From http://www.leconomic.cat/neco/article/4-economia/18-economia/417194-som-atractius-per-a-la-xina.html (in Catalan, by Anna Pinter)
"You need to have more visibility and be more flexible"
Diao Minyou is the President of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), a governmental organization devoted to the promotion of the commercial relationship between China and the rest of the world, as well as to the main trade shows in which China takes place. He has recently visited Barcelona to present Construmat, the construction trade fair that will be held in Beijing in 2012 thanks to a collaboration agreement between Fira Barcelona and the CCPIT. Minyou thinks that a mentality change is needed to improve the flow of investments between the two countries.
Q: Who will be benefited the most by duplicating Construmat in Beijing in 2012?
R: We have chosen this alliance with Fira Barcelona because we think this is a win-win relationship. In China there is a growing demand of high-quality construction products which are also environmentally respectful. On the other hand, for Spanish companies and for Fira Barcelona it is a very good opportunity for promotion there. We organize the main trade shows of the sector and we think that it will be beneficial for all of us in a few years.
Q: Is this the first deal that you sign in Spain?
R: Before the economic crisis we already did a trip to València, but we were not able to reach an agreement. We tried to participate in one of their trade fairs but they told us that they could not accept more exhibitors.
Q: Does this mean that it is a closed door for the future?
R: Not necessarily. The goal of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) is to help companies to sell or invest abroad and, thus we are always ready for that; but it is true that opportunities pass and if chances are not taken sometimes they can be lost forever, like in the case of València. If we had started collaborating four years ago, now we'd already be on harvest time.
Q: Do you think we are prepared to attract Chinese investments?
As of now, I think that the main problem is the Spanish mentality. You need a mind more open and flexible to foreign investments and the failure of the relationship with Fira València is a clear example of this lack of flexibility. First of all, you need to change your mind and later you should work harder to promote your country. Once you change your mentality, Chinese companies will be ready to invest more here.
Q: Which is the image of Catalonia in China?
Catalonia, as a potential candidate to attract Chinese investments , is mainly an unknown country. You need to get more visibility and then it will be easy to establish agreements.
Q: Which are the sectors and companies that are abroad
R: Practically they have just started foreign investments and because of this there are great opportunities.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Is Catalonia attractive enough for China?
From http://www.leconomic.cat/neco/article/4-economia/18-economia/417194-som-atractius-per-a-la-xina.html (in Catalan, by Anna Pinter)
The Asian giant has stopped being a country that only received foreign investments, to transform itself into a powerful investor abroad. In order to adequately compete for these Chinese resources, Catalonia has to improve its current low international visibility.
China, a country that until recently mostly received foreign investments, now has adapted to its new role of investor. As Chinese companies grow, they need to set themselves near the markets they target and they look for places where to establish. Santi Santamaria, director of the Shanghai chapter of the agency for the international promotion of Catalan economy, ACC1Ó, thinks that because of the measures currently undertaken by Chinese government, investments abroad can be booming in three years time.
According to date from Invest in Catalonia, a public organization to promote foreign investments in the country, as of today 30 companies with Chinese capital have recently established in Catalonia, such as the producer of home appliances Haier or the shipping and logistics company Hutchinson, that operates in the Barcelona port.
Apart from these companies, negotiations are open with two car makers. One of them is Huachen Automotive Group, producer of Brilliance cars, that on May 14th, 2011, signed an agreement with Catalan government to evaluate the possibility of opening a factory in Catalonia as a base camp for a later expansion to other European markets. This option is not to be dismissed, since this is one of the ten largest car makers in China and that also produces cars for BMW. The other ongoing process is that of Chery group, that in September 2010 showed interest in opening a car factory in Catalonia that could create some 3,000 new jobs.
Some of the most important investments that have been made in Europe recently are those of the brand Haier, a truly giant of home appliances that has its European headquarters in Italy, or those of technological companies such as Huawei or Lenovo. The latter is the main computer brand in China and it also has a portion of the IBM shares. According to forecasts, many others may follow their steps soon.
With so many possibilities in sight, Catalonia wonders whether it is attractive enough for China.
All the experts have coincided that the Achilles' heel of Catalan economy is its lack of visibility in China. Diao Minyou, president of the China Council for the Promotion of the International Trade (CCPIT), has declared to L'Econòmic that this lack of visibility is severe. According to Pedro Nueno, professor at IESE and expert on China that has helped to attract some investments, "the most usual situation is that Chinese people can't even locate Catalonia on a map". This diagnosis was shared by Carlos Hernández, general manager of a consulting company established in China for the last 4 years and that is helping Spanish companies. He states that "not even Spain is well known" and that the few things that Chinese people identify are the stereotypes of bull fighting and flamenco, which are not so good when it comes the time to attract industrial investments.
The biggest problem becomes that the industrial possibilities of Catalonia are largely ignored, which means that in many cases it is not even listed when potential locations are considered. And something that adds to the difficulties is the bad opinion that many foreign people have nowadays about the Spanish economy, as reflected by the specialized press. According to Carlos Hernández, "it is necessary to work harder to increase the visibility of our country". Santi Santamaria says that visibility is a key subject, because Chinese companies want to carefully evaluate their potential partners and, if the country is not well known, "then there are no investments to be done".
Now it seems to be the moment to start a marketing campaign for the promotion of Catalonia in a country like China, with 1.3 billion inhabitants and that has been one of the few in the world that in the midst of the recent economic crisis has been able to steadily grow at a minimum 9% rate -and has no plans to decrease. Despite so, Leilei Ma, a Chinese consultant living in Catalonia for the last two decades and that is helping Chinese companies to invest here, explains that the actions for the branding of Catalonia should be more practical than the ones applied until now. “Opening an office there and officially visiting the country once is not the way", says Ma, who thinks that Catalonia is not also well ranked by people highly skilled in Chinese. If we want to attract multinational companies, it will require that we become attractive for highly educated people that would know both languages and both cultures.
According to Pedro Nueno, if Catalonia overcomes these disadvantages, then it could become a land with great interest for Chinese investors. "I am convinced that things will happen this way, because our industrial base is highly diverse and this makes us unique in Europe". Prof. Nueno also has high hopes that some of these Chinese car makers that are evaluating where in Europe to establish might land in Catalonia. Local car industry has a good reputation thanks to two big brands, Seat and Nissan, and to all the other smaller satellite companies around them that provide service to the larger ones, which are playing now an essential role in attraction of new, foreign investments.
As Amadeu Jensana from Casa Asia says, "costs here are more competitive as compared with the rest of Europe. However, the logistics of the quick connection with Europe need to be solved if Catalonia wants to presented itself as a platform for the access to this European market. "It would be important to finish the railroad connection with Europe and improve the rest of the railroad lines". And not only a good land connection with Europe is important, a good connection with China by air is also essential. According to Carlos Hernández, that a direct link between Catalan airports and Asian ones does not exist yet is something that has to be improved as soon as possible.
Invest in Catalonia says that in the recent months a growing trend of Chinese investments in Catalonia has been observed. Claudia Danesi, responsible for foreign investments, says that since January they have received three missions of Chinese businessmen and that they are currently working on the development of different investment projects. "We are working to attract Chinese companies to profitable economic sectors".
