Shenzhen Shekou Sea World Flood

On Sunday, June 10th, a rainstorm flooded the Sea World square in Shekou, Shenzhen. The flood has caused economic losses worth tens of millions of yuan, and virtually destroyed 20 restaurants and shops in the area.

The following was sent in via e-mail by a concerned reader:

The June 28-July 1 editions of our local English daily are full of fine words celebrating it’s 10th anniversary. Our vice mayor is quoted “An international city must have an environment where foreigners can communicate and make themselves understood.” and “most expatriates in Shenzhen are satisfied with the investment environment of the city.”

But in this ‘international city’, is bad news allowed to be communicated? What if it involves the rich and powerful? Unfortunately, the answer is no. An international city with Chinese characteristics means no ‘letter to the editor’ or ‘opinion’ pages here.

The remains of 18 quality businesses in the most prominent expatriate entertainment area at Shekou Sea World can still be seen lying in limbo, three weeks after blatant negiglence caused the area to flood. But it is getting harder. The landlord’s sole action has been to build a wall around the scene and post advertising. The tenants continue to be ignored and receive no information or answers. Over 300 direct jobs are gone. Suppliers, accountants, advertisers, printers, maintenance contractors, have all lost business.

The press reported the incident and also limited information on the aftermath. But despite the intense expatriate and local interest by the target audience, the residents, the story is now buried.

The real story has never been aired, as it would by any real press. Why did it happen? Who was responsible? And of course the reason the story is muzzled….who are the landlords?

So, if you rely on the good news press to help evaluate your investment decision in Shenzhen, come and take a look at the tens of millions of RMB investment rotting at Sea World.