First, no country including US has the right to tell other countries to appreciate their currency. The era of ‘you’re either my puppet or my enemy’ is long past and Obama is still living in the past glory. He blames China for all our ills, as he cannot fix our problems.
Keeping the Yuan low actually helps US's consumers and US in buying wind turbines or HSRs from China at lower prices. Not to mention the huge loans from China. US wants to depreciate its currency to lessen their loan burden to foreigners. It would not be effective if the foreigner's currency depreciates at the same time. When we print money at this rate, it is our way to manipulate currency.
China does not want to withdraw the bad loans as they do not want to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. It is US trick to lessen the burden of their foreign loans by depreciating its own currency.
The major products of China and US are not the same, so there are no direct competitions. If we do not buy the products from China, most likely we'll buy same products from Mexico, India, or any countries with low labor-cost. China rose because of the terminating the trade embargo when US played China card against Russia. They may play India card against China. However, China and US are not enemy on day one.
Until China builds up its local market for its growing middle class, I do not see Yuan will appreciate by more than 5% a year. The current problem of high inflation in China is due to the pegging its currency with USD. The peg is loose now and it should accelerate to do so when the local market is more important has been fully developed.
A strong China is good for the world including US! China is just one part of the global economy. The other players are research companies from the west and the US, oil from Middle East and Africa, and commodities from Australia, Brazil… Everyone benefits including the consumers in every country.
Lord Obama and his 'advisers' including Uncle Ben and Tiny Tim can do a lot of good if they looked longer-term (more than 4 years for re-election). To give generous welfare to buy votes and creating jobs for the lazy government servants are definitely not good for the country. Have we learned from California? The QE1, QE2, and the coming QE3 are depreciating the USD. Are we hypocrites to blame China on same?
It was an error US and other country asked China to change the value of the Yuan during SE Asia crisis. China is not that dumb to fall in the same trap that made Japan's economy suffered in the last two decades.
(c) TonyP4 1/22/11. Updated 7/12/11.
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Disclaimer: All my posts are for informational purposes only. I'm not a professional investment counselor. Seek one before you make any investment decision.
Showing posts with label China. Show all posts
Showing posts with label China. Show all posts
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Friday, November 20, 2009
Extremes of Two Nations
* Extremes of Two Nations *
US and China are two countries of extremes to each other. It could be the difference in their cultures, their wealth, and/or changing of wealth. It would be best for both countries to move at least 10% away from their extremes.
Spending.
US. Like no tomorrow.
China. Saving for fear of begging in the street.
Health Care.
US. Encourages folks to be lazy, so they get free health care.
China. If you do not pay in yuan, you die.
Foreign countries.
US. Either my puppet or my enemy.
China. Non interference.
Environment.
US. Our pollution is not too high (translation: pollution per capita is).
China. My pollution per capita is not high (translation: total pollution is).
Human rights.
US. Killing for the name of liberty! or keeping our weapon suppliers rich.
China. Lifted 300 millions from poverty. Is this basic human right?
Military might.
US. New carrier with two nuclear generators.
China. 0 carrier.
Justice system.
US. Spent millions and let the guilty free.
China. One bullet for 99.99% guilty and warn millions.
Sports.
US. #1 in all sports. Get them at all costs.
China. Let's get 100 Walmart shoppers and have a race to see which nation is fitter.
Natural resources/farm land.
US. Can support double the current population.
China. Can support half the current population.
Politics.
US. Do everything for votes.
Capitalists act like communists by providing generous welfare.
China. If you do not listen, you disappear.
Communists act like capitalists by giving prime priority to business.
Education.
US. We've most Nobel's prize winners.
China. Our 6th graders can beat your college graduates in science and maths.
Model for youths.
US. If you give me one good model, I give you 10 bad models (like married politicians with outside affairs).
China. If you give me one bad model, I give you 10 good models.
Gun control.
US. Need guns for the wild, wild cities.
China. Thanks NRA for allowing us to sell them to your citizens.
View each other.
US. Job snatcher, banker.
China. Job provider, loaner.
My ridicule.
US. Nothing.
China. Me and my ridicule 'evaporate' from earth.
US and China are two countries of extremes to each other. It could be the difference in their cultures, their wealth, and/or changing of wealth. It would be best for both countries to move at least 10% away from their extremes.
Spending.
US. Like no tomorrow.
China. Saving for fear of begging in the street.
Health Care.
US. Encourages folks to be lazy, so they get free health care.
China. If you do not pay in yuan, you die.
Foreign countries.
US. Either my puppet or my enemy.
China. Non interference.
Environment.
US. Our pollution is not too high (translation: pollution per capita is).
China. My pollution per capita is not high (translation: total pollution is).
Human rights.
US. Killing for the name of liberty! or keeping our weapon suppliers rich.
China. Lifted 300 millions from poverty. Is this basic human right?
Military might.
US. New carrier with two nuclear generators.
China. 0 carrier.
Justice system.
US. Spent millions and let the guilty free.
China. One bullet for 99.99% guilty and warn millions.
Sports.
US. #1 in all sports. Get them at all costs.
China. Let's get 100 Walmart shoppers and have a race to see which nation is fitter.
Natural resources/farm land.
US. Can support double the current population.
China. Can support half the current population.
Politics.
