China - One view.

The KLM flight was uneventful into Hong Kong.  I missed the good old days of getting to see what people were having for breakfast as well as people mooning the planes as they were coming in for a landing at the old airport. For those of you who don’t remember, Hong Kong’s old airport basically had massive 747s flying, more or less, between the buildings. It was an awesome, over the top experience to look out the airplane window, watch  and watch the milk getting poured on some kid’s cereal while on final approach.

The new airport is modern, and very efficient. I arrive and proceeded to the ticket desk for the ferry over to China.  You don’t pick up your luggage, rather give them your bag tag and they swap it out for a ferry luggage tag.  With about 40 minutes to spare, I had a choice of Starbucks and a great little noodle shop before heading out. No brainer; noodle shop.

Coming over on the ferry, I was reminded of just how busy the harbor is around Hong Kong. I had remembered it from past trips but, as a sailor, it is a wonder for your eyes to see all this boat traffic zipping around everywhere.  We arrived at the dock in Shekou, which is part of Shenzhen, on time (30 minute trip from the airport dock to Shekou). Customs was fun. After handing in a health form about bird flu, you go to passport control.  The young lady was nice, flipped through my passport, smiled and said welcome to China.  I note this only because of Brad Feld’s blog entry covering his friends less then fun time in China. You can read about that here. Brad’s friend has a view that is, at best, unfortunate but different strokes, I guess.  Keep in mind the phrase “Welcome to China”, I’ll get back to that part.

Next up, you run your bags through an X-ray as part of customs. I did this and the customs guy decided to open my camera bag, ignoring my computer bag and luggage.  He takes my camera out (Nikon D200) studies it and says, in perfect english, “I have a Nikon digital and was thinking about upgrading, how’s this camera?”  We proceed to have a ten minute conversation about Nikon digital cameras and at the end of this conversation, he smiles, and says “Welcome to China, enjoy your stay.” That’s two “welcomes” and 100% positive interaction with the government officials so far.

The driver from Sense Technologies (the company I was seeing) met me with a “Welcome Rick Segal” sign and we were off.  We drove from the ferry port into the city of Shenzhen. We drove past the Wal-Mart. Yes, the Wal-Mart. I saw a number of KFC restaurants as well which I imagine are having a tough go of it given the bird flu scare.  I checked out the Wal-Mart to find that there are plans for hundreds of them in the country.  My blackberry, by the way, never missed a beat from the time I stepped off the plane. China mobile works fine and my Vodaphone Edge/EVDO card also works without a problem.

Here are some other interesting observations:

– Fasten your seat belt signs on the highway.

– No smoking in a number of offices that I’ve been in.

– Cell phones, no surprise, are glued to everyone’s hands

– MSN Messenger is being used everywhere for business.

These four observations are important, in my opinion, because the country is growing up into the digital age and while the country holds onto rich and proud cultural aspects, lots of things are evolving or have evolved just like other places in the world.

Consider the seat belt signs and the no smoking stuff. That’s society evolving with or without outside influences.  In meetings with up to nine local folks, the one smoker, got up and left to go outside for a butt break. The local folks ragged on him to quit.  All of the folks that I met were under 45, with most being between 35 – 40. I was the old guy at 48.  It tells me society is changing and from what I can see on my trips to China, there are lots of opportunities here.  The people have been friendly, helpful, and engaging in many conversations about the changing role of the central government, etc. Lots of conversations that 10 or 15 years ago would have never happened. I’m not suggestion it all is roses, not at all. There is traffic, smog, and other problems associated with lots of people and growth. Many of these problems exist in places around the globe.

Today, we will continue some meetings and take some trips to various factories on behalf of my existing portfolio company. We are here doing partnership work.  I hope Brad’s friend gets a chance to see some of the nicer sides of China in the same way that I hope people who go to New York or Los Angeles don’t get sour on the US because of traffic or some other issue. Like the US, China is a great place, with great people that has some good and no so good aspects.

On the train to Hong Kong tonight. Stay tuned.

Comments

[Geoff Wilson]

I'm not so sure that visiting Shenzen counts as having "seen China". Its proximity to Hong Kong and the Special Economic Zone (SEC) it inhabits makes it atypical for the country.

I've been to Shenzen while working in Hong Kong, and don't count myself as having "seen China". That is reserved for a trip to Beijing later in the year.

[Rick Segal]

Geoff,
Thanks for stopping by. I've been to China a number of times and to many different cities. I would agree that going to any one spot doesn't count as having been to a place.

So, with respect, I've seen the place. I've been on the toll road two hours out and in stopping in small towns, I've seen some amazing growth in the 22 span I've been in and out of China.

You will enjoy your trip!

Thanks for 'seeing' this place! :-)

[Brian Benz]

Thanks for the travel notes. Interesting stuff. Keep it up!

[Steven Banfield]

Rick,

Reading this reminded me of the time that you, I and a bunch of other DRGers (Robert Hess, etc) went to Hong Kong for a TechEd like show. It was part of a Hong Kong, Sydney and I think Bejing trip, though my damn boss wouldn't let me go see the Great Wall with the rest of the guys.

Good times.

Steve

[Jim Courtney]

Great report; brings back images of my trip to HK and Guangzhou nineteen years ago.

You talk about the change in attitude towards smoking. Do they still have the need for "No Spitting" signs? My recollection of first impressions riding the Star ferry in Hong Kong harbour on my first day in HK. This notice was painted every few meters on a "ring" running at eye level around the enclosed deck. Smoking was fine then but they obviously had the need to change habits related to spitting!

[Karl Waldman]

My favorite part of China was landing in Xiamen from the smaller airport in Shanghai (not pudong). Almost the entire plane stood up and started pulling down their luggage WHILE WE WERE LANDING.

Oh yeah - while you are there -- try the pickled duck tongue!.

Some of the best meals I had was following others (Chinese) into local restaurants and then pointing at what others around me where having.

Crazy place - but fun