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With a green jade Buddha dangling nonchalantly from his neck and a gold bracelet glittering on his wrist, Huang Xin was right at home for the global debut of the Porsche Panamera at the 13th Shanghai auto show yesterday - as he hunted for his sixth luxury car.

“Times are good,” Huang, a traditional Chinese medicine doctor from Yunnan province, said as he stepped out of a shiny metallic Boxster.

“People saved hard before the downturn, and they now have less work to do and more time to come to my clinic and take care of their health.”

Having bought his third Porsche in 12 months earlier this spring, the amiable 40-year-old said he was probably going to make the latest Boxster his next buy as the country’s new moneyed class sits at the top of the country’s booming automobile industry.

“We’re the only people in our town with three Porsches,” said Huang, who hails from Yuxi, a town famous for the cigarette brand of the same name.

The German carmaker invited Huang as a VIP - an inducement to ignore the other 1,000 foreign and domestic vehicles on display and add another Porsche to his three. He also has a Mercedes and a Jeep.

Sales of high-end cars are expected to rise despite the global credit crisis even as the lower end of the market benefits from tax cuts and other government incentives.

“China’s mega-rich may have lost 1 billion,” said Julian Hardy, general manager for Aston Martin China.

“But they’ve still got 5 billion left. These people have recently made a lot of money, and now they want to show it.”

He said Aston Martin, the original car of fictitious British spy James Bond, sold about 50 units in China last year. Next year he is aiming to shift 150.

With China recording 15 billionaires last year and several hundred thousand millionaires, industry insiders say this is not unrealistic.

China overtook the United States as the world’s biggest car market for a third straight month in March, with sales hitting a record 1.1 million. Analysts anticipate a global dip in car sales this year of roughly 8 percent, while the Chinese market is expected to grow by around 10 percent.

“That sounds about right to me,” said Kim Wong, general manager of Lexus’ third dealership in Shanghai, which has already sold a healthy 20 units since it opened last week.

“Rich businessmen in China really go for the top class, like Mercedes S-class sedans and Lexus,” he said. “They want to show that they are successful. It gives their customers confidence, and helps them build relationships with government officials and lets them create more ‘face’.

“We definitely have a lot of room for growth,” he added.

In business circles, credibility counts, said local businessman Xie Gui.

“People are not willing to do business with a man who drives a Japanese car produced in the 1980s,” he said. “Your car basically tells people how much you are worth, and how much you are worth doing business with.”

For the younger generation, though, cars are all about making a statement.

“The Mini Cooper is my dream car,” said Li Jin, a 36-year-old bank clerk from neighboring Jiangsu province. Like thousands of others, she made the pilgrimage to Shanghai to check out the auto show’s 13 new global releases, as well as a range of petrol-electric hybrids and futuristic prototypes.

“Minis give the image of a modern woman who enjoys her life,” she said.

Shanghainese couple Candy Xi and Kendy Su, both 30, said Ferraris and BMWs are all well and good for the rich set, but the timeless Cooper was more suited to inner city life.

“It’s a really good fit for Shanghai,” said Xi. “It’s small and cool, a bit sexy. And there are too many people and cars here already, so you can squeeze past the others.”

William Goldberg, Sotheby’s and Christie’s find that special stones still sell, despite the financial crisis.
Rare colored diamond sales have been solid as a rock in recent months. In fact, the Wittelsbach blue diamond sold for $24.3 million at Christie’s in London on Dec. 11, 2008, setting a record price for any diamond or jewel sold at auction. The buyer was billionaire Laurence Graff.

Christie’s Rahul Kadakia believes rare colored gems will remain at respectable price levels. “When it comes to colored diamonds, especially blues and pinks, those are rare in any market,” he says.

Says Lisa Hubbard of Sotheby’s, “Those appear to be holding their value, and they have not been subject to the ups and downs of the white diamond market.” Sotheby’s has also logged strong results in its recent colored diamond sales. An oval-shaped, vivid yellow diamond weighing 36.99 carats, internally flawless, sold at Sotheby’s New York in December 2008 for $71,870 per carat.

These gems are still the most sought after by famous private purveyors like the William Goldberg Diamond Corp. in New York, which has produced some of the most extraordinary colored diamonds in history, including the 30-carat, $50 million Blue Lili and the 5.11-carat, $20 million Red Shield, the largest red diamond ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America.

