Chinese Face Mask Changing - "bian lian" a dying art?

The "change face mask artist" is actually a magician who flips up different masks from his hat, costume, belt or shoe, with a blink, a nod or a handshake.  

This form of opera is only known to only a handful of practising masters in Sichuan province today.  

I managed to take a few photographs from among the 20 or more different masks by a performer specially invited for the occasion. From the side profile, I saw one of the "slower" transitions but not enough to find out the tricks employed. Surely, he would need a lot of practice before he's able to put up such an impressive show. 

The following video probably gives a better idea of the speed of change from a famous artiste.

变脸, 變臉, Biàn Liǎn more commonly known as face changing is a 300 year old tradition  ... 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwfGdJIzYZs

US China expert Kenneth Lieberthal criticises Japan

Kenneth Lieberthal is talking in riddles. Some say he is quoted out of context by the Chinese media. Others thought that he was speaking with a conscience. Or was this a Freudian slip? 

China's economic and military leverage has certainly strengthened in recent years. 

Unlike most who sided with Japan recently, Lieberthal ought to know the history well. Japan's acquisition of the islands was a gift on the silver platter from American troops at a time when China was weak and rebuilding the country, unable to resist losing its territories to aggressors. 

Japan and its supporters cannot change the facts that the islands were under Chinese jurisdiction during the Ming dynasty with documented evidence and the recognition accorded by the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Declaration.   

If Japan indeed believes that it has a strong case, it would not need to posture, nationalise or buy up the Diaoyutai islands. Whether by historical or territorial boundaries, Japan lacks ammunition to stake claims, except with its loud complaining voice and encouragement of its military ally. It is orchestrated with the Philippines and Vietnam to exert pressure on China when it's vulnerable during leadership change.

Japan broke consensus with China on Diaoyu Islands

Updated: 2012-09-21  

WASHINGTON - The Japanese government's bid to "nationalize" the Diaoyu Islands hadbroken its consensus with China to shelve the territorial dispute, a US expert said Thursday. 

"First of all, I think that Japan's actions have been key in explaining what China has done," saidKenneth Lieberthal, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution who had been the seniordirector for Asia at the National Security Council in the Clinton administration.

Speaking at a symposium at the Washington-based think tank, he also admitted it was a "hugemistake" when US government officials made comments that suggested Washington did have aposition on the dispute. 

"I think that does us no good. And occasionally, some comments like that have come out,"Lieberthal said. "I think that they are regrettable."

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2012-09/21/content_15774792.htm

http://www.bloomberg.com/video/63260542-brookings-s-lieberthal-interview-on-china-s-diplomacy.html

Nevertheless, China should not, has not and would not throw away what its hard won respect and gains built up over the years through diplomacy.  As we write, both countries are holding consultations. Clearly escalation would neither benefit China nor Japan. 

The onus is really on Japan to resolve the crisis fairly. This is unlikely with a right-wing domination of the Japanese government bent on militarising bilateral issues at the expense of economic benefits and regional stability. However, China unlike the US does not partake in regime change around the world. 

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2012-09/25/c_131872241.htm

China is a growing domestic market for local businesses and USA exporters with the right strategy and skills

US style stores in China will be a big strategic business mistake. China is not USA. It has a different historical experience and its rising middle class folks are not as wealthy, more frugal, evaluate essential and luxury expenses with a different set of criteria, and expect sellers to understand customer needs and offer good service.

As with past and future failures in transplanting wholesale western economic management, political systems, religious beliefs, culture and frameworks into totally different societies, Chinese and foreign sellers must be able to capture what Chinese consumers really need and willing to spend on. Marketing pitched at customers' priorities and preferences is the principle that works. Success comes to those who could adapt quickly with their offerings. 

Quote :

China is counting on rising domestic demand from this rapidly growing segment. So, too, are Western exporters, faced with anemic growth in Europe and North America.

But China's middle class isn't Charleston's. Western companies have misjudged Chinese shoppers' priorities and clumsily tried to export U.S.-style stores.

The potential buying power of China's middle class is vast. About 247 million Chinese, 18.2% of the population, qualify as middle class, meaning their households spend between $10 and $100 a day on average, according to Brookings Institution economist Homi Kharas.

If current patterns continue, the number will soar to 607 million by 2020, and spending by China's middle class will rival that of the U.S., after adjusting for inflation and purchasing power.

The trend has the potential to remake China. With export markets weakening in Europe and the U.S., economists say, Beijing needs to lift spending by its own middle class or risk that growth will slow sharply. Steady middle-class growth also could help China's trading partners, bolstering a market for computers, cars and trendy clothing, as well as for commodities such as copper, oil and cotton.

China already is the world's largest market for some middle-class emblems, including cars, personal computers and smartphones. And multinational companies show no signs of taking their feet off the gas.

Growing sophistication among some Chinese middle-class customers has led Five Star to upgrade in some cities. The Qingdao store has higher-priced electronics than older outlets—for example, cameras and high-definition video equipment for a first voyage overseas or a road trip across China.

With brighter lighting, additional seating and customer-assistance stations, the store in this port city of 8.4 million people also has more of the trappings of a stateside Best Buy.

Following its parent's lead, Five Star opened a small research department last year to conduct consumer surveys. When it learned that some customers considered the chain stodgy, Five Star developed a new icon: cartoon characters that appear to be drawn by Hollywood animators.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303444204577460693377819420.html?mod=e2tw&mod%3D=e2tw

Assault and Robbery of Chinese international students on Sydney train - long term negative effects

We are made to believe that racists are a minority but do not know how many harbour similar anti-foreign feelings without exhibiting in public. 

Sadly, the passengers who are supposed to help or call for help did not but chose to egg the criminals on with more racist rant. Where are the night guards who were supposed to ensure the safety of lone passengers travelling at night?

The incident begs many more questions ...

Had they been Australian born ethnic Asians, would they be targeted for assaults?

To what extent has Kevin Rudd's past tough talk and belligerent posturing against a perceived rising unfriendly China spurred anti-Chinese sentiments?

