He now works for Alcatel, the Paris-based telecommunications giant, in charge of its Asia-Pacific operations with a number of titles such as managing director for Alcatel's Australian operation and director of Alcatel's subsidiaries in the Asia-Pacific region including Singapore, the Philippines and New Zealand.

When Alcatel set up its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Shanghai late last month, Spithill, with his long working experience in the Asia-Pacific business, turned a new page in his business life as he was promoted by Alcatel to run their headquarters.

"The job is an exciting challenge for me. Yes, it is a big task, but it is an opportunity to make progress," he said in an interview with Shanghai Star.

Shanghai was the logical site for Alcatel's headquarters in the region as the city is leading the world's most populated country in the Internet revolution.

"Shanghai is the economic centre of China and the most dynamic city in the country, with brisk technology development and opulent resources of skills," he said.

"Throughout our 17 joint ventures, we have more than 5,000 employees in China, including 4,000 working in Shanghai," he said.

He says the company will focus on Internet and the telecommunications business because the region, led by China, is proving so receptive to these technologies.

He cited China's fast developing mobile phone users and Internet subscribers as examples. China had 13 million new cellular phone users this year and its "netizen" population will skyrocket to hit 10 million by the year's end.

"The market potential is very encouraging and I can smell the opportunity, not only in the cities but in villages where the information revolution is also spilling over," he said.

Spithill was very impressed by a trip to China's inland areas, which took him to a small village in China's western region. He was very excited to find that although the houses were plain, some with no clear windows, but there were TV sets, and some families even had satellite TVs.

"I am sure they will follow the global trend to embrace the Internet revolution, and I want to help with that," he said.

He added Alcatel will focus on developing and upgrading telecommunication products, especially to develop new technology to help consumers to get on line via their mobile phones. "One day, I hope our clients can surf the Internet using their cordless machines anywhere, they can trade stocks on a train, in a bus or even on a boat," he said.

Spithill, who has had more than 37 years' experience in the telecommunications industry, said he was very interested in telecommunications technology and that interest was a key link to a person's success in a business career.

Educated at Waverley College in Sydney, Australia, he then obtained a degree in engineering from the University of New South Wales. He also did management studies at Melbourne University and completed the Harvard Executive Programme, a programme similar to an MBA and he attained a Master's degree.

Another key in his business career was his experience many years ago while attending a programme offered by Alcatel to work in the daytime and study at university for engineering at nights. "That experience helped me to attain the first-hand basics of how to run a company and major operating processes," he said.

A positive attitude is the key to a successful career according to Spithill.

"If you believe everything is possible, you will achieve a lot more and you should try to learn as many things as possible in your life, " he said.

China is not a foreign country to him any more. Since the early 1990s, he has been to many parts of the country, not only to Shanghai, Beijing and other coastal areas, but also to remote areas in western China, including Tibet and Xinjiang autonomous regions.

The trips around the country have deepened his understanding of the various Chinese cultures and people and enhanced his affection for China.

"There is one thing that impresses me very much. When you tour in China, wherever you go, if you smile and say hello, Chinese people will smile back. Chinese people are more friendly than people in any other country," he said.

He said the eastern part and the west are in sharp contrast, not only in economic wellbeing, but also in the people's mindset and folk cultures.

He is still getting to know the particular culture of Shanghai, where he is now living with his wife.

"I like to walk around Shanghai in my spare time, because I know that every corner of the city is worth exploring to understand better the Chinese culture," he said.

His favourite spot is Shanghai Museum, which he frequents to savour the long and prolific cultural heritage of China.

"I love it. When I view the history of China, I realize China has had so many rich and diversified cultures and the country entered the civilized stage two or three thousand years ago. With such an advantage, it is no wonder that China today can continue to be successful in this century," he said.

He is very busy with his work and would like to be able to set aside more time for family life but he says his wife understands the demands of his work. During his free time, he travels with his wife outside Shanghai or stays at home to enjoy dinners and talk, as he did recently for St Valentine's Day.

His daughter and his three-year-old grandson will be visiting him in Shanghai this year.