Opportunities in China?

In mid 1993 we got to know a China man, Han from Beijing. He found us through an advertisement we placed in the local Chinese papers. He was looking for a family to take care of his 5-year-old daughter who wanted to study in Singapore. In September 1993, his daughter came to stay with us. Han would visit her often every 2 months.

During these months, Han tried to propose many different money-making ideas to us. To me, they weren't honest deals. He either wanted us to issue faked LCs, or buy second-hand machinery or equipment here and sell to Chinese Government-owned companies as brand new stuff. Many scams which I cannot divulge. All could make us very rich. We refused to have anything to do with it. We know how terrible 'GREED' is!

In March 1994, Han made arrangments for us and my brother Chuan to visit Luoyang, China. The moment we touched down in the airport of Zhengzhou, we were treated like VIPs. There were 4 Lexus cars to fetch us and numerous government officials from different ministries. It was a grand welcoming. For the 5 days we were there, we were wined and dined. We got to meet government officials and even the Mayor of Luoyang.

Every day we had banquets. Many dishes were served, so many that they were piled high on top of other dishes at every table. There was a lot of wastage. There were millions of starving poor in China but the officials were squandering away the taxpayers' money. It was very tiring for me. I hate entertaining people and also detest people entertaining me.

The many government officials fell over one another to buy us meals and gifts. We were shown many investment proposals and brought to see many pieces of land scheduled for development. They want investors to build factories, schools, amenities and roads. I wasn't interested in any of them.

Before I went on the trip, I did some research and decided to visit a famous tile factory in Luoyang. It produces beautifully drawn coloured tiles using colours unique to the city of Luoyang. I was brought to the factory and met all the key personnel. We spent about 4 hours discussing a partnership & finally agreed on a sole distributorship.