US. Do everything for votes.
Capitalists act like communists by providing generous welfare.
China. If you do not listen, you disappear.
Communists act like capitalists by giving prime priority to business.
Education.
US. We've most Nobel's prize winners.
China. Our 6th graders can beat your college graduates in science and maths.
Model for youths.
US. If you give me one good model, I give you 10 bad models (like married politicians with outside affairs).
China. If you give me one bad model, I give you 10 good models.
Gun control.
US. Need guns for the wild, wild cities.
China. Thanks NRA for allowing us to sell them to your citizens.
View each other.
US. Job snatcher, banker.
China. Job provider, loaner.
My ridicule.
US. Nothing.
China. Me and my ridicule 'evaporate' from earth.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Father of China's rocketry
He passed away at 98.
The description of his life in Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qian_Xuesen or just click here.
I just finished a book on him by Iris Chang. It was translated from English to Chinese. A very fascinating life.
99.9% chance he was not a communist when he was in US. He was a dedicated scientist.
The joke of the century is the witch hunt of communists in US and drove Tsien back to China to help China to develop missiles. It speeds up China’s missile development by at least 10 years when China did not know how to build good bicycle.
Did Middle East and N.Korea benefit from his initial work?
The book mentioned one or two flaws in his life. I believe he needed to do to secure political stability and funding for his work.
China and environment
Recently there have been some discussion on China’s rapid development, industrialization, increased pollution and destruction of environment such as deforestation.
China, as a developing country, can do so much. It has done its share so far. It is unfair to say China is the world polluter #1 or #2. You need to take out pollution due to production of goods for export. Then, you calculate pollution per capita. From this calculation, US is #1 and China is way, way down. China pollutes only 1/4 of US on per capita basis.
* It is #1 or #2 in most renewable energy such as solar, hydro and wind energy.
* China is blessed with coal, but lacks oil resource. Coal generates heat via burning the carbon and it can never be cleaned even with the best technology from the west/US, which can improve less carbon monoxide and acid-rain-causing SO2.
* The better quality of coal is in the north east. Transporting coal from this area to urban cities adds pollution. It is more effective with barges.
* Grid to distribute energy in China is primitive at best. It needs a lot of technology from the west/US plus its own development to exploit and copy/enhance the technology. Made In China on grid technology is idealistic but still has a long way to go.
Hydro and nuclear generators when strategically located would cut down the grid dependency and transportation of coal for certain area.
A wind farm is idle due to it is not connected to the grid.
* Nuclear generation is very aggressive, but it is a small percentage of the total output of energy. All are foreign technology. China copied and developed the pebble nuclear technology which is promising for safety/cost but its capacity is very limited.
* The priority to highways (auto) and some air transportation should take a back seat to public transportation such as subways, trains, HSR…The recent cut in gas subsidy is a good measure.
* It has transformed a small scale of semi desert to livable land in the north west. The big impact will be from the diversion of water from south to north/west. This semi desert will turn to oasis easier than real desert. Will see the cost/benefit.
* China has about 1/4 of the average water per capita and Bijing about 1/30.
How ironic the #1 polluter of the world (based on per capita) accuses China, which does not even make to the top 10?
China, as a developing country, can do so much. It has done its share so far. It is unfair to say China is the world polluter #1 or #2. You need to take out pollution due to production of goods for export. Then, you calculate pollution per capita. From this calculation, US is #1 and China is way, way down. China pollutes only 1/4 of US on per capita basis.
* It is #1 or #2 in most renewable energy such as solar, hydro and wind energy.
* China is blessed with coal, but lacks oil resource. Coal generates heat via burning the carbon and it can never be cleaned even with the best technology from the west/US, which can improve less carbon monoxide and acid-rain-causing SO2.
* The better quality of coal is in the north east. Transporting coal from this area to urban cities adds pollution. It is more effective with barges.
* Grid to distribute energy in China is primitive at best. It needs a lot of technology from the west/US plus its own development to exploit and copy/enhance the technology. Made In China on grid technology is idealistic but still has a long way to go.
Hydro and nuclear generators when strategically located would cut down the grid dependency and transportation of coal for certain area.
A wind farm is idle due to it is not connected to the grid.
* Nuclear generation is very aggressive, but it is a small percentage of the total output of energy. All are foreign technology. China copied and developed the pebble nuclear technology which is promising for safety/cost but its capacity is very limited.
* The priority to highways (auto) and some air transportation should take a back seat to public transportation such as subways, trains, HSR…The recent cut in gas subsidy is a good measure.
* It has transformed a small scale of semi desert to livable land in the north west. The big impact will be from the diversion of water from south to north/west. This semi desert will turn to oasis easier than real desert. Will see the cost/benefit.
* China has about 1/4 of the average water per capita and Bijing about 1/30.
How ironic the #1 polluter of the world (based on per capita) accuses China, which does not even make to the top 10?
My judgement on Mao
Celebration of 60th China.
This is my respond to a FM's post.
The following is my point of view of Mao as an overseas Chinese and I’m sure it will be quite different from Chinese in mainland.
This is my respond to a FM's post.
The following is my point of view of Mao as an overseas Chinese and I’m sure it will be quite different from Chinese in mainland.
* Interesting to compare Mao to Washington. I believe Washington had a easier time and he did not govern too long. His influence is far less than Mao to his citizens.
