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AnonymousEach African nation has decided upon its own response to China's presence. For Mozambique, they have taken a more diplomatic approach by providing mandatory classes for both Chinese workers and native workers to learn Portuguese and Mandarin respectively. In addition, the Minister of Trade/Finance has instituted certain fair trade controls or boundaries that Chinese companies must adhere to if they want to do business in Mozambique. Consequently, it has almost eliminated many HR issues that arise when communication is unclear. Still, countries like Kenya have used social media to pressure a few Chinese businesses to use fair trade and HR practices. China's presence in Africa does not have to go the way of previous colonial powers. African leaders have choices and policies to implement that could make their relationship with China more symbiotic.
AnonymousI am very inspired by the readings and interactions of the seminar. During the last meeting I was assigned to defend the Daoist philosophical position. After re-reading, I was inspired to record my musings on the topic. This was a personal moment I had to reflect; I have decided to share it in its unedited, raw state. I am going to paste it below as I'm not sure I can attach it:
Daoist Musings
Things change, adapt to the times by staying your own course.
There can be no beauty without ugly or dark without light.
I am, because I am.
It is what it is, because it is.
Value only comes when something is placed upon a hierarchical pedestal.
Money is only valued, because the powers say so.
Live to live, not to compete.
Speak, but be silent.
Down will always be down, you can not take it up.
The female is yours.
You have it because you don't want it.
It remains because it is everywhere.
Do what is needed because there is no need to do otherwise.
No one will find fault.
We all own it, but it belongs to none of us to alter it, claim it, or name it.
If left alone, it simply exists in perfection.
If it is ignored no one will pay attention and it will remain as the way.
When the path is found, do not use it as a tour way.
Cover the entry and let everyone traverse it.
Live to live.
Love to love.
Keep these close in familial ties.
The outside world is strange; close by, but an expanse away.
Technology indicates dissatisfaction.
Your sustenance sustains because it is necessary, not because it is tasteful.
Your garments are loved, not because they are vibrant.
Your house is your sanctuary.
Stay home!
Tayari Kuanda, Ed.D.
AnonymousI am very inspired by the readings and interactions of the seminar. During the last meeting I was assigned to defend the Daoist philosophical position. After re-reading, I was inspired to record my musings on the topic. This was a personal moment I had to reflect; I have decided to share it in its unedited, raw state. I am going to paste it below as I'm not sure I can attach it:
Daoist Musings
Things change, adapt to the times by staying your own course.
There can be no beauty without ugly or dark without light.
I am, because I am.
It is what it is, because it is.
Value only comes when something is placed upon a hierarchical pedestal.
Money is only valued, because the powers say so.
Live to live, not to compete.
Speak, but be silent.
Down will always be down, you can not take it up.
The female is yours.
You have it because you don't want it.
It remains because it is everywhere.
Do what is needed because there is no need to do otherwise.
No one will find fault.
We all own it, but it belongs to none of us to alter it, claim it, or name it.
If left alone, it simply exists in perfection.
If it is ignored no one will pay attention and it will remain as the way.
When the path is found, do not use it as a tour way.
Cover the entry and let everyone traverse it.
Live to live.
Love to love.
Keep these close in familial ties.
The outside world is strange; close by, but an expanse away.
Technology indicates dissatisfaction.
Your sustenance sustains because it is necessary, not because it is tasteful.
Your garments are loved, not because they are vibrant.
Your house is your sanctuary.
Stay home!
Tayari Kuanda, Ed.D.
