Prince & Princess of Asturias's Official Visit to China: July 12-14, 2006

[Mari_*]

Yesss he's always so protective like "you're mine" but in a good way you know not like a possive "you're mine".. more like am so lucky to have you..

 

[kartheina]

Isn't the white color a color of mourning in China or this apply only to Japan?.

I'm a little bit confused, honestly.

Yes, you are right. White is a color of mourning in Chinese culture.

 

[Nati]

New Institute Cervantes in Pekin.


Source, Europa Press. Pic Instituto Cervantes

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/2700/pekin8eu.jpg

The Princess of Asturias in her red top/white pant suit combo and the Chinese children in their red scarves/white top combos appear to be colour cordinating with the red/white logo of the Instituto Cervantes Pekin logo.
Talk about detail!

 

[RhapsodyBrat]

The Princess of Asturias in her red top/white pant suit combo and the Chinese children in their red scarves/white top combos appear to be colour cordinating with the red/white logo of the Instituto Cervantes Pekin logo.
Talk about detail!

ha ha! great observation there Nati!

although i must say, Letizia's choice of outfit mustn't be given any other meaning, y'know. she may not be aware that white is the color of mourning for the Chinese and it's forgiveable. plus, the kids who gave the flowers were also wearing white shirts.

they looked good! loved Letizia's outfit. i missed the news about it because i slept through the TVE newscast. darn it!

 

[RaniaRocks]

I guess the protocol staff is aware but.... is forgiveable.

 

[highpriestess]

Even though white is the color of mourning in China, lots of Chinese wearing white day to day. Just like lots of Americans wear black even though that's the color of mourning in American tradition.

I'm more amazed by the fact that Felipe and Letizia could wear a jacket outdoor in July in China. Summer is hot and humid in China, especially in Shanghai. This is the first time i see Felipe get a bouquet.

Letizia's dress has a very strong Asian influence to it with the wide waist band. It's lovely and appropriate for the occasion.

 

[kartheina]

This is the first time i see Felipe get a bouquet.

... and the pink one at that He did look a bit awkward with it. That must have been meant for his wife and the green one was for him. That would have matched his tie much better

 

[LaPlusBelle]

I think Letizia would look really good in a red qipao (other asians, please feel free to help with a translation here). She has the body for it, and it would be a nice gift for her to get whilst in China, no?

 

[crisiñaki]

One question: is it appropiate to wear white in China?
As far as I know it's the color that represent death and it's used in funerals in the Eastern Cultures, is China amongst them?

 

[RhapsodyBrat]

I think Letizia would look really good in a red qipao (other asians, please feel free to help with a translation here). She has the body for it, and it would be a nice gift for her to get whilst in China, no?

is it similar to the cheongsam?

 

[donnaK]

One question: is it appropiate to wear white in China?
As far as I know it's the color that represent death and it's used in funerals in the Eastern Cultures, is China amongst them?

I saw many Chinese/Japanese wearing white during summer time when I was in China and Japan and I have been there many times. The white bridal gowns have also become very popular among the new generation brides. A few days ago, one of my colleagues (she is Chinese) just showed me her wedding pictures and she was in a white gown.
White clothes in China and Japan is exactly the same as black clothes in USA.

 

[crisiñaki]

I saw many Chinese/Japanese wearing white during summer time when I was in China and Japan and I have been there many times. The white bridal gowns have also become very popular among the new generation brides. A few days ago, one of my colleagues (she is Chinese) just showed me her wedding pictures and she was in a white gown.
White clothes in China and Japan is exactly the same as black clothes in USA.

Thanks for your answer!

 

[mandyy]

Spain's Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia, leave a business conference in a Shanghai hotel, during an official visit to China, July 13, 2006

reuters

 

[carlota]

One question: is it appropiate to wear white in China?
As far as I know it's the color that represent death and it's used in funerals in the Eastern Cultures, is China amongst them?

that's what is being discussed above.

i don't think there's a problem though. people in the west wear black sometimes, without meaning a death or funeral.

 

[Paty]

In the news radio, are saying that the Princes at that time are flying to Pekin.

 

[Ariel]

Ahh...it would be great to go to China, Pekin is probably a very interesting city.

 

[Elsa M.]

http://es.news.yahoo.com/13072006/4/television-instituto-cervantes-emitira-directo-traves-internet-inauguracion-centro-pekin.html

Tomorrow's inauguration of the Cervantes Institute in Beijing will have a live broadcast through the Internet. See the page:
http://www.cervantes.es/portada_b.htm



The Princes of Asturias are expected to arrive at 10:00 AM, when they will preside over the inauguration act. After the speeches, the Princes, accompanied by the authorities, will visit the exhibition 'Laberinto de Museos' and visit the new library of the Institute, which is named after Antonio Machado.

