Houston Community News >> Discovery Channel People's Republic of Capitalism

6/17/2008 Houston-- In the wake of the catastrophic earthquake in China’s Sichuan province and on the eve of the Olympics this August in Beijing, Discovery Channel Managing Editor Ted Koppel presents KOPPEL ON DISCOVERY: THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CAPITALISM, a sweeping four-part series which examines modern China. Asia Society Texas Center presents an advance screening of the documentary, followed by a question-and-answer session with some of the programs’ producers at the Angelika Film Center at 7:00 pm, June 26, 2008.

Ted Koppel describes KOPPEL ON DISCOVERY: THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CAPITALISM as ‘the most extensive project I’ve ever undertaken in its reporting and production.’ In each hour-long program, Koppel explores America’s economic relationship with China as well as capitalism’s effect on the Chinese people. The series premieres on Discovery Channel on Wednesday, July 9, at 10 PM (ET/PT) and continues for the next three nights at 10 PM through Saturday, July 12.

"The U.S. would have an easier time disentangling itself from Germany or France than from the Chinese,” said Koppel. “In fact, as one Chinese billionaire told me, 'China is the most business-friendly government in the world.' The kicker is, he's probably right. Chinese and American businesses are taking full advantage of it, and you have to wonder how either country would get along without the other.”

Based in southwestern China’s industrial hub of Chongqing, KOPPEL ON DISCOVERY: THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CAPITALISM is one year in the making, with in-depth programs which explore the interconnected economies of the two countries. The individual programs focus on China’s changing values as a result of urbanization, the role of the automobile in making the Chinese more mobile while saving some U.S. automakers from financial ruin, and the impact of corruption on China's economy and government efforts to reduce it.

The Koppel on Discovery production team and representatives from the Asia Society Texas Center are available for interviews before the event.

“We are so pleased and proud to partner with Discovery Channel’s Koppel on Discovery to bring this valuable documentary to Houston” says Martha Blackwelder, Asia Society Texas Center Executive Director. “These programs emphasize how closely woven our two nations now are.”