That’s – July 2021

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城市漫步北京 城市漫步

英文版 7 月份 国 内 统 一 刊 号: CN 11-5232/GO

China Intercontinental Press 五洲传播出版传媒有限公司

ISSN 1672-8025

J U LY 2021 2019 JULY

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JULY 2021 | 001

《城市漫步》上海 英文月刊

五洲传播出版传媒有限公司 出版发行 主管单位 : 中华人民共和国国务院新闻办公室 Supervised by the State Council Information Office of the People’s Republic of China 主办单位 : 五洲传播出版传媒有限公司 Intercontinental Press & Media Co. , Ltd 地址 : 北京市东城区朝阳门内大街 225 号 No. 225 Inner Street, Chaoyangmen, Dongcheng District, Beijing http://www.cicc.org.cn 社长 President: 董青 Dong Qing 副社长 Vice President: 杜斌 Du Bin 编辑 Editor: 朱莉莉 Zhu Lili

发行 Circulation: 李若琳 Li Ruolin

Editor-in-Chief Ryan Gandolfo 甘德发 Arts and Life Editor Phoebe Kut 吉蓁蓁 Travel Editor Sophie Steiner Nation Editor Alistair Baker-Brian Copy Editor Shawnathan Hartly Contributors Rakini Bergundy, Matthew Bossons, Joshua Cawthorpe, Richard Cunningham, Lindsey Fine

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Editor’s Note

JULY 2021

We’re smack dab in the middle of summer, and saying it is hot is an understatement. The weather in Guangzhou is unbearable and has given me a new level of respect for folks living in the city before AC was invented.

Staying on hot topics, The Lord of the Rings series made an epic return to Chinese theaters recently and

reinvigorated one of its newest fan bases here in the Middle Kingdom. In this month’s Cover Story, former That’s

Editor-in-Chief Matt Bossons walks us through China’s LOTR fandom from a truly insightful perspective. Find the full story on pages 36-43.

Elsewhere in the magazine, we talk about mental health support in the Nation section (PG10-13), speak with an

artist who might have Shanghai’s hottest summer single in ‘Yeah Shanghai!’ (PG20-21) and gain valuable business insight from AmCham South China President Dr. Harley Seyedin (PG31).

We’re also working on the latest edition of our Explore China travel guide, so stay tuned for the book release in

August.

Best Regards,

Ryan Gandolfo Editor-in-Chief

Frequent updates on news, current affairs and general weirdness from around China.

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02 | JULY 2021 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

The Apartment is Turning 11 With an Epic Party on July 10!

G

low sticks at the ready! The Apartment turns 11 this July 10 (putting aside a threeyear gap, which we’ll allow) and, as always, will mark the occasion with an epic party!

While the 10-year anniversary was held with a neon theme, this time out it’s all about the tropical vibes with a Hawaiian-themed luau! As always, props and decorations will be aplenty while electrifying music will be coupled with beach tunes to keep you grooving all night long. Dressing up is more than encouraged, like you need even more of an excuse to bust out that Hawaiian shirt or floral bikini.

The sponsor for the night is Bacardi rum so expect the tropical cocktails, like Bacardi Mojitos and Bacardi Spiced Colas to be flowing like ocean waves.

The night is divided into two parts...

Part 1: Dinner Time, 5-10pm* 5-10pm: 30% off food and house pour drinks *Free entry, but you must reserve a table Part 2: Party Time, 10pm-Late Presale: RMB100 for two drinks tickets Door: RMB100 for one drink ticket

About The Apartment

Legendary Shanghai lounge, dine and party place The Apartment is an institution that made its way back to Shanghai’s one-of-a-kind party scene a year ago, taking up its new residence on Huaihai Zhong Lu. A little more laid back than your usual club, the venue has grown into its NYC loft-inspired style. The new space also boasts and outdoor and indoor terrace that are connected and serviced by a traditional wood-fired pizza oven.

Those who remember the Shanghai institution from its Yongfu Lu days, where a wild night was to be had pretty much every night from 2010 to 2017, will be happy to know the white baby grand piano will still be central to the party. Expect jazz, Latin music, house and guest DJs. For those looking to live it up there is an elevated VIP gallery seating area overlooking the dance floor, and a private ‘study room’ with its own excusive terrace.

An extensive cocktail menu covers the classics and features some lively modern creations. With an emphasis on fresh ingredients, they are carefully crafted so they not only look beautiful, but taste delicious.

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THE WRAP

6 THE NATION

14 ARTS & LIFE

7 EPIC ELEPHANT TREK Wild herd nears major Chinese city.

15 BUFFA Pro-wrestler.

10 WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND?

20 YEAH SHANGHAI!

Mental health support in China is available.

Shanghai’s timelessness captured in new song.

22 TRAVEL Ningxia Xiaopu winemaker.

30 BUSINESS & TECH

26 XI’AN

31 HARLEY SEYEDIN

23 IAN DAI

Culturally rich.

President of AmCham South China.

34 SHOW ME THE TALENT

Top 10 cities attracting talent in China.

04 | JULY 2021 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

36 FROM MIDDLE-EARTH TO THE MIDDLE KINGDOM HOW TOLKIEN’S GRAND MYTHOS FOUND ITS WAY TO CHINA

44 FAMILY 45 PAUL TKACHENKO Wellington College International Shanghai Head of Performance Music.

48 FUN FOR FAM 7 places that should be on your China bucket list.

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THE NATION What’s On Your Mind?

Mental Health Support is Available in China p10

Quote of the Month P8

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Podcaster P9

Wild Herd Nears Major Chinese City

By Joshua Cawthorpe

L

ast month, a herd of 15 wild Asian elephants entered Jinning district in the southwestern outskirts of Kunming, the capital city of Yunnan province. China Daily reported the elephants had arrived in Yuxi city, only 20 kilometers outside the capital, and an elaborate defensive campaign was underway.

Initially, Kunming and Yuxi authorities dispatched 675 police officers, 62 emergency vehicles, 12 drones and 10 tonnes of food, according to South China Morning Post . The large mobilization of resources is intended to divert the elephants from continuing towards the heart of the city.

Drones have been used to constantly monitor the path of the herd while fire and dump trucks serve to block entrances to villages. Large deposits of corn and pineapples were placed along the elephants’ route in an attempt to direct them away from the city’s downtown area, as per Global Times . Kunming is home to 8.46 million residents. Although the elephants generally avoid densely populated areas, measures

are being taken to protect the elephants and the people of the city. SCMP reported that the elephants had destroyed RMB6.8 million worth of crops in the past 40 days of their journey.

Asian elephants, of which only about 300 live in China, have been recognized as endangered since 1986. The animals are protected under Chinese law, however, encounters between villagers and wild elephants often turn deadly. In May 2017, a 69-year-old Yunnan woman was tossed around and then torn to pieces by an adult and a juvenile elephant, as per SCMP .

Experts believe that the elephants are in search of food as a result of development in the region they left behind. In December 2020, the herd arrived in Pu’er city, having departed the Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve. Forty percent of the natural habitat for Asian elephants has disappeared in the past 20 years to make way for rubber and tea plantations. Li Zhongyuan of the Xishuangbanna Forestry and Grass Bureau suggested to Global

Times that the elephants have learned to depend on farmers’ fields as their food source, eating corn and sugarcane.

The herd traveled more than 500 kilometers, and two elephants were born along the way. A timeline by CGTN indicates that two elephants turned back on April 24 after allegedly discovering alcohol at a villager’s home in Mojiang County of Pu’er city.

The herd entered the town of Eshan near Yuxi city on May 27, and police evacuated people and vehicles while the herd roamed the streets for six hours.

Thankfully, the herd has thus far refrained from trekking deeper into Kunming. After traveling several kilometers southwest, away from the city, the elephants doubled back and re-entered Shijie township, according to Xinhua. One of the males separated from the group and is roaming alone in a forest on the outskirts of Kunming city some 24 kilometers away from the herd. On June 21, police evacuated 4,106 residents, and monitoring teams deposited another 100 kilograms of food.

Authorities hope to lure the elephants back towards the nature reserve from whence they came.

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CHINA CURRENTS

Epic Elephant Trek

RANDOM NUMBER

DON’T YOU KNOW WHO I AM?

6

Marian Rosenburg

That’s the number of people who were rescued by 49-year-old shepherd Zhu Keming during a 100-kilometer ultra-marathon in Baiyin, Gansu in late May. Twenty-one participants died during the grueling race following extreme weather. The cold and heavy winds led many to suffer from hypothermia. Zhu was sheltering in a cave when he heard some of the participants cry for help.

He took the six runners into the cave and placed them near a fire, an act that received praise from news outlets and netizens across China.

Marathon deaths have occurred in the past. However, the deaths of 21 participants in a single event marks the Baiyin ultra-marathon as an athletics tragedy. The number of victims could have been higher were it not for Zhu’s act of humanity.

The general manager of Hainan #1 Translation Co., Ltd., Marian Rosenburg has lived in China since 2002. Having initially worked as a teacher in Hebei province, Rosenburg later found herself with a passion for learning Chinese which eventually led to her starting her own translation company.

She has also become an internet celebrity in China via short-video social media platform Douyin. After 16 days on the platform, she received her first million-view video.

However, Rosenburg later found herself locked in a legal battle with a TV station from Liaoning. The station used one of her viral Douyin clips without crediting her and without offering her any due financial remuneration. The case is one of many in relation to China’s legal gray area of digital copyright.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“Great music starts with a song”

said Eric de Fontenay, founder of Music Dish. The phrase is a mantra from the music industry in de Fontenay’s native United States where Music Dish started. However, said mantra can sometimes be lost in a live-house setting.

De Fontenay asked himself the question: “What would some of these bands and songs sound like if we stripped away the amps, pedals and effects, drums, etc.? Well, you would be left with the song and the melody.”

That’s exactly the idea behind ‘Get Unplugged,’ an event hosted by Music Dish at Beijing’s Aotu Space on Sunday May 30, 2021. On stage were merely a stool, a microphone and a guitar. Three acts from Beijing’s buzzing music scene took center-stage; Da Gun, the “quintessential singer-songwriter” with her “wonderfully textured voice”; Qian Zi, lead singer of Chinese rock band Auburn with his distinctive reverb sound on the electric guitar; and American singer-songwriter Eric Allen with his blend of blues, folk and outlaw country.

De Fontenay hopes to host more ‘Get Unplugged’ events in the future, truly upholding the spirit of that old mantra – “great music starts with a song.”

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E D I T O R @ T H AT S M A G S . C O M

PODCASTER

The Wasai Show The Wasai Show is hosted by Neto Trevino from Mexico and Alice He who is local Chinese.

The show’s name is a play on everyone’s favorite Chinese phrase, wasai ( 哇塞 ), and shares stories collected from listeners about a topic and includes a funny twist by both comedians.

The first half of the show is presented in English, followed by a Chinese segment. Now up to season three, The Wasai Show has continued to build a following and is based in the southern city of Shenzhen. While it may have a bit of local feel for the Shenzhen community, the discussions are relatable to many of China’s big cities.

