Project China 2011 Report Book by Project China

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Summit

TRANSFORMATION

YOUTHFUL CHINA

MEGACITIES

Contents Editorial 8 Quotes from the Book 10 Fun Facts about China 11 Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Urban Billion 13 The Green Revolution 18 Quick Guide to Learning Chinese 22 Favourite Spots 24 One-Child Policy 38 Promising Prodigies 42 Growing Up Chinese 46 Taking Mushrooms with Obama 50 Campus Life 54 Student Subcultures 58 Life After the Exam 63 Going Forward 64 Beauty on the Outside 70 A Consuming Factory 76 The Chinese Dream 82 The Ying Yang Paradox 84 We are Project China 2011 94 Acknowledgements 102 Project Sponsors 104

Project China 2011 Stockholm September 2011 Text Project China 2011 Editors Yi Zhang, Lau Skovgaard Layout & Design Gabriel Montgomerie Photos Yi Zhang, Lau Skovgaard Print Elanders Fälth & Hässler

Dear Reader, In your hands you find the product of blood, tears and countless hours of hard caffeine-induced work. We have tried to focus on the most exciting and up-to date topics regarding China and its wonderful people to give you an amazing reading experience. You will have the opportunity to read about megacities, the different faces of youth in China and the cultural transformation it is going through. When you look on a globe China and Sweden are as far from each other as you get, but Project China 2011 once again bridged the gap between thousands of students with leading experts and major companies through lectures, company visits and career fairs by emphasizing what we have in common. One of the many great things about Project China is the opportunity to go to visit the Middle Kingdom for the summer. During our trip we experienced a lot of extraordinary, crazy and even a bit dangerous things. However, they are experiences we would never want to be without. Two of the project’s female members had to late one night hail a black cab on its way to the big industrial town, Guangzhou. They had previously arrived just too late for the last bus due to their heavy luggage. All of a sudden they found themselves cramped in the backseat of a minibus together with seven sweaty and at that time angry men. Naturally, one cannot avoid conversation for two straight hours, even if you’re sharing a cab with strangers. A few

minutes into some small talk with the cabbie, they realized he wasn’t the kind of person just looking for “snabba cash”. It didn’t take long before all seven men joined in the conversation. The tallest and probably youngest guy in the group had just turned 33. As the lights from the other cars shined through the front window they got to know his story:

Capital Beijing

“No, of course I never went to college. We were going through some tough times at home and I had to take a job, any job to provide for my family. One day cutting trees for wood in the mountains to suddenly carrying the luggage of dirty-rich middle-aged women in the city.” As the traffic thinned, his story filled the cab with optimism and the sweaty men started to nod in agreement with his story of social uprising. Now the men didn’t look as scary anymore. “You know, I’m quite lucky, believe it or not piccolos earn a pretty decent pay – for example just now, my last customer gave me a thousand bucks in tip because I told her she was beautiful. She was actually kind of ugly.” Needless to say our girls arrived safely.

Ethnic groups 91.51% Han; 55 recognised minorities

Now we have put our hearts into this book and through more than a year’s hardships transformed our ideas into words. We promise you a ride filled with delight, surprises and excitement if you would just kindly take a minute out of your busy life to absorb all that China has to offer.

Currency Chinese yuan (¥) (CNY)

Yours truly,

Longest River Yangtze, 6 380 km

Largest city Shanghai Official languages Mandarin

President Hu Jintao Premier Wen Jiabao Establishment October 1949 Population 1,339,724,852 (2010)

Highest Peak Mount Everest, 8 848 m

Yi and Lau 9

Quotes from the Book

“With 240 million rural immigrants flooding the cities one may ask the question of how to make enough space for all these new residents” (p. 13)

“The one-child policy is reckoned as the most modern and significant population control system the world has ever seen” (p. 38)

“In China, the current prosperity and growth of the nation supersede any Western notion that democracy and transparency should come first” (p. 82)

“With a rapidly growing middle class the Chinese government can expect problems in the future” (p. 76)

“China has a clear goal of becoming the planet’s first low carbon superpower” (p. 18)

“The willingness of the Chinese people to celebrate their prosperity and emperors is evident and can be seen in countless landmarks around the country” (p. 64)

Fun Facts about China Essential trivia about the Middle Kingdom

In ancient times, p people would wra parchment with prayers around aching teeth on September 20th – the “Love your teeth”-day. It was a also believed thatg “worm” was eatin the tooth Tian’anmen Sq in Beijing is on uare of the largest cie squares in the ty world, designed hold about 50 to 0 000 people

In so in Ch me rural is co ina, spit areas spor nsidered ting how t. In Hon a imm ever, the g Kong 1 500ediate finre is an dolla Hong K e of ong rs

China is the world’s oldest continuous civilization, dating back more than 3500 years. The imperial system of China lasted until 1912

In Chin name a, the famil the fir comes first y and secon st name d . T h e name famil listed “Zhang” wa y a most c s the worlds ’s surna ommon Book ome by Guinn 1990 f Records in ess

There are about 40the 000 characters in , Chinese languageon and an adult pers is expected to know about 5 000 of them

600 about 1 g re a re e h in T ndas liv giant pa ild and the in the war is seen as cozy be al treasure in a nation China

About 700 000 engineers graduate each year from universities in China ted re inven Kites we and were in China y used in war originall The Great Wal na was initiallyl of Chito stop smuggl built but later dyna ing, sties continued to ex it as defense ag pand the Mongoliansainst in the north

MEGACITIES

China’s Urban Billion TEXT: DANIEL HÄTTY | INTERVIEW: DANIEL HÄTTY

The urbanization is zooming through China and the Chinese people. The footprint after the Beijing Olympics are remarkable and life is not was it used to be for the locals living in the ancient narrow alleyways – hutongs – in Beijing.

utongs refers to streets and alleyways in the ancient part of Beijing and gives its visitor a suggestion of how life used to be in the heart of the ancient city. They are known for their importance as cultural elements of Beijing and almost every hutong has housed several generations of families. Behind the stone walls in the narrow alleyways, the sight of spacious courtyards with elderly people playing cards, children enjoying themselves and anecdotes being passed from generation to generation is common.

However, times change as one hutong resident explains, “The modern city, the contemporary Chinese city, is very bad. People become more and more unfamiliar with each other. I don’t know even one of my neighbors. I don’t know their career path, their names, how many people live next door.” The force behind the exterior reshaping of the hutongs and the interior changes of life-style within the ancient buildings is the urbanization. Today nearly half of China’s population lives in urban areas and the rural-to-urban 13

“With 240 million rural immigrants flooding the cities one may ask the question of how to make enough space for all these new residents” ratio is predicted to steadily increase. With 240 million rural immigrants flooding the cities one may ask the question of how to make enough space for all these new residents. Many of Beijing’s more than 17 million people are afraid that the city’s leaders will make the same fatal mistake as they did during the Olympic Games and pay little attention to maintaining Beijing’s 14

cultural heritage in favor of rapid development. The fear of the Beijing residents seems justified; China is undergoing urbanization to a scale of which the world has never seen. In order to be able to house all immigrants it can be tempting to replace the ancient hutongs with mighty skyscrapers that are way more efficient in terms of space. Sadly, the construction-boom during the Olympics has already demolished whole hutong areas and nowadays it can sometimes be hard to pin-point where the ancient courtyard houses once stood. As one Chinese blogger and local hutong resident says: “I can understand the value of development, but I cannot understand why the

hutong neighborhoods are being obliterated. Anyone who has even casually passed through these can plainly see and feel the lively community atmosphere. Most important are the personal interactions between the residents. Everyone seems to know each other; passing individuals will exchange greetings, or stop at length for a chat. This intimate atmosphere canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be found anywhere else in the city.â&#x20AC;?

Beijingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leaders are standing at a critical junction - far from all hutongs have been turned into rubble and Chinese decision makers are working hard to find a way to preserve these unique areas of the city. The hutongs might not provide its residents with the same modern comfortable living as the new high rises but they provide something just as valuable: the feeling of a close community.

The Green Revolution TEXT: ERIK LENNAHL

Swedes often consider themselves the world’s leading and most aware population when it comes to the important issues of preserving the environment and preventing pollution and global warming. The Swedish green-tech industry has a promising future – but is now facing stark competition from the East.

ive years from now, China is expected to have 8.17 gigatons of CO2 emissions if business continues as usual. Nine years ago, the country represented 14.5% of the world’s total CO2 emissions, with a calculated total of 3.3 gigatons, which at the time was the second highest number in the world. On their steep path towards the world’s second largest economy, China also became the world’s top user of energy and the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, with almost a third directly related to exported goods. In the middle of March this year the

National People’s Congress approved the twelfth five-year economic development guidelines for China, covering the years 2011 through 2015. One of the more significant plans is to prioritize the quality in the economic growth. For the next couple of years, the country actually has a lower economic growth rate target than what the nation had in the last five-year plan. The last growth rate target was surpassed by the country during the whole period, which makes the lowering of the goal even more conspicuous. “We want to put the emphasis of our work on the quality and the benefits of economic growth”, Prime Minister

Wen Jinbao said. A lower – but more sustainable – growth is therefore prioritized, so that “the fruits of the development” can benefit the whole population. One of these “fruits of development” is the achievement of a better environment. The government works hard to wash away the image of China as a climate polluter, “We can no longer sacrifice the environment in return for fast economic growth”, the Prime Minister said. A lot of what you see, when visiting China, is not what you would expect based on what is normally shown in the media. The billowing factories feel mentally very far away. The car is not yet that common for the average Chinese in favor of the moped. And it’s not just any moped – a vast majority of the mopeds on the streets are powered by electricity. In many cities, the government takes advantage of the long hours of sunshine in the form of street lighting powered by solar power. There is no doubt about it - China is changing. As a matter of fact, China has a clear goal of becoming the planet’s first low-carbon superpower. Considering the economic growth, and the fact that they today are the world’s largest producer of green energy, they are on their way of achieving their objective. By the end of 2010, China had become the world’s largest investor in clean energy, at RMB 345 billion (approx. 351 billion SEK) with a total of 42 288 MW in wind power

and a growth rate of 39 %. Compared with the Swedish wind power - 2 163 MW and a growth rate of 29 % - it gives us an insight into the extent of the Chinese investment in green tech. At the same time, 17 000 km of high-speed rail lines are under construction, to be compared with the Swedish railroad network consisting of 13 000 km of rail in total! When considering that these numbers are still not yet influenced by the new twelve-year plan – which is even more focused on environmental issues – the Chinese initiative on green tech seems even more incredible.

