The Westin Shenzhen Nanshan unveiled strategic partnership with renowned artwork company WEGALLERY. Starting from today, guest will be immersed in more than unsurpassed luxury, inspiring and pampering with abundant masterpieces from worldwide, interesting activities and adorable accessories.
At Westin, we are dedicated to empowering well-being for our guests, associates and the community. The Westin Shenzhen Nanshan debuts its first collaboration with WEGALLERY to define hotel as an aesthetic world of refinement and creativity, showcasing the combination of the stunning artworks from global artisans and six pillars of wellbeing at Westin Hotels &Resorts worldwide.
Together with WEGALLERY, The Westin Shenzhen Nanshan will launch a sequence of diverting hand-made activities featuring artisanry and the essence of artistry. Explore more and start your artistry adventures with WEGALLERY and The Westin Shenzhen Nanshan today.
About WEGALLERY
Founded in 2010 by Mr. Simon Cheng, WEGALLERY is dedicated to promote the contemporary art and the communication between eastern and western cultures. The gallery has always been highly involved in global art fairs and actively cooperate with culture and art institutions of various countries. In addition, our WE YOUNG PROJECT identifies and embraces new ideas and development of emerging young artists.
About Westin Hotels & Resorts
Westin Hotels & Resorts, a leader in wellness and hospitality for more than a decade, lives its philosophy “For a Better You™” through the brand’s six pillars of well-being: Feel Well, Work Well, Move Well, Eat Well, Sleep Well and Play Well. At more than 200 hotels and resorts in nearly 40 countries and territories, guests can experience offerings that include the iconic Heavenly® Bed, RunWESTIN™ and Westin Gear Lending with New Balance®, delicious and nutritious SuperFoodsRx™, the innovative workspace Tangent, Westin Weekend signature experiences, and Heavenly Bath and Heavenly Spa. Westin is proud to offer Starwood Preferred Guest®, the industry’s leading loyalty program. To learn more, visit www.starwoodhotels.com/westin. Stay connected to Westin: @westin on Twitter and Instagram and facebook.com/Westin
HIBC – Laws and Policies of Foreign Investment in China
As China’s economy continues to grow, more and more people are looking towards this industrious country to take advantage of its investment prospects.
Entrepreneurs and investors alike are crowding to park their wealth here and get in on the high growth opportunity. Hosting this event seemed to us like the perfect opportunity to help interested parties learn more about how to make this desire a reality.
Thank you to all the business professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs who took advantage of the valuable information provided by Anita Wang and her team of highly skilled legal consultants. Much was learned from the hour long presentation on legal policies foreigners must recognize prior to business set up in China, business cards were exchanged while new alliances were created during the networking session, and those questions that have been keeping you up at night were finally answered during the Q&A segment. Some key takeaways from this event include; best practices for setting up WFOE, labor laws and tax considerations.
Our guest speaker, legal expert Anita Wang, is a Senior Partner Lawyer at P.C. Woo and Zhonglun W.D. LLP. She graduated with a Masters in Law and is a Certified Tax Agent practicing in Guang Dong Province. The insights she provided during this event were extremely relevant to anyone serious about setting up business in China. The following points are just a summary of the information received during the event.If you have any questions about how this information relates to your business; more detailed information can be received by reaching out to our supportive team here at HIBC. Our door is always open!
What type of business entity is usually best for foreign investment? Well… a WFOE of course! With the right guidance, WFOE setup can be easy as there is currently no capital requirement for setting up this type of business, except in some special fields like banking or insurance industries relating with finance. We suggest having a minimum of 100 – 150 thousand RMB available for your business endeavor to give yourself adequate room to operate, but you do not need to have these funds in your Chinese business bank account all at once. One common misunderstanding of the WFOE is that a Chinese partner is required for incorporation, which is untrue as a WFOE can be set up without a Chinese national. But maybe you do have a Chinese friend you know would make an excellent business partner… Great! The other common type of business structure that many foreigners also undertake and with a Chinese person is a Joint-Venture. Now that you have your business structure set up, it’s time to think about hiring the right people for the job.
Another major area touched on by Anita was labor law, where she raised some interesting points one must acknowledge. A commonly overlooked requirement of a Chinese labor agreement is that an employer must provide social security insurance for all employees. Anita noted that if you want to end a labor arrangement, you are responsible for paying the employee a severance of [n+1 (n= years)]. For example, if an employee works for the company for 3 years, to legally terminate the employment contract, you must pay the employee a severance of 4 months wages (3+1). Anyways, the severance is up to 13 months wages (12+1). So now you have your business structure in place AND you have a team behind you BUT are you operating within policies set in place by the government?
The final key point Anita discussed with the group was tax considerations. As she points out, the majority of businesses are taxed at an Enterprise Income Tax rate of 25%, unless operating as a Micro business enterprise or certifited Hi-tech enterprise. Other major taxes to consider are the Value Added tax and the Withholding tax. Failure to comply with appropriate tax obligations can result in some severe punishments, such as lifelong imprisonment and enormous fines. HIBC can help set up and operate your business legally to ensure proper tax obligations are met so that you can focus on what you do best, expanding your business and brand.
The Q&A session was particularly constructive as attendees raised their concerns with Anita and Cassie (Founder of HIBC). The duo took turns filling the audience in on their areas of expertise, and often the whole group converged on a topic together. These are some of the questions that were answered during this productive session.
Digant Lakhani (Manager at Kiran Gems) asked: “When can we inform employees if we want let them go before their contract ends?”HIBC: The employee can be fired anytime during probation, if they breach the rules of the contract such as: they are found to be doing another job that seriously impacts their formal work as a consequence or they commit a crime. Due diligence must be performed to make sure the employee cannot perform the job as specified. Pavel Drbalek (Purchase Manager at Evrazio Center) asked: “Is it okay to register a WFOE with a virtual office?”HIBC: If the virtual office space can provide a leasing certificate (known as Red Book), as proof that business is operating within governmental jurisdiction. At HIBC, we provide the leasing certificate to purchasers of our virtual office space, giving your business a legitimate registered address from which to operate from. Mathew (Founder at Pandora Parties) asked: “Can my business be registered in Qian Hai Free Trade Zone but my office location be in another area?”HIBC: Yes, this is legal for companies registered in the Qian Hai Free Trade Zone as registration in this particular area provides special allowances. Setting up business in districts such as Luohu or Futian is perfectly legal despite the business being registered in Qian Hai.Pax (Office Manager at BM1 Trading) asked: “Why do you need a Fapiao?”HIBC: A Fapiao is proof that a transaction took place and the tax has been paid. Unlike a regular receipt that anyone can write up, a fapiao contains the official seal of the government and registers that transaction within the tax system.Yogev (Vice-general manager at Yuan Quan Hui) : “Why have I been advised that I should first register my company in Hong Kong and then use that company as the investor company to open a WFOE in China?”HIBC: Setting up a company in Hong Kong provides many benefits which include ease of startup, proximity to mainland China, a business-friendly tax system and the ability to easily receive payments from overseas. HIBC provides business setup services for both Hong Kong and mainland China.