Already suffering from drop in demand for resources as China seeks alternative sources in Brazil and after encountering walls from high pricing suppliers and investment barriers. Perhaps it is good news as weaker AUD would generally attract more tourists to make up for the sure decline in nueva riche Chinese travellers. 

It is easy to be cavalier with words when good times are rolling. But when the global economic environment looks unlikely to recover shortly, it is high time that Australians ensure that they do not squander any goodwill and profits, or risk losing heavily for a long time.


Quotes from Shanghai :

"They wanted money so we gave them money. But then a caucasian woman sitting opposite told the robbers she just broken up with her boyfriend who had taken her purse," the student wrote.

"She pointed to us and shouted to the robbers: 'Rob them, they are Chinese, they are rich'."
"There were no policemen in the train, but there were many other people and even train crews." He said no one had offered help. 

http://bbs.chinadaily.com.cn/thread-744879-1-1.html

Change for better or worse - China target post-Bo Xilai fiasco

Viewed with outsider lens and attempting to impose Juedo-Christian tradition, law and political mould, William Pesek presents a more pessimistic and patronising analysis. 

The subtle tussles may not be evident to most China watchers but to the experts who watch every step closely, the horse trading has been going behind the scenes, beneath the relatively calm surface. Hence the explosive scandal came as a shock to many Chinese and foreigners alike. 

Sure, focussing on the gossipy and juicy parts of the scandal would only hamper a deeper understanding of the key issues that would really matter to China's future. 

Corruption and bending rules have long been recognised as potential time bombs and have been addressed delicately by the Chinese central leadership. At times, the most severe penalty have been meted out including death sentences. However, these moves had not been implemented as coherently, quicklyand lawfully as some impatient external observers and idealists hope for. As if it had not been sufficiently drastic and destabilising.  

Even the most cynical China critic must admit that the Chinese economy, human rights record, legal system, political participation and redistribution of power and wealth have undergone immense transformation and bold experimentation. Transparency and accountability have improved despite fledging areas which seem to get undue attention. 

The bottomline is that princelings and ideologues who form part of the stabilising foundation could be removed when they ran foul of the law and commit excesses for self enrichment at the expense of the people's interests. It is a step forward in people's democracy but the road ahead is fraught with dangers. 

Antiquated political structure may be only in form whereas the economics and government has undergone incredible overhaul in essence more than any other country in the world in recent times. 

Here may be something that wealthy bankers and big business who have a stranglehold on politicians through lobbying and interest groups could take a leaf from to sort out their own unique set of problems despite having a well developed democratic and legal system in place.  

Occupy Wall Street - who wishes for color revolution in the faltering economies and social inequalities in developed world. Just wondering?

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-04-17/billionaires-make-killing-amid-china-murder-tale.html

"It’s the rare scandal that involves murder, corruption, Harvard University and comparisons to Jacqueline Kennedy. The Bo Xilai kerfuffle now mesmerizing China offers all this and perhaps more: It could forever change an entire political system.
---   ---  ---

We’re missing the true story here, though. It’s really more evidence that China’s political system is trapped in the past, while its economy races ahead. This dangerous mismatch is often dismissed by pundits and investors, and yet Bo’s ambitious rise and fall, as well as the opacity surrounding it, embodies much of what’s wrong in the fastest-growing major economy.

China is iPad central, with state-of-the-art factories, modern office towers of mirrored glass, six-lane highways, high- speed rail, expanding WiFi networks and state wealth that’s the envy of Washington and Tokyo. China’s nouveau riche are so vital to Prada SpA, Louis Vuitton and Mercedes-Benz that they have been called the “Middle Blingdom.”

Yet China’s political system dates to the days of Mao and Josef Stalin. As democracy takes root from Egypt to Myanmar, China is still mired in closed-door deliberations, backroom deals and purges. This murky world is bumping up against a burgeoning Internet culture that makes it impossible to contain and control the news.

---  ---  ----

In 2011, the richest 70 members of China’s legislature were worth more than the annual gross domestic product of Slovakia. The $90 billion concentrated among them is both emblematic of how China’s model is failing the masses and why Communist Party bigwigs will stonewall any change that crimps their income.

Because the extremely wealthy are often politicians, China may have a truly difficult time retooling its economy and narrowing the rich-poor divide. The hurdles to reform increase the odds of a hard landing in China that breeds social unrest.

We can marvel over Bo’s downfall. We can go on about how China’s leadership refuses to countenance rising political stars who challenge its clubby world. We can engage in whodunit fantasies about the wife and the dead businessman. But more than anything, this tale shows how an antiquated political system imperils a nation’s future.

Ignore China's rise - arrogance and ostrich mentality - the need to understand China

Personally, I sense the fear and hypocrisy are the weighing down heavily on many China watchers.   In fact, many Asian critics do not know better than their economic competitors. Despite having a globalised education and affluent lifestyle (myself included), the high speed at which Third world nationals (not confined to Chinese) are acquiring knowledge and skills could frighten many laid back workers in the developed world.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/25/china-rise-ignorance

Quote :

Our ascendancy of the past two centuries – first Europe and then the US – has bred a western-centric mentality: the west is the fount of all wisdom. We think of ourselves as open-minded but our sense of superiority has closed our minds. We never entertained the idea that China could surpass the US. Backward, lacking democracy, bereft of Enlightenment principles,the product of a very different history, it was not western. So how could it? We were the universal model that everyone else had to embrace to succeed. The only form of modernisation that worked was westernisation. China would inevitably fail: the project was unsustainable. By insisting on seeing China through a western prism, we refused to understand China in its own terms. Our arrogance bred ignorance: we were not even curious.

China is, indeed, in so many ways, not like the west. It is not even primarily a nation state but a civilisation state. Whereas the west has primarily been shaped by its experience of nation, China has been moulded by its sense of civilisation. This helps to explain why the Chinese place such a huge emphasis on unity and stability, their reverence for the state and their embrace of ideas such as "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong. Similarly, unlike Europe, China never sought to acquire overseas colonies but established a tribute system in east Asia. The Chinese state bears a fundamentally different relationship to society compared with any western state. The state is seen as an intimate, as a member of the family, rather than, as in western discourse, a problem, a threat, or even the enemy. For the Chinese, the state is the embodiment of its civilisation: as such, it could not be more important, it lies at the heart of the Chinese pysche.