“I’ve heard different talk totally, about mines shutting down, like the Argyle mine [in Australia],” says Barry Berg of the William Goldberg Diamond Corp., adding that he expects pink and blue diamonds to become ever scarcer. “It’s very hard to find a blue today, rough or polished,” he says. “Yellow is a little more available, but orange, I haven’t seen in ages.”

The Goldberg family business has seen prices for important stones remain strong. “We recently sold a 10-carat intense pink diamond for more than $8 million,” notes Eve Goldberg. “We also sold a bracelet with 58 carats of fancy colored diamonds, all over one carat, for close to $3 million.”

The company has moved from selling stones into jewelry and is pushing deeper into markets like Brazil, Russia, China and India in the hunt for new clients. Back in New York it’s opening the William Goldberg Diamond Corp. boutique, designed by William Green. This new apartment showroom above Fifth Avenue boasts an outdoor terrace. In contrast to street-level retailers like Harry Winston, Cartier and De Beers, the Goldberg showroom offers privacy and calm to clients ready to spend millions of dollars, protecting them from the prying eyes of the public.

Clients have started to ask the Goldbergs whether they should consider buying diamonds as an investment and a shelter from plunging markets. Sotheby’s Hubbard is not surprised. Diamonds have an international market, and they are seen as a way to preserve wealth, she says.

But with the economy as unstable as it is, it’s tough for both auction houses and retailers to know how to price their wares. “We’re putting together our spring sale, and it’s not easy,” notes Hubbard, “because values are in a state of flux.”

With a green jade Buddha dangling nonchalantly from his neck and a gold bracelet glittering on his wrist, Huang Xin was right at home for the global debut of the Porsche Panamera at the 13th Shanghai auto show yesterday - as he hunted for his sixth luxury car.

“Times are good,” Huang, a traditional Chinese medicine doctor from Yunnan province, said as he stepped out of a shiny metallic Boxster.

“People saved hard before the downturn, and they now have less work to do and more time to come to my clinic and take care of their health.”

Having bought his third Porsche in 12 months earlier this spring, the amiable 40-year-old said he was probably going to make the latest Boxster his next buy as the country’s new moneyed class sits at the top of the country’s booming automobile industry.

“We’re the only people in our town with three Porsches,” said Huang, who hails from Yuxi, a town famous for the cigarette brand of the same name.

The German carmaker invited Huang as a VIP - an inducement to ignore the other 1,000 foreign and domestic vehicles on display and add another Porsche to his three. He also has a Mercedes and a Jeep.

Sales of high-end cars are expected to rise despite the global credit crisis even as the lower end of the market benefits from tax cuts and other government incentives.

“China’s mega-rich may have lost 1 billion,” said Julian Hardy, general manager for Aston Martin China.

“But they’ve still got 5 billion left. These people have recently made a lot of money, and now they want to show it.”

He said Aston Martin, the original car of fictitious British spy James Bond, sold about 50 units in China last year. Next year he is aiming to shift 150.

With China recording 15 billionaires last year and several hundred thousand millionaires, industry insiders say this is not unrealistic.

China overtook the United States as the world’s biggest car market for a third straight month in March, with sales hitting a record 1.1 million. Analysts anticipate a global dip in car sales this year of roughly 8 percent, while the Chinese market is expected to grow by around 10 percent.

“That sounds about right to me,” said Kim Wong, general manager of Lexus’ third dealership in Shanghai, which has already sold a healthy 20 units since it opened last week.

“Rich businessmen in China really go for the top class, like Mercedes S-class sedans and Lexus,” he said. “They want to show that they are successful. It gives their customers confidence, and helps them build relationships with government officials and lets them create more ‘face’.

“We definitely have a lot of room for growth,” he added.

In business circles, credibility counts, said local businessman Xie Gui.

“People are not willing to do business with a man who drives a Japanese car produced in the 1980s,” he said. “Your car basically tells people how much you are worth, and how much you are worth doing business with.”

For the younger generation, though, cars are all about making a statement.

“The Mini Cooper is my dream car,” said Li Jin, a 36-year-old bank clerk from neighboring Jiangsu province. Like thousands of others, she made the pilgrimage to Shanghai to check out the auto show’s 13 new global releases, as well as a range of petrol-electric hybrids and futuristic prototypes.

“Minis give the image of a modern woman who enjoys her life,” she said.

Shanghainese couple Candy Xi and Kendy Su, both 30, said Ferraris and BMWs are all well and good for the rich set, but the timeless Cooper was more suited to inner city life.

