Chinese News: Newspapers, Apps & Websites
Read real Chinese news from newspapers, apps, and websites covering current events around the world. These resources provide authentic reading practice while helping you build vocabulary, strengthen comprehension, and learn more about Chinese-speaking communities around the world.
Australia
★ Free Chinese-language news covering Australia, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and major international events from an Australian perspective. ABC中文 (ABC Chinese) is the Chinese-language news service of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Australia’s national public broadcaster. It offers news reports, in-depth analysis, explainers, opinion and perspective pieces, videos, and coverage of Australian Chinese communities, with sections devoted to Australian politics and society as well as China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Web-based
★ Free Australian news, radio, podcasts, and community information in Simplified Chinese. SBS Chinese is the Simplified Chinese service of Australia’s Special Broadcasting Service, offering Australian and international news, current affairs, audio programs, podcasts, and practical information for Chinese-speaking audiences. Content is free on their website. SBS Mandarin programs and other multilingual audio are also available through the free SBS Audio app. Available on Android and iOS.
Free Web-Based / AppChina
★ Provides searchable Chinese news coverage from multiple outlets, including related headlines on the same story. Baidu News is a free Chinese-language news aggregation service from China covering breaking news, domestic and international affairs, business, sports, entertainment, and local stories. Its searchable format groups related headlines together, making it useful for reading authentic Chinese news and comparing how different sources cover the same topic. Visit their website. The iOS app is free to download with in-app purchases. Available on iOS. Note: I recommend Chrome when veiwing this site, loads very slowly on Safari.
Free Web-Based | Free / Paid App
★ Watch live and on-demand programming from CCTV’s 19 television channels. CCTV (央视网) is China Central Television’s official online platform, offering free access to news, documentaries, dramas, films, variety shows, educational programs, sports, and other Chinese-language content. Learners can watch live channels, browse past programs, search the video library, and use authentic Mandarin media for listening practice. Available on the web and iOS.
Web-based & App - Free
★ A wide-ranging source of Simplified Chinese news covering China and the world. 中国日报中文网 is China Daily’s Chinese-language news site, offering free access to current affairs, international and domestic news, commentary, finance, culture, videos, columns, and regional coverage.
Web-Based Free
★ Strong coverage of youth, education, campus life, and current events in Simplified Chinese. 中青在线 is a free Chinese-language news website operated by China Youth Daily, featuring domestic and international news along with education, campus life, technology, culture, health, videos, live coverage, and special reports.
Web-Based Free
★ Read short native Chinese news stories paired with high-resolution photography and background context. iDaily 每日环球视野 is a Chinese-language news and photo app covering world events through concise articles, large images, maps, and background reading from sources such as Wikipedia and major media. It is free to download, with optional paid membership features, and you can learn more on their website. Available on Android and iOS.
Free / Paid
★ Links to more than 40 Chinese newspapers and news sources in one place. Chinese Newspapers is a free directory that provides quick access to newspapers and news websites from across China, including Chinese- and English-language sources.
Free Directory
★ Extensive Simplified Chinese news coverage across China and the world. People.cn (人民网), the online platform of People’s Daily, provides free access to current news and reporting on politics, economics, society, international affairs, culture, technology, health, education, and more, along with videos, photos, opinion pieces, and regional coverage. Available on the web and iOS.
Web-based & App
★ A major China-based portal covering news, current events, sports, finance, entertainment, and more. QQ.com is a free Chinese-language web portal operated by Tencent, offering extensive coverage of Chinese and international news alongside finance, sports, entertainment, technology, culture, and other topics. Its broad range of frequently updated content makes it useful for learners who want exposure to authentic Chinese news and media.
Web-Based Free
★ Read current Chinese news across a wide range of topics. Sina (新浪网) is a free Chinese-language news portal covering domestic and international news, finance, technology, sports, entertainment, education, travel, and more. Available on the web, Android and iOS.
Free Web-Based / App
★ Read a broad mix of Chinese news, commentary, video, and trending topics in native-level Simplified Chinese. Sohu is a major Chinese online media portal covering domestic and international news, business, technology, sports, entertainment, lifestyle, and more, with articles, images, video, live broadcasts, and user-generated content. The site is free to browse on their website. Available on iOS.
Free Web-Based / App
★ In-depth Chinese-language reporting on politics, current affairs, and major news. 澎湃新闻 (The Paper) is a Chinese news platform featuring original reporting, political and economic analysis, videos, expert Q&As, special-topic coverage, and morning and evening news briefings. Available on the web and iOS.