It is impossible to understand or make sense of China through a western prism. As China becomes a great power and, over the next two decades, steadily usurps America as the dominant global power, we will no longer have any alternative but to abandon our western parochialism and seek to understand China on its own terms. But the shift in mindset that faces us is colossal.

What does it mean to be a civilisation state? What was the tributary system and how will it shape China's future behaviour? Why is China's idea and experience of race so different from ours? Just as every non-western country was compelled during the 19th and 20th centuries to understand the west in its own terms, it is now our turn to make sense of a country so different from our own.

It will be a Herculean task: we always look west, hardly ever east. When Bo Xilai, a leading contender for one of China's top positions, was dismissed more than a week ago, it received little attention in our media even though it was the most important event of its kind for more than two decades. Compare, if you will, the attention, devoted by the British media – notably the BBC and quality newspapers – to the Republican primaries with that given to China in the build-up to the Communist party congress in November, when President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao will be replaced by Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang. The latter is of far greater consequence yet the coverage is paltry in comparison.

We have an enormous China deficit that urgently needs addressing. It is replicated throughout our culture; there has been much talk of promoting Mandarin in our schools and yet, in both the state and private sectors, pitifully few offer it as a serious option. Our economy exhibits the same morbid symptoms: Britain exports more to Ireland than it does to China, India, Russia and Brazil combined. Unless we address these questions, we face the prospect of being sidelined by history.

China's remarkable economic growth started in 1978, but as its economy was then only a 20th the size of America's, its global impact was minuscule. By the turn of the century, however, after more than two decades of double-digit growth, the Chinese economy was more like a quarter of the size of America's, with the consequence that its global effect was of an entirely different order. The story, moreover, was no longer simply about China because by then its rise had begun to transform the world. Only with the financial crisis in 2008, however, did the west finally begin to wake up to the implications.

Although countless commentators speak lazily of the global financial crisis, this is a misnomer. A visit to Beijing will soon dispel the illusion. The place is brimming with energy, elan, confidence and brio. While the west is mired in austerity and stagnation, with a psychology to match, China is riding an extraordinary wave of optimism. In 2010, according to a Pew poll, 91% of Chinese felt good about their country's economy compared with 24% in the US and 20% in Britain. While most western economies are still smaller than they were before 2008, the Chinese economy has been growing in the region of 9-10% a year. That is why it will overtake the US almost a decade earlier than previously predicted.

2008 ushered in a new era, the beginning of a Chinese world economic order. Until recently the US largely shaped globalisation but now China is increasingly assuming that role. Its most dramatic expression is trade. China will shortly become the world's largest trading nation. It imports huge amounts of natural resources and exports a massive volume of manufactured goods: in 2011, it overtook the US to become the world's largest producer of manufactured goods, a position America had previously held for 110 years. In 1990, there was hardly a country in the world for which China was its chief trading partner. By 2000, there were a few, but nearly all were in east Asia. By 2010 the list stretched around the world, including Japan, South Africa, Australia, Chile, Brazil, India, Pakistan, the US and Egypt. Imagine how long the list will be in 2020.

China is rapidly emerging as a great financial power. In 2009 and 2010 the China Development Bank and the China Exim Bank – which I would guess the great majority of Observer readers have never even heard of – lent more to the developing world than the World Bank. Just as the Rothschilds funded much of Europe's industrialisation in the 19th century, so these two banks are now doing the same on a far larger canvas, namely the entire developing world, comprising 85% of the world's population. Meanwhile, in late 2008, China began making the renminbi, hitherto a currency that circulated only in China, available for the settlement of trade. The HSBC has predicted that by 2013-15 half of China's trade with the developing world (which constitutes more than half of China's total trade) will be paid for in renminbi. It is the first stage in the process by which the renminbi will replace the dollar as the world's dominant currency.

The centre of gravity of the global economy is remorselessly shifting from the developed to the developing world. China is the main player and the outcome will be the rapidly declining influence of the developed world and the reconstitution of all major global institutions, notably the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, to reflect this.

Pause for a moment and think what it feels like to be in Beijing these days. The place is on fire. It is alive with argument and debate. A country growing at 10% a year is constantly throwing up huge and novel problems that require response and solution. It is a far cry from Britain mired in stagnation, where debate rarely ever breaks new ground and for the most part is backdated. In contrast, China is not only remaking itself with extraordinary speed, but is also remaking the world. Beijing resembles London in 1850 or Washington in 1950, but on an epic scale. It is the most interesting and stimulating city in the world.

I spent much of last autumn as a visiting professor at Tsinghua University in Beijing. My stay was a whirl of talks and discussions. Far from the western image of China being devoid of debate, Beijing is positively throbbing with it. And it is extraordinarily open-minded and open-ended. I was invited to give a lecture at the ministry of foreign affairs to around 100 young diplomats at which I suggested that a foreign policy based on Deng Xiaoping's principles was no longer appropriate: a new approach was required that reflected Chinese growing global interests while also drawing on its history. Far from being taken aback, those present entered into a vigorous discussion. These debates, furthermore, are infused with huge significance. As China becomes a great global power they will shape its future policies and priorities – and thereby the world.

One might think that in such times, and with such glittering prospects, China would be full of hubris, bordering even on arrogance. On the contrary, the opposite is the case. The Chinese are still deeply preoccupied with the colossal problems that confront a still poor and developing country of 1.3 billion people. Inequality has soared, sowing the seeds of growing resentment against the rich; land seizures, as events in Wukan recently demonstrated, provide a continuing threat to social stability; massive corruption is corroding the sense of justice and fairness. While possessed of the kind of inner confidence and experience that comes from being the heirs of a great civilisation, the Chinese have no illusions about where they have got to and the tasks that lie ahead.

In November, the Communist party will hold its 18th congress. It will elect a new leadership for the next 10 years during which time China will undergo profound change. Already, there is a major shift under way in economic priorities from low value-added production and massive exports towards higher-end production and domestic consumption. During the next decade we can expect important political reforms.

