Chinese in Britain

cibA landmark series in which Anna Chen explores the early history of the Chinese presence in Britain (10 x 14′)

First broadcast April – May 2007    BBC Radio 4

Readings by David Tse Ka-shing

Producer Mukti Jain Campion

  1. The First Chinese VIPs: the earliest recorded Chinese to arrive in Britain
  2. The Creation of Chinatown: the myth and reality
  3. From Ship to Shore: experiences of Chinese seamen in Britain
  4. Steam and Starch: life in a Chinese laundry
  5. Educated in Britain: the history of Chinese students
  6. Feet unbound: pioneering Chinese Women in Britain
  7. Mixed Blessings: growing up half Chinese
  8. Artistic Pursuits: stepping out on Britain’s cultural landscape
  9. Screen Beginnings: the first British Chinese screen actors
  10. Peking Duck and Chips: early Chinese restaurants

Each episode sounded effortless only because it had been crafted with such supreme care.  – Gillian Reynolds, The Daily Telegraph

Visit the BBC series website

Original interviews have been archived with the British Library  accession number C1353

Radio Choice: The Guardian, The Sunday Times, The Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Scotsman, Time Out, Daily Mail, The Independent 

Radio 4  Pick of the Week

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