Taiwan: China’s Own Little Gem
. . . China has a legitimate claim. It’s part of China

Paul Chong                                            Monday, 18 September 2017

It is a verified truism that you can’t lay claim to any possession unless it’s your own or that which you have lost. Claim needs to be well supported by facts. Taiwan is the dispossessed jade of China’s jewels. Taiwan is culturally Chinese with strong bond & ties to Fujian, a province of SE China, on the China Sea. When the vanquished KMT, under the leadership of Chiang Kai-Shek, a renegade Chinese general, retreated to Taiwan in 1949, 600,000 soldiers and up to a million civilians moved with them.

Culturally, there’s no running away from Mainland China. Taiwanese root & DNA can easily be traced back to motherland China. Minnanhua, a form of Hokkien (as spoken in Fujian) is widely spoken together with its national Mandarin. Taiwanese language is written using Chinese characters. In Taiwan, traditional ‘long form’ characters are still used, unlike the simpler ‘short form’ characters as taught & used in Mainland China.

It is inconceivable to think or claim that Taiwanese are not Chinese.

With the peaceful rise of China & its global influence, Taiwan’s diplomatic relationship with other nations of the world has dwindled & eroded. There is but one China & that is the People’s Republic of China. The latest to cut its diplomatic ties with Taiwan is Panama as of 13 June 2017. Taiwan is being isolated more & more. Panama “was at the top of the list” of Taiwan’s most important remaining diplomatic ally. It’s a symbolic blow to the island, leaving it remaining with just 19 diplomatic allies, most of them small, including the Vatican. Ms.Tsai Ing-wen’s government will ultimately have to relent, to recognise, respect & reconcile with Mainland China . . . with nowhere to go but to return.

China has always considered the Taiwanese issue as an internal domestic affair & warrant no outside intervention. This warning is so loud & clear.

According to Ross Feingold, a senior adviser in Taipei at D.C. International Advisory: “It is very possible that the remaining countries will switch.” Time is on China’s side & it tends to space out such moves to maximize public relations and strategic value.

It does appear that United States seems no longer willing or able to expend diplomatic energy to match China’s efforts. 

Ms.Tsai Ing-wen: the question is Quo Vadis!

Ping-Pong Diplomacy
(乒乓外交 Pīngpāng wàijiāo)

Paul Chong Sunday, 17 September 2017

We are all living in a turbulent & volatile world. The threat of Hiroshima-Nagasaki nuclear destruction on August 6, 1945 by US looms & dooms in our hearts & minds & may happen again if politics, in the name of world safety & security, sadly takes on the trigger-happy finger. This time around it could mean global annihilation.

Ever since the end of WW2, US has been confronting & threatening DPRK. Inevitably this has led to the defence build-up of the little nation. As in ancient time the sword was no match to the gun, I believe DPRK just got to equip itself with similar or greater arsenal of WMD (the infamous Weapon of Mass Destruction of George Bush).

Pretty sure both parties want peace & harmony, but not just by rendering verbal convention without any positive or genuine means of reconciliation. Economic sanctions, verbal threats etc have failed to bring about any political solution. It’s been a long drawn “ding-dong” game between “David & Goliath”.

As a layman, I think that if all else failed, political conflict could be solved through the field of human sporting arena, where there is no political constraint or hidden agenda, suspicion or mistrust. It’s all open & transparent. Everything depends on the question of sporting skill to gain supremacy. Both victors & the vanquished take the results in the spirit of sports. Clubs & nations are prepared to pay hundreds of millions to sign on top soccer or basketball stars.

Come to think of it, instead of having just the Summer or Winter Olympics once every four years, I recommend all sporting nations to participate in “PING-PONG OLYMPIC”. It’s a cheap game to organise . . . ping-pong tables, nets & balls. I see less hassle, most in terms 0f expenses & seasonal convenience.
China, the supreme nation in the game, could start the ball rolling. The Chinese could very well outreach to Taiwan in bringing about the political reconciliation & unification via the game they both love & play well. The Japanese, the Koreans & other Asian nations are all equally good & skilful in this game . . . not forgetting the Europeans or the Americans.

Wang Hau, Chinese Champ

Many of you can recall  the exchange of table tennis (ping-pong) players between the United States and People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the early 1970s. The event marked a thaw in Sino-American relations that paved the way to a visit to Beijing by President Richard Nixon.

Let’s thaw all our political conflicts through the simple Ping-Pong. Unlike the American football where injuries are so prevalent, this is a delightful simple game, like tennis or badminton, yet providing thrills & spills, energy & excitement, quickness & agility, brawn & sweat without the dispense of brain.

