That's GBA – February 2021

G re at er B ay A re a

Why Waistlines are Widening in China’s Biggest Cities

城市漫步 粤港澳大 湾区英文 版 02 月份

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FEBRUARY 2021

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《城市漫步》粤港澳大湾区 英文月刊

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发行 Circulation: 李若琳 Li Ruolin

Editor-in-Chief Ryan Gandolfo 甘德发 Arts and Lifestyle Editor Phoebe Kut 吉蓁蓁 Travel Editor Sophie Steiner Contributors Rakini Bergundy, Alistair Baker-Brian, Joshua Cawthorpe, Issac Cohen, Lindsey Fine, Summer Lin, Bosworth Sheepley Photo Contributors Sam Balye (Cover), Bruce Connolly (Cover Story), Jill Marie (Nation)

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Editor’s Note

FEBRUARY 2021

On the same month when families will gather across the country for Spring Festival feasts, we coincidentally

address China’s growing overweight population. The public health issue – a bonafide global crisis – began with

China’s rapid economic development in the 1980s. In this month’s Cover Story, we look at how China’s economic prosperity beefed up the population and what’s being done to slim it down on pages 36-43.

Elsewhere in the magazine, our Travel Editor Sophie Steiner shares her winter guide to China’s coldest major

city, Harbin (pages 26-29). In the Nation section, we stick with the snow and follow That’s contributor Aron

Solomons to a Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics resort for an insiders’ skiing guide (pages 10-13). Traveling down south, you’ll also find an informative guide to LASIK surgery in sunny Sanya (pages 20-21).

Whether you decide to travel or stay home for Chinese New Year, we here at That’s hope you have a splendid

holiday and wish you a happy Year of the Ox. Best regards,

Ryan Gandolfo Editor-in-Chief

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

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THE WRAP

6 THE NATION

14 ARTS & LIFE

7 OPENING UP

FAST opens to foreign scientists.

15 BELLE ZHANG Founder of The Megaformer Lab.

10 OLYMPIC SKIING

20 EYE LOVE IT

22 TRAVEL Founders of M2adventure.

30 BUSINESS & TECH

26 ESCAPE TO HARBIN

31 DR. SHIRLEY YU

An insiders guide to the Beijing 2022 winter olympics resort.

23 MILLER XU AND MARIANE THUILLIER

What to do, see and eat in Ice City.

Your guide to getting LASIK eye surgery in China.

Political Economist, Professor and Author.

34 JUST RELX

The e-cigarette company vaporizing the competition.

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36 WEIGHING IN WHY WAISTLINES ARE WIDENING IN CHINA’S BIGGEST CITIES

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44 FAMILY 45 DAVID WANG General Manager of Greenwave.

48 BIRD IS THE WORD

The world of birding and wildlife observation.

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THE NATION Skiing with Chinese Characteristics

An Insiders Guide to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics Resort p10

Quote of the Month P8

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Mandarin Mumbles P9

CHINA CURRENTS

OPENING UP China to Allow Foreign Scientists to Use World’s Largest Radio Telescope

By Joshua Cawthorpe

C

hina last month announced that foreign scientists will be allowed to apply for permission to use FAST (Five-hundredmeter Aperture Spherical Telescope) for the first time since its completion in 2016.

Based in Guizhou province, the telescope is double the size of the next largest single-disc telescope, the Arecibo Observatory, making it the best in the world for detecting the faintest radio waves from extremely distant reaches of the universe.

This can include pulsars, the spinning cores of dead stars, and it can locate hydrogen in distant galaxies — somehow, according to Nature.

However, the facility already has projects underway in search of new planets and alien civilizations.

The announcement comes just over one month after the Arecibo Observatory telescope in Puerto Rico collapsed to the dismay of astronomers worldwide. The damage was a result of increasingly devastating hurricanes as well as some questionable maintenance in recent years. (Check out the video by scanning the QR code at the bottom-right.)

Starting April 1, 2021, applications from foreign researchers will be accepted. Ten percent of the time available to conduct experiments will be granted to foreign researchers. Experiments are expected to begin by August, according to South China Morning Post.

FAST has an undisclosed but likely exorbitant operation cost.

The telescope can view only a tiny sliver of the sky and uses 2,000 hydraulic pumps to direct the panels and capture the desired target.

It has not been disclosed whether foreign scientists will need to pay to use the telescope.

Cooperation between China and the international space research community has been disrupted in recent years due to political tensions. US Congress passed a bill in 2011 which barred Chinese scientists from boarding the International Space Station, citing security concerns, as reported by Time.

China announced an ambitious 2021 launch schedule and recently completed a groundbreaking mission to the moon and back, which was completed successfully on December 17 when the Chang-E 5 Lunar lander returned with four pounds of fresh rocks and dirt, as per NPR. China’s biggest rocket contractor, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), announced the plan on January 4 to launch 40 missions in 2021.

The statement noted that the main focus of this year’s missions will be on constructing China’s own space station. China’s Mars probe, Tianwen-1, is also expected to reach Mars gravity in February, Global Times reports.

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THE BUZZ RANDOM NUMBER

DON’T YOU KNOW WHO I AM?

22

Jack Ma

… is the number of workers who were trapped after a blast occurred in a gold mine in China’s Shandong province last month. As of press time, 11 workers were rescued, 10 perished and one is still missing. Xinhua reported that rescue workers were dispatched to the mine following the incident. They were initially unable to contact the trapped miners because the blast had damaged the communication signal system. The incident occurred at a mine owned by China’s fourth-biggest gold miner, Zhaojin Mining.

… the billionaire and cofounder of Alibaba has long been known as a larger-than-life personality, until recently. Ma disappeared from the public eye after criticizing regulators last October, according to NPR. He finally did make a virtual appearance last month at an event hosted by his charity foundation.

Some believe that he was told to lay low after his last public appearance, which was followed by the suspension of Ma’s Ant Group IPO by stock exchanges in Hong Kong and Shanghai.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“It’s not that great in Shanghai. Don’t get too excited” … commented one WeChat user under a post by That’s Guangzhou that Canadian coffee and donut chain Tim Hortons will be opening in Canton this month. Timmies, as it is commonly referred to by Canadians, has already opened up locations in Shanghai, Beijing and other major cities outside of Guangdong province. A company representative told That’s to expect more stores to open in Guangzhou and the Greater Bay Area in the future. The fast-food chain is well known for iconic menu items such as bagel BELTs, iced capps, double-doubles, Timbits and more. Other comments under the WeChat post were full of excitement, with one person writing, “Finally… that was the only missing shop [in Guangzhou].”

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

MANDARIN MUMBLES

Happy ‘Niu’ Year

S

ince we will all be hearing gōngxǐgōngxǐgōngxǐ blasted from stores selling gold over the next few weeks, let’s mix it up and learn some funny holiday wishes. Impress your friends, in-laws and delivery drivers with these more personal and modern phrases to wish people all the best in the coming Year of the Ox.

To learn more fun phrases, scan the QR code:

I wish that your body temperature is forever 36 degrees.

祝你体温永远三十六度

Zhù nǐ tǐwēn yǒngyuǎn sānshíliù dù

May your waist get thinner and your wallet fatter. 祝你人再瘦点而，钱包再胖点儿

Zhù nǐ rén zài shòu diǎn ér, qiánbāo zài pàng diǎn er

I wish that your salary rises and interest rates spike. 祝你涨薪涨息涨板停

Zhù nǐ zhǎng xīn zhǎng xī zhǎng bǎn tíng

May you eat plenty and not get fat. 祝你多吃不胖也轻盈

Zhù nǐ duō chī bù pàng yě qīngyíng

I hope that you say bye to your troubles and hi to happiness.

祝你跟所有的烦恼说拜拜，跟所有的快乐说嗨嗨 Zhù nǐ gēn suǒyǒu de fánnǎo shuō bàibài, gēn suǒyǒu de kuàilè shuō hāi hāi

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

SKIING WITH CHINESE CHARACTERISTICS An Insiders Guide to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics Resort

By Aron Solomons

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

With all the drama around the “will they, won’t they” of hosting the Tokyo Olympics, it is quietly slipping under the radar that the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics is in just over a year. Beijing is set to be the first city to host both the Winter and Summer Games.

T

he primary site for snow sports is a Hebei province district called Chongli, just one hour northwest of Beijing (take the train to Taizicheng).

I was initially skeptical when a friend invited me to check it out, having always heard skiing and snowboarding near Beijing was both crowded and had a distinct lack of a critically important ingredient – snow. But, after watching a couple of Douyin videos showing an actual mountain with snow on it, I swapped my plans of doing absolutely nothing and tagged along.

We spent three days at a resort called Yunding (for some reason called Genting in English). It has a mix of beginner, intermediate and advanced runs. Overall, the slope quality was much higher than I expected, and everything is well connected with recently completed lifts. A personal favorite was Moon Chaser, a nice intermediate run that went from the top all the way to the main resort hub.

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

The resort is best suited for intermediate skiers/boarders. This is for two reasons. At one end of the spectrum, skiing is still relatively new to China, so there are a lot more beginners than other levels. This means the beginner slopes are by far the busiest.

My friend – who was a beginner – had to do a lot of navigating around kids on school trips. My advice for beginners is to learn the basics at an indoor place so that you can avoid these more crowded areas when you are on the mountain.

At the other end, there is no off-piste. Most advanced boarders and skiers I know spend very little time on the actual slopes, preferring to carve their own routes in the powder. A lot of the snow here is from snow cannons, and all the focus is on making the slopes nice. There are also fences all along the slopes, stopping people from making their own routes.

One afternoon, I was feeling cheeky and tried to carve my path before being shouted at by snow bao’an. If you are the type of person that finds on-piste boring, then this place is not for you. One nice thing was that the advanced routes are basically empty, so you can get some real speed without the risk of finding out whether your health insurance covers snow sports.

Snow sports are expensive wherever you go. They have expensive ‘Ski Out’

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

hotel rooms, which are also often sold out. Buying stuff on site itself is also not cheap; renting gear is RMB280 a day, and a ski pass is RMB269-399, depending on if it is a weekend or not. There are, however, enough cheap places by the resort to eat and drink, including a KFC (we went twice).

Fortunately, there are more budget-friendly alternatives for rentals and accommodation. After getting screwed on the first day, we rented our gear from a shop in the city for RMB80 each for two days. We also stayed in the city at a place called Rongchen.

Obviously, it is not as convenient as waking up and skiing out your front door, but getting to the resort only takes 30 minutes by taxi.

The city itself has lots of great restaurants, including the spectacularly named Bad Ass Lamb Hot Pot. Overall, considering our very low expectations, I was very pleasantly surprised. Given the rise of a new strain of COVID, you could do a lot worse if you need your snow fix this winter but don’t fancy leaving China.

