InZhuhai Summer '07

contents

INZHUHAI

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OFFICIAL GUIDE ENGLISH VERSION - SUMMER 2007 SUPPORTED BY THE ZHUHAI TOURISM BUREAU Adviser: Liu Zhaoxiu 顾问: 刘召秀 Organising Committee: Director: Xiong Xiong 编委会主任: 熊雄 Vice Director: Zhang Mingzhi 副主任: 张明智 Members: Liu Zhaoxiu Zhang Mingzhi Teng Wen, Todd Flanagan 委员: 刘召秀 张明智 藤文 陶德 Chief Editor: Xiong Xiong 主编: 熊雄 Executive Chief Editor: TengWen 执行主编: 腾文

10 Rude boy between the debutantes and the deep blue sea

04 Streetbeat taking it easy in the pearl of the sea

06 Hundred schools king kong zi

07 Four words under a tree, with your head in the clouds

English Proofreading: redSTAR 英文校对: 红星 Subsidised by: Zhuhai Xi Hua Educational Consultants Incorporation 承办: 珠海西华教育咨询有限公司 Sponsors: Zhuhai Tourism Association Zhuhai International School 协办: 珠海市旅游协会 珠海国际学校 Creative Team: Ian Burns, Eric Blocher, Rory Mitchell, Zoe Zheng, May Hao, Apple Tan, David Chen, Anna Zhang, Violette Suquet, Olivia Zhang, Jean-Jacques Verdun/Expat9.com Regular Contributors: M. Pietzsch, Wendy Choy, Timothy MacBain, Ken Henderson, Todd Flanagan, Nicholas Chan, Alberto Vettoretti All enquiries info@myredSTAR.com tel +86 532 8388-2269/8097-0521 fax +86 532 8097-0520

everything you need to know, and dim sum

12 Regulars class of your own * down to business * halls of learning

14 Reviews 15 Soapbox the cry of the audience, the call of the wild

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16 Face 18 Zhuhai directory 26 Down to business

INZHUHAI CITY GUIDE

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08 Duc haan yum cha

AUTUMN 2007

Fall 07

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Lu 20 Shuiwan and Environs

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streetbeat

JJ Pig - French If you had twelve hours to run around, where would you go? First I would wake up either in the Harbor View (if I were rich) or the Home Inn (more likely). I would proceed to the back streets of Coloane for some real Portuguese food, then on the way back maybe stop for a wee bet in the casino. A few hours left... A massage, then, and off to Cohiba or Red Bar.

streetbeat

Zhang Ming Zhi Tiger - Chinese

Sasha Tiger - Chinese

Violette Ox - France

Gallagher Pig - British

Zoe Rooster - China

If you had twelve hours to run around, where would you go? I’d hide out in the islands, away from it all. The natural beauty of Hebaodao is great, but you have to get there early. What spots offer the best comfort food? It depends on what makes you comfortable! I like wanzai in West Zhuhai. You can buy a fish and they cook it for free.

If you had twelve hours to run around, where would you go? Speedboat driving! I’ve never done it before, but it looks like a blast. What’s the best way to spend a summer evening in Zhuhai? Riding a bicycle on Lovers’ Boulevard at sunset for the most romantic views in town.

Maybe a stop at Shuiwan Lu, but only after the bikes have been safely put away!

What spots offer the best comfort food? I love the Belgian Beer Bar. It’s great that such a selection of fine beers is available in Zhuhai, and the food is really delicious. Of course, the pommes frites come with mayonnaise! What’s your favourite thing about Zhuhai’s summer nights? Watching the sunrise with a belly full of kao rou from one of the food corners.

If you had twelve hours to run around, where would you go? First things first with a dim sum brunch, then to the fake summer palace for a touch of culture right here in our own backyard!

Dinner at Mr. Pizza, then drinks at the Junk.

Let’s say you were passing the evening in polite company. Where would you go? Polite?

Rude. The atmosphere is incredible.

If you had twelve hours to run around, where would you go? Yuanmingxinyuan is cool, and it’s the only one of its kind in China. It’s great to have that kind of Chinese heritage here in Zhuhai. I’d go from there to the shopping centre at Gongbei. Where would you go for dinner? Well, I’d start with dim sum at Mayflower and still be too full.

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Xiao Dou Ox - Chinese

Adam Dog - Australian

Leslie Monkey - American

Ken Rabbit - British

What spots offer the best comfort food?

I take comfort in knowing that I can have shao mai every morning. What would make a perfect summer evening in Zhuhai? After fishing all day, I’d bring my catch to someone who could make it into a wonderful dinner.

Nothing could be more satisfying than eating self-caught fish in a gorgeous sunset.

If you had twelve hours to run around, where would you go? I’d spend some time with watersports - the jetskiing looks like a lot of fun, and there are these weird floating bikes near the Harbor View Hotel. The Lost City water park would be cool, too. What’s the best way to spend a summer evening in Zhuhai? Bar street? Rude? Walking between the two?

If you had twelve hours to run around, where would you go? I really want to eat at the floating restaurant (for the novelty!). Jet-skiing later if I’m not seasick, then tea at the Roman Seaside Cafe. After a walk on the beach I’d get some bubbling congee. How about the perfect summer evening? Anyone who hasn’t been to Rude yet should check it out.

If you had twelve hours to run around, where would you go? Start with the Breakfast of Champions - yum cha at 9am sharp. Then head for one of the islands (if I don’t miss the last ferry) and stay for as long as possible.

What’s the first thing you’d do on return to civilisation? I’d make it for a Sunday evening and go to Live Bar.

to make your order, send a message to: info@myredSTAR.com

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culture

culture

Hundred schools King kong zi

Gar Kerbel

Confucius (Kong zi)(551-479 BCE) was what you might call a ‘vagabond teacher’. Born in the State of Lu (the ancient precursor of Shandong), he lived during the rough-and-tumble Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BCE). The central government of the Zhou Dynasty (c.1122-256 BCE) had grown weak, and the outlook was bleak. If there existed such a thing as order, it was diminishing more rapidly than the Beijing hutongs are today.

Confucius was concerned less with the meaning of life and more with preserving and strengthening the existing social order. He calculated that maintaining social stability would involve observing strictly the behavioural rules of society.

These rules were interpreted as rites and rituals to govern every situation in life, and were brought together very broad term called li.

Li addresses the basic social relationships - between ruler and subject, father and son, husband and wife - imploring one side to be nurturing and protecting, and the other to be submissive and obedient. In addition, it contains

rules for rituals and ceremonies covering all aspects of life, from the birth of a son, to the death of a parent, to the worship of one’s ancestors.

愚公 yú gōng - idiot 移 yí - to move 山 shān - mountain

But this could only really work if people would fulfill their social roles with benevolence 仁(ren).

Benevolence could be called Confucius’s cardinal virtue. People must devote themselves selflessly to performing their social roles for the entire nation to function as a well-oiled machine.

‘An idiot moves a mountain ’

This line of thinking served the emperors quite well, for they were at the top with everyone subservient to them. History tells us that it was indeed effective in maintaining stability - from its beginnings as official state policy in the Western Han Dynasty (206 BCE-23 CE), Confucianism remained the cornerstone of China’s socio-political organization all the way until the Republican Revolution in 1911. Even today, Confucian ethics are a major part of social relationships in many parts of Asia. There is no question that he has played an inestimable role in shaping the personality of Chinese culture.

The mountains Taixing and Wangwu, both huge in stature and vast in area, were once located between Jizhou and Heyang. In the town of Beishan, situated opposite the two mountains, lived an idiot whose age approached ninety. The old man felt that the northern frontier of the two mountains was a great hindrance to travelers, who had to go all the way round before they could continue on their way.

Frustrated and vexed, he gathered his family and outlined a plan: “Let’s work together to get rid of this annoyance, and clear a way down south to Hanyin. This would be far more convenient for all concerned. What do you think?”

Most of the family agreed, all except the old man’s wife. She had grave doubts about the endeavour, and said to her husband: “You haven’t got the strength to move a pile of your own waste, let alone move one of those mountains.

And what are you going to do with the earth and stone you dig up anyway?”

The family replied that they would just dump it in the sea at Bohai. She remained unconvinced, but saw that they had made their minds up, and so left them to it. And so off they went, the old man, his son, his grandson, and set to work hacking at the mountains with their axes. They worked hard, and only returned home at the turn of the season.

A wise old man from a town downriver passed by, and laughed at the toiling men. “Wow, you guys are pretty dumb!” he said. “You’re so old and weak there’s no way you could even shave an inch from those mountains, let alone carve through all that stone and earth!” The old man replied: “Surely you’re the fool here?! Even when I die, my son will still be here. He has a son, who in turn will sire more children, and so our family will carry on for generations. Meanwhile, the mountain’s not going to get any bigger, is it? Who are you to say that we won’t complete this task?” The wise man didn’t have anything to say in reply.

While this went on, a passing god (who was flying through the region and chasing out serpents) overheard the conversation. When he returned to Heaven, he reported it to the Heavenly Emperor.

The Emperor was so impressed with the old man’s obstinance that he ordered the two sons of legendary strongman Kua E to move the mountains to the two farmost corners of the Earth. Thereafter, there was an unbroken pass directly from Jizhou to Heyang.

This story first appeared in the 列子(Liezi), a Daoist text that dates back to the 4th Century BC. The moral of the story is that anything can be accomplished by even the most foolish of people, so long as they persevere. Today, the chengyu is used to express the above sentiment, often with the aim of providing encouragement.

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culture

culture

Duc haan yum cha!

Dim sum, bright summer

Wendy Choy Photos © Eric Blocher

Although Yum Cha (饮茶) translates directly as ‘drinking tea’, the experience involves a lot more than this. It embodies the Chinese (or more specifically the Guangdong) style of socialising and is definitely a unique culinary experience.

where you order from servers pushing trolleys or parading through the restaurant with trays. Orders will always be recorded on a card, and each server has a different stamp that represents the price or the type of food served. Some trolleys are even equipped with gas stoves, allowing dishes to be made on the spot. To keep the food warm, most dishes are served immediately in their bamboo steamers.

A Practical Origin Originally a Cantonese tradition, Yum Cha evolved from teahouses that catered to weary travelers journeying along the Silk Road. Apart from tea, small snacks were also available that were ideal ‘fast food’ for travelers in great haste. Farmers were also known to visit these teahouses to wind down after a long day’s work.

The teahouses eventually evolved into the well-lit, spacious Cantonese restaurants we see nowadays.