 

 

Paul Chong                                                                          Saturday 16 September 2017

Hailing a life journey of almost four score years, I have come a long way from home Matang, an insignificant one-street village town, which many of you would never have known 6 miles from Taiping in Malaysia. There I was born in a dingy little room of a wooden single storey shop house, my grandfather’s place. He was an indentured coolie from Fujian, China. I had lived from one small town like Kg Temerloh to Bruas where my parents lost their small fortune running away back to Matang because of the atrocious Japanese invasion.

Cutting short the story, we were later living in Port Weld (11 miles from Taiping), where I wasted two boyhood years studying in a Chinese primary school.

I had my education in St George’s Institution, Taiping, from where I received the Malayan government scholarship to be trained as a teacher in Kirkby, Liverpool, UK (1959/60). Through self-study, I attained my Higher School Certificate in 1962. In 1966, I graduated from the then University of Malaya, Pantai Valley, Kuala Lumpur. Completed my service/scholarship bond in 1970 when I resigned as Anderson School (Ipoh) Sr Geography Master. Business careers in life insurance & real estate followed till 1982 when we decided to migrate to Perth, Australia.

All men & women, irrespective of race, colour or creed the world over , have the same hope, dream & aspiration. There is no difference between you & I in respect of our needs & wants . . . a life that is free & just, safe & secure with every possibility & opportunity to better ourselves. A good government will not marginalise or impoverish one group to benefit another. The Malaysian New Economic Policy (NEP), a social re-engineering and affirmative action program formulated by the National Operations Council (NOC) of the UMNO ruling party in the aftermath of 13 May 1969 Racial Riot in Malaysia. It was like robbing Peter to pay Paul when 30% was/is demanded to be allocated to the local Malays (Bumiputra), irrespective whether it’s public or private commercial enterprise without any input of capital or talent. Unfair & unjustified policies were & still are implemented with no end in sight. Originally, the NEP is supposed to last for 30 years. It’s been too good to be abolished or even scaled down for over half a century now. The list of unfairness is long & only brings on grief to your poor heart.

Ironically, the truth is that NEP does not really benefit the entire Malay population, but more glaringly the elite Malays with the right UMNO (the ruling Party) connection. Beneath the surface of the gleaming twin towers of Pernas & other high rise buildings lies the quagmire that will eventually bring about the collapse & sinking of the economy & its privileged people.

Unknowingly, the ruling party & the general Malay population are nailing & sealing their own coffins. News of 1MDB scandal, extreme corruption etc are rampant globally.

You can’t go on spoon-feeding or just taking without giving to expect growth & progress. You can’t impoverish one to enrich the other. You can’t pull down the top to support & push up the bottom. Are you going for EXTINCTION?

In Singapore, Malaysia’s friendly neighbour, when separated from Malaysia in 1965, was deemed to doom. Singapore has no natural resources with only the will to survive & strive for DISTINCTION. With good governance under the late Lee Kuan Yew, the former British colony not only prosper but earn a high reputable world standing from a third world economy to the status of wealth & highly developed economy.

With a population of no more than two million then, everyone is treated fairly & justly & all striving for excellence. Meritocracy is practised. No one is excluded or privileged to achieve his or her dreams. Halimah Yacob, the former Speaker of Singapore’s Parliament, has won to become the country’s first female president. She is a Malay minority in a city state largely made up of Chinese. She personifies well a meaningful poem by Dean Alfange:

It’s not easy for the westerners to understand the mentality of the Chinese with a civilisation of over 5,000 years . . . continuous & undimished.

The Chinese known to be most pragmatic, resourceful, resilient, assiduous in their economic pursuit, intelligent, and who had suffered humiliation for over 200 years, learn early in life to stand tall & erect, unafraid to brave the storms in life . . . “I’d rather die on my feet than live on my knees.” It’s said that giving the man a fish for the day, he’ll only live for the day . . . but teach him how to fish he’ll have a better chance of living a good & better life.

Government handouts will only sink & restrict full potential growth & progress. In China with a teeming population of more than 1.3 billion, the Chinese government has already lifted up about 700 million from poverty. Now this figure represents twice the total US population. It is targeted that by 2020 every Chinese will live above the poverty line.

In their formidable task, China builds road & good speedy transport system to make inroads into the poor rural areas, provide free fundamental education, health care, opportunities for occupation, training etc. Chinese experts in mushroom cultivation are showing & teaching the rural poor farmers how to grow Black Mushroom. The government provides initially the seeds & the sawdust medium for growing. It’s possible to earn the much needed Yuan to better their economic situation all in a period of months. This is just one of the means towards ending rural poverty. While preserving the poor farmers’ pride & dignity, they gain flavor & fortune. Everyone is better off in the process of caring & sharing. It’s a win-win concept that China is extending its arms to the world at large. The vehicle of “One Belt One Road” will traverse all types of terrain, high or low, dry or wet, far and wide. You will agree that what’s good is worth sharing.

