This is China! BLOG

The Sun Shines South of Nanjing

It was a such a pleasant relief not to have to go back north of the Yangtze River. The day before, my crack team of site survey professionals – including the intrepid Mr. Lu and incisive the Ms. Zhang – had suffered a most heavily polluted day researching potential locations for an American manufacturing project that wanted to set up a new operation in China. We had traveled one of the three bridges out of Nanjing to Yangzhou, and then to the township of Lu He to return to our Nanjing hotel bleary-eyed and in ill-temper.

The following day we followed our noses – and precise analyses – to a Nanjing port region I had visited four years before. When I had last surveyed the region on another site selection project the area was newly excavated, awaiting the placement of banks and housing and, of course, the ever-important foreign investment. One thing that had struck me four years before was how refreshing the breeze was that blew off the Yangtze River. Happily, the breeze was as energizing and the area – though clearly filled with the factories of huge company operations – was as clean and well-organized as I had remembered it. Also refreshing was that my team and I were able to eat in the mess hall with other government administrators, from a simple but flavorful buffet – just I had four years before! It was such a relief not to have to endure yet another government luncheon at which guests – or rather, victims – are served from a dozen rich dishes that – with enough frequency – leaves one feeling leaden and dull.

The afternoon found us in the city of Jiangning, about a forty-five minute drive southeast of Nanjing. I had not been to Jiangning in four years, again on another site selection survey. Back then, the area was still an unfinished work, though government officials were enthused with the vision of a community supported by high-quality investments from abroad. Four years on, and they had realized their vision, though there was still more housing to develop and more companies to settle. And still the area had managed to keep its sky blue, its breezes relaxing and its trees green.

In general, administrators in the region were energetic and chock full of useful policy information they were happy to volunteer. The general manager of a European company we interviewed was also enthusiastic about the prospects for the area – and for his own lifestyle. “I have everything I need here, just as I do in Germany!” he said broadly.

In high spirits, my team and I bid farewell to the Jiangning group of administrators and sped off westward toward Anhui province. Destination: Wuhu.

William Dodson
WUHU, ANHUI PROVINCE China