During weekends, families and friends gather to eat, drink tea and catch up on local gossip in these restaurants. The relaxed setting also made them a popular venue for businessmen to meet or negotiate deals. In the past customers used to head straight into the restaurant to find seats, but to accommodate safety concerns and their huge popularity, customers are now given number cards and are expected to wait outside until their numbers are called through the microphone. It is therefore not a surprise to see a crowd of people congregating outside the restaurant, waiting to be seated.

Just as you wouldn’t treat your Grandpa to a snack at a coffeehouse for his 80th birthday, it is worth noting that yum cha remains a largely casual dining experience. You really can’t beat it for a quick bite, but dinner banquets should be arranged for formal gatherings or celebrations.

A regular Yum Cha session takes place in late morning or early afternoon, somewhat like taking a

leaves, pretty much like the rice dumplings one eats on the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节 duān wŭ jié). They are very filling so many restaurant now offer mini-Lo Mai Gai, which is roughly the size of a fist.

· Wu Gok 竽角 (yù jiăo): Looking suspiciously like

tiny bird’s nests, the brown mesh wrapping of Wu Goks are in fact fried taro shreds and roots.

Inside the soft crispy wrapping are fillings made from a mix of pork, dried shrimp and dried Chinese mushrooms.

The Dim Sum outing Aside from tea, which is drunk throughout the entire meal, the typical dim sum experience starts with steamed food, moving on to deep-fried foods and finally dessert.

brunch. However, most restaurants open as early as 5.30am to do the first round of business, catering to elderly people who come in for breakfast after their early morning Tai Chi exercise.

So sharpen your kuai zi skills and brace yourself for a multitude of delicacies that will warm your soul and make your stomach very, very happy.

Picking your heart’s desires While you are sipping your tea, keep an eye out for the dim sum. You will find very soon that Chinese cuisine is far from just ‘chopsuey’ or ‘chowmein’.

They come in such variety that you can’t feast them all in one sitting. Dim sum (点心), or diăn xīn in Putonghua, has an extended meaning of ‘touching/ordering to the heart’s desires’. Diăn

also means little, which also explains why dim sum dishes usually come in small portions, such as three or four dumplings in a bamboo steamer (蒸笼 zhēng lóng).

The bite-size food portions allows you to sample a variety of dim sum, from steamed buns to deep fried pork ribs, so if you’re watching your weight beware. Although drinking copious amounts of Chinese tea (such as Pu’er, Oolong or Jasmine tea) aids digestion, the fried foods and meat you consume will definitely have a higher calorie count than your regular salad or sandwich lunch.

Nowadays dim sum dishes are normally ordered by marking your choices on a menu list. Some restaurants however still do it the traditional way,

As with most traditional restaurant offerings, the price of a yum cha experience will vary greatly according to the ambience of the place and the crowd that it is catering to, moreso than according to the quality of the food. Dim sum treats range from RMB5 to over RMB20 for a steamer with three or four treats.

Here are some delectable must-orders that can be found in most dim sum restaurants:

· Char Siu Bau 叉烧包 (chā shāo bāo): These are steamed buns with roasted pork fillings.

· Cheung Fon 肠粉 (cháng fěn): These rice noodle rolls have an assortment of fillings, such as roasted pork, beef or prawn.

·

Har Gau, Siu Mai 虾饺, 烧卖 (xiā jiāo, shāo mà): These two dishes are so popular that they are normally ordered together. Har Gau is a type of dumpling with translucent wrapping filled with

Duc Haan Yum Cha- Let’s go Yum Cha Sometime!

Yum Cha is so deeply rooted in Chinese culture that phrases like ‘Duc Haan Yum Cha’ (得欢饮茶)have become commonplace.

Like its English counterpart ‘I’ll call you’ or ‘Let’s have coffee some time’, this phrase carries a double meaning, being interpreted alternatively as a friendly gesture or an invitation to a meal. The not so literal meaning however, is the polite way of saying ‘Goodbye, we won’t see each other soon’ so make sure if person really means what he/she said.

· Ja Keh Zi 炸茄子 (zhà qié zĭ): Fried eggplant. prawn and bamboo shoots. Siu Mai are pork and mushroom dumplings wrapped in wheat flour.

· Fung Jao 凤爪 (fèng zhăo): Despite its name

‘phoenix talons’, these are in fact chicken feet marinated with black bean sauce. Mostly cartilage, they have a gelatinous texture.

· Spring roll 春卷 (chūn juăn): Not to be mistaken

with egg rolls, these fried rolls have meat fillings, such as prawns.

· Mong Gwo Bo Din 芒果布甸 (máng guŏ bù

These eggplant slices are filled with fish or prawn paste, then fried and served with black bean sauce.

· Dan Tat 蛋挞 (dàn tă): Reinvented from the

English custard tart, these egg tarts have been around since late Qing. The Chinese rendition consists of a flaky crust and egg custard fillings.

The custard egg tart is also a popular café restaurant dish (茶餐厅 chá cān tīng).

· Lau Sa Bau 流沙包 (liú shā bāo): a.k.a custard

bun. The best ones have fillings that are so liquid that you might spill them as you take your first bite.

diàn): Mango pudding, a popular dessert in Hong Kong.

· Jee Ma Wu 芝麻糊 (zhī má hú): A type of Chinese sweet soup, it is a black sesame paste that purports to improve one’s skin texture.

· Lo Mai Gai 糯米鸡 (nuò mĭ jī): These are

glutinous rice with meat fillings wrapped in lotus

Dishwashing In the old days when restaurant hygiene was not strictly regulated, each table would come with a pot of hot water and a bowl so that the more hygiene-conscious customers could rinse their eating utensils a second time. Some lower end restaurants and food stalls still maintain this tradition.

Do leave the teapot lid half open when your teapot is empty, this will signal the servers to refill the pot for you.

Dos and don’ts Do tap your fingers on the table when you are served tea. This is a silent gesture of gratitude to anyone who refills your cup, and avoids disrupting the conversation.

Don’t eat directly from the dish as it is considered impolite. Always transfer the food to your bowl before eating it.

Don’t leave chopsticks vertically in your rice bowl. It is a bad sign of mortality, bearing a strong resemblance to incense sticks on an ash urn.

Where to go to get your fix: May Flower 49 Lovers’ Lane South, Xiangzhou ph: (+86 756) 323-0000 五月花皇朝大酒楼 香洲区情侣中路49号 日东广场3楼

Jin Yue Xuan 1-3 Floor, 265B Ri Hua Commercial Square, Lovers’ Lane South, Gong Bei ph: (+86 756) 813-3133 珠海拱北情侣南路265日华商业广场B区 1-3层

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way to express his own design sensibilities, taking a raw, open outlook and filling it with impeccable attention to detail. Qui is especially fond of round objects and designs; he uses a lot of circular shapes and objects in both his drawings and architectural designs. Presented with relatively inexpensive labour, he let his imagination run wild with concepts that would require artisans to prepare installations on-site in order to blend flawlessly with the rest of the space.

Qui Ly

From fantasy to reality A few years ago, Troy and Ziggy decided that what they really missed in Zhuhai was a place to chill while enjoying great music and food. Maybe even a place that reflected their shared interest in fashion and design, with a look and feel that paid homage to the complex cultural background of the Pearl River Delta. A pipe dream to be sure, for most people. But Troy and Ziggy aren’t most people.

Troy represents fashion powerhouse Triple 5 Soul, and Ziggy manages venues on behalf of 8 degrees.

And they knew immediately that the person who could turn this dream into reality was Qui Ly. Qui fled to Malaysia from Vietnam as a refugee at a very young age, settling in Canada with his family.

Nicholas Chan

He earned his B.Arch. from Université Laval in 1990.

He moved to New York a year later and started his career as an architect. Now over 15 years in the industry, he continues to constantly challenge and improve himself. Currently based in New York, Qui’s achievements include the design of the T5S headquarters in New York and many T5S stores around the world such as Hong Kong and Taipei.

For Qui, designing is not only about the architecture or interior styling. It is about the creation of something new, something that reflects not only the use but the history of the space and his own aesthetic while taking full advantage of local resources. ‘Refined Industrial’ is his preferred

Troy and Ziggy presented Qui with 8,000 square feet of wide open space, explaining that they wanted to keep away from the traditional Chinese design of a club that consists of many VIP rooms.

Instead, they wanted a fantasy ‘park’, full of life and seemingly without boundaries.

Qui started to conceptualise a garden of nocturnal delights; he kept this as more of a guide than a theme, however. Working in China, Qui wanted to challenge the tendency to imitate very singular elements and themes from other cultures or places in attempts to recreate success. The result, he noted, is often a poor imitation that doesn’t do justice to the environment where the space is taking form. No element of the design should exist for its own sake; rather, all the parts should connect as part of something real. He compares the process to his own identity as a designer, having been trained in North America but ‘coming from’ Asia - rather than being made up of bits of multiple cultures, his identity stems organically from his own lived experiences.

First, the entire structure was badly in need of an makeover. The exterior was covered with tacky faux marble and generic materials. Instead of removing them, Qui wrapped the whole exterior wall with metal netted sheets. He kept the old marble underneath the wrapping to serve as a testament to the history of the structure itself, and also to the evolution of Chinese decorative style. Rather than deny the past (as is a common approach in many areas), Qui wants it to be part of what comes next.

The beauty of Qui’s design is more than skin deep, extending to some of the key functions

of the space. The dance area is dome-shaped to serve multiple purposes: to enhance the quality of sound inside, and to isolate the loud music so that people outside the dome can still chat, relax, or take a break as they wish to. Yet, the principle of communication and interaction is still appreciated, as people inside or outside the “Dome” can see each other through the specially built “glass eye”.

In fact, the Triple Five Store, dining area, lounge, and the dance floor are all connected in one way or another.

Because of his often unconventional designs, Qui requested all workers in the “Rude” project to forget what they already knew, and to open their minds to new and different techniques. He admits that even though the workers were all willing to learn and accept the ideas given to them, the results didn’t always live up to his expectations.

The contractors gave an estimate completion time of three months when they took the job. It was during the construction did they realize that the “refined industrial” style that Qui had envisioned would take much longer to complete.

Responsible for projects such as the Headquarter of Triple Five Soul in New York and other TFS Stores around the world, Qui has extremely high standards when it comes to his designs. A simple rule that he always follow is that he will try to only use materials and resources that are found locally no matter where he is. This gives the site a sense of belonging to the landscape. Another important consideration is the relationship between the structure and its surroundings, whether it allows interactions amongst people so that even strangers can feel comfortable around each other.

One of Rude’s most spectacular elements is the Terrazzo floor, it is truly an amazing work of art achieved only by the finest craftsmanship. It has been a lost art in the United States since the 1940’s. From the paving of cement, then sand and polished until it is smooth and shiny. In this area, the availability of manual labor was crucial to obtain the desired result.

