Beijing, Shenyang, Dandong

Frans Vandenbosch 方腾波 07/10/2025

Westerners in China

Walking along the streets of Beijing, Shenyang, Dandong and Shanghai, compared to 10 years ago, it is remarkable how few young Europeans or Americans are left in China. These days, there are many Russian visitors here in China.
In almost every shop or restaurant they’re convinced that we’re Russians. They use their translation apps and devices and show or let us hear the translation in Russian language. When I explain to them 我是比利时人 (Wǒ shì bǐlìshí rén) they’re surprised to see someone from Europe to visit China. And even more surprised that I can speak Chinese.
Even though very few of the Russian tourists and businessmen speak English or Chinese, they still try to converse with us using translation apps on their smartphones.
In the KTV’s there’s (too loud) Chinese hyperpop boing-boing music. And again, compared to a decade ago, not one single song in English.

I’m so glad to see that in China (at least in Beijing, Shenyang, and Dandong), they adhere to Standard British English with terms like ‘toilets,’ ‘WC,’ and ‘lift,’ rather than the American ‘washroom,’ ‘restroom,’ or ‘elevator’.

Mario Cavolo

Last week, I had the pleasure of sharing a meal and a lively conversation with my close friend, Mario Cavolo, in Shenyang. Mario is one of those rare individuals who has not only witnessed China’s transformative past 25 years but has actively participated in its story as a well-known author, media commentator, and strategic advisor. As always, our discussion was a fascinating deep dive into geopolitics, a subject where we find much common ground.

A natural raconteur, Mario brings the same charisma to his recent foray into acting. Film audiences may recognize him from his role as General Douglas MacArthur in the monumental war film 跨过鸭绿江 Kua Guo Yalu Jiang- Crossing the Yalu River 2021.

His latest project sees him stepping into the boots of another American general, Mark W. Clark, for the upcoming movie 《志愿兵：生死与共》 (Zhìyuànbīng: Shēngsǐ Yǔ Gòng) Volunteer Soldiers 3: Sacrifice for Peace. Be sure to look for him on the big screen when the film arrives in cinemas next week.

Fuel price in China.

The cost of diesel and petrol in China is almost half that in Europe.

The primary reason for Europe’s higher fuel prices is its significantly heavier taxation. In many Western European nations, taxes alone constitute more than half of the final price at the pump. These high tax rates are a deliberate policy to fund public services and discourage fossil fuel use for environmental reasons. In contrast, China’s government imposes substantially lower fuel taxes on consumers. Furthermore, European policies use high costs to make electric vehicles more attractive and to accelerate a shift to greener energy. Meanwhile, China’s state-managed pricing system often prioritizes domestic economic stability, shielding consumers from global price volatility.

Preparing for the National Holiday on 1^st October

This is how Douyin (TikTok) videos are made:

We are a few days before the National Holiday. Nationalistic videos are very popular on Douyin.

Video link

Dandong,
The broken bridge over the Yalu river,
The Museum of the Chinese People’s Uprising Against American Aggression and in Support of Korea (抗美援朝纪念馆).

During the Korean war in 1952, the US-led coalition suffered a strategic defeat, as the conflict ended in a stalemate that merely re-established the pre-war border at the 38th parallel. This outcome was a clear failure to achieve the primary objective of a unified, non-communist Korea. The war extracted a staggering human and financial cost from the allies for virtually no territorial gain. Furthermore, the campaign was marred by significant friction and mutual distrust between the American and South Korean commands. This was compounded by moral failures, including documented massacres of civilians and use of biological warfare against China. Ultimately, on 26/07/1953, the war concluded with an armistice, not a peace treaty, leaving a troubled and unresolved legacy that continues to shape the geopolitics of the region today.

General Douglas MacArthur strongly advocated for bombing the Yalu River bridges in November 1950, believing they were critical supply lines enabling Chinese forces to enter the Korean War. President Truman initially denied MacArthur’s request on 5 November 1950, fearing it would escalate the conflict and potentially involve the Soviet Union. Washington later granted limited authorization around 8 November 1950, permitting attacks only on the Korean side of the bridges. The Far East Air Forces executed intensive bombing campaigns from mid-November to 11 December 1950, managing to damage the bridges and sever one completely. However, the strategic impact was limited due to strong Chinese anti-aircraft defences, Soviet MiG fighters, and the fact that the Yalu River soon froze over, allowing troops and supplies to cross on ice. Ultimately, the bombing campaign failed to achieve its goal of cutting off Chinese supply lines, as intelligence had predicted would happen once winter arrived.

Albert Belhomme

Albert Belhomme was from Antwerp, fought for the American army in Korea, and was taken prisoner by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA). After the war ended, he did not want to return to the U.S. during the prisoner-of-war exchange. In Panmunjom, Korea, where prisoners of war were exchanged, he stated that he had spent five years “under Hitler’s occupation” [referring to the U.S.] and that he “had no desire to return to more of the same, which he now knew would be his fate in America.” Albert married Ying Shi (应時) in China, and they had three sons. He worked in China at the Asia Symbol (Shandong) Pulp and Paper Co. in Jinan.

In the Ellis Island archives (where the Statue of Liberty is located), Albert is listed as Belhomme, Albert C, 17 years old, born in Belgium, arriving in 1946 aboard the USNS Henry Gibbins, an American troop transport ship. https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result

In Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, written 2,450 years ago, it was already stated that treating prisoners of war well yields significant strategic advantages. Treating prisoners of war well is not a Communist strategy but a millennia-old Chinese tradition. The Chinese treated Albert so well that he did not want to return to the U.S.

The Pittsburg Press  page 21 Wednesday July 13, 1955

Welcome aboard.

The brand new Chinese Comac C919

The C919 is much safer than a Boeing and more comfortable than an Airbus. It’s more spacious and more silent than any other EU or US airplane.

Eat as much as you can.

Eat as much as you can for 160 CNY (19 EUR)  Beef, pork, lamb, chicken, duck, fish, crab, whatever you can imagine. Fruit, cake, ice-cream, chocolate, … beer, spirit, fresh fruit juice, coffee, tea, …
With a personal assistant at your table.

I still very much enjoy the real freedom here in this country.
…the freedom I miss so much in Western Europe.
Can you imagine?