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城市漫步 广州英文 版 03 月份
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《城市漫步》广州 英文月刊
五洲传播出版传媒有限公司 出版发行 主管单位 : 中华人民共和国国务院新闻办公室 Supervised by the State Council Information Office of the People’s Republic of China 主办单位 : 五洲传播出版传媒有限公司 China Intercontinental Press & Media Co., Ltd. 地址 : 北京市东城区朝阳门内大街 225 号 No. 225 Inner Street, Chaoyangmen, Dongcheng District, Beijing http://www.cicc.org.cn 董事长 President : 董青 Dong Qing 总编辑 General in Chief : 井水清 Jing Shuiqing 主编 Editor-in-Chief : 关宏 Guan Hong 责任编辑 Executive Editor : 朱莉莉 Zhu Lili 发行 Circulation : 李若琳 Li Ruolin Editor-in-Chief Lars James Hamer Arts and Life Editor Vanessa Jencks Travel Editor Sophie Steiner Nation Editor Alistair Baker-Brian Contributors Joshua Cawthorpe, James East, Vickie Wang
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Distribution across China: 100,000 copies
MARCH 2022 | 01
Editor’s Note
MARCH 2022
That’s took a short break from our regular print publication during the Chinese New Year, so this month we have prepared a bigger issue, packed with more content than ever before. If you didn’t go to the Great Wall, did you really go to Beijing? If you didn’t go to the Bund, did you really go to Shanghai? If you didn’t eat hot pot, did you really go to Chongqing? If you didn’t see a bullfight, did you really go to Guizhou? The last one may have caught you off guard a little bit, but the province has a large bullfighting scene that is growing in popularity. Within Guizhou is a region called Qian Dongnan Dong and Miao Autonomous Prefecture. In this area are small villages home to the Dong and Miao ethnic groups. Together, both groups in the region use the sport as a means of celebration and to pass their age-old traditions and customs onto future generations. That’s traveled to the region to witness the biggest bullfighting spectacle of the year, the Lunar New Year bullfight. Elsewhere in the magazine, we have a brand new food section, where we examine Ningxia wine and have interviews with a Swedish coffee roaster in Shanghai and one of China’s finest bakers. Just reading the coffee interview inspired us to set up a coffee station in the
That’s headquarters and if you want to do the same, make sure you check out Galley Gadgets. Many teachers in China have been denied their legal right to both maternity leave and benefits from the school they work in. That’s spoke to several women who have had to fight their schools for their legal rights and a Chinese lawyer. So, anyone who unfortunately runs into this scenario in the future will know exactly what to do.
Best Regards,
Lars Hamer Editor-in-Chief
Wellington College China to Host its Sixth Annual Festival of Education
T
he Wellington College China Festival of Education returns once again this April! This annual gathering is an opportunity for educators, parents and general enthusiasts to share insights on the latest developments in education. Wellington's Tianjin, Shanghai and Hangzhou campuses will host some of the foremost thought leaders in the fields of education, wellbeing, child development and more as they lead enriching talks, panel discussions and workshops.
Live Festival of Education Saturday 23 April, Shanghai
Virtual Festival of Education
Wellington College International Shanghai
Open to all and admission is free
No. 1500 Yao Long Road, Pudong, Shanghai
18–22 April 2022
Scan the QR code to buy the tickets
Scan the QR code to register
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An Innovative College for Tomorrow’s Students
I
f you travel to the Taicang HighTech Development Zone on the edge of Shanghai, you will see a state-of-the-art campus and a model for future universities. This summer, Xi’an JiaotongLiverpool University’s Entrepreneur College (Taicang) will open its new campus, a space to prepare industry elites and future business leaders for the world of tomorrow.
Award-winning campus At XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang), seven U-shaped buildings for industry-themed schools connect to a ringshaped structure. Landscape elements including trails, water features and green areas make the space inside the ring both usable and attractive. HPP Architects, one of Germany’s leading architectural partnerships, recently won a design award for this collaborative campus concept, which welcomes scientific innovation and entrepreneurship. The architecture firm won a bronze award in the Future Projects education category at the World Architecture News (WAN) awards. Professor Xi Youmin, Executive President of Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, says the U shapes, which look like magnets, symbolize a welcoming attitude. “We’d like to attract global resources, which will allow us to undertake cutting-edge research, develop innovative technologies and cultivate new talent, which in turn will make an impact on the world,” Professor Xi says. Ren Qi, Associate Partner of HPP Architects, says the plan also provides diverse learning environments intended
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for a variety of uses. “The buildings offer students and staff facilities that include flexible studio spaces, workshops, laboratories, and open areas that will foster creativity and collaboration. “The design enables learning and teaching activities to occur not only in designated classrooms but in all spaces,” she says.
The XJTLU Learning Mall The centerpiece of the design is the 850 meter long radial XJTLU Learning Mall, an online-onsite educational platform that XJTLU has developed. The online element of the Learning Mall had a soft launch in 2020, and proved to be an instant success. The opening of the campus this autumn enables the Learning Mall to be complete with the launch of its physical component. Professor Stuart Perrin, Associate Principal of XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang), says that the Learning Mall combines the digital and the physical worlds of education. “The online platform provides students, staff and people around the world with future-focused educational resources,” he says. “The physical aspect links learning, teaching and research facilities. It also provides spaces for entrepreneurship activities, collaboration with enterprises, and outreach to the local community.” The XJTLU Learning Mall will build convenient connections among schools, promote meaningful communication among researchers, and provide students, staff, enterprises and society with a vibrant learning atmosphere, Professor Perrin says. “It will be a new way of bringing society into education.”
XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang) overview rendering
Breaking down barriers Professor Perrin continues by indicating that another way of bringing society into education is to break down the barriers between education and industry. “At XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang), industry is involved in the ideas, the concepts, the design and the delivery of educational programs,” Perrin says. “We develop our programs in the areas where industry tells us they have needs. Our modules are co-designed and co-developed by industry. Our founding industrial partners have input into the content for every programme and provide opportunities for internships and industry-based research. We aim to combine industry and education into an effective partnership to ensure that our education benefits all.” In contrast to other universities, XJTLU, including the College’s upcoming location, is an open campus without physical gates. “Traditional universities have walls around them physically and they also have intellectual barriers. However, our university is open. We want to be welcoming so that whoever is around will feel a part of us,” Professor Perrin says. “We want to be a facility for society and local businesses, and a catalyst to generate growth in the area,” he says. “After all, education is about reducing boundaries. We are creating opportunities for that in a meaningful way.” > For more information, please visit www.xjtlu.edu.cn/taicang or scan the QR code.
THE WRAP
8 THE NATION
16 ARTS & LIFE
9 CHINA’S FOOTBALLING HEROINES SPARK DEBATE ON EQUAL PAY
17 AEL STUDIO
10 THE BUZZ
20 TRAVEL 21 RACHEL MEETS 24 BEIJING
18 STYLE RADAR
28 BUSINESS & TECH 29 GALLEY GADGETS 32 WHAT’S THE BEEF?
04 |MARCH 2022
40 KING BULL
54 FOOD
60 FAMILY
55 SINOVINICULTURE
61 LIVING ROOM
56 JONAS EMIL COFFEE ROASTERS
62 THAT ISN’T PROJECT-BASED LEARNING
MARCH 2022 | 05
Snow Sports Injury Prevention and Avoidance
By Dr. Frank Lorch @ SinoUnited Health
A
s we watch our favorite stars compete in the Winter Olympic and Paralympic games, many people will be tempted to try new sports or emulate their heroes. Skiing and snowboarding are particularly popular but carry a considerable risk of injury. Whether you're a black-diamond downhill skier or a beginner snowboarder on the bunny hill, injuries happen. No body part is exempt from injury, including the head, spine, pelvis and upper and lower extremities. Studies show that upper extremity (UE) injuries are more common in snowboarders while skiers have more lower extremity (LE) injuries. Although it would be great if we could predict and then prevent injures before they happen, you should be able to prevent the majority of serious injuries by following the guidelines below.
1. Use Proper Gear Always wear a helmet and beginner snowboarders should also wear wrist guards. Be honest with staff on the slope about your skill level when being fitted with skis and bindings. 2. Develop Your Safety Skills Stay in control and look both ways and uphill before crossing a trail, merging or starting down a hill. If you must stop, do so on the side of a run. Excess speed, loss of control and collisions with stationary objects, like trees or lift towers, are the most common factors associated with fatalities.
SinoUnited Health SinoUnited Health is a leading medical service provider based in Shanghai. Their team of medical specialists is selected from both China and abroad. They are renowned for their excellence and rich experience in their respective fields of medical expertise. Their vision is to provide patient-oriented care by strictly adhering to medical practice guidelines, incorporating the latest technologies and respecting patient’s individual needs. For enquiries, please call 400 186 2116. For more information, scan the QR code:
3. Understand and Take Care of Your Body In terms of working out, downhill skiing is equivalent to cycling or rowing in its level of intensity. Most of the body’s muscles will be activated at one time or another. When muscles are sore and fatigued, you have less control of your skis and a higher chance of injury. This is why preseason conditioning is so important. One last important tip: Remember to do a proper dynamic warm-up before heading down hill. Now let’s hit the slopes! 06 |MARCH 2022
Basketball Beginner? Sign Up for Women and Girls’ Training! Adriana Sports: The Women and Girls’ Sports Platform.
W
hen Adriana Sports first launched their beginner women's basketball training program in Shanghai at the end of October 2021, many peopled joined. But there are still some out there who dream of playing basketball, but have not yet dared to try. Well now is the time!
Never tried basketball before and worried you won’t keep up? Don’t worry! You will be well taken care of with Adriana Sports. While basketball players looking to strengthen their fundamental skills and improve themselves are welcome, Adriana Sports teach everything from the very basics to learning about basketball together. Adriana's community members are from a range of ages, have different playing experiences, social statuses and hold different occupations. Perhaps you have come from a different city? Every one has their own life challenges. This does not need to stop us from being who we want to be, or to be part of a community of sports enthusiasts who love basketball. As an introduction to basketball, the experience of encouraging one another and growing together is invaluable. With a deeper understanding of your needs, with a professional coaching crew and with a great training atmosphere, Adriana Sports have helped spread basketball throughout the community. Advantages 1. A deep understanding of female basketballers: Adriana Sports are a
women and girls’ sports platform. They focus on understanding their community members, finding out the real reasons behind the questions: "What are you afraid of?" and "Where does your fear come from?" 2. Indoor venue: Eliminating the adverse weather conditions, training sessions can be carried out better and in a safer environment. 3. Excellent coaching team: The coaching crew members of Adriana need to go through a series of interviews as part of the recruitment process and assessment. Coaches must have more than three years of coaching and team leading experience. Our coaches are responsible, with leadership skills and excellent time management ability. 4. Suitable level team arrangement: Most players are put in a team of similiar ages and ability, so there will be no significant difference in skill. Programs Dream The Dream program is for players from kindergarten to grade 5, training one to three times a week, focusing on the basic skills of basketball. Combined
with fun games players can learn the fundamentals of this team sport. Training at this level will be focused on cultivating the player's interest in basketball. Those who are more experienced can choose to move up into the more advanced sessions. Believe Mainly aimed at players from grade 6-12. These team trains one to three times. Those who have previous basketball experience have certain expectations of themselves and those who are willing to develop their basketball skills can gain experience from this level of training. Achieve Adriana Sports only recruit total beginners for this adult women's team, with training taking place once a week. If you reach a certain level they will recommend you join the already established amateur women's basketball teams in the city. In the second phase of the training series they already have two training platforms, one on weekday evenings and one on Sunday afternoons. If you are new to the sport and are interested in basketball, you can choose the one that best suits you. Contact Adriana Sports for more information! Coach Zheng WeChat / Mobile: 189 0170 2364 Scan the QR code to connect with us
MARCH 2022 | 07
THE NATION China’s Footballing Heroines Spark Debate on Equal Pay p09
The Buzz P10
08 |MARCH 2022
Chinese Corner P11
By Lars James Hamer
C
hina’s women’s football team recorded a historic win in the 2022 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Asian Cup final on Sunday, February 6. The 3-2 victory over South Korea in India has led fans to call for the country’s women’s team to receive equal pay. One Weibo user called for the women’s team bonus to be paid out at the same rate as the men’s team and demanded equal pay for equal work. As of press time, the post received 170,000 likes, was shared over 40,000 times and had over 4,000 comments. Similar debates have been raised in the USA, whose women’s national team went to court demanding the same pay as the men’s national team. The US women’s national team have enjoyed greater success in tournament football than the men over recent years. Another user criticized the cash prize that the women won by pointing out “RMB13 million is not much, they bring commercial benefits much higher than this figure. Regardless of the commercial benefits, it’s the women’s fighting spirit that we should study.” Global Times later reported that the women’s team were expected to receive
RMB30 million in prize money. China’s women’s football team has a rich history. In 1999 they reached the World Cup final, losing to arguably the world’s best women’s team and the tournament’s hosts, the USA, on penalties. Sun Wen, the national team’s striker won the Golden Ball and the Golden Boot award after scoring seven goals during the tournament. China’s women’s team have won the AFC Women’s Asian Cup nine times, finishing as runners up twice. Despite success in the women’s side of the game, a 2018 report by the Chinese Football Association showed that fewer than 20% of female football players earned over RMB10,000 per month. Many football fans used the women’s success as an opportunity to slam the men’s team who have an underwhelming history. A so-called ‘football fan’ went to the men’s football team’s isolation hotel in Suzhou and aimed a number of fireworks at the building. The man was recorded on video shouting “Congratulations to the women’s football team. Men’s team, wake up!” Despite congratulating the women’s
team, the man seemingly didn’t realize that using the women’s success as a stick to beat the men’s team takes away from the women’s victory, forcing the conversation onto how below-par the men are. Many netizens urged others not to use the women’s victory as a moment to discuss men’s football. Other Weibo users commented that the women’s team were China’s true national team. China’s men’s team’s first and only qualification for the World Cup was in 2002, despite having participated in qualification rounds since 1957. In the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, China finished last in their group, conceding nine goals and scoring none. Global Times reported that since the victory over South Korea, many Chinese companies, such as Alipay and Mengniu Dairy have donated millions of RMB to the Chinese women’s football team.
MARCH 2022 | 09
CHINA CURRENTS
China’s Footballing Heroines Spark Debate on Equal Pay
RANDOM NUMBER
DON’T YOU KNOW WHO I AM?
15…
Gido Tsujioka
… is how many of Team China’s 25-member men’s ice hockey squad are foreign-born. Eleven of the players were born in Canada, three in the United States and one in Russia. As the host nation, China automatically qualified for the competition. However, as Reuters reported, the International Ice Hockey Federation expressed concern in September 2021 regarding the “team’s quality,” adding that its participation “would hinge in part on player eligibility rules.” It turned out that the players did meet said eligibility rules after all. Foreign-born athletes competing for China in the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics have made headlines. Goldmedal winner Eileen Gu has been embraced by many in the Middle Kingdom. The US-born athlete decided to compete for China in 2018. Unfortunately, the men’s ice hockey team didn’t quite have the success of Eileen Gu as they lost all three of their group games. Better luck in Milano Cortina 2026?
The reporter with Japanese broadcaster NTV went viral on the Chinese internet for his embrace of Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics mascot Bing Dwen Dwen. Tsujioka has even been given the nickname “Gido Dwen Dwen” by many Chinese netizens. During live news broadcasts from Beijing, Tsujioka has shown off his collection of Bing Dwen Dwen badges, met Bing Dwen Dwen and promoted the mascot to a Japanese audience. In coordination with Global Times , Tsujioka had an online talk with Cao Xue, head of the Beijing 2022 mascot design team; Cao revealed details about how his team created the loveable mascot.