All the furniture and fixtures are custom designed to be reconfigured seamlessly at a moment’s notice, offering a new experience even to people who regularly attend. Other ambient features of the bar are also designed to evolve throughout the day, such as the sea-front panel of windows

which lets in breezes and light while they are to be had. These subtle changes make a huge difference in the atmosphere and environment throughout the day, and transform the relaxing ‘park’ into the different but equally-enchanting scene of a bar and night club.

Further evidence of Qui’s ‘refined industrial’ aesthetic can be found everywhere in this 8,000 sq.ft. space. The ceiling is wrapped in pipes that are bent and fitted on-site, with chandeliers handmade from the same materials as hang from the ceiling. The flooring in the restaurant area and the T5S store are huge and heavy blocks of wood and stone, arranged and placed piece by piece. The rail that gingerly wraps the elevated landscaping was also hand formed into smooth curves, and lovingly wrapped with leather. Even the fitting rooms in the T5S store are reminiscent of large birdcages, playful but decorative arts themselves.

Qui is very pleased with the way that the space has come together, and grateful for the work that the local construction teams put in. In particular, he appreciates the way that the teams set aside any preconceptions they had about how they were to work with the materials. He continues to marvel at the ways that the space is being used, and the overwhelmingly positive impression that visitors leave with. “I try to blend myself with the space,” he says. “It’s in Asia, and I enjoy practical designs that are executed in a unique way. It’s not ‘themed’ - it’s a much broader cultural experience. That’s what I want to bring in.”

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12 regulars

Class of your own Gender?

Susan Socrates Image © Apple Tan

Most native Chinese speakers find it challenging to use she and he correctly when speaking English.

With only two choices, you would think that people would get it right about 50% of the time. For some reason, my incoming students make the mistake about 90% of the time. I tell the students that if they came to America and called some big hulking guy “she,” he wouldn’t say anything at all about it; he might punch them in the face!

Though the students know the correct word to use and will quickly correct someone else who is speaking, they continue to make the mistake themselves. To understand the problem it helps to know that in Chinese speech, there is one spoken word for he, she or it. There are three different characters when you write these words but no difference when speaking. It is very confusing to talk with someone who keeps switching from he to she, as it seems as if they are talking about several people instead of one. And it’s always insulting to people if you get their gender wrong.

So we do something in my class that quickly becomes a game. My students help me listen for anyone

mixing up he and she, and just like a football referee, I hand the offender the yellow card (in football, a yellow card is given during games as a warning when a mistake is made).

Even when I’m not in listening distance, the students let me know when the mistake has been made.

This way the card gets passed around. I only bring one and as soon as we hear the mistake again, the card gets passed to the more recent offender. The student who is stuck holding the yellow card at the end of class has to sing a song in English, though any token punishment will do. I usually just let them sing the ABC song and cut them off quickly since I don’t want to traumatise anyone, but no one ever wants to be the last person holding that card.

The students not only begin being more careful with their own speech,

but it also encourages them to listen more attentively.

This is the only mistake which will get the student a yellow card. Most of the time I want to encourage them to make mistakes, and not feel uncomfortable or criticised when they are in error. In fact, I often praise my students’ ‘marvelous mistakes’ because I point out how much we learn from them. However, several students told me that until they started getting the yellow card, they just didn’t think saying he/she correctly was that important. They still get it wrong, but not nearly as often. The fact that they have improved so much has been the best part, but the fun we have had is the reason I like going to class and hope that my students do, too.

Halls of learning Finding a good school Recently, many parents have been asking me what makes a good school. To be perfectly honest, I do not believe there is a quick answer to a question such as this. There are many varying situations and differing expectations on what one is looking for in a school and the schooling process. But I do believe there are certain considerations that a school should adhere to in ensuring that quality is maintained. It is also important to distinguish between national and international schools as the needs of the students and families are often very different. For the sake of this article, I am generally referring to international schools although there are certain factors which would be consistent with any schooling system.

In general, there are several aspects a good school should observe.

Of great importance is that the school has a recognised curriculum or programme of study. Most international schools follow an established curriculum, whether this be the International Baccalaureate, International Primary Curriculum, National Curriculum for the UK, United States, Australia, Canada to name a few. Some schools choose not to. Aligning a school to an accepted programme of study is important as it provides a clear and proven direction for the school to follow, along with attracting teachers who have specialisation or interest in the particular programme being offered. Widely accepted programmes such as the International Baccalaureate, for example, require external international accrediting bodies to attest to their standards, and their programmes are fully recognised by universities around the world.

Schools with a recognised curriculum provide an effective pathway for their students to attend univerisity,

Todd Flanagan

while a student’s completion of an unrecognised course of study is not likely to meet university qualifications. Internationallydesigned programmes or curricula are also more likely to be transferable between international schools and countries which is very desirable for the global or international family, who are likely to transfer to other countries during overseas appointments.

One of the essential aspects of good schools is the quality of teachers it employs. Good schools hire wellqualified, certified and experienced teachers, who have been recruited specifically for the needs of the school. Good schools, like other efficient organisations, pay particular attention to personnel. A welltrained, quality teacher, who knows his/her area well, is a critical factor in the progress and development of a child’s learning. An excellent teacher will be able to draw potential from a student.

Stability of staff and administration is also important. Continuity of programmes can suffer each time a staff member is replaced, harming a school’s development. Another teacher must be appointed and any innovation developed by a previous teacher is at risk of being lost. Likewise, it is important that the Head of the School should be stable and be able to provide a reasonable commitment to developing the school to the next phase. A progressive school will identify teachers as one of its greatest assets and build ways into its strategic plan to maintain excellence amongst its staff. It is a fact that international schools experience large turnovers of staff. But teachers at very good schools receive professional fulfillment, and the school will see less annual turnover.

Among these characteristics, a commitment to excellence stands out as a capstone. Different parents will have experienced an excellent school and will usually have an opinion as to how it excelled. Excellent schools by nature are excellent not by luck but because they have a well planned, consistently deployed strategy to achieving excellence.

I was asked by a parent whether the facility or the building was that important in good schools. I believe a good innovative teacher will be able to get the most out of a child within almost any setting. Therefore in the initial years it may not be that important; however, as children get into older grades it is important that they have exposure to the facilities that will allow them to have greater learning experiences. It is difficult for example, to teach specific principles of physics or chemistry without adequately built laboratories or to develop a thorough athletics or Arts programme without a facility for the development of sport or music or drama.

Education and schooling is a complicated business. No one model fits all children and this is probably a good thing. One thing that is becoming clearer than ever before is that schooling needs to be relevant in its preparation of students for the future. It’s a complex and competitive world out there, and the challenges are not becoming any less formidable. We can’t afford to compromise when it comes to preparing young people to face them.

Todd Flanagan is the founding principal of the newly opened Zhuhai International School. Mr Flanagan has held senior administrative positions and Headships of Schools in China, the Middle East and Australia. A former foreign correspondent for media organizations around the world, Mr Flanagan will provide a regular column on education and other observations in each edition of In Zhuhai.

14 reviews

soapbox 15

Coming to you live And the crowd goes wild

Hot Fuzz Directed by Edgar Wright After the runaway success of Shaun of the Dead, the pressure was on British comedy duo Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright to deliver the goods once more with their second feature film.

Fortunately, Hot Fuzz is more than enough to keep their new legion of fans happy. The film tells the story of supercop Nick Angel, a London PC who is so good that his department sends him to the remote village of Sanford to stop him making them look bad. Sanford seems at first to be the perfect English village, but a bizarre series of ‘accidental’ deaths begins to unfold. When Angel begins to suspect foul play he faces derision from his new colleagues; only his partner Danny believes in him.

The film is a parody of Hollywood ‘copbuddy’ action flicks. Of course, this film is not just a typical genre spoof. In a similar vein to both Shaun of the Dead and the TV series Spaced, the film and pop-culture references come thick and fast. The acting talent of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost ensures that, unlike most films of this nature, the film retains a grounding in reality: their characters remain believable despite the madness that surrounds them. Moreover, the intelligent juxtaposition of an urban American genre in a ‘little England’ setting heightens the farcical nature of the film, adding laughs.

One difficulty with a film like this is that the viewer’s enjoyment may depend on how many of the references they catch. Whilst it is true to say that those not familiar with American action films, British TV mysteries and rural English village life may not get as much out of Hot Fuzz, the gags are frequent and funny enough that all but the most comically-challenged viewers should remain entertained throughout. In short, one of the best British films for a long time, and definitely one to watch again and again.

Rory Mitchell

Shrek 3

Spiderman 3

Directed by Chris Miller & Raman Hui

Directed by Sam Raimi

By the time a movie studio gets to the third installment of a successful series, it seems as though the screenwriters are doing most of their work with the first two scripts, a copy machine and some correction fluid. Rehashed jokes, plots that are tired or ridiculously contrived, and the inevitable additional main character typically make ‘threequels’ agonizing experiences. Luckily Shrek the Third, while not the strongest of the Shrek movies, is a cute comedy, and far more entertaining than the other ‘3rds’ Hollywood offered this year.

After a brief title sequence, the plot gets going right away. The ailing king wants Shrek to take his place if he dies. Not wanting to give up life in his beloved swamp, Shrek goes in search of the only other heir to the throne, a young boy named Arthur. While Shrek is away, Prince Charming (who is now a hack dinner theatre actor) rallies villains who have been wronged by the cheerful residents of Far Far Away and attempts to stage a coup d’etat to claim the throne he feels he still deserves.

The film employs many of the devices typical of the previous two: the appearance of numerous classic fairytale characters, pop-culture references both old and new, and a few predictable off-color moments, but the jokes are frequent and fresh enough to keep the story moving along quickly.

One thing that I appreciated about Shrek the Third is that they give the audience credit for being able to handle more than one emotion at a time, something most Hollywood movies (especially for children) fail to do. I’ve never laughed so much during a solemn funeral scene as I did while watching the one in this film.

The animation continues to become more refined and some of the funnier bits come from subtle, very human facial gestures.

I was so delighted to hear Sam Raimi call himself one of the ‘cruder American directors’. While legions of fans of both the Evil Dead and Spiderman franchises may disagree, I would go so far as to say the highlights of Raimi’s career are limited to a couple of cameo appearances in films by his friends the Coen brothers.

A hint for anyone sitting through Spiderman 3 with a youngster: fast forward to the action at 1:52, play until the action stops at 2:05. Repeat as needed. There is no reason to sit through almost two hours of melodrama that doesn’t have enough content to even be considered exposition, much less plot or character development. Like baseball, it’s 15 minutes of excitement jam-packed into two-and-a-half hours.