However, some people are worried that if too many Chinese investors are attracted here, Catalonia is going to have less trade with Germany, France, and Italy, which have been the largest investors so far. Emilio Mulet, Spanish delegate at the China Council for the Promotion of the International Trade (CCPIT), considers that attracting Chinese investments is just a matter of time. "Now Chinese people are focusing their investments where prime matters abound, and Catalonia is a mature economy". That's the reason why the most important investments a abroad are happening in African or Southern American countries that are richer in natural resources and that have industrial sectors still to develop. "In many cases, they reach agreements with local governments to extract natural resources in exchange of the construction of infrastructures". Another different feature of Chinese investments is that nowadays 60% of their multinational companies are state-owned and they don't get into a country by buying local companies but by starting a new investment from scratch. Instead, investments in Europe are mostly happening through the acquisition of existing, leading technological companies.
The challenge for Catalonia is to increase visibility and increase positions in strategic sectors, if it does not want to be the last runner in this tough race.
The Asian giant has stopped being a country that only received foreign investments, to transform itself into a powerful investor abroad. In order to adequately compete for these Chinese resources, Catalonia has to improve its current low international visibility.
China, a country that until recently mostly received foreign investments, now has adapted to its new role of investor. As Chinese companies grow, they need to set themselves near the markets they target and they look for places where to establish. Santi Santamaria, director of the Shanghai chapter of the agency for the international promotion of Catalan economy, ACC1Ó, thinks that because of the measures currently undertaken by Chinese government, investments abroad can be booming in three years time.
According to date from Invest in Catalonia, a public organization to promote foreign investments in the country, as of today 30 companies with Chinese capital have recently established in Catalonia, such as the producer of home appliances Haier or the shipping and logistics company Hutchinson, that operates in the Barcelona port.
Apart from these companies, negotiations are open with two car makers. One of them is Huachen Automotive Group, producer of Brilliance cars, that on May 14th, 2011, signed an agreement with Catalan government to evaluate the possibility of opening a factory in Catalonia as a base camp for a later expansion to other European markets. This option is not to be dismissed, since this is one of the ten largest car makers in China and that also produces cars for BMW. The other ongoing process is that of Chery group, that in September 2010 showed interest in opening a car factory in Catalonia that could create some 3,000 new jobs.
Some of the most important investments that have been made in Europe recently are those of the brand Haier, a truly giant of home appliances that has its European headquarters in Italy, or those of technological companies such as Huawei or Lenovo. The latter is the main computer brand in China and it also has a portion of the IBM shares. According to forecasts, many others may follow their steps soon.
With so many possibilities in sight, Catalonia wonders whether it is attractive enough for China.
All the experts have coincided that the Achilles' heel of Catalan economy is its lack of visibility in China. Diao Minyou, president of the China Council for the Promotion of the International Trade (CCPIT), has declared to L'Econòmic that this lack of visibility is severe. According to Pedro Nueno, professor at IESE and expert on China that has helped to attract some investments, "the most usual situation is that Chinese people can't even locate Catalonia on a map". This diagnosis was shared by Carlos Hernández, general manager of a consulting company established in China for the last 4 years and that is helping Spanish companies. He states that "not even Spain is well known" and that the few things that Chinese people identify are the stereotypes of bull fighting and flamenco, which are not so good when it comes the time to attract industrial investments.
The biggest problem becomes that the industrial possibilities of Catalonia are largely ignored, which means that in many cases it is not even listed when potential locations are considered. And something that adds to the difficulties is the bad opinion that many foreign people have nowadays about the Spanish economy, as reflected by the specialized press. According to Carlos Hernández, "it is necessary to work harder to increase the visibility of our country". Santi Santamaria says that visibility is a key subject, because Chinese companies want to carefully evaluate their potential partners and, if the country is not well known, "then there are no investments to be done".
Now it seems to be the moment to start a marketing campaign for the promotion of Catalonia in a country like China, with 1.3 billion inhabitants and that has been one of the few in the world that in the midst of the recent economic crisis has been able to steadily grow at a minimum 9% rate -and has no plans to decrease. Despite so, Leilei Ma, a Chinese consultant living in Catalonia for the last two decades and that is helping Chinese companies to invest here, explains that the actions for the branding of Catalonia should be more practical than the ones applied until now. “Opening an office there and officially visiting the country once is not the way", says Ma, who thinks that Catalonia is not also well ranked by people highly skilled in Chinese. If we want to attract multinational companies, it will require that we become attractive for highly educated people that would know both languages and both cultures.
According to Pedro Nueno, if Catalonia overcomes these disadvantages, then it could become a land with great interest for Chinese investors. "I am convinced that things will happen this way, because our industrial base is highly diverse and this makes us unique in Europe". Prof. Nueno also has high hopes that some of these Chinese car makers that are evaluating where in Europe to establish might land in Catalonia. Local car industry has a good reputation thanks to two big brands, Seat and Nissan, and to all the other smaller satellite companies around them that provide service to the larger ones, which are playing now an essential role in attraction of new, foreign investments.
As Amadeu Jensana from Casa Asia says, "costs here are more competitive as compared with the rest of Europe. However, the logistics of the quick connection with Europe need to be solved if Catalonia wants to presented itself as a platform for the access to this European market. "It would be important to finish the railroad connection with Europe and improve the rest of the railroad lines". And not only a good land connection with Europe is important, a good connection with China by air is also essential. According to Carlos Hernández, that a direct link between Catalan airports and Asian ones does not exist yet is something that has to be improved as soon as possible.
Invest in Catalonia says that in the recent months a growing trend of Chinese investments in Catalonia has been observed. Claudia Danesi, responsible for foreign investments, says that since January they have received three missions of Chinese businessmen and that they are currently working on the development of different investment projects. "We are working to attract Chinese companies to profitable economic sectors".
However, some people are worried that if too many Chinese investors are attracted here, Catalonia is going to have less trade with Germany, France, and Italy, which have been the largest investors so far. Emilio Mulet, Spanish delegate at the China Council for the Promotion of the International Trade (CCPIT), considers that attracting Chinese investments is just a matter of time. "Now Chinese people are focusing their investments where prime matters abound, and Catalonia is a mature economy". That's the reason why the most important investments a abroad are happening in African or Southern American countries that are richer in natural resources and that have industrial sectors still to develop. "In many cases, they reach agreements with local governments to extract natural resources in exchange of the construction of infrastructures". Another different feature of Chinese investments is that nowadays 60% of their multinational companies are state-owned and they don't get into a country by buying local companies but by starting a new investment from scratch. Instead, investments in Europe are mostly happening through the acquisition of existing, leading technological companies.
The challenge for Catalonia is to increase visibility and increase positions in strategic sectors, if it does not want to be the last runner in this tough race.
Monday, May 30, 2011
FC Barcelona wins UEFA Champions League
From http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/futbol/temporada_10-11/arxiu_partits/champions_league/final/jornada01/Barcelona_Manchester/partit.html and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_UEFA_Champions_League_Final (in English)
The football section of famous Catalan sportsclub FC Barcelona has won the 2011 edition of the UEFA Champions League after defeating Manchester United by 3-1 in a sublime performance. The match raised a big expectation worldwide, as stated by this report by Catalan television channel TV3, in which a group of hardcore Barça fans from Beijing celebrate the 4th UEFA Champions League of their favourite team. It is also interesting to state that renowned Taiwanese-Catalan entepreneur Dídac Lee is member of the present Board of Directors of the club, leading the Technology Area (New Technologies).
For those that missed the game, see a 13-minute summary of its most interesting moments.
The football section of famous Catalan sportsclub FC Barcelona has won the 2011 edition of the UEFA Champions League after defeating Manchester United by 3-1 in a sublime performance. The match raised a big expectation worldwide, as stated by this report by Catalan television channel TV3, in which a group of hardcore Barça fans from Beijing celebrate the 4th UEFA Champions League of their favourite team. It is also interesting to state that renowned Taiwanese-Catalan entepreneur Dídac Lee is member of the present Board of Directors of the club, leading the Technology Area (New Technologies).
