That's Beijing - December 2021

20 21 BULLS ON PARADE

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DECEMBER 2019 DECEMBER 2021

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Distribution across China: 200,000 copies

DECEMBER 2021 | 01

Editor’s Note

DECEMBER 2021

As is tradition, the final issue of each year aims to summarize the stories that stood out to us over the past year. As we

get ready to welcome 2022, I think we can all agree that this past year and the one preceding it have somewhat blended together. Although we are happy to call China home, we hope that after a COVID-free Beijing Winter Olympics there might be some international travel in the coming year.

In The Nation, Alistair Baker-Brian talks to a man who shares his unique expertise in Chinese history with curious

neighbors and travelers alike on Beijing by Foot walking tours. Sanya editor Vanessa Jencks talks to an artist couple on the topic of their new photography exhibition that explores nutrition in the face of poverty on page 15. In the travel section,

Sophie Steiner takes us on a breathtaking and mouthwatering tour of Guizhou province. Elsewhere in the magazine, prepare yourself for the holiday with alcohol advice from Dr. Stephen Misch on page 29 and positive parenting from Rebecca Archer on page 46.

We wish you all a safe and Santabulous holiday season. If you plan on traveling during any of the upcoming vacation

time, consider finding a hotel among the winners of the 2021 That’s Hospitality Awards that wrapped up in Shanghai on November 1.

Best Regards, Joshua Cawthorpe Acting Print Editor

02 |DECEMBER 2021

DECEMBER 2021 | 03

THE WRAP

6 THE NATION

14 ARTS & LIFE

8 DON’T YOU KNOW WHO I AM? Yiyang Qianxi.

15 CHOW AND LIN ARTIST DUO.

10 DISCOVERY ON YOUR DOORSTEP

17 @STEVENSENSHAN

With Borders Still Closed, Why Not Explore More of… China?

20 TRAVEL 22 EXPO EXCLUSION 24 GUIZHOU Countryside and Culture.

28 BUSINESS & TECH 30 START-UP STORIES Jerebrew.

32 100ARCHITECTS: CHINA’S PIONEERS OF FUNCTIONAL URBAN ART 04 |DECEMBER 2021

34 BULLS ON PARADE

An Overview of the Headlines That Shaped the Year of the Ox.

42 FAMILY 43 BLASTING OFF IN HAINAN The Morrison Family.

45 GLOBAL GRUB Holiday Garrapiñadas from Argentina.

DECEMBER 2021 | 05

THE NATION Discovery on Your Doorstep

With Borders Still Closed, Why Not Explore More of… China? p10

Quote of the Month P8

06 |DECEMBER 2021

Chinese Corner P9

DECEMBER 2021 | 07

RANDOM NUMBER

DON’T YOU KNOW WHO I AM?

540.3 billion…

Yiyang Qianxi

…That’s how much gross merchandise volume in RMB Alibaba made in the first 11 days of November, 2021. This time period culminates in ‘singles day’ on November 11, China’s biggest shopping holiday.

The figure is equivalent to approximately USD84.5 billion and represents an 8.5% increase on the same period of time in 2020. However, some analysts have stated that the increase is slightly lower than expected, as reported by CNN. ‘Singles day’ is believed to have started with male Chinese university students celebrating being bachelors.

Nowadays, it’s more commonly associated with shopping as many mainly young people look for online bargains within a 24-hour time period.

Since the shopping day began, Alibaba’s ‘singles day’ sales have only grown through their online shopping platforms such as Taobao and TMALL.

Yiyang Qianxi, also known by his English name Jackson Yee, is a Chinese pop singer who made his debut with teen idol group TFboys aged just 12 years old. Yee regularly appears on variety shows, commercials, movies and more.

Recently, he released the official song for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. Together for a Shared Future is the namesake of the official Winter Olympic slogan.

The song was released on November 15 accompanied by a music video starring Yee, as well as showing Winter Olympic-related activities within Beijing.

The Chinese capital will host the games in February and March 2022. By doing so, Beijing will become the first ‘double-Olympic city’ to have hosted both the summer and winter games.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“The plots will be like walking a tightrope and I want audiences to feel like they are riding a rollercoaster during the 2.5-hour performance”

Said Chinese director Yang Ting.

Yang has turned the 2019 South Korean black comedy thriller movie Parasite into a stage play produced by a Chinese production team.

Tickets went on sale on November 3. The play will be shown in Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Shenzhen.

Parasite won four awards at the 92nd Academy Awards. The movie follows the Kim family who live in an impoverished neighborhood of Seoul. Determined to find his way out of poverty, the Kims’ son Ki-woo takes a tutoring job with the wealthy Park family.

However, he ends up getting slightly more than he bargains for.

Thanks to Yang and her team, the story is now being brought to a Chinese audience through a stage performance starring Chinese actor Ma Tianyu and actress Hao Lei. 08 |DECEMBER 2021

T H AT ’ S M A G A Z I N E S

CHINESE CORNER

Alipay, or 支付宝 (Zhīfùbǎo): 7 Most Popular Features

Alipay app, known as 支付宝 (Zhīfùbǎo) in Chinese, is an online payment app that belongs to Alibaba Group ( 阿里巴巴 Ālǐbābā), the creator of Taobao ( 淘宝 Táobǎo). It was established in Hangzhou in 2013, but now its headquarters are in Shanghai. In 2015, Alipay overtook PayPal as the world’s largest mobile payment platform.

One of the most popular services on Alipay is, no doubt, online payments. But similarly to WeChat ( 微信 Wēixìn), Alipay is not just a payment app. The two are competing to be all-in-one, lifestyle platforms that people can use (and never leave) to conduct all their day-to-day activities. So, what are Alipay’s most popular features?

1. UTILITY PAYMENTS

5. TICKET SERVICE

Shēnghuó Jiǎofèi

Diànyǐng Yǎnchū

生活缴费

USE IT TO… Connect your account and pay for your water, gas, and electricity bills with automatic utility payments.

2. HELLOBIKE, BIKE SHARING SERVICE 哈罗出行

Hāluó Chūxíng

电影演出

USE IT TO… Buy movie and event tickets with Alipay’s ticket service.

6. “ANT FOREST” PROJECT 蚂蚁森林

Mǎyǐ Sēnlín

USE IT TO… Rent shared bikes with your Alipay account without a deposit.

USE IT TO… Go green and collect “green energy points” as rewards for your eco-friendly actions across other apps in Alibaba’s “Ant Forest” project.

3. TOP-UP CENTER

7. MONEY TRANSFERS

Chōngzhí Zhōngxīn

Zhuǎnzhàng

充值中心

USE IT TO… Top up your phone credit and purchase internet traffic packages.

4. ELEME, FOOD DELIVERY SERVICE 饿了么

转账

USE IT TO… You can easily send money to friends, as well as pay in online & offline shops with your unique QR code (二维码 èrwéimǎ). Purchases on Taobao and Tmall are also processed via Alipay.

Èleme

USE IT TO… Order food delivery from popular restaurants within Alipay app.

To learn more phrases & practice with Chinese teachers at That’s Mandarin, scan this QR code.

DECEMBER 2021 | 09

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

With Borders Still Closed, Why Not Explore More of… China?

By Alistair Baker-Brian

T

he tightened control of China’s borders due to COVID-19 in March 2020 signaled the beginning of uncertainty for international tourism.

As of press time, overseas tourists are still unable to enter China. Meanwhile, Chinese tourists avoid traveling abroad due to strict quarantine requirements upon re-entry into the Middle Kingdom.

China was previously the largest outbound tourism market, as reported by Reuters. Thailand, a tourism market in which Chinese travelers used to contribute a large portion of revenue, recently announced it would re-open to vaccinated travelers. For now, that re-opening will not include tourists from the Middle Kingdom.

However, it’s not all bad news. Those who are ‘stuck in China,’ including many expats, have taken the opportunity to explore more of the country in which they live.

10 |DECEMBER 2021

This trend is reflected by China’s booming domestic tourist market. During this year’s Mid-Autumn festival in September, domestic trips totaled around 88 million, approximately 87.2% of pre-pandemic 2019 levels, according to Xinhua.

There are ups and downs, of course. As of press time, those in Beijing are advised not to leave the city, unless absolutely necessary. In addition, intermittent local outbreaks can also make domestic travel difficult.

But on the whole, things are positive for domestic tourism.

On the frontline of this buoyant domestic travel market is Jeremiah Jenne, founder of Beijing by Foot.

What started out as a hobby has now been Jenne’s full-time occupation since 2016. Beijing by Foot provides walking tours around the capital, operating as part of The Hutong cultural center.

The destinations may

be familiar to anyone with rudimentary knowledge of Beijing; Jenne takes tour parties to various hutong, the Summer Palace, the Forbidden City, Lama Temple and elsewhere. Yet, the stories he tells of the places are likely unbeknown to many, even Beijing locals and long-term residents of the city.

Jenne’s work doesn’t confine him to Beijing.

He’s also collaborated with Elevated Trips, a tour company focused largely on offthe-beaten-track eco tours across the Tibetan Plateau, as well as other destinations overseas.

Those tours have taken Jenne to Qinghai and Gansu provinces where he introduces the history of the areas to visitors.

Recently, Jenne has collaborated with Bespoke Travel Company. As the name suggests, the tours are custom-made with trips to the ancient Silk Road in Gansu, the Chinese-North

Korean border city Dandong, minority villages in Guizhou province and more.

Jenne leads the company’s recently-launched Destination Peking tour.

The tour is the namesake of British author Paul French’s book Destination Peking , an insight into the true stories of some of the city’s colorful expatriate residents in the early half of the 20th century.

The tour builds on the success of the Midnight in Peking tour, also run by Bespoke Travel Company and also the namesake of another of French’s books.

Midnight in Peking follows the true story of Pamela Werner, a British schoolgirl murdered in the city’s Kuijiachang Hutong in 1937.

That’s caught up with Jenne to talk about Beijing by Foot; the Destination Peking tour; and how being ‘trapped in China’ has afforded many people, both locals and expats, the opportunity to discover more of a country they thought they knew well.

Discovery on Your Doorstep What’s your background as a historian?

I have a doctorate in Chinese history. My research is focused particularly on the late 19th century. For almost 15 years, I taught late imperial and modern Chinese history here in Beijing for a program which included American students who would come here as part of their studyabroad program.

Out of that, I developed a company. One of the great joys of teaching Chinese history in China is that instead of just showing a picture of the Summer Palace and talking about it, we can just go to the Summer Palace and talk about it there.

Over time, I had a lot of people in the community who liked the idea. So, I would take other people on tours during the weekends.

Beijing by Foot is not an official company. It operates

as a division of the cultural exchange center The Hutong.

For five years now, we have led educational history walks, as well as history lectures and programs for embassies, schools, visiting delegations and, of course, the local expatriate and Chinese communities.

How long have you been doing the Destination Peking Tour?

This was a walk which Paul French, Sarah Keenlyside (who runs Bespoke Travel) and I put together over the summer and rolled out in October. We had two walks over the October holiday here in Beijing. Both sold out really quickly and both seemed to go really well. I understand that the third one coming up this weekend is almost full.

The response to the walk has been great, as has the response to Paul’s book.

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

Aside from Destination Peking, what other tours do you do?

As Beijing by Foot, we offer public walks here in Beijing which are to some of the more famous sites and to some of the less visited places.

The way we operate is that we pick a theme and explore that theme while we visit a particular place. For example, I was recently with a group at the Summer Palace.

We went there and talked about the life and legacy of Empress Dowager Cixi; not just about what her life was like but also about how her image has been changed and evolved over time. That gives us a point of discussion.

Most of our walks in Beijing have sold out. All in all, it’s been pretty successful.

DECEMBER 2021 | 11

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

Bespoke Travel’s tours are designed with people who have expertise in the area covered by each tour. Would you say that Beijing by Foot’s tours are designed in a similar way?

I’d say we have similar kinds of clients. They tend to be people who have already been to the Forbidden City and know what a hutong is.

It tends to be people who have lived in Beijing for a number of years – this last part is especially true in the last few years when there haven’t been any inbound travelers from overseas.

The idea is to get a little deeper. What’s the story behind the story?

And, since I’ve done a lot of research in libraries and in the archives, I often come across some really cool stories and information which doesn’t necessarily fit into something I’m writing or researching at that moment.

So, I file it away and then, that could be the basis for a walk or talk or something else down the road.

In terms of the Destination Peking walking tour in Beijing, tell us what kind of things people can experience on the tour (without giving too much away, of course).

We base the walk on Paul’s book. The idea of the Destination Peking book is that there is a series of chapters, each focusing on a particular person or maybe a couple of people who were sojourners to Beijing, mostly at the beginning of the 20th century during the

12 |DECEMBER 2021

Republican era from 1912 until 1949.

There are many places in Beijing which are associated with these (sojourners). As part of my own research, I’ve looked into people known as the ‘Peking Aesthetes,’ a kind of intellectual group of ‘hutong hipsters’ living in the city in Beijing in the 1920s and 1930s.

Some of them overlap and are featured in Paul’s book.

As we walk through some of the hutong alleyways, we talk about some of these figures such as George Kates, the author Harold Acton or even people who may be famous but less known for their connections to China such as Wallis Simpson; she spent some time in Beijing in the 1920s after her divorce.

There are a lot of characters. We talk about a good number of them. We talk about a particular era in Beijing’s history in the 1920s.

It’s an era which on the one hand is quite romanticized as the Republican era of cocktails on the rooftops.

