Visit to Beijing June 2009

 

Precocious at 12 years of age. 

The tween years for my second son, Andrew is shown here,in a short holiday to Beijing China in 2008. My wife and Andrew did a mother son bonding trip for 5 ot 6 days to the Chinese capital.They followed a group tour which covered, Tian An Men Square, the Bird's Nest Stadium, the Great Wall and lots of visits to the old city, 

In the Tour Bus

My wife's views at that time were that, China's history is so rich and plentiful (over 2000 years) and we living in Singapore have been brought up with a Western style education and a Western outlook. We always thought that the East, particularly China was a backwater and we had limited knowhow and understanding of this great country. 

The Bronze Lion at Tian An Men 

Therefor, this is an anomaly which we, who are living in S.E.Asia in this period of Chinese renaissance and economic rise will hope to correct. That said, our attitudes, focus and and perspectives should be looking East rather than all the time to the West in the decades to come.

May and Andrew at the Hou Hai Lake 

The fact of the matter is that China is destined to be the world's  economic superpower within 30 years, I hope it is within my lifespan. 

Western powers may try to slow down its progress, but the day will come when China's purchasing power will drive most of the world's consumer spending patterns - if it hasn't already. From cars, fashion brands, watches and property Chinese buyers are dictating preferences and setting consumer behaviors.

Many top boutique houses and brands from Milan, Paris , London and New York are pandering for over 2 decades to the well heeled Chinese buyers. And there are plenty of them.

There are increasing numbers of Chinese food establishments in Singapore like Hai Di Lao, Din Tai Fung (OK Taiwanese) and all the Mala Hot Pot Restaurants sprouting all over the island catering to the Chinese palette.

Mum and Son at the Great Wall 

I have visited Beijing once in 2008 and the pictures are shown below. It was a clear blue sky in Tian An Men Square and the weather was beautiful. Everytime I visit China, my perspectives change about this country, which is destined to be the next big superpower.

The doors of the Tian An Men open to a grand courtyard