A few days ago I found on a web site of the South China Agricultural University van Guangzhou ( a city with 9 million residents in South-China ) in the province Guangdong, that in a large convention centre in Shenzhen an important Chinese congress had taken place from October 25 to October 28 2005, for which occasion international top designers from all over the world were invited to China.

Among these top designers was also the still very active Tom Tjaarda - the designer of our Fiat 124 Spider.
A few months ago he was one of the guest speakers and guests of honor at this Chinese convention about ' Brands & Designers ', which was attended in great interest by 30,000 ( yes, thirtythousand ) ' captains of industry ' from all parts of China.

Click on the image above and click then on the next web page of the University of Guangzhou on the ( in red color represented ) name of Tom Tjaarda for more specific information about this congress.

And certainly click on the Chinese red characters at the bottom of the page ( just above the blue bar ) to get a COMPLETE different picture of China and an impression of the enormous willpower and potency of hundreds of thousands young students, eager to develop and storm the world market. Only in the province of Guangdong I found 34 universities. Last year all universities in China delivered 3 million ( ! ) university graduates !

The fishing village Shenzhen grew into a vivid city with 4 million residents  in a period of ten years 

Click on the picture above for a very large photo of the city. Be patient, the loading takes a few moments.

Shenzhen City - ' Silicon Valley ' of Asia

And became the sixth largest container harbour in thew world in the same ten years

China - often known as the "world's factory" - has grown from being a manufacturer of predominantly low-tech products and textiles to a maker of sophisticated high-tech products. This emerging market of new consumers, brands and manufacturers is the biggest exporter to the United States and the world's third largest exporter ( moving ahead of Japan in April 2005 ).
Businesses and factories are moving from being small-scale subcontractors to growing brand owners and developers, creating a great need for creative and management services.

In my personal opinion - also related to the increasing ageing of the residents of all larger industrial countries of Europe - I am convinced of the fact that we are on the eve of a huge economic turnover, that worldwide - at many levels if we like it or not - will be conducted and shaped by China and India.