Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim on AM 1490 WGCH and Anywhere on WGCH.com: October 2016

Sunday, October 30, 2016

Coming Up Next: Hawaii Filmmaker Robin Lung, 'Finding Kukan' and More!

Picture this.

It's the late 1930's. China is in dire straits under Imperial Japan's military juggernaut.

A female Chinese American firebrand from Hawaii jolts American audiences into action with a revolutionary new film medium: 16mm Kodachrome color film.

She hires an American photojournalist to travel to China and capture on film a citizen's perspective -including the massive bombing of Chungking.

Their film, Kukan, was screened at the White House with President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, was called "awesome" by the New York Times, and received one of the first Academy Awards for a feature color documentary -in 1942.

So, why haven't we heard of Li Ling-Ai, or Rey Scott? What happened to all the copies of Kukan?

My next guest on Conversations is Hawaii filmmaker Robin Lung whose documentary Finding Kukan chronicles her seven-year quest to find the answers. I flew to Hawaii and caught up with Robin Lung at the Hawaii Chinese History Center in Honolulu's Chinatown. Trust me, there's nothing dull about this investigative journey -one that was full of twists and turns along the way.

We'll have our weekly Confucius Moment, our journey to another one of the Treasures of China, events happening in the community and more on the next broadcast of Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim on 1490 WGCH and WGCH.com. Tune in on Saturday, November 5 starting at 10:30 a.m. Eastern USA Time/ 10:30 p.m. China Time.

FINDING KUKAN will be screened at the Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF.Org) in Honolulu on Saturday, November 5 at Dole Cannery Theatre B at 5:45 p.m., and again on Friday, November 11 at Dole Cannery A at 3:45 p.m.

To purchase tickets go to this link to the HIFF.Org web site.

FINDING KUKAN's North America premiere will be at DOC NYC in New York City on Tuesday, November 15 at Cinepolis Chelsea at 5:30 p.m., and Wednesday, November 16 at the IFC Center at 12:45 p.m.

To purchase tickets go to this link to the DOCNYC web site.

Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim's broadcasts are from AM1490 WGCH and anywhere on WGCH.com in Greenwich, Connecticut USA.

This show is title-sponsored by Beijing AmBridge International Culture Development Ltd. You are invited to explore how an alliance with Beijing AmBridge can help your company or organization grow and prosper. Call Beijing AmBridge's office in Beijing at 86-10-80775517 or email ambridge01@163.com.

Corporate Executive Offices (CEO) in Greenwich, Connecticut USA is a supporting sponsor of this show. Since 1989, CEO has been a provider of world-class offices in a prominent, modern building with contemporary services, advanced technology and amenities that will help you focus on productivity while keeping your monthly costs under control. The best thing about CEO is that they treat you like family -only better! Visit them online at www.ceooffices.com or call 203-622-1300 today.

The Pacific Learning Consortium, based in Honolulu, Hawaii, is a supporting sponsor of the weekly Confucius Moment. Educational solutions. Global connections. Practical results. Advancement for all. Learning reimagined. Learn more online at www.pacificlearningconsortium.org.

Friday, October 28, 2016

Treasures of China: The Bund, Shanghai

(Click this link to listen)

Treasures of China is a celebration of dramatic contrasts, a unique blend of cultural journeys and far-flung destinations where a world of adventure awaits.

Shanghai’s Bund is a wide thoroughfare that runs along the Huangpu River. It was at the heart of colonial Shanghai. Western style buildings from the early 20th century dominated the streetscape, all symbols of western commercial power and prestige. At its peak this was the third biggest financial center in the world.

After it was built in 1921, the Shanghai Pudong Development Bank was described as the most beautiful building in Asia. The bronze lions at the entrance are rubbed for good luck.

The nearby Customs House eight-story is decorated with some magnificent marine mosaics. It’s clock tower offers views of the entire city center. It is still the largest clock in Asia.

The Palace Hotel was built in 1906. For many years it was considered the best hotel in Shanghai. Today it is now part of the Fairmont Peace Hotel.

The Bank of China building blends American and traditional Chinese architectural styles. It was constructed by a rival of Victor Sassoon, Chinese banker and politician H.H. Kung who was highly influential in the Kuomntang nationalist government in the 1930s and 1940s.

