That’s – May 2021

城市漫步 粤港澳大 湾区英文 版 5 月份

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MAY 2021

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The Modern Spirit How China’s Baijiu is Entering a New Era of Innovation

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《城市漫步》粤港澳大湾区 英文月刊

主管单位 : 中华人民共和国国务院新闻办公室 Supervised by the State Council Information Office of the People’s Republic of China 主办单位 : 五洲传播出版社 地址 : 北京西城月坛北街 26 号恒华国际商务中心南楼 11 层文化交流中心 11th Floor South Building, Henghua lnternational Business Center, 26 Yuetan North Street, Xicheng District, Beijing http://www.cicc.org.cn 社长 President: 董青 Dong Qing 期刊部负责人 Supervisor of Magazine Department: 付平 Fu Ping 编辑 Editor: 朱莉莉 Zhu Lili

发行 Circulation: 李若琳 Li Ruolin

Editor-in-Chief Ryan Gandolfo 甘德发 Arts and Lifestyle Editor Phoebe Kut 吉蓁蓁 Travel Editor Sophie Steiner Nation Editor Alistair Baker-Brian Contributors Rakini Bergundy, Joshua Cawthorpe, Issac Cohen, Lindsey Fine, Lars James Hamer, Vanessa Jencks, Barnaby Lofton Photo Contributors Manolo Ortiz (Cover Story), Ming River (Cover Story), Sanyou (Cover Story)

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Distribution across China: 200,000 copies

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | MAY 2021 | 1

Editor’s Note

MAY 2021

Anyone who’s spent his or her fair share of time in China has come across the famous (and infamous) baijiu. This heavy hitter has made appearances at plenty of cherished moments during my tenure in the Middle Kingdom, from toasting close friends at weddings to celebratory shots after finishing a behemoth of a project.

Baijiu is commonly misunderstood, depending on the quality of alcohol that folks try their first time. In this

month’s Cover Story, Joshua Cawthorpe and Sophie Steiner tell us how baijiu is getting a modern makeover and share the stories of some notable brands. You can find the full scoop on pages 36-47.

Elsewhere in the magazine, Guangzhou-based writer Lars James Hamer recounts his wild experience signing

up for a Muay Thai competition in Shenzhen – and just how out of his element he was in the ring (pg10-13). In

the Arts & Lifestyle section, the one and only Rakini Bergundy covers men’s wellness groups forming in the PRC

(pg20-21). We also catch up with Pang Xinhua, an Inner Mongolia-based tour guide who tells us about some of the misconceptions tourists have about the northern autonomous region (pg23).

For those of you traveling over the May holiday, be safe and have one hell of a time. If you’re staying local, be

sure to check out thatsmags.com to find out about any events or deals going on in town.

Regards,

Ryan Gandolfo Editor-in-Chief

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

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2 | MAY 2021 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

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THE WRAP

6 THE NATION

14 ARTS & LIFE

7 BIKE IT UP

Shared bike usage surges in Beijing.

15 KYLIE DEMARCO Designer.

10 FIGHT NIGHT

20 MAN POWER

22 TRAVEL Inner Mongolia-based tour guide.

30 BUSINESS & TECH

26 WILD SMILES

31 SOLO FOCUS

I competed in a pro muay thai competition in China… and lived to tell the tale.

23 PANG XINHUA

ByFab photography on the art of capturing human emotion.

Men’s wellness groups do exist in China.

China’s 200 million singles are shaping business models.

34 CROWDED

The top 10 most populated cities in China.

4 | MAY 2021 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

36 THE MODERN SPIRIT HOW CHINA’S BAIJIU IS ENTERING A NEW ERA OF INNOVATION

48 FAMILY 49 AARON MARSICH Cofounder of Good Trash.

52 WATER POWER

Why we need to conserve water now more than ever.

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WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | MAY 2021 | 5

THE NATION Fight Night

I Competed in a Pro Muay Thai Competition in China p10

Quote of the Month P8

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The Podcaster P9

CHINA CURRENTS

Bike It Up Shared Bike Usage Surges in Beijing

By Alistair Baker-Brian

S

hared bikes were used an astounding 690 million times in Beijing during 2020.

The figures emerged as the capital’s transport department seeks to limit the number of shared bikes in the city center to 800,000 in 2021, according to an April 13 press release.

The city center includes Dongcheng, Xicheng, Chaoyang, Haidian, Fengtai and Shijingshan districts.

The 800,000 bikes are shared (no pun intended) between the three main bike-sharing companies which operate in Beijing: Meituan (400,000), Hellobike (210,000) and Qingju (190,000).

The daily average number of bike-share trips in Beijing in 2020 was approximately 1.89 million, an increase of 13.4% compared

with 2019. September 25, 2020, saw a record number of bikeshare trips in one day, with 4.35 million trips in the capital.

The department of transport is encouraging bike-share companies to provide more bikes outside of Beijing city center in suburban areas such as Tongzhou and Changping districts.

Although bike-shares offer a convenient, inexpensive and environmentally friendly way to get around, they have not been without their problems. An oversupply of bikes has led to pile-ups in some areas in what many describe as ‘bike graveyards.’ Beijing has not been immune to such problems. In 2017, it was reported that in many places, piles of bikes blocked roads, particularly in the narrow hutong streets.

In recent years, Beijing has introduced designated areas where shared bikes should be parked. Failure to comply can result in fines for users.

The latest figures claim that in the city center, as well as in the districts of Changping, Daxing, Tongzhou and the EconomicTechnological Development Area, there are a total of 772 ‘E-Cage Zones’ where bikes can be parked.

The popularity of shared bikes is likely to only increase across the Middle Kingdom. But it’s clear that with increased popularity, there will also be a need to update relevant rules and regulations.

For more China news, scan the QR code:

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | MAY 2021 | 7

THE BUZZ RANDOM NUMBER

DON’T YOU KNOW WHO I AM?

9

Chloe Zhao

… is the number of HSK levels that Mandarin learners will be able to test for, following a recent announcement by the Ministry of Education and the State Language Commission. While the current HSK levels run from one to six (easiest to hardest), the new standards will include nine levels that challenge four elements of Mandarin: syllables, characters, vocabulary and grammar. Based on changes from the current HSK standards, levels one through four will be more challenging than before, while levels five and six will be slightly easier. The new standard for Chinese proficiency will be gradually rolled out over the next few years. The body responsible for administering HSK tests has yet to respond to That’s for comment on whether current HSK test certificates will remain valid after the new standards are implemented in July. The Center for Language Education and Cooperation said around 25 million people are learning Chinese outside of the PRC.

Beijing-born director Chloe Zhao had a successful outing at the British Association for Film and Television Arts awards ceremony (BAFTAs), which took place in April. Her latest release, Nomadland, earned her best film and best director. The movie previously won her best director at both the Golden Globe Awards and the Directors Guild of America Awards earlier this year. The movie is set in the US following the Great Recession. A woman in her 60s, who loses everything, decides to go on a journey through the American Midwest, living day-by-day in the van she drives.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“I did not want to leave Sanya. It’s just one of the unintended consequences of the pandemic” … said Sanya expat Terrance Thomas, a well-known teacher and entertainer who’s missing his Sanya life after being locked out of China last year. It’s been a formidable challenge for foreign nationals to get back into the Middle Kingdom after the borders were closed off to most non-Chinese nationals on March 28, 2020. Thomas is currently living in Mauritius Island and manages to keep in touch with the friends he made in the beach paradise. “It seems that they are on the other side of the world now and that is unfortunate,” says Thomas.

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

THE PODCASTER

China Untold

A

fter years of talking about it, former That’s Editor-in-Chief Matthew Bossons started the China Untold podcast in 2020. China Untold is a program that aims to introduce listeners to lesser-known stories from the Middle Kingdom.

From urban legends and extinct religions to the PRC’s role in the global quest to discover extraterrestrial civilizations, this podcast is your essential guide to the weird, wonderful and mysterious aspects of the world’s most populous nation.

We enjoy these well-researched stories and always come away with something new. With 16 episodes (and counting), turn one on during your next commute to work and chat with Barbara from marketing about the ancient Chinese cult from Jiangsu province – she’ll dig it.

China Untold can be downloaded or streamed on SoundCloud or at chinauntoldpodcasts.com. > Scan the QR code below to visit the website:

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

A

I Competed in a Pro Muay Thai Competition in China… and Lived to Tell the Tale

By Lars James Hamer

10 | MAY 2021 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

s I’m standing barefoot on the hard concrete, I hear the emcee call my name and begin the ascent onto the stage. Hundreds of people are crowding around the small metal barriers, stopping them from spilling into the ring.

Head to toe in traditional Muay Thai garb, I turn to my coach and say: “I’m going to knock this guy out.”

I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Living in China brings about countless opportunities for foreigners. From making a bogus speech at a Chinese company meeting to impersonating an antique buyer, these random gigs are always an adventure.

I once starred in a Chinese rent-a-car commercial, despite not being able to drive and never acting a day in my life. I had only been in China for six months when my colleague said her friend was looking for someone to help with some filming.

I thought I’d be a small part, a background character. When they sent me a script, however, I quickly realized I was the only actor that day. Nevertheless, another story in the book and a couple of thousand yuan richer – I’m not complaining.

So, when I was offered the chance to fight in the main event of a professional World Boxing Council-sponsored Muay Thai tournament in Shenzhen in November 2020, I was never going to say no.

I initially got into Muay Thai during the coronavirus lockdown to kill some time.

Back home, I’d dabbled a little bit in boxing, but my skillset was nothing to write home about. Even after training for over a year, I still punch like I did when I was five years old and fighting with my brother.

On my first day of training, I kicked the bag the only way I knew how – like it was a football. The trainers couldn’t help but laugh as my foot slapped against the bag, sending a sharp pain up my leg. They began spurting out jokes in Thai and then dribbling medicine balls around the gym as if suddenly teleported to the World Cup. After a mere six months of training (and some improvement in my kicking), the coach signed me and another fighter up for the WBC competition in Shenzhen.

We’d expressed some interest, and he said the event would be a good experience – but I don’t think any of us were ready for the level of fighters we’d be up against.

There were professionals from some of the best fighting gyms in China in this competition, and our gym had only been open for 18 months.

The tournament itself had several rounds before the final, where the winner would be given an actual WBC belt.

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

I was fighting in the 70-kilogram weight category, the heaviest weight class available, and therefore the last fight of the night.

Just to put that into perspective, after six months of casual training and no fighting experience, I was – by definition – the main event of the night. Looking back now, what in the hell was I thinking?

At 17 years old, my opponent was 10 years younger than me, trained at a gym called Shengli Renhe in Shenzhen. Shengli Renhe is considered the best fighting gym in South China, with fighters competing in the UFC and One Championship. The gym is training athletes to become the best in the world, and this kid was about to hand me the beating of a lifetime.

The preparation for the fight was grueling – six days a week of fight training, four days in the gym and just one rest day. After training, I would stay behind to practice my kicks, pivoting on my foot until the skin peeled away from my toes.

But even this was nothing compared to my opponent – this was his career.

The fight took place in the middle of an outdoor shopping complex in Shenzhen.

Spectators packed around the front of the ring and surrounding coffee shops and restaurants on both levels of the mall. Behind the ring was a colossal TV screen broadcasting the event to 800,000 people online. My friends joked that they were all waiting to see me “get knocked out.”

Before the fight and after the weigh-in, we had to stick around for some photos as part of the event promotion. As the only foreigners competing in the event, the two Thai judges took a particular shine to us – they gave us some tips as they knew it was our first fight. They were nice guys, and they seemingly understood just how out of our depth we were. “Keep your hands up!” they repeatedly warned us, before inviting us for a group photo.

When they called my name, I stepped into the ring and threw a simple jab and cross hook for the camera – might as well play it up, right?

Once we were settled in our corners, it began to dawn on me just how tall my opponent was. “How am I going to hit him?”

The referee, dressed in all black with black rubber gloves, called us into the middle of the ring and explained the rules. My eyes never left my opponent’s, and his never left mine; my heart was pounding at this point, “What am I doing here?” I thought.

