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对于一个加拿大MBA学生来说,第一次中国旅行留给她怎样的印象?
中国影响着世界和萨斯喀彻温省的商业和经济发展,我的同龄人很少像我一样拥有这样的幸运,能够亲身感受这个国家和她的文化、语言。能明白这个国家的复杂文化的人则更少。生活在一个人口只有100万的加拿大西部省份,中国似乎是难以理解的。我曾游历过欧洲和北美,也见过伦敦、洛杉矶等大都市现象。但这些都不能使一个年轻的萨斯喀彻温女孩做好去中国的准备。
我对中国的兴趣始于童年时期。8岁的时候,我突然闯入了奇特的中国文化。上世纪90年代初,我所在的小学确信中国将在随后的10年发挥影响力,就决定开设中文课程。于是,念二年级的我学音调、拼音和汉字,还学跳扇舞,还在学校厨房里学包饺子。那个时候,我根本不会想到多年后我会登上飞往中国的航班,去了解那里的经济、政治和人民。
我的旅行主要是围绕我的商科学习,但其结果是让我了解了伟大的实践,也让我这个来自加拿大西部的年轻女孩学会了用不同的眼光看待这个世界。
草原女孩走进大城市
早晨我醒来,丝毫没有时差带来的疲倦感,却对将要学习的有关这个国家的一切感到兴奋。坐上离开上海的公交车,我惊讶于自己离所知世界是多么遥远。对于一个成长在萨斯喀彻温农村的孩子,城市似乎永远是新奇的感念。逝去的是家乡的麦田、无尽的大地和清澈、湛蓝的天空。我曾到很多地方旅行,但值得注意的是,这个城市景色优美,且地域宽阔,不知道要想驶出上海界得开多久的车。我原以为交通状况会很糟,但周末的清晨带来了一种平静的幻想——或是大家仍在沉睡。但我又怀疑这个想法——上海可是个不夜之城。
两个世界的故事
我们今天的行程从参观通用汽车(中国)公司开始,而且因为司机不识路而迟到。
通用汽车(中国)公司生产的汽车只针对中国市场。我并不知道通用汽车占有多少股份,但通用肯定认为投资这样一个庞大的项目是有利可图的。即使有一丝对日本产品(本田、丰田)的厌恶,这对于通用这个在困难中挣扎的大公司来说都无异于是一条救生艇。关于“三巨头”(通用、福特和克莱斯勒)的负面消息铺天盖地,这让我相信,中国业务是这些公司能够侥幸存活的唯一方法。当然,这必须假设美国政府允许这些公司中的一家或所有公司生意惨淡甚至破产。我个人认为,这并不会发生,因为密歇根在总统选举中拥有太多的选票。
离开通用公司,我们到了上海港务局。这是我看到的最有趣的事情。仅仅是这个港口的规模就令我震惊。不幸的是,港口的扩张似乎受限于空间的有限。我希望经济发展的引擎(动力)将不会受制于类似空间这样一个小问题。如果政府能够为了奥运会而把北京的制造工业搬离北京,我确信他们也拥有扩大港口的权利。
港口的这段经历让我震惊。我以前从没有如此近距离地接触一个海港。我在家乡见过的最大的机器就是联合收割机,而在这里所见令萨斯喀彻温省的收割机和任何其他的东西都变成了侏儒。看见这些庞然大物和它们运转、工作的方式是一次千载难逢的机会。我相信一小时并不足以完全领会这些,但我希望我因此更好地理解了贸易和全球化。
我已经注意到大街上很少有人说英语,考虑到我们是在旅游区,这令我有些吃惊。尽管我才来这儿一天,但我已经明白那些刚到加拿大的新移民是多么困难。语言障碍非常奇怪,它令人觉得羞耻。我从没有这种语言不通的圈外人的感觉。(还好)儿童汉语课程就在手边。
绿色经济
今天,我们参观了上海风力发电公司。这种技术非常有趣,但在中国的实际应用似乎非常有限。让我们直奔主题吧,我们谈论的是为一个人口达2000万的城市供电的问题。上海的人口达到了加拿大总人口的2/3,甚至比澳大利亚的总人口还要多。一个风力发电项目不可能满足整个上海的需求,更不用说中国的其他地方。即使所有的涡轮叶片以最大的功率运转,也只能满足目前上海电力需求的一小部分。公司为环境保护和全国的成就付出了巨大的努力,但结果令人质疑。大家都知道,世界对中国电力企业的评价并不高。我相信中国会大力发展其他环境友好型的电力项目,如水电和核电。
我们去参观豫园,它就像一个处于喧噪中的平静的小岛。我想古代的中国也许就是这个样子。我感觉自己就像在飓风的中心,包围着公园的这个城市高速运行。站在公园的门口,经济发展的步伐几乎要吞噬掉这里的宁静。上海这个城市拥有很多的故事,除了有关社会主义市场经济制度的一切外,还有历史和现在的故事。中国如此丰富和复杂,一个外国人根本难以理解。第一次世界大战让世界了解了中国的一角,那只代表了历史上的中国。
返回加拿大:收获与结语
准备返回加拿大时,我思考着这次旅行给我的工作和生活带来的影响。我希望能再次来中国,并花些时间结识这个国家的人们。我确信学习汉语对我日后的事业至关重要。因此,我想趁着现在的这股动力继续学习汉语。我非常尊重中国人民和文化。中国正在经历的发展是以一种近似疯狂的速度进行的,而且中国也面临着安抚世界的压力。这次行程给我的最大收获就是商业中的耐心和理解,西方世界已经发展了150年,而中国仅仅是在不到50年的时间里建立自己的经济地位。中国还有很多工作要做,但时间并不多,尤其是相比他们经历的巨大变化来说。
中国对它的人民和世界都负有责任。未来10年中,中国面临的最大问题就是制定一个可持续发展的长期战略,以鼓励投资者的信心。中国就像一座发电站,它在制造业拥有明显的比较优势,并且拥有占世界1/6的人口。世界已经为一个中国领导的时代做准备,而中国做好了登上世界舞台的准备吗?这一问题有待回答。
(摘编自作者2007年5月来中国旅行的日记,作者Crystal L. Zorn是就读于里贾纳大学Kenneth Levene商学院的MBA学生,该校位于加拿大萨斯喀彻温省首都里贾纳。)
