The Correspondent, May 1988 by The Foreign Correspondents' Club, Hong Kong

scinatingly written, beautifully illusp-to-date. But above all, their infort. That is the essence of the bond of Asiaweek Limited, the Research Den at the gate offactual accuracy. every single Everything that appears in our Company's magazines word, name, date, figure, quote or punctuation mark must be scrutinised before going through this gate. At our disposal in the Research Department are the resources of the Company's library: its 8,000 volumes, hundreds of thousands of news clippings and scores ol newspapers and periodicals from all over the world. Outside are other libraries, loreign consulates and commissions, and major companies. At the same time, editors are in close touch with correspondents, who check the final version of the story, too. But even these sources cannot always satisfy the Research Department's need for verification. Our motto is never give up tracking the truth while there is still time. On one occasion this meant dispatching a researcher to a Burmese restaurateur's home to confirm that the profile on a 75-kyat note was that of pro-Independence hero Aung San. On another, it meant spending hours tracking down a film company source in order to check the English title of a Cantonese movie before its release. The path to accuracy is not smooth. But if the Research Department were to give in, the very key to the high esteem accorded our magazines their credibility would be lost. We are determined to exhaust every possible means to ensure that factual errors do not get past the gate. Gladys Pang Senior Researcher

lGladys Pang, who joined

Asiaweek Limited with her Research Department colleagues

1983, sits front and centre

Asiaweek Limited

@1988 Asยกaweek Lยกmited

MAY 1988

THE

VOLUMEI NUMBERT

GORRDSPONIIDNT CONTENTS Remembered

Yesterdays

It is like being rebom,

says Linda Rose about the six operations and the pain she has endured following a crippling accident four years ago. The support and kindness shown by FCC members and friends helped her through those difficult days.

"lheZoo

elite, spendthrift and vice-ridden, according to a recent survey.

T¡avel Publishing: Asia's booming travel trade is giving a new impetus to travel publishing and there is strenuous activ¡ty on the scene, and frantic

job-swapping'.

Holiday: Individual travel

has lately become acceptable in China. And Jane Ram who has travelled in China before and after the lifting of resrrictions reports on some of the package

tours she

enjoyeà.

Media\Editing

Not many English-language publications in Hong Kong seem to care about excellence in editing, s4ys Brian Neil who has worked many years as a proofreader and copy editor. He explains why Hong Kong lacks style. And you could win a bottle of champagne if you pass Neil's copy-editing test.

The man who succeeds Ronald Reagan as US president will have a tough task to carry out. He will have to make Americans tighten their belts and brace up for a lower standard of living, says the editor-inchief of BusinessWeek, Stephen B. Shepard.

Survey

More than 607o of FCC members use First or Business Class in air travel and almost every member travels at least once a year. They are also

Editorial Superyis¡on Pùblications Sùb-committee: Benon rJVoodward (Chaiman) Paul Bayfield Sinil Fisek

THE FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS' CLUB Nonh Blæk, 2 Lower Albef Road, Hong Kong Telephone:5-21 I 5l Fax: -5-8684092

Editorial Office 601 Fu Houæ 7 lce Houæ Street CenFal, Hong Kong Telephone: 5-237 I Fax: 5-8453556

2 I

OThe Corespondent Opinions expresæd by witers üe not necessrily thos of the Foreign Corespondents'Club.

1988

People

1'.'

Letter from Adelaide

Crossword

THE CORRESPONDENT

Cover: Six

on Ice. Anniversary celebrations.

See also

p. 12-13

BOARD OF COVERNORS: President - Derek Davies First Vice-Presidenr - Benon Second Vice-President - Penelope Byme Corespondent MemberGovemors -PaulBayfield,SinanFisek,GavinCreenwood,CarolynHubbad,B¡ianJeffries, Dinah læe, Grahm Lovell, Paul Smunhwa¡te. Joumalist Member GovemoÌs - B¡ll Cranfield,

P Viswa Nathan

uay

Stop Press

Woodwild

Flitor

Club News

Readership

Associate member Mike Smith is a frequent a few amusing hours he spent in a bar in Bangkok's popular entertainment belt.

traveller. And he reports on

Barry Crindrod Assæ¡ate Membe¡ Covemors - Wendy Hughes, ìrene O'Shea, F C C. Schokking, Tim Williams.

- Derek Davies, Benon Wmdwrd, Paul Bayfield, Carolyn Hubbad, Barry Grindrod Memb€rsh¡p Committee - Graham Lov€ll, COMMÍTTEES: Professional Committee

Cavin Grænwæd. Entertåinmenl Committee - lrcne O'Shea, Paul Bayf¡eld, Wendy Hughes. Workr@m Sub committee - Brian Jeffries, Paul Bayfield. House Committee Barry Grindrod, Sinu Fisek Club Manager: Heinz Grabner, Clùb Sþward: Julia Suen The Corespondent ¡s published monthly fq and on behalf of The Foreign Conesponden(s' Club, by: printline Ltd 601 Fu HouF,7 lce House Street, Cenral, Hong Kong Telephone: 5-237 121, 5-255519 Fax: 5-8453556 Managing Dirætor: P Viswa Nathan, Operations Director; Debb¡e Nuttall, Advefising Manager: Johilna Peat. Printed by Jercmy Printing Piess, GÆ, 35 Yiu Wah SÍeeÌ, Wanchai, Hong Kong

SPECIAL REPORT: Life abounds on the river Irrawaddy, the main trunk route of Burma. And, in steamers that ply the waters, watching Burma pass by. Marc Fallander man and beast huddle together among heaps of cargo ranging from rice bags to logs presents his eyewitness account of life in Burma in a photo-report on pages 16-18.

MAY 1988 THE CORRESPONDENT 5

BY ARTHUR HACKER

siderations as

was inadequately

insured. The Hong Kong insurance company was not associated with its namesake in the States, the mc;rey from the New York state's no-rault scheme was running out and the driver of the car that hit me was a penniless immigrant Asian Indian. So, there I was - no hand-

The knowledge that people cared was important Linda Rose suffered crippling injuries in an accident in Manhattan four years ago. Now, after six operations and feeling as if reborn, she moves back in time to recount how the global fraternity of FCC members rallied to care for her and helped her get through those days of deep despair. NEMOMENTI wasfull of life,feasr ing on the riches of New York city. The next I was caught under a car speeding along Manhattan's I 3th Street. I remember thinking, 'Shit, this is it!' But I survived. Four years and six operations later, I am still trying to integrate the experience into my everyday life. The scars remind and remain to tell the story. It was March 29, 1984. Manhattan cold and snowy. That day was filled with the buzz of old and new friends and a matinee performance of Dustin Hoffman as Willie Loman in Miller's 'Death of a Salesman'on Broadway. It seemed poignant then, as it does now, and affected me very deeply - I had never been in theatre where the whole audience was weeping, both men and women. It happened to be my last day in New York, returning from a theatre festival in Kentucky. I walked home late that evening happily absorbed in the day with no warning of what was to come. I had almost crossed Third Avenue when a blue Fiat came out of nowhere and hurtled towards me. In a second, on impact, a

I fell

under the car and bizarrely got stuck behind the front wheels. The car, gaining speed as it moved, dragged me for a block Qefore it finally stopped. The driver leapt out and screamed at me to get out from under his car - a difficult request under the circumstances ! Some bystanders lifted the car up to free me; and before I knew it, an ambulance police arrived. The injuries sustained were mainly to the lower back, legs and feet, which were open to thc bone, plus a few broken bones, friction bqms and other wounds. There was no pain in those first few hours -just shock, intense cold and a mind that seemed quick and clear. I was, in fact, amazed to be alive! and. the

AHOSPITALORAWAR ZONE?: The ambulance had rushed me to the nearest medical centre, Bellevue City Hospital which catered to the less privileged members of society. Bellevue was never dull. It had a reputation for being something like a war zone! My

run

connESPoNDENT MAY

1988

neighbour was a black gentleman with cuffed feet and a 24-hour police guard. The nurses seemed aggressive. And, I couldn't move. Those first few days in intensive care were a nightmare. I was genuinely frightened.

However, Bellevue had the best microsurgery unit in New York, which was exactly the sophisticated surgical facility needed to save my feet. I was attended by a team of five surgeons. And, several operations, skin and muscle transplants later, the panic and fear subsided. The injuries began imperceptibly to heal. ONE BIG FAMILY: One of the most important factors throughout the recovery process was

the extraordinary support, encouragement and sympathy from friends all over the world but mainly from Hong Kong. This helped to get me through those painful days. Many of those friends were FCC members and I am still amazed at the worldwide support

network that exists in the wider family of journalists, and springs into action in emergency situations. It started to operate from day one.

A call came through to the Emergency Room when I was barely out of the operating theatre. The doctor who answered was so dumbfounded to find the call was from Hong Kong that he brought me the phone. The inimitable Hugh Van Es had managed to track me down out of all the hospitals in New York City with the help of UPI, and wanred to know "Vy'hat the f..." I was doing! I couldn't think of good answer at the time but sure appreciated the call. He and Annie continued to keep in contact by phone as did many others. Very soon the flowers poured in, enough to fill a florist's shop, along with cards, telegrams and letters. Some from peoplelbarelyknew. I was a cause celebre. Alone in New York and vulnerable as never before, the knowledge that a

people cared was more important than anything else. Others in New York includedAl Kaffwho arrived when things were grim and kept constantly in touch. David Devoss, now in Los

Angeles, whiled away a few hours as did his father-in-law and best friend Peter Greenberg.

ÞUSIÍABLY JE REMY

rwoNÞERwuo wRlfES

friends in Hong Kong. Thus, it became apparent that despite all the complications, I would have to return to Hong Kong sooner rather than later to finish the physical therapy and to rebuild the leg muscles. To my enormous surprise, this was the hardest part, coming out of the green-

from the attention, support and bustling comfort of hospital life. My whole life had been disrupted. But somehow I had to start again.

which was cheering. There were also visits from friends of friends, like a dashing exboyfriend of Vicky Brooke, another of Monique Hochstrasser (of the Regent) whose secretary tumed out to be a real gem and Andrew Merywether from Singapore, a friend of Noel Quinlan and Mary Craig, who I never had a chance to thank. Later arrivals from Hong Kong included my good friend Richard Butt who arrived on his white Marlboro horse to save the day at a particularly stressful time. This is not to mention all the people in New York city itself who gave me so much support, many of whom were in the theatre and entertainment world and who I hardly knew but who have become life-time friends. Some of my surgeons, too, became allies and friends. The support was amazing.