The referee made us return to our corners, where I received some final words of encouragement from the coaches. The bell sounded, “Fight!” shouted the referee – the moment was upon us.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | MAY 2021 | 11

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

We both moved to the center of the ring and gave the obligatory fist bump, a mark of respect between fighters. The fight started well. I landed a low kick to my opponent who was slow to block. He tried to return the favor, but I stepped back, and he missed.

Next, I faked a low kick, and as he raised his leg to block, I caught it with my glove and kicked his standing leg. “Yes! I’m winning,” I thought, but that notion was about to, quite literally, get wiped from my face.

We danced around each other for a few seconds, and my hands were very low – my opponent saw the chance, and he threw a lightning-quick high kick which landed straight on my jaw.

A huge collective gasp sounded from the audience, and the blow rocked me. I tried to play it off, but before long I was backed up against the ropes.

I got caught with a flurry of body shots before a hook to the head sent me falling to the canvas. That last exchange must have lasted only 10 seconds, but it felt like an eternity. The sheer power and speed of his attack left me numb and dumbstruck – I was suddenly too tired to think.

I stood up to go again, but I was breathing heavy, and a bruise had already formed on my right ribs. As I moved towards the center of the ring, I took a hit that would hurt for a good month after.

12 | APRIL 2021 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

The final action of the first round ended with me taking another barrage of punches and falling to the canvas again.

The bell rang before the referee could finish counting – I had somehow managed to survive the first round.

During the one-minute break between rounds, I can’t remember anything that my coaches said. While my physical body was in the corner, my mind had left me.

The Thai coaches were blasting ice cold water on my head, torso and even down my shorts to try and shock some life into me, but it was no help.

We came back for the second round and touched gloves. There was a brief moment when the music stopped, and the commentator paused. It was complete silence as if everyone had suddenly fallen into slumber.

For that split second, I could hear my breathing and the tapping of our bare feet touching the canvas. Suddenly, the roar of the crowd returned, the commentator began to speak, and our coaches were shouting instructions.

One minute into the second round, as if he knew he was about to win, my opponent slapped his fists together.

I stepped forward to kick, and in one swift movement, he moved his leg back, making me miss. In the same move, he stepped forward for what appeared to be a low kick.

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

His leg was like a whip, the way it flew straight and accurate towards my leg before suddenly whipping and curling towards my face. His leg snapped against my chin, right on the same spot as before, and it sent me flying to the ground.

I was sprawled out on my stomach, and the referee called the end of the fight – he had knocked me out. My coach was immediately in the ring, and they turned me on my back. Two doctors rushed to the ring to check that I was alright and hadn’t been concussed.

I can’t remember what they said, but I was staring at them all and nodding. I slowly sat up, and after a few seconds, got to my feet.

With the adrenaline still coursing through me, I was pushed to the center of the ring, where two scantily clad ring girls draped a medal around my neck, which should have read: “Congratulations on getting knocked out.”

As I walked backstage to collect my things, I looked over at the Shengli Renhe fighters. They had several athletes competing at different weight classes, and they had accumulated more than half a dozen trophies on that night alone. In contrast, our team sat in silence, the bitter taste of defeat stewing among us and our consolation medals resting on the floor.

Although they didn’t say anything, the coaches were annoyed that I had been knocked out because my hands were too low.

When I watched footage of the fight,

I noticed one significant difference between my opponent and me. My body is stiff and rigid from nerves, and my movements are robotic while my opponent is smooth, his movements flowing like water down a stream.

But isn’t that to be expected? The world of professional fighting is still foreign to me, but for him, it’s as commonplace as chicken feet at dim sum.

With the adrenaline that went through my body and the array of emotions throughout the night, I can see how people get addicted to combat sports and build their life around it.

The beautiful thing for me is that this most likely wouldn’t have happened unless I was in China. There’s no way I could somehow get myself into a professional sports competition back in the UK. Let’s be honest, that’s why we come to China – we are all chasing experiences and hoping to grab these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.

It’s just a shame mine ended with a kick to the face.

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ARTS & LIFE City Snapshot @expatphoto p17

Monkey Prince P16

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Sandal Season P18

SPOTLIGHT

KYLIE MARCO Designer

Interview by Phoebe Kut

People always ask Kylie Marco: why fashion? Are you just another girly girl? Well, there are many more layers to this story. Marco truly knows what it’s like not to be confident in how you look. She came out in high school and started transitioning into a woman in less than two years. “Being a transgender woman is a big part of why I chose my path and career,” she tells us.

We chat with the dynamic designer and podcast host about her career, her favorite designers and the new line she’s currently working on.

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Kylie Marco, and I’m from the Philippines. Back in high school, I came out as gay, and immediately afterward, I started dressing up as a woman. I never knew anything about being trans, but I always went in that direction. Right after high school, I applied to medical school and art school. Weirdly enough, I got into medical school – applying only because of my Asian parents – but not art school.

So I tried it for a year, but that was also the time when I was transitioning. I was at one of the top four universities in the Philippines, and at the time, they wouldn’t allow transgender people to fully be themselves. I wasn’t allowed to wear a women’s uniform, but I would get my top altered to be more fitted.

After the first year, I started having problems with my family and started doing badly in school as I wasn’t interested in pursuing that route. I ended up dropping out of college and running away from home for four months. Eventually, I went back home and patched things up, but I was basically out of school for a year trying to figure out what to do next.

Why a career in fashion?

Being trans is a big part of why I chose this path and career. As I was transitioning, I started exploring different fashions – growing up I didn’t have a lot of money. I couldn’t just buy new clothes regularly. So, I learned how to make my own clothes.

As a transgender woman, I have spe-

“Being a transgender woman is a big part of why I chose my path and career” cial needs – I have broader shoulders than your average Asian woman, and I’m taller.

During fashion school, I was designing for three different retail brands, but it wasn’t really my calling. After graduating, I was hired by Francis Libiran, a famous fashion designer in the Philippines, who later became my mentor.

He’s known for his bespoke work in menswear, formal and wedding dresses, and most of what I know now is from him.

I worked for him for a year, and then I started freelance designing for my own brand, Custom Kylie Marco, which I still currently do.

When I moved to China in 2016, I worked for a Chinese fashion house and also as an instructor at Esmod Guangzhou, a French fashion school. I was then offered my current job, designing for a lingerie brand.

Who is your favorite designer?

he’s classic. I like him because his designs were seen as unconventional and timeless. Those are the two things that are hard to find in fashion.

Did you draw inspiration from these designers for the new line you’re currently working on?

We are just about to launch, and the inspiration behind the line is warriors.

Every collection will be inspired by warriors from a different period and is intended for all to wear. The designs will have influences from queens and royalty from Roman times but modernized and body inclusive. Our main market is North America, but it will be available in China and Europe as well. > This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity. Follow Kylie Marco at @kyliemarco, @ customkyliemarco and @kyliewthedpodcast on Instagram.

Oh, I have a lot. But my top three are Victoria Beckham, Iris van Herpen and Thierry Mugler. I look up a lot to Beckham; her style is feminine, very ‘power bitch.’ If you ask me what my design aesthetic is, I’d say feminine and sexy – I like to highlight the parts of a woman’s body that make her feel most beautiful, working on what she already has to make it even better. Beckham’s designs are not necessarily sexy in a showy way, but very classy.

How Van Herpen sees beauty and finds inspiration in the weirdest things is just amazing. The way it’s executed, she’s also very talented.

My last one would be Thierry Mugler, WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | MAY 2021 | 15

STYLE RADAR OVERHEARD

“I support Xinjiang cotton” The hashtag ‘I support Xinjiang cotton’ was viewed a staggering 4 billion times on Weibo in late March. The fervent show of support came in response to a statement

by H&M that they would phase out their business relationship with Huafu Fashion Co. in Zhejiang province due to alleged issues in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The statement, which opened with “H&M Group is deeply concerned,” was originally published several months ago, yet resurfaced on Chinese social media in March and sparked an outcry online.

In response, H&M China declared on Weibo that they remain committed to doing business in China. Chinese social media users were quick to voice their displeasure with the statement, and many hoped that the brand would soon leave China. Others said that the quality of H&M was too low to be deserving of ‘flawless’ Xinjiang cotton.

COVET

House of Avenues If you want to segue into the world of high fashion, look to House of Avenues, which started in Hong Kong in 2010. Their shoes are bold, creative and feminine – the perfect statement piece to outfits. The brand offers whimsical high heels and bags inspired by pop art and modern culture. Their ethos is ‘say no to a boring life.’ > Scan the QR code to shop.

UNDER THE LENS

Monkey Prince

To celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, DC Comics has created a new character based on the legendary Monkey King, or Sun Wukong. The new character, named the Monkey Prince, is part of a special 12page story, inspired by the popular Chinese hero and the tale Journey to the West.

The story is written by Gene Luen Yang, an award-winning writer, illustrated by Bernard Chang and is titled, The Monkey Prince Hates Superheroes. In a press release from DC, the general plot is outlined: “Monkey Prince battles and teams up with Shazam to defeat both the evil Dr. Sivana and a Chinese deer demon spirit!”

The story will be part of a larger 100page commemorative anthology which will be available in comic book stores and online on May 11.

Unsurprisingly, netizens on Weibo were skeptical of this reincarnation of Sun Wukong. One person commented, “It’s the Chinese style in the eyes of Americans again.” Nonetheless, this is still a great way to introduce the character and legend to new audiences and generations. > Visit dccomics.com for more info.

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

CITY SNAPSHOT

@ expatphoto Anton is a portrait photographer known for his dramatic moody portraits in front of some epic Shenzhen landmarks. He lets us in on his creative process: “Whenever I see a majestic landscape or a beautiful city skyline, I always think of a subject, a person who would complement the scene and make it whole. I then send that person a message and tell them ‘let’s go.’

“For the huge flower field in Talent Park, [I thought] a ballet dancer in a summer dress [would complement the scenery]. For the newly renovated Dameisha Park, it was a Brazilian dancer on rollerblades. And for the Futian office skyscrapers, it was Freddy. I saw him at an event, went over to him and extended the invite to shoot.

“There’s a lot of amazing places all over Shenzhen missing the perfect subject. Maybe it’s you.

The reason I feel the need for a subject is that it makes the photo more meaningful, more personal.

Viewers can relate to that person and imagine themselves in that spot.”

Anton actually started taking photography seriously during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020. He was stuck in Bali and saw a lot of stunningly beautiful places, but couldn’t capture them right. He said it “pissed [him] off,” so he started taking things seriously by taking online master classes from award-winning photographers, experimenting, practicing daily and upgrading his gear. By August, he had his first clients. > For more of Anton’s work follow @expatphoto on Instagram.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | MAY 2021 | 17

ARTS & LIFE | FASHION

SA NDAL SE AS ON 10 Liangxie to Cool You Off Compiled by Rakini Bergundy

Your feet deserve to breathe and bask in the China sunshine. Do them a favor and slip on some stylish sandals to cruise through summer.

Chloe RMB3,200 Scan the QR code to purchase.

Bottega Veneta RMB10,200 Scan the QR code to purchase.

By Far RMB3,035 Scan the QR code to purchase.

Nomadic State of Mind RMB630 Scan the QR code to purchase.

18 | MAY 2021 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

FASHION | ARTS & LIFE

Birkenstock RMB607 Scan the QR code to purchase.

Marni RMB5,280 Scan the QR code to purchase.

Valentino Garavani RMB5,600

Moncler

Scan the QR code to purchase.

RMB1,505 Scan the QR code to purchase.

Ancient Greek Sandals RMB736 Scan the QR code to purchase.

Teva RMB547 Scan the QR code to purchase.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | MAY 2021 | 19

ARTS & LIFE | F E AT URE

MAN POWER Men’s Wellness Groups Do Exist in China

By Rakini Bergundy

M

en need other men. Especially as an expat in a transient environment like China, finding new friends, let alone connecting with them on a deeper level, is sometimes hard.

That’s where men’s support groups come in. Although not commonly advertised or spoken about, these groups are vital in fostering positive masculinity and act as an open space, a place without judgement where men can build friendships and check in on one another.

Embodiman Shanghai is a meetup founded by Aussie native Kurt Tropiano in China’s most cosmopolitan city. From a young age, Tropiano’s mother taught him breath work and meditation to help him sleep and calm his thoughts.

