Asia Society: "China's 12th Five-Year Plan: Analysis & Implications"

Ma Jun

Shift to hi-end mfg (bec of demographics which will lead to a dramatic fall-off in the number of workers) The lack of workers will result in higher wages. Last year, minimum wage already increased 23% last year.

Shift from mfg to svcs

Will achieve BASIC convertibilty of RMB within 5 years. Huge oppty for HK to be an offshore RMB center in the interim.

Big changes will take place bec of mkt and technological forces.

Because of inevitable increase in wages, economy will naturally become more consumption-driven. Moreover, the govt will achieve full social services coverage in the countryside within 5 years.

Prevalence of internet and its shaming capacity will exert an enormous force on politicians' behavior.

David Zweig

Latest 5 year plans acknowledges lots of social problems. A surprise! But no proposals in the plan to address these social grievances through institutionalized mechanisms.

Plan placed a huge emphasis on development of human capital, i.e., education.

Plan also emphasized the environment.

Hu Jintao will try to keep himself in a dominant position for at least 3-4 years.

Jiang era: (unchecked) economic growth. Hu-Wen: introduction of more socialism (safeguards)

Huge boom in number of universities not matched by increase in jobs. Move to a more technologically-intensive economy will exacerbate this problem.

China could permit the creation of more NGOs to absorb new graduates.

David Wong

Two major objectives --

Stability - need education (development of human capital) and rising incomes

Sustainable growth - greater energy efficiency needed in mfg. Need to also move up value chain by creating brands and offer more services.

Raising wages so aggressively in the PRD might be too fast of a change because the labor force dislocation is so hard to manage. "The HK post-industrial economy has not adjusted well over the last 20 years." [Personally, I think you have to be smoking crack to say such a thing.]

Shiu Sin-Por

Plan is "Mission Impossible". "Nothing new" in this plan. "Scientific approach" propounded by Hu Jintao is a paradigm shift, which emphasizes comprehensive management of quality of life, rather than just economic growth.

Party excels at continuity -- with adjustments.

Shortlisted with Christine Loh for TIME's 100 Most Influential People this year, for our work at Clean Air Network (VOTE):
http://ow.ly/4tZk4 (VOTE)

CAN's latest project, the Clean Air Auction
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/22/business/global/22pollute.html
http://blogs.wsj.com/hong-kong/2011/04/04/the-picture-of-pollution/

Joanne Ooi
CEO
Clean Air Network
www.hongkongcan.org

Follow me @joanneooi
Follow us @cleanairnetwork

HK solid waste management regime (AmCham talk)

Talk by Frank Wan

HK's current rate of recycling is 49%, actually, very respectable: city falls between Denmark and Sweden. But our absolute amount of waste per capita is much higher.

Govt has goal of upping the rate to 55% by 2015. But the only ways are to charge for landfill use.

Frank: our government or, rather, this govt, is too weak, politically, to charge for waste. N.B. HK is unusual for NOT charging for waste.

Moreover, HK is unusual because the govt doesn't subsidize recycling, as opposed to N. America and Europe.

Challenges of recycling in HK:
No physical space for sorting at the source (home, kerbside)
Very little mfg takes place in HK. Therefore, difficult to get mfrs to change packaging for products imported into this mkt.

Composition of recycled waste:
39% plastic
32% paper

Shortlisted with Christine Loh for TIME's 100 Most Influential People this year, for our work at Clean Air Network (VOTE):
http://ow.ly/4tZk4 (VOTE)

CAN's latest project, the Clean Air Auction
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/22/business/global/22pollute.html
http://blogs.wsj.com/hong-kong/2011/04/04/the-picture-of-pollution/

Joanne Ooi
CEO
Clean Air Network
www.hongkongcan.org

Follow me @joanneooi
Follow us @cleanairnetwork

My Top 5 Songs at the moment

Viva la Vida, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends, Coldplay
This was a super, massive commercial hit but, who cares? What I love about this song is its sad, yet uplifting momentum. When you do what I do every day, throwing 500 things against the wall and hoping one sticks, canned hope in the form of a very catchy tune goes a long way.

Time to Pretend, Time to Pretend, MGMT
I love the unapologetically cheesy but effective minor key synthesizer riff on this song. It feels morally and aesthetically wrong to enjoy this song. But I do. My 12-year son turned me on to this band.