“China has a clear goal of becoming the planet’s first low-carbon superpower” The Chinese government aims to lower carbon intensity by 40-45 % by 2020, and the green tech industry has obviously an important role in accomplishing that. China still has quite low, however rising wages, which keeps the production costs down. The Chinese government supports the green-tech industry through lowinterest loans and the five-year economic development guidelines. With enormous green investments and a stable economy, China has the opportunity of expanding even further beyond the country’s borders and one day in the future the world’s top polluter might become the top provider of green solutions.

Quick Guide to Learning Chinese Use this quick guide to become a true Chinese ace in no time!

Getting around town

Taxi Chu zu che Taxi driver Shi fu Bus Gong gong qi che Tube Di tie To the airport please Qing dao ji chang I would like to get off Wo yao xia che How much? Duo shao qian?

At the restau r

ant

Fu wu yuan Cai dan Waiter/waitress Menu Wo yao I Zhe ge want to have... Na ge This one That one Gong bao ji ding K Pi jiu ong-pau chicken Ke le Beer Mi fan Coke Rice Beijing kao ya Pe king duck Mai dan Check please

Finding familiar food Mai dang lao Ken de ji Xing ba ke Han bao wang Ha gen da si 22

McDonaldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s KFC Starbucks Burger King HĂ¤agen-Dazs

Shopping and haggli

Mai dong xi Shopping Bububu, tai gui le! No no no, too expensive Bu yao/yao ! I don’t want/I want Neng pian yi dian er ma ? Yi Jia Could I have it a bit cheaper? IKEA

Sociali

zing es

sent

ials Nihao Ni jiao s hen me m Hi ing zi? Wo jiao.. . W hat is yo Hao jiu b ur name u My nam ? Ni hao m jian e is .. . a? It’s been Wo hen a long tim hao, ni n e! H ow are y e ? Xie xie ou? I a Zai jian m fine, and you? Thanks Bye s

Finding new friend

Mei nu, Shuai ge i Ni hao piao liang/shua me? Ni xiang he dian shen ao liang Ni de yan jing hen pi Wo hen xi huan ni ni Wo hao xiang ren shi o shao? Ni de dian hua shi du jia ma? Ni xiang gen wo hui

boy Pretty girl/handsome ndsome You are very pretty/ha u to drink? What should I offer yo eyes You have very pretty I like you very much m before I think I know you fro mber? What is your phone nu me with me? ho Would you like to go

Getting rid of new frien ds Wo men hai shi dang peng you ba Bu shi ni de cuo, wo bian le Ni tai hao le, wo pei bu shang ni Wo bu ai ni le Wo de qian zheng yao guo qi le

Let’s just stay friends It’s not your fault, I changed You are too good for me I don’t love you anymore My visa is expiring soon 23

Favourite Spots TEXT: PROJECT CHINA 2011

Travel in the footsteps of Project China 2011. The following are fond memories of the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorite places all across China. 24

Mong Kok TEXT: YI ZHANG

hen in Hong Kong, I would skip another stop at Starbucks and instead head to Mong Kok - a constantly crowded array of markets. Not only can Mong Kok provide you with a wide range of hip boutiques and food stalls, and also cheap (5 HKD for a skirt) second hand clothes and accessories. With all the confusion in the air, it’ll be hard to find your way, but as I recall it – just step out of the subway staircase (Mong Kok station), turn left, walk to the end and voila, there it is. Tees, tops, linens, jackets, gorgeous dresses of the fifties, ties, and outrageous costumes for Halloween, you name it; it’s all there stacked and packed in a space of roughly the size of a classroom. Filthy? Well some would say that it is, but certainly fashionable, and did I mention cheap?

China’s Hawaii TEXT: ROBERT LUNDKVIST

bury my feet even deeper into the warm sand and feel the soft grains gently slide between my toes. I can hear the sound of waves breaking and I take a deep breath to really soak up that hot and salty ocean breeze. My hair is still damp and perfectly salty from my last dip in the South China Sea. I sit up in an upright position and open my eyes to face a stunning view of a clear blue sky, beautifully turquoise water and white sand. To my right I have a mainland family of three generations all dressed in matching Hawaiianstyle shirts and shorts combos burying themselves deep into the sand, having fun, laughing and being unselfconscious for once. On my left-hand side, a hundred meters or so down the everlasting white beach I can see a newly wedded couple posing for a photographer to get that perfect wedding picture. I help myself to another fresh lychee, take another deep breath, close my eyes and think for myself; Oh, I love Hainán! To get away from traffic jams, pollution, about six billion elbows and freezing winters, Hainán and its world class beaches proves to be a wonderful way to punctuate a visit to this vast country. Hainán is China’s smallest province and has historically been ignored by series of dynasties for thousands of years. A sort of lost paradise that nobody thought of except for exiling criminals. But feeding directly off China’s booming economy, the rehabilitation of the reputation of this island has been so fast and so complete that what was once called “the gate of hell” now is called “China’s Hawaii”. In fact, Hainán is located on the same latitude as Hawaii and Hanoi in Vietnam and they share a similar climate. If you’re one of those who get bored from lying on the beach sipping juice from fresh coconuts all day, don’t despair. There are plenty of adventurous activities around to fill weeks of your schedule. You can for example pay a visit to the local floating fishing village or cable car to Monkey Island where the thousands of wild monkeys will steal anything that they can get a hold of. 25

A Night Out in Hong Kong TEXT: GABRIEL MONTGOMERIE

Oysters Bar & Restaurant 10 Wo On Lane Central, Hong Kong

Carnegie’s Hong Kong G/F Spa Centre, 53-55 Lockhart Road Wanchai, Hong Kong

ong Kong – Asia’s World City offers attractions and enjoyment to the pickiest of guests and for the person who cares to look there are endless opportunities. The nightlife offers everything between Irish pubs to spectacular night clubs overlooking the most beautiful skyline in the world. Guides to these places are plentiful and easily accessible, so I will take this moment to frame your night out with the best “first” and “last” place to go. Oysters Bar and Restaurant doesn’t look like much, cramped as it is in a side street to the popular spots in Lan Kwai Fong, Hong Kong’s legendary entertainment district. Once inside, however, you are greeted by a welcoming little place with nice staff and good prices. The tip is to bring their trademark long island ice tea to the street outside where the real socializing takes place. Being close to the best spots of all categories, this is the place to start your night in Hong Kong. Now you are on your own for the next few hours, but before going home make sure you take a taxi to the Wan Chai district where you will find the friendly anglo-styled bar Carnegie’s. Whether you like to cool down with a cold one or keep dancing on the abundantly sized bar, this is the place for you. Even though Hong Kong nights-out never looks the same, these are the two places you need to visit that won’t let you down.

The Pedestrian Street TEXT: WING SZE HUYNH

hangXiaJiu, directly translated to UpDown9, lies in the heart of Guangzhou, the city known as the heaven of food and shopping in China. UpDown9 is a more than one kilometer pedestrian street which offers you hundreds of shops and restaurants. The price range is amazing; at one end of UpDown9 you will find a big shopping mall with high quality brands and in the other end lots of smaller shops known as the young generation’s favorites. When you get hungry, you can find everything from old traditional Chinese restaurants to KFC and McDonald’s – Or why not have some sushi, Italian food, kebab or make a tour in UpDown9’s Food Street with all kind of small dishes and appetizers. My favorite is the Xinjiang barbeque, which you can easily find in the street food stands. There are also the takoyaki, ice teas, fresh fruit drinks and a lot more eat-while-you-go-shopping food. UpDown9 simply offers everything the heat could want. 26

Tiger Leaping Gorge TEXT: MATTIAS ALMQVIST

Lijiang, Yunnan Province

s there anything more beautiful than the feeling of your aching legs and pounding heart together with the astonishing view of an amazing piece of nature? This is what you get when trekking the Tiger Leaping Gorge.

The gorge is a canyon made by the Yangtze River, which pierces through the gorge on its way to Shanghai and the East China Sea. It is located in the province of Yunnan in the southwestern part of China and a two-hour journey from the city of Lijiang. The gorge is one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deepest river canyons. At some point you will walk 2,000 meters above the river on small and slippery paths feeling grateful every time the path widens - and it will be worth it. The name is derived from a legend saying that a tiger jumped across the river at its narrowest point to escape a hunter. Whether this is true or not is up to you to decide, but I can tell you this much; the river will, even at the narrowest point be at least 25 meters wide. You can make a detour to this place and feel the power of the river together with a horde of Chinese tourists. If you are tired of the solitude of the mountain-trails, then sit down for a while and watch the tourists and their clothes, which are certainly not made for trekking.

A Day in Yangshuo TEXT: LINDA STOBY HĂ&#x2013;GLUND

fter having spent most of my time in China in the cities of Beijing and Shanghai, I was very much looking forward to visit the more rural areas of the Guangxi province. We caught the night train from Shanghai and arrived 20 hours later in the city of Guilin. Our final destination was Yangshuo, a small town known for its scenic location. Situated next to a river delta, the town used to be a fishing village, but nowadays the town seems to enjoy a great flow of tourism from both within and outside of China. My feelings towards Yangshuo are mixed. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get me wrong; it is an astounding place, where cone-shaped mountains towers over cobbled alleyways, small meandering rivers, and quaint houses. Unfortunately the scenic town is overwhelmed with too much tourism. It is hard to walk down any street in town without attracting all sorts of stallholders, shop owners, restaurant waiters and waitresses insisting on offering you their services. At night Yangshuo turns into something of a lighter Chinese version of Ibiza, with many party people trying to fit into the small bars and clubs. My favourite spot is the all-vegetarian restaurant, situated on one of the main streets in town. The restaurant has been pleasantly decorated and the staff is very polite. The meals on offer are presented in a binder with photos of every dish, which is very helpful. There really is something for everyone to enjoy, because the choices are almost impoundable. The prices are a bit above Chinese average, though that means it is still quite cheap. All dishes are decorated with animals and flowers cut out of tomatoes, cucumbers and carrots, adding to a memorable dining experience.

