BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Bigger Picture  >  Live & Learn  >  The Old Silk Road

The Old Silk Road

Ron Choong, The Center for Interdisciplinary Research

21-Dec-17 15:00

The Old Silk Road

We’re taking a look back at a listeners’ favourite this year. The Belt and Road Initiative is a vast, ambitious development strategy to fund and build global transport and trade links in more than 60 countries. First mentioned by President Xi Jinping in Kazakhstan in 2013, it was written into the constitution of the Chinese Communist Party during the 19th National Congress in October. But how much does this initiative have in common with the historic 7,000 mile-long trade route spanning from China in the East to Venice in the West?


In this interview that was originally aired on February 23, Ron Choong, an interdisciplinary scholar of science and religion with an interest in paleoanthropology, explains how different religions thrive and decline along the Old Silk Road, why India may not be the best place to go if one wishes to learn about Hinduism, and the unlikely story of how Christianity spread to China, among others.

Produced by: Chua Ern Teck

Presented by: Chua Ern Teck


This and more than 60,000 other podcasts in your hand. Download the all new BFM mobile app.

Categories: 

Tags:  Silk Road,  History,  Marco Polo,  Xinjiang,  Uighurs,  Belt and Road,  BRI,  One Belt One Road,  Anthropology,  The Bigger Picture,  Live and Learn


Latest Podcasts




Play / Pause

Listen now : BFM 89.9 -- The Business Station

Today’s Shows



11:00 AM

Best of Enterprise

(REPEAT) We speak with Nick Ng, Founder and CEO of Hock Kee Kopitiam, about building a modern kopitiam brand rooted in heritage, community, and made-to-order tradition.

12:00 PM

Popcorn Culture

(REPEAT) We review Train Dreams and The Voice of Hind Rajab.

1:00 PM

Cruise Control

(REPEAT) The VW Golf GTI Mk8.5 might sound like an incremental upgrade, but it's worth checking out if you're a fan of the brand. Tune in to hear why.

2:00 PM

Matt-Splained

(REPEAT) In the first part of a series on technologies in ‘26, Rich and Matt take a look at consumer tech, imagine what IRL AI looks like, and advances in energy production.

3:00 PM

Earth Matters

(REPEAT) We find out about a Semai fruit season homestay finally opening to the public, supported by Gerimis Art, sharing forest life, culture, and community-led ecotourism.

4:00 PM

Bar None

(REPEAT) We review the recent Malaysia Open 2026 and look back at our shuttlers' performances throughout 2025.

5:00 PM

BBC World Service

Two women with art galleries in Switzerland, London, Nigeria and the US talk about discovering and promoting new artists, building relationships with art collectors and the importance of supporting women in the art world.