Culture

CRI host thinks on his feet as he floats in the air

By Joseph Christian (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-07-15 11:06

Although James did have some issues settling into his new job, he feels that things have been pretty open during his five years at CRI.

"Most of the staff are young, smart people that have a real interest in the world and their country. I think, for the most part, they are fairly progressive. But, of course, there are some things that you just can't talk about," James said.

A typical day for James begins around 3 pm when he arrives at CRI headquarters in western Beijing.

After quickly checking the latest headlines, he goes into an editorial meeting with his Chinese and foreign colleagues to determine the news stories and interviews that will be part of his broadcast between 7 and 8 pm.

"After that, I basically prepare and smooth out all the details before I go on the air," James said of his daily work schedule.

But James' work is far from just a monotonous retelling of daily news.

"Working as a radio host at CRI offers me some unique opportunities that I would have never had back in Canada," James said.

One of James most memorable experiences came days before the start of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games when he had the opportunity to interview Dr Henry Kissinger.

"At first, when Kissinger saw that I wasn't Chinese, he was a little confused because his handlers had told him he was going to get interviewed by Chinese radio," James said.

"Maybe, he thought it was some journalistic trick, but eventually, after my Chinese colleagues assured him I really did work for Chinese radio, he agreed to sit down with me," James recalled of the interview.

In the short time James spent with him, Kissinger recalled how he had to sneak into China for groundbreaking talks in the 1970s that eventually allowed Nixon to travel to China and re-start Sino-US ties.

"It was an experience I will never forget. I just wished I could have had more time to pick his brain," James said.

Apart from Kissinger, James also ranks his interview of Guo Jiading, who used to be an interpreter for Deng Xiaoping and Zhou Enlai and who was also the former ambassador to Malta and Portugal, as one of his most memorable experiences at CRI.

"It was very interesting for me to hear from a man that had day to day access to one of the most important people in modern Chinese history. He had a lot of interesting things to tell from his experiences," James said.

Overall, James said he really enjoys his job, which is why he is coming back for his sixth year of work at CRI.

"I like having to think on my feet with one eye on the clock and the other on the news wire. There is nothing quite like the rush of being on the air," James said.

Although James said he doesn't have a fan following that he is aware of, he has had several taxi drivers recognize him by his voice.

"Radio hosts have more anonymity and I enjoy that," James said.