bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Alice Yan

Over two decades in a little-known, freezing city in northern China, a Swedish man has built a career and witnessed the booming development of the country’s carmaking industry.
Gustav Holmgren, 44, whose Chinese name is Ge Siwen, is the legal representative and site manager of ATM (Hulun Buir) Proving Ground Service, which provides cold-weather vehicle testing for carmakers.
He is, perhaps, the only foreigner in the city.
His company is located in Yakeshi, a small city with a population of 300,000 and administered by the prefecture-level city of Hulun Buir in Inner Mongolia.

Holmgren first came to China in 2006, after graduating from university.
He and his father were endorsed by a global car manufacturer to find a location in China to do icy surface testing for its new cars.
At that time, most not-yet-released cars were sent to Sweden for testing.
Some car producers hoped to do the testing in China because it was expensive to transport and test vehicles in Sweden.
Holmgren said he came across Yakeshi, which is like his hometown of Arjeplog in northern Sweden but with more sunshine.

Yakeshi endures harsh winters, with average temperatures around minus 24 degrees Celsius and extreme lows plunging below minus 50 degrees Celsius.
It remains below minus 20 degrees Celsius for 200 days a year, while the freeze-up period lasts for six months.
But the region is covered with forests and grasslands, without a lake, making it impossible to do car testing since it requires vast flat surfaces.
The local government stepped in to provide vital support by digging a large artificial lake. The earth and rocks excavated to form the lake were used to build a highway running through the city.
Impressed by the authority’s efficiency, Holmgren decided to set up his car testing enterprise in the city.
“As a university graduate, I did not know what to do then. Staying in China is a life adventure for me,” Holmgren, who speaks fluent Chinese laced with a northern China accent, told the China News Service.

His company only received two cars testing in 2007, the first year of operations.
That number burgeoned to more than 700 last year, including vehicles from both domestic and overseas carmakers.
“At first I expected the car testing market would have a big potential. But I did not imagine it could be so huge,” said Holmgren.
He said he is proud to witness the thriving growth of China’s carmaking sector over the past two decades, with domestic brands not only catching up with their international peers but also taking the lead.
Thanks to the car testing sector, Yakeshi’s tourism-related businesses have also prospered.
“If you come here in winter, it is difficult for you to find a hotel room,” Holmgren said.
It is not clear if he has formed a family in the city.
In his spacious house, Holmgren has set up a sauna room. He also raises two large dogs.

Holmgren likes skiing, working out and riding a motorcycle in his spare time.
He plans to expand his business in future by building more workshops, offices and testing venues.
“Many years ago, when my Swedish friends and relatives asked when I would leave China, I said I would leave in about two years. Then another two years. Another two years again … until now,” Holmgren said.
He said he would hate to leave China. If he does, he would miss his employees most.
“In my heart, they are already my family. Without them, my company would not be what it is now,” said Holmgren.
A male worker told the media: “Ge Siwen is a super good boss.”


‘Fat for beef’: China local drive rewards residents with 0.5kg of meat for same amount of weight lost

China sailor creates ‘radio station’ to connect families with seamen stranded in Strait of Hormuz

‘Real-life Cinderella’: China stuntwoman transitions from playing body double to stardom

Taiwan singer ignites debate by showing popular ‘vacuum belly’ technique to lose weight

Trending in China

Swedish man owns vehicle testing centre in China’s Inner Mongolia; likely the only foreigner there

A Swedish man has lived in the cold city of Yakeshi, Inner Mongolia, for two decades, running a leading ice surface vehicle testing facility.  Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Douyin

Gustav Holmgren has settled in nicely to the sub-zero temperatures in Inner Mongolia.  Photo: Douyin

A road sign in Chinese and English points the way to Holmgren’s business. Photo: Douyin

The shop floor of Holmgren’s vehicle testing facility filled with cars ready for testing. Photo: Douyin

Holmgren pictured outside his Inner Mongolian home. The businessman speaks fluent Chinese. Photo: Douyin

China hospital calls in manicurist to remove woman’s fake nails before emergency treatment

A Chinese woman who suffered a heart attack had to have her press-on nails removed before she could undergo emergency treatment. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Weibo

