing the public. However, presenting data merely as numbers and charts can often lead to dry content that fails to resonate. Effective storytelling in data journalism transforms raw data into compelling narratives that capture attention and inspire action.
Here are some of the essential elements that make storytelling an effective tool in the realm of data journalism.
Understanding the data
The first step in crafting a story from data is to deeply understand the information at hand. This means not just knowing the figures but also grasping their implications and the larger context. Analyzing the data helps in identifying patterns, trends, and anomalies.
When you understand your data, you’re better equipped to explain what it reveals. Think of the journey your readers will take: you want to guide them through the maze of numbers and lead them to meaningful insights.
The power of visuals
Incorporating visuals such as charts, graphs, and infographics can significantly enhance your storytelling. A visual representation can often convey complex data more effectively than paragraphs of text. By integrating visuals, you allow your readers to see the story in a different light, engaging them on both a visual and intellectual level.
Make sure your visuals are clear, relevant, and accurately represent the data. Avoid clutter by focusing on one main idea per visual. A well-designed infographic can distill comprehensive information into digestible bites, allowing the reader to grasp key points quickly.
Finding the human element
One of the most effective storytelling techniques in data journalism is connecting numerical data to real-world human experiences. Data can often seem impersonal, but tying statistics back to individuals or communities makes the data relatable and emotionally engaging.
Consider interviews or testimonials that illustrate the human impact behind the numbers. For instance, a data-driven story about unemployment rates can be strengthened by including personal narratives of individuals who have faced those challenges. Fictionalizing the data with real-life contexts creates a bridge between the cold hard facts and the reader’s heart.
Identifying and crafting a narrative arc
Every good story has a beginning, middle, and end. In data journalism, it’s important to structure your narrative effectively. Start with a compelling hook that draws in your audience and piques their curiosity. This could be an intriguing statistic or a provocative question.
Once you’ve captured their attention, delve into the data, presenting it in a logical flow. Use subheadings, bullet points, and concise paragraphs to make the information easily digestible. Finally, conclude with a powerful ending that reinforces your main message and leaves a lasting impression.
The role of context
Providing context is critical in helping readers understand the significance of the data you’re presenting. Data doesn’t exist in a vacuum; it is affected by numerous factors that shape its meaning.
For example, when reporting on climate change statistics, contextualizing the data with historical trends, related policies, and current events can enrich the story. Ensure you clarify why the data matters and how it relates to broader societal issues.
Engaging your audience
To maintain reader engagement, consider incorporating interactive elements wherever possible. Think about ways to invite the audience to participate, be it through comments, social shares, or surveys about their reactions to your data.
Asking questions can encourage readers to engage with the material more actively. For example, “What do you think about this trend?” or “Have you experienced something similar?” can motivate audience interaction and foster community discussion around your story.
SEO considerations
In the digital era where content is constantly competing for attention, it’s essential to make your posts search-engine optimized (SEO). Use relevant keywords naturally within your content to enhance visibility.
This includes incorporating terms related to data journalism within headings, subheadings, and body text, but remember to maintain the flow of the narrative. The goal is to inform and engage your readers while also making it easier for them to discover your work online.
Data journalism storytelling
Effective storytelling in data journalism is about connecting with your audience on a deeper level, making complex data understandable, and infusing human experiences into statistics. By mastering narrative techniques, embracing visuals, and providing context, you can transform ordinary data reporting into compelling stories that resonate with your readers.
As you continue your journey in data journalism, remember: the magic is not just in the data itself, but in how you tell the story. Strive for clarity, empathy, and engagement, and watch as your data-driven narratives captivate and inform your audiences.
How you can improve your writing through self-editing
Posted: October 16, 2026 Filed under: Journalism Training, Rick's Rules | Tags: Journalism Training Leave a comment
Cyndi Hughes is president of Cynthia Hughes Literary Consulting. This article is adapted from her lecture to Rick Dunham’s News Writing course.
Editing is where the magic happens — it’s the other half of writing. It’s the hidden, or behind-the scenes, process you use to craft your story.