Today on the river side of the Bund is a wide sidewalk, a wonderful to take a stroll and, in the early morning, observe locals practicing tai chi.

What once had been a minor, undistinguished river port became a thriving city between the world wars with a reputation for glamor and excess with a rich storied history.

Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim's broadcasts are from AM1490 WGCH and anywhere on WGCH.com in Greenwich, Connecticut USA.

The Pacific Learning Consortium, based in Honolulu, Hawaii, is a supporting sponsor of the weekly Confucius Moment. Educational solutions. Global connections. Practical results. Advancement for all. Learning reimagined. Learn more online at www.pacificlearningconsortium.org.

Confucius Moment: October 29, 2016

It's time for this week's Confucius Moment.
(Click here to listen)

The Sage Confucius is the epitome of Chinese classical civilization. Confucius is legendary for teaching his disciples the cultivation of personal virtue, veneration for one's parents, love of learning. loyalty to one's superiors, kindness to one's subordinates and a high regard for civility.

Here is today's lesson:

"There were four things the Master refused to have anything to do with: he refused to entertain conjectures or insist on certainty; he refused to be inflexible or to be egotistical."

Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim's broadcasts are from AM1490 WGCH and anywhere on WGCH.com in Greenwich, Connecticut USA.

Sunday, October 23, 2016

Coming Up Next: Karen Frederick, Curator, An Eye to the East: The Inspiration of Japan at the Greenwich Historical Society

Listen to the October 29 broadcast here.

Wood block printing, calligraphy and much more all had their starts in ancient China. They eventually made their way to Japan -a civilization that closed itself off to much of the world for centuries.

Those closed doors were flung open to the world in 1854 when American Commodore Matthew Galbraith Perry negotiated the Convention of Kanagawa or the Japan–US Treaty of Peace and Amity. The world would never be the same.

Soon Japanese art swept Europe and America -and among those in the post-U.S. Civil War era who took note were artists John Henry Twactman, J. Alden Weir and Childe Hassam -all associated with the Cos Cob art colony, the first American Impressionist art colony located in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Bush-Holley House, Cob Cob.

On the next broadcast of Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim we will be welcoming Ms. Karen Frederick to Conversations. She is the curator of the Greenwich Historical Society that just opened a new and exciting first-of-its-kind public exhibition.

Through paintings, prints, photographs, carvings, ceramics and textiles, An Eye to the East: The Inspiration of Japan looks at the influence of Japanese art and culture in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with a special emphasis on the Cos Cob art colony. The contribution of Genjiro Yeto, who studied under John Henry Twactman at the Art Students League in New York and spent part of each year from 1895 to 1901 at the Holley boarding house, is explored in a separate gallery and features a recent donation of his work to the Greenwich Historical Society by Yeto’s granddaughter.

We will feature our weekly words of wisdom on the Confucius Moment, and take you to another exciting destination on Treasures of China.

Remember to tune in this coming Saturday, October 29 to AM 1490 WGCH and anywhere on WGCH.com starting 10:30 a.m. Eastern USA Time/ 10:30 p.m. China Time. Our previous broadcasts are archived on podcasts.com and the Shows & Hosts section of WGCH.com. Register for news and to be on our email list at MarvelsofChina@gmail.com, and “like” us on Facebook. Stay abreast of our broadcasts at MarvelsofChina.blogspot.com.

Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim's broadcasts are from AM1490 WGCH and anywhere on WGCH.com in Greenwich, Connecticut USA.

Saturday, October 22, 2016

Today's Broadcast with Professor Franklin Ng of Fresno State University, California

Did you miss today's broadcast?

Good news! You can listen to it now by going to this link to Podcasts.com.

Professor Franklin Ng of Fresno State University, California was my guest on Conversations. We heard about his forty-plus years in Asian American studies programs and his thoughts on Asian immigration in the USA and more. This interview was recorded in the Hawaii Heritage Center in Honolulu's Chinatown.

We also featured our weekly Confucius Moment. On Treasures of China we took our listeners to the renowned Marco Polo Bridge.

Thank you all for listening! Xiexie! Stay tuned for our next broadcast of Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim on AM 1490 WGCH and anywhere on WGCH.com.

Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim's broadcasts are from AM1490 WGCH and anywhere on WGCH.com in Greenwich, Connecticut USA.