5r¡rñl

YtcÉ

I N

his brother. Judy Israel of CBS News had strict instructions from the then Bangkok headquarters of Derek'Williams and she went beyond the call of duty. Les Leston, on a visit to New

They both braved more than one visit

out and on my own, apart from whatever help that came from

house. Nothing prepared me for what lay

champagne, perfume and Ding Lue.

Lusu

Saul Lockhart's brother Ron made special visits to Bellevue to regale me with tales of

York, came one day suitably armed with

Mc FoR

ahead. I had to cope on my own again, away

HOMECOMING: It was a long and arduous process. Apart from the enormous financial pressures and returning to an ailing business after a prolonged absence, it was like coming back from war: I didn't know how to fit in any more. I was slow, scarred, hobbling around on a stick and a stranger in my own office. My flat was rented, my beloved cat given away (has anyone seen a chocolate Burmese named Dingwell?) and with the drama of the New

York hospitalisation behind me,

was no

longer a celebrity. Routine set in and depression took over. I stayed with friends. Many people helped; but others were busy, bewildered and didn't know how to react or re-

spond. Similarìy, some institutions \vere understanding (of the circumstances), like the Hongkong Bank, but there were others that

I had some final needeC surgery in Hong Kong only last November which is nearly completing the cycle. Now it's a matter of

were less helpful and less humane in their

minor adjustments. I tackle anything but have yet to get back to New York which, I hope, will happen soon. There h¡ve been some set-backs and people who have taken advantage of my vulnerability, but generally I remain optimistic. The help and kindness shown in many different ways by FCC members and other Hong Kong people have enabled further Eeatment to take place but, above all, have given me tremendous moral suppof. It is not always possible to thank so many people all in one go, but here it is. Thank you all, wherever you are. The connection is never lost, and to quote Michael Jackson, "I love you. Thank you!".

dealings. Whatever the case, it took months to rebuild the strength, both mental and physical, and to get over the feelings of deep despair. A PROCESS OF SELF-DISCOVERY: Recovery has been a series of stages, and never easy. But what it has brought is a change ofperspec-

tive. There is less concern for

the material

of life and a greater appreciation of people and the more spiritual values. It has aspects

intensified an interest in Buddhist philosophy and is a process of self-discovery. May be, it is like being reborn...I don't know. There is a feeling ofeuphoria when the energy and cheerfulness return and the body and mind revive. But this is temporary, because the difficulties don't stop coming; so, maybe, it's aquestion of being able to roll with the punches again.

Linda Rose ts an associale menber of the FCC

CL-WinlullLaing & Cruiclcshank Seatrities Ltd

LEARNING TO WALK AGAIN: Once the major surgery was over and wounds mostly healed, I needed intensive physical rehabilitation therapy to literally get back on my feet. Aftertwo months atBellevuel was transferred to the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medi-

cine which is part of the New York University and a very fine establishment. Once there, I made rapid progress. Because I had been immobilised for so long, it took three months to take those first steps. This was a dramatic moment and like something out of a movie set, with other longer-term patients cheering me on! I was clear and determined about walking and returning to Hong Kong. But in the early days I couldn't even pee withouthelp, let alone

walk!

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There were, unfortunately, financial con-

MAY

1988

THE CORRESPONDENT 7

MEDIA\EDITING fl o unde r s insÍead offo nde r s. On the same page we have such gems as: "It is a very dramatic story

BRIAN NEIL

about nature to observe involving

Why Hong Kong lacks style

as it does, stories about

and: "...Roman plunder and nar-

Drops in the ocean of Hong Kong illiteracy - a professional copy editor spells out what has gone wrong with the territory's style. URING my career as

proofreader and later as a copy editor, I have often been accused of "pedantry" by writers who do not know how to write for the print media and by sub-editors who care nothing for joumalistic style. Not surprisingly, few of them know the actual meaning of pedantry, which

the Collins English Dictionary

defines as: "... the display of useless knowledge or minute observance of petty rules or details".

The rules that professional proofreaders and copy editors ob-

serve are neither useless nor petty; they are rules which are accepted almost universally by responsible publishers and editors. Style may vary slightly in such grey areas as punctuation and the use of caps, but the basic rules remain the same - whether in British English or American English. The copy editor who follows these rules is not being pedantic, he is doing what he is paid to do. A GOOD COPYEDITOR: Judith

journalistic style. These women work for peanuts and they generally do a lousyjob - not necessar-

and

ily

mar.

because they do not care, but

because they simply do not know. This seems particularly true of

trade magaz\nes and the selfstyled "upmarket" publications. PUNS, CLICHES, ERRORS:

Fritz

Spiegl, in his book Keep Taking theTabloids ! (which should be on

every editor's shelf), wrote of

headlines: "Instead of quietly informing the reader, headlines

now either tease with

shouted

riddles, or try to amuse - and more likely annoy - him with predictable puns and wom-out cliches ... or else produce ambiguous nonsense."

wonder what Spiegl would think of the headlines in a recent issue of one of Hong Kong's major trade publications (apart from the fact that they are set all in caps): "OBJECTS d'DRINK";

..LONG, DRAWN-OUT EXPORTS"; "SHOES MADE TO

KICK IN,'; ..,{ REAL FISHY

TALE',; ..BIG FACELIFT FOR These headlines, unfortu-

nately, typify the stuff that follows them: "These pitchers are

creature: he is an intelligent

ideal logo or event-name carriers and people will delight in taking

guities and inconsistencies of style that are rife in the Hong Kong print media are sad evidence that there is an acute shortage of professional proofreaders and copy editors in the tenitory. In many publishing houses, the duties of proofreader and copy editor are carried out by one person; and quite often that p€rson is an expat housewife with no

knowledge or understanding of

uay

1988

need, I think, for some new dimensions in spelling and gram-

THE DAILY PRESS: Not that the daily press is immune; some time ago one of our Englishlanguage a

bomb explosion in a French police station, the headline was "Police bomb victims in critical condition". All I can say to that is "Up the gendarmerie!" Aphrase in another story read: "... the girl was found missing by her grandfather..."

Another story uses the word

rative accompanied by beautiful film..." and: "...how the provinces in North Africa once became the riches in the Empire." (Although it does not specify which empire). Not one of these passages make any more sense within the context of the article which contains them than they do out of it. In the same issue of the same paper, the word compliment appears three times, when the spelling shouldbe complement. There is some excuse for occasional typos in the daily press, considering their tight deadlines, but all the above appeared in feature articles, not news stories. One publication which, although far from perfect, has better standards than most, is a local enteñainment magazine, but never-

How do you rate as a pedant or a copy editor? WIN A BOTTLE You can find out by reading and win a OF CHAMPERS! correcting this article and

bottle of Bricout Brute Reserve Chamapgne if your entry comes closest to Brian Neil's corrected vers¡on, a copy of which has been given to Derek Davies to check against the entries.

CLOCKS'"

Cambridge Handbook, slør.esi "The good copy editor is a rare reader and a sensitive critic; he cares enough about perfection of detail to spend his working hours checking small points of consistency, but he has the judgement not to waste his f,rrm's time or antagonize the author by making unnecessary changes." The misspellings, errors in grammar and punctuation, ambi-

great many mo¡e. There is a

dailies carried a story about

Copy-editing, The

Butcher,

Egypt..."

them home in their hundreds as memorabilia of the day ... Beer drinking ladies may prefer Shui Cheong's beer mug - the thickness helps to keep the beer cool with a pansy flower painted on, just to preserve a lady-like appearance as the thirst reliever is

quaffed." Not being an upmarket type,

rarely read the publications that cater for that elite group; but I did come across a copy ofone ofthem theother day - and thatcontained more misspellings and grammati-

cal errors than could reasonably be called acceptable. For example: committments: questionaire; on trends which tells you; oppulent; regretably; high-resis-

tence; terracota; flambouyant -

THE CORRESPONDENT

The story below is obviously fictitional; it is, in fact, a conglomerate of extracts from stories I have copy-edited over the last six months and exerpts adopted from Keep TalkingTheTabloids! The town in the story is non-existent; and the only clue I offer is that the story is to appear in a publiciation which adheres strictly to British spelling and usage. "We arrived in Phukhatet qu ite by accident, my wife and me. The bus on which had travelled inland for more than 1,500 miles suddenly broke down on the outskirts of this tiny town in the middle of theThai jungle. And so, whilst we waited for the bus to be repaired, which apparently would take more than five hours we walked about three kilometers into the township. It was shortly aftemoon when we reached the centre of town, so we decided to have lunch at an open airrestaurant. The restauranteur was a morose dark haired man in his late fifty's; he was also very talkative and it wasn't long before we were listening to the story of his life. He had, it seems at one time been a famous French horn player and was ma¡ried to a Thai woman who in a fit of depression hung herselffrom a Banyan tree. The monotonous sound ofhis voice was barely dicsernable above the noisome chatter of the hoards of monkeys who inhabited the trees which centred around the court-

I would still like a quiet word with the sub who changed the spelling of pronunciation to pronounciation and in the same article altered the (correct) expression "hoist by his own petard" to "found himself hanging theless,

upside down by his own petard."

for

those not within reach of a dictionary, is an explo-

petard,

sive device from which it impossible to hang oneself upside down or otherwise.

CHINGLISH SIGNS: These examples are but drops in the ocean of Hong Kong illiteracy; and it is little wonder that one conse-

quence is the spate of amusing Chinglish signs to be seen around town. I came across an interesting one the other day, in the gents' toilet of a recently opened pub. Directly above the two urinals was a large sign which stated in bold red lettering: WET FLOOR ! So I did - and ruined a perfectly good pair of shoes in the process.

I can only assume that the urinals were

there

for

purely decorative and not for practical purposes.

