Noodles (China Culture Center, Beijing)
The noodle is a food made from any of a variety of doughs (rice, wheat, buckwheat, potato, maize, legume, nut), formed into long thin ribbons, strips, curly-cues, waves, helices, pipes, tubes, strings, or other various shapes, sometimes folded. They are usually cooked in a mixture of boiling water and/or oil. Depending upon the type, noodles may be dried or refrigerated before cooking.
Chinese scholars have claimed the oldest known noodles were found in China at the Qijia culture Lajia site in Qinghai, Shandong province. The 4,000-year-old noodles appear to have been made from foxtail millet and broomcorn millet. This find, however, is disputed by many experts who suspect its authenticity. Chinese archaeologists claim the evidence disintegrated shortly after discovery, making the evidence unverifiable. Tarim Basin, a desert region in Central Asia and currently part of China’s Xinjiang autonomous province, has been suggested as the likely place of origin of noodles, where it remains to be the staple food of Central Asians in the region.
Terracotta Army (Qin Shi Huang)
Pelagia Karpathiotaki visited last month the Terracotta Army in Qin Shi Huang. The President explain us some features:
The Terracotta Army or the “Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses”, is a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China.
The figures vary in height, according to their roles, with the tallest being the generals. The figures include warriors, chariots, horses, officials, acrobats, strongmen and musicians. Current estimates are that in the three pits containing the Terracotta Army there were over 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which are still buried in the pits.
The Terracotta Army was discovered in the spring of 1974 in the eastern suburbs of Xi’an, Shaanxi Province by a group of farmers who were digging a water well 1.5 miles (2.4 km) east of Mount Li (Lishan).
According to historian Sima Qian (145-90 BC), construction of this mausoleum began in 246 BC and involved 700,000 workers. Geographer Li Daoyuan, six centuries after the death of the First Emperor, explained that Mount Li had been chosen as a site for its auspicious geology: it once had a gold mine on its north face and a jade mine on its south face, demonstrating not only its sacred value, but also perhaps how the tunnels had come to be dug in the first place.
Qin Shi Huang was 13 when construction began. He specifically stated that no two soldiers were to be made alike, which is most likely why he had construction started at that young age. Sima Qian, in his most famous work, Shiji, completed a century after the mausoleum completion, wrote that the First Emperor was buried with palaces, scenic towers, officials, valuable utensils and “wonderful objects,” with 100 rivers fashioned in mercury and above this heavenly bodies below which he wrote were “the features of the earth.” Some translations of this passage refer to “models” or “imitations,” but he does not use those words.
Recent scientific work at the site has shown high levels of mercury in the soil on and around Mount Li, appearing to add credence to Sima Qian’s writings. The tomb of Shi Huangdi is under an earthen pyramid 76 meters tall and nearly 350 square meters. The tomb remains unopened, in the hope that it will remain intact. Archaeologists are afraid that if they do excavate the tomb, they might damage some of the valuables buried with emperor Qin Shi Huangdi. Only a portion of the site is presently excavated, and photos and video recordings are prohibited in some areas of the viewing. Only few foreigners, such as Queen Elizabeth II, have been permitted to walk through the pits, side by side to the army.
The terracotta army figures were manufactured in workshops by government laborers and by local craftsmen. The head, arms, legs and torsos were created separately and then assembled. Studies show that eight face moulds were most likely used, and then clay was added to provide individual facial features. Once assembled, intricate features such as facial expressions were added. It is believed that their legs were made in much the same way that terracotta drainage pipes were manufactured at the time. This would make it an assembly line production, with specific parts manufactured and assembled after being fired, as opposed to crafting one solid piece and subsequently firing it. In those times of tight imperial control, each workshop was required to inscribe its name on items produced to ensure quality control. This has aided modern historians in verifying that workshops that once made tiles and other mundane items were commandeered to work on the terracotta army. Upon completion, the terracotta figures were placed in the pits in precise military formation according to rank and duty.
