MIANYANG, China - This city, virtually unknown to the world before some 4,000 representatives of 70 countries gathered for the 13th World Senior Boxing Championships (November 10-21), was reputed only for its science and technology background.
|
|
|
(Photo by Fred Sturrup) |
| BICYCLE TAXI -Yang Yun quan, the veteran bicycle taxi driver, earns approximately $47 weekly and manages to take care of his family. Shown in photo are Coach Steve Larrimore, standing and Amateur Boxing Federation of the Bahamas President Wellington Miller, seated. |
Uncertain of just what to expect, visitors were understandably surprised to discover that daily the market place and shopping districts in downtown Mianyang are constantly abuzz with activity.
The regular shops close at 8 p.m. but at night the city comes further alive as its eating places and many of the marketplace vendors and their wares remain accessible to residents and visitors alike. Then, if one wants an exquisite taste of sophisticated culture, the Sichuan Opera in Ox Square is ideal.
Yes, Mianyang is China's foremost city of science and high-tech equipment but it is much, much more. And, so is all of China, it would appear.
Officials, boxers and support groups which accompanied the teams, were impressed. This new era of diplomacy and interaction with the outside world certainly puts a new and delightful face on the great nation of 1.3 billion people.
The non-Chinese persons made their way to Mianyang through Beijing. The entire world is familiar with Beijing because in particular, it is preparing to host the 2008 Olympic Games. Also, Beijing and Peking are one and the same, arguably one of the three most identifiable cities in China (Hong Kong and Shanghai being the other two).
It was this city though which captivated the thousands of new arrivals to China for this prestigious sporting event.
What is so intriguing about Mianyang is how well, government and the citizenry blend the quaint and mesmerized oldness with the new and ultra-modern way of life. It makes for the kind of grand mixture that has city officials targeting tourism as the next big industry.
Mianyang, indeed all of China, is likely to do well in tourism now that the borders are opened to all legitimate travelers. There is a general culture of service, courtesy and respect that could put China and many of its cities in the forefront of world tourism very soon.
The trickle down aspect of quality attention the visitor receives, bodes well for a thriving tourism industry. Upon arriving at a hotel, a guest comes initially into contact with a friendly doorman and then is escorted to the front desk by another attendant. At the desk, the process is even more pleasurable and appealing. Throughout one's stay, hotel workers are every level pay full attention.
The cleaning ladies are perpetually dusting and glossing furniture. The language barrier sometimes presents challenges but the Chinese folks never give up. They are unrelenting in their desire to please. Confronted with a language situation, a Chinese hotel employee has others immediately come offering assistance. Or, a telephone call is made, all to make the guest feel comfortable and at home.
It is common to venture to the front desk for information and to be told "just moment please." A phone call is made and an English-speaking associate comes on the other end of the line, ready, willing and able to solve the problem.
China today, is a wonderful environment for those who are able to savor the new and enticing attitude.
Mianyang will no doubt be a leader in this thrust by China to show the world that "it's different."
|
|
|
(Photo by Fred Sturrup) |
| GREAT HOSPITALITY - At the front desk of the Tao Yuan Hotel, like the others throughout China, guest are treated to great hospitality by pleasant employees like from left: Philics, Anne and JoJo. | |
Mianyang, according to information provided delegates to the championships, is the second largest city in the Sichuan Province. It is located some 200 miles from Chengdu, the capital of the province in the northwest China. There are six counties and two districts in Mianyang which has a population of 5.29 million.
It is an old city with over 2000 years of history (2200). Leizu-a concubine of the Yellow Emperor who was the father of Chinese civilization once resided in Mianyang. So did Deng Jiaxian who founded the A-bomb and H-bomb and also Feng Dashi, the wheat-breeding scientist.
The traditions are old and comfortable.
One in particular is the bicycle taxi. Men, young and not so young, move folks around the city for shopping and other appointments as do their motor vehicle counterparts. Yang Yun quan, along with several other peddling taxis which took members of the Bahamian delegation around for a day, loves his job. He is quite happy with grossing 3,000 RMB per month, 1500 of which the company he works for, keeps.
He also has no difficulty with the schedule that has him working for five weeks consecutively and then off the next five. His view is, "we all have to live and take care of our families."
How noble.
How does he support his family with a steady earning of a mere 1500 RMBs, eight of which constitutes one of our dollars. That works out to about $47 per week, give or take a few cents. He takes on little odd jobs and grows most of what he and his family put on the table to eat.
The people are humble and incredibly enterprising.
From the bicycle taxi to the Chinese boardroom, the design is crystal clear. Those who come will be made to like very much what they find.
And, Mianyang, tucked away in the northwest corner of China is every bit a trailblazer for the new China as is Beijing.