There’s also another side to it which is that it was a tough city to live in; there was a lot of poverty and a lot of political instability. A lot of the good times we hear about tend to be based on positions of privilege related to colonialism.

So, I talk about all the good times but I also want to put it in a historical context.

I want to let people know what was going on beyond the international community in Peking, even though that community was itself very colorful and fascinating.

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

That’s previously spoke to Paul French about the Midnight in Peking tour.

He told us that the tours tend to attract Beijing locals and expats who have lived in the city long-term.

The tours help them to discover a part of the city that they’re not really familiar with. Would you say the same is true for the Destination Peking tours?

Those who go on the Destination Peking tours tend to be people living in the city including long-term residents. In some ways, that makes it an even richer experience for me to lead the walk.

I often see these as discussions rather than me just speaking to a group of people. Many of the people on the walk have lived in Beijing for five to ten years or more. Some of them even grew up here. That means that during the tour, they have their own experiences which are associated with the places we visit.

I think that’s only natural in some ways. Think about a city like London. There are all these London walking tours. The people which go on them may often be people who have lived and grown up in London.

They’re always keen to learn something new about their city.

Every time I go to a library or an archive, I learn something new about Beijing, a city I think I know pretty well. It reminds

me that there is always something new to learn, no matter how long I do this.

You’ve been running Beijing

by Foot full-time since 2016. Has COVID-19 had any effect on the kind of people who participate in the tours?

When I first started Beijing

by Foot, I thought that most of my clients would be people flying in to Beijing from abroad.

To a certain extent, that was true. I also quickly learned that a lot of the people on the tours were people visiting friends or relatives in Beijing. The joke has always been “My aunt is visiting Beijing and I want her to do something on Wednesday. Give her to Jeremiah for the day!”

However, even from the very beginning, it felt like a lot of the people on my walks were people already living in Beijing. That was not what I expected but I appreciate that. For example, at the Summer Palace, a lot of people say, “I’ve been here before but I’m glad there is someone here to explain it to me in more detail.”

I think that’s wonderful that people do that.

Regarding COVID-19, the lack of inbound travelers has been a problem. I would usually work with a lot of student groups who might come here during the summer. I would take college students around

the Forbidden City. I would deliver lectures to groups of MBA students visiting China.

They’re not able to come right now.

However, there’s also a lot of people who are kind of stuck here. The people who would normally go to Thailand, Bali or elsewhere cannot do that right now.

A lot of people are looking for things to do in China, specifically in the cities in which they live.

So, even though it’s been an interesting couple of years to say the least, my business, which is mainly just me, has remained pretty busy. Perhaps I’ve not been quite as busy as I was before COVID-19 but it’s been great that a lot of people have been able to take the time to explore Beijing.

DECEMBER 2021 | 13

ARTS & LIFE Chow and Lin p15

Covet P16

14 |DECEMBER 2021

Under the Lens P16

SPOTLIGHT

CHOW AND LIN Artist Duo

Interview by Vanessa Jencks

Malaysian-born, Singapore-raised Stefen Chow and Singaporean Huiyi Lin are a Beijing-based duo exploring current life topics in visually relevant ways. They’ve won multiple awards, spoken at many events and participated in dozens of group and solo exhibits in over 18 countries.

In all fairness, the recent worldwide success and acknowledgement of their ambitious project The Poverty Line really comes as no surprise.

For readers not familiar with The Poverty Line, could you give me a brief summary about it?

Lin: Firstly, it’s an interdisciplinary project cross studying in photography and art, then into public policy and economic research. Secondly, it’s not something for one specific type of audience. Thirdly, it takes a global-local lens. We are taking a lens to look at global issues yet contextualizing the local situation. We start from things that we associate with very directly, which is food and newspapers.

Chow: The whole idea was just to answer the question, what does it mean to be poor? This issue struck with us quite personally. After we started this project, we realized that both of us were born into privileged backgrounds, but then both of our families actually lost everything in their respective businesses when we were young. So we actually experienced life with financial struggles as we were growing up. We were very fortunate to have proper education and also to move up the social ladder, so to speak. As we became professionals ourselves, we wanted to find projects that were meaningful. This topic actually really resonated with us.

How did you pick the food that actually went on to the newspaper?

Lin: Generally the approach that we took was that we wanted to assemble a local

“I realized the photography professor was actually living at the poverty line herself” food basket. From an economic approach, you want to look at the local food choices, comprising of different types of food groups, carbohydrates, proteins, fruits, vegetables and snacks. If one day someone gets a little more money, they might not just spend it on basic calories but perhaps better protein or a treat for their children. We try to recreate rational and impulsive consumer behaviors.

Do you have any specific stories that stand out to you while you were researching for this project?

Chow: I have two personal stories.

One was about Arjun, the caretaker in the apartment that we were staying in India. After he realized what we were doing, he personally guided us to the local markets to get food at local prices and brought the food back for us. I told him we also photographed this project in different countries. He immediately asked, “Have you done Switzerland?” It just popped up from nowhere. “Yeah, I think we have photographs,” I told him.

His next question was, “Are there poor people in Switzerland?” And we say, “Interesting that you asked, there are.” So we showed him the poverty line choices in Switzerland.

He found it very fascinating. He was looking at the food, comparing with what he has back home. And we know Arjun does not get high pay, but has a very modest salary and livelihood. He remarked to us that he actually has more choices than what they did in Switzerland. The reason why he had an impression about Switzerland was that

in India, in a lot of Bollywood movies, the stars will often dance and suddenly land in the hills of Switzerland. So for a lot of mainstream Indians, Switzerland represents this paradise, a heaven for anyone who visits the country.

The other story was from when I was traveling in Portland, in the US, and met up with a photography professor. As we were having lunch, she started asking me about the statistics and the figures about the poverty line in the US, which we have documented as well. I started sharing figures with her about the food budget. Then she remarked, “Yeah, that’s about how much I spend in a single day.”

I realized the photography professor was actually living at the poverty line herself.

She explained that she is not a full-time professor at the state university. Her other sources of income had dried up.

Her car was behind payments. The house was under threat of being repossessed.

I think this is the biggest learning point we have in doing ten years worth of poverty line work. We’re not just talking about a community of people that we see to be very visibly poor. They may have a job, they may have education, but due to circumstances, either through individual choices or systematic choices, they have slipped through the cracks and have fallen below the poverty line.

The people that we are documenting are actually the people who look more like everyone else, our core audience, rather than someone that we assume to be poor, just because they look like it.

DECEMBER 2021 | 15

OVERHEARD

“The Xi-Biden talks have raised hopes for a less fractious, more stable year ahead for US partners like Japan, South Korea & Australia.

But in strategic terms there’s still a rough competitive period ahead.”

Wrote Kevin Rudd via Twitter. Rudd is a former Prime Minister of Australia and now president of the Asia Society Policy Institute, which is a think tank “tackling policy challenges confronting the AsiaPacific region in security, prosperity and sustainability.” The virtual talk between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden was the third time the two leaders have spoken together. ChinaUS ties have taken a beating in the past five years for multiple reasons so this chat has been a hopeful sign to many who want to see more cooperation, especially in business and industry sectors.

COVET

Cosmograph Daytona 116519LN This Rolex watch has an out-of-this-world face cut from the metal of a meteorite. The unique pattern could have come from the heart of an asteroid or possibly even the mixing metals of an exploded moon until the meteorite eventually ended up in Earth’s orbit and came crashing down. For an extraterrestrial combo, the designers at Rolex chose to place the meteorite face in the classic Cosmograph Daytona, which was originally designed in 1963 for professional racecar drivers. Priced around USD$13,000, this watch would really merit astronomical admiration. > Search for a local Rolax retailer on their website.

Screenshot via Rolex.com

UNDER THE LENS

New Indie Found Follows Chinese American Adoptees Available to view on Netflix, Found follows Chinese American teens, Lily, Chloe and Sadie, as they discover their cousin connection to one another and then decide to travel back to China to learn more about their bloodline roots. This heartwarming story will connect with anyone who was adopted, has adopted from China or who had to choose to love by letting go. The film, directed by Amanda Lipitz, amplifies the voices and stories of transnational, transracial adoptees.

Sanya Daily Newspaper WeChat

Netflix 16 |DECEMBER 2021

T H AT ’ S M A G A Z I N E S

CITY SNAPSHOT

@stevensenshan Head of Xiaomi Visual and Xiaomi Studios, Steven Senshan has been living in Beijing for six years and working for Xiaomi for three years.

His job offers him a creative challenge. Since the founding of the in-house Xiaomi Studios, they’ve created 50 short films with a community of global filmmakers, including Oscar-winning directors and interesting content creators at every level. The featured pictures were taken at Lize SOHO in Fengtai District, Beijing. He tells us that the city “represents a dream come true.”

Originally from Canada but having grown up in the US, Senshan first fell in love with Beijing and China eight years ago as part of a study abroad program via the University of Toronto. He vowed to return with three goals, learn Chinese, find a job in China, and learn filmmaking and photography – which he has accomplished in the last six years. Calling Beijing home, Senshan fits in with the city’s international diversity. His family background includes his Japanese mother and his Polish, Ukranian, Danish and English father. What he loves most about Beijing is the people.

“One of my favorite words in Chinese is 仗 义 which roughly translates to having someone’s back. It is often used to describe Beijing people and truly captures the kindhearted nature of the people in this city.”

DECEMBER 2021 | 17

MELIÁ’S BERNARDO CABOT ESTARELLAS

Recipient of Shanghai’s Prestigious Magnolia Silver Award Interview by Ned Kelly

Bernardo Cabot Estarellas, Managing Director of Meliá Hotels International in China, is a recent recipient of the Magnolia Silver Award, an annual honorary award initiated by the Shanghai Municipal Government in 1989 to recognize and honor foreigners who contribute significantly to Shanghai’s economic and social development. We caught up with him to wish him well on winning the prestigious prize.

First of all, big congratulations – what does the Silver Magnolia Award mean to you?

It is a great honor for me. Shanghai is my second home and it makes me feel so proud to receive the Shanghai Magnolia Silver Award. Shanghai is the place I feel I belong to. My family and I have established our roots here for more than a decade, and we have a very strong emotional attachment to this city. My two daughters have had a happy childhood and teenage life here and they have grown up learning Chinese culture from a young age, which will be a valuable experience for them.

We welcomed our son in 2014, and formed an even bigger family in Shanghai. I feel very grateful to receive the Shanghai Magnolia Silver Award, and will continue to contribute to the promotion of the hotel industry in Shanghai and China.

When did you first come to Shanghai?

I arrived in Shanghai in 2010, the same year as the World Expo. I was appointed by the company to Senior Vice President for the Asia Pacific region and came to open the Shanghai office, which would serve as the headquarters not only for the company in China but also for the entire Asia Pacific region. Our family’s immersion in society was easier than I imagined; people were really nice, and I guess that helped a lot for us to adapt ourselves quite quickly to the new environment.

18 |DECEMBER 2021

How has the city changed and developed over the years that you have lived here?

I have to say that Shanghai is evolving so fast that every day it is different. The speed of its development is marvelous.

I can give some examples from my daily life. When I first arrived, it was very hard to find good coffee in Shanghai. But now, as a recent report shows, Shanghai has more coffee shops than any other city in the entire world, and more than half of them are boutique and artisanal.

Technology and digitalization is another thing that impresses me. Alipay and WeChat push China towards a cashless society. When I went back to Spain for vacation, I always forgot to bring my wallet with me when I went out because I had got used to the convenience of life here.

What is it that makes the city of Shanghai so special?

I think it is its diversity and inclusivity.

Shanghai has a unique ‘East meets West’ culture. It is a modern metropolis with global influence. I feel the people here are very open-minded, full of curiosity and always open their arms to new things. This is amazing and it is why the city is constantly evolving and acting as a pioneer and trendsetter for the whole country.

Undoubtedly, I think it is the most international city in China, and it certainly attracts foreigners to move and stay here.

In what ways do you help promote relations between Spain and China?

As a member of the China-Spain Business Advisory Council, I’m very happy to be actively involved in the Council on behalf of Meliá Hotels International in promoting economic ties and development between Spain and China from the social, political, economic and cultural perspectives.

Meliá Hotels International has long supported various activities for the promotion of relations between China and Spain. During President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Spain in November 2018, I was honored to support the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism in the relevant preparatory work.

In 2015, Meliá Hotels International launched a training program called ‘Pengyou,’ which aims to help our hotels around the world to learn more about Chinese culture and customs to better serve and meet the expectations of Chinese guests.

This year, we supported the roadshows of Turespaña (Spain Tourism Board) in Chengdu and Xi’an to help promote Spain as a charming travel destination. We organized an art-gastronomy workshop, inspired by the famous Spanish painter Joan Miro, to bring Spanish culture to industry and media professionals.

We also just finished supporting the Consulate General of the Kingdom of Spain in Shanghai to host two successful events in celebration of Spain’s National Day at our hotel Meliá Shanghai Hongqiao in October.

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How does the ‘Pengyou’ training program work?

We have created a manual of service standards to educate our hotels worldwide, including guest reception, room facilities, dining services and preferences, Chinese payment methods, etc. From having Chinese-speaking staff assisting the guests during their stay to preparing traditional Chinese breakfast such as congee and dim sum, we want to make our Chinese guests feel at home away from home through those small details.

How important is cultural understanding between nations?

We all come from different backgrounds and cultural understanding allows us to be able to walk in others’ shoes. It helps to build a world with less judgment and more empathy and inclusivity. Cultural understanding also helps us learn from each other and get inspired.