Web-based & App - Free / PaidHong Kong
★ A strong source for current Hong Kong news in Traditional Chinese. 香港01 is a free Chinese-language news and lifestyle platform covering Hong Kong and international news, finance, entertainment, sports, technology, and everyday life through articles, features, photos, and videos. Available on the web and iOS.
Web-based & App - Free / Paid ★ Links to more than 25 Hong Kong newspapers and news sources in one place. Hong Kong Newspapers is a free directory that provides quick access to newspapers and news websites from Hong Kong, including Chinese- and English-language sources.
Web-based - Free Directory
★ Offers Hong Kong news alongside live radio and television programming. Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) provides current news, live radio and TV channels, podcasts, program schedules, and catch-up content, with extensive Chinese-language programming. The website and official apps are free to use. Available on the web, Android and iOS.
Free Web-Based / AppTaiwan
★ Read current Taiwan and international news in Traditional Chinese. Central News Agency (中央社) is Taiwan’s national news agency, offering extensive coverage of politics, cross-strait affairs, international news, business, technology, society, culture, sports, and more. The website and apps are free to use and supported by advertising. Available on the web, Android and iOS.
Web-based & App - Free
★ Child-focused Taiwanese news provides approachable authentic reading in Traditional Chinese. Mandarin Daily News (國語日報) publishes current news, education, science, arts, culture, and other content written primarily for children and families, making it a useful source of real-world Traditional Chinese reading practice. Many articles on the main website are free to read, while digital and print newspaper subscriptions, books, and courses are paid.
Web-Based - Free / Paid ★ Links to more than 15 Taiwanese newspapers and news sources in one place. Taiwanese Newspapers is a free directory that provides quick access to newspapers and news websites from Taiwan, including Chinese- and English-language sources.
Web-Based - Free DirectorySingapore
★ Read Chinese news from Singapore and around the world in both Simplified and Traditional Chinese. 8world is Mediacorp’s Chinese-language news and entertainment platform, with coverage of Singapore, Southeast Asia, Greater China, and international news, plus videos, podcasts, entertainment, lifestyle, and current affairs content. The website and apps are free to use, with ads in the Android app. Available on the web, Android and iOS.
Web-based & App - Free
★ Singapore-based Chinese news with extensive coverage of Asia and world affairs. Lianhe Zaobao (联合早报) provides Chinese-language reporting on Singapore, China, Southeast Asia, international affairs, business, culture, entertainment, and more, along with commentary, videos, podcasts, and interactive news. Readers can access free articles, while a paid subscription unlocks premium content and additional features. Available on the web and iOS.
Web-based & App - Free / PaidUnited Kingdom
★ Read current news and analysis in both Simplified and Traditional Chinese. BBC News 中文 provides international and China-related news, features, analysis, interviews, and videos written for native Chinese-speaking audiences. Readers can choose the Simplified Chinese edition or Traditional Chinese edition. The BBC includes its World Service Languages websites among the content available free without a subscription.
Free Web-Based
★ Read business, financial, and global news in Chinese from a major international news organization. FT中文网 (FTChinese) is the Chinese-language website of the UK-based Financial Times, offering business and financial news, international coverage, commentary, and in-depth analysis for Chinese-speaking readers. Some content can be read free, while paid Standard and Premium memberships add features such as selected in-depth articles, bilingual content, audio, archive access, and additional subscriber-only material. Visit their website. Available on Android and iOS.
Free / PaidUnited States
★ Read current news and trending stories from a wide range of publishers in Simplified Chinese. MSN 中文 is Microsoft’s free Chinese-language news and information portal, bringing together coverage from multiple publishers across current events, business, sports, entertainment, lifestyle, and other popular topics. Visit their website. Available on Android and iOS.
Free Web-Based
★ Read New York Times reporting in Simplified or Traditional Chinese, with side-by-side Chinese-English versions of select translated articles. The New York Times Chinese Edition provides global news, business, culture, opinion, and feature reporting for Chinese readers, including translated New York Times journalism and original Chinese-language articles. The Chinese Edition is free to read, and its apps include bilingual reading, saved articles, news alerts, and other reading features. Available on the web, Android and iOS.
Web-based & App - Free
★ Offers Chinese-language news in text, video, and audio. VOA Chinese is a free news service from Voice of America covering the United States, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau, international affairs, U.S.-China relations, and other current topics, with news articles, videos, live streams, and Chinese-language broadcasts. Available on the web, Android and iOS.
Web-based & App - Free