Who's afraid of China?
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Originally posted by the Bear:
Thanks for the link. That was some interesting article.
i dunno.. if you had seen the article, you'd wonder why they did it... because the manufacturing process that went into creating that fake egg is astounding
in fact, go take a look
click here => Danwei, News about China
Just checked with some mainland Chinese colleagues about this. They've all heard about it, but according to them, such incidents usually happen in the rural areas where people are more impoverished and eggs -- the real ones -- are sometimes considered expensive.
The countryside regions in China are still pretty much undeveloped and lives of the folks there are hopelessly dismal. Have you heard of the "AIDS village" in Henan? The villagers sold their blood for cash and all were infected with AIDS through repeated use of contaminated syringes -- even medical supplies like syringe needles were expensive to them over there. -
Originally posted by dragg:
Nobody knows what the Americans or the Japanese will do, too.
china's rapid growth is a cause for concern.
nobody knows what they will do. -
How much do you really know about the Chinese people? How dare you make such overly demeaning generalization of Chinese people being "mentally primitive and clumsy"? It irks me see someone making a purely subjective comment on 1 billion people. Your attitude is obnoxiously condescending.Originally posted by ShutterBug:There's nothing to worry about China and their "growing" economy. They (it's people) may outwardly appear to be "growing" or "advancing", but behind all that glitter and fancy flashy lifestyle, their still primitive mentally. Lacking in internationally acceptable mannerisms. They're just running too fast for themselves to catch up, that's all.
As a country, they may be huge, but they are also clumsy.
I tell you, No worries at all.
The only thing the whole world should be noticing about China, is their heavy investments in Military Weapons, and advancement in Military Technology.
Big bunch of fighting cocks, if you ask me. -
I thought it is the MOE in Singapore that decides what brand of Chinese you speak here. The Chinese people wouldnt give a thought to what you speak, human language or gibberish.Originally posted by ShutterBug:Well, whatever they wanna do, I hope they don't expect everyone to speak Mandarin like they do.
I'm Asian Chinese, Singaporean, of Peranakan kind. NOT, China chinese kind. They should update their knowledge of Asian Chinese in Asia, and stop thinking we're misfits or Barbarians because we don't speak their brand of Mandarin.
Nazi Mentality! -
funny thing is, not everyone in china speaks mandarin, most of the people speak their own dilects , so far i know only of the beijing people speaking mandarin most of the timeOriginally posted by ShutterBug:Well, whatever they wanna do, I hope they don't expect everyone to speak Mandarin like they do.
I'm Asian Chinese, Singaporean, of Peranakan kind. NOT, China chinese kind. They should update their knowledge of Asian Chinese in Asia, and stop thinking we're misfits or Barbarians because we don't speak their brand of Mandarin.
Nazi Mentality! -
This I totally agree with.And Sgdiehard..what is wrong with not embracing the PRC?Originally posted by ShutterBug:There's nothing to worry about China and their "growing" economy. They (it's people) may outwardly appear to be "growing" or "advancing", but behind all that glitter and fancy flashy lifestyle, their still primitive mentally. Lacking in internationally acceptable mannerisms. They're just running too fast for themselves to catch up, that's all.
As a country, they may be huge, but they are also clumsy.
I tell you, No worries at all.
The only thing the whole world should be noticing about China, is their heavy investments in Military Weapons, and advancement in Military Technology.
Big bunch of fighting cocks, if you ask me.
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Not the MOE.I have my own roots and they are Peranakan and my mother tongue is Hokkien.Originally posted by dreameryb:I thought it is the MOE in Singapore that decides what brand of Chinese you speak here. The Chinese people wouldnt give a thought to what you speak, human language or gibberish.
