Are Chinoys large investors in China?

I don't know if anyone is keeping tabs or if it is possible to keep tabs at all. But my guess is, our Chinoys are now substantial investors in China. I don't blame them. It is strictly business. If they know they can make good returns in China, they will make their investments. Even the Taiwanese, burdened by political considerations, are now large investors in China.

It is commonly known in business circles that the Chinoy taipans, from Henry Sy to Lucio Tan are big investors in China. The Shoemart king has some joint ventures, and Lucio Tan controls some breweries and cigarette factories. I imagine even John Gokongwei has some investments there or about to make some. From a business point of view, it makes sense to be in business in China today.

One success story I heard about from Chinoy circles is a certain Mr. Chan who owns the Oishi fish cracker brand. He reportedly introduced that product in China and became phenomenally successful. Today, he is building another factory in Manchuria. Imagine something as simple as a fish cracker could make big bucks in China.

Of course in Southern China, many of the refugees from kidnapping in Binondo have established an enclave in Xiamen. There is an international school there whose students are mostly Chinoys. Again, it makes sense. Why stay here if they are under constant threat of kidnapping and murder.

There is also a trend in local Chinoy circles to become more proficient in Mandarin. There was a Chinoy family in our tour group who had a daughter studying Mandarin in Beijing. Her course will keep her there for about a year. The other benefit of being in Beijing is the opportunity to establish a network of people who can be helpful in the business later on.

In a way, the flow of Chinese migrants from China to Southeast Asia is probably starting to reverse. Because the overseas Chinese are in preeminent positions in the business sector of ASEAN countries, it is easy to see how easy it is for China to think in terms of a Greater China when it plans for economic growth. The combined markets of ASEAN and China should be formidable, if somewhat more advantageous to China than to ASEAN.

Unless the Japanese and the Koreans are able to craft economic strategies that take the China clout into consideration, it is easy to see both countries being overwhelmed from their current perch as Asian industrial powers. In the meantime, any local conglomerate that wants to grow in the years ahead must have a China strategy too. Expect Universal Robina junk food to debut in China soon. URC’s factory is slated to start production in Shanghai this quarter. That is simply natural. How come I didn't see Jollibee in Beijing?

Shopping

Don't expect to see bargains if you visit the stores of Esprit and other name brands in Beijing. They are as expensive in China as they are in Los Angeles or New York. In fact, you might be better off buying these brand name goods in Rustans at Makati or Shangri-la Plaza.

But if you are lucky, the brand name item of your dreams may just be on sale in a Beijing tiangge stall. The most popular to foreign visitors is the tiangge known as Silk Alley, located right on diplomatic row. I got a pair of the latest Nike Presto shoes for the equivalent of less than a thousand pesos and a pair of Abercrombie and Fitch cargo pants for about P1,200.

Western name brand clothes are cheap. But Chinese brand denims are pretty good and stylish too. A souvenir Chinese silk cheongsam dress can be had for about P600. And of course the usual fake Rolex and other name brand watches for about $10.

The trick however, is knowing how to bargain. I asked for a 75 percent discount on the pants and got it. I have a strange feeling, I should have asked for more. But I don't want to be unreasonable either. Once I compute what would be a bargain price in pesos, I use that as some kind of a floor price. The nice thing with Silk Alley is that the tinderas speak English.

You can also come upon some bargains in the department stores if you chance upon a sale. My daughters had to buy thicker jackets in a hurry and we were lucky to see some on sale in a department store for the equivalent of P240. And they looked good too.

Were it not for the distance of Beijing to Manila, I can see a mouth watering source of goods for the viajeras. I found Silk Alley in Beijing a lot better than Bangkok's or even Hong Kong's Mongkok in terms of prices and quality.

Rico Yan

Now that Rico's been laid to rest, I would just like to add my family's expression of deep sympathy with Rico's family for his sudden passing. The news came as a shock to us, as we waited for our luggage at NAIA last Good Friday. We thought it was another one of those sick text messages.

Rico's mom is one of my wife's best friends. And they used to live in the house in front of ours in White Plains. Rico went to the same elementary and high school my son did. Though I did not know him personally, the shock of the news of his death brought tears to my eyes.

Such a good young man, with the promise of a good life ahead of him cut down in his prime. Times like this make us sin by questioning God's wisdom in taking someone like Rico so soon and in this manner. But we have all been taught that our way of seeing things is not God's way of seeing things. In His wisdom, we all come and go at just the right moment – not a moment too soon or too late. I imagine Rico has completed the mission God has for him in this world and it's time for him to go home.

But there is no denying that Rico's passing leaves us poorer. There aren't too many young men, specially in show business, who are as wholesome and God-fearing as Rico was. I couldn't help thinking why Rico and not just so many other showbiz personalities past and present, whose immediate passing will improve the industry if not the country. But that's questioning God's wisdom again. Not only is that fruitless, it is also sinful.

For now, let us just be thankful that once upon a time, someone like Rico touched our lives. He might have had a short life, but it was a full and meaningful one. To Cita, Robbie and Rico's siblings, our most heartful sympathies and prayers. Well, he just went ahead of us … given the state of the world, he is the lucky one.

Think positive

Fe dela Cruz sent these few lines to help us think positive.

Don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it happened.

A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

Birthdays are good for you; the more you have, the longer you live.

Happiness comes through doors you didn’t even know you left open.

(Boo Chanco's e-mail address is [email protected])