Hey, hey!
During the last couple of months we have traveled to a few places around China. In December we went together with Sam's family to Harbin where they organize an annual ice festival. In April my dear parents and brother joined us to Xi'an to see the Terracotta warriors. And then we have done some more sightseeing around Beijing (incl. the Great Wall a couple of times) and to Shanghai with my friend Magnus. All this has been for leisure.
Earlier this week I went for my first business trip outside the big modern cities. We went to a rural area called Luzhou in Sichuan province. As usual, everything was much bigger than one would first imagine. This "small town" had a city centre with almost half a million people, far bigger than many of the "big" Swedish cities. All in all, including the surrounding villages, 5 million people lived in this area. We visited some of the more rural areas.
What was new to me, at least to this extent, was the Chinese business culture and relationship building. We met with local government authorities, including the mayor. They all showed big hospitality. Hospitality here meant that they took us around and treated us for meals. An important part of these meals, whether it was lunch or dinner, was the never-ending toasting with the locally produced Luzhou lao jiao - a spirits brand famous nationwide.
For one of the dinners, they took us to a supposedly very good Sichuan (= super spicy) fish restaurant along the river. They ordered fish dishes of all kinds. The fish was from the river. I usually have no problem in trying new kinds of food. However, I knew that the river was extremely polluted. I did not eat too much more than vegetables, and I only took a sip of the drink when they emptied the glass. Every other minute they had a reason to toast. In addition, the conversation was all in Chinese. Not an easy situation...
Luckily my colleague managed it all very well. And I had a chance to speak a bit of Chinese. All in all a good experience, even though I would not like to go back too soon again, hehee. Hopefully we set the foundation for a successful project.
Bye, bye!
2009-05-01
2009-04-29
The latest news from Pyxxxyxxg...
is not about a new balisxx missxles test nor about re-activation of its nuclear reactor... nor about it rejoining the six-party negotiation table (fat hope!)...
What is it about then?
It is about the FIRST ITALIAN RESTAURANT OPENS IN PYOXGYXXG!
Take a look at the delectable pizzas and pastas serving up onto its dining tables:
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-04/28/content_11274872_4.htm
Taste? Hopefully one of its customers will blog about it or give the restaurant a food critic review on North Korea's http://www.cityweekend.com.cn/ equivalent soon.
What is it about then?
It is about the FIRST ITALIAN RESTAURANT OPENS IN PYOXGYXXG!
Take a look at the delectable pizzas and pastas serving up onto its dining tables:
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-04/28/content_11274872_4.htm
Taste? Hopefully one of its customers will blog about it or give the restaurant a food critic review on North Korea's http://www.cityweekend.com.cn/ equivalent soon.
2009-04-25
Nothing ever comes easy...
I think about my granny every now and then. When I walk home from work... when I lay awake in bed... when I see elderly people. I dream of her in what I think quite often too.
I miss her and I owe her alot. I can never forget the day when she carried a feverish me on her bent back, climbed the seemingly insurmountable stairs of the overhead brigde, and eventually got me to the doctor. I wonder how she is doing at the otherly world.
I had never done enough for her and I do not have the chance to do so anymore either. But if i were to be given another chance again, I quite believe that I will make the same mistake still.
I assess myself as someone who doesn't really know how to value kinship. I live by my very rigid set of principles that are paramount to all relationships, it seems.
Thou needs to be fair, I always say. And yet, there is no fairness when it comes to relationships. How can one be objective when it comes to his/her own kind? Worse, what if one is torn between two of his/her own kinds?
The web of relationships is always changing, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. Sometimes the threads get stronger, sometimes they just snap off. Just let them be and let nature take its course.
If granny is still around, what will she say to me?
I miss her and I owe her alot. I can never forget the day when she carried a feverish me on her bent back, climbed the seemingly insurmountable stairs of the overhead brigde, and eventually got me to the doctor. I wonder how she is doing at the otherly world.