Now living blissfully, comfortably & contentedly in our own little humble home on the escarpment of Perth Hills overlooking Perth City, where the air is fresh & clean, clear blue sky with a scenic seasonal change of beautiful environment. Our daughter is a PhD holder, son is a medical doctor (anaesthetist) & last but not least a younger son with a double top-honours degree in civil engineering & computer science. Hopefully, we look forward to adding to our present five grandchildren to ride on the road to posterity.

Though born & bred in Malaysia, legitimately & legally to be classed as a Malaysian citizen, I prefer to be known as “A Chinese by Descent . . . An Australian by Consent.” It is not always true that yonder pasture is greener, but circumstances can make it so.

In colonial times under the British, Malaysia suffered a drainage of trade & wealth to the British colonial master. Today the drainage & exodus of talent are unstoppable. What’s lost by Malaysia is gained by Singapore, Canada & Australia. Oil is still flowing in Malaysia, but how long will that be before it runs out!

 

Friday, 17 March 2017

Whoever wrote this piece did it very well indeed & is intended for greater circulation . . . provoking thoughts on
“political correctness” in all non-sensible government moves right through the deteriorating ages.

If I give you $1 billion and you stand on a street corner handing out $1 per

second, twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, you would still not have
handed out $1 billion after 31 years!!

Now read on.

A VERY BIG NUMBER

This is too true to be funny.
The next time you hear a politician use the word ‘billion’ in a casual
manner, think about whether you want the ‘politicians’ spending YOUR tax
money.

A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one advertising agency
did a good job of putting that figure into some perspective in one of its
releases.

A. A billion seconds ago it was 1959.

B. A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive.

C. A billion hours ago our ancestors were living in the Stone Age.

D. A billion days ago no-one walked on the earth on two feet.

E. A billion Dollars ago was only 13 hours and 12 minutes, at the rate
our present government is spending it.

Stamp Duty
Tobacco Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Income Tax
Council Tax
Unemployment Tax
Fishing Licence Tax
Petrol/Diesel Tax
Inheritance Tax
(tax on top of tax)
Alcohol Tax
G.S.T.
Property Tax
Service charge taxes
Social Security Tax
Vehicle Licence / Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Workers Compensation Tax

Carbon Dioxide Tax

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?

Not one of these taxes existed 60 years ago and our nation was one of the
most prosperous in the world.

We had absolutely no national debt.

We had the largest middle class in the world.

Mum stayed home to raise the kids.

Dad and Teachers were allowed to discipline kids.

A criminals life was uncomfortable.

What the h!!!! Happened?

‘Political Correctness’, Politicians or both?’ Arseholes !!!

I hope this goes around Australia and beyond at least 100 times!

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By Paul Chong                                                                Sunday, 26 February 2017

                   The face of a bipolar man?

  I am a bipolar man, so said my wife Lilian & my two sons & daughter, all inclined to agree, taking side with their mother. According to them, I fluctuate between two extremes – the very high & the very low. They all said that I tend to swing from great depression to extreme high      when I become an exceptional superman with tons of energy to perform great tasks.

According to my wife Lilian, we’ve been married for 52 years, she categorically maintained that I am a Schizophrenia, a Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde, a bombshell of a person, highly volatile & explosive . . . very dangerous to be near. I could be a danger unto myself & a danger unto others.

From the time 1960 of “love at first sight to this end of hate at last bite”, never have I ever raised a little finger on her. How can such a relationship get to be so wrong & so misunderstood. I love peace & harmony. Violence is not my game. Bipolar syndrome I have not, but ultra sensitivity that I do have. When I am hurt, there would be tears in my heart, though no tears are visible in the eyes.

Bipolar I am not. If what is said of me is true, this life of mine would have ceased to be or I would probably be languishing in a great mental institution . . . just like the great actor Jack Nicholson who was flown into the cuckoo’s nest, confined as a sane man for a minor crime. There he remained from a sane normal human being to one who became insane. This is the danger of misdiagnosis & thereupon the danger of a treatment most foul.

What I have is what every normal person has. I feel angry when I am unjustly treated, I feel sad as a result of a sad event, I get greatly disappointed when I am unceremoniously disposed of for whatever. Everybody feel sad, happy or unhappy. Everybody goes through life of up & down, active or inactive, well or unwell. It’s all normal & expected out of this life which can never be a bed of roses. Even roses, pretty as they are, can prick you. Some people has it better than others. No two lives can be identical.

