Surviving is hard but oh so much fun (sometimes)
Yes, time flies and this month we celebrate two years of our “Old China Hands Monthly Lunch”. Originally it was the first Monday of the month; now it is normally the first Friday.
This time, the first Friday being 1 May we shifted to 8 May.
Busy season for most and also some got felled by a virus going around in Beijing.
We were twenty, and – sniff – all men. But lively exchange as always.
See some of attendees: you may know some of them…
Next round: Friday 5 June.
On 30 April my friend Barry invited me “for a drink”, somewhere near Qianmen.
Well, that was both a surprise and a discovery.
We went to an old and historical compound near Qianmen, 23 Qianmen Dong Da Jie. I admit I never went there. The large buildings I understand are from the old foreign concessions and host companies such as Patek Philippe. The former Maison Boulud French Restaurant closed in December 2013, the building (pictured) is there still. Chef Daniel Boulud was considered “the one” in Beijing. I guess now the medal has been passed to Temple Restaurant Beijing.
We had a nice dinner in Lost Heaven, Yunnan food, before our visit to the Johnnie Walker House next door. Nothing of what I expected…
The building is pretty large, three floors at least and counts several meeting rooms, bars, exhibitions and more. The color of the walls is mostly copper – referring to the distillery. I dare not guess how much the House has cost… They have other Houses in Shanghai and Chengdu.
Of course, special and unique collections of the famous whisky, historical details, a view on the different distilled varieties and a large bar that also serves to host events. In it, the “hidden bar”, activated by a laser beam and made with a Porsche design.
I also found the series of the Chinese zodiac, with “my” bottle of the Rat (with the famous hat…).
We were lucky: it was a special evening with shows. Among others: a brass quintet, guqin recital, a very young Canadian Chinese girl with an incredible voice, a famous French musician (Julian), magicians and a Rubik Cube Olympic-type guru …
Last but not least: our team managed to more or less empty at least one Blue Label bottle. Simply divine… Without ice obviously!
Thanks Barry. Pity I only had my rather lousy mobile camera to shoot some pics… The House is a great place to shoot some good pictures.
Mr. Eric Gass is Investment Alliance Project Officer at China Entrepreneur Club, a non-profit organization founded by some of China’s leading business founders to bolster respect for the Chinese private sector in creating employment and growth opportunity. Since 2013, Eric has focused on further building the club’s international engagement, through projects such as the CEC’s annual China Green Companies Summit and International Visit. Additionally, Eric is responsible for the Investment Alliance platform created to serve the outbound investment interests of member companies.
Founded in 2006 by Liu Chuanzhi, Liu Donghua and 30 other Chinese entrepreneurs, the China Entrepreneur Club (CEC) created as a non-profit platform bolstering the reputation of the Chinese private sector is dedicated to better business in China, and an embrace of sustainable growth across all represented sectors. CEC currently has 48 members, with member company total annual revenues representing over 3% of China’s GDP in 2014. It holds high level internal and external events regularly. CEC is pragmatic of individual aspirations and intentions, creates potential of cooperation both within the club platform and through club organized activities, and philanthropy through the promotion of better business individually and a force for good in China. Its major annual events including member company visits, China Green Companies Summit, international visit programs, Daonong Gala Celebration and tailored events.
Their website: www.daonong.com
In my thanks to the speaker I joked I was disappointed not to hear stories of cigar-smoke-filled rooms where rich people enjoy expensive French wine and Cognac. Instead we heard many times the words “pragmatic, philanthropy, green, sustainability, promotion of private sector”. And more key terms so important today, all in all an encouraging sign the elite CEOs are contributing to make China a better place. Other positive aspect: all the economic and business missions they organized to France, Belgium, USA, UK, Singapore, Australia; Germany and Italy to follow soon.
CEC has a staff of 35 with one foreigner, Eric. Becoming a member seems pretty tough; membership is like RMB 200,000 for two years.
I was invited so many times that ended up going… To see how this overseas luxury property exhibition was doing now. I attended one of the very first ones, many years ago. Unfortunately I have still to earn more millions to be shopping in that exhibition…
For sure, now more popular than ever and the official VIP opening on 24 April was crowded, with many familiar faces.
The hotel is also, well, “different”. Luxury that does not please the taste of everyone.
I made a quick round in the exhibition, the only stand of my interest was Portugal – a destination well regarded by retirees.
I did not see a Belgian stand, or I missed it.
On Friday 24 April, other evening with Internations, this time in the classy club V+ on Gongti Dong Lu (China View Building). But first a nice bowl of noodles, downstairs at JinShiSong.
The bar may be classy but I do not like it that much for networking: rather dark, many isolated corners, making it more difficult to mingle with people. Drinks are also rather pricey, 50 RMB for a big glass with little red wine.
The view is nice though, Worker’s Stadium, Gongti Bei Lu and the buildings on Gongti Xi Lu. The reflection in the windows make it a bit hard to shoot good pictures.
I did not stay that long so the Internations photographer had not started yet to make his/her rounds.