Footprints

67-years-old Nicolaas Kaaijk is the Dutch tulip expert behind the Dafeng Holland Flower Park---a place that's widely acclaimed as China’s “No.1 Tulip Flower Park”. Having focused on cultivating tulips in China for nearly 10 years, Nico's passion goes beyond merely growing and selling the flowers but has also inspired local flower farmers to join in and make a difference to the local environment.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has said people are the cornerstones of the development of state-to-state relations in a letter to a forum titled "Bond with Kuliang” held in the city of Fuzhou. He encourages people from both China and the U.S. to carry forward the special bonds forged in Kuliang, so that friendship between the two peoples can stay forever strong and robust. Where is Kuliang and what are its stories? Why do these stories matter to us today? Let’s follow Elyn MacInnis, lead researcher of the Kuliang Tourism and Culture Association, to find out.

​Wu Zunyou was one of China’s most renowned public health experts. He passed away on October 27th, aged 60. He became a household name as he frequently appeared on mass media giving his expertise on containing the COVID-19 pandemic over the past three years. His dedication to public health while battling cancer himself has become widely recognized and has invoked sympathy and admiration from many Chinese.

At the age of 66, Zhu Feng, a senior photographer from Haining, Zhejiang province, recounts his in-depth conversation with his "soul mate": The Qiantang River. He's been following the river tides with his camera for almost 20 years, documenting the famous Qiantang River tidal bore as well as the lives of the locals. To Zhu Feng, acquainting the world to the tidal bore and his hometown Haining has been his lifelong goal.

​Nantong, a midsize city in the rich Yangtze River Delta, has the oldest population in China. With a third of its population aged sixty and above, the city northwest of Shanghai is a microcosm of China's aging challenge. CGTN Radio reporters visited the city and explored how Nantong is taking care of its senior citizens.

Professor Shen Hong of Zhejiang University delves deep into China's history through international perspectives. Venturing into prestigious global institutions, Shen unearthed vintage photographs that depict China from the late 1800s to the early 20th century, which offer a unique perspective into the intersections of China's history and its ties with the world. Dive into this edition of "Footprints" as we join Shen Hong's quest to retrieve China's memories from Western archives.

​Chen Jinzhang is a master of painting who blends traditional Chinese ink techniques with Western aesthetics. Since the 1950s, he has created a large number of landscape paintings capturing the beauties of China. In this edition of Footprints, let’s delve into his lifelong dedication to painting meticulous landscapes, where every stroke tells a tale of immersion, observation, and unwavering passion.

In this edition of Footprints, we learn the story of sign language interpreter Mao Donglai, a young woman from Hangzhou who tries her best to remove the communication barriers for the hearing impaired in the city. She and her team of volunteers also try innovative ways to help the disabled start up in business.

Rajni Aggarwal co-owns an Indian restaurant in Hangzhou, China. She has been living in Hangzhou for nearly 20 years and calls herself a "Xin Hangzhou Ren", or the "new Hangzhou local". Why did she choose Hangzhou and what motivated her to stay? Join our story today and hear about Rajni's deep bond with this city!

Zhejiang University student volunteers discuss their roles and love for Hangzhou at the 19th Asian Games. They explore the city's transformation and ancient Chinese architecture, focusing on a specific structural element called the Chinese do-gong. The volunteers also talk about their interests, time management, and the challenges and excitement of being a volunteer for the Asian Games.