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Treasures of China: Marco Polo Bridge, Beijing

(Click this link to listen)

Treasures of China is a celebration of dramatic contrasts, a unique blend of cultural journeys and far-flung destinations where a world of adventure awaits.

“Over this river there is a very fine stone bridge,” wrote Marco Polo, “so fine indeed, that it has very few equals in the world.”

Construction of the Marco Polo Bridge began in 1189. It was completed in 1192.

Built of granite with a large central arch flanked by ten smaller ones, the bridge is considered an architectural masterpiece since its completion 800 years ago.

The bridge is 874 feet long and just over 30 feet wide. Hundreds of adroitly unique stone lions from various dynasties line both sides of the bridge. Most date from the Ming dynasty 1368-1644 and Qing dynasty 1644-1911. Some are earlier from the Yuan dynasty 1271-1368.

Four ornamental columns measuring 15 ft high and a white marble stele stand at the ends of the bridge. One stele atop a stone tortoise records the reconstruction of the bridge by the Kangxi Emperor of the Qing dynasty in 1698.

The other stele features calligraphy by the Qianlong Emperor who was a grandson of the Kangxi Emperor. It reads "Morning moon over Lugou” -the Chinese name of the bridge.

The bridge was the scene of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, marking the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War 1937-1945.

A visit to the Marco Polo Bridge is a great way to discover for yourself China’s stunning monuments to its 5000 years of history.

Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim's broadcasts are from AM1490 WGCH and anywhere on WGCH.com in Greenwich, Connecticut USA.

Confucius Moment: October 22, 2016

Here is today's lesson:

The Master said,

"Men who reject discipline and yet are not straight, men who are ignorant and yet not cautious, men who are devoid of ability and yet not trustworthy are quite beyond my understanding."

Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim's broadcasts are from AM1490 WGCH and anywhere on WGCH.com in Greenwich, Connecticut USA.

Saturday, October 15, 2016

Coming Up Next: Professor Franklin Ng of Fresno State University, Your Confucius Moment, Treasures of China and More!

On the next broadcast of Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim you'll meet Franklin Ng, professor of anthropology and Asian American Studies at California State University, Fresno.

He is the editor of the Asian American Encyclopedia, the author of Taiwanese Americans, and the co-author of Asian American Issues. He is also the editor of the Routledge series, Studies in Asian Americans: Reconceptualizing Culture, History, and Politics.

Professor Ng’s areas of specialization include Asian American studies, East Asian Studies, Cultural Anthropology, American-East Asian relations and International History.

From 2004 to 2006, Ng served as president of the Association of Asian American Studies. He currently serves on the editorial board of the Amerasia Journal, The Journal of American Ethnic History, and Chinese America: History and Perspectives, and was the former editor of the Journal of American-East Asian Relations.

I recently met with Professor Ng at the Hawaii Heritage Center in the heart of Honolulu’s Chinatown. The Center is a non-profit organization that educates the public about the rich and diverse history of the Hawaiian Islands. It offers walking tours, workshops and public exhibits.

My special thanks and sincerest aloha goes to Ms. Karen Motosue, director of the Center, for introducing us.

Surrounded by an impressive cultural gallery and artifacts on display, I was curious to learn about the Asian American immigrant experience and Professor Ng’s 40 years of work on Asian American studies programs.

We'll also feature our weekly Confucius Moment and the latest travel destination on the Treasures of China segment, too.

All this and more awaits you on the next broadcast of Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim on Saturday, October 22 starting at 10:30 a.m. Eastern USA Time/10:30 p.m. China Time on 1490 WGCH and anywhere on WGCH.com.

Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim's broadcasts are from AM1490 WGCH and anywhere on WGCH.com in Greenwich, Connecticut USA.

Friday, October 14, 2016

Confucius Moment: October 15, 2016

Here is today's lesson:

The Master said,

"Being fond of courage while detesting poverty will lead to insubordination. Excessive detestation of men who are not benevolent will provoke them to insubordination."

Treasures of China: The Hall of Happiness and Longevity, Summer Palace in Beijing

(Click this link to listen)

Treasures of China is a celebration of dramatic contrasts, a unique blend of cultural journeys and far-flung destinations where a world of adventure awaits.

