On Baima Island, there are roughly forty Chinese tourists in total. If arranged according to the usual Chinese banquet customs, several families would likely have to share tables.
However, the restaurant did not follow the traditional Chinese banquet style of seating eight or ten people per table. Instead, the chef designed a set menu of individual portions, presented in the style of Japanese kaiseki cuisine. The menu details were written on paper, with each person receiving their own set, all served individually.
The menu comprised sixteen dishes in total, following Chinese dining habits: four cold dishes, four stir-fried dishes, four stewed dishes, two soups, and two desserts.
Additionally, a variety of Chinese liquors were offered for guests to choose from.
The advantages of this approach are clear. Each person receives small, individual portions, eliminating the need to share utensils with others or worry about food waste. Most importantly, it allows groups of any size to form a complete dining experience.
Typically, for couples dining out, ordering three or four dishes is more than enough, and serving sixteen dishes would be excessive and wasteful. Sharing tables can also detract from the experience. This individual portion style is particularly accommodating for small families of two, three, or four people travelling together.
During the meal, Bernard Elnott deliberately had the staff carry Chinese liquor to each table, toasting the guests. At that moment, aside from his European appearance and skin, he seemed indistinguishable from a Chinese person.
At five o’clock in the afternoon, Maldives local time, the Spring Festival Gala’s live broadcast began on schedule.
The Spring Festival Gala holds a status in China akin to the Super Bowl in the United States, arguably carrying even greater significance. Even if it’s no longer as captivating as it once was, most Chinese people still sit in front of their televisions to watch it casually.
For several consecutive years, the largest sponsors of the Gala were internet companies, with Taobao having the highest visibility.
This year, however, the biggest sponsor was a physical enterprise, Changying Motors.
Although Changying Motors has yet to produce or release any vehicles, its recent promotional efforts and deep collaboration with Tavana have garnered significant attention.
Now, as the primary sponsor of the Spring Festival Gala, its prominence is set to rise even further.
After thanking Changying Motors for its sponsorship, the host announced to all viewers that the company’s first model would be officially unveiled on July 1, the first day of the second half of the year.
This news sent shockwaves through the audience watching at home and those in the automotive industry.
It was known that Changying Motors moved quickly, but no one expected this pace, launching their first vehicle on the first day of the second half of the year, outpacing Remi by a significant margin.
What they didn’t know was that Changying Motors’ cash reserves surpassed those of the entire Remi Group, let alone Remi Motors.
In today’s world, money always gets things done. With ample funding, every process is accelerated exponentially.
According to He Yuanjiang’s plan, Changying Motors’ first production vehicle would complete its design in the first half of the year. After its official launch in the third quarter, deliveries would begin in the fourth quarter.
While Changying Motors’ first vehicle is still in intensive design, its basic positioning is clear: a mid-to-large-sized new energy SUV priced between 250,000 and 350,000 yuan.
In the Chinese market, SUVs have always garnered significant attention. Many car reviewers, who fawn over foreign brands while mocking domestic preferences, often criticise Chinese buyers, claiming they don’t understand cars and only care about size, unlike foreign enthusiasts who value the handling of smaller vehicles.
In Ye Chen’s view, such comments are utter nonsense.
Why do Chinese buyers prefer larger vehicles?
Because most Chinese car-owning households own just one vehicle.
A middle-aged worker saves up to buy a car that must serve multiple purposes: commuting for both spouses, picking up children from school, and occasionally accommodating three generations for a road trip. The car needs to carry people and have enough space for luggage.
Those reviewers, who profit from Chinese consumers while pandering to foreign markets and mocking domestic preferences, fail to consider that households in Europe and the US often own two or three cars, allowing them to choose models based on specific needs and preferences. Moreover, these critics conveniently ignore that one of the best-selling vehicles in the US market is the massive, cargo-hauling pickup truck. Why don’t they ever accuse Americans of not understanding cars?
Given China’s current circumstances, if a family can only afford a 50,000-yuan car, they’ll naturally opt for a compact, affordable model. But with a budget of 200,000 to 300,000 yuan, a practical SUV is the obvious choice. Remi’s SUVs sell 200,000 to 300,000 units in a single day, underscoring their dominance in China’s mid-to-high-end automotive market.
