SHOW # 101: January 6, 2018: Happy 2018! Aloha from Hawaii USA! The first broadcast of Year 2018 featured Mr. Douglas Chong of the Hawaii Chinese History Center headquartered in Honolulu's Chinatown. China's ancient Silk Road has captured and captivated the Western imagination for ages. In his book Religions of the Silk Road, author Richard C. Foltz observed that "it has given us images of fabled cities, exotic peoples, awe-inspiring mountains and deserts, and the death-defying feats of hardy long-distance travelers." Chong recently returned from Western China where he retraced paths trod by travelers of all sorts for untold centuries. He will be sharing with us his impressions of what he found there -including the world-renowned Mogao Caves. Also known as the Thousand Buddha Grottoes, they form a system of 492 temples southeast of Dunhuang, an oasis strategically located at a religious and cultural crossroads on the Silk Road in China's Gansu province. This is a must-see destination for anyone traveling to China. We started off your calendar year with words of wisdom on the Confucius Moment, Treasures of China, Chinese Fun Facts, Chop Sticks and the Weekly Almanac. As a public service to our listeners and friends around the world we here at Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim will be your one-stop-shop for all things wise and wonderful regarding Spring Festival celebrations. Let the fun begin!
SHOW # 102: January 13, 2018: Imagine the surprise I experienced when one of my associates with my title-sponsor Beijing AmBridge International Culture Development, Ltd., contacted me in Honolulu with news of my next guest -who just happened to be across the Ala Wai Canal in Waikiki!
Tune in to meet Ms. Gao Hong. She is a world-renowned Chinese pipa soloist, composer, educator and cultural ambassador in her own right. Gao Hong performs traditional and modern Chinese music. She also participates in cross-cultural collaborations. A graduate of the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, she studied with the renowned pipa master Lin Shicheng of the Pudong School of pipa playing. Since 1994 she has been a resident of Northfield, Minnesota where she is on the music faculty and teaches at Carleton College, and is the director of the Carleton Music Ensemble. Learn more about Ms. Gao Hong at www.chinesepipa.com. In addition to featuring one of her stellar public performances -the American National Anthem on solo pipa at an NBA Timberwolves game at the Target Center in Minneapolis before a standing-ovation of 15,000 (see link above)- we featured the Confucius Moment, Treasures of China, Chinese Fun Facts, the countdown to Chinese New Year, the Weekly Almanac and more!
SHOW # 103: January 20, 2018:
We were joined today by Mr. Matt LePere, co-director of the Confucius Institute for Global Finance at Baruch College in New York City. NYCIGF@Baruch is a first-of-its-kind institute in collaboration with Shanghai International Studies University and Hanban, an entity associated with the Chinese Ministry of Culture. We're also joined by Mr. Douglas D.L. Chong of the Hawaii Chinese History Center in Honolulu. We heard about some of the latest advances and theories in genealogical research for Chinese and Chinese/Hawaiians in particular. We also heard about the release of the 2018 Year of the Dog stamps by the U.S. Postal Service and our regular segments.
SHOW # 104: January 27, 2018: On September 30, 2017 Terracotta Warriors of the First Emperor opened at the world-renowned Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. On exhibit for a limited time until March 4, 2018, visitors are invited to take a journey through one of the most significant archeological discoveries in human history. Learn more by going to fi.edu.
To enlighten and explain all this to us on Saturday, January 27 is Mr. Larry Dubinski, the president and CEO of the Franklin Institute where this amazing exhibit is being held. Founded in 1824 honoring America’s first scientist -Benjamin Franklin- and located in the heart of Philadelphia, the Franklin Institute is a renowned and innovative leader in the field of science and technology learning, as well as a dynamic center of activity. Pennsylvania’s most visited museum, it is dedicated to creating a passion for learning about science by offering access to hands-on science education.
We’re honored and privileged to welcome President/CEO Larry Dubinski. His wealth of experience, exceptional management skills and a deep enthusiasm and commitment to advancing science and technology learning among children and adults alike across cultures and nationalities is second-to-none. He’ll share an overview of the Franklin Institute, the significance of First Emperor Qin’s terra-cotta army and its discovery in 1974, the uniqueness of this scientific exhibit and why you should come savor an experience like no other.
Our Spotlight on C-Pop is back with ‘Just Met You’ by an amazingly multi-talented artist, Mr. Li Yugang. Since this song’s video was posted in 2017 on YouTube it has received 24 million hits. He is a singer and performer in the National Opera and Dancing company of China and member of the National Youth Federation. Li Yugang specializes in playing “nan dan” roles which is a male playing female roles in classical Peking Opera. His influence is diversified and extends far beyond the entertainment world. For those who have access to iTunes, Li Yugang’s music is available for purchase.
As always, there’s more on this and every broadcast of Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rimon 1490 WGCH and WGCH.com anywhere. Tune in to hear the Confucius Moment, the countdown to Chinese New Year, Treasures of China, Chinese Fun Facts and the Weekly Almanac.
SHOW # 105: February 3, 2018: My guest on Conversations is John Pomfret, author of The Beautiful Country and the Middle Kingdom: America and China, 1776 to the Present. Pomfret served as a correspondent for the Washington Post for two decades in which he covered wars, revolutions and China. He is the author of the acclaimed book Chinese Lessons: Five Classmates and the Story of the New China. Pomfret has won awards for his reporting on Asia, including the Osbourne Elliot Prize. He earned a BA and MA from Stanford University. Pomfret was one of the first Americans to further his education in China after the normalization of relations in 1972. More recently he was a Fulbright scholar in Beijing.
"From the clipper ships that ventured to Canton hauling cargos of American ginseng to swap Chinese tea, to the US warships facing off against China's growing navy in the South China Sea, from the Yankee missionaries who brought Christianity and education to China, to the Chinese who built the American West, the United States and China have always been dramatically intertwined. For more than two centuries, American and Chinese statesmen, merchants, missionaries, and adventurers, men and women, have profoundly influenced the fate of these nations. While we tend to think of America's ties with China as starting in 1972 with the visit of President Richard Nixon to China, the patterns―rapturous enchantment followed by angry disillusionment―were set in motion hundreds of years earlier.
"Drawing on personal letters, diaries, memoirs, government documents, and contemporary news reports, John Pomfret reconstructs the surprising, tragic, and marvelous ways Americans and Chinese have engaged with one another through the centuries. A fascinating and thrilling account, The Beautiful Country and the Middle Kingdom is also an indispensable book for understanding the most important―and often the most perplexing―relationship between any two countries in the world."
Tune in for the Confucius Moment, Treasures of China, the Weekly Almanac, Chinese New Year Countdown and more!
SHOW #106: February 10, 2018: Grant Hayter-Menzies joined us from British Columbia, Canada for an insightful conversation about his book, Imperial Masquerade: The Legend of Princess Der Ling. You can order copies from Hong Kong University Press here. You can also go to Amazon here, and Barnes & Noble here.
Hayter-Menzies has served as an art and music critic for newspapers and magazines from the U.S. Pacific Northwest to the Eastern seaboard and in Western Canada. He is also a former board member of the Northwest China Council in Portland, Oregon. He is the author of a number of books including The Empress and Mrs. Conger: The Uncommon Friendship of Two Women and Two Worlds. He was with us in 2017 to talk to us about this book. Go to this link to learn more.
Imperial Masquerade: The Legend of Princess Der Ling has been described by author Diana Preston as "an intriguing, insightful portrait of a woman born at the boundary between two cultures who, in her restless yearning for celebrity crossed and recrossed another boundary -that in between reality and fantasy- in an extraordinary life that took her from the Forbidden City of Beijing to the pleasure palaces of America's Jazz Age."
