Footprints

Professor Jiao Nianzhi is a pioneering Chinese marine scientist. He developed the revolutionary Microbial Carbon Pump theory, explaining how marine microbes capture and help store carbon dioxide. His work bridges scientific discovery with sustainable development, offering nature-based approaches to climate challenges.

For Egyptian Hany Sobhy Makary Guirguis Hanna, coming to China was totally accidental. But staying here for ten years has definitely been a deliberate choice for him. So, what's it like when an Egyptian ventures to the Middle Kingdom? And what happens when he tries to follow in the footsteps of his ancestors and grow his trade business in China?

In this podcast, we meet Anyu Agga, an independent fashion designer of Yi ethnicity who has risen to fame from the grassroots of the deep mountains.

Vikash Kumar Singh is an Indian expatriate who currently teaches Hindi, Indian culture, history and literature at Beijing Foreign Studies University. With 18 years of residence in China, Vikash speaks fluent Chinese and is dedicated to fostering Sino-Indian cultural exchanges through teaching and literary translation. In this episode, we delve into Vikash's remarkable journey and insights.

In this episode, we explore the journey of Evandro Menezes de Carvalho, a Brazilian scholar and professor of international law with a deep passion for China studies. Since his first visit to China in 2013, Evandro has immersed himself in research and teaching, building bridges between China and Brazil. In recognition of his unwavering commitment to fostering cross-cultural dialogue, he was awarded the prestigious Chinese Government Friendship Award in 2023.

​For more than three decades, educator Li Xuemei has transformed from a struggling Chinese immigrant to award-winning cultural ambassador through her promotion of Chinese language and culture in Italy. Her innovative educational model and study programs promise to reshape cultural understanding between the East and the West.

Martial arts master Wang Deqing has spent decades promoting Shaolin Kung Fu in Hungary. His work, blending combat, the tea ceremony and etiquette, has made Shaolin Kung Fu a living bridge between people with different cultural backgrounds.

Meet Annie and Leo Schur Chen – French-Chinese siblings who have fallen deeply in love with kung fu. Born and raised in China, the 11- and 9-year-olds have spent the past three years immersed in the world of Chinese martial arts. Today, they're not only mastering complex techniques but also competing on the global stage. Through every punch and kick, these young martial artists are forging a powerful connection with Chinese culture.

In this episode, we follow the journey of Pietro De Laurentis – an Italian Sinologist whose deep passion for Chinese calligraphy has turned him into a bridge between East and West. From his first trip to China in 1998 to his current role of teaching Chinese calligraphy history at the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, Pietro has spent more than two decades immersed in the rhythms of Chinese culture. Along the way, he's wandered through ancient stele forests, unraveled the mysteries of thousand-year-old scripts, and helped bring Chinese calligraphy to global academic prominence.

Natalya from Kazakhstan has made her home—and launched her startup—in Zibo, a city in China's Shandong province. A confident and ambitious young woman, Natalya shares her entrepreneurial journey and explains why living in China feels like a natural choice for her.

Yellow, scarlet, purple, and green—under the heat of a blowtorch, slender rods of glass melt and transform into dazzling works of art. With what seem like effortless pulls, twists, and rolls, a pair of skillful hands breathes life into vibrant creations. In this podcast, we meet Sun Fengjun, a colored glaze artist whose magical hands and enduring passion for flame fire have allowed him to preserve and innovate in this traditional art.

Meet Guillaume Bog, better known as Guibog – or to Chinese people, Gui Da Ye (Uncle Ghost). A Frenchman who has spent two decades in Beijing, Guibog lives a life powered by code and creativity. By day, he's a programmer; by night, a robot maker and an upcycler. From scrap circuit boards and mechanical odds and ends, he conjures up quirky, whirring sound machines that are as unpredictable as they are mesmerizing.

In southwestern China's Sichuan province, there is an ancient town called Qingshen. The Minjiang River flows through the city, and a sea of bamboo forests covers the nearby hills and mountains in lush green. In this podcast, we go southwest to this ancient town and see how the local people have revitalized their villages by protecting and making good use of their bamboo forest resources.

The origins of agriculture continue to be one of archaeology's great mysteries. Chinese archaeologist Jiang Leping may hold a crucial piece of the puzzle, thanks to his groundbreaking discoveries at an archaeological site in Zhejiang Province, east China. This prehistoric settlement, known as Shangshan, dates back 10,000 years and is recognized for being home to the earliest cultivated rice in the world.

In this episode, we dive into the musical journey of Anastasia Fridman, a violinist from the Netherlands who fell in love with the traditional Chinese string instrument – the erhu. Her passion led her to the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, where she immersed herself in the world of traditional Chinese repertoire. Through the fusion of Eastern and Western sounds, Anastasia strives to build musical bridges across cultures.

