The BBC’s man in China to talk cross-dressing in York

One of the BBC’s top foreign correspondents will be in York this month with a very interesting story to tell.

Michael Bristow is the BBC World Service Asia/Pacific editor. When he decided to write a history of modern China he turned to his language teacher for help – and discovered a fascinating perspective on his host country.

And he will share his discoveries at an event at York Explore on Saturday, April 14.

Drag race

Michael’s teacher was born just two years after the communist party came to power in 1949.

The changing fortunes of his life have mirrored the ups and downs of his country, which has moved from communist poverty to capitalist wealth in just a single generation.

Michael was surprised to learn that the teacher was also a cross-dresser.

In his new book China In Drag: Travels with a Cross-dresser Michael chronicles the story of modern China through his teacher’s story.

Bookings can be made at any York library or online here.

For five years Michael was a BBC correspondent in Beijing, covering everything from earthquakes to the Olympics. He lives in Yorkshire with his wife and their two children.