One final tip would be to go during the week if you can because it is much less crowded. We boarded Monday through Wednesday, and that was more than enough time. All the staff told us it was rammed on the weekends. You can also stay up-todate on what is open with Yunding Resort’s WeChat Mini Program.

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ARTS & LIFE Flock to the Ox

10 Strong Pieces to Welcome the Year of the Ox p18

Mahjong Mayhem P16

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Love LASIK P20

SPOTLIGHT

BELLE ZHANG

Founder of The Megaformer Lab Interview by Phoebe Kut

Don’t we all wish we were stronger, more toned, lean and fit? Belle Zhang, a Shanghaibased entrepreneur and certified Lagree instructor, is opening The Megaformer Lab, the first Lagree Megaformer workout in the cosmopolitan city. If you’re not familiar with the Lagree Method, it’s a high-intensity, low-impact workout loved by Hollywood celebs and created by Sebastien Lagree in the early 2000s. Zhang tells us, “Once you try it you’ll be hooked; it’s different from anything else you’ve experienced.”

“Once you try it you’ll be hooked; it’s different from anything else you’ve experienced”

What is the concept behind The Megaformer Lab? We’re Shanghai’s first and only Megaformer Lagree workout. The workout is a high-intensity, full-body endurance workout, working all major muscle groups in a 45-minute session. If you must compare the Megaformer to a Pilates Reformer, the Megaformer is like a Reformer on steroids, with the ability to combine cardio and endurance strength training elements. You’re in constant tension, working slow-twitch muscle fibers during this endurance training.

What sparked your initial interest in the Lagree Method?

I grew up splitting my time between Shanghai and California. I lived in LA for five years and really loved the work-life balance there, as people work hard but also take care of themselves mentally and physically. That was a really stark contrast to living in China, as WeChat never shuts off. It’s kind of a ‘make money or die trying’ attitude.

When I was looking at starting a business, I was checking out all different types of fitness methods and communities, and Lagree drew me in for its intensity and efficiency. I also saw that there was a need in China for this in the health and wellness space. Fitness businesses in China are littered with people selling private classes,

looking to sell dodgy year-long memberships. I was also looking for places to workout and found that people were fixated on numbers on a scale. I found that to be very toxic, especially for younger girls. I thought, “There needs to be some type of exercise or fitness community that encourages you to pursue a healthy lifestyle in a healthy way.” And so, I’m hoping to create that community.

Another reason I thought the Megaformer was a good fit for the Chinese landscape is the use of springs and carriage in the machine results in a low-impact workout. Traditional highintensity workouts like boxing or CrossFit can cause additional stress to knees and joints. Chinese people tend to prioritize longevity and health, favoring exercises that reduce unnecessary impact on joints.

How would you describe Megaformer workout in three words?

Hardcore, gentle and efficient. The workout itself is intense and challenges your core because most of the moves are performed standing up. However, it’s gentle on your joints and also efficient as the whole session is 45 minutes.

What’s the class size and pricing like?

Class size is capped at 10 people; you get that community environment with the individualized attention you would receive in a private session. Classes will be available in packages and will average around RMB200 depending on the package purchased. There will also be lots of free classes during the studio’s grand opening in late February! > This interview has been edited for clarity. Search The Megaformer Lab on WeChat official accounts, @themegaformerlab on Instagram or head to themegaformerlab.com.

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STYLE RADAR OVERHEARD

“PurCotton’s advert is suggesting that women are targeted by attackers at night because they put on makeup.

Without makeup, the attackers would be disgusted and therefore no attacks would happen”

Wrote a Weibo user, whose sentiments were supported by thousands. PurCotton, a Chinese retailer of cotton products released an ad on Douyin in early January which was met with a barrage of criticism.

In the short video clip, a woman out at night is being stalked by a masked man from behind. As the man is about to grab her shoulder, she pulls out a box of makeup wipes from her bag and suddenly transforms into a man. China Women’s News condemned Purcotton on their Weibo account, adding that the video is full of bias, gender stereotypes and ignorance. The news outlet wrote, “Women’s safety should not be trifled with, and PurCotton only used their creative ideas as a front to normalize stalking and victimize women. Women are consumers, not consumables. It’s inevitable that women will be offended and boycott their product.”

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COVET

Festive Footwear Boy does Nike have some great options for their Year of the Ox collection.

According to Nike, the colorway and materials were inspired by “the scenes of temple fairs during the festive holiday” and can be categorized by the following themes: an explosive firecracker, the artisanal Chinese knot and a spring blossom.

The capsule collection includes 10 styles for men and five for women. Pictured is the Air Jordan 5 Retro Low CNY packed with lots of intricate detail. For example, on the heel of the shoe, the Jumpman logo has been swapped for the Chinese characters for 23. > RMB1,499 visit nike.com/cn or select retailers to purchase.

UNDER THE LENS

Not Their Mama’s Mahjong

American company, The Mahjong Line, came under fire in January for its tone-deaf copy and narrative surrounding its customized mahjong sets.

According to the About Us page (which now has been re-edited), one of the founders Kate LaGere felt that “traditional [Chinese] tiles... did not reflect the fun that was had when playing with her friends,” and that “nothing came close to mirroring her style and personality.” She then enlisted two of her friends, Annie O’Grady and Bianca Watson, to help develop their own “respectful refresh” of mahjong, something which many have deemed as ‘cultural appropriation.’

The Mahjong Line released five limited-edition sets that sell at a whopping USD325-425, while a quick search on Taobao shows sets starting at RMB30 (around USD5). The creative agency behind the redesign of the centuries-old game has also quickly distanced itself from the controversy.

The public was mainly upset as “the company repeatedly whitewashes mahjong’s history, its cultural origins, and its players.” What do you make of all this?

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

CITY SNAPSHOT

@lasseholtz Danish photographer Lasse Holtz had the opportunity to travel all over Asia when he was working as a civil engineer based in both Hong Kong and Beijing. Although he no longer lives in China, he misses it very much and recapped one of his adventures to us: “I took the train from Beijing to Harbin for an extended weekend stay. Went to see the Harbin Ice City which I had heard so much about, and ended up spending seven hours exploring all the pretty ice sculptures, castles, buildings and shops there. It was really cold! Like -26 degrees. But absolutely beautiful and mesmerizing!

Worth it.” > For more of Holtz’s work follow @lasseholtz on Instagram.

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ARTS & LIFE | FASHION

FLOCK TO THE

OX

10 Strong Statement Pieces to Welcome the Year of the Ox Compiled by Rakini Bergundy Happy Year of the Ox, dear readers! As usual, big brands are honoring Chinese New Year with either traditional red and gold designs or abstract interpretations of the ‘spirit of the ox.’ Some products are giving us Chicago Bulls vibes…anyone else?

The North Face RMB698 Scan the QR code to purchase.

Adidas Dior x Stussy RMB23,000 Scan the QR code to purchase.

18 | FEBRUARY 2021 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

RMB899 Scan the QR code with the Taobao app to purchase.

FASHION | ARTS & LIFE

Burberry RMB2,900

Apple

Scan the QR code to purchase.

RMB1,999 Scan the QR code to purchase.

Dr. Martens RMB1,299 Scan the QR code with Taobao to purchase.

Lego RMB563

Vans

Check your local Lego retailer.

RMB599 Scan the QR code to purchase.

Nike RMB999 Scan the QR code with Taobao to purchase.

Vans Grey Jacket RMB929 Scan the QR code to purchase.

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ARTS & LIFE | LIF EST YLE

EYE LOVE IT

Your Guide to Getting LASIK Eye Surgery in China

By Summer Lin

F

or Christmas, I decided to treat myself with the gift of sight (20/20 in 2020!) I traveled from Shenzhen to Hainan (a short hour and a half direct flight) for laser eye surgery, also known as LASIK. The procedure costs a fraction of the price on the sunny island province compared to major cities in China. There’s even a high-speed train connecting Haikou to Sanya if you want to make a full beach holiday out of it.

In Shenzhen, the procedure starts at RMB17,500 while clinics in Hainan start at RMB7,900. I decided to go with HiVision Center after a few referrals from a couple of friends. On a regular day, the clinic sees around 20-25 patients, and during high season, that number climbs to 90 patients a day. It was also a bonus that the chief surgeon operated on my eyes for the surgery, and there was also a translator for the whole procedure. Here’s a breakdown of some key information.

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LIF EST YLE | ARTS & LIFE

One-Week Pre-Surgery I was instructed to stop wearing contacts as they can cause corneal swelling, affecting the accuracy of eye measurements prior to surgery. Glasses only!

Cost There were three options to chose from. I selected the cheapest option (RMB8,330). The doctor’s analogy: the first level is a vintage BMW, second is a Rolls-Royce and the third is NASA-level. (Yes, I’m also unsure why vehicle references aren’t used throughout.) The difference in pricing is due to the technology used to cut the corneal flap.

Glasses Prescription My prescription is -4.50 and -5.25 with astigmatism in both eyes. I’ve worn lenses for over 15 years.

Time The actual treatment took five minutes.

However, from start to finish, I was at the center for around three hours. It was a very intense experience; there were three beds and three machines in each room – a short, efficient assembly line.

Pre-surgery The most important and surprising part was how intense it was prepping my eyes. They washed my eyes four times before the procedure, constantly put drops in my eyes, plopped a hairnet on me and dressed me in scrubs and plastic slides.

Surgery

I went in, laid down and there were four people around the bed including a translator. They cleaned my eyes, stuck a speculum to keep my eyelids wide open and told me to stare at the light and not move. I then started hearing a steady clicking noise while the lasers fired.

Recovery Your sensitivity post-surgery depends on the thickness of your cornea. My cornea was thicker, so it didn’t hurt as much (thanks, mom and dad). It might feel like there’s sand in your eye, but that’s completely normal. I also had to stay for at least 30 minutes after because another round of eye drops were needed.

I was told protective glasses aren’t needed, I don’t need to stay out of the sun, and I wasn’t given pain medication. However, I was sent home with four types of eye drops that will need to be used for a month. Patients also have to refrain from swimming or martial arts for a month and using eye makeup for a week.

The doctor also taught me a set of eye exercises with my finger, and I was advised to practice reading at a distance that seems blurry to retrain my focal point.

My eyes have been pretty dry in the following days, and I even accidentally missed my flight back home but staying in sunny Sanya for an extra day or two wasn’t the worst thing in the world.

