CHINA: Vegetable Vendor Flees After Picking Bag With US$48,500 On The Street

A vegetable seller fled from the city where she works in eastern China after she found a bag containing 330,000 yuan (US$48,500) in the street.

Police were able to identify the woman using surveillance camera footage and traced her to her home town a week later.

The bag was dropped on the road from the back seat of an electric bike when its owner, the boss of a logistics firm, was riding the vehicle to his company in Nanjing in Jiangsu province on May 30.

About a minute later, the vegetable seller rode past on a motorcycle and picked up the snakeskin bag.

Rather than handing it in to the police, the woman fled to her home town in neighbouring Anhui province the same day.

Other traders working at the market where the woman sold vegetables told the police she had not been seen for several days, the report said.

After the police showed up at her home, the woman said she would have returned the bag if she had watched the TV news and known the owner was looking for the money.

RWANDA: Rwanda A Hot Cake Destination In Africa

Rwanda has been recognized as a striding and fast-growing tourist destination in East Africa, attracting high-class holidaymakers from China, Europe, and the United States.

Known as the “land of a thousand hills,” Rwanda is standing as a leading and attractive tourist destination, competing with Kenya, which is the tourist power point in East Africa.

Gorilla trekking safaris, rich cultures of the Rwandese people, scenery, and a friendly tourist investment environment available in Rwanda have all made this African nation one of the best and most attractive destinations for global holidaymakers.

Rwanda is coming up and the leading nation in East Africa, attracting regional and global conferences in its capital city of Kigali. More than 30 regional and international conferences are scheduled to take place in Kigali within the remaining months of the year.

The Africa Travel Association (ATA) World Congress is one among many of the key, global tourism gatherings to take place in Kigali this year. Expected to attract over 300 global tourism policy makers and travel trade industry leaders, the ATA Congress will be held in August of this year for the first time in Rwanda since its inception in 1975.

The Africa Hotel Investments Forum (AHIF) is another tourism gathering scheduled in Kigali for October of this year.

China, an emerging global tourist market is as well targeting Rwanda as its outbound safari destination. Chinese firms from Jiangsu Province have expressed interest in Rwanda’s tourism and hospitality sector.

Gao Yan, the director for foreign affairs in Jiangsu Province, said companies from the province are looking at investing in hotels, road construction, and the aviation sector, which are instrumental for growth of the local hospitality and tourism sectors.

“We want to focus on tourism and related sectors, because Rwanda is a top destination in the region. This offers us huge investment opportunities, especially setting up hotels in national parks like Akagera and Nyungwe that have unique experiences,” Gao said.

Gao was previously the second secretary and councilor at the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda, where he spent three years. He added that tourism is one of the projects Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to support in Rwanda.

The tourism industry is Rwanda’s top foreign exchange earner, and government has been positioning the country as a must-visit and conferences destination in the region.

Rwanda is targeted to earn $400 million from tourism last year (2016), up from $318 million in 2015. The country expected tourist and visitor numbers to increase by 4 percent last year, up from 1.3 million recorded in 2015.

Located in eastern China, Jiangsu Province is an industrialized area contributing 10 percent to China’s GDP. The province’s GDP per capita stands at $40,000.

Firms from Jiangsu Province are currently developing 5-star hotels and beach properties in Mauritius and Madagascar, according to Gao.

“Our people are traveling more and more to visit Africa, and Rwanda should be their perfect destination,” he said. He added that companies from the province are being encouraged to diversify into the services sector, a shift from manufacturing and mining.

THAILAND: Chinese Tourists Quarrel At Thai Beach

A video in which a mainland tourist tells of scolding another who wanted to take home a piece of wood from a Thai beach has recently become very popular on China’s video streaming websites.

In the video, taken at Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi Leh, about an hour’s speedboat ride from Phuket, a woman who is part of a group tour recalled a group mate’s rude behaviour and called for her compatriots to abide by rules in sometimes vulgar language, and her three-minute speech has been widely applauded.

According to the middle-aged woman, wearing sunglasses and sporting short hair, a tourist from Jiangsu province saw a piece of wood on a beach they were visiting and wanted to keep it as a souvenir. She quarrelled with the tour guide after being told that was against the local law.

The offending tourist gave up after the woman intervened, the second woman said, and told the tour guide to let the former take the piece and let the customs authorities deal with her.

The woman telling the story said on the video that it was such disrespect of other nations’ laws that had made Chinese tourists unpopular.

“Without such a law, I think Chinese tourists would take all the sand here back home within one year,” she said, “and what for? To put it in fish tanks!”

She also recalled a Chinese boy who tried to take a bottle of water that belonged to her group without asking for permission and, when she stopped him, the boy’s mother said it was nothing and offered to exchange it for another bottle of drink.

CHINA: 137 Million Foreign Tourists Expected In 2016

Over 137 million foreign tourists will visit China in 2016, a jump of 2.5 percent from the previous year, authorities said on Monday.

This would be the second year of growth in inbound tourism after the country saw years of decline in foreign tourists since 2011, the China Daily reported.

