An
Atenean's Diary of the First China Business Tour
By Joseph De Jesus (IV BS MCT)
Joseph
de Jesus is one of the eighteen (18) SOM students who participated in the
first China Business Tour held from March 29 to April 28, 2005. It is a
joint program between the Hong Kong Baptist University and the Beijing
Center for Language and Culture. The tour is a one-month program that
incorporates sightseeing with lectures and corporate site visits that
enable students to discover and study the business landscape in the key
cities of the world's fastest growing economy, namely Hong Kong, Shen Zen,
and Beijing. Participating in the tour is a way of the John Gokongwei
School of Management (JGSOM) to enable its students to acquire a
global perspective on business through high awareness of the economic,
social and political conditions that drive other countries.
Hong Kong Sojourn
It was my first time to go overseas, and what better country to visit! As our group landed at the Hong Kong International Airport, we were immediately awed with harbor's skyscrapers that majestically light up at night. Commuting around the city is a fascinating experience with subways, double-decker buses, ferries, and even helicopters that make up its intricate transport system, in addition to the rich people's luxury cars such as BMW's and Ferraris that race in the streets every 5 or 10 seconds. However, the best way to enjoy Hong Kong is to savor its rich culture and sights! Our group toured the city for four days giving us the opportunity to discover its theme parks, ancient temples and night markets, which are all just a short train or a bus ride away. Our pits stops varied from the world's largest Buddha in Lantau Island to the cute dolphins at Ocean Park. The night market at Mong Kok showcased different bargains that range from clothing to trinkets, while the Central District has various malls that offered gadgets and authentic Cantonese cuisine.
The
highlight of our stay in Hong Kong happened the day before we left for the
second leg of the business tour, a three-way stay in Beijing, the
country's capital. We climbed the highest tower in Hong Kong, the
International Finance Center, and marveled at the bustling metropolis
below. Later that night, [SOM] Dean [Rudy] Ang treated us to a sumptuous
dinner at Llama Island, where we took a 45-minute boat ride along the
beautiful harbor while staring at the frenzy of blinding lights across the
Hong Kong skyline.
Discovering
Beijing
The
large highways of Beijing, signifying the complex intertwining of the
city's industrial and residential areas, shone brightly as we viewed
them from the plane. Beijing's highways are enormous that even airplanes
can land on them! Meanwhile, cars in the New China, which Beijing is
popularly referred to, are a mixture of black, silver and red Volkswagens,
Audis, Buicks and Hyundais. The city's infrastructure is more massive
compared to Hong Kong; however, there is still a strong influence of
traditionalist architecture on the modern buildings in Beijing, with the
usual Chinese roofs capping the buildings.
Upon
arriving at the University of International Business and Economics, our
group noticed students strolling around the campus. They were sporting the
latest in cosmopolitan fashion like branded track jackets and shoes with
MP3 players and cell phones hanging over their necks. Fashion among
Chinese students really has gone a long way from the traditional dark gray
Mao suits and messenger bags. Most of them take up courses in Finance,
Marketing, Operations, HR Management and International Relations. We saw
in their eyes the excitement and pressure of improving the country's rural
regions where most of them are from.
A
tight itinerary
Our
first week in Beijing was spent in acquainting ourselves with China's
history, philosophy, culture, language, political structure, people, and
educational system, and how these contribute to its eventual rise as a
world leader. Meanwhile, the following week was spent on business courses
that covered aspects of Chinese economy such as labor, wages, the WTO,
foreign investment, marketing and communications, and the industrial and
agricultural assessment of the country. Finally, the third week comprised
of forums on contemporary issues like the Yuan Exchange Rate, Christianity
and religious freedom, human rights, foreign policy, and the country's
struggle in preserving its Communist ideals.
We
would get up at 7:00 in the morning, brave the freezing water from the
shower, and have an instant breakfast of noodles and Oreos. Clad in thick
jackets, gloves and bonnets, we would set on a 5-minute walk towards our
classes. Even cigarettes were not enough to keep us warm!
Our
speakers included leading authorities in their respective fields. Most of
them are Harvard or Cambridge alumni. However, because of the language
barrier, we had quite a difficult time understanding what they tried to
say. Their Chinese accent was very much evident, and when we asked
questions that required linguistically complex answers, they had
difficulty in explaining their ideas. In addition, the Chinese method of
teaching is very traditional – students would just listen to the master
all throughout the lecture and would only be permitted to ask questions
afterwards. The typical Chinese teacher would just sit in front of the
class and talk to his notes in contrast with the western teacher who tries
to get the student to participate, as he walks around the classroom making
sure that his points are understood. Despite their accent and grammatical
errors, they had very good points to say. It was a good thing they
utilized PowerPoint presentations that made the lectures more
understandable.
Meanwhile,
a corporate site visit was usually scheduled in the afternoon. We would
take a bus ride towards the outskirts of Beijing, where huge factories are
set. We familiarized ourselves with the operations of different
manufacturers of clothes, beverages, and car pipelines.
