A SHOCK RECOVERY

In 2008 Dujiang Yan was levelled by a devastating earthquake but the authorities 45Km away did not react for 24 hours.  The central government decreed that each wealthy Eastern Chinese city / town should twin with one that was effected by the earthquake to help fund and plan recovery. Dujiang Yan was allocated to Shanghai and today has been completely rebuilt. It’s history however is deep rooted with a 2000 Year old irrigation system that made Sichuan the bread basket of China and the birth place of Maoism.

After a meeting in cavernous new offices of the local agricultural department, I was taken to Edon agriculture. Mr Du was immaculately turned out with slicked back hair and black gangster jacket. I was proudly shown around his Kiwi packing facilities (which had only slightly less people than a Chengdu street) and wine manufacturing plant. We then drove to a Kiwi orchard and a slightly surreal experience. We were greeted on a red carpet leading to the orchard by a group of ladies in traditional costume, and given a button hole. Following a tour of the orchard we were treated to a rousing speech and signing ceremony between Mr Du, Dole China and rainbow supermarkets. We adjourned to lunch at a local club with sectioned off rooms, clearly designed for business lunches. The food kept coming and each time you were toasted it is a custom to finish your glass of (Kiwi) wine. My only saving grace was the small glasses and the fact that Mr Du’s hospitality had extended to an extremely heavy session on the previous night, so much so that Mr Du himself fell asleep at his chair midway through the meal.