Editing is like putting together the pieces of a story puzzle. The process of editing hones the message or theme that you want to convey. It removes distractions for readers that can undercut your credibility as a writer. It makes the story clearer and more concise. It often ensures the story “fits” the space allocated for it. It checks for adherence to grammar, spelling, punctuation and style guidelines. And it ensures factual accuracy.
Editing involves “big-picture” and “small picture” facets.
The “big-picture” review is often called developmental or content editing. This process includes reviewing:
- the theme or premise (What is the overall point of the story?)
- the story’s structure (Does the narrative structure convey the story’s theme and tell the story in a compelling way? If not, could the story be structured in a more effective way?)
- the supporting facts (Do the facts in the story build a clear case for the theme?)
- any missing information (Does the story have gaps that undercut the theme?)
“Small-picture” editing involves two other forms of editing: copyediting and proofreading:
- Copyediting makes sure that grammar, spelling, punctuation and tenses are correct and that your story conforms to style guidelines. It also watches for factual errors, missing information or continuity problems.
- Proofreading is a final pass to catch any remaining errors and includes checking embedded links and double-checking of dates, names, and titles.
As a writer, one of the best skills you can learn is how to self-edit your work before submitting it to your editor. Editing yourself is one of the hardest things to do in journalism.
Learning how to edit can happen by osmosis: If you read enough good stories and work with good reporters, editors, mentors and professors, you will start developing an innate sense of story structure. To become a good editor, you need to put in your time. Remember writer Malcolm Gladwell’s “10,000 hours rule” and invest the time required to hone your editing skills.
One way to start learning is to pay attention to the feedback you get from other reporters and editors. Understanding the feedback you receive will improve your writing and your skill set over time. When you begin, remember this: Don’t take feedback or criticism personally. Editing is a team sport, and you, your colleagues, and your editors all working together to put out the best content for your readers.
Over time, you’ll start thinking like an editor whenever you’re reading stories by other reporters, reading books, listening to podcasts, or watching television news and even movies and television shows.
Here’s a self-editing checklist you can use:
- Start by being kind to yourself. The first (or even the second or the third) draft of your story is rarely your final draft. And that’s okay. From then on, you’re editing and rewriting.
- Make sure your story has covered the 5 Ws and 1 H. (Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?)
- Examine your story’s structure and make sure it aligns with the story-structure expectations for whatever news outlet you’re working for.
- Double-check all facts and sources and do not take any facts for granted. Remember the famous journalism saying: “If your mother says she loves you, check it out.” Find additional sources as needed.
- Make sure all verbs and subjects agree. Examples: Agatha Christie and Ellery Queen is my favorite mystery author. (No, they ain’t.) Facebook is changing their algorithms again. (No, they are not.)
- Be ruthless with adjectives and adverbs. When in doubt, delete. Examples: “Bill deceptively stepped back and then carefully took a shot from 6 meters away.” Just delete the adverbs. As American author Stephen King says, “The road to Hell is paved with adverbs” – and we can add “adjectives” to that!
- Avoid passive voice and use active voice. Example: “Curiosity killed the cat” instead of “It was curiosity that caused the cat to be killed.” Save space. Be clearer. Polish your prose and use simple, direct language with strong nouns and active verbs.
- Eliminate wasted words. Rewrite any sentences starting with “There is” or “There are.” Delete words like “now,” “currently,” “presently,” “really,” “very” or other redundant words.
- Check spelling. And remember, the dictionary is your friend!
- Check punctuation. A magazine once printed this comma-deficient headline: “Rachael Ray finds inspiration in cooking her family and her dog.” (Let’s hope she didn’t cook her family and her dog.)
- Make sure all quotations and facts include correct attribution.
- Make sure verb tenses are consistent. Most journalism stories are written in simple past tense and present continuous. Don’t jump back and forth between past and present tenses.
- Review your story for compliance with style guidelines. English news writing style varies around the world. American, British, Canadian, Australian, South Asian news outlets have distinct styles. It is important to know which style guidelines are used by your news outlet. (Global Business Journalism uses Associated Press and Bloomberg News style manuals.) Be consistent. Style rules are not “mix and match.”
