This summer, one year before the Beijing Olympics, discover China through the eyes of eight French speakers living in the Middle Kingdom. Four reporters from the public Francophone Radios followed these Belgian, Canadian, French, and Swiss expatriates.
What kind of work do they do in China? How do they conduct business in the People's Republic? What do they eat or drink? What sports do they practice? What music do they listen to? How do they get around? What causes do they support? What do they do to relax? Each week, a guest will share "their" China with us through five episodes drawn from their daily life.
Living in China, a series to listen to all summer long on RTBF, Radio France, Radio-Canada, and Radio Suisse Romande, every weekday morning at 7:41 AM.
For RSR, the episodes were produced by Janique LeBlanc (pictured). Isabelle Deroche for Radio France, Pierre Magos for RTBF, and Michel Labrecque for Radio-Canada.
Where Pierre Grossenbacher and his wife Marcelle drive the 400 kilometers between Beijing and Gaotang. Where there is talk about Chinese names, road safety, and the opening of China.
And where we learn the meaning of Pierre Grossenbacher’s Chinese name, as well as that of his wife, Marcelle Rouge Grossenbacher. What was the Grossenbachers' driver doing during the Cultural Revolution?
Why is it important to have a Chinese driver in case of an accident? What percentage of China is still off-limits to foreigners?
Where we find Pierre Grossenbacher with his driver, Mr. Dong, in Gaotang, on their way to the liquid packaging factory. Where there is talk about compliments, bureaucracy, and production.
And where we learn how Pierre Grossenbacher nicknames the main square of Gaotang. What does every good driver do at least once a day, and how does he describe Chinese bureaucracy? How many days off do Tralin Packaging employees get?
How many packages did they produce last month?
Where we accompany Marcelle Grossenbacher, Pierre's wife, to the Gaotang market. Where she talks about the products found there, Shandong cuisine, and the classic questions the Chinese ask foreigners.
And where we learn why bananas were black in winter at the markets until 1989, and what to be careful about when shopping at the market. Who doesn’t speak Mandarin? What does the lady advertising with a loudspeaker sell? What is the sound of a rusty knife?
Where Pierre Grossenbacher tours the waste yard of the Tralin Packaging factory in Gaotang. Where there is talk about pollution and recycling.
And where we learn why Pierre Grossenbacher’s office is all black on Monday mornings. Why does he like to employ Chinese women? What does the factory do with its waste? What does he finally discover at the factory, three years after requesting it?
Where we find Pierre Grossenbacher and his wife Marcelle at the restaurant of the hotel where they live in Gaotang, Shandong. Where there is talk about food and memories of their early years in China.
And where we learn how to choose dishes in this restaurant and what Pierre Grossenbacher likes to eat in soup during winter. Who has the authority to grant women the right to have children in China? Who is being monitored in Gaotang? And why is it important to always be kind?