AnonymousI'm not sure of the implications on Chinese domestic and foreign economic policy. I'm sharing this link just for your perusal or interest:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-24/china-hsbc-factory-gauge-slumps-to-11-month-low-as-economy-slows
AnonymousI had a chance to visit the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana last Sunday to specifically visit the exhibit Ancient Arts of China: A 5000 Year Legacy. First of all, what struck me the most was the antiquity of the artifacts regardless of its art form. The oldest artifact that I saw was a stone blade which was used for ritual purposes from the Neolithic Period (ca. 700-1500 BC). If I hadn’t read about the artifact I wouldn’t be impressed about its artistic value. It looked like a plain rectangular blade made from a particular type of stone (jade?). However, when I factored in the epoch in which the artifact was made I was astounded by the craftsmanship. I couldn’t figure out how, without modern tools, they were able to cut and polish the stone with such precision. Moreover, I observed a general progression of artistry through each time period. In the earlier times, the art was crude (stone blade) and lacked embellishment. The patterns were geometric and used plain colors--even though it was called polychrome. However, later times periods used exquisite patterns of animals and plants (on Tang and Han bronze mirrors) and colorful natural motif (Ming pottery/porcelain). By the time of the Qing Dynasty, carved tusks and corbel were inundated with religious figures and social settings. Overall, it was a wonderful experience just to see how art reflected life in different time periods in China.
AnonymousHopefully we'll have a chance to talk about Chinese relations with Southeast Asian countries soon because the border issue with China is a major hot-button issue in Vietnam. China and Vietnam are both disputing ownership over the Paracel Islands but China is pre-emptively taking control over the islands by force. It looks like Southeast Asian countries are getting fed up with China flexing its powers over disputed territories. What is China's end game for water and its neighbors??? http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-10-10/china-s-airstrip-in-paracel-islands-heightens-vietnam-tensions
AnonymousThere is no doubt the economic, socio-cultural, political, technological, and military chasm between North and South Koreas are widening, and will widen further as time progresses. However, is the chasm too great for reunification? Do the Koreas have anything in common anymore that would bridge this chasm? To me, reunification becomes less feasible the longer the two are apart. However, if by some miracle the two can be unified, then under which model would this occur: the West-East Germany conciliatory model or the North and South Vietnam militarily-absorbed model? I think this question is best framed in the context of the Chinese national interest. I think America and the rest of the world has done a lot to pressure North Korea to succumb to the international demand for peace and human rights. However, this rogue state survived only because it's backed by China--since the armistice in '53 til now. So if the Koreas want reunification then they must know where China stands in this effort.
AnonymousLast week during the seminar Prof. Dube talked briefly about the Japanese demographics to show how Japan is having low fertility rate. I guess it’s not just Japan that is facing this crisis—South Korea is now joining the bandwagon. What took me by surprise in this article was the fact that Korea used to have the One Child Policy implemented in the 60s. To me, the One Child Policy was synonymous with China, so the fact that South Korea was implementing it too was a surprise. It also shows just how much influence China has on its neighbors. However, low fertility rate is not a problem affecting only Korea and Japan. Recently I read an article of the same topic about France and some other Scandinavian countries. Apparently the French government is doing something very similar to promote higher birth rates. To this end, the French government was extending maternity benefits to both parents, and expanding the maternity leaves to 6 months. How is this trend faring in America?
AnonymousI have been checking since last week for the session 2 & 3 readings. When I log in, it only gives me access to session 1 readings. Is anyone else having this problem?
Anonymousmalvarenga, I don't believe the readings have been made available yet.
AnonymousThank you Tkuanda for replying. I appreciate it. The session 2 readings were available last Monday before class. I believe there were 3, maybe 4, but I only download 2. I'll just read those since I can't access the others.
AnonymousOh wow! I haven't seen any post besides those for session one.
AnonymousIn fact, tkunda, the post with assignments for March 23 disappeared! Professor Dube said that the web was changing, but I don't know where. Me too still waiting! I have not made my comments for last session.
AnonymousI'm glad to know that I am not the only one that is waiting to post. I'm checking everyday, but I'm concerned with posting anything new because even my post from session 1 disappeared.
clay dubeHi Folks,
Had a great meeting with our NCTA partners in Chicago last week. In addition to the nctasia.org website, please check out the eagle website at the Iniversity of Pittsburgh and the Asia for educators website at Columbia University.