MAO Live Bar TEXT: LAU SKOVGAARD

Nanluoguxiang / Gulou Dongdajie 111 Gulou Dongdajie, Dongcheng District

n a popular street in Beijing the huge picture of MAO is plastered on a façade of iron plates much in contrast to the cozy buildings next by. Sneak in through the huge doors and enter a room of red velour sofas, graffiti walls and a bar serving Chinese liquor that will probably turn you half blind and you know the stage is set for something extraordinary. Venture further in and you will eventually pass the last door leading into a heaven for music lovers: A dark room featuring a stage with all the newest in Chinese rock music, insanely huge speakers and a punked-up crowd going crazy in this otherwise civilized country. And if you are now wondering, whether the MAO in question is that Mao, then absolutely! It’s still China you know.

Great Wall of China TEXT: DANIEL HÄTTY

here are not many sights in the world that are as famous as the Great Wall of China. With sky high expectations packed in a bus of 30 equally excited travelers you cannot help to ask yourself: “Just how great can it be?” After having spent a day on the wall and watched it wind through the fantastic scenery, I realized that it was just that great!

Riding the Donkey TEXT: GABRIELLA LANG

Tiger Leaping Gorge Lijiang, Yunnan Province

ust like Mattias I really enjoyed Tiger’s Leaping Gorge, but more than anything I enjoyed my ride on the donkey. When walking the Tiger’s leaping gorge I hadn’t exercised for a long time and on top of that I had a cold and a slight fever. I wasn’t in the best physical shape. Luckily there was the donkey man and his donkey, hoping for nothing but to sell a little ride to the top. At first I wasn’t interested at all: I was there to hike. The more exhausted I got the more interested I got in that donkey. With less than an hour left to the top I decided to go for it. I suddenly realized that riding a donkey for 40 minutes just makes me enjoy my hike even more. My trip to China was not about pushing myself into puking; it was about having fun and enjoying myself. And if I did! The view was astonishing, the mountains beautiful and my friends out of breath.

The Silk Market TEXT: MIKAEL YANG

riginally only a street of small boutiques, the Silk Market has become a true tourist destination in Beijing. Whether you are Chinese or a “Wai Guo Ren” (foreigner) the Silk Market has everything you may need in your everyday life. You can buy “brand” clocks, T-shirts and electronic devices at a much lower price than at any reseller in the world – the only flaw? Everything there is fake. The market is located on the Silk Street near the Beijing Central Business District. The store consists of over 1 700 stalls and shops on approximately 35 000 square meters of floor. Immediately after you go through the entrance you will be met with enthusiastic sales people yelling for you attention. If you want to buy something you like don’t ever go along with their first offer, the number is usually 8 – 10 times higher than the actual price. In fact, on Silk Street you can hear and spot all kinds of bargaining methods. Some customers scream, while others pretend that they have little interest in the object they might buy. Eventually, the buyer and the seller will come to a price they are both satisfied with. If you get the chance to travel to Beijing, make sure that you pay a visit to this cultural phenomenon. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!

Nanjing Road TEXT: JOHANNA LUO

f you are into shopping and love to go around busy shopping streets then Nanjing Road is a must for you! Nanjing Road, Nanjing Lu in Chinese, is the main shopping street of Shanghai, the world’s longest shopping district and it is probably also the world’s busiest shopping street attracting over a million visitors daily. Whether it is during day or night, you really do feel the joyous atmosphere when you are walking along Nanjing Road. The street has something for all people, products in every price range and everything that you could ever think of. From branded stores such as Prada and Louis Vuitton to local brands, from luxurious restaurants to McDonald’s and KFC, the street offers it all. If you have the opportunity, you should take the time to visit Nanjing Road during both day and night since it will be two different experiences. Taking a stroll from The Bund (the eastern part of the road) and going westwards along the Nanjing Road, seeing all the neon signs and lamps which lights up the road in cozy atmosphere. It was however surprisingly difficult to find a good place to settle down for a drink. Some tips are to keep an eye on your belongings when walking on Nanjing Road since theft is pretty common. Do not fall for any random guys or girls trying to scam you along your walk either. Trust me, the Project China 2011 group has quite some experience in that field. 34

Moon Hill Mountain TEXT: ERIK LENNAHL

s if the scenery of the “normal” mountains of the area around Guilin wasn’t enough, the Moon Hill Mountain about eight kilometers south of Yangshuo is even more unique. Moon Hill Mountain is a mountain with a natural arch, forming a semi-circular hole at the top of the mountain. Rent a moped or a bike in Yangshuo, get to the mountain (and don’t forget to enjoy the view!), pay the fee of ¥ 15 and prepare for a walk on the path up the mountain. The climb to the arch takes roughly 20 minutes, and don’t be surprised if you are accompanied by vendors of water and souvenirs. For those with a bit more adventurous mind, you can walk the significantly less touristic and steeper path through dense vegetation up to the summit, where you can enjoy an even more magnificent, 360-degree, somewhat top-down view of the amazing karst mountains surrounding you as far as the eye can see. The scenery is reminiscent to the floating “Hallelujah Mountains” of James Cameron’s movie Avatar – which as a matter of fact was inspired in particular by the mountains in Yangshuo. The Moon Hill Mountain is also a popular spot for rock climbing, and the arch has several routes. It is also used by adventurers for rappelling. How to get here: Fly to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL). Then take the bus (¥ 14) to Yangshuo and then preferably bike (¥ 10 - ¥ 30) or moped (¥ ~70) to Moon Hill Mountain. Ask the rental station for route guidance. 35

YOUTHFUL CHINA

One-Child Policy TEXT: YI ZHANG | INTERVIEW: YI ZHANG

Our planet is getting less and less lonely. With almost seven billion people living on the Earth, the world’s arable land keeps on shrinking and viable resources are getting scarcer. Still, the rapid increase in human population does not seem to cease, which makes overpopulation an all the more urgent matter to humanity.

n the second half of the 20th century, a handful of family planning programs were introduced in China, regulating fertility through laws and policies. This type of authoritarian solution certainly may seem impracticable and a somewhat brutal task – not to mention the anticipated strong public response. For China, countering overpopulation has been given a high priority. Being the most populated country in the world with more than 1.3 billion inhabitants, a drastic measure was needed to ensure it would be relieved from extensive unemployment and food shortages. This is how the Chinese winded up with the one-child policy. The one-child policy is reckoned as the 38

most modern and significant population control system the world has ever seen. It basically instructs couples to have no more than one child. However, exemptions are allowed quite often, for example when two “single children” become parents, they are permitted to have two children together. Then again, if one violates the policy there is risk of becoming a subject of social rejection and other kinds of punishments. Enforcement levels do vary from area to area, but heavy fines are a customary routine and it is also common that the newborn child is refused registration by authorities. In other words, the child will be denied access to state healthcare and education. Occasionally family-planning officials go to extremities to catch violators

and cases of forced abortion have been reported.

explaining the many difficult aspects of the policy:

Nonetheless, the larger fraction of the Chinese population actually do support the policy, amongst these are the two university students, Hanzheng and Zixi, who I had the opportunity to talk with. Zhu Hanzheng and Fan Zixi are both 24 years old and from Hubei province in China, as for their personal reasoning for their chosen standpoint, Hanzheng comments,” In my opinion, I support this policy, because it is an effective policy to control the Chinese population in the short term. This land, China, cannot afford more people. Until now, this policy has already controlled the Chinese population and kept it stable”.

“Basically speaking, it is a good thing to control the large population, however, it reduces the quality of the Chinese people. The reason is that this policy has been executed in urban areas strictly, but not as strict on the countryside. It means that poor families may have more than one child, and they probably cannot afford their education. Besides, the one-child policy has also changed the characters of the Chinese. A child without siblings may experience a lonely childhood and become more selfish and spoiled.”

“The one-child policy is reckoned as the most modern and significant population control system the world has ever seen” Indisputably, the population growth has stagnated since the policy took effect in 1979, preventing some 250 million births that the nation would have trouble accommodating. Now just like any other controversial topic, the one-child policy has its pros and cons. Zixi argues about benefits of this strategy, “The control of the overly grown population, increased the level of healthcare, personal saving rates, economic development and decreased the energy and resource consumption etc. Bad things might be the violation of human rights which is an issue criticized by western countries and social problems result from the generation of single children”. Hanzheng adds on what Zixi says by 40

In recent years, great attention has been paid to the sex imbalance existing in China. Future parents tend to favor boys over girls, but there have always been a slight difference in the amount of girls and boys being born. Average lies naturally around 105 male babies per 100 female, but today, the situation has gone to a ratio of 120 to 100. Then again, experts remain positive and generally believe that shortly, the trend will turn and the sex skewness will diminish. Zixi comments: “I think our government has acknowledged the potentially disastrous social consequences of the sex imbalance. The shortage of women may have increased mental health problems and has left some men unable to marry and have a family. In some cities, the scarcity of females has resulted in kidnapping and trafficking of women for marriage; there are fears that these consequences could be a real threat to our country’s stability in the future” Unfortunately, the level of impact by the policy stretches farther than the sex-ratiodistortion. Analysts fear an approach-

ing aging problem as well. While fewer children are born, fewer are also dying of age. And as the government continues to strictly follow the one-child policy, the total amount of people being able to work will lessen and China will be in short supply of workforce. As Hanzheng puts it, “Another social effect is that the structure of the population has changed as well. In the future, we will lack of young labor, and more old people will put our state’s finances in trouble.” Since an overweighing majority of China’s exports are in one way or another labor-intensive, this will bring out serious economical complications. The forced three-person family structure is not optimal from a labor-centered point of view. Poor people in the countryside will be affected in particular seeing as rural families tend to have and depend more on

their offspring. For the new generation, it is the burden of the single child to care and provide for his entire family when they retire. As Zixi puts it, “Generally, rich people, and poor people do not like the strategy since rich people can afford more than one child. As for poor people, they just simply think the more children, the better for the family. In between, which is the majority of Chinese people, we think this strategy is fine.” To deprive these people of their human right to reproduce may not be the answer to the overpopulation problem. It needs to be pointed out though that the Chinese government is trying, and they are trying hard. Who are we to judge a strategy that is working? At least to some extent. 41

Promising Prodigies TEXT: MIKAEL YANG

About half a century ago, when poverty was widespread, the common sense among people was to have as many children as possible, in some cases up to a dozen kids. The family residence was a crowded and unfurnished place since most people could not afford anything more than what was necessary for basic survival.

s for the kids, it was important for them to help the family earning a living by working in the rice fields instead of wasting money on education. Despite having to work most of their childhood, most adults nowadays agree on the fact that they were happy at that time; it is just that the definition of â&#x20AC;&#x153;happinessâ&#x20AC;? has changed through time.