Remember that laws and policies in China are constantly changing, so be sure to stay up to date when new information is available or hire qualified professionals that will keep your business in compliance so that you can focus on what you do best. At HIBC, we strive to provide our customers with a work space tailored to fit their needs and provide the best possible resources to promote and grow their business. We are happy to provide our members with exclusive events that integrate with global business trends and client interests. We hope to see more of you entrepreneurs with exceptional motivation to succeed at one of our upcoming events. Stay posted for information regarding our upcoming events by following our official WeChat account.
At HIBC, we aim to create an inclusive ecosystem that acts as a catalyst for your business. With people from diverse backgrounds and sectors all under one roof, special ideas turn into special projects. We are proud to host unique events for our members that dive deep into the latest social, cultural, technological, and business developments. That way, our community constantly stays informed and at the front of the pack as well as becoming connected with new friends and partners that attend. We hold your start-up’s hand every step of the way and supply all the tools necessary for it to grow; from company set up, tax accounting, IP rights and strategic partnerships.
What we do:
– Co-working space/ Serviced Office/ Co-living space
– Relocation service
-Company Registration ( WOFE & HK company)
-Accounting and Tax
-HR Service
-Law Advice
Please scan the QR code to contact us!
Contact:
Tel/联系方式：+86-755-23823860
Email/邮箱：info@hibcsz.com
Web/网址：www.hibcsz.com
Weibo/ 微博：弘夏国际HIBC
Add/地址：
Room 3807~3809/1601, Block A, Xintian CBC building, Fumin Road, Futian,
深圳市福田区福民路新天世纪商务中心A座38楼3807~3809/1601
HIBC promotion
Prmotion 1
Co-working Space Buy 1 Get 1 Free
HIBC Co-working Space
Limited Time Special Offer
Buy One Get One for Free!
1500rmb/desk/month
√ Pay for 1 desk get another desk for free.
√ Pay for 1 month get 1 month for free.
（you can enjoy one of the promotions above.）
Promotion 2
Private office for 3 desks
¥4,800
Now is only ¥3,680/month ALL FEES INCLUDED
( can provide Rental Certificate)
Prmotion 3
20% OFF Address for registration &WOFE registration
(All fees included + Rental Certificate)
Come here, you can make friends with people from different industries all over the world. We will hold an international business event regularly to make you work and networking together.
√ Futian CBD location, 1 min to 2metro lines, close to coco park
√ Large window, bright light, amazing view
√ Brand new western decoration，fully furnished
√ Free coffee, tea, High-speed Wifi support
√ 24/7 access
√ Flexible lease term, all fees included
√ One-stop expat business services: registration, administration, finance and tax, translation services.
Hong Kong is a special place, and it can be difficult to put into words what makes it feel so special. One of its great aspects is the pristine and varied nature on offer, and through Discovery this is at our fingertips or rather I should say out feet. The most recent adventure was ‘suicide cliff’ at Kowloon Peak. Now this is not a very nice name for an area, but when you get there you will see that although unpleasant, its most certainly an apt name.
We left bright eyes and eager, chit chatting on the bus and even had a KTV treat from a late arriving hiker and the time flew by. The bus weaved and twisted its way up the narrow road towards the peak, and with thick clouds of fog it was like something out of a horror movie. But we arrived safe and sound in quick time and off we got ready to rumble.
The hidden trail that Vincent lead us on was a nice surprise and a real natural hike. Walking on mud trails, and through the fog made me feel like I was back in my home country of Wales, a real treat! It was a bit slippery and wet, but that added to the fun, and at times the grass was up to my shoulders or higher. You won’t see this kind of hike in Shenzhen. The trail continued for an hour or so, it was challenging but not so difficult, and some great nature shots along the way. After we popped through the grass we were at the helipad and it was time for lunch.
After we were nourished and watered it was onto the ‘suicide cliff’. This would normally give breath-taking views of the vista below, but due to the fog we couldn’t see much. However as we descended down the cliff the sky cleared and sun shone through, providing us with the great views that Hong Kong hiking is all about. It was quite surreal having such changeable weather, even with just a few metres difference in altitude. One minute wind is howling though your hair, the next minute you’re getting sunburned. Only in Hong Kong would that happen!
Of course, with such great views on offer, and with the cliff dangling so close to your feet, pictures are an absolute must! And boy did we take some pictures. Group ones, individual ones, serious ones, funny ones, pretty much all types. And as you’re standing above the panorama, clouds whirling around, gazing at the urban jungle below you, you really do feel a rush of exhilaration and adrenaline that makes you feel alive. It was truly a marvel that will always be remembered.
The details
Bring 2 liters of water, there is nowhere to buy water on the mountain top.
Ditto, snacks & food.
If you take the stairs, then sports shoes will be okay. If, like I did, you take the trail through the grass I recommend hiking shoes as it’s slippery with uneven terrain.
Phone power bank, in case phone dies and you need it in an emergency.
Difficulty is 4/5, not for beginners, but also its not overly challenging.
Want to go?
At Choi Hung MTR station, walk along New Clear Water Bay Road and Fei Ngo Shan Road to the peak’s observation deck, which offers a wide-sweeping view of the cityscape.
With so many pizza places in town, it can be hard to stand out. The Pizza Factory, however, have come along with a concept that is going to shake up the game.
It’s simple, really. You get to build your own pizza. Not only that, but you can choose as many toppings as you like. All for the same price. RMB 68 for a 10” pizza, and RMB 88 for a 12”.
There are 32 toppings to choose from. And yes, before you ask, you can have all 32 toppings on the pizza if you want. Although we can’t guarantee what that will taste like. It’s fast as well. Your pizza cooks in just three minutes in the stone oven.
They don’t only do pizza and the chicken wings are a must-try. Marinated for 24 hours, these are the kind of wings that the phrase “finger licking good” was invented for.
They also deliver and you can find them on Meituan. They do kids parties too, where the kids can learn how to make their own pizzas.
So go check it out today, but admit it. We already had you at “build your own pizza with unlimited toppings”, didn’t we?
Address: 5th Floor, The Eslite Spectrum, Mixc World, Near Hi-Tech Park Subway Station Exit A, Nanshan (地铁一号线高新园站A出口万象天地诚品生活5楼（大象旁）)
There was a time when Friends was the biggest TV show in the world. Everyone was asking if Ross and Rachel would end up together and guys tried (and failed) to hit on girls with Joey’s “How you doin’?” line. With the show enjoying a renaissance on Netflix and reaching new fans, it’s perhaps not surprising to see a Friends themed café opening up in Shekou.
Smelly Cat, located in the tech park area of Shuiwan, is a faithfully recreated version of the show’s Central Perk coffee shop with clear love and attention to detail for the sitcom; from the name of the café referencing Phoebe’s song, to the napkins printed with the lyrics to I’ll Be There For You, to the front window with that iconic Central Perk logo.
What’s perhaps surprising is that the drinks, snacks, and desserts are actually not bad and reasonably priced. They do a solid cheesecake and the vanilla hot chocolate came with Friends written in it.
Smelly Cat is a must for fans of Friends, but you might just find yourself coming back again and making it your hangout just like in the show.