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“If people don’t believe me and don’t like me, that’s their loss but they’re never gonna win the Olympics”
… said Eileen Gu during a press conference following her gold-medal winning performance in the women’s Freeski Big Air. Gu was asked by a journalist from British newspaper The Guardian about how she balanced keeping everyone from both China and the United States happy. She responded by saying that she was “not trying to keep anyone happy” and that she was just an 18-year-old “living her best life.” The US-born Olympic champion has faced criticism from the likes of Fox News talk show host Tucker Carlson for choosing to compete for China instead of the United States. Nonetheless, Gu has largely managed to put political questions behind her and has been embraced by China. In addition to receiving praise from netizens, she has also landed a number of lucrative sponsorship deals from Chinese brands. 10 |MARCH 2022
CHINESE CORNER
Tea Culture in China
Coffee might be the new craze, but tea ( 茶 chá) has always enjoyed great popularity. China has produced and consumed tea for centuries. It accounts for almost 40% of the world’s total tea consumption.
Classic Teas There are numerous kinds of tea which are often named after the place of their origin or given a special, poetic name. But you can always just choose among:
红茶
hóngchá
绿茶
lǜchá
Bubble Teas
| black tea
| green tea
Notice how black tea is literally called “red-tea” in Chinese, because of the reddish color of the brew.
The traditional tea culture of tea houses ( 茶馆 , cháguǎn) and the tea ceremony ( 茶艺 , cháyì) is still present in modern China. However, if you mention getting “some tea” to your Chinese friends or colleagues, they will probably think about milk tea or bubble tea!
奶茶
nǎichá
Other Teas Other names of tea that you might find on a menu are:
乌龙茶
wūlóngchá
白茶
báichá
黄茶
huángchá
普洱茶
pǔ’ěrchá
| milk tea
珍珠奶茶
zhēnzhū nǎichá
| bubble tea/ boba | oolong tea
| white tea
| yellow tea
To learn more phrases and practice with Chinese teachers, scan the QR code:
| pu’er tea
Learn Chinese with That’s Mandarin
MARCH 2022 | 11
T H E N AT I O N | F E A T U R E
COVID-19 and Mental Health: Inside an Isolation Hotel By Lars James Hamer Images by Phoebe Peng
In China, before COVID-19 takes the fight onto the streets, the virus is fought in a rather peculiar setting, hotel rooms. Isolation hotels up and down the Middle Kingdom catch the virus before it can spread.
C
hina’s ‘zero-COVID’ policy tries to eradicate any trace of the virus as soon as it appears. The most painstaking aspect of the zero-COVID policy for many foreign nationals and Chinese people is closed borders. Some foreigners in China have not been able to return to their home country since the breakout in January 2020. On the other hand, some Chinese nationals have been stuck abroad as the price of plane tickets home has skyrocketed.
12 |MARCH 2022
Any person who does return to China from overseas must undergo a period of quarantine in an isolation hotel, with some provinces imposing a whopping 28-day quarantine period. The price of quarantine, even if it’s for an entire month, for the opportunity to see your family may seem like a small price to pay. But what about the people who work in these hotels? Isolation hotels consist of staff members who voluntarily put themselves into quarantine and away from their
families. “It’s a very serious situation, last night four people had a positive nucleic acid test, so we’re very busy,” explains Phoebe Peng, a translator in an isolation hotel in Foshan, Guangdong province. The four positive cases were Chinese nationals who had just returned from the Netherlands. As is protocol, they were immediately transported from the isolation hotel to a nearby hospital for monitoring
F E A T U R E | T H E N AT I O N
and treatment, all of which takes place in a closed-loop containment ‘bubble.’ “When there is a new case, I’m always a little worried about the situation because I have close contact with the guests,” Peng told That’s over a WeChat call from her hotel room. As the sole translator for the hotel, Peng helps foreign guests check in at the hotel, fill out forms and communicate with staff. From the moment they arrive, she is by their side. The isolation hotel in Gaoming, Foshan has a staff of around 200, consisting of hotel workers, cleaners, medical staff and government employees. Lin Huiwen is a hospital pharmacist who is regularly transferred to the isolation hotel. She is responsible for carrying out nucleic acid tests on guests and staff. She also checks surfaces and belongings for traces of the virus; a vital step in ensuring that the virus doesn’t leave the hospital. When we spoke to Lin, she had just finished a 24-hour shift in the hotel. From 8 am until noon, she was helping staff deal with the positive cases they had just discovered by conducting nucleic acid tests throughout the hotel. After that, she had to start her regular night shift. A lack of sleep under intense pressure has consequences on both physical and mental health. In the days after the discovery of the imported cases, one of Lin’s coworkers in the hotel fell sick. She had cold-like symptoms and a high temperature. The worker was isolated in the hotel, basic supplies such as food and medicine were left at her door. Another member of staff was transferred in to perform her duties. Fortunately, Lin’s colleague hadn’t contracted COVID-19. Nonetheless, the events of the preceding few days had a significant impact on the staff. “All of the high-risk staff were nervous,” Peng elaborates. “At first, I thought it was fine but then one of the medical staff said he was scared and asked to speak with the psychiatrist. That made me nervous too.”
“There is a psychiatrist in the isolation hotel who gives a psychological evaluation to all the guests.” Lin told us. Peng admits that working in an isolation hotel can have adverse effects on the mental health of workers. “We have to stay in a room for a long time and we can’t go out. Sometimes I feel sad at night and I don’t know the reason. I have found that a lot of staff share this feeling,” Peng reveals. “I used to talk to the psychiatrist and it really worked. As time went on, I found my own release through yoga, talking with my family and friends and thinking about the future. These make me feel much better.” Peng is a fitness fanatic and, in order to occupy her mind during quarantine, she uses the hotel’s gym to make workout videos that she uploads to her WeChat channel. This quarantine period will be her last. She plans to return home and prepare herself for a Spartan Race in Shenzhen in March. She also believes that working in an isolation hotel is good for her career as she can use the experience to obtain her translator qualifications. Despite her time in the hotel coming to an end, Peng admits that the last two rounds of guests have been the toughest.
Peng about to start her shift.
Staff in the hotel responding to the positive cases.
MARCH 2022 | 13
T H E N AT I O N | F E A T U R E
Ready to go!
Peng on the treadmill in the hotel.
“When I stay at the hotel for a long time, I tend to think about negative things. During a recent stretch, I found myself talking to the doctor about my grandmother’s health. My boyfriend was also having some problems with his business. My emotions weren’t stable and we argued a lot.” Peng graduated from a university in Guangzhou in 2021. For the last four months she has been living in the quarantine hotel. On the upside, she gets breakfast and lunch provided for her and she doesn’t have to worry about bills or rent. However, a long stay in the hotel can grind you down.
14 |MARCH 2022
“Christmas is a very important time in Western countries and New Year’s Day is important for Chinese people too, but I was alone on those days,” Peng recalls. “The guests had gone home, the staff had left and the next batch of travelers hadn’t arrived yet.” Peng is originally from Chengdu so, during the two or three days between guests leaving and arriving, she can’t return home. Lin, on the other hand, primarily works in a hospital and is only temporarily transferred to the hotel. This means that she doesn’t stay for the entire quarantine period and can go home to her family.
When Peng initially got the job, she didn’t tell her parents because she knew they would worry. After a couple of months in the hotel, she let them know what she had been doing. Although they originally feared for her safety, after a while they felt proud that their daughter was brave enough to take such a job. A few days after the four imported cases were discovered, Lin went back to work at the hospital. “I think there is real significance to my work in the hotel and I can practice English.” Lin was the only one in the hospital to request to go to the isolation hotel. However,
F E A T U R E | T H E N AT I O N
A thank you card given to staff at the hotel.
her manager keeps assigning her to hospital work. Lin says that many hospital managers would rather send younger women without children or families into quarantine. Peng and Lin are both responsible for fifth-floor guests, also known as the ‘high-risk group’. Highrisk groups are usually made up of foreign nationals and ‘close contacts’ (someone who has been in close proximity to an individual who tested positive for COVID-19). Guests in the hotel can often be difficult and will refuse to do the nucleic acid test. Despite these difficult customers, both Peng and Lin have had heart-warming experiences in the hotel. Lots of different guests have been very thankful for their service and will write them a personal thankyou card (which is immediately
soaked in disinfectant) and pose for selfies when they are leaving. “I really like serving the foreigners, most of them are really polite and appreciate the work we do.” Peng continues, “I’m also happy for the Chinese people who come back home as they have been abroad for a long time. I think I’ll miss this period because, even though it’s hard, it has been a learning experience.” People in China are counting down the days until the country opens its borders again and they can freely travel in and out of the country. However, if it wasn’t for isolation hotels like the one in Foshan, where staff stopped four imported cases from spreading throughout the city, we might be dealing with a full-scale lockdown.
Two guests ask Peng and Lin for a photo as they leave.
MARCH 2022 | 15
ARTS & LIFE CITY SNAPSHOT p19
Overheard P18
16 |MARCH 2022
Under the Lens P18
SPOTLIGHT
AEL Studio
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my Lin is a 34-year-old fashion designer from Guangzhou. She has been running her brand
Amyenjoylife, also known as AEL Studio, for five years. “I spend most of my time understanding the lifestyle and fashion preferences of my customers,” she tells
That’s. “I also like to experience different lifestyles and discover new cultural elements. Throughout the year, my main responsibility is to formulate design ideas and sales goals. We make trendy clothes and have four different types: evening, street, elegant and holiday.” “The brand’s inspiration reflects independence, self-confidence, innovation, individuality, freedom and comfort. Our designs integrate these elements together. The clothing styles are unconstrained and fully embody the fun of a mix-and-match style. We ecourage individuality and a personalized style of fashion.”
Scan the QR code to visit the website or the Taobao store.
MARCH 2022 | 17
OVERHEARD
“[Eileen Gu is] far from the first American to compete for a parent’s country even if they are good enough to qualify for the American team. Why is Gu so controversial whereas Jasmine CamachoQuinn and Mondo Duplantis at last year’s Olympics were not?” Wrote Mai Mai Lin-Healy in a heated thread on Facebook regarding skier Eileen Gu’s decision to represent China. American-born Gu has admitted the choice to represent China at this year’s Winter Olympics was a difficult one. Since she was young, Gu has been American in the US and Chinese in China, with strong roots in both countries. Gu represents the common difficulties of third culture kids and Chinese American children living in one country with heritage tied to another.
Flickr @ Ross Dunn
18 |MARCH 2022
COVET
Aubercy Men’s Shoes
aubercy.com
This high-quality brand of classy men’s shoes has a range of ready-to-wear, madeto-measure and bespoke creations. In Paris or Tokyo where they can actually be bought, these hoof-canoes start off at RMB9,000. Their craft has been handed down through three family generations since 1935 and they still follow methods from years past. Even their ready-to-wear shoes have a total of 390 stages of construction and take a month to make, in everything from their leather selection to the hand stitched Goodyear welt. Though you might cough at the hefty investment, sustainable shoes with replaceable bottoms will save you money in the long run. Their stylish shoes will certainly turn heads for decades. > View shoes at aubercy.com
UNDER THE LENS
Angelababy and Huang Xiaoming Officially Divorced After years of rumored marital distress, Angelababy’s missing wedding ring and their apparent public aversion to one another, Angelababy and Huang Xiaoming are separating. The star-crossed duet announced their divorce via social media shortly before the Chinese New Year. The split is amicable and they intend to continue to co-parent their five year old son. The two megastars will likely be under the eagle eye of media as they transition into new lives past divorce and maybe new romances. Huang Xiaoming has admitted in the past that he married Angelababy due to his mother’s admiration of the star, which some will certainly argue is not the best foundation for a long lasting marriage. Angelababy left Huang’s talent agency last year, resulting in her landing a new role in the drama Twilight Heart Covenant . Her new agency, Yuekai Entertainment, represents a large number of A-list celebrities in Asia.
T H AT ’ S M A G A Z I N E S
CITY SNAPSHOT
@jason.changvvv Jason Chang is a professional, commercial photographer originally from Wuhan. Chang has lived intermittently in Guangzhou and Foshan for the last 16 years. Along with photography, he and his team also work in videography. Chang’s IG account seems to have been evolving over the past year from people to places, and when asked about that change, Chang explained much of his current work on display is selected based on clients and their needs. Though he has spent a good deal of time in portraits and product photography, he prefers to shoot architectural and still life photos, mostly coming from the inspiration of his life. “It could be from a movie I saw or a random thought when I was exercising. My work expresses my understanding of life through pictures, video and sound.”
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Roller Coaster P22
The Life of a KOL in China By Sophie Steiner
Rachel Weiss is a Key Opinion Leader (KOL) living in China. Weiss originally planned on staying in China for a year. However, when her travel blog Rachel Meets began to grow, more opportunities presented themselves. Before she knew it, Weiss was working for CGTN (formerly known as CCTV News) and had been in the Middle Kingdom for six years. What is your background, and when and why did you move to China? I’m from the US and I came to China in 2015 for the same reason I think many other twenty-somethings did – I wanted to teach abroad for a year and also travel more. I had studied abroad in Europe for three months during my time at university and I wanted the chance to do that again but for longer. I started teaching at Hengyang’s University of South China. Now I’ve been in China for six years, lived in three different cities and traveled to 24 provinces. How did you get involved in the social media travel industry in China? I started a travel blog called Rachel Meets China in 2015, right when I moved here, and updated my Instagram to match it. At first, it was a way to update friends and family about my life in China, but it quickly became a passion and an outlet for my media skills. I wanted to document my experiences. Firstly, to share the unique places and people I encountered in China and, secondly, to help others travel around China. What company do you work with now and what does a typical day look like? Last year I started working for China Plus, an English channel in the culture department of CGTN. I work as a video host and host livestreams, travel documentaries
and vlogs related to culture and travel in China for English speaking audiences. The aim is to help introduce and share more about Chinese culture and people to the western world. A typical day can vary, depending on the project. When I’m traveling for a video series, the days are jam-packed. Location scouting, filming, meeting new people and doing all kinds of exciting activities. To name but a few, these include exploring a Miao village, meeting kung fu Wushu masters or learning how to make Lanzhou’s famous hand-pulled noodles. Sometimes I will host livestreams in between filming as well. If I’m not traveling, I’ll do other content projects, like researching, filming and editing my own vlogs. What is it like to work as a foreign KOL in the domestic travel industry? How is this an advantage or disadvantage? Being a foreign KOL gives me a unique position to be a bridge between China and the West, as there is a communication and culture gap. There used to be a big demand for local tourism groups and cities to connect with more foreign audiences. Before the pandemic, I would help connect foreigners with trusted local tourism groups and recommend my favorite restaurants, activities and sites in different cities. I enjoy sharing my personal experiences with others who want to experience China (and hopefully save them the stress and challenges I faced when I first came). COVID-19 has been really hard, especially for creators whose content is for other foreigners on international platforms. But in some ways I think it’s more difficult growing on foreign platforms than on Chinese platforms. If you know Chinese and can use apps like Douyin, Bilibili, XiaoHongShu and Weibo, there are bigger audiences that would most likely be even more interested and engaged. It all depends on your content and niche.
but my channels will still be mine. It’s unfair and wrong that my personal accounts have been labeled this way as it’s my brand. I’ve worked hard to build it on my own. My job is separate from my personal channels. My account is always my voice, what I choose to post, and what I feel fits authentically with my brand and platform.
TRAVEL COMMUNITY
RACHEL MEETS
What is the most unique place you have visited in China so far and why? It’s so difficult to pick one as China has so many unique destinations and varied landscapes. I’m a huge fan of hiking mountains in China, like the well-known Huangshan, Zhangjiajie, and Yangshuo mountains. I’ve also been to some really amazing unrestored sections of the Great Wall with no one around. Some of my most memorable experiences in China have been when visiting smaller villages. I took a long solo trip around southern China in 2019 and visited Furong, an ancient town in Hunan province with a stunning waterfall village that made me feel like I was stepping back in time. > You can find Weiss on social media by searching ‘Rachel Meets China’ on your browser.