* ‘70 good and 30 bad’ is more political and would be sounded off from folks like Deng. The reverse (70% bad and 30% good) is more accurate for most historians I guess.
Mao is great in the beginning and poor in his governance and policy like purging the ‘rightist intellectuals’, Big Leap Forward (backward for me), Cultural Revolution (Counter-CR to me)…
It could be the Peter’s Principle – when some one becomes incompetent (governance in Mao’s case) when promoted from a position (founding China) s/he is competent.
He did raise the spirit of a nation (after hundreds of years of humiliation) while millions were starving to death.
My simple conclusion. Mao is a national hero with reservation and his time made him one. He has vision, talents… The folks surrounded him did not provide good guidance esp. in governance, or he did not want to listen to others’ opinions. Chou could have helped China more if he could influence Mao more. When Mao became semi God, he ignored that he would be judged harshly by history.
He has strengths and weaknesses of a human being. He should not get all the blame and glory. His advisors and his citizens should bear some of the blame.
All leaders should be judged by his benefits to his citizens and his nation's cultures. Based on this, I do not think Mao is a good leader even he is a national hero.
His era is a lesson for China, if not for the world.
Nobel 'Peace' Prize
Gladly we accept Nobel Prize for Obama.
For nothing he did during his nomination.
Potentially he holds the key for peace -
By not pressing the button to destroy the world with our nuclear weapons,
Or not sending the nuclear carrier to enforce his kingdom,
Or for buying peace with money like no tomorrow.
Practically Deng saved a million from starving every year.
Not a nomination nod for this short guy.
Not destroying is more important than saving life.
Or Black is a better color than Yellow.
Wake up, you idiot committee.
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According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize should be awarded to the person who:
| “ | during the preceding year [...] shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.[1] | ” |
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The Norwegians use 'Peace' Prize as a political tool to influence world affairs. Their yardstick is based on a rich country like Norway, so they oppose developing countries like China. The Prize should be given to where the credit is due. Period.
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Why China will have more Nobel science winners.
(Some stat from Joe)
* Education. 6 million college grade a year. 1.5 million kids studying aboard. 10 times. US science graduates including science PhDs.
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Why China will not have Nobel science winners soon.
* Education stressed on taking tests, not creative thinking (good and bad).
We do not have the space/guidance to do experiment when we're young. The most we did could be a simple radio. As a middle class, we never have to do any house work or use any machine/tool - the most I used is a screw driver once.
* Research facilities and faculties are just enhancing to the world standard.
* Effect of losing a generation of education due to Cultural Revolution is still with us, but hopefully disappears for ever.
Most top scientists are well-rounded and have good guidance from their family. Most are good in music, arts...
* Like Japan, pure research is too costly. Concentrate the effort on commercial products.
* Judging from the age of science recipients, it takes about 15 more years for China's scientists to be in the frontier stage of research.
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Interesting but arguable facts.
* Dali Lama is the only one born and educated in China to receive a Nobel prize if he is considered a Chinese citizen.
* The Chinese writer winner is a French citizen and his works are censored in China.
(The above two are most likely political as the committee wants to give prizes to the enemies of China.)
* The current Nobel winner is from Hong Kong. He is not educated for early education in China then and a Chinese citizen by takeover.
* The Chinese winners who are citizens of foreign countries should be counted as 50% Chinese at most - I estimate about 70% of science PhDs in US were born in foreign countries.
* The second generation of Chinese winners who were born in a foreign country should be counted as 25% Chinese - just for the family education from their Chinese parents.
Tang Monk
Buddhism is the most respected religion to me. Compared to the ever-lasting religious wars between Christians and Muslims, Buddhism is pretty tame. However, we have conflicts in Tibet and at least two leaders (Canton and HK) live in rich folks’ style with drivers for their expensive cars. There must be some rules against this kind of life style.
I am reading a book on the historical event of the Tang Monk’s Journey to the West. It is written by a modern scholar commenting and with some educated guesses. It is fascinating. The book’s ISBN 978-986-6873-48-5 in traditional Chinese. I found the following.
* The ancient text was written about 1,400 years ago. We can still understand most of the text and almost 100% with the author’s comments and occasional educated guesses. The author needs to translate the modern terms for city names, nations, local terms at the time…
* Ancient language is short. It could be due to the expensive paper and ink (or bamboo and carving at earlier time). It must be more enjoyable at their time. I guess we only have modern way in writing in longer and easier to understand form in Qing time.
* Ancient China has record history over 2,000 years ago I guess but not so in many ancient civilizations like India. Tang monk translated the Hindi text to Chinese. Now, India translated back the same text to Indian language so they can understand the history, culture and geography at that time.
Thanks for our heritage!
* The facts and wisdom of Tang monk are quite different what were described in the popular friction, which is one of our top four literature classics.
* Ancient India is quite advanced. The Arabian numbers actually was invented in India. We call it Arabian as it is the country that passed the idea to Europe. If we do not progress, we let others pass us by and India is a good example.
* Most likely, most modern musical instruments were invented in Middle East and passed to Europe, India and China which have their own individual modifications. Just from the book.
—- thanks for reading my book report and I hope my teacher would give me a passing grade —– 
China basher or apologist?