In the middle of the 70th century, China decided to go from an agricultural focus to an industrial one. Heavy investments were made on education and urbanization. It was also the beginning of the establishment of modern megacities. During the process, people began to realize the importance of education again, because those who had been studying could break loose

from poverty. Job opportunities flooded over when factories and companies rose up. Suddenly, no child would work on the rice field anymore; people were supposed to sit in front of the school desk reading books.

is being forced to study by their respective mom. To maximize the chances of success, a lifelong journey of diligent and dedicated cramming is needed; in fact, many kids are forced to go through extensive tutoring as

“The new-fashioned way of upbringing is often described as one long journey of nightmares”

It only took about ten years before a generation-shift was witnessed. The new-fashioned way of upbringing is often described as “one long journey of nightmares”, as the children were mercilessly burdened with schoolwork. But they did however turn into a well-educated, open-minded and exceptionally ambitious group of people. At the present, they make the motor that is keeping the fast-speed advancements China has made in gaining economic power.

soon as they start at kindergarten. By the age of six to seven, when the kids are ready for primary school, their spare time are being significantly reduced by additional classes ranging from English to advanced essay writing.

According to the students, the key to survival in this high-competitive atmosphere

Why do parents rob the children of their spare time? Well, the explanation is simple 43

and plain; because everyone else does it. If you do not follow the stream, your child will fall behind. Even if you have done your preparation thoroughly, the competition is very hard. There are less than a hundred thousand positions in the Chinese universities in total whilst each year the amount of participants for the high school exam (Gao kao) is up to ten million. The National Higher Education Entrance Examination, also known as Gao kao, as briefly mentioned, was first introduced at the same time as the foundation of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. The selection was initially solely based on political and family background, rather than academic achievements. This practice continued until 1978, when the successor to Mao, Chairman Deng Xiaoping changed the rules. The age limit as well as personal background restrictions were replaced by the balanced score system in order to improve the fairness of the system. People saw this as a life-changing opportunity, and did not hesitate to try their chances. The total number of candidates during the first year was as many as 5.7 million people, and the age range was all the way from early teenagers to late thirties. The entrance exam has benefitted the studying generation and it has at the same time affected the Chinese way of upbringing. This simple two-day-exam, can completely and utterly determine one’s future. Therefore, it is considered the hardest thing a Chinese student must go through. Xinyi Cheng, a Chinese student, who now is in her fourth year at Tsinghua University, says, “I remember studying

non-stop for more than three years for it. But I think nowadays everyone starts preparing already from their birth, which is just bizarre.” She can still remember everything clearly, “I, as everyone else in

“To maximize the chances of success, a lifelong journey of diligent and dedicated cramming is needed” China, see the exam as an opportunity to have a future that I want for myself. Even though the exam is so torturing, it is the fairest method of separating students from each other. This way, everyone gets the same chance of getting a new life of your own. If you are born poor, the exam is the perfect opportunity for you to get onto a better path.” China has for the past ten years, been thinking about introducing another system to replace or to function as a complement to the exam. Since the pressure is too high, there are a lot of advantages to the new suggestion, not only for the students but also for their parents and teachers. Many people want to change the fact that no one gets a second chance if they perform poorly for some unexpected reason on their first try. Xinyi specifically points out, “I think it’s good that the government wants to change the current system, because there are a lot of holes right now. But the fairness must not be compromised, because this may be the only chance some people get in their lives.”

Growing Up Chinese TEXT: GABRIELLA LANG | INTERVIEW: GABRIELLA LANG

The Chinese way of raising children is known to be characterized by tiger moms and strict fathers ordering their kids to give up spare time in favor of nonstop studying. As the West and East battles its parenting methods, the impression in the West is, the only question that matters to Chinese parents is how their children can gain admission to the best universities in a country of 1.3 billion people.

o find out more about the situation I decided to ask those who had experienced it all, three students at Tsinghua University, how they would raise their children. Meet Richard, Lily and Tiger.

It immediately becomes clear that their road to admission to Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Harvard differs. Tiger describes his childhood as a time with playing in the open fields after school. Not all had happy childhoods though and Richard tells a story of having to study a lot as a kid:

In my later childhood, I was too busy to have weekends. I studied both inside class and out of class in order to catch up with the other children. I liked computer games but my time for playing was strictly limited. Actually I was not happy at that time. Most of the students remember being spanked and shouted at when they had done something bad. Tiger used to be beaten. He says he initially felt bad about but in retrospect he believes it was needed considering how naughty and disrespectful he used to be. Richard tells a similar story of tough parenting, but apparently it is different for girls as Lily explains: My parents think girls should not be beaten, and some Chinese say “girls should be raised as princesses”. Boys don’t have such good luck though; some people think boys can become obedient only by beating.

Richard believes he will beat his future kids and says: “I think, I will spank my future kids, but I will limit the use of this kind of power. It’s not a good punishment, but it’s the most efficient one. I don’t think it’s correct to spank a child for small things because it may reduce the scare and efficiency of this method”. Lily on the other hand has quite a different opinion: “I’d rather not to beat my child as I think it’s inhuman and might leave the kid with a terrible mental scar.” It is not all stick though. In many Asian countries appreciation is shown by giving food. Many of the students recall being rewarded by being taken to restaurants or served tasty snacks. As our conversation progresses the students emphasize the importance of helping their future kids to find their own hobbies. Richard says that he wishes his future kids 47

will be happier and have more spare time than what he had, when he was a kid. At least if he gets a girl. He really wants a future son to be a top achiever, even if it may conflict with his son’s happiness. Both Richard and Tiger say they will raise their kids differently depending on sex. As Tiger explains: Parents need to be tough towards boys. It is important that they form strong characters. For girls parents should provide more encouragements. Girls are more flexible in nature. Richard hopes a son and daughter will develop different hobbies: I want to raise a girl and a boy different because of the different roles they will have to play in society. If it is a boy, I will teach him “heavy” things like Kung Fu, sports and mathematics. If it is a girl I will teach her something “light” to help her form a quiet personality. I want to see boys strong and girls graceful. Even though academic achievements are important to the elite students of China it does seem like the most authoritarian methods of raising children are declining in popularity. Tiger explains: I want to develop a sense of mutual respect, and I will always let them speak out

their discontent of my “policies”. This is what I believe to be the essence of my parents’ strategies. I want my kids to understand the importance of compromising. Lily also reflects on the way her parents brought her up. “I won’t raise my kids the same way as I was raised, but I’ll learn something from my parents, like the free environment, the early bonding, teaching kids good habits and helping them find their own interests.”

“Richard says that he wishes his future kids will be happier and have more spare time than what he had when he was a kid” Talking to the students at Tsinghua University has made me realize that tiger moms do exist, but they do not represent the typical Chinese parent, not even among China’s elite students. Most students at Tsinghua did not receive their good grades because they have been forced to nonstop studying by authoritarian parents. Most of the students at Tsinghua scored high on their entrance exams because of a combination of great support, passion and self-discipline.

Taking Mushrooms with Obama TEXT: LAU SKOVGAARD | INTERVIEW: LAU SKOVGAARD

The art scene is exploding in China. But is the art all propaganda and ancient calligraphy or is there some true nerve and dreams to be found? I meet Xinyi - a student at the Art School of Tsinghua University and a girl with some quite perverse sculptures.

As we stood in her atelier at the school, surrounded by sculptures by her classmates, we started out talking about the role of art in the Chinese society. Xinyi said that of course religion, LGBTQ and politics was difficult subjects to touch on, but as we walked around I saw a sculpture of Obama in a bathtub and Jesus together with six other religious founders and I started to realize that maybe these subjects weren’t completely banished. “The only thing you can’t question is the Communist Party. That’s not possible”. But then again everything in China is evolving: Xinyi makes sculptures about sex. No doubt about that and if it’s perverse even better. “Norwegian Wood”, featuring a lot of mushrooms (an old Asian fertility symbol), is inspired by a Japanese novel by Murakami. The novel is set in Tokyo during the late 1960s, a time when Japanese students, like those of many other nations, were protesting against the established order. So maybe there was more to the sculpture than just sex on a forest floor. For Xinyi I sensed her sculptures were a way to explore her own sexuality and her dreams and fears about the future. She described how her teacher had said to her: “You need to make your works explicit, now they’re locked in a dream state, but if you break free the work will too”. I was really intrigued by her works and I could see a clear development; from the mushrooms in Norwegian Wood to the squid with a naked woman on top. As she said: “Someday I hope to have the courage to make a real cock” Wow! That is courage right there. Xinyi also showed me a picture she was painting of an 11-year old girl, a friend of her cousin. “She is a really interesting 51

girl, who looks much more mature than her age, but whenever she speaks, totally a kid. I have been painting her since the end of last year, every month a painting. I am thinking about witnessing and record the process of a girl coming into her adolescence. This year is also the year I have to farewell to my adolescence.â&#x20AC;? When I came home from China I thought a lot about Xinyi and her works. She completely changed my image of China, taking me to punk concerts, crazy bars and we would discuss politics, homosexuality and drugs openly. Now I was even more in doubt whether I understood China. Xinyi sent me this message some weeks after our meeting: I am just back to Beijing from Hokkaido. it was a quite nice trip. Japan is super clean, and ppl are super polite, and girls are super sweet. .... during the trip I finished one Mishima Yukio's book, Forbidden color, it is crazy.......their perverse is beneath the peacefulness and neatness.... Ay, I don't think I have a throughout and proper understanding of Japan at all. Ironic isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it.