Chinese New Year is coming closer and closer! We featured special greetings to all those celebrating this auspicious holiday in the February 10 show and those in the weeks ahead. There's much to see and do -for as we like to point out, everything Chinese is all the rage these days. The Weekly Almanac features a list of Chinese and Chinese American cultural institutions across the USA where you can immerse yourself. Chinese New Year Events for all sorts of things going on from the New England States to Hawaii and various points in between.
SHOW #107: February 17, 2018: On our Chinese New Year special broadcast I welcomed Ms. Ashley Fu, chair of the Young Professionals of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Honolulu, Hawaii USA.
I also welcomed back Mr. Douglas Chong of the Hawaii Chinese History Center in Honolulu's Chinatown. For a few moments we heard about the announcement and release of the 2018 Chinese New Year commemorative postage stamps in January. Chong also spent a few minutes educating us about how the Chinese in Hawaii USA celebrate the Chinese New Year holiday.
I also welcomed official Chinese New Year greetings from Ms. Ashley Fu; Mr. Peter Tesei, First Selectman of Greenwich, Connecticut; Ms. Marcia O'Kane, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Greenwich, Connecticut; and also from Mr. Rocco Forte, the owner and president of 1490 WGCH/WGCH.com Radio.
We also held our first giveaway contest! For the next few shows I'm giving away official Chinese New Year t-shirts made in Hawaii. You have to listen to the show to participate in the Chinese trivia question. The first to email me with the correct answer at marvelsofchina@gmail.com wins! I'm in such a good mood that I am throwing in a small bag of Hawaiian coffee! Remember to send in your name, address, phone number and shirt size, too. I'll announce the winner on one of the next shows.
SHOW #108: February 24, 2018: I'm in the City by the Bay, San Francisco, California for today's second special Chinese New Year show. The parade and other celebrations are the largest in North America as well as the largest outside of Asia. I want to thank my friends at the Grant Plaza Hotel in the heart of Chinatown for welcoming me.
My guest on Conversations was Victoria Gerard, Curator of Collections and Special Exhibitions at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, Orange County, California. Empress Dowager Cixi: Selections from the Summer Palace is the focus of our discussion. This first-of-its-kind exhibit was organized through a ground breaking partnership with the Summer Palace Museum in Beijing. Cixi's role and her life was a multifaceted one. The exhibit reconstructs her everyday life through four sections and more than 100 objects never before displayed in the USA.
We like to say that "everything Chinese is all the rage these days." So true! This show features a special Weekly Almanac where listeners could learn about public celebrations and exhibits on Chinese culture during this auspicious time. We featured the Confucius Moment, Chinese Fun Facts, Treasures of China and more!
SHOW #109: March 3, 2018: Today's guest on Conversations was Darlene Chiu Bryant, a member of the Board of Directors of the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation. Based in San Francisco, California and formed in 1983, you can learn more and help support the preservation and restoration of Angel Island Immigration Station by going on the web to www.aiisf.org. We marked the Lantern Festival, signaling the conclusion of Chinese New Year observances. Enjoy our steady stream of educational segments, such as the Confucius Moment, Treasures of China, how to contact me as marvelsofchina@gmail.com and the Weekly Almanac -where you'll find an assortment of events and exhibits. Our Spotlight on C-Pop focused on those among you feeling a little shy about looking for love. So, enjoy Patrick Brasca and Jay Chou singing 'Try' -for you must! See more on MarvelsofChina.blogspot.com.
SHOW #110: March 10, 2018: Welcome back from Chinese New Year celebrations! I hope that your travels were safe and worry-free, and that your celebrations were filled with heartfelt family reunions and a galaxy of smiles. I returned to Honolulu after attending my first-ever celebrations of Chinese New Year/Spring Festival events there -the largest outside of Asia. Would you believe the parade alone was over four hours long?
On Conversations I enjoyed welcoming Michelle Chan of Dragon School in Oakland, California's Chinatown. When I visited San Francisco's Chinatown I was quite frankly drawn to the street murals located along the district's streets and alleyways. Colors and figures are bold, expressive and colorful -and I had to know who was behind all this. That's how I encountered Dragon School. Profiled on NBC News, the San Jose Mercury News, the East Bay Express and other media sources, Dragon School is a non-profit that works with Chinatown communities to revitalize them with collaborative art created by young people. Go to Dragon School's web site to learn more and support its mission.
We featured the Confucius Moment, Treasures of China, how to contact me by email at marvelsofchina@gmail.com and the Weekly Almanac -where you'll find an assortment of events and exhibits. We also held a Chinese trivia contest! Did you participate and win? Fear not -there's more to come! See more on MarvelsofChina.blogspot.com.
I also welcomed back Mr. Douglas Chong of the Hawaii Chinese History Center in Honolulu's Chinatown. For a few moments we heard about the announcement and release of the 2018 Chinese New Year commemorative postage stamps in January. Chong also spent a few minutes educating us about how the Chinese in Hawaii USA celebrate the Chinese New Year holiday.
I also welcomed official Chinese New Year greetings from Ms. Ashley Fu; Mr. Peter Tesei, First Selectman of Greenwich, Connecticut; Ms. Marcia O'Kane, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Greenwich, Connecticut; and also from Mr. Rocco Forte, the owner and president of 1490 WGCH/WGCH.com Radio.
We also held our first giveaway contest! For the next few shows I'm giving away official Chinese New Year t-shirts made in Hawaii. You have to listen to the show to participate in the Chinese trivia question. The first to email me with the correct answer at marvelsofchina@gmail.com wins! I'm in such a good mood that I am throwing in a small bag of Hawaiian coffee! Remember to send in your name, address, phone number and shirt size, too. I'll announce the winner on one of the next shows.
SHOW #108: February 24, 2018: I'm in the City by the Bay, San Francisco, California for today's second special Chinese New Year show. The parade and other celebrations are the largest in North America as well as the largest outside of Asia. I want to thank my friends at the Grant Plaza Hotel in the heart of Chinatown for welcoming me.
My guest on Conversations was Victoria Gerard, Curator of Collections and Special Exhibitions at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, Orange County, California. Empress Dowager Cixi: Selections from the Summer Palace is the focus of our discussion. This first-of-its-kind exhibit was organized through a ground breaking partnership with the Summer Palace Museum in Beijing. Cixi's role and her life was a multifaceted one. The exhibit reconstructs her everyday life through four sections and more than 100 objects never before displayed in the USA.
We like to say that "everything Chinese is all the rage these days." So true! This show features a special Weekly Almanac where listeners could learn about public celebrations and exhibits on Chinese culture during this auspicious time. We featured the Confucius Moment, Chinese Fun Facts, Treasures of China and more!
SHOW #109: March 3, 2018: Today's guest on Conversations was Darlene Chiu Bryant, a member of the Board of Directors of the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation. Based in San Francisco, California and formed in 1983, you can learn more and help support the preservation and restoration of Angel Island Immigration Station by going on the web to www.aiisf.org. We marked the Lantern Festival, signaling the conclusion of Chinese New Year observances. Enjoy our steady stream of educational segments, such as the Confucius Moment, Treasures of China, how to contact me as marvelsofchina@gmail.com and the Weekly Almanac -where you'll find an assortment of events and exhibits. Our Spotlight on C-Pop focused on those among you feeling a little shy about looking for love. So, enjoy Patrick Brasca and Jay Chou singing 'Try' -for you must! See more on MarvelsofChina.blogspot.com.
SHOW #110: March 10, 2018: Welcome back from Chinese New Year celebrations! I hope that your travels were safe and worry-free, and that your celebrations were filled with heartfelt family reunions and a galaxy of smiles. I returned to Honolulu after attending my first-ever celebrations of Chinese New Year/Spring Festival events there -the largest outside of Asia. Would you believe the parade alone was over four hours long?
