Struan Rutherford, Beijing – Nov 2014
在北京几个月以后，我现在习惯日常工作。我甚至在有些我最喜欢的饭店已经成为一个经常顾客。服务员现在认识我是我跟这些饭店关系的证明 （我也许应该去更多饭店…）不过，日常生活被假期中断，比如最近亚太经济合作组织假期 （APEC） 。
几个星期前，很多亚太国家元首来到北京峰会。为了净化空气，中国政府暂时关闭某些北京工厂和道路。还有，很多人不可以在城市开车。由于这些措施，北京污染消失了一个星期。学生不需要上课！住在北京的人民享受好天气，万里晴空 （所谓“APEC 蓝”）。我最初很沮丧因为我不预订旅行但是我真的喜欢花时间在北京。每天是晴天，空气很干净。我希望城市天气未来那么好！
我总是佩服中国的好客，不管中国跟别国家有什么争端和区别。通过热烈欢迎美国，菲律宾和越南的元首，中国显示他们的好客。而且，峰会的时候北京的气氛很激动。我不仅奥巴马和习近平签署一个历史性的气候变化协议的时候住在北京，我还有从我公寓窗户看到非常漂亮奥运会公园烟花汇演。
ENGLISH TRANSATION
After a few months in Beijing, I have now settled into my daily routine. I have even become a regular at some of my favourite restaurants in the area. The waiters recognise me now which is evidence of our relationship (perhaps I should go to some new restaurants…) However, this routine has been interrupted by holidays, for example the recent APEC holiday.
A couple of weeks ago, many heads of state from the Asia Pacific region came to Beijing for a summit. In order to clean the air before the summit, the Chinese government temporarily closed certain factories and roads in Beijing. They also prohibited many cars from driving in the city. As a result, Beijing’s pollution was cleared for a week. Students did not have to go to lectures! People living in Beijing enjoyed the good weather and blue skies (so called ‘APEC blue’). Originally, I was sad that I had not managed to organise travel but it was very nice to spend time in Beijing. Every day, it was sunny and the air was clean. I hope the city’s weather is like this more often in future!
I am always impressed at Chinese hospitality, no matter the arguments or differences between China and other countries. China demonstrated this in its warm welcome of the USA, Philippines and Vietnam for this summit. It was also exciting to be in Beijing during the summit. Not only was I in the city when Barack Obama and Xi Jinping signed an historic climate change agreement, I was also able to see a beautiful fireworks display at the Olympic Park from my apartment window.
Struan – Nov 2014