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TRAVEL Escape to Harbin

What to Do, See and Eat in Ice City p26

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

Hot Spot P25

WANDERLUST

MILLER XU AND MARIANE THUILLIER Founders of M2adventure

Interview by Sophie Steiner

“We always encourage people to try new things, discover hidden or off-the-beaten path places and meet new people”

Seven years ago, Miller Xu and his business and life partner, Mariane Thuillier, started M2adventure out of their mutual love for hiking and the great outdoors. Over time, they built up their Shanghaibased travel community to include trips all across Asia. As a result of COVID, 2020 saw some major changes in the way the company operates, but through pivoting and keeping their activities fresh and relevant, they have overcome major obstacles and continued on their growth trajectory.

no other hiking or travel agencies are taking them. But what really differentiate us is our team leaders. (We call them ‘team leaders’ because they are so much more than just everyday ‘guides.’) They are friendly, passionate and full of energy.

Our kind of trips naturally attract a fun bunch of people who, just like Mariane and me, are young-spirited, sporty, looking for adventures and always ready to have a laugh. As they say, your vibe attracts your tribe!

How and when did M2 get started?

Where does the name come from?

What is M2’s main mission with providing tours to guests?

MX: About seven years ago, Mariane and I met on a hiking trip in China. We realized how much we both love hiking and being outdoors, so we started organizing our own hiking trips for fun.

We also started dating, and eventually got married last year. At that time, the trips we organized were just for us and our friends, but eventually more people joined in and our hobby became M2adventure.

At the very beginning, Mariane and I would lead almost all of the trips, at the end of the trips people would always thank us, but instead of saying “thank you Miller and Mariane,” they would often say “thanks M&M or M2!” So, it was only natural for us to choose this name for our company.

MX: Our motto is: ‘Keep Your Life Adventurous!’ We always encourage people to try new things, discover hidden or off-the-beaten path places and meet new people. We also believe and support sustainable travel, by protecting the local environment where we travel to and giving back to the local communities through volunteer work and donations.

How does M2 differentiate itself from other travel and tour companies in Shanghai and the rest of China?

MX: M2adventure is more of a traveling community than a travel agency. We are known for our unique outdoor trip products (EBC hike, Yellow Mt. West Valley hike, etc.) that take guests to places that

How did M2 have to evolve as a company as a result of COVID? Did the pandemic open up any new doors for the company to expand in other ways that weren’t expected?

MX: We had to pivot, from a pure outdoor hiking/activity-focused organization to a more all-around travel company in order to survive this challenging environment.

We designed new trips and tried new ways to communicate with our community through photos, videos and livestream.

We learned and grew a lot as a company from this experience, and it has been quite a rewarding process.

We created new trips based on what was possible rather than what we normally schedule. When we couldn’t leave

Shanghai, we had to be more creative and develop fun local activity-based trips, such as biking, horseback riding, forest day walks, etc. within Shanghai. Later on, since Tibet (one of our best sellers) was not reopening, we had to explore new horizons and started doing Silk Road trips within China. We quickly built up an expertise in that area, and we are now among the top three tour companies in Shanghai for organizing Silk Road trips.

Have you had any ethical qualms associated with working for a company that promotes travel during a time when some view travel as selfish and unsafe?

MX: In general, if people want to travel, they will travel – with or without us. We have a strong monitoring system and local network to ensure we provide trips in low risk areas, without risk of quarantine nor change of QR code colors. We also never hesitate to cancel trips and refund full deposits to our clients if the situation changes and there are any risks or COVID cases.

What are you most excited for in the upcoming year in regards to changes and developments at M2?

MX: We are most excited for the return of the Tibet Everest base camp hikes and new trip development in regions like Xinjiang, Guizhou and Inner Mongolia. We are also slowly building up a family-oriented line of trips. > This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. To learn more about M2adventure, scan the QR code below:

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ITCHY FEET ROLLER COASTER

MILE HIGH

Think Before You Travel

Silver Bullet

China has advised residents not to travel during the Chinese Spring Festival to help stop the spread of COVID-19. The Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council, a task force which coordinates China’s anti-epidemic response, issued several recommendations last month to help ensure people stay safe during the holiday period. Liu Kezhi, director of the Market Management Department at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, said non-essential travel should be avoided, especially to overseas destinations and to medium- and high-risk areas within China. Other key recommendations include holding virtual gatherings, limiting family meals and face-to-face gatherings to no more than 10 people and avoiding encounters with anyone showing coronavirus symptoms.

Lay low this holiday as it’s not worth the risk of catching COVID-19.

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At the start of 2021, China rolled out its new high-speed train designed for cold climates. CNN reported that the CR400AF-G train can operate at speeds up to 350 kilometers per hour in temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius.

Developed and operated by stateowned China State Railway Group, the new high-speed line connects Beijing to several destinations in northeast China, including Shenyang and Harbin. It’s not yet clear when the train will officially begin operations. Several train components help it endure extremely low temperatures, such as temperature-resistant brake control devices and stainless-steel pipes equipped with heating devices. This is one of the latest lines added to China’s world-largest high-speed rail network of nearly 38,000 kilometers.

HOSPITALITY HIGHLIGHT

Sheraton Qingyuan Lion Lake Resort This Qingyuan resort has everything you need for a weekend getaway, regardless of where you live in the Middle Kingdom. The Arabian architecture is one of the first things guests notice upon arriving at Lion Lake Resort. Spend your day strolling along the lakefront and lounging by the pool, while at nighttime enjoy a delicious barbeque buffet or an evening BBQ boat cruise (which is as much fun as it sounds). Best of all, the resort boasts an idyllic golf course that makes for a fun experience even if you are the least skilled golfer on the planet. In Qingyuan, the weather is always nice no matter what time of year, which makes Lion Lake Resort a must-visit destination in 2021.

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

HOT SPOT

Kalimantan

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nyone traveling to Kalimantan is normally seeking a real adventure. The diverse topography of the Indonesian part of Borneo island can make it a little difficult to travel around, however, you’ll soon learn what people are missing out on after visiting this fascinating piece of land. Kalimantan was originally home to an indigenous people, collectively known as Dayak, but now hosts 10 million inhabitants from varying cultures. Hiking is one of the most popular activities here, with a plethora of national parks to explore. Tanjung Puting National Park in Central Kalimantan is one of the most recommended parks, and home to wild and rehabilitated orangutans and other species of monkeys. Another of Kalimantan’s highly regarded destinations is the Derawan islands, known for tranquil vibes and scenic views. On the island of Kakaban, travelers can jump in a sting-less jellyfish lake and observe one of the earth’s most curious creatures.

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ESCAPE TO HARBIN What to Do, See and Eat in Ice City

By Sophie Steiner

F

elix Bernard’s Winter Wonderland truly comes to life in the capital of China’s Heilongjiang province, Harbin. Founded in 1898, the city has evolved from a small rural settlement on the Songhua River to one of the largest cities in Northeast China.

Harbin is blessed with dry, freezingcold winters, making it an ideal winter destination. This is largely thanks to the city’s annual ice festival; a two-monthlong extravaganza featuring giant lit-up ice sculptures. Now in its 37th edition, the 2021 Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival kicked off on December 25, 2020 (with the official opening ceremony taking place on January 5, 2021), and runs to the end of February 2021.

One of the four largest ice festivals in the world, Harbin’s iteration is a must-see for the sheer spectacle alone, but there’s plenty more to the ‘Ice City’ than just ice. When in town for a visit, you can explore the Russian-influenced architecture while sipping locally brewed Harbin beer.

Spend an evening listening to China’s oldest symphony and then fill up on Dongbei dishes with a side of Russian flare. Stroll along the Zhongyang Pedestrian Street, visit a bookstore full of old world charm and a few cultural and history museums, check out a Russian-style theme park, go snowmobiling in a frozen tundra and round it all out with ice skating and tobogganing along the Songhua River.

Situated near the border of Russia, the strong Eastern European and Jewish influences are evident from the streets – which wind in typical meandering European fashion – to the table, where local Harbin-style smoked savory red sausage is more akin to the mild 26 | FEBRUARY 2021 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

German-style than Chinese.

Aesthetically, the city boasts formidable historic architecture, ranging from temples, churches (including the famous Russian Orthodox Church of St. Sophia) and synagogues. These mark Harbin’s Daoli district, a popular tourist spot. Meanwhile, those looking for quieter and authentic Chinese culture can visit ‘Old Harbin’ in Daowai district.

Yet, there’s something undeniably modern about Harbin. Take a look at the sculptural Harbin Opera House and Grand Theater. Better – or at least higher – yet, hop on Harbin’s Ferris wheel for views of the whole city (just remember to bring your coat and an extra pair of gloves).

In the following pages, learn more to see, taste and do in the Ice City. *Please note to travel with caution during the pandemic. We advise confirming ahead of time with your airline and hotel regarding required COVID-19 tests and the current status of the city.

Always wear a mask and avoid crowds.

Looking for more expert guides to China’s biggest cities and hottest destinations?

Purchase our Explore China travel guide, which offers insider tips, detailed city guides and more. You can scan the QR code below to order:

D E S T IN AT I O N | TR AVEL

Harbin International Ice & Snow Sculpture Festival 哈尔滨国际雪雕节

T

he glittering ice jewel in Harbin’s metaphorical ice crown, Harbin’s annual monthslong Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival is not to be missed. Attracting millions of visitors, both local and international, the festival comprises astounding ice sculpture exhibits that are jaw-dropping in both size and artistry.

Taking place across multiple venues, the festival has a different theme every year and is the largest of its kind globally, boasting the world’s biggest ice sculptures. Marvel at life-sized buildings and dreamy castles and enjoy the snow-sports on offer, like sledding and ice-skating. Be sure to visit at night – when you can view the structures lit up in multi-color by thousands of colorful LED lights fitted inside each sculpture.

Established in 1985, the festival’s exhibits are crafted by ice sculpture experts from all around the world. As such, the festival is not only an attractive wonderment but also an opportunity for cultural exchange. The three major venues are Sun Island, Ice and Snow World and Zhaolin Park.

Sun Island houses the Snow Sculpture Exposition and the world’s largest indoor ice and snow art museum. While the other two locations can be visited at night, Sun Island is a daytime spot. Entrance in 2021 is RMB100 per person.

Ice and Snow World was built in 1999 and is a massive ice architecture park. Its design was inspired by world-famous architecture, such as the pyramids of Egypt, as well as traditional Chinese tales. At night, all the structures are lit up with thousands of multicolored LED lights.

Ice and Snow World is the most impressive attraction and looks quite different during daytime and nighttime – so it’s worth going both times!

Last but not least, Zhaolin Park is a must-visit for its beautiful ice lanterns, which are made by carving and decorating piledup snow. A multitude of objects are carved from the ice, like

European-style churches, gardens, fantastical creatures and waterfalls. The sculptures here are relatively smaller, which is why entrance is free. Also best viewed at night.

