The Context

In the first installment of what will be a two-part feature, we’ll talk about Zhang Daqian, one of the most acclaimed modern Chinese painters. From the tranquil mountains of his youth to the bustling streets of Shanghai, Zhang carved his destiny with each stroke of his brush.

Today, we’ll introduce China’s legendary “father of carpentry”. He lived about 2,500 years ago, but his legacy continues as the workshops named after him have helped foster thousands of skilled technical workers in developing countries around the world.

In this second installment of our two-part feature, we’ll talk about Yinxu Ruins and the Shang Dynasty, offering a profound meditation on the timeless interplay between past and present, and the enduring spirit of a civilization that continues to inspire and captivate the world.

In the first installment of what will be a two-part feature, we’ll talk about the new Yinxu Ruins Museum that displays more cultural relics and embodies the reflections of a new generation of scholars over the past 20 years.

In this second installment of our two-part feature on the renowned statesman Zhou Chu who lived 1,800 years ago, we’ll talk more about his noble qualities and the conspiracy that culminated in his harrowing and untimely demise.

In the first installment of what will be a two-part feature, we’ll talk about the tales of Zhou Chu, the foundational inspiration behind the acclaimed film The Pig, the Snake, and the Pigeon, which has emerged as a surprise success in mainland Chinese cinemas.

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.