P.R. China: 60 today
(My view of the much anticipated 60th anniversary celebrations of the Peoples Republic of China in Beijing: Pudong Airport, Shanghai)
There is a disappointing irony that I was in the Peoples Republic of China today, on its 60th anniversary and I was unable to either join in the festivities locally, nor witness any celebration coverage on the television, aside from what you see above. I was technically on Chinese soil and yet aside from banners and flags, it could have been any other day in Shanghai Pudong airport. I spent the entire day there until my early evening flight to Thailand and it transpired that I had to do so in the departures hall.
I have been parley to some of the rehearsals for today’s celebration in Tiananmen Square and they looked incredible – the Beijing Olympics is behind us and already, here is another event recognised not only at a national level, but globally. It is bound to be an impressive show, yet my compatriots in the UK, seven hours behind will probably see the coverage before I do. I’m very lucky to be in Asia at all, so I must bear these small disappointments lightly, especially since an hour or so ago, I arrived here in Thailand! I met Pete easily at the airport and I was driven through Bangkok in some style; an elegant and comfortable pale grey 1960s Mercedes.