Glitter Freeze, Plastic Beach, Gorillaz
Actually, after I saw the Gorillaz in concert in December, I became totally obsessed with Plastic Beach. I'm not actually a huge fan of vocal music in general, so it's not a surprise that I love this addictive song so much. That album is a near-faultless mash-up of blues-rock-pop-digital-world music influences. The sophistication and catholicity of the Gorillaz's references doesn't exist anywhere else. If only more music-makers were this adventurous and masterful.

Shadow of the Day, Minutes to Midnight, Linkin Park
I'm someone who loves to listen to music which makes me cry. It's the reason I could listen to this anthem a hundred times in a row. (I'm absolutely crazy about Linkin Park, by the way, because of the sheer power of their melodies and execution which toes the line between too catchy and hard rock.)

Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 ("Eroica") Symphony
I grew up immersed, even submerged, in classical music. No pop music can beat the pay-off of a symphonic climax. In that regard, this symphony is a paragon of psycho-aural redemption. If I had more time, I would spend my life attending Beethoven and Chopin concerts.
Can't breathe today? Buy some Fresh Air from Daniel Wu --
English: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmH3xCpOSW8
Chinese: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KB9-LzALPk

On a serious note, watch Professor Anthony Hedley explain how air pollution can cause permanent and short-term damage to child health,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q76-gICUoBU

Joanne Ooi
CEO
Clean Air Network
Room A, 2/F
The Standard Chartered Bank Building 102-106 Queen's Road West
Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
(852) 3971 0106

CAN is the #1 resource for health, news, policy about air pollution with a special focus on Hong Kong policy and events.

www.hongkongcan.org

Follow me @joanneooi
Follow us @cleanairnetwork

(Sent by Blackberry, so please forgive infelicities of style or grammar.)

Upcoming silly lifestyle interview

can't seem to shake the moniker, former creative director of shanghai tang. i've been thinking: maybe i should embrace it and re-enter the creative industry soon (NOT full-time of course). maybe create an anti-consumerist brand of some sort.

 

1. What motivated you to found Ooi Botos Gallery?
Two things: I love artists and I wanted to contribute to the improvement of the over-commercial Hong Kong art scene by introducing more cutting-edge art forms, e.g., photography, video art.

2. What do you aim to achieve with Ooi Botos Gallery?
See above. To raise the level of discourse about art in Hong Kong by introducing NEW artists and creating good materials based on sound writing and scholarship.
3. At your gallery, you celebrate the avant-garde and adventurous. Describe what was the msot revolutionary piece of art you've seen to date.

I wouldn't have seen it yet but it is undoubtedly art which incorporates science and technology. One day, the experience of "looking at art" will take place entirely within our brains, through its direct stimulation by technology. I have no doubt about that.

4. As former creative director of Shanghai Tang, which campaigns were your favourite to work on, and why.

Wow, a huge question. Probably the Chinese Calligraphy campaign. By studying the history of Chinese writing, I decided to learn Mandarin. But I plunged into all the collections by reading heavily about each theme.

?5. Born in Singapore, schooled in the US and moved to Hong Kong. What made you decide to make the move to Hong Kong?
The Wild West entrepreneurial spirit of Hong Kong and the obvious paucity of talent led me to realize quickly that it was the perfect place to leapfrog over the "paying your dues" phase that would have been unavoidable in the US.
6. Is there any country, other than Singapore/US/Hong Kong, that you are familiar with?
England and France.
What do you love about this country?

I love the subversive creativity of England and the L'Art de Vivre of France. This is going to sound weird, but I love going grocery shopping in the former because all produce and meat are frequently locally sourced.

For art, the Tate Modern is a Mecca of the contemporary art world, so always make sure to check that out. My favorite unexpected jewel though is the quirky house of John Soames, which is crammed chockablock with his idiosyncratic collection of curios, art and objects. I love shopping at Gray's Market with its tens of antique dealer stalls,especially if you're looking for beautiful vintage, Edwardian jewelry. For convenience and selection, Dover Street Market and Selfridges simply cannot be beaten.  

Suggest a few shopping, art, food or tourist destinations that you think everyone should visit when in this country.

In France, one should visit Provence and make sure to organize your trip around the fantastic photo fair, Les Rencontres d'Arles. Make sure to spend at least one full day in Arles and eat at the two-Michelin-starred Jean-Luc Rabanel, which is surprisingly casual and well-priced (at lunch).  

