APR 2011
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Odense Symphony Orchestra
FBC Trip to North Korea
Date: 13 - 22 May 2011
Date: 20 - 23 May 2010
With Chief conductor Christoph Eberle, and 73 highly skilled musicians from 17 nations, Odense Symphony Orchestra has positioned itself internationally. The Odense Symphony Orchestra – one of Denmarks five regional orchestras – was established in 1946, but it’s roots go all the way back to about the year 1800. Concerts and productions with Odense Symphony Orchestra vary in terms of size and genre: from symphony concerts, light classical and opera to chamber music, children/youth concerts and crossovers. Ticket and reservation please contact ticket@ wupromotion.com. Venue and schedule will be announced soon at www.wupromotion.com.
A trip to Pyongyang in North Korea is organized by Finnish Business Council Beijing (FBCB) on 20 - 23 of May 2011. Pyongyang is the capital of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, commonly known as North Korea, and the largest city in the country. Some notable landmarks in the city include the Kumsusan Memorial Palace, the Arch of Triumphthe reputed birthplace of Kim Il-sung at Mangyongdae Hill, Juche Tower, and two large stadia (Kim Il Sung Stadium and Rungrado May Day Stadium). If you want to join the trip send email to dprk.trip@fbcbj.org. Final confirmation needed about five weeks before the trip. About FBCB please visit www.fbcbj.org.
1st Yushanwan International Cycling Festival 2011 Date: 21 May 2011 Location: Yushanwan The 1st Yushanwan International Cycling Festival 2011 will absolutely be a unique opportunity for bikers from all over the world to experience both professional event and the one of the first - class residences with perfect nature and history resources. It is 10.4 km challenging track centered by the marvelous Yushan Lake and passing the Yangtou Mountain, Dingfeng Mountain, Dingfeng Temple, and Yu Mountain all along the way. Come and enjoy the whole cycling festival, enjoy the local culture of this mountain and water surrounded new city. It’s just a worthy trip cannot be missed! Sign Up Now for Yushanwan International Cycling Festival at www.nordicwys.com.
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Spring Party 2011 Date: 14 May 2011
Daily news and features here: www.scandasia.com
Please mark 14 May in your calendar for Spring Party 2011 which is organized by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce, Beijing chapter. Come and join your Swedish and Scandinavian friends in Beijing. More info will be announced soon at www.swedishchamber.com.cn.
On the lookout for CNY? The only Nordic Private Bank in Asia Pacific. Now also offering offshore Chinese Yuan investments. Tel: +65 63570895 E-mail: singapore@sebprivatebanking.com.sg www.sebgroup.com/privatebanking
ScandAsia News Brief Finnair May Launch 12 Flights to Hong Kong a Week
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innish carrier Finnair is considering operating its flight to Hong Kong through Kazakhstan’s air corridor, a Kazakh aviation official said Monday. “Finnair has informed us that they are going to operate the flights to Hong Kong through Kazakhstan’s air corridor and may operate up to 12 flights to Hong Kong a week,” Sergei Kulnazarov, director of KazAeroNavigation, told reporters in Astana. According to Kulnazarov, the existing air corridors to China and Southeast Asia mainly go over the mountains where weather conditions are difficult. “In the existing air corridor over the Khan
Huawei Invites Danish IT Students to China
6 ScandAsia.China • April 2011
Tengri mountain, the safe altitude is 8,600 meters, while the new corridor will offer a lower safe altitude, which will make the flights safer as the planes will be able to descend to the low safe altitude, say, in case of depressurization, without having to use additional oxygen equipment,” Kulnazarov said. Radilbek Adimolda, chairman of the Civil Aviation Committee of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport and Communications, told reporters the country opened a new air corridor to China and Southeast Asia in early March, with an air navigation station on the Kazakh-Chinese border.