For those that missed the game, see a 13-minute summary of its most interesting moments.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Alimentaria food trade show likely to move to China in 2012
From http://www.expansion.com/2011/05/26/catalunya/1306407264.html (in Spanish)
After the recent announcement that the construction trade show Construmat would have a Chinese edition starting in 2012, now it seems that the food trade show Alimentaria can be the next one to travel to China also in 2012. Fira de Barcelona's director, Mr. José Luis Bonet, has made this announcement in the 15th Meeting of Directors of Food and Drink Industries that was organized by IESE. This is a new step to the desired goal of internationalizing the events organized by Fira Barcelona, that apart from China is also aiming at other markets such as Brazil, Morocco, Russia and other eastern european countries. Temptative dates for the food trade show are between June and September and will possibily be organized in Beijing in cooperation with a local partner.
After the recent announcement that the construction trade show Construmat would have a Chinese edition starting in 2012, now it seems that the food trade show Alimentaria can be the next one to travel to China also in 2012. Fira de Barcelona's director, Mr. José Luis Bonet, has made this announcement in the 15th Meeting of Directors of Food and Drink Industries that was organized by IESE. This is a new step to the desired goal of internationalizing the events organized by Fira Barcelona, that apart from China is also aiming at other markets such as Brazil, Morocco, Russia and other eastern european countries. Temptative dates for the food trade show are between June and September and will possibily be organized in Beijing in cooperation with a local partner.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
China may receive an office for the promotion of Catalan economy
From http://www.expansion.com/2011/05/23/catalunya/1306150709.html (in Spanish)
Catalan Minister for Business and Employment, Francesc Xavier Mena, has declared that the opening of new offices for the promotion of Catalan economy in emerging markets is currently under evaluation. He has met with directors of the business promotion network ACC1Ó from worldwide in order to analyze these possibilities in the light of the limited funding by the Catalan administration. China, Brazil and India, for promotion of businesses, and United States and the Asia-Pacific region, for promotion of tourism, are candidates to see receive these new offices. ACC1Ó, the agency responsible for the promotion of competitiveness of Catalan economy, has 34 of these offices located worldwide that give support to Catalan companies working in 70 different markets.
Catalan Minister for Business and Employment, Francesc Xavier Mena, has declared that the opening of new offices for the promotion of Catalan economy in emerging markets is currently under evaluation. He has met with directors of the business promotion network ACC1Ó from worldwide in order to analyze these possibilities in the light of the limited funding by the Catalan administration. China, Brazil and India, for promotion of businesses, and United States and the Asia-Pacific region, for promotion of tourism, are candidates to see receive these new offices. ACC1Ó, the agency responsible for the promotion of competitiveness of Catalan economy, has 34 of these offices located worldwide that give support to Catalan companies working in 70 different markets.
Spain and China exchange experiences on the conservation and management of wetlands
From http://iagua.es/2011/05/espana-y-china-intercambian-experiencias-en-el-campo-de-la-conservacion-y-gestion-de-los-humedales (in Spanish), with special thanks to Alejandro Maceira Rozados, owner and webmaster at iAgua.es. Source: Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Medio Rural y Marino.
The Spanish Ministry of Environment, and Rural and Marine Environments, through the Directorate-General of Environment and Forest Policy have met representatives of the Chinese government and of several Chinese provinces to exchange experiences in the field of the conservation and management of wetlands, with selected practical cases from Spain and Germany.
The director of the Spanish National Park Organization, Mrs. Olga Baniandrés, explained the organization of the Network of Spanish National Parks and specifically the functions that the Autonomous Communities and the State Administration have on the two National Parks considered as wetlands (Parque Nacional de Doñana and Parque Nacional Tablas de Daimiel). She also presented information about the Network of the Spanish Biosphere Reserves.
The guidelines of the Spanish policy of wetlands conservation and management have also been presented in this meeting, with special emphasis on the actions undertaken for the compliance of the Ramsar Convention for the protection of Wetlands of International Importance, of which both Spain and China are active members. Specific management actions and case studies of restoration of wetlands were also explained.
Both parties have expressed their interest in the promotion of the cooperation on this issue, since wetlands are one of the Earth's most threatened habitats that are essential for the survival of the migratory birds. Conservation of wetlands needs of the international cooperation and of the state-of-the-art knowledge and techniques.
This meeting was preceded by visits to some of the most important Spanish wetlands, such as Doñana or L'Albufera de Valencia. The field visits allowed for a better understanding of the difficulties associated with the conservation of wetlands and the human activities in their surroundings. Special emphasis has been made on the analysis of the compatibility of natural areas with industrial, agricultural and touristic activities and the use of natural resources.
The Spanish Ministry of Environment, and Rural and Marine Environments, through the Directorate-General of Environment and Forest Policy have met representatives of the Chinese government and of several Chinese provinces to exchange experiences in the field of the conservation and management of wetlands, with selected practical cases from Spain and Germany.
The director of the Spanish National Park Organization, Mrs. Olga Baniandrés, explained the organization of the Network of Spanish National Parks and specifically the functions that the Autonomous Communities and the State Administration have on the two National Parks considered as wetlands (Parque Nacional de Doñana and Parque Nacional Tablas de Daimiel). She also presented information about the Network of the Spanish Biosphere Reserves.
The guidelines of the Spanish policy of wetlands conservation and management have also been presented in this meeting, with special emphasis on the actions undertaken for the compliance of the Ramsar Convention for the protection of Wetlands of International Importance, of which both Spain and China are active members. Specific management actions and case studies of restoration of wetlands were also explained.
Both parties have expressed their interest in the promotion of the cooperation on this issue, since wetlands are one of the Earth's most threatened habitats that are essential for the survival of the migratory birds. Conservation of wetlands needs of the international cooperation and of the state-of-the-art knowledge and techniques.
This meeting was preceded by visits to some of the most important Spanish wetlands, such as Doñana or L'Albufera de Valencia. The field visits allowed for a better understanding of the difficulties associated with the conservation of wetlands and the human activities in their surroundings. Special emphasis has been made on the analysis of the compatibility of natural areas with industrial, agricultural and touristic activities and the use of natural resources.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
A set of lifetime experiences in Costa Brava
Now, a recommended link!
Velvet Escape blog perfectly summarizes in a set of pics and a few lines what are the main unique experiences you can live when visiting Costa Brava. From the culinary excellence of El Celler de Can Roca and El Bulli to a skydive in Empuriabrava, a visit to the Dalí Museum in Figueres or Dalí's house in Portlligat, to a stroll in Girona's old city.
Go to Once in a lifetime experiences in Costa Brava to see all the fun those guys had and that you can also have!
But first get a taste of what the link has with these pictures of our own!
[caption id="attachment_616" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Medieval city of Besalú[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_619" align="aligncenter" width="225"]
Santa Clotilde Gardens, Lloret de Mar[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_618" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Dalí Museum, Figueres[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_617" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
View of Portlligat bay from Dalí's house in Cadaqués[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_621" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Girona by the Onyar river[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_620" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
A beautiful corner in Girona's old city[/caption]
Velvet Escape blog perfectly summarizes in a set of pics and a few lines what are the main unique experiences you can live when visiting Costa Brava. From the culinary excellence of El Celler de Can Roca and El Bulli to a skydive in Empuriabrava, a visit to the Dalí Museum in Figueres or Dalí's house in Portlligat, to a stroll in Girona's old city.
Go to Once in a lifetime experiences in Costa Brava to see all the fun those guys had and that you can also have!
But first get a taste of what the link has with these pictures of our own!