Another seems to nicely exIt is the English title of a Cantonese cuse all our literary mistakes.

film:

TO ERR IS HUMANE. Not that allsigns are amusing; there is one that frankly frightens the hell out of me. It is in the lift lobby of the building where my office is, and it reads: DO NOT USE THE LIFTS, IN CASE OF FIRE. I could probably save myself the awful agony of climbing up and down 23 flights of stairs twice a day-were I not so bloody pedantic!

Brian Neil has been working as a proofread.er and copy editor in Hong Kong for lhe past nineyears, two oÍwh¡ch he spenl as copy editor with the Universit¡' of East Asia He now works as olreelunce consultant lo

publ i shing, adve rtising and

yard. It was a relif when he excused himself to greet

a new

rompanies

group of

customers.

After lunch we wandered down to the docks and wiled away the time watching a corgo ship being unladen. In the background, the ocean was a shimmering blue under the after noon sun. We sat there with a strange sense of fulfillment, until we were approached by a ragged street pedlar trying to sell us his wares. My wife, whom fancies herself as a bit of a comedian, told him we didn't want to buy any ragged streets and sent him on his way. Then we strolled back to the markeçlace which was packed with stall offering a variety of antiques and objects d'arts. I didn't buy anything - not being a conoisseur, I wouldn't know the difference between genuine and ingenuine articals. There was greaat excitement in the town that day; three members of the Thai royal family were paying an officious visit. The townpeople were awaiting their arrival with baited breath; and a local TV station was filming the event. What amazed my wife and I was the fact that the five man crew which included three cameramen and two sound recorders, were all dressed in two piece suits with white shirts and ties. In other bits of the world, TV crews traditionally record interviews with celebrities, politicians and royalty wearing tattered denims. We were disappointed that we didn't have time to stay for the watching of the festivitys. At 4:30pm that aftemoon, weclamoured aboard the delapidated old bus that would hopefully carry us on to exciting new adventures, and waved a fond fairwell to Phukatet." Your entry should be sent to: The Editor, The Correspondent, 601 Fu House, 7 Ice House Street, Central, Hong Kong. Please

The old adage: 'You only get out of life what you put into it,' also applies to the results you get from your advertising.

Put it in the right place, with the right momentum behind it, and there are no limits to what you can achieve. Think of The Review as a high performance vehicle. A means of rapidly transporting your product or service straight to the top. As Asia's most respected and highly regarded publication, The Review reaches more leading figures in government, finance and business, more decision makers and top management, than any other publication. And does it more cost efficiently. For your product or service, the environment of The Review adds to the mileage you get out of it. Outstanding editorial content and a mix of other high octane advertisers make The Review weII received in influential circles, all over the world. Now there's fuel for thought.

During the past year, 9leading automotive manufacturers invested in B7 pages of advertising with The Review.

mark the envelope "STYLE TEST".

Closing date: June 15. Corrections and the name of the winner will appear in the July issue of The Correspondent.

For further information, please contact Elaine Goodwin, General Sales Manager. GPO Box 160, Hong Kong. TeI: 5-293123, "|lx: 62497 REVAD HX, Fax: 5-8656197

MAY 1988 THE CORRESPONDENT 9

CLUB NEWS

America is in for a decline in the standard of living The United States, says the editor-in-chief of BusinessWeek, Stephen B. Shepard, will have to tighten its belt and brace up for a lower standard of living in order to get its trade deficit down to a reasonable level. Cut the defence budget, reduce domestic spending (including middle-class subsidies) and impose some sort of a consumption tax. These are some of the measures, he feels, the man who succeeds Ronald Reagan as US president will have to consider. Shepard, coming from a visit to Japan and en route to China, was speaking at a professional luncheon at the FCC on April 15. Excerpts:

T WANT to say a few words in the light of I *hat haooenld to the stock market and I tne trudĂ&#x2039; figu."r... what I see as favourable signs in the world economy including the

United

States.

Firstof all, thereis a remarkableeconomic transition going on in Japan. That is, that the Japanese have once again shown their incredible capacity to adjust to some, what anyone would consider, terrible shocks, terrible changes. Their economy is growing very, very strongly. They are making a successful transition from export-led growth to domesticJed growth. It is showing up in the figures. HOPEFUL SIGNS: The United States has to make a similar transition. In our case it has to be the mirror-image of the Japanese transition. We have to go from an economy that is dependent on domestic consumplion, to one that gets more of its growth from exports.

That transition is underway in the United States. It is happening much more slowly than some of us would like, much less visibly and

with a great deal more difficulty than

the

Japanese were able to do. The reason is, of course, that America is a bigger, more complex, more pluralistic, more diverse, whatever you want to call it, society than Japan. So it

longer out of whack with major trading partJapan, Canada and Western Europe. - question is, whether we can improve The our export picture faster than the domestic ners

consumption declines and thereby avert a recession as the Japanese have done. It's not yet clear whether that will be possible. The

very big, homogeneous market and it's fairly open, even though there are some restrictions. If it weren't, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan wouldn't be doing as well as they are doing. As long as the Americaneconomy stays strong, it is going to suck in a fairamountof imported products. Americans like the quality of Asian-made electronics, cheaper apparel and the quality of Japanese cars and so on. I don't see imports going down very much at this level ofcurrency ifthe economy stays relatively strong. What, I think, will have to happen is theAmerican economy will have to slow down and enter a recession, which it in-

evitably will anyway, before imports are really reduced substantially. But I think we will continue to make alotofprogressonthe

a disaster for the Democrats, be-

theHongKongdollar. But against the mark and the yen, I don't think there's a very good case anymore for the dollar to decline fur-

Ifthedollardeclines, it's going to cause more inflation in the United States, higher interest rates and a recession sooner and deeper than it would have otherwise octher.

curred...

BILL: Let me add a little bit abouttheTradeBill. It's not a perfect bill, THE TRADE

there are things in

that are protectionist,

sanctions against Toshiba. There are things that are purely domestic in nature, like notification of plant closings. But, by and large, this is not a protectionist trade bill. Now, if you just think back a couple months, the bill in Congress was much more starkly protectionist. It included the famous Gephardt amendment, which would have de-

takes us longer. But the transition is under

buy components for their products. In some

way.

cases, they manufactured completely offshore

American exports are up about 337o in the past twelve months. That's quite a dramatic jump. Anyone who says that the decline in the dollar hasn't done anything, is simply wrong. Exports have grown remarkably, and if you look at the latest figures, exports were up

and then imported them backintotheUnited States. But even those who manufactured their products in the United States bought a lot more of their components overseas. An coinponents that are

in the

again.

States.

Anotherhopeful sign aboutexports is that there is a tremendous revival of American manufacturing. Productivity growth has averaged about 4Vo a lear for the past fĂŹve years. The quality of American-made products is measurably better than it was. And, US wage rates in manufacturing industries are no

Reason two, the domestic economy is much stronger than anyone thought. So it's still sucking in products. Somebody once said about America, when talking about the trade situation: America's problem is that Americadoesn'thave anAmerica to export to. There's a lot of truth in that. America is a

preaching a very protectionist message. And I was really afraid, as were a lot of other people, that this message would play and Gephardt would do well and protectionism would really be very strong in this trade bill and in the country at large. Well, Gephardt won the caucuses in Iowa; but then he didn't win anywhere else. And the

IOMAY

1988

THE CORRESPONDENT

example, has 607o or 70Vo not made in the United

U.S.ELECTION: The last thing I want to say is just a little bit about the American election. The Republican side has been clear for some time. George Bush will be the nomi-

win. If that happens, it will really

notinanybody'sinterest for the dollar togo

will be a recession this year. the distinct minority. Most

IBM PC, for

UNTENABLE: To preventprotectionism from rearing its ugly head more than ithas, there's only one answer: The US trade deficit has to come down. It is an untenable situation for America to be in that position, with Japan, with Westem Europe, with some of the NICs out here.

can

for America, but foreverybody outhere. It's

think that there

American manufacturers went offshore to

bill.

thereare things in itthatshouldn'tbe in it, like

DON'T LETTHE DOLLAR SINK: The great danger in all this is the dollar. If people think that the trade deficit is not improving fast enough, traders will drive the value of the dollar down. Thatwill be very bad-notonly

They are in

reasons? One is thatwhen the dollar was very high,

tures of the

the

export side.

down much more, particularly against the yen. One could make an argument that the South Korean won will have to go up, the Taiwan dollar will have to go up and, perhaps, even

A PROBLEM AREA: The import side is a problem. That is why the overall trade deficit is not coming down faster. And what are the

billasare all of the worstprotectionistfea-

nee. About the Democratic side, the situation is this: Dukakis, Jessie Jackson and Albert Gore, none of those three will have enough delegates when the primary season ends in June. Under the rules, there are 645 super-delegates who will then casttheirvotes. These super-delegates are mostly elected officials - congressmen, senators, party officials and governors. If Dukakis is ahead of Jackson at that point, but doesn't have enough delegates to go over the top, the super-delegates will then simply vote for Dukakis, given the nomination he holds. If Jackson has more delegates at the end of the primary season, but not enough to clinch the nomination, then there's arealproblem because the super-delegates will then say, well Jackson is ahead fair and square,heentered all the races, hedid well, we have to give it to him. They will then, in effect, feel that they are conceding the election to GeorgeBush. Or they say, we're not going to give it to him even though he has more, he just can't win and the function of the party is to nominate somebody who

good news is that six months after the stock market crash the economy is a lot stronger than anybody thought. There are a handful of economists who

economists think the US will manage real GNP growth of around 2Eo 01 even 2.57o this year, which is the sixth year of economic expansion. That is not bad for a big, mature country likeAmerica. Inflation will be modest, around 4Vo, and unemployment is still coming down in the United States, to a 14year low, at about 5 .5Vo . Thaf's a pretty good performance.

Gephardt amendment is now out of the nade

finedany country thathad a trade surplus with the United States, and trade surplus in itself would have been evidence of unfair trade practice. Gephardt was runningfor president

Democratic primaries and was

itwouldkindofdestroy the soul of the party and would ruin them. You know, black America is an important constituency of the Democratic party. cause

Dukakis, who's relatively unknown has to show that he would be a better leader. So it's going to really depend on how they tum out as campaigners, how they do with the debate against one another and the public's perception, more than it will tum on ideological issues, even though there are obvious differences between the two of them.

