China-Kuwait

CHARMING

CHINA China - Kuwait Relations Flourshing

World Expo Shanghai Non-Stop Hong Kong

Beijing Food Guide

Sumptuous Shanghai A future with Robots Top Ten Incredible Olympians

Terracotta Army Stands Proud

Relax at the Summer Palace The Great Wall “A Wonder of the World”

China’s Auto Market Speeds Along

In Cooperation with the Embassy of the P. R. of China in Kuwait

CHARMING

CHINA

In cooperation with the Embassy of the P. R. of China in Kuwait

Coordinator

Hu Yaowu

Economic & Commercial Counselor

Coordinator

Li Yang

Third Secretary Economic & Commercial Counselor’s office

Sales Supervisor Fatima Kharouch

Mujahid Iqbal Editor Neha Nair Rohera

Finance Manager Khurram Sajjad

Photograpy

’

M. Yamin Siddiqui

Design by

The contents and opinions expressed here in are not necessarily those of the publishers. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the contents, no liability can be assumed by the publishers for any inaccuracies.

Managing Editor & PR

ALC International Group

Produced by Al-Khat Printing Press

For further enquiries, please contact Mujahid Iqbal Cell: +965 – 97592064, 99558663 Email:talk2mujahid@yahoo.com Email: alcgroup8@gmail.com

CONTENTS Message from the Ambassador Bright Prospects for Sino-Kuwaiti Ties China-Kuwait Relations Flourshing Sino-Kuwaiti Bilateral Relations & Economic & Trade Cooperation KCIC sets the pace Beijing - Capital of China World Expo Shanghai Relax at the Summer Palace China’s Autmotive Output Hits 10 m Mark China’s Auto Market Speeds Along Powering the Future Sumptuous Shanghai Non-Stop Hong Kong Top Ten Incredible Olympians at the Beijing Games Terracotta Army Stands Proud The Great Wall: A Wonder of the World A Future with Robots Wushu: Unity of Body and Mind Evergreen Chinese Performing Arts Beijing Food Guide A Garden of Growing Imams Giant Panda: Endangered Mascot Credits

China Tourism Organization www.mofcom.gov.cn www.bjreview.com.cn www.chinaculture.org www.china.org.cn

04 06 10 12 14 16 18 20 26 32 34 36 42 54 56 60 63 66 68 72 74 76

Huang Jiemin Chinese Ambassador to Kuwait

Message

from the

A

Ambassador

China, an ancient, mysterious and

C

hina is a unified nation consisting of 56 different ethnic groups, each of which

possesses its own outstanding and distinctive culture, and all members of China’s great multiethnic family are treated equally and participate equally in national development.

China, an ancient, mysterious and beautiful

beautiful land, is

land, is always appealing to adventurous foreign visitors. With a lasting civilization

always appealing to adventurous

of several thousand years, China offers the world a rich culture, which constitutes an important part of human civilization and wisdom, and consists of what is grown in this Oriental land as well as diverse elements

4

foreign visitors.

from other cultures.

China’s policy of reform and opening,

hosting this high-standard Olympic Games

implemented in 1978, catapulted this

with distinctive characteristics, China has

ancient civilization onto the fast track

realized the concepts of “Green Olympics,

of modern development and economic

High-tech Olympics and People’s Olympics”,

growth. But we are clearly aware of the fact

and has opened itself further to the world.

that as a developing country, with a huge

Kuwait is the first Gulf Arab country to forge

population but weak economic foundation

diplomatic ties with China. The relationship

and relatively unbalanced development

between China and Kuwait, especially in the

throughout the country, there is still a long

fields of economy and trade, energy, finance,

way to go before China becomes a real

sanitation and humanities, has witnessed

powerful nation.

remarkable growth since the establishment of the two countries’ diplomatic relations 38

China is proud of her many peoples, long

years ago, and both countries are constantly

history, resplendent culture and distinctive

rendering understanding and support to

customs. Among her greatest gifts to the

each other.

world are the “four great inventions” (paper, gunpowder, printing and the compass).

This May, Kuwaiti Amir HH Sheikh Sabah

Chinese arts and crafts, including painting,

Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah paid a visit to

calligraphy, operas, embroidery and silk

China, which has successfully further put

are distinctive and unique. Martial arts,

forward the friendly relations between the

which have only recently begun to enjoy

two countries. China highly values friendship

popularity in other parts of the world, have

with Kuwait and will make concerted efforts

been part of Chinese culture for centuries,

with the Kuwaiti side to step up bilateral

and Chinese literature is testified as the

cooperation to a higher level.

country’s rich heritage. And, of course, there is Chinese cuisine, which has been popular

We sincerely hope that this special edition

all over the globe.

on China will present you an authentic and fabulous China with its inclusive and

Last August, China successfully held an

profound culture, arts and traditions, thus

“exceptional” Olympic Games with the

opening up a brand-new front in the East of

support and help of the whole international

the world before you. You are welcome to

Olympic family. The Games, which captured

China for tourism, business, investment and

world attention, carried forward the Olympic

career development.

spirit of unity, friendship and peace. By

5

Bright Prospects for Sino-Kuwaiti Economic and Trade Cooperation

By Mr. Hu Yaowu, Commercial & Ecnomical Counselor

C

hina’s

diplomatic

relations

with

Kuwait began in 1971, while non-governmental trade between the two countries started in the 1950s. Today, network, communication, transportation

and

other technologies have caused great changes to the world, countries have not been so far from each other, and the earth has become a global village.

These

changes

have

led to more frequent international exchanges, and

accelerated

the

development of world economy and trade.

T

6

hanks to good care and close attention of Chinese and Kuwaiti leaders, the recent years

Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with visiting Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah have seen a rapid development of economic and trade relations. In 2001, the trade volume between the two countries amounted to $642 million. In 2008, SinoKuwaiti trade reached a total of $6.78 billion, of which Chinese exports were worth $1.74 billion, mainly consisting of mechanical and electrical products, iron and steel and its products, and light industrial products and textiles.

China’s imports from Kuwait were $5.04 billion, which were mainly crude oil, liquefied petroleum gas and petrochemicals. In July of 2009, 175 China-made “Yutong” high-class public buses arrived in Kuwait, adding another highlight to Sino-Kuwaiti trade cooperation.

Today, Kuwait has become China’s fifth largest trading partner among the Arab countries, and China is Kuwait’s second largest importing country.

The fast growth of bilateral trade has contributed a good deal to economic development of the two countries and satisfaction of the two peoples’ living needs.

In the field of economic cooperation, Chinese companies engaged in contracted projects and labor service cooperation entered Kuwait in the late 1970s and their main business activities fell into civil works. Since the 1990s, Chinese companies in Kuwait have accomplished a few

Today, Kuwait has become China’s fifth largest trading partner among the Arab countries. large-scale contracted projects, such as CNPC’s construction in 1995 of No. 27 and 28 oil gathering stations with the contractual amount of $391.5 million, and the repair and restoration project of Ahmadi refinery in 1992, Sinopec’s construction in 1996 of four floating roof tanks of 30,000 tons each, and CHEC’s construction in 1996 of oil terminals.

These projects had a great impact in Kuwait. At present, the major projects in Kuwait under construction by Chinese companies are as follows: the office building of Kuwait Central Bank, Kuwait Bubiyan Road Extension, Olympia Building, Subiya Water Distribution Complex, Kuwaiti 3rd mobile telecom service project i.e. Viva 3G , the technical services for seven oil wells, and dozens of other big projects.

According to the statistics of

the Economic and Commercial Office of Chinese Embassy in Kuwait, the total contractual value of all the contracted projects in Kuwait undertaken

by Chinese companies amounts to $3.41 billion, and the completed turnover is $1.91 billion. To promote bilateral trade development and protect mutual business interests since the 1980s, China and Kuwait signed a “Sino-Kuwaiti trade agreement”, “agreement on encouragement and protection of investment”, “agreement on avoiding double taxation”, “agreement on economic, trade and technical cooperation” etc. China and Kuwait signed in 1986 the agreement on establishing a joint commission on economic, trade and technical cooperation, according to which the joint commission has held four meetings and is expected to convene the 5th session in Kuwait in 2009.

At the end of 2008, Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang visited Kuwait successfully, and at the invitation of Mr Hu Jintao, President of People’s Republic of China, Kuwaiti Amir HH Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah paid a state visit to China from May 10 to May 12 of 2009. During the visit, President Hu Jintao and Amir Sheikh Sabah exchanged views in cordial, friendly and sincere talks, reached broad consensus on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concerns, and signed a few agreements on cooperation between the two sides.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 38 years ago, friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries have been developing smoothly, and will continue to thrive and achieve fruitful results.

China and Kuwait both hope to keep strengthening bilateral economic and trade relations in order to realize the common interests of the two friendly people and governments.

FOREWORD

Splendour of China

T

here is no doubt that China is on the road to be an economic and political superpower. The Chinese economy has emerged relatively unscathed from the global financial crisis, the 2008 Beijing Olympics were an unbridled success and China’s influence across the globe is rapidly rising.

China’s also has excellent relations with Kuwait. China and Kuwait established diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level on March 22, 1971. The friendly cooperative relations between the two countries in the fields of politics, economy, culture, and military have ever since gained steady development.

Today, Kuwait has become China’s fifth largest trading partner among the Arab countries, and China is Kuwait’s second largest importing country. The fast growth of bilateral trade has contributed a good deal to economic development of the two countries and satisfaction of the two peoples’ living needs.

In this special issue on China, we have focused on all things Chinese – from the country’s booming economy to splendid touristic sights to vibrant art forms. I hope readers will gain further insight into this splendid nation.

Mujahid Iqbal Managing Editor & PR

C

China-Kuwait Relations Flourishing

hina and Kuwait established diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level on March 22, 1971.

The friendly cooperative relations between the two countries in the fields of politics, economy, culture, and military have ever since gained a steady development

Political Relations

The relations between China and Kuwait have been developing smoothly since the establishment of diplomatic relations. Both countries share identical or similar views on many major international and regional issues, constantly rendering sympathy and support to each other. During the Gulf Crisis in 1990, China resolutely opposed Iraq’s invasion and occupation of Kuwait and demanded that Iraq should withdraw its troops from Kuwait and restore and respect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Kuwait. After the Gulf War, China has reiterated on many occasions its firm support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Kuwait as well as Kuwait’s just demand for settling the issues left over from the Gulf War.

Exchange of major visits between China and Kuwait

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China: President Yang Shangkun (1989), Foreign Minister Qian Qichen (1990), Premier Li Peng (1991), Vice Premier Li Lanqing (1993), Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Wang Bingqian (1993), Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC Wu Jieping (1995), State Councillor Luo Gan (1995), Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of National People’s Congress Tomur Dawamat (2000), Vice Premier Wu Bangguo (2000), Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan (2000), Minister of the Inter-

trade as early as in 1955.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, bilateral economic and trade exchanges have become more frequent, and bilateral trade volume has been on the increase. The trade volume between China and Kuwait in 2008 was $6.78 billion, of which the Chinese export was $1.74 billion, and import $5.04 billion. Kuwait has been the On May 11, 2009, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met largest supplier of preferenwith Kuwaiti Amir H.H. Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad altial official loans to China Jaber al-Sabah in Ziguangge, Zhongnanhai. among Arab countries. From 1982 till now, the Kuwait Fund for national Liaison Department of the Arab Economic Development had CPC Central Committee Dai Bingprovided China with $ 810 million guo (2001, 2002), State Councilor Siof loans on favorable terms. In 1998, mayi Aimat (2003), Foreign Minister the Kuwaiti Government donated a Li Zhaoxing (2006), Vice Premier Li total of $3 million in cash to the ChiKeqiang (2008). nese Government when China suffered from serious floods.

Kuwait: Kuwait Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Sabah(1965, 1990 and 1991), Economic and trade agreements Crown Prince and Prime Minister signed between the Chinese and Sheikh Saad Al-Sabah(1995), Deputy Kuwaiti governments are as follows: Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Agreement on Trade (1980), AgreeSheikh Sabah Al-Sabah(1977,1988 ment on Promotion and Protection and twice in 1990), Speaker of Parof Investment (1985), Agreement liament Ahmad Al-Sadoun (1993), on Establishing Joint Economic and Vice Prime Minister and Minister Trade Committee (1986), Agreeof Defense Ahmed Salem (1999), ment on Avoiding Double Taxation Deputy Speaker Meshari Al-Anjari (1989) and Agreement on Eco(2001), Minister of Information nomic and Technical Cooperation Ahmad Al-Fahd Al-Sabah (2001), (1989).

Governor Ali Al-Jaber Al-Ahmed AlSabah (2001), Minister of Telecommunication (2002), Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Defense (2003), China and Kuwait have carried out Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah (2004), friendly contacts in fields of culture, Minister of Finance (2004), Minister education, sports and religion, with of Energy (2005), Vice Prime Minisvery frequent exchange of visits. ter and Foreign Minister Sheikh MoChina has dispatched many sports hammed (2006) and HH the Amir coaches to Kuwait and sent students Sheikh Sabah (2009). to the Arab country annually. China and Kuwait have signed Agreement on Cultural Cooperation (1982), Agreement on Civil Aviation Transportation (1980) and Agreement China and Kuwait began direct civil on Sports Cooperation (1992).

Exchanges and Cooperation in other fields

Economic and trade Cooperation and Trade Relations

Sino - Kuwaiti

Bilateral Relations and Economic & Trade Cooperation

O

n bilateral relations between Kuwait and Beijing, the Chinese ambassador to Kuwait Huang Jiemin noted that Kuwait was the first Gulf state to establish diplomatic relations with his country, 38 years ago, and said that the two countries “are bound by a traditional and deep-rooted friendship.” Under the wise leaderships of the two countries, friendship and cooperation between Kuwait and China have witnessed constant development in the fields of politics, economy, commerce, energy, education and others, he said.

“The two sides continue to exchange views and support on vital interests, and cooperate very well on regional and international matters,” the ambassador added. China “strongly supports” Kuwait’s efforts to maintain its independence and sovereignty, while Kuwait presents “valuable support” to China in matter of importance, such as Taiwan and human rights, Jeimin noted.

TIES

High-level visits have also served to boost ties; Chinese Vice-Premier Li Keqiang visited Kuwait in late 2008, and His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah made a state visit to China in May 2009. During the Kuwaiti leader’s visit, six agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed in the fields of energy, education, communication, sports and finance.

“Cooperation between the two sides is constantly expanding,” the ambassador noted. Bilateral trade exchange was at $3.57 billion (from January to September) in 2009, but dropped to $2.3 billion in the first half of 2009 due to the global economic crisis. “I believe that the numbers will increase with the improvement of global economic conditions,” he said. As for oil exports, he said Kuwait was China’s seventh largest oil exporter with 5.9 million

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nies are working in the Gulf state at present, mostly in infrastructure, communications and petroleum engineering. “Soon, China’s oil company will begin exporting and operating several oil rigs in Kuwaiti oilfields,” he added. Moreover, he said the fifth meeting of the KuwaitiChinese joint committee would be held in November, while the Chinese cultural minister was expected to visit Kuwait in December. “China is very interested in developing its relations and boosting cooperation with Kuwait in different areas, and stands ready to work with Kuwait on the basis of mutual respect and interests,” he said.

Trade

Huang Jiemin

Chinese Ambassador to Kuwait tons of imported crude per year.

“At present, negotiations are ongoing between oil companies in the two countries to establish a large oil refinery in southern China, and the two sides have reached positive results,” he added. The ambassador also highlighted that the facilitated loans presented by Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) since 1982 to date, amounting to $820 million, were used to finance more than 30 large and medium projects in infrastructure, petrochemical, construction materials, mining, agriculture, irrigation, environmental protection, and others. “This has contributed to economic and social development in the central and western regions of China,” he said, while noting that in return, Beijing encouraged Chinese companies to invest in ventures in Kuwait.

More than ten Chinese compa-

On China-GCC relations, the ambassador noted that trade exchange between his country and the six states was at $80 billion in 2008, which accounted for 70 percent of total trade with all Arab states. “China seeks to further strengthen relations and strategic dialogue with GCC states and Kuwait is an important country in the region and has been helping China boost its relations with the GCC,” he said. He also said his country was working on improving its relations with Arab and African nations through cooperation forums, which he said were “important dialogue podiums.” On Iran’s nuclear dossier, the ambassador said that Beijing was following this matter closely and it hoped that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) would be able to resolve this issue with the cooperation of Tehran.

He also hoped that the upcoming talks between the P5+1 and Iran on Oct 1 would witness progress. As for whether China was for imposing further sanctions on Iran should it not comply with international resolution, he said, “It is too early to be speaking of such matters.”