Most likely your answer is neither. It is human nature to assume him/herself to be unbiased.
Both the bashers and apologists have been brain washed. They will not listen to a different point of view, let alone discuss with you with open minds.
Depending on the topic I could be guilty as charged.
I wrote a piece in comparing human rights between China and US. I have the highest approval rating from one forum. More than 100 folks read the long comment and voiced their approval.
The piece is here.
My piece on Tibet did not fare that well. Judge it for yourself.
There were more comments on my comment than the original article. Most are from Tibetan exiles I guess. So, their POVs are completely different from my Han’s POV. I understand and accept their disapproval.
We hope we’re all be able to understand each other’s POV even if it is completely different from yours. We do not want to limit our point of view like the frog under a well.
Our bias has been developed from our past experience. I have a good friend whose mother never buys Japanese products as she saw how the Japs shot all the men in her village and another friend who suffered from the communist’s prosecution.
Both the bashers and apologists have been brain washed. They will not listen to a different point of view, let alone discuss with you with open minds.
Depending on the topic I could be guilty as charged.
I wrote a piece in comparing human rights between China and US. I have the highest approval rating from one forum. More than 100 folks read the long comment and voiced their approval.
The piece is here.
My piece on Tibet did not fare that well. Judge it for yourself.
There were more comments on my comment than the original article. Most are from Tibetan exiles I guess. So, their POVs are completely different from my Han’s POV. I understand and accept their disapproval.
We hope we’re all be able to understand each other’s POV even if it is completely different from yours. We do not want to limit our point of view like the frog under a well.
Our bias has been developed from our past experience. I have a good friend whose mother never buys Japanese products as she saw how the Japs shot all the men in her village and another friend who suffered from the communist’s prosecution.
Also, it seems all the EUers sleep together too and all Mainlanders have the own unified opinions. The overseas Chinese seem to speak my language.
Politicians and prostitutes
Which one is more trustworthy: politicians or prostitutes?
No matter it is East or West, prostitutes are more trustworthy than politicians.
* Prostitutes provide basic, human service, esp. in Chinese society where
there is a big imbalance in male and female ratio. Politicians do not.
* Prostitutes provide the ultimate basic value (after food and shelter).
The entertainment value has no match. Politicians do not.
* Both lie and tell you what you want to hear, but sooth your body more and
drive your ego to the roof when it is from the prostitutes.
* Prostitutes work hard for your money, while politicians cheat hard for your money.
* Both work for cash only and usually under the table.
* Only politicians’ wives want to sleep with the spouse, but not so for prostitutes
– ask Clinton for verification.
Viagra is a wonderful product that supply new market to prostitutes and make them fully employed, a deed that our president fails to accomplish.
The above is my observation, and not from my personal experience.
For the discussion blog FM:
http://blog.foolsmountain.com/2009/08/11/the-majority-of-chinese-people-beli
No matter it is East or West, prostitutes are more trustworthy than politicians.
* Prostitutes provide basic, human service, esp. in Chinese society where
there is a big imbalance in male and female ratio. Politicians do not.
* Prostitutes provide the ultimate basic value (after food and shelter).
The entertainment value has no match. Politicians do not.
* Both lie and tell you what you want to hear, but sooth your body more and
drive your ego to the roof when it is from the prostitutes.
* Prostitutes work hard for your money, while politicians cheat hard for your money.
* Both work for cash only and usually under the table.
* Only politicians’ wives want to sleep with the spouse, but not so for prostitutes
– ask Clinton for verification.
Viagra is a wonderful product that supply new market to prostitutes and make them fully employed, a deed that our president fails to accomplish.
The above is my observation, and not from my personal experience.
For the discussion blog FM:
http://blog.foolsmountain.com/2009/08/11/the-majority-of-chinese-people-beli
Being a Chinaman
Hi Ding Bai,
Wow! Just one day, you learn a lot about the rest of US outside your NYC village. Welcome to America finally!
(Please see the refreshing post by Ding Bai above)
Prejudice and ignorance come hand-in-hand and your experience is a living proof of that. I do not blame the old generation in an isolated part of US as their image of a Chinaman is some one with a pigtail working in railroad, laundry or a Chinese restaurant that serves cat meat.
Denny’s had a poor reputation in racial harmony. They suffered from a lawsuit of not serving black and lost. They never learn. I skip going to Denny’s for life even for their free breakfasts!
A Chinese professor at U. Mass. at Amhert wrote in the college newspaper 35 years ago, “If you do not believe a Chinese can teach in college, please come to room 1234 in Engineering Building.”
I have my share of discrimination experience:
* When I was in beautiful Calgary 25 years ago with my American female co-worker in the annual Stampede Festival, every one starred at us like we’re UFOs.
* After I got the highest award in my department, some managers treated me very rudely and had a lot racial remarks on me behind my back – and the remarks came back to me (intentionally?). My work place was a phone company in Mass. with a lot of uneducated Irish playing politics all day long.
* I never play my Chinese card except once. When I got a bad table (even I was the first one in) in a Vegas show. It could due to no tips to the guy leading me to a table but it could be racially motivated. They’re scared to hell when I shouted for seeing their supervisor and they gave me the best table. I could have too many drinks and that scared my wife. From then no, no more Mr. Nice guys to racists.Is China manipulating currency?
