Guo Degang to buy US network?

Chinese xiangsheng actor Guo Degang answers reporters' questions in Deyun She Nanjing Branch on October 28, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua]

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Guo, and his partner Yu Qian, recently performed in Chengdu, Sichuan province on July 6. After the show, the 41-year-old told reporters from the Yangtze Evening Post that he has entered the "most comfortable" stage of his career, but his ambitions have yet to stop growing.

"I am preparing to apply for a private broadcasting license in LA, so that xiangsheng and Deyun She skits (a xiangsheng performance theater established by Guo in 1995) can air on television," said Guo.

The Tianjin native began learning pingshu, a Chinese style of folk art storytelling, when he was 8 years old. He later studied under the great Hou Yaowen, and made a name for himself while performing xiangsheng, or cross-talk, at small theaters and teahouses.

In recent years, Guo has worked in a variety of markets other than performing arts, including opening his own restaurant and apparel shop, selling cosmetics and even the sought-after Australian lavender teddy bear.

"Deyun She already has a branch in Australia, so aside from commercial performances, we also receive other kinds of business, such as selling Australian wine and operating lavender gardens. The idea of purchasing a network came to mind in Australia. It's a form of business that's no different from running a company.”

Guo later said his idea of launching a broadcasting network in Australia was halted due to policy restrictions, so his friend suggested he consider the US market. According to Guo, the idea is not "a small deal and nothing is certain" as of yet, but Deyun She may have its own broadcasting network in LA by the end of 2014.