QUESTION : Given what youknowandhave been finding out and what you, perhaps, expect for the rest of theyear, if wewere to have you as president in January 1989, what

would you like to see implemented to

save

the economy...to save the world?

SHEPARD: I think the worst scenario would be that theUnited States goes into a recession in 1989...andthere would be no remaining

think there's areal politicalprobI think it's going to take strong presidential leadershipjust as it did

lem.

when Reagan became president, he got through the big tax cut, he got through tax reform, he did arms control with the Soviet Union....

Which candidate, particularly Dukakis vs Bush, would you suggest would be better for Asian QUESTIONT

interests?

Bush's policies are more like Reagan's than Dukakis' will be. SHEPARD:

So if you thought Reagan was good, then you'd probably think that Bush will be more in your interests. fiscal policy tools to deal with the downturn. If it's not a serious downtum, no real problem. If it's aserious recession, thenwe'rereally

goingto bestuck.

lid

think youhave tojust

on federal spending

the

United States, including defence spending. You just have to tightenup. Therearealot

abled, not elderly, are getting federal money. Middle-class people are in one way or another subsidised through the tax system and Ithink we just have to end that. Yes, the middle class bears the brunt of the taxes. The tax rate, only 28Vo federal tax, is not that high for people who are making between 25,000 and 45,000 US dollars... if you'reasking an economic question, reduce domestic spending and middle-class subsi-

that happens, the election will be very close. The polls are fairly even between Bush and Dukakis. So I expect the election will be close. It will turn principally onpeople's perception of who is a better leader. Bush has a lot of experience, his problem is what in America they call the whip factor. He has to demonstrate that he is a leader. That's his main

negative image among the voters. And

QUESTION: As you said, the fact that neither of the main candidates who could become president afterReagan demonstrate muchin the way of strong leadership could suggest that itwon'tbe theWhite House but Congress which wouldhaveto face the hard decisions, implement the hard policies that are needed in the United States to bring the economy down, to preside over this decline in living standards. Do you think that Congress has the capacity to...

shof.

DUKAKIS vs JACKSON: My own feeling is that Dukakis will finish with more delegates than Jackson, and the super-delegates will simplysay, okay, you'vegotit; andit won't be

really do.

SHEPARD: If you think that theAmerican Congress is going to preside over the restructuring of theAmerican economy you should go out and sell dollars

keep the

mess.

dies that are really not justified in terms of poor people. I think we could do more to cut the defence budget. Thethirdthingl'dlook at would be a tax increase; not on income tax, but on energy tax, a consumption tax of some sort, if it appeared we needed to do that in order to get the deficit down toa reasonable level. There are no miracles. IthinkAmerica is infor a decline in the standard of living. I

middle-class entitlements in the United States. People who are not poor, not dis-

Now, think about that for a minute, if you think Reagan was good. Now, Reagan was good from the Asian point of view, in that he was very much a free trader. And, he obligingly let the dollar go way up. So that seems very good from your pointof view. Butlwouldremind you that it was under President Reagan, who came in promising to balance the budget, that we ended up with the biggest budget deficit, biggest build-up of debt, and biggest trade

deficit in

our

history. Andifyoubelievein

Asia,as Ithink youdo,those areveryserious problems in theUnited States. Soyouhave to wonder whether PresidentReagan was really

in your best interests

and therefore have to wonder if George Bush is really in yourbest interests. It's tricky.

MAY 1988 THE CORRESPONDENT 1I

CLUB NEV/S Six on Ice ftDaddÂĄ why was it called Sex On lce?" the inquisitive offspring of an FCC member inquired upon seeing the brochure for the club's annual

all-you-can-drink-for-theentrance-fee bash.

"Sex is sort of Latin for

six, and the club has sPent six years in Dairy Farm's old ice storage,t'he was heard to

reply. How simple! The merriment on that fun-packed night started earlY and went on until the small hours ofthe following day. The music, like the food, went down very well, with particular acclaim for a talented steel-drum player, who could produce

heartwarming smoochy numbers on a device that looked more suitable for carrying half-a-hundredwgight of crude. Special mention must be made of certain ladies, who had clearly decided to dress to thrill. Young, Asian, and eyecatching, they turned more than a few heads. Photosi Ray Cranbourne

Âżt.

.-1 t.- 1

12 MAY 1988 THE CORRESPONDENT

MAY

1988

THE CORRESPONDENT 13

READERSHIP SURVEY

'J"t

set, elite, spendthrift

4. Approx¡mately how many nlghts have you spent

None 6% 1-7 13/"8-14 29% 30 - 59 24% 60 or more 1%

and vice-riddent

BERTON WOODWARD

elled Scotch and wine drinkers that seems of Tl¡¿ to describe us. Theresults Correspondent's survey of FCC members show that we also like gin, beer and art, we are heavily into computers, but we don't play that much sport (tennis when we do). What we like doing most, it seems, is getting around Asia. Well, maybe notmost- one wag insisted on writing under "other" in the after-hours play column: "Bedminton (mixed singles)". The survey was mailed out to our 1,430 active members in February, and generated a stunningly successful 4l7o response rate-592 atlastcount. The sur-

vey

was

collaboration of

Asiaweek Limited's Advertising

Research Department (thank you, Irene Chang and Bob Klaverkamp), myself as the responsible board member and FCC member Chris Minter of Executive Surveys Ltd. With his expert knowledge both of the club and survey technique, Chris gave it professional focus and authority. The survey will now be used by The Correspondent's ad sales team to show potential advenis-

covering letteç "the most elite, welltravelled, spendthrift, vice-ridden group of people in Hong ers that we are, as I said in my

Kong that money can buy".

HIGH INCOME: Through this document, for instance, we leam tha¡ 23Vo of our members expect to eam more than HK$l million this year. Well over half -64Vo than they'll make more -reckon $500,000. Some 64Vo use a car a¡d 25Vo have access to a boat. They are high on the lists of Gold card users (Amex and Visa), and they eat out

lot-

only

6Vo

1988

themselves as male and l3Vo female, leaving llEo appare¡tly sexless.

JET SET: It is a very mobile group. Fully TlVolive in rented accommodation. Some 407o have moved internationally at least once in the past five years. Nine members actually changed countries four or more times in

9%15-29

like photocopiers, fax machines

al\9%o,rum,rye and bourbon the

and personal computers. Some 527o also choose intemational air

least favoured, Scotch and gin are

courier services, which seems natural given members' wideranging business travel. At home they are on the leading edge in leisure: half have already been

turned on to the audio wonders compact disc players.

the spirits of choice, and I salute

members' taste

selves. Wine is the obvious leader

in making im-

edging North America at 537o. We also like to fly in style- 60ûlr or more prefer Business or First

17"

None

19"/"

'11 - 20

Japan & Korea

14/"

21 or more

Australia/NZPacific Rest of the World

9o/"

China

Other Asia USA'/Canada Britain

Other Europe

30/"

10/o 0.5%

15% 8-14

Mastercard Others

20/"

21% 15 -

flighrs rastins -y^:t! in -a. on *'rä"eiÀ-rJz-'

On flights lasting hrs or more?

Blended Scotch Whisky Canadian or US Whisky French cognac - XOgrade43% - VSOP grade 40z

- 3stargrade6%

94% Western

40% Japanese

42%

Car (including corporate use)

640/"

Boat (including corporate use)

250/0

38/" Squash 27o/o Golf 8% Jogging 29% Sailing 8/o Water skiing 15% Snow skiing

34o/"

A private pension or'provident fund

34/"

32/"

Rum

Life insurance

68o/o

58/"

Vodka Wine Local beer lmported beer

89% 79/o

76%

23% 27% 19/"

...

A private (non-company) medical plan

In the past five years, how many t¡mes have you moved ...

lnternation ally:

49%

12/"

4/o

17%

23V"

None

1o/o 4 or more

34% None 7"/o 3

29V"

4 or more

PERSONAL INFORMÂTION

21 -30

1. Do you own or rent the home you are now l¡ving ¡n?

3. Which culsines do you regularly eat in restaurants?

68o/"

Non-SLR

Gin

50% 5- 10

SLB

64V"

hotels?

16/" 1-4 25/" 11 - 20

Camera:

Do you play/partic¡pate ln ...

3. Do you have

How many naghts a month do you eat ¡n local restaurants and

Own 31%

Chinese 45% Thai 50% lndian 25% Other Asian 91%

Renl

71o/o

2. What do you expect your household income to

be this year from all sources (including hous¡ng and other allowances) ¡n

HK$? OFFICE EOUIPMENT

5% Under $100,000 5/" $100,000 - 200,000 6% $200,001 - 300,000

Are you involved ¡n rental, purchase or usage dec¡s¡ons (personal or corporate) lor the following?

yes

Telex

55%

Telephone and PABX

systems

Class

51"/"

44%

Photocopiers

59%

11o/o

50%

Poftabletelephones

25o/o

34%

Telephone answering

EconomY

Badminton

Other brandy

First Class go/"

Business

75% Compact disc player 51% Audio tape player 72% Art or antiques 72L

Tennis

2',1

4o/" Ovet 45

31 - 45

Malt whisky

1'Á

3. When you travel by air which class do you normally travel ...

nvolved

71% No

yes

player

Record

ln Hong Kong:

29% 6- 10

40%

4-5 Gormore 1 2 3 23V" 9'/" 6Y" 7o/" 6o/" 21"/" 14Y" 8'/" 5% 6Y" 16% 17o/o 12% 13% 26/" 28/o 18% 4e/o 2'/" 1o/" 31% 18% 6% 3% 1"/" 25% 9% 4% 2% 0.6% 20% 8% 3V. 1% 2%

wife)."

THE CORRESPONDENT

-5

14o/o

¡n the last 12 months?

Kong in the past year.

communl-

Club

a -..

VideocassetterecorderSlTo

Visa

How many days holiday leave outside Hong Kong have you taken in the past 12 months?