On Conversations I enjoyed welcoming Michelle Chan of Dragon School in Oakland, California's Chinatown. When I visited San Francisco's Chinatown I was quite frankly drawn to the street murals located along the district's streets and alleyways. Colors and figures are bold, expressive and colorful -and I had to know who was behind all this. That's how I encountered Dragon School. Profiled on NBC News, the San Jose Mercury News, the East Bay Express and other media sources, Dragon School is a non-profit that works with Chinatown communities to revitalize them with collaborative art created by young people. Go to Dragon School's web site to learn more and support its mission.
We featured the Confucius Moment, Treasures of China, how to contact me by email at marvelsofchina@gmail.com and the Weekly Almanac -where you'll find an assortment of events and exhibits. We also held a Chinese trivia contest! Did you participate and win? Fear not -there's more to come! See more on MarvelsofChina.blogspot.com.
SHOW #111: March 17, 2018: It's Women's History Month across the USA. On today's Conversations I featured an encore interview with Hawaii-based filmmaker Robin Lung. When I met Robin Lung in 2016 she was just introducing the world to her award-winning documentary Finding Kukan -and to the legendary and truly one-of-a-kind trailblazer Li Ling-Ai. Since that time there have been and continue to be multiple screenings of Finding Kukan. Go to nestedeggproductions.com to learn more and to support Robin Lung's efforts. Also, please go to this link to learn more about Li Ling-Ai. We featured Confucius Moment and Treasures of China, and the Weekly Almanac -and more!
SHOW #112: March 24, 2018: We continued to salute Women's History Month across the USA. On today's Conversations I featured an encore interview with San Francisco-based Dr. Karen McNeill. She is America's foremost authority on the legendary and pioneering American architect Julia Morgan. She designed over 700 buildings across the Western USA, including Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California. Her best-known Chinese connection is with the iconic San Francisco Chinatown YWCA, today the headquarters of the Chinese Historical Society of America.
We featured Confucius Moment and Treasures of China, too. Time flew by -which I suppose means we're having fun- so, please click this link to a page Set up for the Weekly Almanac to see the latest in what there is to see and do on MarvelsofChina.blogspot.com.
SHOW #113: March 31, 2018: On April 5, 2018 Chinese across the world will mark the annual Qingming Festival. We featured an encore conversation originally recorded a year ago with Mr. Douglas Chong, director of the Hawaii Chinese History Center in Honolulu's Chinatown. The holiday is more than presenting offerings and tidying up the burial places of the dead. We also featured the Confucius Moment, Treasures of China, the Weekly Almanac, news, announcements and more!
SHOW #114: April 7, 2018: Mysterious, exotic, even other-worldly Tibet’s aura has captured the imagination of the Western mind for centuries. On February 27, 2018 Unknown Tibet: The Tucci Expeditions and Buddhist Painting opened to the public at the Asia Society in New York City. The exhibition features stunning paintings collected by Italian scholar Giuseppe Tucci during his 1926-1948 expeditions to Tibet, along with striking photography of his travels. Go to this link for an introductory video of the exhibition. We welcomed the exhibition’s guest curator Dr. Deborah Klimburg-Salter, PhD. to the show. She received her PhD from Harvard University in 1976, followed by her Habilitation from University of Vienna in 1989. Among her many accomplishments, Deborah Klimburg-Salter is the research director of the Giuseppe Tucci Photographic Archive. Her work has involved extensive fieldwork and writing on the art and archaeology of Afghanistan, Northern India and Tibet. The Asian Society was founded in 1956 by John D Rockefeller 3rd. It is the leading educational organization dedicated to promoting mutual understanding and strengthening partnerships among people's, leaders, and institutions of Asia and the United States in a global context. Learn more at AsiaSociety.org. We featured our usual segments, including our Weekly Almanac of exhibitions and events you can attend all across the USA.
SHOW #115: April 14, 2018: There is only one Dorothy Toy. Take my word for it. She is one of the most prodigious and fascinating dancers in American history. Both Dorothy Toy and the late Paul Wing (pictured above) dazzled audiences on film and on stage across North America, Europe and Japan with world-class footwork the likes of which no one had seen before. Dorothy Toy's story has been told through a documentary, Dancing Through Life: The Dorothy Toy Story by veteran San Francisco Bay Area journalist and documentary filmmaker Rick Quan, who called Dorothy Toy "an Asian American pioneer in entertainment." Rick Quan was my guest on Conversations on the Saturday, April 14 broadcast of Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim on 1490 WGCH and WGCH.com anywhere via audio-streaming at 10:30 a.m. Eastern USA Time/10:30 p.m. Beijing Time. We featured our regular segments, such as the Confucius Moment, Chinese Fun Facts, the Weekly Almanac and more.
SHOW #116: April 21, 2018: On today's broadcast I was joined by Ms. Sasha Kong, the daughter of the legendary Chinese contemporary artist Kong Baiji (pictured above) who died recently in Greenwich, Connecticut -the home of our flagship station 1490 WGCH/WGCH.com. He was regarded as a key figure in China's post-Cultural Revolution contemporary art movement. His works are included in some of the world's finest museums and cultural institutions. We featured our regular segments and more!
SHOW #117: April 28, 2018: The Hagley Museum and Library in Delaware announced what museum officials call a “path-breaking” exhibition the partnership with Tsinghua University in Beijing and the China Association for Science and Technology. My guest on Conversations was Hagley's executive director David Cole, PhD, where he has been since 2013. Spirit of Invention: 19th Century U.S. Patent Models of the Hagley Museum and Library (and here) showcases authentic American patent models, stories of American invention and chronicles the development of U.S. patents and intellectual property systems. The exhibited models from the Hagley Museum and Library represent a broad spectrum of American industries, interest and inventions. The exhibit is scheduled to travel to various cities in China with a projected audience of over one million visitors. This marks the first time an American history museum has exhibited in China.
SHOW #120: May 19, 2018: When the Committee of 100 announced the death of Anna Chan Chennault -who died on March 30, 2018- Governor Shirley Young, who is one of the organization’s founders, said, “Anna Chennault was a true pioneer, as a courageous young woman helping the Flying Tigers during World War II and as a proud Chinese American working with Chinese and American leaders to build strong, positive relationships. We are grateful to have had her as a vibrant member of the Committee of 100.” Anna Chan Chennault was the Chinese-born wife of the celebrated, legendary Gen. Claire Lee Chennault of World War II Flying Tigers fame. She was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for International Cooperation by the Committee of 100 in 2005 at its annual conference.
My guest on Conversations was Dr. Catherine Forslund, chair of the Rockford University history department and official biographer of Anna Chan Chennault. Forslund is the author of Anna Chennault: Informal Diplomacy and Asian Relations. You can find a link on the Book Club section of MarvelsofChina.Blogspot.com, on Amazon and other book vendors. Regarding Mrs. Chennault, the Washington Post quoted Dr. Forslund as saying, “She was somebody who interpreted China to Americans, government officials, business and the public to a certain extent. Plus, she interpreted the United States to all these Asian countries.” Having the ear of American President’s regardless of party, Anna Chan Chennault became one of the most influential private citizens in Washington, D.C. She was and will be remembered for many accomplishments, especially her invaluable contributions to U.S.-China relations and diplomacy.
SHOW #121: May 26, 2018: On the Saturday, May 26, 2018 Memorial Day weekend broadcast of Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim I welcomed Commander Kenneth Wong of the American Legion Lt. B.R. Kimlau Chinese Memorial Post 1291 in New York City’s Chinatown.
Americans annually pause on the final weekend of May to pay respects and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in times of war, always with the hope that it will be the last time.
We heard from Commander Wong about the heroism of Lt. B.R. Kimlau, a Chinese American who perished during World War II, and who was memorialized by the establishment of the American Legion post that bears his name.