You can listen to The Wasai Show on Spotify by scanning the QR code:

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WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND? T H E N AT I O N | F E A T U R E

Mental Health Support is Available in China

By Alistair Baker-Brian

10 | JULY 2021 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

W

hen Sichuannative Xiaojie Qin was faced with mental health challenges, she found that in China, support groups were difficult to find.

Now a resident in Beijing, Qin is the founder of CandleX, a mental health NGO that runs awareness programs and a psycho-social support group for those experiencing mental health problems.

That’s sat down with Qin to discuss what kind of support CandleX offers, mental health challenges faced by the expat and local communities in China, the effects of COVID-19 and the future of mental health support in the Middle Kingdom.

F E A T U R E | T H E N AT I O N

How CandleX was founded Qin stresses that the organization was very much borne out of her own struggle with mental health.

“I was born in the 1980s. Back then, there was virtually no mental health awareness. Even clinical terms like depression were generally considered to be under the umbrella of just ‘being crazy.’”

She says that after experiencing episodes of depression in her 20s, she decided she needed to do something about it.

After talking at a public event, she got a lot of positive feedback. That led to the idea of creating an organization.

CandleX is now in its seventh year. The key idea is to raise awareness of mental health and provide support for people who are depressed, anxious or have bipolar disorder.

Back in 2015, when the organization was first set up, Qin recalls that not many mental health support groups in China supported the international community. Lifeline Shanghai was around at the time, but offered services different from those of CandleX. “There were people who were doing things related to mental health. For instance, there were counsellors coming into Beijing. However, there was no one particular person in China doing anything long-lasting.”

Support offered by CandleX The support group, available both online and offline, is one of the organization’s main events. There are also community mental health activities that involve companies and various other organizations.

Qin stresses that these are strictly psycho-social support groups and not mental health support with a professional.

Other activities have a more novel approach such as the movie night and the art campaign.

Qin emphasizes that they try and make activities as memorable as possible.

“The approach that we are using is not to just sit down and have them (participants) listen to some really sad stories. Instead, it’s actually pretty dynamic, and we try to reach as many people as possible.”

One area which CandleX has focused upon in recent years is teenagers’ and young adults’ mental health.

“If you look at the data, it tells us that between the ages of 15 and 24, people are at a vulnerable stage in terms of their mental health. People who suffer from mental illness are likely to have their first episode sometime between those ages.”

The World Health Organization suggests that up to half of mental illnesses begin as early as age 14 and that many go unreported and untreated.

This led CandleX to launch the Teens’ Open Letter in which teenagers write about their experiences of battling mental health. Participants have written about bullying, eating disorders, depression and other problems.

Another key focus is that of Chinese students studying overseas. The mental health of those studying abroad has come under the spotlight in recent years, given reports of suicides among Chinese student communities. Many struggle to cope with the pressure of academic expectations and adapting to a new way of life in a foreign country.

The issue was reported on by China Daily back in 2017.

The article included the story of Rong Xin, a 27-year-old doctoral candidate at the University of Michigan in the United States.

Shortly before taking his own life, Rong had left a message about depression in academia in late 2016, saying the problem was “significantly underestimated.”

“This (suicide) happens among those who are high achievers. So, CandleX started working with this company that deals with students’ applications to go and study overseas. And every year before heading abroad, we will do a workshop with the students and their parents. This helps them to prepare. This year, we are going to provide workshops to the company staff on how to deal with students suffering from mental health issues.”

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T H E N AT I O N | F E A T U R E

Mental health among expats in China In January 2021, CandleX launched a Chinese support service for the first time. Until that time, services have been solely in English. This means that, for the most part, the organization has dealt with English-speaking expats and what Qin describes as “internationally-minded” locals.

And there is good reason for targeting expats when it comes to mental health support. US insurance giant Aetna reported in 2017 that mental health issues had been on the rise among expat communities across the globe. Depression and anxiety ranked as the first and second most prominent issues, respectively, between 2014 and 2016 among Aetna members.

So, can expats in China easily access mental health support? According to Qin, it largely depends on their financial situation.

“If they do have the means, they can go to some of the big international

hospitals. However, without those resources, it can be difficult because it’s simply expensive. They then end up not knowing what to do.”

Qin recalls dealing with several incidents of mental health emergencies among expats in Beijing, one of which involved a foreign embassy reaching out to CandleX regarding one of its country’s citizens.

“I think some expats are at higher risk. They may move abroad as a way to cope with their problems. They hope that moving will make their problems go away and things will be different.

They arrive and realize that actually, things are still the same. And then, the depression kicks in.”

Against this backdrop, CandleX’s pyscho-social support can be a lifeline for many expats in China facing mental health problems.

How COVID-19 has affected the work of CandleX Across the globe, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought mental health under the spotlight.

Lockdowns have led many people to spend excessive amounts of time in isolation, while economic hardship and job losses have added an extra level of stress.

Like in many industries, a lot of CandleX’s work has moved online as a result of the pandemic.

However, Qin says that in terms of the numbers of people making use of the CandleX support group, the pandemic period saw a drop before returning to normal levels.

“I was surprised by this. Part of the reason may have been because some people we would usually deal with were stuck outside of China. When those people came back, the number did start to increase.”

She says the biggest change she’s seen as a result of COVID-19 is that talking about mental health has become normalized.

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F E A T U R E | T H E N AT I O N

The future of mental health support in China

“COVID definitely gives people a pass to talk about mental health”

Mental health issues that were once neglected in the Middle Kingdom are now being taken more seriously, for good reason.

China Daily reported that an estimated 90 million people in China suffer from depression, with around 90% not getting any effective treatment. Other research further suggests that mental disorders have generally become more common across China in the last 30 years.

China’s resources for dealing with mental health have not always been at the same level as other countries. A 2017 WHO report showed there were 1.7 psychiatrists per 100,000 people compared with 12 per 100,000 in the US. Qin points out that in the past, mental health support has largely been focused on specific groups such as ‘left-behind children.’ However, many now recognize the need to make support more widely available.

One issue that Qin says has helped bring mental health into the spotlight on a national scale is that of ‘996’ work culture. The term refers to jobs in which employees are required to work six days per week from 9am until 9pm.

Many questioned the phenomenon earlier this year following the death of an employee at ecommerce group Pinduoduo. The employee in question had reportedly been working a lot of overtime prior to her death.

“With the 996-work culture, more and more people are starting to recognize that actually, mental health can affect a whole number of people. The government has known this for a very long time.”

The government is indeed devising policies designed to deal more effectively with mental health challenges in China. The country’s National Health Commission plans to introduce screening for vulnerable groups and require medical institutions as well as universities, high school and colleges to re-evaluate mental health policies.

The government plans to set up mental health outpatient services in 40% of the general hospitals in pilot areas by the end of 2021, a move catalyzed by the pandemic.

Qin says that along with the rest of her counsellors’ group, she will take a careful look at the new policies.

Whether said policies will be effectively implemented remains to be seen. However, what is clear is that mental health is now very much taken seriously across the Middle Kingdom.

And there’s no doubt that alongside clinical services, CandleX will continue to provide psycho-social support for anyone who needs it. > To find out more about CandleX, search for the WeChat ID (candlex2015) and follow the official WeChat account.

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ARTS & LIFE Yeah Shanghai!

Shanghai’s Timelessness Captured in New Song p20

Overheard P16

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Take Cover P18

SPOTLIGHT

BUFFA AAYOOO W/DA BOOMBOX Pro-Wrestler Interview by Phoebe Kut

Standing at six-foot-tall, Buffa is an immediate presence as he saunters onto the stage carrying a giant boombox over his shoulder.

He flashes a grin and grooves to ’80s hip-hop as he makes his way through the crowd. This is the prowrestling persona of Marcello Rhines, better known as ‘Buffa & Da Boombox’ who we saw in a live pro-wrestling event last month in Shenzhen. We catch up with the New York native and get a glimpse into his schedule, how the sport is received in China and how it’s sometimes – not all fun and games.

Where are you from? How did you get into pro-wrestling?

I was born and raised in Harlem, New York. Then at the age of seven, my family and I moved to the Hunts Point section of the South Bronx. I actually wasn’t a fan of pro-wrestling until the age of 10.

My brother and I were more into comic books, cartoons and action movies before becoming huge pro-wrestling fans. One Saturday morning we were clicking through the channels on our television when we came across a WWE show. We were hooked after sitting through a full episode of pro-wrestling.

Tell us the story about Buffa and the boom box. How was your persona created?

The name Buffa was given to me by one of my mentors Yoshiyuki Nakamura. He was the former owner of pro-wrestling ZERO1 in Tokyo, Japan. Nakamura-San was the first promoter to give me an opportunity to live and wrestle overseas.

“The pro-wrestling scene here in China is in its infant stage, but it’s growing more and more every single day” The Buffa character is an extension of my persona with the volume turned up. I describe my character as pro-wrestling’s throwback to ‘80s hip-hop.

What is the Chinese wrestling scene/ fans like?

The pro-wrestling scene here in China is in its infant stage, but it’s growing more and more every single day, thanks to publications like That’s . The fans here in China are amazing. They’re so loud, respectful and supportive.

They love pro-wrestling.

How often do you have to train, rehearse and perform?

I train everyday depending on my schedule. If my schedule is open, I’m doing 90 minutes of cardio first thing in the morning, then 90 minutes of weight training at night.

There’s a misconception about rehearsals and pro-wrestling. We don’t do any rehearsing. In professional wrestling there’s no takes, breaks or camera tricks. What you see is what you get.

Before the pandemic, I was wrestling everyday, sometimes twice a day. Depending on the tour. My schedule was very hectic.

After 20 years of wrestling, my body has adapted to the demanding schedule.

Nowadays due to the travel ban, I’m only wrestling a few days a month throughout China, instead of throughout the world like I was before.

Have you gotten any injuries from pro-wrestling?

Yes, unfortunately I have. Luckily none of these injuries required surgery.

I’ve broken my ankle, sprained it multiple times, broken my sternum, broken fingers and my nose multiple times as well.

After 20 years of wrestling, I’m very fortunate. I don’t walk with a limp or wake up in pain. All the credit goes to my nutrition and training regimen.

What’s your most favorite thing about pro-wrestling?

My favorite things about pro-wrestling are the fans and the performance. Those are the foundation of pro-wrestling.

As a pro-wrestler, there’s no better feeling than being able to control the emotions of the fans in attendance. The cheers and boos from the fans are so motivating for us. I’m a wrestler who feeds off of fan reaction. Whenever I’m performing in front of the fans, I’m in heaven. Which shows in my performance. > Follow Buffa on Twitter, Instagram or WeChat at @Buffa_AAYOOO or watch on YouTube at youtube.com/allmoneyislegal1.

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OVERHEARD

“West Lake compares to Xi Zi the beauty at her best: She is gorgeous either richly clothed or plainly dressed” Is a line from a famous poem which inspired makeup brand Florasis to create their virtual spokesmodel, Huaxizi. Florasis is the first brand in China to create such a figure, and to do so they studied many face shapes and Chinese beauty standards.

To make Huaxizi even more realistic, a mole was added above her eyebrow. The brand describes her as “a fashionable and classical oriental woman.” Furthermore, “she is like a hibiscus in the water, with a unique temperament that is oriental, natural, confident and elegant.”

As if social media didn’t make us all feel inadequate sometimes, looks like virtual influencers are becoming mainstream.

