China Media

He worked at CRI for 11 years, serenading listeners with “Ni hao are you?” and his host Yuan Yuan. Unfortunately their popular show, Joy FM, was cancelled by CRI brass a few months ago and replaced with a show which hasn’t yet found its legs.

Rick, however, remains in Beijing and I hear he is a regular reader of this website. As I was browsing through 21st Century a few days ago, I saw one of his music columns. It goes to show there is, indeed, life after CRI.

Congratulations, Rick.

She was hardworking, diligent, and popular among staff when she worked at CRI, and now it looks like she could be returning to the friendly confines of China Radio International.

Wang Shuo left CRI in 2005 to pursue a teaching job at a university in Haidian. She also did a short stint at Beijing Radio before taking an advanced translator’s course in California. She has since returned and is working part-time as a translator, and will be pursuing some form of work at CRI as well. No final decisions have been made, but Wang Shuo could perhaps end up in CRI Easy FM 91.5’s newsroom.

Wang Shuo is one of the nicest and smartest girls in the business, and we wish her every success.

She’s one of China Radio International’s most beloved employees.  She sits in the corner of her office among the other audio editors, but news people and other hosts routinely call her out to help them out.

Hong Chuan has given her resignation at CRI, and it has shocked many of the staff.  She has recently purchased a home with her fiance on the outskirts of Beijing, however she is still unsure what she will do following her tenure at CRI.

China Media must also credit Hong Chuan with being a good friend, and helping adjust to life in China.  She is a wonderful person, and she will be missed by the staff at CRI (especially her good friend who works in the Education Department, Lu Ting).  We wish her all the best. 

Many people may be wondering what happened to Rick O’Shea and Yuanyuan and their popular evening music show on China Radio International’s Easy FM.  Well, wonder no more.

China Radio International has a policy of only allowing foreign employees to continue working there for less than 10 years.  Under government regulations, according to some of the employees at CRI, staff (including foreign staff) are entitled to a fairly major bonus if they reach the 10-year mark.  Other employees of CRI have been let go prior to their 10 year anniversary, including Stuart Parkins (sorry for the mis-spelling, Stuart!), who had devoted his time and effort to growing CRI.

Unfortunately, Rick O’Shea, after many years with the organization, was on the cusp of his 10 year anniversary.  He was relieved of his duties, and Ding Yuanyuan resigned shortly thereafter.  Yuanyuan is planning on marrying her fiance in the port city of Xiamen.  No word on what Rick is up to.

Their show has been replaced by Richard and Yuting’s music show, which has had a tough time filling the large shoes left by Rick and Yuanyuan. However China Media has no doubt they will eventually find their own place on China’s radio landscape.