The first full day in Beijing began with a buffet-style breakfast in a restaurant right outside of our hotel. It took a minute or two to understand that pancakes and bacon would not be on the menu and that the meal would feature foods more traditionally served for lunch or dinner in America. Breakfast featured noodles, fried eggs, dumplings and rice. The atmosphere could only be described as frantic and fast paced as the locals shuffled around unsure tourists grabbing food, eating and quickly exiting the restaurant. This situation was certainly more tolerable after a full night of sleep, the first since leaving Pittsburgh almost two days earlier.
After Breakfast, the Duquesne SMBAs and undergraduates departed to Beijing Jiaotong University to attend a lecture by Dr. Xu Yang. As the university was located close to the hotel, we were able to arrive by foot. Dr. Yang’s lecture focused on China’s role in the world economy. The lecture featured three main points: how China grew so fast and successfully, why China’s economy will and must keep growing and what a rich and powerful China means to the world. We learned about China’s Henry Ford, Li Shufu, and how success can be achieved through education and through hard work. Dr. Xang also assured us that a rich and powerful China could be a good proposition for the world by offering a large market and being a great investment for foreigners. We also learned that foreign investors can only own 49% of a company in China. Foreigners must have a partner who will invest the other 51% in order to do business within the country. The students group asked many questions, which ranged from China’s reliance on foreign oil to education in China and the ability of the Chinese government to artificially devalue the Yuan.
Following a group cash grab at the nearest ATM, we regrouped for a tour of Jiaotong University. The University is very spacious and features trees and shrubbery on almost every walkway and road. There is also a large statue of Chairman Mao in the center of campus. Upon seeing this, we gathered together to take a group photo in front of the statue, almost certainly eliminating any future in American politics for Duquesne students. After the tour, all students were dismissed to find lunch. The streets around the University provided many opportunities for a cheap and delicious meal before our afternoon departures.
Around mid-afternoon the undergraduates left for the Forbidden City while the SMBAs travelled to Lenovo for a business visit. Upon arrival at Lenovo, we toured a multimedia exhibit. The exhibit explained the history of Lenovo and featured their products throughout the years. We also visited a production factory, which was impressive. The employees worked at a hectic pace performing monotonous tasks for eight hours a day. Though the tour felt rushed and did not compare to the spring visit at Bayer Corporate Headquarters, the tour of the factory was eye opening to say the least. It was intriguing to see how fast many of the consumer electronics we purchase are built and by whom.
Following a short break, the entire Duquesne group reconvened at 5:30 PM for a meal at the Roasted Duck Restaurant. The atmosphere was very nice and the food was plentiful. Patrons were treated to such item as: roasted duck, sea cucumbers, sautéed beef, turtle soap, liver and many other unique foods. The meal was served family style and included the use of a Lazy Susan to pass dishes to each patron. Students from Jiaotong University also attended the dinner and were very useful at deciphering what the food actually was prior to being served as dinner.
The first day in Beijing was eventful, maybe too eventful after traveling so far in such a short period of time. However, our time here is limited and Beijing is a big city with lots of sites to see and experiences to be had. Tomorrow we visit the Great Wall of China. We will also be wondering how the Pittsburgh Penguins are doing in game seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. I hope there is Wi-Fi at the Great Wall! -Ryan Baptiste
Building on Campus of Jiaotong University
Group Dinner at The Roasted Duck
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