Shanghai: Silport played host to a true VIP on May Day when Shi Guangsheng, the country’s former minister for the Foreign Economy and Trade Department, dropped by for a round.

Playing under rainy conditions, Shi said despite never having been to the course previously, he was well aware of Silport for its hosting of the Volvo China Open over the past six years.

The avid golfer who recently recorded his first hole-in-one, said he was happy to come to Silport and was impressed with the characteristics of the course which he said complimented those of the nearby water town of Dian-Shan Lake, Kunshan.

Looking fit and energetic on the course, the former minister who played an active role in China’s December 2001 entry into the World Trade Organization, spoke highly of Silport’s caddies as well as the distinctive and ancient stone animal statues situated around the course.