- Use placeholders for anything you need to track down or confirm. If you’re editing and keep stopping to find missing information, that interrupts your editing flow. Finish your editing “pass” first, then add those missing pieces. Professor Rick Dunham uses “TK” for details that are “to come.” Some journalists use “xx” for missing facts and “00” for missing numbers. Make sure to fill in those facts before publication.
- Check continuity. The story should flow naturally from section to section. Avoid lazy transitions (“meanwhile,” “but,” “on the other hand,” “in other business”).
- Before submitting your work, proofread it: Read a story from the bottom to the top or from right to left (or left to right, depending on your preferred language) to look for typographical errors and final small problems.
Perhaps the most important editing skill you can develop is paying attention to your own Inner Reader whenever you’re reading anything or watching movies or television:
- Where do you get bored?
- Where does the story zip along for you?
- Where do you stop reading — and what brought you to a halt?
- When do you start screaming in delight, “Whoa! I didn’t see that coming!”
- When do you throw the book or magazine across the room or hit “stop” on your remote?
- When do you get to “The End” and immediately turn back to the beginning to start rereading the book or re-watching the movie again?
At first, you might think you don’t have an Inner Reader, but just keep listening for it. It will appear.
One final tip: Find a mentor! Working with an experienced reporter or editor and reading behind him or her is priceless and one of the best ways to learn about editing.
Cyndi Hughes is president of Cynthia Hughes Literary Consulting. She is a former copy chief and deputy executive editor at Texas Monthly magazine and copy chief for the Austin American-Statesman’s Features section. She is the founding director of the Texas Book Festival and the former executive director of the Writer’s League of Texas.
Her email is cyndi.hughes@hughesliterary.com.
The 10 essentials of news writing
Posted: October 15, 2026 Filed under: Journalism Training, Rick's Rules | Tags: balance, fairness, journalism tips, Journalism Training, news reporting, storytelling, writing Leave a comment
By RICK DUNHAM
No matter how good a writer you are, you cannot be a good journalist without a solid grounding in journalism basics. After 35 years in journalism and a decade in journalism education, I have boiled down the basics to 10 essential traits. Here they are:
1. Truth
Journalism is nothing without a solid bedrock of truth. Your writing must be accurate. But accuracy is not enough: Your stories must be true. If you accurately report an untrue or misleading statement, you are doing a disservice to your audience.
2. Clarity
Make sure your audience understands clearly what you are saying. The words you use should convey the meaning you intend. Be specific. Use active voice. Put numbers into context – particularly large numbers. Avoid long, disjointed sentences shackled with confusing dependent clauses.
3. Completeness
Make sure you have included all of the most important and relevant details. Make sure you placed the main facts of the story into context. Don’t just report on “what’s new” – mention “what’s next” or “why.” Don’t include irrelevant and unimportant details. But make sure you have not misled you audience through omission.
4. Compelling storytelling
You are competing for your audience’s attention in a cluttered information world. Readers are easily distracted, especially when they are consuming your story on a mobile device. To keep their attention, your story must be better than good. There is no substitute for compelling storytelling. Hook the reader from the first sentence. Demonstrate quickly why the story is interesting and important. Make sure that fresh information and strong details are at the top of the story. All of your quotations should add value. The story should move briskly. Every sentence should enrich the reader’s experience.
5. Tight writing
As Strunk and White wrote more than a century ago, “Omit needless words.” Be concise. Keep your sentences short. Keep your first paragraph short (usually under 35 words). Avoid superfluous adverbs and adjectives. When in doubt, leave it out. But remember this: Tight writing does not mean leaving out important details or analytical points. It means trimming the merely ordinary to leave more room for the extraordinary.
6. Precision
Use the right word to convey the right meaning. Avoid vague verbs such as “to have,” “to be,” “to do” or “to get” when you can be more specific. Avoid over-general words such as “some” or “many” or “a lot.” If you have trouble with precise word choice, you need to expand your English vocabulary.