I used to wonder why powerhouse actors such as Willem Dafoe, Alfred Molina, Jack Nicholson, and Gene Hackman would want to appear in lightweight comic book films. Now I know. In order to have a great hero you need a great villain, and it takes a heavy actor to play one. But Thomas Hayden Church was goofy and lovable in Sideways, Topher Grace was goofy and lovable in That 70’s Show – in fact they’ve always played dopey, lovable guys. Honestly, as the main villains in Spiderman 3, it’s tough to be frightened of either of them. Would Spiderman be?

In this installment, one of the main plot points is when Peter Parker gets a new black spidey suit which may turn out to have such negative side effects as self-confidence, a sense of revenge (and fashion), and the ability to dance and play jazz piano. He does act like a bit of a twit, but it would help if I was at all concerned about his ability to take down Eric Forman and the CEO of Brawndo.

Some fans may be a bit disappointed when comparing Shrek the Third to its predecessors (I was sad to see that Tom Waits lost his gig at The Poison Apple), but it is still an entertaining 90 minutes, and worth watching.

Thankfully, Spiderman 3 isn’t any lighter on the beloved special effects, but it may seem that way during all the pointless dialogue in-between. I never thought I’d say this, but if you must watch this film, you will get the most enjoyment out of it if you fast forward through anything that isn’t computer generated.

Timothy MacBain

Paco de Tripa

Rory Borealis, Dama Llama Beatmaster General Photo © swiss james the whole place went wild - kids moshed, crowd-surfed, sang along; two thousand audience members moved as one to the music.

As I filed out of the hall, one thought kept ringing in my head: best. gig. ever. Thing is, it really shouldn’t have been. But this is what’s great about China: things that really shouldn’t work somehow do, simply because they have to. No-one in their right mind would book a punk-rock show in a seated theatre back home, and to be honest they’d be quite right not to. But this is China, and anything is possible.

Sorrow Lonely China Day Lonely China Day are perhaps China’s first truly great indie band. A brief glance at their Myspace page reveals an extensive list of influences covering post-rock, lo-fi indie, alternative hip-hop, electronica and classical Chinese music (in particular the guqin). This diversity serves the band well, giving them a sound that is truly original. But it is the strong song-writing of band leader Deng Pei that really sets the band apart. He has expressed a desire to “achieve much with very little”, and with this minimalist approach to composition he has crafted songs of exquisite yet tragic beauty. The band may incorporate densely layered waves of sonic experimentation, but they never allow this to get in the way of the songs themselves. Moreover, Deng’s poetic lyrics are delivered with an emotional resonance that is guaranteed to strike the listener whether or not he or she understands Chinese. Indeed, it is no surprise that the band’s recent U.S. tour was so well received.

Sorrow, released on U.S./China indie label Tag Team Records, is the band’s first full-length release. The album features reworked versions of four songs from their 2005 eponymous EP, along with eight new songs. Although the songs each maintain their own identity and are more than capable of standing on their own, the album is best experienced in its entirety, allowing its ebbs and flows to wash over your ears and seep into your mind. The overall aesthetic of the album is one of peaceful melancholy, but the intelligent track-listing (with upbeat numbers blending seamlessly into the more serene material) and major tonality of the compositions means that the album is far from depressing. Most importantly, the high standard of the material is maintained throughout; there is simply no filler here at all. With Sorrow Lonely China Day have created a benchmark album for China’s nascent indie scene, one that will hopefully give the band the widespread attention they deserve.

Rory Mitchell

Dude, Nice Llama

China’s funny sometimes. For all the trials and tribulations and general frustrations that life here throws at you, every so often something happens that reminds you why you decided to stay here in the first place. April was an existential trough for me, a time when things just didn’t seem to be going so well. There were problems at work, and I was down to my last few hundred kuai - not cool. Then one day a bulletin on a Beijing expat site caught my eye: ‘Sonic Youth China Tour, April 2007’. I knew instantly that this could turn out to be one of those moments that would reaffirm my love for the Middle Kingdom...

Screaming Halls of Sonic Love I should explain something about Sonic Youth to the uninitiated. They are probably my favourite band of all time, art-rock pioneers who have been around since the early 80s and yet still sound light years ahead of most bands today. They are the perfect blend of artistic creativity, punk attitude and pop sensibility. To

see them live anywhere has been a dream of mine for years, ever since I saw a documentary about the band called 1991: The Year Punk Broke. That they were going to be playing live IN CHINA seemed almost too good to be true. I threw caution to the wind, made a few calls, and booked a ticket for their show in Shanghai.

The show was in one of the city’s oldest venues, the Shanghai Concert Hall. It’s a beautiful old building on the fringe of People’s Square, right in the city centre. It’s also one of the least likely venues I have ever seen for a punk rock show. I arrived promptly at 8pm, just before the show was scheduled to start, and was immediately disheartened as soon as I entered the building. The cavernous hall was less than half full; to make matters worse, the entire venue was seated! As I sat there, virtually on my own near the front of the stage, I had nightmare visions of how lifeless the concert could turn out to be. What was a band like Sonic Youth doing playing in a concert hall that usually held theatrical and

operatic performances? And 600 kuai for tickets? Had punk rock finally broken completely? Or was Shanghai just showing itself, all flashing lights and grand spectacles but at the end of the day all about the benjamins.

Maybe I should have gone to the Beijing show after all...

Minutes ticked by. The venue filled up. Then, after what had seemed like an eternity, the band came out. The entire hall came alive instantly: a thousand or more people jumped to their feet, an exhilarating atmosphere burst forth from nothing. A group of students, fifty or so, ran to the front, crashed through the security guards and created an impromptu moshpit in the space between the stage and the first row of seats. What followed was two hours of sonic bliss, an almost perfect gig in which a physically aged but young-at-heart band played a selection of material from all periods of their career. When the band came out for their third encore and played the opening riff to their 80s anthem ‘Teenage Riot’,

Inspired and invigorated, I’m playing music again. One of the main reasons that I came back to China after I graduated was that I knew how great it would be to play in a band here. The lack of mainstream attention to rock music might make it nearly impossible to make a career of it, but for someone who just enjoys playing, the freedom this gives to do whatever the hell you want is liberating. Two months have gone by and The Dama Llamas have played shows in bars all over town. We’ve opened for other bands, smashed guitars on stage, participated in off-the-cuff hip-hop improv sessions. We’ve written several original songs, done a session on the radio, and have almost finished recording our first CD. We even went round town on our first photo shoot the other day!

How long until the fame and fortune of being a rock star goes to my head? Who knows. The point is, it’s being in a place like China that gives me the feeling that all of this can be done, and all it takes is for me to get on and do it. Back home I’d be one of millions trying to do the same thing; here it’s fresh, new, invigorating and inspiring. And I love it.

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title introduction 18 zhuhai

feature 19 develop at a remarkable pace, Zhuhai is increasingly sought after for the opportunities that it offers as a welcome escape from nearby urban centres, home to world-class schools and universities, and claim to fame as the Romantic City.

Zhuhai was granted SEZ status in 1980, one of the first cities in China to be opened to significant international trade.

Being adjacent to the port of Macau, which was at that time under Portuguese administration, made Zhuhai an ideal hub for shipping goods into and out of China.

The city has seen a flood of investment since that time as manufacturing facilities have moved in to take advantage of the reduced tariffs and minimal costs of moving products to port. It remains one of the fastest-growing cities in China.

Zhuhai is a beautiful city along the central coast of Guangdong Province in southern China. It is one of a network of cities that make up the Pearl River Delta (PRD), one of the world’s most prominent centres of commerce, manufacturing and shipping.

While its economy and culture have greatly benefitted from its close proximity to the international cosmopolitan centres of Hong Kong and Macau (with which it shares a border), Zhuhai stands apart in the PRD as a key logistical hub with its own charm and refreshingly relaxed atmosphere. As the region continues to

Zhuhai’s municipal leadership have increasingly seen fit to maintain high ecological standards for the city, leading the United Nations Center for Human Settlements to grant it the International Award for Best Practices in Improving Living Environment in 1998. The city’s cleanliness and natural beauty have made it one of China’s top tourist destinations and a favourite place to retire.

Climate Zhuhai’s climate is subtropical, humid for most of the year and with temperatures ranging from 12 ̊C in Winter (January and February are typically the coldest months) to an average 33 ̊C in Summer (June and August are typically the hottest months). On average, the city receives

1,700 to 2,300 mm of rain each year, with the possibility of typhoons in the Summer. Its location on the sea help to keep temperatures relatively mild despite its low latitude.

Taxi Taxis are reliable. As in most of southern China, the ride costs RMB10 for the first 3 kilometres and RMB2.2 for each additional kilometre.

New summer palace

In, out and about Air Zhuhai has an airport (ZUH), but the only reliable daily flights are from Shanghai on Spring Airlines. The more convenient option is to come through Shenzhen (80 mins by ferry) or Guangzhou (2.5 hours by bus).

Major attractions Fish Girl (shown) (鱼女; yú nǚ) This attractive statue of a young girl holding a pearl was inspired by a local legend about a fishing girl whose boyfriend was lost at sea. She would wait each day on the waterfront for his return.

The statue has become an iconic image of Zhuhai, and is perhaps the prime photo spot on the romantic Lovers’ Lane boardwalk.

Rebuilding the past

Boat During the day, regular ferries connect Zhuhai with Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Macau. Shenzhen and Hong Kong take around 80 minutes and cost around RMB 80 (to Shenzhen) and RMB 180 (to Hong Kong).

Bus Intercity: Many buses run between Zhuhai and Guangzhou every day. The trip takes 2.5 hours and costs RMB60-65.

Reliable points of departure in Guangzhou include the China Marriott, Garden Hotel, Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, Provincial Bus Station, and Liuhua Bus Station (across from the train station).

The main bus stations in Zhuhai are at Gongbei (on the underground level of the border shopping centre) and in Xiangzhou.

Local: Buses cost RMB1-3, depending on how far they go and if they are airconditioned. To get from Xiangzhou to Gongbei, take the #2 or #10.

Rory Mitchell

Photos © Rory Mitchell

as an interesting diversion for a day, the park comes highly recommended!

New Yuan Ming Palace (圆明新园, yuán míng xīn yuán) This park was modelled on the famous palace grounds in Beijing, featuring full-scale replicas of the major buildings there. As well as being a pleasant place for a stroll, visitors can go boating on the lake, and there are several musical and historical performances on show throughout the day. Entrance RMB100 (students RMB60 with valid student ID).