Campus Life TEXT: LINDA STOBY HÖGLUND | INTERVIEW: LINDA STOBY HÖGLUND, YI ZHANG

How much does life among university students around the world really differ? That is a question I asked myself while strolling around the campus of Tsinghua University in Beijing.

It is commonly seen as China’s top university and the school enjoys a great reputation internationally. Now, we have a lot of prejudices against the student life in China, not all of them can be true - so let’s hear what they have to say about how they spend their free time, and what’s more interesting; how they perceive the infamously wild campus life in Sweden! Huiqin is a senior at Tsinghua University majoring in finance. Despite her extensive schedule in school, she enjoys taking part in volunteering activities and projects like Sweden Day. Although students seem to keep busy outside of school, working part 54

time doesn’t appear to be quite as common. Huiqin mentions that she has done some tutoring over the summer before she started university, but reckons that not many of her fellow classmates work part time during the semesters.

“Some people really dislike the fact that they study too much and party too little” A widespread notion associated with social life at college is partying. Huiqin, however, reckons that her university doesn’t have much of a party culture, stating that she

va Wang is currently an international student at Stockholm School of Economics. She has a bachelor degree in statistics from Fudan University in Shanghai.

1. HOW IS CAMPUS LIFE IN CHINA? Maybe because most universities in China are boarding schools, relationship between students is much closer than it is in Sweden, we share more intimacy. About the education in China, We don’t have a lot of choices about what to learn, and we usually have a lot of homework from our courses. 2. HOW IS CAMPUS LIFE IN SWEDEN? Students here in Sweden have a lot of options, they are entitled to a lot of opportunities to get to know what they are interested in before they set the specialization they choose to go on with. Campus life in Sweden also involves a lot of group discussions, teamwork and how to become a team player, these are all very good experiences. 3. WHAT DO YOU USUALLY DO WHEN YOU ARE FREE FROM SCHOOL? I have to cook. This is something most students don’t have to do back in China. Otherwise, I would usually play tennis, hang out with friends, travel around and so on. 4. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF SWEDEN? My first impression of Sweden is the culture of “party and beer”. Most Chinese students don’t get why Swedes are so into parties. In China we prefer sitting together maybe having dinner or playing poker games and then we would talk with each other. 5. WHAT IS THE GENERAL OPINION OF SWEDEN AMONG THE CHINESE? Sweden holds a very nice name among the Chinese. General opinions include great natural environment, high quality of living, freedom of speech and open minds.

has only gone clubbing once during her three years at university. That’s not to say that the students at Tsinghua don’t enjoy having a good time. KTV (karaoke-singing) seems to be tremendeously popular among Chinese of any age. If ever given the chance to try it, don’t miss this opportunity to show of your (existent or nonexistent) singing talents with your friends in a private disco cubicle. Academics appear to be a slightly lesser

usan Lu is currently studying Clinical Medicine at Fudan University in Shanghai. She has been working for the Nordic Society for two years. 1. HOW IS CAMPUS LIFE IN CHINA? Hmm... The campus life here in China is kind of interesting and convenient because most of us live on campus. But it can be boring when you get used to it. So we always try new things! 2. WHAT DO YOU USUALLY DO WHEN YOU ARE FREE FROM SCHOOL? Do some sports or dancing, watch a lot of American TV series and work in Nordic Society. 3. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF SWEDEN? I used to like it because of the language and the pictures I’ve seen. Now that I’ve finally been there it really impressed me with the old town, the architecture, the special atmosphere and maybe even the scary zombies of the culture festival. I love those zombies, haha!

part of college life in Sweden, which tends to involve more part-time work and social commitments and at the same time Swedish students seem to spend a little more time hanging in the bar instead of over their books than their Chinese counterparts. When all is said though, I would say that student life in China is very much like what it is in Sweden, or anywhere really; going to lectures, playing sports, having lunch in the school cafeteria, and studying.

4. WHAT IS THE GENERAL OPINION OF SWEDEN AMONG THE CHINESE? Actually sometimes Chinese people can’t tell the difference between Sweden and Switzerland. But quite a lot people do know Ikea and H&M if you talk about Sweden. 5. WHAT IS YOUR OPINION OF SWEDISH STUDENTS? Hmm... Swedish students are creative and energetic! Swedish students, or maybe I should say young Swedish people, are really cool and good at fashionable things. And they speak excellent English!

Student Subcultures TEXT: WING SZE HUYNH

China has a population exceeding 1.3 billion. Even with the one-child policy, the Chinese population still experiences a growing rate. In this growing and internationally expanding country, peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lifestyles and attitudes, especially amongst the younger generations, are flourishing.

ow is it possible to stand out in this massive stream of people? Let us firstly have an introduction to how the general youngsters look like. During your years at school, the possibility of creating your own style might be limited. Entering school means you have to follow the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rules and there are many restrictions regarding your appearances. Except from the fact that you have to wear a school uniform, you are also not allowed wear make-up, color your hair or stand out through wearing eye-catching accessories. The mainstream style is therefore wearing 58

plain clothes, but which are decorated in big colorful prints and details involving lace and bowknots. A lot more outstanding and exciting styles can be found on the streets however, where no rules apply.

The Korean Wave: Pretty girls Along with the increasing international interactions, China is taking in many cultural influences from other nations. The most

popular type is no doubt Korean youth and fashion icons. If you’ve been to China, then there’s no way you could have missed it. Each and every TV-channel shows Korean movies and dramas nowadays and you can find Korean food, make-up and clothes in every mall. Chinese girls who want to look like a Korean beauty, gladly takes on a complete and utter transformation. As a typical Korean girl you shall preferably have long curled brown-colored hair with bangs. Check. Double-eyelids made by using the double-eyelid tape (or surgery, whichever you can afford). Check. Then comes an optional detail that might just be the highlighting factor to your look colored and pupil widening lenses to make your eyes even bigger. (Check.) Now just put on a lot of heavy make-up and a multilayer dress in white, baby pink or blue and you’re good to go.

Home-made Boyish Style In 2005, Chris Li Yuchun, a today well known Chinese singer and actress, entered the singing competition Super Girl. Being different from the other contestants and the typical Chinese girl, Chris had a very androgynous-style. In a style that revolted against the traditional Chinese image of a girl and a great talent in singing, she won the contest. With a short boyish haircut, wearing buttoned shirts and pants, she became the new “it”. Her popularity rose up to the sky. Young girls began to copy Chris, cutting their hair and wearing unisex clothes. Today you can see heaps of girls walking around in China dressed more like a boy than a girl. Do not mistake them for lesbians or the Chinese version of a feminist; in fact, they are women who quickly embrace new trends. 59

Japanese Addiction: Otaku Japanese manga, and animated cute characters have always been popular in China. The over 30-years old Hello Kitty is still many young girls’ favorite toy. (Kawaii!) The strongest connection to Japanese culture these days is surprisingly not from the girls’ side - it’s actually the boys’. If you think that manga is a girl thing, then think again. Among the most famous titles; Bleach, Death Note and One Piece, we find more shōnen manga (manga mainly for a male audience) than shōjo (manga for female audiences). These guys that are spellbound by shōnen manga are to be called otaku - geeks in Japanese, which literally means “dwelling male”. As you figured, a

“Along with the increasing international interactions, China is taking in many cultural influences from other nations” dwelling male is not a very fancy description of someone. Otakus spend most of their time at home, reading mangas. They are not fashionable at all, wearing nerd glasses and often in a T-shirt with the print of his favorite manga character. The only time you will see them leaving their home is when they have manga exhibitions and fairs to attend. A few otakus might even go dressed as their favorite manga character to these kinds of events.

The Hong Kong Phenomena of “Lang Mo” The earlier mentioned manga exhibitions and fairs is not only a place where one can call dibbs on a newly released manga series, but also other manga-related stuff such as toys and character models. In order to make money in this competitive market, there is a need for talented sellers and attractive promotions. In the late 20th century, so called pseudo-models were introduced as marketing tools. Young girls with neither talent nor the right height and figure to become a real model, dressed up in revealing sexy costumes to attract otakus. With sneaky offers such as tak-

ing a picture with them, these Lang Mos’ popularity has risen quickly. Famous Lang Mos like Angelababy and Chrissie Chau have not only released sexy pictures of themselves in photo albums but were also recently given a shot at acting. This is just a very few of the many styles enriching China today. Despite the negative things been said about several lifestyles, variation is still a great thing and should be encouraged. As for the ones of you who felt enlightened by this piece of information, we advise you to discover more mysteries of the middle kingdom for yourself – there are a lot of them out there to be revealed.

Life After the Exam TEXT: MIKAEL YANG

I love college! University in China is considered a period of liberation and freedom since there is no longer any direct competition with other students on scoring best on admissions tests.

his is the first time the students can enjoy the absence of pressure and college life is full of truly developing hobbies and especially finding love. Most parents almost forbid their children from having relationships when they still live at home and go to school because they believe it will affect their grades negatively. This rule is abolished as soon as the grown-up child has entered a university and has moved out. That is also the reason why most Chinese students have their first romantic experiences after they turn 18. It is all hearts and chocolate for the love generation: During this last decade, China has been adopting everything they can from the Western World and Valentine’s Day has grown exponentially. This is now the holiday that Chinese people spend the most money on, beating both New Year and National Day. There are a lot of different traditions for this day as well. It started with boys giving chocolate to the girls they like. But now, influenced by the Japanese culture, the girls are supposed to give the boys chocolate instead; and the boys are expected to return some chocolate to the girls on White Day, which is the 14th of March. Usually, home-

made chocolate is most preferred, since it shows sincerity. It is quite amusing how various subtle signs can tell the whole of China, whether you have someone special in your life or not. The most obvious one you find is on a student’s bike. Since the Chinese university campuses are often enormous, the most optimal way of transportation is to have

“Most parents almost forbid their children from having relationships when they still live at home” your own bike. Since it is old tradition for boys to give their girlfriends a ride on the back of their bikes, you can almost know for sure that a boy with a dirty luggage carrier is single. However, that doesn’t mean that girls who ride on their own bikes are single; maybe they just want to get some exercise. You have to keep fit for that special day, when you finally find the prince on the iron-horse. Man I want to go to college for the rest of my life!