In the past year, your Instagram account was labeled as ‘China state-controlled media.’ When Instagram did this, I was – and still am – very frustrated. Rachel Meets China is my personal account, independently run and owned solely by me. I’ve had this personal brand since I first came to China in 2015. Even when I’ve moved cities and worked other jobs, it’s always been mine. One day my current employer will change, MARCH 2022 | 21
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ROLLER COASTER Traveling from the Chinese mainland to the UK is about to get a little easier for those who have had two doses of a Chinese vaccine. The UK government announced that as of 4am on Friday, February 11, 2022, those vaccinated with two shots of either Sinopharm or Sinovac vaccines in the Chinese mainland would be recognized as fully vaccinated when traveling to England. Note: The rules specifically apply to England; other parts of the UK including Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland may apply different rules. Travelers must show a vaccine certificate which includes the following: • Forename and surname(s) • Date of birth • Vaccine brand and manufacturer • Date of vaccination for every dose • Country or territory of vaccination and or certificate issuer Prior to the implementation of the new policy, all those vaccinated in the Chinese mainland traveling to the UK were considered unvaccinated. When traveling to the UK, fully vaccinated passengers no longer have to undergo nucleic acid tests before and after arrival and no longer have to undergo home or centralized quarantine.
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MILE HIGH
China Issues COVID-19 Parcel Warning Amid Rise in Omicron On January 16, a case of the COVID-19 omicron variant was discovered in Shenzhen, Guangdong province. The case was determined to be unrelated to the transmission chain of the ongoing outbreak during that time. The young woman is presumed to have contracted the virus while working at a company that receives and handles frozen chemical reagents that are delivered from abroad. Out of an abundance of caution, authorities in Shenzhen issued an alert to all citizens who had received international packages. Accompanied by a yellow health code, they were instructed to get a nucleic acid test within 48 hours, followed by a second test on the seventh day. A post from the official Weibo of the Shenzhen Bao’an District People’s Procuratorate pointed out that Shenzhen receives 35,000 pieces of express mail per day. Some Weibo users claimed that their health codes had turned yellow before their international packages had actually been received. Another netizen wrote, “I have an international Tmall package at the Cainiao station. Should I take it or let it isolate 14+7 on its own?” Another common theme in the comments were users wondering if the couriers were also having their codes change, thus rendering them, as one comment read, “single-use.” Although reports of problematic health code changes have since faded away, China’s National Health Commission urged people to wear gloves and masks when receiving and unwrapping parcels. Another locally transmitted Omicron case in Beijing may also have contracted the virus from an international parcel. The State Post Bureau has ordered increased measures in the disinfection and ventilation of international parcel handling venues. They said the probability of a live COVID-19 virus on long-distance transport parcels is not high and is linked to the parcel material, temperature and environment. So, while there is no need to panic, the Commission offered the advice as a timely reminder to exercise caution, and do what you can to avoid transmission.
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BEIJING T
he administrative capital and heart of the People’s Republic of China, Beijing’s history as a city goes back a whopping three millennia – although there are sites within the city that are much older. Visitors can explore this eclectic history by checking out the city’s myriad historical sites – from the Great Wall, Forbidden City and the Summer Palace to the prehistoric Zhoukoudian cave – home of the famous Peking man. Of course, we’d be remiss not to mention Beijing’s traditional laneways and hutong – which boast incredible history and serve as the home of some outstanding restaurants and local breweries. There are attractions from more recent times as well, including the iconic Tiananmen Square and a number of popular nightlife and creative districts like Sanlitun and 798 Art Zone. One of the newest additions to Beijing’s must-see attractions is Shougang Park, a former steelwork which is now an idyllic park filled with natural beauty, cafes and more. Last month, the site hosted the ski-jump24 |MARCH 2022
ing event for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. The world-class tourist attractions may draw you to this city of nearly 22 million, sure – but it’s Beijingers’ lifestyles, simultaneously modern and inspired by tradition, that will make you want to stay. There’s no better place to see the country’s rush toward the future and its impressive history at the same time. While Cantonese food may get most of the global accolades when it comes to Chinese cuisine, Beijing is no dark horse. In early 2022, the metropolis was honored with its third edition of the Michelin Guide, which profiles the city’s local, regional and international culinary offerings – from roasted duck to ritzy European fare. Shoppers too will be kept busy in the capital, with local markets and modern shopping centers found in abundance. Granted, North China’s climate can pose a problem. Winters are harsh and dry. Peak summer can be stiflingly hot. And then there is the city’s well-known pollution problems. But things are looking up: Official
reports show that smog levels have been improving ever since their 2014 peak. In the first half of 2020, COVID-19 and resulting lockdowns led to clear skies and a considerable drop in pollution. No matter the weather, though, those willing to brave it are rewarded with an unparalleled travel experience.
Looking for more expert guides to China’s biggest cities and hottest destinations? Purchase our Explore China travel guide, which offers insider tips, detailed city guides and more. You can order via email at marketing@ thatsmags.com
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(PEK)
Capital International Airport
The older of Beijing’s two international airports, Capital Airport opened back in 1958, and has grown into one of the busiest airports in the world. (Fun fact: the first international flight to Beijing Capital Airport was from Islamabad.) The airport is about 32 kilometers northeast of the city center, with an airport metro line that’ll take you to Sanyuanqiao and Dongzhimen stations. > Chaoyang District 朝阳区
Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) Located 53 kilometers south of downtown Beijing, Daxing Airport opened in September 2019 and is the largest single-structure airport terminal in the world, with an area stretching over 700,000 square meters. The airport is on the border of neighboring Hebei province, and is expected to be the transportation hub for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. > Daxing District 大兴区
Beijing West Railway Station Beijing boasts four railway stations across the city, and the West Station is the starting point for travel to regions all across the country, with high-speed trains linking the capital city to Hong Kong, Guilin, Chengdu and Xi’an, among other cities. The station also has normal speed trains, including a 41-hour ride to Lhasa. The station is located in Fengtai District and can be reached via metro. > No. 118 East Lianhuachi Lu, Fengtai District 丰台区莲花池东路 118 号 (Beijing West Station, Line 7 and 9)
Beijing Chaoyang Railway Station The station was re-opened on January 22, 2021 as part of the Beijing-Harbin high-speed line. From here, you can reach cities in northeast China including Shenyang, Changchun and the one-and-only Harbin. Address: Yaojiyuan Beilu, Chaoyang District, 朝阳区姚家园北路
Metro The Beijing Metro network is utterly massive, and a great way to avoid congestion on the roads anytime of day. With 27 metro lines currently in operation, you can connect with most tourist attractions as well as great shopping and food and drink areas. Since you’re traveling in the capital city, expect to hear announcements in both Chinese and English to help out the dazed and confused. (Note: be extra mindful of your possessions when commuting during rush hour, pickpockets are on the prowl.)
Taxi The flag-down rate for taxis in big Beijing is RMB13, one of the highest starting fares in the PRC. Given Beijing’s notorious road traffic, it’s best to avoid catching a cab during peak commuting hours, if possible. When taking a shared ride like DiDi, make sure your location is accurate before ordering – believe us, it’s not fun trying to figure out where your driver is in this urban jungle.
Bike Beijing has more than enough dockless shared bikes to navigate freely through the city. It’s an inexpensive option to hop around the more centrally located tourist attractions. (fun fact: shared bikes in Beijing were used a whopping 690 million times in 2020).
Beijing North Railway Station The North Railway Station operates bullet trains to Zhangjiakou, where many snow events were held during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. The city’s Chongli district has many popular ski resorts. You can also reach the Badaling section of the Great Wall in roughly 30 minutes. > No. 1, Beibinhe Lu, North Xizhimen Dajie, Xicheng District 西城区西直
门北大街北滨河路 1 号 (Xizhimen Station, Lines 2,4 and 13)
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Panjiayuan Antique Market Located in Chaoyang District, Panjiayuan is a great place to go souvenir shopping in the capital city. Be prepared to spend a morning or afternoon and, if possible, hit the market on the weekend for a wider variety of options as people come from outside the city to sell their crafts. > Panjiayuan Lu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区潘家园路 (Panjiayuan Station, Line 10)
Wudaoying Hutong An area better suited for window shopping than actual shopping, Wudaoying is an underrated hutong that boasts some fun shops, cafes and restaurants. If you’re into people watching and getting a better lay of the land as a local, then Wudaoying is a must-visit. Otherwise, head to Nanluoguxiang for the specialty shops and other knickknacks, since the area has become quite commercialized in recent years. > Andingmen, Dongcheng District 东城 区安定门 (Lama Temple Station, Lines 2 and 5)
Taikoo Li Sanlitun Speaking of commercial, it doesn’t get flashier than Taikoo Li Sanlitun in east Chaoyang. As one of Beijing’s more cosmopolitan areas, Sanlitun is a bustling retail center and food and drink hub in the capital city. Hit the shops for a wide range of Western products and clothing, and catch a glimpse of some of the newest trends of Chinese fashion. But if you’re looking for a more authentic, traditional Beijing experience, it’s best you avoid this international oasis. > No. 19 Salitun Lu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区三 里屯路 19 号 (Dongzhimen Station, Line 2)
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The Great Wall of China Here it is: the most iconic attraction in all of China. The famous sections of the Great Wall are located within easy striking distance of Beijing, but the Wall is more than a photo op. Indeed, the sections of the Wall outside Beijing stretch for miles, and offer up enough variety for any tourist’s needs. The areas Badaling and Mutianyu are restored, and the most convenient to reach by public transport. For the more adventurous, the wild, unrestored sections of Jiankou and Gubeikou make for stunning, if strenuous, hikes. But no matter what section you visit, the Great Wall is steep, so leave the heels at home. It may be a lot of exercise, but trust us – it’s worth it.
The Summer Palace Experience the opulence of emperors past at Beijing’s stunning Summer Palace. Originally built as a summer getaway for emperors of the Jin Dynasty (1115–1234 CE), rulers of the centuries to follow added their own flourishes, including ornate palaces and even a massive man-made lake. Today, you can take a boat ride, then climb to the top of Longevity Hill for scenic views. The grounds surrounding the palace are massive, so bring a picnic basket and some comfortable shoes, and enjoy the day.
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BUSINESS & TECH Entrepreneurs' Give Their Tips and Outlook for 2022 P36
Galley Gadgets P29 28 |MARCH 2022
Take Stock P30
Galley Gadgets With the news that Starbucks is going to raise its prices in China (page 31) and Jonas Emil Coffee Roasters’ great tips about how to brew the best cup-of-joe at home (page 56), we thought it would be best to give you our recommendations of the best coffee gadgets on the market right now. Simply scan the QR using the Taobao APP to buy these ‘galley gadgets’.
THE HERO POUR OVER COFFEE KIT Ranging from RMB599-899 the Hero Pour Over Coffee Kit has everything you need to make the perfect cup, every time. The standard package comes with a gooseneck kettle and thermometer, filters, two glasses and a hand-powered bean grinder (with a cleaning kit). Upgrading to the more expensive packages will give you a ceramic filter and digital scales.
MIDEA S1PRO SMART SCALES If you decide not to get your weighing scales from the Hero package, then consider buying the MIDEA Smart Scales from as little as RMB99. What makes these scales great is that when you download the scales’ APP, you can use AI intelligence to scan your food and the app will tell you the total amount of calories, fat, protein and carbohydrates. To open the APP, simply tap your phone on the scales!
S’WELL TRAVEL TUMBLER The S’well Travel Tumbler comes in two different sizes and eight different colors and ranges from RMB248-308. The stainless-steel tumbler is perfect for both hot and cold drinks, as it holds heat for four hours and keeps cold drinks cool for 11 hours. The smallest size can hold almost 295ml whereas the biggest can hold 530ml.
SIMELO COFFEE BEAN GRINDER Sick of grinding your beans by hand? What about when you go to use your electronic grinder and it’s out of juice? Well, this electric grinder by Simelo has got you covered. For RMB290 this grinder is a little more expensive than others on the market, but it has a battery life of 15 days and offers five different levels of coarseness for your beans.
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HIGHS AND LOWS
Highs • In cinema news, during the seven days of China’s Lunar New Year box office sales topped RMB6 billion, a 23% decrease from last year but still ahead of pre-pandemic levels in 2019. By day two of the Spring Festival (February 2nd) cinema tickets had already reached RMB2.3 billion. The seven-day holiday is the biggest week of the year for new movie releases in China, the world’s largest cinema market. • HeyTea, China’s popular beverage company has lowered prices and introduced a brand-new range of products. The company’s popular ‘Pure Green Tea’ now costs less than RMB10. The decision comes as a shock to some business insiders, as COVID-19-related closures, high rent and labor costs have affected the industry, causing some businesses such as Xiangpiaopiao and Sexy Tea to raise prices. • Luckin Coffee boasted net revenue of RMB3.18 billion in the first half of 2021, up 106% year-on-year and it is now looking to relist its shares in the US. The coffee company was once branded Starbuck’s biggest challenger but was hit by controversy in 2020 when claims that it raised more than USD864 million from falsified accounts. Luckin Coffee and Starbucks both announced that they would be raising prices in China this year.
Lows • Boqii, a popular pet-focused platform in China, has lost 93% of their value since 2020 and are now trading at below USD1, which could trigger them being delisted from the market. Boqii offers users a one-stop destination for pet owners in China to buy everything pet-related. On February 14, Ying Zhang, the company’s Co-Chief Financial Officer, resigned from her position due to personal reasons. • Starbucks was handed an RMB1.36 million fine after two of their outlets in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, were found to be using out-of-date ingredients. The Beijinger conducted an undercover operation in two stores in the city at the end of 2021. They obtained video footage of management and employees in both stores instructing workers to change the labels on expired goods so that they could be resold and reused in the future. A fine of RMB690,000 was given to one store, while RMB670,000 was given to the other. • Douyu, China’s popular video game live streaming platform has seen a 90% fall in share prices over the last 12 months and is under threat of being delisted. The Wuhan-based company could be taken over by Tencent to stay afloat, a claim Douyu says is “untrue”.
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Record COVID-19 Cases in Hong Kong CHINA HIGHLIGHTS
Bilibili Employee Death From Overwork Sparks 996 Debate
China to Make 6 Human Spaceflights in 2022 China has announced that it will make six manned space flights this year to complete the building of the country’s space station. The six space flights will also see the first launch of Long March-6A, China’s first rocket powered by a solid and liquid engine. In 2021, China carried out the most space launches in the world, with a total of 55. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) conducted 48 of these launches, with a total of 103 aircrafts involved in the expeditions.
COVID-19 Pill Gets China Approval On February 12, China announced that Paxlovid, an oral pill for treating COVID-19, had been approved for emergency use. The drug is made by US manufacturer Pfizer, making it the first foreign COVID-19 treatment approved for use in China. The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) announced that it will be used to treat high-risk adults with mild to moderate cases of COVID-19, as reported by Sixth Tone. The drug has been shown to reduce the risk of hospitalization and death from the respiratory disease by almost 90%.
Allegations that a worker at Bilibili died from a brain hemorrhage caused by overwork sparked more debate about China’s brutal 996 work culture. The 25-year-old died in hospital after falling ill at his home on Saturday, February 5. A hashtag started by his colleagues that trended on Weibo claimed his death was related to overwork. Bilibili denies such claims. The 996 work system refers to employees who work from 9am-9pm six days a week. Previously, Alibaba founder Jack Ma came out in support of the 996 system. The brutal work regime is common amongst China’s big technology firms. Last year the Chinese government stepped in to regulate the 996 culture, deeming the practice illegal. According to Chinese law, a standard workday is eight hours long and the maximum number of hours one can work per week is 44. Any work beyond that constitutes over time and should be paid accordingly. However, many companies still carry out the practice.