My greatest weapon of mass destruction(WMD) for my own self preservation, peace & harmony is my “war of silence” when I literally cut myself off from communicating with anybody, particularly the culprit who hurt my feelings. In general, everybody takes it that I am now in a manic depressing state . . . totally inactive. In my own comfort zone, this is how I take the advantage of having the best time of my life . . . a wonderful period of leisure & pleasure.Think what you want, it bears no significance to me. They say those who laugh last laugh best.

I am a romantic fool thinking that love would last . . . that which is good would last forever. Realistically life changes. People do change . . . sometimes for the better, other times for the worst.

When you love deeply, the greater will the hurt be. Human feelings are so fragile & often misunderstood. As a psychiatrist, there is no way you can clearly diagnose. Most diagnosis is speculative in nature & medication as subsequently prescribed is on the basis of trial & error. The Midland consultant psychiatrist, Dr Sam Restifo MBBS, FRANZCP*, who was meeting me for the first time ever, without the the basis of any test or long term observation, was convinced straightaway that I am certainly a bipolar case. I warned him that he could be wrong & I am not prepared to take any drug against my own sense of knowledge. Forcing anything on me against my will is in anyway going to be of help. (*Twice he came to the house totally uninvited & without permission. First time, I entertained him & his lady assistant out of courtesy but not the second time . . . I shut the door on him & her. He has yet to furnish me with his promised report. I am considering a civil case for intrusion of personal privacy & peace of mind).

If at all I am truly sick, throwing me out of my beloved home is ridiculously insane for my sane wife to do. All the more, I should be kept in the house, tenderly loved & cared for. I was utterly shocked when I saw my younger son with my luggage all packed at the car porch saying “Here’s your stuff. Mum doesn’t want you to be home. You are to leave the house.”

For the first time in over 50 years, I am now a vagabond, living the first week at son Andrew’s place in Carlisle and then another week at my old Gideon friend’s place in Ranford. I was rejected by my on brother-in-law Steve who said: “No, you cannot stay here. You’ve got to go. I cannot get involved in this.” Another disappointment was with Marie & Nigel, cousins by marriage, who can only render & mouthing sweet gesture of goodwill & kindness.

Well, Confucius said: “You can get to know a person but not his heart.”

At age 78, after spending well over 40 years making a living, making sacrifices when we migrated to Perth in 1982. My daughter Agnes is a PhD in Asian Studies, an anesthetic doctor David and last but not least, my youngest son Andrew with top honours in a two-major degree (Civil Engineering & Computer Science), I am more than happy with life.

They say that all that glitter is not gold. Beneath the golden glitter, an under current was surging on. Lilian my dear wife was beginning not to like my presence. I was working 14 hours a day (literally 24/7) running a small delicattesen business in Kalamunda, which caught the mass media attention when it ceased to sell cigarettes in support of the Non-Smoking Campaign in the years of the 1980s.

I suffered financial stress & strain in what I did (imagine A DELI NOT SELLING CIGARETTES) and I collapsed in a pool of blood in the shop one morning in 1990. I had duodenal ulcer. I was told to take things easy & daily to take Zantac for the rest of my natural life. I did for only 6 months.

What followed was diabetes type 2, chronic back ache & glaucoma, leaving me legally blind & not allowed to drive anymore. Also, I had to stop playing golf. My life took on a 180 degree turn & I became totally dependent on Lilian. I guess that’s hard on her too.

Human beings are the most gregorised  creatures here on earth. They don’t live in isolation, for they need to mix & integrate with one another. But individual Bipolar are unique as no two persons in this whole world  is alike – not even if they are identical twins. Each one of us behave differently. How do people behave & why people behave the way they do?

Yesterday, I was waiting to catch the bus home in Belmont area. Thereupon the middle of the bus route came this tall young Aboriginal girl who was acting strangely. With feet astride she was trying to block the flowing traffic. Instead of the pedestrian trying to avoid accident, she was deliberately to get hit. Traffic was weaving around her. She wasn’t quite herself, she was thoroughly intoxicated. As she stood unsteadily, persistently waving her hands, the breeze just brought on the stench of her liquor. She smelt foul & looked unkempt.. I am sure under normal circumstances, she’s a nice person, but under the influence of alcohol, she was somebody else.

She must have affected me quite a bit,  for though I took the right bus, I got down in an unfamiliar spot. Being visually impaired, I had some difficulties getting home. I wandered around a fair bit & before long I was lost. If not for a good samaritan driving by in her Subaru, I was disoriented to find my way home. Plagued by chronic back pain, walking was my least joy of exercise so recommended by my doctor.