48% 66% 31% 50%

2. How frequently have you visited each of these areas, by air, Number of visits

cations and data processing equipment: 59vo-6arib in itemi

54h 24V"

1. Do you own

Windsurfing

1. Approximately how many trips by air have you made in the last 12 months? Count round trips only.

977o anyway

Diners

Visa Gold Premium

rette brands, but it should help its chances with life insurers.

ABOUT YOUR TRAVEL

has taken leave outside Hong This leads to some remarkable annual hotel usage figures. Fully 24Vo ticked the highest number offered: 60 nights in hotels in the past year. Members also do a lot of booking for other people. This was supposed to refer to friends and business associates, but one respondent scrawled: "I refuse to answer on the grounds that it may incfiminate me (in the eyes of my

23/"

4O/"

12% 1 -7 25% 21 -30

harder for the ad

sales team to recruit certain ciga-

Response Rate: 41%

Class to Economy. And of course

everybody

47o/"

American Express Gold Card American Express Green Card

Bar on a Friday night, is that only 24%o of respondents smoke. That

READERSHIP SURVEY

once, ditto China. As you can see

26/" Yes

type?

AFTER HOUBS

12% 60 or more

42%

THE CORRESPONDENT

Japan or South Korea at least

76% No

Yes

Do you own any clgarette lighters bes¡des the disposable

-'14

1. Do you ever serve o¡ drink ,..

Asia at least once in the past year; 26Vo wen| six times or more. In addition, just over half visited

and Europe. Britain leads with a total of 59Vo going at least once.

8% 30-59

6- Which, if any, of the following credit cards do you use?

surprising, perhaps, given the thickness of the air in the Main

13%

WINING AIID DINING

Some 847o visited tropical

also big flyers to North America

ported beer almost as popular as the local variety. What is more

may make FAVOURITE TIPPLE: As for vices, the figures speak for them-

travel.

from the tables, members were

14% 1 -7

41% None

that period. And they like to

dine

out less than five nights a month. There is a fairly even distribution

14MAY

and 44. Respondents answered anonymously ; 7 6Vo identified,

24Y"

1. Doyousmokecigarenes2

26"/" 15 - 29

for someone else in the last 12 months?

EALIHY well-trav-

CIGARETTES

5. Approx¡mately how many nights have you booked in hotels

Survey finds more than 607o of FCC members travel First or Business Class, 64Vohave annual incomes exceeding 23Vo of them earning more than $ 1 million. $500,000 of ages, but the biggest group is between -35 totalling 477o

¡n hotels ¡n

the last 12 months?

59/"

Facsimile transmission 64%

machines

27%

YeS

Electronic typewrilers or

wordprocessors

58%

Personal computers

64%

PC sottware

52o/"

Minicomputers (value over US$'10,000)

23%

Electronic mail systems Air foruvarding and freight lnternat¡onal courier services

19o/o

37o/"

52V"

8o/"

9/o $600,001 - 700,000 9% $700,001 - 800,000 7% $800,001 - 900,000 7% $900,001 - 1 million

$300,001 - 400,000

10 9/o

$400,001 - 500,000 $500,001 - 600,000

3. Your

sex:

76%

23/" Over

Male

13%

1 million

Female

4. Your age:

0.5% 20-24

O.5"/"

35 - 39 50 - 54

11%

22/"

12"/"

25/"

25 - 29 40 - 44 55 or over

13% 30 -34

13% 45-49

MAY 1988 THE CORRESPONDENT 15

SPECIAL REPORT MARKFALLANDER

On the road to Mandalay F you would like to witness life on the main street in Burma, then catch a steamer from Mandalay to Rangoon along the great lrrawaddy. The Irrawaddy is the main trunk route of the country and life abounds on and around it. A young rickshaw driver promised to wake me before 4 a.m. and get me to the departure point. He did - but not in his rickshaw. He and his uncle transported me in style in a vintage early '50s Austin. I only wish the l8-hour feny triP had been as comfortable as the old Austin was. The steamer was like a Star Feny - without paint - all the seating had been removed long ago so more people could be squeezed in. It growled off the pier at 5 a.m. and zig-zaggedits

way downstream, hooting its way through a haze caused by the early breakfast fires.

An improvised gângway for boarding the steamer at a water stât¡on.

In Mandalay, timber and bamboo rafting

used for easy access to the river. A young local has his morning bath in public.

ALLCREATURES GREATAND

SMALL: At the first stop, some 200 villagers boarded the already excessively overcrowded

steamer. Only Buddha knows where they put the two bullocks that came on with them, but I saw the animals get off somewhere between Mandalay and Nyaung-oo. They were pushed into the water with their master, closely followed by baskets of vegetables - not unusual aPParently, especially when the river is low in the dry season. If you can somehow get comfortable in the crush of live produce, people and bags of grain, sit up and let Burma pass you by...the morning familY ablutions, the workers floating teak logs down river, the colourful scenes of women draping freshly washed sarongs eueuingfor the water taxi near Rangoon on the Irrawaddy.

16 MAY 1988 THE CORRESPONDENT

Early morning in Mandalay, an old stairway leading down to the

Irrawaddy is used for daily ablutions for a group of young friends.

On the muddy banks of the Irrawaddy near Rangoon, boys play a type of marine

lootball.

MAY 1988 THE CORRESPONDENT 17

ECIA L REPORT

on the banks and the myriads various vessels plying the waters.

way, let's return

Strenuous activity and

The people make the tough

frantic job-swapping

journey worthwhile, and at such close quarters you cannot help but have fun. In one of the poorest countries in the world, the people, every single one of them, can manage a smile and exude a warmth that will touch your heart. Once a major exporter, of rice, Burma now barely manages to meet domestic needs. Most of the rice reserves, it seemed, were on our boat. If you are lucky, you will arrive in Pagan in the late evening on the first day and wake up

added vigour to publications Asia's booming travel trade specialising in the travel industry. And many changes have been witnessed on this front. happened in Hong A FUNNY thing fong', trauet "puUtiitring industry las'i A I lyearlMost

of the staffwent on joumeys. What's so odd about that? at least, not to They didn't come back their own chairs. Periodic shake-ups are common in all the

surrounded by four million

professions, particularly in Hong Kong after all, we are living in Jittery City in the

pagodas all of them squeezed into a 42-square mile area. It's Asia's best archeology scene. Then, if you still have the drive and the stamina, keep going to Rangoon. The trip takes longer than I 8 hours but with the help of your prayer beads and the Burmese you might finish up the journey resembling the smiling Buddha in the Shwedagon Pagoda.

period of the Great Cerebral Seepage. But the recent shake-up in the travel publishing industry is symptomatic of something else: the high levels of competition in a hardfought battle to win a share of what is strongly tipped to be the fastest-growing tourist market in the world. The casual observer might well imagine that Southeast Asia already had far too many travel magazines, with a rackful of journals boasting offices in Hong Kong or Singapore and bureaus and correspondents throughout the region. And names that quickly spring to mind are: Travel and Leisure, Business Trat'eller and China Pac'ific' Tra'r'eller. But even more dynamic than that is the booming market in travel-trade publications. These, unfortunately, have a tendency to call themselves by acronyms, making it very difficult for the outsider to differentiate between them. A broad outline is, indeed, necessary to really understand what is going on here, so we hereby present The Correspondent's Guide to Ac ronyms infheTravel Publishing Industry or should that be the CGATPI?

Marc Fallander,32, started his coreer in a

copyboy on his homelown newspa-

per, Melboume Herald ond, at the same

time, working weekends as

tainee

on a

photogro-

her at Sunday P re ss. I n the lol I owin g I 0 years, Fal lander worked wi ¡ h the national wee kly, Australim Post,

as well as wifå Sun News Pictorial and won the 1979 national award Jor sports photogrophers Another

national award, ¡he Austalian

rand P rix P ic ¡ure Aword, wos won 1986. In 1983, Fallander moved lo Adelaide where he spentfour years with the Adveíiser working mostly with its weekly colour magazine. During this period he tavelled extensively lo shoot p¡ctures in Tibel, China and other parts oî Asio. G

Fallsnder now lives in Hong Kong and is the pictorial editor of tr¡¿ Hongkong Standard.

the recent shake-up in the

industry. (Incidentally, many of the players

VERY FRIENDLY PEOPLE:

journalism as

Right. Now we've got all that out of the

TRAVEL PUBLISHING

PE C A L R E P o R T

Top: Without proper water supplies, the Irrawaddy is still used for town water carried by bullocks. Above left: Even though she was working with the men' toting coal at the port of Rangoon, it was still easy to

find a smile. Above right: Looking her best for her customers at her

drinks stall in Mandalay. Lelt; Sneaking around the coal trucks by the wharf' a waifcollects Ieftover pieces ofcoal and drops them in his schoolbag.

THE GUIDE: To start with, there's theTTG, a glossy newspaper-format weekly which is the Asia edition of a global travel tradejournal. It is headquartered in Singapore, and has been around since the early 1970s. The initials stand f or Trav e I Trade G az e tt e. Its big rival is the TNA, which has a similar format, but comes out every two weeks and with headquarters in Hon! Kong. The initials

stand for Travelnews Asia. Ã few years younger than its competitor, INA has a slightly breezier feel and is making long strides in taking a share of the advertising dollar. Some think of it as a battle of the tabloids,

are members of the FCC.)

MUSICAL CHAIRS: The catalyst for the recent game of musical chairs seems to have been the decision by Singapore-based publisher Guy Goh to move the head office of Business Traveller and its sister publication AsiaTravelTrade from their Wanchai base in Hong Kong to Middle Road in Singapore. Goh's action made many on the staff unhappy.

And a number of them, including editorial director Munay Bailey (considered the Mr but in fact the fight is broader than that, because the monthlies are after the same adver-

tising dollar.

Until recently there was another confender,calledTravel Agent (orTA), which was based in the New Territories. It folded last year.

