CHINA inside the middle kingdom By Rebecca Lo The fiery dragon that is China’s economy shows no signs of cooling down. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, GDP growth hovered at an enviable 10 percent for 2010 with northern and southwest cities such as Gansu, Sichuan, and Chongqing experiencing rapid expansion, a departure from the saturated southeast megalopolises. Richard Fawell, design principal with Chicago-based VOA Associates, and managing principal of its Shanghai and Beijing offices, is working on projects across the country, having recently completed the Renaissance Shanghai Putuo hotel. He believes there are a number of factors that put China front and center for hotel development: “One: the central government understands the importance of creating a good impression via their hotel design. Two: the tourism industry can be an ever-growing and profitable revenue generator for China. Three: hotels open the door for foreigners to the amazing history and cultural wealth that China has to offer. Four: business continues to grow, and the demand for proper international business and leisure hotels continues to grow with the 80 hospitalitydesign www.hospitalitydesign.comhttp://www.hospitalitydesign.com