During the annual meeting held on January 29, the China National Tourism Administration set its development goal for 2016 with international tourism revenue this year expected to reach $121 billion, an increase of 6.5 percent.

Earlier, the China Tourism Academy, a think tank under the China National Tourism Academy, also confirmed the trend. It predicted more than 138 million overseas tourists would visit China.

Li Shihong, deputy head of administration, said second and third tier cities, as well as small towns including Wuzhen in Zhejiang province, Yueyang in Hunan province and Tongli in Jiangsu province will play a leading role in attracting overseas tourists.

“Second and third tier cities and small towns have unique culture symbols, beautiful landscape and have persevered history in their daily lives better (than modern cities). All those are attractive factors to frequent visitors to China,” said Li.

“Besides, the high-speed railway network has connected small towns and also made them more accessible than before. It is a great timing for them to develop inbound tourism industry.”

CHINA: Chinese Tourist Pauses For Photos On 600-year-old Statue Depite " dont touch" Sign

A Chinese tourist has been criticised for her “uncivilised” behaviour after she took selfies sitting on top of a 600-year-old statue outside a Ming dynasty (1368-1644) tomb, mainland media reports.

The woman apparently failed to see a warning sign next to the artefacts, outside the Xiaoling tomb in Nanjing, telling visitors "Do Not Touch", as she spent five minutes taking selfies.

She constantly changed her pose while sitting on the stone animal in the city – once the capital of a number of Chinese dynasties and republican governments – in Jiangsu province.

The woman also took her time to update her selfies on WeChat, a popular mainland social media platform, as she sat on the statue.

The artefact is one of 24 statues of animals, including lions, elephants and mythical beings, which line the 1,800 metre-long road leading to the tomb.

The mausoleum was built between 1381 and 1405 for the first emperor of the Ming dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang, known as the Hongwu Emperor, who died in 1398.

It was unclear whether the woman had ignored the warning sign, located beside the statue, telling visitors not to touch the artefacts.

The tomb’s management said there were not enough staff on duty to supervise tourists visiting at the tomb.

However, anyone that is found to have vandalised artefacts could face a fine up to 200 yuan (HK$240), while other more serious violations could lead to a 10-day detention.

Last week, a 300-year-old bronze water vat in Beijing’s Palace Museum was vandalised when a young couple carved their names on it.

The museum’s management has called in police to help investigate the matter.

CHINA: Marriott International Expands Business In China

Marriott International further expands its business in China with the opening of the Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang Hotel in Shengze, an ancient city with a modern and thriving economy. The new hotel is the first international hospitality brand in the area and the 19th Renaissance branded property to open in China.

As one of Marriott International’s leading lifestyle brands, Renaissance Hotels is dedicated to helping guests discover the unexpected wherever they travel,” said Henry Lee, Chief Operation Official, Greater China of Marriott International. “We are extremely proud of the opening of the Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang Hotel, marking the 19th Renaissance hotel in China, in addition to five Marriott International brands already flourishing within China. Our goal is to make Marriott International the most popular global tourism company in Asia Pacific,” added Lee.

The new Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang Hotel has 296 well-appointed guest rooms including 15 spacious suites that have their own kitchenettes with refrigerators. Picturesque lake views can be enjoyed by approximately half the rooms, while all guest rooms feature plush bedding, high speed wireless internet, an LED TV and a spacious work area. Guests staying on one of the hotel’s four Club Floors enjoy access to the Club Lounge and exclusive services such as expedited check-in and check-out, complimentary breakfast buffet, in addition to daily tea, coffee and snacks.

We anticipate immediate strong demand due to Renaissance’s exceptional reputation for defying business travel conventions for guests who crave unexpected experiences,” said Mr. Alex Tse Kam Chiu, General Manager of Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang Hotel. “Moreover, the area has great potential for further growth as a tourism destination and commercial center.”

The Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang brings Shengze its first five-star dining destination managed by an internationally acclaimed Food & Beverage team. General manager Mr. Tse is also a platinum member and gold medal winner of the Les Amis d’Escoffier Society and a Commanderie des Cordons Bleus de France. A 26-year veteran of the restaurant industry with years of five-star hotel experience, he will be overseeing food and beverage operations.

Guests can enjoy exceptional dining at Wan Li Chinese Restaurant where flavors of Canton, Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces are served in a chic and inviting interior within 11 exquisitely designed private dining rooms.

A wide range of international specialties are prepared in open kitchens at Food Studio, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant that offers buffet and a la cart dining.

Smokimoto Korean Restaurant in the Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang Hotel offers delicious traditional Korean dishes including a sumptuous barbeque selection as well as fresh Japanese sashimi.

Locals and guests alike have the perfect place to unwind in R Bar, a chic and energetic evening gathering place that offers live music, a variety of canapés, cocktails, craft beers and fresh juices.

Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang Hotel also boasts a 24-Hour Fitness Center with top-notch exercise machines and an aerobics room, as well as an indoor heated swimming pool boasting magnificent lake views.


