Source: CCTV.com
07-12-2007 11:37
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Canadian Kevin Hart came to Chongqing for the first time in 1996. He's a director for Victoria cruise lines, which has the largest five-star fleet of ships on the Yangtze River. Kevin is responsible for arranging food, lodging and entertainment for passengers from around the world. Perhaps the most interesting part of Kevin's job is giving visitors a bilingual tour of the three Gorges region.
As Chongqing joins other Chinese cities on the world stage, foreign tourists come here for the majestic landscape of the Three Gorges.
Apart from enjoying the scenery, passengers have an opportunity to learn about traditional Chinese culture.
"I believe a lot of western tourists, they want to see real China. If there are any passengers on board, We should provide nice lectures. Let the people understand China," says James Pi, President of Victoria Cruises Inc.
Kevin has lived and worked in Chongqing for nearly a decade, and he's watched the city change.
"The changes over the past 10 years have been phenomenal. You just look at the skyline over here. That's the south part of the city. The south bank of Yantze. You can count at 15 cranes. It's just incredible. The infrastructure. Come to the city, the new buildings. It really add skyline into 3D field," says Kevin Hart, Director of Victoria Cruises.
As a cruise director, Kevin spends most of his time on board the ships. He just has one day a week – Sunday – to spend with his family.
"We met in 1996 for the first time as colleagues. At that time there weren't many foreigners in Chongqing. When we walked in the street, hand in hand, people were surprised to see us together. Now things have changed, since the city has become more and more open," says Chen Yuping, Kevin Hart's Wife.
Chongqing's delicious food may be one reason why Kevin has decided to stay.
Time with his family passes all too quickly, and every Sunday afternoon Kevin says goodbye to his wife and daughter to voyage down the Yangtze.
Victoria Cruise ships have sailed the Yangtze since 1994. This is one of the most expensive tours in China. But the number of passengers is going up. More people are traveling here for vacation and for business. And these ships are just one reflection of Chongqing's booming economy.
Chongqing's riverways have come alive with ships and visitors, and the city itself has transformed. In 1997 the region became a direct municipality under the central government, and Chongqing has become a frontier in development of western China. British Consul-General Tim Summers says foreign investment continues to spur economic growth.
"The thing that surprised me most when I first came here was how developed the city was in particular, the main central city area, huge skyscrapers, shopping malls. With more and more companies coming here, more and more trade missions. There are more and more opportunities as the city develops very quickly, it offers a lot more for foreign businesses than it used to in the past," says Tim Summers, Consul-General of British Consulate-General, Chongqing.
Nearly a quarter-century has passed since another Canadian, Professor David Lumsden, visited the city. He foresaw Chongqing's future development.
"It's a fabulous city. It has 3000 years of history. Also perhaps the largest city on earth. You may not even have heard of it," says David Lumsden, Former President of Norman Bethune College, York University, Canada.
David Lumsden, is a former head of Norman Bethune College at Canada's York University. He played a key role in building the sister city relationship between Chongqing and Toronto.
"Chongqing once we saw it, even though drabber than it is today, clearly was a city poising with life and aspirations, and clearly a city to back forth future growth. many commonalities with Toronto. Also many in common with Toronto. Like Toronto, it's an inland port city. Like Toronto, it has railway land water system. Like Toronto, it's a communication hub," says David.
During his first visit, David predicted Chongqing's rapid development. And the city has transformed.
"My goodness, the place has been transformed amazingly. It's not just a matter of fashion and color, but the layout, the physical structure has been transformed amazingly. The city's physical layout isn't the only thing that's changed. Chongqing has become an economic center for southwestern China. The region's long been an industrial base, but in recent years the economy has boomed. Local industries include iron and steel production, machinery, electronics and food processing. Chongqing is also one of the biggest producers of cars and motorcycles in the country. In 2006 Chongqing's industrial profit reached more than 15 billion RMB. Since the 1980s David Lumsden has visited Chongqing six times. Southwest University hired him in 2006 to teach at their Research Institute for Education and Psychology of Southwestern Ethnic Groups," says David.
"David is an experienced teacher with a solid academic background. He often quotes from various sources in class. The students like his classes very much," says Wang Xiaojia, President of Southwest University.
"He has special periods. When he meets students every Tuesday 2:00-5:00, he is in office. Whether there are students or not, he is sitting in the office from 2:00-5:00," says Jacob Sunday, Doctorate Student of Southwest University.
After class David enjoys eating at his favorite campus restaurant and talking with the waitstaff.
Students from Canadian clubs at many local universities enjoy spending time with David and learning about his work.
"When I talk to him, I feel he's very quick-witted. His brain works so quickly although his body remains still. I am very impressed," says Justina Cheng, Student of Sichuan International Studies University.
