My China Story

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 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, we welcome Vitor Moura, a young Brazilian entrepreneur who has spent nearly a decade in China. As the co-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 us for the business adventures of Hany Sobhy, in our latest episode of Makin’ it in China series.

In this episode, we are joined by Neeraj Punhani, an Indian entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in the textile industry. Punhani has established his own company in Shaoxing, located in Zhejiang Province, east China. Join us as we explore his journey of working and living in China.

In this episode, 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.

Joshua Dominick, affectionately known as "Lao Tan" in Chinese, has spent more than two decades in Beijing. Originally from the U.S., Josh speaks fluent Chinese and has become a familiar face in the local community. A decade ago, he founded Krankin' Thru China, an organization dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities to engage in outdoor sports across the country.

Taicang, a small city in Jiangsu Province, eastern China, is known for its deep connections with German enterprises. Home to over 500 German-invested companies, the city has grown to become a prime destination for German entrepreneurs. Among them, Erwin Gerber stands out with his thriving bakery. In this episode, we'll explore how Erwin has crafted his path to success in Taicang, blending German tradition with Chinese opportunity.

Meet Linda Painan, a female entrepreneur from Singapore, who has spent the last 28 years in Shanghai. As the chairperson of The Expatriate Center, a mother of three and a philanthropist, Linda's journey is a story of dedication and resilience. In this episode, we'll explore how Linda has fostered a sense of community for expatriates in Shanghai and uncover the personal and professional experiences that have kept her in this metropolis.

For French entrepreneur Benoit Auger, his romance with a Chinese lady started a life-long engagement with her country. In 2006, he moved to live in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou and began his business adventure in the clothes and fashion industry. How did Auger meet his sweetheart? Why did he choose to live and “make it in China”? Join this episode of My China Story to find out.

Farrukh Pirumshoev is a young Tajik entrepreneur based in the northwest Chinese city of Xi’an, engaging in the international trade of cars between China and Central Asia. Trading about 30 cars each week, his company is thriving along with the growing Chinese economy and the increasing economic exchanges between China and Central Asian countries. In this episode of My China Story, we’ll find out how he has made it in the risky business world.

In this episode, we delve into the inspiring story of Saulebek Kabylbekov, a Kazakh eye doctor who has illuminated the lives of thousands in northeast China. Since 1998, he has dedicated himself to treating over 250,000 patients at Daqing Ophthalmology Hospital in Heilongjiang Province. Meanwhile, his compassionate care extends beyond the hospital walls, reaching countless individuals in surrounding communities through free clinics. In recognition of his decade-long contributions, Kabylbekov was honored with the prestigious Chinese Government Friendship Award in 2023.

​Indian businessman Dev Raturi oversees a booming chain of restaurants in China. Having explored in the risky business world for more than a decade, Raturi attributes his success to China’s good business environment and the friendship and assistance he has received from the Chinese people. In this episode of My China Story, Raturi shares how he has turned from a waiter to a successful restaurant owner.

Vikash Kumar Singh is an Indian expatriate who currently teaches Hindi, Indian culture, history and literature at Beijing Foreign Studies University. With 17 years of residence in China, Vikash speaks fluent Chinese and is dedicated to fostering Sino-Indian cultural exchanges through teaching and literary translation.

What’s China really like? What are the differences between the business culture in China and elsewhere in the world? Are there any areas that international businesses need to adapt to when entering the Chinese market? Hungarian businessman Steven Back has been running his business in China for 16 years. In this podcast, he shares with us his experiences in doing business in China and the secret to business success in the country.

Sandor Nagy, a former Hungarian football player, has been living in China for nearly two decades. Following his retirement, he embarked on a new chapter, founding a football club in the coastal city of Qingdao, Shandong Province in east China. His club has since become a beacon for many young football enthusiasts in the region. In this episode, Sandor talks about his football career and his deep connection with his second home in China.

​Serbian national Faris Rebronja is an international trader of everyday items and is currently based in the County of Pingyao, Shanxi Province in north China. Having lived in China for five years, the young businessman has gained experience not only in the business world but more importantly has formed his own understanding of the Asian nation. Rebronja says he is optimistic about China’s future development and wants to grasp more opportunities the world’s second-largest economy will continue to offer him.