A healer by day, a warrior by night – can these two worlds coexist? For Shi Ming, they don't just coexist – they collide. The 30-year-old is both a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioner and an MMA fighter. In November 2024, she stunned the world with a crushing head kick at the Road to UFC finals, sending the crowd into a frenzy. What drives her to both heal and conquer? How does she balance these two lives?

​Agri-scientist Liao Hong has promoted eco-friendly tea farming in the Wuyi Mountains in southeast China's Fujian Province by intercropping tea with soybeans and rapeseed. Humble in character and daring in research, this “hoe-wielding” woman reshapes agricultural science through her groundbreaking discovery of aluminum's role in tea root growth.

China's southwestern Yunnan province is famous for its mild climate, beautiful landscape, and diverse ethnic culture. Its close proximity to Southeast Asian countries makes this province a hot destination for overseas students from those nations. In this podcast, we get to know a Cambodian student, Phorng Sreyphoung, who is studying medicine in Kunming, the provincial capital, to learn how she finds her life in China.

She came to China to study but ended up building a home, a thriving career and so much more. Meet Nguyen Thi Lan, a Vietnamese entrepreneur who has spent over a decade in Chongqing, southwest China. From navigating student life to launching two successful businesses, she has embraced the energy of this dynamic "Mountain City." Now, as the leader of the Vietnamese Association in Chongqing-Sichuan, she's helping fellow Vietnamese expats find their place in this vibrant community.

Join us for an insightful conversation with Dato' Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan, a veteran Malaysian diplomat who spent 12 years in China. From serving as Malaysian Ambassador to China (1998-2005) to his current role leading the Malaysia-China Friendship Association, Dato' Majid has dedicated decades to fostering mutual understanding and collaboration between the two nations. What was his experience in China like? How did his diplomatic journey evolve into a lifelong mission to strengthen people-to-people bonds? What's his vision for the next chapter of China-Malaysia cooperation?

Indian businessman Dev Raturi runs a thriving restaurant chain in China. With over a decade of experience in the challenging business landscape, he credits his success to China's favorable business environment and the support of the local people. In this episode of Makin' It in China, Raturi recounts his inspiring journey from a waiter to a successful restaurant owner.

​Mostak Ahamed Galib, a 42-year-old from Bangladesh, has spent over 20 years in China, studying its remarkable development as a student and scholar. Drawing on his personal experience and insights, he aims to help other developing nations learn from China's growth strategies.

It's that time of year again – China's most important political event, the Two Sessions, is in the spotlight. Journalists from around the world are gathering in Beijing to cover China's economy, legislation, and policies, offering diverse perspectives on the country's development. Last year, Leota Marc Membrere from Samoa, a young journalist with Savali Newspaper, traveled thousands of miles to the Great Hall of the People for the event. How did this experience shape his understanding of China? What's his personal China story?

​Tungamirai Eric Mupona, hailing from Zimbabwe, is a doctoral student specializing in international affairs and global governance at Zhejiang University. The 26-year-old first arrived in China in 2017 as an undergraduate student of applied physics. But over time, his interests shifted from the physical sciences to a deeper exploration of societal dynamics. In this edition of Footprints, he shares with us his observations of China's development, particularly the annual top political meetings known in China as “Lianghui” or the “Two Sessions”.

While athletes are competing at the 9th Asian Winter Games in China's Northeastern city of Harbin, in a terrain park a thousand miles away, 6-year-old Snowflake is enjoying skiing and polishing her snowboarding tricks. In this edition of Footprints, we get the feel for the passion for winter sports among China's younger generations.

The festive spirit fills the air in Harbin – the host city of the ninth Asian Winter Games. Nestled in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Harbin is beautifully adorned with vibrant decorations, and the Games' mascots, Binbin and Nini, have won many people's hearts. These figures, along with a series of visual elements for the Games, were crafted by a design team from the Academy of Arts & Design at Tsinghua University, led by Professor Chen Lei. In this episode, we explore the mastermind behind the Games' visual identity.

Happy Chinese New Year! Minutes ago, the Chinese bade farewell to the Year of the Dragon and ushered in the Year of the Snake. As is the custom, the whole country celebrated the arrival of Chinese New Year with family gatherings, carefully prepared family dinners, and enjoyed the Spring Festival Gala. At the gala, an aspirational song performed by a girl choir from deep in the Daliangshan Mountainous region, and their happy faces, melted the hearts of many. Join Footprints as we meet members of the Niuniu Choir and learn the stories of these brave little girls.

​A translator, university teacher, linguist, jazz musician, crosstalk performer—David Moser has taken on various roles in his exploration of his life, professions and cultures. But these various roles originate from his passion and dedication to bridge Chinese and U.S. cultures. In this edition of Footprints, we talk to this multi-talented man to delve into his experience in China and his journey as an expert in the Chinese language and culture.