Still with me? Now we come to the,47T. monthly, full-colour magazine produced in Singapore. The full name is Asia Travel Trade. It was relaunched last month, and now appears in a fatter, slicker package. We mustn't forgetthe PTN, which is also a monthly full-colour magazine. Launched last year, it is based in Hong Kong. And, here we have a remarkable example of an acronym standing for an acronym: the full name is PAZI Travel News. There is no hint in the magazine itself as to what PAIA stands for, but those in the know will explain that it means Pacific Area Travel Association. Not finished yet. The only Chinese-language effort is a monthly m agazine called Lui Ya u Yi p,sister publicati on fo Trav e Inews A sia. The most recent addition to the market is Travel Business Analyst, which, thank God, appears to eschew the alternative name TBA. This is physically the most lightweight of the bunch, with about eight pages of text presented in a financial newsletter format. But in another sense it is the most heavyweight, concentrating on hard facts and figures, presented without embellishment. The price, too, is heavy. Subscribers pay US$240 for the first year, and US$75 after that if they keep to the same address. The other travel trade publications have controlled circulations. Steve Shellum, deputy edi¡or of Travelnews Asia, says: "There's a clear difference between consumer travel magazines and those for the trade. For instance, you couldjump on a plane with a copy of Business Traveller under your arm and expect to find out about good deals in hotels and airfares. But the trade press, such as TNA, will give you hard business news: about travel markets, reservation which is

systems, new hotels, occupancy levels, trends. Our job is to make sure every one in the trade knows what everyone else is doing."

Travel Publishing of Hong Kong), refused to be relocated in Singapore. This, then, raised the obvious question:What, in fact, made Goh decide that Singapore is a better publishing base than Hong Kong?

Whatever the reason, Bailey remains in Hong Kong and continues to hold the title 'editor-in-chief'. He has also launched a separate publication

of his own,

newsletter-style Travel

Analyst. The joumalist Juan T.

the

B us ine s s

well-known Filipino

Gatbonton, has, meanwhile, moved from Manila to Singapore and taken the reins as editor of Brsiness Traveller. About his new venture, Bailey says his feeling is that there is a segment of the industry which needs specific data - not descriptive material, but facts and figures. Travel Business Analyst, he explains, is more fact-driven than other publications. "We actually operate a statistical database company, and the newsletter is just one of the outputs. We pick up a lot of information while doing that, and put it in the newsletter, he says. Travel Business Ana/)s/' subscribers, according to Bailey, are a small circle of travel industry leaders and investors. The moving of BusinessTraveller andAsia

Trayel Trade ftom Hong Ko¡rg to Singapore also coincided with a decisión by TNA editor

Vijay Vergese to switch to daily joumalism. He moved to the Hongkong Standard. Then, with enormous poetic justice, K. Gopinath who not too long ago had made his third reincamation in fhe Hongkong Standard this - and time as business editor left it again - trade. He became joined the travel publishing Business Traveller's regional editor based in Hong Kong. To complete the round of musical chairs, Business Trayeller'i managing editor, Steve Shellum, moved over to fNA to become deputy editor under Nick Britton. TNAalso found a new publisher - Far East Trade Press, publisher of Asiar Business. Jonathon Conquest, the former editor of TNA's rival TTG, denided to go to Singapore and work for Guy Goh but not for Basi¿ess Traveller. He became -editor of AZT, or Asia Travel Trade. And, Simon Halley, former

MAY 1988 THE CORRESPONDENT 19

r. SPECIAL

SPECIAL REPORT

EPORT

publisher of TNA who decided to branch out on his own and set up fheTravel Agenf in the New Territories, learned a hard lesson. Publishing even in the ceaselessly thriving travel scene is a tough business. His bi-lingual magazine folded last year and Halley is now pursuing publishing ventures overseas.

æ Japan

partic ularly likes it, pick-

ing up

Phew! Travel and Leisure had launched an Asia edition of its international travel magazine in 1985. Steve Knipp, formerly of Hongkong Tatler, was asked to head up the operation a year ago.

Even with ad rates which are considered high for the region,Travel and Leisure seems to have been a success, with an audited circulation of I10,000 in Asia.

JANE RAM

al-

most 34,000

coples.

Hong Kong

readers get

Still there?

through almosr 20,000

Package tours

Times have

copres.

Steve

drew up al the gates of the comS the coach

Knipp is not surprised at the way travel publishing thrives here. "This ls the most exciting place in the world for travel - it is rich with opportunities," he says.

Knipp's hardest

job is to find writers of

quality high enough to satisfy his New York

of travel writing here are not good," he points out, "but we are working to improve that. We insist on our wrlters coming back with hard facts, not jusr overseers. "Standards

colour."

Derek Maitland, who seems to have

Essential

mune a loud voice

drawled out, "Now back in Texas this is what we would call

a ranch." Arthur was actually speaking for the benefit of the guide, but the remaining 25 of us groaned inwardly as we realised we were stuck with this wouldbe humorist for the next week. Those were the heady, earli-

est post-Cultural Revolution days of tourism in China when it

was virtually impossible to travel indivldually. Faced with the choice ofgoing either as part

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understood the meaning of the expression "delayed shock" most of the group could barely stand up when the plane finally landed at Guilin airport and we were asked to disembark. There was no time to mur-

tel, pausing at interesting vil-

where Nero used to feed his lions.

lages for a few hours' excursion,

Come to think of it there was a strange sort of roaring in the air. As my eyes adjusted fo the gloom, thousands of Japanese men came into focus. Dressed in identical maroon yukatas, lhey were seated at tables along each

but otherwise continuing

its

hypnotic progress between the

rlver banks. What luxury

I reflected as my friends led the way to a ringside seat in what seemed to be a huge outdoor sta-

The bus is over there! Run!" This set the pattern for the next few days. Times have changed and, while it is never what could be called easy, individual rravel has become increasingly commonplace in China. The lone lraveller is still something of an oddity and the questions are predict-

complement of 66 passengers,

seemed to move in unison as they

the lounges and observation areas never feel full. The dining room has space for everyone to eat at one sitting. Most travel-

cooked their selection from the beautifully arranged array of in-

lers in China complain of the lack of entertainment and the paucity of things to do in the

hundreds

lowed by, "Why are you travelling alone?" Not sure quite how

able whether ln the wilds of

Hainan

or in darkest Xian.

group?" comes

to explain about individuality and other such concepts, I change the subject as fast as

can.

CAAC plane circling for over an

seat-belts were broken or missing). That was the first time I

dium, something like the place

should ensure an early finish. No one had mentioned entertainment,

Cabins have outside picture windows and even with the full

breakfast cream cakes as well as

grimly to the armrests (most

changed. This five-day joumey on board the M.S. Bashan from Yichang to Chongging, was several notches above anything I had previously experienced. The boat acts as floating ho-

guide, Mr Ho, was already barking, "You are late! Huny up!

the first inquiry, closely fol-

hour trying to find a way through the cloud, passengers bumping about like ping-pong balls because ofthe turbulence, clinging

b.30 starting time, which

mur ouf gratitude for simply alive. The CTS local

had put mayonnaise on our

rhe

the

being

"Vy'he¡e's your

frightening flight, wirh

certainly

to have constantly changing scenery, without needing to pack and unpack all the time!

of a China Travel Service (CTS) group or not going at all, I opted for the former. Both sides were very much feeling their way. Some guides cossetted us like indulgent parents, checking that the kitchen

on the chilled fried duck eggs. Others treated us nlore like reluctant PLA conscripts. It had been a particularly

cepted without hesitation, glad

Yangtzi River cruise.

A FLOATING HOTEL:

TEN

years later, almost to the day, I found myself part of another package tour in China, albeit on a rather different level. This was

last November when

vited to join a

was in-

Lindblad

evenings. The Bashan's bar and the dance floor (not forgetting

the travelling musician) plus the swimming pool, library/ lecture theatre/cinema certainly help keep boredom at bay.

KYUSHU: A far cry from the exclusivity of the Yangtzi cruise was the package tour I saw at close quarters only a month ago. It was in the land of group travel par excellence Japan specifically on Kyushu, that lovely island of dark-chocolate earth and lush semi-tropical greenery,

of the amphltheatre. Chopsticks poised elegantly, they

level

gredients in front of each diner.

(The roaring was the sound of ifnot thousands ofLPG

bumers.) Copious quantities ofbeer and sake were disappearing fast, but it

was all very restrained and subdued, quite the place for maiden aunts, I thought until all the - for a lesson in men surged forward hula dancing from the lissom Hawaiians who had been giving a demonstration session on the vast stage in the centre of the arena. Kinder to draw a veil over what followed as these middle-aged

salarymen rushed lemming-like to their collective doom. Kipling certainly got it right with that line, "He travels the fastest who travels alone."

mysterious volcanic mountain chains and jagged coastline. The invitation was for a special barbecue dinner and I ac-

lone Ran is afreelont e writer who in Hong Kong for 25 years

ltos

liv'ed

PEro Travel P&OTravelLtd

7 4th Floor, International Building, 141 Des Voeux Road, Celtral, Hong Kong Telephone:5-+3387S

Please scnd me a copy of the 1988/1989

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INSIGHT HOLIDAYS brochure.

z fr.l

(-)

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20 MAY 1988 THE CORRESPONDENT

Pacific market is more established."

But a good year for the industry does not necessarily mean a good year for the travel publishing trade. Murray Bailey has a pet theory about that. He says: "If a hotel is getling7jqo occupancy,

seen that the two ideas have been combined in

AN EXCITING FUTURE: So what sort of future does the industry face? An exciting, if uncertain one. Industry watchers will be taking a close fook af AsiaTrayelTrade and Business Traveller, both of which are undergoing major changes. On the consumer side, the China Pacific Traveller is attracting a lot of

a new publication called the China Pacific

interest.

of starting a sister publication to be called the

Pacific Traveller. But sharp-eyed media-watchers will have

Traveller.

"It

worked in every corner of the media, from television to publishing, launched fhe China TravellerinFebruary last year, also aiming for high quality of writing and photography. He spent many months researching thepossibility

Telephone

has been the best move we ever made,"

Maitland. "We needed to loosen up from the constraints of the China market. The says

A BOOM YEAR: Early

f,rgures show that 988 is going to be another boom year in the region's travel industry. I

it will advertise. Over 80Vo, it feels it does not need to. Under 70Vo anditargtes that it cannot

afford it.

"If you think about it, some airlines'biggest problem is finding enough seats for the people who want to fly them. They should be slowing down advertising." A provocative thought for anyone who makes his living through publishing.