The terracotta figures are life-sized. They vary in height, uniform and hairstyle in accordance with rank. The coloured lacquer finish, individual facial features, and actual weapons and armor from battle used in manufacturing these figures created a realistic appearance. The original weapons were stolen by robbers shortly after the creation of the army and the colouring has faded greatly. However, their existence serves as a testament to the amount of labor and skill involved in their construction. It also reveals the power the First Emperor possessed, enabling him to command such a monumental undertaking.
China International Fashion Week Beijing 2011/12
China Fashion Week opened on April 6, 2011, in the capital city of Beijing. A total of 40 brands, 29 collections, 15 lectures and 7 competitions joined the event, which is 14-years-old this year.
This fashion show exclusively showcases products made and designed in China. While China may be known for producing cheap clothing and accessories, this show hopes to dazzle the world with the country’s sense of fashion.
Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven is a complex of Taoist buildings situated in the southeastern part of central Beijing. The complex was visited by the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good harvest. It is regarded as a Taoist temple, although Chinese Heaven worship, especially by the reigning monarch of the day, pre-dates Taoism.
The Temple of Heaven, founded in the first half of the 15th century, is a dignified complex of fine cult buildings set in gardens and surrounded by historic pine woods. In its overall layout and that of its individual buildings, it symbolizes the relationship between earth and heaven – the human world and God’s world – which stands at the heart of Chinese cosmogony, and also the special role played by the emperors within that relationship. The Temple of Heaven was entered into the world cultural heritage list in 1998.
In ancient China, the Emperor of China was regarded as the Son of Heaven, who administered earthly matters on behalf of, and representing, heavenly authority. To be seen to be showing respect to the source of his authority, in the form of sacrifices to heaven, was extremely important. The temple was built for these ceremonies, mostly comprising prayers for good harvests.
Twice a year the Emperor and all his retinue would move from the Forbidden city through Beijing to encamp within the complex, wearing special robes and abstaining from eating meat. No ordinary Chinese was allowed to view this procession or the following ceremony. In the temple complex the Emperor would personally pray to Heaven for good harvests. The highpoint of the ceremony at the winter solstice was performed by the Emperor on the Earthly Mount. The ceremony had to be perfectly completed; it was widely held that the smallest of mistakes would constitute a bad omen for the whole nation in the coming year.
Xi’an
Xi’an is the capital of the Shaanxi province, and a sub-provincial city in the People’s Republic of China. One of the oldest cities in China, with more than 3,100 years of history, the city was known as Chang’an before the Ming Dynasty. Xi’an is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, having held that position under several of the most important dynasties in Chinese history, including Zhou, Qin, Han, Sui, and Tang. Xi’an is the eastern terminus of the Silk Road and home to the Terracotta Army.
Xi’an became a cultural and political centre of China in the 11th century BCE with the founding of the Zhou Dynasty. The capital of Zhou was established in the twin settlements of Fengjing and Haojing, together known as Fenghao, located south west of contemporary Xi’an. Following the Warring States Period, China was unified under the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE) for the first time, with the capital located at Xianyang, just northwest of modern Xi’an. The first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang ordered the construction of the Terracotta Army and his mausoleum just to the east of Xi’an almost immediately after his ascension to the throne.
Qinqiang (Voice of Qin) is the oldest and most extensive of the four major types of Chinese opera. Also called “random pluck” (乱弹), Qinqiang is the main type of drama in Shaanxi province.
China is second in the world’s economy
According to the official figures of Chinese government, imports in China were augmented by 51% in January 2011, an almost double percentage in relation to the rise of 28% that was expected.
At the same time, exports were raised 38%, in comparison to the same period last year. As a result, the trade surplus was longer than expected, since the percentage of rise in imports was bigger than the relevant in exports, a fact which was evident for the fourth successive month.
These developments reveal the crucial role that the Chinese economy plays at a global level and also the international complications that the worries for China’s economy overheating evoke.
Greece-China
Two great cultures, Greek and Chinese, were developed separately in ancient time, without knowing each other’s existence. Alexander the Great didn’t arrive in China and neither there is evidence that Greeks came to China. Their late contacts were at personal level between traders and sailors.
