Footprints

​A translator, university teacher, linguist, jazz musician, crosstalk performer—David Moser has taken on various roles in his exploration of his life, professions and cultures. But these various roles originate from his passion and dedication to bridge Chinese and U.S. cultures. In this edition of Footprints, we talk to this multi-talented man to delve into his experience in China and his journey as an expert in the Chinese language and culture.

For Luo Dingjun, traveling between Taiwan and the Chinese mainland has become second nature. Born and raised in Taipei, the 37-year-old has built a life in Shenyang, a vibrant city in northeast China's Liaoning Province. As the founder of the WeChat Official Account "Cross-Strait Youths," Luo has spent over a decade fostering connections and understanding between people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

​Han Zhen and Zhou Liya, both born in the 1980s, are known as the "twin stars of the dance world". Over the past decade, the two choreographers have worked together and created six dance pieces, incorporating traditional Chinese culture into the art form. What are some of their most popular works? And why are they so appealing? Join us for this edition of Footprints to find out.

For Chinese gamers, Black Myth: Wukong, an action role-playing game has proven that it deserves all the hype and expectations. It not only created sales records for domestically made console games, but also claimed multiple international awards at the end of the year. In this edition of footprints, let’s take a closer look at the legendary monkey Wukong, who has made the year 2024 “Year of the Monkey” for numerous gamers. We will also unveil the pilgrimage of the Black Myth: Wukong creators and how they helped Wukong fight his way to the altar of one of the best acclaimed game awards.

Stretching 7.8 kilometers from north to south through the heart of Beijing, the Central Axis is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. But this recognition didn't happen overnight. It took 12 years. Leading the effort was Lyu Zhou, director of the National Heritage Center at Tsinghua University, who was in charge of the compilation of the application documents. What makes the Central Axis so special? Why does it matter in today's world? Join us to discover the story behind this cultural treasure and its lasting significance.

Harald Brüning, a seasoned journalist with four decades of experience in Macao, has witnessed firsthand the city's historical transformation. As Macao celebrates the 25th anniversary of its return to China, Brüning shares his personal journey and insights into the past, present, and future of this vibrant city.

In 1942, during the Second World War, a Japanese ship called the Lisbon Maru was sunk in the East China Sea. Hundreds of British prisoners of war onboard perished, while over 380 others were rescued by nearby Chinese fishermen. For decades, the tragedy remained largely forgotten until the release of the documentary movie “The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru” in September 2024. The driving force behind the documentary was Fang Li, a Chinese geophysicist and filmmaker, who spent eight years uncovering this little-known chapter of history. What drove him to dedicate so many years to this quest? What challenges did he face along the way and what untold stories emerged in his pursuit of the truth?

Wang Meichun, a Gen Z entrepreneur from Taiwan, is currently running a camp site in Xiangshan County, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province. Since 2000, three generations of her family have made their home and built careers in the Chinese mainland. With her parents' support, Wang seeks to create a space in the coastal village where visitors can relax and connect. She also hopes to build a camp site that serves as a bridge, fostering meaningful connections between people across the Strait.

​As the world faces challenges to preserve biodiversity, individuals like Guo Geng, a zookeeper from Beijing, emerge as beacons of hope. For about three decades, Guo has dedicated himself to advocating for wildlife and raising public awareness about animal protection through writing books and giving engaging lectures.

As climate negotiators convene in Baku, Azerbaijan for COP29, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, to discuss the most urgent climate change issues, we turn our attention to a group of researchers who are working to safeguard the Earth’s precious black soil land. We meet Hou Hongxing and his fellow researchers who have spent years in the field in Northeast China, monitoring the evolving conditions of the region’s black soil and exploring ways to retain its fertility.