MAY 1988 THE CORRESPONDENT

SPECIAL REPORT The safe diet that can help you lose lG20 lbs in just 28 da¡,s. For the name of ¡our independent counsellors, please Þ1. 3-7242æ6

PEOPLE PAUL Smurthwaite, who bade farewell

Sole Distributor:

Houston Crest Co., Ltd. Tel: 5-8332080

.:me

MIKE SMITH

feminity slipping inro rhe sear

Df,ø:

next to mine. Her body wetly reflecting the pulsating srrobe lighrs ofthe Pink PantherBar, one ofPat Pong's more upmarket go-go es-

We are in Central at

"The Centre that Ca¡es" 2407, 24/Ê, New World 'lbwer, 16-18 Quemb tuod Cmtral.

tablishments.

Tel: 5-233686

Ofiìce Houn: 9:00 am 6:00 pm (Mon-Fri) 9:00 am l:00 pm (Sat)

Intemrpting my note-making,

reply firmly, "Ok.... But no

talk." She seems at a loss to know how to react. Experience has not yet taught her how to make prog-

:-thß -

ca¡ü"üle

ress from such a response. She keeps quiet. I resume note-making, writing some ideas onto the back of postcards I'd taken earlier from the Sugar ShackBar down the road. I don't know whether I'll ever be able to decipher these notes - what

Df,d: In Causeway Bay our in-house Chinese Doctor gives free help and advice. 1205, Eost fu¡nl Cente, 555 Hmnessg Road, Causewag Bog, Hong Kong. (Sogo Depl. Slore BIdg.,)

with the combined effect of bar

Tel: 5-8330092

darkness, hurried scribbling, in-

Olìce Hours: 9:00 am - 6:00 pn (Mon-Fr¡)

vented shorthand and Kloster

9:00 am

l:00 pm

beers.

(Sat)

Kloster, to my mind, is the finest beer in Asia - light, crisp

^:-ûhe "'hî, In Kowloon

and tasty. But it can only be drunk

very cold.

reach for another draft of ice-cold beer, for inspirational purposes.

we are at:

"Where you come from?" she inquires. I was expecting it, but not so

617 Oceon Centre, Harbour Citg,

Conton Rood, Tlimshaßui Where you will meet Eunice, she lost over 95 lbs in only 5 months Why not look her up and fìnd out how she did it by talking to her

soon. Without turning I

CarnDrüIte Df,ø. In Tbimshatsui East we are at: Hotlston Centte, Shop LC 43-45 (81), 63, Modg Rood, Tlimshoßuì Eost, Koulun. (Facing lhe Thai Shopl

Tel: 3-682006 Oflìce Hours: 9:00 am 6:00 pm (Mon-Fri) 9:00 am l:00 pm (Sat)

continue to write notes. They say that writers hate writing, but love having written. Well, here I am actually writing and enjoying I

Tel: 3-668148

,:the

say

"Hong Kong". Quiet again.

Ruby.

Ofìce Hours: 9:00 am pm (Mon-Fri) - 6:00 9:00 am - l:00 pm (Sat)

it. It probably helps that stunningly lovely girls are all over the place, bodies gyrating to disco music blasted through Bose speakers. I don't mind writing at all. It's fun. Well ... maybe this isn't really writing; perhaps, just note-making as the ideas roll by. On the other hand, ideas are the creative part, the art. The writing is just craft. The Klosters, music and girls

act as muses and give me impression

of being frantically

creative. The ideas are coming so

I can't write them down quickly enough. I guess the 'work'part will come later, along a

blank sheet of paper.

am socn intemrpted by a loud blast of Thai from a girl sitting nearby at the Chinese piano (otherwise known

as a cash

regis-

"You no Chinese. You stay Hong Kong. Where you come

ler). In a high-pitched tone, like

from?" I say, "Me England. Hong Kong belong England. Hong Kong belong me."

addressing a girl at the other end of the bar, about 20 feet away.

She appears confused by the simple logic. Quiet once more.

moving their bodies to the beat of the music. Thai women are the

Hong Kong, screamed Cantonese is often employed along similar

occasional westem female tourist who comes into a bar with husband in tow to gawk. They have the elegance of the Chinese, the fullness of the European and the enthusiasm of the Filipina. It's

surprising that the schoolgirls

you see around Bangkok, with their old fashioned blue uniforms

are dumpy and plain-looking, quite unattractive. They must develop in a way quite different from western women. "My name Porn, what your name?" Funny thing about Thai girls' names is that they are all monosyllabic -- Da, On, Nok, Ut, Pom, Deng. Perhaps this is to balance theirfamily names, which usually have a dozen syllables. "My name Khun Smith" I say, using the formal 'Khun', or

'Mister'.

Porn looks thoughtful. "Khun you speak Thai?" She

asks.

"Nit-noy",

I reply,

which

means 'little'.

Except for the names of fa-

vourite dishes, like .tom yam koon', 'nit-noy' is my total knowledge of the Thai language. Even as these words are being spoken I realise my error. Porn starts a long Thai monologue. I go back to note-making, but

of it.

Thai is perhaps the world's only language in which a conversation can be maintained across a crowded bar, over noisy chatter and with throbbing disco music blasting away at 200 watts. In

most physically beautiful in the world, and they put to shame the

It is clearly going to be a tricky mission _ but with rhe Hong Kong office now handling a major portion of Reuter's worldwide work_ load, he has been well prepared for it. He has been in Hong Kong for fbur years, and admits that he isn't among those who pass through and become instantly enamoured

controlled melodic scream, she is

Amazingly beautiful girls are

Smeet

for

international news bureau.

fast with

Reuter's in Hong Kong for a tough assign_ ment: to cover the Seoul Olympics for the

Pat Pong Porn "OK I sit here?" Turning on my bar stool, I take in a vision ofThai

cðinþilQe

the club recently, is a man with a nlission He is abandoning his chair as chief sub

lines, but more usually with captive silent audience, such

Fairman (inset) shooting the prize-winning film in Tibet THE superlative work of FCC member and

NBC cameraman Garry Fairman has re-

a as

inside a crowded elevator. "You buy me drink?"

"Tomorrow," I shoot back. I've never tried writing in go-go bar before.

cently been recognised with not one, but two national cinematography awards from the US. One award was for a difficult three-part film report on Tibet, which Fairman made last

has won yet an-

year.

from tourism spe-

Tibet, of course, has been a sensitive area a

suppose the

girls have not seen many people do it either. They are respectfully

curious. Perhaps they imagine that they are in the presence of some aspiring novelist or maybe a

great reporter. Either way, they must think: here is a person with culture, notjust one ofthose usual tourists interested only in bodies. Innocent creatures. Just about anyone can write. The trick, of course, is to do it. I'll have to do it in go-go bars more

often. It's cheaper than drinking and more impressive than talking.

In front of me now, I've got five "Sugar Shack" postcards full of scribbled notes. I guess these should convert into enough words to fill apageof The Coruespondent, especially when padded with a nice photo of Porn which I'll take once she starts dancing.

"Why tomorrow? Why not today?" Pom queries.

I gesture generously, and add another cold Kloster.

"Most of the people who know me know that I'm not exactly in love with Hong Kong," he says. "But in that respecr, the FCC has bein an enormously important lifeline for me. I have made a number of good friends in the club," he adds. Smurthwaite has been on the club's gov_ erning board for two of his years here, and performed sterling work in improving the quality ofthe club's board offare as chairman

of the food-and-beverage committee.

UK-born Smurthwaite jetted out ro Seoul to settle in alongside the staff of the Reuter bureau already there. He will be setting. up contacts for the games which begin in October.

)EOP P1 $em#ßffi üMMÌHffio AGOYERNMENT YAN \"/IIH

A LASER.POUERID UNLICENSI

CIIAR-SIU-BAU oflecron iS CRUISING THE SIRTíS.. THERE MU:T BT HAWKERS

for the Chinese - more so, recently. And one section of the three-part feature, on the political situation, the NBC knew was risky. "We knew the authorities were ready to chuck us out for the political section. So we broadcast that part last, just before we were due to leave anyway," Fairman confides. The second award was for spot-news coverage of the elections in South Korea, which

were not exactly free of little disturbances such as rioting. Fairman is no stranger to political unrest. The cameraman, who was born in eueensland, Australia, has lived as an NBC staff member in South Africa, Jordan and the Lebanon. He has been in Hong Kong a little more than a year. No wonder the FCC bar seems like a quiet place to him.

1988

THE coRRESPoNDENT

other award for his work in the region.

The

cialists

latest, Down

Under, is for his dedicated work as a "Veteran Scribe" in promoting tour-

ism in the Asia/ Pacific region.

BE SURE to buy a welcome drink for Hamish McDonald if you see him at the bar. And for the pretty lady with him, who is his wife Rose-

mary. McDonald is the latest member of the Far Eastern Economic Review team to settle into place in the magazine's head office. He joined the Reyiew four years ago to become the magazine's first Sydney conespondent. Before 1984, the news weekly re_

lied on stringers.

BETtço cAc€y

Ë)) I'VE GOTEOIV1E IN i'IYPOCKTr. ,RT SMEIL

AROUND THE CORNIR, A LONELY FIGURE APPROACHTS

V/A l

THERÊ'S A BLIPON THE RADAR

ll,rror,,,ll

GOVERNI4INT HOUSE

Míke Smith.a business e.recutit'e and lon¡1t i m r re s i de n t of H t' n F, K ¿ u g, i.ç u t t u.s.s, t i u t e nteuhcr oJ tlrc FCC

HÈY. YOU CHANGID THÉ MTNU.

DÉSERTÉD TEA-IIOUSE... YES StR.

HA\,/KER AT

,_22vIIv

SUPER-scribbler

Kevin Sinclair

-L.-t

il=

ALTED

\^iE sEE

ls DoGflÊ,r

THE I1 K. PA|LY BrN-LtNER...

SIUM

t/t'yt

G0Nt

RTOA NEU STSIEM

DIRÊCÏ SIItCTI

LBTTER FROM ADELAIDE

VERNON RAM

and diction, according

the

CLASSIFIED

Australian Broadcasting CorPo-

ration, is now too PommY for

Familiar faces Down Under Íß, Australian

Bicentennial is doing more than a spit-and-polishjob on the Okkerpsyche - it's bringing Hong Kongians out of the woodwork in

the home

of their adoPtion

away as leader writer and occasional arts reviewer of the Adelaide Advertiser.