COVET

Day22 Day22 is on a mission to help men in China take better care of themselves. Formulating 100% of their functional skincare products from the ground up, and sourcing high quality ingredients from all over the world, they recently launched a core ritual set: 1. Soap-free face wash with Salicylic Acid to remove debris and oil, and Zinc PCA to reduce excess oil production and promote healthy collagen growth.

2. Lightweight face lotion with 2% Probiotics to strengthen immunity and balance pH levels, Vitamin E to nourish and protect and Zinc PCA to reduce excess oil production and promote healthy collagen growth.

3. Soap-free shampoo with a diverse combination of Amino Acids and 2% Avocado Oil to fortify, hydrate and repair.

4. Soap-free body wash with a diverse combination of Amino Acids and Trehalose to protect, nourish, and hydrate. > Their lab is prototyping more targeted solutions such as eye creams, serums, masks and scrubs. Find their stores on Taobao (Tmall coming soon) and WeChat.

UNDER THE LENS

The One Where Celeb Cameos Were Missing The Friends reunion special landed on Chinese streaming platforms in late May. However, a handful of celeb cameos were cut.

The New York Times reported that all scenes featuring guest stars Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, BTS and some with folks from the LGBTQ community were edited out in the China version that aired on Youku, iQiYi and Tencent Video.

This shaved off around six minutes of footage from the original HBO Max runtime of 1:43:50.

Cut cameos aside, the Friends reunion still tugged at the heart-strings, seeing the six cast members reunited. The special was well-received with a 9.5/10 rating on Chinese review site, Douban. > To watch the special, search ‘老友记’ on Chinese streaming platforms.

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E D I T O R @ T H AT S M A G S . C O M

CITY SNAPSHOT

@ iumhjdkouyheo Chu is a photographer from Shenzhen who loves capturing the beautiful moments in life. She tells us, “As a child who was raised locally in this city, I have a more unique personal understanding of Shenzhen.”

We asked Chu about her dark blue tones in her pictures. She says, “I didn’t do it on purpose. But I realized I like [a] calm feeling in my pictures. You can always see this in my [photographs].”

The photo here was taken during sunset at 欢乐海岸 (Huanlehaian), one of Chu’s most favorite places in Shenzhen. In her caption she writes, “High angles allow me to broaden my view to the whole scene of 欢乐 海岸 . Warming light of the mall from the other side of the lake contrasts with blue background, creating a magical calming vibe.

Every time I want to concentrate or need a place to hide from reality, this place will always come to mind.” > For more of Chu’s work follow @ iumhjdkouyheo on Instagram.

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ARTS & LIFE | FASHION

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FASHION | ARTS & LIFE

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WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JULY 2021 | 19

ARTS & LIFE | F E AT URE

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Shanghai’s Timelessness Captured in New Song

By Ryan Gandolfo

here’s a particular draw to Shanghai that other cities in China may never be able to replicate.

For many of us who’ve lived in the ‘city on the sea,’ the lure is the nightlife – where debauchery runs rampant in a place with captivating history.

Julian Chou-Lambert, who also goes by his stage name Lynton ( 隶霆 ), moved to Shanghai in 2005. While studying Mandarin at Shanghai International Studies University, he fell in love with the city and has returned just about every year since – barring a global pandemic.

The British-Chinese singer and musician grew up across cultures in the UK, Singapore and Shanghai. With musical training from the Royal Academy of Music in London, Lynton has developed a diverse musical skillset that’s evident in his debut single, ‘Yeah Shanghai!’

“I think everyone knows Shanghai’s glamor, but there’s also a less glamorous side that gives a more authentic impression of the city,” Lynton tells us over the phone from London. The song kicks off with a sample of Zhou Xuan’s 1940s classic ‘Night Life in Shanghai ( 夜上海 , Ye Shanghai),’ before diving into the wild and wicked world of Shanghai.

‘Yeah Shanghai!’ was released in China earlier this year before a worldwide release in the coming months.

Lynton describes the single much like the city – “a combination of old and new, East meets West,” adding that it’s an “upbeat love letter to Shanghai.”

Throughout the song, we hear a mishmash of English, Mandarin and even a few Shanghainese phrases thrown in for good measure. The instrumentation combines Chinese classical instruments like the erhu with Western production value.

“I think the idea of ‘Yeah Shanghai!’ is a party track. You play it when you’re having a good time, like at a nightclub. Or, in a jazz bar as an acoustic version,” Lynton says.

The song strings us in from the beginning with Zhou Xuan’s hauntingly beautiful voice, which Lynton received permission to use from China Record Corporation, the Chinese government’s oldest record company established in May 1949.

From there, the song establishes the “glam and gritty” of Shanghai, with shoutouts to migrant workers and laowai trophy wives, among other Shanghaicentric topics.

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F E AT URE | ARTS & LIFE

The end of the first verse wraps up matter-of-factly with this line: “So get your Alipay ready, but hold your head steady ’cos these Shanghai nights are bound to get messy!”

Lynton and a small team created a music video for ‘Yeah Shanghai!’ following the completion of the track. The three-minute video stars Wang Yuke and takes the viewer on an intoxicating journey from day to night around Shanghai landmarks such as Xin Tian Di and Yu Garden.

“The music video has more of a documentary style that gives a unique view of Shanghai, rather than a performance-style hip hop video,” Lynton tells us, adding that there’s a degree of grittiness that’s meant to turn it into a dream-like trip.

There are also elements of the video inspired by Zhou Xuan’s films, from putting on lipstick in the mirror to the barrage of illuminated street signs permeating through the city.

When asked what the song most reflects, Lynton throws it back to Zhou.

“She lived a glamorous but tragic life and died quite young. There are risks in Shanghai as well as rewards,” he says, adding that beyond Shanghai’s shiny

exterior are things you might not know behind the scenes, which makes the city even more interesting.

While Lynton rides out the remnants of this global pandemic, he looks forward to the next time he can visit the ‘Never Sleep City’ and perform the fun, upbeat track for a live audience.

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TRAVEL Hotspot

Barbados p25

Mile High P24 22 | JULY 2021 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

Xi’an P26

WANDERLUST

IAN DAI

Ningxia Xiaopu Winemaker Interview by Sophie Steiner

Ian Dai started out as a sommelier and eventually became a wine purchaser, but knew he always craved something more. So, in 2017 he purchased grapes from Ningxia growers and began experimenting with some of his own ideas of what wine can and should be. We sat down with Dai to discuss China’s changing wine industry and how he believes it will continue to grow and change.

What is your background, and how did you get into winemaking?

I started my career doing sales in a wine shop, but later decided to become a sommelier. Eventually, I was hired to work at the Fairmont Peace Hotel, and I was involved with organizing the WINE100 wine challenge – still the most influential wine competition in China to this day.

Simultaneously, I started to teach for the WSET wine exam and various wine associations, like Wine Australia.

In 2016, I worked with Penguin Guide as a wine buyer and purchased wine for Amazon China. Yet, I felt unfulfilled and decided I needed to make wine, which is how I decided to open Xiaopu, my winery.

Back in 2017, the wine scene in China was undeveloped and somewhat boring – the same varieties, same recipes, yet no philosophy. I knew I could make something different and better.

How has the wine-making scene changed in China in the last five years, specifically in Ningxia?

There are smaller wineries popping up in Ningxia, leading to more reasonable prices and more variety of styles. There is also much greater diversity in wine style and grape variety.

How and why did you start your own winery?

Technically, I don’t have a winery yet – Xiaopu is still a wine-making project, a ‘virtual winery.’ This means that I rent

“Wine tourism [in China] didn’t really exist before 2020” space at a bigger winery and do my own thing there, processing the wines the way I want to.

In my opinion, it makes no sense for me to build an entire winery from day one. First, I’m building up Xiaopu’s brand and sales channels, which takes less of a cash influx upfront. Through the help of angel investors, I was able to successfully launch Xiaopu as is and will grow it further in time.

What do you find most interesting or unique about winemaking in Ningxia?

To be fully honest, I don’t know yet. I’m currently only on my fourth vintage, with the fifth coming later this year. The region is so young, and we all have so much to learn from this predominantly red wine region. I still haven’t decided in my own mind what is the most suitable variety or exactly where is the best terroir.

Every year, I learn so much, and it’s incredible how much more there is still to learn.

How has ‘wine tourism’ changed Ningxia? Do you believe it is for the better or worse?

Wine tourism [in China] didn’t really exist before 2020. Before this, wineries didn’t have many walk-in tourists; there were few wine region guides. Now, tourism is starting to grow as wineries become more open to the public.

We are also starting to see tour guides showing guests around.

This is great for the industry, and I hope it lasts as the region matures, because wine tourism creates a special connection between the consumer and winery. Ningxia is somewhat far from big cities compared to other popular regions, like Napa Valley, for example.

In theory, wine tourism only works for regions near city centers.

You are recognized as one of the first natural winemakers in China. What makes a wine a ‘natural wine,’ and why are you interested in natural wines?

I am definitely influenced by the natural wine movement, but I don’t and can’t call my wine natural wine. Natural wine is how wine was made before the 1950s, without the help of electricity, large volume tanks, cultured yeast, many additives, etc. So to make wine naturally is actually not difficult at all – just don’t use any modern amenities created after the 1950s!

The real question here is if the same batch of grapes is made in a natural way or a more conventional, modern way, why is one better?

I don’t have a definite answer myself, but I believe that minimal intervention, so following a more natural method, is how we as small producers should make wine.

While this does leave more up to chance, nothing can go seriously wrong, and because the scale is much smaller, we can spend more time caring for and tailoring each batch the way we would like it to be.

What does the future look like for wineries in China?

China will have all kinds of wineries, from luxury to mid-tier to budget-friendly. But, overall, all of the winery growth, no matter what kind, will help boost the wine industry, making it more recognizable and accessible to the general public, garnering interest in this growing industry. > Interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

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ROLLER COASTER

The Great Fine Those responsible for an illegal tour bus carrying around 40 people to the Jiankou section of the Great Wall in Beijing may face a fine of between RMB30,000 and RMB100,000.

The tourists, from southern China, tried to enter the Jiankou section in late May via Xizhazi village in Huairou district.

However, the tour bus didn’t have the necessary documentation and was later impounded by the local transportation authorities. Jiankou is one of the ‘wild’ sections of the Great Wall. Many such sections are open to the public. However, certain undeveloped areas are off-limits to visitors, not only for safety reasons but also because authorities worry about potential damage to the wall.

The crackdown is part of a “100-day operation” by Huairou district authorities, which began on May 28. As peak tourist season for the Great Wall arrives, the operation is aimed at catching black-market tour guides and tour parties.

Since 2016, three kilometers of the Jiankou section has undergone renovations, with a further six kilometers of renovations planned.

MILE HIGH

Eyes on Border Despite its vaccination program, China cannot yet open its borders, according to one of the country’s top health officials.

Feng Zijian, deputy director general of China’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said in July that even with 60-80% of the population fully vaccinated, opening the borders would still pose the risk of a severe outbreak of COVID-19. Especially with the latest case cluster in Guangzhou, which has seen strict lockdowns throughout the city after a woman was infected by a COVID-19 variant from India.