Shopping Gongbei Mall (拱北购物街, gŏng běi gòu wù jiē) An expansive underground shopping mall that has all sorts of goods for sale at bargain prices. Particularly good for shoes and clothing. Located just next to the immigration hall at the Macau border crossing.

圆明新园是十分值得 一去的地方

The Yuanmingxinyuan (圆明新 园, New Summer Palace) opened

to visitors in 1997. The park is a partial re-construction of the original Summer Palace in Beijing.

Situated at the foot of Shilin Shan, the gardens cover a total area of 1.39 square kilometres, and contain palaces and scenic features modelled on a selection of those found in the original palace, built on a 1:1 scale.

The original Summer Palace was a vast and opulent complex of palaces, temples, scenic spots and gardens located to the northwest of Beijing. Work on the palace began in 1707 during the reign of the Qing Emperor Kangxi, and continual expansions were made for over 150 years. Inside were not only some of the finest examples of Chinese architecture, but also Tibetan and Mongolian structures, and a collection of palaces built in a European style at the bequest of Emperor Qianlong. The halls of these palaces stored an invaluable collection of Chinese art, sculpture and literature. Tragically, very little of this historical and cultural marvel

remains today. In 1860 British and French soldiers stormed the complex and burned the buildings inside to the ground, looting many of the treasures there in the process.

The New Summer Palace marks an effort to rebuild at least part of the original garden and recapture some of its splendour. It contains 18 of the 40 original features, all surrounding a large scenic lake. The palaces have been rebuilt faithfully, and have surprisingly authentic feel, especially considering that they were built a mere decade ago! Visitors can have their photo taken dressed in imperial Qing attire, ride a cable car to the top of Shilin Shan, and go boating on the lake. To the west of the park lies an adjoining water park (Lost City), offering an opportunity to cool down after exploring the gardens in the hot Zhuhai sun. Note, however, that all of these features require an additional charge. Several performances are made throughout the day, including an exciting reenactment of the Qinghai naval battle. There are also musical and dance items performed at regular intervals.

To be honest, walking around the park leaves an ambiguous impression. The buildings themselves are grand and impressive, and some of the scenic views are stunning. However, certain features of the park have a ‘theme-park’ feel, lacking any cultural or aesthetic sensibilities.

This seems a shame given the history of the original Summer Palace. The addition of prominent educational materials (beyond the aforementioned performance items) would give a valuable sense of perspective for any visitor unfamiliar with the history of the Qing dynasty.

the middle of the lake. As it is only accessible if you hire a boat and paddle there, you are rewarded with a calm respite from the crowds, making it an ideal place to sit back and relax for a while. In conclusion, if you are looking for an insight into Chinese history then the New Summer Palace may be slightly lacking. As an interesting diversion for a day, however, the park comes highly recommended!

Admission: RMB100 (Students/ concessions RMB60) Address: Yuanmingxinyuan, Lanpu, Jiuzhou Avenue 地址:圆明新园 珠海市九洲大道兰埔

That said, a visit to the park is certainly worth your while. A hike (or a cable car trip if you’re feeling lazy!) to the top of the hill offers a great view not only of the park itself, but also of the city. For the religiously inclined, there is a serene Buddhist temple on the island in

ph: (0756) 861-0388 Getting there: Bus Numbers 1, 13, 20, 25, 30, 40, 60, 99, 201 all pass by Lanpu bus stop.

title wan ‘bar street‘ zhuhai 20 shui

=wireless internet for more zhuhai information see expat9.com

Zhuhai has a surprising number of quality entertainment establishments given the town’s relatively small population. With a fantastic selection of international cuisine ranging from Thai and Indian to Belgian and British, and a range of bars and clubs to suit any taste, you are literally spoilt for choice.

Unfortunately, these places are, for the main part, dotted fairly unevenly around town. If you’re new to town and want to

keep things simple, or if your stay is short and you simply don’t have the time to search around, then the Bar Street on Shuiwan Lu is the ideal place to head to.

It may be a small stretch of road, but there is certainly no shortage of choice whether you’re in the mood for a romantic cocktail, a delicious meal, somewhere to dance the night away, or even just a cold refreshing beer, it can all be found here.

Zhuhai’s main bar area runs about 500m along Shuiwan

Lu, Gongbei. The official ‘Bar Street’ starts at the intersection with Lianan Road and stretches as far as Today club (as marked in red on the map below).

There are several more bars, clubs and restaurants to be found on Shuiwan Road after this official section ends, and several more can be found along the coast on Lovers’ Lane.

There is little action on Shuiwan Lu during the day, as most bars on the street do not open until the early evening. Once the sun sets,

however, this place really comes alive. The bar street area is lined with shady banyan trees, and at night these are illuminated with a cornucopia of coloured lights, adding a sparkle to the area. Popular not only with travelers from overseas but also with visitors from Hong Kong and Macau, Shuiwan Lu has a real international vibe, and is a great place to sit at night and soak up the atmophere.

shui wan ‘bar street‘ zhuhai title 21

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Nightlife/Dining Energy Elements 203-209C, Shuiwan Lu, Gongbei ph: (+86 756) 886-8996 珠海拱北水湾路酒吧街 203至209号C位 2

3 Hollywood Bar 203-209D, Shuiwan Lu, Gongbei ph: (+86 756) 889-1931 珠海拱北水湾路203-209号 D座

Cohiba Bar and Grill A great atmosphere for outdoor dining and delicious food including Chinese and European favourites. They’ll bring a mini-keg to your table; the gin and tonic is also highly recommended.

203-209, Shuiwan Lu, Gongbei ph: (+86 756) 889-2444 珠海拱北水湾路203-209号 3

4 China Bar A classy environment no matter where you’re from!

203-209, Shuiwan Lu, Gongbei ph: (+86 756) 889-2444 珠海拱北水湾路203-209号 6 Rude Great western dishes

as well as progressive fusion options and a bar environment that is absolutely killer. Unwind in style any time.

1 Lian An Lu, Gongbei, (Intersection with Lovers’ Lane South) ph: (+86 756) 888-1708 珠海拱北联安1 路(情侣南 路交界) Seven Club A diverse clientele get their groove on to music that is better than most other venues. A solid bet for most evenings out and about.

203-209H, Shuiwan Lu, Gongbei ph: (+86 756) 811-3999 珠海拱北水湾路酒吧街道办 事处203-209号H位 7

8 Come Big Club Bar Street, Shuiwan Lu, Gongbei, Zhuhai ph: (+86 756) 888 2228 珠海拱北水湾路酒吧街 9 Scotland Bar 291 Lovers’ Lane South ph: (+86 756) 888-6681 珠海情侣南路291号 10

New Club

11 Sky to Sky Club / Ninety-nine

203-209J, Shuiwan Lu, Gongbei ph: (+86 756) 815-8222 珠海拱北水湾路酒吧街203209号J位 12 Today Today is closed for renovation at the time of this writing. On reopening it will likely be ornately decorated, loud, and a hell of a club experience.

Shuiwan Lu Gongbei 15 Red Bar & Club Always crowded, with a great mix of musical styles catering to locals and foreigners. Come if you want a great dance floor and sociable environment.

225 Shuiwan Lu, Gongbei ph: (+86 756) 818-8299 珠海拱北水湾路酒吧街 225号 17 La Mouton Japanese Cuisine and MTC Bar La Mouton is a cool spot to get your Japanese fix.

Adjoining, MTC Bar is extravagantly decorated and visitors can dance the night away or retire to a wireless-equipped KTV room.

201 Long Yuan Hai Wan Ya Yuan, Shuiwan Lu, Gongbei ph: (+86 756) 383-6866

珠海拱北 水湾路 酒吧街 龙 园海湾雅苑商铺201

around town

18 LV Club 2F of Hai Wan Yan Yuan, 288 Longyan Lovers’ Lane South, Gongbei ph: (+86 756) 388-7666 珠海拱北情侣南路288号龙 园海湾雅园2楼(酒吧街)

Coffee 13 Blue Angel Music Bar First generation Chinese coffee shop, catering to the local conception of a western-style place. The coffee’s OK. 219 Shuiwan Lu, Gongbei ph: (+86 756) 888-3375 珠海水湾路219号

Jack & Magic Pea Terrific atmosphere, great coffee and snacks, movies (with wireless headphones available) and internet access, this franchise has a lot going for it.

1/F, Hai Wan Hao Yuan, 225 Shuiwan Lu, Gongbei ph: (0756) 888-7316 珠海拱北水湾路(酒吧 街)225号海湾濠苑一层 16

Miscellaneous 1 14

7/11 24 hour shop

around town

Live Bar

Cohiba/China Bar ph: (+86 756) 889-2444 珠海拱北水湾路203-209号 Holding down the western end of the Shuiwan bar street, the Cohiba/China Bar ‘duplex’ adds up to a full service night spot. Cohiba butters you up with succulent steaks (and Portuguese treats), desserts and mini-kegs right at your table. The staff are attentive and helpful, and the gin tonics go a long way to refreshing the spots that the generous shade trees can’t protect.

The price for this kind of luxury? Extremely reasonable, at RMB 60 for a filet mignon with a side of pate.

Outside dining is highly recommended; if there’s a karaoke performance going on in the restaurant itself, the further away from the windows the better.

45 Yuanlin, Jida ph: (+86 756) 335-2580 吉大园林路45号 A gem, a pearl, a big red star, a badass rock house fit for a great music scene, Zhuhai’s very own Live Bar is music to the ears of anyone for whom live performance an essential part of a balanced nightlife. Off the beaten track, this 200-plus seat house is wellorganised around an ample stage with good views through-out and an accessible bar. The attention of the staff makes it possible to drink in the entertainment withoutthe need to refuel. The price doesn’t hurt, either - it’s RMB 10 for a pint.

Live Bar also manages to put their performance resources to good use for the gratification of their customers. Acts from other parts of the PRD are frequently booked, and musicians from as far as Qingdao and Beijing have been spotted onstage in recent weeks. But the showcase of local talent is perhaps most impressive - on most weekend nights, the ‘open-stage’ programme (hosted by American manager Brandy and a great house band) culminates in a spontaneous celebration of hard rock and metal anthems, with astoundingly talented performers emerging from the audience, often beer-in-hand. Well worth going again and again!

On the other side of Cohiba’s personality, China Bar is considered by the management to appeal more to a local crowd. But they underestimate the universal appeal of the decor - an international selection of spirits encased behind wooden grilles; comfortable booths and a bar that is just the right height; truly, the only drawback to the experience is whatever sonic remnants make it through the invisible wall from the Cohiba interior. If the music is good, there is nothing to be said against the experience as a whole.