Since the festival takes place each year from the end of December through February, the weather is cold – scratch that, freezing – with temperatures ranging between -25 and -10 degrees Celsius – so it pays to bundle up. Thermals, a warm coat and wind jacket, thick boots, gloves, scarves, earflaps and a wooly hat are all par for the course.

Tickets must be purchased for each venue of the festival, with different prices for each location. Tickets for all three can either be purchased directly at the attraction or online; discounts and group packages are also available. During the festival, special buses run across the city, shepherding tourists to each venue. To save time getting around and for more privacy, try hiring a private driver.

Altogether, the ice festival ensures that Harbin is enveloped in a magical cloak of joy during the coldest months of the year.

It’s a spectacle that must be seen up close to fully appreciate its magnificence.

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Saint Sophia Cathedral 哈尔滨圣索菲亚教堂

Located in central Harbin along the Zhongyang Dajie Pedestrian Street, Saint Sophia Cathedral is a former Russian Orthodox Church and a prime example of Neo-Byzantine architecture in China. Founded in 1907, the cross-shaped cathedral stands at 53.3 meters tall and over 721 square meters in area. A striking green dome tops the main center hall, while four different tent roofs surround the center dome.

After periods of expansion, closure and restoration, the church now serves as an art gallery, showcasing the city’s architectural development. A large musical fountain sits in front of the church, providing a pretty scene for photo opportunities. The church – hailed the largest Orthodox Church in the Far East – looks especially majestic at night.

Hours: Daily, 8.30am-5pm Admission: RMB20 (ticket sales end at 4.30pm) Address: 88 Toulong Jie, Daoli district 道里区透 笼街88号

Zhongyang Dajie Pedestrian Street 中央大街 Songhua River 松花江

If you’re visiting Harbin for the Ice Festival, there are plenty of daytime activities to do such as ice skating on the Songhua River, which completely freezes over during the winter (NovemberApril). You can get to the riverside by walking from Central Street.

There is also a cableway crossing the river that connects Tongjiang Square in Daoli district with Sun Island Park.

Cableway Hours: 8.30am-6pm, ticket sales end at 5.30pm Admission: RMB50 one-way, RMB80 roundtrip Address: Songhua River Cableway (松花江观光索道), 218 Tongjiang Jie, Daoli district 道里区 通江街218号, (0451) 8468 8841

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This picturesque 1.4-kilometer-long avenue is located in the old central district of Harbin. Built in 1898, it is a prime example of Baroque and Russian architecture. The store-lined cobblestone streets are a shopper’s dream, with stores including both international and local brands. Most businesses close by 10pm. Make sure to stop

by Madieer (马迭尔冰棒) for a frozen popsicle, a major hit among visitors even in the frigid winter months!

Address: Zhongyang Dajie (between Jingwei Jie and Stalin Park at the Songhua River), Daoli district 道里区中央大街

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DONGBEI CUISINE

Russian Cuisine

Located in the Dongbei region, it’s no surprise that Harbin has a variety of Dongbei restaurants. As a ‘gateway’ to Chinese cuisine, Dongbei food is most similar to Chinese food in North America – minimal spice, heavier on the meat, many fried dishes and a variety of pickled veggies. Our favorite Dongbei restaurants in Harbin include Lao Chujia (老厨家) and Dongfang Jiaozi Wang (东方饺子王) for dumplings.

Liangpi 凉皮

These ‘cold skin’ noodles can be found all around China, but the Harbin version has its own special twist. Clear and velvety soft, almost like jelly, the noodles are smothered in a thick sesame paste sauce.

The dish is served with julienned cucumbers, carrots, tofu skin, cabbage, greens and chilis for a colorful vegetarian dish.

Boiled Dumplings 水饺

Almost every restaurant in the city offers dumplings of all varieties, the most famous of which are boiled. Fillings range from beef to pork and cabbage to mushroom and chicken to egg and spring onion. If you’re craving extra-crisp potstickers, they are usually available as well. Dumplings are best enjoyed dipped in a sauce made of dark vinegar, soy sauce, garlic and chili oil.

Guobaorou 锅包肉

Harbin is chock-full of Russian restaurants featuring food from Mother Russia. Think bellinis with caviar, borscht, beef stroganoff and fruit pizza, to name a few.

We suggest trying Russian food at Pectopan (金色时光西餐厅), Lucia ( 露西亚西餐厅), Madieer (马迭尔 餐厅) or Portman Western Style Restaurant (波特曼西餐厅), and we guarantee there will be no shortage of meat and potatoes – hearty food to keep you warm during the cold months.

Dalieba 大列巴

Also known as the ‘big bread,’ dalieba is a round sourdough loaf weighing up to 2.5 kilograms.

Dalieba is savory in flavor, rather than sweet like most Chinese bread, with a crispy outer crust and fluffy inside. The bread’s origins can be traced back to Harbin’s historical ties with Russia, when it was a stop on the trans-Siberian railway and a former Russian trading post, as well as a haven for Russian immigrants during the Russian Revolution. This bread can be found at most restaurants and sold by street vendors along Zhongyang Pedestrian Street.

For a not-so-vegetarian alternative, guobaorou, or sweet and sour pork, is another Dongbei classic.

Sliced pork is breaded and fried before being smothered in a sticky sweet and sour sauce. Crispy and tangy, each bite is more enticing than the last.

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BUSINESS & TECH Just Relx

The E-Cigarette Brand Vaporizing the Competition p36

Hot on Taobao P32

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Highs and Lows P33

GAME THEORY

DR. SHIRLEY YU Political Economist, Professor and Author Interview by Ryan Gandolfo

A leading voice on China’s role in the global economy, Dr. Shirley Yu is highly sought after whenever China is making global headlines (which is often). With a PhD in Political Economy from Peking University and a Master’s degree in Government from Harvard, Yu’s career has taken her from Wall Street to a leading news anchor role in China and much more. She is at the forefront of China policy, and a contributor to the Financial Times . Below, Yu shares insight into her career in China policy and discusses her media ventures.

How’d you get started in public affairs?

I have always had a passion for public affairs since childhood. But innately, it has always been driven by the intellectual curiosity to seek the truth. What really took me back to the global public arena was the onset of the US-China Trade War in 2019. I decided to dedicate time to help the world understand China better at a critical global juncture, through research, writing, teaching and public debates.

You became a Chinese national TV news anchor in 2009 following a career in investment banking in the US. What brought about this change and how did your work as a TV news anchor shape your career path today?

I always believe I have lived in the best of times. We are the generation that has not experienced hunger or a war in our lifetime. This upbringing imbues a sense of optimism and confidence.

We dared to venture, and the world opened its arms to Chinese talents, until recently.

In retrospect, 2009 was when China began its economic rise against the rest. But then, returning to China and changing a profession was a career gamble. I could not possibly have known what happened next. I remember the time when I worked in media

“China risk is the corporate risk of failing to get China right, when massive commercial interests are derived from China” in Beijing, Hank Paulson visited China over 100 times. Countries, corporates and NGOs all gathered in Beijing.

Beijing was the epicenter of global progress. It was a wonderful time to sit in one city and see the world coming your way.

How would you best describe ‘China Risk?’

China risk is the corporate risk of failing to get China right, when massive commercial interests are derived from China.

Public company boards are serious about controlling risks. I have always asked to place China risk on the same level of significance as cybersecurity risk, accounting risk, financial risk, legal risk, etc. at corporate boards.

In 2019, the former CEO of Cathay Pacific resigned because of China risk. That same year, from Coach and Versace, to the NBA, we saw how devastating China risk can be for some of the most successful global companies with significant business interests in China.

They see the China opportunity but failed to foresee the sensitivities of the China market.

China risk, to some of the leading global executives and board members, has become not only a significant corporate risk, but a very personal one.

China risk governance should center on two dimensions: The decision as to what degree the company should participate in the Chinese market and the corresponding board-level expertise on China’s business and market.

How can readers gain a better understanding of China’s complex environment through China Big Idea newsletter and Hey China! talk show?

China BIG Idea is a daily strategic briefing service on China’s economy, capital markets, foreign policy, technology and government, designed for the Fortune Global 500 senior executives and global policymakers.

China BIG Idea aims to bring insights and intelligence from China, to help significant global stakeholders make solid China decisions, with trusted knowledge, deep expertise and a non-biased strategic focus.

I co-created Hey China!, a New Yorkbased business talk show, to bring China’s top executives, change makers and thought leaders to illuminate the authentic transformations in China.

The policy and the media arms both fulfill the same mission. I am very grateful to my aspiring global team, who believe in what we do.

What sectors in China’s economy do you expect to see the most development from over the next decade?

Under ‘Made in China 2025,’ China’s smartphone and NEV manufacturing each account for about 50% of the global market share now. High-end manufacturing will continue to present opportunities.

The next one is AI Vision 2030.

Industries related to IoTs, AI, smart cities, and cloud services will quickly advance.

China begins to vie for leadership in autonomous driving technologies.

The long-term strategy of carbon-neutrality in 2060 will obviously offer great longterm opportunities for green development and environmental technologies. > This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

Follow Dr. Yu on Twitter (@shirleyzeyu) or LinkedIn, check out Hey China! on YouTube and visit China BIG Idea at chinabigidea.info. You can reach her via email at media@shirley-yu.com.

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TAKE STOCK TAP THAT APP

Le Fit

In case you blew the opportunity to start a new workout routine at the start of 2021, Chinese New Year opens up a whole new door. But truth be told, finding a suitable gym is no easy task. Enter Le Fit. The Hangzhou-based internet slash fitness company operates more than 500 gym locations in the Middle Kingdom’s major cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. To sign up for a gym membership, you only need to download their app and pick from monthly, seasonal and annual passes. Le Fit gyms have a QR code-enabled entryway and stay open 24 hours a day. While these gyms are generally smaller than a traditional gym, they serve as a great intermediary in case you want to start working out without breaking the bank.

Le Fit gyms also host various fitness classes, providing more of a community vibe to the building.

CHART ATTACK

Privacy Please

How long is your WeChat Moments Visible?

You can learn a lot about someone by checking their WeChat Moments – and people are starting to notice. Last month, WeChat founder Zhang Xiaolong revealed some interesting statistics at the annual WeChat Open Class Pro Source: Sina Tech event, including users preferred privacy settings. According to Zhang, more and more users are adjusting their WeChat Moments to three-day visibility (三天可见). Among WeChat’s billion-plus users, over 200 million have now opted for increased privacy. Sina Tech conducted a Weibo poll following the announcement that asked users about their privacy settings, with nearly one-third of respondents applying the three-day rule. Another third said their Moments are all available to view.

> Le Fit (乐刻) is available on iOS and Android devices.