I had never done enough for her and I do not have the chance to do so anymore either. But if i were to be given another chance again, I quite believe that I will make the same mistake still.
I assess myself as someone who doesn't really know how to value kinship. I live by my very rigid set of principles that are paramount to all relationships, it seems.
Thou needs to be fair, I always say. And yet, there is no fairness when it comes to relationships. How can one be objective when it comes to his/her own kind? Worse, what if one is torn between two of his/her own kinds?
The web of relationships is always changing, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. Sometimes the threads get stronger, sometimes they just snap off. Just let them be and let nature take its course.
If granny is still around, what will she say to me?
2009-03-19
Happiness is...
... when you share not only the good times, but also the SICK times with your love ones.
2009-03-07
Carl Bildt in Beijing
Breakfast seminar with Carl Bildt:
The Swedish Chamber of Commerce organized a breakfast seminar with the Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs during his trip to China. I was there together with almost 100 other attendees, most of them Swedes, including my boss - Ericsson's China President.
On Bildt's agenda was topics to discuss with the Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs related to Sweden's upcoming EU presidency. China is in this respect of course an important party to talk to since many of the global issues of today have to be solved together with China.
Bildt also shared his views about the current financial crisis and his worries about governments being to protectionistic. That being said, he was still optimistic that the world would be able to ride out from this storm. Right now, the situation is very extreme.
For example, Germany's car park will be exchanged in 17 years with the current pace, whereas in practise consumers will most likely start to buy new cars sooner than that because of technology advancements and the fact that many cars will not last that long.
Carl Bildt elaborated a little bit on Sweden's role and prospects in the global economy. He thought that Sweden together with countries that met the Asian crisis in 1997 would be able to marginally manage better than other countries, due to our previous experiences from tough financial times and simply because we are currently in a better financial shape than many others. Already, Sweden had helped Iceland and the Baltics with loans and financial support.
All in all, it was an interesting seminar with interesting insights and perspectives.
Olof
The Swedish Chamber of Commerce organized a breakfast seminar with the Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs during his trip to China. I was there together with almost 100 other attendees, most of them Swedes, including my boss - Ericsson's China President.
On Bildt's agenda was topics to discuss with the Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs related to Sweden's upcoming EU presidency. China is in this respect of course an important party to talk to since many of the global issues of today have to be solved together with China.
Bildt also shared his views about the current financial crisis and his worries about governments being to protectionistic. That being said, he was still optimistic that the world would be able to ride out from this storm. Right now, the situation is very extreme.
For example, Germany's car park will be exchanged in 17 years with the current pace, whereas in practise consumers will most likely start to buy new cars sooner than that because of technology advancements and the fact that many cars will not last that long.
Carl Bildt elaborated a little bit on Sweden's role and prospects in the global economy. He thought that Sweden together with countries that met the Asian crisis in 1997 would be able to marginally manage better than other countries, due to our previous experiences from tough financial times and simply because we are currently in a better financial shape than many others. Already, Sweden had helped Iceland and the Baltics with loans and financial support.
All in all, it was an interesting seminar with interesting insights and perspectives.
Olof
2009-02-17
Run... as if you have never run before
We are sincerely inviting our friends to run with us in the Lidingoloppet China.
Lidingoloppet is an annual Swedish cross country running race that takes place in Lidingo island situated 10km from the city center in Stockholm. The race is considered as the largest cross country running race in the world with its 30K track in tough terrain. Lidingoloppet has more than 40 year’s of history as the first race was held in 1965, and by that time Lidingoloppet attracted as many as 644 runners. Today, as many as 30 000 runners from 25 different countries line up at the starting line in Lidingo every autumn.
And now, it has come to China.
http://www.nordicways.com/english/index.php/category-573.html
What better excuse can you find to come visit us in Beijing than to test your physical limits? I think it would be enormously fun to train, in different parts of the world, for the same event, only to eventually convene at the same place and run like we have never run before.
Plus, Lidingoloppet China is happening around the midsommer period in the Swedish calendar, so all the more fun there will be!
