[jshepherd]

Who says there is nothing in a name?

A recently completed shopping complex in the Hongqiao district of Shanghai is hoping to attract both local and international buyers to its new high-end pearl market. The shopping complex is called “Hongqiao Xintiandi”, or Hongqiao New World. The Shanghai Pearl Center purchased, for an investment of US$15.6 million dollars, the ground floor and first floor of the complex. The name is very reminiscent of the Hongqiao pearl market in the Chongwen District of Beijing.

With a budget of US$950,000 the new Hongqiao pearl market is hoping to build up awareness of this pearl super-center through media advertising in both English for international markets and Chinese for local markets. They are hoping to have the complex ready for shoppers in time for the October 1st holiday.

[Kevin Canning]

I wonder if this 'Hongqiao' will be similar to the one in Beijing? Shanghai is a bit more South so maybe it will have quality Akoya dealers! But then again it is situated even closer to the freshwater factory cities of China. It will probably be filled with mediocre freshwater stock as well...

[PearlsAndJade.com]

In August (2005) we'll be in Shanghai and will visit the complex and report what we find.

Bill