In Britain, meanwhile, China will continue to receive scant coverage. But, kicking and screaming, forever looking backwards to the age of the west, we will, nevertheless, be dragged into the age of China. Time waits for no country. Over the next decade, we will increasingly come under China's spell.

It is worth reminding ourselves that last October, when the future of the euro was in grave doubt, European leaders pleaded with China to extend a huge loan. Britain is also broke and needs Chinese money for its infrastructure projects. There will be a growing clamour to learn Mandarin. And, as yet hardly recognised, we will find ourselves coming under the growing influence of Chinese soft power, be it the influence of Chinese parenting or the country's stellar educational performance. China will irresistibly shape our future.

Motivations and Mental State of Suicide Burners - a few depressed Tibetan Monks

A few Tibetan monks who burned themselves since the turn of the new year gaining a share of the headlines and get to the intended international audience. 


It is shocking to say the least.  Not since the Vietnam war have we witnessed such gory and drastic actions from spiritual practitioners. 


There is a fine line between immolation which is hailed as heroic and delusional suicide. Unlike Islamist suicide bombers who bring down innocent bystanders in the vicinity, self annihilators limit the damage. Whatever their religious beliefs or agenda, the violent and horrific images  evoke strong emotions and leave long-lasting scars.  


In the West, we would regard anyone who injures or kills himself nuts, as with cultists who commit suicide, mass shooting or assassinate a President.


I'm not a trained psychologist but I have heard from experts and friends in this field, and have met a number of sad people with diverse mental disorders. 


There are many who justify drastic actions but their "logic" is entirely divergent from ours.  We sympathise and wish to help them seek professional aid, that is if they want to be helped and "saved" by opening up to various avenues. However, no informed individuals with the right frame of mind should partake in such folly and flawed judgement. 


Why Dalai Lama cannot and will not help?


His Holiness name has long been the war mantra for thousands of protestors of ethnic origin living in China, India, Nepal and the West.


Firstly, it is beyond the Dalai Lama's capability to help. Though his formal title is chief of the Yellow Hats, one among the handful of Tibetan religious sects. Therefore he is not representative of Tibetans.   


Secondly, his Holiness has no incentive to return to China when he is enjoying the limelight with $2 million donations in addition to his $200,000 personal allowance in "donations" from Hollywood and NED (CIA). 


While His Holiness had enjoyed autonomy which he has been mumbling about, but sought foreign help to launch a failed revolt which led to 50 years of exile. 


His paymasters are cutting budget and could not afford his lavish lifestyle and irregularities by his feudalistic, nepotist and corrupt cabinet.


Thirdly, both the Dalai Lama and his paymasters realise that it would be impossible to topple the Chinese government much as they try and would like to. 


The US government and organisations and Britain since the 1900s recognise Tibet as part of China. The geostrategic importance of mineral endowed Central Asia is the biggest prize but too far to reach. It would suffice that Dalai Lama serves as a pawn to rally dissidents to undermine China, the US' biggest economic rival and more recently a model for developing countries. 

http://www.agreatdeception.com/what-has-the-dalai-lama-achieved

China could learn and gain from Nordic Democracy to govern progressive diverse nation - best of both worlds for capitalism and socialism in practice

While many Finnish are knowledgeable, wise and analytical, there are some who do not read widely and become susceptible to hearsay from journalists promoting sensational news and ill disciplined liberalism without regard for history, culture and national sovereignty and international peace.

http://www.eaea.org/index.php?k=12041
The truth about Tibet and Dalai Lama

By Eirik Granqvist (China Daily)

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/2011-12/21/content_14297105.htm

Most Finns (Swedes and Swiss) are well educated, widely read and well travelled people.

Chinese are pragmatic people. Its government and intellectuals are better off studying the Nordic democratic models which suit China than looking at the elusive and failed American and Greek models of democracy.

In the past, religions such as Buddhism have been imported into China and given a Chinese cultural identity. The same can be said of growing Christian foothold in China which play an important social role while not forgetting practices that are traditionally Chinese.

Some visionary forecasters are placing their bets on a cohesive multicultural Chinese surviving the odds and challenges of globalisation and development than say "democratic" divisive and sectarian  India.

At the end of the tunnel, China will find its way to build a unique model of democracy suited to its own needs. It will not benefit much from a foreign formula that is out of place with Chinese culture.

Thanksgiving - repaying gratitude with revenge? What Tibet rebels could teach native Americans about autonomy and freedom

Stories of two huge landmass : North America and China.

Pilgrims who could not adapt to the harsh winter conditions were helped by native American Indians. Thanksgiving was a gesture of gratitude. However, pilgrims decided to stay on in the land of milk and honey, and European migrants flocked to America to seize, plunder, steal from Native Indians and did not spare killing those who stood in their way.

Tibet was ruled by theocratic monastery and majority who were serfs suffered inhuman treatment.  Local feudalist lama-abbot controlled government was concerned that post-war revolutionary fervour will spread to disgruntled serfs.  There were indications of planned uprisings and internal dissension.

Following negotiations, Dalai Lama invited the People's Liberation Army to get the house in order. His Holiness was seen taking photos with Mao and attendance of plenary sessions of the national assembly during happier times.

Census showed that the population of Tibetan Autonomous increased due to stability, decline in starvation and better medical facilities, amenities and general living conditions. The slaves were freed, liberated and enjoyed equality with former serf owners.

However, Dalai Lama's inner circle and revisionists discontent with the erosion of their powers conspired to revolt against Beijing and regain power with the help of Uncle Sam. Thanks to the help of CIA, the Dalai Lama ended up in exile and could not return to his homeland which has since changed by leaps and bounds, materially and spiritually.

http://www.american-buddha.com/cia.secret.war.TIGHT.htm

http://www.reality-choice.org/134/how-cia-helped-dalai-lama-to-end-up-in-exile

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:http://www.michaelparenti.org/Tibet.html

http://www.rense.com/general81/faeeof.htm

http://ciaintibet.com/about_project.php

The whole of China, not only Tibet and inner provinces suffered from the devastation of failed economic management and the political "cultural" revolution. Tibet was not singled out. However, for the last two decades, economic growth and policies to develop remote areas has brought about improvements and uplifting of conditions for growing numbers of people. Better communication links, infrastructure, health facilities, However, superstition and accessibility remain major obstacles to reach out to every family living in the Tibetan region.