This year as we celebrate the 60-year diplomatic relationship between China and France, we ponder the remarkable fruits of this enduring partnership. What successes have emerged from this collaboration? What is it like for a French firm to flourish and thrive on Chinese soil? Join reporter Liu Yushan in a discussion with Frédéric Barbier, business leader of a French corporation's China division, to hear his first-hand account of the strategies and insights that have propelled his company to success, as well as some survival tips for anyone looking to tap into the vast potential of the Chinese market.

Just like the growth of everything else post the 2008 Beijing Olympics, China’s appetite for performing arts has seen dramatic changes in the industry over the past decade; giving rise to the fast development of new performing arts centers across the country.

When Kenyan entrepreneur Walter Ruigu embarked on his journey to China in 2009, he had no clue this would be the place he’d spot so many business opportunities for a budding African entrepreneur.

She is a music siren and one of the most sought after foreign singers in China. Having moved to China in 2007, this music diva has had immense success not only as a singer but also in many other areas.

For AJ Donnelly, coming to China was the first bold step to achieving his childhood dream. As a kid, he had always fantasized about growing up to be a martial arts star and train with the greatest Chinese Kungfu masters.

With Jazz clubs opening up venues all across cities like Beijing and Shanghai, the question that still lingers is can this genre really thrive in China?

Daniel Krause’s creative and “wow-ing” works are emblematic of China’s profound past realities.

If you live in China and are an avid fan of the Chinese legendary figure Monkey King, then you must be familiar with Gaffar Pourazar; a British stage actor and a Peking opera fanatic.

It’s been months since Tatum Nzinzi Joseph a Yenching Academy scholar made her first trip to Beijing to specialise in Politics and International Relations. Like many of her peers at the academy attached to Peking University, the South African national has been learning and discovering China’s role in the world through her research on the country’s response to social development issues, while at the same time investigating what her mother continent –Africa, can learn from their approach.

For the better part of his life, French archaeologist Phillipe Bouvet has called China home. Like many other long-term expatriates, his initial plans were to come here short term - to study Mandarin, but as fate would have it, those plans went out the window.

She is an American performer regularly consulted by the Chinese Ministry of Culture for her expertise in contemporary performing arts. The founder of Ping Pong Productions - a cultural exchange organization - Alison Friedman has worked closely with governments from around the world to further dialogues and foster mutual understanding amongst stakeholders.

He is a Swiss-German national whose China story is not only captivating but intriguing. And although Christian Herzog’s presence in China hasn’t exactly been a continuous long-term expedition, he still manages to soak-in the vast wonders of this country every time he visits. 23 years on since his first China trip, Christian admits that he will never stop being fascinated by the speed of development China has achieved.

In 2015 the BBC urged the world of readers to make some shelf space for Carly J Hallman’s book Year of the Goose – as one of the best reads to close the year with.

For foreign entrepreneurs, China as a country can be a little intimidating if not an overwhelming experience- at least for a novice business person. But for founder and former CEO at LNP China, a company that helps small companies set up and operate in the country, it doesn’t always have to feel that way.

In 2015 the BBC urged the world of readers to make some shelf space for Carly J Hallman’s book Year of the Goose – as one of the best reads to close the year with.

From a tiny little city in the beautiful south of Italy to the mega-metropolis in east-central China, Domenico Palasciano is about to clock in two decades of his China experience.

As a seasoned journalist and expat in China, Patrick Flanary has had a dosage of what life in China could bring while living here. Two years since moving to Beijing, this American citizen has gathered some interesting anecdotes from his experiences meeting people, travelling in and out of China and sampling out local food. In this edition of the programme, he speaks with me about these experiences, his love for journalism, and life as an expat dad living in the Middle Kingdom.

After years of living in China, most foreigners might have to face the big question of moving back to their home countries at some point. But for Jessica Luo, going back to America hasn’t been such a hard challenge. 10 years of living here, she is finally and swiftly making the move back - bringing along the love of her life, a rich China experience and perhaps the best version of herself.

It’s been quite an eventful year for South African journalist Wendyl Martin, whose almost year-long break in China has been packed with nothing but a lot of travel, learning new things, while at the same time still managing to squeeze in a bit of fun. Part of his tight schedule has also included working with us at CRI. Nillah Nyakoa caught up with him to talk about his experiences and what lessons he would be taking back with him to South Africa from China, at the end of the year.

