Battle of the business hotels by Delta Bridges PR & Media

Delta Bridges South China Business Magazine Editorial Editor-in-Chief:

Christopher Cottrell

Executive Editor: Lena Gidwani

Editor-at-Large: Charles Gutzlaff

Contributing Writers:

Apple Mandy, Caroline Chan, Kelly Leung, Kevin Tsang

Contributing Photographers: Xuejiao, Miss O, Tom Carter

Columnists:

Melody Chu Mei Feng, Martin Yan

Art & Design Art Director: Ms. Kat

Designer: Mr. Xu

Operations: President:

Peter Hourle

Publisher: JJ Verdun

Sales & Marketing:

sales@deltabridges.com

Sales Assistants:

Harry Lin, Linda Choi, Alex Ng Mailing address: 3, Calcada do Quartel Coloane, Macau E-mail: info@deltabridges.com

Sweet Victory! Chun Afong was a man of many talents. A native of Zhuhai, he left the Pearl River Delta 160 years ago, at age 24, for another body of water with a Pearl name — Pearl Harbor. Arriving in Hawai‘i’s Pearl Harbor in 1849, Chun Afong became one of the most prominent Chinese businessmen in the islands within six years of arriving. A large lump of his money was made the sweet way — with sugar. He eventually married Princess Julie of the Hawaiian Kingdom and became a personal confidant of King David Kalakaua As he rose in rank, he was appointed China’s first Consul General to the Hawaiian Kingdom. In1890, Chun Afong returned to Zhuhai a millionaire. Back in his ancestral home, he spent time digging ponds, re-structuring the family farm and promoting coreless pineapples from Hawai‘i. He passed away in Macau in 1906 and his remains were brought back to Zhuhai. Today, along the storied paths of Meixi Royal Stone Archways in Qianshan where Afong resided, it is not hard to think of his life now. Were Afong alive today, it is fair to speculate that he would have much to say about US President Obama and China trade. President Obama, as it happens, was born in Hawai‘i and there is speculation he will make a retreat home in the islands. As the top Chinese businessman in the islands and a Consul General for China, it would be inconceivable that Afong would not put in his words to the Obama supporters in Hawai‘i about chances for trade in China. Sure, historical musings about Afong and Obama might seem far fetched. They’re not. When the Clintons came to China, they made a point to stop in Xi’an before heading to Beijing. Why? The history. History (interpersonal, professional or international) in China matters as much as margins. As the new Obama administration comes into office, I think Hawai‘i and the Aloha spirit might be the best answer for US-Sino relations to start anew. Hawai‘i’s spirit of pluralism, peace and paradise was on the minds of Hawai‘i authorities when they led a trade mission to Shanghai in 2004. It was on the mind of Hawai‘i Governor Linda Lingle when I interviewed her in Guangzhou in 2005. Governor Lingle told me that Hawai‘i and Guangdong had a special history because the first Chinese immigrants to the islands were from the Pearl River Delta. Hawai‘i resident Dr. Lily Sui Fong — the granddaughter of Dr. Sun Yat-sen — whom I interviewed in Guangzhou in 2006, also spoke of Aloha and China relations. Overlooking downtown Guangzhou, “Dr. Lily” told me that she hoped Chinese young people could return to clean Feng and Shui, and of traditional Chinese practices in Buddhism and Taoism. And for Chinese to feel some of the Aloha that inspired her grandfather to organize for a modern China. One last historical point for 2008. The Olympics. Obama. Both were sweet victories for many, as sweet as the sugar that made Afong rich.Last question: how to weather the financial storm in 2009?Think of the earthquake survivors in Sichuan. Christopher Cottrell Editor-in-Chief

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Contents 32 17 24 15 People

Features

Prince Andrew for Sichuan relief

22 Macau investment & meal memos

French Consul General Peytregnet salutes aviation

Stephen Weaver holds the Venetian fort

28 Airbus training art & maintenance

19 Reggie Martin’s faith in change 20

Steffen & Connolly, first class airmen DELTA BRIDGES

Jan. 2009——Feb. 2009

Seoul business designs for Guangdong

31 Love and rockets

2008/Dec-2009/Jan

• Delta Bridges

40 22 49

Cover Story 32

Pride of the Pearl, Best Delta Business Hotels

Property 40 Full pearl rising 42 Colliers’ Eric Lam

Favorview gentlemen club 43 property

Briefings 10/ In the news 11/ Go figures

12/ Delta focus 13/ 9+2 watch

Business Calendar

14/ Watches & Jewels, Neon division, SME mind meetings

Chamber Made

15/ Harley wins again! French open in Shenzhen.

Lifestyle

44/ Sweet lemon Zen 45/ Zhuhai sea salt 46/ Even flow 47/ Volley on!

Travel

48/ 15 hours in… 48/ Opera surprises 49/ Uncork and get loose

Columns

Yan’s Guangdong by Martin Yan Delta Pearls by Melody Chu Mei Feng DELTA BRIDGES

Jan. 2009——Feb. 2009

Christopher Cottrell

In the news

Left to right: Yan Hong, Director of the Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau, Zhuhai; Chen Honghui Deputy Mayor Zhuhai; Zhou Feng, Vice Director of the Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau Zhuhai; Peter Lee, Project Manager of the Foreign Trade and Cooperation Bureau, Zhuhai.

Bridge players Zhuhai prepares for a prosperous 2009

t’s an honored evening in downtown Guangzhou. Members of the Zhuhai government have gathered with consulate and chamber of commerce officials from 18 countries for a refined Cantonese dinner. Zhuhai’s Deputy Mayor Chen Honghui raises his wine glass to Chen Yue Hua, the Director of the Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangdong Province. There is much to toast — positive news continues to grow about the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge and the city’s growing influence in the Pearl River Delta. Officially, construction of the 29 kilometer, USD 5.47 billion bridge is supposed to commence in 2010. Last month, however, Zhang Xiaoqiang, the Vice Minister of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said that if work from all parties goes smoothly, then construction could start as early as the end of 2009. Zhang told Xinhua that, “The governments will try to start building the bridge before the end of next year.” According to the People’s Daily, once the feasibility report has been approved by the NDRC, the design and preparation for construction can begin. In related news, trial operations recently began for Phase II of the Zhuhai International Container Terminals at Gaolan,

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or ZICT(G). The test run started with the docking of the 6,350 TEU APL New Jersey. Commented James Tsien, the Executive Director for Hutchinson Port Holdings, “From the opening of our joint-venture terminals in Jiuzhou and Gaolan Phase I, to the construction of these two 50,000 ton container berths and the upcoming development of four 100,000 ton container berths, HPH continues to develop Zhuhai Port into a leading international container shipping hub in South China.” Phase II of the ZICT(G) comprises 56 hectares with eight super-post Panamax quay cranes and 24 electrified rubber tyred gantry cranes. It also has two container berths with a total quay length of 824 metres that can handle mega-sized containers. All of Phase II is scheduled to open in August 2009. Other positive Zhuhai economic news for 2009: the Zhuhai government has committed RMB 30 million to help SMEs weather the economic winter and up to RMB 500 million to fund technology innovation. Zhuhai officials say they view the global financial crisis as a chance to change the local economy into a “more innovative and technology-intensive” center of production. They further plan to integrate several industrial parks into clusters of cooperating businesses. And, “Foreign business is very welcome to come to Zhuhai for this new economy,” said Deputy Mayor Chen Honghui.

Fueling southern pipes

Go figures Beijing backs billions in funding to the Delta for infrastructure, energy and economic integration plans to overcome the world financial crisis.

Christopher Cottrell

Count it: RMB 200 billion. That’s how much the State Council has promised for immediate fixed asset investment projects. Chief among them: the extension of the eastern section of the West-East Natural Gas pipeline to Hong Kong and the nuclear power project at Yangjiang in southwestern Guangdong. The current WestEast natural gas pipeline runs from Ningxia to Shanghai. The eastern line will run through 11 more central and southern provinces, ending in the Pearl River Delta. One branch line in Guangdong will start from Wengyuan, and pass through Shenzhen into Hong Kong. Mainland and Hong Kong authorities will also build and jointly run a natural gas terminal in Hong Kong. Set into operation in 2004, the main goal of the West-East gas line is to increase clean energy and reduce coal consumption.

Empty the bird cage for new birds to settle down. — Wang Yang, Communist Party Chief for Guangdong, on transforming the province for technological and energy innovation

14 steps for Hong Kong

RMB 10 billion booster shot

The central government has unveiled 14 measures for how the mainland will assist Hong Kong overcome the financial crisis. Announced by Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang, the 14 points of policy cover everything from enhanced economic cooperation in the Pearl River Delta to ensuring a “safe and stable supply” of food, water and power. Moreover, the measures commit to improved infrastructural development, incentives for SMEs to invest in the mainland and increasing the number of mainland visitors to Hong Kong.

Guangdong’s SMEs will get a booster shot on the order of RMB 10 billion for 2009. Wang Yang, the Communist Party Chief for Guangdong, told Xinhua that the area was experiencing “unprecedented business difficulties and challenges.” Guangdong’s Governor, Huang Huahua, also commented that the cash was “key to support SMEs” as the crisis continues. Slated to be released in 2009, a billion yuan has been earmarked for technological innovation and state mortgages for bank loans. Another RMB 200 million has been set aside to expand exports, according to reports in the Chinese media. Roughly RMB 8.5 billion is being budgeted to “transform SMEs” between 2009 and 2010. By this transformation, Party Chief Wang wishes to move to higher modes of economic development, such as IT and clean energy. He has said it is an effort to “empty the bird cage for new birds to settle down.”

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Caroline Chan

Delta focus

Auto mini-me Big was evident at the recent 2008 Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition. But smaller and greener vehicles stole the car show. Among them, Honda’s two joint China ventures (Guangzhou Honda and Dongfeng Honda) launched a new-generation City, a midgrade car, and the 2009 version Odyssey MPV. Their compact “Honda Jazz” won praise from attendees. So, too, did Hangzhou based Geely with their electric powered Xiongmao or Panda car, a compact five-door hatchback that’s shorter than a Mini Cooper. Ford’s hybrid EcoBoost technology engines were another key draw. The engines are said to deliver up to 20 percent more fuel efficiency and see a 15 percent improvement on emissions. Other news breakers included Toyota’s Hi-CT and Lexus LF-A Roadster, Shanghai Volkswagen’s Scirocco and Skoda Fabia sports cars. In the first half of 2008, China itself exported 24,000 cars valued at USD 281 million.