While China influences business and economic development within Saskatchewan and the world, few people of my age have been fortunate enough to experience the country, culture and language as I have.Fewer yet truly understand the country's complex culture.In a western Canadian province with a population of just one million people, the world that is China seems incomprehensible to the mind.I have travelled through Europe and North America and have seen the mega metropolitan phenomenons that make up London and Los Angeles.None of this could prepare a young woman from Saskatchewan for the sights and sounds of China.
My interest in China began as a young child.At the age of eight, I was thrusted into the extraordinary culture that is China.My elementary school recognized, in the early 1990s, the power and influence that the country would have in the next decade, and thus decided to begin a Mandarin program.There I was, in grade two, learning tones, pinyin, and characters; learning a fan dance and cooking jiaozi in the school kitchen.I was not aware at the time that years later I would be on a plane heading for China to study business, politics, and people.
This journey focuses on my business teachings; however, the result yields a greater truth and allows a young woman from western Canada to look at the world a little bit differently.
The Prairie Girl Goes to the Big City
I woke up this morning without any symptoms of jetlag and was excited to learn all I could about this great country.Sitting on a bus leaving Shanghai this morning, I marvelled at how far away I was from the world I knew.As a child growing up in rural Saskatchewan, the idea of a city that seemingly never ended was extraordinary.Long gone were the wheat fields, endless space, and clear blue skies of home.I have experience travelling; however, it is remarkable how landscaped the city seems to be and how far one can drive without actually leaving Shanghai. I thought traffic would be much worse but perhaps the early Sunday morning time created the illusion of calm-- or everyone was still in bed.I doubt it though-Shanghai never sleeps!
The Tale of Two Worlds
We started the day with a tour of the General Motors (GM) plant and were almost late because our driver apparently cannot ask for directions.
