Tiananmen — Then & Now

We’ve all somehow been there, even though we’ve never set foot there: Tiananmen Square, The Square of Heavenly Peace. This is — as they say — China’s “money shot.” Andreea & I were on a very tight schedule which almost caused us to miss our Shanghai connecting flight, but these were some the moving images we snagged as we traversed from north to south along the expanse of this Beijing landmark, from the Forbidden City to Mao’s Mausoleum. Sorry I’m mumbling a bit, but the capital was positively freezing on this day. Wind gusts and the like. Thanks again for watching!

Episode 54 – “Loving the Japanese”

This episode was born after spending an evening at a Shanghai vegetarian restaurant owned by a Japanese lady. Our impressions? All in the clip, baby. Enjoy!

Episode 53 – “Jobs In China”

So you’ve scored yourself a shiny new college diploma and want to take a big step up on the career ladder. You’ve read and heard about how China’s growing like the jolly green giant so you think your best prospects of landing a promising new gig are squarely in the PRC’s lap. Well, think again. While China is indeed on its “peaceful rise,” you may want to re-examine things before you make your own “great leap forward.” If you’re not delivering some beneficial skill to the Chinese market — something the Chinese don’t already have — you might be making a mistake in thinking your English is sufficient. That’s the subject of today’s episode and thanks again for watching!

Episode 52 – “So This Is Communism?”

Today I’m standing on Shanghai’s Nanjing Lu (Avenue), one of China’s most storied shopping thoroughfares. The street is a 24-7 hive of activity and — I kid you not — it’s worth it to just stand there with a cuppa joe just to watch the throngs go about their business in the district. The Double E whipped out the cam so you all could get an eyeful what “Socialism With Chinese Characteristics” looks like. The harsh reality of the matter is that everything — and yes, we mean absolutely everything — is possible in the PRC except for one thing: do nothing to challenge the nation’s authorities. Otherwise you’re free to do whatever the heck you want, as you’ll see in the coming days with more Chinese Vitamin C episodes. And, oh, thanks again for watching!

Episode 51 – “Breaching China’s Great Wall”

There are a ton of pretenders out there claiming to be another of the so-called “China experts.” Truth is, there’s no such thing as a “China expert.” If one thing’s for certain, the PRC keeps on changing and not even China’s hardline leaders know where things might ultimately head. Where better to debunk the “China expert” theory than from atop the country’s Great Wall? That’s right, Episode #51 comes straight at ya from the Great Wall of China north of Beijing, at the Mutianyu entrance. Enjoy the half-millennium of architectural grandeur and as we juice you up with your daily dose on China…*in* China. Thanks again for watching!

Episode 50 – “The Evil Kingdom?”

Well how about that?! Vitamin C: Your Daily Dose On China has just turned 50 years old! Half a century of existence, eh? And who would have thought we’d have made it this far? Well thankfully the more important story is China, and, moreover, where it finds itself exactly after 60 years of independent statehood. As today’s “People’s Republic” grows with characteristic blistering abandon, is that same PRC starting to fray apart at the seams, ethically and morally? In Episode 50, ADM recounts a common urban Chinese horror story and let me tell you, friends, it ain’t pretty. As China surges ahead towards apparent superpower-dom, is the nation somehow checking and balancing itself? Are its citizens safe in their own cities? Is the country going to hell in a handcart, as people disregard their fellows’ well-being with their only concerns revolving around the almighty yuan? And as cloying as it sounds: are Chinese citizens still nice to each other? You can decide for yourself at the end of this episode, and thanks again for watching. Looking foward to seeing you at 100!