Chin: Guangzhou is among the top five in terms of gross domestic product growth ... That is why the government is putting in a lot of effort to grow this area. (Photo: Chin Wee Hua)
Culture shock, language barrier and a lack of community are often some of the most prominent social challenges faced by those living abroad. Fortunately, that was not the case for Carlsberg China’s chief financial officer (CFO) and vice-president of finance Chin Wee Hua, who uprooted his young family from Kuala Lumpur to glittering Beijing just as the city went full throttle for the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Prior to his relocation, Chin was the Malaysian CFO of rail transport manufacturer Alstom. His former boss had offered him an expatriate assignment in Switzerland, but he declined. “I refused it because I thought Switzerland was a bit boring, you know? But of course I didn’t tell them that lah,” he jokes.
If he were given a choice, however, he would very much prefer to be transferred to a country where his two daughters could learn Chinese, he conveyed. “So they offered me a role in Beijing and I stayed for about seven years.”
The kids loved Beijing, to the point they believed they were local themselves. “It was quite funny. They enjoyed their childhood very much. China has really good international schools. There are International Baccalaureate and American and British programmes. They also import a lot of talented teachers.”
At the time, Chin was regional CFO of a joint venture between Alstom and a competitor, so he frequently travelled around the country. As his children grew up and enrolled in high school, he thought about returning to Malaysia, but an offer from Carlsberg in Guangzhou, a city he had yet to visit, intrigued him enough to stay put. It has been another seven years since, during which the family decided to move back home.
“Carlsberg in China is a bit unique. It actually invests through a listed company [Chongqing Brewery]. Over here, I manage all the financial affairs and, of course, I report to the board of directors, which chiefly comprises Carlsberg’s main shareholders. The business here is significant — close to RMB14 billion (RM9 billion). It is one of the key strategic pillars of Carlsberg to grow in China and as one of its biggest markets, we contribute almost a third of the global profits.”
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Over the years, Chin’s company has experienced exponential growth, which has more than doubled since he joined. But rapid advancement was also noted in the Chinese society and economy.
Naturally, Chin lives in the heart of the vibrant Tianhe Central Business District, where many corporations are based. With his experience in Beijing, he is able to highlight the differences when it comes to working in both cities.
“Beijing, I would say, is very state-administered. Everything is structured and stable. And because it’s the centre of power, there are a lot more rules to adhere to. The offices mainly manage their relationship with the government. So a lot of corporations set up their head offices there to lobby for policies, directives and guidance.
“Guangzhou is among the top five in terms of gross domestic product growth. They call Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Macau the Golden Triangle of trade. That is why the government is putting in a lot of effort to grow this area. New innovations and initiatives, such as digital currency and driverless cars, are also being tested in Guangzhou alongside Shenzhen. Eventually, all the advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies will exist here.”
Families looking for a large expatriate community will be able to find it in Beijing, where art, culture and ancient history also abound. Meanwhile, Guangzhou enjoys a slower pace — “slower than Shanghai but faster than Hong Kong”, Chin specifies — and for fellow Malaysians who love food (and milder weather), the birthplace of Cantonese cuisine will not disappoint.
He tends to frequent some of the older, more established restaurants in the city. His favourite haunts are Guangzhou Jiu Jia, Cuiyuan Jiu Jia, Baitianer Binguan and Tao Tao Ju. “The food is top-notch. For Malaysians who love dim sum, I tell you, here would be heaven!
“The surrounding cities like Foshan and Shunde are also very famous for their cuisine. Over the weekends, a lot of Hongkongers travel all the way to eat here. It’s very convenient — just 30 minutes with the high-speed rail.”
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In fact, convenience takes on a whole new meaning in China. “I came in an era when things were booming. It was more difficult for me because the healthcare system only just started to evolve and public transport was still in its infancy. If Malaysians want to come now, it’s much easier compared to those days. If you can speak Mandarin or Cantonese, the transition difficulty is almost zero. You will feel like you’re entering a very advanced city. I will say though, if you’re not very savvy with smartphones, it might be challenging because everything here is internet and
AI-enabled.”
Chin’s travel tips are a number of must-download apps: “The first thing is, please install Alipay. If you’re staying longer, download WeChat for payments. The DiDi app is like Uber. Without it, it’s very hard to travel. Also install Dianping. This app covers all sorts of things you need to find in China, from clinics to restaurants. It’s like the yellow pages. Plus, it’s linked seamlessly to your navigation app and very easy to use.”
There are a few misconceptions about the country Chin would like to dispel too. “The Chinese are actually quite friendly, unlike what you see on the internet. China is also much safer than most parts of the world. It has very advanced surveillance cameras enabled with AI technology. So, if you lose your wallet, they can recover it in a few hours. It’s super safe, and you can practically walk alone at night.”
As Southern China’s central transport hub, Guangzhou is directly connected to many major cities, including KL. Chin returns every two months to see his family. Short jaunts are a breeze, evidenced by his recent golfing weekend in Lijiang, Yunnan.
The interconnectivity between cities is what he admires about China and hopes his homeland will adopt. “I think it will take Malaysia to a whole other level and drive the economy.”
This article first appeared on June 24, 2024 in The Edge Malaysia's 'Loong Report', which commemorates 50 years of Malaysia-China relations.