This GM plant produces cars strictly for the Chinese market.It is unclear how much market share they have but GM must think it is promising to invest in such a huge facility.If there is a dislike for Japanese products (i.e. Honda and Toyota), this may be a life raft for the struggling company.The consistently dyer news about the "Big Three" (GM, Ford, and Chrysler) makes me believe that Chinese business is the only way these companies can survive.This assumes, of course, that the American government would allow one or all of these companies to falter.Personally, I believe that Michigan counts for too many potential Presidential electoral votes for this to occur.
After leaving GM, we headed down to The Shanghai Port Authority.This has to be one of the most interesting things I have ever seen.The sheer size of the port surprised me.Unfortunately, the port's room for expansion seems limited due to space restrictions.I expect though that the engine of economic progress will not allow a small issue like space to stand in the way.If the government can move the manufacturing industry of Beijing away from the capital for the Olympic Games, I am sure they can expand a port authority.
The entire port experience was astonishing for me.I have not had the opportunity to see a harbour up close before. The biggest machine I see at home is a combine; this stuff dwarfs a combine or anything else in Saskatchewan for that matter.To see the way it all works and the size of the operation is a once in a lifetime opportunity.I do not believe that an hour is enough to grasp the size of the operation but I hope I have a better understanding of how trade and the cycle of globalization works.
I have noticed that there is limited English spoken on the main streets, which surprises me somewhat considering we are right on a tourist strip.I know I have only been here for a day but I now understand how difficult it must be for new immigrants to come to Canada.The language barrier is strange. I have never been the one that was the outsider not able to understand.It is somewhat humbling. The childhood Mandarin courses are coming in handy!
The Green Economies
Today we spent time at the Shanghai Wind Power Company.The technology is very interesting but the practical application to the country seems relatively limited.Let us be straight to the point here; we are talking about powering a city of 20 million people.In comparison, Shanghai's population represents 2/3 of the entire population of Canada and is greater than the population of a country such as Australia.A wind power project cannot simply keep up with the demands of Shanghai, let alone the rest of China.All turbines operating at capacity could still only produce a small fraction of Shanghai's current power needs. The company makes a sincere effort to demonstrate a great environmental concern and national achievement; however, the results are questionable.It is common knowledge that the world does not think highly of China's energy plans.I believe that other energy sources, such as hydro and nuclear, will need to be expanded as carbon-friendly energy sources.While a favourable effort, the wind power plant currently seems relatively unsustainable.
We went to the Yu Yuan Gardens in Shanghai.The gardens were like a serene island in the middle of chaos.I wonder if ancient China was all this way.I feel as though I am in the eye of a hurricane.The city surrounds the garden and moves at a wicked pace.Even right up to the gates the force of economic progress threatens to devour its peacefulness.Perhaps Shanghai is actually a city of many stories.In addition to those related to socio-economic status, there are also the tales of past and present.The world I get a glimpse of inside the gates symbolizes the history of China that is too rich and complex to grasp as an outsider.
Returning to Canada: Lessons Learned and Conclusion
As I prepare to return to Canada, I can reflect on the effect of this trip on both my professional and personal life.While I am ready to return to Saskatchewan, I would like to come back here again and really spend some time getting to know the people of this country.I have determined that learning the Chinese language is essential for my future successes in the business world.As such, I think I am going to take advantage of the momentum I have right now and get back to learning the language.I have so much respect for the Chinese people and culture.The development the country is experiencing is at a rampant pace and the country faces pressures to conform to the world.The biggest learning I can take away from this trip is the need for patience and understanding in business.The western world developed over the course of 150 years while China has established its economic power in less than 50 years.The country has a lot to work through in a very short time frame given the drastic changes they are going through.
China has a responsibility to its people and to the world. China's biggest obstacle over the next decade may be creating a sustainable long-term strategy for investor confidence.China is a powerhouse.China has a large competitive advantage in manufacturing.China has 1/6 of the world's population.The world has prepared for China's dominance but has China prepared for its entrance onto the world's stage?This answer is yet to be determined.