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Jan. 2009——Feb. 2009

Guangzhou’s port prize Guangzhou port’s recent output of 10 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) has put the city in record standing — it is now ranked among the top ten container ports in the world. Following Shanghai and Shenzhen, it is the third mainland port to have broken this benchmark. Opened in 1978, the Guangzhou port was one of China’s first to operate large scale shipping. The current facilities include 19, 10,000 tonnage container berths — 10 of which are at the new Nansha terminal. The entire port has a total of over 100 international shipping routes. And it plans to add more in the coming years.

9+2 watch

Christopher Cottrell

Xiamen’s French connection

France’s goliath shipping group CMA CGM will open a deep-water terminal in Xiamen by 2010. Approved by China’s National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Commerce, the project is CMA CGM’s first foray into China port investment. CMA CGM, the world’s third largest shipping group, will jointly build and manage the two-berth terminal with Hong Kong based New World Services Holding Ltd. and the Xiamen Haicang Investment General Company. Official investment figures have not been released, but CMA CGM has a 30 percent stake that is valid for 50-years.

Macau’s Sichuan relief

The heart of the former Portuguese enclave continues to beat strong for Sichuan earthquake victims. Macau’s Sichuan relief promises of MOP 5.5 billion for reconstruction projects recently gained further treading when the two governments signed an operating framework. Much of the cash is aimed to flow to the city of Guangyuan in Qingchuan county near the border with Gansu province. By March 2009, Sichuan officials say the initial cash injections from Macau will see 70 percent of Guangyuan’s 14,000 agricultural households moved into new housing. Currently, seven initial shelter projects have been completed and the remaining 10 are scheduled to be completed in

January 2009. According to the framework, RMB 1.86 billion will be paid out over 2009, much of which will go towards 20 school projects. Another RMB 520 million will be spent on educational, health and cultural projects in 2010, say reports.

Daily flights to Taiwan

Daily direct flights, shipping and mail services have now been opened between Taiwan and the mainland. Earlier this year, China Southern Airlines and China Airlines signed a strategic memorandum of understanding for direct flights between Guangzhou and Taipei — that agreement is now panning out with regular flights between the two southern China destinations. The first flights between Guangdong and Taiwan commenced in early December from Shenzhen to Taipei. Zhang Siping, Shenzhen’s Vice Mayor, said that the opening of direct flights between Shenzhen and Taipei will greatly enhance trade and tourism between Taiwan and the Pearl River Delta cities.

Steel Guangxi

A RMB 68.6 billion steel project in Guangxi is being touted as the largest industrial project in the world. Indeed, as construction on the Fangchengguang Greenfield project gains momentum, its targeted completion date of 2012 is drawing attention. After all, the metallurgic output of Guangxi for 2010 is already being valued at roughly RMB 170 billion, according to reports in the Chinese media. Analysts forecast that it

will grow RMB 49 billion per annum when the mine opens. The project, considered to be the largest steel base in western China, is co-invested by Wuhan Steel and Liuzhou Steel. Moreover, Fangchengguang’s deep-sea port location means that the steel and iron ore mined can reach overseas markets more quickly. The first production line is expected to be operational in the next 30 months, with the final project finishing in 50 months.

Haitang Hainan

Acclaimed architectural firm Steelman Partners has broken ground on Hainan’s latest five-star resort — Haitang Bay Resort Hotel. Steelman has already won encomiums for two stellar China properties, the Sands Macao and the Venetian Macao. Scheduled for opening in March 2011, the Haitang Bay project covers 113,500 square meters and will consist of 700 rooms. Phase one will feature a 23-floor hotel building, a luxury spa, fitness centre and private villas. Phase two will feature a second hotel, as well as a retail and bar street. Haitang Bay, which is also being developed by Sanya GaoSheng Investment Company Limited, will additionally offer ocean view suites, grand ballrooms, convention centers, five-star restaurants, pools and a wedding chapel. Commented Steelman Partners’ Founder and CEO Paul Steelman, “With the design of this project we really wanted to do justice to the development that’s happening in Sanya.” Mr. Steelman continued, “This is a really significant period for the region and we wanted to mirror the buzzing excitement of the area.”

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Chamber Made

Business calendar

2009 and the Year of the Ox

2009 is kicking off strong with the year of Ox. Here are a few of the best business events defining the Delta at the start of the New Year. For the updated business calendar visit: www.deltabridges.com

January 2009 Highlights

Date: Jan 8

French Chamber opens in Shenzhen The French Chamber of Commerce and Industry recently opened their new offices in Shenzhen. Among those in attendance for the ribbon cutting was French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China’s President Mrs. Annick de Kermadec-Bentzmann and the Vice-President of their southern China offices, Mr. Joel Pujol. Other dignitaries included Mr. Jean-Raphael Petreygnet, the Consul General of France in Guangzhou, Mr. Alain Berder, the French Trade Commissioner of Guangzhou and Herve Lambelin, the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry Director for Guangdong. The new branch will share the Guangdong chamber’s duties of taking care of the burgeoning number of French businesses in southern China.

Date: Jan 13

08 13 08 Sub-prime Tsunami

AP eye

AmCham South China presents Professor Jerome Yen of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology for a lecture on the ongoing “sub-prime tsunami. ” He will also discuss gaming investment banks and the impacts of the crisis on Asia.

The British Chamber of Commerce in Guangdong presents a lecture by William Foreman, the Guangzhou bureau chief for the Associated Press. Mr. Foreman will discuss how he views the current financial crisis as it plays out in the Delta.

Venue: Salon III, 3/F Grand Hyatt Time: 15:00-17.30 www.amcham-southchina.org

Venue: China Hotel Time: 12:00-14:00 Price: RMB 200 members, RMB 300 non-members www.britchamgd.com

Date: Jan 8-11

Beautiful jewels

The 2009 Macau Jewelry & Watch Fair features over 400 exhibitors from around the world. From finished jewels to polished silver and pearls, this exhibition is the second of its kind to be held in Macau.

Venue: Halls D&E, Cotai Strip Convention and Exhibition Center, Venetian Macao. Organizer: www.macaujewelryfair.com Further info: www.venetianmacao. com

Date: Jan 9-30

09 Chemical brothers

Informex China is touted as the nation’s leading global networking event for “East meets West” businesses in the fine, custom and specialty chemical manufacturing. Venue: Jinhan Exhibition Centre, Guangzou Organizer: CMP Asia Limited Further info: (852)-(2827)-6211/2516 1677

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Jan. 2009——Feb. 2009

January-February 2009

Chamber Made

February 2009 Highlights

Date: Feb 28-Mar 3

28 28 09 22

Neon highlights

The Neon Show is a well-lit gateway to the latest materials, equipment and technology defining the neon lighting industry. Venue: Chinese Export Commodities Fairground, Guangzhou Organizer: Trust Exhibition Co. Limited Further info: (86)-(20)-3810 6261/ 3810 6263

Date: Feb 28-Mar 3

Date: Feb 9-Mar 4

Give me a sign

Grateful LED

Sign China is an event for, you guessed it, the sign industry. The event features the latest in signs, banners, industrial fabrics, digital printing and wide-format graphics.

The LED Show features the best in the Ultra High and Luminance LED market, from sectors as far a field as packaging to web enabled solutions.

Venue: Chinese Export Commodities Fairground, Guangzhou Organizer: Trust Exhibition Co. Limited Further info: (86)-(20)-3810 6261/ 3810 6263

Date: Feb 22

Kirby’s Zhuhai HalfMarathon

Macau based Dr. Robert Kirby’s Upward Bound Unlimited outdoor leadership training company and the Zhuhai Tourism Bureau are launching Zhuhai’s 1st Half Marathon and Romantic 10K run. Further info: www.deltabridges.com

Toasting Shenzhen!

Shenzhen Toastmasters Club meets regularly for both English and Mandarin speakers. The English event meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month from 7-9 pm. The Mandarin event meets every 2nd and 4th Tuesday from 7-9 pm. And the “ New Experience Toastmaster’s Club,” meets every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month. Cheers to toasting! Further info: www.shenzhen-toastmasters.org

Harley re-elected! The 1,300 member strong American Chamber of Commerce in South China (AmCham South China) recently announced their new Board of Governor’s election in Guangzhou. Mr. Harley Seyedin, a cornerstone of the American community in South China, was re-elected as AmCham’s president for another consecutive term. Among those in attendance for the election were honorary AmCham Governor Ireas Cook, head of the US Foreign Commercial Service sector, and US Consul General Robert Goldberg. Other board appointees included incumbent Vice President Steven Chang, Secretary Thomas Podgurski and Treasurer Tim Wen. Senior governors include Simon Foo, David Hon, Frederick Hong, Joe Zhou and Lilly Li. Mr. Seyedin noted that 2009 for AmCham was, “sure to be another year of strong growth, meaningful service and substantial contributions to our community.”

Chamber webs: American Chamber of Commerce: www.amcham-guangdong.org Australian Chamber of Commerce: www.austcham-southchina.org Australian Trade Commission: www.austrade.gov.au British Chamber of Commerce: www.britchamgd.com European Union Chamber of Commerce: www.europeanchamber.com.cn French Chamber of Commerce: www.ccifc.org German Industry

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and Commerce Chamber: www.china.ahk.de Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce: www.hkcccgd.org Italian Chamber of Commerce: www.cameraitacina. com Netherlands Chamber of Commerce: www.netherlandschamber.cn Spanish Chamber of Commerce: www.spanishchamberch.com For more Guangdong chamber (and consulate) links visit: www. deltabridges.com

Jan. 2009——Feb. 2009

People

In devastated Dujiangyan, Prince Andrew extended his hope for the survivors

Wishes for Sichuan Prince Andrew for continued Miss O

quake relief

elta Bridges contributing photographer/artist Miss O recently posed a simple question to Prince Andrew in Chengdu: What is your wish in life? Sure, it is an intentionally disarming query in its innocent quality. Yet it is a question she has asked thousands of people, particularly Chinese women, for the past several years. She has spent the balance of her time since the May 12 Sichuan earthquake chronicling the wishes of survivors, traveling into the hardest hit areas of Wenchuan and Beichuan. The answer from Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, the second son of Queen Elizabeth and the fourth in line to the throne of the United Kingdom: “I’m not sure.” Of course, Prince Andrew is quite certain in his wishes for a sustainable rebuilding of Sichuan. He drove that point home at the “Sino-British Sustainable Green Architecture Design and Solution” forum in Chengdu last month. The forum showcased green building plans by nine British architecture and design organizations. Design institutes in Chengdu are mulling over how they might partner with these groups for further cooperation. In devastated Dujiangyan, Prince Andrew extended his hope for the survivors on behalf of the British Royal Family. The Sichuan trip is part of a campaign he has pursued with a passion for the past seven years: promoting British business. It is a campaign he continues to carry out with a special spark for humanitarian causes.