So hang out for a while, or make your way on down the road - there’s plenty of fun to be had, either way.

title zhuhai listings 22 complete Attractions Banzhang Forest Park (Ban Zhang Shan) Gongbei (above the tunnel) 珠海拱北-板樟山森林公园 Chinese Medicine Valley New Yuan Ming Palace North, Lanpu, Qianshan ph: (+86 756) 866-1113 珠海市九洲大道兰埔北侧(圆明 新园旁) Feisha Beach Gaolan Island, Nanshui (western area) ph: (+86 756) 771-0000 珠海市西区南水高栏岛 Feng Bo Shan Park (Xiangshan Gongyuan) 8 Yan shan Lu Xiangzhou 珠海市香洲区沿山路8号-风波山 公园 (别名:香山公园) Golden Beach Sanzao, near the airport (western area) ph: (+86 756) 778-1614 珠海市西区珠海机场侧三灶 金沙滩 Great Hall 1014 Fenghuang Lu S, Xiangzhou ph: (+86 756) 222-2396 珠海市香洲区凤凰南路1014- 珠 海大会堂 Hai Bin Park Haibin Lu N, Jida 珠海吉大海滨北路-海滨公园 Haibin Beach Lovers’ Lane, Jida

ph: (+86 756) 332-0477 珠海吉大情侣路-海滨泳场 Hengqin Stone Park Hengqin Island 珠海 横琴 石博园 Imperial Hot Spring Doumen (western area) ph: (+86 756) 579-7128 珠海斗门御温泉 Jingshan Park Jingshan Lu Jida 珠海吉大景山路-景山公园 Jin Tai Temple Huangyang Mountain, Doumen (western area) ph: (+86 756) 579-7141 珠海斗门黄杨山金台寺 Kungfu Park Lian Wan Industry Zone, Pingsha (western area) ph: (+86 756) 399-8888 珠海大道中 平沙路口 - 武林源 Library 74 Fenghuang Lu Xiangzhou ph: (+86 756) 225-8744 珠海市香洲区凤凰路74号 Lost City Water Park Jiuzhou Av, Lanpu ph: (+86 756) 866-4246 珠海市九州大道兰圃- 梦幻水城 Marslake Cinema 284 Ning Xi Lu, Ningxi Culture Square (near GLV school) ph: (+86 756) 228-4999 珠海市柠溪路284号C座(柠溪文 化广场内)-中影火星湖影城 Meixi Archways

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Meixi Village, Shangchong, Qianshan ph: (+86 756) 865-9577 珠海市前山上冲梅溪村 Meixi village, Qianshan northern area (above New Xiangzhou) ph: (+86 756) 853-5888 珠海市前山梅溪镇-农科奇观 Museum Jiuzhou Cheng, Jingshan Lu, Jida ph: (+86 756) 332-4116 珠海吉大九洲城 - 珠海博物馆 New Yuanming Palace Jiuzhou Av. W Lanpu ph: (+86 756) 861-0388 珠海市九洲大道西兰埔路-圆 明新园 No 18 Gallery 18 Tonghua Rd New Xiangzhou ph: (+86 756) 615-0000 珠海市新香洲同华路18号

珠海唐家湾 珍珠乐园 Tangjia Gong Le Garden E Ling, Tangjia ph: (+86 756) 331-9605 珠海市唐家镇鹅岭北麓-唐家 共乐园 Waterfall Park After Wanzai, take the bridge to Hengqin island (western area) ph: (+86 756) 884-2426 珠海 横琴 三叠泉 White Lotus Park Jiuzhou Av, Jida 珠海吉大九洲大道中-白莲洞 公园

Chinese Restaurants Cantonese / Dim Sum De Yue Fang Mingting Park, Yeli Island, Xiangzhou, ph: (+86 756) 225-1188 珠海香洲野狸岛名亭公园内

ph: (+86 756) 886-8288 珠海吉大水湾路山海楼酒店四 楼、五楼 Zui Yue Xuan 34, Shihua Lu East, Jida ph: (+86 756) 336-8999 广东珠海吉大石花东路34号(渡 假村对面) North & East China 99 Tian Xiang Restaurant No.42, Shihua LuEast, Jida ph: (+86 756) 337-0790 广东珠海吉大石花东路42号(度 假村对面) Sichuan Bare Head Restaurant 346 Lovers’ Lane South, Jida ph: (+86 756) 332-9598 广东珠海吉大情侣南路346号 Fei Teng Yu Xiang 350 Lovers’ Lane South ph: (+86 756) 323-0066 广东珠海情侣南路350号

Oceanarium Opposite Wanzai (western area) Wharf ph: (+86 756) 881-1001 珠海市湾仔澳门环岛游码头 正对面

Jin Yue Xuan 1-3 Floor, B, 265 Ri Hua Coommercial Square, Lovers’ Lane South, Gong Bei ph: (+86 756) 813-3133 珠海拱北情侣南路265日华商业 广场B区1-3层

Putuo Buddhist Temple Fenghuang Mountain, Dongkeng (northern area, above New Xiangzhou) ph: (+ 86 756) 850-8462 珠海东坑凤凰山普陀寺

May Flower ph: (+86 756) 323-0000 五月花皇朝大酒楼 香洲区情侣 中路49号日东广场3楼

Muslim New Cantonese Muslim 370 Lovers’ Lane South, Jiuzhou Harbour ph: (+86 756) 332-8246 珠海九洲港情侣南路370号

General Cuisine Orientale 4th & 5th floor, Shan Hai Lou Hotel, Shuiwan Lu, Jida

Ocean Restaurant 1-2B, Block1, Hai Tao Ju, Lovers’ Lane South, Gongbei ph: (+86 756) 815-1722

Pearl Land Tang Jia Wan ph: (+86 756) 331-1170

Seafood Shou Zhi Gong Dining Room 53 Lovers’ Lane ph: (+86 756) 337-6918 珠海情侣中路53号(国会酒店与 渔女之间)

珠海拱北情侣南路海涛居第一 座1-2B Xinyue Muslim Restaurant 370 Lovers’ Lane South ph: (+86 756) 332-8246 珠海市情侣南路370号(青蓝山 庄北国食府)- 九洲港新粤穆斯 林餐厅

International Restaurants Belgian Belgian Beer Bar & Restaurant 28/7 Hua Jing Xi Yuanshi Hua Dong Lu 58 (Opp Hai Wan Hua Yuan) ph: (+86 756) 333-5671 吉大石花东路华景西苑28栋 7 号商铺 Fusion Blue Angel Coffee Restaurant Shuiwantou, Gongbei ph: (+86 756) 888-6456 珠海市水湾头-蓝天使咖啡 Cohiba Bar and Grill 203-209, Shuiwan Lu, Gongbei ph: (+86 756) 889-2444 珠海拱北水湾路203-209号 Roman Seaside Restaurant 49 Lovers’ Lane, Jida (Jida Ri Dong Plaza, next to Harbour View Hotel) ph: (+86 756) 323-3869 珠海市吉大情侣中路49号(吉大日 东广场二楼罗马海滨西餐厅) Indian Indian Kitchen 26-28 Huajing Garden, Shihua Lu East, Jida ph: (+86 756) 334-5784 广东珠海吉大石花东路华景花园

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(东苑)26-28铺

Cafés

Jewel of India 28/1 Hua Jing Xi YuanShi Hua Dong Lu 58 (next to the BBB) ph: (+86 756) 332-1770 吉大石花东路华景西苑28 栋 1 号商铺

Bali Cafe & Restaurant 392 Shuiwan Lu, Jida, Xiangzhou ph: (+86 756) 323-1568 珠海香洲吉大水湾路392号

Italian Lucio Italian Restaurant 188, Jingshan Lu, Jida ph: (+86 756) 322-8888 珠海吉大景山路188号

Emma Coffee Shop Guangdong Hotel, Yuehua Lu, Gongbei ph: (+86 756) 888-8128 ext.60112 珠海粤华路粤海酒店-纯品咖 啡店

Japanese Chitose 5F, Block C, Shan Hai Lou Hotel, Lovers’ Lane South ph: (+86 756) 889-8985 珠海拱北情侣南路(水湾头)山海 楼酒店C座5楼

Jack & Magic Pea 1F Hai Wan Hao Yuan, 225 Shuiwan Lu Bar Street, Gongbei ph: (+86 756) 888-7316 珠海拱北水湾路(酒吧街)225号海 湾濠苑一层

La Mouton Japanese Cuisine 101 Long Yuan Hai Wan Ya Yuan, 288 Lovers’ Avenue South, Gongbei ph: (+86 756) 383-6668 珠海拱北情侣南路288号龙园海 湾雅苑商铺101 雾都日法料理

Jane’s Place Huafa New City Business Street, A01, 1 road ph: (+86) 138 2300-0052 珠海市珠海大道1号, 华发新城 商业街A01

Shouta Japanese Restaurant Holiday Inn, Jingshan Lu, Jida ph: (+86 756) 322-8888 珠海市吉大景山路188号粤财假 日酒店-将太日本料理

Ocean Restaurant 1-2B, Block1, Hai Tao Ju, Lovers’ Lane South, Gongbei ph: (+86 756) 815-1722 珠海拱北情侣南路海涛居第一 座1-2B

Wabou-Restaurant 283-285, Building 1, Block M, Hai Wan Xin Jia Yuan, Lovers’ Lane South ph: (+86 756) 886-1130 广东珠海情侣南路海湾新家园 M座1楼283-285号

Pele Coffee shop Tong Luowan Department Store, Jida (near KFC) ph: (+86 756) 820-3871 珠海吉大铜锣湾百货首层中 央大厅

Pizza / Delivery Belgian Beer Bar & Restaurant 28/7 Hua Jing Xi Yuanshi Hua Dong Lu 58 (Opp Hai Wan Hua Yuan) ph: (+86 756) 333-5671 吉大石花东路华景西苑28栋 7 号商铺 Dynamics Pizza 113#, 21 Jiaoyu Lu Xiangzhou ph: (+86 756) 621-6227 珠海香洲教育路21号113号铺 Happy Tom Pizza Restaurant 63 Jing Shan Lu, Jida ph: (+86 756) 333-9159 珠海吉大景山路63号-开心汤姆 39 元比萨自助餐厅 Mr Pizza 27, Under the Fisherman’s Wharf, Jin Ding Zhuhai ph: (+86 756) 338-6418 肯德比萨店 珠海市金鼎商业 城27号 Pizza Hut Ground floor, Duty-Free Market, Jingshan Lu, Jida ph: (0756) 337-4793 吉大景山路国营外币免税商 场首层 Ryan’s Bar The small street behind Jusco (look for the Carlsberg sign) ph: (+86) 138 2412-1280 珠海香洲凤凰路-吉之岛 Portuguese Pinocchio Ground Floor, Zhu Nan Hotel, Liangfen Bridge, Yue Hai Lu East, Xiangzhou ph: (+86 756) 889-7628 珠海香洲区粤海东路凉粉桥珠南 酒店首层 木偶葡国餐厅