[caption id="attachment_616" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Medieval city of Besalú[/caption][caption id="attachment_619" align="aligncenter" width="225"]
Santa Clotilde Gardens, Lloret de Mar[/caption][caption id="attachment_618" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Dalí Museum, Figueres[/caption][caption id="attachment_617" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
View of Portlligat bay from Dalí's house in Cadaqués[/caption][caption id="attachment_621" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Girona by the Onyar river[/caption][caption id="attachment_620" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
A beautiful corner in Girona's old city[/caption]
Catalan cosmetics company Nature Bissé aims at strong internationalization
From http://www.expansion.com/2011/05/16/catalunya/1305572919.html (in Spanish)
Catalan cosmetics company Nature Bissé aims at a strong internationalization process that could render a 70% of total sales abroad by 2013. Nature Bissé has approved a 3-year strategic plan that expects to achieve 56.25 million euros in sales. In 2010, total sales amounted 33.9 million euros, with an annual growth of 6.6%. According to top representatives of the company, this step towards a much greater internationalization is the third landmark in the history of the company, after entering the United States market and after the building of the factory in Cerdanyola del Vallès (Barcelona province). Nature Bissé will also start selling its products in China in September 2011, thanks to the alliance with two local partners: Imaginex Shanghai and Joycentury. Asia-Pacific markets represent nowadays the 9.22% of the total sales of Nature Bissé and they are expected to provide 19.8% of total sales by 2013, after the recruitement of Cecilia Chang, former Responsible for Marketing Purchases at Grupo Godó de Comunicación, S.A.
Catalan cosmetics company Nature Bissé aims at a strong internationalization process that could render a 70% of total sales abroad by 2013. Nature Bissé has approved a 3-year strategic plan that expects to achieve 56.25 million euros in sales. In 2010, total sales amounted 33.9 million euros, with an annual growth of 6.6%. According to top representatives of the company, this step towards a much greater internationalization is the third landmark in the history of the company, after entering the United States market and after the building of the factory in Cerdanyola del Vallès (Barcelona province). Nature Bissé will also start selling its products in China in September 2011, thanks to the alliance with two local partners: Imaginex Shanghai and Joycentury. Asia-Pacific markets represent nowadays the 9.22% of the total sales of Nature Bissé and they are expected to provide 19.8% of total sales by 2013, after the recruitement of Cecilia Chang, former Responsible for Marketing Purchases at Grupo Godó de Comunicación, S.A.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Appreciation for Catalan pork meat in China
From http://www.expansion.com/2011/05/18/catalunya/1305741502.html (in Spanish)
Catalan food products based on pork meat have received a great appreciation in the Sial 2011 fair, in Shanghai, as reported by the General Director of Food, Quality and Food Industries of the Catalan government, Domènec Vila. Catalonia exported 14,000 plus tons of pork meat to China in 2010, which amounted 11 million euros in sales, and the present goal is to reinforce exports in the forthcoming years thanks to an increased collaboration with ICEX (Spanish Institute of Foreign Trade).
Catalan food products based on pork meat have received a great appreciation in the Sial 2011 fair, in Shanghai, as reported by the General Director of Food, Quality and Food Industries of the Catalan government, Domènec Vila. Catalonia exported 14,000 plus tons of pork meat to China in 2010, which amounted 11 million euros in sales, and the present goal is to reinforce exports in the forthcoming years thanks to an increased collaboration with ICEX (Spanish Institute of Foreign Trade).
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Construmat China will open on July 11, 2012
From http://www.globalasia.com/destacados-portada/construmat-sera-exportado-a-china-en-2012 (in Spanish)
As already explained on the post Construmat trade show exported to China in 2012 here at Sinalunya, Fira Barcelona together with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) have agreed to organize Construmat China in Beijing between July 11th and 13th, 2012. This construction trade show will be held at the Beijing Convention Center, which offers to exhibitors an area of 24,000 squared meters. At least 200 exhibitors are expected to take place in this event.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Catalan government promotes food products in China
From http://www.expansion.com/2011/05/17/catalunya/1305653455.html (in Spanish)
Top officers from the Department of Agriculture of the Catalan government are visiting China with the intention to promote Catalan food products there, specially in the Shanghai area. This delegation is led by Domènec Vila, General Director of Food, Quality and Food Industries, who travels together with twelve representatives from Catalan food companies. They all will also attend the Sial 2011 fair that is held in Shanghai from May 18th to 20th. Sial 2011 is the largest and fastest growing food and beverage show in China, with more than 1,500 exhibitors from more than 80 countries and regions, and with more than 35,000 visitors expected.
Top officers from the Department of Agriculture of the Catalan government are visiting China with the intention to promote Catalan food products there, specially in the Shanghai area. This delegation is led by Domènec Vila, General Director of Food, Quality and Food Industries, who travels together with twelve representatives from Catalan food companies. They all will also attend the Sial 2011 fair that is held in Shanghai from May 18th to 20th. Sial 2011 is the largest and fastest growing food and beverage show in China, with more than 1,500 exhibitors from more than 80 countries and regions, and with more than 35,000 visitors expected.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Ranking of economies in the Asia-Pacific area
From http://focustaiwan.tw/ShowNews/WebNews_Detail.aspx?Type=aALL&ID=201105160011 (in English)
According to a report recently released by the United States think tank Heritage Foundation and the Wall Street Journal citing statistics from the World Bank in October 2010, Japan was the largest Asia-Pacific economy in 2009, with a GDP of US$5.689 trillion. China was second in the ranking, with a GDP of US$4.9847 trillion, but more recent data from the third quarter of 2010 reported that China has already overtaken Japan as the top Asia-Pacific economy. India was third on the list, with a GDP of US$1.2369 trillion in 2009, Australia was fourth with US$994.2 billion, South Korea was fifth with US$832.5 billion and Indonesia was sixth with US$539.4 billion. Taiwan ranked seventh on the list of the main economies of the Asia-Pacific area.
According to a report recently released by the United States think tank Heritage Foundation and the Wall Street Journal citing statistics from the World Bank in October 2010, Japan was the largest Asia-Pacific economy in 2009, with a GDP of US$5.689 trillion. China was second in the ranking, with a GDP of US$4.9847 trillion, but more recent data from the third quarter of 2010 reported that China has already overtaken Japan as the top Asia-Pacific economy. India was third on the list, with a GDP of US$1.2369 trillion in 2009, Australia was fourth with US$994.2 billion, South Korea was fifth with US$832.5 billion and Indonesia was sixth with US$539.4 billion. Taiwan ranked seventh on the list of the main economies of the Asia-Pacific area.
China new world's leader on wind energy production
From http://www.avui.cat/noticia/article/1-territori/11-mediambient/411689-la-xina-encapcala-el-ranquing-mundial-de-lenergia-eolica.html (in Catalan)
According to a recent report released by the World Wind Energy Association, in 2010 China surpassed United States as the world's leading country on the production of wind energy with a cumulative installed capacity of 44,733 MW of the former in front of the 40,180 MW of the latter. The third position is for Germany, with 27,215 MW, followed by Spain and India. The list includes other 83 countries (one more than in 2009, Cyprus), but nearly 75% of the overall production happens in the first five countries in the list. Catalonia has recently increased the cumulative installed capacity over 1,000 MW produced in 38 wind farms.
This report was presented at the International Wind Energy Exhibition and Conference CWEE2011 held in Shanghai (China) and it can be downloaded in different languages:
Another downloadable item from the World Wind Energy Association website is the Interactive World Wind Energy Map.