Chinese Scientists Design 4-Minute COVID-19 Test Chinese scientists have designed a COVID-19 test that can give a highly accurate result in less than four minutes, according to a study published in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering . The test uses a device that can detect the virus’ genetic material in the form of an electric signal, the study claims. The study goes on to state that the device is easy to use and highly sensitive and specific to the coronavirus that leads to COVID-19. Led by researchers from Shanghai’s Fudan University, the device was tested on more than 80 nasal swab samples from people infected with both COVID-19 and the flu and healthy individuals. The device accurately detected all COVID-19 samples in between six seconds and four minutes.
Hong Kong has seen a surge in confirmed cases of COVID-19 throughout the month of February. As of press time, the total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the city has reached over 60,000 since the beginning of the pandemic. More than 50,000 of those cases have come about in the latest wave during which new daily cases have consistently been in the thousands. In the latest wave of COVID-19, the youngest to have died is a 3-year-old girl, while the oldest is a 100-year-old female patient. Many of the city’s hospital isolation wards are at 90% capacity, as reported by BBC News. It is understood that the current wave of infections could be due to extended family gatherings over the Lunar New Year. A number of other measures have also been put in place. These include public gatherings restricted to no more than two people and the closure of many businesses and public areas.
Starbucks Rise Prices in China For the first time since 2018, Starbucks has raised the prices of their drinks. A decline in average purchases and customer transactions, paired with high operating costs and a notable store sales decrease of 14% has forced the retailer to increase some drinks by as much as RMB2. Starbucks President and CEO Kevin Johnson expects more price hikes in 2022 due to rising inflation and an increase in supply chain and labor costs. It remains to be seen if the price hike will trigger a decline in Starbucks customers. While the price increase may see a consumer shift towards more affordable coffee shops, Starbucks has the advantage of ubiquity and comfort, with branches strategically stationed close to office buildings or places of leisure. It’s going to be a hard habit to shake off. On February 13, netizens expressed outrage when an employee of a Starbucks outlet in Chongqing asked four on-duty police officers to leave the premises as they were having lunch on the coffee shop’s porch, citing their presence as a bad image for the company. MARCH 2022 | 31
BUSINESS & TECH | F E AT URE
WHAT’S THE BEEF? By Joshua Cawthorpe
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hina consumes 28% of the world’s meat and the industry is valued at USD86 billion. In the 1960s, the country’s annual per capita volume of meat eaten was just 5 kilograms. By the era of Deng Xiaoping’s ‘opening up,’ that figure was approaching 20 kilograms. It peaked in 2015 when the average Chinese person ate 48 kilograms of meat. The following year, a plan was outlined by the government to begin reducing meat consumption and its carbon footprint. 32 |MARCH 2022
According to Statista, 2020 saw the amount reduced to 44.4 kilograms per person, lower by a kilogram compared to the year before. All around the world, urbanization and rising income levels have been consistently paired with increased meat consumption. During the European industrial revolution, rapid urbanization initially resulted in an impossible demand for meat in growing cities while domestic production reached a plateau. However, in the spirit of industrious-
ness, new methods of preserving and transporting meat from North America and Australia to Europe’s urban centers helped the numbers rebound. Thus, the meat industry was globalized with annual per capita consumption in Britain rising from under 40 kilograms in the 1850s to nearly 60 kilograms by 1914, as published by the British Agricultural History Society.
F E AT URE | BUSINESS & TECH
> You can find El Gaucho on WeChat by scanning the QR code above.
As a middle class emerges in any nation, along with it comes an insatiable appetite for meat. The implementation of nutritional guidelines, campaigns to tackle food waste and major investment into artificial meat products seems to have curbed the rapidly rising consumption. Nevertheless, the industry is booming with 2020 boasting monthly meat imports ranging from USD2.2 to 3.2 billion. An outbreak of African Swine Fever caused pork prices to surge from 2018 to 2020, likely contributing to the steady increase in the demand for imported beef. Despite domestic pork production balancing the market by the summer of 2021, China remained the single largest importer of beef, up an additional 10% to 2.3 million metric tons. China’s uncontested favorite meat is pork and the country produces more than 40 million tons of it each year. The United States Department of Agriculture forecasted China’s 2021 beef production to be just shy of 7 million metric tons. As is the case with other major import markets in China, the beef business is tiered to reflect a variety of consumer preferences. Most of China’s beef imports are low-cost grass-fed products from Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. However, Reuters reports that the demand for premium grain-fed beef with more fat marbling has surged. Diplomatic tensions between Australia and China have caused exports from Down Under to fall from the number three spot. Furthermore, the discovery of two cases of mad cow disease in September led to an embargo on Brazilian beef, usually comprising the lion’s share of China’s imports, which remained in effect until December. The resulting shift has seen US beef imports replace Australia in the high-end market with the average price for American products in April 2021 sitting at USD7.83 per kilogram compared to USD7.08 and USD4.49 for Australian and Argentinian products. The staggering American appetite for burgers has traditionally led to low-
end hindquarter cuts being consumed domestically rather than being exported. Within this hierarchy of tastes in China’s meat market exists an opportunity for foreign implants to carve out a business by sourcing high-quality products favorable to the evolving palate of Chinese consumers. One such businessman is Sebastián Tosi, an Argentinian who moved to Guangzhou in 2012 to help his father get the beef business off the ground. The two started importing the staple food of their homeland, making fresh sausages and selling them by word of mouth. Later, in 2015, they officially launched the brand El Gaucho with a storefront in Guangzhou. “Back in 2014, [the industry] was still at its very early stage,” Tosi tells us. “Now purchase managers, chefs and clients are asking more specific questions concerning feeding practices of the livestock and processing methods of the meat.” The father-son duo focused their attention on the hospitality, restaurant and catering industries, rather than the ultra-competitive wholesale market, but their retail revenue is also growing. They opened a new retail storefront in Jinzhou, Hubei province last December and have their sights set on another in Changsha, Hunan.
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BUSINESS & TECH | F E AT URE
Tosi points out some noteworthy differences in the preferences of his local customers. “Beef in cubes, chunks of beef with fat, cartilage, and the insides of the animal, while having a low demand abroad, are the top choices here.” Beef is the pillar of Argentinian cuisine and 80% of the country’s supply is consumed domestically. The Argentinian government implemented limits on how much can be exported abroad to maintain a sturdy and affordable supply at home. China’s unfettered demand drove up the value of Argentinian beef but increased pandemic prevention measures at every step of the supply chain further inflated the price. “There is more paperwork to do, and more controls in every step of the supply chain. From the consumer perspective though, these new measures kicked out the suppliers who were not complying with the rules, did not have the proper facilities, or were distributing products with low standards of quality.” El Gaucho opted to absorb the additional costs and maintain their standard pricing in the retail sector to remain competitive among individual customers. The hotel and catering industry, which makes up 74% of their sales, was able to tolerate an upward adjustment in the market price. The niche for high-end steakhouses hasn’t been overlooked in China. A wellknown American brand, Wolfgang’s Steakhouse, has been making inroads around China since 2017. Wolfgang’s has two locations in Beijing, one in Hong Kong, a recent opening in Shenzhen and plans for a restaurant in Hangzhou. The label ‘high-end’ lives up to its name in the price tag, however, with dry-aged American beef being flown in and starting at RMB580 for a 350g filet mignon, not including any vegetables or side dishes.
34 |MARCH 2022
Another hat in the ring comes from Charlie’s in Guangzhou’s southern district of Panyu. Since 2014, Charlie Chen and Dave have been building a community and a reputation for not only sourcing high-quality retail products but also serving them with great reverence. We visit Charlie’s restaurant on a brisk Sunday evening in January. The little room is in stark contrast to its suburban Guangzhou surroundings, with dark rustic wood and low ambient lights — the only thing missing is the crackling of wood burning in a fireplace. To say it’s comfortable would be an understatement. Co-owner Dave, who flouts the conventions of journalism and insists we use his first name as an extension of his unparalleled hospitality, tells us that the foundation of the business is trust. “We test all the products here before we offer them, to make sure that they are the best quality for an affordable price. That’s why we opened the tasting room.”
F E AT URE | BUSINESS & TECH
Despite Charlie’s being the city’s number one restaurant on Trip Advisor for several years, they insist that the reason they opened it is simply to showcase the products available through their retail business. The call to action in 2014 came from their social circle insisting that they share their hospitality industry connections for high-quality imported meat products. Before his career brought him to China, Dave pursued a Higher National Diploma in Hospitality and spent many successful years with four- and five-star Trusthouse Forte hotels in the UK. Dave cooks all the dishes at Charlie’s himself and his expertise is evident when the food arrives. Charlie’s restaurant was recently voted Contemporary Western Restaurant of the Year in the That’s Food and Drink Awards 2021 and took home a Burger of the Year title as well. On our first visit, Chen recommends that we try the New Zealand veal. The massive bone-in shank arrives on a plank of wood with accompanying sauces and two sides. At RMB149, it’s the most expensive dish on the menu with classic fare like fish and chips or steak and ale pie available for RMB59 and RMB79. The meat of the veal shank
slides away from the bone and the mash with gravy is a taste of home. The inspiration for the business came from a frustration with the available cuts of beef at the supermarket and the exorbitant prices of restaurant steaks. Dave laments that “After you cook the beef from the supermarket, you can’t even cut it.” The two have meticulously sourced nostalgic favorites and premium cuts of meat from all corners of the globe. Their WeChat mini program lists Australian rib-eyes, Spanish pork ribs, Canadian maple bacon and Norwegian salmon filets at prices we would likely be paying in their countries of origin. Chen tells us that the new products in development are a selection of precooked meals which they intend to launch in March. Whole-roasted duck with orange sauce is one example, which could easily provide a meal for several people without the required time or expertise of cooking it at home. Other items planned for the heat-and-
serve menu include their famous BBQ ribs, chili and lasagna. This move is a sign of the times given that as many as 74% of chain restaurants in China have adopted a central-kitchen production system and more than half of those are developing ready-to-eat meals that simply require reheating, as reported by China Daily . Although this path is more labor-intensive and complex than selling uncooked ingredients, the ready-meal industry represents a worldwide trend among busy people with a lack of time, cooking ability or both. Whether it’s a personal and handson model like Charlie’s restaurant, or a distribution and sales angle like El Gaucho, one thing is certain: meat is on the menu in China. > The full retail selection offered by Charlie’s is available via WeChat with the QR code below.
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BUSINESS & TECH | F E AT URE
Entrepreneurs’ Share Their Tips and Outlook for 2022 Interview By Vickie Wang
2021 was not a normal year. As much as we all shouted, “Happy New Year!” hoping we would be putting the madness and uncertainties of 2020 behind us, 2021 still kicked our butts. Most entrepreneurs seem built for butt-kicking years. Their unique ability to roll with the punches has ensured that many of their business endeavors have not only survived but thrived in the COVID-19 era. These self-starters sell B2B software, performance-driven children’s clothes, overseas investments and even trees. Here are some of their pearls of wisdom as we head into the Year of the Tiger.
The Future Might Look Different Than Planned, and That’s OK
Promotional image for YouZeeMeZee
For some businesses, COVID-19 completely upended the original mission. YouZeeMeZee, founded by Zoe Z Pollack, began with this tagline, “Explore the world, whenever, wherever.” “I had 18 years of experience in women’s fashion, with customers in the 25-40 age range,” she explains. “And I’m still serving the same customers with this new brand.” She saw that Chinese mothers were pressed for time but they also enjoy quality time with their kids and documenting it with photos. However, the kid's clothes on offer either lacked functionality or were downright unphotogenic. She set out to create a line of clothing that looks smart, is easy to pack and is weather-adaptive. The goal was to provide high-quality, mid-range priced children’s clothing for travel. “We had to dig deep and completely rethink our products,” says Pollack. She reconnected with weather-proof textile suppliers from her former work with umbrella brand Totes. The result is a line of super lightweight raincoats that fit over students’ backpacks, but fold down smaller than your smartphone. This perfectly responded to consumer needs, since most schools now advise against students carrying umbrellas (kids use them as play weapons, of course).
Everything is Figure-out-able Entrepreneurs don’t have the luxury of saying “I don’t know how.” David Holvoet's business supplies plywood, hardwood and other building materials internationally. He says, “constant learning is required. We had to learn how to organize bulk shipments, what the implications are for packing, the complications of stowage onboard the ship and the legal aspects of chartering a vessel … I believe my main job today is to learn, study the market and explore new avenues to stay ahead of the game.” When faced with logistical issues, Holvoet’s business manager “jumped in his car and drove to Poland, Romania and Bulgaria to secure new suppliers to replace our Chinese ones.” This level of agility and proactive problem-solving kept his business competitive and increased profitability during a time when the whole world seemed paralyzed by logistics issues. 36 |MARCH 2022
David Holvoet, founder of Treecraft and Primeforest.
F E AT URE | BUSINESS & TECH
Find Ways to Create Value “Macroeconomics, investor sentiment and policy regulations are in constant change. The only thing that doesn’t change is the notion that a business must create value for its customers,” advises Kai Hong, cofounder of marketing software company JINGDigital. “All the strategies, initiatives and innovations must serve this purpose,” says Hong. Pollack also recommends steeling your nerves and focusing on what you can offer. “Don’t panic. Clarify your core values and understand what capabilities and resources your team has. Then take stock and react to the market. With enough data points, you can experiment and respond quickly, which will inform your next big step.”
Kai Hong, Chairman and Co-founder of JINGDigital
Communication is Key Communication, whether with your team or your client, also has to be transparent and effective. Andy Klump is the CEO and founder of Clean Energy Associates (CEA), which provides engineering and technical support services for PV and battery storage. He found that as meetings and marketing efforts were moved online, the messaging had to be streamlined for maximum efficacy. Klump conducts monthly meetings in two time zones to accommodate his team members. He also does one-on-one meetings with colleagues to talk about work as well as personal challenges. “It’s extra effort for me, but I find that the communication is much more effective.” They also regularly measure internal Net Promoter Scores to see where they need to improve.
Andy Klump, CEO and co-founder of CEA
Image courtesy of Bartra
MARCH 2022 | 37
BUSINESS & TECH | F E AT URE
James Hartshorn, founder of Bartra and co-founder of Nomads Wild.
James Hartshorn also had to adapt his sales and marketing efforts for Bartra Wealth, a wealth management service that focuses on investments and immigration to Ireland. It’s hard to convince clients to make the leap to a new country without having visited it. Along with testimonial content, he also recruited past clients for cozy Zoom calls with a handful of prospective clients, to allow for casual conversations that can answer customer’s questions and build trust. COVID-19 travel restrictions also inspired Hartshorn to co-found a whole other business to capitalize on the boom in domestic travel: Nomads Wild offers high-end glamping and retreat experiences, the first of its kind in China.
Build a Dream Team The consensus amongst these leaders? Your team is vital to your success. Klump considers hiring and retaining good talent his biggest mission and challenge. “I see a return to fundamentals and the importance of establishing and building a strong culture. In a changing environment, you have to invest in talent.” In the face of uncertainty, the team’s competency determines how well and efficiently the business can pivot in times of change. “I have organized my business in highly specialized and very small business units. They act quickly, a bit like a guerilla task force,” said Holvoet, “The teams are small enough to make decisions and implement changes quickly.”
“When you start a business, you often do not have sufficient funds or scale to attract experienced top talent,” said Holvoet, who credits his strong management team for their success in the last couple of years. “So we need to build the talent ourselves or grow the organization to a point where we can attract the talent.” And once you’ve built the dream team? Learn to trust them and let go. “As long as you get your work done, it doesn’t matter when you come in,” said Pollack. Her team members are all mothers themselves, so they are their own best focus group. Their office space serves as a hub where the moms get together to connect, test products and trade stories, with completely flexible work hours.
A Supportive Community Matters Many of the leaders have said the EO community has been invaluable to their business, especially in challenging times.
