Ok, this didn’t happen here in Hong Kong but it is just too funny not to share!

Those of you who understand some Mandarin Chinese will hear that the poor bride had just found out that her groom is gay when the lover turned up at the wedding to demand his lover back.

A ‘war-of-words’ and some attempted slapping ensues after which the suitor grabs his man and takes off.

Watch:

Like they say here in Hong Kong: “That was so fun!“

President Jacob Zuma has arrived in Sanya, Hainan Island in China, where South Africa will be participating in the BRICS Leaders Meeting as a member of the grouping of powerful developing countries for the first time.

The changing global environment has been accompanied by a shift in political and economic power towards the BRICS countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – as well as other emerging powers.

The International Monetary Fund has predicted that Brazil, Russia, India and China will together account for as much as 61% of global growth by 2020.

South Africa anticipates economic and political benefits, for both the country and the continent, to come from its membership of BRICS.

“It is a historic moment for South Africa,” Zuma said on his arrival in Sanya on Wednesday. “We look forward to using this relationship to further advance our agenda of creating jobs, as announced in the State of the Nation address in February.”

Zuma said that South Africa’s membership of BRICS would “contribute immensely in the advancement of other priorities domestically and internationally, especially in the peace and security and development arenas.”

According to the Presidency, discussions at the two-day summit, which starts on Thursday, will centre on strengthening economic and trade cooperation among BRICS members.

Zuma is being accompanied by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies, Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel, and Deputy Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene.

After his arrival, Zuma and his delegation left for his hotel, the Hilton Sanya Resort and Spa, in Yalong Bay.

Zuma was expected to hold bilateral meetings in Yalong Bay with his Russian counterpart, Dimitry Medvedev, on Wednesday afternoon, followed by a second bilateral meeting in the early evening with Chinese President Hu Jintao.

(Source:BuaNews/SouthAfrica.info)

The South African Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong (SAWCC) successfully hosted a breakfast seminar on 25 March at the Foreign Correspondents Club in Hong Kong (FCC) .

Speakers were Mr Andric Yew, the Head of Principal Investments- China Samsung Securities Asia Ltd, who spoke on the topic of “Perspectives from potential Asian Investors about Investing in Mining Projects in Africa ”.

Mr Yew covered risks and advice to owners and investors on African mining assets.

Mr Paul Chikawa – the Honourable Consul General of Zimbabwe spoke about “Mining Investment Opportunities” in Zimbabwe and covered the abundance of viable investment opportunities in Mining in Zimbabwe .

The Honourable South African Consul General to Hong Kong and Macau – Ms Nomatemba Tambo spoke about the ‘ Importance of South Africa joining BRIC’ and Raising Africa’s Alignment in Trade and Investment through BRIC.

The seminar had an excellent turnout of 34 interested individuals and the breakfast session had excellent feedback.

The SAWCC will be hosting more business seminars going forward.

 From left to right: Mr Andrew Yew, Mr. Paul Chikawa and Nomatemba Tambo

At the official launch of the 2011 Extreme Sailing Series™ in Estoril (Portugal) in December 2010, China was confirmed as one of nine the host countries – a new territory for this year’s circuit and a significant step into the burgeoning Asian market.

Organisers have revealed that Qingdao, the fourth largest manufacturing port in the country and known as the City of Sailing, will be the official host Chinese venue to Act 2 to be staged between 13th to 17th April.

The Extreme Sailing Series Race Village will be located in Fushan Bay, which was also the home of the Olympic Village in 2008, and will be open to the public between the 15th to 17th April when the 11-boat Extreme 40 fleet will race inside the bay right in front of the spectators [13th-14th April are ‘open water’ days when the fleet will be racing outside of Fushan Bay.

Masirah Oman at the Extreme Sailing Series in Hong Kong (Pic: Mike Jansen)

Goodbye Hong Kong

In November 2009, Howzit-HongKong happily reported that the “Formula One of Sailing” the Extreme Sailing Series” was coming to the waters of Victoria Harobour, Hong Kong.

While we thoroughly enjoyed the event and even got to wet our feet on one of the craft, the Hong Kong-leg turned out to be a less-than-expected spectator event.  At the time, the wind in the Harbour was not sufficient and the races had to be moved (at the last minute) to further out to Kowloon Bay, in the region of old Kai Tak Airport. This being Hong Kong, the fact that it took place in the week was always going to count against it.

It therefore comes as no surprise that Mainland China has been chosen to replace Hong Kong as the preferred Chinese venue for this exciting event.