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hinese tech giant Huawei sponsors new exchange programme to encourage cross-cultural innovation by Danish IT and engineering students. 10 carefully selected Danish IT and engineering students will soon be travelling to China for a high-tech and cultural trip. Cooperation between Huawei, Invest in Denmark and Danish universities has made the exchange programme possible. “We are expanding our business in Denmark and for us it’s important to learn more about the Danish culture, values and competencies of the students. By giving them the opportunity to go to China we are hopeful that we will have a mutual exchange of experiences”, said James Chen, Managing Director Huawei Nordics & Baltics. During the trip to China the students will visit Huawei’s headquarters in Shenzhen, including the data centre, logistics centre, production centre and Huawei’s own university. The final destination of the trip is Huawei’s state of the art research and development centre in Shanghai that employs over 8000 engineers.
Tribal DDB Gets Swedish Director
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he Swede Per Bruun and Keong Loh have been appointed by Tribal DDB China as Digital Strategist and Director of Operations respectively to strengthen its digital operations in Shanghai. In these newly created roles, Keong will be focusing on building up Tribal DDB’s strategic division with the focus of integrating digital offerings into the communications mix. With over 22 years spent in advertising in Asia Pacific, Keong is a veteran in the industry. Specializing in integrated marketing strategy and creative direction, he has worked for many agencies like JWT, 141, Leo Burnett, XM and BBDO on many prestigious accounts including AIG, American Express, Citibank, Microsoft, HSBC, Shell, SingTel, Toyota and Visa. Per has been in the digital arena for 15 years in Sweden and China. In his previous role, he was CEO and Chief Digital Strategist at Supernative, a digital brand development agency based in Sweden that he co-founded in 2005. He will take on an operational role, ensuring Tribal DDB delivers on projects efficiently and effectively, which places equal importance in the success of the business.
Danish Ambassador Visits the Guandong Province
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During his visit, Ambassador Friis met Party Secretary Bo Xilai at the Foreign Affairs offices in Chongqing discussing Chongqing’s future with continued economic, infrastructure and environmental development.
Volvo Penta to Plunge into Segment
ecently the Danish Ambassador to China Friis Arne Petersen visited Guangdong Province to meet local officials, companies and students. The Ambassador met with vice governor of Guangdong Province, Xiao Zhiheng, to discuss the big economic growth of the province. Also, future challenges of the region, such as strengthening of innovation and social reforms, was discussed. Xiao Zhiheng expressed hope that Guangdong could use Denmark’s experience to improve people’s happiness index. To this the Ambassador replied that the Danish welfare system is a big part of why Denmark is always listed as having the happiest people in the world. During his stay, the Ambassador visited three Chinese companies in Guangdong, the telecommunications companies ZTE, Huawei and the gene research company, BGI. The two latter are already doing business in Denmark, and the Ambassador had the chance to discuss with the companies about the possibility of expanding their businesses in Denmark. The Ambassador also had time to visit the Sun Yat-Sen University in Guangzhou - the capital city of Guangdong Province - to meet with professors and students.
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olvo Penta, Europe’s largest industrial and marine power system provider, will target China’s emerging pleasure boat market as its growth engine in the near future, said the company’s executives. “To maintain our market position, we plan to invest 500 million yuan ($76.54 million) in the Chinese market over the next three years, with most of it going to expanding our business in the pleasure boat segment,” said Goran Gummeson, president and chief executive officer of the Swedish company. According to Gummeson, the interest in boating and boat ownership has been expanding sharply in China especially in the recent years as the nation’s rapidly growing economy gives more people the ability to buy pleasure boats. “We believe that China is going to have a large future market for pleasure boats and it is going to happen quickly. Chinese consumers want to acquire the same lifestyle as consumers in Western countries, and boat ownership moves to the top of their wish list after they have bought cars and houses,” Gummeson said. Statistics show that the total revenue of China’s yacht market reached $3.4 billion in 2010, and it is expected to grow by 25 percent this year.
Vestas Wins 50 MW for China
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he Danish wind turbine producer Vestas received an order of 50 MW from China. The order is placed by China Datang Corporation Renewable Power, which Vestas has worked cooperated with on many projects since 2005. According to the new contract, Vestas will deliver 25 units of the V90-2.0 MW wind turbines to be installed in the north eastern part of Inner Mongolia. The turbines are scheduled to be delivered in the second quarter of 2011. In addition to delivery of the turbines, the contract includes installation and commissioning of the wind turbines, a VestasOnline Business SCADA solution as well as a service and maintenance agreement. According to a press release, wind turbines made by Vestas have been installed 13 of the provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in China, with the installed capacity totaling 3,000 MW. Longyuan has purchased 360 wind turbines from Vestas so far, with a total generating capacity of 500 MW since the two started cooperating in 2005.
