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My name is Mark Niu. I'm a journalist covering the sunny state of California.
I've been in broadcasting for more than 15 years. I grew up right smack
in the middle of the United States in Kansas, which is known
as the heart of America.
I began my broadcasting career in the state of Wisconsin,
which is famous for beer and cheese, and for having weather
that is a tad bit colder than where I am now.
I covered plenty of ice fishing and snowmobile racing stories,
but also got to sit in some heavy machinery.
I'm in the cockpit of an F-16 here at the International Guard,
located at Truax Field. Now, this is a U.S.$20 million machine,
the heart and soul of the 128th Fighter Wing's airpower.
After a few years in Wisconsin, I took the most logical step
in any career progression. I decided to move to Hong Kong.
I worked for Asia Television and then Hong Kong's largest television station,
TVB, where I covered live Hong Kong's transition to Chinese rule.
You can see the large street there. 39 vehicles are in this group.
This is the historic moment as they arrive here at Huanggang.
After that, I anchored and reported for Star TV, which is owned by News Corp.,
and is Asia's largest satellite television broadcaster.
I was one of the first members to help launch the news organization,
which had a successful run for more than a decade.
During that time, I had the responsibility
of interviewing presidents.
The chance to whip myself into shape.
And finally, the opportunity to take some roads
that were definitely less traveled.
A warning to North Korean infiltrators.
But then a moment to remember: Crossing the demarcation line,
which has divided North and South Korea
for more than 50 years.
Several years ago, I decided to return America,
and begin a new career in the land of the stars:
Los Angeles, California.
I studied to be a playwright and screenwriter
at the University of Southern California.
I recently completed a short film based on one of my plays,
"Juche Rules," which is inspired by my journalistic travels to North Korea.
I enjoy most working on stories that focus
on people and finding out what really makes them tick,
for better or for worse. I abhor watching those programs
that fail to explore the other side or take into account somebody else's view.
Unfortunately, that seems to be the trend these days.
Hopefully, I can make a change.