Qingdao, after all, has the profile and (Olympic sailing) infrastructure to make this event the spectator event that it needs.

Qingdao, China

Act 2, 15th – 17th April (13th-14th ‘open-water’ racing)

Now known as the City of Sailing, Qingdao’s became the host venue for sailing for Beijing’s 2008 Olympic Games boosting its profile to an international audience. Perfectly located on the Southeast peninsula surrounded on three sides by the Yellow Sea, Qingdao is now China’s premier sailing destination with first class facilities at its International Sailing Center.

Originally opened to tourism in 1984 the city now attracts 15 million visitors a year and is the fourth largest manufacturing port in the country. Framed by miles of golden sandy beaches, combined with steady winds that make it a perfect racing location.

Qingdao is a city steeped in China’s 20th century history. Now a tourism hotspot in China, the sprawling city has a population of 7.5 million and a vibrant economy. The Downtown skyline can rival that of any major city with an impressive array of cultures, cuisines, and lively nightlife. Tsingato, the most popular beer in China operates their headquarters and main brewery in Qingdao. The brewery is open to visitors who can take a tour around the oldest working brewery in China, whilst the brewery can be observed in action and guests can enjoy the beer tasting afterwards!

2011 Calendar & Host Venues:

Act 1: 22-24 February, Muscat, Oman (20-21 ‘open-water’ racing*)

Act 2: 15-17 April, Qingdao, China (13-14 ‘open-water’ racing)

Act 3: 27-29 May, Istanbul, Turkey (25-26 ‘open-water’ racing)

Act 4: 30 June – 4 July, Boston, USA (all days public event)

Act 5: 6-12 August, Cowes, UK (all days public event)

Act 6: 16-18 September, Trapani, Italy (14-15 ‘open-water’ racing)

Act 7: 30 September – 2 October, Nice, France (28-29 ‘open-water’ racing)

Act 8: 12-16 October, Almeria, Spain (all days public event)

Act 9: 9-11 December, Singapore (7-8 ‘open-water’ racing)

Here’s some action from Day 1 of the Hong Kong event:

Those who know this website’s commitment to Sevens Rugby as well as our sister-website BlitzBokke.com will understand when we announce that we just voted for the Hong Kong Sevens Rugby Team in the 2011 Bank of China Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards.

The category we selected was Hong Kong Sports Stars Award for Team Only Sport (One Team).

With the annual Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens generally considered as THE tournament of the HSBC Sevens World Series and given the support (and performance last season of the local Boys) it seemed only the right thing to do.

If YOU are also thinking along that line, click here to cast you vote in the 2011 Bank of China Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards.

The Hong Kong Sevens Team has been nominated in the Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards

Fujian (Chinese: 福建) is one of the provinces on the southeast coast of mainland China.

Fujian, also known as Fukien, borders Zhejiang to the north, Jiangxi to the west, and Guangdong to the south. Taiwan lies to the east, across the Taiwan Straits.

The name Fujian comes from the combination of Fuzhou and Jian’ou, two cities in Fujian. The name was coined during Tang Dynasty.

A rice is the main crop of the region, it is no wonder that he Fujian Province is also known for it’s “old wine” or Fukien Old Wine.

This is the picture that has been doing the rounds on the social networks of late:

China has the “oldest” wine in the world: F*kken old wine!

geddit?!

(Mike Jansen, Hong Kong SAR Monday 15 November 2010)

I have been living in Asia for ten years and have become very accustomed to the cultural nuances of Chinese society. 

About six of these years were spent working and living in the industrial melting pot that is Northern Taiwan.  While there is this political tug-of-war between the Mainland (People’s Republic of China/PRC) and Taiwan (Republic of China/ROC) my experiences are that the cultural differences between these two states on opposite sides of the Taiwan Straits are few and far between.

Which brings me to my own country.  I always marvel at how some South Africans can be critical, embarrassed even, of our current President Jacob Zuma when he attends the traditional Reed Dancing ceremonies in his native KwaZulu Natal.  As is the custom, he always appears in traditional Zulu garb and almost always partakes in the traditional Zulu dances.

                  The gathering. Zulu men gather in KwaZulu Natal (Pic: Thanda.com)

This post was inspired by a picture I saw on the South China Morning Post website of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao partaking in what I think is a fan-dance, or a sort of tai-chi exercise.  Chinese leaders are always seen to do this whenever they visit other Asian countries or foreign countries with large Chinese communities.  The picture was taken in Macau which is, like Hong Kong, another of China’s Special Administrative Regions (SAR).