As he grew up, he remained interested in health and wellness and even joined these types of men’s support groups in Canada and the US. “We live in an imbalanced society, where men and women alike, are disconnected from their true power. Society holds a tainted view of what it means to be a man. We are rarely permitted to be deeply vulnerable and to share that vulnerability with others. I wanted to hold space for men to be able to discover their true masculine power, to be able to foster the tools to support them toward their highest self and for us to create a community, a brotherhood,” Tropiano tells us.

Earlier this year, Tropiano and his wife welcomed their baby girl into the world. It was his journey toward becoming a father that sparked his desire for a community that would support him in this new role. He figured if he was seeking, then others would surely be as well.

“Other guys are going through similar things, it’s all very common. I wanted to

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create a space where men can come together and be real. We don’t need to talk shit; we can be open with what’s going on in our lives, what we’re celebrating and to learn new things together.”

The first session was in September 2020 with eight members. The group has since organically grown to more than 30 members who meet monthly. As his offering to the community, the sessions are typically free, unless a special workshop is organized. He jokes with us, though, that the members drink cacao every session, and they will have to start chipping in for that eventually.

Tropiano also welcomes other mem-

F E AT URE | ARTS & LIFE

bers to lead sessions. To date, the group has explored topics such as holotropic breathwork, meditation, cold water immersion, underwater breath holds, Wim Hoff breathing, sharing circles, cacao ceremonies, topics with an Australian men’s sex expert, tai chi, animal flow and macework.

The group is open to every man who wants to find their best self and better

cal like breath work, it refreshes you as a person physically and spiritually.”

Tropiano hopes that men will take home something positive from these sessions, share it with their community and continue to spread from there.

Down in Shenzhen, similar communities virtually exist on WeChat.

Ben Raja is part of a daily self-improvement WeChat group, which a friend added him to. The group is quite casual, comprised of around 60 members and is

the community. He acknowledges that the first session for newcomers may be uncomfortable initially as it’s not your usual Friday night pub meetup.

Neil Lee, a member of the group, tells us, “It’s created a safe environment for me to be vulnerable with men. In society, guys are taught to be strong, to never let their guard down, and always have it together. When you tie in something physi-

dedicated to positive mindset thinking.

In the group, men and women share ebooks and articles related to health and wellness.

Raja remarks that he enjoys his involvement in the group as it “tends to breed positive conversations.” > For more information about Embodiman, visit their Instagram @embodiman_shanghai or contact Kurt (WeChat ID: KTropiano) to join the WeChat group.

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TRAVEL Wild Smiles

ByFab Photography on The Art of Capturing Human Emotion p26

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

Hot Spot P25

WANDERLUST

PANG XINHUA

Inner Mongolia-based Tour Guide Interview by Ryan Gandolfo

My first impression of Pang Xinhua, who also goes by Mary, was in Hohhot back in 2018. With a contagious personality and passion for Inner Mongolia and its beautiful nature, she showed a group of us what the region was all about. From bonfires on the grasslands to drunken singing in Mongolian garbs, it was a hell of a time, and her role as a tour guide was paramount to the experience.

Below, we catch up with Pang to learn what Inner Mongolia tourism has to offer and how she handles the difficult duty.

What made you want to be a tour guide?

I studied tourism management when I was in university. I thought a tour guide would make for a very cool job – I can travel to many different places for free and meet various people. After I became a guide, I realized that this job is not easy by any means.

The bigger the group, the more exhausting it can be – and difficult to eat or sleep well. But I still love my job; I like working outdoors instead of an indoor office job. I can always enjoy nature, fresh air, sunshine and so on. Being an Englishspeaking guide makes me open-minded and understand the world better, so I feel grateful for this job.

From your perspective, what would the ultimate trip around Inner Mongolia entail?

If you ever come to Inner Mongolia, you have to ride a Mongolian horse. You can enjoy the gallop on the open wild grassland – it’s my favorite activity.

Here’s a breakdown of highlights and my personal must-do list of Inner Mongolia.

1. Landscape and tourism attractions We have dense forest, big rivers and beautiful grassland in the east. Typical steppe, desert, old temples and the Genghis Khan mausoleum in central Inner Mongolia. In the west, there is

“The biggest challenge for me is that some tourists can’t understand that life is more modern now on the grassland” boundless desert as well as poplar forests.

2. Food You have to try Mongolian cuisine to really appreciate the province. We would cater roast whole lamb for important people or during weddings in the old times. With crispy skin and tender meat, only one bite will make you love it. Beef jerky is another favorite, while milk tea, yogurt, horse milk wine, cheese and mutton hotpot are some other must-tries that come to mind.

3. Experience Horseback riding, like I previously mentioned, is a classic activity here. Besides this, there are so many activities in the desert, like sand sliding, zip-lining and sand surfing off-road, which is positively exhilarating when going up and down on the dunes. If you want to take it slow, you can ride a camel under the sunset and enjoy the peacefulness. If you like hiking, go trekking through the grasslands, mountains, or desert.

4. Art Mongolian people are well known for their singing and dancing. We especially like singing while drinking – we call it unceasing songs with unceasing wine.

Long-tone folk songs and a horse-headed fiddle are essential aspects of Mongolian music. Wherever you hear it, it’ll remind you of the grasslands.

difficult to explain this to some stubborn people, and they think we didn’t take them to the real Mongolian grassland.

What do you hope tourists learn about the culture and scenery of Inner Mongolia when visiting?

I hope tourists know that we have not only have the grassland but also the forests, mountains and desert – we even have stone forests.

Once you come here, you can explore different places and enjoy the different natural scenery. Since Inner Mongolia is connected with Mongolia and Russia, we have border tourism as well.

I think you should learn the Mongolian history and culture – Genghis Khan’s great kingdom and Kublai Khan’s big empire, which was the largest territory created by humans.

Second, Tibetan Buddhism is the main religion here. Hohhot is called ‘Temple City,’ as there are many old temples from over hundreds of years here. Buddhist activities and celebrations would be held during festivals, and people pray for a good life. Lastly, Mongolian people are very open and friendly – we welcome friends from all over the world. > This interview has been edited for clarity. To learn more about tours in Inner Mongolia, add Pang’s WeChat by scanning the QR code :

What kind of challenges have you faced when guiding tours in the region?

The biggest challenge for me is that some tourists can’t understand that life is more modern now on the grassland. They have this impression that Mongolians should always stay in yurts and live a nomadic life.

Yes, we still raise sheep and cows, but we don’t have to move around anymore.

Mongolian families have their own grassland, run their own businesses, move into houses and drive cars. Sometimes it’s just WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | MAY 2021 | 23

ITCHY FEET ROLLER COASTER

MILE HIGH

Window Shopping

Greener Pastures

Heading to Sanya for a little vacay? If you’re looking for something to do – aside from lounging on the beach – you might be pointed to the Walking Street Night Market. This nightly event starts at 6pm and usually ends at 10pm unless business is booming during tourist seasons.

Just down the road from Lover’s Bridge, this market is similar to many others found throughout China, but does have a few unique twists.

If you happen to be staying near to the Night Market either in Sanya Bay or Dadonghai, we would recommend it as a time filler, but we don’t feel this is a mustsee. The Night Market holds promise but needs development in character and attraction. If you can’t make it to this area during the night, do know that this same area has brick-and-mortar shops that sell inexpensive odds and ends throughout the day.

It’s best to avoid the very popular shop on the corner of Xinjian Jie and Hongqi Jie as the prices are outrageous and the attendants are trained to be firm.

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China could allow international travel with fewer restrictions by Spring 2022 if vaccination targets within the country are met.

Zhang Wenhong, head of Shanghai’s COVID-19 clinical team, told South China Morning Post that restrictions could be eased if the country vaccinates 70% of the population by spring next year. He said this would provide China with an “immune barrier” and that they would then have to communicate with other countries regarding travel arrangements.

However, Zhang also warned that China risked falling behind other countries when it comes to per capita vaccination rates and that this could delay the easing of restrictions. The country has previously said that it aims to vaccinate 80% of its population by mid-2022.

HOSPITALITY HIGHLIGHT

Alila Wuzhen

Located in the historic scenic town of Wuzhen in Zhejiang province, Alila Wuzhen is a pristine getaway. It is an ideal spot for couples and small families who are in search of quality time away from the daily grind. With 125 different modern art-style rooms, this accommodation offers garden suites, loft suites, garden villas and pool villas for a clientele expecting a perfect stay.

The luxury resort’s minimalist architecture blends elements of a classic Jiangnan village, with waterways prominently featured. Take advantage of Spa Alila, which integrates local chrysanthemum into a delightful spa treatment. Guests can enjoy the allday dining restaurant Shui Shi Kou – named after a floating market from ancient times – as well as local Chinese restaurant Si Shui. Alila Wuzhen also has two well-designed bars for those looking to unwind with a glass of vino or milk.

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

HOT SPOT

San Juan, Puerto Rico

T

he captivating city of San Juan, Puerto Rico is more than just a Caribbean getaway; it’s an architect’s wonder, a history buff’s dream, a foodie’s paradise and a photographer’s inspiration.

The old town of San Juan is rustically charming and colorful yet decrepit in the most endearing of ways.

Historical and modern function in the same shared space, appealing to varied travelers.

Wander the archways of Castillo San Cristobal, the largest and best-preserved Spanish military fort; stop by Castillo San Felipe del Morro, the gateway to the Spanish empire in the form of a 16th-century citadel; and finish the evening with a stroll along Calle Fortaleza, home to some of San Juan’s best restaurants, bars and boutiques.

On the weekends, a popup street fair takes place at Paseo la Princesa, a promenade filled with food vendors, live music and performance art.

Santurce is a hip neighborhood filled with street art, cafes and hangout spots, while Calle Loiza is a must-visit for the excellent nightlife and wide array of restaurants covering global cuisine options.

Coffee culture is strong throughout the city and when coupled with the up-and-coming craft beer scene, you can enjoy a good brew of any kind, regardless of the time.

Our biggest piece of advice is to arrive hungry. You can devour Cubanos stuffed with three kinds of pork on shatteringly crisp pan de agua as well as springy mofongo – the unofficial king of Puerto Rican cuisine featuring mashed plantains, vegetables and various proteins of your choosing.

You’ll need to sample fat-dripping whole roasted pig in the form of lechon and every kind of sweet pastry like quesitos, pastelilllos de guayaba, polvornes, tembleque and besitos de coco. The food is worth ignoring swimsuit season, despite the beautiful beaches that surround this epic city.

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TR AVEL | F E AT U R E

WILD SMILES ByFab Photography on The Art of Capturing Human Emotion Interview by Sophie Steiner

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F E AT U R E | TR AVEL

F

abiola Liacy De Felip, owner and founder of ByFab Photography, is a French-Italian photographer specializing in what she likes to call ‘humanist photography.’ She traverses the country, capturing everything from decrepit buildings on the outskirts of Shanghai to remote village tribes, not only connecting with those on the other side of the lens but also helping to support an NGO charity project. With a strong passion for capturing true human emotion, Liacy De Felip hopes to positively impact the world, raising more awareness for responsible travel.

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TR AVEL | F E AT U R E

How has COVID-19 impacted your photography-related travel?

A lot, in both a positive and negative way. COVID-19 allowed me to focus my efforts domestically and finally open my own photography company, ByFab Photography. While I had to postpone several projects, this also freed up time to work on others. For example, I was able to help Couleurs de Chine, a charity organization, focus on children’s education in Guangxi through a photography exhibition that we put together.

How would you describe your photography style?

I don’t really like putting an exact title to it because, as is the case with life, style can always evolve and change.

Yet, I would consider myself a ‘humanist photographer,’ capturing the soul of a place or person.

How did you get into photography?

Since I was young, I always loved capturing candid moments. My dad owned a Canon camera, and I would borrow it and play around. Years later, I was always known by my friends as that annoying one who would take pictures everywhere, but in the end, everyone was excited to see what my eyes had captured.

I regularly perused travel magazines and photo books for inspiration (and as a form of escape), but I never knew then that I would become a photographer.

Then, 10 years ago, I took a huge leap of faith. After working for the same multinational corporation in Italy for over 13 years, I quit my job and moved to London. The real shift happened when I later moved to Hong Kong after studying Chinese for two years; my eyes and mind became more sensitive to my surroundings as I photographed the world around 28 | MAY 2021 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

me, and the steps I needed to take to start my new career path became clearer. I felt I had things I needed to share through the way that I see them.