Chinese Women Lead Biz World

RICHER AND STRONGER: Rupert Hoogewerf (right), founder and compiler of the Hurun Rich List, and Jian Yuping (left), Associate President of Agile Property Holdings Ltd., which sponsors the list, jointly release the 2009 Hurun Rich List on October 13 in Beijing

H

alf of the world’s richest selfmade women are Chinese. According to the newly released 2009 Hurun List of the Richest Women, five of the 10 most successful female billionaires are from the Chinese mainland. The latest list of China’s rich women includes 51 women who appeared among the 104 women on the 2009 Hurun Rich List, which ranked the most wealthy 1,000 men and women in China.

The average wealth of the women on the new list is 6.6 billion yuan ($966 million). Their fortunes rose, on average, by 30 percent this year.

The top female Chinese entrepreneur on the list is “Paper Queen” Zhang Yin, from Nine Dragons Paper, who has assets worth $4.9 billion. She is followed by Yang Huiyan, from Country Garden, who is worth $4.6 billion, and Chen Lihua, from Fu Wah International Group, who has $3.4 billion in assets.

“If you tell people the best pingpong team in the world has half of its members coming from the Chinese mainland, they will take it for

granted,” said Rupert Hoogewerf, the list’s compiler. “But it is surprising to know that half of the richest women in the world come from the Chinese mainland.”

The average age of the 51 richest women on the list is 46, and most made their money from property or the finance and manufacturing sections. Hoogewerf said the wealthiest self-made women in the United Kingdom and United States are also very well known - author J K Rowling in the UK and talk show host Oprah Winfrey in the US - yet they both lag behind Zhang Yin in terms of wealth.

The 52-year-old Zhang founded Nine Dragons Paper. The company buys scrap paper from the US, imports it into China, and mainly turns it into cardboard boxes used in the export of Chinese goods. The company is China’s biggest paper maker. In October 2006, at 49, Zhang became the first woman to top the list of the richest people in China. Her personal fortune at the time was $4 billion.

“I came up with the idea of mak-

ing a list of the richest women in China in 2006 when Zhang became the richest person, the first time a woman was in that position”, Hoogewerf told China Daily.

Zhang’s wealth shrank sharply last October by $300 million because of the economic crisis but it rebounded back to $4.9 billion by this September.

This year’s list of 1,000 super rich men and women in China includes 104 women, 16 more than last year. Most of them are self-made entrepreneurs. Hoogewerf was at a loss to explain why Chinese women are so adept at making a big impression in the business world but he has one or two theories. “I guess one reason is that they enjoy a balanced and equal social status in terms of politics, culture and economy. The other is that Chinese women mostly let their parents take care of their only child, which allows them to focus more on their career,” he said. “After all, one thing for sure is that Chinese women are brilliant.”

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KCIC sets the pace Interview by Mujahid Iqbal

Kuwait-China relations were strengthened even further after the establishment of the Kuwait China Investment Co (KCIC) in 2005. We spoke to Managing Director Ahmad Al-Hamad about the company’s investments in China MUJAHID IQBAL: Tell us more about KCIC. AHMAD AL-HAMAD: KCIC is an asset-management company focused on emerging Asia. The company was formed under an Amiri Decree in 2005. It was capitalized with 80 million Kuwaiti dinars. The company has a wide shareholder base with the National Investment Company, the KIA and Al-Ghanim Industries owning 19%, 15% and 8% respectively.

MI: Is KCIC a listed company?

AH: We are listing the company in

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November of 2009. As an Amiri Decree company, we could do a private placement. It was done, and we had over 100,000 subscribers. Now we will do what’s called the listing of the company to register the shares at the stock exchange, which means the shares will be liquid.

Ahmad Al-Hamad, Managing Director, Kuwait China Investment Co.

Our focus is Asia – China is our biggest market – and we believe out of this global crisis, Asia will emerge as the strongest growth driver for global GDP. And therefore we think investors will realize our story is really more of a China story than a local Kuwaiti market story.

MI: Do you think the current atmosphere is not conducive to a listing?

AH: Correct. The market is not currently in the best of shape, but we think our story is a very different story than the local market story. Our focus is Asia – China is our biggest market – and we believe out of this global crisis, Asia will emerge as the strongest growth driver for global GDP. And therefore we think investors will realize our story is really more of a China story than a local Kuwaiti market story.

MI: Who are your main shareholders?

AH: The Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) owns 15% of the company, National Investment Co (NIC) owns 19% and Alghanim Industries owns 8%. Twenty three founding shareholders hold 50% of the company while the rest is owned by a wide shareholder base.

MI: What are your major investments in China and what are your future plans?

AH: We focus on what we believe are drivers for macro-growth in China - sectors that will witness tremendous growth and on which China will focus on in the next 10 to 25 years. We believe the Asia story is a very long-term story. We see that China has a tremendous potential to grow over the next few years to a global leadership role. China today, is the third largest economy in the world and that was achieved this in a very short period of time.

So the sectors we focus on are going to be sectors that tap into the consumption patterns of China – energy and infrastructure. Within infrastructure we focus on soft infrastructure, not hard infrastructure…

we don’t want to buy the roads and powerplants but we want to invest in the services around them. We also include education and healthcare in infrastructure – we think those are very exciting investment sectors in China.

We also like the real estate and the financial services sector. We’ve invested across those sectors in both public and private markets. In public markets we manage our own funds, while in private markets, together with our partners, we manage private equity funds that invest in a multitude of businesses.

We think the world is undergoing a rebalancing and are confident that our exposure to China will allow us to also benefit from an early recovery out of the recession.

We would like to be one of the choice destinations for capital coming out of China into the Middle East.

MI: Has the recession affected KCIC? AH: The global recession has affected everybody. To a certain degree even Asia has been impacted. Having said that, I think the fact that we focus on China has allowed us to be a participant in the fastest recovery witnessed in the last six months.

Markets in China have gone up almost 80%, a lot of it driven by the stimulus of the Chinese government.

We think the world is undergoing a rebalancing and are confident that our exposure to China will allow us to also benefit from an early recovery out of the recession.

MI: What about the weak dollar?

AH: Being a Kuwait-based company with our capital in Kuwaiti dinars, we have exposure to the dollar. But we look to hedge some of the risk by investing in local currencies in Asia and China. The recent reforms by the Chinese government to let foreigners invest in renminbidenominated funds is a very exciting development for us, and we will seek to increase our exposure to the renminbi.

time nor the last time the dollar has been questioned. People are naturally worried about the amount of money that has been printed in the US recently, and their exposure to a weakening dollar. I think for the sake of the world, it would be better to diversify purely out of dollar-denominated assets and allow the world to have more than just one strong currency. We hope the renminbi will play a big role as it is backed by the Chinese economy that has a strong balance sheet, reserves and current account surpluses.

pany was formed after the state visit of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to China, who was then the prime minister. Sheikh Sabah again visited China early this year and reaffirmed support for close ties to China. So countries that have such close relationships with visits by heads of state and direct investments in projects is a testament to how close the relationship is.

MI: Does KCIC have any part in Chinese projects in Kuwait?

AH: As a business, we believe future prospects of bilateral capital flows will be very exciting. The creation of the CIC, the China In-

MI: What’s your view on rumours that oil will be sold in a basket of MI: How would you describe Kucurrencies instead of the dollar? wait-China relations?

AH: The predominant destitnation AH: Kuwait has always had a very vestment Corporation, which is the for Gulf oil is Asia. So settling oil trade in US dollars when your trading partners are Asian does not really make sense. However, these rumours have not been the first

close relation with China for many years. Kuwait was the first Gulf state to establish diplomatic ties with China in 1971. China is a very strong partner of Kuwait. In fact, our com-

sovereign wealth fund of China, is a part of this initiative. We would like to be one of the choice destinations for capital coming out of China into the Middle East.

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Beijing-Cap B

eijing, a municipality directly under the Central Government, is the capital of the People’s Republic of China and the country’s political, economic, cultural and transportation center as well as a famous historic city.

Geographically located in the northwest part of the North China Plain and covering an area of 16,800 sq km. Beijing is the second largest city in China with a population of more than 11 million. It has a semihumid continental climate in the warm temperate zone. With an annual average temperature of 12 degrees Centigrade and rainfall of 641 mm, Beijing is neither cold in winter nor very hot in summer. The best seasons in Beijing are Spring and Autumn. Beijing is indeed an ideal place to visit all round the year.

Beijing is the political center of China where the Party’s Central Committee, the State Council, ministries and commissions under the government, and more than 140 foreign embassies are located. It is also an international exchange center.

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Beijing is an economic center of China being one of the biggest industrial bases in China. Beijing’s industrial production is the second largest in value among all Chinese cities. An industrial system with iron and steel, coal, machinery, chemical and petroleum, textiles, electronics and other industries as its mainstays has already taken shape. Beijing’s

ital of China arts and crafts are famous for their long history, great variety, and superb workmanship. The most popular ones among them are cloisonne, ivory carving, jadeware, carved lacquer ware, snuff bottles, silk flowers, embroidery etc.

As the country’s center of culture, education, science and technology, Beijing has more than forty state scientific research institutions, over thirty universities and the greatest number of professional and technical personnel. In Beijing, there are numerous museums and libraries with the largest collection of books in china. Beijing also serves as a center for international exchange in culture, science and technology.

It is a hub of communications, with good railroad and air links with all parts of China, as well as with major cities of the world, thus facilitating the rapid development of tourism as an important industry in Beijing.

Beijing is an ancient city with a long cultural history. The four feudal dynasties – Jin (265-420), Yuan (12711368), Ming (1368-1644), and Qing (1644-1911) had all set up their capital here. That’s why it became the most concentrated place of the country’s scenic spots and historical sites. Among them, the best known are the Palace Museum, the Summer Palace, the Great Wall and the Temple of Heaven. Beijing, the host city of 2008 Olympic.

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World Expo Shanghai

With a long civilization, China favors international exchange and loves world peace. China owes its successful bid for the World Exposition in 2010 to the international community’s support for and confidence in its reform and opening-up. The Exposition will be the first registered World Exposition in a developing country, which gives expression to the expectations the world’s people place on China’s future development.

W

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orld Expositions are galleries of human inspirations and thoughts. Since 1851 when the Great Exhibition of Industries of All Nations was held in London, World Expositions have attained increasing prominence as grand events for economic, scientific, technological and cultural exchanges, serving as an important platform for displaying historical experience, exchanging innovative ideas, demonstrating esprit de corps and looking to the future.

So what will Expo 2010 Shanghai China deliver to the world? There is no doubt that the Chinese people will present to the world a successful, splendid and unforgettable exposition.

Expo 2010 Shanghai China will be a great event to explore the full potential of urban life in the 21st century and a significant period in urban evolution. Fifty-five percent of the world population is expected to live in cities by the year 2010. The prospect of future urban life, a subject of

global interest, concerns all nations, developed or less developed, and their people. Being the first World Exposition on the theme of city, Exposition 2010 will attract governments and people from across the world, focusing on the theme «Better City, Better Life.»

For its 184 days, participants will display urban civilization to the full extent, exchange their experiences of urban development, disseminate advanced notions on cities and explore new approaches to human habitat, lifestyle and working conditions in the new century. They will learn how to create an eco-friendly society and maintain the sustainable development of human beings.

Expo 2010 Shanghai China will centre on innovation and interaction.

Innovation is the soul, while cultural interaction is an important mission

of the World Expositions. In the new era, Expo 2010 Shanghai China will contribute to human-centered development, scientific and technological innovation, cultural diversity and win-win cooperation for a better future, thus composing a melody with the key notes of highlighting innovation and interaction in the new century.

Expo 2010 Shanghai China will also be a grand international gathering.

On one hand, we shall endeavor to attract about 200 nations and international organizations to take part in the exhibition as well as 70 million visitors from home and abroad, ensuring the widest possible participation in the history of the World Expositions. On the other hand, we will put Expo 2010 Shanghai China in a global perspective and do our best to encourage the participation and gain the understanding and support of various countries and peoples, in order to turn Expo 2010 Shanghai China into a happy reunion of people from all over the world.

In addition, Expo 2010 Shanghai China will offer a wonderful opportunity for cross-culture dialogues.

Before the conclusion of the Exposition, a «Shanghai Declaration» will be issued. This declaration, hopefully a milestone in the history of the World Expositions, will epitomise the insights to be offered by the participants and embody people’s ideas for future cooperation and development and extensive common aspirations, thereby leaving a rich spiritual legacy of urban development to people throughout the world.

The Chinese Government will go to great lengths to make Expo 2010 Shanghai China a special event that carries on traditions and opens a new vista into the future. Our motto is: “Keeping in mind the next 60 years development while preparing for the six months Exposition.” We count on the continuous attention, support and participation of all the peace-loving countries.

Relax at the

T

he Summer Palace or Yihe yuan is a palace

water to imitate the West Lake in Hangzhou.

in Beijing, China. The Summer Palace is mainly dominated by Longevity Hill (60 m

The palace complex suffered two major attacks -

high) and the Kunming Lake. It covers an expanse

during the Anglo-French allied invasion of 1860

of 2.9 sq km, three quarters of which is water. The

(with the Old Summer Palace also ransacked at the

central Kunming Lake covering 2.2 sq km was en-

same time), and during the Boxer Rebellion, in an

tirely man made and the excavated soil was used

attack by the eight allied powers in 1900. The gar-

to build Longevity Hill. In the Summer Palace, one

den survived and was rebuilt in 1886 and 1902. In

finds a variety of palaces, gardens, and other classi-

1888, it was given the current name, Yihe Yuan. It

cal-style architectural structures.

served as a summer resort for Empress Dowager Cixi, who diverted 30 million taels of silver, said to

The Summer Palace started out life as the Garden

be originally designated for the Chinese navy (Bei-

of Clear Ripples in 1750 (Reign Year 15 of Emperor

yang Fleet), into the reconstruction and enlarge-

Qianlong). Artisans reproduced the garden archi- ment of the Summer Palace. tecture styles of various palaces in China. Kunming Lake was created by extending an existing body of

20

In Dec 1998, UNESCO included the Summer Pal-

Summer Palace

ace on its World Heritage List. It declared the Summer Palace “a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design. The natural landscape of hills and open water is combined with artificial features such as pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges to form a harmonious ensemble of outstanding aesthetic value.” It is a popular tourist destination but also serves as a recreational park.

Longevity Hill History When the Jin Dynasty emperor Wanyan Liang moved his capital to the Beijing area, he had a Gold Mountain Palace built on the site of the hill.

The Summer Palace, located northwest of Beijing’s In the Yuan Dynasty, the hill was renamed from center, is easily accessible from most parts of the city. Gold Mountain to Jug Hill (Weng Shan). This name Head north at Suzhou Bridge on the north-western change is explained by a legend according to 3rd Ring Road, north at Sihai Bridge on the north- which a jar with a treasure inside was once found western 4th Ring Road, or south at the northern 5th on the hill. The loss of the jar is said to have coincidRing Road at the Zhongguancun/Beiqing Road exit. ed with the fall of the Ming Dynasty as had been Public transportation also serves the Summer Palace.

predicted by its finder.

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The Qianlong Emperor of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), who commissioned work on the imperial gardens on the hill in 1749, gave Longevity Hill its present-day name in 1752, in celebration of his mother’s 60th birthday. The hill is about 60 meters (196.9 feet) high and houses many buildings positioned in sequence.

The front hill is rich in the splendid halls and pavilions, while the back hill, in sharp contrast, is quiet with natural beauty 22

Buildings On its southern slope, Longevity Hill is adorned with an ensemble of grand buildings: The Cloud-Dispelling Hall, the Temple of Buddhist Virtue, and the Sea of Wisdom Temple form a south-north (lakeside - peak) oriented axis which is flanked by various other buildings. In the center of the Temple of Buddhist Virtue stands the Tower of Buddhist Incense (Fo Xiang Ge), which forms the focal point for the buildings on the southern slope of Longevity Hill. The tower is built on a 20-m-tall stone base, is 41 meters high with three stories and supported by eight ironwood (lignumvitae) pillars.

23

GREAT WALL IN KUWAIT

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS Encompassing two floors, the garage is fully equipped and offers everything from quick service to machine shop work. They pride themselves on their safety features and try to employ from within the work area.

The spare parts department houses accessories and suspensions for 4x4 vehicles from ARB and Old Man Emu. Using the very latest in technology ARB conducts projects on issues like vibration and crash testing of vehicles.

Mohammad Naser Al Sayer These products are sold in their headBoard of Director of quarters based in Australia and he rest Naser International of the world through an extensive system of trusted and experienced distribThe international arm of Naser Al-Sayer utors. Even the staff is comprised of covers everything to do with automobiles.

4x4 enthusiasts!

A fully local company, the professional expertise at the Naser group has ensured that many projects outside of Kuwait have been executed and completed flawlessly.