Morning Tai Chi. Parks in China or Chinese communities look like this every morning.

China, like South Africa is a very diverse, multi-cultural country. 

While Premier Wen is Han Chinese (the Han is an ethnic group in China) Chinese people in general don’t frown when he ‘dances’ with women cluching a big red fan.

Let Zuma dance, I say.

Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah Staying Alive! John Travolta Wen Jiabao shows his moves (Pic: scmp.com.hk)

South African President Jacob Zuma in traditional Zulu garb

On Tuesday evening I attended the launch party of China’s very first Intercontinental Le Mans Cup endurance racing event at one of the city’s newest, swankiest hightspots, Republik.

The VIP cocktail party was attended by Hong Kong drivers Marchy Lee, Matthew Marsh and Darryl O’Young, business leaders, society figures, race organisers, sponsors and, of course, the media at just-opened Republik in Central.

However, the real star of the evening was not allowed inside and was parked on the street outside, to great delight of passers-by.  The Audi R8 LMS car will be driven by Lee and Marsh in the 1,000km of Zhuhai in early November.

Passers-by in Central were snapping away at the Audi R8 LMS parked outside Republik (Pic: Mike Jansen)

Hong Kong-based drivers Marchy Lee and Matthew Marsh joined Darryl O’Young on stage to answer questions about their plans for the Zuhai race.

“This race is undoubtedly the most important motorsports event ever staged in southern China,” said Marsh. “It will feature world class drivers, some incredibly powerful and beautiful racing machines and state-of-the-art technology.

“Crucially, Zhuhai is easily accessible from all over the region, including Hong Kong and Macau, and the event is an affordable and fun day out for spectators.”

“It means that tens of thousands of fans will, for the first time, witness first hand the noise, colour and excitement of Le Mans-style endurance racing.”

Lee and Marsh will form a three-man team in the KK Performance Audi R8 LMS with Malaysia’s ex-Formula 1 driver Alex Yoong.

Canadian-born Darryl O’Young (pictured below) and British teammate Richard Westbrook will drive a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (997) for Prospeed Competition.

The Intercontinental Le Mans Cup 1,000km of Zhuhai will be the third and final race of the 2010 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup following earlier races at Silverstone in the UK and Atlanta, USA.

After two days of practice and qualifying on 5 and 6 November, the race will be staged in front of thousands of motorsports fans on Sunday 7 November.

The world’s leading performance car manufacturers – including Audi, Peugeot, Porsche, BMW, Jaguar, Ferrari and Aston Martin – will compete across all four official Le Mans categories in prototype (P1 and P2) and grand touring (GT1 and GT2).

In addition, there are three more guest categories: Formula Le Mans, LM GT Experimental – featuring the Porsche GT3 R Hybrid, which combines traditional combustion engine with electric power – and LM GTC.

Zhuhai is a short ferry- and taxi ride from Hong Kong and can be taken from the China Ferry Terminal in Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui.  You will, however, require a visa to enter Zhuhai, so contact China Travel Service in Hong Kong to apply.

President Jacob Zuma has defended China’s surging investment in Africa, telling an audience at Beijing’s Renmin University that China was making an important contribution to the development of the continent.

“We are still at an early stage of what will be an exciting journey, a journey out of poverty, a journey to sustainable improvements in the lives of our people, here in China, and on the African continent,” President Zuma said on Wednesday, the second day of his state visit to the country.

Zuma’s comments come as the debate over China’s role in Africa continues to rage. Critics have raised concerns about China’s support for countries like Sudan and Zimbabwe, as well as its questionable worker safety rules.

“Chinese assistance in infrastructure development in some of the less developed parts of Africa is certainly making an important contribution to future African development,” Zuma said.

African countries remain an attractive destination for Chinese investment funds, though Africa is looking for China to expand its investments beyond mining and resources.

South Africa, for its part, is looking to the world’s second-largest economy to increase its investment in the country. South Africa is strategic for China in that it is Africa’s largest and most advanced economy.

South African President Jacob Zuma and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao signed the Beijing Declaration, outlining 38 cooperation agreements, following their one-hour talks in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday.

And on the same day, Chinese and South African companies signed more than a dozen agreements covering investments in railways, power transmission, construction, mining, insurance, telecoms and nuclear power.

Zuma is being accompanied on his trip by over 370 representatives from the business community, the largest ever contingent from South Africa to visit China.