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A Briton, awed by dyamic change, masters local customs
By Lu Xiaofeng and Xu Wei |
July 26, 2010, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
FOR the last 13 years, Richard Wilkinson, a British citizen, has watched first hand as Jiading District has made major strides in its development.
"What's happening here is just a reflection of China's rapid development, and it is a miracle," he said.
Wilkinson works for Fenner Group, a UK-based manufacturer of industrial belts and polymer-based products.
He is president of group subsidiary Dunlop Conveyor Belting (Shanghai) Co. and another unit based in India.
He spends three weeks a month living in the Jiading District and the remaining week in India.
In 1997, on his first trip to China, Wilkinson stayed in the Jiading District for three months amid preparations for the launch of the Shanghai Fenner Conveyor Belting Co Ltd. He said he still recalls that period clearly.
"At that time, many industries of Jiading were still in their infancy," he said. "There were very few well-known enterprises here except Shanghai Volkswagen."
After fulfilling his start-up mission, Wilkinson returned to the UK. The next time he stepped foot in Jiading was 2004.
"That year also marked the first Chinese Grand Prix," he recalled.
Since then, Wilkinson hasn't missed any Formula One races in the district.
Over the past six years, he said, more factories and buildings have gone up in the district, ushering in new vitality.
"A lot of famous brands came to Jiading, such as KFC, Starbucks and Tesco, a UK-based supermarket chain," he said. "The world is becoming smaller and smaller."
Wilkinson applauded the rapid economic growth, but he said it's imperative for the local government to preserve Jiading's historic resorts and heritage, including Zhouqiao Old Street and the Qiuxia Garden.
A city needs memories, he said.
After many years living and working in China, Wilkinson has adopted many Chinese customs though he still doesn't speak the language.
He's become used to the slightly sweet tang of Shanghai cuisine, and like many local residents, he also loves spicy Sichuan dishes.
On weekends, he usually takes a stroll along the Bund.
"I have gotten accustomed to a life here," he said. "There's not a big difference between most Shanghai citizens and me."
He has also learned some "unwritten rules" governing conduct at Chinese social and business occasions.
As a senior manager, he has frequent meetings with clients. He knows that in China people usually talk business over dinner. He held a cup up, boasting that he can drink four cups of Chinese distilled liquor without problems.
"It is more comfortable and relaxing to talk business at the dinner table," he explained. "I think it is a part of Chinese culture."
The British are often stereotyped as starchy and reserved. But according to the company's project manager Hu Xiaozhong, Wilkinson has two sides to his personality.
He is very strict about work and demands excellence and commitment from those around him. But in a social setting, he is amiable and outgoing.
Wilkinson does share one trait with his native countrymen. He is a die-hard soccer fan. When his Chinese colleagues invited him to join the company's football team, he agreed without hesitation.
He plays forward on the team. He is also a runner who likes to attend marathon races.
"Sports bring passion to my life and help keep me young," he said.
"What's happening here is just a reflection of China's rapid development, and it is a miracle," he said.
Wilkinson works for Fenner Group, a UK-based manufacturer of industrial belts and polymer-based products.
He is president of group subsidiary Dunlop Conveyor Belting (Shanghai) Co. and another unit based in India.
He spends three weeks a month living in the Jiading District and the remaining week in India.
In 1997, on his first trip to China, Wilkinson stayed in the Jiading District for three months amid preparations for the launch of the Shanghai Fenner Conveyor Belting Co Ltd. He said he still recalls that period clearly.
"At that time, many industries of Jiading were still in their infancy," he said. "There were very few well-known enterprises here except Shanghai Volkswagen."
After fulfilling his start-up mission, Wilkinson returned to the UK. The next time he stepped foot in Jiading was 2004.
"That year also marked the first Chinese Grand Prix," he recalled.
Since then, Wilkinson hasn't missed any Formula One races in the district.
Over the past six years, he said, more factories and buildings have gone up in the district, ushering in new vitality.
"A lot of famous brands came to Jiading, such as KFC, Starbucks and Tesco, a UK-based supermarket chain," he said. "The world is becoming smaller and smaller."
Wilkinson applauded the rapid economic growth, but he said it's imperative for the local government to preserve Jiading's historic resorts and heritage, including Zhouqiao Old Street and the Qiuxia Garden.
A city needs memories, he said.
After many years living and working in China, Wilkinson has adopted many Chinese customs though he still doesn't speak the language.
He's become used to the slightly sweet tang of Shanghai cuisine, and like many local residents, he also loves spicy Sichuan dishes.
On weekends, he usually takes a stroll along the Bund.
"I have gotten accustomed to a life here," he said. "There's not a big difference between most Shanghai citizens and me."
He has also learned some "unwritten rules" governing conduct at Chinese social and business occasions.
As a senior manager, he has frequent meetings with clients. He knows that in China people usually talk business over dinner. He held a cup up, boasting that he can drink four cups of Chinese distilled liquor without problems.
"It is more comfortable and relaxing to talk business at the dinner table," he explained. "I think it is a part of Chinese culture."
The British are often stereotyped as starchy and reserved. But according to the company's project manager Hu Xiaozhong, Wilkinson has two sides to his personality.
He is very strict about work and demands excellence and commitment from those around him. But in a social setting, he is amiable and outgoing.
Wilkinson does share one trait with his native countrymen. He is a die-hard soccer fan. When his Chinese colleagues invited him to join the company's football team, he agreed without hesitation.
He plays forward on the team. He is also a runner who likes to attend marathon races.
"Sports bring passion to my life and help keep me young," he said.
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