(CN) McDonalds

[Guest guest]

China Daily

http://www1.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/hn.html

 

Golden arches symbolize progress for Xi'an

(ZENG MIN)

09/04/2001

 

XI'AN: Wang Na finally eased into a seat at the crammed McDonald's outlet in

Xi'an's boisterous downtown yesterday.

For her very first McChicken sandwich and fries, the 21-year-old waited in

line for hours.

 

The global fast-food icon opened its first shop in this city and in China's

western region on Friday.

 

" It is so good that I can now enjoy the same delicacy as my pals in

Beijing, " said Wang as she relished her greasy meal. " I hope such big names

as Starbucks and Carrefour can open stores here. "

 

With the nation's western development campaign underway, Wang's aspiration

may become a reality across this underdeveloped swath of China. The effort

hopes to lead to a flood of foreign capital and technology to the region.

 

Liu Yunfeng, a 40-year-old cab driver, was upbeat that the " Go-West "

campaign will raise his monthly income and improve the environment.

 

" More people will come here for jobs and business, which will increase my

revenues. The richer people get, the better they will take care of the

environment, " said Liu, whose monthly income has increased 50 per cent in

the last year to 2,000 yuan (US$241) a month.

 

Even migrant workers like Meng Zhen are hopeful. Meng moved from East

China's Jiangsu Province, one of the nation's wealthiest areas, to Xi'an.

 

Though Meng has only been able to find a humble job marketing candy in a

supermarket, she's pinned her hope on a foreign investment boom to create

better-paying jobs. " I used to study foreign trade in Jiangsu and, when

foreign firms move here, they will need skilled labour. "

 

Foreign firms like hearing that. Western China is home to about 30 per cent

of China's 1.3 billion inhabitants for whom many goods and services are

still new.

 

In the affluent coastal areas, demand for consumer goods is almost

satisfied. Out west, though, people are just starting to change their

traditional thrifty ways and buy televisions, Pierre Cardin clothes and

Nokia mobile phones.

 

" Five years ago, I saved as much I could just for a decent meal, " Liu said.

" But now I want to buy electronics, computers and home appliances. To save

is not the best way to live. "