(Crystal L. Zorn, B. Admin, MBA University of Regina, Kenneth Levene Graduate School of BusinessRegina, SaskatchewanCompleted May 2007)
中国影响着世界和萨斯喀彻温省的商业和经济发展,我的同龄人很少像我一样拥有这样的幸运,能够亲身感受这个国家和她的文化、语言。能明白这个国家的复杂文化的人则更少。生活在一个人口只有100万的加拿大西部省份,中国似乎是难以理解的。我曾游历过欧洲和北美,也见过伦敦、洛杉矶等大都市现象。但这些都不能使一个年轻的萨斯喀彻温女孩做好去中国的准备。
我对中国的兴趣始于童年时期。8岁的时候,我突然闯入了奇特的中国文化。上世纪90年代初,我所在的小学确信中国将在随后的10年发挥影响力,就决定开设中文课程。于是,念二年级的我学音调、拼音和汉字,还学跳扇舞,还在学校厨房里学包饺子。那个时候,我根本不会想到多年后我会登上飞往中国的航班,去了解那里的经济、政治和人民。
我的旅行主要是围绕我的商科学习,但其结果是让我了解了伟大的实践,也让我这个来自加拿大西部的年轻女孩学会了用不同的眼光看待这个世界。
草原女孩走进大城市
早晨我醒来,丝毫没有时差带来的疲倦感,却对将要学习的有关这个国家的一切感到兴奋。坐上离开上海的公交车,我惊讶于自己离所知世界是多么遥远。对于一个成长在萨斯喀彻温农村的孩子,城市似乎永远是新奇的感念。逝去的是家乡的麦田、无尽的大地和清澈、湛蓝的天空。我曾到很多地方旅行,但值得注意的是,这个城市景色优美,且地域宽阔,不知道要想驶出上海界得开多久的车。我原以为交通状况会很糟,但周末的清晨带来了一种平静的幻想——或是大家仍在沉睡。但我又怀疑这个想法——上海可是个不夜之城。
两个世界的故事
我们今天的行程从参观通用汽车(中国)公司开始,而且因为司机不识路而迟到。
通用汽车(中国)公司生产的汽车只针对中国市场。我并不知道通用汽车占有多少股份,但通用肯定认为投资这样一个庞大的项目是有利可图的。即使有一丝对日本产品(本田、丰田)的厌恶,这对于通用这个在困难中挣扎的大公司来说都无异于是一条救生艇。关于“三巨头”(通用、福特和克莱斯勒)的负面消息铺天盖地,这让我相信,中国业务是这些公司能够侥幸存活的唯一方法。当然,这必须假设美国政府允许这些公司中的一家或所有公司生意惨淡甚至破产。我个人认为,这并不会发生,因为密歇根在总统选举中拥有太多的选票。
离开通用公司,我们到了上海港务局。这是我看到的最有趣的事情。仅仅是这个港口的规模就令我震惊。不幸的是,港口的扩张似乎受限于空间的有限。我希望经济发展的引擎(动力)将不会受制于类似空间这样一个小问题。如果政府能够为了奥运会而把北京的制造工业搬离北京,我确信他们也拥有扩大港口的权利。
港口的这段经历让我震惊。我以前从没有如此近距离地接触一个海港。我在家乡见过的最大的机器就是联合收割机,而在这里所见令萨斯喀彻温省的收割机和任何其他的东西都变成了侏儒。看见这些庞然大物和它们运转、工作的方式是一次千载难逢的机会。我相信一小时并不足以完全领会这些,但我希望我因此更好地理解了贸易和全球化。
我已经注意到大街上很少有人说英语,考虑到我们是在旅游区,这令我有些吃惊。尽管我才来这儿一天,但我已经明白那些刚到加拿大的新移民是多么困难。语言障碍非常奇怪,它令人觉得羞耻。我从没有这种语言不通的圈外人的感觉。(还好)儿童汉语课程就在手边。
绿色经济
今天,我们参观了上海风力发电公司。这种技术非常有趣,但在中国的实际应用似乎非常有限。让我们直奔主题吧,我们谈论的是为一个人口达2000万的城市供电的问题。上海的人口达到了加拿大总人口的2/3,甚至比澳大利亚的总人口还要多。一个风力发电项目不可能满足整个上海的需求,更不用说中国的其他地方。即使所有的涡轮叶片以最大的功率运转,也只能满足目前上海电力需求的一小部分。公司为环境保护和全国的成就付出了巨大的努力,但结果令人质疑。大家都知道,世界对中国电力企业的评价并不高。我相信中国会大力发展其他环境友好型的电力项目,如水电和核电。
我们去参观豫园,它就像一个处于喧噪中的平静的小岛。我想古代的中国也许就是这个样子。我感觉自己就像在飓风的中心,包围着公园的这个城市高速运行。站在公园的门口,经济发展的步伐几乎要吞噬掉这里的宁静。上海这个城市拥有很多的故事,除了有关社会主义市场经济制度的一切外,还有历史和现在的故事。中国如此丰富和复杂,一个外国人根本难以理解。第一次世界大战让世界了解了中国的一角,那只代表了历史上的中国。
返回加拿大:收获与结语
准备返回加拿大时,我思考着这次旅行给我的工作和生活带来的影响。我希望能再次来中国,并花些时间结识这个国家的人们。我确信学习汉语对我日后的事业至关重要。因此,我想趁着现在的这股动力继续学习汉语。我非常尊重中国人民和文化。中国正在经历的发展是以一种近似疯狂的速度进行的,而且中国也面临着安抚世界的压力。这次行程给我的最大收获就是商业中的耐心和理解,西方世界已经发展了150年,而中国仅仅是在不到50年的时间里建立自己的经济地位。中国还有很多工作要做,但时间并不多,尤其是相比他们经历的巨大变化来说。
中国对它的人民和世界都负有责任。未来10年中,中国面临的最大问题就是制定一个可持续发展的长期战略,以鼓励投资者的信心。中国就像一座发电站,它在制造业拥有明显的比较优势,并且拥有占世界1/6的人口。世界已经为一个中国领导的时代做准备,而中国做好了登上世界舞台的准备吗?这一问题有待回答。