He went on to explain that this is because in China’s largely COVID-free population, there is no way to know if China’s vaccines can prevent onward transmission as well as preventing serious sickness.

Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, such as those developed by Pfizer Inc., BioNTech SE and Moderna Inc., appear to prevent onward transmission as has been shown in a number of countries around the world.

According to Our World in Data, China has administered more than one billion vaccine doses as of press time. Approval was recently given for children in China as young as three years old to get vaccinated.

HOSPITALITY HIGHLIGHT

International Youth Convention Hotel Located beside the Yangtze River in Nanjing, the International Youth Convention Hotel has nearly 1,000 comfortable guest rooms featuring views across the scenic river and Nanjing city. Designed by British Deconstructionist architect Zaha Hadid, the brain behind Beijing Daxing International Airport and Galaxy SOHO, the hotel is affiliated with Hexi Group Youth Olympic City. The hotel boasts five multi-functional banquet halls, over 60 business conference rooms and an expansive public area (more than 20,000 square meters) that is ideal for events and conferences. The venue also hosts 10 catering brands spanning Chinese and international cuisines, a fitness spa and beauty salon, leisure shopping and an in-house bar. The balanced combination of business and relaxation makes for an unforgettable stay. > For booking, email Zhou.vicky@gmail.com.

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E D I T O R @ T H AT S M A G S . C O M

HOT SPOT

Barbados

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nown as the land of idyllic white sand beaches, rum punch and Bajan fried chicken, Barbados is the Caribbean island getaway you never realized you’re missing.

Laid-back ocean-view rum shacks dot the tree-filled roads that connect the Animal Flower Cave in the north to Hackleton Cliffs in the east and from the lively Brigetown in the south to sleepy Speighstown in the west. As the home of Mount Gay Rum Distillery, this sugarcane-based spirit serves as the lifeblood of the gregarious Barbadian people.

Yet other historic Jacobean mansions, like St. Nicholas Abbey, one of the three last standing of its kind in the Western Hemisphere, produce a variety of barrel-aged rums and bottled cocktails, all housed in a plantation home setting that preserves the distinct – and somewhat tumultuous – history of this British colonial island.

Before filling your belly with rum, sample a fish cutter – the staple beach snack – at Cuz’s Fish Shack on Carlisle Bay Beach, an institution that’s been serving up fried fish sandwiches on a squishy bread roll for decades.

Scuba dive the Friars Craig shipwreck, go swimming with turtles off the Bridgetown reef or take a dip in the warm, teal waters of Bottom Bay before jetting off to Harrison’s Cave to take in the breathtaking views of crystalized limestone that drips into clear pools below.

An evening isn’t complete without a flying fish and cou-cou plate from Oistin’s Fish Market, a roadside BBQ where you can eat your way through pudding and souse, pig tails, savory bread pudding, fish BBQ and all the other go-to Barbados eats.

End with a sunset stroll along the Camelot and Accra Beach Boardwalk, the ideal place to unwind and prepare for more relaxed island vibes to soak in tomorrow.

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TR AVEL | F E AT U R E

XI’AN F

ew cities in China can lay claim to as rich a culture as Xi’an.

Famous for being the home of the Terracotta Warriors, Xi’an’s 3,000year history has played an enormous part in shaping China’s cultural heritage.

Xi’an got its big start as a city during the Zhou Dynasty, for whom Xi’an was the capital, from 1046-256 BCE. Under the rule of the first emperor, Qin Shi Huang (259-210 BCE), China became unified for the first time. Obsessed with longevity, Emperor Qin commissioned the construction of an ‘army’ of terracotta warriors to guard his mausoleum and protect him in the afterlife. Today, the Terracotta Warriors are considered one of China’s must-see attractions.

Xi’an was also the eastern terminus of the Silk Road. It was here that merchants, envoys and traveling monks would trade their wares, particularly

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valuable silk and live horses, and prepare for the long and frequently perilous journey to the West. Such was the extent of trade and civilization in Xi’an that the city became the largest in the world by the 8th century.

Xi’an’s fortunes changed, however, with the fall of the Tang Dynasty, and it was not until the Ming Dynasty, in the 14th century, that the city would be fully revived. Several lasting emblems of the Ming era are today some of Xi’an’s most prominent sights.

Xi’an is a vibrant city nowadays with a growing music culture, as the local government has issued plans to turn the city into an international metropolis with strong music appeal. Xi’an has applied for the title of ‘City of Music’ from UNESCO, bringing together a special blend of ancient and modern tunes.

Looking for more expert guides to China’s biggest cities and hottest destinations? Purchase our Explore China travel guide, which offers insider tips, detailed city guides and more. You can scan the QR code below to order:

F E AT U R E | TR AVEL

Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) Located about 50 kilometers from the center of Xi’an, the Xi’an Xianyang International Airport has three terminals that connect to many domestic cities as well as international flights in Asia and Europe. Some international flights may not be available due to the COVID-19 pandemic, although domestic flights have, for the most part, returned to normal. To get to the city center, taxi or shuttle bus are the most common options. A taxi to downtown will take about an hour and cost roughly RMB110. > Weiyang District, Xianyang 咸阳未央区

Xi’an North Railway Station A major transportation hub of the Chinese high-speed rail network, Xi’an North Railway Station is about 14 kilometers north of the city center. The station mainly operates bullet trains, as opposed to the Xi’an Railway Station situated much closer to the city center. At the north station, travelers can ride to Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou and Shenzhen on direct routes. You can also reach Huashan North station in under 45 minutes for a great day trip.

Metro Compared to other major cities in China, Xi’an’s metro system is relatively underdeveloped with multiple lines currently under construction. There are currently five metro lines, and by the end of 2021, the city plans to have eight lines in operation.

Despite the lack of lines, you can access many of Xi’an’s tourist spots via Metro (i.e. Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and the Bell Tower). Travelers can also reach the North Railway Station and airport by metro.

Taxi With thousands of taxis in Xi’an, it’s pretty easy commuting around the city in a cab.

Taxi fares start at RMB8.5 and increase incrementally. It’s fairly easy to flag down a cab along major roads. Platforms such as DiDi can also be accessed in the city.

Bike You’ll find plenty of dockless shared bikes in Xi’an in case you wish to explore on two wheels. Prices are inexpensive and the bikes are a fun way to explore the city.

> Li Jia Jie Cun, Weiyang District 未央区李家街村

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TR AVEL | F E AT U R E

Parkson Mall (West Street) Located adjacent to the Muslim Quarters, Parkson Mall is one of the biggest malls in town and a place tourists go for international shopping needs. Admittedly not a place for the cultural cosmonaut, this mall does have a Starbucks – so, if you want to hit the Muslim Quarter with an iced latte, there you go. > Xi Dajie, Lianhu District 莲湖区西大街 (Zhonglou Station, Line 2)

Tang West Market Dating back to the Tang Dynasty, this shopping area represents Silk Road culture, with goods that were traded from as far west as Rome.

If you’re looking to buy replicas of terracotta warriors, a trip to Tang West Market should be in the cards. There’s also an international shopping center located in the market area, with popular brands like CA and H&M. You can snack on-the-go with various stalls hawking grilled meats and other treats. Tang West Market is free to enter and open all day. > No. 118 Laodong Nan Lu, Lianhu District 莲湖区劳动南路 118 号 (Yongningmen Station, Line 2)

Shuyuanmen Ancient Cultural Street Located near the Bell Tower, this cultural street is a hive of activity, with stalls selling souvenirs such as shadow play figures, calligraphy and other handcrafted keepsakes. Even if you aren’t looking to make purchases during your stroll through Shuyuanmen, you’ll see local artists giving presentations on traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy. The stores in Shuyuanmen generally open from 9am to 10pm. > Nan Dajie, Beilin District 碑林区南大街 (Yongningmen Station, Line 2)

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F E AT U R E | TR AVEL

Muslim Quarter

Ming-Era City Walls Inner-city Xi’an has plenty of its own charm. Nearly 14 kilometers long, the imposing city walls were built to protect the city during the Ming Dynasty, and are an astonishing 15 meters thick.

One of the best ways to get acquainted is on two wheels. Bike rentals start from RMB45 (RMB90 if you choose to go tandem), and afford great views of the heart of Xi’an.

The ride itself is fairly leisurely (and entirely flat, for the effort-opposed), and can be accomplished in two hours depending on pace. Be sure to bring hydration, as vendors in the area are few and far between.

Xi’an’s vibrant Muslim Quarter is a wonderful place to pick up souvenirs and sample Xi’an’s local delicacies.

Situated in the heart of the old town, the Muslim Quarter encompasses a neighborhood of just 1,800 square meters, but is home to several mosques and over 20,000 residents. During the heyday of the Silk Road, this district played host to travelers from the Middle East, India and beyond, who would barter their wares and stock up on supplies for the next leg of their voyage. Some historians have suggested that the notoriously dangerous Silk Road journey gave rise to the establishment of numerous temples of Islamic, Buddhist and Taoist faiths, as merchants would visit to seek blessings for safe passage.

Make sure to arrive with an empty stomach – the Muslim Quarter is loaded with local street food, including grilled meat skewers, hearty fried dumplings, hand-pulled noodles and, of course, roujiamo . The main action starts at 6pm, when the vendors start setting up shop for the evening’s service.

Terracotta Army No trip to Xi’an is complete without a visit to its most famous attraction, the most significant archaeological discovery of the 20th century. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a literal treasure trove of Chinese history that can easily take a day for history buffs to explore.

With thousands of unearthed military figures, the Terracotta Army was designed to guard over the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang (259-210 BCE). Following his death, it was believed they would travel with him to the afterlife to continue their service.

Fascinatingly, no two members of the army are identical – their various parts were made modularly and assembled so that each would be unique.

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BUSINESS & TECH Show Me the Talent

Top 10 Cities Attracting Talent in China p34

Chart Attack P32

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China Highlights P33

GAME THEORY

DR. HARLEY SEYEDIN President of AmCham South China Interview by Ryan Gandolfo

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ith three decades of experience connecting foreign businesses to the Chinese market, Dr. Harley Seyedin is a reliable source for US-China economic and trade policy. We reached out to Seyedin to learn about Guangzhou’s cross-border e-commerce developments, foreign direct investment trends in China and the latest updates on the AmCham South China community.

How would you assess Guangzhou’s current cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) industry?

I would say that it has great potential and has competitive advantages. Firstly, COVID-19 has definitely changed the way people do business. A combination of factors, including changing global trade policies, cancellation of orders, and a decrease in international logistics capacity, has posed enormous challenges to the traditional foreign trade industry but at the same time presents tremendous opportunities to the cross-border e-commerce industry. Secondly, Guangzhou has achieved an import and export volume of RMB6.51 billion (USD917.4 million) through Guangzhou Customs’ management platforms for cross-border e-commerce in the first quarter of 2020, thus topping over other cities in China for cross-border e-commerce.