One of the biggest problems for bibliophiles in Shenzhen was where to find English books? Yes the libraries around the city have some options as does Book City, but I always left feeling dissatisfied with the selection. And for many book lovers (myself included) downloading ebooks was a poor substitute for holding a real book in my hand and feeling the pages between my fingers. So book lovers rejoice! For the largest expat library in the city is available to you.
In a Shuiwei community centre, lies a haven for book lovers. During the weekday its just a normal local centre, and the books lie undisturbed and untouched. But during the weekend book exchanges the library screams to the heavens and roars to life, ready to bring books and fun into people’s lives. The event is called Book Exchange Library and it is a free event, open to all people in Shenzhen. It is rather a confusing name, it’s more like half library half book club. No exchange is actually needed. You can come along, have a browse and if you see a book you like then you’re welcome to take it home to read at your leisure. No charge!
The collection comprises of over 900 books, built up over the years from donations. The collection has slowly grown and now has books in multiple languages (mainly English) and covers all genres from well known thrillers, to classic novels all the way to obscure sci-fi. The Book Exchange Library has it all. Some of the books are almost new, and some have seen better days. Passed along from one book lover to the next, read and enjoyed then passed along to the next. The stories these books themselves could tell would be fascinating!
The Book Exchange has a loyal following, with familiar faces popping in to swap books or have a chat. New members are always welcomed, and volunteers are on hand to assist and help out. Regular book discussions take place, and occasionally authors will come for question and answer sessions about their books and their life story. These will always be done in English. When there’s no events or discussions it’s just a quiet place where people can meet, talk and of course read. Please come along and check it out for yourself.
The Book Exchange Library is organized twice monthly, on a Sunday and on a weekday (usually Wednesday). For more information about future events and directions to the community centre please follow their official wechat.
Sometimes the simplest food is the most satisfying. Few snacks sum this up better than the jacket potato. Despite its universally accepted awesomeness though, there has been no real place to get a proper jacket potato in Shenzhen. That is until Plus Potatoes opened recently.
Located nearby Seaworld in the neighborhood of Shuiwan, this small snack shop is run by Andrew; a very welcoming Malaysian with a passion for potatoes.
To my mind, two things make Plus Potatoes stand out. One, they source only the fluffiest potatoes and they bake them from start to finish. There’s no cheating or shortcuts with steaming or boiling the potato beforehand. Two, the variety and creativity of the fillings. From the classic Tuna Mayo and the delicious Chili Shrimp to the eye-catching Sweet Potato, Ice Cream, & Popcorn.
Potatoes isn’t all they do. There is a mouthwatering selection of burritos, pitas, baked rice, and savory tarts too.
Hopefully one day there will be a Plus Potatoes on every street corner, but for now, you’ll have to make the trip down Shuiwan way. You won’t regret it.
For people in Bao’an who wanted to enjoy some Mexican food, you would have to make the long journey to either Shekou or Futian. That’s all changed with Mariachi Bowls in Pingzhou.
Mariachi Bowls offers the classic Mexican dishes, but what makes it stand out are their signature Taco Bowls. El Rey, Cielito Lindo, and El Ultimo Beso are all must tries. You can save more with their awesome Bowl Combo meal deals too, where you can combine a drink or grab two taco bowls for you and a friend.
With its authentic cuisine and amazing promotions, Mariachi Bowls has quickly become a popular spot for foreigners in Bao’an. There is a decent crowd most nights of the week and great turn out for the regularly arranged events. The owner has big plans and it won’t be long before you start seeing taco bowls all over Shenzhen.
Address: Near Pingzhou Metro Exit D (Across the street from Ren Ren Le and KFC)
Tel: 13265481504
Opening Hours: Everyday – 3pm till 11pm (After January 20th, 2018 – 10am till 11pm)
This year The CCI FRANCE CHINE South China has celebrated the Beaujolais Nouveau 2018 with its new concept. The first Gala & Beaujolais Nouveau in Guangzhou has been successfully held on Thursday, November 15th at the Four Seasons Hotel in Guangzhou, followed by the traditional Beaujolais Nouveau in Shenzhen on Friday, November 16th at Shenzhen Shangri-La Luohu Hotel. Almost 500 guests in Guangzhou and around 350 in Shenzhen attended these exclusive events including Mr. Javier GIMENO, President of CCI FRANCE CHINE and CEO of Saint-Gobain Asia-Pacific; Ms. Siv Leng CHUUOR, General Consul of France in Guangzhou and Ms. Caroline PENARD, General Manager of CCI FRANCE CHINE.
This exceptional festival, under the sign of conviviality, has mingled pleasantly wine tasting, dinner-spectacle, fashion show, beautiful live music and of course, the discovery of Beaujolais Nouveau 2018. Assembled around the tables, many enterprises, international firms and SMEs joined in these 2 events in South China which remained a great opportunity for both Chinese and French communities to represent their industry and exchange efficiently.
Very thankful to our support partners as Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou, Georges Duboeuf, Shangri-La Hotel Shenzhen, Peugeot Saveurs, Pierre & Vacances Center Parcs, Wine Magazine, Alliance Francaise Canton, EDF, Gac-Sofinco Auto Finance, iBorn Women’s & Children’s Hospital, Live Group, ISD Group, Olmix Group, Weber Saint Gobain, Slow Life, BOLLORE Logistic, Creative Capital, ESMOD Guangzhou, CYTS, Forsee Power, Kraemer, Parishine-Boway, People&Kids, Residence G, 21 cake, Singlelife DS, SKEMA, Accor hotels, COCINA, Confee, ECHO, FB Solution, Fuel, HarMoniCare, JunZeJun Law Offices, La Medina, Le MERIDIEN, Creperie chez Maggy, New Row, Perma, Peugeot Open Europe, PLS Group, le Sainte MAXIME, Vista, Wilber’s Restaurant, as well as our media partners and volunteers.
And great thanks to all the participants. This Beaujolais Nouveau 2018 was really successful in Guangzhou and in Shenzhen.
The second season of the Wyndham Grand Kids Activity was a howling success. With a theme of puppy dogs plus scrumptious food, games and competitions, the children who attended had a ‘pawesome’ time!
There was even a real live puppy to greet the children as they arrived!
Puppy balloons surrounded the outdoor garden of the lobby lounge and decorated the tables. To top it off, a stage was set up at the front with a huge ‘Discover the Cutie Doggy moment’ display.
Exciting objects and gifts could be found on every table, including pots of modelling clay in a range of bright colours for the children to play with. Wyndham Grand mugs were carefully wrapped as an additional gift for the adults at the event, although some of the children were so excited they unwrapped those as well!
One of the competitions was for the best clay model made during the afternoon, which almost all of the children (and some of the parents!) took part in.
The models showed off some very creative skills and great imagination. Puppies, chicks, ladybirds and snails were just a few of the creations displayed for the competition – it was very difficult for the judges to decide the winners!
The prizes were giant soft toy dogs, ready and waiting for a new home. They found their new homes with a green dinosaur, a multi-coloured hedgehog and a lime with a tiny hedgehog and carrot on top.
Even the food was puppy themed. Doggy-licious desserts – some in the shape of the most popular dog breed in China, the Shar Pei – made a mouth-watering display.
