Amoinese

Must-read book:
Amoy Magic by Bill Brown, you can easily find the book at Airport or any Xinhua Bookstore at Xiamen. Or visit their website http://www.amoymagic.com for more information. If you want to meet with Dr Bill Brown, should visit Xiamen university, the only foreigner there driving a Toyota Van. That is Professor Bill Brown.

Must-go places:
Gulangyu Island–Just 20 minutes drive from the SES Convention Center to the ford. Take a ship for 3-5 minutes and you will arrive at Gulangyu Island. Small and beautifull with hundreds of western style old buildings. Gulangyu is also known as the Piano Island of China. Not only by the great pianoists they had, but also by the amount of piano they have at Gulangyu.

Bailuzhou–There is a lake in the central area of Xiamen Island. In the middle of the lake yuandang, there is a small piece of land called Bailuzhou. Beautiful lakeview and neo light at night. Two wonderful bars are there.

Must-ests:
Tu Shun Dong, Fried Oyster, Xiamen Spring roll, Mai Fan…….etc, and the local beer is Big White Shak, presented by TsingTao Beer.

Dont Worried:
Anytime you want to catch your flight, only 30 minutes drive from downtown to the airport. So dont worried about the traffic, you can alway ask for a short-cut or take the ring road (Huan Dao Lu) and get to Airport within 30 minutes.

Now, welcomed to Xiamen, welcomed to my town and welcomed to SES China.

Xianglu GRAND Hotel is a five-star hotel, invested by Xianglu Group, which primarily deals with production of petrochemical, chemical fibers and real estate.

Just a brief 8-minute drive from the Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, and very close to the Torch Hi-Tech Park and Pioneering Park. The hotel is easily accessible to any of the city’s business, shopping districts and tourism attractions. But the most interesting thing is, the hotel itself will be a great shopping and food attraction.

The Xianglu GRAND Hotel places itself as one of the newest community landmarks of Xiamen. Its imposing structure and well mannered staff introduce a new level of service excellence, a diverse selection of some of the most exciting food & beverage; and the widest choice of luxurious accommodation that will truly impart distinction in the social and cultural scene of this forever progressive city.

I have been waiting this hotel for almost one year. This is one of the reasons that make Search Event Going Home.

The Atrium Garden as exhibition area, the grand ballroom as conference room, together with other around 20 meeting rooms, Xianglu Grand Hotel is really a perfect place for Event with 1000-2000 delegates.

And, for sure, we can have some fun at those bars in the Hotel. Especially the Veranda Bar, my first visit, they served me a Mojito.

God, I was dissapointed with most of the hotels and bars here. This must be the only place I can find it. The Veranda, you cant miss it.

Pictures and some description were provided by Xianglu Grand Hotel

Professor Yi Zhongtian has a very vivid description of xiamen:

China is a big family, all the cities are kids of this big family. Beijing is the oldest son, who always represents the family at all the big events. Shanghai is the second older son, who works very hard in making money for this big family. Guangzhou is the third older son, who is always naughty but with all the energe of venturing.

These are all reflect the real charaters for the above three cities. And always the same situation at a real chinese family. But how about xiamen?

Xiamen is the youngest daughter, everyone in the family loves her and take good care of her. She seldom suffers for any family burdens, she enjoyed all the good things during the past years.  She was always well-dressed-up, bueatiful and lovely.

Yes, that’s right. Xiamen met with all the good things in the history. Xiamen is one of the first five special economic zones (SEZ) in China. Which means Xiamen was among those cities that benefited from open policy.

Here are some facts about all the historical evolutions:

     Xiamen is one of the first five special economic zones (SEZ) in China administrating 6 districts: Siming, Huli, Jimei, Haicang, Tong’an and Xiang’an. South Fujian Dialect is the language which is predominantly spoken in Xiamen. It is said it was once egret inhabited place, so it is also called “Egret Island”.

