Former CCTV anchor sees clear skies ahead

As the first non-Asian news anchor on Chinese television, Edwin Maher’s face is known to millions. Through him, viewers at home and abroad have learned of the profound changes taking place across China.

For the New Zealand-born broadcaster, who has lived in Beijing for 14 years, one of the biggest changes he has witnessed in the past five years is the improved air quality in the Chinese capital.

He remembers that the first few times he attempted to get a bird’s-eye view of the vast cityscape from the Beijing Television Tower, one of the tallest buildings downtown, he was prevented by thick smog.

“It was my first winter. I had to wait for nearly two weeks until a strong overnight wind blew all the polluted air away and left a crystal-clear sky,” said Maher, whose career included time as a weathercaster in Australia. “I climbed to the top of the tower, which is about 330 meters high, and saw the amazing ancient city. It’s so beautiful.

“In recent years, Beijing’s air quality has got better. Last year had 12 more ‘blue-sky days’ than in 2015,” he added. “Behind this achievement is the government’s strong determination to control pollution, and the increased public awareness of health and environmental protection.”

Maher, now in his 70s, decided to move to China in 2003 after receiving a surprise offer from China Radio International.

After coming across a CRI news bulletin while tuning an antique shortwave valve radio, he had emailed the station to let them know, adding in details about his background in radio and TV. Unexpectedly, he received a reply offering him a job as a voice coach.

After completing his contract with CRI, Maher moved to China Central TV, the State broadcaster, which in 2004 made him the first non-Asian news anchor on its Englishlanguage channel, CCTV-9, later renamed China Global TV Network. He remained until his retirement last year.

During his initial years in Beijing, Maher couldn’t speak Chinese, although the language barrier was no major obstacle. “I’d usually ask for help from young people who seemed to be college students, but many would say ‘Sorry, I don’t speak English’,” he said. “Now, tourists from Englishspeaking countries can feel free to ask for help on the street.

“As the country is stepping onto the global stage and playing a crucial role, the popularity of English among the public is growing. Now, in big cities, most people — from primary students to police or taxi drivers — can speak at least a few sentences in English.”

Fourteen years ago, many Chinese still had a strong curiosity about foreigners, according to Maher, who recalled a man who tried to sell him a fake Rolex watch one morning while he was sitting enjoying lunch in a park near his office.

“I said ‘No thanks’, but then he sat down next to me and looked at my arms in a curious manner. Gingerly, he touched the hair on my arm and then pointed to his own smooth arm, all the while with a big smile, to show me the difference in appearance between Chinese and Westerners in his eyes.

“Now look at Beijing, Shanghai and other metropolises in China, which are being visited by more and more foreigners, some of whom have even decided to live here, just like me,” he said. “Cities have become international communities, ... and China is now the world’s second-largest economy.”

The made-in-China brand has also seen a massive overhaul in its image as the country has shifted from copying the best to being the best, Maher said. To prove his point, he showed his Xiaomi smartphone, which he brought two years ago for less than 2,000 yuan ($300).

“Cellphones made by domestic brands are a friendly price and perform excellently,” he said. “I know lots of foreigners who use cellphones made in China. The country is an emerging superpower that is surprising the world with its innovation and marvelous power of action.”

He also cited high-speed trains as an example of China’s achievements.

“I’ve taken the bullet train to Shanghai and other cities. The 1,400-kilometer trip (to Shanghai) takes less than five hours. It’s very comfortable, and the service is so good,” he said.

According to China Railway Corp, the network operator, high-speed services now connect 29 provincial areas and cover a total distance of 20,000 km.

“Many foreigners still only know China through travel or culture programs on TV, but you get a different feeling when you really are here,” Maher added. “To know its people, to learn how the country makes those miracles happen, you should come to China.”

“I KNOW PEOPLE IN MANY COUNTRIES HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT THE VARIETY OF SCENERY THAT EXISTS IN THIS COUNTRY. I HOPE THEY WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME HERE AND SEE IT.”

Edwin Maher, former news anchor for China Central Television