We heard about the Kimlau Chinese Memorial Post 1291’s other activities for all who seek their help. All this started in the mid-1940’s by three Chinese Americans in New York City -two of whom were postal workers and another who ran a Chinatown enterprise- envisioning the formation of the formation of a Chinese American Legion to serve American veterans of Chinese descent. You can learn more by going to its official web site at http://www.ltkimlau.com.
I also welcomed back from Hawaii Retired Brigadier Frances Iwalani Mossman. This month marked the one-year anniversary of the historic “Sister City” ties established between Hangzhou, China and Greenwich, Connecticut USA -where this show broadcasts from. We’ll be hearing more from General Mossman -and stay tuned for an important announcement and invitation from us in the weeks ahead.
I also welcomed back from Hawaii Retired Brigadier Frances Iwalani Mossman. This month marked the one-year anniversary of the historic “Sister City” ties established between Hangzhou, China and Greenwich, Connecticut USA -where this show broadcasts from. We’ll be hearing more from General Mossman -and stay tuned for an important announcement and invitation from us in the weeks ahead.
SHOW #122: June 2, 2018: High-level strategic partnerships between American and Chinese healthcare academics, policymakers and health industries are growing. These constructive collaborations strive to improve people's lives. This meeting of great minds serves to promote the advancement of global health through exchanges of knowledge, ideas and experiences for the betterment of all.
Joining me by phone from New York City was Dr. Lu Fan, of Wenzhou Medical University (WMU), Zhejiang Province, China. Fan was director of the Eye Hospital and dean of the School of Ophthalmology. She was the president of Wenzhou Medical University until April 2018 when she was appointed WMU’s chancellor.
Chancellor Fan graduated from WMU, majoring in General Medicine, completing a residency in ophthalmology and a Masters in Optics in Ophthalmology. In 2002 she graduated from the New England College of Optometry in Boston, Massachusetts.
Fan is a pioneer in establishing ophthalmology and optometric medical programs throughout China. Under her leadership Wenzhou Medical University’s eye hospital became one of China's most outstanding, covering eye care for a population totaling 20 million in Zhejiang Province. She has been conferred several national science and education awards in China. Her current research focuses on ocular imaging, refractive therapy, vision function and dry eye, mainly sponsored by the National Natural Science Foundation of China through its National Key Basic Research Development Program.
We featured our regular segments, such as the Confucius Moment, Chinese Fun Facts, the Weekly Almanac and more.
SHOW #123: June 9, 2018: When I was in Hawaii recently I read a very touching obituary about the one and only Vera Ako -whose stage name was Vi Wong- who at age 88 years “went over the rainbow” in Kailua on March 23. In the 1960s she was among the first wave of Asian American pioneering entertainers who dazzled audiences across North America, Europe and Japan at such venues as the legendary Forbidden City Nightclub in San Francisco, California. Celebrities who attended these Chinese performers included Ronald Reagan, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Duke Ellington. Vi Wong was part of the dance team headed by legendary Dorothy Toy -who just turned 101 years young- and Paul Wing -at a time when Hollywood overlooked the talents of Asian American performers.
Judge Kwan is the president of the Chinese Railroad Workers Descendants Association. On Conversations, Judge Kwan took us on a remarkable trip back in time when armies of Chinese and Chinese American railroad workers accomplished the seemingly impossible as they built the Transcontinental Railroad.
Barely mentioned in American history textbooks, the contributions made by countless Chinese railroad workers is nothing short of astonishing. In the 19th century they endured hardships, exploitation and discrimination -and despite it all connected the eastern and western sides of the United States as never before and transforming the nation in the process.
We learned from Judge Michael Kwan about the recently held annual Golden Spike Conference -setting the stage for next year's 150 anniversary celebrations of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. Regular segments such as the Confucius Moment and Treasures of China were featured, too.
SHOW #128: July 14, 2018: On the Saturday, July 14 broadcast of Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim we met Mr. Tunney Lee, professor emeritus and former head of the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and former head of the Department of Architecture at Chinese University of Hong Kong. We learned about a fascinating, collaborative project Professor Lee is a leader of, Boston Chinatown Atlas. You can access it at ChinatownAtlas.org and through MarvelsofChina.blogspot.com.
SHOW #131: August 4, 2018: Certified New York City and Los Angeles Feng Shui expert Laura Cerrano was my guest. She is the CEO and founder of the bicoastal consulting firm Feng Shui Manhattan, established in 1997.
Cerrano is also a Feng Shui scientific researcher who is dedicated to bridging the gap between the ancient wisdom of Feng Shui with modern day science. She is a resident teacher at the Metropolitan Institute of Design in Syosset, New York. Laura Cerrano has been featured on PBS, News China, the New York Times, BBC Radio and more. You can learn more at fengshuimanhattan.com. We featured your words of wisdom on the Confucius Moment, the Weekly Almanac, Treasures of China, and Chinese Fun Facts! Paul Cabo will be phoning in from Beijing with his Chinese Word of the Week, too.
SHOW #132: August 11, 2018: Joining me on the Saturday, August 11 broadcast of Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim is Tommy Gong, the author of Bruce Lee: The Evolution of a Martial Artist. We’ll hear about the legendary martial artist’s real life, television and movie star’s development as an individual, teacher and icon -and his philosophy. We featured the Confucius Moment, Treasures of China, Paul Cabo called in from Beijing with his Chinese Word of the Week and more! Remember that our weekly broadcast begins 10:30 a.m. Eastern USA Time/10:30 p.m. Beijing Time on 1490 WGCH and WGCH.com anywhere via live-audio-streaming. Can’t listen live? Fear not; we have you covered. All our shows are archived and made freely available on our special channel on podcasts.com.
SHOW #133: August 18, 2018: On the Saturday, August 18 broadcast of Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim I welcomed from Rotterdam, the Netherlands Mr. Hans van Roon. He is the blogger behind Mongols, China and the Silk Road: Archeology and History of the Silk Road (MongolsChinaandtheSilkRoad.blogspot.com). Little was known on the mysterious, remarkable heritage of the ancient Silk Road -that is, until a century ago when explorers and archeologists uncovered the ruins of ancient cities. These same explorers who braved the deserts of Central Asia and China brought the wonders of the ancient silk roads to the world’s attention. The work continues today in the 21st century. Eclectic, cosmopolitan, sophisticated societies dotted the region with a bewildering universe of cultures, languages and religions -Chinese, Indians, Mongols, Turks, Persians, Buddhists, Nestorians, Manicheans and others. You can learn about the latest through van Roon’s blog site as well as on Facebook and Twitter. We featured the Confucius Moment, the Weekly Almanac, Treasures of China, Chinese Fun Facts and more! Our weekly broadcast begins 10:30 a.m. Eastern USA Time/10:30 p.m. Beijing Time on 1490 WGCH and WGCH.com anywhere via live-audio-streaming. Can’t listen live? Fear not; we have you covered. All our shows are archived and made freely available on our special channel on podcasts.com.
SHOW #134: August 25, 2018: I welcomed self-described baseball fanatic William Chu, the first-generation Chinese American New Yorker behind the Chinese baseball blog site ChineseBangqiu.com “I believe that baseball is for everyone. Domestically, I want to increase baseball’s profile with Asian-Americans.” That sounds like a home run to me, and I’ll bet that’s true for you. There are a growing number of Chinese nationals and Chinese Americans who are players in the major leagues. Baseball has won many fans in places such as Japan and South Korea -and China, too! Tune in for our featured segments: the Confucius Moment, the Weekly Almanac, Treasures of China, Chinese Fun Facts and more! Mark your calendars! Remember that our weekly broadcast begins Saturday 10:30 a.m. Eastern USA Time/10:30 p.m. Beijing Time on 1490 WGCH and WGCH.com anywhere via live-audio-streaming. Can’t listen live? Fear not; we have you covered. All our shows are archived and made freely available on our special channel on podcasts.com.