7. Timeliness
You always want a time peg for your news story. On breaking news, that’s easy: News is happening now and I am writing about it. But news features and enterprise projects should be timely now. You might “peg” your story to an anniversary date, an upcoming event or the release of a book or movie. Always be able to answer this question: “Why is this story of interest to my audience right now?”
8. Fairness, balance and responsibility
Ethics are a core value of journalism. Your stories, even opinion pieces, should be fair. You should provide context for breaking news. Multiple points of view should be considered, although you have no obligation to give equal space to everyone. The “target” of a critical story should be given an opportunity to respond before publication. Fairness sometimes includes truth-telling and fact-checking. It is your responsibility to report the truth, not to repeat the assertions of powerful people.
9. Transparency and honesty
You must be straight with your audience if you expect them to trust you. Don’t steal material from others. Properly attribute all material (facts and quotations) that you found on other platforms. Avoid conflicts of interest. Never take money or gifts in exchange for writing a story (or not writing a story).
10. Real reporting
Don’t expect to write a complete report if you have not done some first-hand reporting. A pandemic is not an excuse: You owe it to your readers to gather facts yourself. Don’t just repeat what you saw in a report or a press release. Don’t “curate” the best work of other journalists. In the old days, engaged in what old-timers called “shoe-leather reporting.” Today, you might be wearing slippers in your home office. But get to work and do some real reporting!
More information on Rick Dunham’s textbook, “Multimedia Reporting”
Understanding cryptocurrency and digital wallets (video)
Posted: October 14, 2026 Filed under: Dunham's Discourses | Tags: cryptocurrency Leave a commentCryptocurrency is becoming an every-more-important part of our global financial world, but many people still don’t understand what it is.
These thousands of digital currencies are being used around the world. Some investors have gotten rich. Others have gotten swindled or blackmailed. Learn more about this increasingly important pillar of the 21st century economy in my YouTube video explainer.
A second video explainer that I created explains how cryptocurrency is stored. The answer, of course, is in digital wallets. In the video, I describe what a digital wallet is, how it is secured, and the risks you face if the security is breached.
Turning economic data into engaging stories (video)
Posted: October 14, 2026 Filed under: Journalism Training | Tags: Data Journalism, storytelling Leave a commentEconomic statistics are essential to business journalism, but numbers alone rarely tell a compelling story. The challenge for journalists is to transform complex economic data into clear, engaging narratives that explain why the numbers matter to ordinary people.
In this short video, I explore how reporters can move beyond simply presenting statistics to identifying trends, making meaningful comparisons, adding human context and uncovering the stories behind the data. Whether covering inflation, employment, international trade or economic growth, effective business journalists use data not just to report what happened, but to explain why it happened and what it means.
11 tips for crafting smart, engaging stories on corporate financial performance
Posted: October 14, 2026 Filed under: Dunham's Discourses, Journalism Training | Tags: news reporting, business journalism, writing, business, technology, marketing, digital-marketing, finance Leave a comment
By RICK DUNHAM
Corporate news coverage long was a black hole of financial journalism. It was dominated by boring stories weighed down by too many unexplained numbers and useless statements from company officials.
To boil it down to the essence of journalism story structure, reporters were providing too much of the “what” and not enough “why.” Not enough “what next.” Not enough behind-the-scenes company narrative and behind-closed-doors corporate intrigue.
In today’s world of instant information, our audiences are likely to be aware of the latest developments related to a company’s financial performance in real time. So our challenge is to craft a compelling story that not only informs stakeholders (from consumers to shareholders) but also engages a broader audience by providing clear insights into the financial standing and operational strategies of an organization. Mastering this skill can help journalists and journalism students enhance the quality of their reporting and broaden their professional toolkit.
Here are 11 essential tips that can help you create engaging business stories focusing on corporate financial performance. Each tip is accompanied by practical examples to inspire effective storytelling.
1. Understand the company’s economic world
Before writing a story about a company’s financial performance, it is critical to understand the broader financial landscape in which the company operates. This includes knowing industry standards, competitive positioning and market trends, as well as its history and reputation.