Lili’s fake nails, above, presented a dangerous impediment to her emergency treatment. Photo: Handout

A fingertip pulse oximeter is a small, non-invasive device that clips onto the finger to measure blood oxygen saturation and pulse rate. Photo: Handout

After the manicurist removed the fake nails, above, medical staff could proceed. Photo: Handout

China actress, 75, triggers debate by playing teenage girl in mini-drama, kissing young man

Chinese actress Liu Xiaoqing, 75, recently sparked controversy by portraying a young woman in a mini-drama and engaging in a passionate kiss with a male actor 30 years her junior. Photo: SCMP composite/YouTube/Sina

The most controversial scene features Liu’s character, rescued from a dungeon by King Jing, portrayed by 45-year-old Jin Jia, sharing a passionate kiss. Photo: Handout

To portray her teenage character, Liu reportedly uses make-up and beauty filters, complemented by her exceptional acting talent. Photo: Handout

Behind-the-scenes footage shows Liu and Jin, above, excitedly discussing the script and choreography for the kiss scene, clearly relishing their partnership. Photo: Handout

Liu has a history of sparking controversy, having previously played a 16-year-old princess at age 58 and a teenage bandit. Photo: Handout

Why ancient Chinese folk custom involved cutting thigh flesh to feed sick relatives

In ancient China, a traditional folk practice involved individuals self-mutilating by cutting flesh from their thighs to treat the illnesses of close relatives, demonstrating deep filial piety. Photo: SCMP composite/Sohu/Baidu

A painting depicts what such an act of extreme filial piety may have looked like in ancient times. Photo: Handout

An actor dressed in costume playing a role from centuries ago. The flesh-eating practice began before the advent of modern medicine. Photo: Handout

Hua Tuo (c.140–208), above, was a renowned physician of the late Eastern Han dynasty, famously recognised as the first person in China to utilise a general anaesthetic, known as mafeisan, during surgical procedures. Photo: Handout

Children performing acts of filial piety and showing respect for women at an elderly care centre in China. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese man earns US$23,000 in holiday week through cat-feeding services

A young man made headlines during the Chinese New Year by earning US$23,000 in just one holiday week through his cat-feeding services, completing more than 2,000 orders with his team. Photo: Shutterstock 

 Huan Cong with just two of the many cats he has looked after during the holiday period. Photo: Baidu

Among the array of services on offer is a healthy dose of playing time. Photo: Baidu

Over a period of more than 20 days before and after the festival, his team completed around 2,000 home-visit cat-feeding orders. Photo: Baidu

Satisfied customer: A ginger feline takes a cat nap after being looked after. Photo: Getty Images

China ‘storm hot springs’ simulate squalls with mild electric shocks for unique experience

The “Storm Hot Springs” trend in China offers innovative wellness experiences, combining simulated storms and mild electric shocks for mental stimulation. Photo: SCMP composite/RedNote

During the harsh, dry winters in northeastern China, public bathhouses become essential, offering warmth and comfort. Photo: RedNote

In cities like Chongqing and Harbin, “hotpot-themed” hot spring baths provide an innovative, immersive experience that creatively mimics the enjoyment of a spicy Sichuan meal. Photo: RedNote

The “Storm Bath Spa” experience, which simulates storms and incorporates mild electric shocks in hot springs, is rapidly gaining popularity among enthusiasts in China. Photo: RedNote

Some establishments have even incorporated animals into the bathing experience, with reports of guests encountering penguins, lions, and lizards during their visits. Photo: RedNote

News

People & Culture

China Personalities

Enterprising 44-year-old sees business boom after local authorities build huge artificial lake so he can ‘ice test’ vehicles when it freezes over


Enterprising 44-year-old sees business boom after local authorities build huge artificial lake so he can ‘ice test’ vehicles when it freezes over.


Sweden

Swedish man owns vehicle testing centre in China’s Inner Mongolia; likely the only foreigner there

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Enterprising 44-year-old sees business boom after local authorities build huge artificial lake so he can ‘ice test’ vehicles when it freezes over

Enterprising 44-year-old sees business boom after local authorities build huge artificial lake so he can ‘ice test’ vehicles when it freezes over