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People

Santé Zhuhai! French Consul General Peytregnet salutes aviation

rance’s Consul General in Guangzhou, Jean Raphael Peytregnet, recently gave hearty ganbei’s to Zhuhai aviation authorities. The raison d’etre for the Santé: the success of French aviation businesses at the Zhuhai Air Show. At the special dinner held at Zhuhai’s Harbour Bay View Hotel, Consul General Peytregnet delivered a speech entirely in Mandarin that toasted the best of French aviation investment in the Delta, from Eurocopter in Shenzhen to Dedienne Aerospace in Zhuhai. The Consul General also touted Zhuhai’s commitment to enhanced aviation quality.

Currently, France has 253 investment projects in Guangdong province, valued at USD 1.2 billion. Last year, France signed an 8 billion Euro nuclear technology deal with Guangdong province. Indeed, if French business continues to flourish in the provinces Peytregnet’s office oversees (Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian and Hainan), there will be many, many more ganbeis in the coming years. That’s great news for anyone attending soirees where Peytregnet attends. After all, we hear he travels with his own cases of French wine for private dinners. That should make him a welcome guest anywhere, at anytime. Santé Monsieur Peytregnet! DELTA BRIDGES

Jan. 2009——Feb. 2009

People

Holding the fort LVS Asia-Pacific President Stephen Weaver

t’s no easy chore holding the fort at the Venetian these days. But that’s precisely what Stephen Weaver, the Asia-Pacific President for the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, is accomplishing. The news has not been easy. LVS shares dropped 30% in October. In November, an SEC filing meant that if the company didn’t raise capital or get a waiver for their loans, they would go into debt for their obligations. They had to freeze some projects in Macau. Cool cash went up in smoke: USD 32.2 million losses on revenues of USD 1.21 billion in the third quarter. Yet Mr. Weaver is thrusting ahead with the re-financing efforts for the Macau and Singapore projects. If anyone doubts that America’s third richest man, Sheldon Adelson, can’t weather the global financial crisis and press into Asian markets over the coming years, they need to have a word or two with Mr. Weaver. One of the current LVS projects in the pipes involves private jets with baccarat tables. They’re keen to land on the mainland. In other words, the sky is still the limits for LVS with eyes trained on the horizon. Their facilities are bar none for business meetings. Which is why we awarded them the Golden Delta Pearl Award for 2009 and the Best Delta Business Hotel Macau 2009.

They’re keen to land on the mainland. 18

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People

Faith in change Reggie Martin, US Warden Macau

n the night of the Obama election victory, the editor of this magazine ran in to Reggie Martin. The smile on Mr. Martin’s face said it all: there is change to believe in. As the US Consulate’s Warden to Macau and a senior member of the American Chamber of Commerce in Macau and Hong Kong, Reggie Martin, among many fellow Americans, is keen to welcome President Obama to China. Indeed, Mr. Martin is well placed to do so. He sits on the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce Board of Governors and has served as a guide to numerous high-profile Americans visiting Macau, including former US Vice-President Dan Quayle. Originally from East Chicago, Indiana, Mr. Martin moved to Macau in 2002 after serving with Club Med in the Caribbean. In 2004, he was appointed US Warden to Macau from the Hong Kong Consulate. Since then, he has quickly become a pillar of the Macau community, aiding Americans, Chinese and others alike with visa and passport matters. Last year, he left the Westin resort to serve as a senior manager at the Venetian. His commitment to making a better Macau is as deep as his faith in change and his love of gospel music.

He has quickly become a pillar of the Macau community. DELTA BRIDGES

Jan. 2009——Feb. 2009

People

First class airmen Pierre Steffen and Finian Connolly

lanning safer skies is something Pierre Steffen and Finian Connolly care deeply about. Mr. Steffen, who is senior vice president for customer services and internal operations for Airbus, and Mr. Connolly, the Chief Executive of Edgewater College, recently announced their plans for a safer skies platform at the Zhuhai Air Show (See “Safe Skies” article on page 28). Orchestrated

Left, Pierre Steffen. Right,Finian Connolly

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by Airbus, the Marco-Polo Sino-Europe Aviation Training Solution Program aims at improving pilot training, aircraft maintenance and coordination among European and Chinese aviation groups. Based in Ireland, Edgewater College is already operating five piloting training centers in China and plans to expand under this new program.

DELTA BRIDGES Jan. 2009——Feb. 2009 DELTA BRIDGES Oct. 2008

21 21

Features Text by Apple Mandy, photos by Christopher Cottrell

Table talk

Macau investment & celebrity chefs

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Jan. 2009——Feb. 2009

Features

MIF and Wine and Gourmet Asia will seek to achieve mutual benefit co-operation — Jackson Chang, the Executive Director of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute

panish dessert master Paco Torreblanca fell for the Beijing Duck from Okada. Singapore’s national culinary treasure Sam Leong said he wants to bring Chinese cooking to a new level with foie gras and truffles. One would expect to hear this type of table talk from the lips of master chefs at Wine & Gourmet Asia. First launched in 2007 in Macau, Wine & Gourmet Asia is, well, the Asia-Pacific’s hottest trade, networking, culinary and wine platform for the hospitality industry. It now has another major dish on the menu — Macau investment.

Meal memo

At the event, which was held last month at the Venetian, the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) and Koelnmesse (the German trade fair organizer behind Wine & Gourmet Asia) announced a memorandum of understanding that the two would partner. According to the memorandum, IPIM’s own trade show, the Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF), will, in the future, be co-located with Wine & Gourmet Asia. Commented Jackson Chang, the Executive Director of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, “By establishing as partner fairs, MIF and Wine and Gourmet Asia will seek to achieve mutual benefit co-operation by sharing resources and advantages, so as to accomplish a fruitful result for the two fairs.” Michael Dreyer, Vice President Asia Pacific of Koelnmesse, expressed similar sentiments. Dreyer said, “Macau’s new hospitality infrastructure, such as integrated resorts and many new hotels, imply new business prospects for suppliers to the hospitality industry. The size of the city also makes it very attractive to trade fair organizers, it is ideal for events which combine trade and leisure, like Wine and Gourmet Asia.” Dreyer continued, “Macau already has inherent traffic passing through it, serving as a gateway to Greater China and the regional Asian markets which matches the target audience of Wine and Gourmet Asia.”

Just desserts

The Macau setting is also influencing global chefs. Torreblanca, commented, “My inspirations come from work and my surroundings. For example, when I went to Okada, Wynn Macau’s Japanese restaurant, I saw chrysanthemum and gingko leaves and thought I can use these for my creations while in Macau.” Leong, too, spoke of innovation with ingredients, “Foie gras and salmon are used as main ingredients; truffles and caviar as used as garnishing. But 80 percent of the ingredients are still Chinese. I like using egg white and fish maw to provide textures and bold flavors. I can’t live without chicken stock, soy sauce and oyster sauce. I still cook with a wok. I can’t run away from the basics but I don’t want to go too far.” With chefs of this caliber, Wine & Gourment Asia 2009 will likely have to keep the Macao Investment Fair folks at bay. Indeed, this news may mean IPIM’s seminal investment forum will be the city’s best-catered business event of the year. And that’s saying a mouthful.

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Features By Caroline Chan

Korean designs

Text by Lena Gidwani, photos by Christopher Cottrell

Seoul business symmetry for 2010 24

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Features

I did not expect so many people to turn up. — Mr. Kim, spokesperson Korea Institute of Design Promotion, on the huge attendance of the 6th Design Korea 2008 fair

t’s the latest swell of the Korean Wave to break in the Delta — Korean design. No, this set of designs has little to do with the popular Seoul made TV melodramas about kimchi hot romance and soju sheet shenanigans. Just as Guangzhou will see a benchmark event in 2010 with the Asian Games, Seoul is poised as the World Design Capital for 2010. This South Korean design drive is already making a splash in the Delta because of improving travel and trade trends between Seoul and Guangdong.

Mutual attraction

Exhibitors and attendees at the recently held 6th Design Korean 2008 exhibition in Guangzhou understand this growing mutual attraction. Held as part of The 5th China International Small and Medium Enterprises Fair (CISMEF), of which South Korea was a cosponsor, the event attracted more than 10,000 visitors from around the globe. Mr. Kim, a representative from the Korea Institute of Design Promotion (KIDP), was particularly pleased with the turnout of enthusiastic Chinese visitors. Mr. Kim said, “I did not expect so many people to turn up.” Mr. Kim continued, “We have always had great advantages in designs for industries like automobiles, garments and electronic games and are very happy to present our designs to people here in South China.”

Winter swing

There’s ample room for sharing these designs thanks to more travel opportunities. For example, tourism between the Pearl River Delta and South Korea has increased significantly since the 2007 opening of the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) branch office in Guangzhou. Both Korean Air and Asiana Airlines now have regular routes between Guangzhou and Seoul — thanks to an agreement China and South Korea inked in 2006. According to Guangdong government statistics,

nearly one million South Koreans have traveled to Guangdong since the KTO was set up. Last winter, 200,000 South Korean golfers flocked to Guangdong province’s greenways. A side memo: attention hospitality and sports resort marketing personnel in South China. South Korea has about 4 million golfers. Due to Siberian high-pressure systems, winter temperatures in South Korea can go as low as minus19.2 Celsius. Owing to the South China Sea, Guangdong averages 12 Celsius — which is also the annual average temperature in Seoul.

Common temperature

Speaking of shared temperatures, relations between both nations are also at an all-time high. This is due to, in part, South Korean President Lee Myung Bak’s visit to China from May 27-30, 2008. During his trip, both nations pledged to strengthen relations, announcing plans to upgrade their “comprehensive cooperative partnership” to a “strategic cooperative partnership.” Naturally, trade ties are particularly noteworthy: China has become South Korea’s biggest trading partner, the biggest export market and the largest foreign investment destination. Meanwhile, South Korea is currently China’s third-largest trade partner and the Mainland’s fourth-largest source of foreign investment. Foreign trade volume from South Korea and China hit USD 159.9 billion in 2007, a 19.1 percent year-on-year rise, according to China Customs data. Figures from the Ministry of Commerce show that China’s exports to South Korea hit $56.14 billion in 2007, up 26.1 percent from a year earlier. The country’s imports from South Korea stood at $103.75 billion, up 15.6 percent year-on-year. Compared to last year, South Korea’s investment in China has increased 43.8 percent, mostly in the automobile and steel industries.

