The Hopkins-Nanjing Center for Chinese and American Studies in China is to receive a gift of US$2.2 million from the Hassenfeld Family Foundation to enable Chinese, American and other international graduate students to work together to develop real-world outcomes through innovative projects.
Yesterday saw the much anticipated G20 seminar on the international monetary system meeting in Nanjing. The event, held at the Sofitel Zhongshan golf resort has as its focus a discussion of ways of reforming the monetary system including options that might remove the US dollar from its position as the worlds major reserve currency. The most interesting and high level speech given on the topic is to be by US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner (See here for a link to the transcript to his speech).
On another note though, after his arrival from Beijing at Lukuo airport on Wednesday night Nicolas Sarkozy, the President of France was whisked away to the hotel where he was to stay the note. As is now tradtional for the President, after a light dinner, Mr Sarkozy went for his customary jog. His route took him around Purple mountain and onto the Eastern edge of Xuanwu lake. Surrounded by his security detail, the President continued around Xuanwu lake completing one complete lap before meeting his car at the Eastern edge of the lake and driving back to the hotel. Rumours that his wife, former supermodel and musician Carla Bruni was attempting to skype him are unconfirmed at this time. It seems Mr Sarkozy was very much taken by the scenic beauty of the areas he passed through and has requested that the French consulate in Shanghai take a long term lease covering the period up to the 2014 Youth Olympics of a suite at the newly opened Westin Hotel overlooking Xuanwu lake. A return trip is pencilled in for early July when Mr Sarkozy and his wife will return to Nanjing for a personal trip, sites he will visit include the Nanjing Massacre museum, the museum of Brocade and famous local restaurant
Winston Churchill once said “Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” Now, the former great leader’s words seem more than a little prophetic with the announcement made by Nanjing Medical University that pigs may soon be able to provide suitable organs for transplant into human bodies. Researchers at the university say the first batch of genetically modified (GM) pigs will be born in the second half of this year. Dai Yifan, lead researcher of the project, said that pig organs need to be genetically altered to be compatible with human bodies. Clinical trials are expected to take place over the next two to three years, beginning with pig corneas and skin. This shall lead to trials for major organs including heart, kidneys and liver that will take up to five years. “Theoretically, knocking out relevant genes could be a solution for organ rejection from human bodies, but we have to admit the fact that animals and humans are different, and the success on monkeys does not necessarily ensure success on humans,” said Doctor Ding Yitao at the Nanjing Gulou Hospital. China is placing great hope on its efforts in genetic engineering as one way to ease the nation’s shortage of transplant organs, while the city of Nanjing lies at the forefront of such research into pig-human organ transplants.
This evening, 26th March, sees the annual Earth Hour event take place across the globe. At 8:30pm local time, lights will switch off around the world for Earth Hour as people commit to actions that go beyond the hour.
Organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature, Earth Hour asks households and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights and other electrical appliances for one hour to raise awareness towards the need to take action on climate change.
The event has in some countries also been embraced by governments and local authorities. Last year, in Nanjing, China’s first Earth Hour branded subway train offered low-carbon lifestyle tips to passengers. In 2011, among the eco initiatives are those taking place at the Sheraton Nanjing Kingsley Hotel and Towers. The 5 star facility shall turn off exterior signage lighting; dim or turn off non-essential interior lighting; use candlelight in appropriate public areas including the hotel’s many Food and Beverage outlets. Danny
The hotel industry in China has recently been abuzz with talk that Nanjing shall see up to 60 five star hotels opening their doors in the run up to the Youth Olympics in 2014.
Some fact is now beginning to emerge from the speculation and hearsay, with the announcement on 10th March by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts that their new property in China is set to open in Nanjing in late 2012.
As well as what the press release claims will be 371 spacious guest-rooms and suites, the hotel will offer the 1,800 square metro Willow Stream Spa, a pool and fitness facilities. Situated in Hexi New Town, the Fairmont shall occupy the 56 floor Jinao Plaza development, along with office space, retail and residential offerings.
Elsewhere in China, Fairmont’s presence includes the recently refurbished and iconic Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai, Fairmont Beijing, Fairmont Yangcheng Lake in Kunshan and the Fairmont Haitang Bay Resort in Sanya (due to open in 2013).
Next month sees two important dates in the calendar for all involved in outsourcing. The 4th China International Service Outsourcing Cooperation Conference shall be held from 8th to 10th June while the Sixth International Retailers’ Sourcing Fair & China Sourcing Fair takes place on 29th and 30th June.
While the Retailers’ Sourcing Fair has its focus on assisting Chinese companies to sell their products abroad and helping foreign firms to enter the Chinese market, the CISOCC is more concerned with service outsourcing and offers a number of keynote speeches from government officials, senior executives of multinational corporations.
Trying to make up your mind to attend? During the 3rd CISOCC, 81 international service outsourcing buyers held face-to-face meetings with nearly 300 service outsourcing vendors. A survey conducted after the conference showed that those companies reached an intentional investment and cooperation of US$320 million.
The venue for both fairs is the Nanjing International Expo Center in Hexi, close to the city’s Olympic Center.
Websites:-
http://www.outsource-china.com.cn
http://en.irgsf.gov.cn
Dutch chemical giant Royal DSM has signed a historic agreement with Sinopec for the building of what will be the world’s largest composite material resin factory.
Construction is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2011, with completion scheduled for early 2012. The factory shall have an annual production capacity of 100,000 tons, going some way toward satisfying demand for composite material resins that is thought shall grow from 1 million tons in 2010 to 1.7 million tons by 2015.
The new venture adds further clout to DSM’s share in its joint venture in Nanjing; some 75% compared to 25% for the China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation (Sinopec). The balance of power in DSM’s favour comes as a result of an agreement reached in 2002 whereby DSM acquired another 25% of shares in the Jinling-DSM Resins Ltd. (JDR) joint venture. The history of DSM in Nanjing dates back to 1996 when it became partner in the joint venture with Sinopec, after taking over what was then BASF
Recent renewed press attention on the world’s auto giant Ford is leading to speculation that a deal involving a split of its three way joint venture with Chang’an and Mazda is back on the table.
The split could have serious consequences for staff at the Nanjing plant that Ford operates with its partners. Currently manufacturing the Mazda 2, Mazda 3 and Ford Fiesta, a successful deal would see the Nanjing plant belong entirely to the Japanese carmaker. Insiders are guessing production of Ford vehicles would be shifted either to the existing facility in Chongqing or a new plant the US automaker is considering building in Tianjin.
For the moment, the details of the rumored deal are being kept under wraps with a spokesman for Chang’an also declining to comment. The Detroit based Ford sold 582,467 vehicles in China in 2010, representing a 3.2 per cent market share. Sales in January of 2011 were also up 20% to 53,340 units.
Today may be the day for giving roses to a loved one, but in Nanjing this year it is also a great time to witness the splendor and beauty of the city’s official flower. Thanks to the unseasonably warm weather this year the beautiful Plum Blossom has burst forth much earlier than ususal in Zhongshanling Scenic Area.
On Plum Blossom Hill flowers such as
Fire has this Sunday struck the Beijing Duck restaurant on Shanghai Lu in Nanjing. Popular with locals and expats alike, the fire started at around 12.30pm. No-one was injured in the blaze which is believed to have started in a wood pile that fires one of the restaurant’s ovens. Onlookers spoke of an overpowering smell of burnt wood and plastic. It is thought the electricity supply that was cut off to the restaurant and surrounding buildings, including direct neighbour and expat hangout Bluesky, shall be reconnected later in the afternoon.
Photos: David Smith