It is partly true that Chinese manipulate the currency. However, it has no effect on American export to China (explain later). As American culture (or all others too), it is easy to blame others than ourselves: it is nothing wrong with our government and our citizens (both are big spenders and fight the wars we cannot afford), but the ‘evil’ Chinese.
- Chinese currency and Hong Kong too were basically pegged with US’s, so it would not affect import/export with currency fluctuations. Now, it is pegged mainly with US and EU.
- Most countries would like to increase the value of its own currency. If you borrow from me with my country’s currency and it increases its value by 10%, you need to pay me 10% more with your own currency.
For the same scenario, I can buy your country’s assets (like land, factories…) 10% cheaper.
- The drawback. It discourages import from US to China in theory if Chinese currency is adjusted to the market.
It is not true as US and China are perfect trade partners. The majority of Chinese goods are of cheap, low-cost consumer products and US goods are of high-tech and agricultural products … In a sentence, they do not compete with each other in general.
China keeps the currency close to US, so it has to eat their profits by reducing jobs loss. The US consumers benefit by low cost consumer goods. It is not true if you argue the jobs would stay in US. With the US high salary, it would go to other developing countries if not go to China. So, it is a win-win situation for US.
- What happened if China cashed in the US debts. US economy would run further down. China living standard would be improved. However, there will be more folks out of work and hence cause social unrest. It is a trade off China has to make, but no one will finance US's reckless spending for ever.
- One way is go back to the gold standard that was removed by US. Basically your currency value is adjusted by the gold reserve in your central bank.
Rape of Nanjing
I recommend every Chinese watch some movies about Nanjing. I hope some Japanese to watch them too, esp. the young generation. The old ones will never change and they just bring their crime to the graves with them. The one I watched is about our respected Mr. Rabe, who had saved a lot of Chinese.
It turned humans into animals (Japanese), and humans into Saints (Mr. Rabe). How ironic the Nazi flag saved some buildings from being bombed!
I am still angry with those interviews with Japanese soldiers. They’re war criminals. One talked about nothing fun to rape a 12 (or 13) year old girl. One 12 (or 13) year old girl wanted to be raped to save herself and her grand pa.
The denial of Japan on this incident makes all human beings angry. Thanks to Iris Chang for writing the book on Nanjing and everyone making the documentary Nanjing (available from Netflix). How these soldiers feel if their own 12 year old grand children were raped?
The toughest victims were the children of those victims whose parents were killed, raped and tortured. Do you blame these folks for not buying Japanese products for life? Why these war criminals still are bragging instead of running for their lives like the German war criminals is beyond me. Are Chinese too forgiving? I would forget and let by-gone be by-gone but cannot if the criminals do not admit their crimes.
The Japanese suffering from the 2 atomic bombs is TOTALLY JUSTIFIED. Most died in dignity at least. Without the two bombs, US would invade Japan and many innocent folks would die. Violence against violence is usually not my cup of tea, but it makes perfect sense here. However, the two bombs should be dropped in the imperial palace, so most innocent citizens should not suffer and some smaller bombs on the 'shrines' of war criminals. The royal family started the invasion for power with no regard to human suffering and now they become the parasites of society.
The citizens in Nanjing were raped, tortured and murdered. Babies were tossed to the sky and died. 250K died (350K official) in Nanjing alone. The Japanese should remove the war criminals from the “Shrine of war heroes” where the prime ministers regularly pay respect - (to war criminals???).
The Letters from Iwo Jima portrays the Japanese soldiers as kind human beings. Most are animals and you're portraying the minority. Is this the biggest movie from Hollywood to describe the human natures of Japanese soldiers? If so, Hollywood and the west do not understand the east. They are just ignorant as usual.
If there were a God, I do not think Japan is not as prosperous as today. Or, the God is not fair.
I’m not a violent guy and this movie just drives me to my limit with unbearable sorrow. We should not spread hatred esp. from one generation to the next. However, as one American (forget his name) said: If we do not learn from history, we would likely repeat history.
After the recent tsunami, Japanese have gained our respect as developed citizens. I do not think they will be war criminals again. They have suffered enough, and let bye-gone be bye-gone. If you believe in your bad deed will haunt you eventually. It is about 50 years too late and the current generation has nothing to do with the war.
Only the coward fools fool themselves but no others to cover their crimes.
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Be warned that these pictures are very gruesome.
Click here if the link does not work.
http://tonyp4nanjing.shutterfly.com/
Multiplication table
Are Chinese smart in maths. due to memorizing the multiplication table? Click here for detail.
We are not aware of the importance of multiplication table until we have US school kids to compare with. Now I know why I think in English, compute in Chinese and look/speak/write like a FOB (fresh off boat).
We are not aware of the importance of multiplication table until we have US school kids to compare with. Now I know why I think in English, compute in Chinese and look/speak/write like a FOB (fresh off boat).
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Paris auction of looted Chinese treasures
First some history.
The Britain’s evil parliament approved to send warships to enforce the opium trade to China. What do you call a country pushing opium?