All in the family

The number of South Koreans residing in China is also increasing. DELTA BRIDGES

Jan. 2009——Feb. 2009

Caroline Chan

Features

The two countries should ink a free trade pact as soon as possible — Woo Nam-kyun, Chairman of the South Korean Chamber of Commerce in China, on Sino-South Korea trade Chinese media estimates that there were roughly 300,000 to 400,000 South Korean nationals residing in China as of 2006. Chinese media estimates that there may be as many as a million South Koreans living in China. Although largely concentrated in Beijing, Shanghai and Qingdao, the stream of Korean business people and families has been significantly diverted to South China over the past ten years: due to the province’s close proximity to Hong Kong and the establishment of formal diplomatic relations in 1992. Besides low labor costs, more affordable living standards and better job opportunities, another major motivation for South Koreans to move to the Mainland is schooling. Schools are much cheaper and students can learn both Chinese and English, making it easier to gain entry into accredited universities and higher learning institutions. There’s plenty of local South Korean factories for them to send CVs to after graduation. One of the first South Korean multinationals to locate in Guangdong was LG, a chemical, electronics and telecommunications conglomerate. Led by Woo Namkyun, the current chairman of the South Korean Chamber of Commerce in China, LG started the Guangdong-South Korean investment trend in Huizhou in 1993 with a USD 3.5 million investment. Now, the company employs nearly 10,000 workers. Nationally, there are 40,000 South Korean companies in China with a total of USD 400 billion in investments. Woo, speaking this summer on behalf of the 6,000 member strong South Korea Chamber of Commerce, said, “The two countries should ink a free trade pact as soon as possible because such a pact will help sharpen the competitive edge of both countries, by opening the markets to each other and sharing the resources.” Current talks for this Free Trade Agreement are currently underway. Woo also noted, “In the long run, if we can form a free trade system among China, Japan and South Korea, it could be as influential as the North American Free Trade Area and the European Union.”

Brand Hadid

Here’s another South Korean design talking point for the

DELTA BRIDGES

Jan. 2009——Feb. 2009

Guangdong brand minded: Zaha Hadid. For those not in the know, Zaha Hadid is an acclaimed Iraqi-born British architect who is creating a modern marvel on the shores of Guangzhou’s Pearl River New City — the curvilinear Guangzhou Opera House, which is slated to open in time for the 2010 Asian Games. Recently, Hadid and architect Patrik Schumacher brought the house down at Seoul’s Olympic stadium for the Seoul Design Olympiad 2008. Their Total Fluidity exhibition featured the Seoul Desk and Seoul Table. Forged with carbon fibre technology, the concept of the Seoul Desk and Table is to explore a moment of transition between the horizontal and the vertical. It explores this by blending their structural elements into a single streamlined form.

Beautiful minds

Design philosophy such as this inspires Robert Lee, a Shenzhen fashion designer and owner of “D-Signs.” Mr. Lee, who attended the 6th Design Korean fair in Guangzhou, used to be skeptical about working with Korean graphic designers — mainly over language barrier trepidations. Commented Mr. Lee, “I was not sure if I could learn from them or if they were willing to share ideas. But now I see great potential to advance our cooperation. They are very enthusiastic and creative. Many of them even speak Chinese!” Hak Yun Park is one designer who fits this bill. Park, 19, is an aspiring fashion designer from South Korea. “I came to Guangzhou because I was curious to see what the city had to offer fashion students. Now, after one year here, I really think that the local industry is growing rapidly. I want to work with some new and upcoming designers to create new designs. That’s why I came to the [Korean Design] fair.” The event itself brought 42 Korean design companies, 32 leading design corporations, 10 Korean design schools, 10 Chinese design schools and 24 Korean design-related associations. It was jointly sponsored by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy of South Korea and the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. If all goes as planned, the ripple effect for South Korean and China designs might make some serious waves all their own.

DELTA BRIDGES

Jan. 2009——Feb. 2009

Courtesy Airbus

Features

By Christopher Cottrell

Safe skies Airbus, training art and maintenance 28

DELTA BRIDGES

Jan. 2009——Feb. 2009

Features

ierre Steffen pats the sweat off his forehead with a handkerchief as he exits the CCTV media box. It was hot like a jet engine in that media box. On one side, there is a glass panel looking into the box. The box itself is about the size of six cubicles. Bystanders can see Mr. Steffen’s brow glaze with a sheen of sweat as the lights beat down on him and the CCTV interviewer lobs him questions as soft as boiled-eggs — obvious, hot and hard to hold in hand for too long.

— all for safer Chinese skies. Comments Steffen, “There is a need to pool resources together and avoid areas that are redundant to improve aviation standards.” Connolly, whose Edgewater College has five technical training centers in China, comments that, “Over the next six months all members of the Marco Polo program will be putting together our combined strategic approach.” Connolly continues, “Although each member will be working individually in China we will also be working together as a concerted group, avoiding duplication and offering a far better solution.”

Jumbo news

Zhuhai may be an excellent place to avoid this duplication in the Delta: particularly for maintenance and flight training. For instance, Germany’s MTU Aero Engines, the world’s “number one provider of commercial aero engine maintenance services,” has one of its’ five global centers in Zhuhai. Comments Zhuhai MTU Maintenance President and CEO, Holger Sindemann, “The Chinese aviation community is well aware of the advantages of Zhuhai as a location to conduct aviation-related business.” Moreover, MTU is interested in participating in the Marco Polo program as an “associated partner,” says Sindemann. He further remarks, “One intention would be to offer training courses for several topics related to engine maintenance. By doing so, MTU will make another valuable contribution to air safety in the fast growing Chinese aviation industry.” Increased pilot training in Zhuhai is another possibility. Comments Connolly, “Presently we [Edgewater College] are training pilots in five centers in different parts of China. We would hope that we would have sufficient interest that would make it viable for us to train in Zhuhai or somewhere in the Delta region in the future.”

Of course, it may have been more than the brutally bright TV lights that caused him to perspire. As the senior vice president for customer services and internal operations for Airbus, Steffen had major news to deliver. Big news, jumbojet sized news. News as big as the world’s largest passenger jet, the Airbs A380. News as big as 20 Airbus A380 doubledeck aircraft. News as big as a USD 1.1 billion order from the Bank of China for 20 A380 aircraft. You could say Steffen had many reasons to wipe off his brow as he exited the CCTV media hot-box during the 7th, Zhuhai Air Show, which was held during the first week of November. “It was warm in there,” says Steffen, a man who is, like the new Airbus, tall. Taking a fresh breath in the cooler air of the cavernous hangar number two on the Zhuhai Airport grounds, Steffen sighs. Joining his side is Finian Connolly, the Chief Executive of Edgewater College in Drogheda, Ireland. Together, Steffen and Connolly have what may be the biggest news of the 7th Zhuhai Air Show. Sure, the USD 1.1 billion order by Bank of China for 20 Airbus aircraft was headline news from this Zhuhai Air Show. So was the announcement that the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) would sell 25 ARJ21-700 jets worth USD 733 million to GE Commercial Aviation Services.

Air care

But Steffen and Connolly announced a deal aimed at benefiting the entire China aviation industry.— a program that seeks to transform the safety of China’s skies. “While China’s skies are already doing well, there is always room for increased safety here, as anywhere,” says Steffen. He is speaking of the Marco-Polo Sino-Europe Aviation Training Solution Program. It is a program that involves 16 European aviation companies and a fistful of Chinese aviation groups; from Airbus to China Southern. “We hope to create a broad platform for the aviation industry operating in China to come together and work more efficiently,” says Steffen. The program, initiated by Airbus, seeks to merge resources of European companies, share-safety strategies and co-operate with training institutes to enhance the skills of Chinese pilots, traffic controllers and air-maintenance mechanics

Polo’s local players

Aviation ambition

There’s certainly local interest and ambition for this end. The Xiangyi Aviation Technology Co. Ltd. in Zhuhai’s Free Trade Zone is expanding its’ flight simulators in order to become the largest flight-training base in Asia, according to the Zhuhai Investment Bureau. Opened in 2003, the Xiangyi facility is a joint-venture between China Southern Airlines and Canadian flight manufacturer CAE. Late last year, the Xiangyi center expanded their program with USD 600 million in investment to upgrade their current capacity of 15 installed or on order automatic flight simulators to 40 training machines. One of the goals of the Zhuhai Investment Bureau is to see that more Chinese pilots take advantage of this center for international jobs. That could dovetail nicely with the aims of the Marco Polo program. Remarks Connolly, “Although the recruitment of China trained staff for the European market is not a primary aspect of Marco Polo, nothing is ruled out.” Indeed, says Steffen, the sky is the….

DELTA BRIDGES

Jan. 2009——Feb. 2009

Christopher Cottrell

Features

DELTA BRIDGES

Jan. 2009——Feb. 2009

Features

Love and rockets Space, jets and beyond By Christopher Cottrell The November 13th Economist article about the Zhuhai Air Show seemed curious about the city’s reputation for romance. The Economist wrote that, “It is hardly Paris or Venice, but Zhuhai has a special place in the heart of China’s aviation industry as the home of the country’s biggest air show, held every two years, at which deals are done home-grown technology is proudly displayed.” In other words, Zhuhai is famous for love and rockets. At this year’s air show its love of rockets was evident with the Shenzhou Seven displays and other high profile sales. Said Jia Ke, a spokesman for the China Aerospace Science & Technology Co, “We have brought out major products to this show, especially those in our arm systems” True: among the announced deals was the RMB 5 billion (USD 733) million sale of Chinese made ARJ21-700 regional jets to General Electric. According to Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) Board Chairman Zhang Qingwei, this is the first time Chinese developed and manufactured regional jets have entered a western airlines market. Other highlights included the display of China’s Chengdu J-10 skyraider. There was also talk that if China purchases Russian made Sukhoi Superjet 100s, Sukhoi may open a logistic center in Beijing and increase its staff. Commented Sukhoi’s deputy general director Sergei Sergevev, “If we have the Sukhoi Superjet project, we will certainly widen our representation to provide logistical support for our plane in this territory.” Additionally, Harbin Aviation Industry Co. and Longken General Aviaiton Cooperation signed a letter of intent for the sale of five Z15 helicopters. The Indian Air Force’s Surya Kiran Aerobatics team painted the sky with the smoke of India’s tri-colors: saffron, white and green. Chinese Defense Minister General Liang Guangli praised their flying skills as he met India’s Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshall Fali Homi Major. Minister Liang said that “good progress” had been made between India and China since the two nations inked a memorandum of Defense Cooperation in 2006 and during their first Joint Anti-Terrorism Exercise in 2007. Minster Liang also shared his hopes that progress would be made to bolster defensive contacts between India and China. Founded in 1996, the Zhuhai Air Show takes places every two years, with the next one scheduled for 2010.