(摘编自作者2007年5月来中国旅行的日记,作者Crystal L. Zorn是就读于里贾纳大学Kenneth Levene商学院的MBA学生,该校位于加拿大萨斯喀彻温省首都里贾纳。)
While China influences business and economic development within Saskatchewan and the world, few people of my age have been fortunate enough to experience the country, culture and language as I have.Fewer yet truly understand the country's complex culture.In a western Canadian province with a population of just one million people, the world that is China seems incomprehensible to the mind.I have travelled through Europe and North America and have seen the mega metropolitan phenomenons that make up London and Los Angeles.None of this could prepare a young woman from Saskatchewan for the sights and sounds of China.
My interest in China began as a young child.At the age of eight, I was thrusted into the extraordinary culture that is China.My elementary school recognized, in the early 1990s, the power and influence that the country would have in the next decade, and thus decided to begin a Mandarin program.There I was, in grade two, learning tones, pinyin, and characters; learning a fan dance and cooking jiaozi in the school kitchen.I was not aware at the time that years later I would be on a plane heading for China to study business, politics, and people.
This journey focuses on my business teachings; however, the result yields a greater truth and allows a young woman from western Canada to look at the world a little bit differently.
The Prairie Girl Goes to the Big City
I woke up this morning without any symptoms of jetlag and was excited to learn all I could about this great country.Sitting on a bus leaving Shanghai this morning, I marvelled at how far away I was from the world I knew.As a child growing up in rural Saskatchewan, the idea of a city that seemingly never ended was extraordinary.Long gone were the wheat fields, endless space, and clear blue skies of home.I have experience travelling; however, it is remarkable how landscaped the city seems to be and how far one can drive without actually leaving Shanghai. I thought traffic would be much worse but perhaps the early Sunday morning time created the illusion of calm-- or everyone was still in bed.I doubt it though-Shanghai never sleeps!
The Tale of Two Worlds
We started the day with a tour of the General Motors (GM) plant and were almost late because our driver apparently cannot ask for directions.