Their automotive division is home to commercial vehicles from Renault and include a wide range of chassis trucks and tractor heads for all your construction and transportation needs. They also deal with heavy equipment for construction using Hyundai heavy equipment.

Their garage division is a vast facility employing about 100 employees. The prime aim of the company is to make sure that each project for a client genuinely meets and fulfils his requirements.

Mr. Mohammad Al Sayer, the Board of Director of Naser International, Ms. Wang Fengying the Genral Manager of Great Wall and Ms. Cen Yi General Manager Kuwait China Office

Mr. Mohammad Al Sayer the Board of Director of Naser International, Ms. Majdi Mabrouk the Overseas AFT and Ms. Cen Yi General Manager Kuwait China Office

FUTURE MODEL

l,

al,

GREAT WALL IN KUWAIT New

COOLBEAR The tools division at Naser Intl uses Metabo power tools including drills, grinders, sanders cordless tools etc.

Metabo has a range of over 200 tools with about a 1000 variations. Fulfilling the demand for both DIY as well as professional projects, Metabo manages to find a very wide niche for itself. All the machines and tools are sold with warranty and the support of factory trained staff.

Naser Intl also has a successful collaboration with the Great Wall Motor Company, which is the first privately owned company in China. Currently, the automobile company produces three kinds of vehicles - sedans, SUVs and Pickup MPVs. It also manufactures key parts such as engines, front and rear axles. Achieving remarkable growth and profits has been the endeavor of

FUTURE MODEL

DEER the management team and the modern corporate culture. As a leading player in both domestic and overseas markets, the company exports to more than 120 countries across the globe. The company was listed among the Forbes Top 100 Chinese Enterprises both in 2007 and 2008. In June 2008, it ranked one of the «500 Most Valuable Brands in China». In June 2007, it won the honor of «The Most Valuable Listed Automaker.»

In fact, last year the team from Kuwait visited China for the launch of their new vehicle. These visits usually take place about twice a year. The Kuwait Auto Show, slated to kick off in December ’09 will showcase some of these models. The models currently available in Kuwait include Coolbear, a chic passenger car; Cowry, a MPV; and the Hover CUV. Next on the anvil for Kuwait is the powerful Wingle. The company is focusing on shifting the “vehicle trade” business in a new direction by fostering brand image and establish an expansive sales and service network. A unique aspect that the Great Wall company is focusing on is the overseas after-sales service, that puts them ahead of many domestic counterparts. Here’s to the success of the collaborators!

COWRY New

HOVER New

WINGLE

New

GWPERI

Naser International General Trading & Contracting Co.

e v i t o m o t u China’s A k r a M m 0 1 Output Hits

C

China’s production of automobiles since the beginning of this year hit 10 million

hina’s production of automobiles since the beginning of this year hit 10 million units in October, making it the third country in the world to surpass the annual output mark, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM). Only the United States and Japan have previously passed the annual production figure of 10 million.

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Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang referred the achievement as a “milestone in the Chinese history

of auto industry development” in a congratulatory letter to industry representatives at a celebration sponsored by the CAAM and China Society of Automotive Engineering at the First Automobile Works (FAW) Group Corp. headquarters in Changchun, capital of northeast China’s Jilin Province.

The company produced China’s first domestic model under the Jiefang brand in 1956. Zhang said in the letter that by meeting the production mark, China had become one of the world’s largest auto manufacturing countries. The achievement was important in bolstering the country’s overall economic growth.

Participants watched the 10 millionth vehicle - a new model Jiefang (or Liberation) truck - roll off from the assembly line in FAW, China’s oldest automotive group founded in 1953.

Miao Yu, vice minister of Industry and Information Technology, said at the ceremony that China was still marching towards its goal of becoming a heavyweight player in the

world’s auto market.“A heavyweight auto manufacturing country has to meet three requirements: internationally competitive auto brands, considerable global market share and a grasp of core and new technology development trends in the industry,” he said.

China’s automotive industry has sustained a robust growth despite the global economic slowdown this year, thanks to the government support package for the sector at the beginning of the year. Under the package, the government lowered the purchase tax on cars with engines under 1.6 liters from 10 percent to 5 percent, allocated allowances to farmers to upgrade farm vehicles and to mini-truck and mini-van owners to upgrade their vehicles.

As a result, the country’s auto output surged 78.85 percent year-onyear to 1.36 million units in September, while total sales hit a new monthly high of 1.33 million units, up 77.88 percent from a year earlier, the CAAM announced in a release on Oct 13. Dong Yang, vice chairman of the CAAM, said China was

under far more pressure from the global auto emissions control than the circumstances faced by the US and Japan, when their manufacturers hit the 10-million mark.

“The Chinese government is encouraging the sales of vehicles with small engine displacements and using new alternative energies to re-

duce auto emissions,” he said. He said “We expect the government to keep the stimulus policies in effect next year. “Policies like promoting auto sales in the rural sector are effective in sustaining the growth momentum of auto sales in China,” he said. He forecast China’s auto output this year would surpass 12 million units.

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Motor world

Greg Maine, General Manager at Abdulaziz Al- Ali Al-Mutawa Group of Companies elucidates the role Chinese companies play in the present automotive business scenario

Interview by Mujahid Iqbal

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Greg Maine graduated from Birmingham in the United Kingdom with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a specialization in automobiles. He came to Kuwait on a six month contract with another automobile company. That was 35 years ago.

An offer from the Al Mutawa group ensured that his Kuwait sojourn has extended to the present day. His wife and children were born in Kuwait but his daughter now works in Abu Dhabi whilst his son is based in London.

He mentions how his many expatriate friends come and stay only for a few years. His Kuwaiti friends, however, remain the same to this day.

When I first came to Kuwait, it was the hub of the Gulf market.

Kuwait was a

level

Q- More and more companies are shifting over to Chinese products and services.

Why do you think companies prefer China?

when you were first appointed in Kuwait and how would you rate the situation now?

The main issue is price. I am confident that China is improving the quality of products and the associated value for money. In the current scenario, there is extremely tough competition in the market and if I want to secure my business then it must be on the basis of good prices, good quality and strong aftermarket support.

When I first came to Kuwait, it was the hub of the Gulf market.

Kuwait was a level above other countries in this region. I feel that Kuwait has missed some tremendous opportunities over the years which makes me feel somewhat sad and disappointed.

We represent Chana Automobile Co. which produces light commercial vehicles and small to medium size buses. We’ve been representing them for about four years now. We also represent King Long full size buses which are used for City Bus operations.

above other countries in this region.

Q- What was the situation like

Q- How many competitors

In the last four years we have recorded sales of approximately 1,000 40-seater buses.

Our customers are very happy with us and the performance of the buses. We are more than satisfied with the support from the manufacturers and their cooperation. Now we can compete in a market segment which we previously weren’t able.

Q- How do you think you are contributing to improving relations between Kuwait and China?

We have received several Chinese delegations from the various companies we represent who have visited Kuwait and also our Kuwaiti delegates have visited China for business and cultural exchange. Every year we visit China at least two times and try to generate some good opportunities with our Chinese counterparts. We constantly evaluate the Kuwaiti marketplace and analyse the demand from our customers.

The Chinese companies are very flexible when it comes to our requirements and give us what our customers demand.

Q- In the present situation what do you expect from the government to boost the economy?

The Government should inject some money into the private sector by kick-starting some major projects in order to boost the local economy. Major projects,

are present in your business category?

Amongst other activities we are heavy truck and commercial vehicle suppliers to the Kuwait market. We do have severe competition. All of these years China has neglected its export markets

I AM CONFIDENT THAT CHINA IS IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF THE PRODUCTS AND THE ASSOCIATED VALUE FOR MONEY

due to the tremendous demand from its own domestic market.

China did not feel the need to export. Now they have changed and have brought their business and products to the world.

Q- Are there any new products in the pipeline?

Our major clients are bus companies to whom we supply city, intercity and tourist buses. We are also the major supplier of school buses in the country. We will shortly introduce mini buses from King Long and passenger cars from CHANA (brand name).

There is a tremendous potential for Chinese products. Many

There is tremendous potential for Chinese products. such as the Silk City project, the 4th refinery project etc. will create many opportunities for the private sector. I believe that the private sector will improve with the support of the Government.

years ago, the European and American companies dominated the Gulf market. Then came Japan and later, Korea. It’s China’s turn now. If, as an automtive dealer we don’t have Chinese products in our portfolio then I believe that within five years, we will be lost in the marketplace.

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Cm

hina’s Auto arket Speeds Along

T

Chinese automakers draw the attention of international investors due to their strong performance against the stagnant global auto market and the huge potential for expansion

he success of the Chinese automobile market in the midst of an economic crisis that has most consumers hesitant to invest in new cars is raising eyebrows and increasing international investors’ interest in exploring possible financial opportunities in China.

Goldman Sachs Capital Partners (GSCP), the private equity arm of Goldman Sachs Group Inc., recently invested $334 million in Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd, offering financial support for the automaker’s future expansion plans.

After the investment plan was released to the foreign media even greater attention was focused on the Chinese auto industry, as the financial move by GSCP will increase the ferocity of competition in the auto market.

The investment will be made through the subscription of convertible bonds and warrants. According to the Geely announcement on September 16, the company plans to issue convertible bonds of $245 million and warrants of $89 million. A private carmaker located in east Zhejiang Province, Geely was listed in Hong Kong in May 2005. Investment from Goldman Sachs will be used to expand production, including an increased annual capacity of 150,000 cars in its workshop based in central Hunan Province.

Optimistic future

The demonstrated sustainable growth of Geely, as well as its prospective future, may have been tantamount in Goldman Sachs’ decision to invest $245 million in it. According to an interim financial report released by Geely on September 8, the company recorded a significant growth in net profit of 596 million yuan ($87.26 million) in the first half of 2009, up 145 percent from the same period of 2008. Basic earnings per share for the

32

first half of 2009 were approximately 0.09 yuan ($0.01), up 93 percent year on year. The company expects to sell 250,000 units this year, representing an increase of 22 percent from 2008. Since the company accomplished 65 percent of its full-year sales target in the first seven months of this year, it believes that the target is within reach. It further anticipates that profits in the second half of this year will be better than in the first half.

A large chunk of the company’s profits come from the domestic market. Thanks to the government policies, including a 2008 sales tax cut for smaller cars, the introduction of a fuel tax in January 2009, and the promulgation of the “stimulation package for the automobile industry” in early 2009, market demand for the company’s safe, energy efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles kept increasing in the first half of this year.

Current figures show that Geely has sold more than 1.2 million units and established 109 stores, 680 sales agents and 569 post-sale service stations throughout the country. More than 430 suppliers offer spare parts to Geely. The success Geely has experienced on the home front has not been matched on its sales abroad, as its exports have been severely affected by the global financial crisis. According to its interim report, exports accounted for only 5 percent of the company’s total sales volume in the first half of 2009, while in 2007 and 2008, the rate was 12 percent and 19 percent, respectively.

Geely statistics showed that exports in the first seven months of 2009 dropped 69 percent from a year ago.

At its highest distribution point in 2008, the company exported 4,000-5,000 units per month, but it only exported several hundred cars per month at the lowest

point this year. Exports have rebounded to some 2,000 units presently, and the company expects better export figures in the second half of this year.

Since 2003, when Geely entered the global market, its auto units and products have gradually made their way into more than 30 countries. Growing out of the Huangyan County Refrigeration Elements Factory established in 1986 in Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, Geely entered the auto industry in 1997. On August 8, 1998, the first independently developed Geely car drove off the assembly line.

The company currently operates six manufacturing bases and power assemblies respectively in Linhai, Ningbo and Luqiao of Zhejiang Province, in addition to facilities in Shanghai, Lanzhou (Gansu Province) and Xiangtan (Hunan Province), with an annual manufacturing capacity of 300,000 complete vehicles and 300,000 engines and transmissions. The company now has over 30 models of complete vehicle products in eight series, including Geely CK, Geely MK, Geely Vision, Shanghai Huapu and Coupe; 1.0L-1.8L engines in eight series; and manual and automatic transmissions in eight series.

The group’s Geely Automobile Research Institute can launch four to five new car and engine models each year.

Employing 8,000 people, Geely has a registered capital of 630 million yuan ($92.24 million) and total assets of 5 billion yuan ($732.06 million). The compa- ny expects to produce 42 models from 15 series by 2015, facilitating both left- and right-hand steering wheels and conforming to the regulations and consumer habits of all countries. Likewise, Geely will also be boasting eight different series of engines and seven series of manual and automatic transmissions. In addition, Geely plans to have an annual production and sales capacity of 2 million units and complete the construction of 15 overseas production bases, thereby achieving the goal of selling two thirds of its products in the world market.

International investors attracted

According to statistics released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, in the first eight months of this year, China produced 8.25 million automobile units and sold 8.33 million, up 26 percent and 29 percent, respectively, year on year, ranking first in the world. The Chinese auto market, recovering first in the overall stagnant global market, has the potential to attract the attention of not only world famous automakers but also international investors.

Before the GSCP investment in Geely, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hath-

away Inc, under Warren E Buffett, spent $232 million purchasing 10 percent in shares of BYD Co Ltd, while Chery Automobile Co Ltd. received investments of 2 billion yuan ($292.83 million) from such overseas investors as CDH Investments and Bohai Industrial Investment Fund Management Co. For Chinese automakers, in order to survive possible mergers and acquisitions in the Chinese auto market, obtaining capital injections from international investors is an outcome heavily sought after.

To international investors, Chinese automakers are likely to become leaders in the global auto market, and the Chinese auto market has already established itself as a market of key importance in the world.

The actions of international investors are solidifying the recognition of China as a major auto market. Ernst & Young, a global leader in assurance, tax, transactions and advisory services, announced on September 22 that it would be establishing a global automotive center in Shanghai. Statistics from the company indicate that the global auto market will begin to recover by the end of 2010, while the Chinese auto market will maintain sustainable growth.

By 2015, China expects to sell 15 million motor vehicles, becoming one of the three largest markets in the world together with North America and Europe.

33

Powering the Future

China’s lithium battery industry gets charged to provide power for future generations of technology

O

nly 10 years ago, the lithium ion battery was limited to the lab experiments of pioneering scientists. Today, the innovative cell is fast becoming the driving force to power the next generation of technology.

After years of toiling, the first homemade commercially viable lithium battery pack was created in 1997 in a research lab of the Tianjin Institute of Power Sources. Breaking through the strong defensive line of its Japanese competitors, the innovative battery marked the country>s very first step into the unchartered territory of lithium power.

The technological breakthrough gave many Chinese companies a foot in the lithium-production door.

But as the industry maneuvers onto a faster and more productive track, a wide divide is opening from within.

34

Top players, like Shenzhen-based BYD and BAK Battery Co. Ltd., are underpinning their global foothold on the back of improving safety conditions and battery reliability.

The emerging industry, however, is still in its infancy, standing on wobbly legs. A number of smaller manufacturers, eager to jump on the lithium

bonanza, are flooding the market with slipshod, low-capacity batteries for cell phones and MP3 players. The cheap labor and vibrant demands have delivered quick windfalls, but the lack of technological know-how and operational expertise has cast an ominous shadow over their longterm prospect. While fire-related accidents and explosions have been rare, occasional recalls have served as a reminder that the industry still needs time to develop.

«Ever since its start-up, the sector has been feeling the pain of reckless quality control,» said Huang Xuejie, a senior researcher with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in a report.

«Now product safety has gained such importance that it may be a deciding factor by which many smaller battery makers would survive or perish.»

Richard Liang, Vice President of the Tianjin Lishen Battery Joint Stock Co. Ltd., agreed. «Without proper quality safeguards in place, our promise to be a top brand would look more of a distant hope,» he told Beijing Review.

The miracle of Lishen is a vivid microcosm of the country>s decadelong trajectory with the recharge-

able battery business. Twelve years ago when the state-owned battery maker was founded, it was widely expected to be a market hit. But few expected it to take off so soon-Lishen is currently the world>s sixth largest lithium ion battery producer and partner supplier of global electronics giants including Samsung and Motorola.

Effective branding and marketing added luster to the corporate performance, and most importantly the vigorous efforts in safety improvement are paying off, said Liang.

«We did our best to deliver quality assurance throughout all stages of the battery-making process, from product structure design to protective functions,» said Liang. «In addition, we scoured the globe for the most advanced materials of electrodes, anodes, separators and electrolytes.»

Special casings, for instance, protect the lithium ion inside the batteries in case of high-speed collisions and the lithium ion could also be combined with other substances to reduce the risks, Liang said.

Catching up

From mobile phones and video cameras to laptops and cars, lithium ion batteries are quickly finding their

way into households, garages and everyday use. The power source of the future is small enough to fit into the palm of your hand.

