Pocket lamp without standard battery

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

Some months ago I bought a small pocket lamp on one of the regular markets around Worker’s Stadium. It looked cute, got it for 15 RMB and said to myself, if it is a scam well, it looks fun at least. The idea is to recharge an internal battery by activating a small generator, to light up the LEDs.
Surprise, it worked. Till one day it made a funny noise and the generator went dead.
I opened it up and after some head scratching got it all together again.

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Verdict: the plastic body is not strong enough and pumping up the generator risks pulling the rotor out of its plastic casing. Now it works again.
Pity, no any indication of the manufacturer. I would be ready to pay much more for it if it were robust enough. Or, the typical problem in China: good idea, cheap execution, unreliable. Normally it would quickly land in the rubbish (without recycling, of course).
Potential clients: people who are afraid of the next nuclear war and build their shelter – and as an emergency light where you don’t want to run out of batteries.

March 2007 – Sydney 2000 back again in Beijing

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

The delegates of Sydney 2000 have been a great help for Beijing and all of us to prepare for 2008. Sandy Hollway, David Churches and Eric Winton have become good friends over the years and we never fail to meet when they are in town. They have now a permanent representation in Beijing though the Sydney Beijing Olympic Secretariat (with Simon Cousins). The initiative is supported by the New South Wales Government and now also the Victoria Government.
Just some days ago we paid a visit together to my former employer, BSAM, who owns the famous Watercube, designed by the Australian Architect firm PTW, to review the progress of the project.

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The Sydney delegates at BSAM, meeting with Mr. Kang Wei

On 1 November 2006 Sandy and David made a presentation during the C-Zone Conference, interesting as usual.

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Sandy and David at the C-Zone Conference

2 March 2007: EUCCC Public Procurement WG meets

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

Our Working Group met this time together with Invest Beijing who brought several delegates from Chinese tendering companies, to explain and discuss about the tendering process for public projects.

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the meeting room in the EUCCC – Gilbert & Karolina with the Chinese guests

During the meeting, Gilbert was confirmed again as chairperson for the Working Group, and Daniel Assandri (ABB) as vice-chair.
On 23 January, the European Chamber had organized a breakfast seminar in the Capital Club where Invest Beijing delegates and Gilbert made presentations on tendering in Beijing. Invest Beijing International also introduced its company that is under the Beijing Development and Reform Commission and provides a wide range of services to foreign companies.
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Earlier, on 8 December 2006, Gilbert officially presented a copy of the EUCCC Position Paper to the chairman of Invest Beijing International, Mr. Tu Xingjian

Construction: new opera and CCTV

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

Some people are wondering what is happening with the new Beijing Opera (as we call it). As it seems, very little. The rumor is, no events are planned, Beijing still thinks it can order events when in the international world of opera and ballet booking must be done years in advance. I just took this picture ago from another angle. You can say what you want but I join the large crowd that is unimpressed with the dinosaur egg. Totally out of place. Had it been in the Olympic Green, next to the National Stadium and Watercube I think it could have been great.

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Now it reminds me of a large aircraft hangar next to the Great Hall of the People. Judge for yourself. Sorry, Paul Andreu, nothing personal.
In the meantime CCTV Tower is emerging. No, nothing wrong with the picture and the building is not going to fall down. That’s the way it is.

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For the moment this is how China World Trade Center (I and II) now look, with China World Hotel in the middle. Waiting for China World Trade Center Tower 3 to raise up, to be the tallest building in Beijing – 302 m when it will be finished in 2008. See earlier blog entry for pic of the construction.

UNICEF and the 2008 Olympics

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

Since 1 December 2006 – World Aids Day, Gilbert is assisting UNICEF Beijing in implementing the IOC required program related to AIDS/HIV awareness.
The assignment requires contacts with BOCOG, UNAIDS and other agencies and organizations.

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On 1 December 2006 the EUCCC organized a seminar on AIDS in the world. Pictured are Giorgio Magistrelli (EUCCC) and William Valentino (Bayer) – Gilbert at UNAIDS Office in Beijing