AmCham South China’s bilingual 2021 Special Report on the State of Business in Guangzhou shows Guangzhou has been stepping up efforts to optimize its business environment with the aim of creating the best investment destination for global enterprises. Examples abound that Guangzhou has launched a series of policies and announced specific measures to stimulate market vitality as well as enhance trade facilitation. It’s also important to note that the Guangzhou

“A vast majority of companies still have expansion plans in China over the next three years” Municipal Commerce Bureau released “The Several Measures” on March 30, 2021, which makes Guangzhou the first city in China to issue special policies to help boost the innovative development of cross-border e-commerce. Hence, one can say without hesitation that it is a thriving industry with huge potential and substantial advantages.

China led all other countries in foreign direct investment in a year that saw global FDI drop 42% and has shown impressive inflows so far this year. What’s your outlook for the rest of 2021?

I am confident and positive about the rest of 2021. In fact, AmCham South China’s annual bilingual studies – the 2021 White Paper on the Business Environment in China and the 2021 Special Report on the State of Business in South Chin a – show that the opportunities continue to outweigh the challenges. Factors including huge market potential, preferential policies and uncertainties from the pandemic in other countries, have whetted companies’ interest to increase investment in China or shift their investments to China. Furthermore, a vast majority of companies still have expansion plans in China over the next three years. We know that our member companies have budgeted USD18.3 billion to reinvest in China over the next three years. As the first major economy to show a recovery, China has successfully navigated the extreme

hardship brought by the COVID-19, and I am sure it will achieve more continuous, stable and sustainable growth throughout the rest of 2021.

What has impressed you the most about the AmCham South China member community in working through this slowing pandemic?

I believe what has impressed me the most is the community solidarity in these difficult times. To be more specific, at the onset of COVID-19 AmCham South China members were quick to jump into action and by mid-February 2020 had already donated USD38 million in cash and USD1.05 million in-kind to aid Wuhan, Hubei, and other areas in need. Additionally, I am more than delighted to share that the 550 members and dignitaries attending our 2020 Hope Ball donated cash to the Guangzhou Women and Children’s Hospital.

Sad to say, since May 21, Guangzhou has seen many new coronavirus cases.

Albeit, Guangzhou is ramping up efforts to bring the surge under control and provide medical relief to those in need. There is no doubt that we will stay as strong and united as ever in the face of such a devastating crisis by helping one another. After all, united we stand.

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TAP THAT APP

Pixabay

The global population is estimated to take around 1.4 trillion photos this year.

Think of how many of those photos aren’t for Instagram but could be a great resource in teaching someone about a new place or thing. Pixabay is a copyright-free image, video and music app and website that opens users up to a world of high-quality content. Need images of farm animals to teach your class or business-themed photos for your next marketing presentation? Pixabay can help with that and has higher quality pics than Google and Bing images.

Available without a VPN and with a language toggle including Mandarin, it’s very easy to access. We’ve enjoyed using it as free storage and a profile for the scenic photos we take around China that we may not want to use for other apps.

Designers can also enjoy the benefit of Pixabay with creative vector graphics free for commercial use. > Pixabay is available on iOS and Android.

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CHART ATTACK

Red Star

Source: Sina Tech

In June, the China National Space Administration released new HD images of where Tianwen-1 landed on Mars. The HD images, along with other images of the Zhurong rover on Mars, made the rounds on social media. Sina Tech surveyed Weibo users on whether they’d want to visit Mars.

Over 60% of respondents said they’d like to land on the Red Planet, while the remaining expressed no interest. One person commented under the poll that “there’s no going back,” which would work out well if you don’t like Earth!

Tianwen-1 is China’s first Mars probe mission, including a probe, combination orbiter, lander and rover that was launched from Earth last year. Tianwen-1 landed on Mars in February and will be carrying out a range of scientific goals, from collecting data on the ionsphere to measuring water-ice distribution.

China’s space program has been highly active in recent years and has achieved several notable milestones, including the ongoing Tianwen-1 mission.

Last month, the country launched its first crewed spaceflight in about five years.

The Shenzhou 12 mission was launched atop a Long March 2F rocket, sending three astronauts into space to help build their new Chinese space station.

The crew will perform a range of repair and maintenance activities during their three-month tenure. Yang Liwei, director of the China manned Space Engineering Office, told Global Times that “Astronauts coming out of the cabin will become a new routine, and the duration of such activities will be greatly expanded.”

Yang made history as the first person China launched into space, so we take it this crew is in good hands.

E D I T O R @ T H AT S M A G S . C O M

CHINA HIGHLIGHTS

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Beijing has rolled out a new trial of testing for its digital renminbi in the capital city in July. The Bank of Communications opened the trial with an event at Beijing Happy Valley. Other trial zones have recently been implemented in Haikou, Hainan as the e-RMB is slowly introduced and improved for public use.

China proves dominant in new energy vehicle production and sales volume, ranking first globally for the sixth consecutive year. A new report by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) found that China’s market penetration rate surpassed 10% in May of this year.

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Chinese developer SOHO China was recently sold to Blackstone for HKD23.66 billion – approximately 54.93% of the company’s issued share capital, as cited by The Paper.

Blackstone intends to undergo a strategic review of assets and determine ways to optimize and rationalize the group’s business activities and asset portfolio.

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Plant-based startup Starfield, known for its collaborations with popular food brands, debuted a plant-based bao last month. The company already supplies its plant-based products to fast-food chain Dicos and reputable milk tea chain Heytea, among others.

The frozen buns will be available on e-commerce platforms Tmall, JD.com and Hema, with flavors including BBQ, Tom Yum King, cheese pumpkin and green pepper.

Food delivery giant Meituan said last month that the company plans to hire 60,000 new employees in 2021. While our minds might immediately turn to more delivery drivers on the road, the company is expanding into new areas such as group community buying.

Meituan’s total staff would be upward of 100,000.

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Li Shuguang, the chairman of Wuliangye, said last month that the Sichuan-based baijiu brand is facing shortages on its premium spirits as demand rises. Li is quoted saying, “The existing premium wine production capacity is insufficient due to rising consumption and growing income of the middle class,” as cited by Sina Finance. Top-quality baijiu from Wuliangye and Maotai is sometimes used as an investment vehicle as aged bottles can be worth much more than the purchase price.

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BUSINESS & TECH | F E AT URE

SHOW ME THE TALENT

Top 10 Cities Attracting Talent in China

By Ryan Gandolfo

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city runs on talent – best described as a skilled worker. The individuals filling the office buildings, shops, restaurants and more have as much to do with economic growth as anything, by our assessment.

One big factor that brings in new talent to a city is its geographic location. In China, the three most notable economic clusters are located near seas, rivers, or the capital.

A recent report by online recruitment platform Zhaopin identified the cities in China bringing in the best and brightest.

Beijing once again claimed the top spot, as the capital is home to many private enterprise headquarters and public institutions recruiting dynamic workers.

The report also notes that the talent drain

34 | JULY 2021 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

outside of major cities has eased due to relaxed population control policies, as cited by China Daily .

Despite big growth in major cities in western and central China, the report indicates there is still an inflow of talent into the PRC’s eastern regions, namely the Greater Bay Area and the Yangtze River Delta.

More than half of floating talents were seeking work in IT, real estate and manufacturing in 2020. Among those, 57% were male and 57% had a bachelor’s degree or above, according to the report.

On the next page, let’s take a look at the top 10 cities that are the most desirable landing spots for talent.

F E AT URE | BUSINESS & TECH

1 Beijing

6 Nanjing

2 Hangzhou

7 Suzhou

3 Shanghai

8 Chengdu

4 Shenzhen

9 Ningbo

5 Guangzhou

10 Changsha

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JULY 2021 | 35

How Tolkien’s Grand Mythos Found Its Way to China Words by Matthew Bossons

36

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P

anjiayuan is Beijing’s biggest and bestknown antique market, regularly attracting orc-like hordes of tourists and locals alike to wander the warren of booths and stalls, both indoor and outside. All manner of old and madeto-look-old items are on offer here: jade carvings, stone Buddha statues, ancient coins, Communist Party of China pins and propaganda posters, replica Korean war medals and mounds of books.

On a brisk October day, while standing at a hawker stand specializing in old Chinese books – mostly Chairman Mao’s iconic ‘Little Red Book’ – I came across a curious title: The Art of The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien , in English-language and hardcover form. The book, a collection of sketches and maps made by Tolkien, was published in 2015 and compiled by Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull

– both well-known scholars of the ‘father of high fantasy.’

While there is no shortage of English-language books and magazines lying around Panjiayuan, this one caught my eye. A short time and a few stalls later and I came across a shoebox filled to the brim with old, Chinese-language Magic: The Gathering cards . (For the uninitiated, Magic: The Gathering is a fantasy card game that sometimes draws inspiration from the beings and beasts of Middle-earth. Some fans of the game have even created playing decks inspired by Tolkien’s work.)

The two finds got me thinking: How and when did Tolkien’s work arrive in China, and does China have a Tolkien fanbase as rabid and passionate as that in the West?

THE RING recover Buddhist scriptures, features numerous magical beings – most notably the Monkey King, Sun Wukong.

But The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit are different. For one, they are Europe-centric, with the author drawing inspiration from European folklore and fairy tales, religion (primarily Roman Catholicism) and language. His experiences in war-torn Europe during World War I also influenced elements of his Middleearth legendarium. Characteristics of East Asian folklore, religion (Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, etc.) and language are notably absent from Tolkien’s work, which means that an approachable cultural entry point can be challenging to find for prospective Chinese readers.

Originally published way back in 1954-55, Tolkien’s trilogy was released when the People’s Republic of China (PRC) was mostly closed off to the world. Revolutionary Mao Zedong and the Communist Party of China had risen to power only a half-decade prior to the release of The Fellowship of the Ring , and land reforms and collectivization were underway. Only a trickle of foreign media made its way into the country at that time, most of it of the ideologically-aligned and Soviet variety.

The greatest hindrance for Tolkien’s masterpieces in China, though, was the lack of a Chinese-language translation of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit .

This impediment wouldn’t be overcome until 1998 when the Wanxiang and Lianjing publishing companies in Taiwan province released two versions of The Lord of

the Rings translated into traditional Chinese characters.

Since then, several more versions of Tolkien’s threepart epic have been translated into both traditional and simplified Chinese characters, along with some

I

of his other stories, including The Adventures of

Tom Bombadil and Other Verses from the Red Book , n a broad sense, fantasy is nothing new in China: In the 16th century, during the Ming Dynasty, the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West was published. The story, which chronicles the

adventures of a Buddhist monk who travels to India to

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Roverandom , Leaf by Niggle , The Silmarillion and, of course, The Hobbit . Many other stories have not been officially translated, though.

Still, many of the Chinese-language translations of Tolkien’s three-volume epic have suffered due to the lack of cultural context mentioned above.

GOES EAST

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A thesis paper written in 2000 by a student at Fu Jen Catholic University in Taiwan analyzed the various translation issues present in the first Chinese-language versions of The Lord of the Rings published two years earlier. The author David van der Peet notes that both versions include a myriad of translation gaffes and fail to convey the original meaning of Tolkien’s text. He attributes these shortcomings to the translators’ lack of knowledge of “the complicated linguistic and cultural backdrop” that frames the trilogy.

Later translations suffered from similar criticisms.

Of the numerous The Lord of the Rings Chineselanguage translations, the work of Taiwan resident Teng Jia-wan stands out. Teng first got acquainted with the fantasy trilogy while studying at a British university in the late 1990s, according to a 2018 China Daily profile.