April 2011 • ScandAsia.China 7
China-Europe Aviation Pioneer M Finnish Mikko Rautio has experienced historic moments in China first hand like few other foreigners. The cultural revolution, the economic reform, the opening-up of to the west. But first of all he has been the pioneer in the aviation business between China and Europe since the 70s. By Alexandra Leyton Espinoza
8 ScandAsia.China • April 2011
ikko Rautio’s first impression of China goes back to when he was only 3 years old. Finland had recognized the People's Republic of China in 1950, and just a few years later Rauito´s parents got the opportunity to move to China, his father as a teacher and his mother as a translator. That made his family one of the few foreign residents in Beijing. “I always knew that I was different, at the same time I wasn’t discriminated in any way. The rules at school were the same for everyone,” Mikko Rautio says. Growing up in China he recalls his childhood as peaceful without any worries. But by the time he turned 13 that all changed. The Cultural Revolution changed everything. “We were so young and naive and didn’t know what was going on,” Rautio says. In 1966 the schools closed and Rautio like many others spent most of their time at home. The fact that Rautio had a better lifestyle than the average Chinese had not been an issue before, but
some years into the Culture Revolution he also became an enemy. People around him would be unwilling to interact with him. An incident that Rautio very clearly remembers is how his friends were followed on numerous occasions, got arrested and later interrogated just because they had been eating lunch with him. Many of his long time friends were afraid of spending time with him. “It was a very isolated time, today I think it was the most difficult time and worst experience in my life. But it made me stronger and more independent,” he says.
Military Service in Finland In accordance with Finnish laws Rautio had to come back to Finland and do military service when he was 21 years old. That came as a relief. During his eight months in the army everyone complained how hard everything was, even sometime too strict. “For me it was heaven. I wasn't isolated anymore and in a free environment”. The transition from Chinas col-
lective environment and the military collective was good according to Rautio. Army was the right place to start to adapt to the language and western culture. “If I had got into the Western community directly, I believe it would have been more difficult. The army gave me the time to adapt. My Finnish was not so good so I had to start reading books, people thought I was Finnish-Swedish due to my accent, but I do not speak Swedish at all,” he says.
Working with Finnair After military service Rautio stayed in Finland and in the beginning of the 70s he got the opportunity to work for Finnair. In 1973 the Finnish government had started to talk about an aviaton agreement between these two countries. At the time, flying from New York to Beijing was a long trip there were no direct flights. Travelers had to fly via the Middle East. If a flight could be established by transit through Helsinki it would save travelers significant hours. An initial agreement was signed in 1975, but Finnair staff needed training so Rautio, with his extensive experience in the Chinese culture and language was sent to provide training in Finland. “It was a long training period”, he laughs. “It took almost 13 years before we could launch our first non-stop flights between Helsinki and Beijing. Then the travel time was cut to only half, people could now fly from Europe to Beijing in only 8 hours.. After all those years of training, Rautio started delegating the Finnish press, artists, government officials and other visitors when they visited China. Only few foreign guests visited China at this time. Foreigner’s brought with them a great curiosity; chauffeurs caused traffic jams when they saw westerners on the streets, according to Rautio. Even if Finnair had launched its first flight between Europe and China in 1988, most of its travelers were foreign business travelers or Chinese
working for foreign companies. “Some 95 percent of our travelers were Westerners, the rest Chinese. Today Chinese travelers have grown to 35 percent in just ten years, that’s a huge growth in the aviation business,” Rautio says.