Not Mandarin.IF you want to conceptualize it strictly in linguistic terms and not on terms set down by some political choice a few decades that is.. -
i know.Originally posted by Tuatau:Nobody knows what the Americans or the Japanese will do, too.
japan wants to deviate from article 9 of its pacifist constitution imposed by WW2 allies on WW2 enemy states. japan wants to join united nations security council perm seat to achieve this objective, to expand its military. japan wants to use the other 2 excuses, the pyonyang nuclear threat and island energy disputes with china, russia, south korea and taiwan. after which japan will continue with its imperial campaign from WW2.
US will support japan because japan seems to be US yes-man / tail-wagging dog.
for now, that is -
Not sure how many mainland chinese do you know to say that they are "still primitive mentally", but it does sounds like they're just running too fast for you to catch up.Originally posted by ShutterBug:There's nothing to worry about China and their "growing" economy. They (it's people) may outwardly appear to be "growing" or "advancing", but behind all that glitter and fancy flashy lifestyle, their still primitive mentally. Lacking in internationally acceptable mannerisms. They're just running too fast for themselves to catch up, that's all.
As a country, they may be huge, but they are also clumsy.
I tell you, No worries at all.
The only thing the whole world should be noticing about China, is their heavy investments in Military Weapons, and advancement in Military Technology.
Big bunch of fighting cocks, if you ask me.
I agree with you that there is nothing to worry about china.
As far as military spending is concerned, USA spent 400 Billion USD in 2004 43% or total world spending, while china spent 56 billion, compared to UK spending 49billion and Japan spending 45 billion, relative to the size of the countries, china's spending is hardly "heavy investments". Their military technology remains in the stage of catching up and it will take years even if EU begin technology transfer, what advancement??
Only Rumsfield, with his cold war mentality is worried about china; the officials in pentagon wants their people to believe in the threat to justify higher military spending, (their 2006 budget is USD 466 billion!!) the arms suppliers will want countries in Asian, like Taiwan and Japan to believe so that they can sell more arms, afterall, where else in the world can they sell?? Where is your interest??
In Asia, we speak about mainland chinese, taiwan chinese, hongkong and macau chinese and the overseas chinese. Asian chinese is used only when you speak to the americans to differentiate the american chinese, and asian chinese include mainland chinese.Originally posted by ShutterBug:Well, whatever they wanna do, I hope they don't expect everyone to speak Mandarin like they do.
I'm Asian Chinese, Singaporean, of Peranakan kind. NOT, China chinese kind. They should update their knowledge of Asian Chinese in Asia, and stop thinking we're misfits or Barbarians because we don't speak their brand of Mandarin. .
Their knowledge of Asian Chinese in Asia is generally ok. As much as we like to believe that singaporean chinese is unique and special, we are just too small in number, so we are classified under overseas chinese.
mainland chinese speak the same PU TONG HUA with different local accents, besides their dielacts, not sure what brand did the chinese you know expect you to speak. they certainly don't speak the chinese version of singlish we speak here. If you want to speak to them, you need to speak a language which they understand.
What do you mean???Originally posted by ShutterBug:Nazi Mentality!. -
I also agree that there is nothing to be afraid of.Originally posted by LazerLordz:This I totally agree with.And Sgdiehard..what is wrong with not embracing the PRC?
I always maintain that china is a big nation growing with or without the approval of the world, let alone american or some singaporean. Because it is big and is here in asia, it will affect us, economically and politically, and eventually culturally, and we need to know how to engage them. Economically if we want to do business with them, we need to find common language, common interests, and everything necessary; poltically if we want to be their friend we don't have to follow american in calling them a threat; and culturally we certainly cannot call them "chink" for we will be using a derogatory word on all chinese, including the peranakan chinese.
What do you do when you embrace china and what do you do when you don't embrace??? -
I am scared of ugly china pple.
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We also don't have to blindly follow what the PRC tells us.Best we engage, but engage warily still.There are factions in the American government that wants engagement, and there are the hawks that preach containment.The truth is somewhere in between.Originally posted by sgdiehard:I also agree that there is nothing to be afraid of.
