介绍:
A few weeks back, 86 separate planes flew 7,000 members of a Chinese tour group to California in America. During their week-long visit, the group stayed in 26 hotels across Los Angeles. and needed 160 tour buses to take them round for sightseeing.
They also spent upwards of 10 000 USD per day - four times the average for Chinese tourists.
This tour group was organised by Perfect (China) Company, a direct-marketing company that sells health food, plus household and beauty products. All 7000 visitors also participated in an annual business conference in Anaheim. At one point, they even endeared themselves to the locals - waving the American flag whilst singing the 'March of the Volunteers'.
(QD) Li Haidong, a US studies researcher at China Foreign Affairs University in Beijing, says on Chinadaily.com that,
The size of the delegation is indicative of how interested Chinese travellers are in visiting the US despite the fact that the two governments constantly seem at odds on bilateral and global issues. In a sense, it shows that bilateral relations are maturing under the backdrop of market-driven globalization,The visitors spend money there which naturally contributes to the American economy.
(ZL) F16 like the idea as he says on 163.com that,
I think it's ingenious to bring 7,000 people to another country to such an event. It's not only the perfect way to promote brand recognition, but also a good way for people outside to know more about China.
(BL) Max Yang disagrees with F16 though on 163.com,
"Are you serious? D'you really think this kind of activity is a good way to promote China and its brand? I don't think China needs 7000 people going to the US to tell people, "Look! China's coming!" Although US citizens may be happy that we spend a zillions dollars in their country, they'll come away assuming China's very rich. And to be honest, that's not a good impression to leave behind!
NOTES:
The group marched around the streets waving the 5-star spangled banner while singing "March of the Volunteers". The people of Anaheim were quick to welcome their new Chinese friends, even rolling out the red carpet for a massive banquet held in the Anaheim Convention Center.
(QD) Mary Cake has this to say on tianya.com that,
I was shocked when I first saw the news. And then, I thought, no big deal! There are now a lot more people travelling abroad to the US and other countries. The only thing that really stands out in this case is that 7000 people went on this trip. In reality though, I think it's a win-win situation. The company made money from the whole thing and the U.S. benefits from these tourists' money as well.
(ZL)
Wu Xuemei is not happy about this whole thing, as she tells xinhuanet.com that,
Chinese people don't need this way to tell others how we love our country. It was nothing but a marketing ploy. The company's goal may have been realised but I don't like the way they did it. This whole thing has nothing to do with patriotism.
(BL) Lastly, here's Citygarden on weibo,
As a Chinese national, I feel so embarrassed. I worry that they'll leave a bad impression on the Americans. I want to say that most Chinese people aren't as crazy as those people but I what I worry most about are the long term effects of such a visit and its perceived nationalism. I'd really hope companies could stop using patriotism to promote their brands.
