Foreigners in Zhejiang 
cctv.com 03-15-2005 18:45
Zhejiang lies in southeast China and as part of the Yangtze River Delta, which acts as an engine spurring China towards modernity. It is for these reasons that foreigners have set foot on this land of profound mystique and progress. I am Mavi Graves. Welcome to this edition of Rediscovering China.
Zhejiang stands out from all the other Chinese provinces. Historically speaking, water sculpts and sustains life and civilization, specifically, in Chinese cuolture,water is a sign suggestive of the Yin power that expresses itself over time,to which Zhejiang is a living testament. Zhejiang, named after a long-standing river, has abundant water resources. And this moist and fertile land has given birth to unceasing economic wonders. Zhejiang is a coastal province. The vastness of the sea endows the people here with a sense of openness, adventure and enterprise evident in that it has the largest number of private entrepreneurs and immigrants in China. Zhejiang, a water-borne legend in the spotlight.
Currently, it鈥檚 not uncommon to find exotic
scenes all over Zhejiang. Foreigners come here as tourists, for business and to do news coverage as well.
The increasing consumerism of Zhejiang鈥檚 native population gives international companies every incentive to provide all varieties of quality products and services here.
Stephen Warren works for Radisson Plaza Hotel Hangzhou as Executive Chef and Assistant Food and Beverage Director.
In the wake of such world-class Hotel groups as Shangri-la and Sheraton, Radisson Hotels & Resorts Worldwide expanded their business into China. It established its first franchise in Zhejiang鈥檚 capital, Hangzhou, in 2000.
A morning meeting begins Stephen's daily routine, followed by an inspection of all the kitchens in the hotel, one by one.
Pleasing guests and their pallets with a variety of delicious food is a must for any five-star hotel and it is the bread and butter of Stephen鈥檚 job.
the Chinese food kitchen, the Japanese food kitchen, and the buffet kitchen, are just a few of the stops on Stephen's agenda. All members of the Chinese staff here are required to learn English. Little by little, they鈥檝e overcome the language barriers.
Sometimes Stephen also takes time to stop by the dining area to have a casual chat with customers and get feedback. At least in terms of the Chinese words for food, Stephen is practically fluent.
Maintaining an air of hospitality is both a passion and duty for Stephen.
Excellent culinary skills is naturally a prerequisite of any Executive Chef. On a regular basis, Stephen shares his art with the other chefs, making sure too much time at the administrative office from doesn鈥檛 dull his skills. Today, Stephen will personally be entertaining a distinguished guest.
Stephen has lived in China with his wife and daughter for four years. His wife is from the Philippines. They met in Hongkong, where he worked for 7 years .His wife has just flown home to visit her family and so Stephen has had his hands full.
His daughter, Tia, recently transferred to a kindergarten further away from their house. The busy father budgets his time to pick her up and take her home.
Stephen is often tied up at work until 9 p.m. So it鈥檚 not always easy to find time to take his daughter around the city, even though he鈥檚 heard the areas surrounding West Lake is the biggest park you visit for free in China.
Tia now speaks better Chinese than her parents. Stephen admits he鈥檚 a little embarrassed to be bested by a 4 four year old, although his Chinese is improving.
Work has taken Stephen to different parts in the world and his daughter never leaves his side.
Zhejiang鈥檚 private industries have developed extraordinarily well in China. Since the end of last century ,several private-owned enterprises have elbowed their way into the auto industry.
To date, some idealistic entrepreneurs have had great success, trading in the familiar stamp of Made in China for Made by China. Other pragmatic ideas include bringing Neoplan Germany and Karlheinz David to Zhejiang.
Zhejiang's private industries have developed extraordinarily well in China. Since the end of last century, several private-owned enterprises have elbowed their way into the auto industry.
Karleheinz David is from Germany. He was invited to China to take the office as Vice President of Jinhua Neoplan Auto Co.Ltd.
One can鈥檛 say enough about the role that Germany, Karlheinz鈥檚 homeland, plays in the world's auto industry. In addition to collection of internationally renowned German brands, Neoplan also made history as the inventor of diesel and the first manufacturer of luxury buses.
Karlheinz has achieved a lot in his career. He enjoys sharing his rich experience and new observations about the rapidly growing Chinese car industry with his colleagues. Brainstorming sessions like this and dining together have acquainted both sides with the cultures of the different respective countries, and ensures smooth cooperation.
Starting his career at Iveco, an Italian car-maker, Karlheinz possesses a great deal of hands-on experience. That is why he himself feels right at home alongside the other workers along the production line.
Cars have always been Karlheinz鈥檚 childhood dreams and a theme that echoes throughout his whole life. It is that dream that bought him in China. To him, witnessing an auto industry mature as fast as it has in China is an adventure he never anticipated having.
The extraordinary education plays in Zhejiang鈥檚 economy is similar to the question of the chicken and the egg, which comes first we are still asking ourselves.