I always maintain that china is a big nation growing with or without the approval of the world, let alone american or some singaporean. Because it is big and is here in asia, it will affect us, economically and politically, and eventually culturally, and we need to know how to engage them. Economically if we want to do business with them, we need to find common language, common interests, and everything necessary; poltically if we want to be their friend we don't have to follow american in calling them a threat; and culturally we certainly cannot call them "chink" for we will be using a derogatory word on all chinese, including the peranakan chinese.
What do you do when you embrace china and what do you do when you don't embrace???
And before we think we can talk to them on the same language, let me just say that the PRCs look at us not as Chinese, but some other nationality altogether.This is very evident from their attitudes towards us in commerce and social interaction.Basically, we are only Chinese in blood, and cultural heritage, not in terms of our way of life or the society we exist in.So, if they want us to attempt to understand them, they should reciprocate and respect us for our language and cultural differences.Learn English and Singaporean Mandarin.Don't come over and throw their supposed "superior Putonghua" in our faces.
So tread the middle line, there will be huge bumps.But of course, everyone wants peace and prosperity in the region..but danger has a silly habit of coming from where you least expect it to. -
Originally posted by LazerLordz:
Is there such a thing as "Singaporean Mandarin"? The Chinese language system in Singapore is no different from that in China. Mandarin pronunciation still goes by the four tones: flat, rising, falling then rising, and falling. Chinese characters written in Singapore could be read with equal ease by readers in China.
Basically, we are only Chinese in blood, and cultural heritage, not in terms of our way of life or the society we exist in.So, if they want us to attempt to understand them, they should reciprocate and respect us for our language and cultural differences.Learn English and Singaporean Mandarin.Don't come over and throw their supposed "superior Putonghua" in our faces.
Unless you're referring to the Chinese equivalent of Singlish, which incidentally is a improper bastardised form of English, there really isn't much distinction (other than the accent) between the Mandarin spoken in Singapore and the Putonghua spoken in China. The British have been laughing at the Americans for speaking an improper form of Queen's English -- the British invented the language anyway -- so what is wrong with the Chinese joking at Singaporeans for speaking an improper form of Mandarin/Putonghua?
As you've mentioned, the Chinese in Singapore and China share a common "cultural heritage". Language is part of that "cultural heritage". When a person feels his or her Chinese language is not up to par with the common standard, he or she should humbly work to improve and learn from the betters, rather than indignantly expect the betters to come down to the same level as him or her.
As long as the Chinese in Singapore are able to speak proper Mandarin without mixing English, Malay and other dialects, there is no reason why the Chinese from China would tease them for speaking the language, albeit with a different accent. -
Well, to all who have responded robustly to my comments; I still hold my own opinions about 'them'.
They're leeches; and if you do business with them, they'd leech you dry before you could conclude any business with them.
So, whatever I say, is what it is; just my OWN OPINIONS.
Just sharing, not expecting ANYONE, to follow, agree, or accept.
Like in Windows operating systems: NEXT > CANCEL > IGNORE -
let me guess .... as a self-claimed "chinese", you speak english but no chinese, and your value system is western. what in the world qualifies you have to be the judge of "alien"? your very existance is prouduct of alien aduction of your body and soul.Originally posted by lwflee:I am, in fact, a Singaporean Chinese. I used the term 'alien' because i find some of the values embraced by the Chinese so very different from mine.
once you step out of your own little city, for the true westerners you are just another alien and "chink", for the true easterners, you are just a funny white wannabe.
according to urban legend, alien aductees often get their anal probed as well, maybe that's why they have a skewed value system. -
-Sigh- i get the impression that there is a serious literacy problem here. I am fine with that. You, however, go beyond having literacy problems.Originally posted by YaoRockets:let me guess .... as a self-claimed "chinese", you speak english but no chinese, and your value system is western. what in the world qualifies you have to be the judge of "alien"? your very existance is prouduct of alien aduction of your body and soul.
once you step out of your own little city, for the true westerners you are just another alien and "chink", for the true easterners, you are just a funny white wannabe.
according to urban legend, alien aductees often get their anal probed as well, maybe that's why they have a skewed value system.
