buy cheap viagra>Chris Devonshire-Ellis, founding partner of Dezan Shira & Associates, publisher of China Briefing, and founder and patron of China Expat, has been recognized in the new Lonely Planet Guide to Mongolia. Recommending Chris’ “Mongolia Expat” website as possessing “a slew of articles about living in Mongolia,” the accolades are timely as the nation, sandwiched between China and Russia, celebrates its National Naadam Holiday next weekend. True to form, Chris has produced a new issue of Mongolia Expat Magazine especially for the Naadam Festival; it may be downloaded free directly from the Mongolia Expat website.
“It’s important to balance business with pleasure,” says Chris. “And as I live in Beijing, Mongolia is only a 90 minute flight north. Beijing is actually closer to Ulaanbaatar than it is to Shanghai. When I get tired of running around China and Asia, I head off up to Mongolia for a few days to ride horses and generally unwind in the countryside hanging out with the nomads. It’s a great contrast to the hectic pace of life in China and India.”
Chris’ involvement in Mongolia dates back many years and he has also been involved with advising the Mongolian government on development issues as the nation begins to generate wealth based upon its mining potential. As vice-chair of the business advisory council for the Greater Tumen Initiative, a UNDP affiliate, he spends time with the Mongolian government and other member states concerning issues of business development, transparency concerns, and institutional reform. Other members of the GTI include China, Russia, and North Korea.
“The GTI is a great business-to-government platform and deals with an undeveloped region that includes huge political problems, historical animosity, extreme environments and limited infrastructure,” says Chris. “Being involved in linking together Northeast China with Eastern Russia, Mongolia and dealing with the business potential and diplomacy as affects North Korea is hugely fascinating.”
Chris with Mongolian Prime Minister Sükhbaataryn Batbold
The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) annual meeting is being held this September in Vladivostok, bringing together the heads of government from the United States, China, Russia and other Pacific seaboard nations. Chris will be attending in his GTI capacity.
“Although our practice is expanding in Southeast Asia and has its focus there, I believe it pays to get involved in larger regional issues to fully understand the dynamics that affect and will shift the region’s geopolitics. The intention is to develop Dezan Shira & Associates as a truly Asian practice, and countries such as Vietnam, where we have two offices, are as much a part of that as Mongolia. We already produce business advisory material concerning Russia and Mongolia, as well as featuring a regular North Korean monthly update through Asia Briefing and no doubt as we continue our adventures into Asia these will also develop and grow. Northeast Asia may be backward but it is certainly far from dull.”
And what about Mongolia?
“I purchased property there two years ago, and visit at least every three months. I’ll be updating the Mongolia Guide Book I wrote and of course I’m flattered to be recommended by Lonely Planet,” says Chris. “I write and lecture a great deal about business investment, as well as legal and tax issues concerning FDI into China, India and Asia, so it’s nice to have a change and do some fun stuff every now and then. I believe that business is best conducted with a profound understanding of the local cultural issues and, for me, that is one of the best parts about being an expatriate in Asia. I’ve always tried to show that at China Briefing and with Ernie Diaz here at the China Expat website to promote the idea that business and having fun are not mutually exclusive.”
Chris Devonshire-Ellis is the founding partner of Dezan Shira & Associates and the publisher of China Briefing. He also owns and funds the China Expat website. Dezan Shira & Associates was founded in 1992 and is now extant across Asia with offices across China, India, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Singapore, Italy and the United States. Chris may be contacted directly at chris@dezshira.com.
Related Reading
Mongolia Expat
Our sister site devoted to all things related to adventure travel and living in Mongolia. This website includes the latest magazine download for Mongolia’s Naadam Festival.
Chris’ Dezan Shira & Associates Profile
Recent Articles in Dezan Shira’s 20th Anniversary Series
Nice one Chris! Next stop – Harpers.
Chris,
Does DZ have a UB office yet or any plans to open one, or is Mongolia just strictly a pleasure spot for you and your crew?