For example, if a tech company reports an increase in revenue, understanding the trends in technology adoption and innovation can provide context. A journalist could cite data from a recent industry report to illustrate how the company’s performance aligns with or diverges from its peers.
In some industries, revenue or sales may be a key point for analysis. In other, profits. In some cases, beating the expectations of financial analysts may be a key point for you to consider. It is vital that you understand this financial landscape before the release of the new data.
2. Use clear and simple language
Financial metrics can often be complex and filled with jargon that may confuse or alienate readers. It is vital to use clear and simple language to distill complex information into digestible narratives. Be particularly careful to avoid quotations from analysts or corporate officials that include jargon or acronyms. It is preferable to paraphrase and use plain English.
For instance, rather than stating that a company has a “marginal decline in EBITDA,” a journalist might say, “The company’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization decreased slightly last quarter.” This straightforward language helps ensure that the information is accessible to a wider audience.
Even generally known acronyms like “YOY” (year over year) are best left out of stories. You can substitute simpler English: “over the past year” or “over the past 12 months.”
3. Know what data is important
Before you can use simple and clear language to describe financial performance, you have to identify which performance indicators are important. That means mastering the revenue and profit statements filed by the companies. Different data is important to different companies at different times: net operating revenues, gross profit, net profit (or loss), operating income, net income, net income per share, interest expense, debt. Is it an increase or decline in any of these factors? Your job as a reporter is not only to be able to read a balance sheet but to understand what numbers to look for.
4. Highlight “Key Performance Indicators” (KPIs)
Focusing on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) forms the backbone of any financial story. These indicators provide concrete numbers that readers can understand and analyze.
Journalists should identify the most relevant KPIs for the business in question. For instance, if a retail company boasts an increase in same-store sales, these metrics can be highlighted to show tangible growth. Note: It’s your job to know which indicators are the key performance indicators on your beat.
By integrating KPIs into the narrative, the financial story gains credibility and analytical depth. Adding a quotation from a neutral observer and/or a company official responding to the performance data should underscore your analytical point.
5. Address challenges and risks
Good business news stories involve tension. What’s at stake? How can the company maintain its success? How can it turn things around? How can it navigate government regulation? Or a new round of tariffs? Or foreign competition? There always is tension.
A balanced narrative includes not just successes but also challenges and risks facing the company. Acknowledging these elements provides a more rounded view and demonstrates journalistic integrity.
For instance, if a company reports a strong financial performance amid a struggling market, it’s crucial to explore how economic headwinds could impact future growth. Discussing potential risks makes the story more credible.
6. Acknowledge the impact of external factors
Do not overlook the influence of external factors such as national or global economic conditions, regulatory changes, political pressures and global events. These elements often have a significant impact on a company’s financial results and future outlook.
For instance, when a company reports declining sales due to supply chain disruptions caused by a pandemic, tariffs or an invasion of a faraway nation, it illustrates how intertwined the business world is with external dynamics. Understanding these impacts adds vital context to a financial story. Experts can provide unbiased analysis for your audience.
7. Tell a narrative
Every financial report tells a story, but it’s your narrative that can make it compelling. Journalists should aim to weave the numbers into a storyline that captures the company’s journey in a way that is understandable and attracts your audience.
For example, instead of merely reporting that profits increased by 25%, a story could delve into what drove the growth, such as new product launches, market expansion or same-store sales improvement. You can include quotes from company executives to humanize the data, turning cold numbers into a relatable story.
Use your sources inside companies and corporate boards to take your audience inside the boardroom. Was there a showdown? How was a big decision made? How was the CEO’s fate decided? How did the product launch come about? What led to the PR disaster last month?
Your sources should not only include company officials but outside watchdogs, including corporate gadflies such as dissident shareholders or nonprofit groups opposed to certain corporate policies. You are a reporter, not a public relations representative for the company. And you are a writer seeking to connect with a public audience, not a government officials writing a bureaucratic economic treatise.
