China's Challenges

Episode 1

Can China Be Harmonious?

Sat, May 9, 2015 45 mins

A giant labor force is pouring into cities from rural areas, resulting in the mass immigration and urbanization of the Chinese population. This has created an even wider gap between urban and rural residents, between different geographical regions, and between people from different socio-economic backgrounds.

Episode 2

Can China Be Beautiful?

Sat, May 16, 2015 45 mins

The Chinese economy is developing extremely rapidly, but at the cost of its environment. Traveling west to east down China's mother river, the Yangtze, and visiting Shangri-la in Yunnan province, Chengdu in western Sichuan province, Ying Taogou village in middle China's Hubei province, and Shanghai, where the waterway empties into the East Sea.

Episode 3

Does China's Civilization Matter?

Sat, May 16, 2015 45 mins

How important is China's 5000-year history, and the country's grand millennia-long civilization, for China's reform, development and modernization? This episode explores the revival of Confucian thought, the popularity of Western classical music, the tensions between east and west during the construction of the Shanghai Tower, and Chinese modern art.

Episode 4

How Strong Is China?

Sat, May 23, 2015 45 mins

China has become the second largest economy in the world. Still, is China really as strong as some think? This episode explores the development of an 11,000 meter manned submersible, the challenges of Shanghai Auto in building a self-owned brand, Chengdu's new "silk road" connecting Southeast Asia and Europe, and the story of Yuan Longping, the father of hybrid rice.

Episode 5

How Modern Is China?

Sat, May 23, 2015 45 mins

China may have the tallest buildings, fastest trains, largest shipping hubs, and the fastest growing economy, but it also has massive imbalances between urban and rural populations, an unsustainable economic/industrial , model, and a lack of creativity in its education.

Episode 6

Transforming China's Economy and Society

Fri, Sep 22, 2017