Why do you presume that i was using 'alien' in a derogatory manner? Have i not explained what i meant?
I'll be nice and educate you today:
Main Entry: 1alien
Pronunciation: 'A-lE-&n, 'Al-y&n
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin alienus, from alius
1 a : belonging or relating to another person, place, or thing : STRANGE b : relating, belonging, or owing allegiance to another country or government : FOREIGN
2 : differing in nature or character typically to the point of incompatibility
synonym see EXTRINSIC
- alien·ly adverb
- alien·ness /-lE-&n-n&s, -y&n-n&s/ noun
-From http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=alien&x=0&y=0
Now read ALL my posts in this topic. -sigh-
a·li·en (l-n, lyn)
adj.
1. Owing political allegiance to another country or government; foreign: alien residents.
2. Belonging to, characteristic of, or constituting another and very different place, society, or person; strange. See Synonyms at foreign.
3. Dissimilar, inconsistent, or opposed, as in nature: emotions alien to her temperament.
n.
1. An unnaturalized foreign resident of a country. Also called noncitizen.
2. A person from another and very different family, people, or place.
3. A person who is not included in a group; an outsider.
4. A creature from outer space: a story about an invasion of aliens.
5. Ecology An organism, especially a plant or animal, that occurs in or is naturalized in a region to which it is not native.
tr.v. a·li·ened, a·li·en·ing, a·li·ens Law
To transfer (property) to another; alienate.
-From http://www.thefreedictionary.com/alien
Sometimes i wonder why i bother. -
Originally posted by lwflee:
you are the one who's "presuming" and assuming. I never said or even implied you used "alien" in a derogatory manner. Please stop putting words in my mouth. you presumed wrong and you are debating with your wrong presumtion. That renders your whole argument pointless.
Why do you presume that i was using 'alien' in a derogatory manner? Have i not explained what i meant?
just to make it clear, I think "alien" is a neutral term, and could carry some negative tone under certain conditions, but it's not derogatory. The only derogatory term in my previous post is the quoted "chink".
Although i used the term "alien" creatively in my previous post, but the difference and the switching beween "resident alien" and "E.T. alien" should not be lost to any literarily competent person.
obviously you are one confused person, what's why.
Sometimes i wonder why i bother.
it's good you carry your dictionary around, you defintely need it -
Singapore is a sovereign country and we have our opinion, based on our own interest. We don't follow blindly what the PRC or the american tells us, but what has PRC told us and expect us to follow blindly? I see more followers of the american hawks here.Originally posted by LazerLordz:We also don't have to blindly follow what the PRC tells us.Best we engage, but engage warily still.There are factions in the American government that wants engagement, and there are the hawks that preach containment.The truth is somewhere in between.
And before we think we can talk to them on the same language, let me just say that the PRCs look at us not as Chinese, but some other nationality altogether.This is very evident from their attitudes towards us in commerce and social interaction.Basically, we are only Chinese in blood, and cultural heritage, not in terms of our way of life or the society we exist in.So, if they want us to attempt to understand them, they should reciprocate and respect us for our language and cultural differences.Learn English and Singaporean Mandarin.Don't come over and throw their supposed "superior Putonghua" in our faces.
So tread the middle line, there will be huge bumps.But of course, everyone wants peace and prosperity in the region..but danger has a silly habit of coming from where you least expect it to.
In learning chinese, singapore used traditional chinese until the late 70s or early 80 when we accepted over 6000 simplified chinese characters from china so that we can understand literature from mainland china better. They did not force us and todate, Hong Kong, Taiwan, even Malaysia are still using the old traditional chinese. We are still the only one using simplified chinese characters outside of china. I believe we did this because we saw the need to understand them.