When did you move to the Chinese mainland, and why?

I moved with my husband – who was relocated for a work assignment – in 2017 after living in Hong Kong for four years.

Why are you most specifically interested in portraits? Are people your favorite subject to photograph?

People are my favorite subject.

I prefer the connection with a subject that comes before a photo is taken rather than one that comes after a ‘stolen’ street scene snapshot. Of course, I still enjoy capturing a timeless expression, but understanding the emotion behind it that results from personal connection means even more to me.

F E AT U R E | TR AVEL

Whose work has influenced you most?

I have always admired Annie Leibovitz’s work, along with Henry Cartier-Bresson and some Magnum street photographers, as well as Steve McCurry. More recently, I came across Rehahn’s Instagram account and felt like we have a similar way of seeing and interacting with people; I was so happy to finally meet him last year in Vietnam after falling in love with his work. Lee Jeffries and his stunning and powerful portraits have also heavily impacted me.

Nikos Aliagas, a French journalist and TV host passion-

graph, which is still true. But, now I can also say that I live for the moments, a few weeks after taking photos of a particular subject, when I’m editing a photo I haven’t seen since the day I shot it, and I get to rediscover these faces on my computer screen. I crop them and adjust the lighting to make it just right so t evokes that

same feeling I got while pressing the button. There are times when I look at a portrait again and get quite emotional as I am brought back to that moment in time when the photo was captured.

Do you have any particular photography equipment you can’t live without?

My two favorite lenses I shoot with are a 50mm prime lens and a 24-105 millimeter on a Canon RP camera.

What is the most rewarding part of being a photographer for you? And what do you like least about it?

What I like least is the editing.

Of course, I enjoy realizing a finished product, but when I edit, I choose not to follow the technical dos and don’ts.

There will always be someone to tell you that this is not like it should be, but I choose to represent only what my eyes see.

I follow my vision, my eyes and my heart rather than follow the technical rules.

What I love most is interacting with people; I love when I can share connecting moments with them, whether it’s the time spent photographing them or, afterward, sharing the photos with them, when possible.

Where do you hope your photography will take you in the next 5-10 years?

ate about photography, captures incredible work by telling stories of his Greek ancestors by balancing light and shadows through black and white photography; this truly speaks to me.

I’ve also met numerous people in the last decade across the UK, the US, France, Asia and, of course, Shanghai that have inspired me to continue developing my work, helping to shape me into the photographer I am now.

What is your favorite aspect of photography?

Previously, I would have said the connection with people I impromptu meet and photo-

“I prefer the connection with a subject that comes before a photo is taken rather than one that comes after a ‘stolen’ street scene snapshot”

Even though I’ve been doing photography for years already, I know this is only the beginning of a beautiful journey for me.

I hope I will never lose my passion, and I hope I can continue to give love and convey emotion through my pictures.

I hope I can share more through being published to a wider audience, and I hope to continue to capture the essence and soul (and not only the appearance) of people, places and objects, to tell stories from behind my lens.

Finally, I hope my photography and travels will help others understand that everything in this world is connected; we are the same, despite cultural differences – we are all humans.

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BUSINESS & TECH Crowded

The Top 10 Most Populated Cities in China p34

Chart Attack P32

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Highs and Lows P33

China’s 200 Million Singles are Shaping Businesses Models

By Barnaby Lofton

C

hina reportedly has 200 million people, or 14% of its population, who are single, with businesses vying to capitalize on the large consumer group.

The hashtag #中国超2亿人单身# (Over 200 million people in China are single) took the top spot for trending topics on the Chinese internet last month, with a flood of posts about why more people are opting for the ‘single life.’

One of the top comments noted, “Being single is sometimes an awakening. Marriage for the sake of marriage is never what I want. Some are icing on the cake. No one can live freely.”

A Xinhua article claims that single people are more willing to spend money to be ‘spiritually fulfilled.’ For example, a single Gen Z girl in Hangzhou went on a blind date for her cat and spent RMB10,000 to buy high-end pet supplies as a ‘dowry’ for her cat.

Businesses are taking note and changing their business models to accommodate this emerging market.

Fitness, tourism, cosmetics and pets are key industries to watch in this space.

Single-person dining tables, isolated from others, are popping up more and more to attract customers.

Luxury brands are also taking the hint and starting to cater to singles’ with more personalized products. Jing Daily, a Chinabased luxury consumer trends digital publication, notes that Jo Malone allows shoppers to create their own fragrance using any combination of 26 perfumes on Jo Malone London Tmall store.

From a worldwide perspective, Europe actually has the highest percentage of one-person households (OPH), with figures as high as 20-40%.

Lastly, let’s not forget that Alibaba’s Single’s Day last year raked in a whopping RMB372.3 million.

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SINO SIGHT

SOLO FOCUS

A popular tech blogger on Weibo gave a fairly profound breakdown of the phenomenon in China. They posted, “There are many reasons why more and more Chinese people are single, but it can be summed up to these few [reasons].” They went on to list five reasons for the phenomenon: 1. The urban gender imbalance 2. More people staying at home, refusing to socialize 3. Society as a whole is less focused on getting married and having kids 4. The requirements for marriage are getting higher and higher 5. Internet is causing more people to drop out of society CCTV Finance reports that because single people have no family burdens, they have “less awareness of savings than non-single people.” Unsurprisingly, Nielsen data shows that 42% of singles consume for pleasure compared to 27% for non-single people.

Statistics show that in first-tier cities, 40% of young singles are living in a ‘moonlight’ stage of life as they spend more money on themselves.

As the tier of the city lowers, monthly income decreases and the proportion of ‘moonlighters’ actually increase significantly.

TAKE STOCK TAP THAT APP

CHART ATTACK

Zero

Fair Fine?

> Zero is available on iOS and Android devices.

Was Alibaba’s ¥18 Billion Penalty Fair?

Chinese regulators handed tech giant Alibaba a record penalty of RMB18.2 billion after a monthslong anti-monopoly investigation.

State-run newspaper People’s Daily posted news of the penalty via Weibo saying Source: Sina Tech that the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) assessed the fine for the company’s abuse of its favorable market position. The regulator said Alibaba forced merchants to list products on just one of two ecommerce platforms – with no option of choosing both, CNBC reports.

The fine totaled the value of 4% of Alibaba’s 2019 domestic sales. In a WeChat poll on That’s Guangzhou, a majority of readers surveyed believe other internet giants should be fined. Over one-third responded that they just don’t care.

Summer is just around the corner, which means beach season is quickly approaching. For those who tapered off their New Year weight-loss resolutions in mid-February, you can look to Zero to help you get back on track.

Zero is one of the leading apps for fasting (we recommend consulting your doctor before fasting) and helps folks stay accountable to their goals. The userfriendly app has four main features – a fasting timer, a content library to learn more about healthy habits, a stat line that can be synced up with smartwatches and a journal to track your mood.

Zero is as straightforward as they come and can help declutter your health goals (unlike calorie-counting apps). Zero also offers premium content but truth be told – you’re probably better off with the basic version of the app.

INSPECT-A-GADGET

Bottlecap Gun If you’re like us, you enjoy spending money on trivial things from time to time (admittedly, not the best investment advice). With the weather heating up and the Coronas on ice, we’ve got a fun gadget that’ll make opening beers just as entertaining as any game of flip cup.

This bottle cap gun takes a few tries to perfect, but once you get going the fun doesn’t stop.

Just watch out for peoples’ faces when shooting caps as this Taobao gem packs some power. > Bottlecap guns are available on Taobao.

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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

• Chinese cinemagoers are showing out for national releases in 2021, with box office revenue exceeding RMB20 billion as of April 18. The figure is close to matching last year’s total ticket sales, which were heavily impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. While the year-on-year increase is to be expected, blockbuster films like Hi Mom and Detective Chinatown 3 have dominated the box office chart since the start of 2021, according to China Daily. The field has been led by domestic releases, while one foreign film, Godzilla vs. Kong, ranks fourth on the year with total revenue of RMB1.15 billion.

• Chinese enterprises are gaining further respect worldwide after recently outnumbering their counterpart US firms in the Fortune 500 List in 2020. The list includes 124 Chinese companies – 91 among them are state-owned enterprises. Analysts pointed out that China’s private firms are at an advantage to compete abroad due to its strong domestic market, while European companies are relatively struggling as key sectors are weakening, including new energy and telecommunications.

• Business confidence in China reached a 10-year high, with the Purchasing Manager Index (PMI) surpassing readings of 50 in February. While export orders have slightly dropped, strong domestic demand has been a key driver in increases across many business categories, Forbes reports.

• China set a new record for quarterly GDP growth, reporting an 18.3% jump in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same quarter last year.

The PRC managed to put the worst of the coronavirus outbreak in the rearview mirror by Spring 2020 and has consistently been a leader in economic growth over the past year. Chinese officials are still reminding folks to be vigilant, with a statement by the National Bureau of Statistics adding, “We must be aware that the COVID-19 epidemic is still spreading globally and the international landscape is complicated with high uncertainties and instabilities.”

Lows

• Alibaba has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons as of late. After receiving an RMB18 billion fine by Chinese regulators for unfair market practices, the company is having to restructure its plans to act more like a bank than a tech company, BBC reports. While it’s good to see tech giants be held accountable, it could have been addressed earlier.

• A significantly smaller fine than the folks at Alibaba, 360 Search was penalized RMB2 million for the use of fake advertisements in April. The fine was given by Beijing’s Administration for Market Regulation. The fake ads about medical products were exposed via a CCTV broadcast on March 15, which is International Consumer Rights Day. China Daily reported that an investigation was opened on Qihoo 360, the headquarters of the search engine, and found the ads were not properly reviewed by the company.

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BUSINESS & TECH | F E AT URE

N

ow and then, the phrase ‘people

would bring in 10 million more urban

mountain, people sea’ (人山人海)

residents per year until 2025.

gets thrown around – especially

With China’s biggest cities

in China’s megacities. For the better

overcrowded, we’re beginning to see

part of the last four decades, China has

more outlying areas turn into urban

seen its urban population soar – on the

centers as well. From Yunnan to the

promise of job opportunities and better

Yangtze River Delta, urban clusters are

living conditions.

forming – and with it comes a greater

If you look at China’s urban population growth as a percentage of the total

GDP per capita.

This is the country’s way of improving

population from 1978, you’ll see a near-

living conditions for the world’s largest

perfect 45-degree angle. In just over 40

population – and it’s working.

years, the urban population grew from 18% to 60% – and it’s unlikely to stop there.

China’s latest Five-Year Plan (2021-

The latest figures we have on China’s urban populations were published in a statistical review on urban construction

2025) plans to usher in higher-quality

at the end of 2020 by the Ministry of

urbanization. One key focus from the

Housing and Urban-Rural Development.

government has been reforming China’s

Shanghai leads all cities in the country

household registration system, commonly

with nearly 25 million urban residents – a

referred to as hukou . Beijing aims to ease

jaw-dropping figure, by our assessment.

restrictions on the movement of people

Check out the top 10 Chinese cities by

from urban and rural areas and reach

urban population on the next page.

its target urbanization rate of 65%. That

CROW The Top 10 Most Populated Cities in China

By Ryan Gandolfo

34 | MAY 2021 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

F E AT URE | BUSINESS & TECH

1. Shanghai

6. Tianjin

24.28 million

13.04 million

2. Beijing

7. Dongguan

18.65 million

9.56 million

3. Chongqing

8. Wuhan

15.40 million

9.35 million

4. Guangzhou

9. Chengdu

13.52 million

8.17 million

WDED 5. Shenzhen

10. Hangzhou

13.44 million

6.82 million

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | MAY 2021 | 35

The M Spir

How China’s Baijiu is Entering a New Era of Innovation

By Joshua Cawthorpe

W

e’ve all encountered baijiu somewhere – perhaps toasting at a wedding banquet, sealing a new business deal, or greeting the sunrise with the lads outside a 7-Eleven. But with China becoming increasingly international, the question remains whether the Middle Kingdom’s national liquor will find global recognition or fade into obscurity. Big baijiu is placing its bets on where and how to stay relevant in a rapidly changing market.