Hartshorn, who’s currently President of EO Shanghai, said that having a global community of like-minded people has been “amazingly beneficial, and [he is] grateful to be part of it.” “As entrepreneurs, sometimes there are things you can’t talk to your friends and family about. Some things you can’t even discuss with your staff.” EO provides a community that’s rich with real-life learnings, where entrepreneurs can learn from each other and lean on one another. “You’re not as lonely,” says Pollack. “You see how other people push through challenges and it can be very encouraging. It helps you stay sane in the face of overwhelming challenges.”
Image Courtesy of Nomads Wild
38 |MARCH 2022
F E AT URE | BUSINESS & TECH
Brighter Days Ahead? The consensus seems to be that border closure and the accompanying travel and logistical issues will remain for most of 2022. There’s a lot of optimism for growth, but everyone’s braced for some volatility. Pollack predicts a culture clash once borders open since the world has handled the pandemic in such drastically different manners. She also sees that foreign brands may have a harder time attracting Chinese consumers without local partnerships as local brands rise in popularity. “Macroeconomics are likely to be challenging in 2022, especially during the first half,” says Kai Hong. “In China, a few sectors are going to be under immense pressure – consumer goods, retail and manufacturing.” “Outlook for companies will be pretty polarized,” he expands. “Companies without strong core competencies or those that are slow to react to market or policy changes will have a hard time. Agility and the ability
to pivot will be key to success in 2022.” “We can’t be naïve and assume there’s going to be an ‘end’ to the pandemic,” says Klump. He is expecting a market correction in real estate and some tech sectors. “We’re coming out of the COVID-19 recessions with a lot of different government stimulants and we’ll see some effects of that extra liquidity in the market. We’re looking at industries that have long-term growth trends.” Klump says he’ll be monitoring the regulatory environment as well as SinoUS relations closely. Hartshorn is optimistic about 2022. He expects domestic tourism’s growth to continue, and believes that once the border does open, many industries will rebound quickly in China. “Once the decision is made, it’ll be implemented swiftly,” says Hartshorn cheerfully. “I think it’s going to be a very fun year. Once people get their freedom back, they are going to want to go out and enjoy themselves.”
Let’s hope we can all approach this year with the proactive, cando attitude and resilience of these courageous entrepreneurs, whatever the year may bring. Entrepreneurs Organization is a high-quality leadership support network for founders with over 15,000 members globally. The Shanghai chapter is now 21 years old and member companies employ approximately 8,000 people collectively. EO provides support learning and shared experiences for its members with access to the global network. EO China has chapters in Dalian, Hainan, Beijing, Taipei and Shenzhen with more coming soon.
For more information, scan the QR code.
Zoe Pollack with her directors of sales and design. Image courtesy of YouZeeMeZee
MARCH 2022 | 39
Images and text by Lars James Hamer
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40 |MARCH 2022
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COVER STORY
K ING
BULL
MARCH 2022 | 41
T
he gate of the arena is left ajar
cliff face and tumbling to the village
bullfighting not only has deep
and the two bulls lock eyes
below. Fortunately, Bai Ye Yang
cultural meaning and significance,
for the first time. Miao Ming
swings right and continues down the
but also enables them to preserve
seizes the opportunity and begins
village road with Miao Ming hot on
their culture by passing on centuries-
to charge across the muddy ring
his tail. The bulls continue speeding
old customs and traditions.
before his opponent, Bai Ye Yang,
down the street and out of sight and
can even cross the threshold. A sharp
the final bout of the festival ends
to the village of Wang Dong in
collective gasp sweeps through the
without bloodshed.
southeast Guizhou’s Qian Dongnan
crowd as both bulls are now in full
The bull (which is actually a
In January 2022, That’s traveled
Miao and Dong Autonomous
flight – a woman with a baby in her
water buffalo) is sacred to both
Prefecture to study the relationship
arms stands in their path.
the Dong and Miao ethnic groups,
between Miao and Dong people and
which makes it strange that they pit
what they call ‘King Bull.’
The faintest touch from either of the 400 kilogram beasts would send
them against each other. However,
her and her baby plummeting off the
for both of these official minorities,
Image by Lao Ma
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42 |MARCH 2022
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COVER STORY
T
he Qian Dongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture is nestled deep in the mountains of
minority groups as a whole. In 2014, when the city of Rongjiang
As more young people leave the prefecture, ancient traditions and
established its first high-speed railway
customs will struggle to live on. Wu
southeast Guizhou. To celebrate the end
station, Qian Dongnan Miao and Dong
reflects on how this could affect
of the lunar year, the village of Wang
Autonomous Prefecture became more
bullfighting. “Bullfighting is part of our
Dong hosts a bullfighting spectacle
connected to the rest of China. Cities
culture. This sport needs strong young
which sees 54 bulls go head-to-head
such as Guangzhou and Shenzhen
men because only they can control the
over 27 fights.
can be reached in four or five hours,
bulls. If those young people are not
respectively. By 2018, nearly 1.5 million
here, when their generation gets old,
The arena for the competition had been specially built at an alarming speed; when I arrived three days before the event, the cement was still wet, and locals were working through the night to complete the bull’s eye-shaped stadium. In Qian Dongnan, bullfights are only held during major festivals between January and October. “We have bullfights on the days of hai,” explains Wu Chenglong, an expert on Dong culture. “It is our tradition that we only fight on days of hai in the second, eighth and twelfth month of the lunar calendar.” Bullfighting in the region was not always a form of celebration. Wu
the whole bullfighting culture could
Into the Mountains and the Eye of the Bull
disappear.” Other bullfighting provinces, such as Yunnan and Sichuan, benefit from a large influx of tourism. Meanwhile, precious few know of the bullfighting customs of the Dong and Miao ethnic groups, and tourism to the area isn’t common. The prefecture saw a 30% decrease in the number of tourists visiting the area pre-COVID pandemic. In 2020, once the pandemic took hold, things only got bleaker, with tourism decreasing a further 60%. With a decreasing population and
explains that the Dong and Miao people
a lack of tourism, the Miao and Dong
believe that bulls were sent from God
people in villages such as Wang Dong
and they represent hard work and strength, hence why almost all villages in the region have a bull. Later, the bull became a mediator. Villages were constantly having disputes,
people from the Qian Dongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture were
are under threat. So will bullfighting be passed on to future generations?
living outside the region, almost onethird of the entire population.
fighting and even going to war with each other. During this period, too many young men lost their lives. The villagers decided that, rather than fighting man against man, they would fight bull against bull to resolve conflicts. Before a bullfight, villagers would welcome their opponent with wine, food and traditional music. This display of generosity showed there was no animosity between opponents. As time progressed and laws were established, village disputes became fewer and fewer, and bullfighting slowly became a form of celebration. In recent years, the Qian Dongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture has become more connected to the outside world, bringing significant
A local man watches on.
changes to the lives of local people and
MARCH 2022 | 43
After the fight the bull is paraded through his home village.
Without Rules, We are Nothing But Animals
The old man turns to face the ring and looks down with a wry smile, evidently pleased with the seat he’s snagged for the spectacle. By my side, a young man in a purple raincoat is preparing Xiao Hei Bao – Little Black Panther – for his fight. Like a boxer having his hands wrapped, Little Black Panther is having his horns covered with tape. Taping the horns stops the animals’ skin from being
A bull preparing to step into the ring.
pierced during the fight – a contrast to commercial fights, where trainers have been known to sharpen horns and train bulls to target the eyes. The Dong and Miao style of bullfighting imposes fines for such practices, and fights themselves are
A
limited to three minutes to avoid injury.
the river of ochre-red mud flowing
away, the contest is declared a draw. To
down the mountain path on either
separate the bulls, villagers hook a rope
side of the stadium. Despite his age,
around the animal’s leg and pull it away
he makes climbing the near-100 stairs
from the battle.
n old man, easily in his 80s
A winner is declared when the bull’s
and donning a leather jacket
opponent runs away in submission.
with a fur collar, deftly avoids
After three minutes, if no bull runs
through the middle of the stand look easy. I look down at my camera and jeans while letting out a dejected sigh;
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COVER STORY
The necessity of applying protection to the horns became evident in Little Black Panther’s fight. Standing at the back of the ring,
they are caked in mud from the fall
Little Black Panther’s eyes are fixed on
I took on my way up an hour earlier.
the steel gate he has just entered, not
A bull calmly awaits his opponent.
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COVER STORY
A group of young men prepare to welcome their winning bull out of the arena with the sound of lushengs and drums.
in the slightest bit phased by
slide under his opponent’s neck,
the thousands of spectators
eloquently named Bull 2.
surrounding him. In previous
Using his horns, Little Black
fights, when the steel gate
Panther carries Bull 2 back
opened and the challenging bull
towards the gate. Bull 2 hits the
came bounding in, more often
side of the arena and falls from
than not the bull already in the
Little Black Panther’s grasp.
ring would hold his ground,
Seizing the opportunity, Bull 2
lower his head and take the full
turns and starts to run away. In
force of the collision. However,
a matter of seconds, Little Black
Little Black Panther is built
Panther has won.
differently. A loud cheer erupts from the crowd as his opponent comes running into the ring. Without hesitation, Little Black Panther also starts running. The strategy pays off and, upon impact, Little Black Panther’s head and horns
Game face - a bull readies for battle.
Stalls selling fresh meat, toys, ice cream and other goods start to line the street on the eve of the fight.
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46 |MARCH 2022
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COVER STORY
Pre-Game
T
he rituals leading up to the
price,” explains our driver, a Yaxian
bullfight are arguably more
resident.
important than the fight itself. Not
Wu tells us that the village children
apprenticeship and a job in the future. “This kind of traditional custom is a way to pass on culture and bring people
only can they be traced back centuries,
love the bull and they will help in any
of the village together,” Wu explains.
but they also allow both the Dong and
way they can to care for it and partake
“We don’t care about how many
Miao ethnic groups to pass on their
in rituals to be close to the animal. Some
competitions we have. What we value is
traditions to younger generations.
village children will form small gangs
friendship and communication between
and learn to play flutes, drums and
villages.”
A loud crackle of firecrackers goes off around me as everyone begins to
cymbals. When they grow up, they will
Two nights before the bullfight, we
move into place. Small boys holding
provide music for celebrations during
went to the arena’s stables to visit the
flags bearing the village name are
the Spring Festival and other bullfights.
villagers who had already completed the
running up the road towards the drum
For now, they are content with carrying
stepping ground and were sleeping in
tower. Groups of men on either side
the village flags on the stepping ground.
the stables with their bull.
of the stable door start blowing their
The music during bullfights is
We sat with a group of Miao men
lusheng (a traditional Chinese bamboo
imperative, and you can’t have one
from Xiajiang village who were in high
flute), while others rhythmically bash
without the other. “We beat cymbals
spirits despite the cold and the arena’s
bass drums and cymbals.
and drums and play the lusheng,” Wu
electricity being cut. They had been
tells us. “If there’s no bullfight, then we
dining on niu bie, a hot-pot style meal
traditional Dong clothing appear from
Two young men dressed in
don’t play the instruments. It’s like a
that consists of undigested grass from a
the stables holding long bamboo canes
chain. If one link is broken, the chain will
cow’s stomach and washing it down with
hooked to the bull’s nose ring. As the
not work. If we don’t have bullfights, we
homemade rice wine.
bull trudges out of the stable and onto
don’t have music and vice versa.”
the road, the other village men, in time
Other village boys work with elders
To be polite, I necked several glasses and got very drunk very quickly. I paid
with the beating of the drum, jump into
to learn how to feed, walk and clean the
the price the next day; the few locals
the air and let out a high pitch scream.
bull. Villagers pool money together to
that weren’t surprised to see a foreigner
In descent, they all slap the bull on the
not only buy a bull but to pay the man
were surprised to see one throwing up.
back.
who looks after it. Therefore, the young
The villagers of Yaxian are conducting the ‘stepping ground.’ The stepping ground is a pre-fight ritual where the bull is taken from its home to the arena. When it arrives at the stadium, it is paraded around the ring before going into a nearby stable where it stays before the fight. The boys and men of Yaxian will walk the bull through the mountains for more than three hours to reach the arena, despite a single straight road taking them there in half the time. The ritual through the mountain is said to bring good luck to the bull. Unfortunately, this time it didn’t bring any luck at all… two of Yaxian’s bulls lost their fights. “Those bulls are famous; they’ve won many fights. If they can win again, maybe we can sell them for a good
boys that help the elders have a form of
The Spring Festival Bullfight
S
tepping outside of the hotel my
hand as she haggles over some foldable
watch beeps: 6am. The rain is
chairs, a red bull’s head stitched on the
still only coming down in a slight
back of his coat.
drizzle, but its constant downpour over
path, my clothes and camera are
of red mud flowing down the street. As
covered in mud, but I make it into the
we walk down the street, the cold air
arena. The sheer volume of people is
pierces through my coat and into my
blocking out the phone signal, making it
chest, taking my breath away. Despite
impossible to get in touch with anyone
the weather, the quiet town we arrived
or use WeChat to buy some skewers of
in three days ago is now a carnival.
meat or fried noodles. With my press
Hundreds of people are lining the
into the bull pit ready to witness 27
Liu bullfighting arena. The stalls that
bullfights over three hours.
had started to appear along the roads
A loud bang erupts as a bull comes
the previous evening have bred by the
charging in followed by hordes of men,
hundreds. Both sides of the one-lane
some with specially made garments
mountain road are spilling over with
brandishing the village’s name. In the
vendors selling barbecued meats, toys
crowd, I see the familiar faces of the
and ice cream.
Xiajiang men I had been drinking with
have knocked up make-shift tents. Those
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48 |MARCH 2022
pass hanging around my neck, I step
streets, marching towards the Ping
Between the rows of stalls, villagers
A woman snaps a quick video.
After several slips up the muddy
the last 24 hours has led to a stream
two nights before. Some younger boys were following,
that aren’t still drinking have passed out
holding ducks that would be hung to
from too many the night before. A little
the horns of the bull should it win. After
boy in front of me tugs on his mother’s
the men and boys, women dressed
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COVER STORY
head to toe in traditional clothing and silver jewelry – which can weigh several pounds – enter the arena. The final ritual, escorting the bull to the fight, is underway. By the time Cai Yuan, Xiajiang’s bull, came to the ring, we had already witnessed several fights and more often than not they ended in a draw. A good fighting bull has strong hind legs, the Miao men had told me. Cai Yuan is standing staunch with his back to the crowd. His back legs are firm like
Little Black Panther has his horns wrapped before the fight.
tree trunks. As both Cai Yuan and I standing in the ring, only one of us looks nervous (I’ll let you guess which one). I recall what the men had told me two nights before: “The bull drinks too! Every day he has two kilograms of rice wine and 40 kilograms of grass.” How would the alcohol affect the bull? I wonder whether it will be more aggressive or slower off the mark. A large roar from the crowd breaks my train of thought, as I look to my right a bull called Lian Xin is already in the ring, charging towards Cai Yuan. Unlike Little Black Panther, Cai Yuan is holding his ground, but the collision knocks him back several paces back. The two bulls
The bull and villagers get ready to run into the ring,
lock horns and push against each other. I can’t help but notice that Lian Xin is considerably bigger than Cai Yuan and he’s applying immense pressure. Cai Yuan’s bloodshot red eyes are almost bulging out of his head; the pressure is too much and he runs away in defeat. For a brief second, Cai Yuan is heading in my direction. I take three long strides to the left and my shoe suddenly sinks into a pool of mud. Rather than wriggle free, I do what anyone else would do … I pull out my camera and start shooting. Cai Yuan and Lian Xin run straight past me, close enough that I can feel the wind brush my face.