The moment I got back, I had an early dinner. Feeling tired, I laid down. It was about six in the evening & I slept off soundly till 11.00 pm. When I woke up then I was totally refreshed & rejuvenated. I always find myself most productive’ Thoughts & inspiration come quickly & without any hassle. And here we are, you among the many others globally reading this article’

Under normal circumstances, I am always happy, sociable, approachable, friendly  & I like to say I am loveable. I love singing, arranging karaoke social dinner ceaselessly for home functions as well as public functions in fund raising. Nothing negative . . . always positive contributions to the community.

I do good & nothing bad has ever come out of me.

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a mental disorder that causes periods of depression and periods of elevated mood.The elevated mood is significant and is known as mania or hypomania, depending on its severity, or whether symptoms of psychosis are present. During mania, an individual behaves or feels abnormally energetic, happy, or irritable. Individuals often make poorly thought out decisions with little regard to  the consequences. The need for sleep is usually reduced during manic phases.During periods of depression, there may be crying, a negative outlook on life, and poor eye contact with others.The risk of suicide among those with the illness is high at greater than 6 percent over 20 years, while self-harm occurs in 30–40 percent. Other mental health issues such as anxiety disorders and substance use disorder are commonly associated.

Actress Catherine Zeta Jones is said to shut herself off from public appearance whenever she was seized by bipolar condition While we all experience mood changes in response to life’s events, some people’s moods fluctuate up and down much more than usual. People with bipolar disorder can have extreme moods of feeling really high, very active and euphoric (‘manic’); or feeling really low (‘depression’). When these shifts in moods cause changes in how you’re behaving and how you are able to function in your everyday life, it’s  to get help.

The causes are not clearly understood, but both environmental & genetic factors play a role. Many genes of small effect contribute to risk. Environmental factors include a history of childhood abuse, and long-term stress. The condition is divided into bipolar I disorder if there has been at least one manic episode, with or without depressive episodes, and bipolar II disorder if there has been at least one hypomanic episode (but no manic episodes) and one major depressive episode. In those with less severe symptoms of a prolonged duration, the condition cyclothymic disorder may be diagnosed. If due to drugs or medical problems, it is classified separate. Other conditions that may present in a similar manner include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, personality disorders, schizophrenia, and substance use disorder as well as a number of medical conditions. Medical testing is not required for a diagnosis, though blood tests or medical imaging can be done to rule out other problems.

Treatment commonly includes psychotherapy, as well as medications such as mood stabilizers and antipsychotics. Examples of mood stabilizers that are commonly used include lithium and various anticonvulsants. Treatment in a hospital without the individual’s consent may be required if a person is at risk to themselves or others but refuses treatment. Severe behavioral problems may be managed with short term antipsychotics or benzodiazepines. In periods of mania it is recommended that antidepressants be stopped. If antidepressants are used for periods of depression they should be used with a mood stabilizer. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be helpful for those who do not respond to other treatments. If treatments are stopped, it is recommended that this be done slowly. Many individuals have financial, social or work-related problems due to the illness. These difficulties occur a quarter to a third of the time on average. The risk of death from natural causes such as heart disease is twice that of the general population. This is due to poor lifestyle choices and the side effects from medications.

Over the years, the undercurrent of unhappiness was building. Lilian is more than a carer for me, a non-paid chauffer, an unpaid cook & domestic help . . . all were taking a toll upon her.

The last straw broke on me rather than on her. Chinese New Year celebrations end on the 15^th day of the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year. I had wanted to go out with her the whole day. All dressed & ready to go, but each time she said “no” without saying why. So I finally settled down to my computer.

Like a fool I was, she was in the master bedroom adorning herself to go out for the Chap Goh Mei’s celebration at the Club in Willetton. She slipped away quietly without telling a soul.

Now the rest is history. Suffice for me to say that last straw broke down my emotional buttom, setting my whole inner being on fire & like a thief ransacking the house in search of valubles. I suppose I should not have done & I apologised promising never to do that again.

But she was convinced that I would have killed her had she been home. She expressed herself & made it known to the family with her messages in WhastsApp.

Our problem is a case of personal conflict & a relationship that had rotted away over the years. Since she had her monopause, I have been a “virgin”. She was known to me as “mimosa” – a “touch-me-not” prickly weed. She was alwasys having more than a slitting headache or asn upset stomach. Our master bedroom becomes her domain. Quite often she locked it. My nightly sojourn is the reclining chair in the lounge.

My heart bleeds, but who is to see. I have tears in my heart, but none at all in my eyes – but who’s to tell & understand the situation between two apparently loving persons.

Our case has nothing to do with bipolar or any disoder. It is a case of personal conflict that has turned sour a good human relationship.