It is about 200 years ago, but it seems it is forgotten outside China. The settlement asked China to compensate all the opium burned by the Chinese and army expenses, open the seaports for opium trade, release the Chinese prisoners who helped the British, cede Hong Kong…
Imagine Cambodia asks US to pay for the opium burned during US raids and their army expenses, open more seaports for opium trade, release all the traitors who helped Cambodia during the war, and cede Hawaii to Cambodia. How outrageous?
Cambodia can be replaced by another opium export country.
The alliance of foreign countries burned China’s summer palace, looted all the treasures (most are done by over 3,000 Franco-British soldiers and took 3 days/nights to burn it down)… Imagine foreigners loot all the treasures from Buckingham Palace and burn it down.
The common excuse from the west is the rebellion against the west. As some one said in the blog, they’re patriots or rebels. How outrageous to open opium trades by using force in the first place.
All European foreigners to Beijing should be informed of the ruin so we can learn not to repeat from history. You do not see many foreigners in the ruin. Same as few Japanese tourists in the Pearl Harbor Memorial.
All the museums in Europe should classify whether the Chinese treasures are loots and posted the info if necessary. I like to know the percentage of the Chinese treasures are loots.
If it is stolen, it should be returned to the owner. From stolen jewelry from your house to mummy from Egypt.
No matter how many times it is legally traded and as long as it is stolen it is still loot.
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Reality check.
It would be a moral victory but not feasible to stop the auction. All the lawyers can tell you that. I just want to raise the awareness of the beginning part of our bad history (late Qing to end of Mao). A lot of lawyers donate their services free for China on this incident, so I have a higher respect on the legal profession.
The auction is intended for AIDS research. I suggest to give the part of the auction to a Chinese university on same cause, preferably in Beijing.
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I came across YingYing's comment as follows. Just sad and no words can describe how outrageous the barbarians from the west were. Thanks YingYing. With this kind of grand palace for pleasure including the marble boat, I wonder how the regime could be strong to protect its citizens.
Let's hope that the history will not repeat since problems are over our head again!! Can we ever learn as human?? We always choose destruction to solve our problems. We do not have much left to destroy…
The Old Summer Palace which was built in the 18th and early 19th century were destroyed by British and French troops in 1860. It was almost 5 times the size of the Forbidden City, and 8 times the size of the Vatican City.
There were also a few buildings in Tibetan and Mongol styles, and European-style buildings reflecting the diversity of the Qing Empire. It had hundreds of halls, pavilions, temples, galleries, gardens, lakes, etc. Several famous landscapes of southern China had been reproduced in the Imperial Gardens, hundreds of invaluable Chinese art masterpieces and antiquities were stored in the halls, making the Imperial Gardens one of the largest museums in the world. Some unique copies of literary work and compilations were also stored inside the Imperial Gardens.
It took 3,500 British troops to set the entire place ablaze, taking three days to burn.
Charles George Gordon, a 27-year-old captain in the Royal Engineers wrote: “We went out, and, after pillaging it, burned the whole place, destroying in a vandal-like manner most valuable property which [could] not be replaced for four millions. We got upward of £48 apiece prize money…I have done well. The [local] people are very civil, but I think the grandees hate us, as they must after what we did the Palace. You can scarcely imagine the beauty and magnificence of the places we burnt. It made one’s heart sore to burn them; in fact, these places were so large, and we were so pressed for time, that we could not plunder them carefully. Quantities of gold ornaments were burnt, considered as brass. It was wretchedly demoralizing work for an army.”
Some contemporary Frenchmen, such as Victor Hugo, disapproved of the action; in his "Expédition de Chine", Hugo described the looting as, "'Two robbers breaking into a museum, devastating, looting and burning, leaving laughing hand-in-hand with their bags full of treasures; one of the robbers is called France and the other Britain. In his letter Hugo hoped that one day France would feel guilty and return what it had plundered from China.
The Britain’s evil parliament approved to send warships to enforce the opium trade to China. What do you call a country pushing opium?
It is about 200 years ago, but it seems it is forgotten outside China. The settlement asked China to compensate all the opium burned by the Chinese and army expenses, open the seaports for opium trade, release the Chinese prisoners who helped the British, cede Hong Kong…
Imagine Cambodia asks US to pay for the opium burned during US raids and their army expenses, open more seaports for opium trade, release all the traitors who helped Cambodia during the war, and cede Hawaii to Cambodia. How outrageous?
Cambodia can be replaced by another opium export country.
The alliance of foreign countries burned China’s summer palace, looted all the treasures (most are done by over 3,000 Franco-British soldiers and took 3 days/nights to burn it down)… Imagine foreigners loot all the treasures from Buckingham Palace and burn it down.
The common excuse from the west is the rebellion against the west. As some one said in the blog, they’re patriots or rebels. How outrageous to open opium trades by using force in the first place.
All European foreigners to Beijing should be informed of the ruin so we can learn not to repeat from history. You do not see many foreigners in the ruin. Same as few Japanese tourists in the Pearl Harbor Memorial.
All the museums in Europe should classify whether the Chinese treasures are loots and posted the info if necessary. I like to know the percentage of the Chinese treasures are loots.
If it is stolen, it should be returned to the owner. From stolen jewelry from your house to mummy from Egypt.
No matter how many times it is legally traded and as long as it is stolen it is still loot.
----
Reality check.