On the other side of the globe, native American Indians live in poverty and could not get out of the rut.  But in a democracy, the government does not want to interfere in the lives of its people who should enjoy all the freedom they want. The capitalist Darwinian system does not require intervention . American presidents are more interested in garnering national support to fund democratisation of other countries. In a system where majority rules (tyranny?), the aspirations of remnant native Americans are ignored.

More than two centuries on, why don't Indians learn from dissident Tibetan Buddhist monks to exercise freedom and agitate for more help by burning themselves to have their voices heard?  Some say native Indians have pride and honour or perhaps are they are not very politicised and assertive.

Does the Dalai Lama have in mind some sort of native reserves for Tibetans?  If Americans can't redress inequalities within their own country, how could they hope to champion human rights for Tibetans unless there is a prize at the end of the tunnel.

Why Chinese are called "Tang Ren" - the integration of multicultural and cosmopolitan China of four thousand years

Wonder why Chinatowns all over the world are called "tang ren jie" -- Chinese people's street but
not zhongguoren cheng (middle country people town)?

The word Tang 唐 (ph : pinyin: táng, Cantonese: tong)   refers to the Tang Dynasty  (618 - 907)  which was the zenith of Chinese history.

The administration flourished under a well established meritocracy-based public service, enlightened Emperors ( including a female - Empress Wu Zetian) and large-scale assimilation of Chinese peoples regardless of ethnicities.

There were well documented archives, poetry and anecdotal references to mixed bloodlines which Hans carried from their ancestors intermarriage with Hu, Tibetan, Caucasian and many "Others".  Foreign physical features such as high nose, blue eyes, bushy brows, sideburns, beard, large ears, fair skin complexion were noted among senior bureaucrats and military leaders of the time. The erosion of pure Han ethnicity which began in earlier dynasties during wars and migration, was accelerated during the Tang dynasty. The Han today is an integrated culture rather than a race or ethnicity.

It was said that members of the Tang royal family, which continued to practise diplomatic marriages, had high nose bridge.

A well known general An Lushan was a Turk who later revolted against the Emperor.

Emperor Gaozong built the first mosque after meeting Prophet Mohamed's envoy.

The famous poet Li Bai who was described as having exotic physical features was possibly of Central Asian ancestry.

Read more in :

Ethnic identity in Tang China

 By Marc Samuel Abramson

Chinese history has been interrupted with variations of protectionist and seclusionist policies such warding off hostile "barbarian" invaders by building the Great Wall of China. Intrusions  and infighting among warring states were were common at times when China was devoid of a central authority.

The greatness and glory of Tang was its ability to utilise the best talents possible. Power did not come through military conquests and coercion of its people. Sincization was voluntary and sought after by the minorities.

http://www.chinavoc.com

China has come a long way. I believe and truly that Chinese leaders people will learn from history and continue to uphold the virtues and values of Tang.

Tiger Mum Amy Chua not representative of Chinese parenting - moderation the best policy

The controversial book has thrown up more uproar. The is no one single Asian / Chinese mothering style.

I suspect Amy Chua with all her impressive qualifications is really a "banana" mother who tried to resist the overly relax parenting style and strived to summon some of the good old traditional parenting style.

 She came with her parents at a young age to America and thus is considered a westerner in all her ways but she values the cultural traits and values that her parents had inculcated in her. I believe she is married to a Jew as she had threatened her youngest daughter with no Hanukkah if she did not put in all her efforts.

Seriously! Do you actually believe it was hell all the way? Amy Chua must have exaggerated and spiced up her stories and presented them tongue-in-cheek.. I can't believe any Chinese parents living in western countries would do all those horrible and evil things to their kids they love. Child abuse? The jury is out there.

Arguments for

The average kids are alot tougher than you think. They should be trained to be tenacious and able to take hard knocks in life. Kids are kids. If you let them be, they will choose to have the easy way. Do they know what is good for their future? Children given too much freedom don't know what they want to do. Parents need to identify the children's strengths, encourage and nurture them to bring out the best and push them to realise the full potential. The hard fact is there is no gain without any pain.

All these talk about self esteem is ridiculous. This make belief self esteem that democratic parents give to young children too much freedom. Don't western horse breeders break the animals before they could be trained and do useful work? Do you know what sort of military training commandos and marines go through before they can considered the best fighting force? Don't make our kids "si-sis".  Most children who have endured strict discipline masters in school and at home actually turned out be quite grateful when they realise the benefits from hindsight.

Kids growing up in western societies have a lot, in fact, way too much freedom ...not only of choices in studies, free time and ample cash to spend. If not properly guarded and given a structured life, they will slack and eventually lose out to kids from families who know how to guide their young ones. Statistics have already indicated the poor performances of American and European kids as compared to kids from Asian countries like China, Korea, India and Singapore. Economic competitiveness is sufficiently important to merit our attention for the long term viability of any country, the government and citizens included.

I have personally known of some parents who have raised successful kids who are either forgetful or in denial. They tried to hid the fact that they had been strict enforcers of draconian rules on curfews, long hours of studies, music lessons, exam coaching, and no boyfriends or girlfriends. I challenge those who claim that totally non-Asian parenting produced high rate of success to come clean with how they deprived or provided for their children during their growing up years.

If you build up children's ego with undeserving praises, it will turn them into spoilt brats and delay the problems. When the time comes and they find study or job opportunities lacking, they will grow up and learn about life the hard way, a rude shock that shatters their big ego.


Consider this likelihood that being lenient may not be helpful, it's just hiding and postponing the harsh realities from your beloved kids.

How to land your kid in therapy : Why obsession with our kids’ happiness may be dooming them to unhappy adulthoods --  A therapist and mother reports  (by Lori Gottlieb)

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2011/07/how-to-land-your-kid-in-therapy/8555/

Arguments against

On the other hand, not every child could take the rigour and stringent regime. It could make or break different personalities. The difficulty is finding out the unique characteristics of your kid to get the right balance of prescriptions. There is not one certain fool proof way in parenting, arguably, the most challenging process in one's life time.

Solution?