Our cultural attache, Ms Helena Arramidou, mentions that ‘hundreds of Chinese people study not only Ancient, but also Modern Greek in their universities. They ‘see’ Greek way of thinking as an introduction to East way of thinking.
A recent conference in Beijing concerning Confucius and Socrates met a great success. Many interlocutors from government, media and business, emphasize the relationship between these two ancient cultures.
(source: journal ‘Kathimerini’, 25.04.2010)
Message from the President of Institute
Crisis an opportunity for change.
Institute of Economic and Cultural action Greece China (IECGC) gives your business the chance to grow. Being a member of the Institute provides you the great opportunity to expand the limits of your company, by entering China market. Taking into consideration the current socioeconomic environment, IECGC aims to encourage mutual business and cultural activities between Greece and China. Participating in our Institute will help your company to meet the exigencies of time and to open up new horizons
Beijing Investment Guide
New Face of Beijing
Beijing’s modern architectural wonders instill new hope for a better life among the people. More than 100 billion Yuan (US $ 14.39 billion) in fixed-asset investments each year now contribute to the rapid growth of Beijing’s economy, creating a strong material foundation for the future. In 2008, Beijing achieved fixed-asset investments of 384.85 billion Yuan (US $ 55.37 billion), a decrease of 3 percent from that of 2007, following a growth of 17.6 percent from 2006 to 2007.
Beijing has created a modern three-dimensional transportation system. As the end of 2008, there were 26,921 km of roadways in Beijing, 4.5 percent more than at the end of 2007, and 242 km of fast urban roads and 777 km of expressways, increases of 2.3 percent and 23.7 percent over 2007.
Public utility services continued to improve, with abundant electricity, gas, water and heating resources. In 2008, 810 million cubic metres of tap water were consumed, an increase of 3.9 percent over 2007. Electrical consumption increase to 68.97 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh), an increase of 3.4 percent, while the total supply of liquefied petroleum gas rose to 325,000 tons, 1.8 percent more than in 2007. The supply of natural gas increased by 29.1 percent to 6.01 billion cubic metres.The concentrated heated area increased to 430 million square metres, a year-on-year increase of 14.2 percent.
Beijing is connected with all the countries and regions by its postal services. Domestic direct-lines connect all the cities in the countries and more than 200 countries and regions are reachable by international direct-line. The popularity rate of fixed telephone and mobile phone services are more than 52.2 percent and 95.3 percent. From 2001-08, Beijing implemented 160 measures on air pollution control. In 2008, the city’s environmental protection investment amounted to 26.57 billion Yuan (US $ 3.82 billion), accounting for 2.53 percent of the municipal included in its bid to host the 2008 Olympics.
Overall, the urban area’s waste production in all aspects decreased; environmental quality improved.
Tourism, Convention and Exhibition Industries
As the strength of Beijing’s international influence and its Olympic effects grew, an increasing number of sightseeing and business tourists came to Beijing. From January to June 2009, Beijing received 85.4 million visitors, a year-on-year increase of 20.8 percent; the receipts from tourism amounted to 127.1 billion Yuan (US $ 18.28 billion), a year-on-year increase of 14.6 percent. With current plans, Beijing expects to increase its annual inbound tourists by 7 percent a year to 6.1 million visitors in 2012. The average per capita consumer spending of inbound tourists will increase by 3 percent a year, and average foreign exchange receipts from inbound tourism will increase by 10 percent a year to about US $ 7.5 billion. Domestic tourists will increase by an average of 5 percent a year to about 183 million visitors; these tourists are expected to increase their spending by about 10 percent a year, generating revenues of 350 billion Yuan (US $ 50.36 billion) a year. By the time Beijing’s total revenue from tourism exceeds 400 billion Yuan (US $ 57.55 billion), Beijing will have become a preferred convention and exhibition centre in Asia and a highly regarded international destination for tourism.