HOT ON TAOBAO

Dolce ‘Cabbana’ Remember the advertising blunder that got Dolce & Gabbana canceled from the world of Chinese ecommerce?

It’s been over two years and the brand is still blocked from sites like Tmall and JD. But oddly enough, D&G products are still being sold by crafty Taobao sellers under a new name – Dolce Cabbana. According to Josh Gardner of Kungfu Data, Dolce Cabbana is now higher than the original brand name, despite platforms like Tmall blocking search results for ‘DG,’ ‘Dolce&Gabbana,’ ‘D&G’ and‘杜嘉班纳.’ A quick search on Taobao pulled up various D&G perfumes and other products – kind of like the forbidden fruit that some simply can’t live without. > Search ‘Dolce Cabbana’ on Taobao to shop.

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

HIGHS AND LOWS

Highs • China is churning out COVID-19 vaccines both domestically and abroad. A recent infographic published by Global Times shows that China has received orders from 18 countries and regions, as of January 17. So far, Indonesia and Brazil have procured 125,500,000 and 100,000,000 doses, respectively.

• On the economic front, the Middle Kingdom reported a record RMB100 trillion in GDP in 2020. The year-on-year growth rate of 2.3% has been viewed favorably as most countries around the world have been severely impacted by the pandemic. Also, expect consumption in China to strengthen in the year ahead.

Lows

• ByteDance recently launched Douyin Pay for users to make purchases within its short-video app. The move by China’s tech unicorn is a bit of a head-scratcher with Alibaba and Tencent accounting for more than 90% of the Chinese mobile payments market. Additionally, the continual rollout of China’s digital currency may also adversely affect the new payment system. According to a statement by ByteDance, “The set-up of Douyin Pay ... is to supplement the existing major payment options, and to ultimately enhance user experience on Douyin.”

• A Hangzhou tech firm has come under fire after management collected movement data on employees without their consent. Hebo Technology reportedly used ‘smart’ chair cushions that alerted managers when workers stepped away from their desks. The method backlashed as the company was called out by the Chinese online community for crossing a line in terms of employee management. The company has denied using the cushions to monitor the behavior of employees and claimed it was only collecting trial data before the product goes to market. We certainly hope to never see these cushions in our office!

YOUR CASTLE AWAITS

AD

ANJI YIN RUN JINJIANG CASTLE HOTEL PULLS OUT ALL THE STOPS FOR A WINTER WONDERLAND

E

veryone has a dream of going far away, which makes travel a top priority.

Come to Anji in the winter, where you can enjoy the charming scenery of this magical town. It may be snowcovered, misty rain, or brilliant under the sunshine; A visit to Anji will bring you up close to feel director Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon in the beauty of the bamboo sea, but also to experience the ‘Chinese bamboo township’ of the wonderful mirror, canoeing through a bamboo green winding path to smell the relaxing fragrance.

Come to Anji, where you can enjoy the intimate family time between parents and children. Of course, the first destination is the Hangzhou Hello Kitty Park, which is Hello Kitty’s first China home.

Whether you are a child or a Hello Kitty fan, you no longer have to travel across the ocean to see Hello Kitty, you can hug Hello Kitty just in Anji.

Of course, finding a cozy resting place

is a great way to enhance the satisfaction of travel. Hidden in the middle of the landscape town, there is a super beautiful and dreamy castle, which can be seen from a distance as soon as you get off the highway. It is located in the depths of the mountains, the surrounding landscape is superb. This is the Anji Yin Run Jinjiang Castle Hotel. The castle not only has an eye-catching appearance but is also a dream castle full of laughter!

“The treasure of stores” belongs to the most adorable Hello Kitty dream-themed rooms, which is also the only hotel that Sanrio authorized genuine Hello Kitty images.

When you come to the Castle Hotel, even if you choose a suitable resting destination, you are still looking for another kind of holiday lifestyle, and when you bring your family and stay in Anji’s ‘Castle,’ you will never want to leave! The entertainment experience here is also super enjoyable. If you like sports, you can go to the indoor pool, which has a deep

blue starry sky above it, creating romantic scenes of swimming under the stars, and there are two heated soaking pools set up especially for children.

At night, you can go to the Castle Cinema with your family and friends, where there's a free movie screening every night, so you can watch a blockbuster movie with your kids. If it happens to be your child’s birthday at the hotel, there’s always a chance to attend the hotel’s Hello Kitty birthday party, where the Hello Kitty family will surprise your family with a birthday gift.

We always create a way for you to fall in love with Anji, get hooked on the festive life here and look forward to your return to this castle.

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BUSINESS & TECH | F E AT URE

Just Relx The E-Cigarette Brand Vaporizing the Competition

By Ryan Gandolfo

W

hen you hear the phrase ‘Shenzhen Speed,’ Relx comes to our minds – oddly enough.

The Shenzhen-based vape brand has made a name for itself in a short two-year period with the launch of award-winning products and a rapidly expanding brick-and-mortar retail operation.

In the summer of 2020, Relx released ‘Infinity,’ which has been well received by China’s growing vape community. (Relx markets its products as a replacement for smoking and established the ‘Guardian Program’ to prevent nonsmokers – especially youth – from

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picking up the addictive and unhealthy habit.)

Since we started using Relx Infinity, we’ve found everything from the size and weight of the device to the smooth pull to be a welcome change of pace from cigarette smoking.

The Relx team managed to design this e-cigarette so you no longer need to worry about leaking – a common problem for many brands in the industry.

Additionally, the flavors from the Relx Pods Pro leave a great taste in your mouth and aroma in the room.

We tested out several flavors including Berry, ‘Drunk Grape’ (醉葡萄),

F E AT URE | BUSINESS & TECH

‘Ice Cola’ (可乐冰), ‘Popsicle’ (老冰棍), ‘Cool Watermelon’ (凉西瓜) and ‘Rose Lychee’ (玫瑰荔枝). Each flavor was subtle and ended with a refreshing exhale. These flavors appear to be positioned for the Chinese market, as we’ve seen different flavors marketed on their global website.

Compared to previous e-cigarettes we’ve tried, Relx Infinity has an impressive battery life – which can be recharged with a Type-C port. As for how long each Relx Pod Pro lasts, that all depends on how frequently you use it. We usually leave our Relx at the office, so pods tend to last longer.

According to Relx’s website, their proprietary e-liquid formula includes glycerol, propylene glycol, flavorings and nicotine salt. (Nicotine is a highly addictive chemical compound, as defined by the US Federal Drug Administration.)

It wasn’t so long ago that the vape craze was truly taking China by storm. You could find vape pens and other products prominently placed on convenience store counters as well as marketing campaigns all over the internet.

In November 2019, the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration and State Administration for Market Regulation intervened by urging the industry to stop online e-cigarette sales, shut down e-cigarette stores and halt all marketing activities.

The outcome turned out to benefit Relx and other reputable e-cigarette brands as many dodgy operations closed up shop – leaving the market wide open.

With around 300 million smokers in China – nearly one-third of the world’s total, according to the World Health

Organization (WHO), e-cigarettes are often viewed as an alternative to tobacco cigarettes. Relx hopes to play a role in switching those smokers into vapers.

In September 2020, Relx established a bioscience lab in Shenzhen to study the health effects and short- and long-term behavioral effects of e-cigarettes when compared to traditional cigarettes. Wen Yilong, Relx cofounder and head of R&D and supply chain, said, “We want to collect

evidence through a scientific approach and strive to prove the potential for e-cigarettes to be less harmful, and in doing so, provide users with the option to choose an alternative.” As of now, there’s an incomplete knowledge of e-cigarettes, which leads to many obvious concerns. > To quit cigarette smoking and vaping, contact China’s Quit Smoking Hotline (12320) or The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (1-800-784-8669).

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WEIGH Why Waistlines are Widening in China’s Biggest Cities

By Ryan Gandolfo, additional reporting by Joshua Cawthorpe

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ealth and waistlines have a tendency to grow together. China’s rapidly developing economy has helped raise the standard of living to meteoric heights in recent decades.

And while people in the Middle Kingdom are now wealthier, their diets have become ‘richer’ but not better. The country’s leading health authority drew attention to the elephant on the scale in a report released last December, revealing that more than half (50.7%) of Chinese adults were now overweight – a 27% increase since 2002.

Rates of overweight (34.3%) and obesity (16.4%) in Chinese adults are relatively lower than in developed Western countries. However, the rising figures and large population size raise concerns about unhealthy lifestyles and adverse effects on the national healthcare system.

In the following pages, we address how China’s economic prosperity has beefed up its people and what can be done to slim it down.

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BELLY BOOM

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ata on weight in China was hard to come by until the start of Deng Xiaoping’s ‘Reform and Opening Up’ movement in 1978. “In 1980, Charlotte Ikels, a regular visitor to Guangzhou, reported that hardly anyone appeared overweight,” coauthors Paul French and Matthew Crabbe wrote in Fat China: How Expanding Waistlines are Changing a Nation (China in the 21st Century), published in 2010. “But this was about to change, and by the end of the decade, obesity would be declared a national health issue in China’s large cities.”

The country’s early comprehensive surveys on diet and nutrition were more focused on monitoring China’s malnutrition rate.

The findings showed progress across the country in the decades following the Great Chinese Famine in the late 1950s – a period where millions of rural Chinese starved due to disrupted agricultural productivity and natural disasters, among other reasons. But it didn’t take long for the government to notice a growing trend in overweight citizens, especially in China’s major cities. “Back during the famine period, that generation focused on food quantity instead of food quality – the priority for them was staying alive. As famine got resolved along the way and the availability of food increased, the next generation

had more choices,” says Katrin Lee, a clinical dietitian at Jiahui Health in Shanghai. “A history of famine and food shortages [dating] back to the 1950s had some impact on people’s perception towards food and food choices, which could be a factor contributing to average weight gain.”

French and Crabbe note that the number of overweight people in China accounted for 7% of the population in 1982, a figure that would double by 1992. By the time China had completed its first comprehensive national survey on diet, nutrition and disease in 2002, 22.8% of Chinese adults were overweight and 7.1% clinically obese – a staggering rise in both categories over 20 years.

China’s then Vice Minister

of Health Wang Longde had sounded the alarm on the long-term impact that the growing obesity problem in urban areas could have on the nation’s healthcare system, with infectious disease rates expected to rise. In Fat China, the authors’ add that rates in hypertension, high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), poor blood sugar and diabetes were all on the rise in the 2000s, according to China’s Ministry of Health. “By middecade, things were looking increasingly worrying… it seemed clear that as the urban economy was growing, so were ‘prosperity induced’ waistlines,” wrote French and Crabbe.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines a person with a body mass index

Percentage of China’s overweight and obese population, as measured by Body Mass Index (BMI)

Obese

Overweight

60 50 40

34.3%

30 20

22.8%

10

16.4% 7.1%

2002

2020 Source: China’s National Health Commission

(BMI) over 25 as overweight and 30 as obese – BMI is calculated by a person’s weight in kilograms divided by their squared height in meters. However, China has set stricter standards for BMI due to differences in body composition among different ages, genders and ethnic groups. Those in China with a BMI over 24 are overweight, and 28 are obese.

