The busy 2 months has gone by and I finally find some time to write my blog again. What happenend these 2 months? I have been traveling around China for work. First to Yiwu and Guangzhou, then I had to do a lot of preparation for the trade mission of Heemskerk, our state secretary in Holland. The goal of this large multi-sectoral mission is to promote mutual trade and investment between China and the Netherlands.
Your Op was assigned by the Dutch consulate Shanghai to organize the matchmaking program for the companies joining this mission in Shanghai. On the matchmaking day in Shanghai, these companies were matched with the commercial contacts (agents, importers, wholesaler or end users) in order to broaden their network and increase their opportunities in the Chinese market. It was quite a lot of work, but at the end we were able to find the right match for each company. A trade dinner was organized on the 16th of November in the Okura hotel. It was an evening with lots of food, speeches and networking. The evening ended with a debriefing to give feedback about the matchmaking. It was very exciting for us, since we were curious to hear how it all went. The reactions were all positive and people had a good day in Shanghai. It gave us lots of satisfaction to the hard work we have done.
For now, the end of 2009 is almost near. We have great plans for Your Op 2010. With the World Expo coming up, Shanghai will be put in the spotlight from May till October 2010. Let's see what 2010 will bring.

After a couple of weeks in Holland, I am back in Shanghai again. The first couple of days in the Netherlands felt weird and uncomfortable. I really had to acclimatize myself; the jetlag, the people, the surrounding. I guess China has gotten in to me. China and Holland are just 2 total different countries. I was walking to the bus to get to work this morning and I was looking at the way people where dressed. I couldn't find one person who was dressed very outstanding or colorful; no trend, no different styles in the crowd. Why is this?
One explanation is that China as a country didn't really stimulate differences. To be different was something "bad". China wasn't really in favor of that, so people where not exposed to different styles and thinking. But you can see the changes in China nowadays. More and more Chinese has their own opinion, styles and thinking. Shanghai is developing new trendy neighborhoods with nice and interesting stores. That's one thing I like about Shanghai; every time I come back I can find some new changes.
October holidays are near. This year, we have a holiday break of 8 days!! The celebration of the national day and the mid-autumn day falls in the same period. This holiday is the longest holiday. If you can choose, do NOT come to Shanghai-since the city will be packed with tourist. Everywhere you go in China, it will be busy busy. My plan was to escape China, but I was too late to book the tickets. Now my plan is at least to escape Shanghai for a couple of days. Try to catch some breath near Hangzhou, between the bamboo forest and the different lakes and natural reservoirs. Still making a plan ;)