For Luo Dingjun, traveling between Taiwan and the Chinese mainland has become second nature. Born and raised in Taipei, the 37-year-old has built a life in Shenyang, a vibrant city in northeast China's Liaoning Province. As the founder of the WeChat Official Account "Cross-Strait Youths," Luo has spent over a decade fostering connections and understanding between people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

​Han Zhen and Zhou Liya, both born in the 1980s, are known as the "twin stars of the dance world". Over the past decade, the two choreographers have worked together and created six dance pieces, incorporating traditional Chinese culture into the art form. What are some of their most popular works? And why are they so appealing? Join us for this edition of Footprints to find out.

For Chinese gamers, Black Myth: Wukong, an action role-playing game has proven that it deserves all the hype and expectations. It not only created sales records for domestically made console games, but also claimed multiple international awards at the end of the year. In this edition of footprints, let's take a closer look at the legendary monkey Wukong, who has made the year 2024 “Year of the Monkey” for numerous gamers. We will also unveil the pilgrimage of the Black Myth: Wukong creators and how they helped Wukong fight his way to the altar of one of the best acclaimed game awards.

Stretching 7.8 kilometers from north to south through the heart of Beijing, the Central Axis is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. But this recognition didn't happen overnight. It took 12 years. Leading the effort was Lyu Zhou, director of the National Heritage Center at Tsinghua University, who was in charge of the compilation of the application documents. What makes the Central Axis so special? Why does it matter in today's world? Join us to discover the story behind this cultural treasure and its lasting significance.

Harald Brüning, a seasoned journalist with four decades of experience in Macao, has witnessed firsthand the city's historical transformation. As Macao celebrates the 25th anniversary of its return to China, Brüning shares his personal journey and insights into the past, present, and future of this vibrant city.

In 1942, during the Second World War, a Japanese ship called the Lisbon Maru was sunk in the East China Sea. Hundreds of British prisoners of war onboard perished, while over 380 others were rescued by nearby Chinese fishermen. For decades, the tragedy remained largely forgotten until the release of the documentary movie “The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru” in September 2024. The driving force behind the documentary was Fang Li, a Chinese geophysicist and filmmaker, who spent eight years uncovering this little-known chapter of history. What drove him to dedicate so many years to this quest? What challenges did he face along the way and what untold stories emerged in his pursuit of the truth?

Wang Meichun, a Gen Z entrepreneur from Taiwan, is currently running a camp site in Xiangshan County, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province. Since 2000, three generations of her family have made their home and built careers in the Chinese mainland. With her parents' support, Wang seeks to create a space in the coastal village where visitors can relax and connect. She also hopes to build a camp site that serves as a bridge, fostering meaningful connections between people across the Strait.

​As the world faces challenges to preserve biodiversity, individuals like Guo Geng, a zookeeper from Beijing, emerge as beacons of hope. For about three decades, Guo has dedicated himself to advocating for wildlife and raising public awareness about animal protection through writing books and giving engaging lectures.

As climate negotiators convene in Baku, Azerbaijan for COP29, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, to discuss the most urgent climate change issues, we turn our attention to a group of researchers who are working to safeguard the Earth's precious black soil land. We meet Hou Hongxing and his fellow researchers who have spent years in the field in Northeast China, monitoring the evolving conditions of the region's black soil and exploring ways to retain its fertility.

In this episode of the Makin' It in China series, we explore the journey of Evandro Menezes de Carvalho, a Brazilian scholar and professor of international law with a deep passion for China studies. Since his first visit to China in 2013, Evandro has immersed himself in research and teaching, building bridges between China and Brazil. In recognition of his commitment to fostering cross-cultural dialogue, he was awarded the prestigious Chinese Government Friendship Award in 2023. Join us as he shares the story of his experiences and the special bond he has developed with China over the past decade.

Known as the world's capital of small commodities, Yiwu in eastern China attracts hundreds of thousands of sellers and buyers from home and abroad every day. In this episode of our Makin' it in China series, Harold Mori, a young Peruvian man, shares his story of how he started his trading business from scratch right here in Yiwu.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Brazil. In this edition of the Makin' It in China series, we welcome Vitor Moura, a young Brazilian entrepreneur who has spent nearly a decade in China. As the founder of Lantau and the marketing director at Bracham, Vitor is committed to enhancing cross-border trade between these two nations. Join our conversation with Vitor as he shares his journey and insights.

For Egyptian Hany Sobhy Makary Guirguis Hanna, coming to China was totally accidental. But staying here for ten years has definitely been a deliberate choice for him. So, what's it like when an Egyptian ventures to the Middle Kingdom? And what happens when he tries to follow in the footsteps of his ancestors and grow his trade business in China? Join Footprints for the business adventures of Hany Sobhy, in our latest episode of Makin' it in China series.

In this episode of the Makin' It in China series, we delve into the journey of Ehsan Doostmohammadi, an Iranian researcher at Southwest University in Chongqing, southwest China. With a profound passion for traditional Chinese medicine and culture, Ehsan is dedicated to translating classic Chinese texts into Persian, opening the door for Iranian readers to engage with Chinese heritage. Join us as we explore Ehsan's experiences and insights as a Sinologist.