Mini plant pots filled with sponge cake, crunchy flakes, fruit and chocolate, complete with a tiny spade; heart shaped chocolate truffles; all kinds of macaroons; puppy-shaped biscuits; mini waffle cones filled with fruit cream; chocolate, fruit and nut balls covered in purple chocolate; and frozen lime and pineapple-shaped desserts were a selection of the delights on offer.
The dessert display was completed by a pink chocolate fountain with marshmallows, jelly sweets and fruit skewers all ready to dip.
As for the main courses, every appetite was catered for. From finger sandwiches and BBQ chicken wings to kung bao chicken and sushi, an eclectic mix of Chinese and Western cuisines was on offer.
No kids’ activity would be complete without a ball pool, and the Wyndham Grand was no exception. Kids of all ages had a pawsitively fantastic time playing with the inflatables, balls and balloons.
The final competition was a ‘fetching’ game where the children had to find and retrieve small blue boxes. Each box contained a piece of paper with a number which could result in a prize – from small red puppies to giant 2m long soft, fluffy dogs all ready and waiting to be taken to their new home.
As usual the Wyndham Grand staff were ever present, helpful and involved with the event and the children.
Look out for the Third Season of the Wyndham Grand’s Kids Activity, coming early next year. An event definitely not to be missed!
The Wyndham Grand, Futian, doesn’t do events by halves, and Halloween this year was no exception. The Grand Kitchen, the Wyndham’s buffet restaurant, was host to the Halloween Buffet Dinner. No word could be used to describe it other than ‘spectacular’.
As soon as the elevator doors opened on the third floor, you were greeted by Halloween decorations and spooky sounds. Cobwebs were draped over light fittings; staff were dressed in cloaks and witches hats, with the occasional addition of scars, vampire teeth or dripping blood; skeletons and skulls caught your eye in every direction.
The most remarkable aspect was the amount of effort that had obviously gone into the Halloween themed food. Even the bread was shaped like ghostly faces!
From 6pm to 9.30pm over 100 people came to spend Halloween eating sumptuous savouries and delectable desserts. Appetizers included a selection of Asian-style and Western-style salads, as well as ‘design-your-own’, sushi, sashimi and an array of imported seafood – the Grand Kitchen’s specialty.
Everything from New Zealand scallops to oysters from Iceland, Alaskan salmon to South American shrimp, was available for the guests’ delight.
At the opposite side of the restaurant, a wide variety of Asian and International dishes greeted guests.
Alongside the usual dishes such as beef brisket, braised noodles with seafood, fried sole fish with cream sauce, Chinese BBQ chicken and pork, and Guangdong-style soup, the food was accentuated by Halloween specials.
A ‘Terrorist Mummy’ of BBQ pork rib with sausage was the centrepiece, complete with ketchup blood, laid ready and waiting to feed hungry guests.
The pièce de résistance of the whole experience was – without a doubt – the desserts. This is where the Halloween theme really came alive – or undead! A human brain, a bleeding heart and a dismembered arm were proudly displayed, surrounded by tombstones, spiders and skulls.
Luckily they were filled with delightful flavours like chocolate cake with raspberry and cream filling, almond cake or Swiss roll. They looked so good people were almost afraid to eat them!
As well as these masterpieces there were over 30 different types of dessert, all designed and made by the bakery chef.
Eyeballs filled with chocolate truffle and nuts, honeycomb witch hat cupcakes, Halloween sugar cookies, sweet witch poisoned soup, 3D spider puffs, fruit tarts in mini white chocolate coffins and chocolate spiders were just a few of the petrifying puddings on offer.
The treats didn’t stop at food either. Free-flow soft drinks and beer were also included with the buffet, along with a complimentary glass of wine and exclusive Halloween mocktails.
Free face paint, stick on scars and wounds, hats and masks were provided for anyone who wanted to embrace their inner scariness.
To top off a spectacular evening, what Halloween celebration would be complete without a pumpkin carving competition!
Eight guests took their places in front of fresh pumpkins, ready and waiting for life to be carving into them. Two children joined in, although after a while it became clear that their parents were doing most of the work as the children decided to go elsewhere and play!
After intense concentration and hard work from the participants, the restaurant manager chose a winning pumpkin. All pumpkin carvers received a Wyndham Grand mug as a special gift and the winner also received an exclusive bottle of house wine. The decision was very difficult to make as a lot of thought and effort had gone into every Jack o’lantern.
This was the third consecutive year the Grand Kitchen has put on a special Halloween Buffet and Mask Party, ever since the Wyndham Grand opened in 2015. If you can’t wait until next October, the international seafood buffet is also available every day for lunch and dinner!
From Monday to Thursday the buffet is RMB268, and RMB318 between Friday and Sunday. All diners are also welcome to enjoy one complimentary glass of wine. Prices are subject to 10% service charge and 6% VAT.
You know, they don’t call Italy the beautiful country for nothing. Whether it’s the Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, or the Sistine Chapel; beauty can be found everywhere in Italy.
Perhaps no more so than in its wine, whose export sales amounted to USD35.5 billion in 2017. And where once Italy was renowned for its classic reds, it is now in white wines where the biggest growth can be found. Leading that growth is the Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi white wine.
Verdicchio: Fifty Years Of Wine Making Excellence
This year a conference was held to mark the 50th anniversary of Verdicchio dei Castelli de Jesi DOC. The event took place in the beautiful Pergolesi Theatre in the heart of Jesi. The theatre is one of the few opera houses still remaining in Italy from the late eighteenth century period. It was on such an occasion and at such a venue that it was revealed that in the past year, Italy sold more white wine than any other country in the world.
A few years ago, such a statement would not seem possible, but within the last 10 years, the production of white wine by Verdicchio has exceeded all expectations; they have tripled the average area of hectares planted, renewed over ¼ of the vineyards, while bottling outside the area has fallen by 75% and exports have grown by almost 50%.
This has led to Verdicchio establishing itself as a brand known for its high quality, both in Italy and across the world. Recognition has arrived in the form of awards from Italian wine guides, for both their red and white varieties.
White Wine: The World’s Fastest Growing Popular Wine
Red is the world’s most popular wine, representing 55% of all global sales of wine, but white is growing in popularity, especially among consumers aged 40 and under. In Italy, the trend is even more pronounced. White wine sales in the country rose an incredible 14% in the past five years, while red wine sales increased by 7% in comparison.
During the 50th anniversary of the Verdicchio dei Castelli de Jesi DOC, David Summerland of International’s Wine Monitor revealed several fascinating facts about the growth of white wine. People preferred to drink red at home, while when they went out to socialize they would drink white. This was due to the drink being perceived as an easy drink compared to a red, in particular with women aged under 40.
White Wine Opens New Exciting Markets
Summerland went on to explain that the growth in the white wine market was mainly driven by young people and young women in particular, who represented a good engine for the market. In general, women’s consumption of wine has increased compared to men’s, which partially explains the surge in white wine sales in recent years. In particular, in Italian white wine.
Last year, Italy’s global sales of white wine were worth 1.287 billion Euros, the highest in the world, surpassing France’s total amount of 1.267 billion Euros.