Global output of lithium ion batteries has skyrocketed in recent years by more than 20 percent annually and is expected to enjoy its upward momentum for some time.

The high expectations are not unwarranted--lithium, the lightest of all metals, has the greatest electrochemical potential and provides the largest energy density for weight.

The self-discharge is minimal, an additional advantage that most other chemistries cannot claim. When disposed, lithium-ion cells cause little harm to the environment, unlike their conventional counterparts.

While the prospects for lithium are high, the batteries are far from perfect. A protection circuit is needed to cover the fragile power source and maintain a safe operation. Overheating or severe damage to the battery can lead to a short circuit, which can cause the unit to burst into flames.

The odds of a battery pack combusting are two or three in one million, but when it does happen, the results can be devastating.

Japan staked early claims in the great lithium land grab, leveraging many cutting-edge technologies.

The dominance peaked in late 1999 when it accounted for 95 percent of global lithium ion battery output.

But as the costs of inflation pinched Japan>s industrial profits, two of its Asian neighbors, China and South Korea, started to push their way into the limelight. While South Korea draws strength from a local electronics boom, China has utilized its rich mineral resources--its lithium reserves rank third in the world only after Chile and Argentina. The end result has been a three-way race among the three countries in the hunt for market shares.

But what really set the stage for Chinese battery makers to play catch-up, and what may make their products financially viable, was massive government support, said Yang Yusheng, an academic with the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

Lithium>s incorporation into cars would lead to a win-win situation for both the battery and automobile industries. Rising oil prices and growing environmental concerns have placed pressure on the automobile sector for a source of green growth.

As automakers shift from gasoline to voltage, they need batteries that not only can quickly and easily be recharged, but are also more able to facilitate long-distance travel and are light and compact enough to fit into cars. This will give lithium providers the perfect opportunity to expand their business.

LEADING THE WAY: Richard Liang, Vice President of Tianjin Lishen Battery Joint Stock Co. Ltd., a key player in the manufacturing of lithiumion batteries, talks about the future of the product.

No sooner had the lithium ion battery become a component in the talk of a global village than Chinese policymakers set their sights on its infinite potential. In the late 1990s, the former Ministry of Information Industry jump-started a national program to build up the lithium ion industry from scratch, setting its top researchers on a race against the clock.

With millions in government funding, the smaller but more powerful battery swiftly found its market niche. Lithium ion battery makers sprouted up all over the country.

The output nationwide added up to more than 1.4 billion packs in 2007, nearly 34 percent of the world>s total, according to a report by the Xinhua News Agency.

Going electric

Though engineers have yet to find a compromise between operational safety and energy delivery, the coveted lithium ion batteries will be crucial as the global auto industry goes electric.

And in China, the world>s fastestgrowing auto market, the lithium ion battery has been given the chance to prove its worth. The Chinese Government recently handed out generous policy incentives to get more electric cars on the road in the next few years. ÂŤGiven the size of the Chinese auto market, the battery business has the potential to take center stage,Âť Liang said to Beijing Review.

In a rush to join the party, automakers are looking to team up with battery giants. The U.S. company Miles Electric Vehicles joined hands with Lishen in July in a joint venture deal to build and sell electric cars in the United States and eventually in China. The new vehicle, called Coda, has hit showrooms and is expected to cruise into the market in the near future.

The alliance is a needed accelerator for both sides. While Lishen handles battery manufacturing, the key part to an electric sedan, Miles provides safety expertise, an area where battery makers lag behind automakers.

But as they gear up to drive electric cars off the assembly line, one looming question is whether they can come up with more affordable products, since lithium ion batteries cost around 40 percent more than the nickel-cadmium ones.

Liang told Beijing Review that unit costs will come down once production begins on a large scale. It is still necessary to step up efforts to soothe safety worries and strengthen battery recycling capabilities, he added.

35

Sumptuous Shanghai Photos: Sherali Abbas

36

C

ity of sin and decadent exoticism in the 1920s and 30s, theatre of vicious conflict during wartime and Japanese invasions, cradle of Chinese Communism but neglected during the Cultural Revolution, flag bearer of modern China’s market reforms, inspiration for lurid novels, films and cocktails - Shanghai is probably the most evocative city for an outsider in the whole of China. Beijing may be more mysterious but Shanghai offers a headier brew of half-digested, semi-mythical images and preconceptions.

For the second city of the world’s oldest surviving ancient civilisation, Shanghai is surprisingly new. Literally ‘Above the Sea’, Shanghai is a port city on the Huangpu River, where the Yangtze River empties into the East China Sea. The Yu Gardens in Shanghai’s Old Town is all that remains of the city’s pre-colonial past. Colonialism is visible in the period architecture of the former French Concession, as well as the grand old buildings along the riverfront Bund and dotted around People’s Square.

Across the river from the original settlement of Puxi is Shanghai’s future, the Pudong New Area, with its emblematic Oriental Pearl Tower, soaring modern art-deco JinMao Tower and, topping the lot, the 101-floor World Financial Centre, featuring a new Park Hyatt hotel. In 2004, Shanghai hosted the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix and later that year Time magazine called it the ‘world’s most happening city.’ In October 2007 it hosted the first Special Olympic Games held in Asia and centre-stage status will follow, in 2010, when Shanghai hosts World Expo.

Easily China’s richest city, Shanghai is now a blueprint for the country, one that developing cities across the country seek enviously to emulate - replete with hundreds of futuristic skyscrapers, glitzy restaurants, bars, hotels and levels of urban affluence, brand awareness and shopping savvy that compete with rival Asian cities such as Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok.

Shanghai experiences climatic extremes, with bitter winters and hot and humid summers. The best time for visitors to plan a trip to the city would be during the autumn or spring months.

Sightseeing Shanghai boasts a rich and often troubled history and has kept many relics of it intact, with municipal conservation policies preserving certain districts of colonial architectural heritage. Add to this a city government that has implemented grandiose urban planning on an unprecedented scale and the result is China’s most futuristic, cosmopolitan and eye-catching city.

The Huangpu River separates west (Puxi) and east (Pudong) Shanghai, with the historic Bund promenade on one side and the futuristic Pudong New Area on the other. The Old Town contains some cultural delights, such as the Yu Gardens and Bazaar, while People’s Square (formerly a racecourse, and in the 1980s a location for protest) is once again the focus of the city’s cultural and entertainment scene.

But perhaps the most exquisite pleasure is strolling aimlessly along the tree-shaded streets of the former French Concession, snapping the European-style villas and stopping for a drink in one of its atmospheric cafes.

37

Key Attractions

The Bund

Shanghai’s most popular tourist attraction, the Bund features a 1.6km (1 mile) strip of dozens of historic riverfront buildings, separated from the Huangpu River by a raised terrace embankment.

The word ‘bund’ is an Anglo-Indian construction meaning ‘embankment’, recalling the flood barriers that used to line it.

The grand remnants of colonial power are crowded along the Bund. These include the Customs House (with its famous bell ‘Big Ching’); the former Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank HQ (now Shanghai Pudong Development Bank); the Peace Hotel (though it is currently closed, this is one of Asia’s art deco masterpieces and a favourite of Noel Coward’s); and the former Bank of China. Four buildings (Numbers 3, 5, 6 and 18) have been lavishly refurnished and now contain high-end retail, arts and restaurant complexes. This parade of Shanghai’s past faces-off with the futuristic skyline of Pudong on the opposite riverbank.

Shanghai Museum

Rebuilt in the shape of an ancient Chinese bronze ritual vessel in 1994, the Shanghai Museum houses over 120,000 historical and artistic treasures and is one of the city’s cultural gems. Its four storeys present a chronological and stylistic tour of China’s greatest artistic traditions, with bronzes, sculptures, ceramics, paintings, calligraphy, jades, coins, furniture and ethnic minority folk art, as well as special exhibitions. Particular highlights are the display of ancient bronzes on the entrance level and the Chinese paintings on the floor above. Given the size of the collection, only some 3% of the museum can be shown at one time. Audiophone guides are available.

Yu Gardens and Bazaar

Yu Gardens and Bazaar cover several blocks of the historic downtown area, where souvenir shops and eating houses are packed together in brightly coloured alleys. A haven

of tranquillity after the throngs of tourists in the bazaar, the Yu Gardens were founded by a family of Imperial officials in 1559. Although looted by the 19th century Western colonialists the gardens still preserve an exquisite catalogue of tunnels and grottos, a stone boat for staging river parties, quiet pools, a fine Chinese opera stage and a hall that became the headquarters of the Small Swords Society (a political and military organization affiliated to the Taiping Administration, which occupied most of the Chinese sections of Shanghai in 1853). Outside this walled tranquillity, the Mid-Lake Pavilion Teahouse and Nine Twists Bridge have become attractions in themselves, with queens and presidents ceremoniously taken to visit.

Former French Concession

Lined with French colonial-era architecture that survives remarkably unspoilt in the heart of this dynamic city, the former French Concession is a great place to wander aimlessly and typifies Shanghai’s international sophistication and style. Particular gems include the grounds of the Ruijin Guest House, 118 Ruijin Er Lu (formerly the Morris Estate), complete with a variety of restaurants, and the art galleries, designer boutiques and cafes of Taikang Lu and Fuxing Xi Lu. Fuxing Park and has its shady walks and bar strip and there are many delightful old residences along Sinan Lu (including ones belonging to the revolutionaries Sun Yatsen and Zhou Enlai), Gaolan Lu

and Xianshan Lu and some fine colonialperiod hotels, especially the Okura Garden Hotel, 58 Maoming Nan Lu, and the Jinjiang Hotel opposite.

Museum of the First National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party

One for the history buffs, this site stands as testimony to Shanghai being the nursery of Chinese Communism. Here, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was formed, in a room belonging to one of the delegates, Li Hanjun, on 23 July 1921. Another delegate, Mao Zedong, was one of only two of 13 that ever served in the first Chinese Communist government, formed in 1949. The modern museum occupies the whole building and documents the formative years of the CCP, incorporating delights such as a life-size wax diorama of the first meeting, with Mao centre stage, at his most idealised.

Shanghai World Financial Centre observation deck Shanghai officially upstaged Toronto when it opened the world’s tallest observatory in Aug 2008. The 474 m, 101storey obelisque towers over downtown Shanghai, the Huangpu River and the Bund. Three levels, the 94th, 97th and 100th have transparent glass floors and full-length glass windows so visitors can ogle the cityscape in all its glory. It is the world’s third-tallest skyscraper after Burj Dubai and Tapei 101, making its sister Shanghai skyscrapers, the Jin Mao Tower and Oriental Pearl, seem positively miniscule.

Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Centre

While urban planning is a dreary, clichéridden bore in most cities, Shanghai is not ‘most cities.’ The physical transformation of the city since the early 1990s has been astonishing. And the work continues. As the city prepares to host the 2010 World Expo, the infrastructure, personality and skyline of Shanghai will continue to evolve at warp speed. This fascinating museum reveals how and why Shanghai embarked upon such a

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massive-scale engineering makeover. The prime exhibit is a 500 sq m scale model of Greater Shanghai, featuring all buildings of six floors or higher as it will look in the future.

Further Distractions People’s Square

An unmissable central landmark, People’s Square’s crescent shape betrays its former function as Shanghai’s racecourse (the neo-classical clock tower was the former Jockey Club, and now houses the Shanghai Art Museum). In the 1960s, it was the site of massed Red Guard demonstrations and, in 1989, Shanghai’s own civil protests. Now it is the setting for grand scale reconstruction.

The Shanghai Grand Theatre and Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall flank the Shanghai City Hall, while the Shanghai Museum stands in the centre. Despite the mass of new concrete edifices, the magnificently brooding art deco Park Hotel still stands proud and aloof.

Hongkou Park

A pleasant park with a boating lake and a quiet atmosphere, Hongkou Park also holds the Tomb of Lu Xun, which gives the park its other name, Lu Xun Park, and the museum of the Lu Xun Memorial Hall. Lu Xun (18811936), the novelist and essayist, is celebrated as the creator of modern

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Chinese literature, with a vernacular fictional style that is worlds away from outworn classical influences. This is a place of pilgrimage for the great writer’s devotees - other visitors can simply enjoy the park.

Xintiandi

No trip to Shanghai is complete without a visit to this smart restaurant, gallery and retail complex in the heart of the city. Covering two large city blocks of restored (make that ‘completely rebuilt’) traditional shikumen (‘stone gate’) houses, Xintiandi has become a showcase symbol of modern Shanghai where moneyed locals, tourists and expats linger over a Starbucks coffee, eat at some of Shanghai’s most noted restaurants while enjoying Filipino covers band shows in designer bars. Add in a cinema complex, several souvenir shops and ice cream parlours and you have the quintessential ‘new Shanghai’ experience.

Canton Fair T

he Fair, comprehensive in nature, has won its renown of “China’s No.1 Fair” for the longest history, the highest level, the largest scale, the most complete exhibit variety, the biggest buyer attendance, the broadest buyer distribution, the greatest business turnover, and the best credit standing in China.

Forty-eight Trading Delegations, being composed of thousands of China’s best foreign trade corporations (enterprises) with good credibility and sound financial capabilities, take part in the Fair, including foreign trade companies, factories, scientific research institutions, foreign invested enterprises, wholly foreign-owned enterprises, private enterprises, etc.

China Import and Export Fair

Time of Initiation: the spring of April, 1957 Interval: two sessions a year Fair Session: The 107th Session of China Import and Export Fair Phase 1: April 15-19, 2010 Phase 2: April 23-27, 2010 Phase 3: May 1- 5, 2010 Duration: 5 days each phase Venue: China Import and Export Fair Complex Exhibition Space: 1,125,000 M2 (106th Session) Number of Booths: 55,927 standard booths (106th Session) Business Turnover 30,470 Million USD (106th Session National

Besides traditional way of negotiating against samples, the Fair holds Canton Fair online. The Fair leans to export trade, though import business is also done here. Apart from the above-mentioned, various types of business activities such as economic and technical cooperations and exchanges, commodity inspection, insurance, transportation, advertising, consultation, etc. are also carried out in flexible ways. Business Pavilion) people from all over the world are Number of Overseas Buyers:188,170 (106th Session) National Pavilion:21,934 exhibitors gathering in Guangzhou, exchanging Number of Exhibitors: business information and developing (106th Session) International Pavilion: 386 exhibitors (106th Session) friendship.

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NON-STOP

HONG KONG

T

he Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong, situated at the mouth of the Pearl River Delta on the southwestern coast of China, is a destination imbued with a remarkable mix of Eastern and Western influences. Since the handover from British colonial to Chinese sovereignty in 1997 it has become far more Chinese than ever before, but for tourists the joy of visiting lies in being wedged between two diverse cultures simultaneously.

Hong Kong Island with its financial hub known as Central is the energetic heartbeat of the region. Its cloudtickling skyscrapers and neon light night spectacular accentuate the capitalist (and often hedonistic) pursuits of its inhabitants, many of them expats. Fine dining, high-

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end shopping and world-class hotels are all part of the landscape. Get down to street level however and the laneways, wet markets and traditional Chinese haunts are a reminder that beyond the city lies a working class populace still making ends meet the old way - and often the hard way.

Similarly, out of the centre in suburbs such as Wan Chai and Causeway Bay, old and new face a head-on battle.

Traditional buildings are frequently knocked down and street markets hidden indoors to make way for yet another air-conditioned shopping mall or faceless apartment building. Visitors should take heed and explore these charismatic backstreets before they disappear.

Just across the harbour forming the other half of the main conurbation is Kowloon, a bustling eclectic hub where visitors are likely to find Gucci and Prada on one block then noodle kitchens, Indian tailors and fake handbag salesmen on the next. Further north are the New Territories, which form a slightly more rural hinterland despite the forest of high-rise apartment buildings that make Hong Kong the fourth densest population on the planet. The large islands of Lamma and Lantau and the smaller Outlying Islands complete the patchwork.

Remarkably, almost 40 percent of Hong Kong territory is designated nature reserve or country park, providing unsung natural beauties in the shape of looming mountains, secluded islets, white beaches, hiking trails and island landscapes.

This geographic assortment sits in range of the South China Sea’s typhoon alley.

In winter and early spring, the climate can be mild and fresh but come May, the ever-present humidity skyrockets and summer is both hot and frequently wet. Typhoons hit during summer and early autumn and, even without them, ferocious rainstorms fall intermittently.

For locals, a signal eight typhoon can mean a day off work. For visitors the tremulous weather is just another factor that makes Hong Kong such a diverse and unique destination.