Gastronomic
delights
With
the emergence of a new middle class, Chinese people are rediscovering
their old passion for food. With more spending power, they are clamoring
to taste the treasures of the Imperial Kitchen, its diverse menu of
seafood, exotic soups, herbs, and meats. Our group sampled authentic Qing
Dynasty cuisines at the Da Zhai Men Restaurant, which looked like a palace
in the Forbidden City! It was indeed a step back in time, as the walls,
posts, seats and tables were interestingly adorned with Chinese
handicrafts, paintings, and calligraphy. We occupied three tables near the
stage where a fabulous cultural show was performed. The restaurant staff
wore traditional costumes normally worn by concubines and eunuchs in
ancient China! That's not all – we were also surprised by the
restaurant's attention to detail in and presentation of their dishes.
Each dish was garnished with carrots and radishes carved to resemble
pagodas and dragons, while orchids and fruit strips were arranged to
resemble peacock plumes. We were served cold and hot dishes, balancing the
Taoist principle of Yin and Yang. For appetizers, we had cold boiled
chicken, cold green peanuts with mushrooms and peppers, Imperial Garden
salad, and fresh watermelons, papaya and dates. Afterwards, we feasted on
spiced chicken, mashed potatoes, beef in onions, chili and peppers, sweet
and sour fish, crab and corn soup, and broccoli with garlic. We tasted
hints of various flavors as we savored the sumptuous assortment of dishes.
As a person used to eating up to three bowls of rice and a few strips of
beef for a meal, I was actually surprised to have felt stuffed despite the
absence of my staple!
We
also had our fill of all the beer and tea we could drink. We put huge
crystals of sugar into our tea and watched them melt. There was no cold
water as what Filipino restaurants serve so I had several glasses of beer.
I didn't worry of becoming drunk because beer in China is a lot less
concentrated than the usual San Mig or Red Horse. That's why Chinese
people actually drink beer all throughout the day!
Treasures From The Past
Aside
from attending lectures, we also visited some of Beijing's cultural
attractions such as Tianenmen Square, The Forbidden City, The Temple of
Heaven, and the Summer Palace. It is quite fascinating how the Chinese are
able to preserve such wonders despite wars, revolutions and constant
change. In my opinion, not even the tallest skyscrapers can outshine the
grandeur of Beijing's edifices. For instance, Tianenmen Square is one of
the best expressions of the Ancient-Modern fusion in Beijing. It is
situated in front of the ancient Imperial Palace, surrounded by China's
foremost political structure, the People's Great Hall. Meanwhile, the
newly built Olympic Stadium, the site of the 2008 Olympics, shimmered like
a giant golf ball a few blocks away from the square. At the center of it
was the Chinese flag fluttering high and proud.
Crossing
the square, we entered the majestic Forbidden City, once the home of the
emperor, China's heavenly ruler. We couldn't help but marvel at the
Chinese's attention to detail. As we went deeper into the city, we saw a
lot of huge and colorful palaces with marble posts carved with dragons
surrounded by lotus leaves. Hundreds of thousands of laborers toiled in
carving the tiles, painting the walls, shaping the roofs, paving the
roads. When it was done, the palace was a structure that no building in
China could ever rival. In my opinion, it is the best expression of
glamour and wealth, even the arrogance, of pre-Communist China. It does
not only enchant visitors with its intricately designed palaces, but also
offers them a world within walls, where life and events are greatly
different from the outside.
And
what trip would ever be complete without a trek along the Great Wall? As
China's greatest symbol, the wall spans the country and is the only
man-made structure visible from outer space! The Great Wall visit was a
whole day affair, and it took us about an hour to climb from the foot of
the mountain to reach the wall. It was a very steep climb that took its
toll on our legs and lungs, but when we reached the top, the view was
exceptionally rewarding. There is an old saying in China that goes: "No
one is a real man or hero until he conquers the Great Wall." That
inspired us to visit the wall's highest and most dangerous section
called Simatai. Despite hanging precariously amidst very sharp cliffs,
narrow ridges, and massive rocks, the Simatai is the most beautiful and
preserved among the sections, offering climbers an overwhelming view of
the mountains.
Returning
Home
When
our tour came to an end, our group found it difficult to say goodbye not
only to China but also to one another. For a month, we lived and toured
together in a foreign land. We shared so many experiences and formed great
friendships with one other, including our mentors in TBC. From corporate
visits, sightseeing tours, karaoke sessions, to nightly inumans, we all
had a great time. We actually gathered more than 8000 pictures to remember
the journey!
We
learned so much about China, from its past to its bright future. True
enough, China is not a perfect country, and it still has a lot of things
to overcome. However, the Chinese have accomplished so much in less than
40 years. It has come a long way from its years of decadence and
starvation. They see a great future in front of them, and are working hard
towards that end.
Coming back would seem to be an ordeal – readjusting to the blistering heat, heavy traffic, fragmented government, and undisciplined citizens. However, it does not mean that we Filipinos cannot turn things around. No matter how depressing our state is, the Philippines is still the place we call home. We may have been very irritated during the first few days after coming back, but our country can only develop if we take to heart the example set by more disciplined countries like China. In my opinion, our generation has seen enough of the mistakes that have been committed by our elders… and through JGSOM's thrust for global competitiveness, I am sure that all of us are excited to change the way we conduct politics and business in this country.