In-country professional learning for teachers and education professionals

Transcription

1 STUDY TOUR FOR BUSINESS EDUCATORS CHINA Sunday 27 June Thursday 8 July 2010 aligns with NT, QLD, Vic school holiday periods Sunday 26 September Thursday 7 October 2010 aligns with ACT, NSW, WA school holiday periods Riding the Iron Rooster of Economic Reform Developed specifically for business educators, this tour will offer participants an opportunity to follow the path of China s rapid modernisation. Starting in Hong Kong, discover how a fishing hamlet became the financial market and doorman for the bamboo curtain during China s economic isolation. Then move up the Pearl River Delta to marvel at Deng Xiaoping s boomtown Shenzhen created through ambitious economic reforms in the 1980s. Move forward 10 years to Shanghai and the birthplace of market socialism with Chinese characteristics and see what happens when you have ¼ of the world s cranes and the highest rates of foreign direct investment. Finish in Beijing to watch the development of the Bohai Sea Basin and better understand the role government plays in managing market forces and the ascent of new China on the global stage. This is a draft program outline subject to changes. The reserves the right to adjust the tour in response to variations in transport timetables and other changed circumstances. Day 1 Hong Kong Building a bamboo curtain Arrive at Hong Kongʼs Chek Lap Kok Airport in the late afternoon and transfer to your hotel via the impressive Airport Express rail link provided by MRT for check-in and tour program orientation. Enjoy refined Cantonese cuisine with guest speaker tracing the rise of Hong Kong from pirate enclave to British colony and finally thriving international port. Dinner included Day 2 Hong Kong/ Guangzhou Mother of all Pearls Today we examine Hong Kongʼs colonial past and explore how the cityʼs economic policy dubbed positive non-interventionism built the foundations for a strong financial centre and became the global template for the benefits of laissez-faire capitalism as championed by Milton Friedman and the Cato Institute. Hear from fund managers on how Beijing has maintained this policy after the 1997 British handover but also faced increased competition from mainland China (in particular Shanghai) and weathered financial storms. Visit Asiaʼs third largest stock exchange to see the Trading and Exhibition Hall, displaying the history of Hong Kong's exchanges and the securities clearing house, and witness the securities market in action. Board a bus for an unforgettable ride from Hong Kongʼs sprawling container ports through row upon row of factories that map out the Pearl Deltaʼs industrialisation. Arrive early evening and check in to hotel for free evening to explore the maxim that in Guangzhou ʻpeople eat anything with four legs except the dinner table and anything that flies except an airplaneʼ. Professional learning that takes you places 1 of 6

2 Day 3 Guangzhou Opium, Opportunity and Opening Up Today explore Guangzhou, Chinaʼs economic trading window from the Ming Dynasty through to the Canton system of trade during the Qing Dynasty, and site of the first Opium War in 1839, which created the ruse for foreign economic expansion through ʻTreaty Portsʼ and eventual colonisation leading to Chinaʼs humiliating tag ʻthe sick man of Asiaʼ. Birthplace and stomping ground for Sun Yat- Sen, the founder of modern China, Guangzhou is the capital of Chinaʼs richest province, contributing a staggering 12% of Chinaʼs national GDP and whose economy is bigger than Singapore, Hong Kong or Taiwan individually. Visit Austrade for a briefing on the development of Guangzhouʼs Special Economic Zones in the 1970s through to the reorientation of its export orientated economy following the Global Financial Crisis and the reduction of demand from American consumers. In the afternoon, meet with representatives from a leading international manufacturing company to see how itʼs developing global aspirations before a dinner with the Australian Consul General (TBC). Day 4 Guangzhou - Shenzhen To get rich is glorious In 1978, Deng Xiaoping launched a program of ʻradical pragmatismʼ that involved reforming China's moribund economic system and ʻopening up to the outside worldʼ, which was summed up by his cryptic comment as ʻcrossing the river by feeling for the stonesʼ. In 1979, he designated an area of farmland in Guangdong as the first of China's Special Economic Zones (SEZs), to create a sealed off enclave to experiment with market reforms and performance incentives without posing a threat or risk to the established political and economic system. Today, after an early morning checkout we transit to Shenzhen via train to visit the Shenzhen Museum in the East Wing of the impressive City Hall to better understand the events and details behind the founding and development of the SEZ. Afternoon visit to the ʻkitschʼ Dafen Oil Painting Village that perfectly reflects Deng and Shenzhenʼs mantra ʻTo get rich is gloriousʼ, where would-be painters and opportunistic peasants pull off amazing reproductions of the worldʼs great masterpieces or family portraits. Return to Shenzhen in early evening to Portofino, a property development built around an imitation Italian Piazza complete with lakeside coffee shops and bars and stay for dinner at Laurel, Shenzhenʼs best Cantonese restaurant. Professional learning that takes you places 2 of 6

