Years of preparation, researching and reporting need to go into the magazine’s annual reports on selected topics such as the epic sea voyage of Zheng He (鄭和) (1371-1435 AD) and the 19-year Silk Road voyage of the Tang Dynasty Buddhist monk Xuanzang (玄奘).
Following the routes taken by the two greatest explorers in Chinese history, the troupe of journalists and photographers were dispatched in small numbers across Asia and Africa. From China, India, Nepal to Central and Southern Asian countries, their lauded accomplishment not only served as an inspiration for the Discovery channel’s documentary on Zheng He’s sea voyage but led to several international touring exhibitions and picture-filled tomes.
“I have done it all myself so I also expect my colleges to meet high demands,” Wang said, adding that the most important rule of the game is to play it safe, even though the most experienced reporter can run into danger every now and then. “An editor-in-chief’s worst nightmare is to get a phone call in the middle of the night. And it happens,” Wang said.
The magazine has also conducted a comprehensive study on Taiwan’s history starting from the Austronesian culture dating as far back as 10,000 years. Large amounts of documents and publications in Europe from the 16th century to 18th century were examined to shed light on the island’s relation with Western world powers and China.
The magazines’ adventurers are also among the first ones to arrive in disaster zones and spend months doing follow-up reports on the regions. Taiwanese readers gained a better under-standing of humanitarian problems with first-hand reports on tsunami-ravaged Indonesia and Sri Lanka, earthquake-shaken Pakistan or hurricane-plagued New Orleans. Following the Tzu Chi Foundation’s international aid teams, journalists are able to enter countries and regions normally closed to the outside world, such as North Korea and Afghanistan under the Taliban.
“At Rhythms Monthly, I can feel more comfortable with my job as a journalist. Going to places with aid teams, we can be of some help and not just build our stories around other people’s suffering,” Wang said.
An explorer by nature, Wang never fails to find time in his busy schedule to answer requests from his life-long friend Wong How-man (黃效文) for expeditions. The magazine was the first medium in the world to call global attention to the dwindling numbers of endangered species in Tibet, particularly the Tibetan antelope, which inhabits the Tibetan Plateau.
Encountering untold misery and injustice during his travels, Wang certainly has had moments of despair but finds solace in the contributions he can make. “You can’t change the system but you can do small things to help,” Wand said. “And even if you fail, at least you can face yourself with a clear conscience. I know I will never become a good journalist, because whenever I see a person suffering, my first reaction is to put down the camera and help that person.”
It is a heartfelt reflection on the world from a humble humanitarian who has seen it all.
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