Award Winning Wines
Italian wine has grown so popular because it comes from autochthonous grapes grown in special regions, often referred to as native varieties. Summerland explained that Verdicchio, native to the Marche, was a textbook example of this because of versatility and capacity to age well.
The Marche has worked hard to improve its vineyards. In the past decade, more than a quarter of the Jesi DOC’s 2,190 hectares of vineyards have been renovated. Around 100 million Euros have been spent on promoting and introducing organic growing methods.
The return of investment has included the highest accolades. In the past four years, no other white wine has appeared in as many international wine guides as the Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi white wine.
Last year, Verdicchio received the title of best white in Italy for the fourth year running. At this year’s Decanter World Wine Awards, 15 Verdicchio wines received a score of more than 90, compared to only four Verdicchio wines in 2016.
A Best Seller Worldwide
Around 18 million bottles of Verdicchio dei Castelli de Jesi DOC are sold each year, half of which are sold internationally. The top five export markets are the US, China, Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium. International sales exports are worth approximately 52 million Euros, which represent a growth of about 50% in the past decade.
It’s clear that Italian white wine is going from strength to strength, and Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi white wine is leading that growth.
The ancient Chinese philosopher Laozi wrote, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” The educational journey for our students at Green Oasis School is no different. It starts from the moment children enter our classes to the day when they leave; hopefully a little wiser, more knowledgeable and confident to face the next step on the journey their lives will take.
It is a fact that schools are only a very short part of people’s lives, and yet those 12 or 13 years are some of the most significant. The experiences, opportunities, confidence and skills they learn through their education, be they academic or social, which will ultimately mold them into the adults they will become in the future. Of course it is also how students use these opportunities and it is the hope of every educator that our students use them wisely with thoughtfulness and above all share our passion for ensuring they reach their full potential.
Although we are all ultimately responsible for our own journey as teachers, we know we are also responsible for guiding our students to ensure they make the right choices in life. This is why at Green Oasis School, our Vision is so important to us. Our most important work is to ensure students are educated, nurtured and inspired to face the journey they will take both at school and when they leave. Part of that is to accept that mistakes are part of the life we will have and should not be avoided as they are often what make us stronger. It is how we recover from these mistakes that are most important. Part of our responsibility at GOS is to ensure students have the tools and the support to do just that. Mel Gibson, the movie actor has had plenty of ups and many downs, his quote I believe sums up the need to understand that a mistake is not a failure, but a chance for a new and maybe exciting beginning. He writes:
“It’s a wise man who understands that every day is a new beginning, because boy, how many mistakes do you make in a day? I don’t know about you, but I make plenty. You can’t turn the clock back, so you have to look ahead.” —Mel Gibson
Looking ahead is exactly what we must all do. Mistakes are part of life; we learn from them, they can make us resilient and more determined. Here at Green Oasis we understand that students are growing, changing and open to new experiences. It is part of our Vision to ensure they are nurtured and learn to make choices and decisions that are the best for them. We also know that mistakes are inevitable and not the ‘end of the world’, thus they need to see them as a learning tool to improve and grow as young adults. At GOS it is important to us that we do nurture our students, guide them and give them the support they need throughout their time with us through formal classes and during the day through counseling and from teachers.
Green Oasis School is aware that in our 18 year history, we have had many students through our doors. It is our hope that they have all been inspired to become the adults we knew they could. As we approach our 20th Anniversary, we would be keen to hear from alumni and read their stories. We invite our former students to contact the school through email, so we can continue to celebrate your achievements and successes in life.
Helen Swan
Principal
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Place Name: Green Oasis School Shenzhen 深圳市福田区城市绿洲学校
Place Address: No 4030, Shennan Middle Road, Tianmian, Futian District, Shenzhen 广东省深圳市福田区田面村深南中路4030号
What makes a classy restaurant? Well, there is the understated décor and stately furniture. There’s the number of bottles in the wine cellar. There’s the grade of the steak and where the oysters come from.
But there are also those small, almost indefinable, details. The way the light illuminates the room. The way the waiter appears and disappears as if they are reading your mind. The way the music slowly lures you in.
Rather than try defining what makes a classy restaurant, it might be easier for me to give you an example. Allow me to introduce you to Duke’s Wine & Grill at The Langham, Shenzhen.
They say first impressions are important. This is equally true when going to a new bar or restaurant as it is when meeting someone, if not more so. Well, when I first entered Duke’s Wine & Grill, the restaurant certainly made a strong impression.
My eye was drawn from the classic leather couches and tub chairs to the contemporary art adorning the walls to the high ceilings. Duke’s was lively and was already brimming with the kind of atmosphere you associate with a jazz bar.
I took a table and the manager offered to introduce me to the wine cellar upstairs, to which I duly obliged and he led me to the second floor of Duke’s where the wine cellar is located alongside a private dining room.
If you prefer a fine single malt or a blended Scotch, then you can explore the extensive spirits list. Highlights include Hibiki 17 Years, Macallan 25 Years, and Royal Salute 38 Years. Duke’s Wine & Grill also boasted an impressive choice of imported cigars. The limited run of Cohiba Talisman 2017 Edition, in particular, caught the eye.
I headed back downstairs to my table and started to peruse the food menu. As I flicked through the pages, it quickly became apparent that Duke’s Wine & Grill boast one of the most delectable selections of dishes around; from the Anceline Oysters from France, the Beluga Caviar, the Canadian Lobster, to the Australian Wagyu Tomahawk Steak. Duke’s Wine & Grill only serve the finest of the fine.
As I ordered some dishes, the entertainer for that evening took to the stage and sat behind her piano ready to play. She introduced herself as NaTasha Rogers and when she started her set with a silky smooth rendition of This Masquerade by George Benson I knew we were in for something special that evening.
NaTasha quickly captivated the entire restaurant as she moved on to the Jazz classic Autumn Leaves. By the time she had started to play Lovin’ You by Minnie Ripperton, she had already cultivated that special kind of ambiance, which you only feel in the best Jazz bars.
Soon after, our dishes began to arrive. First up was Duke’s Signature Salad, an intriguing mix of Oyster, Avocado, Bergamot Pear, Manchego Cheese, and Quinoa. The chef struck just the right balance between sweet and savory to deliver a healthy salad you will want to keep coming back to.
Next was a favorite of fine-dining restaurants in China, the Pan-fried Foie Gras. The foie gras is served with mango chutney, which really brought out something new in the dish, and a candy brioche, which was somewhat of a surprise selection but paired unexpectedly well with foie grasAfter the Foie Gras, the Silver Cod Fish Filet arrived, 180 grams of the freshest and most succulent cod available. The cod was expertly matched with a basil clam sauce and came with a side of the softest baby potatoes and pearl vegetables.The final dish was something from Duke’s Wine & Grill’s meat selection. As tempted as the Australian Wagyu Tomahawk looked, I opted for the Salt Marsh Coastal Lamb Loin. Imported from New Zealand, the lamb loin was cooked with parsley, garlic, and breadcrumb, and presented with a rosemary and thyme sauce. The vegetables and herbs really offered the perfect balance to the dish.After another glass of the house white and a couple more songs from NaTasha, it was time for dessert. The intriguingly named Tropical Explosion certainly lived up to its name. The tropical mango’s crispy exterior betrayed the rich mousse inside while the passion fruit ice cream sprinkled with coconut melted in the mouth.Later that evening, I had a chance to chat with the Western Executive Chef, Fabrice Bruto. When he talked about his dishes, there was one element that ran through them all. For him, it is not about where a dish originated from, but the connection between the elements. It is about creating combinations and contrasts resulting in new flavors and sensations.