She felt so enchanted by the novels that she decided she would translate them into Chinese.

Unfortunately, Teng was a little late to the party, and the abovementioned Chinese-language versions of The

Lord of the Rings already existed. So, after returning to Taiwan in 1998, she set about translating The Silmarillion instead. Her version was published in Taiwan in 2002 and spread online in the Chinese mainland – since there was no official print version.

Teng’s dream to translate and publish a Chinese version of The Lord of the Rings would eventually come true, though: In 2012, she was tapped to translate a new version of the iconic trilogy along with two other Chinese Tolkien fans she met through online forums. The finished product was published in 2013 and has been hailed by some as the most accurate translation of the story of the quest to destroy the One Ring.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JULY 2021 | 39

OUT OF THE WOK AND INTO THE FIRES OF FANDOM

W

hile the success of Peter Jackson’s three-part film adaptation of The

Lord of the Rings was practically guaranteed in the Western world, there

were no promises it would be a shoo-in blockbuster in the PRC. (If you don’t believe me, look no further than the

Star Wars films for an example of popular Western media that has consistently bombed on the Chinese mainland.)

Despite the obstacles to the success of the story of Frodo and the Ring of Power in the Chinese market, Jackson’s films would find a reason to celebrate in China.

Chicago-based physicist and writer Dr. Yangyang Cheng recounted the fanfare around the launch of The

Fellowship of the Ring in China in an essay published on SupChina.com earlier this year. Dr. Cheng, 31, grew up in a medium-sized city in Central China and was first introduced to Tolkien’s work when her mother brought home a Chinese-language collection of classic Western stories. The abridged versions of The Hobbit and The

Lord of the Rings were her favorites.

Asked about the hype for the film adaptation of

Fellowship , Dr. Cheng tells me via email that “posters and billboards for the movies were everywhere in the city and my classmates and I talked about it often at school.”

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Posters and billboards for the movies were everywhere in the city

In her SupChina essay, she also notes that Chineselanguage adaptations of the books were soon prominently featured in every bookstore. Of course, China’s onceubiquitous roadside DVD hawkers began offering copies

and my classmates and

of Jackson’s films with “dubious licensing.”

I talked about it often at

the top film at the Chinese box office – a massive

school

In 2004, Jackson’s The Return of the King became achievement.

The debut of The Lord of the Rings films in China led to an increase in Tolkien-related media in the PRC, and soon a large number of citizens were at the very least familiar with the writer’s stories.

A decade after the last film in Jackon’s first trilogy was released, when the filmmaker’s comparatively lackluster conclusion to the three-part film adaptation of The

Hobbit hit silver screens, it was the Chinese market that helped it rake in the dragon’s hoard. On its opening weekend in China, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five

Armies brought in a record-breaking USD49.5 million.

According to a Vanity Fair article from early 2015, “Even though it did pretty well domestically, the Hobbit trilogy didn’t end up being quite the box office titan Lord

of the Rings was back in the pre-Marvel era of 2003.

That is, until today. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five

Armies premiered in China this weekend to a recordbreaking USD49.5 million, bringing its worldwide revenue to USD866.5 million. Even greedy Smaug might be happy with that.”

In April and May of this year, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the release of The Fellowship of the

Ring film, all three of Jackson’s movies were re-released in Chinese theaters. In Beijing, organized groups of Tolkien fans descended on theaters to venture into the fantastical world of Middle-earth. Many of them – new fans – were experiencing the trilogy on the big screen for the very first time.

From no Tolkien to translated Tolkien to Jackson’s impressive cinematic adaptations, The Lord of the Rings found its way into China’s public consciousness. Heck, the fantasy novels and films have proven so popular in China that a company constructed a One Ring-inspired skyscraper in 2019 in Southwest China’s Chongqing municipality.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JULY 2021 | 41

A

s I write this article in 2021, global Tolkien fandom

official meeting on at least one occasion.

In addition to being namedropped by

collectively smashes their

one of the world’s most influential figures,

fingers against screens and

the fantasy series truly connected with

keyboards, hunting for the latest details of

Chinese fans. Considerable online chatter

Amazon’s massive-budget TV series set in

preceded and followed each new Game

Middle-earth’s Second Age.

of Thrones episode (in the later seasons,

I wonder: How will the upcoming

anyway) on Weibo. Some fans even got

Tolkien-inspired Amazon series be received

creative: One netizen created a viral series of

in China?

Photoshopped images featuring characters

“I think The Lord of the Rings has a really great reputation in China. I feel like it is honestly one of those works of Western

from Westeros as Chinese street vendors and New Year’s travelers.

A 2017 article in The Diplomat even

literature that is most accessible to the

suggests that Game of Thrones led to an

average Chinese person. I think [the Amazon

increase in tourists from China to places like

Prime adaptation] will do well,” says Bryan

Croatia and Ireland, where parts of the HBO

Grogan, the culture editor at Shanghai-based

series were filmed.

digital publication Radii China.

While it’s difficult to say with certainty,

“I’m interested to see if [Amazon’s The

Lord of the Rings ] gets released in China

I’m of the belief The Lord of the Rings

and how it gets released in China. I wonder,

TV program will likely find a ready and

being from Amazon, who they would want

welcoming fan base in the PRC. For one,

to partner up with as a domestic streaming

the super-high-budget series will presumably

partner […] and whether it’s allowed to

benefit from Chinese audiences’ familiarity

stream in China,” Grogan tells me. “I think

with Tolkien’s literature and Jackson’s films.

The TV show also stands a strong

it was the last episode of Game of Thrones that was taken off Tencent or was not shown

chance of stepping into the void left when

on Tencent, which caused a certain amount

HBO’s mega-hit series Game of Thrones

of controversy and unhappiness with fans of

wrapped up in 2019. Game of Thrones

the series.”

proved incredibly popular in China, with

Grogan adds that it’s still kind of unclear

Chinese President Xi Jinping even believed

why the final episode of the popular fantasy

to have referenced the show during an

series was unavailable in China but that its

AMAZON’S GATE OPENS 42

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content may have caught the attention of

That said, if Amazon’s adventure in

censorship authorities for its depiction of a

Middle-earth can partner with a PRC-based

monarch’s murder and the resulting change

streamer and get past the country’s rigged

of power.

censorship rules, I’m confident that it will

As few plot details of Amazon’s

find welcoming fans. Grogan agrees, telling

upcoming The Lord of the Rings series have

me, “If it happens to make it to China,

been made public, it’s presently difficult to

chances are it will be pretty popular.”

say whether the series has story elements that may displease China’s censorship officials.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JULY 2021 | 43

FAMILY Fun for Fam

7 Places That Should Be On Your China Bucket List p48

Reading Corner P46

44 | JULY 2021 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

Veggie Mama P47

FULL HOUSE

PAUL TKACHENKO Wellington College International Shanghai Head of Performance Music Interview by Ned Kelly

Born in the UK, Paul Tkachenko lived around the world with his International schoolteacher parents, from Australia to Hong Kong to Germany. He then worked as a professional musician in Germany and London for around 20 years, before moving into teaching himself.

Tkachenko took up his role as Head of Performance Music at Wellington College International Shanghai last year and saved the day when our Sound of Spring event was nearly a washout in May. We wanted to find out more about this master musician.

We hear you performed on a number one record – can you tell us about that?

Check out the 2012 Sam and the Womp hit Bom Bom. I played tuba on that. You may not be familiar with the name, but it was used in all kinds of TV shows and films, so you may well recognize it.

What are your musical influences?

That has mainly been dictated by what I ended up playing over the years, and it has given me some very diverse influences. Ottoman classical music, 19th Century Eastern European Jewish wedding music and early music hall are a few things that I’ve been into over the years, as well as the more usual rock, pop, jazz and classical stuff.

Why is music important in schools?

There are too many reasons to list here. I rather like the quote by Plato: “I would teach children music, physics and philosophy; but most importantly music, for the patterns in music and all the arts are the keys to learning.” I think he might have been on to something.

“One of my albums was actually produced by a former student“ Any standout performances in your time at Wellington so far?

Just like anybody else, I like to be entertained. That can be hearing something very advanced, but also something quite simple just played nicely. I’m pretty lucky as I get to hear things like that nearly every day.

Tell us about the big theatrical performances at Wellington?

Wellington is well known for its musicals.

This year we put on Chicago , and we aim to put on as professional a production as possible. The creative team putting these shows together all have a background in the industry. The standard is very high and we don’t really treat the kids any differently than professionals. Quite a few people remarked that you quickly forget that you are watching a school production.

lead the way with that otherwise it ends up like your dad trying to be cool.

Have any of your students ever gone on to be professional musicians?

Loads of them. One of my former students had an EDM top 10 hit in 2015, another came third in the UK The X Factor in 2009, and one of my former trombone students is now a trombone teacher himself. One of my albums was actually produced by a former student. One of our Wellington graduates this year got into the prestigious Berklee College of Music. I have another two students there already from recent years – I suggested they start a band. > This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

What other events do you guys take part in over the year?

We have regular concerts and recitals in our 500-seat theater and other performance spaces. Our three orchestras, five choirs and rock bands also perform around Shanghai. We hope to travel further afield next year.

Do you keep up with all the latest artists?

Not so much, in all honesty. I let the kids WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JULY 2021 | 45

READING CORNER

CLASS CLOWN

Children’s books recommendations from That’s editorial team:

5G Cheater

Ages 13-17

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 3/4 Paperback This heavy hitter is your classic ‘coming of age’ story. Adrian Mole’s life seems to be falling apart after his first love leaves him and his neighbor appears to be seducing his mom. To make matters worse, he can’t get his poetry published by the BBC. His life is in shambles, and readers will love to hear about it. This one is for more mature children – so parents, bear that in mind.

Unfortunately, there always seems to be a cheater amongst the masses – as was the case when a student in Wuhan was busted searching for answers during China’s national college entrance exam. The student, surnamed Wu, may still end up having quite the career in tech after authorities believe he may have broken the school’s signal shielding with his 5G signal. Wu’s test results have been invalidated, according to the local education bureau in Wuhan’s Huangpi district.

HEALTHY HABITS

Sinister Symptoms Ages 3-5

The Wonky Donky Children will be in fits of laughter with this hilarious, laugh-out-loud story of a sweet donkey. By the book’s final page, your kid will be making all kinds of donkey noises!

46 | JULY 2021 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

With the recent cluster of COVID-19 cases in Guangzhou, the city government reminded all residents to take necessary safety precautions and get tested if they have any related symptoms. And with the way people travel around these days, let’s go over those symptoms in case we may have forgotten: coughing, fever, tiredness, aches and pains, diarrhea, headache, loss of taste or smell, or rash on skin.

So stay safe out there, our dear readers!

E D I T O R @ T H AT S M A G S . C O M

VEGGIE MAMA

Vegan Spicy Hunan Tofu Skins The famed Shanghai restaurant Di Shui Dong is one of the places where people celebrate birthdays, host special visitors and say hellos and goodbyes in spectacular fashion while the table is filled with dish after extraordinary dish. There is one order in particular that people rave about – Di Shui Dong’s signature ribs.

