As China “arrived” on the world stage, New York-based architecture firm Kohn Pedersen Fox was often the one building the set.
Illustration by Sam Ward
Robert Whitlock thought they had nailed it. A principal at architecture giant Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), Whitlock had been working on an exciting new project — the Beijing headquarters of CITIC, China’s powerful, state-owned conglomerate — and everyone seemed pleased with the design. The building was to be 528-meters tall — the largest building in China’s capital city — and the KPF architects had used the curvature of a zun, a ritual carafe from Bronze age China, for inspiration.
Exclusive longform investigative journalism, Q&As, news and analysis, and data on Chinese business elites and corporations. We publish China scoops you won't find anywhere else.
A weekly curated reading list on China from Andrew Peaple.
A daily roundup of China finance, business and economics headlines.
We offer discounts for groups, institutions and students. Go to our Subscriptions page for details.
Chinese vape makers exploited a loophole in rules set during the first Trump administration to spread their products across America. Could the president's trade war now help stem the tide?
The longtime analyst explains why China’s banking system is key to understanding its economy, and why its top lenders might be both stronger — and weaker — than many assume.
A podcast about the turbulent relationship between the world's two superpowers, the two men who run them, and the vital issues that affect us all.
In a special bonus episode recorded live at the Asia Society, host Jane Perlez speaks with journalist and scholar Orville Schell about his 50 years covering Chinese leaders and their American counterparts. They attempt to answer the question: how did we get here?
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OKPrivacy policy