The spice of city life
Chongqing has found a new way to lure overseas investors into the interior, by highlighting the attractiveness of its natural resources and the unique character of its people.
In a bold sales pitch for the city, the mayor, Wang Hongju , told a group of visiting journalists, mostly male, that 'Chongqing women are pretty and capable. In China, they win popular acclaim'.
During a week-long trip to the southwestern city, lower-level cadres endlessly repeated the mayor's theme. 'Their skin is very good. Their figures are very good. I can introduce one to you,' an official said.
'Chongqing women are just as capable as Shanghai women, but more traditional. They will pour drinks for you,' another said as she offered a visitor some more tea.
What about Chongqing men? The mayor had this recommendation: 'The men are spirited and very capable of bearing hardship.'
Popular belief holds that Chongqing's fiery cuisine has imparted a 'spicy' character to its people, both men and women. Critics of the city say this explains why Chongqing people are argumentative.
The central government carved out part of Sichuan province and combined it with Chongqing to create a special municipality, on a par with cities like Shanghai and Beijing, in 1997.
The move has fostered an intense rivalry with Sichuan's provincial capital, Chengdu , although the two cities have much in common. In Chongqing, the rivalry manifests itself in stories and jokes, pointing out the alleged laziness and cheapness of Chengdu people.
One tale holds that if a thief steals a woman's bag in Chongqing, onlookers will chase him, while in Chengdu, they will just shout for the police. A local journalist explained that Chongqing residents see themselves as men and women of action and view Chengdu folk as people who wile away their time sipping tea by the river.
If two Chengdu drivers are involved in a car accident, they will still be discussing whose fault it was after 30 minutes. 'In Chongqing, they will be fighting with knives after 10 minutes,' he joked.
Chongqing takes great pride in its signature dish of hotpot - meat and vegetables cooked in a spicy broth. Although it is served all over the country, nothing compares to the original.
'All the others are fake because they don't use Chongqing water,' an official said. Chongqing women say that spicy food, contrary to popular belief, is not bad for the skin and gives them a complexion which is celebrated by residents of the city. 'See?' one said, rubbing her cheek. 'You get used to the spicy food.'