SHOW #136: September 8, 2018: Across America schools, colleges and universities have returned from summer vacation. Among those enrolled are Chinese students -the largest group of foreign students studying in the country today. Who was the first to graduate? On the Saturday, September 8 broadcast of Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim we’ll be welcoming Professor Benjamin Railton, Ph.D., of Fitchburg State University in Massachusetts. Dr. Railton is also the President Ex Officio of the New England American Studies Association and past presidents of the Northeast Modern Language Association. Railton is also a blogger. Peruse his blog located at AmericanStudier.blogspot.com. He penned a fascinating article that caught my eye on ConnecticutHistory.org. Yung Wing was the first Chinese student to graduate from an American university -in this case Yale College in 1854. Go to this link to read his article. Stay tuned for the Confucius Moment, the Weekly Almanac, Treasures of China, Chinese Fun Facts and more!
SHOW #137: September 15, 2018: In March 1974 a group of Chinese peasants digging a well in drought-parched Shaanxi province accidentally unearthed fragments of a clay figure. This was the first evidence of what would become one of the greatest archeological discoveries in world history. Near the unexcavated tomb of Qin She Huangdi- who in Year 221 B.C. proclaimed himself the first emperor of China- lay an entire army of terra-cotta soldiers, horses and more -interred for over 2000 years. My distinguished guest is Edward Burman, the author of the newly-released book The Terra-cotta Warriors: Exploring the Most Intriguing Puzzle in Chinese History.
SHOW #138: September 22, 2018: Wes Radez, the creator of Chinese American Family, was out guest today, The Oakland, California resident started this wonderful cultural resource that serves Chinese American families -and everyone else! Chinese American Family “focuses on cultural parenting topics like holidays, food, history and language while reaching a diverse community of families that includes Chinese Americans, multicultural couples, adoptive parents and other Americans with connections to Chinese culture.” Amen to that.
SHOW #141: October 13, 2018. On Saturday, October 13 I welcomed back Dr. Daisy Yiyou Wang, the Robert N. Shapiro Curator of Chinese and East Asian Art at the world-renowned Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) in Salem, Massachusetts USA. We discussed PEM’s newest exhibition, Empresses of China’s Forbidden City now on view until February 10, 2019. The exhibit is timed to mark the 40th anniversary of the re-establishment of China-USA diplomatic relations. It’s been organized as a collaboration between the Peabody Essex Museum, the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery of the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., and the Palace Museum in Beijing. Empresses of China’s Forbidden City is the first to explore the role of empresses in shaping the Qing Dynasty 1644 to 1912. We featured the Confucius Moment and a few surprises!
SHOW #146: November 17, 2018: Today I was joined by Herb Tam, the curator of the Museum of Chinese in America New York City (MOCANYC). On Conversations we discussed the museum's newest exhibition, Radical Machines: Chinese in the Information Age. It explores the seemingly impossible, yet technologically crucial Chinese typewriter – a machine that inputs a language with no alphabet, yet has more than 70,000 characters. For centuries, written Chinese has presented fascinating and irresistible puzzles for engineers, linguists, and entrepreneurs alike. With help from the global community, China solved these puzzles, and Chinese became one of the world’s most successful languages in the information age. Radical Machines explores the design, technology, and art of Chinese characters in the information age. Through a collection of rare typewriters and computers — and a diverse array of historic photographs, telegraph code books, typing manuals, ephemera, propaganda posters, and more — we gain unprecedented insight into the still-transforming history of the world’s oldest living language. The exhibition originated at the East Asia Library of Stanford University and is curated by Stanford historian Dr. Tom Mullaney. Composed of items in his personal collection, it is the largest Chinese and Pan-Asian typewriter and information and technology (IT) collection in the world.
SHOW #147: November 24, 2018: Long-time listeners may remember my Year 2016 interview with Mr. Ling, the man behind the podcast, Antique Shanghai Pop Music. On this American Thanksgiving holiday weekend I thought our newer audience members would enjoy my conversation with Ling about the pop music scene in 1920s, 1930s and 1940s Shanghai.
SHOW #148: December 1, 2018: We featured an encore interview with Professor Xu Xin, China's most renowned Judaic scholar. We heard about Ho Feng-Shan, a Chinese diplomat in Vienna who risked his own life and career during World War II to save thousands of European Jews fleeing the Holocaust. Professor Xu is the founder and director of the Diane and Guilford Glazer Institute for Jewish and Israel Studies at Nanjing University. He has been a scholar of Judaism, Jewish culture and the history of Chinese Jews since 1986. Xu was also the first Chinese scholar to introduce modern Hebrew literature to Chinese readers. He has also created Masters and doctoral programs on Jewish history and culture. His activities have been widely reported by such newspapers and magazines as Chicago Tribune, Jerusalem Post, New York Times, Harvard University Gazette, The Jerusalem Report, The Jewish Week, The Forward, China's Talents, Xinhua Daily, Modern Express, and China Daily. He is a member of a number of academic organizations in China, such as Jiangsu Writers' Association, the Association of All-China Comparative Literature, the Association of Translators of Jiangsu, and the Society of World History Studies of China. Currently he serves as President of the China Judaic Studies Association and vice-president of China Association for Middle East Studies.
*NOTE: The December 8, 2018 show has been pre-empted. Tune in for the next live broadcast on December 15, 2018.
SHOW #150: December 22, 2018: TBA
Joining me from Honolulu on Conversations on the Saturday, June 9 broadcast of Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim was Vi Wong’s daughter, Diane Ako. An award-winning journalist, Diane Ako anchors and reports for Honolulu’s ABC affiliate KITV Island News. She’s also reported at stations in California, Pennsylvania and New Mexico and worked at KHON2 and KHNL. Her reporting has garnered ten first-place award from the Society of professional Journalists’ Hawaii Chapter and four Emmy nominations from the San Francisco/Northern California Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Check out her blog at DianeAko.com.
Vera was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in Year 2013. Her family requests that you consider a memorial contribution to the University of Hawai‘i John A. Burns School of Medicine “in memory of Vera Ako.” Here’s how:
1) Indicate if it's for the Alzheimer’s Disease Research and Education Fund (#12722004), the Preclinical Research Fund for Alzheimer’s (#12583204), or both
2) Please make checks payable to UH Foundation
3) Mail to:
University of Hawai‘i Foundation
P.O. Box 11270
Honolulu, HI 96828
On the Saturday, June 16 broadcast of Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim, I welcomed Ms. Nicky Honghao Ruan of the New York City-based Lotus Lee Foundation.
Newly established in New York City, Lotus Lee Foundation is a non-profit that is partnered with Lotus Lee Studios, a theater company founded in Shanghai in 2015. Does an all-expense paid opportunity to travel to Shanghai and be immersed in its exciting theater community appeal to you? You’ll want to tune in and hear about the Lotus Lee Foundation Travel Fellowship!
Go to this link for details, and scroll down to the bottom of the page to register: https://www.lotus-lee.foundation/lotus-lee-travel-fellowship/
We feature the Confucius Moment, Treasures of China, the Weekly Almanac and much more at 10:30 a.m. Eastern USA Time/10:30 p.m. Beijing Time on 1490 WGCH Greenwich, Connecticut USA and WGCH.com anywhere.
SHOW #125: June 23, 2018:“Go West, young man,” is a famous phrase that was first popularized in the 19th century by American author and New York Herald Tribune editor Horace Greeley. Fast forward to the 21st century. Today it’s “Go East-everyone!” Where are they going? You’ll never guess-although, if you listen to this program the answer is a no-brainer.
A huge number of foreigners -including Americans- have pulled up stakes and focused their dreams on China. You’ll agree that it takes a fair amount of risk coupled with an abundance of grit, tenacity and courage to take the plunge.
