This week on Sinica, I chat with Hazza Harding, a young Australian who began learning Chinese and made his way to China where he became a pop singer with hits on Chinese pop charts and a state media newscaster — and also lost his husband tragically, suffered through the COVID lockdowns while grieving for his loss. Yet he remains committed to furthering understanding and engagement, and has shown admirable resilience. Read his remarkable essay on his experiences here . 6:51 – How Hazza started in China, and how his career changed throughout his time there 19:27 – Hazza’s experiences feeling alienated in China 27:00 – Hazza’s experience working in Chinese state media 34:04 – How China shaped Hazza and Wayne’s love story, and how grief has shaped Hazza’s perspective on life 56:08 – The loveliness of everyday interactions 58:43 – Hazza’s advice on giving oneself time and leniency 1:02:38 – How Hazza may find his way back to China in the future Paying It Forward: James Laurenceson at UTS Sydney Recommendations: Hazza: China Blonde: How a newsreader’s search for adventure led to friendship, acceptance… and peroxide pandemonium in China by Nicole Webb Kaiser: The TV series Xi Bei Sui Yue ( Into the Great Northwest ) (2024 - ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
