Beijing
Frans Vandenbosch 方腾波 16/09/2025
A short report of the first few days in Beijing
Hainan Airlines flight HU494 BRU – PEK
Last week, Hainan Airlines quickly swapped its scheduled Airbus A330-300 for a Boeing 787-9. 
Almost 10 hours in the air. Departed from Zaventem half an hour late. The plane was half full.
Chinese airlines fly unhindered directly over Russia, giving them a significant competitive advantage over Western carriers:
On the way, I saw a documentary about the global activities of Chinese state-owned enterprises. Impressive.
CAAC, the Chinese aviation regulator, recently introduced strict regulations for battery packs. They must now all have a CCC safety label, otherwise they won’t be allowed on a plane.
But SF-express courier service has found a solution: they’ll ship your old battery to your destination for next to nothing.
I anticipated the new regulations and managed to buy a CCC-approved battery just in time.
Very busy in the China Mobile shop. A flight from Tehran has just arrived. Everyone wants to buy a Chinese SIM card.
China Mobile managed to reactivate my SIM card and phone number from last year!
+86 13683168952
The DiDi (~taxi) was a true Hongqi!!! Luxurious.
A little over an hour from PEK Airport to the hotel in Beijing Sanlitum, near the recently restored Workers Stadium.
Besides the luxurious shopping centres, they also have a real popular (wet-)market here!
..and those tiny little shops where they have everything:
Tonight we went to dinner at Morel, the only Belgian restaurant in Beijing.
Renaat Morel. Restaurant owner and entrepreneur in Beijing. What a warm personality and a great storyteller.
The mussels were delicious.
and the dessert was exceptionally delicious.
During these first days in China, I thoroughly enjoyed the freedom here in this country.
…the freedom I miss so much in Western Europe.
Can you imagine?
