Dashan

Dashan (Mark Rowswell) has the Chinese name, Lu Shiwei. For over the past 20 years, he has widely participated in various activities throughout China including xiangsheng (crosstalk), television hosting, dramatic performance, publishing and education, to name just a few. During this time, he has committed himself to bridging the east-west cultural exchange. In 2004, Dashan became the first foreigner selected as one of ten ”Outstanding Youth of Beijing”. In 2006, Dashan was inducted into the “Order of Canada”, Canada’s highest honour for lifetime achievement, commemorating his contribution to the friendship between China and Canada. In 2008, Dashan served as the Canadian Team Attaché for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Most recently, in 2009, he was appointed by the Canadian government to the post of Canada’s Commissioner General to Expo 2010 in Shanghai.

During the first month of his appointment, Dashan has been busy traveling between Ottawa, Beijing and Shanghai.

In his most recent, two-day stay in Shanghai, he made full use of the time to look for a place for his family to live next March. He also checked in on the progress at Canada Pavilion, and took the opportunity to “go for a walk” at seven o’clock in the morning to observe the most real and touching scenes of this city.

“The journey of a dream is now about to sail again” he said. You can tell from the look on Dashan’s face that he is filled with joy. With extraordinary talent and proficient language skills, this Canadian continues to be an ambassador for China-Canada relations.

New Dream

It’s like meeting an old friend when one first meets Dashan. He starts sharing what he saw and heard during his morning walk, and he begins worrying, “whether there will be a at-loose-ends feeling when the Expo closes”.

20 years ago, a televised sketch turned Mark Rowswell into Dashan. Xiangsheng actor, English teacher, television show host, one of ten ”Outstanding Youth of Beijing”… Dashan has long been regarded as one of their own by the Chinese people.

“I want to see for myself what China is like, and truly experience the way of life here.”

Dashan has now experienced life here for over 20 years, and has become a household name. During this time, his work has encompassed culture, education, commerce, public welfare, diplomacy and other fields. He has been handled these tasks quite skillfully and easily, and at the same time has enjoyed his work. After being a non-governmental exchange facilitator, he is now a government official and feels surprised and grateful in retrospect.

As a matter of fact, Dashan positions himself as a cultural exchange ambassador, and he has longed to bridge the communication and exchange gap between the two countries. Therefore, as long as his activities help to achieve those goals, he is willing to try. In 2008, Dashan served as Canadian TeamAttaché for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, and thus one of his long-cherished dreams was realized. The year 2010 will witness the beginning of his second dream.

“I don’t want to obscure my character.”

Dashan always gives it a hundred percent no matter what he does, and this determination as well as his sincerity has touched a lot of people. As Canada’s Commissioner General for Expo 2010 in Shanghai, Dashan went to the construction site of Canada Pavilion in Expo site the first day of his appointment. He was very satisfied with the progress on the pavilion. He travelled back and forth to meet new colleagues and gain knowledge of the Expo. He contacted Avril Lavigne, the Canadian Ambassador for Expo 2010, and invited her to perform in Expo site next year. Dashan is confident that everything will be well prepared for Canada’s Expo hosting experience.

Dashan wants to be absorbed in the work of Commissioner General and, at the same time, incorporate his well known character’s image into the Expo. He has already started to ferment a plan. Inside Canada Pavilion, a short video will be shown to advertise the country. Dashan hopes he can appear as an actor to give full play to his talents for comedy. He is also thinking about whether he, as Commissioner General, should start a blog, and have a 3D virtual “Dashan” guide visitors through the online Canada Pavilion at Expo Shanghai Online.

“I will give 100% effort to my job as Commissioner General, but I hope that ‘diplomat’ will not be the only image people have of me, and I don’t want to obscure my character,” Dashan contends.

Expo 2010 Shanghai: As the most famous foreigner in China, what did you feel when you were appointed Canada’s Commissioner General for Expo 2010?

Dashan: It’s a great honour to be Canada’s Commissioner General for Expo 2010, and this experience will be very important in my life. Expo 2010 is another most important international event after the Beijing Olympics. I’ve always wanted to be part of it, so I was thrilled when I received such an exciting appointment and a chance at a brand-new experience. I’d rather be looked upon as a cultural ambassador between China and Canada.

Expo 2010 Shanghai: The design and preparation of Canada Pavilion are all coordinated by Cirque Du Soleil, which is one of the world’s most famous circuses. How can Cirque Du Soleil demonstrate the theme of Expo 2010 while retaining the characteristics it is famous for?

Dashan: Cirque Du Soleil has been regarded as Canada’s “national treasure”. Every year they put on scores of shows around the world, and they also came to Shanghai two years ago. With their support, the exhibitions at Canada Pavilion will be quite performance-oriented, giving people new and exciting emotions. This is the best part compared with past Expo exhibitions. The specific showcase is still at the planning stage, and we want to keep it secret.

Expo 2010 Shanghai: In recent years, Vancouver has many times been ranked at the top of the “World’s Best City to Live” list, and some other Canadian cities are also ranked in leading positions. In this city-themed Expo, what will Canada do to share its successful experiences?

Dashan: I’d say it’s a great theme and suits Canada quite well. Eighty percent of the Canadian population lives in cities. We have abundant experience in how to build a better city to live and create better life. We will try our best to show our wisdom and achievements in this regard and also learn other countries’ achievements and experiences at Expo 2010.

Expo 2010 Shanghai: How would you introduce or promote Expo 2010 to the Canadians?

Dashan: It’s quite simple to tell the Canadians what Expo 2010 means to China. I just need to tell them this event is similar to Expo Montreal, held at the 100th anniversary of the founding of Canada, and they will understand that Expo 2010 is the milestone, marking China’s maturity after years of fast development.

In closing, Dashan seizes the opportunity to “advertise” for the Expo: “I hope all westerners can come and visit China once or twice in their lives, and Expo 2010 will be the best time for them to come.”