DELTA BRIDGES

Jan. 2009——Feb. 2009

Cover story

Text and photos by Christopher Cottrell

Pride of the Pearl

The Delta’s Best Business Hotels 2009 32

DELTA BRIDGES

Jan. 2009——Feb. 2009

Cover story Features

November helped with the Canton Fair,” says Katharine Wong, the General Manager of the Dongguan Sheraton. “But many things are happening in Dongguan… we are focusing on the Chinese to Chinese meetings market now.” How true: now is a crucial time to focus on the Chinese meetings market. In fact, the need for face time with Chinese clients has never been stronger. Put plainly: businesses need to come together. This current financial crisis offers a rare moment. Major markets are up for grabs. All previous bets are off. Is it Darwinian win-win for those who have the moxie to make things happen? Maybe. That means meetings. Skype conferences alone can’t cut it.

Tipping hats

In this edition, Delta Bridges is tipping our hats to the regional hotel sector — to those with high-quality business conference venues and accompanying amenities. It is these sort of seminal spaces where major international meetings can be held between corporations, economists, financial institutions and governments to sort out the current market maladies. You already know that, though. But which ones to choose from in the Pearl River Delta?

Golden pearl

Based on what is currently open in the larger cities of Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Macau, we have chosen the “Best Delta Business Hotels” awards to kick off 2009. It wasn’t easy. There are more five and four star hotels in the Delta than we can shake a stick at. So we devised a few simple categories. First off, if they had state of the art meetings, incentives, conferences or exhibitions halls (i.e. MICE), we noted them. Secondly, we checked which business hotels offered luxurious dining. Lastly, we soaked our bones inspecting the spas. The overall winners for the top three Delta cities (Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Macau) featured all three of these categories. We also picked a top ten list for the smaller Delta cities. Then we compared them all for two other key categories: Best New Business Hotel and The Golden Pearl Prize. Here’s what we think is the best in theDelta at the start of 2009 and with the coming Chinese New Year of the Ox.

DELTA BRIDGES

Jan. 2009——Feb. 2009

Cover story

Guangzhou glamour Best Delta business in the City of Five Rams Henry Fok’s signature White Swan hotel on Shamian Island is still a gem property. The same might be said for both the China Hotel and Garden Hotel, which have set hospitality standards in Guangzhou since the late 1980s. However, they now face stiff competition from a new era of five-star hotels cropping up in Tianhe, Pearl River New City and across the river in Panyu. Among the best of these new era hotels is the Ritz Carlton, Guangzhou. At least that’s what we think.

There’s a reason why the city of Guangzhou recently awarded Francois Cnockaert, the General Manager of the Ritz-Carlton, the city’s highest award for charity; the “Outstanding Volunteers of Guangzhou 2008.” It is his commitment to serving people. In this instance, partaking in a city-wide taxi training program in anticipation of the 2010 Asian Games. At the ceremony Mr. Cnockaert said, “Being the host of the 2010 Asian Games, we are all eager to further improve the service of the taxi industry, to showcase all international travelers of an excellent Guangzhou.” Two years ago, he told the editor of this magazine that he repeats the mantra of the Ritz-Carlton everyday, a 12point plan dedicated to service and a commitment to guests and staff. For business guests, this means that when they enter the Grand Ballroom, they will be treated with sheer excellence. The 1,000 square meter Grand Ballroom itself features three multi-functional meeting rooms, two boardrooms and several pre-function areas. The 648 square meter ballroom can hold up to 600 guests. If you are planning a banquet, the room can accommodate 420-seated guests. And what a meal they will have. The Ritz-Carlton has two highly acclaimed restaurants, Lai Heen and Terra. Under Chef Ooi Soon Lok, Lai Heen makes immaculate Cantonese meals. And under the careful hands of Germany’s Chef de Cuisine Georg Christian Schroeppel,Terra offers sumptuous European fare. Both restaurants add to the Ritz-Carlton’s repertoire as the finest business hotel in Guangzhou. So does their spa. Aptly named “The Spa at Ritz-Carlton,” the spa offers a “one-stop wellness experience” with an extensive array of massages and therapeutic services. In a soap-shaped-shell, it is perfect.

DELTA BRIDGES

Jan. 2009——Feb. 2009

Courtesy Wynn Macau

Best Delta Business Hotel Guangzhou: Ritz-Carlton Guangzhou

Best Delta Business Hotel Spa Guangzhou: Angsana, Garden Hotel

Now, Angsana Spa at the Garden Hotel might have a word at this point. This global brand spa offers an ayurvedic hot-stone treatment that can loosen every muscle in your back until it feels like warm pudding. From angelica soya and cucumber sandalwood body polishes to a traditional Hawaiian massages, Angsana at the Garden Hotel is the Best Delta Business Hotel Spa in Guangzhou. In our book at least.

Best Delta Business Hotel Dining Guangzhou: G Restaurant & Bar at the Grand Hyatt

Yes, we can hear other chefs sharpening their knives. In the culinary capital of China, picking this choice was simply difficult. But G stands on its own as a contemporary eatery replete with tan wood floors and bay windows with panoramic views of Pearl River New City. When the editor of this magazine was reviewing the Grand Hyatt for Fodor’s this summer, there was a special moment at G. It involved a romantic encounter with a Porter House steak. Enough said. The suspended sky lounge for the bar extension is also a stellar combination of business and pleasure. Hence, Best Delta Business Hotel Dining in Guangzhou — if you ask us.

Cover story Features

Putting on the… Francois Cnockaert on the Ritz-Carlton GZ

When Francois Cnockaert arrived in Guangzhou in 2006 as the incoming General Manager of the Ritz Carlton, he made it his personal mission to explore the City of Five Rams thoroughly. And he did. It helps explain why the Ritz-Carlton Guangzhou has attracted so much local talent since opening in March 2008. One would expect no less from a man who has been in the hospitality industry for 21-years. French born Cnockaert originally joined the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel in Southern California in 1983. Since then, he has worked in their properties across Asia, from Osaka to Jakarta. Delta Bridges caught up with Mr. Cnockaert for a few words about the premium property he oversees. Delta Bridges: What groups have booked your meeting and conference halls since you opened earlier this year? Francois Cnockaert: We have served groups from many walks of life. For example, Auto companies- such as Toyota, BMW, Mercedes,Volkswagen. For airlines, like the Qatar launch and China Southern. We cater to the Chambers of Commerce. Mostly all are luxury brands, like Ferragamo, Christy Dior, and Channel. Many major real estate companies, pharmaceutical companies and finance companies. We also get bookings from the government– domestic Tourism Boards like Guangdong, Guangzhou and other provinces Yunnan; international tourism like New Zealand, Singapore and Hong Kong. Besides holding in-house events, outside catering is also a significant part of the business. We have served the NBA, Bank of Montreal, and PWC for their outside catering events. DB: In your opinion, what makes the Ritz-Carlton Guangzhou the “best place in Guangzhou” for corporations to hold their meetings? FC: Corporations have trust in our offerings, are ensured quality, and guaranteed the highest service standards. Our staff possesses an eagerness to please and is always willing to go the extra mile to make each guest feel right at home. The MICE facilities/Banquet service and team are highly trained and are poised to deliver only the best experience. DB: Are you expecting a steady roll of clients to Guangzhou given the 2010 Asian games are heavily bolstered by the central government? FC: Yes, very much indeed. Guangzhou has always been a metropolitan city and during the Asian games it will spotlight the city. As well, the Pearl River new city will be fully developed in 2010 and will showcase world-class buildings and will be home to top companies and industries. DB: What is your vision for the Ritz-Carlton Guangzhou as a prime meeting place in Guangzhou over the next two years? FC: To make The Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou the Number One meeting place in Guangzhou. To provide the highest quality of service and accommodation to all guests. To hold successful meetings that will be lifelong memories for guests, and to create guests for life. To be the definite choice for both local and foreign guests.

Other Delta Business hotel hot spots Best Delta Business Hotel Dongguan: Sheraton Dongguan

The Sheraton Dongguan’s 11,571 square foot Grand Ballroom has state of the art facilities, a private boardroom and hospitality that can’t be beat in Dongguan. Their Luigi Italian Restaurant is one of finest Italian dining destinations in the region.

Best Delta Business Hotel Foshan: Crowne Plaza Foshan

This five-star hotel offers a luxurious bus transport to Hong Kong.In other words, it makes business travel to its modern conference facilities simple and effective. They also have a simultaneous interpretation system and videoconferencing system.

Best Delta Business Hotel Zhongshan:

Shangri-La Zhongshan

The 1,612 square meteres of Grand Ballroom conference space are unmatched in the city. They also have two smaller ballrooms, Shenzhen and Huaxia, on the first floor and another eight meeting rooms on the second floor.

Best Business Hotel Zhuhai: Zhuhai Holiday Inn

Under the guidance of executive chef Michelle Seyve, this hotel’s reputation for excellent eating is rising. That sits well with the likes of Mercedes, Dow Corning and others who hold their meetings here.

DELTA BRIDGES

Jan. 2009——Feb. 2009

Cover story Their meetings facilities are the only one in Shenzhen to be equipped with a special elevator for car shows. And for the Shenzhen’s annual yachting shows.

Shenzhen swank Sizzling SEZ stays

Best Delta New Business Hotel: Futian Shangri-la & Best Delta Business Hotel Shenzhen: Futian Shangri-La

This posh property opened up just as the financial crisis was starting to explode. That bravado is why we, when we looked around the Delta, felt the Futian Shangri-La in Shenzhen deserves to be given the honor of “Best Delta New Business Hotel.” And, for that same measure, they are also honored with the award of “Best Delta Business Hotel Shenzhen.” Their meetings facilities are the only one in Shenzhen to be equipped with a special elevator for car shows. And for the Shenzhen’s annual yachting shows. The total facilities feature 4,800 square meters of conference spaces with a dozen private rooms. The Grand Ballroom has 1,793 square meters of floor space alone. There are also flowing tapestries of dragons battle phoenixes gracing the 9.5 meter high walls — the cover of this magazine features a picture of one such tapestry. From tapestries to pastries, their Café Zen lives up to its moniker with moist muffins and crispy croissants. It also ladles out supple Chinese soups and has a smart selection of Chinese, Western, Japanese and Indian offerings. Their desserts are divine and innovative (See “Sweet Zen” on page 44). Our appetites are awaiting their opening of Angelini Italian Restaurant & Bar. We are certain it will live up to its promise of focusing on fresh fare. For refreshment of another virtue, their soon to open spa features large, private rooms and a wide array of “Asian” principle facial and body treatments. That mainly means Thai, Balinese, Japanese and traditional Chinese traditions.