The December report, titled ‘The 2020 Report on Chinese Residents’ Chronic Diseases and Nutrition,’ showed that the average weight of adult men (69.9 kilograms) and women (59 kilograms) increased by 3.4 kilograms and 1.7 kilograms,

respectively, over the past five years. The alarming weight trend is even more daunting for children in China, as the report reveals that 20% of children aged 6 to 17 are obese. Zhao Wenhua, chief nutritionist with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, cited the growing overweight/obese population in China as a byproduct of social-economic development and lifestyle and behavioral changes in recent decades.

In 1980, Charlotte Ikels, a regular visitor to Guangzhou, reported that hardly anyone appeared overweight

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ou’ve gotten fatter’ and ‘You’ve gotten thinner’ are common greetings that people hear when meeting with friends and family in China. There’s a heightened focus on weight and appearance in the Middle Kingdom that has led to online debates about the definition of fat or overweight. At the same time, social activities often involve eating and drinking, making it all the more challenging to avoid weight

gain when going out for an oil-laden hot pot regularly, for instance. “Ultimately, the main reason for excess weight is excess intake or inadequate output,” says Lee. She sees increased food availability and convenient meal delivery as culprits to an unbalanced lifestyle. “Before, not as much [food] was available during certain times of the day so people may eat less,” Lee points out. Where in the past, folks would have no choice but to go

to wet markets, supermarkets and shops, nowadays groceries and meals can arrive at your doorstep without having to leave the couch. Ultimately, reducing overall physical activity while still consuming the same or more calories.

It’s also the types of food that people are consuming that are at the forefront of an obesity issue in the country. “While Chinese people have always eaten staples like grain as the main food, in previous decades we consumed less meat, oil and salt,” Huang Wanting, a Guangzhou-based registered dietitian, tells That’s.

Huang highlights people’s desire for ‘heavy flavors’ that smell and taste better, all while likely helping to pack on the pounds. “Youtiao (fried dough sticks), hongshaorou (braised pork with plums) and hongshao qiezi (brown braised eggplant) are very common Chinese dishes, but need to be eaten in moderation,” says Huang.

In November 2020, a man, under the pseudonym Wang, nearly died in Chengdu after suffering an aortic dissection (tear in the inner layer of the aorta) from eating hot pot and barbecue every day with his wife for three years. Local media interviewed Wang’s wife, who said their diets dramatically changed after moving to Chengdu, eating unhealthier food in excess late at night.

Ouyang, the lead surgeon who operated on Wang, said that many young people have high blood pressure yet ignore the

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risks, as cited by Red Star News.

However, the report released by the National Health Commission last December noted that Chinese residents are paying increasing attention to nutrition and chronic disease. Among residents 18 and older, nearly 60% had checked their body weight within the past month of being surveyed, and over half of adults aged 40 or older had gotten their blood pressure checked in the last three months.

The proliferation of Western fast-food chains in China is also to blame, particularly with younger generations. Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) was the first to set up shop in the PRC’s capital city back in 1987. KFC China would go on to create a blueprint for success by offering a wide variety of foods and traditional dishes to appeal to the local market as well as create larger outlets for customers to dine-in and hang out for an extended time. In recent years, we’ve seen KFC roll out durian chicken nuggets – a popular fruit in China – and McDonald’s launch Coca-Cola chicken wings – a version of the Chinese homestyle dish. The two fast-food giants and others have found success by making these cultural changes.

The dining environment at McDonald’s is similar to a [Chinese] canteen, perhaps this is the key to their success

On Zhihu, a questionanswer platform, here’s one internet user’s take on why American fast-food chains are popular in China: “The dining environment at McDonald’s is similar to a [Chinese] canteen, perhaps this is the key to their success. Think of a Chinese restaurant, people are always staring at you… when sitting at a McDonald’s,

it’s relaxing, just like in the canteen.” While Western food chains have made efforts in providing Chinese consumers with nutrition information and new healthier alternatives, their primary high-calorie, lownutrient foods are only adding to China’s scale.

Another significant factor leading to weight gain is the diminishing amount of physical activity of people living in major cities. The NHC report says less than one in every four Chinese adults are exercising once per week. Lee notes that inadequate physical activity plays a significant role in weight gain in individuals, with many in cities taking on more sedentary jobs and increasing their use of electronic devices. In 2019, China Youth Daily’s survey center wenjuan.com released a survey on Chinese mobile phone usage among adults, which showed that 84.7% of respondents spend, on average, three hours each

day on their phone. Unhealthy working schedules, particularly in China’s rapidly growing tech and internet sectors, are also to blame. According to the 2017 China Labor Dynamics Survey, more than 40% of respondents reported working longer than 50 hours a week, as cited by Financial Times. China labor law states workers shouldn’t work more than 44 hours a week.

With so many determinants of weight gain, it can be difficult to digest. Fortunately, a growing global human nutrition industry can help address these challenges. “As the government and people pay more and more attention to health problems, the status of nutritionists is rising,” says Lee, but expresses skepticism over the use of the term.

“When searching ‘nutritionists’ in a search engine, a lot of different nutritionist certification programs show up. But few, if any, are officially recognized nutrition organizations. This implies

that there are a number of ‘nutritionists’ in society who were not trained by official programs or proper standard knowledge.” Unlike dietitians, people in many countries can claim to be nutritionists without any official training or certification. According to Lee, the Chinese Nutrition Society has made strides in standardizing qualification and training but still requires more support from other institutions. Meanwhile, the role of dietitians in China cannot be understated, by helping to advocate for healthy eating and obesity prevention via different channels. According to China Daily, the country’s first group of registered dietitians gained their professional certifications in 2017. China needs up to four million dietitians to meet the needs in addressing health issues, according to Wang.

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KEEPING IT LIGHT W

COVER STORY

hile the country continues to build a legion of health experts to tackle this issue, a blend of public and private initiatives in China are underway to help the country trim some fat. In 2016, President Xi Jinping announced the Healthy China (HC 2030) blueprint, a national strategy covering everything from public health services, environmental management, the Chinese medical industry and food and drug safety. In HC 2030, Beijing addresses the need to reduce ‘health life,’ referring to “premature mortality resulting from major noncommunicable diseases” by a relative 30% from 2015 to 2030. Diabetes is one of the common noncommunicable diseases affecting the country.

China also issued the National Nutrition Plan (2017-2030) the following year to improve nutritional management and monitoring

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and dietary guidelines, among other areas. One important aspect of the plan is to increase nutrition intake research so that the data is based on Chinese people rather than foreigners.

Given the differences in BMI standards between China and Western countries, an increase in nutritional data from Chinese people may help address issues specific to the country.

China’s private sector also has an important role to play in advocating for a healthier lifestyle. With technology continually becoming an integrated part of our lives, there are new ways for it to promote healthy habits.

WeChat’s Official Account for fitness, WeRun, which launched in 2015, is a simple yet powerful way to increase people’s activity awareness throughout the day by tracking steps and sharing results on a digital leaderboard. We’ve seen other forward-thinking concepts pop up in gyms across the Chinese mainland.

Fitness chain Le Fit (乐刻健 身), which operates gyms in all major Chinese cities, makes working out easy and motivating via its official app. Members can learn new workouts, book trainers and compare their running distances on the facilities treadmills with other gymgoers.

Another benefit is the flexible membership system, where you can purchase monthly, seasonal and yearly passes, unlike traditional gyms.

Perhaps the biggest success story to come out of China’s fitness industry is Tencentbacked fitness app Keep, which made waves in 2020 after becoming the country’s first sports tech startup to reach a USD1 billion valuation, raising USD80 million in series E funding in May. Technode describes Keep as a “fitness trainer in your pocket” because it offers a suite of personalized training courses for workout sessions outside the gym.

And like WeRun and Le Fit, it nurtures the social aspect so users can share their workout progress.

On the dietary front, Chinese adults have shown increasing awareness of healthier food options. Popular new food trends in China, such as plant-based meat, could help improve lives by reducing beef and pork in Chinese diets. And while meal delivery continues to be a favored dining option among folks, we’re starting to see a rising demand for ‘light meals’ (轻食) online. These meals help promote fresh vegetables and fruit, among other nutrient-rich foods instead of salt-heavy, greasy dishes. Li, the owner of Waiting Coffee, a restaurant in Guangzhou, tells us that light meals and healthier lifestyles, in general, are becoming more trendy.

“The concept of healthy eating is gradually being accepted by the public, and I am personally optimistic about it. At my restaurant, our guests practically all order light meals.”

Whether China’s weight problem is here to stay or go is reliant upon a dizzying number of factors. Still, with growing public awareness, the continuous rollout of measures targeting healthy lifestyle by the

government and innovation in fitness and dieting from the private sector, there’s hope that the country that grew before the world’s eyes can now lead in trimming its waistline.

The concept of healthy eating is gradually being accepted by the public, and I am personally optimistic about it. At my restaurant, our guests practically all order light meals

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FAMILY Bird is the Word

The World of Birding and Wildlife Observation p48

Dad’s Book List P46

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Veggie Mama P46

FULL HOUSE

DAVID WANG

General Manager of Greenwave Interview by Alistair Baker-Brian

Issues surrounding water and air quality have been brought into stark focus during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a market leader in China, Greenwave has provided healthy water and air solutions to a whole host of customers for the past 10 years.

We caught up with General Manager David Wang who talked about Greenwave’s history, the effects of the pandemic on Greenwave and how to combat winter health problems.

For those who are not familiar with Greenwave, would you give us a brief introduction to your company?

Greenwave is an environmentally conscious company focused on water and air filtration solutions for families, restaurants, hotels, offices, international schools and elsewhere. It was founded in 2010 by myself and some partners in Shanghai.

At the time, there were many people who faced difficult issues regarding unhealthy water and air. Many people didn’t do anything to improve the air and water in their surrounding environment.

Some people even got their drinking water shipped from abroad because they found it hard to trust the water here.

Over the past 10 years, we have provided products to help with water used for drinking, showering, hand-washing and laundry. Other Greenwave products include drinking water purifiers, laundry filters, shower filters, faucet filters and more.

We know that families care about water and air quality in their own homes. But they also care about water and air quality in other spaces like shopping malls, hotels, international schools, restaurants and elsewhere. So as well as focusing on people’s homes, we also have many commercial clients.

How many cities in China does Greenwave currently operate?