Impressive conference and meeting facilities make Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang Hotel the ideal place for weddings, corporate events and private gatherings of all styles and sizes with total floor space of 3,800 square meters supported by a dedicated and experienced events planning team. The Grand Ballroom offers 1,600 square meters of pillar-less space that can be partitioned into three smaller rooms, and is equipped with a stunning 140 square meter LCD screen and state-of-the-art audiovisual system. The Junior Ballroom is 400 square meters in area and can also be partitioned into three sections. There are also six multipurpose rooms for small groups and meetings.

As a major stop along the ancient Silk Road, Shengze was a famously prosperous base for silk production. Its remaining Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasty buildings now draw thousands of tourists each year. Today silk remains the focus of a more diversified local economy for Shengze, which also includes a burgeoning high-tech sector and hundreds of foreign enterprises. Local businesses benefit from the city’s location at the junction of three of the most economically developed administrative divisions of China – Zhejiang Province, Jiangsu Province and the Municipality of Shanghai.

Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang Hotel is a one-hour trip by car from Shanghai Hongqiao International and the Suzhou Railway Station. The hotel is only six kilometers from Shengze Coach Station.

CHINA: New Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang Hotel Opens In Shengze

Marriott International further expands its business in China with the opening of the Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang Hotel in Shengze, an ancient city with a modern and thriving economy. The new hotel is the first international hospitality brand in the area and the 19th Renaissance branded property to open in China.

As one of Marriott International’s leading lifestyle brands, Renaissance Hotels is dedicated to helping guests discover the unexpected wherever they travel,” said Henry Lee, Chief Operation Official, Greater China of Marriott International. “We are extremely proud of the opening of the Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang Hotel, marking the 19th Renaissance hotel in China, in addition to five Marriott International brands already flourishing within China. Our goal is to make Marriott International the most popular global tourism company in Asia Pacific,” added Lee.

The new Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang Hotel has 296 well-appointed guest rooms including 15 spacious suites that have their own kitchenettes with refrigerators. Picturesque lake views can be enjoyed by approximately half the rooms, while all guest rooms feature plush bedding, high speed wireless internet, an LED TV and a spacious work area. Guests staying on one of the hotel’s four Club Floors enjoy access to the Club Lounge and exclusive services such as expedited check-in and check-out, complimentary breakfast buffet, in addition to daily tea, coffee and snacks.

We anticipate immediate strong demand due to Renaissance’s exceptional reputation for defying business travel conventions for guests who crave unexpected experiences,” said Mr. Alex Tse Kam Chiu, General Manager of Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang Hotel. “Moreover, the area has great potential for further growth as a tourism destination and commercial center.”

The Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang brings Shengze its first five-star dining destination managed by an internationally acclaimed Food & Beverage team. General manager Mr. Tse is also a platinum member and gold medal winner of the Les Amis d’Escoffier Society and a Commanderie des Cordons Bleus de France. A 26-year veteran of the restaurant industry with years of five-star hotel experience, he will be overseeing food and beverage operations.

Guests can enjoy exceptional dining at Wan Li Chinese Restaurant where flavors of Canton, Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces are served in a chic and inviting interior within 11 exquisitely designed private dining rooms.

A wide range of international specialties are prepared in open kitchens at Food Studio, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant that offers buffet and a la cart dining.

Smokimoto Korean Restaurant in the Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang Hotel offers delicious traditional Korean dishes including a sumptuous barbeque selection as well as fresh Japanese sashimi.

Locals and guests alike have the perfect place to unwind in R Bar, a chic and energetic evening gathering place that offers live music, a variety of canapés, cocktails, craft beers and fresh juices.

Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang Hotel also boasts a 24-Hour Fitness Center with top-notch exercise machines and an aerobics room, as well as an indoor heated swimming pool boasting magnificent lake views.


Impressive conference and meeting facilities make Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang Hotel the ideal place for weddings, corporate events and private gatherings of all styles and sizes with total floor space of 3,800 square meters supported by a dedicated and experienced events planning team. The Grand Ballroom offers 1,600 square meters of pillar-less space that can be partitioned into three smaller rooms, and is equipped with a stunning 140 square meter LCD screen and state-of-the-art audiovisual system. The Junior Ballroom is 400 square meters in area and can also be partitioned into three sections. There are also six multipurpose rooms for small groups and meetings.

As a major stop along the ancient Silk Road, Shengze was a famously prosperous base for silk production. Its remaining Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasty buildings now draw thousands of tourists each year. Today silk remains the focus of a more diversified local economy for Shengze, which also includes a burgeoning high-tech sector and hundreds of foreign enterprises. Local businesses benefit from the city’s location at the junction of three of the most economically developed administrative divisions of China – Zhejiang Province, Jiangsu Province and the Municipality of Shanghai.

Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang Hotel is a one-hour trip by car from Shanghai Hongqiao International and the Suzhou Railway Station. The hotel is only six kilometers from Shengze Coach Station.