New US 'musical diplomat' wows crowds in China

BEIJING - Slater Rhea has become a musical phenomenon in China with his fluent command of Mandarin and Chinese folk and pop songs.

"I sang solos in my children's choir way back when I was 6. But it wasn't until I started learning Chinese in college and searched for Chinese music online that I found Chinese songs and had the idea that I could really do this," Rhea says in a recent email interview after a whirlwind summer performing on Chinese TV.

Back then, he was attracted to various facets of Chinese culture and recognized the importance of learning Chinese since the country was fast becoming a key global player.