I am a culturally savvy person and I love to study local culture. During my time here in China, I have become fascinated by Chinese culture.

Meanwhile, I am also passionate about sharing the culture of my own country, Spain, with more people. I feel very committed and I have so much enthusiasm to contribute to improving the cultural understanding between China and Spain.

This is also Meliá Hotels International’s commitment, as a Spanish company in China, we aim to bring the best of both cultures together.

You are also a black belt in Taekwondo and Judo. Martial Arts are sports with a certain amount of philosophy behind them. Does that transfer over into your work life?

What I like about practicing martial arts, and what it helps me to improve, is concentration and resilience. I think these two things are extremely important in our lives, both at work and on a personal level.

I dedicate 100% when I do something. High concentration helps me to have high efficiency and effectiveness. Resilience is also essential.

We often face difficult situations in our lives. We might need to bend, we might get hit, but if we resist, we will stay standing until the end.

What do you see for Shanghai and yourself in the future?

Without a doubt, Shanghai is and will be a reference worldwide in all aspects: urban development, education, lifestyle, fashion, healthcare, hospitality and infrastructure. In my opinion, Shanghai is a place where everyone should invest part of their life to feel the soul of a modern eastern city.

As for myself, I don’t know. It is hard to say about the future because the world is changing so quickly.

But what I can say is that I am now working hard for the city, the country, my company and enjoying, with my family, this extraordinary opportunity.

We are in the right place at the right moment.

Bernardo Cabot Estarellas’ Favorite Meliá Properties Around China It is very hard to choose the favorites because every property has its unique charm. But I can talk about a few highlights of our recent projects in China.

I think it is interesting to talk about these hotels because they reflect a new trend in the market: urban resorts, which meet both the demands of leisure and business travelers.

We can start from Shanghai. Meliá Shanghai Parkside is a hotel that reflects the Shanghainese Shikumen-style architecture. It is located right next to Shanghai Disneyland Park and famous luxury shopping outlets center Shanghai Village.

Then we travel to Chengdu, the ‘Land of Abundance,’ where we opened Gran Meliá Chengdu in 2020. Strategically built

by Jincheng Lake, an oasis of tranquility and nature in the center of Chengdu, Gran Meliá Chengdu consists of seven buildings that combine the traditional Shu-Han design of the city with modernist elegance and lush gardens.

Following the same ‘bleisure’ trend, Gran Meliá Xian, its sister hotel and our first flagship hotel in China, is also located next to a beautiful lake and a magnificent park – Qujiang Pond Ruins Park. It allows travelers to enjoy natural scenery and healthy walks during their trip.

As I learned, mountains and water are fundamental compositional elements of Chinese culture. People enjoy going to the mountains, thus leading to the next hotel I am going to talk about.

Meliá Chongqing is an urban resort located amid the beautiful Tieshanping Forest Park. The tranquility of nature in the mountain brings guests a sense of peace. It focuses on the well-being of the guests and respects the local environment, which fully aligns with Meliá’s strategy of sustainability. It is also a great place for families to spend a vacation as the hotel and its partner organizations provide abundant activity programs for children of all ages.

DECEMBER 2021 | 19

TRAVEL GUIZHOU

Countryside and Culture p24

Mile High P22 20 |DECEMBER 2021

Hospitality Highlight P23

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Kaizen Your Work: Big Achievements with Small Changes

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hree years ago, British entrepreneur Alex Mackrell had a full-time job on top of running two companies, but he was not doing well. His dedication to work was great for business, but not for his mental health - he was demotivated and burnt out.

Mackrell, who graduated from Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University’s MSc Management programme in 2018, knew things had to change. In early 2019, he discovered the potential of habit psychology and began applying it alongside the kaizen philosophy which he studied at XJTLU. Both went on to transform his life.

Mackrell looked into the simple but powerful processes behind habit formation and reinforcement. Kaizen, a Japanese philosophy meaning “change for the better”, focuses on small, continuous improvements that lead to huge results over time.

“Making life changes can be daunting. Kaizen breaks goals into smaller, achievable chunks, and habits make those improvements automatic,” he explains.

Over the past two years, he got his life back on track and made big changes by starting small. Here are his tips:

him to keep going.

1. Start small Mackrell says the changes should not only be small, but “stupidly small”.

For example, he wanted to eventually get into the habit of planning his day before getting down to tasks. His first “stupidly small” change? Setting an alarm.

“On day zero, I set an alarm for 9 am the next morning. On day one, I woke up, picked up my notebook, and put it back down. Day two: at 9 am, pick up the notebook and write down tasks for the day. Day three, look at the task list and work on one for just five minutes,” he says.

Small changes are easier to implement, and Mackrell says despite their relative size, they bring him a great sense of achievement and encourage

2. Be consistent Consistency is key, and the only way towards real progress.

As Mackrell improved his routine, the agenda began to look different.

“Day 30: alarm goes off at 9 am.

Pick up the notebook. Get a coffee.

Work for 45 minutes. Rest for 10 minutes. Work for 45 minutes. Rest for 10 minutes. Get more coffee, and write down the tasks for tomorrow.”

By day 497, the list evolved into a powerful routine.

“Alarm goes off at 9 am. Write out today’s date and checklist, and reflect on yesterday. Get coffee. Write down three important work goals and sub-goals for the day. Work for 45 minutes. Rest for 10 minutes. Work for 45 minutes. Rest for 10 minutes.

Get more coffee. Work for 45 minutes.

Reflect on today’s productivity, and write down the routine for tomorrow.”

3. Acknowledge your progress To keep track of his progress, Mackrell uses a notebook to document his

routines. He also rewards himself upon completing his work routine.

“Rewards tell your brain that the habit you have just completed should be repeated. The stronger the reward, the faster the habit will stick,” he says. For Mackrell, the most powerful rewards are the intrinsic feelings of autonomy, mastery and purpose, and each of these empower him to keep building his business.

Mackrell’s company, Manakai Consulting, was started in 2019 with the goal of teaching others to build their own habits using kaizen. He no longer works at the cost of his health, is more motivated, productive, and has much lower stress.

Mackrell continues to use kaizen to improve his routines and his business.

“Small changes can lead to huge results over time,” he says. “To start, all you need is a pen, paper, and an alarm.”

To learn more about XJTLU’s programmes, scan the QR code.

DECEMBER 2021 | 21

ROLLER COASTER Shanghai Disney Holiday Resort was closed down unexpectedly on October 31 – and remained closed to all guests on November 1 and 2 – after a guest who visited the resort tested positive in Hangzhou. The infected guest traveled to Shanghai from Shangrao city in Jiangxi province on October 29. Guests who had remained in the resort were all required to undergo a nucleic acid test before leaving.

All 33,863 people linked to the resort tested negative, as reported by SHINE. On Weibo, the hashtag ‘Fireworks set off at Disney contrast with efforts to control the pandemic’ had been viewed over 170 million times the day after the park was closed.

This is in reference to a video circulating on social media showing Disneyland’s night-time firework display in the background, as medical workers in hazmat suits carry out nucleic acid tests in the foreground.

The resort reopened with business as usual by November 3.

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MILE HIGH

Expo Exclusion Entry to CIIE has been barred to people from certain virus-risk areas. The China International Import Expo, held annually in Shanghai, sees a multitude of products from across the globe come together under one roof. This year the event took place from November 5-10. This important event, spanning more than 360,000 square meters, allows for improved opportunities for international trade deals However, this year, anyone having visited any high- and medium-risk areas for COVID-19 plus any in areas with local cases reported in the previous 21 days were not allowed to attend.

This is in line with pandemic prevention and control measures for both the event and Shanghai city.

T H AT ’ S M A G A Z I N E S

HOSPITALITY HIGHLIGHT

The Dutchess and Duke of Wuyuan, Jiangxi Province Victoria House Hotel is an English Country Manor located in the Jiangxi countryside, just twenty minutes from Wuyuan Railway Station. Named after owners Ed Gawne and Selina Liao’s daughter Victoria, it’s evident that the guesthouse is for those looking for a personal touch and meaningful interactions. The tasteful décor showcases old maps hand-delivered from owner Ed Gawne’s grandma’s home in the UK, traditional baroque and portraiture paintings, comfy chairs, a warming fireplace illuminating a live-edge wooden bar, a child’s play area and an expansive library. The outside encompasses two acres of gardens with a river bend at the front and tea fields at the back, along with an outdoor pool and available parking. The 17-room building offers guests the most authentic of British getaways right here in China, with 14 more rooms set to open in the coming month in the second wing. Most attractive, the space also offers picturesque vistas and dining accommodation for largescale events, like weddings, business gatherings and special occasions.

An Encyclopedia of Gin at URBAN Lounge’s Gin Library

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he Sukhothai Shanghai recently launched the renewed URBAN Lounge, upgraded as the Gin Library – a full array of more than 300 gins, tasting flights, trolley service and master classes abound.

Curated by Attila Balint, the Bar and Beverage Manager and his team, the Gin Library features everything from large gin distilleries to rare, artisan bottles hailing from small-batch raft gin makers across the globe.

The menu is a master class in and of itself; patrons can start with the first page’s gin tasting wheel that draws them to different cocktails through color coding. Whether you lean towards citrus,

floral, fruity or herbal gins – or your aim is purely navy strength – there are pages of options and tonic pairing recommendations provided accordingly for this G&T-focused spot.

Here you can experience a Gin Around the Globe (RMB140-160) tasting flight – organized by destination or style – with three separate 20ml pours, plus a tonic and garnish. For those craving that Old World charm, the Sukhothai Martini Trolley (RMB140) arrives tableside where guests can observe the art of martini making, an iconic act with an added touch of drama, resulting in one of the most balanced martinis on this side of the Yangtze.

To pair with the gins, URBAN Lounge showcases a continental style menu, with bar snacks, skewers, Asian bites, salads and burgers.

Furthermore, where there’s gin and

nibbles, there’s live music – every Friday and Saturday from 8-11pm – with the Jazz Trio.

From interested gin neophytes to serious gin aficionados, URBAN Lounge’s Gin Library serves as a guide offering an engaging experience for every guest.

DECEMBER 2021 | 23

GUI TR AVEL | F E AT U R E

ZHOU Explore Countryside Culture in China’s Most Known Unknown Destination

By Sophie Steiner

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till generally unfamiliar to those outside of China, Guizhou province has rapidly become one of the country’s top tourist destinations over the last few years. Rolling verdant mountain scenery, flowing waterfalls, traditional minority villages tucked into valleys and undulating rice terraces make Guizhou a favorite amongst history buffs, nature lovers and photo bloggers alike.

Located in southwest China – nestled between Yunnan, Sichuan and Guangxi – this under-commercialized region acts as a retreat into rural landscapes for those who have already visited China’s most-famed sites and are now ready to understand its other, more authentic side.

Despite being known as one of China’s poorest provinces, Guizhou is

24 |DECEMBER 2021

rich in minority heritage. A trip to this unsung area offers travelers a cultural respite for exploring remote countryside communities, observing local customs and experiencing traditions that make each township distinct. The ethnical identity varies greatly, allowing sightseers to discover thousands of years of abundantly diverse Chinese history without the strenuous travel days.

Guizhou also boasts surreal scenery, from pristine natural reserves and sprawling parks to gushing waterfalls, some of the world’s largest cave systems and mountainous hiking routes.

And it has the added allure of being almost completely unknown to the outside world, making its unexplored ecological havens all the more enticing.

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Guiyang The province’s capital city, Guiyang, is a bustling hub of food and drink culture, museums and nearby ancient towns. Like most of Guizhou, Guiyang enjoys a temperate climate, making it accessible throughout the year. Start out by getting your bearings of the city in the most picturesque way possible, from the top of Qianling Mountain Park – the city’s green lung. The sweeping vistas across the hills, lake and city, paired with wild roaming macaques and the ancient Hongfu Temple make it an ideal place to spend a pleasant afternoon.

After the sun sets, the city becomes one lively night market, with plastic tables and chairs lining Quanlin Pedestrian Street and Wenchang Bei Lu. A nightly feast involves laoguo ( 烙锅 ) – a form of dry pot – that pairs perfectly with a frothy mug of beer, while other food favorites span chicken and tofu noodles, intestine noodle soup and siwawa, with a mandatory stop at Baozheng ( 包整 ) to sample minority dishes from across the country.

Don’t miss the Jiaxiu Tower lit up at night, an agreeable spot for a stroll along the water to burn off the extra calories.

Additional must-visits include Qingyan Old Town to take in the historical buildings, Yelang Valley and an outing to Tripsmith Brewery, Tap Star or Monkey King to take advantage of the city’s booming craft beer scene.

Minority Villages One third of Guizhou’s population belongs to various minority groups, the most prevalent of which include Miao, Buyi and Dong. The colorful multi-day festivals attract thousands of participants to remote hamlets to experience these one-of-a-kind celebrations.

More accessible towns include the well-preserved Zhenyuan, with its twisting back alleys that look like something out of Harry Potter and access to the southern-most section of The Great Wall; Xijiang, the largest Miao village built along the mountains; and sleepy Zhaoxing with its five stoic drum towers lining the horizon.

But visitors can break away from the tourist trail to remote, slower paced townships – of which there are hundreds dotting the 176,000 square kilometers that make up Guizhou – where village life still focuses on rice cultivation, indigo dying and farming, rather than tourism. Popular stops include Langde, Matang, Basha, Dali and Huanggang, to name a few.