MARCH 2022 | 49
FOOD AND DRINK AWARDS THE GREATER BAY AREA Name of Category 2021 Guangzhou People's Choice
Name of Category 2021 Shenzhen People's Choice
New Restaurant of the Year Lee's Diner
New Restaurant of the Year Bunco
New Bar of the Year Bar Sanyou
New Bar of the Year FAVELA
Chef of the Year Jorge Badillo - Bandidos
Burger of the Year Baia Burger Concept (Shekou)
Mixologist of the Year Bastien - Hope & Sesame
Pizza of the Year LaPizza
Burger of the Year Lee's Diner
Mexican Restaurant of the Year Tacos
Pizza of the Year Brasston
French Restaurant of the Year La Maison
Taco of the Year Frida's Tacos & Bar
French Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year L‘Avenue
Mexican Restaurant of the Year TXMX
Italian Restaurant of the Year Azzurro
French Restaurant of the Year Orient Express French Restaurant
Brunch of the Year Blend Coffee
French Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year Fuel
Middle Eastern Restaurant of the Year Mevlana Turkish
Italian Restaurant of the Year Little Italy (Guicheng)
Restaurant
Italian Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year Mercato
Steakhouse of the Year Morton's Grille
Brunch of the Year Social & Co.
Contemporary Western Restaurant of the Year
Middle Eastern Restaurant of the Year Sultan Restaurant Turkish
LAVO Tapas & Bar
BBQ
Southeast Asian Restaurant of the Year Thai Bistro
Steakhouse of the Year Morton's Grille
Indian Restaurant of the Year Masala Bites
Contemporary Western Restaurant of the Year Charlie’s (Panyu)
Japanese Restaurant of the Year Lan Sushi & Cocktail
Southeast Asian Restaurant of the Year Thai Alley Restaurant
Sichuan Restaurant of the Year Mawang Zichuan
Indian Restaurant of the Year Rangoli Indian Restaurant
Cantonese Restaurant of the Year Xiao Bing Sheng
Japanese Restaurant of the Year Toritama
Bakery of the Year HH Bagels
Sichuan Restaurant of the Year Lukshow
Café of the Year Compass Café by CURATOR
Cantonese Restaurant of the Year Bing Sheng
Coffee Shop of the Year JoJo’s Cafè & Souvenirs
Chinese Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year Yuè Modern Cantonese
Rooftop Venue of the Year Craft Head Brewing Co
Cuisine
Craft Beer Bar of the Year Bionic Brew
Bakery of the Year Perma Bakery
Cocktail Bar of the Year DRIPLAB
Ice Creamery of the Year Mado (Taojin)
Whisky Bar of the Year FANNOU HOUSE
Café of the Year Charlie's Cafe
Chef of the Year Chef Abidin @Bunco
Coffee Shop of the Year Song's Café
Mixologist of the Year Ross York - Life on Mars
Rooftop Venue of the Year Park 10 Social
Restaurant of the Year Oggi tratoria pizzeria shekou
Craft Beer Bar of the Year Bravo
Bar of the Year DRIPLAB
Cocktail Bar of the Year Bar Sanyou
Club of the Year
Sports Bar of the Year The GOAT Live Music Venue of the Year Hooley's Irish Pub & Restaurant Whisky Bar of the Year Highland Whisky Bar Wine Bar of the Year MuST Natural Wine German Restaurant of the Year Paulaner Wirtshaus Restaurant of the Year 13Factories Bar of the Year The GOAT Club of the Year Inside
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FAVELA
Name of Category 2021Guangzhou Editor's Choice New Restaurant of the Year Memo Shawarma New Bar of the Year ATOC Burger of the Year Charlie’s (Panyu) Pizza of the Year The Pizza Factory Taco of the Year Big Bill Burritos Mexican Restaurant of the Year Bandidos Mexican Cantina Mexican Restaurant of the Year Frida's Tacos & Bar French Restaurant of the Year Sainte Maxime Italian Restaurant of the Year DaFrancesco Italian Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year Oggi Trattoria (Canton Place) Brunch of the Year 13Factories Middle Eastern Restaurant of the Year Antalya Garden Steakhouse of the Year Outback Steakhouse Contemporary Western Restaurant of the Year the eating table Southeast Asian Restaurant of the Year Tiger Prawn Vietnamese Restaurant (Yuexiu) Indian Restaurant of the Year Little Papa Indian & Nepalese Cuisine Chinese Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year Bing Sheng Mansion Café of the Year Lock Chuck Coffee Coffee Shop of the Year LaiHui Coffee Craft Beer Bar of the Year The Goat Cocktail Bar of the Year Hope & Sesame Sports Bar of the Year Morgan's Public House Restaurant of the Year Taian Table Bar of the Year Hooley's Irish Pub & Restaurant Rooftop Venue of the Year ZAPATA'S
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Name of Category 2021 Shenzhen Editor's Choice
New Restaurant of the Year Taqueria La Lupita New Bar of the Year Keg Room Burger of the Year Keg Room Pizza of the Year Artisans Mexican Restaurant of the Year Mariachi Bowls Italian Restaurant of the Year Braceria Pugliese Middle Eastern Restaurant of the Year Turquoise Steakhouse of the Year Shaughnessy Restaurant & Bar Contemporary Western Restaurant of the Year OBSIDIAN Indian Restaurant of the Year Indian Spice Japanese Restaurant of the Year Sushi Man Coffee Shop of the Year Morse Coffee Craft Beer Bar of the Year Craft Head Tap House Cocktail Bar of the Year Re-C Whisky & Cocktail Bar
Outstanding Category 2021 (EP) Editor's Choice Outstanding Restaurant of the Year Bravo Outstanding Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year ELBA - The St. Regis Shenzhen
Outstanding Classic American Bistro of the Year Hard Rock
Outstanding Afternoon Tea of the Year The Lounge - Shenzhen
Cafe - Hard Rock Hotel Shenzhen
Marriott Hotel Nanshan
Outstanding Buffet of the year OPEN Restaurant - Hilton
Outstanding Chinese Restaurant of the year Qing Ya Chinese
Shenzhen Shekou Nanhai
Restaurant - Hilton Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention
Outstanding Western Hotel Restaurant of the Year Aroma -
Center
Conrad Guangzhou
Outstanding Brunch of the year La Parrilla - InterContinental
Outstanding New Hotel Steakhouse of the Year CHAR -
Shenzhen
InterContinental Foshan New City
Outstanding Chinese Restaurant of the year El Chino -
Outstanding Hotel Grill of the Year G Restaurant - Grand Hyatt
InterContinental Shenzhen
Guangzhou
Outstanding Buffet of the year OPUS All Day Dining -
Outstanding Hotel Bar of the Year Roof Top Bar - LN Hotel Five,
DoubleTree by Hilton Shenzhen Airport
Guangzhou
Outstanding New Restaurant of the Year OPEN - DoubleTree
Outstanding Italian Restaurant of the Year Cielo 51 - Swissôtel
by Hilton Shenzhen Nanshan Hotel & Residences
Foshan Guangdong
Outstanding Buffet of the year Xili Kitchen - Sheraton Shenzhen
Outstanding Japanese Hotel Restaurant of the Year YUU -
Nanshan
Hilton Foshan
Outstanding Buffet of the year The Shenzhen Kitchen - JW
Outstanding High-end Chinese Hotel Restaurant of the Year
Marriott Hotel Shenzhen Bao'an
The Peach Blossom- LN Garden Hotel, Guangzhou
Prime-Rib House Of The Year Westwood Fire & Smoke
"Outstanding Chinese Restaurant of the year" Yue - Sheraton
Outstanding Italian Restaurant of the Year La Terrazza - Grand
Zhuhai Hotel
Hyatt Shenzhen
Outstanding Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant of the Year Limoni
Outstanding Afternoon Tea of the Year Palm Court - The
- The Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou
Langham,Shenzhen Outstanding Chinese Restaurant of the year Yue Lu Xuan Icon Lab Hotel Shenzhen Science Park 52 |MARCH 2022
GOLDEN FORK AWARDS 2021 Bravo Rangoli Indian Restaurant Roof Top Bar - LN Hotel Five, Guangzhou The Peach Blossom- LN Garden Hotel, Guangzhou Aroma - Conrad Guangzhou Hooley's Irish Pub & Restaurant The Happy Monk (Kingold) Morgan's Public House Mado (Taojin) Slow Life Kitchen Elite
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FOOD
Sophia's Kitchen: The Tale of How Tamales Came to China p58
Sinoviniculture P55
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Jonas Emil Coffee Roasters P56
SINOVINICULTURE Uncorking China’s Winemaking Potential By Joshua Cawthorpe
G
rapes have been grown in the Middle Kingdom for more than two thousand years. The diplomat and historian Herbert Alan Giles asserted that the plant and the knowledge were brought to China from the Greek Kingdom of Bactria by Chang Chi’en in 126BCE. However, grape wine represented an insignificant portion of Chinese liquor production until much more recently. In 1892, an officer of the Qing government established the Changyu winery in Yantai, Shandong province, which remains one of the country’s dominant brands. At the time of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, annual wine production was estimated at below 100,000 liters per year. Production capacity grew significantly during the 1980s as red wine became more popular in Asia. Fast forward to 2015, Forbes reported that China had squeezed past France into third place to take the silver medal in total vineyard-area with 799,000 hectares. Despite allowing China onto the podium for grape cultivation, the year prior saw France and Spain produce 4.67 billion and 4.16 billion liters respectively – far beyond China’s modest 1.11 billion liters. In 2015, China imported an additional 395 million liters of wine, of which a whopping 166 million liters was of French origin, as per Decanter. Nonetheless, the government recognized the opportunity to capitalize on the favorable climate and labor costs of inland provinces. Where the big name brands like Changyu, Great Wall and Dynasty had focused on Eastern coastal regions, these new ‘sustainable economic development’ and ‘natural
resource management’ initiatives focused their sites on the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region – specifically the eastern foothills of Helan Mountain. In 2003, Ningxia was growing only 2660 hectares of grapes. That number more than doubled by 2005 and then exploded to nearly 40,000 by 2014. In a surprise twist, the Ningxia government opted to incentivize the boutique ‘chateau winery’ strategy rather than allow the major players from the previous decades to monopolize production in the region. China’s obsession with imported wine is testament that many consumers in China view Changyu, Great Wall and Dynasty as cheap and unpleasant. The emphasis on quality, competition and reputation within the ‘chateau’ strategy aims to help Ningxia break into the international marketplace using the playbook of the world’s most storied wine regions. Where the government does play a significant role has been in organizing international winemaking competitions to promote the region. Furthermore, the local government sends the winemakers of Ningxia on trips around the world to learn and explore the famous winemaking regions of France, Australia and elsewhere. The local universities and authorities are also focused on developing ways to modernize the industry as the demand continues to expand, as described in a paper published in EDP Sciences about sustainability in the region. Some projects aim to reduce the number of fertilizers used in the region, mechanize the laborintensive processes of cultivation and record crushed grape volumes as well as production volumes to prevent counterfeit wines damaging the Ningxia region’s reputation. A government initiative approved in May 2021 aims to bolster production in the region to rival one of the world’s
most famous wine regions: Bordeaux, France. The goal outlined in the 15-yearplan aims to increase production to 600 million bottles by 2035, surpassing the 522 million bottles produced in Bordeaux in 2020. Another benefit of the ‘chateau’ model has been the rise of winery tourism in the region. If production was limited to large-scale mega-factories then we would be unlikely to see groups of tourists riding bicycles down country roads from one winery to another. One such ‘chateau’ is September Helan which opened in 2012. September Helan’s winemaker is Gao Yujie, who got her Master’s in winemaking at Ningxia University. She tells us that small wineries can optimize the specific ‘terroir’ or soil composition of their vineyards and react to variable factors like the weather because they don’t need to standardize production the way large-scale wineries do. That’s tried three of September Helan’s wines, all from the 2017 vintage – their dry Chardonnay, Petit Verdot and Syrah. Scan the QR code to learn more about the winery watch us try these wines.
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Jonas Emil Coffee Roasters Interview by James East
J
onas Emil Carlson left his home in Sweden at 14 years old because of the country’s potato shortage. Potatoes were a staple of the Swedish diet, and the blight caused widespread famine. With little more than the clothes on his back, Carlson decided to seek a better life in the United States. The new world imposed many changes on the young man, but one thing that did not change was his love of good coffee. That love of coffee has been passed down for two generations. Jonas Emil Carson’s grandson, and founder of Jonas Emil Coffee Roasters, David Henry, tells That’s about his business and also gave us some great coffee making tips. What brought you to China and why Shanghai? I came to China 25 years ago as the first stop in a grand vagabond scheme. I had taught English in Taiwan many years earlier and I figured I would spend a few years on the Mainland and just work my way around the world. I sent my resume
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to many universities in China and got a job at Shanghai International Studies University. What was supposed to be a waystation on my grand world tour became a home. I had a very rewarding 20-year teaching career. When I arrived in Shanghai, the only coffee you could find was instant coffee. I remember going to the Huating Hotel thinking I could get a decent cup of brewed coffee there, only to be served instant. I found some old local restaurants that served coffee popular with the older Shanghainese people. It was very dark, very strong and very bitter. I think I would appreciate it more now, but back then I didn’t like it at all. I gave up drinking coffee for several years and drank tea instead. Then my son started working for a small coffee roaster in the United States and I thought that was just what Shanghai needed. I talked about opening a coffee roastery for years but nothing happened until I met my Chinese business partner. A very good chef, he had come from the countryside
to work in the restaurant industry here. He found that employment in the big city was often unstable. I told him about my plans for a coffee roastery and he said we should do it. It’s been a fruitful relationship. Fifteen years later we’re still partners. Our beans come from all the major coffee-growing regions around the world. For example, our Ethiopian Sidamo comes from small-hold farms in a single woreda, or district, of several villages. Our coffees from Mexico and El Salvador each come from a single farm. What flavors do you offer? Is there something for everyone? Taste is subjective. There is no perfect coffee for everyone. That’s why we offer a wide range of flavors. Our single origins are mostly lighter, medium roasts because we want to preserve the fruitiness of the beans. But that fruitiness is different depending on the coffee: sweet fruits (strawberry jam, mango, grapes) in Costa Rica, apple in Colombia, apricot in Yunnan; red wine in Kenya. Our Mexican coffee has a light lemony accent to its predominantly earthy flavors. Unlike most of our single origins, we roast our Yunnan coffee to highlight its smoky qualities over its apricot acidity. Sumatra is the only coffee we roast both medium and dark. Sumatra is naturally low in acidity. We like to keep the touch of red plum and longan flavors in the medium roast, but many customers like the deep rich flavor with virtually no acidity of the dark roast. Our Shanghai Silhouette blend is our best-selling coffee because the price is friendly and the flavor is full and well balanced. This blend has been developed over time with small changes and adjustments. There is no fixed recipe because coffee characteristics
change from season to season. So, we are regularly adjusting the mix to achieve our target profile. Can you give our readers some tips about how to make the best coffee at home? This is a question I was more eager to answer when I was new to the industry. Now I get stymied by all the contradictory advice. The basics are well documented. Use 13-18g of ground coffee to make an 8oz cup of coffee. Use the same spoon every time you make coffee. A full-rounded Chinesestyle soup spoon is a good starting point, somewhere within the 13-18g guideline. It won’t be long before you know just how much coffee in that spoon makes a strength you like to drink. Buy the best quality freshly-roasted coffee you can afford. Freshness is the key. After a coffee finishes roasting, it continues to develop. Some may reach peak flavor 3-5 days after roasting. Some blends don’t peak for 10 days. After that, the flavor slowly starts to deteriorate. You want to make coffee with beans that are as close to their peak as you can. Buy a grinder and grind only as much as you intend to use. Coffee keeps its flavor better when in whole beans. 101 different coffee-making hacks will improve your coffee incrementally, but none of them will make as big a difference as grinding your own beans. How should I store my beans? There are four elements you want to avoid when storing coffee. Air. Keep your coffee in an air-tight container and open only when you have to. We put a one-way air valve in our packages so you can roll up the bag tight and squeeze out excess air when you’re ready to put the coffee away. Moisture. Keep your coffee beans dry. Don’t keep beans in your refrigerator because it’s moist. Coffee also absorbs odors that might be present in the refrigerator. In climates with high humidity, you want to minimize exposure to the moist air as
best you can. Light. Light speeds up the degradation of coffee flavor, so better not to keep your beans in a clear glass container. Better to put them in an opaque ceramic one. Heat. Don’t store beans near an oven or stove where the temperature may get very hot.