We also see that in mainland china, the old traditional chinese characters are being used again, some say the mainland scholars are beginning to appreciate the beauty of traditional writing, but I believe it was done to accommodate the taiwanese and hongkongers. There are a lot more exchanges in cultures among the different chinese then meet the eyes in singapore.
We should be using our chinese heritage and our sovereign national identity to our advantage in dealing with them. But first, we should know what is our chinese heritage? why do peranakan speak hokkien and not cantonese? why taiwanese would accept out hokkien readily but shanghainese would throw they "superior shanghainesee" at your face? (that is why mandarin is a compromise!) when do we speak english but show our singapore passports so that we will not be misunderstood as those lao wai?
A chinese used to tell me this, "we just came out of a pitch dark cave, many of us haven't seen light since we were born; you are the light, but we can't look at you as you expect, for we will be blinded by the bright glaring light. Lets find some other ways to work this out."
We need to go there to do business, we need their tourists to come here, we decide what we can gain if we engage them correctly, we know what we would lose if we blindly contain them.
Many singaporeans went to china and had bad experience in china, many sit in singapore and wonder what china is all about, fear begins to grow in some as they find they cannot grasp the truth. We see that these people are not sure what they need to know and they came up here and scream in their disillusion. This is pathetic.
Lets hear out more opinions and information that can help us understand china better. Declaring them our potential enemy and waiting for them to come and understand us lead us nowhere. -
Well, as far as I am concerned, China can keep their SARS, Chicken Flu, and whatever freaky deseases, for their own use.
I pity Hong Kong being just next to China. -
Well, then you are pathetic because as far as I can see, you are simply prejudiced towards the Chinese people. You said that Chinese are leeches without even substantiating it with concret evidence. Your so-called "opinion" is just bias. People who let them prejudice get in the way of logical thinking do not deserve to be taken seriously.Originally posted by ShutterBug:Well, to all who have responded robustly to my comments; I still hold my own opinions about 'them'.
They're leeches; and if you do business with them, they'd leech you dry before you could conclude any business with them.
So, whatever I say, is what it is; just my OWN OPINIONS.
Just sharing, not expecting ANYONE, to follow, agree, or accept.
Like in Windows operating systems: NEXT > CANCEL > IGNORE -
Look, i am not going to waste time arguing with you. You know what you wrote. Read your post.Originally posted by YaoRockets:obviously you are one confused person, what's why.
it's good you carry your dictionary around, you defintely need it -
Well, you keep your pity and sorrow to yourselfOriginally posted by ShutterBug:Well, as far as I am concerned, China can keep their SARS, Chicken Flu, and whatever freaky deseases, for their own use.
I pity Hong Kong being just next to China.
I don't think people in china care one bit of what you think of them. China will march forward, with or without your pity.
One irony i often found here is that most avid china bashers seem to suffer from schizophrenia and masochism. One one hand, they profess their dislike and antipathy toward china and chinese culutre, yet on the other hand, they love to create and participate in china related threads, just to piss themselves off.
gee, get a life ! -
You are arguing with me.Originally posted by lwflee:Look, i am not going to waste time arguing with you. You know what you wrote. Read your post.
I know what I wrote, but for some reason you insist on implying you know more about what I wrote than I do.
can it be more twisted and hilariou!? -
Are you afraid ?Originally posted by lwflee:Who's afriad of China's growing economic prowess and why?
I am actually a litlle apprehensive about this phenomenon in part because the Chinese seem to have such alien values. They are just so... chinese.
Afraid can be due to tbe unknown.
Unknown is due to ignorance.
Ignorance is due apathy.
Are you apathic to China's rise ?
If you are, you ought to be afraid.
If you don't want to be afraid or apprehensive, readup a little more on history of China.
Good luck in conquering your fear. -
Ignore him.People who claim they are objective are usually not.A real obejctive man needs not a spin doctor to polish his apple.Originally posted by lwflee:Look, i am not going to waste time arguing with you. You know what you wrote. Read your post.