DECEMBER 2021 | 25

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Huangguoshu Waterfall ( 黄果树瀑布景区 )

China’s largest waterfall, Huangguoshu, flows from the Baishui River, cascading down nearly a 78-meter drop. Visitors can experience the falls at all angles, including trekking through the Water Curtain Cave behind the falls, relishing in the forceful spray to cool down after the long trek. The scenic spot also offers travelers a day’s worth of hiking options in the connecting Doupotang and Tianxinqiao areas, with six viewing platforms, a cluster of 18 additional waterfalls, karst scenery, bonsai gardens and mirror-like lakes.

Don’t miss the Silver Spring Waterfall, arguably more striking than Huangguoshu, or a stop at Balinghe River Bridge just 10-kilometers south of the falls – one of the world’s highest bridges.

Aside from Anshun, there are other Stone Villages on the upper reaches of the Duopotang scenic area, famed for exquisite batik craft, like Tianlong Tunpu and Yunfeng Tunpu. Hongshan Lake also makes for a peaceful place to appreciate the relaxing pace of vacation.

To get to Huangguoshu Waterfall, take a high-speed train from Guiyang to Anshun and then a bus to the falls, or hire a driver for a 2-hour trip from Guiyang’s city center.

Ten Thousand Peak Forest (Wanfenglin 万峰林 )

The most visited attraction in the Qianxinan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Ten Thousand Peak Forest is marked by karst peaks, green fields, winding rivers, hidden Buddhist temples and quaint hamlets, located just seven kilometers away from Xingyi city. Wanfenglin shares similarly impressive landscapes as Guilin and Yangshuo, yet without the throngs of people, affording it more of an air of authenticity and undiscovered adventure we all crave in this thoroughly mapped world.

For those on a quicker timeline, there’s an entry fee and a sightseeing bus, but the true experience comes from renting an electric scooter and buzzing around at your own pace. Position yourself in any of the small clusters of Buyi homestays (we suggest Nahui Village) and drive along the fields towards the southern end to Wanfo Temple – a Buddhist Temple built into the side of a cave. Pro-tip: Don’t miss the sour bamboo, tomato and beef hotpot ( 酸笋牛肉 ) found at most rustic restaurants nearby.

Just south of Wanfenglin sits Maling Canyon and River, a spectacularly steep gorge filled with dozens of waterfalls, arching bridges, overhanging bamboo and river rafting. Hikers can traverse the path hollowed out into the gorge walls or take in the views via raft when water levels are high.

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Jiabang Rice Terrace ( 加榜梯田 ) Rice is of the utmost importance in Guizhou, a central focus of life.

Rice fields are passed down through generations and entire towns participate in the planting, cultivation, picking, drying and storing process every year. While Guizhou’s expansive countryside offers numerous rice field views, none can be compared to the panoramic sight of Jiabang Rice Terrace. Situated in a secluded part of Congjiang county, the terrace spans ten kilometers, changing from vibrant green in summer to shimmering gold in fall to snow-flecked white in winter to reflective mirrors of watery blue in spring. Travelers can hire a private car and choose to spend a night in one of the many bucolic homestays, taking in the star-filled sky in the evening and the misty sunrises early the next morning.

Sour Fish Soup ( 酸汤鱼 )

Originating from Kaili, the Miao staple of sour fish soup, or suantangyu , has now become the province’s most applauded dish, and with good reason. The succulent fermented tomato broth is seasoned with mujiangzi – a regional peppercorn with a notably floral flavor profile – coriander, lemongrass and ginger. A buttery Guizhou river fish, similar to catfish, simmers in the equal parts spicy and sour soup, surrounded by anything from leafy greens and sliced bamboo to tofu and mushrooms in all varieties, sliced lotus root and other seasonal produce. Freshly harvested rice serves as the ideal base for soaking up the extra broth that bubbles and thickens into a richer, fish fat-flavored, spiced stew.

The underdog in this hotpot feast is the dipping sauce that sees a blend of fermented soybean (or furu ), chili, mujiangzi , shallot, coriander and garlic come together into the most balanced hotpot sauce ever created. The complex flavors of this year-round consumed dish are best enjoyed with rice wine, a drinking tradition that is common throughout the entire area.

Siwawa ( 丝娃娃 ) A traditional Guizhou snack, siwawa is a vegetarian spring roll of sorts, made from colorful fillings rolled into thin flour wrappers.

Everything from shredded vegetables, sprouts and pickled garlic to firm, marinated tofu, toasted peanuts and zhe’ergen ( 折耳根 ) – a strong-flavored root commonly used in Guizhou cooking – finds its way into these wraps, before being dunked into a tangy tomato broth.

How to Visit Most visitors begin their travels in Guiyang or Tongren as the airports there serve many domestic flight routes. From there, travel around the province involves a mix of trains or hired drivers, with distances being manageable. For a portion of our travels, we traversed Guizhou with China Adventure, a Chengdu-based tour agency that offers both guided tours and driver options, with included accommodation at 4-star hotels. China Adventure also offers trips across the nation to destinations like Xinjiang, Jiuzhaigou, Yunnan and Zhangjiajie, among others. To book your next Guizhou trip with China Adventure, visit www.chinaadventure.org.

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BUSINESS & TECH Start-Up Stories Jerebrew p30

100architects: China’s Pioneers of Functional Urban Art P32 28 |DECEMBER 2021

FESTIVE SEASON!

A Doctor’s Tips to Safe Drinking and Partying

By Dr. Steven Misch

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he festive season is just around the corner. It’s a time of parties and celebrations, but also usually a time of over-indulgence associated specifically with alcohol. Therefore, now is a perfect time for people to be informed about how to consume alcohol safely and be careful not to put their health at risk.

So, how to drink safely during the festive season? The first step is how to avoid a hangover. It’s a bit funny, because people just ASSUME that excess drinking is inevitable, so it’s like asking ‘How much toxin can I imbibe without feeling too bad?’” I figured out when I was 18 that three drinks gave me a happy buzz, but left minimal hangover. Probably a 1-2 drink max is even better.

The main reason that I first cut back on drinking was because I was weary of wasting the following day of my life feeling so tired and unenthused.”

Besides moderation or abstinence, here are tips from IF you are going to drink: 1. Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.

2. Do not drink on an empty stomach. Healthy fats, such as olive oil rich foods, oily fish, avocado and nuts, can be good before parties.

Since healthy fats are also satiating, they’ll help you avoid overeating garbage snack foods (One of his former patients insightfully asked his family, “Why do we have to celebrate by eating crap!?”).

3. Drink earlier in the day or evening to get enough sleep afterwards. Alcohol impairs your sleep quality. Drinking earlier in the day allows for earlier breakdown and clearance. Have you noticed that after a night of poor sleep you feel like you have a hangover, even if you didn’t drink?

4. Ibuprofen may help decrease some of the inflammation induced by

alcohol. Inflammation is one of the main drivers of many diseases and alcohol is pro inflammatory. Hmmm. Take with food as both alcohol and ibuprofen can irritate the stomach lining.

“You girls should be careful…”

Women are more vulnerable to hangovers than men due to a lower percentage of body water, and they’re more vulnerable to the cancer-causing risks of alcohol. Alcohol is also the number one ‘date rape’ drug.

But how do you ease anxiety over the festive season? Here are some tips for you to pull off.

1. You may resort to alcohol when you feel stressed, but try alternative ways such as yoga, meditation and sauna. Sauna has been shown to have a measurable detox effect and reduces deaths from all causes.

2. You may want to redeem yourself with exercise. Indeed, exercise can be a very positive way to punctuate overindulgence and to embrace the positive over the harmful effects of alcohol. Exercises release endorphins, natural mood elevators and may help your sleep the following night.

3. Different colored vegetables and fruit can help buffer some of the damages of junk food like cookies, cakes and biscuits, soft drinks and sweets.

4.You may take some supplements such as Vitamin D, CoQ10, Fluimucil and Spirulina to help boost your health.

Vitamin D is recommended for EVERYONE, since it’s hard to get enough from sun and food. As it interacts with about 1,000 different genes, it is more like a steroid hormone than a vitamin and can help prevent colds, flu, covid, Alzheimer’s dementia, and diabetes.

CoQ10 helps our mitochondria energy factories (hammered by alcohol), while Fluimucil (NAC) helps our detox process.

Spirulina is a great source of phytonutrient free radical scavengers from blue green

algae, so it is very natural.

So, enjoy the SOCIAL aspect of festivals, without AUTOMATICALLY buying into the overindulgence paradigm. If you ARE having some food or drink that is not ideal, remember that “It is the portion that is the poison,” so BLTs can help. No, not Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato, but Bites, Licks and Tastes. And, since we’re in China, keep your Yin/Yang balance.

Copywrited by Peng Min.

Dr. Stephen Misch Chief of New Bund Clinic, General Practitioner

With more than 30 years of experience in the US, Shanghai and Chengdu, Dr. Misch has expertise in a broad range of family practice problems, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, cholesterol concerns, depression and anxiety, as well as urgent situations like treating lacerations, fractures, etc.

He is also interested in promoting natural, lifestyle, preventative health measures and helping patients understand their obstacles to improvements.

About SinoUnited Health SinoUnited Health is a leading medical service provider based in Shanghai. Their team of medical specialists is selected from both China and abroad and its members are renowned for their excellence and rich experience in their respective fields of medical expertise.

Their vision is to provide patient-oriented care by strictly adhering to medical practice guidelines, incorporating the latest technologies and respecting patient’s individual needs. For enquiries, please call 400 186 2116. For more information visit www. sinounitedhealth.com. cn or scan the QR code: DECEMBER 2021 | 29

BUSINESS & TECH | F E AT URE

START-UP STORIES Jerebrew

By Joshua Cawthorpe

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his month, That’s talks to Jeremy Guillou about the process of starting a microbrewery in China. Two years ago, when some people were learning how to bake sourdough bread, Guillou began building Jerebrew and now bottles the lifeblood of his Guangdong community.

Can you tell me a bit about your background. Where did you grow up and when did you move to China? Do you have experience in breweries from before coming to China? Where did this passion begin?

My background isn’t directly in brewing beer. My family on my mother’s side have a vineyard in my hometown of Nantes in France, so I grew up in the winery. I learned all about how to grow wine, make wine and sell wine. Making wine is a little more complicated than brewing beer. So, although I started brewing beer without real experience, I do have a background making other types of alcoholic beverages. The brewery has been officially open for one year and it was in development for about one year before.

I moved to China 10 years ago. When I graduated in France, I traveled to New Zealand to improve my English. I was working for a year on a work-holiday visa and I actually met my wife there. She is from Zhongshan so after the trip I just moved to her hometown.

Why did you chose to open a brewery in Zhongshan? Are there other breweries in the city?

Zhongshan is a smaller city for Guangdong and it’s a “family city.” To open a business here for production was a good idea but, in terms of marketing the business, it’s a little bit limiting. My ambition is to expand out of Zhongshan in the next one or two years.

Can you tell me a little bit more about the equipment requirements — were they 30 |DECEMBER 2021

easy to source in China?

Right now, my maximum capacity is about 5,000 liters per month. I use a traditional way to brew without any chemicals or forced fermentation. I use a big cooling tank to keep the temperature stable, especially in Guangdong where it can be 35 degrees — as this is not very good for fermenting beer.

I chose equipment to brew at smaller volumes so that I could easily brew small quantities of experimental beer.

All of the equipment is made in China and it was easy to purchase for a reasonable cost. The total investment was about RMB200,000 as I was lucky to find a shop that didn’t need any major renovations.

For Zhongshan the system is scalable. But to expand out of the area would be complicated with the current keg system. They are very heavy so, to expand out of the area, I might encouter problems with the delivery cost.

However, it’s not an impossible problem to solve so I’ll find a solution when I need to.

What is the target demographic for craft beer in your area? How do you market to your audience?

We sell products in two ways — bottles and mini kegs. The latter I’ve been developing for a few months and it’s working very well.

The mini keg has three sizes: 3L,7L and 10L. It comes with a bottle of CO2, which is about 60cm tall just like a soda water machine.

Otherwise you couldn’t get to the bottom of a 7L keg. I sell the beer and I rent the tap system because it’s similar to what you would have in a bar with the handle, tap system and CO2 bottle. Selling all these pieces would be too expensive. If you keep it cold then it will be good for at least a month after you tap it. We like to say, 10 liters of beer in one month is not a big target for a person who likes beer.

Our license doesn’t allow us to sell to a restaurant for resale. It’s the same license as a bar that brews its own beer. We don’t have a restaurant or pub attached to the brewery, but we do have a showroom for tasting.

About 80% of our customers are

Chinese and 20% are foreigners. Aside from posting on WeChat, people find out about us through recommendations from friends. Like I said, the kegs are really useful for a person who just likes to drink beer. But usually this system is for bringing to a party or on a trip and it means that a lot of people can try the beer so the network grows fast.

The dominant Chinese beer brands tend to be lower in alcohol than craft beer in western countries. Where do your products fall in comparison?

My beers are between 5% to 8% ABV. There is a refraction tool where, according to the refraction of the light, it gives you the sugar content of the beer. You need to test it with the refractometer before and after fermentation and multiply the difference by 131 and that gives you a rate which corresponds to an alcohol percentage.

What challenges did you encounter while starting a business in China?

The first problem I had was the language barrier. My Chinese is fine for my daily life but it’s not good enough for administration.

The first step was finding a person to help me register the company. Because it’s a food production license, they are very picky on the rules about cleaning and storage. The officers came three times over two months to give suggestions on how to improve.

This part was a little bit complicated but not impossible — it just took time and money to renovate a little bit. On the other hand, it’s good to see that the authorities care about the cleanliness of food production.