“It’s a really good fit for Shanghai,” said Xi. “It’s small and cool, a bit sexy. And there are too many people and cars here already, so you can squeeze past the others.”

SOLANA Lifestyle Shopping Park

Go catch the last sales of the season with up to 70 percent off from retailers such as Zara, Muji, UGG Australia, and Mango for a variety of their winter products. Couples may buy a Valentine’s day gift set at ¥299 to ¥899 with a purchase of ¥200 or more. The set includes movie tickets, a dinning coupon, wine and fine cake, for savings of ¥150 to ¥520.Valid until Feb 15.

Joy City

Lots of sales and promotions are being held at Joy City for Valentine’s day. Just kiss your partner and Cold Stone will upgrade your small cup of ice cream to a medium. Esprit is giving away coupons valued at ¥200 and a complementary computer mouse for shoppers who spend ¥988 or more. Guess is giving away heart shaped coin bags for purchases over ¥1,800. Get a special red bracelet for free at Folli Folli if you spend ¥2,980 or more there. Roxy & Quiksilver is giving 40 percent off for selected products, and shoppers get another 10 percent off for buying two products, and another 20 percent discount for buying three. Valid until Feb 14.

Huayu Fashion Shopping Center

Winter collections are on sale for up to 70 percent off, and as a V-day promotion, shoppers have the chance to win everything from a music box to a trip to Sanya for two by buying ¥500-20,000 worth of merchandise. Valid until Feb 19.

Pacific Department Store

For Valentine’s day, Pacific has introduced many products at a special price, including cosmetics, lingerie, clothes, shirts, ties and bags. Any shoppers buying over ¥520 worth of goods receive a special gift and free wrapping service. Valid until Feb 14.

Capital Times Square

Buying over ¥1,000 worth of goods will enter you in the lucky draw to win a Coach purse or Ferragamo perfume, while buying over ¥3,000 gets you a bouquet of 11 red roses and free delivery service. Valid until Feb 14.

From bold and beautiful prints to luxury neutrals, you’ll be spoiled by choices from a dazzling array of accessories this season. Read on for our guide to some of the popular offerings around, Shenzhen Daily reported Friday.
Already visible in 2003, colored handbags will become usual again this year as bags of all colors from mauve to chartreuse provide chic statement looks to a more casually dressed consumer.

Many will focus on purchasing bags in the way they once did with more dressy clothes, developing a bag wardrobe for all occasions as this can be an instantly obvious status or brand symbol.

Trying to choose accessories for this season is like being in the best sweet shop in the world, with pockets bigger than the moon to fill.

Prettying it up in print

Bags will be embellished with butterflies, edelweiss, feathers, motor bike straps, stabbed with decorative brooches and finished with short shoulder chain straps. There is a pick-up on the floral trend with a jolly bag.(Note: Oversized handbags are big this year.)

Add a spotted silk neck-scarf for 1950s chic or bold plastic jewelry in rainbow colors for cheeky seaside cool. Shoes too, get stamped with flowers and tropical motifs.

Big on belts

Belts are important and not just for cinching-in those full retro skirts. A polished traveler vibe celebrates global style with ethnic beading and leather fringes. In this story, belts are slung around the hips. Layered crystal, beads, charm bracelets or hand-crafted gold create a laid back chic look.

Bags sport wild techno-prints or saucy colors- canary yellow and emerald green being the hero-hues of the season. The big shoe news is that wedges are back: stability and height, what a good idea. Otherwise, choose from hippy-flats, table-dancing mules, or battered cowboy boots.

Stay neutral

Less adventurous but just as hot right now is the neutral palette that profiles sporty tailoring. Flesh-pink and palest brown are punctuated with bright, white leather. Nippy bags(preferably with chain handles) bring a luxurious smartness and driving gloves do not look out of place. For a more earthy tone switch accessories to deepest brown, or turn to gold again for a bit of athletic glamour.

Revealing your personal style is what fashionˇs all about. Accessories are the perfect vehicle for it. The enterprising companies in the fashion world have latched onto the mania for personalized products that can be emblazoned with a photo of your choosing.

Business look

If you are often on the way to negotiations or an important conference, you need something truly noble and formal to present a decent look. Brown, black and champagne are the dominating colors, while a delicate necklace or earrings will add your unique feminine charm on an official occasion.