8. Use real-life examples
Integrating real-life examples or case studies can illustrate points and create a more engaging narrative. Journalists can describe a specific situation where certain financial strategies led to success or failure within the company.
For example, discussing how a unique marketing campaign significantly impacted a company’s quarterly profits can ground the narrative in reality. Such specifics lend authenticity to the financial story and resonate with readers.
9. Incorporate visuals
Incorporating visual aids such as charts, graphs and tables can significantly bolster a financial story. These visuals help convey data in a more engaging and easily interpretable manner.
For example, a line graph showing significant profit increases over several quarters can provide visual proof of a company’s financial trajectory. Changes over time are a key way to visualize corporate performance. If there has been a change in leadership, combine your graph with a timeline to demonstrate whether progress has (or has not) been made.
Additionally, infographics that compare the company to industry peers can offer added insight at a glance.
10. Use quotes from industry experts
Quotes from industry experts, analysts, or executives can lend authority to a financial report. These voices can contextualize the data and provide additional insight into the implications of financial performance.
A journalist could include a quote from a financial analyst discussing the implications of rising costs on a manufacturing firm’s bottom line. This expert commentary adds depth and reinforces key points made throughout the article. Without the expert’s voice, your conclusions are just your opinion. If your analysis is backed up by outside quotations, it becomes more authoritative.
11. Conclude financial stories with company’s outlook
A strong conclusion wraps up the narrative and provides insights into future expectations. Here, journalists can discuss the company’s strategic plans and projections based on recent performance.
For instance, after summarizing a company’s financial achievements, a journalist might outline how new product lines could shape the forecast. It’s also a good time for assessing the future of the company’s leadership team or the industry’s future. This forward-looking aspect keeps readers engaged and provides a broader perspective on the story.
Beijing’s top tourist attractions, from the old standbys to the hidden gems
Posted: September 30, 2026 Filed under: Discovering China, Dunham's Discourses, Uncategorized | Tags: Asia, Beijing, Beijing tourism, Beijing Zoo, China, China tourism, Forbidden City, Great Wall, history, Lama Temple, pandas, Summer Palace, tea, Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, travel, Yuanmingyuan Ruins Park, Zhoukoudian Leave a commentBy RICK DUNHAM
In more than 13 years in Beijing, I’ve visited just about every museum I could find. As a history major and a journalism professor, I’ve explored dozens of sites with ties to Chinese history and some that even pre-date modern humans. I’ve hiked the Great Wall 40 times, from its western terminus in Gansu province to the Yalu River bordering North Korea.
I’ve seen domestic tourism explode in China and the number of museums in the nation more than doubled. Visiting cultural sites “has become trendy among citizens in Beijing,” says Yin Li, secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee. Tourism is a much more user-friendly experience today than it was a decade ago, from ubiquitous QR codes to more modern toilet facilities.
Beijing boasts hundreds – yes, hundreds – of museums, cultural attractions, parks, historical sites and other locations for visitors to see. As Irina Bokova, former director-general of UNESCO, said recently, “the city bears witness to more than 3,000 years of cultural history.”
There’s no way to see it all in a short visit. Or even if you are here for a year or two. But try to pack in as much as you can in whatever time you have. Here are some of the best tourist opportunities Beijing has to offer.
The Core Four
I hope this guide will help you to prioritize your adventures in China’s capital city and environs. It’s a wonderful place to explore. Enjoy!
These are the Beijing tourist attractions that every visitor must see. If your family is visiting, take them there. If someone has just two or three days in town, figure out a way to squeeze all of these in.
The Great Wall
Photo by Rick Dunham
The Forbidden City
The Summer Palace
The Temple of Heaven
Memorable sites you don’t want to miss
Everyone has to make choices. You can’t see everything. But there are some places that you should try to find time to see, whether your visitor is here for four days or three months.
Many of these memorable sites can be combined with the must-see sites on a single itinerary. Yuanmingyuan is close to the Summer Palace and can be visited together in an outing. The same is true of the National Museum, Tian’anmen and the Forbidden City (admittedly, a very long and intense day). And the Beijing Zoo, with its delightful pandas, is a short subway ride away from the city center.
