Dakai Maritimes: Chinese-English Magazine Launches in Halifax

Emily MacIsaac  //  March 8, 2013

Meng Zhao hails from China. She’s also a Mount Saint Vincent University alumnus. After graduating from the BPR program in 2010, Meng decided to stay in Halifax. Over the past few years, Meng has worked for Cossette East and Transcontinental Media in communications and marketing.

Meng Zhao, founder of Dakai Maritimes

Having gained valuable expertise in advertising, editorial work and media relations she was ready to start a social enterprise. This past fall, Meng started a bilingual (English- Mandarin Chinese) magazine publication dedicated to connecting and engaging Maritime Chinese.

I had the chance to meet Meng in my Advanced PR Writing class and, curious about her career path and aspirations, I asked her a few questions. This is what she had to say.

Why did you choose the Mount and more specifically PR?

When I was in China, I knew very little about public relations and its function. I was very interested in anything communications and media. When I was in high school, I dreamed of becoming a TV editor, so I applied for [the] Beijing Broadcasting Institute but didn’t meet the criteria to be accepted. I was also very passionate about learning English as a second language and English culture. I majored in English in college, and was looking for further education opportunities in an English-speaking country. I came to the Mount for its PR program. The program is one-of-a-kind at the Mount and I was especially interested in media relations covered by the subject.

What inspired you to start this bilingual publication?

My cultural background, my interest in producing original media services, and my previous experience working in the publications industry.

I’m sure this has consumed a large part of your life over the past few months. Can you tell us what you’ve enjoyed most about starting your own publication?

It has led me to a position to meet and work with many talented and capable individuals in the city. They inspire me every day, and I look forward to meeting and working with more of them.

Can you give us more insight into the Chinese community here in the Maritimes?

Based on my research, we have about 8,000 Chinese-speaking residents here in Nova Scotia. The populations of the Chinese communities are a bit less in PEI and New Brunswick than in Nova Scotia. Though a humble number, the community is very tight in working together for the preservation of Chinese culture and language. There are about a dozen Chinese associations and clubs here now in NS, and close to a hundred community volunteers working at various events throughout the year.

What do you hope to achieve?

This publication has a two-fold purpose  – first, to better connect the existing Chinese community here in the Maritimes and, second, to introduce the Maritimes, especially Nova Scotia and Halifax, to those who’re looking to invest and relocate from outside of the region, and to put us on their agenda. I hope we can achieve both of our goals in short and long terms.

What sort of content should readers expect?

For this coming couple of issues, readers should expect to read about anything that concerns the Nova Scotian Chinese community, no matter whether it is local businesses, education, community, lifestyle or others. We hope to be able to cover stories from PEI and New Brunswick soon, depending on the kind of awareness and interest we receive from their local Chinese communities.

Magazine Launch Event

Dakai Maritimes officially launched the magazine on Wednesday, March 6 at the Keshen Goodman Public Library. Why March 6? Well, it just so happened to be China Day!

Keshen Goodman Public Library is showcasing China as part of its Immigrant Culture & Art Week. Today’s the last day to check out the library to learn more about Chinese culture through business and cultural showcases and grab the FIRST issue of Dakai Maritimes.

Visit www.dakai.ca to read an online version of the magazine, follow the magazine on Twitter and like it on Facebook.