To most people having a wild adventure means going on an African safari, participating in survivalist-type of a television reality show or simply, travelling solo in a completely dissimilar culture or society, hopefully where nobody speaks your language and you don’t speak theirs. But for Katarina Rankovic, from Serbia, that adventure spirit also includes traversing China with absolutely no phone and no internet access. In this episode of the programme, she tells her story to Nillah Nyakoa.

In this episode, Cynthia Martinez- an American citizen whose time in China has been one of her greatest adventures yet, talks to Nillah Nyakoa as they look back at her thrilling expat life in the country. She reveals how the experiences she's gathered here have influenced the way she views the country.

Italian national and wine connoisseur Maurizia Galvan counts herself among the many foreign experts today crisscrossing China in a bid to help fans learn more about wine. In this episode, she speaks with Nillah Nyakoa about her passion in introducing Italian wines to the Middle Kingdom – a market of aficionados who've historically leaned in favour of French wines - and her long-time fascination with Chinese culture.

A seasoned film maker and historian, Aladin’s fascination with China was triggered at a very tender age - paving way for his eventual move to China in 2015. Today he is part of a growing group of film makers articulating untold China stories to the world. In this episode, he talks to Nillah Nyakoa about his work and life in the Middle Kingdom.

Over the years the number of Chinese nationals learning English as a second language has skyrocketed attracting many foreign entrepreneurs to enter the market and grab a slice of this pie. Anikin Goh is one such entrepreneur. He runs a language teaching center in the West of Beijing. He talks with Nillah Nyakoa about his relocation to China, the challenges he has encountered and the major differences between China and his home turf, Singapore.

In this episode, British national and Etiquette expert Alistair Warwick- Nelson talks with Nillah Nyakoa about the significance of good decorum and how this can help one gain respect and create a good, as well as lasting impression not just for you as a person, but for your country as well.

In this episode, Nillah Nyakoa speaks with Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) enthusiast and trainer Rhio Zablan. They discuss his inspiration and quest to bring the FMA to China as well as what stimulates its fans to practice this highly sophisticated and comprehensive martial art form, from Rhio's native home - the Philippines.

In this episode of the programme, Nillah Nyakoa speaks with Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) enthusiast and trainer Rhio Zablan. They discuss his inspiration and quest to bring the FMA to China as well as what stimulates its fans to practice this highly sophisticated and comprehensive martial art form, from Rhio's native home - the Philippines.

From tacos, burritos and enchiladas to fajitas, and quesadillas, Mexican dishes just like their Chinese counterparts have always been popular around the world. That’s perhaps the reason why Chef Bollo Rodriguez of Beijing’s El barrio restaurant has had much success in introducing his recipes to China in recent months.  Just like the vast Chinese cooking, Mexican cuisine equally stems from a long and diverse history that boasts distinctive regional tastes that reflect on the local trad...

Serbian National Nikola Stojanovic is living his Chinese dream in Beijing; a city he acknowledges makes him feel right at home with its rich history and culture. A former scholar at the Yenching Academy of Peking University, Nikola is very passionate about geopolitics and diplomatic history, with a keen interest on China and its role on the world stage. In this edition of the programme, he speaks with Nillah Nyakoa about his life and interests in the Middle Kingdom.

For many expat parents helping your children adjust to a new environment and adapt to a new school can be quite a challenge that sometimes also takes a toll on not only the kids themselves but parents as well. But lucky for them, when the going gets too tough, psychology experts like Rachel George are ready to step in and offer some help while sharing their much-needed wisdom. Since joining the Yew Chung International School of Beijing, Rachel has been giving guidance to students from ...

Matteo an Italian national is also one of the few foreigners in the middle Kingdom, working in the Chinese banking industry.  In this episode of the program, Nillah Nyakoa sits down with Matteo to talk about his experiences and aspirations in a period of time that's increasingly seen a strengthening relationship between Italy and China along the Belt and Road route.

Cameron Hack

He is an actor, host, VJ and former model best known for being the host of 3 different editions of the popular reality TV franchise, The Amazing Race where he’s taken teams all across Asia on The Amazing Race Asia, and all across China on The Amazing Race: China Rush among others. We’re talking about Chinese American celebrity host Allan Wu. Allan was recently in Beijing where Nillah Nyakoa caught up with him to get an inside scoop of the show and what it feels like working behind the ...