According to a recent report released by the World Wind Energy Association, in 2010 China surpassed United States as the world's leading country on the production of wind energy with a cumulative installed capacity of 44,733 MW of the former in front of the 40,180 MW of the latter. The third position is for Germany, with 27,215 MW, followed by Spain and India. The list includes other 83 countries (one more than in 2009, Cyprus), but nearly 75% of the overall production happens in the first five countries in the list. Catalonia has recently increased the cumulative installed capacity over 1,000 MW produced in 38 wind farms.
This report was presented at the International Wind Energy Exhibition and Conference CWEE2011 held in Shanghai (China) and it can be downloaded in different languages:
Another downloadable item from the World Wind Energy Association website is the Interactive World Wind Energy Map.
Report on the Second Spanish-Chinese Water Forum
From http://iagua.es/2011/05/cronica-del-ii-foro-hispano-chino-del-agua/ (in Spanish), with special thanks to Alejandro Maceira Rozados, owner and webmaster at iAgua.es
In April 19th, the Second Spanish-Chinese Water Forum was held in Nanjing, China, as one of the activities of the ongoing collaboration agreement between Spain and China on water resources management since 1999, when the Memorandum of Understanding was signed. The First Spanish-Chinese Water Forum was held in Dongying, as part of the Yellow River Forum.
The Second Spanish-Chinese Water Forum was opened by the Spanish Secretary of State for the Rural Environment and Water, Mr. Josep Puxeu, together with Vice Minister of Ministry of Water Resources, Mr. Hu Siyi. Among the participants there were 20 representatives of Chinese public organizations (from the Ministry of Water Resources, from several research centers and from the Water Resources Comissions of rivers Yangtze, Yellow, Huai, Hai and Taihu Lake), plus 12 Spanish representatives (the General Director of Water Resources, Mrs. Marta Morén, staff from the Spanish Ministry of Environment, from the Ebro River Agency and from Spanish water companies).
The forum was arranged as a seminar that included 4 theme areas and each of them had a presentation by a representative of each country. These theme areas were:
Irrigation: The Chinese representatives explained the challenges posed by the need to produce enough food for the huge population of the country and to increase the revenues of farmers. Priorities on this field will be the construction of high-efficiency systems and the development of water-saving projects. Despite the fact that most of the irrigation is still done by canals and pipelines, microirrigation is steadily increasing in the recent years. The Spanish representatives presented what had been done for the modernization of irrigation schemes in Spain.
Dam safety: The representative of the Chinese Dam Safety Control Center explained the long history of dams in China, showing the big number of dams in the country (544 big ones, 3,259 medium-sized ones and 83,348 small ones) and how its management is done. Despite the fact that in recent years the management of dam safety has improved, Chinese representatives still acknowleged that there is still a lot to do in fields such as automatic monitoring, inspection, emergency management and technology implementation. The representative of the Ebro River Agency explained how these issues are tackled in the Ebro river basin and the software tool GEISER was presented.
Flooding risks and drought management: The Chinese representatives explained which were the main areas prone to flooding and drought and disclosed their own flood control projects. In turn, the Spanish representatives presented the SAIH (Automatic System for Hydrological Information) and the SAD (Decision Support System) tools.
Technologies for water treatment, water reuse and desalination in Spain: This area was covered only by the Spanish representatives, which presented information related to drinking water treatment, desalination, wastewater treatment and water recycling in Spain.
In the subsequent debate, Chinese representatives stated their interest for desalination projects in Spain, what is treated wastewater used for and what are the quality requirements, the management of biosolids from wastewater treatment plants, the management of dams and the policy of costs and prices of water. Both delegations expressed their interest in having a more intense cooperation in water management issues in the future.
The Second Spanish-Chinese Water Forum was held as part of the Fourth Yangtze River Forum, which had 400 attendants and in which the main challenges of the Yangtze river basin were analyzed, as the third longest river in the world and the fourth largest basin. The Spanish Secretary of State for the Rural Environment and Water, Mr. Josep Puxeu, explained the similarities between China and Spain concerning water resources management. He also explained the basic principles of Spanish water public administration and the experience on water resources management at basin level.
The Forum also had 5 workshops that dealt with the following subjects: integrated water resources management at basin level; control of river flows and use of riparian areas; climate change; ecological protection and restoration; and entrepreneurial compromise.
The Europe-China Water Platform conference was also held within the Yangtze River Forum. Since 2007, China and the European Union have a River Basin Management programme whose goal is to help the Ministry of Water Resources to implement water management at basin level, specially in the Yangtze and Yellow river basins, sharing the European Union's experience of the last 25 years. Due to the fact that the end of this programme is scheduled for 2012, both parts are already working on how this cooperation between China and the European Union can be continued in the future.
In this conference, Chinese delegates explained the challenges of their recently approved 12th Five-Year Plan, among which the main ones where those related to irrigation and to flooding, which can be worsened by climate change. The goal of the Chinese government is to double the investment in the water sector during the netx five years and the reconstruction of 40,000 small dams.
In the recent months, this programme has coordinated two visits of Chinese experts to Europe and two visits of European experts to the Yangtze and Yellow rivers, which included a Spanish representative, Mr. Javier Fernández Pereira. Through these visits European experts could better understand water-related problems in China and identify the potential areas for further cooperation between the European Union and China.
In April 19th, the Second Spanish-Chinese Water Forum was held in Nanjing, China, as one of the activities of the ongoing collaboration agreement between Spain and China on water resources management since 1999, when the Memorandum of Understanding was signed. The First Spanish-Chinese Water Forum was held in Dongying, as part of the Yellow River Forum.
The Second Spanish-Chinese Water Forum was opened by the Spanish Secretary of State for the Rural Environment and Water, Mr. Josep Puxeu, together with Vice Minister of Ministry of Water Resources, Mr. Hu Siyi. Among the participants there were 20 representatives of Chinese public organizations (from the Ministry of Water Resources, from several research centers and from the Water Resources Comissions of rivers Yangtze, Yellow, Huai, Hai and Taihu Lake), plus 12 Spanish representatives (the General Director of Water Resources, Mrs. Marta Morén, staff from the Spanish Ministry of Environment, from the Ebro River Agency and from Spanish water companies).
The forum was arranged as a seminar that included 4 theme areas and each of them had a presentation by a representative of each country. These theme areas were:
Irrigation: The Chinese representatives explained the challenges posed by the need to produce enough food for the huge population of the country and to increase the revenues of farmers. Priorities on this field will be the construction of high-efficiency systems and the development of water-saving projects. Despite the fact that most of the irrigation is still done by canals and pipelines, microirrigation is steadily increasing in the recent years. The Spanish representatives presented what had been done for the modernization of irrigation schemes in Spain.
Dam safety: The representative of the Chinese Dam Safety Control Center explained the long history of dams in China, showing the big number of dams in the country (544 big ones, 3,259 medium-sized ones and 83,348 small ones) and how its management is done. Despite the fact that in recent years the management of dam safety has improved, Chinese representatives still acknowleged that there is still a lot to do in fields such as automatic monitoring, inspection, emergency management and technology implementation. The representative of the Ebro River Agency explained how these issues are tackled in the Ebro river basin and the software tool GEISER was presented.
Flooding risks and drought management: The Chinese representatives explained which were the main areas prone to flooding and drought and disclosed their own flood control projects. In turn, the Spanish representatives presented the SAIH (Automatic System for Hydrological Information) and the SAD (Decision Support System) tools.
Technologies for water treatment, water reuse and desalination in Spain: This area was covered only by the Spanish representatives, which presented information related to drinking water treatment, desalination, wastewater treatment and water recycling in Spain.
