SHANGHAI MISSION 2018 - DAY ONE

PURPOSES:  Ngāti Kahu and Shanghai CRED conduct an annual cultural exchange and diplomatic mission to share our cultures, strengthen our mutual understanding and friendship, explore commercial opportunities of benefit to our peoples, progress in harmony.

This was our fourth annual Mission and was once again led by Ahorangi (Professor) Margaret Mutu (Te Whānau Moana/ Te Rorohuri) and me (Patu Kōraha / Matarahurahu). 

This year’s Ngāti Kahu Delegation included Ven Lloyd Popata (Te Paatu / Pikaahu / Matakairiri), Tony Walden (Ngāti Tara / Te Whānau Moana), DeeAnn Wolferstan (Patu Kōraha), Te Kani Williams (Ngāi Tuhoe / Te Aupōuri), Anthony Housham (Patu Kōraha), Hazely Windleborn (Te Whānau Moana / Te Rorohuri / Matarahurahu) and Adrian White (Te Whānau Moana / Te Rorohuri).  We were also joined by two Carrington employees, William Harris and Alan Collinson, as well as William’s wife Hana.

DAY ONE:  As we drive 100km north to Suzhou those of us who have been in Shanghai before notice big changes since last year – less traffic, less people, significantly fewer slums and more blue sky.  We’re told this is due to combined government efforts to increase the uptake of electric vehicles and to redistribute the population to satellite cities within an hour’s commute via Shanghai Metro and the high speed Maglev trains.  It seems to be working. 

Two hours later we arrive in Suzhou. This ancient city was founded in 514 BC and has over 2,500 years of history. With high life expectancy and per capita incomes, it’s comparable to a moderately developed country.

Built on an ancient system of canals, it is often dubbed the "Venice of the East" or "Venice of China", but I think it should be the other way round, given that Venice was founded some 800 years after Suzhou. 

On arrival we tour the city's Classic Gardens which are listed as UNESCO heritage sites.  in China, gardens are a way to commemorate and honour people who were loved and respected. They were hammered under Mao Tse Tung and his successors, and many of the oldest were completely destroyed. Often built on a zig zag pattern, they take up relatively little space but give an impression of being huge.

In the afternoon we visit the First National Silk factory to see how silk was made before the economic reforms. Nowadays it’s made in modern factories, so this facility is largely a museum that captures and preserves past practice.  Dangerously for our wallets, it’s also a shop.

That night we dine in a countryside restaurant where we are joined by the Master and Diva of the Suzhou Opera.  For us who tell our stories in moteatea, pao and patere, even though we could not understand all the details of their stories that they sang, the rangi was somehow familiar and lovely.

We end our day with a half hour walk into Zhouzhuang, where no buses or heavy traffic are permitted and where we stay in a 900 year old hotel.

To be continued.