Requirements Rautio recalls how the first wave of travelers to Europe started in 2004, when China and the EU established an ´Approved Destination Status´ between each other. Finally, the Chinese people could travel to Europe if they showed their bankbook, certificate, married certificate and proof that they were traveling together with at least 5 other people. Before 1994, a traveler had to show a passport and a visa to receive a permit from the Bank of China to obtain US $1000. Today the government has gradually liberalized the policies on traveling abroad. Initially it was all business delegations but gradually we are seeing more families flying together. The economic growth allows people to
fly more. After buying an apartment and a car, you show your wealth by traveling abroad. At present, most of the Chinese travelers have gone to the South-east Asian countries due to government's policy, geographic convenience, and similar cultural background but Europe is getting more interesting even if their traveling customs are different from Westerners. According to Rautio, Chinese traveler’s traditional trip used to consist of flying to Europe, travel in buses, eat Chinese food and take vast amount of pictures. Chinese travelers would spend more time on the roads than actually experiencing the countries they visit. But that seems to be is changing. The younger generations now typically choose only two countries but experience more. In the future Rautio hopes to see a change in the rules between China and the EU for their traveling conditions of Chinese tourists. “Our Chinese travelers are growing so rapidly, this summer Finnair
will have daily flights between Beijing and Helsinki. The ADS rules have to change, the EU and Chinas tourism bureaus have to realize the importance of these travelers and make a more simplified visa procedure, like Japan and South Korea have done,” he says. After almost 20 years as the Chief Representative of Finnair in China, Rautio’s next assignment will take him to Shanghai, where he will fill in a new position for Finnair A testament to the vast public recognition of his hard work in promoting the travel industry in China are the many trophies on display in his office. “This process to enter the Chinese market has taken a long while. But the company has treated me quite well, in five years I will be retired and who knows what happens after that,” Rautio says. So what is this Beijing raised Finnish born favorite travel destination. “Wow, there are many, but I like Spain and Portugal, good food, weather and even better wine,” he tells.
Our Chinese travelers are growing so rapidly, this summer Finnair will have daily flights between Beijing and Helsinki. The ADS rules have to change, the EU and Chinas tourism bureaus have to realize the importance of these travelers and make a more simplified visa procedure, like Japan and South Korea have done. April 2011 • ScandAsia.China 9
“Hi - my name is Lucky!” Anders Olenius greeted me with a hearty laugh. Anders was declared cured from his Hodgkin Lymphoma about one year ago and there has been no sign of a relapse.
10 ScandAsia.China • April 2011
“My Name Is Lucky” Anders Olenius carried on with his business in the Canton province although he was on a tough medical treatment against lymph node cancer. By Bjarne Wildau
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nders Olenius meets me in a typical meeting place for expats in the industrial town of Shunde in the Southern part of China. He has a cigarette in his left hand, while he greets me his right hand. “Hi - my name is Lucky”, he laughs. It’s been almost a year since he was declared free from his lymph cancer, Hodgkin Lymphoma, so he has plenty to be happy about. Anders Olenius, 45, was diagnosed a little by coincidence. The Chinese Immigration office demanded a medical examination of him, before they were ready to extend his stay and work permit. What followed was “a very tough time”, the Swede admits. Anders has his professional roots in the wood and furniture industry. Together with his British partner, Michael Swift, he is running several productions units in the Shunde district south of Guangzhou in the Canton province - one hour by train from Hong Kong.
Finally declared sound and healthy Among other products Anders Olenius and his partners company Weijan Aluminum Products are producing more than 80.000 table tops to outdoor furniture per year. The Swede is responsible for the table tops while his partner take care of other productions. Scandinavian friends of Anders had told me how Anders Olenius, supported by the Filipino wife, went through cancer treatments every morning, and then went back to his daily business in the afternoon with his hair falling off and a Venflon taped to his left upper hand. Anders himself wants to put it behind hiom. “It wasn’t easy,” he says. “It was difficult for everyone. My partner was not directly involved in
the daily business so I had to keep going. Thanks to help from many of our good friends it all worked out,” he adds. Eventually, the treatment worked. “After months of tough treatments I was finally declared cancer free,” Anders says.
Container homes Anders Olenius takes me to see the latest development in his business in China. Three production halls of 6.000 square meters each have been equipped to move all the production of Anders Olenius’ and Michael Swift’s company Weijan Aluminum Products together at one place - and incorporate also a new company, Unito Global Solutions, specialized in development, design and production of so called container homes. The production was previously located in six different places. “There isn’t much to see now because our first huge order went to Brazil a couple of days ago”, the Swede explains as we enter the first hall. The concept with the container homes is simple and efficient. Livable homes are created in a normal container. “Living in a box. It’s a fantastic idea. And very practical. Where ever people need homes fast like for instance in an emergency operations,
the problem can be solved by us”, Anders explains.