It would be a moral victory but not feasible to stop the auction. All the lawyers can tell you that. I just want to raise the awareness of the beginning part of our bad history (late Qing to end of Mao). A lot of lawyers donate their services free for China on this incident, so I have a higher respect on the legal profession.
The auction is intended for AIDS research. I suggest to give the part of the auction to a Chinese university on same cause, preferably in Beijing.
-------
I came across YingYing's comment as follows. Just sad and no words can describe how outrageous the barbarians from the west were. Thanks YingYing. With this kind of grand palace for pleasure including the marble boat, I wonder how the regime could be strong to protect its citizens.
Let's hope that the history will not repeat since problems are over our head again!! Can we ever learn as human?? We always choose destruction to solve our problems. We do not have much left to destroy…
The Old Summer Palace which was built in the 18th and early 19th century were destroyed by British and French troops in 1860. It was almost 5 times the size of the Forbidden City, and 8 times the size of the Vatican City.
There were also a few buildings in Tibetan and Mongol styles, and European-style buildings reflecting the diversity of the Qing Empire. It had hundreds of halls, pavilions, temples, galleries, gardens, lakes, etc. Several famous landscapes of southern China had been reproduced in the Imperial Gardens, hundreds of invaluable Chinese art masterpieces and antiquities were stored in the halls, making the Imperial Gardens one of the largest museums in the world. Some unique copies of literary work and compilations were also stored inside the Imperial Gardens.
It took 3,500 British troops to set the entire place ablaze, taking three days to burn.
Charles George Gordon, a 27-year-old captain in the Royal Engineers wrote: “We went out, and, after pillaging it, burned the whole place, destroying in a vandal-like manner most valuable property which [could] not be replaced for four millions. We got upward of £48 apiece prize money…I have done well. The [local] people are very civil, but I think the grandees hate us, as they must after what we did the Palace. You can scarcely imagine the beauty and magnificence of the places we burnt. It made one’s heart sore to burn them; in fact, these places were so large, and we were so pressed for time, that we could not plunder them carefully. Quantities of gold ornaments were burnt, considered as brass. It was wretchedly demoralizing work for an army.”
Some contemporary Frenchmen, such as Victor Hugo, disapproved of the action; in his "Expédition de Chine", Hugo described the looting as, "'Two robbers breaking into a museum, devastating, looting and burning, leaving laughing hand-in-hand with their bags full of treasures; one of the robbers is called France and the other Britain. In his letter Hugo hoped that one day France would feel guilty and return what it had plundered from China.
China helps African countries
Here is a great article on this topic.
Here is a great debate on China's aids to Africa. It is a long 7 parts and full of updated info. The two panelists against China did not debate with facts but had their own agenda (one selling a book).
African countries should control their destinies and learn how to deal with all foreigners. I believe China's economic model is better suited to Africa than the western model as China was at similar stage before. Bill Gates imports the same US agricultural model to Africa which will not be useful when they leave. We need to let them independent for long term as the son of Warren Buffet mentioned. So are the foreign aids that make some African farms bankrupt as they cannot compete with free farm products.
China helps them to build roads in order to extract their mines and oil. Without that, the natural resources will remain unexplored for ever. That is only strategic and it also benefits the majority of Africans. China helps them to fish than giving fishes for their rest of their lives. Contrast to colonization from the west, China helps them to build infrastructure, opera houses, stadiums, hospitals and universities.
As in most of the previous investment from all foreign countries, Chinese make mistakes and hopefully they learn it so they will not repeat the same mistake.
China and Africa should be good trade partners. When there is money available, corruption follows. It happens in most developing countries. Human right is better with better economy in most cases. Hence, China's improving their economies would improve the human rights in theory.
Being a developing country herself, it is not China’s responsibility to fight for the human rights/freedom of their trade partners, but their own citizens’ - did the world learn on foreign intervention from what Bush did to the Middle East?
Here is a great debate on China's aids to Africa. It is a long 7 parts and full of updated info. The two panelists against China did not debate with facts but had their own agenda (one selling a book).
African countries should control their destinies and learn how to deal with all foreigners. I believe China's economic model is better suited to Africa than the western model as China was at similar stage before. Bill Gates imports the same US agricultural model to Africa which will not be useful when they leave. We need to let them independent for long term as the son of Warren Buffet mentioned. So are the foreign aids that make some African farms bankrupt as they cannot compete with free farm products.
China helps them to build roads in order to extract their mines and oil. Without that, the natural resources will remain unexplored for ever. That is only strategic and it also benefits the majority of Africans. China helps them to fish than giving fishes for their rest of their lives. Contrast to colonization from the west, China helps them to build infrastructure, opera houses, stadiums, hospitals and universities.
As in most of the previous investment from all foreign countries, Chinese make mistakes and hopefully they learn it so they will not repeat the same mistake.
China and Africa should be good trade partners. When there is money available, corruption follows. It happens in most developing countries. Human right is better with better economy in most cases. Hence, China's improving their economies would improve the human rights in theory.
Being a developing country herself, it is not China’s responsibility to fight for the human rights/freedom of their trade partners, but their own citizens’ - did the world learn on foreign intervention from what Bush did to the Middle East?
Free Tibet, my holy foot
* Free Tibet , my holy foot *
Please do not liberate my country. I understand your energy, good nature and idealism. I was the same when I was at your age. I hope you’re there to protest for China when your ancestors pushed opium to China. It is history that the Britain’s evil parliament approved to send warships to enforce the opium trade to China.