SIGHTSEEING Statue Square

Previously not a feature of traditional Hong Kong tourist itineraries, Statue Square is now a must-see, on account of its dazzling ensemble of modernist buildings. The headquarters building of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) forms the south side of the square and just to the east of it is I M Pei’s Bank of China Tower. Less distinguished but equally prominent buildings jostle around them, towering over the colonial remnant of St John’s Cathedral. In more antiquated contrast, the Legislative Council Building, formerly the Supreme Court, on the east side of the square, houses Hong Kong’s partly elected assembly.

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The bizarre profile of Norman Foster’s masterpiece may not look monumental on paper (it is on most Hong Kong dollar banknotes) but in the flesh (or steel) it is tremendous. Opened in 1986, the HSBC building exemplified the fashion for atriums in world architecture and an escalator rides up into the belly of the building. The building has no central core (bridge engineering techniques secure the walls and its infrastructure is on the outside) so all 11 storeys of the central atrium are open and unobstructed.

Deliberately planned to dwarf the neighbouring Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank Building, the Bank of China Tower is now Hong Kong’s ‘national’ monument. The Chinese-American architect, I M Pei, developed Beijing’s triumphalist intentions into a soaring, gracefully irregular pinnacle, the design characteristics of which inspire lively debate among connoisseurs of feng shui. The triangular and hexagonal structural logic requires some minutes of puzzled scrutiny. Visitors can ascend to the 43rd of the building’s 72 floors for a particularly stunning view of Central.

Standing beside the Star Ferry terminal is the soaring 88-storey International Finance Centre (known as ‘Two IFC’ - One IFC building is older and much smaller).

The building is for now Hong Kong’s tallest skyscraper at 420 m and the seventh tallest in the world - the Union Square Phase 7 will be taller once completed in 2010. Topped by a sculptural ‘crown’ reaching inward and outward, the buildings tapered upward appearance is achieved by smaller floor areas towards the top.

The building featured in the movies Tomb Raider II and The Dark Knight. It is home to a Four Seasons hotel and the city’s showpiece shopping mall, as well as a cinema and a fine portfolio of cafes, restaurants and bars.

Victoria Peak (The Peak)

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A miniature hill station in colonial times, Victoria Peak is stratospheric in its social exclusiveness and its rents.

Groundlings can still visit, however, ascending by the

vertiginous Peak Tram - a funicular in use since 1888, which feels more like a Victorian-era Space Shuttle, or by taxi or bus. Atop the hill is the Peak Tower (a slightly bizarre viewing platform with displays and other facilities) as well as the revamped Peak Galleria shopping arcade and several restaurants, ranging from Bubba Gump Shrimp company to exquisite Japanese fare at Kyo Hachi. Dinner at Cafe Deco, in the Peak Galleria, is a must-do Hong Kong experience - the view down into central Hong Kong and across the water to Kowloon defies description, day or night. Hikers can scale the real peak, some 140 m above the tram terminus, or take the leisurely Peak Circuit walk with vistas over Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the outlying islands. Both are signposted.

Star Ferry

The green and white tub-shaped ferries have been a familiar sight around Hong Kong since the 1920s and are a muchcherished symbol of the city. Far more important, however, is the fact that their decks give one of the best available views, day or night, of the waterfronts of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon - not to mention the plethora of ocean traffic surging through the shipping lanes.

Happy Valley Races

Wednesday night is horse racing night in Happy Valley where the floodlit racecourse, hemmed in by towering apartment buildings and steep hills, attracts hardcore Chinese gamblers (it’s the only legal form of gambling Hong Kong) and boozing expats alike. Hong Kongers pack the Happy Valley tram after work for this social event and tourists tag along for the buzz. Order a beverage from the beer marquee and stand along the barrier as the horses come up the home straight or take in the view from the amphitheatre-esque grandstand.

stern Market

This former market (a four-storey red brick Edwardian building dating from 1906 and occupying an entire block at the western end of Central) was reopened in 1991, as a shopping centre featuring small shops, souvenir stands and curio sellers. Ground-floor shops sell unique merchandise rather than chain store goods, while the first floor recreates the old ‘Cloth Alley’, selling silks and fabrics of all kinds. There is also a dim sum restaurant and a fine antique-shop cafe.

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Mid-Levels Escalator Not just any escalator, the Mid-Levels Escalator is the world’s longest at 800 m and was built as a commuter aid for this wealthy residential hillside. The city fathers reportedly balked at the cost of twin stairways, so there is only one escalator, running downhill in the morning and uphill thereafter, until midnight. It gives a fine (and free) view of (and access to) the streets of the fashionable Soho district, which is packed with restaurants, bars and, around Hollywood Road, excellent art and antiques stores and galleries.

Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware

Situated in the beautiful Hong Kong Park and overlooking the ultramodern mania of Central, Flagstaff House, dating from 1846, is the former residence of the colonial Commander-in-Chief and the oldest surviving colonial building in Hong Kong. It now houses a fine museum of tea ware, seals and other ceramics.

Hong Kong Museum of History

It is somehow fitting that this go-ahead territory has its history commemorated in a dazzling new building. Opened in late 2000, the museum building, situated next to the Hong Kong Science Museum in Kowloon, houses exhibits covering the region’s history from prehistoric times, including some spectacular period sets. There are traditional costumes, a huge collection of period photographs, replicas of old village houses and an entire street, circa 1881, with its own Chinese medicine store. There are also numerous temporary exhibitions.

Wong Tai Sin Temple

An ornate traditional temple in the heart of Kowloon, Wong Tai Sin Temple combines Buddhist, Confucian and Taoist traditions. Wong Tai Sin himself was a Zhejiang shepherd/alchemist who supposedly concocted a marvellous cure-all. His statue in the main building was brought from the mainland in 1915. The building is spectacularly colourful with its red pillars, golden ceiling and decorated latticework, although not particularly distinguished. Far more fascinating are the fortune-tellers in their arcade of booths and the throngs of worshippers. This is also Hong Kong’s number one temple for Chinese New Year celebrations.

Ngong Ping 360

The 5.7 km Ngong Ping 360 cablecar, travelling between Tung Chung Town Centre and Ngong Ping on Lantau Island, offers stunning views across North Lantau Country Park, Tung Ching Bay and the giant Tian Tan Bhudda statue. Part of the development is Ngong Ping Village, a small theme park incorporating family-friendly attractions such as Walking with Buddha, the Monkey’s Tale Theatre, the Ngong Ping Tea House and several dining, retail and entertainment outlets.

Disneyland Hong Kong

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Disneyland is set in the lush setting of Lantau Island. The park incorporates four lands (Main Street USA, Fantasyland, Adventureland and Tomorrowland) and two hotels. Visitors can meet characters old and new, from Mickey Mouse to Buzz Lightyear, and can tour the park aboard the Hong Kong Disneyland Railroad. Attractions range from the adventurous Jungle River Cruise to the magical Sleeping Beauty Castle to the dizzying heights of Orbitron, where guests can pilot their own rocket. Live entertainment includes the Festival of the Lion King, inspired by the Disney film, while cuisine caters for both Western and Asian tastes.

A Chinese Odyssey We meet Chef Bing Du, Chinese Executive Chef at Tang Chao at the Holiday Inn How has your experience in What are the specialties at Tang Chao? What are your signature At Tang Chao, the rich interiors Kuwait been so far? dishes? mingle with the aromas of the bustling kitchen to create a I like being in Kuwait. It has been The Roast Beijing Duck is very crackling ambience. Chef Bing good so far. My primary aim at popular. The Sichuan Beef, Sweet Du has been in the business Tang Chao is to keep my guests and Sour Shrimps and Dimsums for two decades now. His wish happy. It is my wish to utilize are other dishes that patrons for Tang Chao is to promote my experience and creativity to come back for. My specialization traditional Chinese food. Chef conjure dishes that keep guests is Sichuan cuisine. I guess the taste of real Chinese food is very Du was brought first to Egypt asking for more. popular. at the beckoning of the Chinese embassy in Egypt. He has been in What separates Tang Chao from Truly, the food at Tang Chao Kuwait for 4 years now, and says he others? is one of the best served in likes being here. Chef Simon Slim, Executive Chef, speaks highly of At Tang Chao we serve pure the country and will have you coming back for more. The team, Du and his 12 member team. He Chinese food. Tang Chao, as part under the able guidance of Chef elaborates, “I am very proud of the of the Intercontinental Group, Simon Slim and Chef Bing Du has team, they are doing a great job. has a very good reputation. Our received several accolades and The kitchen and service are both focus is on quality of food and certificates for their excellence in very well organized.” He stresses service. Tang Chao is a place for food and service. It isn’t surprising the importance of teamwork and creativity. We serve excellence then that it is also the venue of says that his team members, who and are always looking to exceed choice for many top corporate are all specialist Chinese chefs the expectations of our patrons. parties, anniversary celebrations from China, are always willing to Our guests’ confidence in our and other special occasions. learn and are very creative. capability is very inspiring.

BY NEHA NAIR

Jadaan Aluminium Est.

M. Javed

D oors, W indows, S hutt ers Kitchens & A ll K inds of Aluminium & S teel Work s

Al-Rai - Block 1 - St. 25 - Plot 1435 - P. O. Box : 1463 Surra - Kuwait.

Tel/Fax : +965 24724375 - Cell : 97878439 - 66513539

The business of money

Faisal Athar Hussian, General Manager,

Interview by Mujahid Iqbal

According to Mr. Faisal Athar Hussain, General Manager at Al Mulla International Exchange Co., “The client is our prime focus. Anything else comes later. Understanding the client thoroughly and maintaining the best of relations with them is our main aim.”

H

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ailing from Karachi, Pakistan, Mr. Hussain went on to do an MBA from Hamdard University, Karachi. Following this, he passed his professional exams from the London Chamber of Commerce and Industries. Having been in the

Al Mulla International Exchange Company.

It is the only exchange company in the GCC which has introduced Loyalty Points scheme for their customers. banking industry for 12 years now, Mr. Hussain has recently moved to Kuwait—only 10 months back. He has previously worked with banks in Pakistan. During his work in Pakistan, he brought in Foreign Direct Investments in Pakistan in Iron & Steel, Pharmaceuticals etc. He also introduced a Korean Iron & Steel company for investment in Pakistan.

During a big transaction in Pakistan, he got an offer from Kuwait for his current job. Mr. Hussain enjoys golf and discussing Pakistani politics.

Al Mulla International Exchange Co. was established in 2001. Presently there are 22 branches in Kuwait.

Convenience of customers is most important for growth of any company. Keeping this in mind, Al Mulla International Exchange Company will be soon opening 6 new branches in Salmiya, Qurain, Abbasiya, Riggae, Fintas & Sulaibikhat. The firm employs about 275+ employees which includes nationals from Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bengladesh, Philippines & Egypt.

Al Mulla International Exchange Co. holds the distinction of being among the top 3 exchanges in Kuwait. Remittance and investments are the main business. The company transfers money to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Egypt, etc. Recently, they have started transferring money to Lebanon and Nepal as well. Al Mulla offers technology, good services, dedicated staff and strong customer

service which sets them apart from numerous other exchanges. It is the only exchange company in the GCC which has introduced Loyalty Points scheme for their customers.

Since there is too much rush in the branches in the evening hours, the company introduced a new loyalty points scheme for those who transferred money in the morning hours.

Loyalty Points are also rewarded for introducing friends to the exchange.

Al Mulla uses the Western Union software which allows for quick and efficient, even urgent transactions. There is also a new promotion scheme in place along with Western Union, the prize value of which is USD 10,000.

“If you send money to your country this morning, you will receive it in your country by evening or the next day.”

They also have an anti Money

For the comfort of customers, different counters are marked for specific nationalities. This helps the staff handle customers with some degree of familiarity. The customers also find it reassuring to deal with someone of their own nationality.

The most popular and hence busy branches are located in Mirqab, Salmiya, Fahaheel, Hawally, Farwaniya, Abbaisiya. The staff is provided with incentives and for the senior staff, even bonuses are allotted.

For better service, the staff is also rotated in different branches. Every week, Mr. Hussain himself trains the

Laundering system in place which avoids transaction to blacklisted banks and

companies.

He also spoke about the

ceive it in your country by evening

present economy crisis,

or the next day.” They also have an

suggesting that most of

place which avoids transaction to

the GCC countries will re-

maximum of KWD 3,000 in cash can

cover within this year, with the exception of Dubai.

anti Money Laundering system in blacklisted banks and companies. A be transferred. For greater amounts, K-net can be utilized He also spoke about the present

staff. He trains the branch manag- economy crisis, suggesting that most ers, and at times, the counter staff of the GCC countries will recover as well. within this year, with the exception of Dubai. He signs off by saying that According to statistics, every year, banks and financial should work about 250,000 transactions take place to Pakistan itself. Mr. Hussain with calculated risk if they want to explains, “If you send money to your secure themselves. country this morning, you will re-

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Industry Leader

We present a profile of Almeer Industries An ISO 9001 company They have also won an environmental award for Best Manufacturer in the Gulf.

Eng. Abdullah Adnan Almeer Department Head of Business Development,

Eng. Abdullah Adnan Almeer, Department Head of Business Development, graduated from Kuwait University and joined his father in the company.

A

n ISO 9001 company, Al Meer industries has been in existence since 1978. Started by Mr. Adnan Almeer, the company provides engineering solutions and services in the Oil & Gas and Power sectors. It also provides services to major industries in the mechanical, electrical and instrumentation fields.

Almeer Industries represents many renowned companies in Kuwait and the Middle East.

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Abdullah Adnan Almeer, Department Head of Business Development, graduated from Kuwait University and joined his father in the company. He explains, “Our clients are from both the government and the private sectors. We have more than 3,000 employees working with us.”

Eng. Reda El-Shawadfy, Factory Manager

Mr. Reda specified how he felt comfortable dealing with China and Chinese people with regard to his company.

There are six departments in the company—Engineering and Projects, Sales and Services, Systems and Solutions, Maintenance Services, Business Development and Manufacturing. The company has been the contractor for EPC (Engineering Project Contract). They have also won an environmental award for Environment Best Manufacturer in the Gulf.

Facts about the P. R. China

Eng. Abdullah Adnan Almeer (Department Head Business Development, Almeer Industries), Eng. Reda El-Shawadfy (Factory Manager, Almeer Industries For Control Panels) & Dong Taikang (General Manager & Partner MAPCO)

In 1996 the company started production of control panels, power station, cable trays and light poles We also spoke with Mr. Reda El-Shawadfy, Factory Manager for Control Panels. Mr. Reda has worked with AlMeer for about 15 years now. He describes how in 1996 the company started production of control panels, power station, cable trays and light poles with Korean Heavy industries, Mitsubishi and China Petroleum etc.

In 2005 Almeer, with the support of China, started LPG Cylinder Reconditioning Plant and had a contract with Kuwait Oil Tanker Company with a capacity of 1,500 cylinders per day. AlMeer is the only company in Kuwait to do so. Mr. Reda specified how he felt comfortable dealing with China and Chinese people with regard to his company. He also spoke about the economy crisis and how AlMeer was doing well due to its range of products and the good management.

In the near future AlMeer plans to start production of ducting for domestic use and fense for KOC and KNPC. Al Meer currently exports their products to Qatar, Oman, Jordan, UAE etc.

Location East Asia.

Time GMT + 8. Despite the vast size of the country, Beijing time is standard throughout China.

Area 9,596,960 sq km (3,705,406 sq miles).

Population 1.3 billion (CIA, 2008). Roughly a fifth of the world’s population lives in China.

Population Density: 135.5 per sq km.

Capital: Beijing (Peking). Population: 16.3 million (2007), estimated 17 million in 2008. Chongqing is the largest urban area, with a population of more than 31 million. Shanghai has a population of over 18 million and, as of 2004, 11 other cities had a population of over 2 million and 23 cities had a population of 1 to 2 million. At China’s current rate of urbanization, it is predicted that by 2025, the nation will have 219 cities with more than 1 million inhabitants.

Geography China is bordered to the north by Russia and Mongolia; to the east by Korea (Dem Rep), the Yellow Sea and the South China Sea; to the south by Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, India, Bhutan and Nepal; and to the west by India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. China has a varied terrain ranging from high plateaux in the west to flatlands in the east; mountains take up almost one-third of the land. The most notable high mountain ranges are the Himalayas, the Altai Mountains, the Tian Shan Mountains and the Kunlun Mountains.

Government People’s Republic. China comprises 23 provinces, five autonomous regions, two special administrative regions and four municipalities directly under central government.

Head of State President Hu Jintao since 2003.

Head of Government Premier Wen Jiabao since 2003.

Language The official language is Mandarin Chinese. Among the enormous number of local dialects, large groups speak Cantonese, Shanghaiese, Fuzhou, Hokkien, Xiang, Gan and Hakka dialects in the south. Inner Mongolia, Tibet and Xinjiang, which are autonomous regions, have their own languages.