Because they’re not vegan, I have never tried them. As usual, I really didn't think it was fair for everyone else to enjoy crispy flavorful ribs spiced with peppers and cumin, so I set out to make those famous Di Shui Dong ribs the only way I know how… sans meat.

Hunan food is deliciously spicy but quite different from the Sichuan spice many people have come to think of as the quintessential Chinese heat. Hunan spice is complex and at times subtle. It might not set your body on fire from its heat, but it will tingle your tongue while delicately dancing around the other flavors in the mix.

Before I share the recipe, I want to tell you a little bit about the amazing tofu product that made it all possible: crispy tofu skin. Tofu skin is made by boiling soymilk until a filmy layer forms on top and slightly dries. It’s then gently removed and let to dry completely. (I definitely recommend bringing some home to experiment with!)

One day, while I was shopping for fresh ingredients at a local wet market, I saw some beautiful rolls of golden brown tofu skins. I immediately thought they would make the best rib substitute because of the texture and their ability to soak up sauces and flavors.

This recipe calls for the tofu skin rolls to be baked, but they can also be fried in a wok. If using that method, add a larger amount of cooking oil to the wok before cooking the ginger, garlic, chilies and cumin. Then add in the tofu skins and cook until crispy. > Scan the QR code for the full recipe:

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JULY 2021 | 47

F A M I LY | T R A V E L

Fun for Fam

7 Places That Should Be On Your China Bucket List

Zhangjiajie & Fenghuang ‘Avatar Mountain’ Tour Located in the northern mountain ranges of Hunan, the remote Zhangjiajie National Forest was known only to the Tujia, Miao and Bai minority groups for centuries. Today, with its towering karst spires, rich brown earth and lush forests, Zhangjiajie has become an iconic Chinese landscape. Made a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1992, and immortalized by the film Avatar, the park is famed for its deep, forested canyons and enormous, isolated limestone peaks, each with its own miniature ecosystems akin to bonsai forests. This tour also takes in Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, the world’s longest and highest glass-bottomed bridge. Walk it if you dare!

6-Day Inner Mongolia Hulunbeir Grasslands Tour Start your journey in Hailar and visits to Genghis Khan Square, the ancient city night market and a bone restaurant, a typical grassland hotpot. Then head to the Hulunbeir Grasslands, a world of winding rivers scattered with herds of cows, flocks of sheep and yurts. Take in birch forest and reindeer parks, visit local farm households, ride a horse over the wetlands and Heishan Mountain and learn Mongol skills from the local tribes.

12-Day Duku Road Southern Xinjiang Journey Travel through a stunning scenery of snow-capped mountains, pine forests, glistening glaciers, expansive grasslands and arid desert.

Flying in to Urumqi, highlights include Turpan, with its ancient well systems and Thousand Buddha Caves, Kuqa Grand Canyon, like a dragon lying in the mountains, Khotan night market, visiting the Daolang tribe, clear-as-a-mirror Lake Karakul, the Stone City and the Golden Grass Beach and the Old Town of Kashgar, with its Grand Bazaar, Aitigar Mosque and Tomb of the Fragrant Imperial Concubine.

48 | JULY 2021 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

T R A V E L | F A M I LY

Yunnan Highlights Motorcycle Tour Ride through one of China’s most beautiful provinces and discover previously untraveled regions, including the greatest highlights and motorcycling routes of China’s Southwest. In Yunnan, you can still get a feel for the authentic China as it was before the transformation of recent decades. The landscapes on this motorcycle adventure are so varied that it’s like a continent to itself.

On the most pulse-quickening panoramic roads, take an adventurous ride through the subtropical Tiger Leaping Gorge, to Lake Lugu and the old towns of Dali and Lijiang, before heading deep into the Himalayas. Discover the full splendor of Himalayan passes in the Tibetan regions near Shangri-La and enjoy awe-inspiring views of the snowcapped 6,740-meter Kawa Karpo Mountain. Explore China on a BMW motorcycle in a way that only few have done before.

8-Day Silk Road China Adventure Tour

5-Day Inner Mongolia Desert & Grassland Tour

This trip is the perfect combination of culture, adventure, history and natural wonders. Visit everything from UNESCO World Heritage sites to magnificent mountain ranges and deserts. Starting in Lanzhou, you will then have the chance to visit Chaka Salt Lake, Zhangye Danxia Landforms, Jiayuguan Pass Great Wall and Dunhuang Mogao Caves. Enjoy a sunset view of the colorful Rainbow Mountains, marvel at the geometric beauty of the Weijin Tomb Murals and enjoy a camel trek in the desert sand.

The endless blue sky, vast grasslands and nomadic tradition of ethnic Mongols. Enjoy the beautiful natural scenery, live in a traditional Mongolian yurt and watch the sunrise over the Xilamuren Grassland. Try some desert activities like camel riding, sand sliding, glider flying and motor racing in the Kubuqi Desert. Visit Dazhao Monastery, the largest and most well-preserved lamasery in Hohhot and discover the Tibetan Buddhist Culture of Five Pagoda Temple.

4-Day Guizhou Nature and Culture Tour Discover this mountainous province hidden in a corner of Southwest China that remains secreted away from the travel trail.

On this legendary land, you meet the Miao people and their brilliant and colorful culture and enjoy a full day exploring Huangguoshu, China’s largest and arguably most beautiful waterfall, and walk in the Karst stone forest.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JULY 2021 | 49

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The rest of the CBD is on your doorstep too. >1 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang 朝 阳 区 光 华 路 1 号 (8535 6888, www.beijingkerryresidence. com)

BEIJING

Middle 8 Restaurant 中8楼 An oasis at the top of Taikoo Li, Middle 8 is the go-to destination for fresh authentic Yunnan cuisine.

The restaurant, stylish yet understated, has plenty of flavorsome well- priced dishes and a killer view to boot. > Raffles: Daily 11:00am-10:00pm, 5 Floor Of Raffles shopping center Dongzhimen Dongcheng District. 来福士店 : 东城区东直门来福士购物中心 5 层 8409 8199/8409 8234 > Indigo: Daily 11:00am-10:00pm, Jiuxianqiao Road No.20 Indigo F2 , Chaoyang 朝阳区酒仙桥路 20 号颐堤港 2 层 8420 0883

GTC RESIDENCE BEIJING One of the top residences in Beijing, GTC Residence is located beside the third ring road with 5 minutes’ walk to subway line 5 , 10 minutes’ drive to Hou Hai . It is also within easily reach of CBD, embassy area, Financial Street and other urban commercial,shopping and recreation areas. Fully equipped apartments with impeccable quality offer you a cozy living system and will meet all of your requirements for room decoration, furniture, electric appliances etc..

Unique sky garden with golf practice field and barbecue area is another symbol of GTC Residence. > sales@gtcresidence.com, website: www. gtcresidence.com Tel:56756666 Beijing Lianbao > Unite 1C, Building 7, Xingfu Yicun Xili, Chaoyang District 朝阳区幸福一村西里7号楼1C (6415 8001, 138 1093 6118, hanxingyue1127@126. com)

Oak Chateau Beijing Oak Chateau Beijing has 236 stylish and contemporary fully serviced apartments from studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, three-bedroom and four bedroom suites available, measuring 64 to 260 square meters. There is a 24-hours guest reception, and housekeeping is of-

fered twice a week.

Nestled within the landscaped gardens of the Ocean Express commercial and residential complex, Oak Chateau Beijing is very close to the third Embassy Area and shopping and dinning services at the Beijing Lufthansa Center. There are only 19 kilometers to the Beijing Capital Airport. > 北京市朝阳区东三环霞光里 66 号远洋新干线 D 座 邮编 100027 Block D, Ocean Express, 66 Xiaguang Li, Third East Ring Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100027, P.R.C Tel: (86-10) 84465888 Fax: (86-10) 84465999 Email oak.chateau@oakchateau.com Website: www. oakchateau.com Oakwood Residence Damei Beijing The only serviced apartment in the city that has its own in-house supply of natural hot spring water supply. Expansive city views are available from floor to ceiling windows with the apartments situated from level 23 to 35 in the building complex.

The 171 stylish contemporary serviced residences range from studios to threebedroom apartments and offer an elegant range of amenities and facilities to ensure each resident’s stay is comfortable and well taken care of. > Building No.1 Damei Center, 7 Qingnian Road, Chaoyang District Beijing 北京市朝阳 区青年路 7 号达美中心 1 号楼 Tel: 86-10 8585 2211 (8:30am-5:30pm) 86-10 8585 2888 (5:30pm-8:30am) Fax: (86-10) 8585 2666 website OakwoodAsia.com

marketing@thatsmags.com 50 | JULY 2021 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

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SCHOOL NEWS GBA

Congratulations to AISG’s Class of 2021!

AISG was fortunate to have been able to hold a graduation ceremony for students and their families, who attended to celebrate such a joyous occasion.

The school is super proud of its graduating class of 48 students for finishing their studies at AISG. They have shown amazing resiliency and perseverance during these challenging times. As they venture to universities around the globe, AISG is confident that the education they received and the experiences they encountered at AISG have greatly prepared them to pursue their passions and make a difference. Good luck graduates!

ISA Tianhe International School of Guangzhou PYP Exhibition

Utahloy International School Guangzhou (UISG) Celebrates Graduation Day

On May 28, the ISA Tianhe PYP Exhibition was scheduled to be held at ISA Tianhe. With their focus on the transdisciplinary theme of “Sharing the Planet”, Y5 students made full preparations for it for two months, using teamwork and the guidance of our dedicated teachers. They thoroughly investigated their topics, did their research, and finally illuminated it as a globally meaningful concept. Global issues they explored including deforestation, animal testing, poaching, global warming, and homelessness. Their exhibition rooms were decorated according to their studied topics and gave a special presentation to demonstrate how they had explored their topics from original concepts to theory, from locating problems to solving them so that they could develop a profound understanding of their topics in a step-by-step process. Whichever topic the students decided to focus on, all of them want to contribute to the illumination of global issues. Their inquiry reflects their concerns for our planet and the responsibility they have shown towards reaching their goals.

Congratulations to the UISG Class of 2021 on their recent graduation! Due to their strength of character, unique talents, and academic achievements, UISG graduates are accepted at top universities around the world. The school is exceptionally proud of all that the Class of 2021 has accomplished in such unprecedented times. To date, these 44 students have received over 150 acceptance offers from 90 universities across the globe. This includes over 90 offers from 33 of QS World University Rankings top 100 universities, with over 75% of graduates receiving at least one offer from QS World University Ranking Top 100.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JULY 2021 | 51

SCHOOL NEWS SHANGHAI

Wellington College International Shanghai Welcomes New Master Wellington College International Shanghai is pleased to welcome its new Master, Brendon Fulton. Mr. Fulton comes to Wellington from the UAE, where he served as the Executive Principal of the Dubai British School group of three schools. Originally from South Africa, Mr. Fulton’s career began in IT before he transitioned to education as a computer science teacher and staff development coordinator for IT integration. He has also held positions such as advanced skills teacher, head of department, pastoral lead and deputy head of school at educational institutions in South Africa, the UK and Qatar. Says Mr. Fulton, “It is a privilege to be trusted with the leadership of Wellington College International Shanghai, a school that offers children the very best opportunities to find their talents and develop them into a passion, career and way of life.”

