Christian Petersen-Clausen
banner
memostothefuture.bsky.social
Christian Petersen-Clausen
@memostothefuture.bsky.social
Documentary Filmmaker, based in China.
25+ year Expat. I won't die on a couch.

坚持就是胜利。
Another day, another flight.

I have five of these scheduled in the coming seven days. This one is taking me back to Shanghai.

Unusually, the pilots are dropping flaps only as they enter the runway today. I wonder if they forgot?
November 23, 2025 at 4:17 AM
My gut feeling is that this is because Jazz here wasn't the music of previous generations; young Chinese fans discovered Jazz for themselves and see it as "their thing" that fits into their desire for a higher-quality lifestyle.
November 19, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Chinese Jazz fans are also often extremely knowledgable and in spite of often coming from ordinary backgrounds willing to spend significant sums on original first-edition vinyl records that they'll bring to get signed.

I fully expect to see some show up with Suzuki's "Friends."
November 19, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Jazz in China attracts a unique crowd: the average age range here is 20-35 whereas Jazz musicians in Japan attract people in their 70s and 80s. This often deeply impresses and delights the musicians and has made us (as Concert organizers in China) quite popular with them abroad.
November 19, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Suzuki is a really exciting member of the Japanese jazz scene and we are proud to have gotten his Quintet for China. He spent many years in NYC, where he played for years with Stan Getz and Art Blakey.
November 19, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Hello again Beijing.

I am in town with Jazz bassist Yoshio Suzuki, who will be performing for the first time in China at DDC Beijing tomorrow (Thursday) and Saturday.
November 19, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Hello again Beijing.

I am in town with Jazz bassist Yoshio Suzuki, who will be performing for the first time in China at DDC Beijing tomorrow (Thursday) and Saturday.
November 19, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Another day, another flight.

Booked just two hours ago, I'm on a China Eastern 777 to Beijing, where I will be meeting a group of wonderful Japanese Jazz musicians.

I'm curious how many people will come to the concert given the diplomatic spat right now.

We'll see.
November 19, 2025 at 7:56 AM
After the completion of the Hotel, Andy Andreasen went on to lead Baker McKenzie in China. Later, he became the first Executive Director of the Stanford Center at Peking University.

Read more about this incredible life and this project on Substack:

livinghistorychina.substack.com/p/andy-andre...
November 18, 2025 at 7:07 AM
The man who managed to convince banks to let him bring an astonishing $72million into China in 1979 ($295mm today) was the legendary CB Sung, who also started the Beijing Jeep Joint Venture.

The Great Wall Hotel was the largest of the first three approved Joint Ventures.
November 18, 2025 at 7:05 AM
The Great Wall Hotel was designed by the same architects that envisioned the LAX Theme Building.

During its four decades in operation it hosted foreign dignitaries like Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Li-Ka-shing 李嘉诚 or, on one random day I stayed there, North Korean diplomats.
November 18, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Another day, another flight.

I'm last to board this packed China Eastern from Beijing to Shanghai. It seems to be one of the oldest airframes they have, with thickly-padded seats but without personal TVs.

Not that I mind, I don't use those screens anyway.
November 15, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Coming soon to the Living History Channel: Jörg Wuttke.

This was an incredible conversation that took us down many roads and alleys I had not foreseen but enjoyed greatly.
November 13, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Another day, another flight.

The China Eastern 330 taking me to Beijing is once again packed but thankfully on time. I was offered an upgrade for RMB500 but decided to stick it out in coach.

I'll be filming Living History in Beijing until Sunday.
November 11, 2025 at 5:38 AM
📅 Dates: Nov 20 (8:00 PM) | Nov 22
(7:30 PM & 9:30 PM)

📍 Venue: Beijing DDC Club

✍️ Post-show signing session after each performance!

🎟Grab your tickets now! (via 秀动)

I really hope to see you there.
November 10, 2025 at 12:27 PM
From his early days with masters like Sadao Watanabe, to his time in NYC with Art Blakey's legendary band, to leading his own diverse projects back home,

Suzuki's career is a history of modern jazz itself. His acclaimed albums like "Friends"&"Wings" showcase his immense vision.
November 10, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Beijing friends: on Nov 20 and 22 we will be bringing Japanese Jazz bassist Yoshio Suzuki to DDC.

Most bassists work in the background but this 79-year-old legend is a monumental exception.

This is a rare chance to see something very special.
November 10, 2025 at 12:22 PM
So there it is: Boyu Capital is a 60% of Starbucks China for $4 billion and will operate its cafes.

I keep reading takes on how this is a win for Starbucks (and getting that much cash certainly isn't bad) but they're in bad shape in China today. I'm curious to see what Boyu will do.
November 4, 2025 at 6:46 AM
Wang Jianlin 王健林 had a fierce reputation. Says Ilja: "Everyone knew that if you could survive six months there, you were really good."

I'd love to hear what you think about the work atmosphere he describes.

Leave a comment on Youtube, it really helps the channel grow.
October 31, 2025 at 4:49 AM
This 4 day-old NIO ES6 has 9709km on the odometer. Whoever made that delivery drive has my respect.
October 23, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Someone in Shanghai does not like their Volkswagen...
October 22, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Shanghai friends: Toshiki Soejima will be performing tomorrow at the Enya Global Masters Music Night. It's at 7:30pm at MODERN SKY LAB Shanghai.
October 21, 2025 at 5:35 AM
Shanghai friends: Toshiki Soejima will be performing tomorrow at the Enya Global Masters Music Night. It's at 7:30pm at MODERN SKY LAB Shanghai
October 21, 2025 at 5:26 AM
Good morning from Chongqing West Railway Station, where I am about to board a train to Chengdu with more luggage than I should have to carry. Let's hope there is space onboard.
October 17, 2025 at 4:13 AM
If you are in Chengdu tomorrow please do say hello.
October 16, 2025 at 3:55 PM