At the Hall of Happiness and Longevity in the renowned Summer Palace visitors see the residence of Empress Dowager Cixi. Rebuilt in 1889, is east outer chamber was where she took breakfast and tea. The inner chamber was her dressing room. The west inner chamber served as her bedroom, and the west outer one was her reading chamber.

Fronting the Hall of Happiness and Longevity are bronze deer, cranes and vases symbolizing universal peace. Magnolias, flowering crab apple trees and peonies planted here represent homes filled with wealth and prestige.

A large table in the central hall was the Empress Dowager's dining table. It is said that at each meal she ordered a total of 128 courses -but only tasted a few.

Presented by the Germans in 1903, the chandeliers were China's first electric lights. The Summer Palace had its own power station. Initially opposed to the installation of electric lights in Beijing, the Empress Dowager was persuaded to change her mind by the superintendent eunuch.

Two embroideries on display feature a peacock in full plumage and a phoenix among 100 birds. The Empress Dowager tended to compare herself to the peacock and phoenix. The peacock is considered the most beautiful bird, while the phoenix is the queen of birds.

A visit to the Hall of Happiness and Longevity at the Summer Palace is a truly sublime experience you will always treasure.

Sunday, October 9, 2016

Happy Birthday, H. Allen Larsen of the Flying Tigers

Saturday, October 8 was a milestone for a good friend and hero of the Chinese and American people -and of the Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim broadcast.

H. Allen Larsen of the renowned Flying Tigers turned 92 years young. Congratulations!

He was a guest on the February 27, 2016 show which we announced a few days earlier on this blog site. Please go to this link to the archived show on Podcasts.com.

I was delighted to meet H. Allen Larsen and his family in Beijing during the September 3, 2015 70th year commemorations of the end of World War II in China.

He is the co-author of the book China in the Eyes of Flying Tigers 1944-1945. Go to this link to Amazon.com and purchase a copy!

We salute H. Allen Larsen, a true hero and gentleman. Thank you for all that you have done for the Chinese and American peoples.

Saturday, October 8, 2016

Coming Up Next: Luc Bendza, Martial Arts Actor and Athlete Living the Life Extraordinaire in China!

http://patch.com/connecticut/greenwich/calendar/event/20161015/41846/coming-up-next-luc-bendza-martial-arts-actor-and-athlete-living-the-life-extraordinaire-in-china

Click this link to listen to the October 15 Broadcast

When any of us were growing up we all had a dream. My next guest on Conversations comes from a large family in the Gabonese Republic in Central Africa. He had a dream like no other.

Guess what he wanted to do!

As a teenager Luc Bendza dreamed of becoming a master of Kung Fu, of disarming his adversaries and enemies with lightning speed and skill, of flying through the air like Chinese martial artists have been doing for untold centuries.

Extraordinary things happen in life. On the next broadcast of Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim on October 15, 2016 you are going to meet the one and only Luc Bendza who is -as we like to say- living the "dream extraordinaire."

In 1996 Luc Bendza earned a Master's degree specializing in Wushu from Beijing Sports Univesity after earning a Bachelors in physical education. He was a student at the internationally famous Saholin Temple, Shaolin Traditional Wushu School. Bendza is the founder and since 1992 the president of the Gabon Wushu Association. He is the vice-chairman of the Traditional Committee of the International Wushu Federation. In 2010 he was cultural ambassador of the United African Pavilion at the World Expo in Shanghai. He's been a successful actor in numerous films and television shows such as Twelve Dragons, Yongchun Zodiac and others.

And that, as we like to say, is just a small sampling of Luc Bendza's many accomplishments.

From his home in Beijing of over 30 years, we are going to hear about Luc Bendza's early life, about the Chinese marital art known as Wushu and its core styles, the benefits of Wushu training and practice, the characteristics of a successful Wushu athlete, and how he turned his mastery of Wushu into a successful movie and film career in China.

Check out this CCTV English broadcast clip.

We will also have our weekly Confucius Moment and Treasures of China segments and more!

Don't forget to set your alarm clocks on Saturday, October 15, 2016 for the next broadcast of Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim. The show airs live starting at 10:30 a.m. Eastern USA Time/ 10:30 p.m. China time on 1490 WGCH and anywhere on WGCH.com in Greenwich, Connecticut USA.

Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim's broadcasts are from AM1490 WGCH and anywhere on WGCH.com in Greenwich, Connecticut USA.