Guidance of Beijing Foreign Investment Industries
The Beijing Municipal Government encourages foreign investors to invest in its modern service sector, new high-technologies, and modern manufacturing industries and in modern agriculture.
Modern Service Sector
The modern service sector includes the financial industry, culture and creative industry, tourism and exhibitions, real estate, modern logistics and business services.
New High-Tech Industries
New high-tech industries include software, science research, information services, mobile communications, computers and the internet, integrated circuits, optical-electronic display and modern biological industry.
Modern Manufacturing Industries
Modern manufacturing industries include auto manufacturing, equipment manufacturing, new petrochemical materials and pharmaceutical and urban-oriented industries.
Urban Agriculture
Modern urban agriculture includes seed-cultivation, processing and sightseeing agricultural practices and technologies.
For more information, see: www.investbeijing.gov.cn
How to Invest
For foreign investors, any of the following business modes may be used to establish o business entity in Beijing: a joint venture, cooperation, solely foreign-owned enterprises; a foreign-funded joint-stock limited company, cooperative development, foreign companies seeking investments, or a group company for foreign-invested enterprises.
Procedures for Enterprise Establishment
Procedural chart for the establishment of joint ventures, cooperative and completely foreign-funded enterprises (illustrated below)
Selecting investment items and partners
A potential investor may, through diverse channels, establish contacts with departments in charge of economic and social development under the municipal governments or district-country governments, enterprises, schools of higher learning, research institutes or intermediary service agencies to select possible partners for cooperation or to discuss possible cooperation with them.
Customs duties
Imports
Customs duties and import added-value taxes shall be exempted for equipment imported by a foreign-funded project for its own use provided the project falls in line with the Guidance Catalogue of Industries for Foreign Investment and the equipment is a par with the capital investment for the project. Items in the List of Goods Imported by Foreign-Funded Projects Not
Eligible for Exemption from Customs Duties shall be exceptions. Provisions cited above shall apply to equipment imported for their own use by projects using foreign government loans extended by international financial organizations and, in case of processing trade, to equipment provided by foreign investors and not be sold in China.
Customs duties shall be exempted for technologies, accessories and spare parts imported along with the kind of equipment that conforms to the provisions citied above.
Exports
Foreign-funded enterprises shall be exempted from export duties for products produced by themselves except those whose export is restricted or otherwise stipulated by the Chinese Government. Bonding: Customs shall oversee and administer raw and processed materials, fuel, parts, accessories, devices and subsidiary and packaging materials imported for implementing export contracts the same way as bonded goods.
Government Offices for Approval and Service Organizations for Foreign Enterprises Investing in China
Ministry of Commerce, PRC
Address: 2 Dong Chang’an Jie,
Dongcheng District, Beijing
100731
Tel: +86 10 6512 1919
Beijing Municipal Commision of Commerce
Address: 190 Chaoyangmennei Dajie,
Dongcheng District, Beijing
100010
Tel: +86 10 6523 6688
Beijing Municipal Commission of Industrial
Promotion
Address: 6 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District,
Beijing 100027
Tel: +86 10 8523 5626
Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s
Government of Beijing
Address: 2 Zhengyi Lu, Dongcheng District,
Beijing 100744
Tel: +86 10 6519 2708
Beijing Administation for Industry and Commerce
Address: 36 Suzhou Jie,
Haidian District, Beijing
100080
Tel: +86 10 8269 0900
Beijing Municipal Finance Bureau
Address: 15 Fucheng Lu,
Haidian District, Beijing
100037
Tel: +86 10 8854 9114
Beijing Investment Promotion Bureau
Address: F3, 4, Building F, Fuhua Mansion, 8
Chaoyangmen Beidajie, Dongcheng District,
Beijing 1000027
Tel: +86 10 6554 1880 , 6554 3149
One-stop Investment Service Institutions in Beijing
Administrative Service Centre of Dongcheng District
Address: 52 Jinbao Jie,
Dongcheng District, Beijing
Beijing 100005
Tel: +86 10 6525 8800