Order from Brazil The first order of 40 containers has been signed. Seven of them also delivered already. The latest request is about designing and delivering of so called container prison cells. One possible market disqualified itself before even they had opened it up. “I went to Iraq where the US Army and the Iraq authorities were very interested in our container homes. But then two roadside bombs exploded just in front and just behind our cars. That was the end of that project,” the former cancer patient says as a matter of fact. Anders had not endured the tough cancer treatment - and won the battle against the disease - just to be blown up by bombs in Iraq. “I will never go back to Iraq. Not even if they paid me thousands of dollars to go there.” Anders and his partner predict that they will need around 400 people to succeed in the container business. “It can be very difficult to find so many people. You don’t believe it. China has a population of at least 1.3 billion people. But we cannot find the workers we need. We already pay rewards to people who help us
find workers. We pay 500 Renmimbi if a worker stays more than three months”. Another way out of the problem with shortage of workers is to turn to start automate the production like the Scandinavian countries has done for decades.
Working on a Sunday Eventually, also Anders and Michael’s outdoor furniture business will be moved here. “The outdoor furniture’s is a seasonal thing. We are producing like mad for more than five months and then its scaling down waiting for the next season,” he explains. The Australian market with the opposite climate of Europe and North America helps level out the demand but the main production is still concentrated in a few months every year. Anders’ mobile phone is ringing. It’s his secretary, Grace, who works even though it’s a Sunday. “She is fantastic,” Anders say after he hangs up. She was about to leave to take the bus home, but just needed to discuss a few things with him. Anders is clearly impressed. “If they were all like Grace we would never have a problem,” he laughs.
Anders Olenius and Michael Swift have been partners for more than 14 years. April 2011 • ScandAsia.China 11
Nordic Centre’s Finnis As the first Finn ever Teemu Naarajärvi started in January as the new Programme Manager on the Nordic Centre at Fudan University in Shanghai. By Martin Kristensen
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eemu Naarajärvi enters the big room under the roof of the new three story big Nordic Centre building on the Fudan Univesity campus area. The midday sun is battling the Shanghai smock today it seems to be winning - and is streaming in through the big dormer window. The light falls on a thick carpet in grey patterns that fills the big empty floor. “And this is a meeting room,” Teemu Naarajärvi says. “It’s not finished obviously. The carpet is Danish actually. It’s designed by Matzform.” Teemu Naarajärvi is the new Programme Manager of the Nordic Centre at Fudan. The first Finn in that seat since the centre was established in November 1995. “I don’t think Finland has been neglected in this matter,” he says. “There haven’t been that many Programme Managers and we still haven’t had an Icelandic one.” He laughs and assures that this does not mean he will ‘do it the Finnish way’. He has to have the whole Nordic picture in mind. His two year term just started this January, so the obvious question is to ask, how he is coping with the Chinese culture shock. The question makes him laugh out loud. “You know I’m a sinologist by background, so the culture shock is always bigger, when I return home to Finland.” He explains that he has been to China on and off the last ten years doing research, studying and working, and his PhD, which is now put on hold because of the new job, is in Chinese foreign policy decision making - so nope - China is not foreign to the Finn from Jämsä.
Better opportunities Teemu Naarajärvi opens the doors to another room. It is a lecture room with rows of burned-red colored seats and space enough to hold 80 students. “One thing we have gained in getting this new building is that now we have our own teaching or lecture rooms. Now we nearly have everything we need for making events inside this building. Beforehand we had to go out and book classrooms from around the campus.” Teemu Naarajärvi tells that one of the Nordic Centres foremost activities and the most visible are to arrange and house the annual summer courses. Here 70-80 students from the centres 26 Nordic member universities come to Shanghai on a three weeks ‘An introduction to modern China’ course. And in August, they arrange a smaller weeklong ‘Doing business in China’ course. Beside those two courses the centres activities varies from research exchanges between the Nordic universities and Fudan, housing different conferences and arranging different courses. Both Nordic courses for Chinese students and scholars, for example language courses, and courses for the Nordic member universities according to their needs. Furthermore the centre acts as a link between the universities and the Nordic business communities and innovations offices in the Shanghai region. On his tour around the premises Teemu Naarajärvi enters another brightly sunlit room. A group of Danish KiBiSi designed EXPO-Chairs is standing in rows for lectures and at the other end of the room a couple of tables and chairs is placed for working.
