Entrance of the world - London

What makes London so international? The article, "Paris-on-Thames" describes that French goes to London for aspiring a sense of intentionality and freedom.

French influx to London began notably in the 1990s as the city boomed with Britain's economy. French consulate estimates that there are 400,000 people citizens of France. This would be largest minority in the city and the number of influx doesn't seem to shrink.

Why French going to London? Because of high-paid work, lower taxes, and the opportunity of raising bilingual child. French bankers gain these benefits. And there are another reasons for French youngsters to go there. They are fleeing rigid social conventions, hierarchical corporate culture and a sense of distance from the global swirl of people and ideas. They see London as a place of freedom connecting to globalisation. However it's not guarantee to find decent jobs.They go there to improve English and to experience something new.

Anyway KK Outlet may give you something new, because it is in London and hybrid space.

"Art market's comeback kids" Wall Street Journal

"This week's major auctions in London are stocked with young or trendy artists who largely disappeared from auctions during the art-market's recession doldrums - when buyers bet safely on Pablo Picasso and Andy Warrhol."

"London mayor backs report calling for new UK hub airport" from Reuters

"London Mayor Boris Johnson has called for a new airport to be built in south-east England after a report said Heathrow was losing out to European rivals, reigniting the debate on London's airport capacity."

"Beijing Capital overtakes Heathrow as world's second busiest airport" from Telegraph

"Traffic to Beijing International grew by 16.9 per cent last year to 65.3m passengers, only narrowly behind Heathrow, which saw a 1.5 per cent drop to 66m passengers.

"Oh dear, it's you again officier" from South China Morning Post

"A motorist caught speeding in London two years ago moved to New Zealand only to be booked by the same police officier for again exceeding the limit. Former London policeman Andy Flitton ticketed the man in Britain shortly before migrating to New Zealnd to work for the country's traffic police. Then, he caught him again in September on a highway in the South Island, the New Zealand Herald reported." 

"HK flavour of world's Chinatowns on wane" from South China Morning Post

"When Edward Chow Kwong-fai studied in London 1968, the 16-year schoolboy learnt the trick of how to get a bigger serving in Chinatown restaurants - speak Cantonese. Now, if he wants his meal "super-sized" he has to speak another language."


"Nowadays many of the waiters and waitresses speak Putonghua, while menus are in simplified Chinese characters used on the mainland, not the traditional characters used in Hong Kong and Taiwan."

"Par-Dons, n." from Wired UK

"People who split their time travelling between Paris and London. The London Evening Standard reports that the number of Par-Dons is up 17 per cent in 2010, and the Eurostar rail service says it has recorded a "significant increase" in the number of people who made at least 20 trips between the two cities in the first half of 2010."

"The amber glow illustrates that the majority of the city centre is filled with cars travelling at little more than walking speed." from Wired UK

"Matisse's flirty 1942 portrait of an Italian countess decked out in a blue tutu, Danseuse dans le fauteuil, sol en damier, fetched US$20.8 million." from South China Morning Post

"The work had appeared twice at auction at Sotheby's in London in the past decade, fetching US$7.5 million in 2000 and US$21.7 million in 2007.

Another Matisse, the 1934 portrait of model Titine Trovato that failed to sell at Sotheby's in November 2008, against an estimate of US$18 million, was offered again last week with a lower estimate of US$8 million. It didn't get a single bid."

"Chinese vase found in house clearance fetches HK$645m" from South China Morning Post

"A Qianlong-period vase that was discovered during a routine house clearance in London and was put up for sale in a small provincial auction house has sold for an astonishing £51.6 million (HK$645.20 million), the highest sum ever paid at auction for any Asian artwork and 40 times the presale estimate."

"After a news report noted the presence of the vase in the sale, dealers travelled to Bainbridges from across Asia. Others were in town for Asian Art in London's schedule of gallery exhibitions, shows and lectures."

"Last month, another 18th-century imperial vase was bought by collector Alice Cheng for a record HK$252.7 million at Sotheby's Hong Kong."

"It would have resided "no doubt" in the royal palace and was fired in the imperial kilns. The auctioneer said it was a mystery how the 40cm high piece ended up in London, where it was recently discovered in the suburb of Pinner. Its provenance was described simply as belonging to an English family collection, probably acquired during the 1930s."

"London's position as the world's top shipping hub is being challenged by emerging contenders from Asia, as China's economy sucks in goods." from South China Morning Post

"Chinese commodity demand is an increasingly pivotal factor driving freight market activity eastwards, while Asia dominates shipbuilding. Indian appetite for raw materials is also set to grow in the coming years, all enabling Singapore to set out its stall as a centre for the ship industry.

Shanghai is also vying to attract the maritime firms that are looking away from London and to the east."

"Singapore is seen as attractive. UK-based Shipowners' P&L Club recently opened their first overseas Asian office there, global ship broker Clarksons relocated it Hong Kong dry cargo broking teams to Singapore, while Swiss Re moved its Hong Kong marine reinsurance operations to Singapore. Rolls-Royce moved its global headquarters for marine business to the city state last year."