On the Saturday, June 23 broadcast of Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim we met Mr. Paul Cabo, our first Beijing correspondent, intern and guest. This native of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York City acted on his captivation with all-things Chinese. Cabo left behind his former life as a Starbucks manager and reached for the stars and a new life in China as an English teacher in the Chinese capitol, as an entrepreneur and university student at Beijing Language and Culture College.
Cabo was featured in a 2010 New York Times piece, From Brooklyn to Beijing to Teach Children English-and Into the Cauldron. He’s described his life as “fact is truly stranger than fiction.” His personal image evokes a “wow-factor” on the streets of Beijing, too.
Get ready for more words of wisdom on the Confucius Moment, a journey to another of the Treasures of China, much to see and do on the Weekly Almanac, and on Spotlight on C-Pop you’ll hear a wonderful selection from the one and only Faye Wong.
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| Photo Credit: Corky Lee. |
SHOW #126: June 30, 2018: America's Independence Day is fast approaching. This year the Fourth of July falls on a Wednesday. It's my pleasure to have welcomed the Honorable Judge Michael Kwan from Utah to the June 30 broadcast of Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim.
Judge Kwan is the president of the Chinese Railroad Workers Descendants Association. On Conversations, Judge Kwan took us on a remarkable trip back in time when armies of Chinese and Chinese American railroad workers accomplished the seemingly impossible as they built the Transcontinental Railroad.
Barely mentioned in American history textbooks, the contributions made by countless Chinese railroad workers is nothing short of astonishing. In the 19th century they endured hardships, exploitation and discrimination -and despite it all connected the eastern and western sides of the United States as never before and transforming the nation in the process.
We learned from Judge Michael Kwan about the recently held annual Golden Spike Conference -setting the stage for next year's 150 anniversary celebrations of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. Regular segments such as the Confucius Moment and Treasures of China were featured, too.
SHOW #127: July 7, 2018: As our celebration of the 242nd year of American independence on the Fourth of July continued I welcomed back Mr. Edmond Gor from Houston, Texas. On Conversations we discussed and were updated on the Chinese American World War II Veterans Recognition Project, an initiative of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance. You may remember that Gor was with us on the August 12, 2017 broadcast. Go to this link and listen. The project’s mission is to recognize, honor and celebrate the military service of Chinese Americans who fought in the Second World War through advocacy, education and preservation -ensuring that the outstanding achievements and contributions of these extraordinary members of America’s greatest generation will never be forgotten. A bill is before Congress in Washington, D.C. Your help is needed to get it passed. Tune in and find out how. We featured more words of wisdom on the Confucius Moment, a journey to another of the Treasures of China, and much to see and do on the Weekly Almanac, and more! We featured a rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner -the American national anthem- by Chinese Pipa Soloist, Composer and Cultural Ambassador Ms. Gao Hong. She was on the Saturday, January 12, 2018 show when we met in Hawaii. Listen here. Can’t listen live? Fear not; we always have you covered. All our shows are archived and made freely available on our special channel on podcasts.com.
SHOW #128: July 14, 2018: On the Saturday, July 14 broadcast of Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim we met Mr. Tunney Lee, professor emeritus and former head of the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and former head of the Department of Architecture at Chinese University of Hong Kong. We learned about a fascinating, collaborative project Professor Lee is a leader of, Boston Chinatown Atlas. You can access it at ChinatownAtlas.org and through MarvelsofChina.blogspot.com.
Professor Lee served as chief of Planning and Design at the Boston Redevelopment Authority, as well as deputy commissioner of the Massachusetts Division of Capital Planning and Operations. Lee’s research and teaching at MIT has focused on the process of community-based design. In addition, he has led many studios involving Boston-area neighborhoods. Professor Lee’s research has focused on urban development of the pearl River Delta in China, and an Atlas of Urban Residential Densities.
We featured the Confucius Moment, the Weekly Almanac, Treasures of China, Chinese Fun Facts and more! Remember that our weekly broadcast begins 10:30 a.m. Eastern USA Time/10:30 p.m. Beijing Time on 1490 WGCH and WGCH.com anywhere via live-audio-streaming. Can’t listen live? Fear not; we have you covered. All our shows are archived and made freely available on our special channel on podcasts.com.
SHOW #129: July 21, 2018:On the Saturday, July 21 broadcast of Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim I welcomed back two-time Emmy Award winning sports broadcast journalist and documentarian Rick Quan by phone from the San Francisco Bay area. Rick Quan Productions has collaborated with the Chinese Historical Society of America, Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream Foundation and others. He was with us previously regarding The Dorothy Toy Story. Rick returned to discuss his latest award-winning documentary No Ordinary Joe: The Allen Joe Story. Oakland, California native Allen Joe -who recently died at age 94- was one of the first Chinese American bodybuilding champions who turned to exercise and good health to build his confidence, attract the love of his life and become both friend and mentor to martial arts legend Bruce Lee. I’ve established a link to the documentary where you can enjoy Allen Joe’s remarkable and heartwarming story in the Films section of MarvelsofChina.Blogspot.com, and directly on Vimeo. As we like to point out, “everything Chinese is all the rage these days.” We featured the Confucius Moment, the Weekly Almanac, Treasures of China, Chinese Fun Facts and more! Remember that our weekly broadcast begins 10:30 a.m. Eastern USA Time/10:30 p.m. Beijing Time on 1490 WGCH and WGCH.com anywhere via live-audio-streaming. Can’t listen live? Fear not; we have you covered. All our shows are archived and made freely available on our special channel on podcasts.com.
SHOW #130: July 28, 2018: On the Saturday, July 28 broadcast of Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim I welcomed Mr. Huihan Lie by phone from Beijing. He is the head of a first of its kind family tree and genealogical research business, My China Roots. What started as interest in tracing his ancestral roots to China quickly evolved into the founding of My China Roots, China’s first company devoted to helping overseas Chinese trace their family history and genealogical roots. He was on Conversations talked about My China Roots -and announced a first-of-its-kind, innovative service for overseas Chinese around the world. Learn more at MyChinaRoots.com. Huihan Lie has been featured on the BBC, South China Morning Post, The Economist, China Daily, Global Times and more!
I was especially interested in welcoming Huihan Lie to the show for a very important reason. Since this radio show started many, many of the Chinese nationals and Chinese Americans I've met have expressed an interest in learning more about their ancestors and family tree. Mr. Lie's announcement will -I am certain- pique your attention. We featured the Confucius Moment, the Weekly Almanac, Treasures of China, Chinese Fun Facts and more! Tune in to hear the Chinese Word of the Week with Paul Cabo coming in to us from Beijing. Remember that our weekly broadcast begins 10:30 a.m. Eastern USA Time/10:30 p.m. Beijing Time on 1490 WGCH and WGCH.com anywhere via live-audio-streaming. Can’t listen live? Fear not; we have you covered. All our shows are archived and made freely available on our special channel on podcasts.com.
SHOW #131: August 4, 2018: Certified New York City and Los Angeles Feng Shui expert Laura Cerrano was my guest. She is the CEO and founder of the bicoastal consulting firm Feng Shui Manhattan, established in 1997.