Despite seeing massive growth in recent years, the baijiu industry is at a crossroads. Baijiu’s major consumer group is over 60 years old, while the younger generation of Chinese drinkers has shown less affection to the spirit – viewing it as their father’s or grandfather’s drink of choice. In the following pages, we learn how baijiu’s modernity can put it on the world map.

36

COVER STORY

odern rit

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COVER STORY

Top-heavy Drinkers I

t’s a Tuesday night, and we find ourselves on the third floor of Guangzhou’s new 90s-style F&B mecca Super Wenheyou. The restaurant slash bar arena is probably best described as a night market with boozy characteristics.

It’s here that we step into Sanyou, a baijiufocused watering hole with brick walls, black tiles, rich wood and a red lacquered cabinet that gives it a distinct stamp of China.

At the helm of the brooding barroom is Head Bartender and Manager Jackwing Yao – the person who all the baijiu enthusiasts and experts have told us we need to see.

She’s recently returned to Guangdong’s capital from a baijiu cocktail event at the W Hotel Chengdu.

A modern cocktail-ready brand of baijiu, Banhai, or ‘Half Seas Over,’ flew her out as the ‘startender’ for the party. Artisanal cocktails are just one way that the baijiu industry is reinventing itself for the next generation of drinkers.

We give Sanyou’s baijiu negroni a try, served in a heavy iron teapot with fresh citrus and herb garnishes blooming out of the top. It’s made with dongjiu, a Guizhou medicinal baijiu sealed in a clay pot for 10 years with 130 TCM botanicals.

Poured over a monstrous ice cube, the fresh, floral and herbaceous layers are soothing yet explosive. The cocktail is world-class, and we understand immediately why a baijiu bar like Sanyou is inspiring the game.

Baijiu is the most widely produced spirit in the world, but beyond the borders of China, it is either completely unknown or painfully misunderstood.

Outside China, the world’s most valuable alcohol conglomerates (AB InBev, Diageo, Pernod Ricard and Constellation) have a combined value of USD296 billion as of March 2021. However, Forbes reported that China’s two top distillers, Kweichow

38

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Moutai and Wuliangye, had surged in value to an astonishing USD517.2 billion.

Baijiu has a deeply rooted cultural significance, for example at government banquets, since becoming China’s National Drink in 1949. In 1972, Chairman Mao served baijiu to Richard Nixon to mark the first time a US president visited the PRC. Drinking baijiu in professional settings requires a deep understanding of the ‘toasting’ ritual, where the most senior or distinguished guests drink first, with the undersized goblets drank in a descending hierarchy.

An even more classical gesture is to lower one’s glass and face below that of your superior, or the recipient of the toast, as a show of respect.

Research shows that Chinese consumers in the 20- to 35-year-old category are most likely to buy imported wine and liquor. Yao tells us, “Many young people don’t like baijiu because it’s very strong and hard to drink. There are many different light-aroma and rice-aroma baijiu that are easy to drink, but young people don’t know. They only know Moutai, Luzhou Laojiao and things like that.”

In response, major baijiu brands are branching out and changing the recipe to attract younger customers in China. The industry is also making inroads into the global market; converting one bartender at a time.

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ntroducing baijiu to the rest of the world is not going to be easy. The clear spirit is preceded by sweeping assumptions and misguided monikers like ‘liquid razor blades’ or ‘rice wine.’

Baijiu is not wine but rather a meticulously crafted alcohol extracted from the dry or semi-dry fermentation of grains. Also, most baijiu contains no rice at all, as this represents but one specific subcategory, of which there are at least a dozen.

The main four categories, aptly dubbed ‘aromas,’ are strong aroma, light aroma, sauce aroma and rice aroma. Most baijiu is made from sorghum, a grain that could be easily mistaken for quinoa.

One of the defining characteristics of Chinese alcohol is qu, which refers to the agent of fermentation.

Recipes for qu are closely guarded and vary wildly, but can be lumped into big qu and small qu. Big qu is a large brick of moist grain paste that is aged for months to develop a colony of bacteria, fungus and other microorganisms.

Small qu is a paste of ground rice formed into small balls and coated in previously fermented small qu for use as a fermenting agent about five days later.

The invention of qu is at least a thousand years old, but China’s tale of alcohol goes back much, much further.

In the early 2000s, archeochemists from the University of Pennsylvania were analyzing samples from a neolithic village, Jiahu, along the Yellow River in Northern China’s Henan province.

Chemical analyses of ancient pottery revealed that the Jiahu villagers were busy making rice, fruit and honey wine a whopping 9,000 years ago.

The proof is provided, but the recorded historical origins of alcohol in China are hazy, as are most stories involving

A drunken man who falls out of a cart, though he may suffer, does not die booze. Some researchers cite historical documents, which attribute one of the original methods to Yi Di, the wife of King Yu, around 2100 BCE. According to Herbert Allen Giles, a British sinologist and diplomat stationed in China at the end of the 19th Century, a Chinese statesman named Chang Chi’en is said to have brought grapes and the art of wine-making to China from the Greek Kingdom of Bactria in 126 BCE. The ritualistic consumption of baijiu is steeped in Confucian values.

In book 2 of The Analects of Confucius, compiled by his disciples after his death in 479 BCE, Confucius refers to the ritual of serving wine and food to the old before the young. He also often warned not to overindulge in drinking, especially at a funeral.

Lao Tzu, the father of Taoism, appears to have had a more relaxed opinion of intoxication.

Chuang Tzu, a student of Lao Tzu, expresses this wonderfully in the following quote translated

by Giles: “A drunken man who falls out of a cart, though he may suffer, does not die. His bones are the same as other people’s; but he meets his accident in a different way. […] Ideas of life, death, fear, etc., cannot penetrate his breast; and so he does not suffer from contact with objective existences. And if such security is to be got from wine, how much more is it to be got from Tao?” The Tang Dynasty (618-906 CE) is often considered to have been a golden age for Chinese culture, and it was in this period where we encounter Li Bai. Somewhat the Hemingway of his time, Li Bai is China’s favorite drunk as his poems romanticize days spent frolicking between naps, drunk off what would then have been huangjiu or actual rice wine.

Here’s a sample of the poet’s love for drinking in ‘Waking from Drunkenness on a Spring Day’ (translated by Arthur Waley): “Moved by its song I soon began to sigh, and, as wine was there, I filled my own cup. Wildly singing I waited for the moon to rise; when my song was over, all my senses had gone.”

Baijiu Beginnings

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he colorful history of baijiu has failed to preserve its relevance among China’s young adults. Baijiu has always been a staple of Chinese dining, and the spirit is said to pair best with the regional cuisine of its place of origin.

One would be remiss not to serve baijiu at a wedding, and restaurants are sure to have at least a few brands on hand. However, one place in Chinese society where baijiu is notably absent is in the club.

Nightclubs are very much a Western import to China, having emerged around the foreign concessions in the early 20th century – a time when Shanghai was referred to as the ‘Paris of the East.’

We asked Alexandre Lacroix to share some insight from his many years in the Guangzhou nightclub scene. Lacroix is the CEO of IALVA, which now specializes in brand consultation and promotion, but was once Guangzhou’s largest ‘filler’ agency (filling clubs with guests by giving away drinks).

He told That’s that he has rarely seen baijiu in nightclubs. Instead, whiskey, vodka and sparkling wine are the most sought-after libations in Chinese clubs.

Lacroix makes the argument that baijiu doesn’t fit the clubbing mold because it’s either too expensive or too cheap for clubgoers. He adds that “having foreign alcohol is much fancier and [clubs] can put a high price on it.”

According to an article published by Spirits Selection Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, China imported USD4 billion worth of spirits in 2018.

French brandy dominated, including high-priced cognac and Armagnac, and amounted to nearly half of the 83 million liters of liquor that flowed over the border.

Meanwhile, millennials are spending and drinking the most when it comes to alcohol in

Not Your Grandpa’s Baijiu

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China, and baijiu brands are tweaking traditional recipes to attract the younger crowd. As many baijiu brands push the 50% ABV threshold, less potent baijiu and fruit infusions are tactics currently being put to the test.

Jiangxiaobai, headquartered in Chongqing, has been targeting the lower age bracket for years with considerable success – the company was valued at USD1.6 billion at the end of summer 2020.

Easily recognizable by its anime-boy logo, the brand has carefully cultivated a ‘youthful’ image by hosting dance and graffiti competitions as well as the YOLO music festival from 2016 to 2018.

They have collaborated with Japanese candycoated breadstick brand Pocky to make a baijiuflavored confection and work with other brands to increase exposure.

As for the big-time baijiu distillers like Moutai, they’re starting to invest in the younger generations.

Tang Yifan, Manager of Promotions for Kweichow Moutai in Guangzhou, directed us to a hip music video that Moutai released just before the Spring Festival titled ‘Oh, It’s Moutai.’

The video features three young non-Chinese nationals dancing around the streets of Moutai town in Guizhou, rapping about their love of Chinese liquor.

“The way for baijiu to open up to young people and foreign markets is to make culture the output,” Tang tells us. She believes combining elements of popular culture, like hip hop, will make the brand itself more appealing.

Jiangxiaobai also sponsored a music video with Chinese rap pioneer GAI back in 2018.

Having foreign alcohol is much fancier and [clubs] can put a high price on it

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The way for baijiu to open up to young people and foreign markets is to make culture the output

Another angle being explored by big baijiu is the world of craft cocktails. Yao from Sanyou tells us one label, Baitiao, was developed by Luzhou Laojiao for the specific purpose of mixing drinks.

In 2017, Baitiao organized a baijiu cocktail competition held at the China International Import Expo. Kweichow Moutai also hosted a baijiu cocktail competition in Hainan last November, to which Yao was summoned as a judge.

Yao’s previous venture, Spin, sadly succumbed to the pandemic, but she was scooped up by the great minds behind award-winning cocktail bar Hope & Sesame. Yao explains, “after me and my team left [Spin], the owners of Hope & Sesame, Andrew and Bastien, looked for me because they wanted to open a baijiu cocktail bar. I think, for me, it was a big challenge. I had made baijiu cocktails before, but I didn’t study it too deeply. I have been bartending for more than 10 years so I think it is very interesting.”

Although some baijiu brands are betting on light aroma for the cocktail scene, her bar program is curated to include all 12 classifications

of baijiu and showcase their unique flavors. The tasting notes for different baijiu are comically diverse, ranging from ‘freshly sharpened pencil’ to ‘candied banana.’ To a knowledgeable and creative bartender like Yao, baijiu is full of possibilities.

Sanyou’s most popular libation is the Moutai Milk Punch – cherry and chocolate compliment the creaminess of the baijiu, with a dash of red pepper bitters.

Yao says cocktails are gaining popularity in China but admits that expats make up a big part of the Sanyou clientele. A handful of Westerners who developed a love of baijiu while living in China are taking it global.

I

n Shanghai, Australian native James Gillespie and American RJ Steiner officially launched their bartender baijiu in April.

The brand, 白8 (pronounced baiba), infuses eight different Chinese botanicals into the spirit.

After three years of rigorous experimentation, the pair selected a light aroma baijiu as the canvas for their carefully selected blend of ingredients – Sichuan peppercorns, shiitake mushrooms, green tea and coriander, to name a few.

Gillespie tells That’s, “We wanted to create a baijiu that younger, cosmopolitan Chinese could not only identify with but also enjoy outside of where and how baijiu was traditionally consumed – at banquets and in restaurants.”

Each botanical was distilled separately to build a library of over 100 samples. Despite their TCM benefits, the ingredients were chosen and blended with mixology in mind. The pair envision baijiu following in the footsteps of gin. “In the West, we are seeing something similar with gin, where consumers want more than just a ‘London Dry’ Gin that their mothers and fathers drank – which we believe has led to the explosion of ‘craft’ gins in the market currently,” says Gillespie.

One long-time baijiu expert on the scene is Jim Boyce, a Canadian who currently resides in Beijing. Boyce moved to China in 2004 to work as the communications director for a chamber of commerce.

His interest in the cocktail and wine scene led him to start the Beijing Boyce newsletter in 2005 and then the Grape Wall of China blog in 2007.

However, his first encounter with baijiu happened earlier in 1999 when he traveled to

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Inner Mongolia and spent a few nights in a yurt.