TRANSFORMATION

Going Forward TEXT: ROBERT LUNDKVIST

China today is a country that is bursting with commercial and creative energy; wherever you go you will easily see the strength and diversity of a people in the thrust of modernization, while still trying to make peace with their rough history. China leaps headfirst into the 21st century and is seeking to find its place in the international community without compromising its rich cultural heritage. 64

his is a very complex double-sided mentality that affects the Chinese psyche to a great extent.

Many Chinese experience a conflicting mix of emotions created by Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dishonor at the hands of Japan and the West during the 19th and early 20th centuries. This is something that still has a vast impact on the everyday Chinese mind. This mentality is easily shown by their eagerness to proudly praise their culture and inventions of for example paper currency, gunpowder and printing, while at the same time taking late-night English classes and embracing Western business ideas. Some Chinese worry that the western values will destroy the heart of their rich Chinese culture, but there is also a strong drive to become a part of and be seen as participants in a global world, progressive and open to new ideas. Though modernization is welcomed in China it has brought its share of headaches â&#x20AC;&#x201C; modernization means lots of changes and this brings hazards such as pollution, rising crime and unemployment only to name a few. Even with so many changes taking place, traditional values persist. Confucian philosophy has had a great impact on the Chinese mindset and this has come to form the very core of Chinese identity. The Chinese value the importance of the family, the cultivation of morality and self-restraint, and the emphasis on hard work and achievement. The general belief is that the family as a whole will thrive and prosper if harmony prevails at home. The willingness of the Chinese people to celebrate their prosperity and emperors is evident and can be seen in countless landmarks around the country. These are both old artifacts such as the Great Wall of 66

China and the Summer Palace (Yuan ming yuan), as well as more modern creations like Shanghai World Financial Center which has a very telling history itself. Unfortunately many of the ancient treasures left have gone through tough times of war such as the Opium Wars and the World War II with the Japanese invasion. These historical actions by Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s global surrounding still linger in the Chinese mind. Millions of Chinese people were killed by the Japanese during that time and this is something that still has consequences in China today. The Great Wall of China and the Summer Palace are two landmarks that both have a very rough history of war. The Summer Palace was the primary residence of five Qing emperors, and therefore contained hundreds of palaces, temples, libraries, theatres, pavilions, chapels and galleries filled with priceless artworks, antiquities and personal possessions. It was an enormous, beautifully valuable complex, about five times the size of Beijingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Forbidden City and eight times the size of the Vatican City. At the end of the second opium war, in October 1860, British and French forces drove the Xiafeng emperor to flee the Summer Palace and victory was at their hands. The victory was followed by a massive plunder in which anything that could not be carted off was destroyed. The British also inflicted a final blow to the Summer Palace a few weeks later where everything was set on fire by the 4500 men that were required to set such a huge palace aflame. It was a sacrifice of all that was most ancient and most beautiful, and most of it has been completely erased, but yet a century and a half later the Chinese cannot forget itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vanished glory nor its vindictive desecration. This is still a heavy emotional weight on the Chinese shoulders and is referred 67

to as the shame in the heart of the Chinese people. China undoubtedly have a violent, but long and amazing history and it seems the violence during the last centuries has only made the Chinese more determined to preserve their culture for the future and to make it show in their future, more modern projects. Shanghai World Financial Center is one of those projects and was designed by one of Japan’s foremost real estate developer, Minoru Mori and he was to give Shanghai the world’s tallest skyscraper at 492 meters. To give the structure extra effect the roof of his new building would be formed by a giant enclosed circle that would house specially outfitted cars that would work as a Ferris wheel at the top of the world. Unfortunately record-breaking skyscrapers have a long history of association with economic crisis and Shanghai World Financial Center was no exception. Within months of the groundbreaking a financial crash struck Asia, ripping the bottom out of every stock market and real estate market in the region. Work was halted on the financial centre for five long years and once the economic crisis was past, it turned out five years is an eternity in the record-breaking skyscraper business. Countries all over Asia had produced loads of skyscrapers, each taller than the other and Shanghai’s would-be title holder was now surpassed by other Asian countries. But this was not the only setback. With the anti-Japanese sentiment swelling as China remembers the millions killed during the Japanese invasion, questions started to rise about the design of the tower. Some said the large hole at the summit of the building was suspiciously similar to the image of the sun that sits at the centre of the Japanese flag. This was of course a sore point for 68

many Chinese who still harbor resentment over Japan’s military invasion of the country in the 1930s. Mr. Mori insisted that the circle was based on the moon gate, an ancient traditional Chinese symbol, but had to back down and replace the hole at the summit of the building with a squarish slot and forget about the Ferris wheel concept altogether. This also gave the building its distinguished outline that gave it the nickname The Bottle opener. The structure was eventually finished in 2008 and is indeed an impressive piece of art. It contains 101 floors and 91 elevators and today it is the third tallest building in the world.

“The willingness of the Chinese people to celebrate their prosperity and emperors is evident and can be seen in countless landmarks around the country” It is clear that Chinas humiliation at the hands of Japan and the West still have a powerful influence on the Chinese mind, but this is not something that you will notice in your everyday life, visiting or living in China. What is most remarkable though is the Chinese ability to accept the history, accept it but not forget it, and still have a fantastic drive to embrace the western cultures and simultaneously keep a firm grip of their own traditions and extremely rich cultural heritage. They are very careful with preserving their unique culture for future generations, but are at the same time very eager to find its place in the international community and become participants in an internationally global world.

Beauty on the Outside TEXT: JOHANNA LUO

The natural look of the Western people which consist of their tall figure, pale skin, wide eyes and high nose bridge has mesmerized the Chinese for ages.

hinese people have always had the West as their ideal, setting the United States and Great Britain as examples for what China could become in the future and maybe even surpass someday. However also on an individual basis the Western ideal has grown in the minds of the modern Chinese. With cities such as Beijing and Shanghai turning increasingly cosmopolitan its people are being surrounded by images of men and women with Western features. The nearest decade has shown a rising number of Chinese women going to extremes in imitating this Western ideal.

Cosmetic and plastic surgery has become the new fashion of an increasingly wealthy elite and in just a decade the beauty surgery has become the fourth most popular way to spend extra money in China with only houses, cars and travels ranking higher. The young adults in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s China have been heavily influenced by advertisements and media which show images of Western supermodels. When visiting Shanghai during our research trip, we took a walk along the famous shopping street Nanjing Road which consists of both Western and Eastern brands. The number of larger-

than-life billboards with supermodels having Western features where uncountable and one could clearly see which type of qualities that are considered beautiful to the Chinese consumer. The most prominent beauty ideal in Asia, which do not require any surgery, is to have a pale skin tone. In Asia, people always walk around with an umbrella during summer days even though it is not raining. The reason for that strange behavior is that the umbrella protect from direct sunlight and a darker skin tone. This trend has also opened up many doors for the cosmetic industry which has introduced skin whitening products to the Asian market. It should not come as a surprise then that skin whitening products has grown to be one of the most popular and most used products amongst Asians – Both males and females. Throughout history, pale skin has also been associated with the rich and the aristocrats of the society. The preservation of a pale skin tone shows that you come from a family who does not need to work in broad day light, such as farmers. This way of thinking still has a prominent role in the Asian countries where the gaps between rich and poor are big. The most requested surgery in China today is the so called double eyelid surgery. Asians has the prominent trait from their eyes due to an epicanthic fold also seen in new born babies. The purpose of the cosmetic procedure is to create an upper eyelid with a crease to make the eyes look more Western. It is quite difficult to judge whether a person has or has not received a

double eyelid surgery since its result is very natural, which means that the procedure is becoming more and more accepted in the Chinese society. The second most popular operation is nose surgery. If one look at the Chinese face from the side, the face looks flat since it does not have a high nose bridge and defined nose tip. Therefore, the Chinese women undergo nose surgery in order to become “prettier” and achieve what many call a face in 3D. Through the nose surgery many hope to also create the illusion that the eyes are more deep-set than they are which also makes the face more Western looking.

“In Asia, people always walk around with an umbrella during summer days even though it is not raining” However the cosmetic surgery also carries risk. One of the biggest headlines last year was due to a famous pop singer who died during a “face bone grinding” procedure. The growing demand for plastic surgery operations in China has led to procedures performed by untrained doctors. Considering that the country is ranked third in the world for plastic surgery and as three million people undergo the procedures each year that is a bit scary. Chinese authorities has tried to better control the procedure, but just as many asked after the already beautiful pop singers death: “Is cosmetic surgery really necessary?”