There's no simple answer to parenting. I think the author was deliberately overstating her case to make a point. In the end, there's no single answer I guess. Every child is different and needs an approach tailored for him/her. But a couple of common sense principles probably hold no matter what - set clear and firm parameters. Within those parameters, give kids the leeway to explore and discover. The tough part is figuring out the parameters."

Chinese parents themselves have taken issue with the book. There are disagreements with her methods among the Chinese community, not just in areas where Chinese assimilated with western and indigenous cultures, but in East Asia where Confucianism has strong influence on family relations.

http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/TopStories/20110112/tiger-mothers-chua-110112/

Parents would give up anything for their children and do not love them any less regardless of their cultural backgrounds.  The results of many "western" style parenting are cut both ways, just like the Tiger mum method. Children growing up in relaxed environment learn through trial and error, a mix bag of good experiences, hard knocks that go into lessons in life. To be sure, not everyone is academically inclined, musically talented, or motivated to make it to the roll of honors. But hey, I think they have a happier childhood, more interesting personalities and social skills. Success depends on networking and good fortune as well.

The main setback is making up for lost time. If most of us have an average lifespan of 70 years, each individual should come across opportunities to make up for lost time or errors in our upbringing. Parents too have chances to make amends. It is just a matter of working harder in later life to catch up. Again, the outcomes vary.

Finally, not every child is the same. Some improve and thrive under pressure. But there are a minority who will break down under stress. Parents must be sensitve to their children's needs and not push over the limits. What is the ideal balance? There is no magical formula. We have to try and find out what suits us and our children best. There is no one size fits all formula. Parents must be perceptive to know what parenting style suits each child. Some children may not understand and think that parents show favouritism. 

Chinese and Jewish parents have very much in common. A broad stroke judgemental casting the good and bad of East versus West and which is better is too simplistic.There is no easy solution and a challenge to find the right balance. You reap what you sow. Let us see who has the last laugh. You don't know till you reach old age.

Selective support and condemnation of cultural genocide - examining beyond the face value of claims by Tibetan Chinese locals and emigres

Many western press, governments and ordinary people choose to believe in the stories spun by the exiled Tibetans than to view the improvements to the lives of Tibetans objectively.

The Dalai Lama and his exiled Tibetan supporters have become westernised and lost much of their Tibetan culture even though religious practices are retained from theocratic days.  By the same argument, even the Dalai Lama could not prevent cultural genocide among his supporters. This is inspite of reports that the exiled government is autocratic, discriminatory against other Tibetan sects and practises nepotism.

In contrast, Tibetans living in China are free to learn their own language in elementary and high school level.  However, practical reasons necessitate that they become fluent in Chinese Mandarin language which is the medium of instruction for tertiary education throughout China. Many non-Anglo Saxon ethnicities in the western world have to learn English as the official language for education and work. There is nothing so abhorent and fearsome about it.

German scholar Ingo Nentwig refutes Dalai Lama's "cultural genocide" allegations :   http://www.german-foreign-policy.com/en/fulltext/56150/print

Unfair and Disproportionate China bashing

Where was the world when the Indonesian government committed cultural genocide against ethnic Chinese  citizens in the 1950s and 1960s? Discrimination was carried out to the extreme to undermine Chinese businesses and erase all traces of Chinese identity. It was unfortunate that it happened during the Cold War and the free world tacitly applauded these human rights violations. Similarly, the racially motivated riots in the 1990s despite in a less hostile international environment, also only received scant mention in the press, without much criticism or condemnation from western governments.

Reflecting on oneself, the atrocities committed against native Americans and Australian aboriginals that have yet to be fully vindicated compose another thesis for critics to ponder before jumping on random petty incidents that cloud the bigger picture.

Unlike these marginalised groups, affirmative action is shown towards ethnic minorities, more favourably towards Tibetans, in the form of scholarships with lower selection criteria and enjoy various forms of subsidies not available to majority of the Chinese population. Critics either do not know, or not bother to find out, or simply have the audacity to brush aside pertinent facts.

It is only logical that a caring government would create wealth to distribute wealth. Without doubt, every society has tensions between the very rich and bottom of the social ladder who have fallen between the cracks. Honestly, how many of us buy the arguments of looting during the London riots recently. Envy and getting back at unethcial capitalists are lame excuses to plunder and kill innocent people, many of whom are middle class people trying to make a honest living.  Are the value of Chinese Han and Hui Muslim lives worth less than the victims of the London riots?

Like some of the "spontaneous" revolutions in other parts of the world, they would not have been ignited or spread without the instigation of exiles and their western clandestine sponsors. From hindsight, most Chinese and world citizens would appreciate the need for firm security when self interested rebels overstep their privileges, rights and responsibilites to harm the interests of the majority regardless of religion, social status and ethnicity.

London Riots - the case for strong family values, security forces, leadership, but no time for social excuses to dodge problems

In the absence of effective policing and clear guideline of when and how to intervene, the mobs which were ignited by an apparent vendetta crossed the acceptable threshold and all hell broke loose. It had never crossed their mind to call in the military for backup as it is inconsistent with democratic practices. Affording human rights to those who dare has deprive basic rights to the majority who abided by the law. Where is fairness?

No matter what humanistic socialists argue and seem bought over by lame excuses by rioters of the social and economic causes and citing similar stealing by filthy rich bankers in the subprime crisis, the bottomline is that violence is unjustifiable. Two wrongs will not make one right.

Have sympathy for the middle class being squeezed and has to bear the brunt of societal problems.  Many were innocent victims of unscrupulous capitalists and greedy looters. The rights and safety of the majority of good people ought to be protected by the state.

Consequently, the horrors have led some to call for a review of unchecked and ill-disciplined "liberalism".  Prior to the London riots, no one has acknowledged or taken notice of the continuing decay in western society decades.  While religious studies have taken a back seat in the name of secularism, it was moral hollowness with tacit support from government and society that should be blamed.

The decline of family education and imparting ethics and values is the foremost and primary cause for the decline in reason and decency. Families have become utterly dysfunctional. Though not all single parents are non-chalant about educating their young, many struggle with jobs to make ends meet and family support from spouses (whether former or current partners) is sorely lacking.  Is it better to have "tiger mums" than no control at all? People are now paying for the price of freedom.