Stylish look

For the trendsetters, they are always fashion savvy about decorating themselves to stand out on busy streets. You cannot afford to miss the rainbow-like hues such as orange, yellow, green and red. A fancy design of more complicated patterns and metal embellishment is a hot favorite.

Casual look

Nowadays more people are longing for a casual feel than ever. They seek a relaxing look outside of their busy work. Put your handbag away, choose a long handle bag to relieve your hands and wander the shopping malls. You can select a cute and even girlish hair clip and necklace to pass a carefree time, as you donˇt have to worry about mismatching age and look.

Tourist look

Choose from leather or vinyl bags with a photo on both sides- it can be anything you like- so get creative. Landscapes look classy and will remind you of bygone travels. The bags themselves are worth writing home about. The perfect rectangle shapes with just-long-enough handles, they make stylish everyday bags or fabulous individual gifts.

On the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, which is Sunday this year, all Chinese celebrate one of their major traditional festivals, the Duanwu Festival, or Dragon Boat Festival. The highlights of their celebrations include eating zongzi, glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves in the shape of a pyramid, racing dragon boats and sticking mugwort leaves on their doors.

There is a touching story behind the festival, too. Qu Yuan, a poet in the Warring States Period more than 2,000 years ago, drowned himself on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month of 278 BC in the Milo River in despair over his country’s future. Hearing of his death, people who loved Qu raced in boats to recover his body from the river and threw zongzi into it to feed the fish to keep them away from Qu’s body.

In 2006, the folk customs for celebrating the Duanwu Festival were approved by the State Council as a national cultural heritage. A year later, the central government decided to add the Duanwu Festival, together with two other traditional festivals - Tomb Sweeping Day and Mid Autumn Festival - to the list of public holidays.

According to tradition, our ancestors believed the hot weather in midsummer might cause various diseases. So, to ward off diseases and drive out evil were the main purposes of the Duanwu Festival.

As we celebrate the Duanwu Festival for the first time, following the earthquake that rocked Sichuan province, we should make full use of our traditional celebration to drive away bad luck and pray for long-term peace and prosperity for the people and country.

However, it is a regretful fact that the traditions of Duanwu are fast disappearing. For an average city dweller, his or her typical celebration is to buy several frozen zongzi from the supermarket. And many young people only know it is associated with Qu.

South Korea’s Gangneung Danoje Festival, occurring at the same time, and rooted in Chinese culture, was included in UNESCO’s Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity list in 2005.

It sparked heated discussion among the Chinese for conservation of our own traditional culture. But it soon lost momentum and no progress was made.

Why does the Duanwu Festival no longer receive the same attention as it did? One of the main reasons is accelerating urbanization.

As more rural residents swarm into cities, agriculture is replaced by industrialization.

Skyscrapers leave no room for dragon boat racing. Built of steel, iron and cement, the apartments do not need mugwort leaves to drive away mosquitoes. Thus, eating zongzi has become the most convenient way to celebrate.

This is understandable today, but people cannot help feeling a sense of nostalgia for the lost customs of the festival.

As a matter of fact there is a common reason behind people’s increasing indifference to the traditional festivals including Duanwu. These festivals are no longer important occasions for entertainment.

In our tradition most festivals, except for Tomb Sweeping Day, were days for happiness and celebrated with carnivals, Duanwu was no exception.

Parents used colorful threads to make necklaces and bracelets for children, gave them beautiful embroidered bags, painted the Chinese character for “king” (wang) on their foreheads to drive away bad luck, and even taught them how to make bows and arrows as special toys.

The Duanwu Festival was also called “kids festival” in some localities. Spending such happy hours with parents and siblings, young children began to understand the festival as well as the traditions and culture behind it. Repeating the customs annually makes it possible for kids to learn the traditions, accept it and pass it on when they become adults.

When grown-ups no longer take traditions seriously, it is only natural children follow suit.

A random survey by a TV station showed that most people lacked knowledge about Duanwu except for commemorating Qu. While Qu is a respectable figure in our history, he is far from the festival’s only significant feature.

To restore the former prominent position of traditional festivals, it is necessary to spread knowledge of their rich significance and adapt it to modern society.

The decision-makers have made a good start by making traditional festivals public holidays. But they can do more than simply allowing people to take one day off work. More promotion of our traditional culture is needed with extensive participation. This will ensure their conservation.

The author is a freelance commentator on culture based in Beijing.