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In Canada, as a rough indication, the author was told that about half the Chinese buying real estate there pay attention, to a 'lesser or greater degree', to fung shui. However, they are likely to buy the house first and then, afterwards, consider 'improvements'. This applies, say, when establishing a shop. Aquariums with tropical fish are quite commonly installed for fung shui purposes,
In one case the author was assured by a Chinese-Canadian architect that a wealthy Chinese donated a large sum to a prestigious Canadian university for the erection of a materials science and chemical engineering laboratory. But this, the donor insisted, had to be designed employing sound fung shui principles. It caused some embarrassment to the university who tried to hush the matter up.
A white Canadian working in a consulate and in close touch with Hong Kong Chinese emigrating to Canada told the author: 'Chinese buying property in the West do not usually ask outright about fung shui. They enquire in indirect ways or try and find out about it on their own. Vancouver is considered 'good' by the Chinese, from a fung shui point of view, as it stands at the meeting place of two large bodies of water. Strong, positive forces are abundant.
Has this interest in fung shui caught on among white Canadians?' 'Not yet!' was the answer the author received from an old Chinese friend, who has now emigrated, who went to some lengths to find out.
In the Canadian press', he continued, 'the tone is usually negative. There are reports of Chinese chopping down trees to improve fung shui and the belief is frequently described as a foolish, feudal superstition. It is never described as a philosophy.'
The old friend went on: 'Of course there are "dissident" architects, interior designers and real estate agents who are less critical. A few do take fung shui into account from the planning stage. A Canadian community college offers fung shui as a design subject. Students are aware that the property market depends on the 'enthusiasm' of the Chinese and therefore they must consider the buyers' needs. Many luxury residences are snapped up by Asians. If the fung shui is not good such property is not bought so readily.