Life Upclose

The modernity of two of China's major cities, Beijing and Shanghai, is no doubt eye-catching around the world. The spectacular venues and high-end service showcased at the G20 summit in Hangzhou also seems to have convinced onlookers that the world's second largest economy is steaming full-speed ahead. But behind all this urban wealth and carefully-crafted international image, China is still home to millions of people who languish in extreme poverty. Most of these poor families live in rural and remote western regions. The causes of their poverty are diverse; and the challenges of poverty reduction seem to be daunting. But the central government in Beijing has made a solemn promise to lift these millions of people out of poverty by the end of 2020. This means there are only about four years left for the government to wage a nation-wide battle against poverty. Can the government really meet this national goal? Will the millions of poor Chinese people ultimately have access to the new wealth of the nation? (This program is hosted by Sam Duckett, written and produced by Yin Xiuqi)

There's no doubting the status of China as a sporting giant on the international stage, coming an impressive third in the gold medals table at the Rio Olympics. Along with this prominent, professional and competitive sports image, the world's most populous nation is now getting its vast population into various mass sports and fitness activities. Long-distance running, indoor exercises under the guidance of professional coaches and cycling are just some of the urban young residents' most favored. These people, mostly born after the late 1970s, are creating a new urban lifestyle, combining sports activities, fun, health and social networking. This emerging lifestyle, of course, is offering great business opportunities for any companies looking for a way into the Chinese market. (This program is hosted by Sam Duckett, written and produced by Yin Xiuqi)

Hangzhou, a coastal city in east China, has long been renowned as the "paradise on earth" for its natural beauty and attractive lifestyle. As the capital city of the affluent Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou is home to a great number of influential enterprises and self-made tycoons, including e-commerce giant Alibaba's Jack Ma and beverage maker Wahaha's Zong Qinghou. Despite a nationwide economic downturn, some companies in the city are pursuing intelligent manufacturing as part of the national drive to upgrade the economy. Being less well-known than Shanghai on the international stage, Hangzhou authorities are now promoting it as a global tourist and investment destination. (This program is hosted by Sam Duckett, written and produced by Yin Xiuqi)

"Little Qingdao" is a small island off the coast of the eastern Chinese city of Qingdao. It's been famous not only for its natural beauty but also for its historic heritage. In the shape of a traditional Chinese musical instrument, the small island, some 720 meters off the shore, offers local residents an ideal place for rest and recreation. Meanwhile, an iconic lighthouse on the island has been directing sailors at sea for over a hundred years. Having been a witness to the turmoil in 20th century China, the island is also a proper place for visitors to gasp at the unpredictable changes of history. (This program is hosted by Sam Duckett, written and produced by Yin Xiuqi)

Online on-demand mobility--known as the ODM service--has been developing rapidly in Chinese cities in recent years along with the country's overall economic restructuring and industry upgrading. This emerging industry has meant low-price and high-quality intra-city travel services for millions of urban residents. But stiff competition in the sector also means a life-or-death struggle for many start-up ODM service operators. Having survived the somewhat disorderly market competition, ODM giants like Didi Chuxing and Uber have recently announced plans to join forces, prompting fears of a potential monopoly. Industry policy-makers are now stepping into the sector, outlining new regulations to oversee operations and safeguard the long-term interests of travellers. (This program is hosted by Sam Duckett, written and produced by Yin Xiuqi)

There has been a worrying increase in violence committed by juveniles on Chinese school campuses in recent years. Videos showing young boys and girls bullying their peers have been posted online, which has outraged parents and the general public. The severity of the problem has caught the attention of the most senior political leaders, including Premier Li Keqiang, who has called for an end to the school violence. As such, the government has been waging a nation-wide campaign in an intensified effort to stamp out the problem. But although the campaign is underway, it still hasn't finalized the heated debates among experts on how to best tackle the problem. While some of them stress the need for harsh punishments on young perpetrators, others focus on better education and care for the juveniles as a fundamental way to prevent campus violence. (This program is hosted by Sam Duckett, written and produced by Yin Xiuqi)

Shanghai is probably the most modern city in China. Its shining skyscrapers, exotic shopping centers and beautiful water-front promenades all make it an ideal place to live, or go sightseeing, for most Chinese people who don't come from this coastal metropolis. But below its dazzling skylines, there are many nuisances and inconveniences on the city's road system that plague its residents. Traffic jams, dangerous driving, illegal parking and jay walking are just some of the different kinds of traffic violations that are commonplace in many locations. Contrary to its impressive modernity, the unsafe and disorderly intra-city traffic risks tarnishing its positive international image, which had won it the right to host the World Expo 2010. Recognizing the situation, in late March, the municipal government began carrying out a massive city-wide campaign to target traffic violations.  How are all these efforts being carried out? Will they eventually achieve the intended results? Now let's take a look together. (This program is hosted by Sam Duckett, written and produced by Yin Xiuqi)

Dazzling, modern Chinese cities like Shanghai and Beijing may be the envy of many people living outside China. But China can't just be defined by urban modernity. Its affluent urban lifestyle often shrouds the poverty, squalor, and malnourished children who are a prominent feature of many rural regions. Every year, hundreds of thousands of children die of malnutrition; and millions more live and suffer with it. The severity of the problem has certainly made the government sit up and take notice, and it has been providing food subsidies to rural school children. But government efforts alone are not enough; and this high-stakes battle against malnutrition is critical for the future of millions of children and the nation at large. (This program is hosted by Sam Duckett, written and produced by Yin Xiuqi)

Although the term and indeed the practice of NGOs originate from developed, Western nations, the notion and the significance of civil society have been gradually accepted by many developing countries, including China. As the most populous nation on earth, China is now facing a variety of challenges as well as opportunities to further improve the well-being of its people. In this transitional period of economic restructuring and deepening reform, the Chinese government is trying to redefine its role and encourage the development of NGOs in order to hit its economic and social development goals. But the path ahead can never be easy, and doubts and criticisms are bound to accompany the whole process as the Chinese civil society grows from its infancy. (This program is hosted by Sam Duckett, written and produced by Yin Xiuqi)

Known as "the Heavenly Road," the Qinghai-Tibet Railway stretches for almost 2,000 kilometers. It's a great engineering wonder, passing across the highest plateau in the world, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which is home to a variety of fascinating yet vulnerable ecosystems. The railway starts in Xining, the capital city of Qinghai province, and ends at Lhasa in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Since its launch a decade ago, the railway has provided a convenient channel for the exchange of goods and people between China's inland provinces and the border regions. But the operation and maintenance of "the Heavenly Road" is much more difficult than it would be on an ordinary railway because of its high altitude and the vulnerable ecosystems it passes through. These extra difficulties mean greater skill and attention are essential qualities required of those working on the railway. (This program is hosted by Sam Duckett, written and produced by Yin Xiuqi)