Although chefs at frou-frou Asian-fusion restaurants might take exception, the ultimate confluence of China and the West may exist in the perfectly hand-rolled cigar.

Cuban cigars abound, freshly minted superstar artist Liu Ye graces the pages of Vanity Fair with stogie proudly in hand, and — will wonders never cease — you can still torch up in many places around in Beijing.

If you needed any more evidence of the Dragon’s growing smoke fixation, take a look at Cigar Ambassador, a glossy bi-monthly launched in 2006. In keeping with China’s growing ranks of bon vivants (and its English-language motto, Synchronizes Good Life of Gentlemen), the magazine features restaurant reviews, golf-course breakdowns, yachts and high-class auto shows on the edit side, sprinkled liberally with ads for scotch and Cohiba.

Which all goes to making Ambassador more than a smoking magazine — it’s the accompaniment to a country’s embracing of everything from upper-crust clothing labels (Hermès of Paris, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, etc.) to the best in wheels (Rolls-Royce opened its first showroom in the People’s Republic in 2003).

No economic boom, it seems, is complete unless it also generates a hefty amount of cigar smoke.

cigarambassador.com

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