FROM CHINA WITH LOVE

Since China opened its door to the world, life in China step by step has been changing. Rich people were born, ways of life changed, etc. The changes are not only felt by Chinese people, but also from people from other countries. This time, let’s fly to……. Italy! Amore!!! Let’s see how China’s economy changes Italians’ life!

Trend is Everything

Why Italy?

First things come to mind, hearing Italian food? Pasta & coffee! Yes, for foodie like me, they’re one of the most amazing discoveries in the food world!

OK, now relating China and coffee, lemme tell you the small background first. For Chinese people, the term of “face” or appearance is everything (read my previous article about “Things About China That You Should Know”) . I wonder why, you know, why China has a lot of Starbucks! Like almost every 500m, at least, you’ll find Starbucks! In fact, I tell you, for most foreigners, Starbucks in China taste like water, meaning, Starbucks outside China are better! One Chinese friend told me, for Chinese, if you hang out at Starbucks, you’ll seem rich, or at least you have money! In contrary, my Chinese teacher told me, Chinese people, they actually don’t really like bitter taste (maybe this is why Starbucks’ coffees in China taste like water).

One of the most famous Starbucks in China: Beijing’s Starbucks

Next, if other cities adore Starbucks, how about Shanghai? If you go to French Concession in Shanghai, just like its name, it’s like little French or little Europe!

French Concession Shanghai

Thank goodness for the Chinese economy growth. Many business people from all over the world find China a promising market. Let’s focus on Italy, not only the business people, but also ordinary Italians are witnessing a greater quality of life thanks to Chinese products.

For coffee manufacturers in Italy, they never expected that China would be their money barrel source! One of the manufacturers said that she started a cooperation with her importer in Shanghai about one and half years ago. Like I said before, Shanghai is quite different from other cities in China. You may find a European like small coffee shops with great coffee too, every 1 km. Shanghai’s people are also more opened that their demand about quality is higher.

Inside one of the most exquisite coffee shops in Shanghai

Not only coffee who wins Chinese people’s heart, but also jewelry. One Italian small jewelry company also expanded its business to the the Giant Panda. The sales manager said that revolutionary technologies in China enabled them to enter the market. “Managing to enter the Chinese market has been a great success and it has changed my life,” she added.

“Let some people get rich first”

Chinese tourists at Pisa Tower

It’s the famous quote from Deng Xiaoping, the paramount leader of China after Chairman Mao. And yes, it’s more more than true! Not some, but a lot!

Deng Xiaoping, mentioned by Mao Zhedong’s wife in her last letter before she suicided, as a thief of his husband’s revolutionary work

Name it, Positano, Venice, Milan, St. Peter’s Basilica, etc. Italian people’s focus is not only exporting their commodities, but also improving their infamous majestic and beautiful city! They’re making efforts to attract more Chinese tourists to their country. For one of the famous travel business providers, they made a strategic cooperation with Chinese business groups and avid travelers. The manager said that this will bring a huge benefit for Italian economy.

Outside the Business Boundaries

Product with good (cheap) price? Must be “Made in China”. Because of this very reason, many ordinary Italians, and I believe not only Italians, but also people around the world can feel this benefit. Things that used to be sold with a high price and only rich people who can afford it, nowadays, although ordinary people also can afford it.

The infamous Cathedral’s ceiling painting

For Italians, country with lots of histories and is rich with arts, this means a new job vacancy for them. One Italian granny said “My nephew has been teaching Italian for two years now and with much satisfaction in a school in Beijing, while the son of a friend of mine, an architect, was offered an internship in a design studio in Shanghai where he was able to see in person urban development and innovative architecture in a modern and friendly city.”