A handful of middle class individuals who partook in the looting were not poor but driven by greed, self conceit and malice.  There is no fostering of ethics or morality at home as parents are too busy trying to make ends meet or are cursed as single parent families.  Who would provide the guidance when politicians, big businesses and military did not live by social norms, ethics, incorruptibility and public good.

Two generations ago, many in our extended family lived in poverty but it never crossed their mind to enrich by dishonest means or steal from those who have more, even if they possess are ill-gotten wealth. The stories of seizure of lands by landlords and hard-hearted factory owners are familiar and had at one time formented pressure for socialist revolution. These were averted because conditions improved. Majority of the poor were able to climb the social ladder through education, apprenticeship, small business and working overseas.  What we are certain is that tsituation for the have-nots will worsen if they harbour negative thoughts, get addicted to drugs and live socially irresponsible lifestyle.
As concerns surface over the security of Olympics complex in the wake of the riots, notice that China did not do the ungentlemanly act of criticising London's incapability in hosting the Olympics 2012. This is a stark contrast to western media and official jeering and support for riots and killings in Tibet in the runup to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Events similar to the London riots could happen anywhere in the world's big cities where social tensions, dysfunctional families and ineffective state protection.  Some cities in the US, such as Philadelphia, are on high alert to avoid similar disorder and damage to the infrastructure. According to recent BBC news reports, curfew has been imposed on youths entering the historic part of Philadelphia. But is that too little too late to overhaul societal ills?

Curry War on Chinese Nationals in Singapore who could not assimilate pronto

A belated news article spiced with self righteous innuendoes and inaccuracies sparked off an appeal to launch an international curry protests known as "Cook a Pot of Curry" and distribute by those who claim to be patriotic and food loving Singaporeans. That the world already knows this is their favourite obsession but the intention of this event is to make a strong statement.

Even as the organisers reassured that to showcase their culture and it was not targeted at any particular race or nationality, they are unconvincing.  Within a few days, Facebook has garnered a significant following of more than 50,000 (for a tiny country) and internet discussions are redolent with racist and xenophobic rants. Some remarks calling for migrants to return to their own countries echo the lines of white supremacists since imperial times.

People are entitled to food preferences. Pushing a product you like but knowing that the audience may not like it marks of insensitivity. To say that no offence was intended because this is the way life is here and get used to it is a poorly disguised insolence.

Well, at least they had the decency not cook in front of the people they didn't like in an enclosed area.  Unlike landscarce Singapore, in most countries where houses are separated by fences, yards and garden space, aroma drifting across boundaries that could give rise to unhappiness.

After all the outcry and mobilisation, would this be a redundant exercise that shows the infantile behaviour of its organisers and participants? Since the incident happened seven years ago, it was stale news and the parties concerned might no longer be neighbours or could have become good friends. The galant proposal by the Indian family not to cook overpowering curries when the Chinese neighbour was at home was commendable. Living together in high density housing is about give-and-take. Apparently in cases involving a first and second generation Singaporean, the outcome has to be a win-lose in favour of the longer stayer.

To understand why Singapore Chinese which compose a majority of the population in the country and yet are so different from mainland Chinese despite their common ancestry, one has to look at historical developments.

There is a segment of peranakan Chinese who are fourth generation or more Chinese; some are of mixed have Malay or indigenous blood but predominantly they are considered "straits Chinese". The only "Chinese" lingo they speak is adulterated Hokkien (Fujian, southern coastal provincial dialect) mixed with colloquial Malay and English. Most do not have have any understanding of Confucianst teaching.  Though some peranakan have incoporated ancestral worship, many are Christians, having been educated in English mission schools. Unlike the first generation Chinese who could "eat bitterness" and work hard, the peranakans are well-to-do and could afford to be more laid back, a bit like the Malay attitude.

Then, there are other non-peranakan Singaporeans who opted to enrol in English schools that taught Malay as the national language and omitted Chinese language altogether in the curriculum. For decades since independence before the China dragon awakened, many Chinese Singaporeans looked down on the Chinese educated who could not command half the salaries of the English educated counterparts.  Chinese medium schools had closed down one after another had it not been government's contrived effort in promoting them as bilingual special schools. It is well known that Chinese educated command lower pay and are looked upon with some disdain by their English educated counterparts.

Despite having a world recognised education system in churning out technical and exam scoring experts, even educated people sometimes come across as snobbish and indiscreet (as everywhere else in varying degrees).  Nevertheless, the well heeled are more subtle than the uncouth and crude ways of the lesser educated (not in terms of qualifications but intellectual maturity and perceptiveness). To common knowledge, a favourite past-time of ordinary folks is watching TV and complaining against the neighbours and government if it is free of charge and have no consequences.

There are, of course, some understanding and reasonable Singaporeans (excluding the apathetic, indifferent and disinterested ones) who do not partake in such trivial fanfares. Some including Indians have taken a stand to reject exclusionist posturing and not to let one person or incident spoil all the apples and overturn the cart.

The Singapore government has adopted a pragmatic open door policy to import foreign low cost labour as well as attract talented skilled professionals to work and settle in the country in order to maintain a critical mass for continuous economic growth.  However, many citizens have criticised the government for pushing immigration policy too quickly and indiscriminately, at the expense of the citizens' job security and stake in national resources. It is well documented throughout world history that during an economic downturn, locals tend to become more xenophobic and less tolerant. 

Such gestures of disrespect for individual preferences and minority rights would not go down well with majority of first generation Chinese nationals who may well love curry or have tried hard to integrate.

To any Chinese or Asian in the world, these hot vapours of one-up - manship will evaporate. There are bigger and better things in life to care about.

Chinese speaking Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd (former PM) is no China expert?

The outgoing Australian Ambassador to China Geoff Raby has given some useful tips that unmasked the ignorance of China expert wannabes. Outward appearances such as ability to speak Mandarin are deceptive - these people usually have no clue about China.

http://www.theage.com.au/national/departing-ambassador-flays-rudd-20110518-1et6o.html

Two years ago, I had warned excited friends and online commentators to be more circumspect with the Prime Minister hopeful Kevin Rudd.