Best Delta Business Spa: Intercontinental Shenzhen

Of course, they aren’t the only spa with an Asian theme in Shenzhen. The Intercontinental’s “amazing pearl rice” massage is among the top massages in Shenzhen. Sure, that is saying a lot. But we fell for their touted “four hands” treatment, steam room sauna and whirlpool jacuzzi. Any spa where you can go in at age 35 feeling like you are 50 and walk out feeling like you are 25 is obviously doing something right.

Best Delta Business Hotel Dining, Shenzhen: Crowne Plaza Shenzhen

Let’s start with JK Restaurant’s mouth-watering teppanyaki and salmon sashimi. Then move to Marco’s Chinese Restaurant for Shanghainese crab. Then hit Blue Italian Seafood & Grill for squid ink pasta. Then finish up at Café Zentro for hot apple pie. You might say the Crowne Plaza Shenzhen has some of the best variety of business hotel dining options in the city. We are. We also enjoy the afternoon English tea at their La Piazza lounge. And a dirty martini at V Bar’s outdoor pool garden.

DELTA BRIDGES

Jan. 2009——Feb. 2009

Cover story Features Delta Bridges: Your Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions

facilities seem to be the best in Shenzhen. What sort of companies have already booked to use them for the coming months? Gerhard Hecker: As Futian Shangri-La has a total of 4,800 squaremetre meeting space, we have just hosted a big event “China Regetta Cup” on 25 October 2008, two days after the hotel was open. The feedback from the organizers was great and this is a very big encouragement to us. In December, we will have another UK-based company to host 3-day events, including meetings and seminars with us. The total number of attendees is around 300 people. Of course, we also receive business from other companies including publication company and different corporations. DB: Re-branding Futian as an attractive destination for the Hong Kong

When it comes to the Delta’s hospitality sector, Germany’s Gerhard Hecker has a lot on his plate these days. As the General Manager of the Futian Shangri-La, he opened up the hotel amidst a global financial crisis on October 23. Despite international financial doldrums, Mr. Hecker is well poised to lead the Futian Shangri-La in the China market. That mean he has 25-years experience in the hospitality market, with decades spent in Asia. He began his career with the Holiday Inn Group in 1978 and worked with their properties for 12 years in senior positions: from Cairo to Germany to Hong to Malaysia to Singapore to Thailand. He served as the General Manager at the InterContinental Grand Standard in Hong Kong from 1990 to 2005. He also developed Stanford Hotels International’s project development for the Hong Kong Macau and China markets. From there he became the General Manager of the Shanghai JC Mandarin. Fluent in German, English and French, Mr. Hecker has been planning the Futian project for the past two years. In fact, one of the deciding factors in naming the Futian Shangri-La “Best New Delta Business Hotel 2008” for our cover story this month is the fact that this hotel opened up during the crisis. We think that is brave. We caught up with Mr. Hecker for a words about the project he is charged with getting off the ground.

business market is no easy chore, is it? How do you plan to position the Futian Shangri-La to Hong Kong clients? GH: Futian is the new centre of Shenzhen, unlike Lowu, Futian is safe and with proper city planning, over 30% of the area is greenery. Also, with its easy accessibility, thriving shopping malls, cultural facilities and office towers, Futian is something very different from other parts of Shenzhen. With the opening of the Futian Shangri-La, Shenzhen, we will set new standards of luxury hospitality and dining in Shenzhen, and also focus attention on this dynamic new part of the city - Futian. DB: Phase one of your hotel is up and running. What pleasant surprises

can we expect from phase two? When will phase two come on-line? GH: During the first phase of hotel opening in October 2008, guestrooms and suites (without Horizon Club guestrooms), meeting and banqueting facilities, the all-day dining Cafe Zen, Fook Lam Moon Chinese Restaurant, Lobby Lounge, Health Club and two tennis courts are available. Then in early 2009, with the second phase of opening, more facilities will be available. This includes guestrooms and a higher category of suites, including Horizon Club Floors, Spa, Angelini Restaurant & Bar, Perfect Wedding Salon, Hair Salon and Shangri-La Residences. I have been working on this project for two years, and it was really exciting to open its’ door in October. Our team has been preparing all these time for hotel opening, and I felt very proud to see the success of hotel opening. Before the hotel opened, we were very fortunate that we could do a 2-week simulation with internal staff and external invited guests to ensure our service and operation detail is to its best. So now, when the hotel is open, our staff can provide the best service standards to our guests. DB. Occupancy is a tough nut to crack these days, but what gives you

optimism? GH: We are lucky that the reputation of Shangri-La has been wellestablished in China, and we are the second Shangri-La hotel in Shenzhen. Guests will come to stay with us because of our brand, culture and professional service. Also, due to our strategic location and comprehensive facilities, especially our meeting and conference facilities, we will have some sharper, competitive edges.

DELTA BRIDGES

Jan. 2009——Feb. 2009

Courtesy Wynn Macau

Cover story

Marvelous Macau Where business is another game altogether Golden Delta Pearl Award: The Venetian & Best Delta Business Hotel, Macau: The Venetian

When Sheldon Adelson goes all out, he means it. The meetings, conference, incentives, and exhibitions at the Venetian are hands down the best the Pearl River Delta. They just are. The Venetian features 75,000 square metres of meeting space. High-end conferences for luxury goods, from wines to watches, have booked here. The ballroom is 25,000 square metres. They have a 15,000 seat arena where the Black Eyed Peas and the NBA have rocked the house. Their gold and white walled conference rooms feature state of the art everything. Then there’s the 1,800 seat ZAIA theatre with Circque du Soleil. What more do you want? Steak. They have the celebrated Chicago steak house chain Morton’s. A pint? Blue Frog pub from Shanghai. Stellar slumber? They have split level rooms averaging 21 sqm, among them the opulent Rialto suites. Oh yeah, the Canal Shops with singers belting out Italian odes from gondolas are pretty impressive. Then there’s the Four Seasons’ sensational sartorial collections. It is over the top. And we love it. Best Delta Business Hotel Macau? Bar none. Golden Delta Pearl Prize for best business hotel in the region? You bet.

DELTA BRIDGES

Jan. 2009——Feb. 2009

Best Delta Business Hotel Spa, Macau: MGM Grand Macau

We also cherish what Pansy Ho has going on. The 1,452 square meters of business space at the MGM Grand Macau has the sort of user-friendly audio-video gadgets one would expect from Pansy’s touch. That acute level of quality is also as clear as Swarkovski crystal at the Six Senses Spa. The senses are based with the three primary spheres: sight, sound and touch. Two more perch atop them, taste and smell. The final touch, as it were, is the massaging of them altogether. We fell in love with the signature Six Senses Massage Fusion Thai style. So might you.

Best Delta Business Hotel Dining, Macau: Wynn Macau

Know these names. Executive Chef Anthony Alaimo of Il Teatro. Executive Chef Hirofumi Imamura of Okada. Both gentlemen are setting extremely high dining standards in Macau at the Wynn. Chef Alaimo’s southern Italian sensations at Il Teatro matched with the views of the Wynn performance lake deserve a big Grazie. A big bow to Chef “Hiro” is also in order. We know: Macau is a fierce dining destination. It was a careful choice — like which style of hand stretched pasta to chose at Il Teatro or which special hand-cut sushi entrée to order at Okada — but we’re confident in this selection in the Delta business Macau hotel dining vote. Very confident. As confident as the dishes Chef Alaimo and Chef Hiro create are marvelous.

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Property

Text by Charles Gutzlaff, photos by Christopher Cottrell

Full pearl rising Why monitoring GZ’s new city matters

n Macau, the Q3 2008 sale and purchase values of buildings with stamp duties were down 43.4 percent and 35.7 percent over the previous quarter. In Shenzhen housing prices slowed by 2.5 percent in October and November. In Guangzhou, housing price figures fell 1.8 percent for this same period. And these are the conservative numbers.

That means the rising white sparkling spire of GZ TV tower, the mammoth forest green glass West tower and the bird’s nest like appearance of the Guangzhou Opera house will be completed in two years. A stroll beneath these skyscrapers reveals this — there are showers of sparks to be seen high up all day long. The same cannot be said today for many of the projects on Macau’s Cotai Strip.

Longer perspective

Speaking of Macau, Pansy Ho has a saying that she learned from her father Dr. Stanley Ho. “Remember the source of this water as you drink from it,” she says. Forgive some of the hubris to the following related questions: Who are some of the biggest investors in Shenzhen? Hong Kong and Taiwan based companies. Who is bailing them out? Sure, the Chinese central government. They are doing so with polices that link them tightly with the Pearl River Delta and the Pan-Pearl River Delta — both anchored firmly in Guangzhou, which is the capital of both of these regional bodies. Policy case in

But what does it all really mean? To put the region into “an out of the box-financial meltdown perspective,” one needs to hit the pavement in front of Pearl River New City in Guangzhou. True, the majority of buildings in Pearl River New City are for commercial leasing, if you ask Eric Lam, the General Manager for Colliers International in Guangzhou (See story “Collier’s Eric Lam” on page 42). What do they have to do with regional property? Quite a bit. For one, they are fully financed, according to Eric Lam.

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Source of the water

Property Features

point: direct daily flights to Taiwan from Guangzhou. Another case: a good number of the 14points of the bailout plan Wen Jiabao announced for Hong Kong (from a steady energy supply to more mainland commerce and tourism to enhanced infrastructure ties) is directly associated with Guangdong, and managed in Guangzhou. Another pertinent query: what’s going on with Macau’s Cotai Strip? LVS President William Weidner has recently wagged a finger at the mass-market traveler restrictions. The current individual traveler scheme means that mainland visitors can only enter every 3-months. However, there is speculation that once Macau has a new Chief Executive at the end of 2009, the Zhuhai-Macau border will finally open for 24-hours and travel restrictions might be lifted. We’ll see. Regardless, a key point of success for Macau’s gaming (and thus property market) is tied with the opening of Pearl River New City via the light rail that is scheduled to open by 2010, in times for the Asian Games. That’s right. From Pearl River New City to the Macau border, it will be 45-minutes by metro. If that does not ring real-estate bells in both Macau and Zhuhai, what does? A given — plenty of people would love to be savoring Macanese meals or living in Zhuhai’s ocean breeze high-rises if they are doing business in Guangzhou’s trendy new financial quarter. Think commuter culture. Another prevailing clue that Macau and West Delta transport have a close mutual relationship: why are nearly all of the main inter-city busses between Guangzhou, Zhonghshan, Jiangmen and Zhuhai operated by Shun Tak or the Golden Dragon Group? Take a guess.

