Tyco Electronics is a short ride from the hotel, in a relatively young building. The folks from Tyco have set us up for the presentation in their lobby. A nice flat screen TV and a PA system make it possible, despite the 2 story ceilings in the room.
We all know Tyco in some shape or form; whether it’s through an ADT system, or through the Dennis Kozlowski affair. Here, in Suzhou, Tyco Electronics makes parts needed by the auto industry. I wish I could tell you more, but that’s about as far as I made it before starting to nod off. I wish I could’ve heard more, because I never did fully go out. But, for two hours I was between being out and being awake.
A short factory tour reveals some interesting cultural realities. There’s a sign hanging on the wall with what appears to be the Wal-Mart smiley face and some Chinese characters. When someone in the group asks, we learn that this is an attempt to keep and make the factory a nice place to work. See, apparently, it’s quite normal for the Chinese to pass each other in the halls without acknowledging each other, even when they’re close friends. They’re more likely to just walk past each other, preferring even to just stare at the floor. We Americans could never get away with that – trust me, I’ve tried. (“Sorry, but I already said ‘Hello’ to you, Jim! What? Do I have to repeat myself over and over?”)
After this stop, we’re scheduled to see St. Joe’s facilities in Suzhou. That is located inside the Suzhou Industrial Park. The S.I.P. is the brainchild of Deng Xiaoping and the Singaporean government to lure world business to Suzhou. The SIP openly aims to become the new silicon valley, setting aside thousands of square acres and government investment in turning this end of Suzhou into a business center. We start with lunch inside Socrates restaurant, where we catch up with some of St. Joe’s local staff. After, we get a quick look at “Education Town” inside the SIP. It’s a section of town where colleges are located. It’s got a tip-top gym that could rival facilities at any major college. Then, a quick look at the library, which is equally impressive. Just look at the view just off the conference rooms.
While we’re in the neighborhood, we head over to Kow Loon Hospital, a private hospital located in the SIP. Private hospitals are not the norm in China, as I’ve said in a previous entry. But, here, in what is a pretty Western hospital – with a pharmacy in the lobby – the rule of family acting as your nurse holds true. Except on the 11th floor, the V.I.P. ward – yes, that’s what it’s called.
I had asked if I could talk to a doctor here about my respiratory troubles. Dr. Wang arranges for a check by Dr. Liu, one of the queens of the ward. She’s a highly respected doctor, and now she’s asking me about the nature of my distress. After a series of questions about my coughs, she takes a quick look at my throat. She determines I’m infected, but as I’m heading home tomorrow, it doesn’t make sense to give me a scrip. “Drink hot water with lemon. And you should start to feel much better once you get home…” Okay. Well, at least my wife will be relieved.
Lastly, we visit the SIP’s planning offices, where we get a presentation from one of the planning directors. This presentation seems pretty repetitious to us. It doesn’t help that we’re all wiped. Again, I’m fighting nodding off in the corner of the room. I’m single-handedly setting Sino-American relations back 20 years with this narcolepsy.
As repetitious as this is, we miss the main points:
1. These people are building a massive center for business. These things normally evolve on their own - through sheer happen-stance. Instead, this is a deliberate plan that operates under the “Field of Dreams” approach; “If you build, they (meaning businesses) will come.” So far, this has worked. Some 70 multi-nationals have established a footprint in the SIP, and the project is maybe 40% done.
2. This Education Town is a revolutionary concept. To quote Alexis, “Imagine when we’re shipping our kids to come to school here, instead of them shipping their kids to us for their schooling.” If they keep investing in this “town” like this, and convince a few more universities in establishing a footprint, maybe your kids college touring will have to go international. Maybe not in the next five years, but someday. Let’s not forget, China is busy graduating more people with scientific degrees than we graduate in total. At some point, they will become an educational center of excellence if the rest of the world doesn’t make a move.
3. They are remarkably proud of this. They walked us through a center dedicated entirely to the history of the project. And, did you see the picture of the models above? You don’t go through that kind of effort if you don’t want people to be impressed with your efforts and your foresight.
We call it a day and head back to the hotel for a farewell reception, where we’re supposed to meet a handful of our Chinese counterparts. But, I’m on the phone with Joanna longer than I expected, so I’m at one of the outer tables tonight. No matter. We have a nice time talking about the trip and getting to know Edwin a little better.
It being the last night, people are determined to do the town. I’ve gotten worse, so I can’t. But, damnit, I’ll squeeze in a couple with the gang before they leave the hotel. A couple of Johnnie Walkers in, I call it a night. I figure between the Johnnies and a little cold medicine, I’m gonna have a good snooze before the ridiculous trip home tomorrow.
The next day, it’s raining both in Suzhou and Newark, NJ. The trip home is already long, but this news could make it longer still. Ugh.
Bus to Shanghai – 2 hours
Shanghai airport – 2 hours
Shanghai to Beijing flight – 2 hours
Layover in Beijing - 2 hours
Beijing to Newark flight – 14 hours and a couple of lost lunches (bumpy flight)
Newark to Drew’s house by car – 2 hours (would’ve been 1, except for downed trees)
Drew’s house to mine – 45 minutes
Thank God, I’m home, though.
I’m glad for the experience. But, all things considered, I know now that I could never work in China. Shanghai is a possible return visit. Beijing, too, if I can keep it short. But for the rest of my days, I will see an inflamed lung whenever I look at a map of China. It’s two days after my return, and I’m feeling better, while dealing with the leftover pain management.
I feel ready now to write my final report on this China trip – a handbook for colleagues within my company who must visit China. With that, I’ll consider this blog complete.
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