SHOW #133: August 18, 2018: On the Saturday, August 18 broadcast of Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim I welcomed from Rotterdam, the Netherlands Mr. Hans van Roon. He is the blogger behind Mongols, China and the Silk Road: Archeology and History of the Silk Road (MongolsChinaandtheSilkRoad.blogspot.com). Little was known on the mysterious, remarkable heritage of the ancient Silk Road -that is, until a century ago when explorers and archeologists uncovered the ruins of ancient cities. These same explorers who braved the deserts of Central Asia and China brought the wonders of the ancient silk roads to the world’s attention. The work continues today in the 21st century. Eclectic, cosmopolitan, sophisticated societies dotted the region with a bewildering universe of cultures, languages and religions -Chinese, Indians, Mongols, Turks, Persians, Buddhists, Nestorians, Manicheans and others. You can learn about the latest through van Roon’s blog site as well as on Facebook and Twitter. We featured the Confucius Moment, the Weekly Almanac, Treasures of China, Chinese Fun Facts and more! Our weekly broadcast begins 10:30 a.m. Eastern USA Time/10:30 p.m. Beijing Time on 1490 WGCH and WGCH.com anywhere via live-audio-streaming. Can’t listen live? Fear not; we have you covered. All our shows are archived and made freely available on our special channel on podcasts.com.
SHOW #134: August 25, 2018: I welcomed self-described baseball fanatic William Chu, the first-generation Chinese American New Yorker behind the Chinese baseball blog site ChineseBangqiu.com “I believe that baseball is for everyone. Domestically, I want to increase baseball’s profile with Asian-Americans.” That sounds like a home run to me, and I’ll bet that’s true for you. There are a growing number of Chinese nationals and Chinese Americans who are players in the major leagues. Baseball has won many fans in places such as Japan and South Korea -and China, too! Tune in for our featured segments: the Confucius Moment, the Weekly Almanac, Treasures of China, Chinese Fun Facts and more! Mark your calendars! Remember that our weekly broadcast begins Saturday 10:30 a.m. Eastern USA Time/10:30 p.m. Beijing Time on 1490 WGCH and WGCH.com anywhere via live-audio-streaming. Can’t listen live? Fear not; we have you covered. All our shows are archived and made freely available on our special channel on podcasts.com.
SHOW #135: September 1, 2018: I welcomed back Mr. Cy Feng of the Honda International Center (HIC) at Kapiolani Community College in Honolulu. HIC was named after Paul S. Honda, a Hawaii community leader, businessman and philanthropist. Honda had a vision of bringing students of various backgrounds around the Asia Pacific Rim to study and learn together and chart a peaceful path towards a bright future. In this encore interview with Cy Feng he will present HIC’s educational mission, activities and how you can also come and study here. Mr Honda’s life was colorful. He died on July 31, 2016. Go here to read his obituary. I’m delighted to announce that I will be returning occasionally to HIC to teach East Asian student groups in Hawaii on short-term study programs. It’s good to be back with former and new colleagues. We featured our regular segments. It’s also Labor Day weekend throughout the USA! Remember that our weekly broadcast begins 10:30 a.m. Eastern USA Time/10:30 p.m. Beijing Time on 1490 WGCH and WGCH.com anywhere via live-audio-streaming. Can’t listen live? Fear not; we have you covered. All our shows are archived and made freely available on our special channel on podcasts.com.
SHOW #136: September 8, 2018: Across America schools, colleges and universities have returned from summer vacation. Among those enrolled are Chinese students -the largest group of foreign students studying in the country today. Who was the first to graduate? On the Saturday, September 8 broadcast of Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim we’ll be welcoming Professor Benjamin Railton, Ph.D., of Fitchburg State University in Massachusetts. Dr. Railton is also the President Ex Officio of the New England American Studies Association and past presidents of the Northeast Modern Language Association. Railton is also a blogger. Peruse his blog located at AmericanStudier.blogspot.com. He penned a fascinating article that caught my eye on ConnecticutHistory.org. Yung Wing was the first Chinese student to graduate from an American university -in this case Yale College in 1854. Go to this link to read his article. Stay tuned for the Confucius Moment, the Weekly Almanac, Treasures of China, Chinese Fun Facts and more!
Edward Burman holds a degree in Philosophy and Fine Art from the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom. He has published 18 books focusing on a variety of historical subjects. Burman has been a trustee of the Xi’an City Wall Heritage Foundation -the only foreigner to hold such a position. He makes his home in the United Kingdom, but on the broadcast schedule he will be on the phone from Sardinia in Italy. We’ll feature the Confucius Moment, the Weekly Almanac, Treasures of China, Chinese Fun Facts and more!
I invited Wes Radez to be on Conversations so we could learn more about this second-most important Chinese holiday -the first being Chinese New Year. You’ll hear about how to celebrate this harvest festival dedicated to “giving thanks, for nature’s abundance and for joyful reunions with loved one.” It arrives annually with the full moon on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar. While you’re at it please subscribe to Wes Radez’s web site. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did! Finally, you’ll hear Wes review Crazy Rich Asians, the new blockbuster movie that is sweeping theaters around the world. His comments are poignant and spot-on.
SHOW #139: September 29, 2018: After the Saturday, September 29 broadcast of Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim chances are high that you’ll never look at mountains the same ever again. It’s my pleasure to welcome back Willow Weilan Hai, curator and director of the China Institute Gallery, China Institute in America, New York City. I invited her to tell us about a phenomenal exhibit, Art of the Mountain: Through the Chinese Photographer’s Lens. It is open to the public until February 17, 2019 at the gallery at 100 Washington Street in Lower Manhattan.
Musee: Vanguard of Photography Culture calls Art of the Mountain, “a meditation on the majesty and mystery of nature and humankind’s attempt to explore the uninhibited spirit and pure tranquility of a world part from our own. Thus, the artist’s attempt to capture the sacred spirit of the mountain is not for the sake of art alone, but another step on the search for the eternal happiness found only in nature.”
We featured the Confucius Moment, the Weekly Almanac, Treasures of China, Chinese Fun Facts and more!
SHOW #140: October 6, 2018. Children’s books have existed for generations. My next guest on Conversations is children’s books author Oliver Chin of the San Francisco Bay area. A critically-acclaimed writer and author, Chin reminds us that dreaming up, writing, designing and developing engaging children’s books is not child’s play. Chin has written more than 15 books, including picture books. His titles include The Tao of Yao: Insights from Basketball’s Brightest Big Man, Tales from the Chinese Zodiac, Julie Black Belt: The Kung Fu Chronicles, The Discovery of Ramen and more. He is the founder of Immedium, a publishing house specializing in Chinese children’s books. We featured the Confucius Moment, the Weekly Almanac, Treasures of China, Chinese Fun and more!
SHOW #141: October 13, 2018. On Saturday, October 13 I welcomed back Dr. Daisy Yiyou Wang, the Robert N. Shapiro Curator of Chinese and East Asian Art at the world-renowned Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) in Salem, Massachusetts USA. We discussed PEM’s newest exhibition, Empresses of China’s Forbidden City now on view until February 10, 2019. The exhibit is timed to mark the 40th anniversary of the re-establishment of China-USA diplomatic relations. It’s been organized as a collaboration between the Peabody Essex Museum, the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery of the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., and the Palace Museum in Beijing. Empresses of China’s Forbidden City is the first to explore the role of empresses in shaping the Qing Dynasty 1644 to 1912. We featured the Confucius Moment and a few surprises!
SHOW #142: October 20, 2018: Get your running shoes ready! Runners, 5,164 steps await you at the annual Great Wall Marathon in China. Joining me by phone from Copenhagen, Denmark on the Saturday, October 20 show was Mr. Steen Albechtsen of Albatros Adventure Marathons. The Great Wall Marathon is reputed to be as one of the world's most challenging. You're invited to be a participant in the one of-a-kind marathon that attracts 2,500 runners from over 50 nations, with Americans making the largest contingent. Needless to say there's no place anywhere like the Great Wall of China -or the Great Wall Marathon. Iconic and arduous, runners from around the world are rewarded with breathtaking surroundings, one of humanity's most historic settings, the warm hospitality of Chinese villagers, cheering onlookers and a festive atmosphere that is second-to-none. Learn more at Great Wall Marathon here. Note the dates and locations of other marathons:
We featured the Confucius Moment, the Weekly Almanac, Treasures of China, and more! Remember that our weekly broadcast begins 10:30 a.m. Eastern USA Time/10:30 p.m. Beijing Time on 1490 WGCH and WGCH.com anywhere via live-audio-streaming. Can’t listen live? Fear not; we have you covered. All our shows are archived and made freely available on our special channel on podcasts.com.