3 Day 5 Shenzhen Shanghai Market socialism with Chinese characteristics Morning check out before short flight to Shanghai to follow the trail of Chinaʼs second wave of economic modernisation that was almost non-existent in Shanghai prior to the rise of ʻlocal boys made goodʼ in the Chinese leadership centred around President Jiang Zemin and Premier Zhu Rongji in the 1990s. Shanghai, despite the skyscrapers that act as modern totems of wealth and national pride, is also the birthplace of Chinese Communism. Explore the cityʼs inherent contradictions and its pre 1949 history before taking in the faded majesty of the Bund from the Blade Runner inspired Oriental TV Pearl Tower. Visit the site of former banks that have now become temples of consumerism (Gucci, Prada etc) along the Bund before dining out overlooking the bright lights of modern Shanghai in Pudong with representatives from the Australian Chamber of Commerce. Day 6 Shanghai Steel Mills & Conspicuous Consumption Morning visit to the Urban Planning Museum to see how city officials plan to accommodate 21+ million people with a staggering 3D model over 3 floors. Cross the river to Pudong to see the new financial centre and some of the worldʼs tallest buildings in what was a sleepy, swampy hollow 15 years ago. Drop into the Shanghai Stock Exchange and visit day traders, where pensioners play the markets, before an afternoon visit to an Iron Smelter that occupies a whole suburb and is a model for transformative state owned ownership and direct foreign investment. Finish the day with a dinner with a leading China correspondent to answer your questions on the rise of Chinaʼs soft diplomacy and increasing global economic authority. Day 7 Shanghai Shanghai: Better City Better Life After breakfast transit via Shanghaiʼs incredible Metro system (217 stations & 367 km of track) to World Expo site. Explore the Expoʼs central theme of ʻbetter city, better lifeʼ as China attempts to urbanise 30 million people in 20 years using this world fair to highlight best practice to emulate and replicate. Ensure you visit the Australian Pavilion to see the how the Australian Government is working to strengthen our bi-lateral relationship with China and then join the queue to experience the Expo centre piece - how China presents its stunning pavilion (and cultural treasures) to the world. Compare and contrast the role of culture and perception in developing ʻnational identityʼ and seek out the sustainable city exhibition, while sampling food from around the world (lunch and dinner at your own cost) before returning via metro to rest your feet with a traditional Chinese foot massage (optional) Breakfast included Professional learning that takes you places 3 of 6

