Hello from Shanghai!

 

Well I guess I need to start with wow... it is hard to even begin to articulate words for this experience so far. I am so fortunate to come from a family (especially mom) that encourages traveling and have many experiences to compare this one to. I can say for certain that this country is like no other. I am constantly engaged in my surroundings and taking everything in but I have a feeling it will take much longer than these two weeks to even begin to digest what I am seeing. There is an incredible rate of change here that it is beyond impressive. Every manufacturer (moog - valves, cooper - power systems, krupp - steel) is in an almost brand new buidling surrounding by many many many others. From a business perspective it is becoming more and more clear (other than just low cost) why so many corporations are here. Today's tour of SIP was extraordinary though. SIP, short for Singapore Industrial Park is one of the leading in China. To encourage foreign enterprises to enter the country the government has given Industrial Parks the ability to approve and register and begin business within as short as 2 weeks time. Within the park is customs, human resources for all corps (headhunters, advertising, etc.), and any thing you could ever need. It is virtually an entire city built in only 5 years time. It currently has a population of 1/2 million... before the project began there were only 80,000 farmers. It is a prime example of the greater good vs. the individual. While such a growth produces many jobs --- in the US we would certainly be concerned for every one of those farmers rights.

 

ah. i could write forever....  time is up and no go with uploading pictures. I will write again soon (after finally finding the internet!)

 

Lots of love,

Annie