In 2006, Winland International Finance Center (Beijing) proudly welcomed Robert Mundell, the renowned Nobel Prize-winning economist known as the ‘father of the euro’, as its client. Mundell’s offices were located on the 9^th floor of Winland IFC. During a prospective visit to Winland alongside Lin Duo – governor of Xicheng District at the time – Mundell uttered the following words of praise while admiring the atrium’s mural entitled Nessun Dorma by artist Chen Yifei, who passed away before the artwork was completed: ‘To see the Mona Lisa, one must go to Paris, but to see Nessun Dorma one must come to Beijing!’

On 1 February, 2008, Mundell heartily put his impressions into writing: ‘When I first saw the magnificent mural based on the Turandot opera I could not resist the temptation to suggest that this work of art might become for Beijing as precious as the Leonardo da Vinci painting, Mona Lisa, is for Paris. And what more fitting tribute to the great tenor Pavarotti to give the mural the name, Nessun Dorma, this signature song from the opera, in a city Beijing that he came to love. Congratulations to the International Financial Centre for this great addition to the artistic culture of Beijing.’ Mundell had nothing but fondness for China, and was often quoted as saying “I’m a Beijinger”, “I’m a Chinese resident” and “Beijing’s Nessun Dorma building is where you’ll find my office.”

Since then, 15 years have passed in what seems like an instant!