This GM plant produces cars strictly for the Chinese market.It is unclear how much market share they have but GM must think it is promising to invest in such a huge facility.If there is a dislike for Japanese products (i.e. Honda and Toyota), this may be a life raft for the struggling company.The consistently dyer news about the "Big Three" (GM, Ford, and Chrysler) makes me believe that Chinese business is the only way these companies can survive.This assumes, of course, that the American government would allow one or all of these companies to falter.Personally, I believe that Michigan counts for too many potential Presidential electoral votes for this to occur.
After leaving GM, we headed down to The Shanghai Port Authority.This has to be one of the most interesting things I have ever seen.The sheer size of the port surprised me.Unfortunately, the port's room for expansion seems limited due to space restrictions.I expect though that the engine of economic progress will not allow a small issue like space to stand in the way.If the government can move the manufacturing industry of Beijing away from the capital for the Olympic Games, I am sure they can expand a port authority.
The entire port experience was astonishing for me.I have not had the opportunity to see a harbour up close before. The biggest machine I see at home is a combine; this stuff dwarfs a combine or anything else in Saskatchewan for that matter.To see the way it all works and the size of the operation is a once in a lifetime opportunity.I do not believe that an hour is enough to grasp the size of the operation but I hope I have a better understanding of how trade and the cycle of globalization works.
I have noticed that there is limited English spoken on the main streets, which surprises me somewhat considering we are right on a tourist strip.I know I have only been here for a day but I now understand how difficult it must be for new immigrants to come to Canada.The language barrier is strange. I have never been the one that was the outsider not able to understand.It is somewhat humbling. The childhood Mandarin courses are coming in handy!
The Green Economies
Today we spent time at the Shanghai Wind Power Company.The technology is very interesting but the practical application to the country seems relatively limited.Let us be straight to the point here; we are talking about powering a city of 20 million people.In comparison, Shanghai's population represents 2/3 of the entire population of Canada and is greater than the population of a country such as Australia.A wind power project cannot simply keep up with the demands of Shanghai, let alone the rest of China.All turbines operating at capacity could still only produce a small fraction of Shanghai's current power needs. The company makes a sincere effort to demonstrate a great environmental concern and national achievement; however, the results are questionable.It is common knowledge that the world does not think highly of China's energy plans.I believe that other energy sources, such as hydro and nuclear, will need to be expanded as carbon-friendly energy sources.While a favourable effort, the wind power plant currently seems relatively unsustainable.
We went to the Yu Yuan Gardens in Shanghai.The gardens were like a serene island in the middle of chaos.I wonder if ancient China was all this way.I feel as though I am in the eye of a hurricane.The city surrounds the garden and moves at a wicked pace.Even right up to the gates the force of economic progress threatens to devour its peacefulness.Perhaps Shanghai is actually a city of many stories.In addition to those related to socio-economic status, there are also the tales of past and present.The world I get a glimpse of inside the gates symbolizes the history of China that is too rich and complex to grasp as an outsider.
Returning to Canada: Lessons Learned and Conclusion
As I prepare to return to Canada, I can reflect on the effect of this trip on both my professional and personal life.While I am ready to return to Saskatchewan, I would like to come back here again and really spend some time getting to know the people of this country.I have determined that learning the Chinese language is essential for my future successes in the business world.As such, I think I am going to take advantage of the momentum I have right now and get back to learning the language.I have so much respect for the Chinese people and culture.The development the country is experiencing is at a rampant pace and the country faces pressures to conform to the world.The biggest learning I can take away from this trip is the need for patience and understanding in business.The western world developed over the course of 150 years while China has established its economic power in less than 50 years.The country has a lot to work through in a very short time frame given the drastic changes they are going through.
China has a responsibility to its people and to the world. China's biggest obstacle over the next decade may be creating a sustainable long-term strategy for investor confidence.China is a powerhouse.China has a large competitive advantage in manufacturing.China has 1/6 of the world's population.The world has prepared for China's dominance but has China prepared for its entrance onto the world's stage?This answer is yet to be determined.
(Crystal L. Zorn, B. Admin, MBA University of Regina, Kenneth Levene Graduate School of BusinessRegina, SaskatchewanCompleted May 2007)