In the subsequent debate, Chinese representatives stated their interest for desalination projects in Spain, what is treated wastewater used for and what are the quality requirements, the management of biosolids from wastewater treatment plants, the management of dams and the policy of costs and prices of water. Both delegations expressed their interest in having a more intense cooperation in water management issues in the future.
The Second Spanish-Chinese Water Forum was held as part of the Fourth Yangtze River Forum, which had 400 attendants and in which the main challenges of the Yangtze river basin were analyzed, as the third longest river in the world and the fourth largest basin. The Spanish Secretary of State for the Rural Environment and Water, Mr. Josep Puxeu, explained the similarities between China and Spain concerning water resources management. He also explained the basic principles of Spanish water public administration and the experience on water resources management at basin level.
The Forum also had 5 workshops that dealt with the following subjects: integrated water resources management at basin level; control of river flows and use of riparian areas; climate change; ecological protection and restoration; and entrepreneurial compromise.
The Europe-China Water Platform conference was also held within the Yangtze River Forum. Since 2007, China and the European Union have a River Basin Management programme whose goal is to help the Ministry of Water Resources to implement water management at basin level, specially in the Yangtze and Yellow river basins, sharing the European Union's experience of the last 25 years. Due to the fact that the end of this programme is scheduled for 2012, both parts are already working on how this cooperation between China and the European Union can be continued in the future.
In this conference, Chinese delegates explained the challenges of their recently approved 12th Five-Year Plan, among which the main ones where those related to irrigation and to flooding, which can be worsened by climate change. The goal of the Chinese government is to double the investment in the water sector during the netx five years and the reconstruction of 40,000 small dams.
In the recent months, this programme has coordinated two visits of Chinese experts to Europe and two visits of European experts to the Yangtze and Yellow rivers, which included a Spanish representative, Mr. Javier Fernández Pereira. Through these visits European experts could better understand water-related problems in China and identify the potential areas for further cooperation between the European Union and China.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Workshop "Opportunities in China in the forthcoming years" in Barcelona
From http://www.eic.cat/wps/PA_Jornades/fitxa.jsp?codi=1082820 (in Catalan)
The Comission of Industrial Policy and Technological Innovation of the Col·legi d'Enginyers Industrials de Catalunya (College of Industrial Engineers of Catalonia) is organizing on May 16th, 2011, a workshop entitled "Oportunitats a la Xina els propers anys" (Opportunities in China in the forthcoming years). The workshop will be introduced and presented by Mr. Jordi Guix, president of the Comission of Industrial Policy and Technological Innovation and coordinator of the China Working Group. Invited speakers will be Mr. Albert Ferrari, industrial director at Sedal, S.L.; Mrs. Yolanda González, lawyer and partner at Hispano-Asian Business Consulting, S.L.; and Mr. Sergi Escorihuela, corporate director of Telstar Group, S.A., whereas Mr. Alfonso Carlos Auguet, owner of Technical Consulting Office, S.L. will act as moderator of the debate. The workshop will be held at 7 pm on the offices of the Col·legi d'Enginyers Industrials de Catalunya, Via Laietana, 39, 5th floor, Barcelona.
The Comission of Industrial Policy and Technological Innovation of the Col·legi d'Enginyers Industrials de Catalunya (College of Industrial Engineers of Catalonia) is organizing on May 16th, 2011, a workshop entitled "Oportunitats a la Xina els propers anys" (Opportunities in China in the forthcoming years). The workshop will be introduced and presented by Mr. Jordi Guix, president of the Comission of Industrial Policy and Technological Innovation and coordinator of the China Working Group. Invited speakers will be Mr. Albert Ferrari, industrial director at Sedal, S.L.; Mrs. Yolanda González, lawyer and partner at Hispano-Asian Business Consulting, S.L.; and Mr. Sergi Escorihuela, corporate director of Telstar Group, S.A., whereas Mr. Alfonso Carlos Auguet, owner of Technical Consulting Office, S.L. will act as moderator of the debate. The workshop will be held at 7 pm on the offices of the Col·legi d'Enginyers Industrials de Catalunya, Via Laietana, 39, 5th floor, Barcelona.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Huachen Automotive Group to evaluate establishment in Catalonia
From http://www.acn.cat/acn/614590/General/text/Huachen-Automotive-Group-Brilliance-Auto-acord-empresa-cotxe-Generalitat-Catalunya-Artur-Mas-president-de-la-Generalitat.html (in Catalan)
Chinese automobile company Huachen has signed an agreement with Catalan government to evaluate the convenience for its subsidiary company Brilliance Auto to open a factory in Catalonia, as a first step for a later expansion to other European countries. Brilliance Auto is partner of BMW, Toyota and Mitsubishi. The signature of the agreement has been made by President Artur Mas and Minister of Business and Employment Francesc Xavier Mena on the Catalan side, and by President of Brilliance Auto, Qi Yumin, and by the Governor and Secretary of the Communist Party in the Liaoning province, Wang Min, on the Chinese side.
Chinese automobile company Huachen has signed an agreement with Catalan government to evaluate the convenience for its subsidiary company Brilliance Auto to open a factory in Catalonia, as a first step for a later expansion to other European countries. Brilliance Auto is partner of BMW, Toyota and Mitsubishi. The signature of the agreement has been made by President Artur Mas and Minister of Business and Employment Francesc Xavier Mena on the Catalan side, and by President of Brilliance Auto, Qi Yumin, and by the Governor and Secretary of the Communist Party in the Liaoning province, Wang Min, on the Chinese side.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Construmat trade show exported to China in 2012
From http://www.expansion.com/2011/05/11/catalunya/1305112078.html (in Spanish)
Fira de Barcelona will organize a construction exhibition trade show Construmat in Beijing in 2012, thanks to the agreement reached with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT). The event will be called Construmat China and will be focused on the construction materials from the perspective of quality and sustainability. Fira de Barcelona's director Agustín Cordón has pointed out the importance of such agreement, which is part of the overall strategy for the internalization of the institution and for the promotion of Catalan and Spanish companies abroad. Construmat China is expected to host some 200 exhibitors on their first edition. The original Construmat trade show will be held in Barcelona from May 16-21, 2011.
Fira de Barcelona will organize a construction exhibition trade show Construmat in Beijing in 2012, thanks to the agreement reached with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT). The event will be called Construmat China and will be focused on the construction materials from the perspective of quality and sustainability. Fira de Barcelona's director Agustín Cordón has pointed out the importance of such agreement, which is part of the overall strategy for the internalization of the institution and for the promotion of Catalan and Spanish companies abroad. Construmat China is expected to host some 200 exhibitors on their first edition. The original Construmat trade show will be held in Barcelona from May 16-21, 2011.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
El Periódico interviews Chinese-Catalan entepreneur Jiajia Wang Liu
From http://www.elperiodico.cat/ca/noticias/opinio/casa-soc-perfecta-filla-xinesa-fora-soc-mateixa-998215 (in Catalan)
Nearly half a year after the first burst of news about the 20,000 € award given by UPF Emprèn 2010-Fundació Banc Sabadell for her project of a publishing company aimed at producing educational materials for the Chinese children adopted by Catalan families, Chinese-Catalan young entepreneur Jiajia Wang Liu appeared again in the Catalan press. El Periódico published an interview with her on Sunday May 8th, 2011, where she again explains her own personal story of hard work and struggle until she received a grant to study at the prestigious Harvard University and later she received the funding for her personal project. Nowadays, publishing company Jiajia Edicions has already become a reality and is already selling the first book through internet and directly to schools. Jiajia Wang Liu finishes the interview by explaining how the influence of Chinese culture is still a big influence on her daily life through her family, in issues such as the personal relationships. Despite the fact that she is sensitive to family claims, she acknowledges that she does not fancy living a life planned by others.