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n o i s s i M a h t i w Man f irector o

ing D g a n a M ding e a h r t T s l i a r g e n Gen i Ka Dong Ta co International Advisor at Kut; ap Zahra M cting Co, Kuwai ncilor of China tra ou and Con y Corporation; C tion; Chairman rg ia wait Ene xchange Assoc Kuwait and a in sE Oversea ese Association ity in China. rs in e h v i C n e U h i t a f o hangh S t a r o s Profes Iqbal d i h a j u M by Interview MUJAHID IQBAL: Tell us something about yourself.

DONG TAI KANG: I was born in Shanghai, China and

graduated from Shanghai University’s Automation Section. In 1985, I entered United Arab Emirates for business and later became partner and general manager of Kuwait’s Zahra Mapco Co in 1990 which specialized in importing Chinese machinery, equipment and production lines for Kuwait and the Gulf region and providing spare parts and engineering equipment to projects undertaken by CNPC, Sinopec, China Harbor Engineering Company etc.

MI: What does the Chinese Association of Kuwait do?

Since 2008, I have assisted Kuwait Energy Corporation for exploration and development in upstream drilling both by financial support and in engineering projects.

DONG TAI KANG: The principle of the association

MI: Tell us more about your achievements.

MI: What is your principle for business?

DONG TAI KANG: In the last 20 years, more than 200 sets of machinery and 30 sets of complete production lines were set up in Kuwait and the Gulf. I also wrote more than 12 articles in famous magazines in China. At the same time, the Chinese Association has been approved by the mass public. I participated in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th conference of the Chinese Overseas Friendship Association in Beijing in 2003, 2005 in 2007, and was received by the highest leaders of China.

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In Aug 2001, Hong Kong Telecommunication Group came to Kuwait to produce a TV program “My Chinese Heart”. I was also invited to attend the 6th conference of the World Chinese Business in Sept 2001. In Nov 2007, the “China-Arab Friendship Travel” team produced a program “Love in Kuwait” (volume 6/7 of TV series “Brothers”). In April 2008, Phoenix TV’s “Business Journey” made a special report. In Sept 2009, I was invited to attend the 60th National Day Ceremony of China in Beijing.

is: Help each other, live harmoniously together and silently contribute for common development.

DONG TAI KANG:

Honesty and devotion leads to

a win-win situation.

MI: How did you find the 60th National Day celebrations in Beijing?

DONG TAI KANG: During the “Blessing You – China” event at the 60th National Day Ceremony at Tianan-

MEET WITH AMBASSADOR OF IRAQ IN THE 3RD INVESTMENT FORUM

TAKEN PICTURE GROUP WITH DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER OF KUWAIT , IN THE 1ST CHINA-KUWAIT INVESTMENT FORUM

men Square in Beijing at 10:00 am, October 1st, 2009 and witnessing 42 integrated military sections and 60 colorful vehicles showing economic achievement, we were in tears. There were 1,800 chiefs and representative of Chinese Overseas Associations from 126 countries.

number of development bottle necks domistically and strong challenges abroad. However, the world goes on with right changes, and we shall insist on sound policies in coming years to build a solid foundation with a modern economic and industrial structure and political reformation..

MI: I’m sure you feel proud being Chinese.

MI: What message do you have for the youth?

DONG TAI KANG:

Of course! The centuries-old dream of the Chinese is becoming a truth. The great leaders Mao Zedong and Deng Xiao Ping with their teams changed the direction of human history. More than one billion diligent Chinese people created marvelous history in 60 short years. Of course, we must remember millions and millions of martyrs who devoted their lives to build China.

Moreover, thousands of them have nameless tombs. They are our nation’s backbone!

MI: How is China recovering from the economic crisis?

DONG TAI KANG:

At present, the financial and economic crisis has not passed completely. China has a

Peter Ma, Weiping Zhang, Dong Tai Kang & Lin Ye

The Chairman & Office bearers of the Chinese Association in Kuwait

DONG TAI KANG: Let’s focus on our new genera-

tion. The youth are full of vim and vigor and have incredible capability. How to guide and inspire our successors is a major human engineering project. We saw their contribution during the Sichuan earthquake in May 2008, and at the National Day Performance weeks ago.

No doubt, they will take over the strategic task forward.

Forty years from now, we will be celebrating the centenary of New China. By that time, it will be a modernized socialist country which will be prosperous, democratic, harmonious and culturally advanced and will stand firm in the East of the World. Moreover, the young and old will together share warmth and cold in a peaceful “Global Village”.

Dong Tai Kang & Ishaq Majunkun

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Michael Phelps, the United States

Usain Bolt, Jamaica

Sport: Swimming

Result: Eight gold medals in the men’s 400m individual medley; 4x100m freestyle relay; 200m freestyle; 200m butterfly; 4x200m freestyle relay; 200m individual medley; 100m butterfly; 4x100m medley relay Key Words: 8 golds Magic Index: Description: The 23-year-old from Baltimore became the firstever athlete to win eight gold medals at one Olympic Games.

He set seven world records and one Olympic record, doing a personal best time in every event.

Magic Index: Description: The 22-year-old Jamaican sprinter set three new world records--9.69 seconds in 100m final; 19.30 seconds in 200m final and 37.10 seconds in 4x100m relay, smashing the U.S. dominance of the events.

Maarten van der Weijde, the Netherlands

Zhang Juanjuan, China

Sport: Swimming

Result: Gold medal in men’s 10km marathon Key Words: 10km Magic Index: Description: The 27-year-old Dutch swimmer took a stem cell transplant operation in 2001 after being diagnosed with leukemia. He gradually recovered and made a comeback at the 2003 and 2004 Open Water World Championships, where he swam faster than before he contracted the disease. In the 2008 World Championships, he won a gold in the 25-km race, a bronze in the 5-km race and ranked fourth in 10-km. This time in Beijing, he made a lastminute dash to take the gold from David Davis of Great Britain and three-time world champion Russia’s Vladimir Dyatchin.

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Sport: Athletics

Result: Three gold medals in men’s 100m; 200m and 4x100m relay Key Words: 9.69 seconds

Sport: Archery

Result: Gold medal in women’s individual event and silver medal in team competition Key Words: 1 point

Magic Index: Description: South Korea had won every women>s Olympic archery gold medal since 1984. But the 27-year-old Chinese, 27th seed in qualifying, managed to beat a South Korean trio, including defending gold medallist Park Sung Hyun with 110109 in the final to win the gold, bringing an end to a 24-yearold South Korean dynasty at the Olympics.

Elina Isinbaeva, Russia

Matthew Emmons, the United States

Luan Jujie, Canada

Sport: Athletics

Sport: Shooting

Sport: Fencing

Segun Toriola, Nigeria

The Lopez Family, the United States

Result: Gold medal in women’s pole vault Key Words: 5.05 meters Magic Index: Description: The 26-year-old pole vault czarina murmured before each attempt. No one could actually identify what she was murmuring about. With the “help” of her magic incantation (which according to her own explanation was “Do it, do it, just do it. Just be confident; I’m OK.”), she cleared her 24th world record of 5.05 meters on the last attempt, exactly 1 centimeter higher than her previous one.

Sheila Taormina, the United States

Result: Silver medal in 50m rifle prone; 4th in 50m rifle three positions Key Words: 4.4 points Magic Index: Description: Four years ago at the Athens Games, Emmons had a comfortable lead in men’s 50m rifle three positions, only to shoot at the wrong target on his final shot and end up with no medal at all. Chinese Jia Zhanbo took the gold. On August 17, in the final of the same event, history repeated itself. Leading by 3.3 points and needing only a mediocre shot of 6.7 to dispel the 2004 ghosts, Emmons fired a 4.4 on his final attempt to drop to fourth. The gold medal went to Qiu Jian, a Chinese again.

Sport:Modern Pentathlon

Result: 19th overall in 36-person field Key Words: 3 sports Magic Index: Description: She won a gold medal in 4x200m freestyle relay at the 1996 Atlanta Games; and finished 6th and 23rd respectively in women’s triathlon at 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Games. She had to learn three events in three years to get ready for the Beijing Games. Taormina set a record in swimming event and tied first in the full score of 1,200 points in show jumping, and a dismal fencing performance (she finished last) hampered her dream of medal.

Result: Women’s individual foil round of 32 Key Words: 50 years old Magic Index: Description: The Chinese-born Canadian, Asia’s first Olympic gold-medal fencer at the 1984 Los Angeles Games, competed at her fourth Games at the age of 50. Although eliminated in the second round by a Hungarian fencer who is 18 years younger than her, Luan was still able to compete with younger fencers thanks to her patience, technique, and a never-say-die attitude. She held up a banner saying “Hello, the Motherland!” after the match. Chinese fans were deeply touched by the emotional scene.

Sport: Taekwondo Sport: Table Tennis

Result: Men’s singles third round Key Words: 5th Olympics Magic Index: Description: The 115th-ranked seed at his fifth Olympic Games managed to beat David Zhuang of the U.S., Joao Monteiro of Portugal and Jean-Michel Saive of Belgium, becoming the only African to reach the third round of the men’s singles.

Result: Bronze medal in women’s 57kg (won

by Diana); silver medal in men’s 68kg (won by Mark); and bronze medal in men’s 80kg (won

by Steven) Key Words: 4 siblings Magic Index: Description: By 2005, each of the younger Lopez’s was a world champion. Jean, a silver medallist in Taekwondo’s 1995 world championships, is their coach and a U.S. coach in the Beijing Games. The Lopez family all took part in the events and won medals at the Beijing Olympics.

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Terracotta

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he Terracotta Army are the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses of Qin Shi Huang the First Emperor of China. The terracotta figures, dating from 210 BC, were discovered in 1974 by some local farmers near Xi’an, Shaanxi province, China near the Mausouleum of the First Qin Emperor. The figures vary in height (183195 cm), according to their role, the tallest being the generals. The figures include strong warriors, chariots, horses, officials, acrobats, strongmen, and musicians.

Current estimates are that in the three pits containing the Terracotta Army there were over 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which are still buried in the pits.

The Terracotta Army was discovered in 1974 in the eastern suburbs of Xi’an, Shaanxi Province by local farmers drilling a water well 1.5 miles east of Lishan (a mountain). This discovery prompted archaeologists to proceed to Shaanxi Province, China to investigate. The Terracotta Army is a form of funerary art buried with the First Emperor of Qin (Qin Shi Huang, Shi Huang means the first emperor) in 210-209 BC (he declared himself the first emperor of China in 221 BC to the end of his life in 210 BC). Their purpose was to help rule another empire with Shi Huang Di in the afterlife. Consequently, they are also sometimes referred to as “Qin’s Armies.”

Mount Lishan is also where the material to make the terracotta warriors originated. In addition to the warriors, an entire man-made necropolis for the emperor has been excavated.

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According to the historian Sima Qian (145-90 BC) construction of this mausoleum began in 246 BC and involved 700,000 workers. Qin Shi Huang was thirteen when construction began. Sima Qian, in his most famous work, Shiji, completed a century after the mausoleum completion, wrote that the First Emperor was

Army Stands Proud

buried with palaces, scenic towers, officials, valuable utensils and ‘wonderful objects,’ with 100 rivers fashioned in mercury and above this heavenly bodies below which he wrote were ‘the features of the earth.’

Some translations of this passage refer to ‘models’ or ‘imitations’ but in fact he does not use those words. Recent scientific work at the site has shown high levels of mercury in the soil on and around Mount Lishan, appearing to add credence to the writing of ancient historian Sima Qian. The tomb of Shi Huang Di is near an earthen pyramid 76 meters tall and nearly 350 sq m.

The tomb remains unopened, in the hope that it will remain intact. Only a portion of the site is presently excavated.

Qin Shi Huang’s necropolis complex was constructed to serve as an imperial compound or palace. It comprises several offices, halls and other structures and is surrounded by a wall with gateway entrances. It was also said as a legend that the Terracotta Warriors were real soldiers, buried with Emperor Qin so that they could defend him from any dangers in the next life.

Construction

The terracotta figures were manufactured both in workshops by government laborers and also by local craftsmen. The head, arms, legs and torsos were created separately and then assembled. Studies show that eight face moulds were most likely used, and then clay was added to provide individual facial features. Once assembled, intricate features such as facial expressions were added. It is believed that their legs were made in much the same way that terracotta drainage pipes were manufactured at the time.

This would make it an assembly line production, with specific parts manufactured and assembled after being

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outside walls of the tomb complex are as if placed there to protect the tomb from the east, where all the conquered states lay. They are solidly built with rammed earth walls and ground layers as hard as concrete. Pit one, 230 m long, contains the main army, estimated at 8,000 figures.

Pit One has 11 corridors, most of which are over 3 m wide, and paved with small bricks with a wooden ceiling supported by large beams and posts. This design was also used for the tombs of noblemen and would have resembled palace hallways. The wooden ceilings were covered with reed mats and layers of clay for waterproofing, and then mounded with more soil making them, when built, about 2 to 3 meters higher than ground level. Pit two has cavalry and infantry units as well as war chariots, and is thought to represent a military guard. Pit three is the command post, with high ranking officers and a war chariot. Pit four is empty, seemingly left unfinished by its builders. fired, as opposed to crafting one solid piece of terracotta and subsequently firing it. In those days, each workshop was required to inscribe its name on items produced to ensure quality control. This has aided modern historians in verifying that workshops that once made tiles and other mundane items were commandeered to work on the terracotta army. Upon completion, the terracotta figures were placed in the pits in precise military formation according to rank and duty.

The terracotta figures are life-like and life-sized. They vary in height, uniform and hairstyle in accordance with rank. The colored lacquer finish, individual facial features, and actual weapons and armor from battle used in manufacturing these figures created a realistic appearance. The original weapons were stolen by robbers shortly after the creation of the army and the coloring has faded greatly. However, their existence serves as a testament to the amount of labor and skill involved in their construction. It also reveals the power the First Emperor possessed, enabling him to command such a monumental undertaking as this.

There is evidence of a large fire that burned the wooden structures that once housed the Terracotta Army. It was described by Sima Qian, who said that the fire was a consequence of a raid on the tomb by General Xiang Yu less than five years after the death of the First Emperor.

According to Sima Qian, General Xiang’s army looted the tomb and the structures holding the Terracotta Army, as well as setting fire to the necropolis and starting a blaze that allegedly lasted three months. Because of this, only one statue has survived intact: a statue of a kneeling archer. Despite the fire, however, much of the remains of the Terracotta Army still survives in various stages of preservation, surrounded by remnants of the burnt wooden structures.

In 1999, it was reported that the Terracotta warriors were suffering from “nine different kinds of mold,” caused by raised temperatures and humidity in the building which houses the soldiers, and by the breath of tourists. In addition, the South China Morning Post reported that the figures have become oxidized grey from being exposed The four pits associated with the dig are about 1.5 km to the air, which may cause arms to fall off, and noses east of the burial ground and are about 7 m deep. The and hairstyles to disappear. However, officials have dis-

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Destruction and gradual decay

missed these claims. In Daily Planet Goes to China, the Terracotta Warriors segment reported that the Chinese scientists found soot on the surface of the statues, concluding that the pollution introduced from coal burning plants was responsible for the decaying of the terracotta statues.

The Sichuan earthquake caused some slight damage to several soldiers. One soldier in Pit #2 tilted to the right at 5 degrees. Several small cracks appeared on two soldiers and one horse statue in Pit #3. But overall the damage was minimal. Recently, officials have begun to bury sections of the pits, to preserve the figures.

British Museum exhibition

A set piece of 120 objects from the mausoleum and 20 terracotta warriors were displayed at the British Museum in London as its special exhibition “The First Emperor: China’s Terracotta Army” from September 13, 2007 to April 2008. This Terracotta Army exhibition made 2008 the British Museum’s most successful year ever, and made the British Museum the United Kingdom’s top cultural attraction between 2007-08.

The exhibition also brought in the most visitors to the British Museum since the King Tutankhamun exhibition in 1972. It was reported that the initial batch of pre-bookable tickets to the Terracotta Army exhibition sold out so fast that the museum extended the exhibition until midnight on Thursdays to Sundays.

According to The Times, many people had to be turned away from the exhibition, despite viewings until midnight, and during the day of events to mark the Chinese new year, the crush was so intense that the gates to the museum had to be shut. The Terracotta Army has been described as the only other set of historic artifacts (along with the remnants of ruins of the Titanic) which can draw a crowd simply on the back of the name alone. The exhibit subsequently travelled to the USA where it was displayed at the High Museum in Atlanta, Georgia, in Houston, Texas, and at the National Geographic Museum in Washington, DC.

