Harry Patrick Harding, also known as “Hazza”, a 31-year-old person, has made a presence in China by contributing music and broadcasting as a journalist both on television and radio. However, Hazza’s origins trace back to Australia, where he grew up in Ipswich. Hazza attended West Moreton Anglican College and furthered his studies by completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Linguistics at Griffith University.
A large audience following was established through Hazza’s videos streamed online on YouTube. Hazza’s arrival in China was off to a great start. At 21, Hazza was approached by a producer at Guangzhou’s state-run station’s new international channel. Welcomed the opportunity that paved the way for Hazza to excel and achieve recognition on a national level for his contribution to the media space. Hence, a reward, the “China News Award-First Prize,” was presented to Hazza in 2016. This was accompanied by a congratulatory message from the Chinese President, Xi Jinping, read during the event. Hazza also received the provincial-level “Guangdong News Award-First Prize”. In 2017, Hazza was named the Australia-China Alumni Association and TOEFL “Young Australia-China Alumni of the year.”
Living the best of both worlds, Hazza’s versatile character drives his passion for music to be fulfilled in China. Hazza achieved this goal by releasing Mandarin Chinese singles, like “Let Go’’ in 2012, which ranked top one on Guangzhou’s new music charts. Hazza’s second single, featuring the Chinese singer-songwriter Wu Huan, “No worries,” released on 28 October 2014, reached the top three on local radio charts. “Mr. Gentlemen,” also Hazza’s single and his latest release “I was wrong,” uploaded in August 2020, are all available to stream online. A Chinese pop-mandopop sound inspires Hazza’s genre. More than 100 million hits were reached in Hazza’s music videos on Chinese video-sharing platforms.
Practicing the rule of impartiality as a journalist is a challenge to maintain by Hazza residing in China. This was tested in November 2020 when China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian posted the ‘infamous Australian Soldier tweet,’ which caused a political rivalry between China and Australia. The tweet was a doctored image used as a ticket for the Brereton report, investigating alleged war crimes and acts committed by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan between 2005 and 2016. China’s message to Australia was to mind their business and not preach to China about human rights in Xinjiang and Hong Kong when their record is stained. Hazza was caught in the middle when he responded to Mr. Zhao Lijian, “today, as an Australian, I feel ashamed. I am incredibly apologetic…. I hope that leaders in our country can learn from you; only then can the world be peaceful and prosperous.” Hazza tweeted. Westerners labeled Hazza a traitor, while “Global Times” uplifted him.
Today, Hazza is the Head President for Guangzhou at ACYPI. Hazza hosts a few shows for Guangdong radio and television, including “Guangdong News Now”, “Guangdong Today”, “News Headline”, “Facetime”, “China Chats”, and “Little Ma Ha” on GRT radio and GDTV world. With a busy schedule, Hazza finds time for music by uploading performances of his music on YouTube, edited with subtitles to gain meaningful understanding. Hazza also maintains interaction with his audience through Twitter and his blog. Visit @GDTVhazza for more information.