The rules are the rules and, from what I heard, it used to be a little bit corrupt. It was easy to give them some money and get the license without any real control. Now the situation is more transparent. It cost me about RMB20,000 to get the shop up to code so it’s not a lot of money. I even learned some things from the inspectors about how to optimize the sanitation so it was a very positive experience. > Scan the QR code below browse the Jerebrew selection of beers

Timeless Charm Meets Modern Chic Jing Bar Reopens for Winter at The Peninsula Beijing

O

pen every evening, Jing Bar at The Peninsula Beijing reimagines a mystical Chinese garden with contemporary design.

As temperatures drop in Beijing, join friends to sip on timeless autumn classics reimagined by The Peninsula Beijing’s creative bartenders using fresh, local ingredients. Delicious mix-

ology drinks are their specialty, such as the vodka-based, sweet pineapple and sour lemon French Martini from the 1980s.

As evident in the selections and stock of fine spirits and 350 vintage wines, The Peninsula Beijing guests tend to prefer the finer things in life, such as the classic Side Car. Popular

since its launch at Jing Bar, it has been redefined this season as the XO Side Car, a new version with Rémy Martin XO as its base.

The Mizunara oaked whisky inspired Yuzu Tea helps guests drift into an immersive experience of natural Chinese decorative elements, such as bamboo, water drops and butterflies, with modern, chic twists.

Just like the details of Jing Bar, the Yuzu Tea takes attentive preparation, when after 18 hours of maceration, the Jasmine Silver Needle tea is merged with intensely rich whisky.

With a glass in the hand of every glamorously dressed attendee, live jazz smooths out the evening over whispers and exquisite Michelinstarred light bites.

Jing Bar at The Peninsula Beijing Daily, Sun-Thurs, 5.30pm-Midnight, and Fri-Sat 5.30pm1am. For reservations or more information call the Jing Bar at 1085162888. Located on the Lower Lobby Level 1, No. 8 Jinyu Hutong, Wangfujing, Beijing.

DECEMBER 2021 | 31

BUSINESS & TECH | F E AT URE

100architects: China’s Pioneers of Functional Urban Art

By Sophie Steiner

T

hey say architecture is about trying to make the world a little more like our dreams, and 100architects – a Shanghai-based studio that prides itself on following the convention of being unconventional – is all about that.

Specializing in street architecture, urban interventions and urban beautification, 100architects aims to design and shape cities by fostering connections between people, places, nature, movement and urban form. We sat down with 100architects founder and managing director, Marcial Jesús to learn about how a 2013 gathering of friends with a creative streak evolved into a leading pioneer in the field of functional urban art within the public realm.

How do you describe 100architects?

100architects is an architecture studio that doesn’t do buildings (at least not in a conventional way). We specialize in public spaces that – through our experimental design approach – aim to transform the cityscape we know today into the hyper-stimulating one we envision for tomorrow.

We are a young team of international Shanghai-based architects and designers whose work lies at the intersection of place-making, street art, landscape architecture and urban interventions.

Our mission is to improve our cities and the experience of residents by providing innovative and stimulating public spaces, inclusive and accessible to everyone.

How has 100architects evolved since starting in 2013?

We started out as a group of friends meeting after long days in the office to work on eccentric concepts for cities across the globe with zero budget nor clients asking for them. Now we are a 32 |DECEMBER 2021

team of 16 people, split by expertise across departments, dedicated fulltime to serving clients and building out proposals for cities across the globe.

At the beginning, we pushed our creativity to the limit to see what we were capable of and to showcase our style to potential clients. We designed many colorful urban interventions in varying size and scope, projects that would call attention to themselves purely by being different from what one usually sees in major cities. Although we didn’t build many of these projects, we garnered a following and developed expertise, along with a robust portfolio, that helped us gain traction with our first clients. Our earliest project was in Santiago in 2014, then another in Shanghai’s Xintiandi in 2016 – both of which were temporary installations for activation of public spaces.

Most of our initial projects were temporary in nature because of the experimental style of our proposals.

However, now we focus more on large, permanent urban projects – or landscape architecture – and large masterplans to transform a known cityscape with enhanced creativity, colors and innovative spatial solutions.

How is 100architects different than other architecture firms, in terms of projects and focus?

We believe that working in the public realm is a privilege; this is where our design has the biggest impact on the largest number of people. At the same time, we believe play is the purest form of creativity. Thus, we imagine cities as playgrounds for citizens, regardless of age or social status, and our practice revolves around these core values. We consider our office an experimental lab for ingenious urban solutions, driven

by the passion of shaping the cities of tomorrow – a tomorrow full of colors, entertainment and stimulation.

We make sure every project is developed with an ‘out of the box’ mentality.

In fact, our clients come to 100architects only when they want something different and outstanding. They come to us when they require an injection of energy and identity into their developments, or simply when they want to catalyze social dynamics in their spaces.

In a world where technology, social media and online retail are replacing and eliminating our natural meeting places, we believe that our design should explore ways to stimulate human interactions in the urban space. At the end of the day, it is human connectivity that triggers happiness, productivity, innovation and overall wellbeing.

What have been some of the biggest challenges working in China, and – on the other side of the table – what has been the biggest advantage?

In China, public space is such a delicate and extensive matter, not only from a design point of view but also from a sociological, cultural and political point of view.

The concept of public space in China differs a lot from the way it is understood in western countries. In Chinese cities, public spaces are more like corridors – big streets and wide sidewalks. It seems like public spaces are merely gaps between buildings, extensive walkways with no public furniture to sit down, where one can only circulate from point A to point B. The Bund in Shanghai for instance, is the most well-recognized public space in the city, yet it’s essentially a wide hardscape platform on which thousands of people walk every day, admiring the colossal scale of the city.

F E AT URE | BUSINESS & TECH

However, this situation is a product of the most dramatic urban transformation the world has ever seen.

That’s the reason why we can still see elderly Chinese citizens gathering along sidewalks with their own foldable chairs and tables, playing mahjong or simply gathering and chatting, or why women organize group dances every night in parks, squares or under bridges.

On the one hand, this situation is a huge challenge for a practice like ours to be able to intervene in public spaces and penetrate their idiosyncrasy. On the other hand, the same rapid urbanization and globalization has generated a need for identity and distinction within new developments.

In that regard, there is a new type of public space in China, commonly known as POPS (Privately Owned Public Spaces). The POPS, although privately owned, are legally required by the city’s land-use ordinances – as a result of deals between private developers and cities – to grant shared public space in private developments. They must stay open to the public, and, as a consequence, exactly the same social dynamics take place in those spaces like the ones happening in purely public spaces. Hence they become potential spaces to be developed by our firm.

I believe that starting 100architects in London or New York when I was 25 would have been impossible since the established architectural field there requires years of experience and credentials. In China, we took advantage of the openness to experimentation of a country passing through a dramatic urban transformation. There was, and still is, space for fresh ideas and experimentation.

year is different because we are always growing, not only our team but also our expertise and market reach.

Currently, we have seven projects under construction, and they are nothing like what we have done so far. They are much bigger and more complex, set to be released in the coming months.

Other than that, we have projects under construction in Malaga, Spain, in San Fransisco, USA and on the Arabian Peninsula.

What project – temporary installation or permanent work – are you most proud of that 100architects has completed?

Any architect, sculptor, artist or designer will tell you that projects are like our babies. We conceive them; we nurture them; we take care of them; and we see them evolve throughout the design process until completion. Creating something from scratch is one of the most beautiful feelings a human being can experience. We are lucky enough to make a living from our passion to create.

That means that we are tremendously proud of every one of our projects.

That being said, if I had to choose, the very first one, Huellas Artes in Chile, holds a special place in my heart – for its humbleness, for being self-financed, for making it come to fruition despite our inexperience at the time – all thanks to an inner flame and passion for creating something.

The Creek Play in Dubai also signified the internationalization of our brand outside of China.

And – last but not least – Pegasus Trail in Chongqing. Truly unique in its type in China, this permanently open public space allows users to freely enjoy such an incredible urban artifact full of colors and possibilities for interactions.

What does 100architects have in store for the next 5-10 years?

We have many projects under construction currently across China that are unlike anything we have done before, making each one a milestone for our experimental business. Together these projects help us prove our vision, bringing us new possibilities for reaching bigger markets.

Alongside mainland China, we are also working on our first project in the USA (San Francisco) and our first project in Europe (Malaga, Spain), which we expect will open entirely new markets for us, propelling us to expand our operations with the opening of a new 100architects European office in the coming year.

In 10 years, I know we will have grown from a motley crew of architect friends with a dream of doing something different to a large internationally-operated company spread across Asia, Europe and the Americas.

Can you talk about the scope of Chinese mainland operations? What do you have planned for the coming months and years in terms of specifically Chinese projects?

Our studio is based in Shanghai, but we design and build projects all over China and abroad. We currently have 16 employees, both foreigners and Chinese nationals. So far, we have built around 40 projects across 10 cities in China.

However, our business is accelerating and constantly transforming. Every DECEMBER 2021 | 33

BULLS ON PARADE An Overview of the Headlines That Shaped the Year of the Ox

By Joshua Cawthorpe

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COVER STORY

20 21 35

COVER STORY

O

n the eve of 2021, China’s National Health Commission announced that the domestically produced Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine would be free to the Chinese public. High-risk groups were given priority but the first few months of the year saw an unprecedented roll-out of the global vaccination campaign.

As the world began emerging from the grips of the pandemic, China’s economy was bolstered by a staggering trade surplus. Nonetheless, an overarching economic trend in 2021 was the blatant assertion that a healthy, socialist society would take precedence over growth itself.

In 2020, Alibaba’s Ant Financial was poised to launch the world’s largest ever IPO. Unlike New York Stock Exchange-listed Alibaba, Ant Financial was slated to go public on Shanghai’s STAR exchange and the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. However, the deal was put on hold as regulators closed in, preparing an anti-monopoly investigation into the tech giant. Chinese regulators made it abundantly clear that overeager profiteering would be subject to intense government scrutiny. In this regard, the theme music of this past year has undoubtedly been Warren G and Nate Dogg — regulators, mount up!

January 24 — After an explosion at a gold mine in Shandong province 14 days prior, 11 miners are successfully rescued. On January 17, a 47-year-old miner with the surname Wang began banging on the drill pipe, sending an audible message to the surface to confirm that there were survivors trapped more than half a kilometer underground. The rescue efforts included no less than 633 rescuers, 407 machines and a small battalion of ambulances and medical staff.

Tragically, an equal number of miners perish in the accident.

Apri l2 Tian 9 — Th gong e laun low- core mo c o d prov hes from rbit spa ule of C ince c e W stati hina’s ench . Aft the on er an fir nam st secti success g, Hain on o an ed T f u l l y f i craf t wo anhe, th the spa deployi ng ce s uld t e Sh Thre tat he en e Bom astrona n take fl zhou-1 ion, 2 in u i T i a n g a n d T t s – N i e g h t o n J s p a c eune he t a H n a g is o be 1 Hon in w gin gbo heng, Li 7. h u – as be p ich tests a thre c e e erfo rme and ma -month nd to d ab i t oard ntenanc enure e the spac would e sta tion .

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COVER STORY

Febr ua Xi Jin ry 25 — C ping anno hinese P pove resid unce rty h ent s a Chin a. Af s been er that extr eme t a e form dicat r firs id e t in No able goa addressi d in ng th l of p vemb e o ston er 20 verty e 1 Beijin is comme 3, the “m alleviatio n ira nded g. at a c cle” mile erem ony i n

April 10 — Alibaba, the technology behemoth behind Alipay and Taobao, is fined a record-smashing RMB18 billion. Having announced the anti-trust probe in December of 2020, The State Administration for Market Regulation determined that Alibaba Group Holding Ltd had restricted competitors and abused its power. The staggering value of the fine represents 4% of the domestic revenue amassed by the company in 2019.

April 24 — Two wild elephants discover a stash of alcohol at a villagers home near Pu’er city, Yunnan province. The inebriated elephants turn back, leaving the 15 members of their pachyderm party to continue their parade towards the capital of Kunming.

The herd eventually arrives at the outskirts of Kunming, having traveled more than 500 kilometers from their sanctuary in the Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve. The trunked troupe made headlines on numerous occasions throughout the first half of the year.

Despite being accompanied by thousands of police officers and emergency vehicles, the elephants manage to ravage several millions of RMB worth of crops.

June 1 — Fifteen private education companies are fined a combined RMB36.5 million by government market regulators.

The punishment cites false advertising and fraudulent pricing.

Among the companies fined are New Oriental Education, Zuoyebang and TAL Education Group, China Daily reports.

Forbes asserted that the three most successful entrepreneurs in the industry had lost a combined USD27 billion in just a few months. Since peaking from late January to mid-February, Chinese education companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange saw significant losses. According to Yahoo Finance, Gaotu (formerly GSX Techedu) saw a devastating fall of more than 90%. TAL Education shrunk by over 75% and New Oriental dipped up to 61% lower than its February 16 stock price.

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COVER STORY

June 2 0 the co — China’s N u vaccin ntry has a ational He dmin e dos istere alth Comm es. At 40% o dm ission th f de world the 2.5 billi e time, Ch ore than o ina’s d ne bil clares tha , as cit on to t lion C tal sh oses ed by accou ots ad OVID CNN. -1 n minis tered ted for ne 9 ar aroun d the ly

July 3 — The Cyberspace Administration of China orders app stores to remove Didi Chuxing. The CAC says the ride-hailing firm has violated laws on collecting users’ personal data and launches an investigation into Didi to “protect national security and the public interest,” as cited by The Guardian .