Chess Fever Sweeps NAIS Pudong Chess fever has taken over the Secondary School at NAIS Pudong. Thirty-two players are taking part in a summer term tournament. Every year group is represented, with teachers joining in the challenge. The tournament has created a real buzz, with students playing at every spare moment. Students across year groups are playing each other either in the tournament or in spontaneous practice matches.

Harrow Sports Day The Harrow community came together for what was a fantastic celebration of sport, teamwork and House spirit. On a glorious, sunny day, pupils displayed values that are synonymous with Harrovian traditions. It was an excellent display of sporting prowess, while also demonstrating courage, honor, humility and fellowship.

YCIS Shanghai Celebrates Its Class of 2021 Graduation stirs many emotions: anticipation, excitement and pride, mixed with nervousness and the bittersweet knowledge that, while students mark the end of one chapter, a new one is beginning. YCIS Shanghai’s Class of 2021 graduation ceremony, held at the Pudong Shangri-la, felt even more joyous following the disruption brought by the pandemic over the past two academic years. Congratulations and best of luck to the graduates!

Dulwich Pudong Celebrates Its Class of 2021 Dulwich Pudong celebrated the achievements of their Class of 2021 graduates, with their parents proudly watching on. It was another outstanding year for their university acceptances; 80% of US applicants were admitted to one of their preferred choices, receiving offers from Top 20 institutions such as MIT and Northwestern. Dulwich Pudong graduates continued to perform very strongly in the UK where offers were received from top institutions such as Cambridge University and Imperial College London.

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BEIJING

Spring Concert at AISB – Hope International Music is in the air at AISB-Hope International! The elementary students sang and danced their way through the ’90s during their Spring Concert on May 21.

The following weekend, secondary students dazzled the audiences with their performance of the Broadway musical, Godspell. Families, friends, and staff all enjoyed the amazing talents of the students.

FOSHAN

LEH International School Foshan Tackles Ocean Issues During World Oceans Day On June 8, World Oceans Day, Lady Eleanor Holles International School Foshan celebrated the beauty and wealth of our oceans and problems facing these massive bodies of water, such as overfishing, plastic pollution and warming waters. Students at LEH started exploring the environment and sustainability and learned more about climate change. They also discussed topics further on their weekly debate extra-curricular activity.

Foshan Etonhouse International School 2021 IB PYP Exhibition

House of Knowledge Exciting Field Trips!

Students have the opportunity to gain real experiences through exploration and self-discovery with the endless possibilities that the outdoors provides for their development. In line with the Reggio Emilia pedagogy, children connect and enhance their creativity and desire to explore, they find real connections with their school learning. These activities are directly connected to the classroom projects and children actively take part in the selection of places.

Field trips are the extension of a scenario that promotes social development and personal skills, and they can apply these skills in real life and to what they learn in school.

Foshan Etonhouse International School is delighted to share its 2021 IB PYP Exhibition. This year is the inaugural year of Exhibition which we have titled ‘The Leaders of Tomorrow have Thoughts, Feelings and Opinions Which Are Worth Listening to Today.’ The Year 5 Grizzly Bears have stepped up to the task by creating some outstanding pieces.

They have unfortunately been unable to have outside visitors attend the exhibit so they have adapted and created videos to be viewed online.

The Grizzlies have central ideas as varied as ‘There are Positives and Negatives of Manufacturing’ (Aiden), ‘No Matter Who You Are, You Must Not Discriminate’ (Jiwoo) and ‘Space is Unfinished’ (Kevin). They hope that you will find their ideas and opinions interesting and that they will inspire you to act upon them.

On Friday June 18th the school held a premiere for the Grizzly Bear class hosted by Mrs O’Reilly during which children were awared for their efforts and given the opportunity to watch their work as one whole completed movie. The school is so proud of their efforts and they believe that what they have been able to produce is simply excellent. Go Grizzlies!

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HOTEL NEWS BEIJING

SHANGHAI

Enjoy BBQ Season With Hilton Beijing

Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai launches Guinness Pop Up Bar

Why not kick off the season with a summer BBQ at The Terrace? Join Hilton Beijing BBQ @ The Terrace for an evening of delectable BBQ including a selection of fresh prawns, meat, sausages, fresh vegetables and the most popular Great Leap beer and soft drinks. Enjoy the light breeze and warm summer evenings’ sunset over the city every Friday and Saturday.

In collaboration with the iconic Irish stout brand Guinness, the outdoor terrace of Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai has transformed into an energetic pop-up bar. Inspired by Guinness FLAVOUR BY FIRE festival, the bar is an ideal social space for relaxing with friends while sipping on the Guinness creations. When evening comes, the bamboo area at the entrance is illuminated by colourful neon lights, and the three-dimensional electric fireplaces ignite the night. Guests can watch closely the amazing drink mixing techniques of the bartender, or unwind with Guinness beers and cocktails, such as classy Guinness Espresso Stout Martini, silky-smooth Guinness Black Velvet, sweet-peach-flavoured Guinness Hop House Bellini, and more. The bar will be open until October 2021. Please call +86 (21) 2082 9958 for more information.

A Hunan Gastronomical indulgence by FEAST

The PuLi Hotel and Spa Staycation - Urban Exploration

Embrace the Hunan food festive promotion with Feast when people are seeking crawfish and an ice-cold beer in the summertime. From June 28 to July 11, 2021, Sheraton Grand Beijing Dongcheng Hotel Feast Restaurant invites Executive Chinese Chef Xiong Hao from Four Points by Sheraton Changsha Meixi Lake. For more information or reservation, call +86 10 5798 8908.

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The PuLi Hotel and Spa invites you to discover the best of Shanghai and to experience a well-deserved getaway with our generous Hostmanship™ benefits. Indulge in the comfort of a tranquil sanctuary, enjoy daily breakfast and afternoon tea for two. For reservations and enquiries, please call +86 21 3203 9999 or email reservations@thepuli.com.

GUANGZHOU

SHENZHEN

Eat Drink Love at AZURE, InterContinental Shenzhen Dameisha Resort

Two New Butterfly Patisseries Opening in Guangzhou and Beijing in June 2021 As ‘Dessert Dining’ and ‘Afternoon Tea’ become a lifestyle option for cake lovers everywhere, Butterfly Patisserie is riding the crest of this trend and continues to evolve its offering by taking the art of cake making to new frontiers. And following its runaway success in Hong Kong, Butterfly Patisserie is expanding to the Chinese mainland and is set to open new venues at Rosewood Hotels in Beijing and Guangzhou in June. In Guangzhou, extraordinary culinary creations will be headed up by Leo Wan, Executive Pastry Chef, Rosewood Guangzhou. The ‘Showpiece Winner’ of the IKA Culinary Olympics, China 2020, Wan is renowned for his beautiful and elaborate highly stylized take on the classic Religieuse pastry. “Today modern dessert makers dress up their Religieuse in many different high-end and customized fashions,” says Wan. “In keeping with the authenticity of our brand, we utilize classic preparation methods and premium ingredients in our Religieuse to present a luxurious and stylish experience for our guests.”

Experience an exquisite dining experience on the beachfront of AZURE, the beautiful InterContinental Shenzhen Dameisha Resort. Enjoy a five-course meal, paired with a bottle of sparkling wine, two glasses of special cocktails and a romantic setup for RMB1,999 per couple. Reservation is required one day in advance.

XIAMEN Crayfish Feast at Sheraton Shenzhen Nanshan Crayfish season is here! From July 1 until September 30, chefs at Xili Kitchen have carefully crafted a variety of crayfish delicacies to satisfy all palates.

Expect classic spicy mouth-numbing flavors, garlic varieties, crayfish noodles, crayfish dumplings, baked crayfish pastries and more.

HUIZHOU

Lohkah Hotel & Spa Lohkah Hotel & Spa embraces authenticity with a continued commitment to provide an unmatched standard of luxury and quality to their guests. The name Lohkah is inspired by the Sanskrit meaning of loka — their spiritual world. Lohkah promises a sensual and transformative experience for guests who can relax, revitalize and rediscover their true sense of self. There are 188 luxuriously appointed spacious rooms and suites which afford unprecedented views across the property’s magnificent landscape and the ocean while being only minutes away from the capital’s economic hub.

Le Meridien Xiaojing Bay Held the Lychee Delight to refuel Guangdong Le Meridien Xiaojing Bay organized a media trip last month celebrating lychee.

In addition, Le Meridien Xiaojing Bay held a lighting ceremony at night, showing the word in Chinese “JIA YOU” on the wings of the hotel building, encouraging people in Xiaojing Bay.

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That’s

JULY

Horoscopes

Finally, a horoscope that understands your life in China.

By Richard Cunningham

Cancer

Leo

Virgo

Libra

6.22~7.22

7.23~8.23

8.24~9.23

9.24~10.23

If you’re thinking about buying a car in China, think again. Next month you may decide to pack your bags and return to your home country in the West. You’re much better off renting one for an epic road trip to Yunnan province. Just watch out for the Le Bao mafia when driving through Guizhou!

This month you will possess the powers of a similar sounding name, Leo. (Yes, we’re talking the Matrix .)

Find your inner Neo and dress in dark black clothing everywhere you go. We can almost guarantee you’ll meet the person of your dreams, and your boss will give you a handsome raise.

What do you do when it’s 35 degrees Celsius outside?

You go to the mall. After getting stuck on e-commerce autopilot at the start of your China tenure, you’re about to rediscover the beauty of mall shopping while staying extra cool indoors.

There are no major holidays this month, which means most China destinations are fair game – except Sanya, that place is always booked up. Do a little research and peruse Explore China (shameless plug) to find a spot you’d like to visit in this dull month.

10.24~11.22

11.23~12.21

12.22~1.20

Capricorn

Aquarius

You’re getting ready to move back home, but there are still some things on your China bucket list that you know you will never have the chance to complete.

Whatever it may be, there’s no time like today.

You’re tired of cooking or ordering the same food day in and out. Hop on Dianping to discover some cool new restaurants serving dishes you wouldn’t usually try. Maybe it backfires, maybe it doesn’t.

The last time you went to KTV George W. Bush was in office and Myspace was the hottest name on the internet. If you happen to end up at a KTV in the near future, you’ll be surprised to learn that it’s nearly the same song list from over a decade ago.

It’s flood season, which means Crocs aren’t a horrible idea. And by Crocs we mean whatever knockoff shoe that looks like Crocs.

Pisces

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Scorpio

Sagittarius

1.21~2.19

2.20~3.20

3.21~4.20

4.21~5.21

5.22~6.21

Your lady friend is expecting you to take her to a beach resort at some point or another. Switch it up and head for Dali. Yunnan weather is great year-round and it’s always a good vibe.

You're tired of people misspelling your name – is it Gorgan, Grogon, or Gragan?

Regardless, just learn to deal with other peoples’ ineptitude and remember that at one point you couldn’t even spell it.

July will be one of those months when the days feel long but the month is over before you know it. Try and live a little more in the present – remember that it’s about the journey, not the destination.

You met someone you like but have zero things in common. It’s time to step outside your comfort zone and try out their hobbies for a change.

We’re not saying to leave your own on the side of the road – just give it a shot, maybe you’ll thank us.

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