We have clients in more than 35 cities.

But we cannot have branches in all of

“At that time, some people even got their drinking water shipped from abroad because they found it hard to trust the water here“ those places. So our branches are based in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. For these three cities, we will have our own employees provide services. For other cities, we will either visit them directly or we will use local third-party contractors to provide the same services to them.

Have you noticed a change in the attitudes of individuals towards issues surrounding water and air quality?

We deal mainly with international communities and ‘high-end’ locals. These people tend to be more alert to these sorts of problems than others. So they have always been aware of the need for clean water and clean air solutions for themselves and their families. The kinds of customers we serve already had a solid understanding of these sorts of health problems prior to COVID-19.

In your opinion, what are the main health problems which people in Beijing and other parts of northern China should be aware of during winter?

Usually harmful PM2.5 air particles increase during winter. Winter also tends to be drier, so people need to use more skincare products to prevent dry skin. What’s more, during the winter, water quality is also a very big issue. Usually, when the temperature drops, more chlorine will be found in the water.

On the issue of air quality, people should use KN95 or N99 reusable masks

outdoors. Indoors, people should use some HEPA filters to help remove harmful small-sized particles from the air.

Regarding humidity in the air, to make sure the air is not too dry and people do not become dehydrated, it is best for people to have some kind of humidifier. The humidity level will then be better when indoors. And of course, people should also remember to keep hydrated by drinking purified drinking water.

Comparatively speaking between Beijing and Shanghai, Beijing water tends to be a lot harder containing more chlorine.

In Sanlitun and Shunyi there is a lot of chlorine which can sometimes explain people’s skin and hair problems. Chlorine filters will therefore provide a lot of help for residents in those areas.

If people want to learn more about Greenwave’s products and services, where can they go to do so?

We have offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, all located in central areas of each city. So clients can come to visit us in person to learn more about our services and products.

Events are also an important way to get our message out. We attend a lot of events at international schools, with expat associations and elsewhere. So potential clients can also know more about what we do from here. > This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | FEBRUARY 2021 | 45

LIVING ROOM DAD’S BOOK LIST

CLASS CLOWN

Book recommendations from That’s editorial team.

Back to School

Ages 8-12

Sophie Washington: My BFF

By Tonya Duncan Ellis

The Sophie Washington book series is the brainchild of Tonya Duncan Ellis that dives into the true meaning of friendship and peer pressure at an early age.

Her latest book in the series, Sophie Washington: My BFF, tells the tale of Sophie growing apart from her best friend Claire, and shares the important lesson for kids not just to do what their friends do.

Ages 9-12

When Stars Are Scattered

By Victoria Jamieson

This meaningful graphic novel shares the story of heartbreak and hope while growing up in a refugee camp. The story is based on the experience of Somali refugee Omar Mohamed and his day-to-day life at a refugee camp in Kenya. This novel makes you appreciate the human spirit while reminding readers not to take life for granted.

46 | FEBRUARY 2021 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

A record 3.77 million students took the national entrance exam for graduate school, according to the New York Times.

The rising interest in grad school by Chinese students can be attributed to less-thanpromising job opportunities right after college. Chinese recruitment firm Zhaopin released a report in August 2020 that showed more than a quarter of 2020 college graduates were unemployed, as of last June. Students view a Master’s degree as a key way to stand out among the crowded unemployment pool.

VEGGIE MAMA

Vegan Red Wine Balsamic Cauliflower Roast Recipe During the holidays, there is nothing better than spending time surrounded by good food, good friends, and of course, good drinks. It can be difficult to know what to make if you have a vegan or vegetarian attending your holiday gathering. Don’t worry, Veggie Mama has got a recipe that’s perfect for veggie lovers and carnivores alike. It also involves wine so it’s an all-around win! Hearty cauliflower makes for the perfect roast. The rich flavors of the marinade bake right into the cauliflower and the aroma will permeate the whole house as it roasts. > Scan the QR code for the full recipe.

ADVERTORIAL

L

DISCOVER CHÂTEAU L’HERMITAGE LESCOURS

’Hermitages Lescours is a journey, not only our own but a journey that dates back to the 14th century by the monks of Lescours, who were offered these lands and had the great idea of planting vines. Since then, the different owners have been on a certain quest for beauty and quality.

It is an adventurous trip, but the best trip we want to share with you. It is an enterprise of seeking absolute perfection that we have embarked on, without ever accepting the status quo. Each success and each failure will become an opportunity for us to learn and grow stronger.

The terroir of Hermitage Lescours can be considered as one special micro-climate in the appellation of Saint Émilion. Located on the plateau at the close distance from the most prestigious chateaux, its ideal position related to the Dordogne river is simply sublime with pristine minerality.

We certainly have one of the best terroirs in Bas-Saint-Emilion. Like a Pomerol blend, it has all we are looking for, the finessee, a beautiful definition of fruit and a certain sweetness on the palate.

VINOUS 93-95/100 “The 2019 L’Hermitage Lescours offers attractive blackberry, mulberry and cassis scents on the nose, nice controlled with well integrated oak. The palate is well balanced with saturated tannins, crisp black fruit laced with graphite and spices, and a very harmonious and persistent finish.

What a superb wine. Recommend.”

Neal Martin-VINOUS Château L’Hermitage Lescours 2018 JAMES SUCKLING 92 pts “Aromas of smoked meat, earth and dark fruit follow through to a full body with round, velvety tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Not the most complex red, but outstanding intensity and flavor. Better after 2023”

CHÂTEAU MONGIRON Grand terroir in Entre-Deux-Mers. Château Mongiron could be your surprise bottle at your best friend’s dinner party. Mongiron was founded in 1956 by the Queron family after the war. Dating back three generations, it has now become one of the most modern wineries in the region.

Reasonable vineyard management with precious cellar work, our wine production team is concentrated on ameliorating the quality year by year. It was acquired in late 2018 by Owen HONG, CEO of CHAMPLUS WINE CLUB. Since then, with several great investments and support, the quality of wine has been improving.

Hidden in the small village Nérigean in Bordeaux Region, Château Mongiron is one of the best wines that could jump out of Entre-Deux-Mers. As Bordeaux Supérieur, it has received many exceptional reviews from many of the important wine critics in the world.

It could be Grand Cru, even it was born as Bordeaux Supérieur. Wine critics have certainly given Château Mongrion their sentiments:

LA FLEUR MONGIRON One of the most serious generic Bordeaux made, La Fleur de Mongiron enjoys microoxygenation, aging on its lees, and bottling without fining or filtration.

Robert Parker < Parker's Wine Buyer's Guide, 7th Edition > LA FLEUR de Château Mongiron 2018 JAMES SUCKLING 91 pts “Blueberry, stewed blackberry, clove and chocolate on the nose.

It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, powdery tannins and fresh acidity. Creamy and plush with a core of ripe fruit. Some black olive, too. Drink or hold.”

Prior de Château Mongiron 2018 Decanter Awards Gold 95pts “This has a fruity nose of green mango, passion fruit, lime curd and vanilla. It’s medium-bodied with bright acidity and a creamy texture. Delicious. Light finish. Drink or hold.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | FEBRUARY 2021 | 47

F A M I LY | E N V I R O N M E N T

Bird is the Word

The World of Birding and Wildlife Observation

By Isaac Cohen

W

hen I was a kid, I remember my dad having a strong passion for photography, taking hundreds of pictures of everything around him. I acquired this passion from him at a very young age. Since I started taking pictures, I remember being particularly attracted to birds, to the point where bird photography became an obsession. Because of this, I decided to study biology and started learning more and more about these incredible animals.

I still remember one of my friends from university, a

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distinguished ornithologist, once told me I should enjoy the animals and observe them, when I was so eager to just take a picture of them, to capture that moment forever and enjoy it later. It is quite interesting because I still have the same feeling; I am still obsessed with capturing the moment with my camera, but now I understand what my friend meant about enjoying the animals: observing behaviors, patterns, sounds and interactions. There is a myriad of things that you should never miss when going out for wildlife observation.

E N V I R O N M E N T | F A M I LY

Observing wildlife has become a part of my daily routine and a very important aspect of my life. It not only brings you peace of mind or acts as a distraction from your heavy workload, but it comes with several benefits for the entire planet.

Observation of animals, whether it takes place in a rural environment or big cities, helps generate a strong connection between the observer and the animals. It provides an important link between humans and their surrounding ecosystems and, believe it or not, contributes to the conservation of the planet.

My first environmental education project with birds was held in Colombia in 2014, where for two consecutive years, with the help of a small group of students, I managed to photograph a considerable number of birds that visited the area of the school where I worked.

Those pictures were further distributed

among the school community. To my surprise, after the students realized how diverse the area around them was, and after they started recognizing the species in the pictures, they began to change their behavior towards the environment, becoming more aware of the things that could affect it. Most interestingly, they started getting other people involved in trying to preserve our ecosystems.

Birding has become a very popular activity around the world in the past decades, gaining more and more adepts every day, and we should be very happy about it. Birds indeed are what we call in biology ‘charismatic species,’ or, in other words, species that people find attractive because they are beautiful.

We admire birds because of their flashy colors and fantastic singing – many other species don’t enjoy the same treatment, like snakes.

Birds are one of the most important groups of animals in the world in terms of the role they play in the environment.

They serve as seed dispersers for thousands of species of plants around the globe, work as pollinators, act as a link in the complex trophic networks in multiple biomes, serve both as prey and predators, generate thousands of interactions with other species, like mutualisms as in the case of a bird eating the parasites affecting the skin of the cattle, and control the rapid growth of some species considered invasive like frogs, rodents, or insects. By preserving birds, we are greatly contributing to the

preservation of the entire ecosystem. If you manage to generate interest or even a passion for observing every type of wildlife, it’s even better!

The more we know about what is around us, the better job we can do to preserve our ecosystems and the faster the word can be spread through our relatives and friends. The next time you go to the park or walk down the street, hike in the mountains or relax by the beach, don’t hesitate to take a minute to look around you. Look at the trees, listen to the birds chirping about, enjoy the butterfly posing on your hand, don’t be afraid of the snake crossing the path in front of you, take a picture of that beautiful flower in the garden. Then, share it with your friends and post it on social media. Help people become aware of the natural world around them, pick up trash after yourself, and don’t be afraid to speak up when you see others not respecting the Earth. Start caring for the planet because the planet is taking care of you too.

The next time you go out around the city and see a couple of crazy guys wearing camouflage while sitting on a tree and taking pictures, don’t worry; it must be one of us wildlife observers or birdwatchers enjoying the environment to the fullest.

Isaac Cohen holds a BS in Biology, Ed.S Pedagogy and M.S Continental Hydrobiological Resources and is based in Shenzhen. Follow him on Instagram at @ cohenwildlife.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | FEBRUARY 2021 | 49

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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..