Find a problem & solve it

Find a hurt & heal it

Find a need & fulfil it

To every action there is a direct opposite reaction

The natural law of cause & effect rules all the time.

UPDATE

Dr. Francois Johannes Hugo, AMO & Chief Psychiatrist of St John Of God, Midland Mental Hospital, concluded that there was no evidence of my having any bipolar symptoms. His principal diagnosis: Early Vascular dementia with behavioural changes & MCI. (24 October – 9 November 2017  Ward 4C Room 10).

 DR MITHUL BHATT who cliamed himself to be the Chief Psychiatrist from Midland Mental Hospital, out of the blue knocking at our door with two police officers at night on 23 October 2017 & forcefully dragged me to Midland Mental Hospital. That brash young doctor was most discourteous & arrogant to say the least. I have never seen him or consulted him ever before. It’s puzzling that he should have any knowledge or pre-conceived idea that I was a bipolar man in danger to myself & others. I hadn’t understand that under Form 1A -Referral for Examination by Psychiatrist, he had the absolute authority & power to have me confined to the hospital. NOW HOW DID ALL THESE COME ABOUT? What role did my GP DR. RICHARD ALBUQUERQUE play in this grave matter?

Paul Chong

A Chinese by Descent

An Australian by Consent

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CGTN Building in Beijing

Paul Chong                                 Wednesday, 8 February 2017

The role of multi media plays a significant part in the eco-political & social growth of the nation. Its impact & influence come softly & miraculously.

CGTN (China Global Television Network) is a 24-hour English/Mandarin news channel based in Beijing, housed in a most peculiar building known as the “Underpants Building”.

China 24

Symbolically, the building has two legs (towers) surging towards heaven to be spanned & joined angularly at the top by horizontally built structure.

CGTN is owned by China Central Television. Originally known as CCTV (China Central TV) it was founded on 25 September 2000. As of 1 January 2017, it has changed to this new name as CGTN.

Tian Wei’s “World Insight”

It carries 56 channels. Only Channel 7 is in English covering a wide range of topics. CGTN is manned by a good many professional presenters recruited from various parts of the world. Perhaps, CGTN would in due course increase the number of programs in English.

Beijing is the home base with two others at Nairobi & Washington . . . three strategically well placed locations. So, the air waves flow from Beijing right across the continent of Africa onto the American continent. Europe & Asia are all covered, of course.

There’s a program for every taste . . . Variety is the spice of life & colours make the world go round.

See the difference . . . Hear the difference . . .
And the difference grows . . . Just like everything else
growing rapidly in China!

By the way, CGTN is watched via satellite dish installed at a cost of under AUD1,000, a one-off payment without any further commitment, unlike Foxtel. Besides CGTN & associate programs, you’ll get other English programs & movies (all in English) from Japan, Macau, Taiwan, Korea, Russia, France etc.

Paul Chong                               Monday, 6 February 2017

Chinese are smart & quick learners . . . by the process of “reversed engineering” they have in less than 10 years mastered the high speed rail technology. Now they are highly competitive pushing its way (overcoming obstacles) to connect the whole world with its quality technology.
With political will, incentive packages backed by financial resources such as AIIB (Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank), China Construction Bank or China Development Bank (which has in fact overtaken the World Bank), every possibility is at hand to see to its economic success of circumventing the world with high-speed rail (HSR).

Here China’s policy of win-win formula for all who jump unto the train wagon. It attracts investors & political leaders alike on a mutual benefit basis with little or no string attached. Developing economics & no less others are being pulled by China’s special incentive packages.

By 2020, only three years from now, experts are optimistic & predicting that you can enjoy at high speed from Beijing to London. Perhaps if not, by 2025. It follows then to travel from London under the Atlantic to New York!

The economic light shines bright at the end of the tunnel.

China’s first high-speed railway started operation in 2008 between Beijing and Tianjin. However, the whole project has not proceeded without major missteps. An accident on a high-speed rail line in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province in July 2011, killed at least 38 passengers and injured nearly 300, casting a shadow over the safety of China’s high-speed rail industry. Could the project be moving too fast?

As evidenced from the above accident which led to the sacking & imprisonment of the corrupted Minister of Transport, Liu Zhijun, the future of the high-speed rail system appeared to be doomed. In the initial stage, China suffered several setbacks when it pushed to export its high-speed rail technology . . . countries such as Venezuela, Mexico and Thailand turned down.

The most recent setback was the US company XpressWest’s termination of its contract with China Railway International for a high-speed railway connecting Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

However, the low cost of Chinese products has been a traditional advantage. China’s bullet trains were a third cheaper than Japan or Germany’s, and were built in half the time of Japanese ones, Chinese experts said.