Freezing beans will help preserve the flavor for a long time as long as you are not opening and closing and refreezing beans. We think it’s better to just buy what you need for two weeks and then buy more from your favorite coffee roaster.
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Sophia’s Kitchen: The Tale of How Tamales Came to China By Sophie Steiner
S
ophia Song started Sophia’s Kitchen four years ago as a hobby that grew out of her love for baking – cinnamon rolls, specifically. A series of serendipitous events found her baking tamales, a highly sought-after product that helped her gain a lot of traction in the Mexican and American Shanghai expat communities craving a taste of home. We sat down with Sophia to learn more about how a northern Chinese girl got into baking – cinnamon rolls, pies, cakes, bread and of course, tamales. Many agree that Sophia’s tamales are some of the most authentic you can find in China. How did you get into baking? I always had a passion for food and grew tired of my mom’s recipes, so I started searching for something different. From a young age, while my friends went shopping or hung out on the weekends, I looked up recipes online. I started cooking at home and eventually, after studying Business English in university, gained access to an oven where my love for baking truly started. I always wanted to keep it as just a hobby. In 2016 I worked for Hyatt
where the head Pastry Chef asked me if I wanted to join her team. I refused, however, still wanting to pursue my interest in my own way. At the beginning of 2017, I traveled to the Philippines and tasted Cinnabon for the first time. I instantly fell in love and, after returning to China (trying messily to sneak some in my suitcase), I couldn’t stop thinking about them. Then and there I decided I needed to share my love of cinnamon rolls with China. I tried out different recipes and shared them with my eager-to-taste friends. Based on the positive feedback I got from everyone, I ultimately decided to quit my job and pursue baking full time, even though many people in my life thought I was crazy. I started advertising on Chinese platforms, but I found that most Chinese people don’t know what cinnamon rolls are, so I changed my tactic to Facebook groups, and the expats living in China responded in droves. Initially, I was baking at home, but after a year of dealing with neighbors complaining about me baking at all hours, I moved to an official store and named it Sophia’s Kitchen. Why do you focus primarily on tamales? To clarify, I have never actually been to America or Mexico before. However, one of my Mexican-American friends taught me to make his favorite food from home, and I instantly fell in love with tamales. About a month after starting my baking business, I made tamales and
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posted about them online. Immediately, many of my customers reached out to see how they could purchase them. Over time, I perfected my recipe, added in a variety of different flavor profiles – like mole, green and red salsa, jalapeño and cheese, guava cream cheese, etc. – and my business began to grow rapidly. I realized that, while cinnamon rolls are a sweet treat, people love to stock up on tamales because they can be stored easily and prepared quickly when people don’t have time to cook an entire meal. Tamales soon overtook my baking business as my most in-demand product. That's the story of how a Chinese girl brought a love for tamales to China, despite never having tasted 'the real deal' herself. I like to keep a tight menu to ensure that all products have the highest quality and best taste. I mostly focus on tamales and cinnamon rolls. This year, I started selling a few different kinds of pies around the holidays, as well as seasonal products like conchas, pan de muerto (for the Day
In the past two years, I've had some customers that couldn’t return to China, and many others left. This pushes me to reach new people by trying out new marketing avenues and products.
of the Dead celebration in Mexico) and Rosca de Reyes (for the Dia de Los Reyes celebration in Mexico). Where did you learn to make tamales? My customers often ask me this, and the answer is quite simple. I’m neither a professionally trained cook nor baker, I just have a strong passion for baking that came out of searching for and testing out recipes. I spend most of my free time watching YouTube videos about baking and cooking and combine the good ones to make my own recipes. Funnily enough, I have never actually tried tamales other than the ones I’ve made. I just used the feedback from customers and ended up with a product that everyone says reminds them of home. How do you source the ingredients for making your tamales? The most important ingredient is maseca, which is the cornflour for the tamale dough. When I started in 2017, there was only one imported brand available in China, Red Mill. It was so expensive and there wasn’t a stable flow of it, so many times I was left with no available product. Also, the Mexican chilis were nearly impossible to source. Many of my customers would bring me back bags full of dried chilis from the USA and exchange them with me for more tamales. A pretty good deal if you ask me. After a year, I found a reliable supplier. They even sell Mexican chilis.
My biggest issue is price fluctuation, but sourcing has gotten easier over time. My biggest challenge is the supply of ingredients because the key ingredients are imported. There are steep markups on these products that have only gotten more drastic because of COVID. Slow shipping also caused my supplier to run out of stock for nearly three months last year, and recently butter prices have increased 50%. All of these fluctuations affect my ability to serve my customer base. But for the most part, people are understanding. There have been times that I have felt discouraged, but many of my regular customers have consistently thanked me for providing them with a taste of home and that encouragement gives me the strength to keep doing it, despite a few grumpy customers along the way.
What would you like Sophia’s Kitchen to grow into in the upcoming years? When I started Sophia’s Kitchen, I only thought of it as a hobby. I did not expect it to grow into a real business that has survived four years already. But my goal for the business is still the same as it was at its inception – I want everyone who tries my products to enjoy them. In the future, I want to make sure that goal stays at the forefront of my mind. I don’t want to grow so big that I sacrifice quality or the personal connection I have with my customers. I want to continue growing my customer base and trying out new products, but – most importantly – I want to maintain the core business I have now. How can tamale lovers around China purchase your products? I use SF Express to deliver all products, as they have the best and fastest service. This September, I designed a WeChat mini-app for Sophia’s Kitchen so anyone in China can see the product offerings and purchase directly through WeChat.
How has your business grown or changed throughout COVID-19? I think most businesses have faced problems during COVID-19, especially those like mine that rely on a mostly expat customer base.
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FAMILY Expat Pregnancy Rights p64
Class Clown P61
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Full House P62
READING CORNER Book recommendations from That’s editorial team.
The Genius Under the Table: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain “I had always tried to make my pictures on my Grandma’s table look like the world as it appeared to me, but after listening to my parents that night, I drew a picture of the world as I wanted it to be.” Author and artist Eugene Yelchin recounts his childhood in Cold War Russia as he doodles under the massive family table. Expected to fulfill high hopes for the family but confused over family dynamics, this story follows all of the drama packed into such a tiny apartment shared by a boisterous family.
Long Road to the Circus This is for any silly kid - or adult - who wants to get out of their small town and break into a big world. The book, written by Betsy Bird and illustrated by Caldecott Medalist David Small, follows twelve-yearold farm girl Suzy Bowls as she learns to ride an ostrich in 1920’s Michigan. How on earth did she stumble across ostriches in the middle of Michigan in the ‘20’s? For that you’ll have to join her family as they welcome her uncle back to town and discover what he’s up to when he’s skipping his chores.
CLASS CLOWN
Cooking Class with Grandpa Xu on Douyin Made famous by Douyin, centenarian Grandpa Xu has gained 230,000 followers by teaching how to make traditional Beijing dishes on the popular video-sharing platform. Xu began to upload his cooking videos after a family discussion encouraged him to share the skills he learned after a career working for a famous Beijing restaurant. His personality is known for being funny but meticulous with plenty of stories about his life. He and his family both never expected that his cooking videos would garner over a million views. Screenshot via ecns.cn
ECO HOME
Is Bamboo Toilet Paper Really Eco Friendly?
whogivesacrap.org
Putting aside simply cleaning with water guns and hands, bamboo toilet paper is being sold in the West at premium prices in crappy-themed packaging with big claims. Sellers say it’s better than typical booty paper for both health and the environment. The good news is that while you’re in China, bamboo toilet paper actually is better for your bum and more sustainable, as it’s not being shipped from one tiny corner of this country to who-knows-where across the ocean. Once you leave China though, opt instead for partially or completely recycled paper, as trendy demands for bamboo can lead to deforestation to make room for the cash crop. Though to be fair, Who Gives A Crap brand has small farm deals for their bamboo products to avoid deforestation. They have a 100% recycled option too.
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THAT ISN’T PROJECT-BASED LEARNING
Examining School Projects with Kyle Wagner By Vanessa Jencks
O
ut of the following scenarios, which is genuinely project-based learning (PBL)? • A student must create a website about her favorite aquatic species found within the neighboring waters of Hainan. • Students test different potted vegetables to see which conditions cause the best yield as apart of a structured science experiment. • A teacher asks her class how students can help address the problem of bullying within their own school, helping the bully and the bullied. If you’re not sure which to pick, you are among a group of schools, teachers and parents unsure about how to identify and create meaningful PBL experiences. We asked Hong-Kong-based coLearning Experience Designer and former High Tech High educator, Kyle Wagner, to explain to our readers what makes
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PBL unique. Wagner has made a professional mission to help walk alongside over a thousand educators around the globe to take the theory of PBL into the classroom. By the end of this article, readers should be able review the first three scenarios and distinguish which is a first step for PBL. “There are three major differences between simply a project you take on and PBL,” Wagner explains. These three things all link together, and can be summarized as real audience, continued reflection, and agency and purpose. “One of the greatest components of PBL is that you have a real audience to share with, beyond just the teacher.” A real audience will lead to real world reactions, with small success or failures pointing to the student’s work needing to be adjusted to keep moving toward success. That “can’t be quantified by a grade” and is closer to what students will experience beyond school in their careers and lives after being students. “Really good project-based experience is going to live on forever, and it's going to be something that [students] keep consistent feedback and reflection on throughout the whole process.” Wagner points out that real world projects require multiple drafts and multiple iterations to solve a problem. PBL doesn’t result in one type of project for learning, nor is it to reflect learning that’s already taken place, to prove that a student
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learned something. “Project-based experience is something that's deeper. It's something that's not just one set outcome that everyone's going to all do together. It's something that is guided by a process and a question.” Teachers giving students a project to make a book about their summer vacations would not be an example of PBL. Wagner juxtaposes this with clear examples. “If the question is, ‘How can we build a love of travel in our community through digital media?’ then you're going to get a lot more deviation and divergence of what students might produce.” Through guidance, students will produce meaningful answers in response. “Yes, some students might produce a book, but others might produce a video that they want to share. Some might produce an event in which they're sharing all the places in the community to potentially visit and how to make the most out of a summer vacation.” Student choice or agency in determining both the medium and the answer separates projects from projectbased learning. “Perhaps some are working with a travel agency, and the travel agency is struggling in becoming relevant. Or they're putting up a blog of all their travels. There are multiple different products because there was a question that was open enough, but focused enough to be about summer travel, to offer students multiple ways in which they answer that.” Wagner adds “What’s most important about PBL is not the project itself, but the learning that takes place because of it.” Wagner describes his professional development work as a “privilege of serving thinking schools and educators and designing more socially, globally, emotionally aware citizens. The professional development Wagner provides is different in that it is immersive for the educator, taking
theory into actual practice as they design PBL experiences together to implement. It also requires the teacher to take on the role of a student in going through a PBL experience so that they also can understand the problems students will face. Unlike many trainings provided to teachers that are a kind of “fire hose of different strategies,” Wagner walks with educators through a longterm relationship he describes as “full transformation” that will take commitment and work from the school and teacher. “There are always dilemmas that come up. Whether that's connecting better to the community or asking questions about integrating standards and curriculum, assessing a complex way of learning or encouraging parent engagement.” Through Wagner’s platform, he connects educators with others across the globe to help them wade through these dilemmas. Wagner cautions schools to say they’re about PBL unless they’re all in. “If the school wants it to be the primary vehicle of learning, it can't be something
just done on the side.” If you’d like to learn more about how to implement PBL or find out about Wagner’s offerings, head to transformschool.com or email him at kylewagner@transformschool. com.
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Expat Pregnancy Rights Steps Teachers Can Take When Private Schools Refuse Maternity Rights By Vanessa Jencks
A
dirty secret in the education industry is the lengths some private schools will go to to avoid fulfilling pregnancy and maternity rights laws. Though these schools claim to be for children, when they fail to provide women with their legal right to maternity leave and benefits, they exemplify that they are only about the bottom line of profits. Due to a language barrier, fewer social connections and an often inadequate understanding of Chinese Labor Law, international female employees are a particularly vulnerable group to such practices. That’s spoke with teachers who have first-hand experience of such practices and followed up with a lawyer who told us how to avoid being taken advantage of by such schools. Cara Blitz, a pseudonym, is fighting with a “very well-known” international school in Ningbo, Zhejiang province. She is also running a WeChat group to help others find the information they need to challenge schools that illegally block or change an employee’s maternity leave. “The group is meant to inform and empower pregnant women as well as their partners. We have rights. Don’t 64 |MARCH 2022
settle for less,” Blitz writes in the group. “The law is on your side. The only way they win is if you roll over.” Over 200 women have learned how to find and make complaints at labor bureaus thanks to the group. Chinese law explicitly states that foreigners are included in the national maternity law and this information is readily available for group members. Additional resources, such as birth plan contracts, ayi contracts, bilingual translations of laws and more are also available. Blitz and other members share first-hand experiences of illegal “tricks” schools will use to get out of their legal responsibilities. For example, asking teachers to resign before their maternity leave starts, refusing to renew a contract until one year after a child’s birth or claiming the employee was supposed to inform the school of the pregnancy before signing a contract. They also share anecdotal stories with silver linings, like a woman who left China and the school after they denied maternity rights. “She hired a lawyer and won the case from abroad,” Blitz explains. A member of the group, Laura
Baucom, explains her battle. She met with her school’s general manager who is also the son of the founder and owner of the company. He listened attentively about how the school is blocking all her rights and agreed to give her the full benefits she is owed and even apologizes. Baucom explains it is the first time someone had “spoken to [her] like a human” at the school. Sadly, things don’t turn out the way the general manager said they would. “They sent me the agreement to sign and absolutely nothing that was discussed was included. Now, we are back to fighting with them. I have gotten some things, but we’re still working.” Blitz is documenting all the dates and times the school has used tactics to deny her rights, such as HR ignoring written requests for the school to pay social insurance. The school retaliated by releasing a handbook outlining that foreign teachers can only receive four weeks of maternity leave. An expat Head of School falsely claimed that “Certain laws apply only to Chinese citizens. In the case of maternity leave, Chinese citizens pay into social
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insurance that covers their maternity leave, at a minimal rate of pay. This is not currently available to non-Chinese citizens.” Blitz decides to bring legal documentation explicitly stating that foreign employees are included, the Head of School refuses to listen and later says he is doing everything to help her. Blitz is still a few months away from the birth of her child when the school’s HR demands that she bring a lawyer to the school. After months of fighting, they finally agree to 128 days of maternity leave but reduce her salary to RMB 4,000 per month. They also demand a birth permit to honor the maternity rights, which foreign women are not required to have to give birth. Additionally, HR refuses to pay her housing allowance and her contract bonus until Blitz returns to work after her maternity leave. Blitz eventually returns to work after her maternity leave, but the bonus is still not paid and instead, the school demands she resigns to receive the bonus. Furthermore, Blitz is threatened with litigation if she “distributes slan-
derous statements regarding the school or its employees… which may damage the reputation of the school.” Along with all of this, the school applies significant and callous stress to Blitz while she is working. Blitz needs to take time during work to breastfeed her child, but the school gives her a larger teaching load to cover what she is missing. “It is meant as punishment,” Blitz says. “They also wanted me to come back to work two weeks after my C-section, even though they knew my son was sick.” Blitz’s son was diagnosed with a congenital disease that often leads to death in newborns. The stress of fighting for her wages and the time off work has taken a toll on Blitz and she admits to depression and suicidal thoughts. She is taking anti-depressants and therefore had to stop breastfeeding. However, that doesn’t stop Blitz from fighting. After months of fighting, she finally wins arbitration and receives her full wages. “During the case, I needed to prove that I was married and that China recognized our marriage. They nearly refused to award maternity benefits
because the marriage certificate is in English. Luckily, I had three certificates and one of them had a Chinese embassy stamp of authentication.” Steve Li of Shanghai’s Sino Par Law is a well-known attorney and often gives legal work advice to expats in the country. Li says, “The employer should pay social security for the employed foreign personnel.” Li notes the Interim Measures for Foreigners Employed in China to Participate in Social Insurance as a reference. “If an employer recruits foreigners, it shall register for social insurance within 30 days from the date of applying for the employment certificate and participate in the basic pension insurance for employees, employees’ basic medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, unemployment insurance and maternity insurance.” Though many schools say that it’s a greater financial burden on both the school and the employee as both must pay into the social insurance, teachers find that this becomes a big issue during maternity discussions and green card applications. Next, Li addresses claims that foreigners aren’t covered in maternity law. “The Special Regulations on Labor Protection for Female Employees promulgated by the State Council stipulates that employers shall not reduce employees’ wages on the grounds of pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. Foreigners are not excluded from the scope of application of this provision. Foreigners who are employed in accordance with the law are entitled to basic 98-day maternity leave.” What if your school isn’t paying for social insurance? Li explains that, though the Social Security Department will not pay maternity leave allowances if neither the employer nor employee is contributing to the fund, the employer still needs to fulfill their obligation. “In this situation, the employer will not be exempt from the obligation to pay wages during maternity leave.”
