Video

LEARNING FROM THE EAST: GHANAIAN STUDENTS AND CHINESE EDUCATION

Producer + Editor: Derek Arthur

In 2018 there were over 80,000 African students studying in China. With a growth rate of 32.4% since 2016, they are the fastest growing international student population in China. Ghana reportedly leads the continent with roughly 5,000 students pursuing degrees and training programs tertiary educations across China. I spent ten weeks in Accra, Ghana, to find out why so many young Ghanaians are looking to China for their educations.

WOMAN@WORK: MUSIC HOME FOR BEIJING'S TECHIES

Producers: Derek Arthur, Dai Yuyang, Pan Jie

Interviewer: Derek Arthur

By day, Xu Xiaoping works at one of China's largest internet companies. After hours, she runs a music school where she is also a student. Xiaoping founded the school to offer employees around Xi'erqi, a hub for Internet companies in northeast Beijing, a place to relax and enjoy themselves.

MANICURE: BEIJING'S MEN AT THE NAIL SALON

Producer + Editor: Derek Arthur

Videographers + Interviewers: Derek Arthur, Liu Xu

In the past few years, not only have sales figures for men's grooming products increased by double digit percentages, but it seems more are investing in personal care services as well. On a Sunday afternoon in December, we went to the Lily Nails salon in Beijing's Sanlitun neighborhood to hear from clients and staff about the changing attitudes towards men's grooming.

Read the full text story:

The men at the salon: Clients and staff at one Beijing nail salon illustrate China’s changing attitudes towards male grooming.

LINA GETACHEW AYENEW: SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR

Producer + Animator: Derek Arthur

When Lina Getachew Ayenew first came to China, she knew nothing about the language and culture. Nearly a decade later, the Ethiopian entrepreneur has written the first book for learning Chinese in her native Amharic as well as published an introductory guide to China-Africa relations. I used hand-drawn images and computer animation to illustrate our March 2018 interview.

TROY SANDFORD: MARTIAL ARTIST AND FILMMAKER

Producer: Derek Arthur

Troy Sandford has dedicated his life to studying martial arts since he was 18 years old. Sandford moved to China from Australia seven years ago to study kung fu, and now leads a team of martial artists-cum-filmmakers in Beijing. He is passionate about cinema and hopes to create "beautiful, legendary, epic martial arts stories" for all.