Celine Dion
Celine Dion became a household name in China due to her huge hit, My Heart Will Go On, from the hit film, Titanic. The song even has a Chinese version and enjoyed great popularity along with the 1997 film in China. Dion, born in 1968, is a gifted Canadian singer with a five-octave vocal range. Her voice can let the toughness and softness echo in harmony. She performed in the annual CCTV Spring Festival Gala in 2013 for the Year of the Snake.
Michelle Kwan
Michelle Kwan was born in 1980 in the US. As a two-time Olympic medalist and five-time World Champion, Kwan is an accomplished figure skater among her peers. Her parents are Hong Kong immigrants. Kwan began serious skating training when she was 8 years old.
He Long
As a household military leader in China, He Long was born in 1896 in Hunan province. He planned and led the famous Nanchang Uprising on Aug 1, 1927, which later became the anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.
Leslie Cheung
His fans call him "elder brother". Leslie Cheung was one of the most memorable film stars and singers. Born in 1956, he committed suicide in 2003 when he was only 46 years old. One of the most successful roles he played was Cheng Dieyi in the movie, Farewell, My Concubine. Zhang possessed a pair of big and sad eyes, which lended him support to present the sad inner world of the characters he played.
Yao Ming
Yao Ming was born in 1980, the Year of the Monkey in Shanghai. He has had such a successful career that the documentary film, The Year of the Yao, records his time in the NBA. Under Yao's leadership, the Chinese national team won the 2001 FIBA Asian Championship, the 2003 FIBA Asian Championship, and the 2005 FIBA Asian Championship. Yao Ming always carries himself with a relaxed air and a constant smile. He is the pride of China forever.
Wu Zetian
The name Wu Zetian, is known by almost everyone of any age in China. She is the only female emperor in the history of China. Wu was born in 624 during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). She reigned from 690 to 705 and changed the Tang Dynasty into the Zhou Dynasty, which was changed back by her successors. Her adventures and political fights in a male-oriented period are legendery and have been adapted into novels, films and TV shows.
Yang Lan
Yang Lan, born in 1968, is a celebrated Chinese journalist and talk show hostess. Her road to success sets a good example to many young Chinese women who want to pursue their dreams. Her Yang Lan One-on-One has been broadcast for 16 years and is regarded as a very influential in-depth talk show in China.
Eileen Chang
Eileen Chang was one of the best-known contemporary Chinese female writers. She was born in 1920. Her fictional novels are mainly tragic romances. Some TV and film adaptations of her works also enjoy great popularity. Director Ang Lee adapted her Lust, Caution in 2007.
There is a very popular quotation from Zhang's novel, The Red Rose and the White Rose: "Everyman might have two women, at least two. One is a red rose, the other white. If he married the red, the red will worsen to a drop of irritating mosquito blood on the wall, while the white is the bright moonlight in front of his window; if he gets married to the white, the white will descend to the annoying rice attached to the clothes, while the red is a beauty spot he misses".
