The Context

Today, we’ll tell the story of Chiang Yee, a best-selling author in the UK and US, who remains virtually unknown in his native China. But a new book seeks to elevate the artist and scholar to his rightful place as one of modern China’s earliest “East meets West” cultural ambassadors.

Today, we will talk about an inspirational scriptwriter who, alongside Lin Yutang, is renowned as one of the two best Chinese writers proficient in English writing during the first half of the 20th century. He was also the first Chinese stage director to make his mark on Broadway.

Today, we’ll talk about modern China’s first female architect Lin Huiyin who will finally receive a posthumous degree from the University of Pennsylvania, in recognition of her contribution and dedication to architectural protection and development both in and beyond her country’s borders.

In part 2 of our deep dive into the history of Quanzhou, we’ll talk about the infamous official Pu Shougeng and explore the controversial role he played in shaping the history of Quanzhou as a maritime trade center.

In the first installment of what will be a two-part feature, we’ll talk about how an innovatively designed bridge laid the groundwork for a small port on the southeast coast of China to emerge as the center of the country’s maritime trade during the Song and Yuan dynasties.

Today, we’ll talk about the life of China’s first female general in recorded Chinese history as well as her relationship with her husband King Wu Ding in the Shang Dynasty during the second millennium BCE.

Today, we’ll talk about a renowned Buddhist-style temple located in downtown Beijing as well as the Nepalese architect who played a significant role in cultural exchanges between China and Nepal during the Yuan Dynasty.

Today, we’re going to delve deeper into the story of Saint John’s University and its unwavering commitment to knowledge and enlightenment, which continues to reverberate among universities both in the East and the West to this day.

In the first installment of what will be a two-part feature, we’re going to talk about a the Christian University in Shanghai that granted China’s inaugural bachelor’s degrees and nurtured numerous exceptional people who played pivotal roles in shaping modern China.

Today, we’re going to introduce a man known as “the best painter of the Song Dynasty”. Living in a period of cultural refinement, this 11th-century painter outshined his contemporaries with his seminal style in both figure and horse painting.

Today, we’ll look at the life and times of one of the most revered and prodigious figures in Chinese culture. He was so prolific in so many different fields that he is often considered as a proto-Renaissance man, though he was born four centuries before Leonardo da Vinci.

Today, we will continue to talk about how the renowned painting Along the River During the Qingming Festival stands as a testament to artistic excellence, exemplifying unparalleled and unsurpassed value in the world of art.

Today, we’ll talk about a timeless Chinese painting that vividly portrays the dynamic scenes of urban life during the Song Dynasty, making it a cherished symbol of traditional Chinese culture and history.

Today, we’ll introduce arguably the greatest-ever Chinese poet, who lived more than 1,000 years ago and is survived by over 1,400 poems, which in itself is nothing short of a miracle since he spent most of his life wandering across the country.

Today, we’ll delve into the life of a prominent hydraulic engineer during the Yuan Dynasty, who over 700 years ago played a pivotal role in Beijing’s water management and made an enduring global impact in the field of astronomical observations and calendar systems.

Today, we’ll talk about a UNESCO World Heritage Site developed from the 9th through the 13th centuries in Chongqing. Famed for its unique rock carvings, the site has caught the public’s attention again recently due to its unfortunate connection with climate change.

Today, we’ll talk about how Chinese archaeologists, along with their Central Asian counterparts, are exploring the Silk Road to unlock some of the greatest mysteries of ancient migrations and kingdoms.

Today, we delve into the poignant visit to China by WWII veterans and relatives of the renowned Flying Tigers. This gathering serves as a heartfelt commemoration of their historical achievements, prompting reflection on the future trajectory of China-US relations.

Today, we will explore the commencement of the first group of Chinese students who embarked on their studies in the United States about 150 years ago. Remarkably, many among them emerged as pivotal figures in the pursuit of national liberation and the nation’s journey toward modernity.

Today, we’ll talk about the Pu’er tea forests of Jingmai Mountain in Yunnan Province that have now become the latest UNESCO heritage site in China. Local people are excited but also somewhat anxious about whether the new designation will disrupt the lifestyle they have enjoyed for a thousand years. 

In our last podcast, we talked about China’s 1400-year-old inland waterway called the Grand Canal. Today, we’re going to further explore how changes in the Grand Canal’s course over the centuries also changed the course of history.

In the first installment of what will be a two-part feature, we’re going to discuss how an inland waterway was the key to toppling one strong dynasty while underpinning the prosperity of the next in ancient China.

Today, we will talk about the profound cultural significance that tigers hold in China, where for centuries the mighty beasts have been revered as powerful symbols of strength and protection.

In the post-Covid era with the worst of the pandemic behind us, we all witnessed the vulnerability of the elderly among us, and in today’s podcast we’ll explore how authorities in ancient China addressed the challenges of elderly care and consider its relevance to contemporary society.

Today, we’ll explain how mass migrations have impacted the nation throughout its history. Unlike today, ancient Chinese people didn’t move away from home in large numbers looking for work or education. If they moved at all, more often than not, they were forced to leave.