The move by China’s top internet regulator comes just days after Didi began trading on the New York Stock Exchange, having raised USD4.4 billion in an IPO. On the same day, the internet watchdog halts new sign-ups for multiple Chinese apps – Yunmanman, Huochebang and Boss Zhipin (BOSS) – also citing national security and public interest. Yunmanman and Huochebang are companies under NYSE-listed Full Truck Alliance, and Boss Zhipin is listed on the NASDAQ.

August 2 — Entertainer Kris Wu is arrested on suspicion of rape. The arrest follows allegations from 19-year-old Chinese college student, Du Meizhu, that Wu lured at least 30 girls, including herself and two minors, to his home before intoxicating and raping them. Du claimed she was 17 at the time of the alleged assault. Major brands like Louis Vuitton, Tencent, Porsche and Kiehl’s scatter like raccoons from a trashcan when the garage door opens.

celebrates its unist Party of China July 1 — The Comm s of guests attend Tens of thousand 100th anniversary. ent the momentous ev en nm na in Beijing’s Tia from ch ee sp a In . re Squa Xi nt Chinese Preside ses that Jinping, he expres r future tte be a to th pa e th to n tio na e requires th cialist so re co e th old “uph re it is values” and “ensu n the ru o wh le our peop .” try un co

24 July 24 — Less than o ky To e th er hours aft s began, pic ym Ol er mm Su oter Yang Chinese sharpsho gold st fir e th ns Qian wi eter-rifle medal in the 10-m China competition. Team aching re e inu nt co uld wo side their the podiums along rs for a to eti mp co n ica Amer 88. of t total medal coun

August 18 — The Information Office of Beijing Municipality announces tough new rules on training centers, echoing proposed policies that had previously been leaked to Reuters on June 17. In what would come to be known as the ‘double reduction’ policy, off-campus education is deemed to be a social and financial pressure that unfairly burdens students and families. The policy aims to reduce the pressure of homework and cram-school lessons on students. Thus, it allows for more quality family-time while decreasing the overall cost of raising a child in China. According to the new regulations, training centers in Beijing cannot offer classes for core subjects during public holidays, weekends or summer and winter vacation time. This refers to both online and offline classes offered during the weekends and holidays, which account for the vast majority of tutoring revenue. > Scan the QR code to learn more about the 北 京 opoly board game

ss tional Pre hina’s Na C — 0 n 3 o August ministrati cation Ad s to and Publi companie g e gamin ers m a g f o tells onlin me playing ti day on limit the hour per e n o to 8 1 r here’s e T d n s. u day s and holi om fr t o weekend sl fic time ci e sp a n play. n ca eve der-18s n u n e h line game 8-9pm w ed opular on p ly d il cally nam w The as specifi w leased s g re in le in n K o . The artic g addicti Honor of in m a g n August 3 o n mes o se a g ti y il a e a e n in a tr to onli ation D d rm e rr fo fe In re ic m addictive wspaper

by Econo eir highly liated ne th ffi -a to a u ce h n refere the Xin nt, which ty. Tence opium’ in e l a ci u so it ir behind to p t as ‘s imen at, is also ing a detr pp WeCh a y’s stock n g a in p g a m nature be at the co ular mess th p o s due to p rt o d le p ic te crea aper art euters re R sp . s w g e n in e K f th Honor of e wake o follow.

10% in th ns would o ti la price fell u g re t a th on speculati

September 1 — China’s new Data Security Law comes into effect. Most noteworthy of the new law is Article 31 which stipulates that all user data collected must be stored within China and transfers of user data are subject to approval by relevant authorities.

The law was initially passed at the 29th session of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People’s Congress in the face of China’s rapidly growing digital economy.

An analysis from the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai highlights the considerations on the ethics and morality of data processing, as well as a top-down strategy for data management that protects ‘China’s core interests.’

September 29 — China International Marine Containers Group releases their half-year financial report recording nearly a 2000% increase in net profits. With 96% of shipping containers being made in China, a global shortage of containers has driven up the price and, in turn, record profits for manufacturers. CIMC produced 1.1 million standard dry containers in the first half of 2021. Despite the astonishing growth in revenue, South China Morning Post reported that production had only doubled compared to the previous year.

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COVER STORY

announcducation E n re ring Ju 1— vate tuto August 3 g. The pri n 8 si o -1 5 cl d is e ople ag es that it young pe 994.

1 r fo in y d n e a comp establish was first via the years old t is made n e m ce n u o citing “op n The an t account, a at h C th e d e W ’s expect company lties.” It is 0 cu 0 ,0 iffi 3 d 1 l a d eration ect aroun as re will aff r courses, fo the closu id a p e v a h g o in h rd w o families f staff, acc ndreds o saw Wall o ls a well as hu st u and a one. Aug nkruptcy to Sixth T file for ba tter u sh li g sh n s E Street stitution in r a il m si f number o r months. e summe through th

September 25 — Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou returns to China after spending more than 1,000 days on Canadian soil in an extradition fight with the US. Ten days after her 2018 arrest in Canada, Meng was granted bail and lived under partial house arrest in a USD10.9 million property in Vancouver. “After more than 1,000 days of suffering, I finally returned to the motherland,” Meng said, as cited by China Daily . On Weibo, the hashtag ‘Meng Wanzhou is Returning to the Motherland’ has been viewed more than 2.9 billion times.

September 30 — After already setting a record for the largest production budget for any domestic film, The Battle at Lake Changjin hits box offices just before the National Day holiday. The film would go on to exceed the previous record with more than RMB5.69 billion in total ticket sales. The former record-holder was another Chinese war epic titled Wolf Warrior 2 .

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COVER STORY

October 8 — The State Administration for Market Regulation slaps food delivery giant, Meituan, with a RMB3.4 billion penalty. One clause of the fine, citing ‘monopolistic behavior,’ is that nearly RMB 1.3 billion be returned to merchants who paid deposits and signed exclusivity agreements with the app operator, according to China Daily .

of under ng, fo n, ano h in M io — Yu ducat se 1,500 ber 7 ntal E lo Novem d New Orie pany will c e. In le m t t o tur a c n b e e v em g hat th o n a n e w t s e pivotin c noun focus company is ultural o t s n ic locatio e twist, the selling agr eas. d ris ar a surp reaming an rting rural o st p e p v u li to u, us s that Y cts, th produ aily reports f o D China hed a third gs in n v o a li h il B7.5 b his RM this year, e fortun ed himself gn has ali national e h t h wit chievy of a g e strat mmon ing ‘co ity.’ He er omprosp t the c d to a h t s add mitte is com 00 sets of y n a p ,0 ing 80 irs to rural donat a. cha d n a t Chin desks throughou ls schoo

November 16 — Global Tim es reports a positive de velopment in the saga of debt-ridden China Evergr ande Group.

After Financia l Times repo rted that the massive prop erty and deve lopment firm had mis sed three ro unds of bond paymen ts in Septem ber and October, foun der Xu Jiayin is said to have raised RMB7 billion by selling his personal asse ts in a bid to re-inject financial liqui dity into the company. Th capital will go e towards payi ng employee salaries, inte rest paymen ts on loans and resumin g constructio n of ongoing developmen ts. Among th e assets that Xu allegedly parted with were two private jets an d a HKD700 million luxury home in Hon g Kong that w as put up as collateral to China Constr uction Bank.

a c e-13 sp nzhou e Tianhe e h S — The cks with th er 16 wed o Octob cessfully d second cre fter the c e u .A craft s marking th ace station d to , p le ne s r u u ’s d mo hina Ye io ret re to C zhou-12 tr Yaping and u t n e v n d g e r n h a S a us ,W y abo previo ai Zhigang th sta st n o h m Z e Earth, in a six — the long auts fu beg n on Guang gong statio hinese astr ion is n C tat ia r s T o f e e th of spac orbit e in h t n f r e end sojou struction o leted by th p on yet. C d to be com te c e p x e 2022.

any, a Comp ago, made & y e s Chic McKin ed in y had rt from adquarter o onom to p c e e r e e A s h e — m in in r h 5 d g fi ber 1 Accor t the C ulting n Novem ment cons luation tha ited States. etwee b va ge e Un ubled h e t o e h d t h d t S e h mana f the U g join h es wit et worth o f n in o li v a d h t a he en ealt wor on. H ken th r , the net 0 trilli erall w same e USD9 a’s ov overta id t e in s a h h t In g C r 1, ve ivin ess Busin d 2020, arr ation in 200 20 trillion o 1 n iz a 2000 Organ illion to USD Trade tr World rom USD7 df e r a o s s. ecade two d

November 20 — Days after the anti-mon gurated in Be opoly bureau ijing, a sleuth was officially of firms are deemed impr inaufined for mer operly declar gers and acqu ed. Among th for each infr isitions e companies inging deal ar fined RMB500 e JD.com Inc. Tencent, Alib ,000 , Suning, aba and Baid u.

November 22 — Authorities in Hangzhou, referred to as sometimes China’s Silicon Valley, make example out a strong of two of the co untry’s top liv Lin Shanshan e streamers. and Zhu Chen hui, with a co of over 40 m mbined tally illion fans, w er e found to ha personal inco ve evaded me tax by se tting up shel around the co l companies untry and de claring their salaries as op exorbitant erating incom e. Lin will ha up nearly RM ve to cough B28 million w hile Zhu is sl penalties an ammed with d overdue ta xes exceedin streaming eg RMB65.5 m commerce in illion. China’s dustry has ex Daily reportin live ploded in rece g that it was nt years with worth RMB9 sending a clea China 70 billion in r message to 2020. Author stars and stud share of taxe ities are ios that they s like any othe owe their fair r celebrity or business.

DECEMBER 2021 | 39

THE BIG WINNERS FROM THE THAT’S 2021 HOSPITALITY AWARDS

O

n November 1, 2021, before an audience of 150 distinguished hospitality industry guests, JY International Cultural Communications held its 5th annual That's Hospitality Awards at The Langham, Shanghai, Xintiandi.

Launched in 2017 with a ceremony in Shanghai, the That's Hospitality Awards celebrates

the very best of China's diverse and world-class hospitality industry. This year, the luxurious awards ceremony returned to the city in which it was launched to announce and celebrate the outstanding achievements as voted for by thousands of professionals in the local and expat communities.

The That's 2021 Hospitality Awards would not have been the success that it was without the amazing support of the 200-plus sponsors, partners and media groups that got behind this year's event. There was even a magic show from the marvelous Elliot.

Congratulations to all those victorious in 2021.

New Hotel of the Year

Luxury Hotel of the Year, East China

Business Hotel of the Year

Niccolo Suzhou

Bulgari Hotel Shanghai

Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai

J Hotel Shanghai Tower

The Langham, Shanghai, Xintiandi

Hyatt Regency Shanghai Global Harbor

DoubleTree by Hilton Shenzhen Nanshan Hotel & Residences

Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund

Pan Pacific Beijing

The St. Regis Shanghai Jingan

New World Beijing Hotel

Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai New Serviced Apartment of the Year LIV'N 833

MICE Hotel of the Year Luxury Hotel of the Year, North China

Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai

The Ritz-Carlton, Tianjin

Grand Hyatt Shenzhen

Luxury Hotel of the Year, Central China

Waldorf Astoria Beijing

Niccolo Changsha

The St. Regis Qingdao

Hilton Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center

InterContinental Beijing Sanlitun Luxury Hotel of the Year, South China Conrad Guangzhou

Luxury Serviced Apartment of the Year

The Langham, Shenzhen

W Suzhou

The St. Regis Zhuhai

Kempinski The One Suites Hotel Shanghai Downtown

40 |DECEMBER 2021

Commune by the Great Wall - The Unbound Collection by Hyatt Hilton Foshan

Family-Friendly Hotel of the Year

Historic Homestay of the Year

Outstanding Service Hotel of the Year

Yinrun Jinjiang Castle Hotel

JingTing

Shenzhen Marriott Hotel Nanshan Sheraton Grand Beijing Dongcheng Hotel

Hard Rock Hotel Shenzhen Urban Resort Hotel of the Year Family-Friendly Serviced Apartment of the Year Oak Chateau Beijing

The Shanghai EDITION Radisson BLU Forest Manor Shanghai Hongqiao

The Most Popular Hotel Product of the Year VOSS Water

InterContinental Shenzhen Icon Lab Hotel Shenzhen Sea World

Taoxichuan Hotel (the Unbound Collection

by Hyatt)

Outstanding Serviced Apartment Brand of the Year

The PuXuan Hotel and Spa

LN Garden Hotel, Guangzhou

Kerry Residences

Outstanding City View of the Year

Most Influential Hotel Company

Kerry Hotel Pudong, Shanghai

Meliá Hotels International

Art Hotel of the Year

Wanda Reign on the Bund Outstanding Hotel Design of the Year

Icon Lab Hotel Shenzhen

Bellagio by MGM Shanghai Conrad Beijing Pan Pacific Suzhou Boutique Hotel of the Year The Sukhothai Shanghai Blossom House Xishuangbanna

The Most Highly Anticipated Hotel of the Year W Xiamen Hilton Garden Inn Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center

SIKO Hotels & Resorts

Hotel Indigo Hangzhou Uptown

Industry Leader of the Year Award Icon Lab Hotel Shenzhen - Xu Hong Mei

Landmark Hotel of the Year

The Most Highly Anticipated Serviced Apartment of the Year

Fairmont Peace Hotel

The Tower Apartments

Hyatt Regency Shanghai Global Harbor

GTC RESIDENCE BEIJING

Grand Hyatt Shanghai China World Summit Wing, Beijing InterContinental Foshan New City

Up-and-coming Hotel Management Group of the Year

Award for Excellent Hotelier InterContinental Shenzhen - Michael Martin Swissôtel Foshan Guangdong - Yang Rubei

Outstanding Performing Luxury Hotel of the Year

InterContinental Beijing Sanlitun - Florian S. Kuhn

W Shanghai The Bund

Kerry Residences - Jennie Ma

Most Influential Hotel of the Year JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Shanghai Pudong

Outstanding Hotel Spa of the Year

Jing An Shangri-La, Shanghai

The Bulgari Spa, Bulgari Hotel Shanghai

Sheraton Shenzhen Nanshan

Chuan Spa, The Langham, Shanghai, Xintiandi

Getaway Hotel of the Year

The St. Regis Shenzhen

The Middle House

LUX* Chongzuo, Guangxi Resort & Villas InterContinental Shenzhen Dameisha Resort

And of course, a huge thanks to our sponsors, The Langham, Shanghai, Xintiandi, VOSS, Kraemer Paris by hair culture, Allelique, YANNICK MACHADO, BuF², BY NICE, OMNI, kekemanfen.