“We are not quite finish with this room,” he says. “It’s supposed to be a kind of student lounge with sofas and possibility to organise movie events.” The new building was finished in December last year, and Teemu Naarajärvi tells that it has only been possible with the help of many different sponsors such as the Nordic consulates or countries, foundations like the Sanomat Foundation in Finland, but also private enterprises like Jotun Coatings from Norway. He further explains that the new building is a great example that the Nordic Centre isn’t drowning on the big Fudan Campus. “We are very active here and there’s lots of corporation between Fudan and our Nordic member universities. I actually see us quite visible here on the campus in this brand new building, which is just opposite of the chancellor’s office.”
The vision for the centre After a visit to the staff offices and a humble library the tour ends in front of the big joint Nordic picture collage in the entrance hall. Here Teemu Naarajärvi gives his vision for the future of Nordic Centre with the Finn behind the wheel. “I hope we can strengthen the research aspect of the Nordic Centre by building more activities and creating more research contacts between Nordic and Chinese universities. And maybe in the future try to enlarge our geographical scope outside Shanghai. It would be nice to have the muscles to deal with more universities. Many of our member universities have interests outside of Shanghai and then it would be easier for us to help them. I would like to see that.”
The Nordic Centre in Shanghai, Fudan University is: • A platform for initiating and developing research and educational activities, conferences and workshops of mutual interest to Nordic and Chinese scholars. • A teaching institution for Chinese students and scholars pursuing study of the Nordic countries, and for Nordic students and scholars pursuing study of China. • An organiser of programmes and courses for Nordic business communities in Shanghai. The Nordic Centre consists of Fudan University, People's Republic of China, 26 member universities from the five Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Iceland) as full members, and NIAS (the Nordic Institute of Asian Studies) as an associate member. www.nordiccentre.org 12 ScandAsia.China • April 2011
h Programme Manager
April 2011 • ScandAsia.China 13
Best Panel Beater
Joakim Görsberg grew up in his grandfathers garage as the third generation of panel beaters. In 2009, he decided to move to Beijing to work for Car-O-Liner which offers all the heavy equipment needed to repair crashed cars. By Alexandra Leyton Espinoza
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hen Joakim Görsberg from Sweden was offered a job as a trainer for panel beaters for Car-O-Liner in China, his first reaction was “No way!” “I had been to the south of China once before and didn't like it at all,” he says. But eventually he took the job with the company that provides collision repair systems for cars. “A former school teacher had a great influence in my decision. He told me I had nothing to lose, that I should try it out,” he explains.
Train the trainers So in 2009, and at 22 years of age, Joakim decided to move to Beijing. The Swedish company, Car-O-Liner supplies all the heavy equipment needed to repair crashed cars. They also offer their customers on site training at their training centers in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou for Volvo, Nissan and BMW. 14 ScandAsia.China • April 2011
Joakim’s first task was to train the trainers. The trainers, mostly designers and engineers had a good theoretical knowledge, but no experience in body repairing. In the beginning I was the practical trainer, and trained the trainers in English, they later trained their panel beaters in Chinese. The trainers learned a lot, some had never hold a welding machine before, he said. Despite his young age, Joakim is counted as one of the best qualified panel beater in his age group in Sweden. He was raised in his grandfathers garage and is the third generation of panel beaters. In 2006 he won the Youth Skills Sweden cup, a competition for vocational education and training and made the best placement for Sweden ever in the World skills competition in Japan the following year. Car-OLiner had their eyes on him and sponsored him in the competition. They called me 8 months after and asked if I was interested in moving to China and to work for them.
in China They needed someone who was good at panel beating, he said.