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A Consuming Factory TEXT: MATTIAS ALMQVIST

China provides cheap goods for the consuming world and builds skyscrapers like never before, but it also faces some great challenges in the future to ensure continued growth. A transition to a consumer economy is seen by many as the solution to the problem.

here is consensus among Chinese and Western economists that China cannot continue its annual 10 % growth rate while only being dependent on exports. To continue on the path of becoming the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest economy, the domestic market has to flourish, in other words China has to move towards a consumer economy. As much as the Chinese are dependent on their countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own growth, we in the Western world are as well. Due to the financial and debt problems in Europe and the US, it will be the growth in Asia that will have to drive the global economy out of the recession. Right now there are heavy debates among politicians and government officials about the Chinese education system as this is seen as the key driver in transforming the Chinese economy. The fact that Chinese students are top of the line in scoring on exams has been known to the world for a while. However the lack of innovation that permeates the educational system is seen as a challenge. The dream of many politicians is to see new innovative companies such as Google and Facebook rise from the Chinese universities; the ways of teaching are however still conservative. To make innovators out of talented students is an inevitable step towards a consumer economy, otherwise China risks joining the previous huge producing economies, the Soviet Union and Japan, which failed in taking the last step. With a rapidly growing middle-class the Chinese government can expect problems in the future. As long as the growth rate continues to be exceptional and China rushes towards the position as the economic engine of the world, internal political problems will be manageable. However, if growth rate drops, the newly formed 77

middle-class might revolt. You just have to look at what is currently happening in Spain, Greece and France to understand this risk. If we see an end to the continuous growth and the Chinese people no longer can expect to get richer by the day, they will start questioning the government. They will demand the same civil- and political rights as citizens of other postindustrialized countries. Putting further strain on the Chinese middle-class is the problem of an aging population. China is now one of the most rapidly aging countries in the world, and this self-inflicted problem is due to the one-child policy. The effects of the agedistribution looking like an upside down pyramid is that only a fraction of the total 78

population will be working to provide welfare for everybody in the future. This could be the end of the stable growth of China and the beginning of political instability.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;With a rapidly growing middle class the Chinese government can expect problems in the futureâ&#x20AC;? China has, for a long time resisted demands from the workers to raise wages and from the outside world to let the currency, the renminbi appreciate against the dollar. This not only makes exported goods cheaper for foreign countries, but also reduces the buying power of the Chi-

nese people which makes imported goods expensive. Ironically, the key to making China a consumer economy is to reduce the saving and investing and instead make people spend. The Chinese government has been working on this problem for a couple of years and is now implementing some solutions. However a cheap currency features one huge advantage: expensive imported goods make it more lucrative for domestic companies to offer substitutes for the domestic market. This has led to the emergence of a huge number of successful domestic companies and will in time make China the world’s leading economy. Even though the answer to the question, “Is China a consumer economy?” is “Not yet”, China is still the world’s fifth big-

gest consumer market because of its great population. Thanks to the huge amount of people living in China, Chinese infrastructure and construction planning is quite different from that in Europe and The United States. When visiting China you should not be surprised to see empty roads, empty houses and even empty skyscrapers. It’s all part of a long-term plan. In China demand and growth is so high that construction aims to be one or two steps ahead. It does not matter that the road or the house will be unused for a year or two, because everyone knows that it will be needed in the future. An example showing this immense demand for infrastructure is Beijing’s fourth, fifth and sixth ring roads which has been completed in less than 10 years to cover the amount of new cars. 79

During Project China’s research trip there was apparent evidence of the upcoming consumer market in China. On the streets of the big cities one rarely saw an old or even a cheap car. They are all crowded with the latest models of Audi, BMW and Mercedes. The stores are also looking more and more like the ones which can be found in any European or American city. Everywhere you look there is an H&M, WalMart or McDonalds. As well as shopping, the wealthy Chinese also spend money on tourism. In Yangshuo, a crowded tourist’s Mekka in the Guangxi province in southern China, you can see examples of this where people enjoy nature and various activities in huge numbers. This is just the beginning of what is about to come.

“By investing in social welfare, the government hopes that people will feel more assured of their future” In the 12th five-year plan, which was released in March this year, domestic consumption is playing a huge role. China has various ideas and tools to boost the domestic consumption. As mentioned earlier in the text, one of the problems is having too large savings. The high saving rate of Chinese households is, to a large part, due to the absence of a social safety net, which forces people to save a great

deal of their income for future unexpected expenditures. By investing in social welfare, the government hopes that people will feel more assured of their future and start spending. As an example the government is spending almost one trillion yuan over a three-year period to ensure that at least 90% of the population has a basic life insurance. Some regions have also made senior education free. To increase spending furthermore, the government will make big increases in the minimum wages during the five-year period as well as lowering the personal income tax. Furthermore, 36 million homes, for low-income households, will be built and 45 million urban jobs are about to be created during the period. By supporting urbanization, consumption is aggregated to the city hence making it easier to provide goods for consumption. However, these solutions raises further questions. One of the biggest challenges for China in recent years has been controlling inflation. These stimuli, together with the continued heavy investments in infrastructure will make it hard to control inflation. China stands facing many problems, but in some ways it is seen as luxury problems compared to those in the Western world. In contrast to the inactivity of the American and European leaders in facing tough political questions, China is ready to do what is necessary to ensure continued growth and prosperity for its people.

The Chinese Dream TEXT: GABRIEL MONTGOMERIE

The American Dream. The famous national ethos of the United States has since its nation’s birth embodied the spirit and opportunity available to everybody who lives in the World.

t serves as a promise to all that success and prosperity will come to those who work hard regardless of social status. For the United States’ entire 235 year history entrepreneurs have enjoyed the possibility of extreme success levels in the world’s leading economic power. This is the story of America and the 20th century. The story of the 21st century is another. China’s double digit growth keeps going strong while America faces dire economic woes and a rising debt. This is embodied in the growth of the Chinese middle class; from the world’s factory to an economy with an estimated 800 million people ready to consume. All over China industry is booming, with heavy investments in 82

infrastructure and in the future and at the same time the United States experience decaying road systems and a population all too comfortable with low taxes and few government entitlements. The story of the 21st century will be about how China settles in its role as the new economic player on the world stage. After delivering one of the most spectacular Olympic Games in history, few can deny the dedication and spirit present in the Chinese people. The power of its labor and industry are important enough in this process, but the true key lies in the very mindset present in every farmer and worker striving for a better future for their families. The rural farmer turned construction worker

working seven days a week away from his family, in hopes of one day sending his child to university. This is how China grows - through the very confidence of the ordinary citizen who believes in the good of his country and the opportunity it offers. A Pew Research Survey Centre survey showed that an astonishing 86 percent of

“In China, the current prosperity and growth of the nation supersedes any Western notion that democracy and transparency should come first” the Chinese people are content with the direction of their country, putting them an astonishing 25 percentage points ahead of the runner up. In China, the current prosperity and growth of the nation supersedes any Western notion that democracy and

transparency should come first. Instead the Chinese enjoys a national unity not seen in the West for many decades. Ironically, the Land of Opportunity might have to look to the Middle Kingdom for the solution to its economic troubles. It is expected that China’s expansion will drive an increased demand for sustainable solutions and clean tech. The Western expertise in these areas might very well serve as a much needed boost to countries that have seen industry jobs shipped to the East for many years. The heart of the American Dream is characterized well by President John F Kennedy in his 1961 inaugural address: “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country”. While still ringing true to many Americans, its philosophy and spirit lie at the very core of the Chinese condition. Now the question remains whether or not the Chinese Dream will shine as bright on the world as its predecessor.

The Ying Yang Paradox TEXT: LAU SKOVGAARD

To interact with China in a proper way political and economically it is also necessary to understand its cultural complexity.

ony Fang who is a professor at Stockholm University of Business has dedicated his research to ancient Chinese beliefs and as he says during a lecture at SSE, ”I believe the philosophy of Ying and Yang is the biggest contribution China has made, and is continuing to make, to humanity and its intellectual development”. Tony Fang is originally from China, but has lived the last 20 years of his life in Sweden together with his family. Fang uses his background to describe a paradox many Chinese immigrants face: When he is in Sweden, he is regarded as Chinese, when in China he is seen as Swedish, “One time I went to China and visited my mother. After the dinner I said thank you, and my mother said, “If you say thank you one more time, you are not my son anymore”. Apparently thank you was a Swedish way of expressing gratitude and I hadn’t even noticed how quick I had picked it up.” Living as an immigrant is as with Ying and Yang a question of how to balance different aspects of life, in this case of cultures, beliefs and customs. Ying and Yang is an ancient Chinese philosophy which is part of Taoism. It is a way of life of embracing paradox, dynamics, and change. Fang uses several examples of how everything in life is connected and how everything has a bit of its opposite in it. Man and woman is the classic example,

but Fang also uses the sun and moon to exemplify that Ying and Yang is also about the seamless transformation from one thing to another. Fang sets up two keywords to express his ideas: •

Paradox – If we meticulously put together different people we will achieve better things. This is all summed up in the philosphy of Ying and Yang.

•

Opportunity – from construction worker doing dangerous work becoming an entrepreneur and then a millionaire and during the journey seamlessly transforming into a different man.

Tony Fang conclude his lecture with, “How we understand China is probably the single most exciting intellectual question of our times.” When questioned about the discussion around pollution Fang responds that China has always had a millennium vision where you see things over several generations and that you have to be willing to make some sacrifices to attain a strong and sustainable country in the future. That is also the reason China can easily get offended when criticised on human rights and the lack of ecology because it’s not because these issues are not thought about: It’s because they are thought about in a long perspective of happiness and harmony.

WORDS FROM THE EXPERTS

ZHONGXING ZHANG

ALBIN GEIJER

MARTIN HENNINGSSON

DESCRIBE CHINA WITH ONLY ONE WORD

“Home”

“Contrasts”

“Multifarious”

WHAT IS THE MOST FASCINATING THING ABOUT CHINA?

“Culture”

“The ethnic and economical diversity of South-west China.”

“Its multifariousness”

WHAT SHOULD EVERYBODY KNOW ABOUT CHINA?

“History. This is always interesting and useful for the foreigners to know about China.”

“How real Chinese food tastes”

“1. How the Chinese think and how they make decisions 2. How to speak Chinese”

HOW WILL THE URBANIZATION OF CHINA AFFECT THE WORLD?

“There will be many things for other countries that are not yet urbanized to learn from China’s urbanization process, including things that should be done properly and also things that should never have happened.”

“It will spur the modernisation the Chinese economy and force western countries to deal with China in a different way than we are used to. We have realize we can’t control the world as we have done the last 150 years.”

“Like any other urbanization elsewhere in the world.”

WHAT IS THE FUNNIEST THING YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED IN CHINA?

“Networking! The knowledge and information concerning networking in China could certainly fill a dictionary, or even two.”

“When an old lady guessed my age. She thought I was 80 years old though I was only 25, and she could not believe my hair was already white.”