China’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative, the New Silk Road by land & by sea, proposed by President Xi Jinping, aimed at boosting trade links and infrastructure such as railways attract a great deal of attention & many countries along the belt route. China is to help Iran build high-speed rail as part of ‘One Belt, One Road’ strategy.

China and Japan are the biggest two competitors in the global high-speed railway market. Japan’s Shinkansen started operating domestically in 1964, when it became the world’s first high-speed rail system in commercial use. It is also the safest railway, without a fatal accident on record.

“Too many factors are ­involved in the setbacks of high-speed rail exports. Usually problems are unrelated to the production itself, but such as the terms of loans, level of interest rates and whether buyers can offer sovereign guarantees,” an executive at the China Railway Rolling Stock Corp (CRRC) headquarters said.

Officials from nearly 20 developing countries in Africa, Asia and South America visited the China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation’s (CRRC) Tangshan factory recently in a week-long program arranged by the Hong Kong-based Finance Centre for South-South Cooperation.

Most came from countries along the route of China’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative aimed at boosting trade links and infrastructure such as railways.

According to Weekend Australian recent report( 2 Oct. 2015), after months of confusion, back flips and uncertainty, the Indonesian government has finally awarded the contract to construct a prized railway link between Jakarta and Bandung to China. The disappointed Japanese chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga broke the news to the world, saying: “I can’t understand this at all. It is highly unfortunate.”
Beijing has simply outmanoeuvred Tokyo on this bid as a result of a competitive financing package for Indonesia.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Gatot Trihargo, deputy minister for financial services at Indonesia’s Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises said China’s plan met Jakarta’s criteria that the project not depend on Indonesian financing or a loan guarantee.

High-speed rail contracts have become the latest battleground for China and Japan. Though Japan is famous for its sophisticated and mature high-speed rail technology, Beijing has proven to be a formidable challenger on the international stage. In a little less than a decade, China has managed to build 60 per cent of the world’s high-speed railway network.

China’s ability to digest and improve imported foreign technology. referred to as “reversed engineering”, has been even more important to this process than the speed at which it can construct new lines. The country is now in a position to export high-speed trains with its own proprietary technology.

The extraordinary success of China’s high-speed rail industry can be credited to Liu Zhijun, a former railway minister, as mentioned, is now languishing in prison following his conviction on bribery charges.
He masterminded a clever scheme whereby participating foreign partners & investors having to agree with “technology sharing”.
Liu’s goal was simple, he wanted Chinese train makers to digest foreign technology as quickly as possible and then develop China’s own technology on that foundation. In 2004, leading international train makers such as Bombardier, Kawasaki and Alstom had no choice but to form joint ventures with Chinese makers to bid for these large projects.

German maker Siemens joined the game a year later after initially refusing to share the technology with the Chinese in 2004. The temptation of hitching a wagon to the fast-expanding Chinese market was simply too hard to resist, even though these companies knew that their technology was at risk.

These technology-sharing agreements significantly improved the ability of Chinese train makers to design and manufacture advanced trains. Though foreign partners didn’t share some core proprietary technology with the Chinese, Beijing nevertheless benefitted enormously from these joint ventures.

In 2008, the then railway ministry (it’s since been disbanded) and the technology ministry signed an agreement to mobilise the entire country’s engineering and technology talent to build the next generation of train technology.

The mobilisation of human resources is simply staggering. Over 10,000 engineers, researchers and technicians were involved in the project. This engineering army included 60 fellows of Chinese academies of sciences and engineering and 500 university professors. The Manhattan Project was similar to this with the US government’s effort to build an atomic bomb ahead of the Nazis.

In a little less than a decade, China has built a “high-speed train industry/economy” from scratch and it is capable of making high-tech trains from its own proprietary technology. President Xi Jinping & his premier Li Keqiang never fail to market it whenever & wherever they are. The development of China’s high-speed train industry is a clear example of the party’s mobilisation strength.

Chinese engineers can quickly absorb, adapt and improve foreign technology for their own ends. Once they’ve digested existing technology, they are capable of developing that into the next generation.

China has built the world’s largest bullet-train network.
Less than a decade ago China had yet to connect any of its cities by bullet train. Today, it has 20,000km (12,500 miles) of high-speed rail lines, more than the rest of the world combined. It is planning to lay another 15,000km by 2025 (see map). Just as astonishing is urban growth alongside the tracks.
High-speed rails are more than just a mode of transport. China wants to build a “high-speed rail economy”, obviously with multiple economic & social benefits accruing thereby, such as road congestion reduction, growth of urbanisation, attracting & distributing population along its route.

The World Bank, for one, is optimistic. In a report published in 2014 it said the benefits of high-speed rail would be “very substantial”, potentially boosting the productivity of businesses in China’s coastal regions by 10%.