Prime time

It is arrogant and foolish to presume all will be healed by 2010. But in terms of the fate of regional property prices and transactions, there is one given — a prime chunk of real-estate with billion dollar sky-scrapers is well on the move. The fate of regional economics is perhaps more closely inked to the prime time of 2010 than the nightly prime time news — which works by second by second sound bytes, not broader canvasses. Speaking of canvasses, Pearl River New City is a property collection worth its’ weight in gold by a painter’s brush. Take a stroll soon for a painter’s eye awe of this full city rising.

Remember the source of this water as you drink from it.

— Pansy Ho

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Property Text and photos by Christopher Cottrell

Colliers Southern Man Agent intelligence from Eric Lam

ric Lam reclines in his seat and peers out at one of Guangzhou’s hallmark towers — Citic Plaza, a building with two pronged antennas that dart into the Guangzhou sky. Taking in the scenery of Guangzhou’s Tianhe District, he can also view the Guangzhou Sports Stadium and counter clock for the Asian Games in 2010. “We were able to get Teem Tower to sixty percent occupancy,” he says of the new corporate tower in Tianhe where Colliers International for Southern China is seated. “We hope to have Pearl River New City properties under our management up to 70 percent occupancy by the end of next year,” claims Lam. An affable chap from Hong Kong, Mr. Lam, the General Manager for Colliers International in South China, has the duty of making sure that the underground shopping mall at Pearl River New City and the new properties there are go-time in the next two years. That is no easy task. “But we are confident in our real-estate services and track record in making

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properties commercially sound and strong,” comments Lam. That includes the forthcoming office property Poly International Plaza, a premier office tower in Pearl River New City. Mr. Lam is also positive about the rise of their next southern office in Chengdu for southwestern China. “The Sichuan region in particular has many opportunities for growth.” So does Fujian. “Offices in Xiamen are still getting up there, but we are very confident that as cross-straight relations prosper, the city of Xiamen and province of Fujian will mature for Agrade office space,” he says. Speaking of maturity, he reasons that the South China property market will continue to gain support from the central government across all property sectors in the foreseeable future. “We think the South China property market has much potential. With our portfolio of successful properties and dedicated services, we are the best property team to handle the challenges ahead,” remarks Lam. He adds, “We represent luxury apartments as well as crucial commercial space and our clients are content.” No wonder he can recline from in his leather chair from time to time.

Property Features

Text and photos by Christopher Cottrell

Gentlemen only Favorview’s premier club property rebrands. ids are welcome. But only in the special compound on the first floor. It is a special space with a full junglegym, mats, video game recreation center, dance room, piano room and study. The rest is for adults only. The spa, for instance, is where wives and husbands can enjoy an Olympic sized swimming pool. And five-special rooms for massages and baths. They are based off five key Chinese elements of serenity. Fire. Wood. Earth. Metal. Air. After a soothing bath in a proper pool and hot stone massage it is hard to remember where you came in to this premier club property on the grounds of the Favorview estates. Located in northeastern Guangzhou, this exclusive gated community of luxury living — apartments, golf range and tip top shopping — is where many of Guangzhou’s well moneyed chose to live. The re-branding of this special club (which charges

RMB 80,000 for lifetime membership) means residents have a new place to be grown up. Think cigars and sherry. There is no equestrian grounds here, but people who are stallions themselves will appreciate the unbridled freedom and space of peace at this club. What’s the name of the club? It is so excusive it does not need one. There is a smart library. Conference facilities. Fine dining with European and Asian menus. A ground level bar. The grand halls are becoming of people of prowess. The owner of Kingold property, which has luxurious estates across the region, is a man who is confident about riding out the financial crisis. That’s why he has taken the time to make sure this premium estate club is catering to the kind of people who motor in a Mercedes Benz or BMW. And have at least five of them. There is no sexist or naughty implications in making the club more friendly for male power brokers. They just want to make sure that if you manage a major company or government, there are no kiddies screeching while you relax. And there is nothing wrong with that.

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Lifestyle

Sweet Zen Delectable lemon cream

t Café Zen in the Futian Shangri-La, they take lemons and boil them until the skin is pliable, edible. The insides are removed. A fine cream of whipped lemon is squeezed in. What one is left with is an incredibly original dessert rich in texture and flavor. To get at the lemon cream, cut right through the lemon skin. It is a unique joy, akin to a dessert operation, getting at the light cream, as you cut through the lemon. It comes served with a sliver of chocolate that brands Café Zen. A bit much? Not if you break the chocolate and scoop out the lemon cream. The pairing of the sweetened yet still slightly bitter rind and the airy lemon cream is a very creative combination.

The same might be said for the entire dessert menu at Café Zen. From their cookies to cakes to gelato, the desserts here can please fans of Willie Wonka. The best part for those with a gummy sweet-tooth — the take away bags of gummy treats. You can pick out little bears and other gummy treats to your heart’s content. A tip: they will have specials for Valentine’s Day. You can wager it will be a sweet deal, filled with tangy cream.

By Martin Yan

Yan’s Guangdong I

was recently shooting a short cooking special at Terra restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton Guangzhou. Boy, what a unique property. What terrific restaurants. One of the best hotels in Asia. It reminded me that being back in my native Guangdong province here in Guangzhou is always a treat. Things are moving very fast here. Back in the States, the economy is so bad right now. I don’t feel that way when I am here in Guangzhou, my boyhood city. Looking around now, I also think Guangzhou has more original architecture than New York. The skyline being made here in Guangzhou’s Pearl River New City is unmatched. Look at the west tower. Look at the new Guangzhou Opera House. This is innovative architecture, original in every way. What is going on in New York is just walls of towers. Nothing like what Pearl River New City is doing. With

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the Asian Games coming, I can feel there is a lot of energy in this city. I hope people in this region remember that when thinking about the global financial crisis. It is my wish for the New Year 2009 and for the year of the Ox that people brave this bad financial weather. It is important for people to be courageous and original in their thinking and planning. We must be thoughtful. And humble. I have said this many times. I came to the US from China with just 16 bucks in my pocket. That was it. I had to work hard and be humble. This message of hard work and being humble is something we teach at my new cooking academy in Shenzhen. My young chefs in training learn more than just handling knives and cabbages. They learn how to be humble and grounded in their lives. I hope that’s what we all can do as 2009 and the Ox come our way — and as we weather these tough financial times.

Lifestyle Features

Salt of the sea Zhuhai’s top 3 for Ox appetites S

avoring Chinese New Year dining? For the forthcoming Year of the Ox celebrations, Delta Bridges is breaking for some of the best seafood locations in Zhuhai. Yes, we adore freshly caught fare in the city with the fabled Pearl Girl statue. Whether cut clean, steamed, fried or cracked open and served on ice, we seek ocean food at its finest. And the ambience to pair it with.

Succulent shellfish

Lovers of Cantonese clams may want to entertain at Zhuhai’s oldest restaurant — the Mayflower. Located underneath the famous jet at Jida Beach, the clam, crab and other fresh in the tank shellfish options at Mayflower are among the city’s finest. A mandatory dining instruction: make your reservations as early as you can. Why? Because locals adore this expansive, Cantonese restaurant. It will be packed for Chinese New Year festivities with people who are as happy as their clams are succulent.

Morning steam

If you have shaken yourself senseless along Zhuhai’s Shui Wan Bar street all night long celebrating the Ox year, Jin Yue Xuan is the perfect place to regroup. It is just around

the corner from Shui Wan’s tranquil trees. If you have not made reservations, you and your bejeweled clan of 24-hour party people may lounge on the first floor couches for a few minutes. Politely lobby for the bay view window tables. Go for steamed fish. Any steamed fish. Just point. The cha siu bao set is another must have. So are the juicy shrimp dumplings. Nobody will mind if you sport your Fendi or Quicksilver flight shades. But they will fog up when your steaming fish with diced garlic arrives.

Light palates

For light as light palates, Chitose restaurant has spot on sashimi. If you can get a table in the far right corner, you will be treated to a sweeping view of Macau. Sure enough: this is best booked in the evening to catch the glow of the far off Sands in your lover’s eyes. The cracked crab here —boiled, steamed or on ice — is a must. Apart from proper ahi tuna and octopus sushi, the chicken teppanyaki comes as it should: tender with dripping roasted juice, sizzling on the stick. If the spirit suits, champagne isn’t hard to locate. Cheers to year of the Ox! For the full listings: www.deltabridges.com

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Lifestyle

Even flow Best Zhuhai cocktail spots G

ary is pouring a potent “J.K. blue” over pipe shaped shafts of ice. The ice is nestled like river stones inside a clean scotch glass. The elixir is Mediterranean blue in hue. Along with Long Island Iced Teas and Mojitos, the “J.K. blue” is a popular seller with those who know where this hidden bar, J.K. House, in Zhuhai is. The cocktails are strong. In the house special “J.K blue” we tasted a refreshing blend of Bacardi rum and Jose Cuervo tequila. That is not easy to pull off. We know that the blue is bols, not curacao. Anyone who did business in Guangzhou from 2005 to 2007 and remembers Blue Note and Dennis, will dig the cocktails and ambience of this hidden drinking den, which is run by two young women “Janice” and “Kelly.” Thus “J.K” house. The gin and tonics are soft on the palate with watson’s soda water and Gordon’s gins, but you can prod Gary for extra Gordon’s. The prices are reasonable at RMB 30 per cocktail. It is between Shui Wan Bar street and the Macau border gate. And before Lianhua Lu Bar Street. For those not acquainted with Zhuhai’s bar streets near the

border gates of Macau, dial Janice (15811650306) or Kelly (13425019607) directly. The affable ladies are fluent in English and can easily guide wayward travelers to their humble izakaya style lounge, which also serves respectable little pizzas. Of course, some may want a bigger venue when they seek cocktails before or after their border crossing. Let us recommend Rude Bar & Restaurant. Rude’s array of cocktails, from martinis to screwdrivers, are decent bets. Rude gets bustling every Thursday night with Latin dancing.. Around the corner on Shui Wan Bar Street, there are many places to whet one’s craving for cocktails. But do they all offer even pours? Take a guess. We like Cohiba’s attentive staff, outdoor patio ambience and gin and tonics. We frequently see Portuguese friends from Macau over here at the weekend. That is a sign that the border divide between Macau and Zhuhai is getting thinner. Cheers with proper cocktails to that!