Not cars enough Joakim Görsberg has no problem accepting the fact that the Chinese are bad panel beaters. It is not their fault. It takes generations to pass the knowledge of good body work and China has only had enough cars to build up the competence for some 20 year. “If you take a student and teach him theory for two years and his teacher was a shoemaker 20 years ago, of course he will not be able to teach him to be a good panel beater,” Joakim says. “Learning skills take time. But I must say I am impressed how fast learners they are,” he adds. Learned new skills Joakim Görsberg settled on a oneyear contract that gave him his own apartment in Beijing, a competitive salary but most importantly a big chance to develop skills he didn't think he had. “I have learned how to take initiatives, be more social, give directions and be better at managing the computer system that’s an important part of our job,” he says. But even if he enjoyed his new job, he still found his new life in China so different in the beginning, moving from a small city in Sweden to a 20 million metropolis. The new impressions were overwhelming. Not to mention the language barrier. “The first three months were hard. I didn’t have so many friends and couldn’t speak any Chinese. I found the traffic too much, the people and culture so different,” he says. A membership at the Swedish Young Professionals, a sub-group to the Swedish Chamber of Commerce, introduced him to new people and soon after he started feeling more settled in his new home.
Rich social life “Today, I have a social life that is so much richer than in Sweden. I can afford to go out, have fun with my friends and still save some money. In Sweden you have a 8-5 job and on weekends you go out for a beer, thats all. And by the end of the month there is nothing left,” he said.
So when he was offered to renew his contract he said yes. This time with more responsibilities. He writes reports, assist sellers with suggestions on products that customers might need and still trains trainers to understand the skills to repair cars. “A large part of my job is to increase the quality of the workmanship. If you repair a car the wrong way, it can be a matter of life and death.”
Volvo is the steel “Everyone here knows that Volvo is one of the safest cars in the world. Very few know why. I tell them its because of its steel quality when they produce the car. But if you don’t repair it according to their OEMstandards, then the brand name doesn’t mean anything,” he says. According to Görsberg the attitude is changing and people understand the importance of good body repair, the big difference that might risk the guarantee of a car being well repaired in China is the rules from the insurance companies, that don’t understand the importance of following the instruction manuals. “To repair a car with a good repair standard costs and takes time, if the insurance company says no to a high cost, a workshop can decide to take less but rush through the work and the car will not have the same quality after the repair.” “In Sweden its different, the insurance companies pay the price. They have an understanding for how important it is to get it right,” he explains.
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1200 new cars daily With an estimated 1200 new cars hitting the streets of Beijing every day, Görsberg has more than enough to do. He is now the cashier at the Swedish Young Professionals and the After Sales Service & Support Manager and just moved to a new flat closer to Beijing's pulsating nightlife. “I love my job and I am so glad that I made the decision to stay. I don’t have a plan for the future, I live for today who knows what will happens next,” he says.
April 2011 • ScandAsia.China 15
The Peak of Good Health Most people are enjoying their retirement by the age of 72, but not Bent Henriksen. He’s ‘summit’ special.
T
he company director, of Mitford, Northumberland, recently returned from a grueling trek to Everest’s Base Camp with his two sons, proving that age is no barrier to reaching the top! Bent, who is originally from Denmark, has lived in the North East for more than 30 years, and puts his extraordinary good health down to the vitamins and supplements he takes everyday. He says “I’m s firm believer in the importance nutrition for good health and I’ve been taking dietary supplements for the last 25 years. They keep me fit, active, and healthy, and I wouldn’t go a day without them. “For a physically demanding trip like Everest, I made sure I took plenty of Coenzyme Q10, a vitamin-like substance, which provides a natural energy boost.” Bent set off Newcastle International Airport with his two sons, Rasmus, 35, and Troels, 46, on Friday October 1 before joining up with his friend Alan Nathan’s family and their guides Noel Hanna and Pasang in Kathmandu. Bent says “This was a private trek made up of two families, the
