ABC.Net
Last Update: Thursday, August 18, 2005. 0:07am (AEST)
Think you have what it takes to survive the snake pit of Chinese business entrepreneurship? Some 10,000 Chinese candidates vying for spots in the country's newest reality television show believe they do.
The program Wise Man Takes All lifts a page from the American reality hit show The Apprentice, which features 16 competitors swimming in the shark pool of the American corporate boardroom, watched over by the most voracious predator of all, Donald Trump.
Instead of competing for a one-year job as a divisional president within the Trump Organisation, with a $US250,000-dollar salary, the contestants in China will pitch their plans for start-up businesses.
The one with the best proposal will win one million yuan ($US123,000) and the chance to use the winnings as start-up capital.
While losing contestants will not be subject to the billionaire real estate tycoon's catchphrase, "You're Fired", the aim is to build on China's budding capitalist business skills.
"Entrepreneurs will play an important role in the continued economic development of China," Vincent Lo said, chief executive of Shui On Land, a Hong Kong-based property developer in China.
"We hope to help foster an entrepreneurial spirit among young people in Shanghai and throughout China," Mr Lo said, whose company is one of the sponsors.
Reality television is new but like many trends adopted from abroad it is catching on fast.
Millions have been tuning in to the late rounds of Super Girl, a singing contest modelled on American Idol, which reaches its finale on Friday. Wise Man Takes All, which will air later this year, also speaks volumes about the changes in Chinese society since the country embarked on capitalist reforms more than 25 years ago.
While nothing too racy or overtly political gets by China's prudish censors, anything business-related is fair game and Chinese state TV is now filled with business programming.
At the same time show sponsors, such as Dragon TV and CBN (China Business Network), part of the Shanghai Media Group, are pushing for more progressive fare than the staid programming on China Central Television.
- AFP