Lifestyle Features

Volley on! South China’s best beaches for v-ball

Christopher Cottrell

k, not all the South China beaches we’ve set our bare feet on have volley-ball nets. But that is not stopping us from breaking for them for v-ball games and sand-side picnics with friends this Chinese New Year. On Hainan, Sanya Bay’s 17 kilometres of mid-coarse sand is one place to play. A fun way to enjoy this beach with a proper round of volley is to load up on coconuts, mangos and fresh-seafood in the local street stalls. You can easily purchase a bucket, fill it with ice and ales and let the games begin. Just 15 minutes away, you can keep the game going while eating Kiev chicken at Dadonghai beach. Yes, this beach is chock full of Russian and Eastern European holiday-makers. They can add height to your team. If sporting over on Yalong Bay, you are probably staying in one of the five-star resorts and can buy your ball in their gift-shops. And play on the fine white sand beach. Across the waters in Guangxi province, Silver Beach at Beihei features German style architecture — which might give your rally some Teutonic

inspiration. Further up the coast at the mouth of the Delta, spike at Macau’s Hac Sa Bay. If the black sand gets the best of you, there is always the Westin Macau resort for fresh showers (sure, you probably should be staying there to use them). Think of packing a basket of zhu-bau-bau sandwiches, Portuguese sausages and carafe of sangria at this beach. Zhuhai’s Jida beach is another winning place to serve. There will be plenty of gleeful people net-side here spring loaded with Chinese New Year cheer. If you want to play where there are no nets in Zhuhai, consider a trip out to any number of the nearby islands. All are reached via Zhuhai’s Xiangzhou port. Dongao is among the more popular islands with its’ signature “Diamond Beach,” a.k.a Nansha Bay. Dazhu Bay and Xiaozhu Bay are other awesome places to hit the ball — your Aussie and California mates will like this island a lot and might say “totally awesome” a lot. Or not. They, too, may enjoy a match at Lingding Island’s Lingding Bay, Tower Bay or Big East Bay near Hong Kong. Deeper out, Hebao Island’s dozen

beaches offer gorgeous views of the Huangmao Sea and Pacific Ocean. Gaolan Island’s seven beaches are bit remote, but worth it. Consider bringing camping gear and pitching tent for a few days if you want to organize a tournament. Shenzhen’s cosmopolitan chic often overshadows its’ slower side. Both Xiaomeisha and Dameisha beaches just outside the city are among Shenzhen’s most natural destinations. An hour away from downtown, these beaches are about five minutes apart and offer plenty of ways to play in the sea, from paragliding to windsurfing. Up north in Fujian, you can play v-ball near the ancient Longhai Volcano in the city of Zhangzhou. Zhangzhou’s Dongshan Island has a variety of beach offerings — as it should. It is nicknamed “Fujian’s Hawai‘i.” Fair enough. It is winter. Temperatures are getting cooler. But we love volleyball. We love the beach. And we can think of no better places on the China coast to let our hair down to welcome the year of the Ox than at a laid back beach. See you on the sand!

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Travel

HOURS IN...

Futian

Opera surprises Classical entertainment for the Chinese seasons Stroll with flowers

Take strolls on the rooftop eco-garden above the Carrefour City Walk. Here you can: 1. Enjoy a morning Starbucks coffee in solace; 2. Power think with your colleagues on a bench with a picnic lunch; 3. Woo a potential lover in the evening by smelling the tropical orchids. Did we mention the sweeping views of Shenzhen’s thriving financial district?

Cop pizza

Hey, we dig Thompson Ly’s NYPD pizza. Fresh made. Hot. This is pepperoni pizza ala Brooklyn fashion. Our good man Thompson keeps the Tsingdaos extra, extra, extra frosty and hosts monthly block-parties. This is outdoor pizza and suds on the go. Arrest never tasted so good. www.nypdpizza.com.cn

Whey cool

Kosmo has apple colored cushions and light wood chairs, It is relaxed in a nouveau OMMM-my gosh sort of whey. That’s a poor pun about their whey and mango smoothies. You get the idea. Great for flirtatious first dates.

www.kosmoliving.com

5-S spa

Mandara Spa Singapore. Shanghai. Sanya. Shenzhen. Mandara Spa at the Marco Polo hotel seems to belong to an apparent campaign for A as in alphabet A-list Asian cities that start with the letter with S. So be it. Their spa is superb. Spot on. Sensuous. Sublime. Shamelessly lavish. Stars? Sssfive.

www.mandaraspa.com

Stay

The newest hotel face on the Futian financial block is hands down the best on this block. Well, the Marco Polo, Sheraton and soon to open RitzCarlton Futian will quarrel with this assessment. Do keep them in your thoughts when thinking of sweet suites in Futian. We’ll be checking back soon ourselves. The average price at the freshly minted Futian Shangri-La is RMB 1,250. Slip it on for swank size.

www.shangri-la.com

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uch like Cantonese cooking, Cantonese opera consists of highly original touches — namely more variations in facial expressions. To experience this southern nuance of the great tradition of Chinese opera during Chinese New Year, plan an outing with your lover or family. Until Zaha Hadid’s masterpiece Guangzhou Opera House is finished in 2010, Xinghai Concert Hall is where you should go for opera in the City of Five Rams. This renowned hall is located on Ersha Island on the Pearl River. It is complimented by the nearby Guangdong Museum of Art and a fine French restaurant, La Seine. Other popular pieces of live performances range from traditional Chinese music ensembles to Italian operas to violin concertos. There are numerous performances featured throughout December and January in the spirit of the seasons. In Shenzhen, the Shenzhen Opera House and Shenzhen Concert Hall also feature world-class Chinese opera and live performances. The Shenzhen Opera House is noted for its’ location next to shopping facilities and fine hotels like the Kempinski. It has also opened a branch in Nanguo in tandem with the Nanguo Cinema House. The Shenzhen Concert hall is also renowned for bringing local and international symphonies, including the French National Symphony this New Year’s Eve 2009. In Hong Kong, Opera Hong Kong continues to awe audiences with some of most original Cantonese opera in South China. First opened in 1993, it was the first opera house of its caliber in Hong Kong. Under the direction of Warren Mok, the Hong Kong Opera house has managed to attract the best opera acts in the world. The house also showcases musicals and has a public education arm for children and adults alike. In sum, there is much to sing about locally for opera, Cantonese or otherwise. For further information:

Xinghai Concert Hall,Guangzhou. Tel: 020-8735 2222 Shenzhen Opera House: Tel: 0755-2556 3601 Shenzhen Concert Hall: www.shenzhenconcerthall.com Opera Hong Kong www.operahongkong.org/

Travel Features

The Place:

Just uncork letting loose in the Delta

e might be at the China Hotel’s Sapphire lounge in Guangzhou tippling all we can drink martinis for RMB 98. Or down in their wine & cigar lounge firing up a Cuban stogie. We might be down the coast at Shenzhen’s Class Club writhing to techno until the wee hours. Or dancing salsa at the MGM Grand Macau. One thing is certain, though. Between New Year’s Eve and Chinese New Year, we will be unbuttoning for serious celebrations. Staying at home and counting yuan instead of going out might be sage advice. We, however, want to get the economy moving again and spending while celebrating is just the ticket. If we had to name a top 12 list about some of the best places to toast both new years in we’d say:

Sapphire China Hotel, Guangzhou The drink: Dirty martini Churchill Bar Ritz-Carlton Guangzhou The drink: Sherry Wilber’s Bar Guangzhou The drink: Long Island Ice Tea 360, Luwo Shangri-La Shenzhen The drink: Bloody Mary Class Club, Shenzhen The drink: Champagne served in a bucket brimming with lit sparklers : Crowne Plaza, Shenzhen The drink: Cosmopolitan Cinnabar, Wynn Macau The drink: Hot toddy Lion’s Bar, MGM Macau The drink: Rum and coke MP3 Club, Macau The drink: Vodka tonic Rude Bar, Zhuhai The drink: Jack Daniels on ice Alex’s Bar, Zhongshan The drink: Erdinger beer Black Cat Club, Dongguan The drink: Johnnie Walker For a full listing, visit www.deltabridges.com

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Delta Pearls

By Melody Chu Mei Feng

’m elated. Simply elated. Direct flights from Guangzhou to Taipei. Finally, we are seeing better branches of peace between Taiwan and the mainland. We are also seeing justice take its’ course. I am not going to comment at length about the case of Chen Shui Bian. When I served on the Taipei City Council in the 1990s, I had my fair share of arguments with him. I even threw a flag in his face once during a city council meeting. How young I was… For me, the days of my political dramas in Taipei are long over. But I do have feelings for the city. They are mixed feelings, naturally. Bitter-sweet, you might say. Still, knowing that I can take the 55-minute fast train from my news bureau in Shenzhen to Guangzhou and then pop over to Baiyuan airport for a flight back to see my family is a sheer thrill. Or I can just fly there on the new daily routes from Shenzhen. Speaking of families, Taiwan is making it easier for people with spouses in China to live in Taiwan. And both sides are seeking to bolster better tourism ties. A lot of people are panicking because of the global financial crisis. And for good reason. But there are also stories of hope coming out of this too. I recently read that a six-kilometer bridge between Xiamen and Kinmen island in Taiwan might be built. That kind of bridge is essential as a metaphor for better cross-straights peace. We need peace. And

The Ox can be seen to symbolize balance, harmony too. That is something I cherish this meltdown is incidentally bringing both to the table in a civilized way. It was already in the works when Ma was elected. Nonetheless, the news is impressive. I’ve been discussing this topic with my guests on my TV news program and most of us are in accord: we see a very bright future for what’s going on in Fujian and Taiwan. More investment from Beijing is pouring into this area. So is international investment, such as the CMA CGM deep-water port venture at Xiamen. We can only fathom what will become of Taiwan property values if more people from the mainland can purchase and visit them. The same is true for relaxed regulations for Taiwanese people to have homes in Fujian. Sure, many already do. More will come as cross-straight peace continues to blossom. That is very good news to me as I think of the coming Chinese New Year of the Ox. The year of the Ox embodies many values: diligence, stability, and hard work are among the traits attributed to people born in Ox years. The Ox can be seen to symbolize balance, harmony too. That is something I cherish. After all, when I left Taiwan in 2001, my life was hardly in balance. I gained that balance back in London and with rekindling my journalism career in Macau last year. As I watch world headlines, I think of how Taiwan and the mainland are gaining better balance with these first direct daily flights. My Chinese New Year gift seems to have landed early with this news. Melody Chu Mei Feng is a senior news anchor with MASTV. She divides her time between Macau, Shenzhen, Taiwan and London.

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