Footprints

Taicang, a small city in Jiangsu Province, eastern China, is known for its deep connections with German enterprises. Home to over 500 German-invested companies, the city has grown to become a prime destination for German entrepreneurs. Among them, Erwin Gerber stands out with his thriving bakery. In this episode of the Makin' It in China series, we'll explore how Erwin has crafted his path to success in Taicang, blending German tradition with Chinese opportunity.

Meet Linda Painan, a female entrepreneur from Singapore, who has spent the last 28 years in Shanghai. As the chairperson of The Expatriate Center, a mother of three and a philanthropist, Linda's journey is a story of dedication and resilience. In this episode of our Makin' It in China series, we'll explore how Linda has fostered a sense of community for expatriates in Shanghai and uncover the personal and professional experiences that have kept her in this metropolis.

​For French entrepreneur Benoit Auger, his romance with a Chinese lady started a life-long engagement with her country. In 2006, he moved to live in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou and began his business adventure in the clothes and fashion industry. How did Auger meet his sweetheart? Why did he choose to live and “make it in China”? Join this edition of Footprints to find out.

​Dr. Song Jianping and Dr. Li Mingqiang are among the many Chinese doctors who have gone on foreign aid missions fighting malaria worldwide over the past several decades. Using treatment solutions centered on the TCM drug artemisinin, the two have helped contain the deadly disease in countries like Cambodia, Comoros, and São Tomé and Príncipe.

For more than 40 years, Mei Jingtian, a voluntary ranger now in his 80s, has devoted himself to the preservation of the Great Wall in the northern mountainous suburbs of Beijing. His example has encouraged a new generation of career rangers, including his niece Liu Hongyan, to continue protecting this architectural wonder of the world.

In this episode of our Makin' It in China series, we tell the story of French basketball trainer Patrick Regulier with the Zhejiang Lions youth team. Regulier has been in China for 16 years and has turned his career from a player to a trainer. He has become a crucial part in the young players’ pursuit for a professional route ahead.

Never did he ever imagine that one day he would participate in the Olympic Games. "Yushuai, you did it." The moment Luan Yushuai opened the email from the Paris 2024 organizing committee confirming his qualification for the Mass Participation Marathon, his joy was beyond words. For the past seven years, Luan has been passionate about running while working as a deliveryman in Beijing. In this episode of Footprints, we delve into the marathon journey of Luan Yushuai and explore how running has transformed his life trajectory from a courier to an Olympian.

Frederic Moal is a French BMX racing coach in China. In charge of the Guizhou provincial team, he manages six young riders competing in various national competitions with his unique coaching methods. Affectionately known as Laofa, or the French papa, Moal has built a deep bond with his riders, who have almost become his family members. Hear Moal’s story and find out more about the team in this episode of our Makin' It in China series.

In this episode of our Makin' It in China series, we speak to Yaya Sanogo, a French professional footballer now playing at Chinese club Qingdao Red Lions. Sanogo became a household name when he joined the English Premier League side Arsenal when he was just 19 years old. Having played in Europe only, Sanogo decided to explore a new chapter by signing with a Chinese team in March, 2024. The decision has led to his new perspective about this country.

​Ma Dan is an experienced art and dance teacher from Wuhan in central China's Hubei Province. Between 2016 and 2022, she volunteered to teach music and dance in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. By forming the first Tibetan-styled cheerleading team and assisting students to succeed in college auditions for performing arts, her passion for teaching and mentoring has broadened the horizons of her students in remarkable ways. In this episode, let's explore how she has guided her students to discover purpose in life and foster personal growth.