Lidingoloppet is an annual Swedish cross country running race that takes place in Lidingo island situated 10km from the city center in Stockholm. The race is considered as the largest cross country running race in the world with its 30K track in tough terrain. Lidingoloppet has more than 40 year’s of history as the first race was held in 1965, and by that time Lidingoloppet attracted as many as 644 runners. Today, as many as 30 000 runners from 25 different countries line up at the starting line in Lidingo every autumn.
And now, it has come to China.
http://www.nordicways.com/english/index.php/category-573.html
What better excuse can you find to come visit us in Beijing than to test your physical limits? I think it would be enormously fun to train, in different parts of the world, for the same event, only to eventually convene at the same place and run like we have never run before.
Plus, Lidingoloppet China is happening around the midsommer period in the Swedish calendar, so all the more fun there will be!
2009-02-10
Less Is More.
The fireworks freeflow party finally ended with a loud bang. And a very very loud bang indeed.
Fire sparks liberated from fireworks set off at the top of a sparkling, newly built landmark building next to thy grande CCTV tower brought the former down into absolute ruins in mere 4 hours. Down feather beds, silk bed covers, the fine porcelain meant for diners, all ended up in black fumes. The building was meant to be another of Mandarin Oriental's luxurious hotel.
One fireman had been confirmed killed in his line of duty. What a shame! He lost his precious life because of the stupidity of some.
For 16 consecutive days, the Chinese people have been shooting fireworks in the sky non-stop. They did it even during day-time. No kidding, dude. So far, so good. Until last night, almost at the final hour, when allegedly illegal fireworks were set off at the top of this fine building that was the hard work and architectural fine art of internationally famous Rem Koolhaas. According to reports, these fireworks were much more powerful than the ones most civilians were using, and which actually required permit from the authorities before they are allowed to be set off.
So, that's the price to pay for trying to be what we Singaporeans would say hao lian, meaning "show off".
And to be candid, we are quite sick of the fireworks and the ever exploding hum in the background. This fireworks freeflow party had indeed outdone itself.
But, it's all over now. As in REALLY over. We believe that fireworks and all sorts that are even the slightest explosive will be banned within the 5th ring road of Beijing city next year. Good for us urbanites who can get some peace and not worry about our hair catching fire by mistakingly walking pass a fireworks party. Perhaps pity the ruralites who will most likely see an influx of fireworks-armed enthusiasts marching into their compound and set their skies, hopefully not their homes, on fire.
Fire sparks liberated from fireworks set off at the top of a sparkling, newly built landmark building next to thy grande CCTV tower brought the former down into absolute ruins in mere 4 hours. Down feather beds, silk bed covers, the fine porcelain meant for diners, all ended up in black fumes. The building was meant to be another of Mandarin Oriental's luxurious hotel.
One fireman had been confirmed killed in his line of duty. What a shame! He lost his precious life because of the stupidity of some.
For 16 consecutive days, the Chinese people have been shooting fireworks in the sky non-stop. They did it even during day-time. No kidding, dude. So far, so good. Until last night, almost at the final hour, when allegedly illegal fireworks were set off at the top of this fine building that was the hard work and architectural fine art of internationally famous Rem Koolhaas. According to reports, these fireworks were much more powerful than the ones most civilians were using, and which actually required permit from the authorities before they are allowed to be set off.
So, that's the price to pay for trying to be what we Singaporeans would say hao lian, meaning "show off".
And to be candid, we are quite sick of the fireworks and the ever exploding hum in the background. This fireworks freeflow party had indeed outdone itself.
But, it's all over now. As in REALLY over. We believe that fireworks and all sorts that are even the slightest explosive will be banned within the 5th ring road of Beijing city next year. Good for us urbanites who can get some peace and not worry about our hair catching fire by mistakingly walking pass a fireworks party. Perhaps pity the ruralites who will most likely see an influx of fireworks-armed enthusiasts marching into their compound and set their skies, hopefully not their homes, on fire.
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