Yuanmingyuan Ruins Park
The ruins of Yuanmingyuan are one of the most stunning parks in Beijing. They range from traditional Chinese architecture of the Ming era to Italian-Chinese fusion palaces of the 18th century. All were destroyed by British and French invaders. (Photo by Rick Dunham)
The National Museum
Tian’anmen Square
Lama Temple (Yong He Gong)
The Beijing Zoo
Highly recommended half-day trips outside of the city
If you have access to an automobile, or have enough spending money to rent a driver for a few hours, these historically significant sites are well worth your time.
Marco Polo Bridge (Lugou Qiao)
Anti-Japanese resistance museum and Wanping walled town
Zhoukoudian (Peking Man caves, park and museum)
Ming Tombs
A historical photo of the Ming Tombs, circa 1950s.
Jiaozhuanghu tunnels and exhibit
The Second Tier — but still first rate
Everyone has to make choices. These are all great options, if you have time to visit. Look at a map and try to cluster as many sites that are in the same general vicinity as possible. For example, you can visit Jingshan or Behai after a trip to the Forbidden City. Or combine the Bell and Drum Tower with a visit to Houhai for food, recreation or tourism.
The Bell Tower and Drum Tower
The Drum Tower between the fall of the Qing Dynasty and the Japanese invasion.
Jingshan (Coal Hill)
Beihai Park
Olympic complex
Military Museum
A young boy practices on a jet aircraft simulator at the Military Museum. (Photo by Rick Dunham)
Hidden Gems
These stops are not in many tour books. But they are all memorable.
Beijing Ancient Observatory
Beijing Ming City Wall Ruins Park
Confucius Temple
Photo by Rick Dunham
Paleozoological Museum of China
The universities: Tsinghua and Beida
Photo by Rick Dunham
Tea tours
Hutong tours
New and Nice
Beijing has been on a museum building binge in recent years as the ruling Communist Party underscores Xi Jinping’s theme of “the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” Among the results are some interesting new museums that showcase Chinese traditional culture, historical accomplishments and modern might.
Museum of the Communist Party of China
Chinese Traditional Culture Museum
The Grand Canal Museum
Hiking and outdoor activities
Chinese families love to spend weekends outdoors. Older people spend much of their leisure time in the city’s plethora of parks. Young couples also stroll through the romantic and beautiful surroundings. Whatever your mood, there is a park for you. Whether you are seeking flowers, or a challenging hike, or 50 kinds of bamboo – you can find it somewhere in the Big City. Sometimes it’s free. Otherwise, the entry fee is inexpensive.
Purple Bamboo Park
More than 50 varieties of bamboo are on view at Purple Bamboo Park, located near the zoo. The purple bamboo is the most famous, of course. The yellow duck boats are a favorite for visitors.
Fragrant Hills (Xiangshan)
Olympic Forest Park
China National Botanical Garden
This massive park is known to many locals as the Beijing Botanical Garden. (Photo by Rick Dunham)
Ritan Park (Temple of the Sun)
Popular with younger people
Several zones in Beijing are particularly popular among younger people for their combinations of culture, restaurants, art, entertainment, bars, diverse nightlife, and, yes, even some museums tucked away for further exploration. Many of them are near hutong neighborhoods, which add to their charm, though they can cause you confusion and minutes lost while looking for your destination.
Houhai
Sanlitun
Sanlitun, with its alleys, hutongs and gleaming glass shopping malls, is the social center for young professionals, students and the diplomatic set.
Wudaokou
798 Art District (Dashanzi)
An old warehouse area has been transformed into the funky arts district. For a quarter-century, it is the closest thing Beijing has to a Bohemian quarter, with galleries, cafés and gathering spots for the intellectual set, both Chinese and expat.
Your top tourist attractions in Beijing?
Do you have any more tourist destinations you’d like to add to the list? Please post a comment and explain why you would add your favorite place to this compilation.
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