He noticed a couple of security guards laughing and sending explosions of baijiu up from the fire pit. Naturally, they offered Boyce a toast and he recounts thinking, “If it explodes into flame on a fire, then it’s probably going to start a nice fire in my belly.”

Boyce would later go on to start World Baijiu Day (WBD) in 2015 – a self-described passion project that’s slowly gaining steam. WBD takes place on August 9 because of the phonetic similarity of eight-nine (ba jiu) in Mandarin to baijiu. The events, mostly hosted in bars, include special Chinese food offerings and creative twists like baijiu chocolates being served alongside tasting flights and baijiu cocktails.

WBD events are held from Bangkok to Buenos Aires by baijiu enthusiasts worldwide and have never been formally sponsored. “We’re never trying to get the most events. It’s more just doing it with fun people. We’re all like, let’s do something once a year because we’re all interested in the spirit,” says Boyce.

If there’s one name synonymous with the international baijiu industry, it’s Derek Sandhaus.

Sandhaus became somewhat of an expert on baijiu while living in China, proceeded to write two books on the subject and went on to cofound Ming River Baijiu in 2018.

We spoke with Sandhaus via Skype as he was finishing breakfast at his home in Washington DC. He curated an extensive knowledge of baijiu through the best method: drinking, and has experienced the spirit from its most elegant to its most pedestrian.

He recalls an early baijiu experience in Shanghai on New Year’s Eve in 2007. A group of expats found a bar that would host an all-youcan-drink party for a reasonable price. Upon arrival, they realized that the bar had replaced all the imported spirits one expects to find at a Shanghai bar with baijiu and not the kind you gift to your prospective father-in-law. “A total disaster,” is how Sandhaus described it as the high-test liquor sent the night spiraling out of control.

Sandhaus tells us, “over the next several

Baijiu Diplomacy

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years, I would experience baijiu in its more natural habitat. As I became more involved in [other] business ventures in China, I would be invited out to lunches in nice Chinese restaurants where baijiu would be served with the food. I would go to weddings and things like that. [However,] I still didn’t have a great impression of baijiu until I started making an effort to figure out what it was that I was drinking.”

He compares it to any other broad category of Chinese staples like tea or noodles – the variety is as vast as the people of China. “A lot of people mistake limited experience for the vast complexity of distilled spirits that are made in China,” says Sandhaus.

For those who tried baijiu and swore off it forever, he gives the following analogy. “Think of baijiu as an equivalent term to ‘Western spirits.’ China is as big as continental Europe and there is as much linguistic, culinary and ethnic diversity throughout the landmass as there is in Western Europe. If you have a rough night with gin, you don’t then say you aren’t going to drink any spirit made in Europe... You’re not going to throw out vodka and whiskey because you didn’t like one of the hundreds of different things you could try.”

After Sandhaus published Baijiu: The Essential Guide to Chinese Spirits, he promoted the drink and the book by hosting informative tastings for people interested in the spirit.

At the Bookworm Literary Festival in Beijing, Sandhaus met Bill Isler. According to Sandhaus, “[Isler] said that he was really impressed with the talk and learning more about baijiu. But he was most impressed, after being in China a lot longer than me, that I had a room full of young Chinese and foreigners who were drinking and enjoying baijiu.” Isler suggested that baijiu be the theme for a new bar he and some friends were opening.

Before long, baijiu distilleries around China began to send emissaries to investigate the phenomenon of expats and Chinese people frequenting a new neighborhood baijiu bar, Capital Spirits.

The concept had piqued the interest of China’s baijiu business. Requests to collaborate, replicate and proliferate baijiu in this new setting began rolling in.

Sandhaus, Isler and a couple of friends set about starting a consultancy to internationalize baijiu.

The company was soon eclipsed by an

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offer from China’s oldest continuously operational distillery, Luzhou Laojiao.

Despite boasting a fermentation pit from 1573, Luzhou Laojiao knew that they needed fresh perspectives to launch an international label. After two years of developing the product, Ming River Baijiu launched in 2018.

Unlike some Chinese distilleries that have released low alcohol, fruit-infused versions to appeal to younger drinkers, Ming River is an authentic and traditional strong aroma baijiu. Fast forward to 2021, and Ming River sells in 25 states across America, one province in Canada and several countries in Europe.

Sandhaus says that misunderstanding is the biggest obstacle that baijiu faces internationally, and through education, he aims to enlighten the uninitiated masses.

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It’s much easier to sell baijiu to people who have never tried it before

He tells us, “It’s much easier to sell baijiu to people who have never tried it before than to people who were introduced to it in a more aggressive, ganbei binge drinking setting in China.”

Sandhaus’ second baijiu book, Drunk In China, provides a detailed account of his first-hand investigation of such sessions.

“When you sit down with someone who hasn’t had baijiu before, you explain to them exactly what it is, how its made, what kind of flavors the distiller is trying to get in that product, and what the differences between different styles of baijiu are – and then you serve them a few of those different styles…it’s a much softer landing.”

Surely baijiu will always have a home in China, but can it expand its scope to the bars in Lagos, London and Las Vegas?

It remains to be seen if baijiu will ever commonly be found on the shelf alongside vodka and tequila – spirits that have risen to global dominance. Maybe, baijiu is just too late, and the party’s already poppin’.

Nonetheless, the wheels are already in motion, and big baijiu certainly has the capital to reinvest. Such a diverse array of styles and flavors is sure to find a niche in the ever-evolving cocktail culture, at the very least.

Brand Breakdown

The Established and the Upand-Comers in the Baijiu-verse

By Sophie Steiner

Oldies Wuliangye 五粮液 Moutai 茅台

Recognized as the holy grail of baijiu and national liquor of China, Moutai (also referred to as Maotai) is served at banquets across the country. Aged bottles can easily sell for thousands of renminbi, causing many to stockpile rare bottles to serve as a retirement plan. Hailing from Guizhou province, this fermented sorghum-based liquor is most known for its ‘sauce’ flavor qualities, like pungent, overripe pineapple.

Arguably the closest competitor of Moutai, this strong-aroma baijiu from Sichuan is noteworthy for its lingering savory aftertaste. The name itself translates into the baijiu’s main ingredients – wheat, sorghum, corn, glutinous rice and rice. First produced nearly 1,500 years ago, Wuliangye usually clocks in around 45% ABV.

Yanghe Daqu 洋河大曲

The three main varieties of this Jiangsu-originated baijiu come in 55, 61 and 64% ABV, resulting in a mixed-grain strong-aroma baijiu fermented with wheat, barley and pea-based qu. An old local saying from the Sui and Tang dynasties when Yanghe was first made states, “When travelers smell it, they dismount their horses.

When they’ve tasted it, they stop their carts.” Bottled in an elegant vessel resembling a traditional Chinese vase, the sweet, smooth tasting liquid inside is surprisingly refreshing.

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Newbies Jiangxiaobai 江小白

One of the newest and most widely accessible baijiu brands in the business, Jiangxiaobai has been available at nearly any convenience store in the country since 2012. Unknown to most, this Chongqing brand actually offers three different lines of baijiu: a 40% collection (the commonly found bottle falls into this category), a light-flavor collection and a hand-craft collection. This light aroma baijiu brand is geared towards appealing to young adults and is sold at some of the cheapest prices out there. It’s even getting popular in India.

Ming River

From the creators of Luzhou Laojiao came Ming River, a baijiu brand specifically geared towards international drinkers. The strong-aroma baijiu is sold at high-end Chinese restaurants and experimental cocktail bars in the US and Europe, which is why the bottle is recognized for its modern, long-neck design, making it easier for bartenders to grab on the speed rail. The flavor is complex with notes of pineapple, anise and cheesy funkiness.

Noteworthy Fenjiu 汾酒

Fenjiu is characterized by a double fermentation and double distillation process that increases the yield of ethanol, resulting in an institutional mainstream brand. Lauded for its light, mild aroma, Fenjiu, with its ABV range of 48-53%, has been introduced to a Western audience through Harrods. The flavor profile of this Shanxiproduced baijiu is sweet with a hint of mint in the finish.

白8

As a craft baijiu, 白8 (Baiba) elegantly finds the balance between heritage and modernity. A refined formula of 8 local botanicals (hawthorn, Chinese date, coriander seed, green tea, shiitake mushroom, honey, Sichuan peppercorn and buddha’s hand) – inspired

by Chinese apothecaries – give birth to their hero product. 白8 is the first to take this infusion of a finished (small qu fermented) baijiu product and redistill and blend it to create the ideal baijiu for cocktail mixing, making a new drinking tradition out of one of the world’s oldest.

East Coast Baijiu Aiming to become the largest manufacturer of baijiu outside of China, this Australia-based baijiu uses 100% Australian-grown sorghum to create its product. In the spirit of modernity, East Coast Baijiu also ages varieties in wine and spirit oak barrels. The brand is very up-and-coming, after only launching in mid-2018, but since then, this gaoliang-style baijiu has been awarded a variety of medals in both domestic and international competitions.

Red Star 红星

The most known of the Erguotou lightbaijiu category is easily Red Star – the ‘Coca-Cola of Chinese spirits’ and the baijiu of the Chinese working class. Made entirely of sorghum, this brand received the first business license issued by the People’s Republic of China in April 1949 to produce alcohol for the nation’s inaugural ceremony on October 1. With the fastest production speed out of any other baijiu distillery – a staggering 30,000 units per hour – it’s no surprise it can be purchased at every corner store for around RMB7 (or USD1).

FAMILY Water World

Why We Need to Conserve Water Now More Than Ever p52

Dad’s Book List P50

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Veggie Mama P51

FULL HOUSE

AARON MARSICH

Cofounder of Good Trash Interview by Sophie Steiner

Good Trash was born from a desire to create actual and positive change within the food and beverage export and import industry, specifically focusing on foreign goods into China. Although still in its inception, the company is gaining major headway in Jing’an District, with hopes to grow and involve all major F&B venues in Shanghai by the end of the year.

By focusing on waste reduction, rather than complete removal, Good Trash is helping restaurants, bars and F&B importers test ways to reduce waste and improve corporate responsibility. We sat down with Aaron Marsich, a cofounder of Good Trash, to learn more about their mission.

What is Good Trash and why was it started?

With the amount of excess packaging and wastage we’ve seen while importing products to China, we started to think about the environmental and social impact of our work. We realized that, as a whole, our industry is a long way from finding creative and sustainable ways to reduce or reuse wastage.

There are both geopolitical (better trading partners on the ground) and marketing (responsible content connects better with high-value consumers) applications all rolled into the same concept.

Who is involved in Good Trash? What is your background and your partners’ background?

Aaron Marsich – New Zealand importer and F&B marketing.

Alyssa Cockrell – Hong Kong restaurateur who works with a diversified food business in China.

Macia Monterde – Restaurateur from Spain who works with diversified food business in China.

Marco Chavez – Restaurateur from Mexico, chef and restaurant co-owner.

“By partnering with key Shanghai chefs and venues who share our vision, we can create prototypes and models that can lead the way“ What purpose does Good Trash serve?

The majority of food waste and plastics end up in landfills, and although it’s complicated, a lot of it could be re-utilized, re-purposed and rescued. It’s just cheaper, faster and – most the of time – easier for businesses to throw it away rather than to try and do things differently. By partnering with key Shanghai chefs and venues who share our vision, we can create prototypes and models that can lead the way. Others will be able to follow in the future as the market for socially responsible foreign goods packaging grows.

Good Trash aims to come up with innovative solutions that are also commercially attractive and viable for both consumers and suppliers to be willing to get involved.

How is Good Trash improving the excess packaging waste situation in Shanghai?

We focus specifically on reduction rather than removal since we understand that eliminating all packaging isn’t immediately realistic. We help reduce unnecessary packaging through creative design and work with repackaging goods for other purposes.

There are many chefs and creative individuals within our reach that want to be active and contribute in ways that benefit the environment, but many lack the funding and means to do so. With Good Trash, we are trying to provide a channel by funding and working with key creatives to develop products that utilize current food or packaging waste.

We then look at how these products can potentially replace items traditionally used in their POSM (point of sales merchandise) or GWP (gift with purchase) that would otherwise be created from brand new materials, which only adds to the problem.

Currently, we are already working with various chefs around the city, including Blake Thornley from the OHA Group, Hardeep Somal from Klay and Chef Marco from Bonica and have some fun projects in the works. We are also testing with different designers to look at ways of making packaging that is more environmentally friendly or that utilizes already used materials.