The network expansion now under way is even bolder than Mr Liu had envisaged. China has a four-by-four grid at present: four big north-south and east-west lines. Its new plan is to construct an eight-by-eight grid by 2035. The ultimate goal is to have 45,000km of high-speed track.
By 2020-2025, Chinese High-Speed Rail Link will connect Asia and Europe, Africa & South America, Indonesia & Malaysia . . . all speeding on with China to the greater global economy.

Smiling uniformed girls, pretty as they come, like air hostages to serve you making your luxurious rail journey as comfortable & delightful as can be.

More Pictures:   

By Paul Chong                                      Friday, 3 February 2017

“Nothing and no one can destroy the Chinese people. They are relentless survivors. They are the oldest civilized people on earth. Their civilization passes through phases but its basic characteristics remain the same. They yield, they bend to the wind, but they never break.”
―Pearl S. Buck
(Nobel Prize laureate and novelist)

Pearl S Buck’s quote concerning the Chinese is a verified truism without ground for any gainsaying. Truth stands the test of time. They never fade. They will always be around. Whatever the circumstances, they’re politically harmless yet economically unassailable.

The Chinese are most assiduous in their economic pursuit in life. It seems to be their only passion & interest, their magnificent obsession. They never yield.They are of a different breed, tenacious, resilient, resourceful, innovative & built with a sterner stuff. One runs out of appropriate adjectives in his description of the Chinese. Without doubt, the words patriotic & passion ought to be applied. Honour & respect to be duly accorded to the elders & national leaders without question.

Mysterious, they pop up in every corner of the earth. It’s been said that wherever the ocean flows & touches land, the Chinese will be there. However, the Chinese who left the Chinese shore in search of survival were mainly from the lower strata of the society. The elite stayed home. The elite class of the Chinese people never their motherland in the various waves of migration.

On that notion, as Lee Kuan Yew, the late founder of Singapore, in his encounter with the then Paramount Ruler of China Mr Deng Xiaoping, pointed out this very salient point & secret as contributing to the success of the overseas Chinese. Mr Lee held to that opinion & Deng saw what a difference the Chinese cream could attain at home, no doubt success would come at an even greater pace. The requisite was providing them with opportunities. The rest is history.

Perhaps it should be said, the success of the Singaporean Chinese, originally a class below the homeland’s elite, is even more admirable. Singapore, a city state without any natural resources, has been known as one of the four “Little Tigers” in Asia, was deemed to gloom when separated from Malaysia in 1965. Singapore, with 75% of Chinese population, is well known for its success.

Historically, though the scenario is changing fast, the Chinese are traditionally extreme hard working, never taking holiday breaks except when it comes to Spring Festival or Chinese New Year. Celebrations usually last for fifteen days, when family members near or far return home for reunion. Just look at the mass of returning migrant workers returning home for the Spring Festival by the expreeways, plane or train, high-speed rail system. Ahead planning for adequate transport means got to be provided to cater for the millions.

The concept of “Jia“ (family) is most significant to the Chinese from the individual single family to the nation – national family “guojia”. Every facet of life is centred on the word “Jia”. . . the person, community & the nation. Kinship ties are very important.

Now, as Chinese attain economic success, they are appreciating leisure & pleasure . . . taking time off for such luxury. Nowadays there are more Chinese tourists than others in all parts of the world.

Having lived in isolation for hundreds & thousand of years & having a mindset of inward looking, China & its people are open & reaching out to the rest of the world. For too long they had been isolated, deprived of the good things in life. They now want the best. They embrace globalization & are freely willing to share their new found love, fortune & treasure. While others are retreating, the Chinese are moving forth adjusting, adapting & adopting the concept & slogan as propounded by Deng Xiaoping. (As below)

向”前”走
to be replaced by
向 ”钱” 走

钱
Qián”
is “Money”
Both phrases sound alike in pinying “xiang qian zou”

The Chinese under Mao Zedong’s days were motivated, moving forward with passion in the renown Long March (October 1934 – October 1935). That was a gruesome & suffering endeavour where perished. It took Deng Xiaoping, the great economic strategist, after seeing the Singapore model, to open up China with the establishment of special economic zones in Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Shantou in Guangdong Province and Xiamen in Fujian. Henceforth . . . China’s phenomenal economic miracle.

In hindsight, China is merely revitalising & reinvigorating its great dynasty past. The sleeping dragon, which Napoleon Bonaparte dared not touch, is now awake . . . making the Chinese people recapturing their pride & dignity.

Stand tall without fear of fall

Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) is celebrated with great pomp by millions everywhere.

The Chinese are bringing joy to the world.