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The Great Wall:

A Wonder of the World

T

he Great Wall of China is one of the most magnificent ancient military defense works in the world. The construction of the segments which later made up the Great Wall began during the Spring and Autumn Period and lasted into the Warring States Period (c. 7th century BC-4th century BC).

Many feudal states built hundreds of li of wall fortifications as boundaries. These unlinked walls were the embryonic form of the Great Wall.

In 221 BC, Emperor Qin Shihuang ordered the walls of the Qin, Zhao and Yan kingdoms in the north to be linked up and reinforced, after he united China. The extended new wall stretched from Lintao (now Lop Nur in Xinjiang) in the west through

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Fengsui to the western edge of Xinjiang, with a total length of over 20,000 li. The construction work lasted for over 2,000 years, through such dynasties as the Northern Wei, Northern Qi, Eastern Wei, Northern Zhou, Sui, Liao, Kin and Ming.

It was during the Ming Dynasty that the Wall took on its present form. At that time, it stretched some 6,300 km from the Yalujiang River in the east to Jiayuguan Pass in the west, and is known as the Ten Thousand Li Wall. Rammed earth was later replaced by stone, according to the varying physical features of individual sections. Other materials such as planks were also used. Sometimes mountain ridges were even taken

directly as the body of the wall.

The Great Wall, a product of cultural conflict and convergence, and integration of farming and nomadic economies, contributed to promote the economic development of the Central Plains, to unite and stabilize the multiethnic nation, and to secure the free flow of transport along the Silk Road.

Though the Wall no longer functions as it used to, it is a monument of ancient Chinese culture and constitutes a wonder of the world, together with Pyramids of Egypt, Colosseum of Rome, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and so on.

Cultural Heritage

The Great Wall is a miracle in human history. No other ancient building in the world has been constructed for so long a time, on such a grand scale and at so tremendous a cost. Dr Sun Yat-sen once commented that the Great Wall is the most famous work in China and a unique and truly marvelous sight on earth. Neil Armstrong, the first man who set foot on the moon, reported that there are only two manmade works that can be identified from space and the moon. One is the Great Wall of China; the other is the dykes of

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Holland. Former US president Nixon said, after he visited the Wall, that only a great nation could build such a great wall. The Wall well deserves its place on the World Heritage List.

The Chinese government has attached great importance to tourism, which is supported by wonderful scenery, rich historic sites, and the various cultures and arts of different ethnic minorities.

The Great Wall, both as a cultural relic and unique natural landscape, has its special advantages. It has been widely known among domestic and foreign tourists that one is not a true man unless he climbs up the Great Wall (by Mao Zedong, originally referring to his determination to fight against Japanese invaders in the north). No one will miss the opportunity to visit it. When the former Prime Minister of the UK Heath mounted the Wall, he said, “The past and future of China boast the same charm. …The Great Wall looks much more spectacular than I’ve seen in photos, embroideries or paintings. This just shows the eagerness of tourists to visit the Great Wall. It will stand with China and the world forever”.

Body of the Wall

Take the Badaling section for example. The Wall there is on average 7.8 m high and 6.7 m wide, narrowing to 4.5 m on the top in a trapezoidal shape. It was built with slabs and bricks, with rammed earth at the core. At that time, building materials could only be conveyed by porters, simple vehicles, mules or goats. It was recorded that it took thousands of people a half year to finish a section 200 m long.

Legends and Stories

There is a legend about Meng Jiangnu, whose husband was conscripted to work on the Wall soon after they got married. When autumn came, Meng Jiangnv worried that her husband would suffer from the cold in the north, so she walked all the way to the construction site of the

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Great Wall, taking padded clothes which she had made for him. But when she got there, she was told that her husband had already died from exhaustion and had been buried at the foot of the Wall. Meng Jiangnu’s grief was so bitter that 800 li of the Wall collapsed, revealing a pit containing piles of skeletons.

She couldn’t identify her husband among them, and so she threw herself into the sea together with some of them. Later, two rocks in the shape of grave tablets appeared at the spot. A temple named after Meng Jiangnu was built at the foot of the Great Wall to commemorate her loyalty to her husband.

h t i w e r u t u AF

s t o b Ro

Robots are increasingly coming on the market in China, though their costs remain high

T

here is nothing novel about robots nowadays, but they are still a source of mystery and curiosity to many people. The annual China Beijing International Hi-Tech Expo looked to sate some of that appetite. Crowds of curious visitors gathered around showcase robots, with those involved in daily human life attracting much of the attention.

During this year’s expo, a robotic cook took the spotlight. The versatile helper is able to create China’s major local cuisines, only needing a person to feed it raw materials and push a button to select a dish name - the robot takes care of the rest in a few minutes. The robocook’s owner can even get dinner started while still at work using remote control.

More and more often robots are stepping out of the movies and into the average household. A store specializing in selling robots opened in April in Beijing’s Zhongguancun District, also known as China’s “Silicon Valley,” which claims to be the first of its kind in the country.

Many came to see the robots on the store’s opening day. “We anticipated that we would be losing money in the beginning of our startup. We hope that more people will come to the realization that robots can have something to do with their daily lives,” said a store manager.

“We surveyed the market for three

years before launching the store to find that many white-collar workers in the city are longing for a robot helper. Robots are not tools for people to seek temporary pleasure, they are companions to explore a new way of life,” said storeowner Luo Chengwu, who had worked in IT for 10 years before starting the business. “Computers have become a must for people’s lives, and robots, as the natural progression from computers, can now walk out of science museums and become real helpers.”

Cleaning, entertainment, educational and explosive-disposal robots are

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all available in the store. Many are imported, and the cleaning robot among them is the fastest seller. It can identify different types of floors and adjust itself to suitable cleaning methods. Its owner tells it how long to clean for, then the robot works out its route by itself using a probe in front of its body. A 30-cm-tall robot made in Japan called Robonova can do many different difficult moves - it can do a side somersault, dance and kick a football. Its owner can load different teaching software, and the robot becomes a tireless teacher.

Store visitors will see China’s first intelligent robot for the family - Tami.

Being 45-cm tall and weighing 7 kg, Tami is like a 5- to 7-year-old child who never grows old. It is capable of becoming a real family member.

It is polite and can greet everyone; its eyes can identify objects and people so it can say the correct names of family members; a wave gets a smile in return and when touched, it whistles; and when it gets hungry it recharges itself, never bothering others. Tami can understand 200 Chinese sentences and is emotional - it can appear sad or angry when it is scolded. The owner must comfort the robot child, otherwise it will

deliberately turn a deaf ear to any orders that are given.

Tami can do many others things a human child cannot do. It can be an alarm clock and can tell its owner the latest news and weather forecast, as it is connected to the Internet via a Wi-Fi connection. Tami can also videotape or photograph precious moments of the family children. As a teacher, the robot can speak to children in English and play games with them. Experts say the results of studying with robots are three times better than those of learning from computers.

Tami can also contribute to the cooking, with loads of recipes in its memory that it can draw on to offer detailed steps on how to prepare a dish. It can play as a nurse, monitoring changes in pulse around the clock as long as a wristwatch-like device is worn. When the body gives abnormal signals, it can warn the person and also broadcast an alarm text message to the person’s family.

Hosts can also call up health monitor data when they are away from home by text messaging the robot.

As a security guard, Tami protects the house against strangers. It can take pictures of visitors, sending the pictures to a designated cell phone or ringing an alarming bell. The host can remotely control the robot around the house to check on everything. “We want the robot to be more of a human being when we research and develop Tami,” said Ren Rong, sales manager of the company that produces Tami robots.

Still luxuries

Just two months after the robots hit

the market, more than 100 sets have been sold. Ten units have gone to homes in Beijing. However, with each robot costing 58,000 yuan ($8,529), it is still a luxury for ordinary consumers. Many buyers are affluent corporate executives who buy the robots for themselves or to give out as gifts.

Other entertaining robots cost more than 10,000 yuan ($1,470) and the cooking robots cost more than 300,000 yuan ($44,117).

“It’s not common for the robots to go to Chinese families. One of the

sons for that is they cost too much,” said Cao Xuejun, Director of the Automation Division of the Department of Hi-Tech Development and Industrialization under the Ministry of Science and Technology. According to Zhong Yixin, Director General of the Chinese Association for Artificial Intelligence (CAAI), costs are always high for an advanced artificial intelligence product when it goes to the market. Three facts dictate the cost - materials, technology and production scale.

“In fact, the material used to produce robots is not expensive. Technology is not a problem either as many universities and research institutions have done much on it. The problem lies in the transformation from the technology level to the application level,” said Zhong. “We lack industrialized production lines. It costs too much to produce several robots but if there is large-scale production, the

cost can be brought down.”

Home robots have become a fledgling industry that attracts a lot of support in the country’s 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-10), offering a great opportunity for robot producers such as the Tami company. The Tami company is based in Beijing. Returned Chinese from abroad started it in cooperation with foreign robot companies. Company representatives said that they are developing the next generation of Tami robots, which will be able to understand 2,000 sentences.

Successfully developing the robots requires trouble shooting in the core technology along with associated technologies involving mechanism, electronics, energy and communications. “As an example, lithium batteries for a home-care robot need to be recharged every two hours, which obviously can’t satisfy

market demand and needs to be improved,” said Li Ruifeng, a research

fellow with the CAAI. Compared with developed countries, China’s artificial intelligence applications and industrialization still lag behind, “but we still have the ability to develop robots with many functions,” said Zhong. He said some of China’s technology stands out in the world. “I believe that with the advancement of our country’s overall strength and technology, artificial intelligence development will get in the fast lane, and more robots will step into the homes of average families to bring more convenience,” said He Huacan, Deputy Director General of CAAI.

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Wushu: W

ushu, with its mysterious Oriental flavor, is regarded as the quintessence of physical culture. Often referred to as «arts of fighting with eighteen kinds of weapons,» it is distinguished by three salient features: usefulness for combat, benefits to health, and fascinating movements.

Wushu dates back to primitive society where people used clubs and other primitive tools to fight wild animals. In the Spring and Autumn and the Warring States periods (770- 221 BC), wushu became more combative in nature as more weapons came into use. It also attracted more attention with its beneficial effects on health.

Wushu contests and performances were popular in the Qin and Han dynasties (221 BC-AD 220). The sword dances performed by Xiang Bo and Xiang Zhuang at «A Banquet at Hongmen Gate» as described by Sima Oian in his Historical Records were actually a show of attack and defence in swordplay.

The imperial examination system of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) for identifying martial arts talent stimulated the growth of wushu activi-

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Unity of Body and Mind ties in society. By the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), many schools of wushu, each with its own distinctive features, had developed across the country. One of these was the Shaolin School, which owes its name to the world-famous Shaolin Temple in Henan Province.

Roughly speaking, wushu may also be divided into barehanded exercises and exercises with weapons.

There are a few dozen kinds of weapons employed in wushu exercises, mostly modeled on ancient types. Although the significance of their role in modern warfare has diminished since the invention of fire-

arms, their value in wushu training remains to this day.

The reason why the time-honored art of wushu has taken deep root among the broad masses lies in its proven value in health-building.

According to the philosophy of traditional Chinese medicine, wushu exercises consist of both «external» and «internal» work, the former meaning movements of the body, the hands and the feet and expressions of the eyes, and the latter being related to «the spirit, willpower, vital energy and strength.»

The two aspects are combined as

movements are guided by consciousness so as to achieve ÂŤa unity of body and mind.Âť Thus, constant practice of wushu helps not only to strengthen muscles and bones, but also to regulate the central nervous system and improve the cardiovascular, digestive and respiratory functions.

As wushu exercises are highly varied in intensity as well as in form, they offer an abundant choice to people differing in age, interest and health condition. Besides, one needs only a small space and very simple equipment for their performance.

So wushu can be easily promoted

as a participation sport. In recent years, coaching centers have mushroomed in cities and towns all over the country. Numerous people in poor health are reported to have benefited from constant practice.

Going far beyond China’s boundaries, wushu has become increasingly popular in many parts of the world. As the birthplace of wushu, China has in recent years sent her best masters on performance tours abroad and received group after group of foreign wushu enthusiasts coming on study missions.

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Evergreen Chinese

A

s art is borderless, communication through art provides a great platform for people from different nations to enhance mutual understanding and nurture friendship. Meanwhile, it plays an important role in facilitating the growth of artistic undertakings in different nations.

As one of the ancient civilizations in the world, China enjoys splendid cultural traditions. Hundreds of acting forms have appeared and developed over the centuries, with each form containing various sorts of styles or schools.

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Some acting forms have been and still are very popular with Chinese

audience, such as for instance, puppet shows, shadow plays, acrobatics, folk music (played with traditional musical instruments), and minority dances. There is Chinese Opera, which mainly includes Peking Opera as well as some local operas in Sichuan, Shaanxi, Yunnan, and Anhui provinces.

More than 2,000 years of cultural communication between China and overseas countries has led to great achievements. Much-told stories about how predecessors went out all the way to seek and spread civilization have been constantly relayed from generation to generation. However, history does not end up in stories. Since its foundation in 1949, the People’s Republic of China under the rule of the Communist Party has followed and carried on its tradition in communicating with overseas countries through art exchanges.

For decades, a lot of professional

troupes, specializing in Peking Opera, local operas, acrobatics, folk music, ballets, symphonies, dramas, puppet shows, or shadow plays, have been sent abroad to more than 138 countries, with the wonderful performances having been well accepted by foreign audiences.

This has, to a large extent, helped to improve relationship between China and the countries.

Meanwhile, many foreign troupes have been invited to China. Their performances with exotic styles have helped to enrich the cultural life of Chinese audience and broaden the horizon of Chinese professionals.

Beijing Opera

Chinese traditional opera is considered one of the world’s three ancient operas, together with Greek tragedy and comedy, and Indian

Performing Arts Sanskrit opera. Among the more than 360 ancient local operas in China, Peking Opera is known as China’s national opera, despite its comparatively young 200-year history.

Although it is called Peking Opera, the origins of Peking Opera are not in Beijing but in the provinces of Anhui (East China) and Hubei (Southcentral China). Its rise is due in great part to the favorable eyes and patronage of the imperial royalties.

Peking Opera is a purely Chinese opera form dating back to the year 1790, when the famous Four Anhui Opera Troupes first came to Beijing in celebration of the 80th birthday of Emperor Qianlong (1711-1799) of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The tour was a hit and the troupes stayed. In 1828, some famous Hubei Opera Troupe players came to Beijing.

The artists of Hubei and Anhui troupes often jointly performed on the stage and absorbed repertoires, music, arias and performing techniques of each other and from oth-

er operas like Kun Qu, Qin Qiang and Bang Zi, as well as the local dialect and customs of Beijing. Its repertoires mainly depict fairy tales of preceding dynasties and important historical events.

It was after 1840 that Peking Opera formally took shape, growing even faster during the reign of the Empress Dowager Cixi (1835-1908), who was an opera aficionado. Classic Peking Opera repertoires and the names of the first-generation masters were on the lips of the people in Beijing, and eventually prevalent around the country. Peking Opera Roles include sheng (male role), dan (female role), jing (painted-face male role), and chou (comedic male role), distinguished on the basis of sex, age, and personality.

Unlike European operas, which concentrate on usually one kind of performance in one stage representation, Peking Opera integrates music, singing, dance, costume art, makeup, acting and acrobatics into a unique whole.

Facial Make-up (Lianpu) in Peking

Opera is mostly applied to the male roles of jing and chou, with particular styles to symbolize the different personalities, characteristics, and fates of the roles. Some people argue that the facial make-up is similar to the mask. Nevertheless, there are great differences between the two in that masks are separate from the face. Different make-up colors symbolize different personalities: Red - brave, faithful and wise men, with utter devotion Purple - wise, brave and steadfast men Black – upright, outspoken, and never stooping to flattery Blue - brave, upright and outspoken men, but obstinate and unruly Green - hero of the bush, chivalrous but with a testy temper Yellow - valiant but ferocious military men or crafty civil officers White – insidious and treacherous

Gold & silver - mysterious monsters or gods Peking Opera Costumes, mainly made of satin, crepe and silk and decorated with various meticu

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lously embroidered patterns, tell a character’s sex and status at first glance, marking off people from all walks of life, noble or humble, civil or military. Accessories, including helmets and hats, constitute an integral part to bring about dramatic stage effects. Peking Opera Basic Skills include dance movements and special acrobatic movements while singing or reciting, a necessary requirements mastered by all actors and actresses.

Chinese Acrobatics

The Chinese acrobatics has a long history and rich national flavor. It is a performance art that combines physical strength and skill, and was closely related with music and dance. Chinese acrobatics reached a high level of sophistication as early as the Warring States Period (475221 BC), with acrobats proficient at juggling seven daggers while manipulating 3-meter stilts.

