The immense popularity of the Pershing brand on the Chinese market has been reconfirmed for 2009, too.

An awards ceremony was held recently in the elegant setting of the Hotel Pudong Shangri-La in Shanghai, during which Pershing, a Ferretti S.p.A. brand and famous Italian shipyard specialising in the production of luxury yachts, was presented with the important “Best Luxury Performance Yacht 2009” award, following data issued by the “Best of the Best” survey.

The “Best of the Best” is the most authoritative survey which the Editorial Office of “The Hurun Report”, an important Chinese magazine devoted to the financial world and luxury, has drawn up every year for the past five in order to make an in-depth investigation of the lifestyles and spending habits of the most prominent figures in the Chinese economy.

LuxuryMart09, an annual luxury business-to-business event will be held in Shanghai next Thursday (January 15th) and is set to welcome over 50 of the world’s top luxury brands including Bentley, Princess Yachts, Cartier, Bank of China and Relais & Chateaux.

The premier event for luxury brands targeting China’s fast-growing affluent sector, is now in its third year and is the leading annual platform for brands to exchange ideas and collaborate on marketing products and services for high-end Chinese consumers.

China is the world’s fastest-growing market for luxury brands, expected to rank second only to Japan by 2015.

LuxuryMart09, the premier event for luxury brands targeting China’s fast-growing affluent population, is to be held in Shanghai on January 15th 2009.

Now in its third year, LuxuryMart09 is expecting to welcome around 250 senior executives from 120 top brands to attend the prestigious B2B matchmaking event at the Pudong Shangri-La.

The “luxury brand summit” is the leading annual platform for brands to exchange ideas and collaborate on marketing products and services for high-end Chinese consumers.

China is the world’s fastest-growing market for luxury brands, expected to rank second only to Japan by 2015. The country’s “Rich List” includes 1,000 individuals with more than RMB 0.7 billion (USD 1 billion) each in assets and 800,000 millionaires.

Construction projects are grinding to a halt as financing runs dry elsewhere in the world, but in China’s biggest city, they’re still going strong.

Today, Shanghai is scheduled to officially begin work on what will become its tallest skyscraper — a 2,073-foot building in the city’s Lujiazui financial center that will tower over the current highest building, the recently completed 1,614-foot Shanghai World Financial Center.

Though China’s economy is slowing and exporters are feeling the pinch, the sinuous glass building, to be called the Shanghai Tower, is one of a slew of government-funded projects that authorities are using to stimulate growth and create jobs.

We previously reported on the 2008 Macao Business Jet Rendez Vous at the MGM Grand Macao from 24th – 26th October 2008.

The third edition, once again, brought China’s elite business leaders to the most exclusive business aviation platform in Asia.

A record number of the best aircraft, including Bombardier, Cessna, Cirrus, Dassault, Embraer, Eurocopter and Gulfstream were on display at the Macau Business Aviation Center (MBAC), culminating in a much anticipated event attended by over 150 VIPs and aviation experts.

The celebrated event was held at the MGM GRAND Macau and MBAC from October 24th to 26th, attracting China’s most distinguished aircraft owners and potential jet buyers. The event organized by Jet Asia-Pacific magazine offered a unique occasion for the industry to showcase the latest capabilities in the field of business aviation.

For this year’s edition VIP guests were flown in from Beijing, Dalian, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Shenzhen via private jets and helicopters to the MBAC.

“Following the previous years’ success, we were able to generate more support from the industry to enhance this unique event” said Mr. Walter Wang, Jet Asia-Pacific magazine editor-in-chief.

Aircraft on static display comprised Bombardier’s Challenger 650 and Challenger 850, Cessna’s Citation X, Cirrus S22, Dassault’s Falcon 2000 and Falcon 900, Embraer’s Legacy 600, Gulfstream’s G200 and G450. The Eurocopter EC120 and EC 135 were also on hand at the venue for exclusive helicopter demo flights.

“This event brings a unique true experience to Chinese entrepreneurs and leaders. During their flights to and out of Macau, they can benefit from the advantages offered by business aviation: flexibility, comfort and privacy. I am confident that Chinese will rapidly consider Business Aviation as a support tool to their international development.” said Mr. Jerome Desmazures, Director of Sales for Dassault.

Apart from sampling impressive private aircraft, guests also indulged the unique service, accommodation and facilities at the MGM GRAND Macau. On the first night’s event, guests enjoyed the ‘Jet and Art’ dinner in the Grande Praca dazzled by exclusive masterpieces brought by Opera Gallery. A one-time opportunity to view Chagall, Botero, Chu The Chun, Dali outside their natural exhibition room in this beautiful arena.

On Saturday, various activities were running in parallel. Ladies enjoyed the Bulgari Exclusive Jewellery and Watch Workshop where they were able to preview over 60 pieces of exclusive jewellery and complication watches that are being shown in Macau for the first time while gentlemen were more focused on the Private Jet Workshop, the Exclusive Maybach Experience and the Longfor’s Summer Palace real estate developments.

At night, Mr. Olivier Burlot, Managing Director of Blu Inc Media (HK) Limited and Ms. Pansy Ho, Managing Director of MGM GRAND Macau gave a welcome speech to commence the Gala Dinner. “Undoubtedly, the annual Jet Rendez Vous serves as a networking occasion for business elites to exchange business information and share opportunities with each other. This year, many guests have travelled in private jets from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau to MGM GRAND Macau, one of the world’s leading and most respected hotels and luxury entertainment resort. I hope all guests enjoy top-class lifestyle and be content with all the activities and entertainment organized” said Ms. Pansy Ho.

The event culminated in a prestigious ‘Jets and Jewels’ Gala Dinner with an astonishing Bulgari jewellery model show featuring 14 sets of exquisite High Jewellery especially flown in to Macau for this event. This year’s gourmet dining also featured a selection of the finest things in life including champagne from Perrier Jouet and Martell cognac.

Given the success of the event, expect Jet Rendez Vous to be a regular fixture in Asia’s luxury aircraft calendar of events.

As we reported two weeks ago, the highly anticipated KEE Shanghai – the first overseas branch of the famous Hong Kong private members club that counts celebrities and royalty among its habituees – has now opened its doors to Shanghai society.

Elegantly located behind the grand stone entrance and cast iron gates of 796 Huai Hai Rd, past a beautifully cultivated garden, KEE Shanghai discreetly resides in the striking 1920s heritage maison Twin Villas.

A location it shares with the Richemont Shanghai headquarters, sitting above the flagship stores for China of distinguished brands such as Alfred Dunhill and Vacheron Constantin.