Malaysians are on to a good thing. Made up of an ethnic mix of Malays, Indians and Chinese, they celebrate pretty much every festival going. New Year comes four times a year (Chinese, Islamic, Hindu and January 1) and there are no less than 18 public holidays in this Southeast Asian country. In Shanghai, the expat population is largely made up of Chinese Malaysians, but that doesn’t stop them enjoying any and every opportunity for a party.

Organisers have confirmed that this year’s AustCham ball will be held at the Shangri-La hotel in Pudong. Tickets will go on sale Monday, August 16th, for members (RMB1,100), and Thursday, August 19th, for non-members (RMB1,300).

 Sophisticate, stylish and, dare we say it… a bit sniffy, there’s not many nations who so proudly live up their stereotype. In Shanghai, the mark of our Gallic friends and their impeccable taste is in evidence everywhere - from the tree-lined streets of the former French Concession to the ever-expanding list of fine French wines on restaurant menus, and buildings such as the Shanghai Grand Theater and Pudong Airport, both of which were designed by French architects. Up to 15,000 French residents now live in the city that was once known as ‘the Paris of the Orient.’