Acrobatic performances are vividly depicted in brick paintings and stone engravings dating back to the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD). Various works depict acrobats performing hand tricks such as juggling with swords, balls, and bottles, as well as stunts using long poles, barrels, drum carts, and galloping horses.

Historical records show that Han Emperor Wudi (r.140-86 BC) held a grand banquet and largess awarding ceremony in the spring of 108BC.

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Large-scale acrobatics performances were staged in the event, including various variety show feats and performances of foreign acrobats. Exotic feats made the acrobatics in the Han Dynasty more developed and colorful.

In the Tang Dynasty (618-907), acrobatics was prevalent in the imperial court and among ordinary people as well. Royal families not only appreciated acrobatics during banquets but also had acrobatics performances in processions of high officials. An Outing of Lady of the Song, a mural in the Dunhuang Mogao Grottos, was one of the examples. The acrobatics in the Tang Dynasty was not as developed as that in the Han Dynasty, and some programs were eliminated.

In the Song Dynasty (960-1279), acrobatics moved from the imperial court to ordinary people, and the performing form and program contents witnessed profound changes.

The emergence of Cheng’s and Zhu’s idealist philosophy and the prevalence of feudal ethics made the acrobatic art that came from ordinary people and was close to real life receive repulsion. Except some variety show items used in military trainings and performances in ceremonies in imperial court, most acrobatics programs were used by acrobats in vagabondism as a way of living.

This change made some large-scale programs disappear, while various small-scale programs and programs performed by families or individuals came into being. Juggling skills saw unprecedented development, and some fine works that show feats of

waist, leg or head emerged.

In the Ming (1638-1644) and Qing dynasties, acrobatics was still a way of living for some people. Programs performed by individuals, father and son, master and apprentice, saw much development, and there formed many small-scale serial acrobatic performances, retaining many traditional feats.

Chinese acrobatics form their unique artistic characteristics: (1) much attention to the training of waist, leg and head feats; (2) stability in dangerous movements, quietness in actions; (3) producing something strange out of something plain; (4) attention to both heavy and light, hard and soft skills. For instance, Juggling Objects with the Feet involves objects of varying weight, including heavy objects like wine jar, wood block, ladder, gong and drum, and even quick, and light objects like parasols made of thin silk; (5) combination of much strength and spry and light somersault skills; and (6) good adaptability.

All these artistic characteristics help form the unique charm of Chinese acrobatics. It ranks among the best in the world thanks to its long history, rich repertory, and distinctive artistic characteristics.

Academy where Chan lived for the next 10 years training in martial arts, dance, acrobatics, singing and comedy.

In Chan’s biography, he looked back on this period of his life with considerable affection despite the extraordinary hardships, including regular beatings and near-starvation. In the academy, he not only learned the skills of his profession but also built a network of friends, which would sustain his film career for decades.

Jackie Chan

Mega-Star of Kungfu O

ne of the world’s most popular action movie stars alongside the likes of Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, 53, is a hero for a generation on the Chinese mainland who grew up watching his films.

Born to the family of a cook and a housekeeper in Hong Kong, Chan’s

father was his first kungfu teacher.

He believed that learning kungfu would help build his boy’s character, and teaching him patience, strength and courage. When Chan was seven years old his father took a job in Australia. The parents left Chan behind in Hong Kong and enrolled him in the China Drama

Starting as a stuntman and an extra in the Hong Kong film industry in his teenage years, Chan has earned the respect of his fans by committing himself wholeheartedly to creating the most death-defying stunts possible. His daring feats have secured him a place in movie audiences’ hearts and at the box office.

Since Chan was appointed as a UN Goodwill Ambassador by UN Children’s Fund and Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS in 2004, he has spent a lot of his spare time on charity work.

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Beijing Food Guide Finger-licking healthy delicacies

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hinese cuisine is renowned all over the world for its appearance, aroma and flavor. Its unique style of preparation, cooking and presentation can be traced to the beginnings of Chinese history more than 5,000 years ago. As the capital of China for Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, Beijing developed its own unique cuisines incorporating the form in the imperial kitchens of the Qing Dynasty.

Beijing Roast Duck Beijing Roast Duck is prepared from specially-bred Beijing crammed duck with a unique roasting process which gives it a perfect combination of color, aroma and taste, a crisp thin skin, and a melt-in-themouth delicious flavor. Beijing Roast Duck dates back 300 years, and originated in the imperial kitchens of Jingling (today’s Nanjing).

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The two most famous restaurants that serve Beijing Roast Duck are Bianyifang Roast Duck Restaurant and Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant. Both have a history of over one hundred years. They represent two different schools of roasting duck.

ing of fruit-tree wood. The cooking time is forty minutes. When roasted and dried, the duck will look brilliant dark red, shining with oil and with crisp skin and tender meat. Few people can resist the temptation of it.

Bianyifang, founded in 1855, makes use of a closed oven and straw as the fuel, Using this method ensures that flames will not go directly onto the duck. Before being put into the oven, a duck is filled with a specially-made soup to make it possible to roast the duck outside and boil it inside at the same time.

The serving of roast duck is also an art. First, the chef will show you the whole duck. Then he will slice it into about one hundred and twenty pieces with both skin and meat.

Usually the duck is served together with special pancakes, hollowed sesame bun, green onions and sweet sauce. Dinners can wrap duck slices, onion, and sauce in a pancake or a sesame bun with their bare hands.

Sometimes people like mashed garlic and cucumber or carrot strips as well. Some young women like to dip slices into white sugar directly. Other parts of the duck will be served as either cold dishes with livers, wings, stomach, feet and eggs, or hot dishes with heart, tongue and kidneys.

The bones can even be decocted together with Chinese watermelon and cabbage.

Quanjude, the better known one founded in 1864, uses an oven without a door. A kind of dressing is spread all over the duck and the duck is hung in the oven over the flame coming directly from the burn-

The Quanjude Restaurant near Hepingmen Gate (Peace Gate), the largest roast duck restaurant in Beijing if not in the world, opened for business in 1979. It has a floor space of 15,000 sq m divided into 41 dining halls, including one which can serve 600 customers simultaneously. The

dining halls reserved for overseas guests can accommodate a total of 2,000 diners and include a hall where all-duck banquets in which all the dishes are made from parts of the duck can be served to 600 people. Filled to capacity, Quanjude Restaurant can serve as many as 5,000 meals a day.

Fried Sauce Noodles (Zha Jiang Mian) Fried Sauce Noodles is a northern Chinese dish consisting of thick wheat noodles topped with a mixture of stir-fried ground meat and cucumber with fermented soybean paste. Nicknamed as “Chinese spaghetti”, Fried Sauce Noodles has been popular throughout Beijing.

Pea-Flour Cake (Wan Dou Huang) Pea-Flour Cake, which is made of white pea, is a snack people usually eat in spring. White-pea flour is first mixed with water, cooked over gentle heat and then fried with sugar.

After it solidifies, it is cut into rhombohedra-shaped pieces. It has both a nice look and taste. The best point of it is its fine and smooth texture that melts at the same time when you put it in your mouth.

Tanghulu Every year as the weather cools down, Tanghulu sales start heating up on almost every street corner in the Beijing. Tanghulu, literally means “sugary gourd,” is traditional sugar-coated hawthorns on a stick, which looks bright red and a little sour and sweet.

The origins of Tanghulu can be traced back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279). One of the imperial concubines of Emperor Xianzong was bedridden for several days. One day, an itinerant doctor was said to be able to cure the concubine. After feeling her pulse, this doctor prescribed hawthorns with crystallized sugar for the next fifteen days. The concubine duly recovered.

About 20 cm long, bright red in color with a perfect sweet-and-sour taste, Tanghulu is a much-loved traditional confection by both the young and old in the capital city.

With people’s eating habit changing, Tanghulu can be made of various kinds of fruits, including strawberries, blueberries, pineapples, kiwifruit, or grapes, resembling a fruit kebab.

Tanghulu has the function of being good for digestion - many people now take it as a food for maintaining health. Tanghulu can be found widely along the snack street of Wangfujing; there are also street vendors who carry large straw or plastic poles with dozens of tanghulu stuck in them as they make their rounds from one neighborhood to another.

Rolling Donkey (Lv Da Gun) Rolling Donkey is a kind of cake made of bean-flour and is a famous Islamic snack in Beijing. It is made from steamed glutinous millet or sticky rice, scattered with fried beanflour and filled with red pea. After being cut into blocks, it is rolled in soya bean-flour, which is why this snack gets the name, Lv Da Gun. When you roll it in soya bean-flour, it looks like a donkey rolling on the ground, raising dust.

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A Garden of Growing Imams Young imams with an international and modern view are being trained in Xinjiang

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he morning of May 8 was a busy one for Abdusami Ablati, a fourth-year student at Xinjiang Islamic Institute. The 24year-old was busy preparing for Jumuah, a congregational prayer session held every Friday by Muslims, while at the same time, he was packing for his first trip out of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Every student before his graduation goes on the tour, which is organized and funded by the institute. It will take Abdusami and his classmates to Beijing, Shanghai and Nanjing in Jiangsu Province for two weeks.

«I have only seen the Palace Museum and the Great Wall in books and I really look forward to seeing them with my own eyes,» said Abdusami, who comes from Kashi in the southwest of Xinjiang. According to government statistics, Xinjiang is home to 10 Islamic ethnic groups totaling 12 million people—China’s largest Muslim population. The region holds over 24,200 Islamic mosques.

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Four years ago, Xinjiang University’s School of Civil Engineering and Xinjiang Islamic Institute both admitted Abdusami, one of the top graduates from his high school.

Without hesitation, he chose the Islamic school. The son of a congregational mosque imam, Abdusami had his family background as an advantage when he applied to the religious school. The institute weighs candidates’ Arabic proficiency, Islamic devotion and understanding of the Koran when selecting applicants, all of which Abdusami learned from his father at an early age. The school only accepts male Muslims between 18 and 25 years old.

While in Beijing, Abdusami will take an exam for governmentsponsored scholarships to study in Egypt’s Al-Azhar University, the most renowned Islamic academic institute in the world. ‘‘I want to further my studies on Islam after graduation so that I can go back to

ALMOST AN IMAM Xinjiang Islamic Institute student Abdusami Ablati wants to become a respected imam like his father (JIANG XIAOYING) Kashi and become a more qualified imam or Islamic institute teacher,’’ said Abdusami.

The government-funded Xinjiang Islamic Institute has 160 students

and has so far trained 540 local Islamic scholars since its founding in 1987. Students study for five years and take courses in geography, history, physical education and computers, besides the Islamic courses that constitute 70 percent of their learning. Over 80 percent of the students are ethnic Uygur and the institute teaches in their mother tongue.

Most graduates have become popular imams in mosques across the autonomous region, said an official at the school. «Our graduates have quickly become the spiritual guides of local Muslim communities since they have mastered Islam’s essence as well as understood its demands in a modern society,» said deputy principal Wupur Rexit. Since 2001, 28 graduates have gone abroad to study in foreign Islamic institutes.

Internet for research and has just completed a paper on the speed of light as calculated in the Koran.

Abdusami admires his father’s deep knowledge of the Koran, which he learned from a Mawlawi in Kashi.

But Abdusami believes that he is learning faster than his father ever did. Xinjiang is also home to other two Islamic institutes that hold 500 prestigious Islamic scholars. ‘‘All of my teachers have studied abroad in prestigious Islamic institutes and I have already mastered wider natural science knowledge than my father,’’ said Abdusami, who uses the

Abudureyim was invited by the local disease control center to visit Muslims at local drug rehabilitation centers. During these visits, he told addicts that abusing drugs is clearly against Koran, since it is a suicidal pursuit.

On May 8, Abudureyim Wupur led a Jumuah at Dong Kuruk Bridge Mosque in Urumqi, the capital city of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Dong Kuruk is one of the largest mosques among the 433 in the city. The ceremony attracted nearly 3,000 worshippers, packing the building so tightly that some had to pray outside.

Abudureyim became the imam of Dong Kuruk Bridge Mosque immediately after graduating from the Xinjiang Islamic Institute in 1998.

During the half-hour sermon before going into the Jumuah, he prayed for world peace and asked the auditors to always greet all people with courtesy.

Abudureyim regularly goes online to search Islamic websites in Chinese and Arabic to further his studies in the Koran.

Giant Panda : Endangered Mascot T

he Giant Panda is universally loved, but this peaceful, bamboo-eating member of the bear family faces many threats. Its population is small and isolated as its traditional forest habitat in southwest China’s mountainous areas becomes fragmented. The government has set up more than 30 reserves, but habitat destruction and poaching continues to pose a threat to panda’s living outside them. With rapid economic development, it is more important than ever to ensure the giant panda’s survival.

Giant pandas are black and white bears that live in temperate-zone bamboo forests in central China.

Among the best recognized but rarest animals in the world, they have come to symbolize endangered species and conservation efforts. Giant pandas live in a few mountain ranges in central China’s Sichuan, Shanxi, and Gansu provinces. They once lived in lowland areas, but farming, forest clearing, and other development now restrict giant pandas to the mountains.

Habitat

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Giant pandas live in broadleaf and coniferous forests with a dense understory of bamboo, at elevations between 5,000 and 10,000 feet. Torrential rains or dense mist

throughout the year characterizes these forests, often shrouded in heavy clouds.

Physical Description

A giant panda is bear-like in shape.

It has black fur on ears, eye patches, muzzle, legs, and shoulders. The rest of the animal’s coat is white.

Although scientists do not know why these unusual bears are black and white, some speculate that the bold coloring provides effective camouflage into their shade-dappled snowy and rocky surroundings. The panda’s thick, wooly coat keeps it warm in the cool forests of its habitat. Giant pandas have large molar teeth and strong jaw muscles for crushing tough bamboo. Many people find these chunky, lumbering animals to be cute, but giant pandas can be as dangerous as any other bear.

Size About the size of an American black bear, giant pandas stand between two and three feet tall at the shoulder (on all four legs), and reach four to six feet long. Males are larger than females, weighing up to 250 pounds in the wild. Females rarely reach 220 pounds.

Status The giant panda is listed as endangered in the World Conservation Union’s (IUCN’s) Red List of Threat-

ened Animals. It is one of the most critically endangered species in the world. There are about 1,000 left in the wild. About 140 pandas live in zoos and breeding centers around the world, mostly in China.

Life Span

Scientists are not sure how long giant pandas live in the wild, but they are sure it is shorter than lifespans in zoos. Chinese scientists have reported zoo pandas as old as 35.

Diet

A wild giant panda’s diet is almost exclusively (99 percent) bamboo.

The balance consists of other grasses and occasional small rodents or musk deer fawns. In zoos, giant pandas eat bamboo, sugar cane, rice gruel, a special high-fiber biscuit, carrots, apples, and sweet potatoes.

Social Structure

Adult giant pandas are generally solitary, but they do communicate periodically through scent marks, calls, and occasional meetings. Offspring stay with their mothers from one and a half to three years.

R&D

Research Bases

and

Breeding

The purpose of these research bases, also called the transfer protection of the giant pandas, is to enlarge the captive breeding population by the

study of artificial panda breeding and upgrading the management of their nurture. The artificially bred pandas will return to nature finally to complement and expand the wild population. Therefore, the bases are supporting, supplementing and promoting the giant panda’s habitat protection project.

China has two major panda research stations, as well as important research program at the Beijing Zoo and academic institutions. Perhaps the most famous research base is the China Research and Conservation Center for the Giant Panda in Wolong, lying in the Wolong Nature Reserve and under the jurisdiction of the State Forestry Administration. Established in the early 1980s, the center has made tremendous progress in captive breeding techniques. There are more than 40 pandas in captivity in the center, accounting for 30 percent of the total amount of captive pandas in the world. The center has artificially bred 31 fetuses, with 50 babies produced, of which 37 survived. Among them, six fetuses, totaling 12 babies were born in 2000, and 11 survived.

Most of the giant pandas in the center in Wolong stay individually in cages, which are in fact large enclosures, each consisting of an in-door room and an out-door courtyard.

Those giant pandas about to be released back to the wild will be put in semi-nature enclosures for a long enough period for them to adapt to the natural environment. The seminature enclosures are very large wild areas, but protected by border fences. Although food has to be provided, the giant pandas will sleep there, eat there and recover their natural survival skills until they can be released back to the wild.

Another major panda research base is the Chengdu Giant Panda Research Base, which operates under the authority of the Ministry of Construction. The base has many kinds of enclosures simulating the wild natural environment for the adult giant panda, sub-adult giant panda, baby giant panda and lesser panda and other animals respectively. Up to 2000, the base has artificially bred 40 fetuses, totaling 61 babies, of which 32 survived. In 1995, the base was honored by the United Nations Environment Development Organization in its list of “Global Top 500.�

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