Before he left, he recommended that next time I try the Venison Rossini Burger, which sounds like the king of gourmet burgers; Venison Patty with Foie Gras and Black Forest Ham topped with Iberico Cheese, Arugula, and Caramelized Red Onions, served in a Brioche Bun with a side of Homemade Truffle French Fries.
I left Duke’s Wine & Grill having thoroughly enjoyed my evening and being reminded what a restaurant is capable of being. While it may be debatable what exactly makes a restaurant classy, there is little doubt that Duke’s is one of, if not the, classiest spots in Shenzhen.Address: Level 3, The Langham, Shenzhen, 7888 Shennan Boulevard, Futian, Shenzhen 518040 (中国深圳市福田区深南大道7888号, 深圳东海朗廷酒店, 3层)
Opening Hours: 6:30 pm to 1:00 am (Sun – Thurs), 6:30pm to 2:00am (Fri – Sat)
Hilton Shenzhen Shekou Nanhai hotel General Manager named Outstanding Area General Manager 2017-18.
Twofold award for John Burger
John Burger, Shenzhen Area General Manager and General Manager of Hilton Shenzhen Shekou Nanhai, has been honored as “Outstanding Area General Manager 2017 & 2018 (Asia Pacific).”
This was one of a number of awards acknowledging great leadership and outstanding commercial results achieved during the past year, announced at the recent Hilton APAC & Commercial Conference held in Singapore recently.
A veteran of four decades of experience in leading international hotels, John’s current responsibilities cover nine Shenzhen hotels.
In 2012, he was appointed General Manager of Hilton Shenzhen Shekou Nanhai China, which he opened in 2013. He also successfully oversaw transformation of the adjacent former Nanhai Hotel into a unique boutique resort, opened in 2017.
John’s award was twofold: for outstanding commercial results that have established the company as a local market leader. And also for his substantial contribution to the development of talent for the Women in Leadership Programme, dedicated to developing female leaders to enrich the diversity of the company’s management team.
The figures speak for themselves – a 110% market share; and an impressive rise in total hotel revenue – 2016 versus 2017 23%; and 2017 vs 2018 year to date, 45%.
Leading the Women in Leadership program proved to be “exciting, educational and thought-provoking,” John says. ”It was exciting to work closely with female leaders and watch them progressing to the next stage. During this processes, I was able to learn more about them. It was a steep learning curve as I started to appreciate the special challenges faced by a female leader whereas a male counterpart would never face such issues. This encouraged me to reflect on my personal life and think about how I balance my work and life. I thought about how my wife and I reacted to each promotion. So it was a process of witnessing other peoples’ growth and helping my own growth at the same time.”
“It was an honor to have the opportunity to present John with this coveted award for Area General Manager Asia Pacific. John has guided his area to superior performance and represents the very best of Hilton Hospitality.” said David Kelly, SVP Operations GCM,
About Hilton
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company, with a portfolio of 14 world-class brands comprising nearly 5,000 properties with more than 812,000 rooms in 103 countries and territories. Hilton is dedicated to fulfilling its mission to be the world’s most hospitable company by delivering exceptional experiences – every hotel, every guest, every time. The company’s portfolio includes Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Curio Collection by HiltonTM, DoubleTree by Hilton, Tapestry Collection by HiltonTM, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages an award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton Honors. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose exactly how many Points to combine with money, an exclusive member discount that can’t be found anywhere else and free standard Wi-Fi. Visit newsroom.hilton.com for more information and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
Shenzhen’s original craft beer festival, Electric City, is coming up on Friday 9th to Sunday 11th November. Shenzhen Party sat down to speak with Joe Finkenbinder, founder of Electric City and Bionic Brew, to learn more about this year’s festival, the story of his brewery, and his love of craft beer.
Shenzhen Party (SZP): Bionic Brew has become one of the most iconic craft beer brands in Shenzhen and across China. How did it all come about?
Joe Finkenbinder (JF): I started home brewing in 2008 when I was in Pennsylvania. I went to Beijing in 2010 where there was a brewery called Great Leap Brewing that had just started up, and I started to work there part-time. I really liked the brewing scene, and in 2014 I decided I wanted to do my own place in Shenzhen.
I’d never been to Shenzhen before. I didn’t know the area, I didn’t have any partners. But I liked the weather. I liked the access to Hong Kong.
I arrived in April and started brewing right away. Rented some equipment from another local brewer and I would brew there on weekends. Rented a little bar in Baishizhou. It was basically a tiny storage room. There were no chairs, no bathroom. It was just somewhere I could sell my beer.
After a month, we were doing pretty well, so I got the place next door. We started to brew inside there and we had a bar. And then that was closed by November. We had won a That’s PRD Award and by the time the award ceremony was held a week later we had already been closed down. They never told us why.
I reached out to a friend of mine, Thompson, who was the owner of NYPD. He made really good pizza, and pizza and beer kind of go together. So, we co-located in another shop in Baishizhou.
That worked for a few months before it was shut down. Apparently, it wasn’t zoned for what it was meant to be. So, we spent all that money and it was closed within a few months. It was a week after our first beer festival. We were top of the world and then you have your knees kicked out from under you.
Just when I was thinking that Baishizhou was not the right place, Thompson got in touch. He had found a 100 sqm location that was legit. The police had shown it to him and he had the paperwork.
So we opened the third Bionic in Baishizhou in August 2015. And that’s where we’ve been ever since.
SZP: Bionic Brew organize Shenzhen’s original craft beer festival, Electric City, which is now in its fourth year. How did that all start and how has it grown over the years?
JF: I’d seen it done in Beijing and Shanghai. I thought it would be a good way to bring people together and show there is craft beer down here.
We had six breweries from Guangzhou, Beijing, Hong Kong, and some local guys. The same weekend there was a big Battle of the Bands and the week before they lost their venue. So we did it together. I think everyone sold out of beer. I know we did. It was only one day, but it was a good time.
We have a waiting list for breweries, but we always invite back the people who came before. We have a lot of breweries, we could have 30, but I just said let’s do 19, plus the home brewers. Last year we did 17 plus the home brewers. The year before was 14.
We need to grow slowly to ensure we have good quality breweries because you want to have someone who already has a little bit of a foothold in the market already. And also, are they legal companies? You know, I don’t want people to get sick.
I would say for those that came, 80 or 90% were foreigners. By the fourth year, it’s – same as our bar – about 50/50. Some craft beer bars are all Chinese and there are some that are all foreign. But ours is very mixed.
SZP: Every year, the top brewers from all over China descend on Shenzhen for Electric City. What breweries have you got for us this year?
JF: One of the breweries we have is a Taiwanese brewery that has a Shenzhen location. They’re called Zhang Men. We’ve got Moonzen, from Hong Kong and we’ve got Master Gao, who comes every year. He’s one of, if not the, biggest brewery in China. We just did a nice Pilsner together. Then we’ve got guys from Wuhan, Beijing, Chengdu, Dongguan, and Guangzhou.