Henriksens, myself and my two sons, and the Nathans, my friend Alan and his sons Jeff, Rob, and Sean. “Our expedition was led by the brilliant Noel Hanna, an endurance athlete and adventure sports trainer from C 2 C Sports Ltd in Northern Ireland, who was a superb guide on the mountain. I’d also like to thank Jane Walker of Northmbria Mountain Sports in Morpeth for helping with the equipment.” After Kathmandu, the group flew through the mountains on a 14-seater plane to Lukla (which reportedly boasts the 2nd most dangerous airport in the world) before a 4-hour walk to Phakding. The next day, the group managed a 8-hour trek to Namche before acclimatisation training by climbing above the airport at Svangboche and onto Khumjung. It was here they got their first glimpse of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Everest itself at 8,850 metres. From Namche Bazhar it was off to Tengboche, Pherich, Gorak Shep, Lobuche, and Kala Patthar, before they made the final ascent to Base Camp on Day Seven of their trek on October 9. Bent says “We set off a 6pm on empty stomachs to get up to Base
16 ScandAsia.China • April 2011
Camp and back before breakfast. According to the map it looks like a fairly straightforward gradual climb, but it is actually a very hard slog. “It’s also very cold, but the views are amazing as the scenery suddenly transforms into a ‘moonscape’ when you get down onto the Khumba glacier. Another two and a half hours later, we got to Base Camp. It was great to have been there and the views of Everest (Hilary Step and South Summit) were spectacular.” The group then began the long trek back the way they had came arriving back at Lukla on October 13 before flying to Kathmandu to recover their strength by sleeping in a comfortable bed (for the first time in nearly two weeks) and eating a few hearty meals. Bent’s son Troels has written a diary of the trek for his family to keep, which reveals regular poker games, beer, red wine, yak steaks, and sweet black tea also kept spirits up during the trek to Base Camp. Troels says “My father showed amazing stamina throughout and kept up with us right to the end. I was very proud of the old man.” Bent may be 72, but it is difficult to call him ‘old’ after completing such an impressive achievement.
Noel, who acted as guide for the group, paid tribute to Bent. Noel says “Bent did brilliantly. It was a long, hard slog for everyone, but the trek went very well and I must say Bent’s good health and fitness is a testament to the vitamins and supplements he takes. I take Bio-Quinone Q10 myself so I know how much of an energy boost it can give you.” And if anyone knows the importance of dietary supplements for good health, it’s Bent. For the last 25 years, he has been Managing Director of Pharma Nord UK, a distributor of pharmaceutical grade vitamins and supplements based in Morpeth. Bent is now back at work and is very proud to have completed the trek with his sons. “It just goes to show what you can do, regardless of age, if you look after your health,” he says.
For more information about Pharma Nord and it’s range of vitamins and supplements call Pharma Nord SEA, Thailand office: +66 2361 4091 or go to http://www.pharmanordsea.co.th
The Colors Of Life
Phangan Bayshore Resort and Spa Haad Rin Beach Phangan Bayshore Resort and Spa is directly on Haad Rin Nok, at the heart of the action most suitable for the Full Moon Party
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Medium
Pork Liver Pâté
Evil
I
nexpensive and simple to make, this dish serves as a great starter or light meal and is healthy choice of light eating. Although usually eaten with Danish rye bread, the pâté can also be spread on any cracker of you choice. Tweaking the recipe to fit personal taste can make it better and especially more personal when served. This amazing dish does great at parties and gatherings.
Ingredients 500 gr. pork liver (pork liver is great) 300 gr. pork fat 1 medium onion 3 anchovies (can be left out) 1/4 cup flour 1/4 cup light cream 2 eggs, lightly beaten 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon pepper 1/4 teaspoon allspice
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hen you have completed the above puzzles, please send your solution by fax to +66 2 943 7169 or scan and email to puzzles@ scandasia.com. We will make a lucky draw among the correct answers. Five lucky winners will receive a ScandAsia polo shirt. Name:
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Deadline for submitting your solution is 15 April 2011 18 ScandAsia.China • April 2011
Directions • Put the liver, anchovies, fat & onion through a meat chopper at least 3 times or use a food processor. • The mixture should be quite fine in the texture. Mix in the flour, cream, eggs, salt, pepper and all spice. • Spoon the mixture into a buttered loaf pan. • Put it in a pan of water and bake in a 350F oven for an hour. • If the pate is browning too quickly place a piece of foil loosely over it. This dish is usually served with fried mushrooms, bacon bits, and cucumber pickles on Danish rye bread.
The pork liver pâté is a tasty mix of ground liver and fat minced into a spreadable paste which is later added with a choice of vegetables, herbs, spices, or wine.
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