7. If you were introducing a friend to Hong Kong, what offbeat hangouts would you bring him/her to?

 Gough Street is the funnest shopping street in Hong Kong. My favorite is the eco-accessories boutique there, ECOLS, at 8-10 Gough Street, which features chic, one-of-a-kind bags made out of candy wrappers and soda can pulls. Addiction is also a wonderful home accessories store with a well-edited witty selection of accessories, both home and fashion. I just bought a flat fluorescent pink digital watch from them. It's located at 15 Gough. 

8. Where have you recently travelled for art exhibitions, and which destination left a distinct impression?

I haven't traveled anywhere RECENTLY for art alone, despite having visited Beijing, KL and Singapore these past three weeks. (Mostly, I travel to attend conferences as an environmentalist these days.) In general, NO place in the world can touch Beijing and visiting its artists at home. This month, I paid a visit to China's most important female artist at home, Lin Tianmiao. I was given a private tour of her studio, then sat down to have coffee with her and her husband, Wang Gongxin, also an exalted artist. Their passion, integrity and sense of purpose left me totally inspired and rejuvenated. This sort of experience is emblematic of time spent in Beijing with artists. During the same trip, I met with an artist-activist, Wen Fang (wenfang,org), who inspired me similarly.  

 

Why?

 

9. In your opinion, which country has the most inspiring arts culture?

China.  

Where would you recommend visiting in this country to best experience this culture? Visit 798 or visit artists at home if you are a serious collector and can afford a private guide who can organize entree to various studios.

 

10. What is your favourite type of art, and where best can you find this type of art?

Video art is my favorite, but I know that that isn't helpful to your readers. Ha! I personally cannot relate to the act of collecting, not at all. To me, the artistic experience is savoured by spending time with artists and thinking and writing about art, more than looking at it. I'm also fascinated with the increasing element of technology in art. If you force me to pick a more collectable category, then, I would choose photography. And, of course, Ooi Botos is a leading purveyor. You can also find great art at Osage and Han Art,the two best all-around galleries in Hong Kong, to my mind. 

You can recommend a gallery/street, and can be anywhere in the world.

798, hands down.  

11. What is your life philosophy, and how does this philosophy relate to your work?

"Take a big bite out of life every day" and "You can change your entire life in one day" are both my mottos and I have lived (and will die) by them. Did you know, by the way, that I'm now one of Asia's leading environmentalists and am conducting some of the biggest campaigns and projects ever in the region? (www.hongkongcan.org.)

www.ooibotos.com
+852 9310 5878

Sent from a Blackberry, so please forgive infelicities of style or grammar.

---

From: Eunice Lew <eunice.lew@magsint.com>

Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2011 13:34:12 +0800

To: <ooi@ooibotos.com>

Subject: Re: Interview Opportunity with Joanne Ooi

Hi Joanne

Hope you had a pleasant weekend. Here's my list of questions!

1. What motivated you to found Ooi Botos Gallery?
2. What do you aim to achieve with Ooi Botos Gallery?
3. At your gallery, you celebrate the avant-garde and adventurous. Describe what was the msot revolutionary piece of art you've seen to date.
4. As former creative director of Shanghai Tang, which campaigns were your favourite to work on, and why?
5. Born in Singapore, schooled in the US and moved to Hong Kong. What made you decide to make the move to Hong Kong?
6. Is there any country, other than Singapore/US/Hong Kong, that you are familiar with? What do you love about this country? Suggest a few shopping, art, food or tourist destinations that you think everyone should visit when in this country.
7. If you were introducing a friend to Hong Kong, what offbeat hangouts would you bring him/her to?
8. Where have you recently travelled for art exhibitions, and which destination left a distinct impression? Why?
9. In your opinion, which country has the most inspiring arts culture? Where would you recommend visiting in this country to best experience this culture?
10. What is your favourite type of art, and where best can you find this type of art? You can recommend a gallery/street, and can be anywhere in the world.
11. What is your life philosophy, and how does this philosophy relate to your work?

For all destinations mentioned in your answers, please provide the address where available.
 

To accompany this 'Frequent Flyer' feature, we also need about 10 high-res photos of the destinations you have travelled to or visited, along with a high-res profile photo of yourself.

If you have any queries regarding the questions, please don't hesitate to drop me an email. Hope you can get back to me soon. Thanks so much Joanne!