Sea Breeze Cafe Harbour View Hotel, 47 Lovers’ Lane Central ph: (+86 756) 332-2888 吉大怡景湾大酒店 Victoria Bar & Grill 49 Lovers’ Lane ph: (+86 756) 323-0909 珠海情侣路49号日东商业广场维多利亚西餐厅 Victoria Restaurant 2F, Ridong Square, 49 Lovers’ Lane, Jida ph: (+86 756) 323-0909 珠海吉大情侣中路49号日东广 场2楼 Zobon Western Executive Lounge Restaurant 33 Lovers’ Lane Central ph: (+86 756) 322-0333 珠海吉大情侣中路33号

Nightlife Blue Tone Bar Dong Ya Building, Jiuzhou Ave, Jida ph: (+86 756) 333-2046 珠海市九州大道东亚大厦蓝 调酒吧 Blue Angel Music Bar 219 Shuiwan Lu, Gongbei ph: (+86 756) 888-3375 珠海水湾路219号 Cohiba Bar & Grill / China Bar 203-209 Shuiwan Lu, Gongbei ph: (+86 756) 889-2444 珠海拱北水湾路203-209号 Come Big Club Shuiwan Lu Bar Street, Gongbei ph: (+86 756) 888-2228 珠海拱北水湾路酒吧街 Energy Elements C 203-209 Shuiwan Lu Bar

complete zhuhai listings title 23

title zhuhai listings 24 complete around town

Steret, Gongbei ph: (+86 756) 886-8996 珠海拱北水湾路酒吧街203至 209号C位 F1 Bar Harbour View Hotel, 47 Lovers’ Lane Central ph: (+86 756) 332-2888 吉大怡景湾大酒店首层 Hollywood Bar D 203-209 Shuiwan Lu, Gongbei ph: (+86 756) 889-1931 珠海拱北水湾路203-209号D座 LV Club 2F Hai Wan Yan Yuan, Longyan Lovers’ Lane South, Gongbei ph: (+86 756) 388-7666 珠海拱北情侣南路288号龙园海 湾雅园2楼(酒吧街)

Dongbei Ren 2/F, Zhuhua Building, No. 198, Jingshan Rd. ph: (0756) 335-1418 We may be in the deep south of China, but you don’t have to travel far for a welcoming northeastern dining experience. Favourite familystyle recipes involving a great deal of yumi bing (cornmeal bread), stewed fish and cured meats abound, all prepared with an emphasis on flavour over looks and generous portions over presentation. At the heart of much of the cuisine is suan cai, the richly-flavoured sour cabbage that is one of Dongbei’s best-loved foods. Also on hand are yummy jiaozi and the occasional pig trotter (if you’re into that sort of thing).

Hotels 5 Star 五星级 Grand Bay View Hotel Shuiwan Lu Gongbei ph: (+86 756) 887-7998 珠海市拱北水湾路 Harbour View Hotel & Resort 47 Lovers’ Lane Central ph: (+86 756) 332-2888 珠海吉大情侣中路47号 - 怡景 湾大酒店 Holiday Resort Hotel 9 East Shi Hua Lu, Jida ph: (+86 756) 333-3838 珠海市吉大石花东路9号 ZOBON Business Hotel 33 Lovers’ Lane Central ph: (+86 756) 322-0333 珠海吉大情侣中路47号 - 怡景 湾大酒店

MTC Bar 201 Long Yuan Hai Wan Ya Yuan, Shuiwan Lu Bar Street, Gongbei ph: (+86 756) 383-6866 珠海拱北 水湾路 酒吧街 龙园海 湾雅苑商铺201

4 Star 四星级 Guangdong Hotel 1145 Yuehai Rd East, Gongbei ph: (+86 756) 888-8128 珠海市拱北粤海东路1145号-粤 海酒店

Red Bar & Club Shuiwan Lu, Gongbei ph: (+86 756) 818-8299 珠海拱北水湾路酒吧街225号

Holiday Inn 188 Jingshan Lu Jida ph: (+86 756) 322-8888 珠海市吉大景山路188号

Rude 1 Lian An Lu, Gongbei (Intersection of Lovers’ Lane South) ph: (+86 756) 888-1708 珠海拱北联安1 路(情侣南路交界)

Nanhai Oil Hotel 368 Shuiwan Lu ph: (+86 756) 332-2188 Toll Free : 800 830-2782 中国珠海经济特区水湾路368

Ryan’s Bar The small street behind Jusco (look for the Carlsberg sign) ph: (+86) 138 2412-1280 珠海香洲凤凰路-吉之岛 Sands Bar Lovers’ Lane, Jida (opposite the Harbour View Hotel) ph: (+86 756) 333-2073 珠海吉大情侣路(怡景湾大酒 店对面) Seven Club 203-209H Shuiwan Lu, Gongbei ph: (+86 756) 811-3999 珠海拱北水湾路酒吧街道办事处 203-209号H位 Scotland Bar 291 Lovers’ Lane South, Gongbei ph: (+86 756) 888-6681 珠海情侣南路291号

One of the major characteristics of northeastern food is the scale of it, with dishes capable of feeding an entire family. Dongbei Ren really brings that concept home, with service that makes you feel like a special guest at someone’s own table. They may not know your name, but by golly they’ll be happy to see you.

Recommended dishes are brought to your table for viewing, and the staff in general are extremely attentive. At the end, you might be a little surprised that you still have to pay the bill (although you probably won’t mind when you see it). In all, a terrific dining experience. Bring enough people to finish a good-sized spread.

classifieds 25

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Sky in Sky Club J 203-209 Shuiwan Lu Bar Street, Gongbei ph: (+86 756) 815-8222 珠海拱北水湾路酒吧街203209号J位 The Cellar Suite 102 Bldg. 1 Yu Hai Wan Hua Yuan, Shui Wan Lu, Jida ph: (+86 756) 818-1894 吉大水湾路御海湾花园一幢102 The Old Chinese Junk 401 (4th Floor) China Town, Tangjia ph: (+86 756) 331-9668 珠海吉大情侣中路47号 - 怡景 湾大酒店 V Club 388 Ning Xi Lu Ningxi (2 minutes after GLV school) ph: (+86 756) 229-9030 珠海市香洲柠溪路388号太和商 务中心-胜地梦都酒吧

Budget 旅馆 My Residence in Shanhailou, 240 ShuiWan Lu, Jida ph: (+86 756) 388-0388 珠海市吉大景山路188号 Home Inn Block 26, 58 Shihua Lu (E) Jida ph: (+86 756) 337-5111 广东珠海吉大石花东路58号26栋 Sunferia Inn 15F Cuiwei Jiuzhu building, Mingzhu Lu, Qianshan ph: (+86 756) 853-4821 珠海前山翠微酒珠大厦15层 Youth Hostel 9 Shihua Rd E, Jida ph: (+86 756) 333-3838 珠海市吉大石花东路9号 - 度假 村酒店青年旅馆

Education Kindergarten 幼儿园 Dongfang Kindergarten Ji Lin Building, Lianhuashan, Jida ph: (+86 756) 335-4143 珠海吉大莲花山小区(新昌安 酒店后) Phoenix American English Kindergarten Phoenix Garden, 1088 Fenghuang Rd North, Xiangzhou ph: (+86 756) 212-7818 珠海市凤凰北路1088号凤凰 花园内 International Schools 国际学校 QSI International School 2 Longxing Street #105 Gongbei Ph: (+86 756) 815 6134 珠海拱北隆兴街

ZIS Zhuhai International School Qi Ao Island, Tang Jia Wan ph: (+86 756) 332-0016 ph: (+86 756) 236-9616 mobile: (+86) 137 2703- 0105 website: www.zischina.com email: zis@zischina.com zis.admissions@gmail.com 珠海唐家湾淇澳岛 Language Schools Art Training Center 18 Tonghua Lu, New Xiangzhou, ph: (+86 756) 850-2422 珠海市新香洲同华路18号 - 珠海 市艺术中心 Gateway Language Village Box 935 NingXi ph: (+86 756) 231-9666 珠海市柠溪文化广场平和国际 语言村 POPO Tang Rm 202, Bldg. 7 Nanxiangli 1 Lu, Xiangzhou (Next to Nanxiangli Bus Stop) ph: (+ 86 756) 228-7088 珠海市香洲南香里1街7座202室 (南香里巴士站侧)-泡泡堂婴儿 游泳馆 Royal Education 7F Ming Men Dasha, Ying Bin Ave, Gongbei ph: (+86) 137 2700-3947 珠海拱北迎宾路名门大厦七楼 Royal Perfectking Music 449 Baihe Garden, Gangchang Lu Gongbei ph: (+86 756) 388-6969 珠海市拱北港昌路449号百合花 园二期17幢 Sunferia Training School 15F Cuiwei Jiuzhu building ph: (+86 756) 853-4821 珠海前山翠微酒珠大厦15层 TPR American English School 1022 Fenghuang Rd South, Xiangzhou ph: (+86 756) 221-4900 珠海市香洲区凤凰南路1022号,美 国TPR英语专修学校

Services Dentists 牙科 Liu He Dentist Clinic 345 Ningxi Lu, Xiangzhou ph: (+86 756) 381-3666 珠海市香洲柠溪路345号(柠溪市 场对面)-柠溪六和口腔医院 Medical 医疗机构 International Travel Healthcare Center 133 Qiaoguang Lu, Gongbei ph: (+86 756) 889-7415 珠海拱北侨光路133号 - 珠海国 际旅行卫生保健中心 Medical Consultancy ph: (+86) 133 1895 8091 珠海市吉大景 People’s Hospital of Zhuhai 79 Kang Ling Lu, Xiangzhou ph: (+86 756) 222-2569 Emergency: 222-2571 珠海市康宁路79号-珠海市人 民医院 Zhongshan University Fifth Affiliated Hospital Mei Hua East Lu, New Xiangzhou ph: (+86 756) 252-8171 珠海新香洲梅华东路-中山大学 附属第五医院

