Beijing 2008 -- Canadian Star on an Olympic Mission : Dashan has become the Team Attaché for Canada’s Olympic contingent to China next year.  Rowswell will be interfacing between the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and local groups and individuals in Beijing while assisting with Canada’s team operations during the 2008 Olympic Games. More >>>

Toronto Star: He won't swim or run a single metre at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but he'll be by far the most popular Canadian when the team marches in the opening ceremonies. More >>>

Toronto Sun: Rowswell was named the Canadian Olympic team's attaché this week for the Beijing Games. And, if the first question that comes to mind is: Mark who? It doesn't surprise Rowswell in the slightest. More >>>

The Guardian: These days Rowswell has become an institution - or at least his onscreen persona has. "Dashan is a cultural phenomenon," says Prof. Conceison of Tufts University. Indeed, simply entering the name "Dashan" into Yahoo's China search engine generates just short of a million hits - no less than four times the Chinese-language total of Brad Pitt. More >>>

Chicago Tribune: The story of how Rowswell went from a student with uncanny Mandarin to an improbable idol is a lesson in the delicate art of appealing to 1.3 billion Chinese consumers.
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Los Angeles Times: Dashan's appeal seems to reach far beyond his mastery of an ancient language known for its falling and rising tones and seemingly indecipherable script. More >>>

People's Daily, Overseas Edition: Although Dashan is a foreigner, he's not an outsider.

Time Magazine, "Leaders for the 21st Century": A Canadian businessman in Hong Kong says Rowswell "has replaced Norman Bethune as the ultimate Canadian icon" in China. As such, he is building bridges to the Asian giant that will be of growing importance in the 21st century.

Jean Chrétien, former Prime Minister of Canada: Canada could not have a better goodwill ambassador than "Dashan".

Toronto Star: When Premier Dalton McGuinty wants to make an impression in China, he simply mentions he knows Dashan. More >>>

Beijing City Edition: How could this conservative-looking Canadian be a star in any corner of the world? I guess I was expecting someone, oh I don't know, maybe bigger or bolder. Because in the eyes of China's monstrous television-viewing audience, Dashan is bigger than life.

Canadian Ambassador to China: I loved showing him off; it's the best thing we had achieved in a long time. He is the first foreigner to have such an impact on popular Chinese culture.

National Public Radio: Rowswell has so mastered the art [of xiangsheng] that when he emceed the banquet between the Chinese and Canadian leaders a few years ago, Chinese President Jiang Zemin came over and said he was sorry Dashan wasn't going to do some xiangsheng that day. Listen >>>

Saturday Night Magazine: He follows in [Dr. Norman] Bethune's footsteps and, by embracing one of its most respected art forms, bestows Western acceptance on China, living proof, to the Chinese at least, that China and the West can find a middle ground.

The Financial Post: The crush gets worse; thousands line up when they're told that everyone who makes a purchase can have an autograph from Dashan. To the crowd, there is no question as to the worth of the ginseng itself. Dashan says it's good and if Dashan, whose image is a wholesome blend of integrity, honesty and friendliness (all qualities the Chinese hold dear), says it's good, then it's good. Those assembled can trust Dashan. Dashan knows China.

Hong Kong iMail: In the past few years Mr. Rowswell ... has become a posterboy and spokesperson for companies whose products match his down-to-earth, family man image. Although there are no proven formulas on the best way to reach the masses in China, or any statistics showing what strategies work or which ones don't, Mr. Rowswell and companies already in China seem to have a lot of potential in connecting with the masses, and a market that is sure to blossom.

enROUTE Magazine (by Jan Wong): Today, more Chinese have heard of Rowswell than, say, Madonna or the Pope. Rowswell is probably the most famous Canadian in the world: 1.2 billion Chinese, give or take a couple hundred million, can recognize him in an instant. All this is pretty funny, considering few Canadians have ever heard of him.

University of Toronto Magazine, "100 Alumni Who Shaped the Century": When Mark Rowswell arrived at U of T to study how to promote Canadian trade in China, he didn't know he would himself become one of Canada's best-known exports to the Orient. One of China's most popular entertainers, he may even have surpassed Norman Bethune as the ultimate Canadian icon there.

Lonely Planet Publications, China: For those who take to it, learning Chinese is a joy that surprises and fascinates. Those who succeed will also be part of a small community of foreigners who speak the language. For quite a few years now, a Canadian by the name of Dashan (literally "Big Mountain") has been known to all Chinese in China because he speaks flawless Mandarin. So find yourself on the bandwagon and start learning!

New Weekly, "Outstanding People of the Past 20 Years": Dashan has become a public figure in China. Everybody knows of the foreigner with the "gift of gab". (Dashan was one of only 5 non-Chinese included in this list marking the 20th anniversary of China's "reform and opening".)

Shenzhen Special Zone News: Dashan's proficiency in the art of Chinese xiangsheng really makes one want to shout "bravo!" From his fluent Beijing dialect to the Chinese feeling that permeates his every move, he's not the least bit inferior to the top Chinese crosstalk performers. For this reason, he has won thunderous applause and laughter from Chinese audiences.

Executive Director of the Canada-China Business Council: He is validating Chinese popular culture. He has entered the Chinese mainstream. The Chinese worry about foreign influences, but there is also a deep reserve of confidence. Mark Rowswell appeals to this confidence. He has adopted the Chinese way and there is a fascination in China with anyone who can penetrate their culture.