4 Day 8 Shanghai & Tianjin Tale of two cities Free morning to sample the famous Nanxiang steamed pork buns (xiaolong bao) at Yu Gardens and haggling with locals over ʻantiquesʼ before entering a traditional Chinese garden that creates serenity among the noisy surrounds, or walk the refurbished streets of Xintiandi and see how traditional shikumen houses have been reformatted to create a shopping and eating promenade before afternoon flight to Chinaʼs fourth largest city, Tianjin. Hotel check-in and free evening to explore the former treaty port concession areas. Day 9 Tianjin New Economic Zone After breakfast, visit City of Melbourneʼs Tianjin Office for overview of how a sister city relationship can produce mutually beneficial outcomes. Then visit the cityʼs Foreign Affairs Office in a former imperial mansion for a briefing on the development of Tianjin and the third wave of economic reform. Travel via light rail to the Tianjin Economic Development Area (TEDA) to see bonded factories and the creation of the Binhai New Area Economic Zone before site visit to the iconic Flying Pigeon bicycle factory to witness production methods. Enjoy dinner at the famous Goubuli dumpling restaurant. Day 10 Tianjin/ Great Wall / Beijing Running the Great Wall Early morning check out for 1-hour transit to the Great Wall, to better understand the symbolism of this renowned engineering feat and how it reflects nationalist ideals and consumer brands from trucks to cigarettes. Sample simple country fare in a peaceful courtyard in the shadow of the Great Wall. Drive through the countryside past Beijingʼs rapidly disappearing reservoir and into the suburbs of the capital and stop for a traditional Peking duck served in a restored Ming dynasty granary. Continually voted as the best duck in Beijing, Dadong Roast Duck delivers divine duck cooked over fruit scented firewood with an endless choice of condiments. Late evening hotel check-in. Day 11 Beijing China and economic performace We end our journey at the seat of Chinese political power. Stand on the podium of the Gate of Heavenly Peace (Tianʼanmen) above Maoʼs iconic portrait overlooking the worldʼ largest open public space, where he proclaimed on 1 October 1949 that China ʻhad stood upʼ after a century of civil war, invasion and colonisation. Visit Maoʼs resting place before descending into the depths of the Forbidden City, home of the Ming and Qing Imperial families from 1492 until the Last Emperor Puyi left in 1925, and note (from a far) how the CCP leadership have secured a former section of the imperial city (Zhongnanhai) for their private residence. Complete Professional learning that takes you places 4 of 6

5 the day with guest speaker looking at post Mao China economic performance and answering any final questions. Day 12 Beijing Business in Action After breakfast, check out and visit the Beijing Consulting Group to get an on the ground perspective of the challenges and opportunities of doing business in China from an Australian point of view before afternoon transfer to Beijing Capital Airport for flight back to Australia. Accommodation Accommodation will be in 3-4 star hotels. Hotels are often unrated, but hotels will be selected for comfort, cleanliness and proximity to local facilities. Accommodation will be on a twin-share basis (those travelling alone will be partnered with another participant). Early requests for single accommodation (with a supplementary payment) can be considered. Meals All meals provided as listed above. These meals will generally be local dishes, adjusted where necessary to western palates. Organisers will attempt to cater for participants with particular dietary requirements, but personal preferences cannot always be guaranteed. Transport The (AEF) will arrange ground travel for activities outlined in the itinerary above including travel from Hong Kong to Guangzhou, Guangzhou to Shenzhen, Shenzhen to Shanghai, Shanghai to Tianjin, and Tianjin to Beijing. Participants will be responsible for own travel during free time. Group Leader/s The AEF will appoint one or two group leaders who will be responsible for coordinating the group arrangements during the study tour, liaising with in-country tour providers and relevant authorities and providing professional learning guidance in workshop activities and discussion groups. Study Tour Cost (Land Cost): AEF Study Tours may be tax deductible for Educators. Land Cost (12-night) Twin share $ per person Single supplement $ per person Professional learning that takes you places 5 of 6

6 Flight Cost: Participants can book and organise their own airfares to China or utilise group fares held by the AEF. Those participants making their own way to China are expected to meet at the first hotel listed in the study tour itinerary (provided closer to departure). Indicative group flight costs are: Ex Adelaide Ex Brisbane Ex Melbourne Ex Sydney Ex Perth $ $ $ $ $ *Please note this is high season. Other departures port will require domestic add ons. Taxes are approximately $ per person. Tax Deductibility: The cost of AEF Study Tours may be tax deductible for educators. Educators may be able to claim their study tour expenses under a number of tax deduction categories. The AEF recommends you contact your tax advisor to confirm you are eligible. Small Print: Inclusions 3-4 Star accommodation Experienced group leader/s with a teaching background Airport transfers in China for those utilising group airfares held by AEF Ground transportation as listed in itinerary Meals as listed in the itinerary Entrance fees to sites listed in the itinerary English speaking guide for programmed activities Exclusions Meals not listed in the itinerary Ground transport not listed in itinerary Airport transfers for those not utilising group airfares held by the AEF Tips/gratuity Optional activities and entrance fees associated with these Photography and camera expenses Visas Laundry, communication and tips Personal travel insurance International airfare & domestic airport taxes A minimum of 15 participants is required per tour. Tours are filled on first come, first served basis. Professional learning that takes you places 6 of 6