Wednesday, March 30, 2005

China...the beautiful

The very, very hungry China
By SAP



With an explosive economy year after year, China continues to impress and awe anywhere from Buenos Aires to Berlin. There are but a few indications that the metaphorical “dragon” will rest again soon. Instead, it is undergoing a metamorphosis, much similar to the children’s story The Very Hungry Caterpillar. In the famous story, a caterpillar indulges its insatiable demand for food by eating apples, pies, meat, etc. etc. In the case of China, you can substitute those food items with just about any raw material you can think of (except for democracy, if that applies). Look at how steel prices are soaring due to China's high demand. In the story, the caterpillar ends up becoming a beautiful butterfly. Will that also happen to China?

All over the world, Chinese culture has proliferated at an amazing rate. From blockbuster movies such as “Hero” and “House of flying daggers", to thousands of foreigners who now travel and study abroad in China; it is now obvious that China needs to do little to attract attention. Is that “beauty” -- to attract such attention? Many cover page models might not be beautiful to everyone, but at least they are famous – does that not suffice? Or at least society has constructed the idea for us that they definitely are beautiful.

Today we start to see China’s involvement all over the world. In African oil endeavors, in building infrastructure in South America, and many other project which would not fit in this account. It might be seen as greed, but with investment and new business opportunities for developing countries in South East Asia and Latin America, the proverbial “spilling over” of both capital and culture (two important C’s) seems like a viable option … much like with the United States today.

This is not necessarily to illustrate that China will threaten East Asia or the current world order. Instead China teaches us that even though a civilization is greedily eating away anything in its way (like many European empires of the past), it may have a dynamic future. Just like the caterpillar. It may thus restore the splendor and art of the Sung and Ming dynasties, which though romanticsm has created and constructed the very ideas and perspectives which today are ingrained in our tastes and preferences -- to once again appreciate china as 漂亮 or “beautiful”.


Your comments are highly appreciated

Saturday, March 26, 2005

Soccer: Bad day for East Asian teams



It was a bad day for the East Asian teams in the 2006 World Cup qualifyer.

South Korea - Saudi Arabia: 0-2

North Korea - Bahrain: 1-2

Japan - Iran: 1-2


Rumor says, that North Korea has "players of mass destruction".

Unfortunately, two fans were killed in a stampede in Iran after the celebrations of the surprise win over Japan.

Soccer: Bad day for East Asian teams





It was an unfortunate day for the 3 East Asian teams in the World Cup 2006 qualifyers on Friday.

North Korea - Bahrain: 1-2

South Korea - Saudi Arabia: 0-2

Iran - Japan: 2-1


To make things worse: Following Iran's surprising victory, the celebrations after the game cost the lives of two Iranian fans who were killed in a stampede.

Sunday, March 20, 2005

"Intentions".....


Property of Korea Herald

The words North Korea was so interested in hearing, were finally uttered by the "loyal" Secretary of State:

"The United States has no intention to attack North Korea"

According to the Korea Herald:
"U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice yesterday urged North Korea to make a "strategic choice" to give up its nuclear weapons, and repeated that the United States has no intention of attacking the North.
"North Koreans know that the United States said repeatedly that we have no intention of invading or attacking North Korea," Rice said at a joint news conference with South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon before leaving for China on the final leg of an Asian tour. She came here after visiting India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Japan. "

By Lee Joo-hee
Article Link


Well... they had better not. The US cannot afford another war. Look at the numbers -- the US is in red ALL OVER. While George W. Bush wants to help the future generations in his quest of ideology, he might help the children of Afghanistan and Iraq, but he is certainly not doing much for the unpriviledged Americans...

What do you think?

Is Rice doing a good job?

Keeping in mind its role as a common staple in East Asia, "Rice" must have been a success :)

China growth theatens the Mekong


"For countless generations, fishermen along the Mekong River have passed their lore and way of life from father to son: the rhythms of the water, the habits of the many kinds of fish, the best nets and traps to use to survive and prosper."

By Jane Perlez, The New York Times
Article Link



Yet, things will not carry on as smoothly with the Mekong in the future... that is, if China's insatiable demand for energy continues.

Will China be able to bridle its very high demand in power/electricity?

Would "clean" energy sources (wind, solar, wave, etc.) help save East Asias natural treasures?

Is the world going to end once China is fully industrialized?

What can "the West do"?

We need your input!

Sunday, March 13, 2005

Hyundai - the turning of the tide!



Cookiesap is back, after a long period of non-activity on his behalf (due to computer problems). Thank god, Chin-Fu posted so many intriguing articles!

Being a Koreaphile, he would like to share with you an article about the Hyundai and how the tide is turning for the Ulsan Automaker.

LINK to the Article (www.marketwatch.com)


Do you think Hyndai is closer to a wheel-barrow or a standard saloon/sedan?

Should we invest our entire retirement savings in Hyndai?