Mention China Mail, a¡d there can't be a Sri Lankan in Hong Kong who has not heard of

domicile. On a recent visit to the Ade-

Jerry Pulle,

laide Arts Festival, there was something distinctly familiar

fastest gun in the business who could invent a page lead if the editor was stuck for one. Now into respectable middle-age with his Hong Kong-born Chinese wife, Jerry is a prosperous insurance salesman in Adelaide and,

about the hack who was moaning

about his tormented Posterior which had been subjected to an all-night sining in the open-air chalk quarry atAnstey Hill, scene

The Mahabharata, Peter

Brook's adaptation of the world's longest Indian epic poem.

Downing his Foster's which came to him assemblY-line stYle to make up for a night ofdehydration, the face behind the fuzz turned out to be that of Paul

Lloyd, onetime sub-editor of

the sportswriter who

spelt scoop with a dollar sign, the

more importantly, your winning ticket ifyou fancy an evening of music, dancing and Sri Lankan

cooking. All for

very good

porate Communications,

Flying into Melbourne

wife Moira Mortensen, formerly of Radio Hong Kong and presenter of a miscellany programme that succeeded "Pearl In neered by Ted Thomas in

Radio Hong Kong.

The latest arrivals in the South

Paul is haPPY

to be remembered as he beavers

his wife Felipa, formerly of

the

a previous incamation as the voice in

Another RTHK f,rgure in the process of relocating himself in Melboume after retirement from his permanent-and-pensionable post at Broadcast Drive is Ken Scott, martinet in charge of presentationswhosegravelly voice

But the 39-year-old journalist is well acquainted with moving around. After entering the profession in 1969 working for the Syd-

Susumu Awanohara, whose chair McDonald will be filling, and to Mike

ney Morning Herald, he worked as

year as

freelance in Jakarta from I 975 to I 978, wrir ing mainly for the Morning Herald and the Washington Post, and spending a lot of time flying off to little islands in the Pacific.

Hawaii.

He got deep into his subject, and took some time off in 1979 to write a book

route to Hong Kong, it was a real Eeat being geeted by Paul \ili|. liams, an old FCC member who ran the office here for the Intemational Wool Secretariat, and his

Adelaide's Sri Lankan Association.

Worsfolds: Owen, onetime chief sub-editor of the South China Morning Post, works as a subeditoron the Sunday Mail, while

Suharto's Indonesj¿ in 1980.

has

slipped into a PR-cum-advertising slot with PROM - the acronym for Pond, Rice, Ogilvy and Mather. Felipa sends her love to Ted Thomas, her last emPloYer in Hong Kong for whom she Professes high regard.

Your Hand", which was pio-

daddy of the entertainment-cum-

Mail.

Ogilvy and Mather and then Cor-

to becoming the chairman of

Australian capital are

funct China

is pressing on regardless.

reason because Jeny is onhis way

Roundup, great-great grand nightspot guide that came as a weekly giveaway of the now de-

Digger ears and tastes. But Scott

which was published

The one that left me sPeechless, of course, was novelist Jan Morris, star guest at the literary

THE BEST INDIAN

seminar that was organised

b1\cEj

alongside the Adelaide Festival. Though few will remember the contents of her speech, nearlY everybody read her outrage{ letteraoThe Austalian, in which she

complained about the festival's

One of the Chef's favourites at Café Adriatico. . .

EOOD

Lunch and Dinner Buftets

ooo

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* Turkana bus and air safaris.

Centr¿1,

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MEMBERSHIP CLUB

lack of taste in letting the Russian Circus use live animals in its per-

NEWSOME TRAVEL

formances. Lord Harewood,

INTERNATIONAL l, 5-274598

cousin ofthe Queen and the artis-

tic director of a truly outstanding festival, had earlier pre-empted just such a reaction when he said: "You can't please all the people all of the time, anymore than you can fool them." Fair dinkum even by Aussie standards. Vernon Rom, well known

lor

Tel: 5-27151

Travel Licence No. 240040

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Live and Let Live Go Vegetarian

his weekly

colunn, "Ringside Seot", in the Indian nationol daily Indian Express, moved to Ilong Kong in l9M to become the sports editor ol the Hongkong Standud ¿nd.rrásequently ¡rs leatilres editor. He later moved to t/¡¿ South China Moming Post where he was assistont editor and leader writer- Ram is now a freelarce arts edilor writing lor tåe Hongkong Standard ¿zd orher puhlicalions.

He also likes 'Moon River', 'Take FiVe' and many '30's to '50's jez" favourites. Our Trio plays nightly. Add to that oui Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine, tasteful ambience, courteous service and you will enjoy a unique dinner experience. Open for Happy Hour, dinner, late night drinks or just coffee. Every day of the week, until 2am.

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ccrncc'nclc! ilo ltEsTiltATt0ll ls T00 DltHcul 8/F, 8-10 On Lan Street, Central. 5-263391

Malik. Awonohara a

fellow

has gone to study for a of the EasrWest Centre in

Licence No

Malik, whose writings attracted a high particularly from degree of attention certain letter-writing -high officials in Singapore has gone to Sydney to fill the hole left- by McDonald. The reshuffle sees V.G. Kulkarni become deputy regional editor.

KASHM|R *-{fGuides, maps, fiction, posters, phrase books, cookbooks, gift books.

Awanohara

OpenTdaysaweek. 30 Holly.rvood Road, Mezzanine Floor, Central, Hong Kong Telephone: 5-232042, Telex: 61730 IFR HX, Fax: 5-8450142

AS McDonald moved in, Review's editorial

team at centre Point bade farewell to

These books can be purchased from

office: FACES OF JAPAN by Derek Maitland LAND OF HOpE by Bob Davies THE CHINA LOVERS by David Bonavia

the

Club

McDonald (extreme left), Kulkarni (left) and

$100.00

For your nexì holiday, relax on a hcuseboat on beâuLilul Lake Nâg¡n Exper¡ence the excitement of camp¡ng all inlormalion and booking call Glenys Gem Te¡: 5-8498059

and ponytrekking ìn the magnificenl Himalayas For

LOWIE DICK COMPANY T-shirts shons, tracksuits printed lo your own specilications Silkscreen Printing service

Sultan Wangnoo Houseboat Holidays

3 7245216/3-7221395 The following items can be purchased from the Club office:

ANTARCTIC FANTASy by Rebecca Lee

9160.00

cHtNA TODAY AND HER ANCIENT

inÈÀSUneS

$49.00

by Joan Lebold Cohen and Jerome Alan $400.00

$3o.oo

THE NEW CHINESE PAINTING, 1949-1986 by Joan Lebold Cohen $189.00

Cohen

T SHIRT white cotton/polyester, Club logo on front Small or $25.00 each $33.00 each

Medium Extra-Large

UMBRELLA 27" long; wooden handle; 100% nylon; Navy-Blue and White with Club logo on white background $35.00 each

Malik (above)

24MAY

1988

THE CORRESPONDENT

MAY

1988

THE CORRESPONDENT 25

The Swire Group

A BOTTLE OF

THE CORRDSPOIUIIDNT

CHIVAS REGAL

CROSSV/ORD

fß

V\btve arrived!

Compìled by Brian Neil @ 1988

CLUES ACROSS:

CLUES DOWN:

l. Aquality not exactly heavenly (15)

l. Inhabitants of NeverNever Land? (3,5,2,5)

9. Note found on slippery

2. Out

surface could be refresh-

tion? (5)

to rob an automa-

ing (5) 10. Tess Loses direction

and turns to establishment

3. Printers measure - expensive, but can cause to be loved (6)

(3-2)

4. Clock sounded right in I

l. Where to find a

to be duped (7)

Dunny Down Under (7)

5. Member of a group 12. Odd poem and lyre

with a string missing

that uses blotting paper (3,4)

makes starch (7)

6. No record, no Mixed buns found in cloth (4) 13.

energy?

(8)

7. 15. Future ensign

partially

Beam a note to give one dysentery (9)

returns to gibe (5) 17.

Bill

on car crash is

8. Pious ring daren't be rising to higher status (15)

capital (5) 20. Cannibal in part of island (4)

RULES

22.What a good belt does

14. What 22 should be to work properly (7,2) 16. The type to scofn embellishments (8)

(s,2) l.

18. Hinged carving (7)

Entries must be sent to: THE CORRESPONDENT CROSSWORD, Foreign Correspondents' Club, North Block, No.2 Lower Albert Road, Hong Kong.

23.Lob back one

2. Entries must reach the club not later than May 28.

way to this part of the world (7)

19. Gold plumb mixture gives food for thought (7)

25. Calculating reptile (5)

26. Annually misses a point and lacks 50 -- a Chinese bloomer! (5)

(6)

3. Entries must

carry the name, address and the club membership number of the

conteslant.

first correct solution drawn from the enlries received will be awarded a bottle of Chivas Regal. 4. The

5. The solution and the winner's name

will be published in The Correspondent the

following month.

2'7. One

orr the

l. I come from being clearer to even things up 24. Oliver dined with this composer (5)

thing from pot

emerges to greet you (15)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR All letters intended for publication must be sent to: The Editor The Correspondent 601, Fu House, 7 lce House House Street, Central, Hong Kong.

CROSSWORD NO.2:

CORRECT SOLUTION

Fax:5-8453556 Letters will be edited for clarity and space.

Cathay Pacific has been named 1987 'Airline of the Year' by Air Transport World, America's foremost aviation magazine.In 1988 we wili do everything we can to make sure that when you fly with us you will arrive in better shape.

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Arrive in better shape 26 rr¡n coRRESPoNDENT MAY

988

CATHAYPACIFI

of heathcr and mist, inspired by' purc, iey' burns and matured f'or a f ull tuel.,,e 1'ears ìn oak casks, Siotland's finest singìe malt uhisky is u'ithout equal. Created rn the land

Ca¡dhu Highland lvlaìt \\hisky from Johnnie \\'alker, Srrgularli' perfèa.

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