Nearly half a year after the first burst of news about the 20,000 € award given by UPF Emprèn 2010-Fundació Banc Sabadell for her project of a publishing company aimed at producing educational materials for the Chinese children adopted by Catalan families, Chinese-Catalan young entepreneur Jiajia Wang Liu appeared again in the Catalan press. El Periódico published an interview with her on Sunday May 8th, 2011, where she again explains her own personal story of hard work and struggle until she received a grant to study at the prestigious Harvard University and later she received the funding for her personal project. Nowadays, publishing company Jiajia Edicions has already become a reality and is already selling the first book through internet and directly to schools. Jiajia Wang Liu finishes the interview by explaining how the influence of Chinese culture is still a big influence on her daily life through her family, in issues such as the personal relationships. Despite the fact that she is sensitive to family claims, she acknowledges that she does not fancy living a life planned by others.
[caption id="attachment_567" align="aligncenter" width="228" caption="Jiajia Edicions"]
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Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Slight growth of Catalan economy forecast for 2011
From http://www.catalannewsagency.com/news/business/exports-will-drive-catalan-economy-09-growth-2011 (in English)
According to the Catalan Ministry of Economy and Knowledge, exports will lead the slight growth that has been forecast for Catalan economy in 2011, estimated at 0.9%. Exports are expected to grow by 6.2% during this year, which will help reverse the trend in the Catalan economy, but president Artur Mas has warned that this growth will not be enough for job creation. Unemployment in Catalonia is expected to reach 18% by the end of the year.
According to the Catalan Ministry of Economy and Knowledge, exports will lead the slight growth that has been forecast for Catalan economy in 2011, estimated at 0.9%. Exports are expected to grow by 6.2% during this year, which will help reverse the trend in the Catalan economy, but president Artur Mas has warned that this growth will not be enough for job creation. Unemployment in Catalonia is expected to reach 18% by the end of the year.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
High entepreneurship attitude by Chinese population residing in Catalonia
From http://ensenyarllengualumnatnoromanic.blogspot.com/2011/05/els-xinesos-mantenen-la-seva-vocacio.html (in Catalan)
Chinese population in Catalonia has had a ten fold increase in the last 10 years, reaching the present figure of 46,000 inhabitants. The Chinese community has a high entepreneurship attitude and some 9,000 thousand businesses have been censed in Catalonia alone, with 15,000 self-employed workers. As already described in Sinalunya, self-employed Chinese workers nearly double the percentage of native self-employed Catalan workers. They are known for being hard-working, as they are seen fronting businesses with long working hours.
Catalan TV channel TV3 recently broadcast a short report covering the entepreneurship attitude of the Chinese population in Catalonia (in Catalan).
Chinese population in Catalonia has had a ten fold increase in the last 10 years, reaching the present figure of 46,000 inhabitants. The Chinese community has a high entepreneurship attitude and some 9,000 thousand businesses have been censed in Catalonia alone, with 15,000 self-employed workers. As already described in Sinalunya, self-employed Chinese workers nearly double the percentage of native self-employed Catalan workers. They are known for being hard-working, as they are seen fronting businesses with long working hours.
Catalan TV channel TV3 recently broadcast a short report covering the entepreneurship attitude of the Chinese population in Catalonia (in Catalan).
Saturday, May 7, 2011
The Chinese Dream - A review
Early this year I was browsing through the @Sinalunya Twitter timeline when I saw the promotion of a book that I thought it was promising: The Chinese Dream, by Helen H. Wang. It was advertised by the author herself and the information on her website convinced me to give it a try and order it from Amazon.com.
"The Chinese Dream: The rise of the world's largest middle class and what it means to you" is a very well written book that is also very easy to read, but by no means is a simple book. Chinese-born, US-resident Helen H. Wang examines in detail the situation of present-day China, explaining what she knows, describing what she sees and analyzing what the people she meets and interviews reply to her. She covers all the relevant aspects in today's China, such as society, politics, economy, environment, religion and spirituality, highlighting both what are the benefits and the challenges of such a fast transformation that the country is undergoing. A recurring element throughout the book is the constant reminder on how East and West can benefit from each other's degree of development if things are taken from an open mind perspective and mutual fears are avoided: a generous approach from a holistic view would benefit not only both countries but the entire world, whereas a greedy and selfish attitude would represent just the opposite. This is very well explained in the summaries at the end of each chapter, in which the concepts of oneness on thought, culture, modernization, economy, environment, politics and spirit, respectively, are exposed. Having herself one foot on each culture, it becomes logical that Helen H. Wang often reminds the reader how the situation for everyone would improve if the best of both worlds could be obtained and combined.
Because of the kind of stories and facts explained in the book, with interviews to several revealing characters, and also because of the enlighting information provided, it reminded me of "An Empire Wilderness: Travel's into America's Future" by Robert D. Kaplan, but set in present-day China instead of United States. Because of her origins, Helen H. Wang had a privileged view over China, its culture and its situation, something that would have been more difficult even for more experienced writers such as Robert D. Kaplan himself. We all were lucky she decided to write it, indeed.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="199" caption="The Chinese Dream, by Helen H. Wang"]
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See the promotional video of the book at The Chinese Dream from Helen H. Wang's website
"The Chinese Dream: The rise of the world's largest middle class and what it means to you" is a very well written book that is also very easy to read, but by no means is a simple book. Chinese-born, US-resident Helen H. Wang examines in detail the situation of present-day China, explaining what she knows, describing what she sees and analyzing what the people she meets and interviews reply to her. She covers all the relevant aspects in today's China, such as society, politics, economy, environment, religion and spirituality, highlighting both what are the benefits and the challenges of such a fast transformation that the country is undergoing. A recurring element throughout the book is the constant reminder on how East and West can benefit from each other's degree of development if things are taken from an open mind perspective and mutual fears are avoided: a generous approach from a holistic view would benefit not only both countries but the entire world, whereas a greedy and selfish attitude would represent just the opposite. This is very well explained in the summaries at the end of each chapter, in which the concepts of oneness on thought, culture, modernization, economy, environment, politics and spirit, respectively, are exposed. Having herself one foot on each culture, it becomes logical that Helen H. Wang often reminds the reader how the situation for everyone would improve if the best of both worlds could be obtained and combined.
Because of the kind of stories and facts explained in the book, with interviews to several revealing characters, and also because of the enlighting information provided, it reminded me of "An Empire Wilderness: Travel's into America's Future" by Robert D. Kaplan, but set in present-day China instead of United States. Because of her origins, Helen H. Wang had a privileged view over China, its culture and its situation, something that would have been more difficult even for more experienced writers such as Robert D. Kaplan himself. We all were lucky she decided to write it, indeed.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="199" caption="The Chinese Dream, by Helen H. Wang"]
[/caption]See the promotional video of the book at The Chinese Dream from Helen H. Wang's website
Friday, May 6, 2011
The Costa Brava touristic development explained in Chengdu
Professor Lluís Mundet, Dean of the Faculty of Tourism of the University of Girona has recently given a presentation entitled "The Spanish Tourism Model. New strategies of tourism regeneration in mature tourist resorts. The Costa Brava as an example" in the the School of History and Culture (Tourism) of the Sichuan University in Chengdu. The above link explains how well accepted was his detailed presentation and the warm atmosphere in the classroom, in which probably there were many of the future touristic professionals in the Chengdu area.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Slight decrease of unemployment in Catalonia in April
From http://www.expansion.com/2011/05/04/catalunya/1304506796.html (in Spanish)
Unemployment rate in Catalonia decreased by 1.59% in April as compared with the previous month due to the fact that 9.728 people found a job in this period. The main decrease happened in the Girona province (5.24%), followed by Tarragona (3.51%), Lleida (1.15%) and Barcelona (0.86%). Total number of unemployed people in Catalonia is 601.541, of which 54.064 are below 25 years old.
