Investing in warmer winters for all

Beijing is experiencing its coldest winter in many years, and if, like me, you are also in the Chinese capital, you are feeling it decidedly chilly whenever you step outside, no matter how many layers you wrap yourself up in, and no matter how thick your long johns are.

Residential blocks and workplaces in Beijing, and all other cities across northern China, are fortunate enough to have a comprehensive heating system, for which residents pay an annual fee, with the supply of heat lasting from Nov 15 to March 15 every year.

So even when the temperature dipped to an eye-watering low of-17 C in Beijing on Jan 23, it's bearable as long as you are indoors and have central heating. But if you are reading this in southern China, that is cold comfort.