We're proud to announce that the That's 2021 Hospitality Awards was one of our best yet, and we're already looking forward to next year's celebration!

DECEMBER 2021 | 41

FAMILY Parenting Tips for Hectic Holidays p46

Eco Home P44

42 |DECEMBER 2021

Class Clown P44

FULL HOUSE

BLASTING OFF IN HAINAN

The Morrison Family Interview by Vanessa Jencks

Part of a father-daughter business team in Hainan, Mike Morrison shared with us the unique business they started in Hainan to celebrate rocket launches in Wenchang. Their products are popular with rocketlaunch attendees and their tables draw big crowds. They’ve been featured on China News Network, China Aerospace Weibo and multiple Chinese creator’s video channels.

The interviews have highlighted that the Morrisons are from another country yet still like to enjoy space advancements.

How did the idea of selling t-shirts at rocket launches come into fruition?

Our family has always loved to travel and explore the world. One of the primary reasons for moving to China was to experience life in a different culture and country.

We noticed here in Hainan there are many business opportunities missing that we commonly see in other places around the world. One example is how you often see Chinese people wearing NASA branded clothing but almost never see anyone wearing CNSA (China National Space Administration) products despite their primary launch site being here in Wenchang, Hainan.

Having lived as a child in Florida in the late 1960’s I saw Apollo launches from Cape Canaveral then later I traveled back to see the Space Shuttle launch. Now living here in Hainan we’ve been excited to see many CNSA launches at Wenchang.

But again, no one seemed to be promoting the launches with t-shirts, hats, stickers, etc., so we decided to create and

start selling these products. For the last couple of launches we designed t-shirts and hats for the Wenchang Space Launch Center and sold them on the beach during launches.

Since they are very popular and often sell out, we also created and opened a Taobao store. On the store we have all of our designs, styles and colors available, and it’s been successful.

Will you stay in this niche or expand the business?

Currently, we’re expanding to other tourism products such as Sanya and Houhai t-shirts and hats promoting ocean awareness, surfing and diving, as well as the natural beauty of Hainan. We also have agreements with a number of local retail outlets that resell our shirts. We’re actively looking to expand our products to other resellers.

here years ago, and knew that our family would love living here. It’s a joy to work together with your family. Of course there are disagreements and tension at times but spending so much time together has definitely brought us closer as a family.

We all bring our strengths where needed. My daughter is a great designer and artist, and she is fluent in Chinese, which is incredibly helpful. I, in turn, have a background in technology, having worked at Microsoft for many years. My wife does not work for the business officially, but she has a fantastic mind for running a business and offers her insights and suggestions to help make us successful. > To purchase one of their products, visit lovelyhainan.com or search ‘Lovely Hainan’ on Taobao.

“What products have been the hottest sellers?”

Our hats always sell out when we sell directly. At rocket launches people naturally like our rocket shirts with our custom artwork featuring the Long March 5 (CZ-5) rocket. Here in Sanya and Houhai people like t-shirts that show off natural beauty.

They typically involve photographs I’ve taken here over the years with my drone.

What’s it like to be a family business in China?

For us, living in China has been a great adventure. I had the opportunity to work DECEMBER 2021 | 43

READING CORNER

CLASS CLOWN

Book recommendations from That’s editorial team:

Motherly Care

How to Catch an Elf This beautifully illustrated picture book is part of a set of 13 where author Adam Wallace takes children through playful catches of iconic holiday and childhood figures. The rhythmic book sometimes takes ridiculous turns through the story, like the elf’s bottom getting a zap and ending up in a grocery store, but children with silly dispositions will appreciate the fun. In addition to the elf, we also suggest the snowman, gingerbread man and yeti versions of “How to Catch” for a fun winter.

Humans Brandon Stanton returns from Humans of New York with this beautiful creation capturing the stories and pictures of people all over the world. This book is especially useful to open the mind and eyes of those who are isolated from contact to the rest of the world, due to travel, sickness or some other barrier. Stanton includes humans of multiple famous cities but also lesser-known cities like Juba, Amman, Passu and more over a spread of more than 40 countries.

The sweeping theme is the commonality of life, love and hope of humans.

44 |DECEMBER 2021

A teacher in Ningxia province has gotten rightful attention for the extra special care she has given to her boarding students, who are mostly from mountainous towns and unable to return home for weekly uniform changes due to COVID-19 restrictions. Li Jiqin took home the uniforms of 28 students in order to wash them to ease the burden of separated parents and children. Teacher Li’s daughter took a picture of Li casually sewing a few uniforms to mend them once she noticed holes in some of the sets. Li has played down the attention, saying, “Sewing clothes for students and administering common medicine are standard acts for every teacher, and every teacher will do these things for their students.” Parents and netizens have heaped praise upon her, saying her motherly care helps the children feel at home.

ECO HOME

Reusable Wrapping Paper and Gift Bags It’s more than likely you’ll receive a present in wrapping paper or a gift bag this season. Instead of ripping the wrapping to pieces or tossing the gift bag, reuse them both to cut down on trash and your own wallet. Beautiful, non-tacky wrapping paper in China isn’t always easy to find, so you’re also saving yourself a shopping headache by reusing it.

You can use the wrapping paper to adorn gift bags with company logos. Employ extra help by having your students or children make different styles of bows from scraps of wrapping paper. The holidays don’t have to be so wasteful if you plan ahead and agree with your circle of friends to be eco-friendly.

Global Grub Holiday Garrapiñadas from Argentina

That’s editor Vanessa Jencks shares a cultural recipe gathered from an expat friend.

B

ack when our family lived in Beijing, one of our neighbors was a family with a US citizen father, Luke, and Argentinean mother, Davi. Luke and my husband became close friends through exercise while Davi and I bonded over common parenting troubles while raising young children in China. We lived near them for several years and soon the holiday season became synonymous with Davi’s famous garrapiñadas (candied peanuts).

At parties and during Christmas, she’d give them away as presents with her characteristic smile and laugh. Another year she taught her boys to make the candies and then they resold them for spending money. The recipe she taught me isn’t hard to follow, and they genuinely make a versatile potluck dish or easy gift for those without peanut allergies.

Ingredients

• 400 grams of unsalted, unroasted peanuts with skins • 300 grams of sugar • 100 grams of water Directions • 1. Put all ingredients together in the pan. Heat on medium high heat if the pan is thick or medium low heat if your pan is a bit too thin. Stir gently throughout the whole pan.

• 2. Keep stirring for about six or seven minutes. Once the sugar begins to bubble and crystalize into a kind of sand, you’ll want to reduce the heat or move it from the fire altogether to let it cool a bit.

• 3. After a brief moment of cooling, increase the heat to let the sandy sugar caramelize. Remember to stir gently through the whole process.

• 4. Once the peanuts have caramelized, place them level on a parchment paper or lightly oiled pan to cool down.

Total time: 20 minutes.

Tips: Practice on smaller batches first and use lower heat to avoid burning them until you’re comfortable with the cooking cues. Additionally, look up video instructions to be sure you’re moving things around at the right time. Though I use peanuts due to nostalgia, you can use almonds or any other sweeter nuts with a brown skin. > If you have a recipe to share from your passport country, international friends or travels, email a copy and pictures to editor@thatsmags. com.

Vinomanos.com

DECEMBER 2021 | 45

F A M I LY

Parenting Tips for Hectic Holidays “Making a peaceful, positive season for the whole family.”

Vanessa Jencks

F

or many families, the winter holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year with warm cookies, festive decorations and delightfully well-mannered children. Then there are some families who simply need to survive. It’s enough to make those parents want to burn their trees and block out their calendars until the New Year bounces into spring. Rebecca Archer, certified positive-discipline educator, took scenarios we threw at her and responded with positive principles you can apply for calmer, more cheerful celebrations.

Principles of Positive Parenting Before looking at the holidays, here are key principles to keep in mind.

1. Respect and Communication What it comes down to is treating your children respectfully, the same as you would respectfully communicate with a friend or your partner to build and maintain a strong relationship. That respectful communication should include talking about plans and sharing expectations for socially acceptable behavior, empathizing feelings, and allowing consequences of choices, whether it be the child’s or adult’s choices.

Ultimately communication should lead to children who are happy to do ‘the right thing’ without external motivations like rewards and punishments.

2. Address Stress It’s easy to have high expectations around creating the perfect holiday season.

At some point you need to choose which values are most important to you and your family. Don’t try and do it all, because this actually can create more stress on you. Stress can lead parents to being short-tempered and retaliating in anger.

With positive parenting, it’s important that we have boundaries and know our triggers, so we can maintain a real sense of emotional control in our own lives, because our emotions impact our family.

3. Prevention Let kids know what’s happening in advance so that they can prepare themselves mentally. We also need to remember that kids get bored, hungry and overstimulated and this can really impact their mood and behavior. Wherever possible, hand over small responsibilities and tasks to engage your kids and help them build a sense of confidence and contribution to the family.

4. Positive Time Not Time Out Still there are times a child is going to have a tantrum or there is going to be a need to address problem behavior. Timeouts used as a punishment are not the way to go in positive parenting. Instead, positive ‘time-in’ is used by parents to help children calm down, reduce stress, show empathetic support and communicate effectively. It’s not sending them away by themselves to calm down, but instead taking them out of the situation to a calm spot together with you, so that they can have privacy to express all their big emotions. Let them know that you’re going to stay there with them until they’re feeling calmer. Once you’ve talked about a solution, or just when they are feeling better, you can return to the situation.”

5. Include and Connect In terms of prevention, two major points help to accomplish that. First is including them in decisions, especially regarding behavior expectations and new scenarios. When kids feel ownership and feel like their ideas are important, they are more likely to cooperate with you in the long run.

Secondly, protecting time for meaningful connection will go a long way during any busy season. It’s important to increase your one-on-one special time with your kids. Unchecked planning of parties and events might sweep away special time with your child as many naturally want to connect with friends, but children’s needs of quality time aren’t seasonal.

46 |DECEMBER 2021

F A M I LY

Holiday Scenarios With these principles in mind Rebecca Archer shared some practical tips regarding holiday-specific issues: Christmas Decorations One of the things that we learned early on was to put the beautiful breakable expensive ornaments at the very top of the tree and to put some non-breakable ones and handmade ones at the bottom of the tree. You can also keep a basket at the bottom with those kinds of decorations so young kids can play with those.

If you have a toddler or preschooler, you can begin to teach them about how to respectfully handle ornaments while giving them opportunity to explore. It sets the wrong tone for your family for the holidays when you’re constantly telling them not to touch, whereas you want to build a really, safe exploratory space. There are ways that you can guide them, and the older they get the higher expectations you can have around behavior.

Christmas Presents Having conversations with your children before Christmas can help them to manage their expectations.

Talk to your children about their wish list. Let them know that they’re not going to be receiving everything on the list. It will help them avoid disappointment on the day. It’s also helpful to shift the focus more on giving, so help them create a list of things they want to gift others that is even longer than their own wish list.

Sometimes keeping your presents under the tree can offer a temptation that’s too strong to fight. Let them know that you want to put the presents under the tree and ask them what it might feel like for the giver or receiver if people steal or sneak the presents or look at them early. We can also invite them to think of ideas about how we can prevent the behavior, because kids know themselves. If kids are struggling to leave the presents alone, then it’s okay to put them somewhere out of reach.

Christmas Parties Maybe you’re at a Christmas party and your child is really misbehaving. It’s never a good idea to address behavior in a way that shames, criticizes or lectures, especially in front of other people, due to the impact that has on the child. A more respectful way of addressing a behavior in the moment is to take the child somewhere where you can talk to them quietly and respectfully about the behavior, set up some agreements for behavior, find an alternative activity and also what will happen if the agreement is not kept – maybe the child will need to sit with you instead of running around.

Depending on what the behavior is, a parent could decide to stay in the holiday moment and then to address the behavior afterwards. After the event, a parent should talk through the event using a lot of questions so that the child is actively thinking about their behavior.

Sugar Overload Decide what your family’s limits are going to be and then stick to them, even better is to have your kids decide on the limit with you.

When you find them trying to push it, because they will, you can remind them of your agreement, express empathy about their feelings, and then reinstate the limit. In positive parenting we don’t give in to our kids wishes because they’re feeling upset and emotional and we want it to stop. It’s ok that they’re feeling this way but they need to respect the situation and the limits as well.