SHOW #143: October 27, 2018: The relationship between America and China is unique, fascinating -and if you’ve seen recent media source headlines it is complicated. I went back into the show archives and found a 2016 interview we featured with American author Eric Jay Dolin. At that time we conversed about his book When America First Met China: An Exotic History of Tea, Drugs, and Money in the Age of Sail. It was only eight years after the founding of the United States of America -then the world’s youngest nation- that Americans encountered China -one of the world’s oldest enduring civilizations. Relations since then have been anything but dull.
Brilliantly illuminating one of the least-understood areas of American history, best-selling author Eric Jay Dolin now traces our fraught relationship with China back to its roots: the unforgiving nineteenth-century seas that separated a brash, rising naval power from a battered ancient empire. It is a prescient fable for our time, one that surprisingly continues to shed light on our modern relationship with China. Indeed, the furious trade in furs, opium, and beche-de-mer—a rare sea cucumber delicacy—might have catalyzed America’s emerging economy, but it also sparked an ecological and human rights catastrophe of such epic proportions that the reverberations can still be felt today. Peopled with fascinating characters—from the “Financier of the Revolution” Robert Morris to the Chinese emperor Qianlong, who considered foreigners inferior beings—this page-turning saga of pirates and politicians, coolies and concubines becomes a must-read.
It is my hope that an examination of the historical context of the relationship between China and America will shed new light. I recommend Dolin’s book as a first-step in that direction.
SHOW #144: November 3, 2018: You may be surprised to learn that Montana has a rich, colorful historical connection with China and Chinese people. Disrupted by wars, rebellions, droughts and famines in the 19th century some Chinese who sought better opportunities in America came to “Big Sky Country,” Montana. I was joined by Mr. Pat Munday, the president of the Mai Wah Society in the city of Butte. You can learn more by going online to http://www.maiwah.org. We featured the Confucius Moment, the Weekly Almanac, Treasures of China, and more! Remember that our weekly broadcast begins 10:30 a.m. Eastern USA Time/10:30 p.m. Beijing Time on 1490 WGCH and WGCH.com anywhere via live-audio-streaming. Can’t listen live? Fear not; we have you covered. All our shows are archived and made freely available on our special channel on podcasts.com.
SHOW #145: November 10, 2018: Andrew Singer is the author of the newly-released coming-of-age book China Sings To Me: A Journey into the Middle Kingdom and Myself. Singer is a traveler, history lover, and collector of books and Chinese snuff bottles who supports his family and interest as a land use and environmental permitting lawyer on Cape Cod, Massachusetts USA. n his memoir, Andrew Singer explores China in the midst of seismic growing pains, and finds the courage to live his own life without boundaries. Purchase your copy here. Learn more from this published article from the August 22, 2018 edition of The Cape Cod Chronicle. Take a few moments to view this YouTube interview featured on Books and the World from the Cape Cod Writers Center. We featured the Confucius Moment, the Weekly Almanac, took listeners on a voyage to one of the Treasures of China -and more!
SHOW #146: November 17, 2018: Today I was joined by Herb Tam, the curator of the Museum of Chinese in America New York City (MOCANYC). On Conversations we discussed the museum's newest exhibition, Radical Machines: Chinese in the Information Age. It explores the seemingly impossible, yet technologically crucial Chinese typewriter – a machine that inputs a language with no alphabet, yet has more than 70,000 characters. For centuries, written Chinese has presented fascinating and irresistible puzzles for engineers, linguists, and entrepreneurs alike. With help from the global community, China solved these puzzles, and Chinese became one of the world’s most successful languages in the information age. Radical Machines explores the design, technology, and art of Chinese characters in the information age. Through a collection of rare typewriters and computers — and a diverse array of historic photographs, telegraph code books, typing manuals, ephemera, propaganda posters, and more — we gain unprecedented insight into the still-transforming history of the world’s oldest living language. The exhibition originated at the East Asia Library of Stanford University and is curated by Stanford historian Dr. Tom Mullaney. Composed of items in his personal collection, it is the largest Chinese and Pan-Asian typewriter and information and technology (IT) collection in the world.
SHOW #147: November 24, 2018: Long-time listeners may remember my Year 2016 interview with Mr. Ling, the man behind the podcast, Antique Shanghai Pop Music. On this American Thanksgiving holiday weekend I thought our newer audience members would enjoy my conversation with Ling about the pop music scene in 1920s, 1930s and 1940s Shanghai.
The tumultuous history and cultural upheavals in 20th century Shanghai was like nothing anywhere else in the world. Its pop music scene uniquely blended elements of Chinese, American and Japanese influences with new recording and broadcasting technologies. Ling's commentary explains in context "a unique sentimentality that is not only understood through the context of history; it can be thought as a discontinued school of aesthetics, a lost craft."
On this American Thanksgiving holiday weekend I wish to convey to all of you my sincerest gratitude to so many of you who tune-in each week, and to all of our show's supporters -past and present- and to 1490 WGCH/WGCH.com who work hard to make Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim possible. May all of your lives be filled with good things and safe travels. May your homes be filled with laughter and happiness.
SHOW #148: December 1, 2018: We featured an encore interview with Professor Xu Xin, China's most renowned Judaic scholar. We heard about Ho Feng-Shan, a Chinese diplomat in Vienna who risked his own life and career during World War II to save thousands of European Jews fleeing the Holocaust. Professor Xu is the founder and director of the Diane and Guilford Glazer Institute for Jewish and Israel Studies at Nanjing University. He has been a scholar of Judaism, Jewish culture and the history of Chinese Jews since 1986. Xu was also the first Chinese scholar to introduce modern Hebrew literature to Chinese readers. He has also created Masters and doctoral programs on Jewish history and culture. His activities have been widely reported by such newspapers and magazines as Chicago Tribune, Jerusalem Post, New York Times, Harvard University Gazette, The Jerusalem Report, The Jewish Week, The Forward, China's Talents, Xinhua Daily, Modern Express, and China Daily. He is a member of a number of academic organizations in China, such as Jiangsu Writers' Association, the Association of All-China Comparative Literature, the Association of Translators of Jiangsu, and the Society of World History Studies of China. Currently he serves as President of the China Judaic Studies Association and vice-president of China Association for Middle East Studies.
*NOTE: The December 8, 2018 show has been pre-empted. Tune in for the next live broadcast on December 15, 2018.
SHOW #149: December 15, 2018: Today's show features an encore interview from Year 2016 with Douglas Chong, the head of the Hawaii Chinese History Center in Honolulu's Chinatown. Chong is a Chinese cultural historian, consultant and director.
In 2016 the world paused to observe the 150th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the father of modern China. This was particularly important in Hawaii because Dr. Sun lived his formative years here. Douglas Chong is considered one of the world's most luminary authorities on Sun Yet-sen's life and activism in the Hawaiian Islands.
As the leader of China's 1911 revolution, Sun Yat-sen inspired and organized a movement that overthrew the Qing Dynasty that reigned over China for nearly three hundred years. Born near Macau on November 12, 1866, Sun moved to Honolulu, Hawaii after completing his primary school education to live with his elder brother Sun Mei. Sun Yat-sen studied English, mathematics and science at Iolani School in 1882 and received a prize for his outstanding performance in English from King David Kalakaua. Sun later enrolled at Oahu College, now Punahou School, before returning to China.
SHOW #150: December 22, 2018: TBA
SHOW #151: December 29, 2018: TBA
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