Finally, a Spanish wine will be served; in this case, a white Marqués de Riscal Sauvignon de 2005, and a Pintia 2002 de Toro.

http://es.news.yahoo.com/13072006/4/principes-asturias-miguel-angel-moratinos-inauguraran-manana-sede-instituto-cervantes.html

 

[Elsa M.]

http://www.invertia.com/noticias/noticia.asp?idnoticia=1579949


The Princes of Asturias presided today over the signature of a cooperation agreement between the Institute of Exterior Commerce (ICEX) and the International School of China-Europe Business (CEIBS) of Shanghai, considered the best one of Asia and which counts with an important support of Spain.

The Princes visited the school and they were photographed with the nine Spanish students who study there. After their visit to the CEIBS, Don Felipe and Doña Letizia traveled to Beijing, where tonight they will be received by the Chinese Minister of Commerce, Bo Xilai, along with people in charge of the main companies of the country. Tomorrow, they will inaugurate the new headquarters of the Cervantes Institute.

 

[Paty]

The Princes of Asturias are expected to arrive at 10:00 AM, when they will preside over the inauguration act.

At 10:00 Am in China or in Spain????

 

[Elsa M.]

At 10:00 Am in China or in Spain?

10:00 AM in China. To be up to date with the Chinese time, check the following link:

http://www.worldtimeserver.com/current_time_in_CN.aspx


Here are the Londonfeatures' thumbnails from the business conference in a Shanghai:

 

[Paty]

10:00 AM in China. To be up to date with the Chinese time, check the following link:

http://www.worldtimeserver.com/current_time_in_CN.aspx

Many thanks!!
If i want to see the inaguration i have to wake up at 4:00am

 

[Elsa M.]

The remaining thumbnails of Londonfeatures:

 

[LaChicaMadrilena]

Many thanks!!
If i want to see the inaguration i have to wake up at 4:00am

Me too!!! No way, I wouldn't do that for nobody, even for my favourite royal couple!

 

[Lauritas138]

CRISIÑAKY that is absolutely absurd. You give more importance it of which really it has. Simply it´s a white suit.

 

[Ariel]

I dont think it is "absurd", cultures like the chinese one have many strong values that can cause lots of headaches in the protocolar aspects of a visit like this. I dont know what the meaning of the white is for them, but i hope the princes are advised on what to wear and what not. It is polite to know your hosts and behave in a way that you dont cause conflicts.

 

[Alexandria]

CRISIÑAKY that is absolutely absurd. You give more importance it of which really it has. Simply it´s a white suit.

We've all had such a nice, open discussion in the Posting Habits of the Spanish Forum thread that resulted in a mass agreement for everyone to try a bit harder to see each other's points of view and to be more open to various comments and opinons. And everyone was trying so hard and doing well at that in the Visit by Pope Benedict thread, let's not slip back to the uncomfortable and aggressive manner of posting.

Let's try to be open to all comments and if you don't agree, express it in a manner that doesn't diminish the other person.

Alexandria
Spanish Forum Moderator

 

[Roxsteve]

Letizia looks too plain in her visit. She could have worn some of her other beautiful outfits. Too simple for such an important visit. Just my opinion.

 

[Ariel]

I found this link that can be useful about the subject. http://us2.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/aboutchina/custom/200411/20041100004548.html

I cut and paste the part that talks about it:
"Colours and clothing

Colours

In Chinese culture there are three central colours: red, black and white.
Red, being the colour of blood, symbolises the positive aspects of life such as happiness, wealth, fame etc. Red is always associated with good luck.

Black, being the colour of faeces is associated with dirt, sin, evil, disasters, sadness, cruelty and suffering among other negative things. Black signifies bad fortune and must not be worn during festivals, wedding celebrations etc. or used in home decoration. Black symbolises a lack of civilisation and backwardness. However, traditions associated with this colour are quickly fading, and among the younger generations black can be frequently seen as a clothing colour.

White symbolises the mother’s milk and is intermediate between red and black, balancing the two colours. It signifies moderation, purity, honesty and life, but is also used at funerals as it is believed it can harmonise all elements. It can be used in all rituals and ceremonies as it is essentially neutral. Other colours are classified according to their relative darkness and lightness and associated significance thereof. "

 

[adelaide]

I dont think it is "absurd", cultures like the chinese one have many strong values that can cause lots of headaches in the protocolar aspects of a visit like this. I dont know what the meaning of the white is for them, but i hope the princes are advised on what to wear and what not. It is polite to know your hosts and behave in a way that you dont cause conflicts.

Your are roughly right, but first the dress code is meanly for official acts not for those like the arrival; then as we can see China is a country were the ancestral traditions are a little bit ( euphemism ) overturn by an event which is calling " the maoist revolution" and the official dress code is a little change too, isen't it So, I don't think that the Princess could doing a great mistake if she was dress in totally white. What is the opinion of the East Asian specialists ? ( I'm not)

 

[viola]

This couple has been working none stop. Thanks for all the pics.