Best regards,
Eunice Lew

On Mon, Jan 24, 2011 at 11:35 AM, Eunice Lew <eunice.lew@magsint.com> wrote:

Hi Joanne

Just want to check a few details before I send over the questions, as the internet is not known for its accuracy.

Are you still creative director of Shanghai Tang? If you're not, when did you leave?

What is your formal job title at Ooi Botos Gallery, and what is your job description?

Hope you can get back to me soon, so that I can send the questions sooner as well. Thanks Joanne!

Best regards,
Eunice Lew

On Sat, Jan 22, 2011 at 3:22 PM, Eunice Lew <eunice.lew@magsint.com> wrote:

Okay, I'll just use information from the internet then. Will send you the questions within the week!

Sorry if the questions take some time to come, as this is an upcoming feature. Thanks Joanne!

Best regards,
Eunice Lew

On Sat, Jan 22, 2011 at 3:14 PM, <ooi@ooibotos.com> wrote:

Pls check wikipedia :) fastest. and google me

www.ooibotos.com
+852 9310 5878

Sent from a Blackberry, so please forgive infelicities of style or grammar.

---

From: Eunice Lew <eunice.lew@magsint.com>

Date: Sat, 22 Jan 2011 14:37:52 +0800

To: <ooi@ooibotos.com>

Subject: Re: Interview Opportunity with Joanne Ooi

Hi Joanne

I require your biography before I draw up the questions, so that I can give you more specific questions rather than general ones. Please send them over! Thanks so much.

Best regards,
Eunice Lew

On Fri, Jan 21, 2011 at 9:02 PM, <ooi@ooibotos.com> wrote:

Eunice, send me the q's.
Joanne

www.ooibotos.com
+852 9310 5878

Sent from a Blackberry, so please forgive infelicities of style or grammar.

---

From: Eunice Lew <eunice.lew@magsint.com>

Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2011 09:41:54 +0800

To: <ooi@ooibotos.com>

Cc: Lisa Botos<Botoslisa@gmail.com>; Tanya Bennett<tanyaobg@gmail.com>

Subject: Re: Interview Opportunity with Joanne Ooi

Good morning Joanne!

Thanks for your swift reply! Our circulation is 10,000. I have attached our January contributors page, which includes where our magazine is circulated. We are a local (Singapore) magazine, available on board SIA flights First Class and Business Class, selected Air France airport lounges, and also in the suites of Marina Bay Sands.

If you need more information about our magazine, please go to our website at www.epicureasia.com.

Hope this information is enough!

Best regards,

Eunice Lew

On Wed, Jan 19, 2011 at 11:21 AM, <ooi@ooibotos.com> wrote:

I'm flattered but please tell me where and how this magazine is distributed, plus its circulation in terms of subscription, newstand sales and territories covered?

www.ooibotos.com
+852 9310 5878

Sent from a Blackberry, so please forgive infelicities of style or grammar.

---

From: Eunice Lew <eunice.lew@magsint.com>

Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2011 11:17:50 +0800

To: <ooi@ooibotos.com>

Subject: Interview Opportunity with Joanne Ooi

Hi Joanne

Allow me to introduce myself. I am Eunice from epicure, a monthly gourmet lifestyle magazine in Singapore, and I'm interested to interview you for our monthly Frequent Flyer feature. I was referred to you by my editor Adeline, whom I believe you met while she was on a press trip to Hong Kong and visited your gallery.

If you're agreeable to this email interview, please provide me with your bio as well as a high-resolution profile photo of yourself, before I come up with a list of questions. I've also attached a previous Frequent Flyer feature for your reference, so that you can have an idea of how the article will be published.

Hope you can get back to me soon. Thanks Joanne!!

Best regards,
Eunice Lew

--
Join us on Facebook for daily updates on food, travel and lifestyle news!

Writer
epicure - Life's Refinements
Magazines Integrated Pte Ltd
16 Tannery Lane #02-00
Singapore 347778
Office: 6848 6884
Mobile: 9488 9868
Email: eunice.lew@magsint.com
www.epicureasia.com
www.magsint.com

--
Join us on Facebook for daily updates on food, travel and lifestyle news!

Writer
epicure - Life's Refinements
Magazines Integrated Pte Ltd
16 Tannery Lane #02-00
Singapore 347778
Office: 6848 6884
Mobile: 9488 9868
Email: eunice.lew@magsint.com
www.epicureasia.com
www.magsint.com

--
Join us on Facebook for daily updates on food, travel and lifestyle news!