What does the future look like for Good Trash?

Good Trash is still in its very infant days.

However, we hope that by simply trying and raising awareness, that we can hopefully inspire other businesses to think outside the box in finding more sustainable and creative practices that help to reduce wastage in our industry. > This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | MAY 2021 | 49

LIVING ROOM Reading Corner May the Fourth Be with You! In honor of Star Wars Day, we’ve selected a couple of books from a galaxy far, far away for different age ranges.

5-Minute Star Wars Stories

You can judge this book by its cover – galactic adventures at lightspeed, covering everything from Jedi Master Yoda having a lightsaber showdown with the dreaded Count Dooku to Luke Skywalker and the Rebels racing against time to destroy the Death Star. Featuring fun illustrations, it is also a great book for kids to practice their reading skills on.

Lost Stars

For young adults, look no further than New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray. Expect space battles, forbidden romances, phantom twins and explosions as we follow the fate of two Imperial pilots struggling to define their greater purpose in the galaxy. And if your young adult enjoys this one, then we have some good news – there are already four more books in Gray’s Star Wars series.

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CLASS CLOWN

Stress Free?

Everyone needs a place to blow off some steam, right? In Chinese schools, students constantly face stress in their pursuit of academic achievement and can struggle to find the right outlets to vent.

A middle school in Xi’an recently opened its ‘mood drain room’ – a place for students to lift their spirits (despite the room name!). Some of the activities include doodling, boxing and simply shouting out loud, among others.

Global Times reports that the school is also providing courses to help students’ mental health development – something that needs to be further addressed. While the concept has become a hot topic, some have pointed out that it’s not a new one.

Netizens said that there is no point in having a venting room if no one uses it to vent.

“I’m intrigued and wish my school had such a room. But, I would feel a little bit shy going there to shout out loud by myself. I'd prefer it if the room held different theme activities every week,” a Chinese middle school student told Global Times. While venting rooms sound good in nature, it’ll be up to schools to make sure they’re appropriately used.

ECO HOME

Swapping Sheets With warmer temperatures in the lead-up to summer, it may be a good time to find suitable bed sheets for the changing seasons. One of the top recommended bed sheets is linen, which breathes really well – even compared to cotton. If you’re looking for a good night’s sleep, don’t overlook this simple aspect. If you already have linen sheets and still feel too warm at night, try out percale sheets. Boasting a cool, crisp feel due to the weave, percale sheets are also a winner for the warmer weather.

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

VEGGIE MAMA

Tofu-stuffed Peppers In the not-so-distant past, China was a vastly different place from what we see today, and it's the rich culinary history blended with a fight for survival that has brought us to what we know and love about contemporary Chinese food.

In China, fewer cuisines display these deep-rooted characteristics than Hakka cuisine. Although the Hakka people are Han Chinese, they possess a unique culture and with it comes a cuisine that is far from ordinary. Originating in the north and making their way south throughout the centuries, the Hakka people endured numerous hardships that eventually brought many of them to live in unforgiving environments where life was hard and food was scarce.

The Hakka people made do with what they had.

They pickled and fermented, used every possible morsel of food in every way imaginable and got creative with their cuisine. As wheat wasn’t available where they settled, the Hakka stuffed vegetables and tofu instead of steamed buns. These delectable bites eventually became favorite dim sum dishes and can still be found in Cantonese food stalls and restaurants today.

These tofu-stuffed peppers are an homage to Hakka cuisine and are the perfect dish if you’re looking to impress guests. And the best part is they are a lot easier to make than it looks! > Scan the QR code for Veggie Mama’s tofustuffed peppers recipe:

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

Water World Why We Need to Conserve Water Now More Than Ever

By Isaac Cohen

W

e use it every day and can’t live without it. Cooking, washing, showering, or just drinking it – water is so quotidian that many have started taking it for granted.

Water is our world’s biggest treasure, and it has become easily accessible, blinding us to a disturbing reality: Water is scarcer than we think.

Most of our planet is indeed covered by water, but what many of us ignore is the fact that, according to the United States Geological Survey, around 97% is saltwater. Almost no terrestrial animal species, including humans, can drink it.

While technology can make saltwater potable, desalination is a complicated, expensive process that not every country in the world can currently afford.

Even more important is that we cannot be so selfish and think only about humans as the only species who rely on this precious liquid.

Also, the vast majority of the remaining 3% of the water that’s not saltwater is unavailable.

Most of it is distributed between ice caps, groundwater and the water in the air – leaving us with a very small proportion.

Less than 1% of the total amount in the world is the water that we can see in a river or a lake, the water that species can actually use, and, because of humans, is becoming more

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and more scarce.

On March 22, World Water Day was celebrated to generate consciousness about the millions of humans who live without access to clean water. It’s important to raise awareness about treating this liquid as a vital resource for every single species of plant, animal and fungi in the world.

Chinese cities like Shenzhen are also working to not only protect water but also generate more spaces where water is a major characteristic of the landscape. This can positively impact multiple ecological interactions that are needed to regenerate part of what we have destroyed throughout hundreds of years of urbanization.

From an ecological point of view, water is synonymous with life. If you want to find some wildlife in the city, you need to go to a place where there is a pond or a river nearby.

It is a long-established fact that life began in water, and therefore water-inhabiting organisms play a key role in the complex trophic networks of our urban ecosystems by acting as a link between one species and another.

From seemingly insignificant shrimp or a not-too-beloved mosquito larva, all organisms are interrelated through eating for survival.

That is what we call a food or

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

trophic network. Those tiny animals feed little fish and tadpoles that will grow and serve as food for bigger animals like turtles, snakes or birds. If there are no larvae, then there are no frogs; if there are no fish, then there are no birds and so on. There is an uncountable number of interactions that we lose when water bodies are compromised.

For some species, water is only needed as a source of nutrients. For others, water is a requirement for survival. Throughout time, animals and plants have developed adaptations to the environment, and while reptiles like snakes or lizards have evolved a thick, scaly skin to prevent the body from losing water, amphibians like frogs or salamanders have to keep their skin moist to survive, restricting them to a life near a water source.

Another good example is that through evolution, reptiles and birds have developed hard-shell eggs that they can layaway from water, while frogs still need to lay their eggs in water as a necessary survival strategy for their tadpoles to grow and develop.

There is a really promising future for the wildlife in our cities thanks to the governmental efforts to protect and generate those wet green spaces that allow life to thrive. But, this is only part of the solution.

We as humans must start modifying our lifestyles in many ways and become aware of the scarcity of water so that we can stop wasting and polluting it.

Maybe we cannot stop an enormous industry like cattle production, where consumption of water is immense. But by voluntarily deciding to lower our consumption of meat, we can contribute in our way.

Here are several small steps we can take to preserve water: turning off the water while brushing our teeth, shaving, or doing the dishes taking shorter showers not flushing the toilet unnecessarily

not throwing trash on the ground or into rivers or lakes replacing old appliances for devices that conserve water Small efforts like those mentioned will become big steps for the conservation of our planet.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | MAY 2021 | 53

LISTINGS

Beijing Kerry Residence Whether you’re a single business executive or a busy family, Beijing Kerry’s fully- furnished 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments will feel just like home. As well as enjoying all the comforts of modern living – including a well-equipped kitchen, entertainment systems, high-speed broadband and much more – residents are just moments away from the Kerry Centre’s shopping mall and sports facilities. The rest of the CBD is on your doorstep too. >1 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区光华路 1 号 (8535 6888, www.beijingkerryresidence. com)

BEIJING

Middle 8 Restaurant 中8楼 An oasis at the top of Taikoo Li, Middle 8 is the go-to destination for fresh authentic Yunnan cuisine. The restaurant, stylish yet understated, has plenty of flavorsome wellpriced dishes and a killer view to boot. > Raffles: Daily 11:00am-10:00pm, 5 Floor Of Raffles shopping center Dongzhimen Dongcheng District. 来福士店 : 东城区东直门来福 士购物中心 5 层 8409 8199/8409 8234 > Indigo: Daily 11:00am-10:00pm, Jiuxianqiao Road No.20 Indigo F2 , Chaoyang 朝阳区酒仙桥 路 20 号颐堤港 2 层 8420 0883

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

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

Oak Chateau Beijing Oak Chateau Beijing has 236 stylish and contemporary fully serviced apartments from studio, onebedroom, two-bedroom, three-bedroom and four bedroom suites available, mea-

suring 64 to 260 square meters. There is a 24-hours guest reception, and housekeeping is offered twice a week.

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

The 171 stylish contemporary serviced residences range from studios to threebedroom apartments and offer an elegant range of amenities and facilities to ensure each resident’s stay is comfortable and well taken care of. > Building No.1 Damei Center, 7 Qingnian Road, Chaoyang District Beijing 北京市朝阳 区青年路 7 号达美中心 1 号楼 Tel: 86-10 8585 2211 (8:30am-5:30pm) 86-10 8585 2888 (5:30pm-8:30am) Fax: (8610) 8585 2666 website OakwoodAsia.com

marketing@thatsmags.com 54 | MAY 2021 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

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Upgrade Your Teaching with a New Master’s Degree Just like students, not all teachers are the same, and they have different ideas and plans for where they want their careers to go

S

ince 2012, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University has offered an MA TESOL for English teachers looking to boost their teaching, and the qualification has grown to be one of the most popular postgraduate offerings at the University.

However, this track may not suit everyone and finding the right postgraduate program is important in shaping the future you want.

In addition to the already-popular MA TESOL and MA Global Education programs, XJTLU has unveiled two new master’s degrees in its recent crop of offerings that could help teachers in China bolster their teaching credentials or get out of a rut.

These qualifications are awarded by both XJTLU and the University of Liverpool, which means students will be earning a UK degree that’s recognized by the Chinese Ministry of Education.

Understanding children As part of its soon-to-be-launched Academy of Future Education, the Department of Educational Studies has designed a master’s program in Child Development and Family Education.

This CDFE program focuses on giving educators more insight into children’s development as well as their family life.

“This is the only MA program in CDFE that combines educational and developmental psychology with family educational therapy,” says Dr. Yan Rong, program director. “We planned this MA around four essential relationships that shape a child’s growth: the relationship between children and their teachers, children and their families, children and their peers

and children and the virtual world. By understanding these, an educator can healthily enhance all-round development.”

This program is aimed at helping educators, especially those focusing on early childhood, become better equipped to help children in all stages and to help parents as well.

“We want to help educators enhance communication with parents, to positively impact a child’s home life,” he says.

This program is aimed at both teachers who intend on continuing their studies through to a Ph.D. and those who plan to go straight into working. “We have two tracks,” Dr. Yan explains. “For students who want to further their studies, we have an optional module on advanced educational research methodology. For students who want to go straight to work, we have practical internship-based modules, as well as some on classroom design.”

The program is offered both full-time and part-time, allowing teachers to get their master’s while working a full-time job.

Understanding language But for some educators, the language aspect is where their interest truly lies. The Department of Applied Linguistics, in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, will be accepting students to its new MA Applied Linguistics with a Specialisation in Multilingualism in the fall.

“Multilingualism is one of the strongest research areas within the Department of Applied Linguistics,” says program director Dr. Li Songqing. “It’s on this basis that we developed the MA. And I’m very

proud to say it’s the first one of its kind on multilingualism in China.”

Dr. Li says in addition to language use in China, the program takes a global perspective by exploring case studies from multilingual societies across the world, delivered by an international staff complement.

“When I designed this program, I had a global vision in mind. That means several case studies such as in Europe, South Africa, Canada and Singapore,” he says.

“This is an important topic because it seems quite natural for us to acquire more than two languages in the current era of globalization. So by taking this program, I believe English language teachers, whether they are native or nonnative English speakers, will get a good background in the concepts surrounding multilingualism. They’ll learn how to enhance learners' multilingual abilities and multilingual literacy.”

He says that this program would not only help those who take it become better language teachers but that it also allows them to take a different languagerelated role down the line. “In the future, they could work in other sectors, such as business, or government offices related to language planning and policy.”

Understanding your future In addition to these two programs, XJTLU has a host of master's qualifications in a variety of fields, both full time and parttime.

