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

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.

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.

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Confucius Moment: October 22, 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:

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.