　　The history of Xiamen dates back to the ancient times. It was part of Tong’an County, which was established in the 3rd year of Emperor Taikang’s reign in the Jin Dynasty (282 A.D.). The County was first under Jin’an Prefecture but was later merged into Nan’an County. In the 19th year of Emperor Zhengyuan’s reign in the Tang Dynasty (803 A.D), Datong Square was set up in Southwest Nan’an County and later became Tong’an County under Quanzhou in the 4th year of Emperor Changxing’s reign in the Late Tang Dynasty (933 A.D). During the Song Dynasty, the place was under the rule of Qingyuan Army and Pinghai Army of Quanzhou. Then it was under the government of Quanzhou Province in the Yuan Dynasty and later Quanzhou Borough in the Ming Dynasty. It was not until the 20th year of Emperor Hongwu’s reign in the Ming Dynasty (1387) that Xiamen Town was built. Later in the Qing Dynasty in the 7th year of Emperor Sunzhi’s reign (1650), Xiamen was the place where Zheng Chenggong, the national hero, stationed his troops. In the 12th year (1655) the Siming Prefecture was established but was abolished in the 19th year of Emperor Kangxi’s reign (1680). In the 23rd year (1684) the Tai-Xia Dao (Taiwan-Xiamen Defense Region) was established, with the Chief Magistrate ruling from Taiwan. (In the 6th year of Emperor Yongzheng’s reign, namely 1728, Taiwan Borough was changed into Taiwan Region.) In the 25th year (1686) departments were set up in Quanzhou Prefecture to rule over the area. In the 5th year of Emperor Yongzheng’s reign (1727) the Xingquan Region, (which was changed into Xingquanyong Region). was established in Xiamen to instead of in Quanzhou, its original settlement. In the 29th year of Emperor Guangxu’s reign in the Qing Dynasty (1903), Gulangyu Islet fell into the hands of foreign invaders and became an International Settlement. In the first year of the Republic of China (1912), Siming County was established in April, encompassing Jiahe Neighbourhood of Tong’an County (namely Xiamen), Jinmen Islet and the Dadeng/Xiaodeng Islets. The same year in September saw the establishment of Siming Borough. Later in 1915, Jinmen Islet and the Dadeng/Xiaodeng Islets were separated from the Siming County to form Jinmen County themselves. In the same year Nanlu Region, (which was changed to the name of Xiamen Region in 1914 but was abolished in 1925) was set up.

　　In 1933 Xiamen was established as a special municipality by the “People’s Revolutionary Government of the Republic of China” (namely “Fujian People’s Government”). In 1934, both Tong’an County and Siming County belonged to the Fifth Administrative Region (with Tong’an as the capital). In April 1935 the Xiamen Municipality was set up, encompassing seven islets including Xiamen and Gulangyu. The original Siming County was abolished and the Heshan Special Zone was set up instead. The Xiamen Municipality and the Heshan Special Zone together with Tong’an County were subject to the government of the Fourth Administrative Region (with Tong’an as the capital). During the period from May 1938 to September 1945, Xiamen was in the hands of Japanese invaders. In October 1945 Xiamen was re-established as a city, which comprised four districts: Zhongxin (later renamed as Siming), Kaiyuan, Gulangyu and Heshan. September and October of 1949 witnessed the liberation of Tong’an County and Xiamen City in succession. Tong’an became part of the Fifth Prefecture (later changed to the name of the Prefecture of Quanzhou and the Prefecture of Jinjiang) while Xiamen became a municipality under the government of the province. In October 1950 five districts were set up in Xiamen: Kaiyuan, Siming, Gulangyu, Xiagang (abolished later) and Heshan. In 1953, Jimei Town of Tong’an County came to be under the administration of Xiamen. In January 1958 Heshan District was changed into suburbs. In August of the same year Tong’an County was separated from the Jinjiang Prefecture to become an administrative district under Xiamen. In August 1966, Kaiyuan District and Siming District were renamed Dongfeng and Xiangyang respectively (but the original names were restored in October 1979). In February 1970, Tong’an County was again divided from Xiamen to be under the administration of Jinjiang Prefecture but was later returned back to Xiamen in June 1973. In September 1978 Xinglin District was established, and a new district, the Huli District, was further set up in 1987. In the same year, the suburbs of Xiamen became Jimei District. In 1997, Tong’an became a district attached to Xiamen instead of a county.Till then, Under the jurisdiction of the municipality are seven districts Gulangyu Island, Siming, Kaiyuan, Xinglin, Huli, Jimei and Tong’an .

Air flight tickets, train tickets, bus tickets are almost running out this week. Even the hotel reservation will be running out soon.

CIFIT is coming this week. Starting from Sep 8th, then a whole week for unbelievable business opportunities.

Get your reservation for everything ASAP, the last minute deal will disappear soon!

If you are one of my friend and can find a hotel or book a flight during this seson, leave a message here. I will figure it out.