For more information on their postgraduate offerings, please scan the QR code:

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | MAY 2021 | 55

HOTEL NEWS BEIJING New General Manager Appointed at Millennium Residences @ Beijing Fortune Plaza

Millennium Residences @ Beijing Fortune Plaza is delighted to announce to the appointment of Coco Wen as General Manager. She brings with her 27 years of extensive hotel management experiences and was holding key management positions at well-established international hotel chain groups in the UAE, Kuala Lumpur and China, among other places.

Wen is focused on the market and developing her team. She is a charismatic leader who brings passion and enthusiasm to work and will lead her team to reach new heights at Millennium Residences @ Beijing Fortune Plaza in the near future.

SHANGHAI

Jing An Shangri-La Launches a Co-branding Afternoon Tea with ba&sh Collaborating with the renowned Parisian brand, ba&sh, Jing An Shangri-La, West Shanghai launched the Blossom Summer’s Tale Co-branding Afternoon Tea, starting from April 16. Dine in the heart of the city at Calypso Restaurant & Lounge, and get ready for the vibrancy of summer’s swanky era with multisensory experiences on an elegant and romantic afternoon. The Blossom Summer’s Tale Co-branding Afternoon Tea is available for a limited time from April 16 to June 15 daily at Calypso Restaurant. To complete this auspicious experience, guests will have a chance to receive a limited ba&sh gift set and an RMB200 voucher to be redeemed at ba&sh stores in Shanghai while stocks last.

Enjoy the ‘Suite’ Life with an Ideal Suite Staycation at InterContinental Beijing Sanlitun

Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund’s Pelham’s to Return with Modern European Cuisine

Pamper your family and friends and, of course, yourself with a suite staycation package from InterContinental Beijing Sanlitun. Celebrate with loved ones and enjoy an exquisite and unique staycation experience created and crafted for your comfort and joy, including accommodation in an exclusive suite. Discover the hub of bustling Sanlitun, overlooking the stunning skyline of the grand city. InterContinental Beijing Sanlitun is offering an awesome ‘Suite Staycation’ package starting at RMB2,301 per night valid until the end of May. Call 010 6530 8888 – 6885 for reservations.

Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund is delighted to announce that Pelham’s, the signature Michelin-plate dining establishment, reopened on April 12. The restaurant is named after Pelham Laird Warren, the then British Consul General in Shanghai. In 1910, Warren officiated at the inauguration of the Shanghai Club (today’s Waldorf Astoria Club), opening a new chapter of this legendary city landmark. Today, Pelham’s once again presents a gorgeous dining experience with a timeless ambiance that elegantly combines with its contemporary European cuisine. For more information about Pelham’s or to make a reservation, please contact +86 (0)21-6322-9988.

56 | MAY 2021 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

SHENZHEN

New Chinese Executive Chef Presents Authentic Cantonese Dishes at Shang Palace Shang Palace features an elegant and stylish décor and serves authentic Cantonese cuisine as well as local and regional specialties. New Chinese Executive Chef, Zhou Yongxiang, has been surrounded by the Cantonese culture since childhood. He will be serving Cantonese steamed tiger grouper with wampee sauce. Once cooked, the fresh smell of the tiger grouper bursts forth and a delectable aroma fills the air. Simple yet complex, this is where the craftsmanship of Cantonese cuisine comes into play.

JIANGMEN

Mr. Achmad Fadilah Appointed General Manager of Wanda Realm Jiangmen Wanda Hotels & Resorts recently announced the appointment of Mr. Achmad Fadilah as the General Manager of Wanda Realm Jiangmen. Mr. Fadilah is taking responsibility for the hotel’s future commercial and strategic positioning.

With more than 20 years of management experience in the hospitality industry, Mr. Fadilah serves in an important management position in Wanda Hotels & Resorts and Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts.

Moreover, he was awarded as 2019 Outstanding General Manager by Wanda Hotels & Resorts. That award fully affirms his great management and the hotel’s achievement.

QINGYUAN

The First DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Residences Opens in Shenzhen Hilton announced the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Shenzhen Nanshan Hotel & Residences on March 28. As the first DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Residences in Greater China, this contemporary property features 305 guest rooms, studios and apartments. All studios and apartments are equipped with a washing machine, fridge, open kitchen and microwave. Located in the heart of the vibrant economic powerhouse of Nanshan district, DoubleTree by Hilton Shenzhen Nanshan Hotel & Residences offers an enviable location just minutes from Shenzhen High-Tech Industrial Park.

KHOS Qingyuan Invites Guests to a Refreshing ‘Digital Detox’ in Beautiful Qingyuan Situated in the increasingly popular visitor destination of Qingyuan, KHOS Qingyuan presents imaginative intersections of work and play, productivity and well-being, in a tranquil, design-led resort, enhanced by the holistic benefits of the region’s natural hot springs and the area’s beautiful natural landscape.

More than just a place to stay, KHOS Qingyuan is a complete ecosystem crafted to ensure that each traveler’s unique criteria for relaxation and refreshment are met. There is an inspired community social space, elevated spa and bathhouse experience and collection of progressively conceived meeting rooms.

Curated experiences, from “digital detoxes” and romantic immersions in nature for couples, to eco-friendly family playtime and creative team-building activities for innovators, are all designed to empower a new generation of luxury travelers to shift their many worlds forward.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | MAY 2021 | 57

SCHOOL NEWS SHANGHAI

Oliver! A Spectacular Performance After many months of hard work, NAIS Pudong was treated to three nights of music, dance and drama.

It was incredibly impressive to enjoy this level of performance, entirely managed by a cast and crew of students. The production is a testament not only to NAIS Pudong students’ abilities but also how their skills are cultivated and made visible by their educational approach.

Harrow Has Talent!

Harrow Shanghai recently enjoyed a thorough celebration of the musical talents of its students. These were mostly solo performances involving a wide range of instruments, from piano to violin, singing, drums, guzheng and much more. In the evening, they had the Upper School Interhouse Music Competition Finalists' concert, which involved the top nine performers from the audition round and exhibited a wide range of different musical styles and instruments.

Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi Celebrates IGCSE High Achievement Award Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi has been invited to attend the Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards in recognition of Year 11 student Jemima, who received the High Achievement Award for IGCSE Mandarin Chinese as a Foreign Language. Jemima received the highest marks in the Chinese mainland for this subject and is the sole recipient of the award across the country.

Congratulations!

AISB- Hope International’s Annual Reading Day AISB-Hope International promotes the love of reading for all students. Reading opens their hearts and minds to the wonders of the world around them. On March 19, the school celebrated Reading Day. Students engaged in presentations on many genres of books. Events throughout the day centered on reading activities.

When Students Become the Coaches: Dulwich Pudong Sports Education in Action Dulwich Pudong Senior School students just wrapped up their Sports Education Program where students not only play the sports but also take the lead in running every aspect of the teams. This innovative program teaches students valuable lessons about: Taking responsibility; being accountable to peers; developing team spirit; and exploring leadership. Another example of pioneering education happening at Dulwich.

Wellington College International Shanghai Celebrates Diversity Wellington College International Shanghai celebrated the diversity of its community with its annual International Food Festival. Pupils, parents and teachers kicked off the day’s events with a parade featuring flags of the more than 45 nations and territories represented at Wellington. The school’s community then came together to share their countries’ many different cuisines.

58 | MAY 2021 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

BEIJING

A Brand New YueCheng Kindergarten Setting Sail After nearly three years of planning and preparation, the YueCheng Parkside Kindergarten will open its door in the autumn of 2021. The kindergarten is alongside an extensive parkland, allowing for close ties to nature, creating harmony between families, community and the world. Conveniently located in the Banbidian area of Tongzhou, the kindergarten has been built following the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design) standards. The campus with a facility area totaling over 5,000 square meters is adjacent to a well-designed landmark park. The kindergarten will accommodate up to 300 children of all nationalities aged 1.5-6 years.

GUANGZHOU

SHENZHEN

AISG’s Performing Arts Return to the Stage

Shekou International School French Bilingual Program Pre-K to Grade 5

AISG’s Performing Arts program is in full swing with performances scheduled throughout the spring in their state-of-the-art theater. Students have been eager to perform for the AISG community and were able to do so this past month with orchestra, band and choir concerts, which was their first time since the pandemic. Just recently, the AISG community greatly enjoyed the school’s drama performance of Annie Jr., a musical that required a very large group of students for a successful production. AISG’s extensive Performing Arts program allows for these experiences and is a testament to AISG’s commitment to dynamic learning.

Shekou International School (SIS) welcomes French speakers or anyone interested in the French culture to join our international and dynamic program.

Since 2009, SIS has provided a French Bilingual Program where our students have developed their critical thinking skills, internationalism, and academic excellence while benefiting from two languages (French and English) and two educational approaches that implement best practices. Native-speaking teachers teach all classes—50% of classes taught in French, 40% in English, 10% in Mandarin. We also offer engaging after-school activities and joint field trips and projects with the international section. Scholarships are available for French speakers!

ZHUHAI

BSG Welcomes World-Renowned Trumpeter and Juilliard Music Specialist Paul Murphy Last month, The British School of Guangzhou welcomed world-renowned trumpeter and Juilliard Curriculum Music Specialist, Paul Murphy, for a virtual visit. The online sessions included professional development for staff and brass workshops for some keen young musicians.

Dulwich Zhuhai achieved higher-than-average Further Mathematics results Students at Dulwich International High School Zhuhai have achieved remarkable unit results in the first four out of six AS and A-Level Further Mathematics exams, which all rated higher than the average Edexcel International A-Level grade statistics. More than 90% of them have achieved A (the highest grade in AS Further Mathematics overall results), while the international average is 66%. In terms of individual unit scores, 87% of students achieved A* (>90%), while the international average is 44%. Moreover, four students achieved full marks in those exams. A-Level Further Mathematics is an academically rigorous and demanding subject. It is suited to students who are considering Higher Education courses in Mathematics, Engineering, Physics, and other highly numerate disciplines at Ivy League and Russell Group universities.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | MAY 2021 | 59

That’s

MAY

Horoscopes

Finally, a horoscope that understands your life in China.

By Rakini Bergundy

Taurus

Gemini

Cancer

Leo

4.21~5.21

5.22~6.21

6.22~7.22

7.23~8.23

Taurus, you’ve been very grounded as of late. You’ve been taking those selfimprovement messages to heart and living for yourself which is great. But please remember to answer your WeChat messages periodically.

Existential crises are normal. Day in, day out you go to work and guzzle craft Chinese brews after a long day. Seek beauty in the mundane. Sometimes life can be boring.

This is your moment in time, Cancer. You’ve been tested by hard days (read: Entry-Exit Immigration Bureau), but you’re still here and haven’t given up. Big wins ahead in your China journey.

If you’re dealing with something painful in your love life, just know that the divorce rate in China is increasing every year.

Relationships are like chapters of a book, you can always move on.

Virgo

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

8.24~9.23

9.24~10.23

10.24~11.22

11.23~12.21

This is a month of learning, Virgo. And we’re not talking about HSK, we know there will soon be nine levels. Enjoy this journey of learning, find the beauty in all that will be revealed to you.

Will you be one of the expats moving out of China soon?

Tax exemptions for foreign employees’ allowances will be phased out in the next few years. Map out your five-year plan, good things will come.

What’s with all those strange dreams you’re having? They are a sign of your subconscious acting up. Take it as a chance to be spontaneous for once in your life.

Sagittarius, don’t let your past limit your growth. Though your bank account may limit you, after all those holidays you’ve taken are reminding you that saving isn’t such a bad thing.

Capricorn

Aquarius 1.21~2.19

Pisces

2.20~3.20

Aries

3.21~4.20

Comparison is the thief of joy. You are brave and strong for already stepping foot in a new place to live and explore.

Stop worrying about taking the vaccine in China.

You’ve had jianbing and mystery skewers from alley street vendors for God’s sake.

You are emanating positivity these days, Pisces. Spread the joy, and treat your coworkers to some 白 8 craft baijiu. We hear that stuff is aromatic and hits heavy.

Admit it, Aries, things in your love life feel a bit stale.

Perhaps take a long solo road trip through Xi’an or Sichuan (as inspired by ‘Auntie’ Su Min) before making any rash decisions.

12.22~1.20

60 | MAY 2021 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

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