Unemployment rate in Catalonia decreased by 1.59% in April as compared with the previous month due to the fact that 9.728 people found a job in this period. The main decrease happened in the Girona province (5.24%), followed by Tarragona (3.51%), Lleida (1.15%) and Barcelona (0.86%). Total number of unemployed people in Catalonia is 601.541, of which 54.064 are below 25 years old.
Singapore Airlines refuses to become a Spanair stockholder
From http://www.expansion.com/2011/05/04/catalunya/1304492852.html (in Spanish)
Swee Wah Mak, Executive Vice President of Commercial at Singapore Airlines Ltd., has denied that rumours that were indicating that Singapore Arlines might become a stockholder of the Star Alliance member, Spanair. Singapore Arlines will remain as a commercial partner of Spanair and values the opportunity that Barcelona airport of El Prat offers as an alternative hub to the Madrid Barajas airport for flights to South America. Sales of Singapore Arlines in 2010 totalled 7.2 billion euros and the net profit reached 122 million euros.
Swee Wah Mak, Executive Vice President of Commercial at Singapore Airlines Ltd., has denied that rumours that were indicating that Singapore Arlines might become a stockholder of the Star Alliance member, Spanair. Singapore Arlines will remain as a commercial partner of Spanair and values the opportunity that Barcelona airport of El Prat offers as an alternative hub to the Madrid Barajas airport for flights to South America. Sales of Singapore Arlines in 2010 totalled 7.2 billion euros and the net profit reached 122 million euros.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Second Spanish-Chinese Water Forum held in Nanjing
From http://www.marm.es/es/prensa/ultimas-noticias/notas-de-prensa-din.aspx?tcm=tcm:7-155979-16 (in Spanish)
The Spanish Secretary of State for the Rural Environment and Water, Josep Puxeu, has opened the Second Spanish-Chinese Water Forum held in Nanjing, China, together with Vice Minister of Ministry of Water Resources, Hu Siyi. During his speech, Josep Puxeu has claimed the importance of the collaboration between the two countries in the water sector, both a the private and the public levels. Both goverments are willing to cooperate on technology transfer and on integrated resources water management, as well as on wastewater treatment, water reclamation and reuse and desalination. Other agreements were the establishment of a cooperation link between the Júcar and Liao river basins and the organization of the Spanish-Chinese Water Forum every two years.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Spanish-Chinese Water Forum (Image source: http://www.mwr.gov.cn)"]
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The Spanish Secretary of State for the Rural Environment and Water, Josep Puxeu, has opened the Second Spanish-Chinese Water Forum held in Nanjing, China, together with Vice Minister of Ministry of Water Resources, Hu Siyi. During his speech, Josep Puxeu has claimed the importance of the collaboration between the two countries in the water sector, both a the private and the public levels. Both goverments are willing to cooperate on technology transfer and on integrated resources water management, as well as on wastewater treatment, water reclamation and reuse and desalination. Other agreements were the establishment of a cooperation link between the Júcar and Liao river basins and the organization of the Spanish-Chinese Water Forum every two years.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Spanish-Chinese Water Forum (Image source: http://www.mwr.gov.cn)"]
[/caption]
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
University of Girona explains Catalan touristic development in China
From http://www.udg.edu/Noticiesiagenda/Reculldenoticies/tabid/2575/language/ca-ES/Default.aspx?p=19398 (in Catalan)
Professor Lluís Mundet, Dean of the Faculty of Tourism of the University of Girona, has recently visited China to explain the pattern of touristic development in Catalonia, most specifically the one in the Costa Brava, in the Girona province. He held meetings about these issues with the direction team at the School of History and Culture (Tourism) of the Sichuan University in Chengdu. He also promoted the degree and master courses offered by the University of Girona related to touristic activities, such as the European Master in Tourism Management, the Master in Cultural Tourism and the Master in Tourism Management and Planning. After the willingness of Zhangzhou city council to recreate the village of Cadaqués in the Xiamen bay, the touristic development in Costa Brava may become another point of interest by Chinese tourism promoters.
[caption id="attachment_510" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Cala Boadella, Lloret de Mar, Costa Brava"]
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[caption id="attachment_512" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="View of Cadaqués, Costa Brava"]
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[caption id="attachment_511" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="View of Roses Bay from Sant Salvador de Rodes, Costa Brava"]
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Professor Lluís Mundet, Dean of the Faculty of Tourism of the University of Girona, has recently visited China to explain the pattern of touristic development in Catalonia, most specifically the one in the Costa Brava, in the Girona province. He held meetings about these issues with the direction team at the School of History and Culture (Tourism) of the Sichuan University in Chengdu. He also promoted the degree and master courses offered by the University of Girona related to touristic activities, such as the European Master in Tourism Management, the Master in Cultural Tourism and the Master in Tourism Management and Planning. After the willingness of Zhangzhou city council to recreate the village of Cadaqués in the Xiamen bay, the touristic development in Costa Brava may become another point of interest by Chinese tourism promoters.
[caption id="attachment_510" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Cala Boadella, Lloret de Mar, Costa Brava"]
[/caption][caption id="attachment_512" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="View of Cadaqués, Costa Brava"]
[/caption][caption id="attachment_511" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="View of Roses Bay from Sant Salvador de Rodes, Costa Brava"]
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Sinalunya highlighted in Catalan weekly magazine Presència
On Sunday, May 1st 2011, this blog was highlighted on the internet pages of the Catalan weekly magazine Presència. We would like to thank them for considering that Sinalunya.com was interesting enough for this section.
[caption id="attachment_501" align="alignleft" width="218" caption="Presència, front page 1 May 2011"]
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[caption id="attachment_502" align="alignleft" width="218" caption="Presència, internet pages, 1 May 2011"]
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[caption id="attachment_503" align="alignleft" width="236" caption="Detail of the comment on Sinalunya.com, Presència, 1 May 2011"]
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[caption id="attachment_501" align="alignleft" width="218" caption="Presència, front page 1 May 2011"]
[/caption][caption id="attachment_502" align="alignleft" width="218" caption="Presència, internet pages, 1 May 2011"]
[/caption][caption id="attachment_503" align="alignleft" width="236" caption="Detail of the comment on Sinalunya.com, Presència, 1 May 2011"]
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China economy grows 9.7% in first quarter of 2011
From http://cmp.hku.hk/newswire/#2eb0c94b16718b2c1d9b14cc054037fe (in English)
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, China's economy grew almost in the double-digit range -9.7%- during the first quarter of 2011.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, China's economy grew almost in the double-digit range -9.7%- during the first quarter of 2011.
Monday, May 2, 2011
China, main import and export destination for traffic through Barcelona port
From http://www.catalannewsagency.com/news/business/container-traffic-passing-through-barcelona-port-increases-23-between-january-and-marc (in English)
Despite the increase in traffic to some destinations such as North Africa or Turkey, China has remained as the main import and export destination of traffic through Barcelona port. According to the Barcelona Port Authority, between January and March 2011 overall container traffic has experienced a 23% increase during this period, totalling 538,700 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units).
Despite the increase in traffic to some destinations such as North Africa or Turkey, China has remained as the main import and export destination of traffic through Barcelona port. According to the Barcelona Port Authority, between January and March 2011 overall container traffic has experienced a 23% increase during this period, totalling 538,700 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units).
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