Fujian TV 2006-8-31 8:33:00

According to the organizing committee of the 10th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT), a total of 26,000 business promotion projects have been ready for matching-up meetings, a growth of about 60% over that of last year. A group of international investment businesses plan to attend the fair, including 3I Funds.

The project matching-up meetings of the 10th CIFIT will be 2 days longer than that of last CIFIT. A series of special matching-up meetings will be held respectively for projects of investment funds, listed companies, Taiwan-invested businesses, chain store groups, property right trade and high technology. The latest statistics from the organizing commettee show that, over 800 investors will attend the project matching-up. These investors including 260 overseas investors, 80 domestic investors, over 100 investment funds, over 60 listed companies, about 70 chain store groups, and 240 domestic businesses planning to invest abroad.

Fujian has more than 2,000 business promotion projects signed up for the project matching-up meetings. Over 180 Fujian businesses will come to seek investment partners at the fair.

(Wu Hongjun, Official with China (Xiamen) International Investment Promotion Center: The focus of investment promotion at the fair remain the projects of energy resources, environmental products and infrastructure. There is a noticeable growth of investment promotion for projects of tourism and financial institutes other than banks.)

Records show that, since the 5th CIFIT when project matching-up meetings were firstly held, there has been an increasing number of Chinese businesses that seek opportunities to go global through the fair.

Today is July 31th, 2006, but according to our luner callender, today is also July, 7th. This is the chinese ” Saint Valentine’s Day”.

Every July 7th at luner year, a cowboy will be allowed to cross the galaxy river to meet his lover, a fairy weaver lady. Yes only once in a year can they meet each other.

That was a very famous fairy tale of ancient china. For hundreds of years, when there was a clear night sky, parents will tell fairy tales for kids. One of those was Cowboy and fairy weaver lady, in chinese ” Niu Lang” and “Zhi Ni”.

Fairy weaver lady was granddaughtor of God, she in charge of weaving rainbows and clouds for the sky. She once falled in love with a normal person and married him secretly. But the love fair or marriage between fairy and normal person was forbidden by the God.

When the God notice their family, the fairy lady was arrested by God and took away, the cowboy ran after her with their kids. But the Godness used her magic power cut the sky and make a galaxy between them. They never have a chance to cross the galaxy river.

Later, the God took back a little bit of his decision and allowed them to meet each other once every year.

The tale also give us a hint how galaxy appeared.

Since then, chinese regarded July 7th at luner callendar as lover’s day. This is our chinese “Saint Valentine’s Day”. And the story happened at God’s period of ancient china, that was more than 5,000 years ago, much earlier than Priest Valentine.

Now, lovers are going to celebrate their love today or to show their love today.

Still, people in china create more and more Day for love. For example, May 20th, the pronounciation of “520″ in chinese is the same as “wo ai ni” (I  love you), so May 20th is another day to say love.

Storm, thunder and lightning comes for the World Choir Game at Xiamen today.

The Bilis Typhone visited xiamen two days ago, brought its own nature choir for the World Choir Game.

The typhone really cooled down the hot weather, all of the participates can enjoy both the human choir and nature choir.

The nature one presented more than music, we could feel the power, the shock and the chilly wind at hot summer time.

1. Wish a success of the Fourth World Choir Games

2. Welcome! Friends from all around the world

3. Welcome to Xiamen - a Friendly City

4. One Voice for the World, One Voice for Xiamen

5. Sing for pease, Sing for Friendship

6. Gathered in Xiamen, Sing for the World

7. Spread Chinese Culture, Spread and Inherit Global Civilization

8. Propose Civil Etiquette, Salute to all Guestd

All the Slogans in both Chinese and English will be post at the most eye-attractive places from now to the end of next month.

But I like the slogan at CCTV for the World Cup 2006 best.

They said:” It’s time to make friends”

Yes, it also works for World Choir Games 2006.

8 is too much.

Yes, Xiamen is ready for the World Choir Games 2006.

From the Xiamen Daily and local television stations, from outdoor ADs to airplane magazines. The logo and informations about World Choir Games are everywhere.

Even at the words and mouth of local people, we can smell the atmosphere of  World Choir Games 2006.

I was in Dinner with friends tonight. I was told that one of them had been practising at a choir for nearly one month. They just  want to be part of the  World Choir Games.  They are just normal  amoinese,  singing for a choir really entertain them. They are all feel comfortable to be part of the Games.

I know the music hall is ready, the volunteers are ready, the transportation vehicles are ready.

Sure, the people, amoinese is ready.

Counting down notices said that the World Choir Games was just 25 days away.