The New York Times Commemorates 100 Years of Its China Bureau

In a special retrospective, The New York Times marks the centennial of the newspaper’s first permanent bureau in China, which was established in 1925. The milestone traces back to a series of historic moments that converged to make the venture possible.

Key events that paved the way

Three pivotal occurrences set the stage for the bureau’s opening:

• The passing of revolutionary leader Sun Yat‑sen, whose death underscored the urgency of foreign reportage on China’s political transformation.
• The violent suppression of a major labor protest, highlighting the turbulent social climate and the need for on‑the‑ground coverage.
• A high‑profile visit to China by a member of the Roosevelt family, which helped secure diplomatic goodwill and logistical support for the newspaper’s new office.

These events combined to convince the Times’ editors that a dedicated presence in Shanghai was both timely and essential. A year later, the bureau opened its doors, beginning a century‑long tradition of reporting on China’s complex and dynamic story.