More Information Rebecca Archer will be leading a 7-Week Positive Parenting interactive workshop online, for parents of kids age 2-10 years old, starting Tuesday November 30. If you’d like more information contact her at WeChat ID: becstarnz

DECEMBER 2021 | 47

LISTINGS

Beijing Kerry Residence Whether you’re a single business executive or a busy family, Beijing Kerry’s fully- furnished 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments will feel just like home. As well as enjoying all the comforts of modern living – including a well-equipped kitchen, entertainment systems, high-speed broadband and much more – residents are just moments away from the Kerry Centre’s shopping mall and sports facilities.

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 offered 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

HOTEL NEWS SHANGHAI

Shanghai Tavern Launches Chess Afternoon Tea

The 1515 West Bar Presents A Pop-up Christmas Miracle Bar

From now until 28th February 2022, Shanghai Tavern at The Shanghai EDITION and Baileys Irish Cream have jointly launched an interactive afternoon tea inspired by chess that combines gourmet food, games and popular colors. Mixing both savory and desserts, and mini bottles of Baileys Irish Cream, we could see ourselves become Grand Masters of this version in no time! For more info and reservations, please contact +86 21 5368 9999.

From now until 31 December 2021, Jing An Shangri-La, Shanghai presents a pop-up Christmas Miracle Bar to bring you enchanted wonders during this season of joy, happiness and hope. Located on the 4th floor of the hotel, The 1515 West Bar’s style of decoration taps into the theme of ‘The Nutcracker’, with red, green and gold ornaments as we aim to lure guests away from the hustle and bustle of daily life to experience this magical kingdom filled with festive fun and seasonal treats during this joyful season. For inquiries and reservations, please contact (86 21) 2203 8889.

48 |DECEMBER 2021

GBA

Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou

BEIJING

Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou presented the grand finale of the fourhand gastronomic series 2021 from November 25 to 27 in collaboration with Jin Sha Ting, Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake. The two award-winning chefs, Chef Mai Zhi Xiong of Cantonese cuisine and Chef Wang Yong of Jiangzhe cuisine co-created an 8-course tasting menu that took guests on an indelible journey to unveil the essence of Chinese culinary art. In terms of flavor and texture, the four-hand menu reflected Chef Wang’s innovative and enterprising character and Chef Mai’s modesty and sincerity. Both master chefs introduced their ingenious production in a simple presentation. The menu had a solid structure that conveyed diversity in texture and a smooth flow in flavor.

As the grand finale of the four-hand gastronomic series 2021, the two chefs successfully raised expectations of the 2022 series.

Grand Hyatt Guangzhou The Black Pearl Roadshow closed with a grand finale at Grand Hyatt Guangzhou on November 11. Chef Maxwell, the chef de cuisine of The Penthouse, together with eight famous Hyatt chefs from different restaurants presented a unique dining experience for around 100 diners, marking the perfect ending to a two-month-long culinary journey. Hyatt’s refined skills and innovative food and beverage concepts were fully revealed during this event.

‘Grand Hotel de Pekin’ Christmas Gingerbread House on Display at Beijing Hotel NUO Beijing Hotel NUO’s pastry team has constructed the ‘Grand Hotel de Pekin’ Gingerbread House in time for Christmas. It is the replica of the hotel’s iconic heritage building, once known as Grand Hotel de Pekin. It features the detailed classic French-style façade and front gate. Established in 1917, the hotel was a social hub for high society in the 1900s. Through the windows, guests can check out some of the old pictures of the hotel’s interior including the vintage-style rooms and the signature staircase. The gingerbread house is on display in the lobby in front of the gate.

TIANJIN

The Ritz-Carlton, Tianjin Celebrates Its 8th Anniversary On October 23, 2021, The Ritz-Carlton, Tianjin celebrated its 8th anniversary.

To mark the momentous occasion, 36 musicians from Tianjin Opera House performed a symphony concert in the hotel roof garden on the third floor of the hotel. The set included 11 classic symphonies such as Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky.

At the event, General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Tianjin Hector Busto spoke about the efforts over the past eight years to deliver the hotel’s legendary service and about the hotel’s ambitions for the future.

The Imperial Mansion, Beijing Marriott Executive Apartments appointed Mr.Cooper Hu as General Manager Marriott International welcomes Mr. Cooper Hu as General Manager of The Imperial Mansion, Beijing Marriott Executive Apartments.

Mr. Hu already has an extensive professional background with Hilton, St. Regis, The Peninsula Hotels, Regent and Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Prior to joining The Imperial Mansion, Beijing Marriott Executive Apartments, Mr. Hu was Commercial Director at Waldorf Astoria Beijing, helping to increase revenue and service quality. Under Mr. Hu’s outstanding leadership, The Imperial Mansion, Beijing Marriott Executive Apartments will continue to provide quality services to create a comfortable living experience for short- and long-term residents in Beijing.

DECEMBER 2021 | 49

SCHOOL NEWS SHANGHAI

Forest School at NAIS Pudong

Dulwich Puxi Win Diversity and Inclusion Award Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi won the inaugural British Schools Awards 2021 Diversity and Inclusion Award. “We are immensely proud and honored to have received an award in this important area,” the school responded to the announcement. “At Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi, we believe that diversity and inclusion start with a strong sense of belonging.

Our students and staff flourish as individuals within a caring and connected community. We have worked hard to develop our curriculum and our learning and work environments to create an inclusive culture that fosters respect and intercultural understanding. This award goes a long way in recognizing the College’s achievements in this area.”

Nursery Dragonflies embarked on their first Forest School experience.

The children were filled with curiosity, awe and wonder as they explored the woodland area. Using their senses, the children looked for autumn treasures and listened to the sounds of the forest. They were delighted to find some thick oozy mud to mark make in with sticks, some prickly pine cones, leaves of different shapes, colors and sizes and some super long branches.

In taking learning outdoors and into the forest, the children were more at ease and confident. They were able to develop their social skills and friendships, learn new language through hands on, meaningful experiences, solve problems, think critically, take risks, try new things, persevere and actively engage in their own learning.

What an amazing day of exploration and learning in the forest!

Dulwich Pudong Students IGCSE Top Marks Four Dulwich Pudong students have been awarded Top Marks in the 2021 IGCSE exams.

Top in the World: • Mathematics - Cheuk Hei Josh Y. • Foreign Language German - Bryan Y. Top in China: • Drama - Isabelle Q.

Have-to-Dance Competition at Wellington College

• Foreign Language French - Sophie D.

In early November, pupils at Wellington College International Shanghai put their dance talents to the test with their annual Have-to-Dance competition. Competition winners then joined Wellington’s dance scholars to perform in the College’s first-ever Autumn Dance Showcase.

IGCSE Top Marks recognize students who have scored amongst the highest in their cohort. We applaud their outstanding efforts and results.

50 |DECEMBER 2021

GUANGZHOU

Utahloy International School Guangzhou (UISG) On November 6, UISG opened its doors to what turned out to be a fantastic day enjoyed by students, parents and staff members. Early Year’s families opened the day with a variety of fun activities on the playground. The primary school event was entertaining as students engaged in soccer, fireball and table tennis games. The soccer game between parents and teachers was especially fun. In the final event, secondary students competed in volleyball, basketball and football games. Everyone enjoyed great food, exciting activities, good music and fantastic prizes sponsored by the UEF. A huge thank you to the UPTA for supplying the day with delicious snacks and cold drinks together with all staff involved to ensure the success of UEF Family Fun day at UISG.

ISA Science City International School of Guangzhou Dear Distinguished Guests, it is the time to get together again! The long-awaited ceremony ISA Festival will be held on December 11 at ISA Science City International School of Guangzhou. We sincerely invite you to attend our celebration of the ISA Community and enjoy a wonderful journey time!

This year, the ISA Festival will be even better than last year! Live performances and bazaars will present the ‘Past, Present, Future’ sections according to the theme of “A Journey Through Time,” bringing all the guests into an immersive sense of time travel and a space shuttle adventure!

ISA family, members of the ISA community and the general public are welcome to attend the event.

FOSHAN

Foshan EtonHouse International School

Here at Foshan EtonHouse International School, we are very proud to be accepted onto the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award’s scheme.

What is the Duke of Edinburgh International Award, you ask?

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is a student co-curricular and wellbeing programme that enables students aged 14-24 to be rewarded with an internationally recognized award for their continued pursuit of excellence, resilience and achievement.

Starting in 1956, the award was developed by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh and Doctor Kurt Hahn, the ‘Father’ of Experiential Education.

Being the world’s leading youth achievement award, it is a highly acclaimed award that is undertaken in over 130 countries and territories around the world.

Lady Eleanor Holles International School Foshan Lady Eleanor Holles International School Foshan successfully held its first Family Day on October 31. The Family Day was an excellent opportunity for the whole LEH community to relax and connect.

It was delightful to see so many families enjoying themselves on the family-friendly afternoon with various booth activities and fun games. With the ‘Meet the Head Master’ session and School tour, prospective families were able to experience an authentic British campus and were impressed by the school’s history and heritage, high quality of teaching, and state-of-the-art facilities. The school hosts regular Open Day and Meet the Head Master sessions and we look forward to meeting prospective families at the upcoming events.

ZHUHAI

AISG’s Successful Job Fair

Dulwich International High School Zhuhai

AISG kicked-off the teacher recruiting season with a successful Job Fair in November. AISG received hundreds of applications to attend the event and to fully understand our vibrant, positive community spirit, our collaborative focus on high levels of learning for all students, and our commitment to dynamic, compassionate, and connected learning. AISG’s high caliber of teaching is due to our ability to attract and seek teachers who bring forward-thinking pedagogy along with an empathetic approach to enrich each child’s learning. If you missed the job fair, visit our website at www. aisgz.org/careers or email us at teaching@aisgz.org.

Three Y13 students at Dulwich International High School Zhuhai have received National Gold, National Bronze and a Regional Honorable award respectively at the Canadian Chemistry Olympiad 2021(CCO). One of them scored Top 4 in the world among more than 6000 student participants.

Participating in global competition and achieving awards and honors is certainly a valuable highlight in a students university application, especially when pursuing Chemical Sciences or Biochemical Sciences. Students accumulate knowledge, improve skills in problem solving, as well as develop teamwork when taking part in global competitions. Congratulations to the three DHZH students and we wish them all the success in applying to their “best-fit” universities with this competitive advantage.

DECEMBER 2021 | 51

That’s

DECEMBER

Horoscopes

Finally, a horoscope that understands your life in China.

By Joshua Cawthorpe

11.23~12.21

12.22~1.20

Capricorn

Aquarius 1.21~2.19

2.20~3.20

Winter is finally here. Time to order your plastic wreaths on Taobao, they’re like RMB30 each. We’re all basic biddies at That’s so we’ve got the slightly extra Sagittarius' covered when it comes to price checking.

The Sun and Mercury hovered in your privacy zone on November 21st and 24th, respectively. You might want to get checked. They’ve been around.

Uranus is finally in a direct orbit. No, this doesn’t mean prolapse is inevitable, it means it’s time to use all that creativity and intuition that Aquarius is famous for and get things done, learn some Chinese and call an Ayi to organize your house.

Halloween is long over. You don’t have to be creepy anymore but since you have the outfit, why not host a squid game party and reuse that costume at least once more.

Sagittarius

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Pisces

Cancer

3.21~4.20

4.21~5.21

5.22~6.21

6.22~7.22

Stop messaging your ex. You never messaged when you were together, why would you bother messaging after you broke up. You’re sending more mixed signals than a buffet that doesn’t include free flow.

You see an offensive post in one of the many meme groups you’re in on WeChat.

Do not engage. You will lose to the sender because they don’t believe in logical fallacies and most don’t know how to do a simple fact check. The problem with wrestling with a pig in the mud is that, after awhile, you realize the pig is enjoying it.

While no shave November was a time for trying out a beard, this December you really need to try new things like that karaoke night that seems to change locations every three months or maybe an Internations event. Get out there, drink seven beers, sing Journey or Billie Joel, add 13 people’s WeChats who you won’t remember the next day.

No more house parties until at least January. You love being social but your friends are messes who spill beer on your floor. Enjoy other people’s house parties for the next month or so, you deserve it.

Leo

Virgo

Libra

Scorpio

7.23~8.23

8.24~9.23

9.24~10.23

10.24~11.22

You’re thinking about some major life changes for December. Planetarily speaking, this is absolutely the time to make major changes but is it right for you? You know you’ll miss your Ayi if you move back to your hometown. And durian pizza is hard to find in Miami.

Mercury is out of retrograde for the rest of this year and this could throw your entire lifestyle into question. In response to this, we give you the answer: wine. And not just any wine but really cheap Shandong wine. Buy local, save money, savor that hangover.

You feel like you’re floating and not doing anything of value but maybe you just need to relax. Life doesn’t have to be about fighting the power at every turn; it could just be about getting a new air fryer on taobao and making whatever it is people make in air fryers.

Scorpios have it tough just being Scorpios. December is an especially disheartening month for Scorpios as they are likely to suffer a major misunderstanding that will impact their life in some way.

Our reading of the alignment of Neptune and the moon shows this could range from forgetting to ask for no lajiao and ending up with la duzi or misreading the day of a good friend’s birthday.

52 |DECEMBER 2021

2021 IGCSE RESULTS - AGE 16

You want your child to excel. So do we.

ALISHA

SOPHIA

A* 11

A* 10

GRADES

SUBJECTS

GRADES

SUBJECTS

NICOLE

A* 10 GRADES

SUBJECTS

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