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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: (8610) 8585 2666 website OakwoodAsia.com

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HOTEL NEWS BEIJING

SHANGHAI

The Peninsula Hotels Launches Bespoke Line of Sustainable, DestinationInspired Guest Room Amenities

Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai Presents Surf and Turf Feast at Elements

The Peninsula Hotels is proud to introduce a distinctive line of custom-fragranced, environmentally friendly guest room amenities at all its hotel properties beginning in Fall 2020. The Peninsula Hotels is the first hotel group to take a truly holistic approach to honor the aromatic story of each hotel’s individual location, while embracing a planet-conscious ethos.

Elements all-day dining restaurant at Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai will be creating new traditions in 2021. The culinary team of chefs have been innovating by using the freshest seafood and meats and creating some amazing dishes. The first months of the year will get off to a great start with the Surf and Turf promotion, as menus rotate daily with unique offerings. The chefs will be adding the selections across the majority of the cooking stations so guests can dine here on consecutive days, and still enjoy the discovery of new dishes everyday – the only problem is being spoilt for choice!

Grand Chinese New Year Celebrations at Your Home on the Bund Embrace Urban Food Trends with New Menu at Nadaman Restaurant Nadaman Restaurant at China World Summit Wing, Beijing launches a new a la carte menu and Japanese bar Chochin Bar by Nadaman, which integrates traditional kaiseki ingredients and urban light food trends and transforms the art of cuisine.

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Come to Hyatt on the Bund for a unique Chinese New Year Celebration with precious lifelong memories. Specially designed menu includes all the best signature cuisines. Hyatt on the Bund is dedicated to creating unforgettable happy time with your family. Aroma presents its sumptuous buffet feast during Chinese New Year Eve’s dinner time. An international array of delicacies includes authentic Chinese and Western style highlighting top-quality seafood, live cooking stations as well as splendid desserts selection.

SHENZHEN Enjoy an Imaginative Dining Experience at West Room

Andaz Shenzhen Bay is pleased to announce that Mr. Federico Heinzmann has been appointed Executive Chef of Andaz Shenzhen Bay. With over 20 years of culinary experience, he is eager to bring more creativity and local-meets-global flavors in the most authentic way.

With his various culinary insights and creations, Chef Federico and his team are ready to share an imaginative dining experience at West Room of Andaz Shenzhen Bay.

Refresh at Iridium Spa at The St. Regis Shenzhen Dry, itchy winter skin? Treat yourself or a loved one to a spa day at The St. Regis Shenzhen. Guests can choose a purifying or anti-aging journey at Iridium Spa this holiday season. On the Purifying Journey (RMB3,234 for 70 minutes), step into a foot bath of fresh flower petals, then choose either a body massage or facial. On the Anti-Aging Journey (RMB3,832 for 100 minutes), in addition to a foot bath, enjoy an massage with special anti-aging emulsions and aromatherapy essential oils.

GUANGZHOU

Amber East Hotel Upgrades All Menus in Time for CNY The Amber East Hotel has upgraded all menus from February 1, so guests can enjoy healthier, light meals and classic snack foods. The Amber also increased the variety of drinks' list, which is filled with bold whiskeys and different alcohols from all over of the world. Lighting up a cigar, tasting a glass of whiskey and enjoying the incredible view of Guangzhou is the ultimate experience at Amber.

Catch Elevates Dining to New Heights with the launch of a New Menu

Italian Gastronomia Presented by Chinserie Restaurant at Jumeirah Guangzhou

Catch has introduced a new a-lacarte menu to welcome 2021. The marriage of spectacular views and the freshest seasonal produce and sustainable seafood ingredients in the market, combined with Chef Jeffreyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s innovative new menu, has redefined this one-of-a-kind restaurant in Guangzhou.

From now until February 28, 2021, with wide selections of authentic Italian gastronomy from appetizers, main courses to dessert which are available for a la carte or set menu, starting from RMB68. Chinserie Restaurant presents you alluring exotic dining experience at Jumeirah Guangzhou. For more information, please search and follow them via the WeChat official account of Jumeirah Guangzhou.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | FEBRUARY 2021 | 53

SCHOOL NEWS SHANGHAI

A Budget Cinderella at Wellington College International Shanghai Fifty-four Upper Prep pupils at Wellington College International Shanghai took to the stage in December for their annual pantomime show. This year, it was a rollicking, playful production of A Budget Cinderella. With only seven weeks to rehearse, the pupils demonstrated exceptional commitment to producing a spectacular show.

NAIS Pudong Year 4 Exploring the Origins of Chocolate Production NAIS Pudong Year 4 are currently learning about Chocolate production – where cacao pods grow, how the beans are processed, which countries export and import the most quantity, and how Fair Trade helps farmers. They tasted some chocolate with high cocoa content, including 99% cocoa, and considered why many popular bars include additional ingredients.

Dulwich Pudong Alumnus Contributes to the COVID Vaccine Dulwich Pudong alumnus Daniel P (Class of 2012) has followed a career path in the pharmaceutical industry which has led him squarely onto the global stage. At Merck Life Sciences, Daniel’s team supports companies bringing the COVID vaccine to the world. “We are fortunate enough to have played a direct role in the race towards a COVID vaccine,” says Daniel.

“I am part of a team that provides ingredients (we call them excipients) for medications. This includes tablets, creams, eye drops, and injections. We are working directly with most major companies working to bring the vaccine to the world. If you receive a COVID-19 vaccine in the coming months, then chances are we contributed to its development and it contains our products!”

Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi Launches Scholarship Programme Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi has recently announced the launching of a new Scholarship Programme for the 2021-2022 academic year.

They are currently accepting applications for two scholarship fields: Sports Scholarship and Creative Arts Scholarship, providing a unique opportunity for gifted students who excel both academically and in the fields of either sport or creative arts to receive prestigious recognition for their talents. In addition to receiving a reduction in tuition fees, successful candidates will be formally recognized as a Dulwich Scholar, enhancing their academic portfolio when applying for universities.

BEIJING

SSIS First-Ever Winter Sabres Sports Day At SSIS, they believe in striving for excellence both academically and athletically. On January 6, they had their annual sports day right in the middle of winter, instead of fall, for the first time, making it all the more memorable. The other major highlight of this year was the addition of water sports. The introduction of water polo and water volleyball was welcomed by the students, who played for every point to help their house. SSIS students not only battled the cold with high energy and enthusiasm, but displayed their resilience, sportsmanship and collaboration, which made all the teachers proud.

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Volleyball Season Comes to a Close at AISB-Hope International Due to Covid-19, AISB – Hope International Sports has gone through many cancellations this school year. This season their middle school volleyball season was cut short, but they decided to make the most of their time together and play a match between middle school boys and girls volleyball teams while on campus. All of the students enjoyed playing together to finish off the season.

GUANGZHOU

SHENZHEN Full Ride Scholarship Opportunities for G9-12 at ISNS

ISNS is opening applications for our DP and MYP Full Ride Scholarships for the 2021-22 academic year.

These scholarships reinforce ISNS’ commitment to recognizing students with strong academic performance, a heart for service, and consistently showcase leadership qualities. We warmly invite students who embody these merits along with the values of ISNS and exemplify the attributes of an IB learner to apply.

AISG Artwork Celebrates the Year of the Ox In celebration of the Chinese New Year and the Year of the Ox, AISG showcases beautiful student artwork as part of its fundraising event, the Hong Bao Campaign. This year, 56 designs were submitted and all of them are shared with the community on the school’s website and are incorporated in the school’s Chinese New Year decorations. A selection of the artwork is placed on Hong Bao envelopes and is the centerpiece of our community celebration where everyone writes down their New Year’s wish and hangs it on a peach blossom tree, which symbolizes luck.

BSG Collaborates with New York’s The Juilliard School in Virtual Arts Workshop On January 21, British School of Guangzhou parents and students enjoyed a virtual music and dance workshop from The Juilliard School, New York, as part of their collaboration. Families were able to harness new skills online with curriculum specialists.

MIS Applications are Officially Open 2021-2022 applications are now open. They would like to invite you to their Juniors and Seniors experience where you can get to know about the curriculum, academic planning and application process. Please scan the QR code on the poster and fill in the form online.

Admissions team will contact you once they receive your application.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | FEBRUARY 2021 | 55

That’s

FEBRUARY

Horoscopes

Finally, a horoscope that understands your life in China.

By Rakini Bergundy

Aquarius

Pisces

Aries

Taurus

1.21~2.19

2.20~3.20

3.21~4.20

4.21~5.21

You’ve received a sudden announcement that has completely shaken you to the core. Take lots of time for yourself, and meet up with friends. Perhaps escape to Sanya or the big city lights of Shanghai (with necessary COVID precautions, of course).

Friends come, friends go.

It is the inevitable flow of expat life. Remember to thank them for the good times and toast to the future.

Focusing has been a bit of a challenge for you.

Remember to think about long-term goals, and not just looking forward to upcoming public holidays.

Although it seems like COVID-19 is a thing of the past, it still has a hold on the rest of the world. Be sure to think twice about your CNY plans. Perhaps just have a little staycation and host some dinner parties to rediscover your city.

Gemini

Cancer

Leo

Virgo

5.22~6.21

6.22~7.22

7.23~8.23

8.24~9.23

You’ve been thinking about your next big step in your career. Whether it’s working for a big Chinese company or pursuing your passion project (opening up your own pub, anyone?). Now is your time, no more delays.

Skies have been grey and dreary, so why not go for a weekend skiing trip? Since Japan isn’t an option, we hear there are plenty of resorts near Harbin, Beijing and Chengdu.

You’re mysteriously lowenergy and under the weather all the time, missing many days of work. Is it all the late-night Scrabble, shots of baijiu, or Relx sessions? Take some time to truly self-reflect.

You say he’s just a friend, yet you spend most of your weekdays together. This pengyou has got pull – own up to the relationship, don’t sign a lease together and you’ll be just fine.

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

9.24~10.23

10.24~11.22

11.23~12.21

12.22~1.20

Your ayi is a godsend but you have a bone to pick with her. Leave the house, let her do her thing and write a list of things to do for her (i.e. don’t clean the bathroom with toilet water – yes, this happens).

Go out for a ‘Galentine’s Day’ dinner and celebrate that independence! Good girlfriends will be there for you when you need it the most.

You’ve been addicted to cheese foam and lemon teas. Try subbing those sugary drinks for some shatang oranges ( 砂 糖 橘 ).

They’re in season!

Take what others say about your new love interest with a grain of salt. Make sure not to dive headfirst into the relationship, wait a bit before jet-setting off to Xiamen with them for the weekend.

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