China Direct

Chengdu city - Living in the West?

 

 
[Image courtesy of www.besteducationinchina.com]

Chengdu City - Living in the West?

A fertile business environment with the Sichuanese talent for good living is helping Chengdu to become a more attractive option for both investors and employees.

Chengdu, capital city of Sichuan province in SW China, is often regarded as one of the most attractive and liveable cities in China for Chinese and foreign businessmen and expatriates alike.

For an update on what Chengdu can offer your business - and family - please read on below.

Download Chengdu City - Overview July 2011

China Direct would like to thank both Shanghai Business Review and Ms. Kirsten Allen for sharing this article.

When a Billion Chinese Jump - China & Environmental Issues

 

[Image courtesy of Faber Publishers & Author]

China Direct is delighted to announce the imminent publication on July 14th of Jonathan Watts' first book "When a Billion Chinese Jump".

This unique and unsettling look at China's worsening natural environment and the government's policy responses to its huge environmental pressures is a must-read for businesses, policymakers and China watchers alike.

James Kynge, author of "China shakes the world", describes it as "the book on China and climate change that the world has been waiting for".  

An extract of Jon's book can be read at: http://bit.ly/bkpcIW. 

More information at: http://site.whenabillionchinesejump.com/ (VPN may be required if in the PRC).

China Direct will be linking up with Jon in September and is looking forward to hosting several events with him on this topic of critical importance.

Jon Watts is the Guardian's Asia Environment Correspondent and is based in Beijing.

Sichuan & Qinghai Earthquakes - an assessment and request from SQR

 
Yushu Earthquake April 2010

Source: Sichuan Quake Relief

China Direct has maintained close contact with Peter Goff and David Hunt of Sichuan Quake Relief over the 2 years since a devastating earthquake struck Sichuan on 12th May.

Please find below an assessment of the last two years from SQR and a funding request for additional tents for Zhongda township at the heart of the latest Qinghai earthquake. 120,000 RMB (approximately 12,000 GBP) is urgently required.

Thank you for your support of SQR.

Download Sichuan Earthquake - 2 years on - SQR assessment May 2010

Download Funding Request for Qinghai Earthquake SQR May 2010

JCCR 09 - 13,000 RMB raised for Sichuan Kindergarten

For those of you who have been following my cycling exploits (see previous blog entries) I have raised 13,000 RMB (approximately 1300 GBP) for the Guangji Kindergarten, a private school that was devastated by the May 12th Sichuan earthquake.

I was unable to visit the Kindergarten over the current Mid-Autumn Festival but hope to get to Chengdu and then Guangji in November.

If you wish to donate then please visit the Sichuan Quake Relief website and give via Ammado.

Thank you very much once again for your support.

JCCR 09 - Video Diary and Pictures now available

Dear colleagues,

I hope that you will take a moment to visit www.sichuan-quake-relief.org and www.flickr.com/photos/sichuanquakerelief for a visual and audio overview of my JCCR excursions last weekend.

Kindly note that the JCCR payment/contributions link and addititional payment options should be up and running on the SQR site within the next few days. 

My apologies for the delay in establishing this link. 

JCCR 09 - Success on Saturday!

Just a short note to inform you that I completed the 206.5 KM route from Beijing to Chengde yesterday in 7 hours 18 minutes.

There was a torrential thunderstorm as I approached the town of Huairou at the 40 KM mark but this was a mixed blessing as it cooled down temperatures to 22c.

From Miyun onwards the heat grew - mainly 33-35 c according to my onbike speedo.

I passed the psychologically important halfway point (100 KM) at Gubeikou in 3 hours 42 minutes and the hills began in earnest. I had my mini Mount Ventoux experience and faced a monster hill that wound its way upwards for about 10 KM.

The route levelled out slightly after this and I had a good 10-15 KM freewheeling through a gulley and spectacular mountain scenery with my support car trailing me to offer encouragement as we approached 160 KM.

The final 45 KM brought me along the river valley to the outskirts of Chengde and then a final slog up to the heart of the city and ancient Imperial Palace grounds.

After the challenges of the preceding 160 KM I was glad to have a relatively easy, uneventful final push for the finish! 

Cycling time: 7 hours 18 minutes.

So, if you would like to support a very worthy cause please give generously to the Guangji Kindergarten at www.sichuan-quake-relief.org. Please follow the payment links on the top of the main page.

A full video diary and accompanying pictures should be online at SQR in the next day or so. 

  

Jingcheng Charity Ride (JCCR) 08-09 Aug

 The JCCR Challenge:

"To ride from Beijing to Chengde and back, a distance of approximately 500 KM, in 20 hours and  in the process raise urgently needed funds for the reconstruction of the Guangji Kindergarten, a school destroyed by the Sichuan Earthquake on May 12th 2008."

I decided to call my ride the Jingcheng ‘challenge’ because this is going to be an endurance test like none other - and I wanted to do something for the people of the province that I call home – Sichuan.

Many of those affected by last year’s cataclysmic earthquake face tough challenges on a daily basis

I felt that only by experiencing some challenges of my own could I truly contribute.

Presuming that I make it to the city of Chengde this Saturday within my 10 hour window I’ll be resting up, recovering and then repeating the whole process again as I head back to Beijing the following morning.

Why CHENGDE?

Chengdu is the provincial capital of Sichuan and regarded, like Chengde, as a place to visit to rest and relax. Although the Chinese characters for both cities are different I was struck by the similarities between the two – not least the pronounciation! And of course Chengde is a handy 250 km away from Beijing….

The PLANNING PROCESS

I’ve planned and organised this challenge myself over the past 3 months. 

I’ve been triathlon-training since August 08 and feel confident that I’m up for the challenge.

This year I’ll be the volunteer testing out the route and fine-tuning the logistics but I hope to attract plenty of interest from all ages and backgrounds for future challenges. 

PLEDGES & PAYMENTS

Please give generously! 

I would be very grateful for all that you can contribute to support the Guangji kindergarten..

Payment options should be up and running on the SQR website soon or via separate links that you'll be informed of shortly. 

 MAPS & DETAILS

Some of you have asked me about the route to Chengde. Have a look at the Google map link.

I recommend that you scroll between the Terrain and Map options.

THE ROUTE & CONDITIONS "IN THE SADDLE"!

Once I leave Miyun reservoir behind me the hills begin. This will be at about the 90-100 km mark.

I’ll pass the stunning peaks of Simatai where the Great Wall is at its spectacular best before heading into the mountainous passes and valleys that will lead me some 150 km later to the city of Chengde.

Conditions this weekend will be challenging with the prospect of high humidity and hot sunshine.  

Average temperatures will be around 30-33 °c and humidity over 80% so I’ll be starting early, around 06:00-07:00.

A FINAL WORD

This will be as much a mental challenge as a physical one however with your support and pledges I know that I’ll be successful secure in the knowledge that this is for a great cause – to help improve children’s lives in Sichuan through the reconstruction of the Guangji kindergarten.

 

Please give generously and help a child rebuild a life - and start a new one.

Thank you 

Guy Dru Drury

Beijing 04.08.09