Today my flight from Shanghai to Macau was delayed, so instead of waiting at the gate I decided to go to the business lounge. I have a Platinum Elite card from KLM, and that gives you worldwide access to KLM lounges, even if you do not fly KLM. Over the past years I have often used this when I wanted to avoid the crowds, or just to drink a cup of coffee. But it seems that KLM is cutting costs: the lounge at Pudong Airport refused to let me in, because KLM changed its policy. Only by paying RMB 150 per person I could enter the lounge. That seemed a bit steep to me, so I decided to move on to the Air France lounge (the 2 airlines merged last year). But here I got the same message, and again I was shown the door. A nice way to treat you best customers KLM 🙁

Then I realized that I am still a VIP member of China Mobile, and that their card also gives access to selected lounges. I have been carrying the card around for a year already, but never used it. The card runs out next week, so just in time to try it out. At the Air France lounge counter I was told that I could indeed enter with it, and even had access to the First Class lounge instead of the Business Class lounge. Not that there was much of a difference, only the chairs were a bit more comfortable. But at least I could read some French and English newspapers and get some fresh coffee. Finally something positive from China Mobile!

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about a Chinese commercial for a board game that supplied the players with orange pants. It turns out these pants are so-called Leeuwenhosen from Bavaria beer, for Dutch soccer fans. During a walk through the city I spotted the game (and the pants) at several places already. Thanks for this unexpected support for the Dutch team 🙂

McDonald’s made a very smart deal yesterday: they signed an agreement with Sinopec (China’s leading oil and gas station company) to set up drive-thru restaurants at their gas stations. Drive through restaurants are a novelty in China, I heard there must be one McDonalds drive-thru in Shanghai, but I did not find it yet. Also the other fast food stores in China like KFC or Pizza Hut do not use this concept so far, but with the increase in car ownership they will likely also enter this part of the market soon. Sinopec operates 30,000 gas stations all over China, so this opens a world of opportunities for them. I look forward to getting a Big Mac while an attendant fills up my car!

Last week I wrote about 1Bib.com, a Guangzhou-based car comparison website. The site has gone live a few days ago, so if you live in China and are looking to buy or sell a car check it out.

It is suddenly getting pretty warm in Shanghai, even though it should be the raining season now. When I drove back from a lunch meeting today the temperature was 37 degrees, so luckily our office has a good airconditioning system. The Shanghai government even issued a Orange Weather Alert today because of the high temperature. No idea why they call it Orange, maybe because Holland plays its last group match at the World Cup tonight?

The past days I spent in Shanghai and Beijing with Peter and Reinout from Spill Group, so limited time to write entries for my blog. Of course we also had time for other things than just business, and on Friday night in Beijing we watched the Holland – Ivory Coast game in Brown’s. I did not know the place before, but had received a mail from the Dutch Club in Beijing that this would be the best place to watch the game. Although we had some trouble locating it (an obviously drunk Australian with a young girl on his back helped us out – and decided to go there as well), it was well worth the search.

Upon arrival the whole bar was already filled with orange-wearing and Heineken drinking co-Dutchmen and women. The national anthem was sang loudly by all, and although I normally don’t feel too Dutch anymore, it was fun to be part of this crowd. After Holland’s first goal some people even started throwing with beer, I had never experienced that before in China! Luckily Holland won the game, so the after-party was even better. Dancing on the bar and singing along with Dutch songs, while continuing drinking until the early morning hours. If you are in Beijing and want to watch a game go here!
More pictures here.

Then this is the product for you!

Sunday we took the train from Hong Kong to Guangzhou, a two hour ride through Shenzhen, Dongguan and the Guangdong countryside (factories, factories, factories – this area is literally the factory of the world). We had a meeting there in the afternoon with Yanik Cantieni and his girlfriend Lian. Yanik is a long-time friend of mine who is working for DaimlerChrysler in Stuttgart (he used to work in HK before that). Lian also used to work in DC headquarters, but last year she decided to become an entrepreneur and developed the idea for 1bib.com. She is now CEO of the company, and runs a team of about 12 people. I am an investor in this company. Yanik was visiting her and it was nice to catch up with him as well.

1bib.com’s aim is to become China’s no. 1 car comparison site. The site (that will go live on Wednesday – right now you won’t see anything yet…) currently focuses on used cars in the Guangdong area, but soon other parts of China will also be covered. I was very impressed with the way they built the site, and think this could become really big. I cannot say too much about their business strategy and ideas (competitors might also read this blog), but I believe in what they are doing. I plan to keep readers informed about the next steps 1bib.com will make.

After the meeting was over we jumped in a taxi to a bar in downtown Guangzhou, where we arrived just in time to watch the 9PM Holland – Serbia-Montenegro game. The game was shown on a big screen outside, and we enjoyed fish and chips with cold pints of Tiger beer to cheer for the Dutch team. I wasn’t even the only Dutch person in the bar, there was a group of about 10 fellow Dutchman (sporting Oranje-jerseys) also cheering for the winning team. After the game we headed back to the apartment, because there is a very busy week ahead of us, and I needed the sleep.