First, thanks you all. Now, I’m a naturalized US citizen collecting generous welfare benefits. You do not understand how my life has been improved staying here. Just imagine living in the highest mountain in your country year round.
There are always folks wanting to be kings and queens. They have their ambitions and revolutionary ideas. The last ones went to India after the failed revolt sponsored by CIA. Please let me know who sponsor today’s Tibetan movements – not seem to be a Mickey Mouse production. They do not speak for the common folks who just want a peaceful life.
News on Tibet must feed a lot of reporters in the west but hurt their conscience. Some are not true. The recent Tibetan riot was started when Han Chinese were murdered but was reported wrongly with photos that were bought and modified to indicate it was the other way round. To be fair, Chinese reporters are no angels.
The Chinese will not give up Tibet. It is the major water source for most of Asia. We get more from the Chinese than giving back. How many territories within a country become independent? Our standard of living improves substantially and so is our literacy rate.
The new train and the proposed 750 small dams to generate electricity are recent gifts. I bet the extraction of natural Chinese will improve our living standard further. It is the same as opening a casino in an Indian reservation. The benefits outnumber the drawbacks.
China had been ruled by Mongolians and Manchurians. We’re one of the 55 minorities, same as the blacks in your country or the Quebec French in Canada. Dali Lama must be the best salesman on earth with the circus of silly and most likely uneducated Hollywood celebrities - most of them approved Polanski in raping a 13 year girl. If there were one like him for Mongolia, one for Manchuria, you guys will be busy for a long while.
Unless you can convince your congress to send soldiers to ‘liberate’ us, please do not stir up our rebellious sentiment towards the Chinese. The more you do, the more our folks suffer and ‘disappear’.
Spend your energy elsewhere. The choices are unlimited: CEOs enjoying outrageous benefits/bonuses from companies receiving bailouts, or killing Iraqi children in a war you cannot afford. Hope you folks can find the mass destruction weapon in Iraq some days.
Everywhere in China, you see Tibetan cultures have been maintained – different from what your ‘reporters’ report. All the minorities have been exempted from the one-child policy.
Check out this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqtS5k-nQK4&feature=related. Do they look oppressed to you?
It sounds like propaganda. I want you to know that I have no connection with the Chinese government. Your action on the wheel-chair torch bearer for Olympic showed the world how barbarous and coward you are.
I just want to be realistic and the world at least my world will be more peaceful without your demonstrations. I wrote the above from the mind of a silent majority of Tibetans.
Please do not liberate my country. I understand your energy, good nature and idealism. I was the same when I was at your age. I hope you’re there to protest for China when your ancestors pushed opium to China. It is history that the Britain’s evil parliament approved to send warships to enforce the opium trade to China.
First, thanks you all. Now, I’m a naturalized US citizen collecting generous welfare benefits. You do not understand how my life has been improved staying here. Just imagine living in the highest mountain in your country year round.
There are always folks wanting to be kings and queens. They have their ambitions and revolutionary ideas. The last ones went to India after the failed revolt sponsored by CIA. Please let me know who sponsor today’s Tibetan movements – not seem to be a Mickey Mouse production. They do not speak for the common folks who just want a peaceful life.
News on Tibet must feed a lot of reporters in the west but hurt their conscience. Some are not true. The recent Tibetan riot was started when Han Chinese were murdered but was reported wrongly with photos that were bought and modified to indicate it was the other way round. To be fair, Chinese reporters are no angels.
The Chinese will not give up Tibet. It is the major water source for most of Asia. We get more from the Chinese than giving back. How many territories within a country become independent? Our standard of living improves substantially and so is our literacy rate.
The new train and the proposed 750 small dams to generate electricity are recent gifts. I bet the extraction of natural Chinese will improve our living standard further. It is the same as opening a casino in an Indian reservation. The benefits outnumber the drawbacks.
China had been ruled by Mongolians and Manchurians. We’re one of the 55 minorities, same as the blacks in your country or the Quebec French in Canada. Dali Lama must be the best salesman on earth with the circus of silly and most likely uneducated Hollywood celebrities - most of them approved Polanski in raping a 13 year girl. If there were one like him for Mongolia, one for Manchuria, you guys will be busy for a long while.
Unless you can convince your congress to send soldiers to ‘liberate’ us, please do not stir up our rebellious sentiment towards the Chinese. The more you do, the more our folks suffer and ‘disappear’.
Spend your energy elsewhere. The choices are unlimited: CEOs enjoying outrageous benefits/bonuses from companies receiving bailouts, or killing Iraqi children in a war you cannot afford. Hope you folks can find the mass destruction weapon in Iraq some days.
Everywhere in China, you see Tibetan cultures have been maintained – different from what your ‘reporters’ report. All the minorities have been exempted from the one-child policy.
Check out this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqtS5k-nQK4&feature=related. Do they look oppressed to you?
It sounds like propaganda. I want you to know that I have no connection with the Chinese government. Your action on the wheel-chair torch bearer for Olympic showed the world how barbarous and coward you are.
I just want to be realistic and the world at least my world will be more peaceful without your demonstrations. I wrote the above from the mind of a silent majority of Tibetans.
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