SZP: You must get a wide range of beers at Electric City. What have been the standout beers at the festival over the years?
JF: I’ve got some new recipes in development. An Imperial Stout and a Mango Saison. The idea is to have them there, but I don’t know yet. We’re going to have our two flagship beers and a new hoppy, amber beer called Brass Neck.
I know the guys from Moonzen do some weird stuff that people like. Craft Head is known for their cider. Last year, Devils from Wuhan made a Sweet & Sour Noodle beer. 18 Brewpub made a Blonde Coffee Saison, which they won an award for in Japan.
That’s the thing, you make two that you can just pound all day, and you make two that are the beer nerds, which are high alcohol and are unique.
SZP: After a few of those beers, I’m sure our readers will have worked up a bit of an appetite. What food vendors will be at Electric City this year?
JF: We’ve got a pretty good range. We’ve got tacos from Teqo, the new spot. We’ve got Artisans pizza, who came last year. HH Gourment, who does real cheeses, sandwiches, bagels, and pizza bagels and stuff. We’ve also got this guy, Andy, who flies down every year from Beijing. He makes his own sausages and they’re delicious.
We make Chinese food too. Most people sell Western food, but we do Chinese food. Just a bit different. We start at RMB20 for a Rou Jia Mo.
SZP: Craft beer festivals have become increasingly popular in recent years, and it’s threatening to over-saturate the market. How does Electric City distinguish itself from other craft beer festivals?
JF: What we do that makes us unique these days is that we only have brewers that brew in China. They have to be a Chinese business and they have to use Chinese water.
That’s pretty unique because it allows for a fairly even playing field. You see most of us started from pretty much nothing, and most of us are still pretty much very tiny businesses. There’s no Vedetts or Budweisers that can drop thirty grand and kit out their tent.
Another thing is, you don’t pay for beer with tickets at our festival. You pay each brewer individually. That way, that brewery keeps all the money. Not like these guys who do tickets and take 20% off the top and pocket it. As a brewer, we don’t want that to happen. We treat the festival as we would if we were one of the guests.
Also, every beer fest in China, apart from us and one other, use disposable cups. You get one, you drink one, you throw it away, you get another. So we give a plastic cup, but it’s a thick, reusable cup, and you have to take back that same cup every time. Between the first two years and when we introduced the cup, we cut down on our trash to 1/15th of what it was.
This year, another big difference for us is we are doing three days. One of the reasons for that is that on Sunday we will give out tickets to people in F&B. Number one, if there is any leftover beer then the vendors can sell the kegs to local bars and restaurants. Two, it helps the brewers build new relationships.
It’s set to become the world’s longest sea crossing, completely revolutionize the way people travel between Macau and Hong Kong, and be a giant step forward in the government’s Greater Bay area project, but the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HKZMB) has been a long time coming. Despite some delays and controversy, the bridge is set to open next Tuesday. Shenzhen Party went to work to discover the details about the seemingly imminent unveiling.
What is the bridge?
The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, or HKZMB for short, is a sea crossing that links the Mainland China via Zhuhai with Macau and Hong Kong. The bridge stretches a whopping 55 kilometers (34 miles), making it the longest sea crossing in the world.
The HKZMB has been plagued by its fair share of issues over the years. It was originally meant to be opened by 2016, but a series of controversies involving accidents on the bridge, overspending of budgets, and investigations into corruption has caused it to be delayed until now. But when looking past the setbacks, it’s exciting to see the new opportunities the bridge will bring to the region.
Previously, travelers had to take the ferry to travel directly between Hong Kong and Zhuhai or Macau, or travel indirectly by vehicle north through Shenzhen, across the Pearl River Delta, and south again. Now, with the opening of the HKZMB, travelers can travel directly by car, taxi, or bus. The impact of this cannot be overstated.
Travel times are about to be reduced massively. While before it would take 3 to 4 hours to travel by car from Macau or Zhuhai to Hong Kong, with the HKZMB it will only take 30 minutes.
Also, the HKZMB is open 24 hours. Unlike a number of the other borders between Hong Kong and Mainland China, travelers are free to cross whenever they need.
Interestingly, and perhaps most importantly, the bridge is cheaper than taking a ferry. Speaking of which…
How much does it cost?
The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Authority recently released information on the toll prices for the sea crossing. More information is inspected once the bridge is officially opened and it should be noted that the information is still subject to change.
Vehicle type
Cost (per vehicle)
Shuttle Bus
RMB300
Cross-Border Coach
RMB200
Car/Taxi
RMB150
Cargo Truck
RMB115
Ordinary Truck
RMB60
When is it opening?
Now, that has been the million (Hong Kong) dollar question for the past couple of years.
The bridge was meant to open back in 2016, but there have been several setbacks that have seen the project delayed until now. We’ve heard rough dates for the opening before, only to be disappointed later.
But this time seems to be different, with the government confirming a set opening date of Tuesday October 23rd. Check back regularly with Shenzhen Party for more news when the bridge opens and also tips on how to use the bridge.
Clockenflap: Hong Kong’s Music & Arts Festival 2018 Winners:
Zena Wong
Ryan Esser
James david
Congratulations to the winners above!! :) Also thanks to everyone who attended the contest. We look forward to seeing you all at our next contest in the future. Be prepared, you just might be the next winner!!
Hi, I am Markey Tan and this is my story of how I came to start a coding bootcamp in Shenzhen.
It started just like how it starts for so many others out there. I went to university to study the subjects of my choosing; political science and international relations, all the while increasingly getting conscious of the problems around me and constantly coming up with the ideas to solve them.
By the time I graduated, I was all stoked and couldn’t wait to entrepreneur the crap out of my ideas. Only to realize that ideas, no matter how good and enthusiasm can only take you so far and what I needed was business skills. So, I did what every fresh out of the university, aspiring entrepreneur does: I went to business school.
I chose to do my masters in business management at the Peking University in Shenzhen. I couldn’t have chosen a better city to study in.
Shenzhen was a dream come true for my entrepreneurial mind that by now was brimming with ideas. Plus, it comes to the era that all devices can be connected with the Internet. Then Shenzhen must be the place!
With its ever-growing international community, a strong spirit of entrepreneurship and all sort of resources available at my fingertips, I was sure to be able to launch my project in no time but even though I had a clear business plan and knew all that I needed to know or so I thought, I still found myself on the outside of things looking in.
My year 2017 would be spent working as a co-founder of China Channel. In the process, I really had a blast setting up large-scale events related to China Digital Marketing. I was using Tencent WeChat to its full extent every day for growth, management, and communications.
It was there, among some of the most brilliant entrepreneurial and business minds that I realized what I had been missing in my arsenal: technical skills.
Too often, I had an idea for a product or a service. I had done my research and it was most definitely needed. I had a business model, I had a marketing plan, I had projections, and everything else, except a way to talk to my tech team. They spoke a language, I didn’t understand and I couldn’t clearly relay what I was looking for. Even though I had complete confidence in their capabilities, I felt alienated throughout the design process. I was once again on the outside of things. How could I call it my product when I didn’t know anything about its inner workings?
