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.