Day 3: Wed 26 Sep 12 - Beijing to Chongqing

It was an early start this morning, making it even more difficult to get out of bed due to the late night before. The four of us were picked up at 0615 h by Zheng-yu and the driver and taken back to the Beijing airport to fly to Chongqing, which took 2.5 hrs. 

Skyline of Chongqing taken from Nanshan by Oliver Ren

Chongqing is a major city in Southwest China and one of the five national central cities in the People's Republic of China (PRC). As of 2011, Chongqing’s population was a little over 28.5 million although the urbanized area is estimated to have a population of only 6 or 7 million. Chongqing was also a municipality of the Republic of China (ROC) administration, serving as its wartime capital during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945). During the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Allies set up the Chinese Anti-fascist headquarters in Chongqing, which was responsible for directing the allied army of China, Vietnam, Thailand, Burma, and Malaysia. It was under the direction of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek and General Joseph Stilwell. The Japanese Air Force heavily bombed it. Due to its mountainous environment, many people were saved from the bombing.  Due to the bravery, contributions and sacrifices made by the local people during World War II, Chongqing became known as the City of Heroes. Many factories and universities were relocated from eastern China to Chongqing during the war, transforming this city from inland port to a heavily industrialized city. Chongqing is known as a “mountain city” as it is surrounded by four major ranges: the Daba Mountains in the north, the Wu Mountains to the east, the Wuling Mountains in the southeast, and the Dalou Mountains to the south.  It is also known as a “city on rivers” as the Yangtze River runs through the whole area from west to east, covering a course of 665km, cutting through the Wu Mountains at three places and forming the well-known Three Gorges: the Qutang, the Wuxia and the Xiling gorges. The Jialing River joins the Yangtze in Chongqing coming from the northwest. Chongqing has a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate and for most of the year experiences very humid conditions. The city's location in the Sichuan Basin causes it to have one of the lowest annual sunshine totals in China: only 1055 hours. With over 100 days of fog per year, Chongqing is also known as the "Fog City";   this special weather possibly played a role in protecting the city from being overrun by the Imperial Japanese Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War.

Upon arrival at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, we were met by staff of the Third Military Medical University (TMMU) at the bottom of the aircraft stairs and escorted through a VIP lounge to a VIP bus. From the airport we were taken to another fancy restaurant – the Yuxin Sichuan Dish restaurant, overlooking the Yangtze (although Chongqing was experiencing one of those foggy days, it cleared slightly to allow us a small view of the splendor). Here we had another sumptuous banquet, together with the best TCW ever! After eating and drinking, it was back to the hotel (the five star Sofitel Forebase) to unpack the bags and get ready for a very important meeting – the signing Ceremony between MEPS and Biochem, a new major sponsor.

Table setting

The best TCW ever!

Our table at Yuxin Sichaun Dish Restaurant

View of the Yangtze from the restaurant

The Signing Ceremony

On the 26th September 2012 at 5:00pm, the FIP-MEP Section and Biochem Group signed a co-operation agreement, in a ceremony held in the Mage Hall of the Hotel Sofitel Forebase, Chongqing. The president of MEPS, Colonel Chen Zheng-yu, co-signed the agreement with the Vice-President of the Biochem group, Mr Liu Guangzhong. Biochem group is now an official sponsor of MEPS and its associated activities. Biochem group is a leading provider of total lab solutions in laboratory medicine and of Point of Care Technology (POCT) total solutions in military laboratory medicine in China. As a loyal strategic partner of MEPS, Biochem group has a good cooperative relationship with the military.  The POCT series of products manufactured by the Biochem group could meet the demands of emergency rescue in natural disaster situations to provide reliable support for medical rescue teams.  

Col Chen and Mr Liu were invited to sign the documents in Chinese and English

After the documents were signed, champagne was served and all present were asked to toast to the occasion, thereby sealing the deal.

After the Signing Ceremony, it was back to our rooms for a very quick change of clothes – the brief we were given was to wear clothes that you did not mind getting dirty!  We were off to another very important dinner – at Xiao Tian'e Huoguo (Little Swan) Hot Pot Restaurant. The dinner was hosted by the TMMU and for the four invited guests it was the first time eating from a traditional Chinese hot pot. The evening was a joyous occasion, and we all enjoyed our new experience. Unfortunately, as we were all having so much fun, there are no pictures.