“No matter how many millions of people there are in a Chinese city, you can suddenly bump into friends you haven’t seen for years, in street crowds. It has happened to me several times.”

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We are Project China 2011

Mikael Yang

Linda Stoby Höglund

PROJECT MANAGER

Mikael is hoping to become an engineer and a doctor in the future, although he’s not sure how to combine those two yet. Born in China, Mikael loves the big city life, and that’s why he decided to move to Stockholm and study.

With a passion for travelling and a great interest in China, Project China was a perfect fit for Linda. Looking for a fun challenge to take her mind off her studies at Stockholm School of Economics, Linda took on the role as project manger without any idea of what was in store. But as mama used to say, be careful what you wish for… Being a part of Project China has been the experience of a lifetime and an unforgettable adventure. It has been a trial in management, teamwork and handling cultural differences. It has brought much laughter and pleasure in times of success, but also frustration in moments of setback. Linda thinks the best part of Project China is all the people it has given her the opportunity to meet with. In the future she hopes to pick up studies in mandarin in her quest of one day becoming a fulfilled egg, with a better understanding of a country that never stops to trigger her curiosity.

The best thing about participating in Project China for Mikael is to be able to see China from a different point of view. He believes that the world has never been more interested in China before, and it is truly a country worth spending time in. His best memory from China is singing Pippi Longstocking together with the kids from the Swedish School in Beijing from Sweden Day.

Thank You to everyone who has contributed with their time and commitment to Project China 2011! 94

Erik Lennahl

Daniel Hätty

CORPORATE RELATIONS

Erik was born in Älvsbyn in Norrbotten and moved to Stockholm in 2009 to commence studies at KTH. One year later, he began his studies towards a BSc degree in Business and Economics at the Stockholm School of Economics.

Daniel is studying towards a Bachelor in Business and Economics at the Stockholm School of Economics. He takes a great pleasure in travelling and exploring new spots. Having always wanted to experience China, he seized the opportunity to be a part of Project China 2011.

He really enjoys travelling, but the last couple of years he hasn’t been able to travel as much as he would like. His interest for culture was the decisive factor when applying for Project China, and he will always remember the enormous contrasts in China. One day, you can be in the middle of the enormous skyscrapers in Shanghai and the next day bike on a newly cast path covered with wet straw in a small village.

Project China has been one of the highlights during his time as a student at the Stockholm School of Economics and has given him invaluable international experiences. He has also learned a lot about a country that never stops surprising you and the trip to China will be a memory for life.

His best memory from China is the twoday hike at the beautiful Tiger Leaping Gorge in the Yunnan province that he and a few others from the project group did.

Wing Sze Huynh

Gabriel Montgomerie

PUBLIC RELATIONS

VĂ?SUAL COMMUNICATIONS

Wing Sze is in the last year of her Bachelor studies at Stockholm School of Economics. With many great experiences of projects within SASSE, she decided to join Project China 2011. Being a Chinese, born and raised in Sweden, she did not only value Project China as a great and fun project but also an opportunity to explore her origin. Not even speaking properly Chinese (she speaks fluently Cantonese though); she entered the project as a Swede. She has been to China before, but with the project she took the train in China for the first time to explore what the country had to offer. The metropolis of Shanghai, the beautiful nature of Yangshuo and the view of Hong Kong; the trip has exceeded all the expectations. Project China has not only brought her closer to her origin but has also given her friends and memories for life.

Gabriel is a Master student at the Royal Institute of Technology in Industrial Engineering and Management. As an avid traveler he jumped at the opportunity to join Project China and explore this beautiful region of the world. Working with the project was a phenomenal experience with a research trip exceeding all expectations. Whether you find yourself having dinner spinning over the Shanghai skyline or being hunted by security for illegal advertising you can be assured that it never gets dull.

Favorite China pastimes include gambling on horses, crawling in mud, haggling and eating KFC. He has previously studied in the United States and Hong Kong.

Robert Lundkvist

Johanna Luo

SWEDEN DAY

Robert is a slightly confused young egg who loves cultural crashes more than anything else, so what can be more interesting than promoting Swedish culture in China and vice versa? Traveling and experiencing cultures that differ from the Swedish one is his main interest. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something he tries to do as much as possible in-between his exam periods at the Stockholm School of Economics where he studies Business Economics, specializing in Management and Marketing.

Johanna studies within the program Industrial Engineering and Management at Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. She loves to travel and has always had a great interest in the relation between Sweden and China since she is brought up with a mixture of both of the countriesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; cultures.

This interest in differing cultures has made him end up in China quite a few times now and the vast country just keeps to impress him. How can a place be so odd and cumbersome, but yet so successful and amazing?

Being a part of Project China 2011 has been one of the major highlights in her student life so far and she has through the project gained many new friends and valuable experiences. Even though she has been in China several times before, the research trip with Project China was different. Seeing and experiencing the rapidly changing China and visiting one place after another has been exciting since there are so many faces of the country. From riding bamboo floats on a river and enjoying the well preserved nature to strolling around in the financial districts and looking up to the new shining skyscrapers. So vast differences, but still harmonious.

Mattias Almqvist

Gabriella Lang

CHINA WEEK

Mattias describes himself as a thinker with a sharp tongue. The humorous nickname “Evil Mattias” was acquired after a couple of days in China and he is still very proud of it. He realized he had a passion for traveling during a three-month-journey in Asia after high school and therefore Project China was what he wanted.

Gabriella is in her second year of study within the Bachelor program Business and Economics at Stockholm School of Economics. She is a restless soul who always looks ahead for new challenges.

He is studying his second year at the Stockholm School of Economics, but it is with Project China he has had the most fun. Calling Chinese companies at 3 am, dancing round a midsummer pole on a Chinese university campus and climbing the Great Wall has all been memories for life. Even though he is terribly bad at pronouncing the tones in Mandarin he still considers himself to be well on his way of becoming an egg, white on the outside but yellow inside.

Being a part of Project China she has realized that learning by doing is awesome; especially when learning by doing means that you get to hang out with a wonderful group of people in a cool country far, far away. Gabriella believes she will always remember her trip to China. Dreamily she recalls memories of tasty street food, of Chinese massages, karaoke nights and pole dancing. The project has taught her everything from the art of haggling to the importance of keeping track of personal belongings. She has learnt how to blow up balloons super fast and how to ride a donkey the hardcore way. China has found a permanent place in Gabriella’s heart.

Yi Zhang

Lau Skovgaard

REPORT BOOK AND FILM

What is it with all the talk about eggs? Yi used to regard herself as a banana rather than something laid by chickens; peel off the outward yellowish appearance, and you end up with someone whose mind patterns are typically Swedish. In order to explore her Chinese roots and soul search a little, she decided to join Project China, you know, to prove that she can be a mango if she wanted to.

Lau is a second year student at Stockholm School of Economics, where he studies Business and Economics. Lau is from Denmark, has also lived in Norway and has travelled extensively. He has a great passion for meeting new people and exploring their cultures.

So, alongside her studies at the Stockholm School of Economics, she began working with the project, which actually proved to be awfully insightful and fun (she wasn’t expecting that much fun). Somewhere inbetween setting off on a seven-week long journey to China and writing this text here in the moment, Yi realizes that she has yet a long way to go before blossoming into a full-fledged mango. The main reason being that China simply has so much to offer, that even a year of dedication to a Chinese project won’t suffice - if you’re aiming for the thoroughly yellow fruit.

Lau has earlier co-founded a high school newspaper and is currently writing a book on study technique aimed at Danish high school students. He has also been involved in several projects at SSE including French Career Day and Handelsdagarna. As report book manager of Project China 2011 in cooperation with Yi Zhang, Lau hopes to broaden Swedish students’ perspective on work opportunities in China and present valuable information to Swedish companies operating in China on the current situation seen from a student’s point of view. Lau hopes to write an interesting report book which will entertain, inform and be shared by students and companies alike.

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Acknowledgements We would like to extend our most sincere thanks to all the people who made this year’s Project China possible. Academic Institutions

Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) Stockholm School of Economics Tsinghua University Fudan University

Student Associations

Tekniska Högskolans Studentkår (THS) Student Association at the Stockholm School of Economics Association of Student International Communication at Tsinghua University Nordic Society at Fudan University

Corporate Contacts Magnus Gyllö Jessis Ng Hanna Jacobsson Anna Persson Katherine Bi Sharon Zhao Hans Knutsen Lin Qing Mats Lundqvist Anne-Marie Svennberg Francisco Leal Rui Chen Sandra Burbère

Atlas Copco Atlas Copco Atlas Copco Sandvik Sandvik Sandvik Volvo Cars Volvo Cars Umanity Umanity ITT Elekta East Capital

Lecturers

Cecilia Lindqvist Zhongxing Zhang Albin Geijer Shuhan Shi Tony Fang Johannes Nordgaard Lainy Grönman Martin Henningsson, Sören Pettersson Hosuk Lee Makiyama 102

Gapminder.org Kinalotsen.se Stockholms Universitet European Zhineng Qigong Centre Stockholm Wushu Akademi Västsvenska Handelskammaren Invest Sweden European Centre for International Political Economy

Other Institutions

Sweden-China Trade Council Visit Sweden Scandinavian Tourist Board Swedish Institute Consulate General of Sweden in Shanghai Embassy of Sweden in Beijing Swedish School in Beijing

Exceptional People

Mengying Wang ASIC Huiqin Wang ASIC Xinyi Cheng ASIC Lily Xu ASIC Tiger Li ASIC Chris Li ASIC Richard Liu ASIC Yuchen Chen ASIC Susan Lu Nordic Society Charlie Lee Nordic Society Eva Wang Nordic Society TongYu Ming Nordic Society Pan Li University of Science and Technology Beijing Xiaying Zhou Project China 2010 Hanna Lundén Project China 2010 Johan Collin SASSE Kelly Bueno Martínez SASSE Kaj Ossman SASSE Tina Eriksson SASSE Per Lundqvist KTH Thérèse Fleetwood THS And to all the people who gave it their all during China Week and Sweden Day

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Project Sponsors We would like to thank our sponsors in particular for the continued support and faith in the project.

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