Veterinary 兽医 Animal Hospital 479 Meihua Rd E, Xiangzhou ph: (+86 756) 251-1807 香洲梅华东路479号(香洲交警 大队对面) Gongbei Animal Hospital 2111 Yingbin Rd South, Gongbei ph: (+86 756) 818-9193 拱北迎宾南路2111号(龙城花园 一楼5号铺) Translation 翻译 Zero Distance Translation 3B Bldg 21 No. 58, Shihua Lu East, Jida ph: (+86 756) 332-1408 珠海市吉大石花东路58号21栋3B Travel 旅行 China Travel Service Gongbei 2F Overseas Chinese Hotel, Yingbin Lu, Gongbei ph: (+86 756) 889-9228 珠海拱北迎宾大道华侨宾馆二楼 - 拱北口岸中旅社 Tourist Co, Ltd 1028 Yuehai Lu East, Gongbei ph: (+86 756) 815-5222 珠海市粤海东路1028号 Shopping 购物 Gongbei Underground Mall Under Gongbei customs 珠海市拱北口岸地下商业广场 Moi Department Store 301 Zijing Lu, Xiangzhou ph: (+86 756) 212-3709 珠海市香洲区紫荆路301号 Ohyeah Modern Furniture 1B06B-2 Qianshan Shibang International Decoration Plaza ph: (+86 756) 850-3864 珠海市前山世邦国际装饰广场二 号厅1B06B Vanguard Shopping Centre Ying Bin Ave, Gongbei 珠海市拱北迎宾南路珠海国际大 厦-万佳百货 Wan Zai Sha PC Market Wanzaisha, Xiangzhou 珠海湾仔沙电脑城

Golf Clubs Golden Gulf Golf (Jinwan Golf) Jinwan Avenue, Golden Coast, Jinwan (western area) ph: (+86 756) 763-1888 珠海金湾高尔夫球场 International Golf Club Economic Zone, Tangjia Wan (northen area) ph: (+86 756) 331-3076 珠海市唐家湾-珠海国际高尔 夫俱乐部 Lakewood Golf Club International Circuit, Xiacun, Jinding (northen area) ph: (+86 756) 338-3666 金鼎珠海国际赛车场高尔夫 俱乐部 Orient Golf Huandao Lu North, Hengqin (western area) ph: (+86 756) 868-8188 珠海横琴经济开发区环岛北路一 号 - 东方高尔夫球场

marketplace IN ZHUHAI Real Estate Classfieds House for rent Ningxi Rd, New Xiangzhou Partially-furnished 2-yr old apartment on 2F with western renovations – fully furnished w/ open kitchen and very spacious (172 m2) 7 AirConditioners, Ceiling Fans, full appliances, TVs, Jacuzzi, and more 13702338525.

Job Market Jobs Available 招聘 Seeking Bilingual Staff Have vacancy for young BILINGUAL English boy/girl for accountancy, marketing & purchasing full time job -pls call Leo Mobile nr 1367889818Qingdao/HK LEO EU Trade Ltd. leo.vanechelpoel@gmail. com Writers and Photographers INZHUHAI magazine is looking for writers and photographers interested in presenting the city (or other interesting subjects) in all their glory.

Modest compensation available; do it for love!

Email editor@myredstar.com for more information.

Jobs Wanted 求职 Qualified English Teacher Widely-published writer with experience teaching all ages available for relocation to Zhuhai. Call 0139 6395 6913 for more information.

Local Purchasing Manager Bilingual trading agent available to assist you in China purchasing, including product search, trip accommodations, translation, etc.

Call Pingping at 137 0233 0987

Personals Looking for Poker I will be moving into zhuhai from HK, and was wondering if there are any poker gettogethers in ZH? Not really looking for high stakes, just something “friendly” and fun.

Hold’em will be great but dealer’s choice is fine too.

Language Exchange Chinese Lessons Private Chinese Classes Private students can decide what they want to study. One to one tuition, one lesson lasts 90mins. Each course lasts 10 lessons, 1200 RMB + transportation fee for the teacher.

Contact Royal Education for more info.

Community Play an Instrument?

Come down to Live Bar! Sing a song, tell a joke, recite a poem, play guitar, or listen to others.

No cover, open to all, and 10 kuai pints!

Zhuhai International Association (ZIA) 2nd floor, Harbour View Hotel, Jida, Zhuhai, China 珠海吉大怡景湾大酒店二楼 Email: zia.expat@gmail.com Mission Statement: ZIA is a non-profit association of Foreigners living in or visiting Zhuhai.

ZIA will provide the Expatriate community with useful information about Zhuhai, giving people a better chance to experience and appreciate the environment they live in.

ZIA will help people wishing

to organize social, cultural or sporting events.

ZIA will help to contribute to the development of Zhuhai by supporting local charities.

Membership It is free to join ZIA, just fill in our membership form and send it back to us. See www. expat9.com for more details.

Business hours Our office is open: every Tuesday from 18:00 until 20:00 and every Wednesday from 10:30am till 12:30am.

Latest News & Events To find out about our latest news and upcoming events, please check our blog on www.expat9.com.

ZIA SOCIAL EVENTS ZIA Coffee Morning Every Wednesday! Everybody is welcome! For more information, please contact Maureen.

ZIA Mah Jong Date:2007-07-02 Every Monday! Everybody is welcome! For more information, please contact Rosemarie.

Market For Sale Special Travel Offers from Kenstar Travel Visit our website www.kenstar. com.hk for more options PHILIPPINE AIRLINE (PR) Round Trip to U S A - HKD4930 Valid until 14 Dec 2007.

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Service Music Lessons Piano Teacher American Piano Teacher with over 30 years experience.

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Let us put you on the map!

• Fold-out Maps • City Introduction • Listings • Guide to Eating Out • Survival Chinese info@myredSTAR.com 8388-2269 • Other languages available!

for more classifieds IN ZHUHAI go to expat9.com make our classifieds work for you!

The best way to reach English speakers in Zhuhai!

Classified ads are free for jobs wanted, personals, language exchange and community. Classified ads for jobs available, service, for sale, and real estate require a fee of RMB 150 for the first 20 words and RMB 10 for each additional word. redSTAR reserves the right to edit all free classifieds.

To include your ad in the next IN ZHUHAI (deadline is 15th of September) or for more information, email sales@myredstar.com 更多分类广告：www.myredstar.com红星分类广 告是一个免费的出售、购买物品、寻找朋友的很好 的方式。由于空间限制，红星保留编辑分类广告的 权利并选择一部分只刊登到网络上。免费分类广告 包括：求职，交友，语言交流，求购。收费广告 包括：招聘，出售，房产，20字之内150元，超过 20字每字加收10元。截止日期为9月15日。 Email: sales@myredstar.com

title 26 B2B

title 27

Down to business How good is your accountant?

Alberto Vettoretti

A capable chief accountant is a key component in any successful business. The job may not be glamorous, but without such a person your operations can turn into a mess very quickly, and you also run the dual risks of either paying more tax than necessary or incurring fines on taxes that should have been paid but were not. In China, the importance of such an accountant is magnified further, because as the legal and financial systems in China continue to develop, its tax and accounting rules change regularly.

Not all accountants keep themselves updated about these frequent changes.

unnecessary liability onto yourself and your company by employing your chief accountant directly.

If you have a larger operation (for instance more than 150 employees in a manufacturing operation) then implementing an independent management review becomes more effective because you will need accountants working full-time for you - this is expensive to outsource.

Such reviews are recommended every quarter for companies with a short track-record in China, and they are fundamentally different from the statutory audit, which focuses primarily on the taxation aspect.

Outsourcing of accounting and / or independent reviews can be even more important if you are involved in a JV project, as trust between the parties is critical, and this trust tends to be eroded if one party takes complete control of financial management.

However a good accountant is hard to find in China, and even harder to hold on to! Here are some reasons why: 1. The education system has not trained enough accountants, creating a serious shortage.

2. In our experience, many accountants (even those holding Chinese CPAs) lack a conceptual understanding of their vocation.

They are able to carry out processes, but often cannot think creatively to maximize the benefits to their employers.

3. Good accountants are ambitious.

They do not want to work in a factory office carrying out repetitive work on behalf of one employer for ever.

In addition, the problem for Foreign Invested Enterprises is compounded because the accountant has to report to the General Manager or the HQ in English. This shrinks the pool of potential accountants even further.

Many companies compromise and hire an experienced accountant with limited English ability, creating

Dezan Shira & Associates provides such accountancy and internal management review facilities to clients in Zhuhai as well as a range of services related to doing business in China. Please contact Alberto Vettoretti at 0755 2583-6117 or email him at alberto@dezshira.com for more information.

a major communication problem.

Other companies choose an inexperienced accountant with fluent English, which is potentially more dangerous!

So, how good is your accountant?

Unless you are a trained accountant yourself, and have a working knowledge of the Chinese accounting and taxation systems, you are not in a position to judge accurately. If you are legally

responsible for the work that your accountant does, this should worry you. What can you do about it?

The best solution usually depends upon the scale and nature of your operation. If you are running a relatively small, uncomplicated business, outsourcing the key accountancy functions while maintaining a junior accountant for everyday tasks is cost-efficient and practical. You are putting

Bear in mind that outsourcing of accountancy work and implementation of independent reviews are not mutually exclusive choices. A chief accountant will usually report to the general manager here in China, whereas an internal management review will normally be delivered directly to the board or to the investors abroad.

The combination of these methods goes some way to ease the common problem of too much authority over finances being concentrated in the hands of local managers.

Who did this?

IN ZHUHAI magazine is produced by redSTAR Times Media Co, in association with Expat9 and with the support of the Zhuhai Tourism Association. redSTAR Times Media Co, an international team of individuals dedicated to providing high quality guide materials to English-oriented readers. Expat9 manages an online English-language guide to Zhuhai and other cities in the Pearl River Delta, with many years of experience ‘living the life’ in the PRD.

The primary mission of IN ZHUHAI magazine is to improve our readers’ quality of life by enabling them to access the culture, services, events and destinations that surround them. At the same time, we hope to promote worthy aspects of the city to people in other areas. In order to best provide this service we do our very best to present complete, useful and stimulating information in a format that attracts and holds the attention of the user.

How can I contribute?

The best way to help us constantly improve this resource is to use it! If you find a place that isn’t in our listings, visit www.Expat9.com to get it online.

Visit our sponsors, and let them know that you appreciate what they are doing for the city. Get involved in local events that bring people together, and tell us about things you like to do and what you are looking forward to.

Also, we want you to tell us about your experiences.

We believe that the most interesting reading comes

from interested writers. The content of IN ZHUHAI magazine is completely original and protected by international copyright. All stories and reviews derive from the real experiences of the contributors and are unsponsored. If there is something that you love to do, or if you meet someone who is involved in fascinating work, tell us about it! We are especially fond of ‘words and picture’ packages, but we’d love to hear from anyone who specialises in business or lifestyle writing. We even offer compensation! Email editor@myredstar.com for more information.