We broke camp in Shanghai early this morning and drove to the "small" city of Hangzhou (pop. 6M) located in the Zhejiang Province. On the 3 hour bus ride we observed the construction of the pilings parallel to the highway for a new high speed train from Shanghai to Hangzhou. The train will reduce the 3 hour drive to an hour and 15 minute commute. Hangzhou is a tourist destination for Chinese citizens as well as foreign tourists. A truly beautiful city with 30M trees and plenty of pristine lakes.
After lunch, Cummins engine held a press conference to launch their new hybrid bus engine, which is used in over 100 buses currently in Hangzhou.
In the evening we were guests of the Secretary of the Central Party of Zhejiang Province, which is the sister state of Indiana since the early 1980s. It was an incredibly lavish affair with Governor Daniels and the Secretary addressing the group and exchanging remarks and gifts.
The food at the banquet was fit for a king. The only delicacy I just could not seem to consume was a sea cucumber which was swimming in my soup. It resembled a slug a little too much. Tomorrow we tour Zhejiang University and Zhejiang Investment Center, and will attend a banquet hosted by the Governor of Zhejiang Province in the evening.
Jon