Editorial Assistant
epicure - Life's Refinements
Magazines Integrated Pte Ltd
16 Tannery Lane #02-00
Singapore 347778
Office: 6848 6884
Mobile: 9488 9868
Email: eunice.lew@magsint.com
www.epicureasia.com
www.magsint.com

--
Join us on Facebook for daily updates on food, travel and lifestyle news!

Editorial Assistant
epicure - Life's Refinements
Magazines Integrated Pte Ltd
16 Tannery Lane #02-00
Singapore 347778
Office: 6848 6884
Mobile: 9488 9868
Email: eunice.lew@magsint.com
www.epicureasia.com
www.magsint.com

--
Join us on Facebook for daily updates on food, travel and lifestyle news!

Editorial Assistant
epicure - Life's Refinements
Magazines Integrated Pte Ltd
16 Tannery Lane #02-00
Singapore 347778
Office: 6848 6884
Mobile: 9488 9868
Email: eunice.lew@magsint.com
www.epicureasia.com
www.magsint.com

--
Join us on Facebook for daily updates on food, travel and lifestyle news!

Editorial Assistant
epicure - Life's Refinements
Magazines Integrated Pte Ltd
16 Tannery Lane #02-00
Singapore 347778
Office: 6848 6884
Mobile: 9488 9868
Email: eunice.lew@magsint.com
www.epicureasia.com
www.magsint.com

--

Can't breathe today? Buy some Fresh Air from Daniel Wu --

English: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmH3xCpOSW8
Chinese: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KB9-LzALPk 

 

On a serious note, watch Professor Anthony Hedley explain how air pollution can cause permanent and short-term damage to child health,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q76-gICUoBU 

 

Joanne Ooi
CEO
Clean Air Network
Room A, 2/F
The Standard Chartered Bank Building 102-106 Queen's Road West
Sheung Wan, Hong Kong 
(852) 3971 0106

CAN is the #1 resource for health, news, policy about air pollution with a special focus on Hong Kong policy and events.

 

www.hongkongcan.org

 

Follow me @joanneooi

Follow us @cleanairnetwork

--

Can't breathe today? Buy some Fresh Air from Daniel Wu --

English: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmH3xCpOSW8
Chinese: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KB9-LzALPk 

 

On a serious note, watch Professor Anthony Hedley explain how air pollution can cause permanent and short-term damage to child health,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q76-gICUoBU 

 

Joanne Ooi
CEO
Clean Air Network
Room A, 2/F
The Standard Chartered Bank Building 102-106 Queen's Road West
Sheung Wan, Hong Kong 
(852) 3971 0106

CAN is the #1 resource for health, news, policy about air pollution with a special focus on Hong Kong policy and events.

 

www.hongkongcan.org

 

Follow me @joanneooi

Follow us @cleanairnetwork

--

Can't breathe today? Buy some Fresh Air from Daniel Wu --

English: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmH3xCpOSW8
Chinese: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KB9-LzALPk 

 

On a serious note, watch Professor Anthony Hedley explain how air pollution can cause permanent and short-term damage to child health,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q76-gICUoBU 

 

Joanne Ooi
CEO
Clean Air Network
Room A, 2/F
The Standard Chartered Bank Building 102-106 Queen's Road West
Sheung Wan, Hong Kong 
(852) 3971 0106

CAN is the #1 resource for health, news, policy about air pollution with a special focus on Hong Kong policy and events.

 

www.hongkongcan.org

 

Follow me @joanneooi

Follow us @cleanairnetwork

Letter to a friend (?)

Yes, this is a REAL note penned to a REAL friend ---

Dude,

Why should I help you? You are unreliable, inconsiderate and nombrilistic. Every attempt to see you taxes my tolerance. Your puerile habits of chronic tardiness, sneering contempt and name dropping are what I suffer to engage in increasingly rare conversations filled with occasional flashes of brilliance -- twinged, if I'm
lucky, with humanity.

I'm not mad -- just amused.

To cut to the chase, what favor have you ever done me? Or, rather, how could I ever rely on YOU to RETURN a favor? You are so unreliable, narcissistic and inconsiderate that I can't imagine that ever happening.

Love,
Joanne
Twitter @joanneooi
www.hongkongcan.org
www.ooibotos.com

(Sent by Blackberry, so please forgive infelicities of style or grammar.)