CHina CHat is the largest international Chinese Digital Marketing conference in the World
It was now clear to me why so many genius ideas remain just that, Ideas. The lack of technical know-how in the business minds keeps them from realizing their dream projects.
I decided to tackle this technical difficulty head-on by going back to school to learn to code, as if the universe was waiting for me to make this decision; I meet Thibault of Le Wagon China.
He told me what he does, I told him what all I wanted to do, long story short, instead of spending what could possibly have been years, I am on way to a 9-weeks coding bootcamp.
Why did I or should anyone else join the Le Wagon coding bootcamp?
First of all, isn’t it better to test the waters by joining a 9-weeks program before plunging headfirst into what can be at the least a year-long course, only to realize it is not something for you and dropping out mid-semester?
Second and I know this through experience, Le Wagon coding bootcamps are not designed to beat the coding into you but to ease you into the world of computer languages and programming so that after the camp, you can choose whether you want to continue learning or if you’ve learned all that you needed.
Third, and this was the reason that I joined the bootcamp, wouldn’t it be nice if you can be more involved in the actual realization of your brain-child and be able to understand what your technical team is talking about at your next staff meeting? It’s not for no reason that Bill Gates dropped out of pre-law and chose computer science. Also to myself, I always came up with the idea. Then this is perfect for me to just make it come true with Le Wagon tools that I’ve learned within 9 weeks.
And last but not the least, you will be learning in a friendly, non-classroom environment from highly skilled, seasoned, coders who won’t only give you theoretical knowledge but teach you how to implement it.
Back to my story. We fast forward to 9 weeks later. I am done with the Le Wagon bootcamp and was I glad that I went. Not only did I learn a programming language, albeit basic (hey, it was a big deal for someone with a non-technical background like me), my fear of all things programming related is gone! Now, I can continue learning on my own with the help of the books that didn’t even dare look at the cover of.
And, the cherry on top of this awesome sundae is that now I am more involved in my projects and can understand when my developers tell me that there is a ‘technical problem’ and not just stare him blankly in the face as they go on explaining it.
Who should attend Le Wagon coding bootcamp?
Everyone! In this day and age when programming is fast becoming the most widely spoken language of the world, it doesn’t matter whether you are a student, entrepreneur, salesman, marketing specialist, financial consultant or English teacher… You got to know the what, how and why of those dozens of applications and smart gadgets you are using. Especially if you are living in China.
Now that you are all excited to give it a try, where can you attend a Le Wagon bootcamp?
Le Wagon is currently present in 29 cities across the globe and as I couldn’t keep the benefit of this mind-blowing program to myself, I have decided to bring Le Wagon to Shenzhen!
Why Shenzhen?
If not here then where? Shenzhen boasts and for no small reasons, its new-found status of being the tech and gadget capital of China. It is home to some of the biggest tech giants like Tencent, Huawei, DJI, BYD and ZTE of our time.
In just 40 years, what was a fisherman’s village has gone from being the hardware manufacturing city to now quickly becoming the tech capital of the country.
With its strategically superior location in Greater Bay Area, manufacturing facilities, diverse international culture, Shenzhen is where the startup dreams come true.
Despite attracting a vast entrepreneurial crowd, there is one major problem.
The talent pool in Shenzhen is divided into two groups, one with genius ideas and the other with technical skills to turn it into reality.
Because of the communication gap, one can’t explain to the other what it is that they want in their product or if it is at all possible.
So even when the two are able to come together, the outcome is most of the times, less than satisfactory or not all what they initially hoped and planned for. As a result, most startups don’t even get to see the light of day and die out during the execution and, the ones that do get launched, their life is short lived.
With Le Wagon coding bootcamp, I wish to bridge that gap in knowledge and communication in tech in Shenzhen.
So, if you are someone who has a business idea but don’t know how to go about executing it, a young professional who wants to get a taste of programming or a senior executive in a tech company. Le Wagon Shenzhen is now here for you.
The Mission in Shenzhen
We are really excited about working with the young business minds, seasoned professionals and entrepreneurs of Shenzhen to bridge the gap between techs and non-techs. Our passionate programming teachers are eager to share their knowledge with anyone and everyone willing to make a step to help themselves.
A community empowered with knowledge will make for a better, stronger Shenzhen.
If you are in Shenzhen and would like to know more about our mission, contact me!
Since opening its doors in 2012, The Langham, Shenzhen, has been combining modern facilities with classic sophistication, as well as the most thoughtful and meticulous services, to provide a peaceful and comfortable place for leisure and business travelers.
In August 2018, The Langham, Shenzhen, was named “Best Business Hotel” in Condé Nast Traveler China Gold List 2018 by renowned travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler.
Introduced in the US for the first time in 1995, the Gold List by global luxury travel and lifestyle magazine Condé Nast Traveler covers over 50 countries and regions across five continents and is the most authoritative list for the global tourism industry. Presenting an objective and professional selection of the top hotels, the Gold List is widely regarded by travelers around the world as one of the most trusted “Golden Standard”.
In the spirit of objectivity, authority and professionalism, Condé Nast Traveler published the first “Golden Guide” for travelers to China in 2004. In 2017, the selection received a full upgrade to include hotel, airlines, airports, cruises and travel agencies, providing a list that is catered to the Chinese tourism market and represents the preferences of travelers to China from a global perspective.
Also known as the “Oscars” of the global travel industry, the Gold List complies with the highest industry standards. Independent surveys and tasting were conducted to assess hotels based on the strictest criteria to ensure that the list is a true reflection of the world and the times to keep travelers at the forefront of fashion and lifestyle.
“We are very honored,” Mr. Jeffrey van Vorsselen, General Manager of The Langham, Shenzhen, said. “This is The Langham, Shenzhen’s second inclusion in the Gold List since 2014. The accolade of ‘Best Business Hotel’ is a result of the love and support that business travelers have given to the hotel. We treasure this recognition very much. In the future, we will continue to provide the best services, as usual.”
Located conveniently in the Futian commercial district, The Langham, Shenzhen inherits over 150-year old classic luxury of the Langham brand. The hotel has 352 guest rooms and suites, 8 banquet halls, multipurpose conference rooms catereing to different business needs, and 7 iconic restaurants that offer a wide range of dining options. In addition, the Langham Hospitality Group’s very own Chuan Spa uses the concept of five elements in traditional Chinese medicine to create a series of natural treatments that allow guests to relax in a tranquil space away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
The Langham, Shenzhen
About Langham Hospitality Group
As the wholly-owned subsidiary of Great Eagle Holdings, Langham Hospitality Group encompasses a family of distinctive hotels under the Langham Hotels and Resorts and Cordis Hotels brands with more than 50 projects currently either confirmed or in a developed stage of negotiation from Asia, Europe and North America to the Middle East. The Group takes its name from the legendary Langham in London which was widely recognized as Europe’s first Grand Hotel. For 150 years, this flagship hotel has represented sophisticated and gracious hospitality, a philosophy that reflects elegance in design, innovation in hospitality, genuine service and captivation of the senses across all properties. For more information, please access the website at www.langhamhospitalitygroup.com.
