British restaurateur eyes China's big appetite for Western food

Canning came to Hainan six years ago. He worked for about five years in the media sector, traveling around the island province to take photos and shoot videos.

Canning enjoys the blue sky, warm climate, soft sandy beach and simple lifestyle of Hainan. After marrying a local woman, he decided to stay in Haikou and start his own business.

Though not as conversant with the Chinese market as other local restaurateurs, Canning believes his competitiveness lies in his credential as a provider of authentic Western-style food.

"People in England don't buy Chinese food from English people. They buy it from restaurants run by Chinese people. I think that is the same attitude here," he said.