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Schools may fight hard to get teachers to not take their full maternity leave because, without support from social security, the cost of having to cover maternity leave is very high. Li notes that some cities have policies that allow for more maternity leave under certain circumstances but should not be less
than the basic national allowance. “The number to call for further information on local policies is 12333.“ Li’s last piece of advice is in view of employee rights and the law being on the side of the employee. “If the employer fails to pay social insurance as required by law, the employee can re-
Here are some tips to avoid being caught in this sort of situation. Please note these tips are anecdotal and do not constitute legal advice. Don’t work for schools that don’t pay social security or maternity. In the That’s January 2022 issue, CEO of Teaching Nomad Brett Isis mentions that China’s job market is currently favorable for teachers as demand is high, but supply is low. If you know you’re going to start a family in the next couple of years, don’t work for schools that don’t fulfill their obligation on maternity leave. Of course, make sure you check the school’s policy with both the recruiter and the school. Ask to see teacher handbooks, read the work contract for the policy, ask for a real example pay stub with private information blacked out to check that social security is being paid and speak to teachers at the school about these policies during the interview stages. If a school refuses to provide this information, it’s a red flag. When you decline to work for that school, tell them why. It might not change the situation for you but if enough teachers (both male and female) complain, schools may change. If you’re already working at a school that refuses to pay maternity benefits, get all of their statements of refusal on record. Digital copies from official emails are the best records due to the timestamps. However, in writing with signatures on letterheads and stamps are also sufficient. Additionally, WeChat messages can be used as evidence in Chinese courts. If the school refuses to write down their statements and only wants to speak to you in person, do not accept a meeting unless they agree to it being recorded and
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that all present state their name and work position at the school. They still might refuse, so try your best to take notes, record dates, times and, if possible, take a witness. Keep and document all pay stubs along with costs you incur due to refusal to pay maternity benefits or allow maternity leave. Some women have been advised that the school has to break the law first by not paying maternity wages before a teacher can sue. Keep evidence of the financial burden the school puts on mothers of newborns, from ayi costs to lawyer fees, as they may be included in the settlement. File complaints at your local labor bureau and SAFEA. Sometimes all that’s needed is complaints to offices that deal with the school’s ability to obtain work permits for foreign teachers and the labor bureau. In this case, several complaints from multiple teachers are better than just one teacher complaining. Unfortunately, some women have found that lower-level government workers are not informed about the application of maternity law in regards to foreigners. In this case, make the complaint in person and show the law to the workers. If complaints with these organizations are not successful, don’t be deterred. Judges in arbitration will ultimately determine that the national laws regarding maternity rights have precedence.
quire the employer to cover the losses. Take action such as reporting them to the labor bureau or suing to make sure wages are fully paid.” Email steve.li@sinoparlaw.com for inquiries on representation in Shanghai or a referral to other capable attorneys.
Ask your lawyer to send an official notice to your school warning them that, if reasonable discourse does not meet a satisfactory outcome, you will pursue your rights. It is advisable to pursue all opportunities to resolve the issue out of court. If HR and the principal refuse to let a teacher talk to the school’s owners, this notice may be the only way to force their hand. Going down this route will reflect incredibly well on the teacher if all other opportunities for settling the matter are pursued. For some women, when complaints did not solve the issue, an official letter from a lawyer was enough. Go to court. If all else fails, go to court and sue for your rights. Chinese law is weighted heavily in favor of the employee. Some city government bureaus will even publish the news of these lawsuits on their official WeChat accounts when the cases are solved.
That’s
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MARCH
Horoscopes
Finally, a horoscope that understands your life in China. By Joshua Cawthorpe
Pisces
Aries
Taurus
2.20~3.20
3.21~4.20
4.21~5.21
Jupiter will be in the realm of Pisces until May. Remember that the heftiest planet’s gravity is what sucks up the asteroids that enter our solar system. Take this as a sign that you should let your own girth increase. Beach bods are out. Jupiter bellies are in.
Enough with the all for one and one for all nonsense. You aren’t a Musketeer. Focus on improving your own situation and don’t burden yourself with the worries of your peers. You can’t love someone else if you don’t love yourself.
You will be recognized for your hard work this month. And with hard works comes more responsibility. Just don’t get tricked into doing it for the same salary. Stand up for yourself.
Cancer
Leo
Virgo
Gemini
5.22~6.21 March should be a month of selflessness for Gemini. Pay close attention to the needs of those around you and give without expectation. Your creativity will blossom in the month of March.
Libra
6.22~7.22
7.23~8.23
8.24~9.23
9.24~10.23
Jupiter, the planet of belief and being ‘extra,’ rules the month of March. Jupiter will join the Sun after the new moon in the first half of the month and bolster Cancer's search for spirituality and knowledge. Be careful not to let this sudden attraction to the occult get you wrapped up in any multilevel marketing schemes.
Keep your eyes peeled for Venus in the first week of March and let her love flow through you. Passion is your power this month so if you were lonely on V-Day then get out there in March and let relationships evolve. It’s time for your romantic metamorphosis.
Sometimes you need to cut people off in order to make room for new opportunities. If you find yourself in a rut then maybe take a look at not what but who is dragging you down.
When was the last time you went to the dentist? It’s almost ice cream season so stop pretending that the ‘sensitivity’ will go away. Problems that are out-ofsight are the most dangerous because they are easily ignored.
10.24~11.22
11.23~12.21
12.22~1.20
Capricorn
Aquarius
It’s a well known fact that Valentine’s day is a conspiracy concocted by Scorpios to make more Scorpios. We’re onto you.
Expect to get sick this month. You can choose to live with an abundance of caution and pile on the healthy habits. Or you can gorge yourself with pizza and beer. Either way, the stars are aligned for you to get a cold.
Flights are dirt cheap in the wake of the holiday. Take a weekend trip and explore this vast country. Don’t work too hard.
Mars passes into Aquarius on March 5 and this can be empowering to Aquarians. Beware, however, because the darkness inside might want to get out. It might want to walk around. It will want some walkin’ around money. It’s gonna to buy some new shoes.
Scorpio
Sagittarius
1.21~2.19
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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
GTC RESIDENCE BEIJING One of the top residences in Beijing, GTC Residence is located beside the third ring road with 5 minutes’ walk to subway line 5 , 10 minutes’ drive to Hou Hai . It is also within easily reach of CBD, embassy area, Financial Street and other urban commercial,shopping and recreation areas. Fully equipped apartments with impeccable quality offer you a cozy living system and will meet all of your requirements for room decoration, furniture, electric appliances etc.. Unique sky garden with golf practice field and barbecue area is another symbol of GTC Residence. > sales@gtcresidence.com, website: www. gtcresidence.com Tel:56756666 Beijing Lianbao > Unite 1C, Building 7, Xingfu Yicun Xili, Chaoyang District 朝阳区幸福一村西里7号楼1C (6415 8001, 138 1093 6118, hanxingyue1127@126. com)
Oak Chateau Beijing Oak Chateau Beijing has 236 stylish and contemporary fully serviced apartments from studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, three-bedroom and four bedroom suites available, measuring
64 to 260 square meters. There is a 24-hours guest reception, and housekeeping is offered twice a week. Nestled within the landscaped gardens of the Ocean Express commercial and residential complex, Oak Chateau Beijing is very close to the third Embassy Area and shopping and dinning services at the Beijing Lufthansa Center. There are only 19 kilometers to the Beijing Capital Airport. > 北京市朝阳区东三环霞光里 66 号远洋新干线 D 座 邮编 100027 Block D, Ocean Express, 66 Xiaguang Li, Third East Ring Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100027, P.R.C Tel: (86-10) 84465888 Fax: (86-10) 84465999 Email oak.chateau@oakchateau.com Website: www. oakchateau.com Oakwood Residence Damei Beijing The only serviced apartment in the city that has its own in-house supply of natural hot spring water supply. Expansive city views are available from floor to ceiling windows with the apartments situated from level 23 to 35 in the building complex. The 171 stylish contemporary serviced residences range from studios to threebedroom apartments and offer an elegant range of amenities and facilities to ensure each resident’s stay is comfortable and well taken care of. > Building No.1 Damei Center, 7 Qingnian Road, Chaoyang District Beijing 北京市朝阳区青年路 7 号 达美中心 1 号楼 Tel: 86-10 8585 2211 (8:30am-5:30pm) 86-10 8585 2888 (5:30pm-8:30am) Fax: (86-10) 8585 2666 website OakwoodAsia.com
HOTEL NEWS XIAMEN The Westin Xiamen Welcomes New General Manager Previously holding the same position at the Crowne Plaza Fuzhou Riverside and Crowne Plaza Fuzhou South, Jacky Zhuang brings his talent and experience to the Westin Brand. Over the past 30 years, his career path spans Xiamen, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Shanghai and Fuzhou. A Xiamen native himself, Zhuang intends to elevate the guest experience in ways that he says, “build an enduring love for our hotel.”
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SHENZHEN
SHANGHAI
The Lounge Launches Flowery Teatime for Spring
The Art of Drinking at the St. Regis Shanghai Jingan
From the start of March to the end of April, The Lounge at Sheraton Shenzhen Nanshan is offering afternoon tea inspired by the blossoming flowers of springtime. Enjoy Jasmine and Pomelo Chocolate Cake, Osmanthus and Pear Cake and Roselle and Rose Cake with rich aromas and colorful motifs to bring you out of winter’s frigid grasp.
The St. Regis Shanghai Jingan presents an exquisite new bar program to celebrate the art of drinking, featuring a selection of 15 cocktail recipes inspired by five New York neighborhoods and “The Violet Hour”, a ritual dedicated to celebrating the transition of day to evening, presented by talented bartenders throwing martinis.
GUANGZHOU
Yet to Open Guangzhou Marriott Hotel Nansha Welcomes New GM Guangzhou Marriott Hotel Nansha proudly welcomes Eric Wang to the role of General Manager. Continuing an illustrious career with Sheraton properties and the opening of Aloft Guangzhou Tianhe, Wang intends to make a splash with the June opening of the Marriott in the Greater Bay Area.
A Skincare Flavored Afternoon Tea at the Jing An Shangri-La From now through mid-August, the Jing An Shangri-La launches the co-branding afternoon tea in partnership with the German luxury skincare brand Augustinus Bader. Taking inspiration from Augustinus Bader’s classic ‘The Rich Cream,’ the creative culinary team has prepared a menu that focuses on ingredients that are known for their beneficial skincare properties. Lemon Scented Yoghurt Mousse Tart with Cucumber Caviar, Green Tea and Coconut Tofu Cheesecake, Olive Oil Bavarian with Red Wine Blueberry Compote and a Chicken Mushroom Avocado Sunflower Roll provide a luxurious addition of omegas, minerals and vitamins to rejuvenate the skin while relaxing the mind.
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SCHOOL NEWS SHANGHAI
Hurun Founder Rupert Hoogewerf Kicks off Dulwich Horizons 2022 Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong were thrilled to kick off their 2022 Dulwich Horizons speaker series with none other than Rupert Hoogewerf, founder of The Hurun Report. Publisher of the annual China Rich List, The Hurun Report is one of the most influential business media outlets in China and around the world. Hoogewerf shared his personal story of entrepreneurship with a group of 12 high school students at a round-table discussion, sharing advice gathered from 20 years of experience with the aspiring entrepreneurs.
Dulwich Puxi Excels at FOBISIA Literacy and Numeracy Festival Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi came first in China and 16th overall in Asia in the FOBISIA Primary Literacy & Numeracy Festival 2022. The event involved students from top British international schools across Asia. Students achieved remarkable individual scores; a testament to the strong foundations in literacy and numeracy they build in the College, and a credit to the hard work of the students and their teachers.
TEDx at Wellington Wellington College International Shanghai pupils showed that they, too, have plenty of ‘ideas worth spreading’ with their recent TEDx Youth @ WCIS conference. This event was led and organized entirely by pupils. Under the theme of ‘Solve for X,’ eight pupils from Wellington’s Prep and Senior Schools planned, wrote, rehearsed and delivered presentations on subjects ranging from cellular biology, the construct of time, dealing fear and saving the environment.
SCIS Food Truck Fun SCIS Grade Seven and Eight design students teamed up to create a food truck business. They designed their truck in Adobe Illustrator, made a logo, created a fictitious menu combining two cultures, then chose one item from that menu to cook for others. After three weeks of experimenting with ingredients, testing their culinary skills, and gathering feedback, students shared their creations with the school. 70 |MARCH 2022
YCIS Girls in STEMM Before the Chinese New Year break, 10 YCIS Secondary girls from Pudong and Puxi and four Science Department teachers came together for their first company visit to ExxonMobil as part of the Girls in STEMM program. Girls in STEMM is an initiative to help close the gender gap in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, maths, medicine) fields by engaging girls in STEMM early on. Students were selected based on their interest and passion for the initiative. In the upcoming two months, the students will visit another four top companies, including Henkel, Coco-cola, Merck and Dell.
GUANGZHOU
Concordia Students Take on Real-World Marketing Challenge Survival skills for the 21st Century are at the heart of the Applied Learning Business & Finance course at Concordia International School Shanghai. Students recently worked with local start-up Loop Swim to complete a marketing challenge. The high schoolers were tasked with creating a marketing strategy to launch a teen sustainable swimwear brand in China through e-commerce on a start-up budget. They also learnt that one can generate profits while at the same time being a positive driver of change in the world.
CIS Invites Partners and Sponsors for the Maker Faire in May
FOSHAN
On May 13, the vibrant community of families, teachers and innovative students from the Canadian International School of Guangzhou will join the broader maker network in celebration of curiosity and creativity. CIS offers a variety of sponsorship opportunities that can be tailored for you to promote your brand and engage with this intriguing and insightful group. Email marketing@cisgz.com to inquire.
Lady Eleanor Holles Hosts Open Day in March School Day Open Day gives you and your families an awesome opportunity to gain a feeling for LEH and a broad picture of school life. Therefore, LEH Foshan cordially invites all prospective families to join us on Friday, March 11, to meet the Headteacher, tour the school and ask questions. Please register for one of the three periods that best fits your schedule.
BSG Students Sleep Under the Stars The British School of Guangzhou sent students hiking and camping for their Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh International Awards. The DofE helps young people build confidence and resilience while gaining unforgettable and enriching life experience.
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