How many cities of 7 million people, capital of an area of 90 million people, have you never heard of? Would you imagine HMG has no diplomatic representation there when we have to the Vatican, Luxembourg, Uruguay and Nepal)? Welcome to Jinan, not even the largest or richest city in Shandong Province of which it is the capital.
I have now done three formal banquets with Mayors or Governors. There is a formal custom in China when dining with guests. One has to eat fast as the dishes are replaced every four or five minutes. One can get up and wander round the table toasting the guests. And the top leaders have large delegations. It’s not polite to finish your plate; it’s important to show that there is plenty to go around. It also shows a commitment to friendship that one will go through this ritual several times before real issues are discussed.
I have been reading a great book called 'Vermeer's Hat', which explores the history of voyages and trade during the era of Vermeer – the Dutch baroque painter. I like the fact that China then (mid 17th Century) would only allow traders in if they called themselves “Ambassador”. Also that Chinese porcelain could only be called 'export quality' if it was third grade or worse. Also, at this time China's silver supplies came from Peruvian mines, via Amsterdam and Manila. Who said globalisation was a new phenomenon?
The day which started at 5 am in Chongqing, ended after midnight in Guangzhou. Four nights of three hours' sleep are taking their toll. The next day we got on a coach with the Mission to Zhuhai. The coach was freezing. I asked for the heating to be turned on. There was none because normally only the airconditioning is needed. 33 per cent of the world's airconditioners are manufactured in Zhuhai. Zhuhai is a bit like Nice: a port city with promenades and tourist hotels. And it is tiny, only 1.5 million, no bigger than Birmingham, the UK's second city.
I was leading missions in both Jinan and Zhuhai, exploratory in that we were trying out second-tier cities, and in the sense of establishing contacts. The clear conclusion is that there is a plethora of opportunities, a vast marketplace and the need for far more resources than is conceivable for us to use if we are to do justice to the opportunities.
Hong Kong was a startling contrast. It is not so much China 30 years on as China on steroids; more familiar and strong governance. The rule of law is the key ingredient. A UK Supreme Court judge sits on the HK highest court. I always love Hong Kong. I came here for my thirtieth wedding anniversary. I also came in 1996, just before the handover and stayed with the Governor, Chris Patten. We had no idea then just how successful the transfer of power and the future economy would be.
The HK programme was packed. Two major speeches, a dinner with big movers and shakers and a lunch with major investors. It is good to see HK as a hub for UKTI but also working regionally with Guangzhou.
Suddenly being on the 54th floor, with a view of HK harbour, with an old print in the bedroom of HK as a small outpost of the empire, reminds me of the oddity of the shift from wilderness to empire to metropolis. The constant is the charm of the HK people - natural business people, they make you want to strike a deal – a skill that’s not easily taught but our OMIS teams are getting better at every year.
2 comments
Comment by Bhuvan posted on
Interesting article. HMG has diplomatic representation in Vatican, Luxembourg, Uruguay and Nepal but not in large Chinese cities.
Comment by Bhuvan posted on
Interesting article. HMG has diplomatic representation in Vatican, Luxembourg, Uruguay and Nepal but not in large Chinese cities.