Qingdao means Green Island, a misnomer since often peninsulas are named before their entire perimeter has been accurately chartered. The Germans came and exacted a lease for 99 years, like its contemporary Great Britain’s lease for Hong Kong. By 1903, the Germans had built an entire modern city complete with underground sewer system, a brewery (Tsingtao Beer), and a city grid lined with early 20th century multilevel brick buildings. Harbor cities like Qingdao and Shanghai that were advantageous for trade and had contact with Western seafaring powers in the 19th century remain, in the 21st century, the leaders to modernize and continue to function as trade centers with the Western world. How much Chinese history and culture do you need to know when you do business with China? Contact Yvonne and learn what you need to know.