Indeed subsequent policies under Rudd's leadership showed he was antagonistic towards China. His failure to give face to the Chinese hosts by publicly chiding them of human rights violation without acknowledging the progress made was an immediate failure for China 101. Rudd's White Paper which identified China's growing influence in the region and naval buildup as a balance to the longstanding US presence was another thorn that strained bilateral relations.

Tough talking Kevin Rudd cares more about pleasing his xenophobic constituency and showing off to his western counterparts. Heed not his aggressive and confrontational advice or risk going to war in East Asia (after failures in Middle East, Vietnam and Africa). His personality and prejudices have hindered Australia's bid to make gains in its foreign policy objectives. Why would the USA and European leaders want to learn from Rudd?

People gave Rudd too much credit for being able to speak Chinese. Though he enunciates fairly accurate intonation, he sticks to the typical westernised reverse sentence strucutre, comprehensible but that's not Chinese.
There are many so-called Chinese experts commenting on China from their ivory tower or choosing to report on one apsect of the historically complex, multidimensional and multicultural nation only.  There is much more to learn for everyone, including ethnic Chinese diaspora in the world who have often made summary erroreous judgements about China time and again.

The same maxim should apply to the writer of the report (John Garnaut) whose lack of understanding of his coverage is due not to his language handicap but tinted lenses.

Some cynical business commentators call for "long-term" planning. However, it one can't get pass the short-term, the long-term destination will be irrelevant. While Asia will face problems of ageing, the huge savings and market for aged is an area industrialised and advanced economies could target. Moreover, it does not look as if the US and Europe will get out of the doldrums anytime soon or if at all without revolutionary change in mindset and policies.

http://www.businessspectator.com.au/bs.nsf/Article/China-Japan-population-mining-BHP-pd20110519-GYSSD?opendocument&src=rss

The meanings of kiasu and wide usage of a colloquial term - beyond the boundaries of Singapore

KIASU is not an English word. It's origins are probably Singapore - Malaysia. But it has been popularised and often misused over the years.


The term "kiasu" made waves when it was recognised as a "word" by the Oxford Dictionary a decade ago.


Comprised of two Minnan / Fujian / Hokkien words "kia" and "su", it is the literal translation from "fear of" ... "losing out".  The abbreviation is K.S.


There is no clear definition or parameters of kiasu-ness.  The exact meaning of kiasu is broad, versatile, ambiguous and controversial.  There is no equivalent word in the English vocabulary, nor Mandarin Chinese for that matter, except to explain it with a string of adjectives.


Pronunciation: /ˈkiːəsuː/



Origin:
from Chinese, 'scared to lose'    (SE Asian)


noun
a grasping, selfish attitude.


adjective
(of a person)very anxious not to miss an opportunity; grasping.


http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/kiasu


For a start, perhaps taking the reverse perspective may help to explain the word more clearly.  The opposite of kiasu would normally include complacent, slack, lackadaisical, languid, careless and uninitiated attitudes and behaviour. The list is inexhuastive and varies according to situations.

While "kiasu" is widely used in Singapore and Malaysia, it is not a common word in traditional Taiwanese lingo even though the dorminant local dialect is also Minnan / Fujian / Hokkien. That was before the usage of the word became popularised and internationalised in recent years.

Kiasu invariably imparts more negative than positive connotations especially when it is deliberate and excessive and engaged in the competitive sense.  Nevertheless, the word could also be used in jest or viewed positively in certain cirumstances.  

In Singapore and many Asian countries, kiasu-ness has become an identifiable and unique characteristic that people lament and laugh about at the same time. To appreciate the origins of kiasu, one has to trace the history of Singapore. The largely illiterate and poor migrant population under a strong leadership had to overcome many hurdles in order to achieve its present day economic success. Through sheer diligence, perseverance and competitiveness, Singaporeans have come a long way to excel in what it does best. The "kiasu" trait was a key element in the formula for success.  

However, kiasu behaviour can undoubtedly be off putting and annoying to those who are not accustomed to such practices and culture. The followers or pursuers are usually individualistic, selfish and yearn to win at all costs. Too bad, if you lose out in the rat race!  

Kiasuism comes across as uncouth and rude behaviour. Besides not wanting to lose an opportunity (or even create one if possible), the kiasu kings and queens would strive to take more than others, more than what he/she deserves by hook or by crook.  But the methods employed are uncouth, crude and lack finesse.  

Examples

Here are some real life examples from personal encounters, revelations by residents and foreign visitors, as well as surveys :

* Speculators and investors queue up overnight to purchase a condominum under development in the hope of making a quick profit by reselling or add another asset to bequeath to their children in view of the shortage of land in desirable areas and expected price increase. We see this happening in high growth areas throughout history around the world, don't we?

* Secure a place for your child in a reputable elite school at least two years before enrolment date by volunteering your skills and services to the school. Some are willing to contribute material and financial assistance just to get there.

* Long waiting lines for tickets to special concerts, collection of vouchers for limited edition toys. Yes! Deprived folks they are!

* Parents pushing kids to excel in studies, force feed them with good food and additional tutoring classes. They also expect their kids to become well rounded in music, dance, sports without considering if they have the abilities or interest in such subjects. Forcing the kids to learn things that are ahead of his years even though there are signs that they are disinterested and could not cope.

* Queue jumpers who pretend to meet and chat with a friend in the waiting line and then cut and slip into the queue without any qualms are the worst of its kind.  

* Reserving multiple seats or more than you really need at food centres, public places, classrooms, you name it.  The proviso is that it is free and no deposit or financial cost is incurred in teh process.  Singaporeans have even coined a term called "chope" for this sort of reservation system. Anything in their possesion or within reach can be used - tissue paper, pen, book, umbrella, sunglasses can be used to stake your claim or make a booking for later use.  

  

* Going for buffet meals at posh restaurants and really eat all you can or more than what you can. The greedy ones have a strategy of waiting for refill of expensive seafood and delicacies and pile up their plates till they are overflowing from all sides.

* Adding features to your car, electronic gadgets and applications that are not required or hardly utilised. Improving the image of your house by renovating every few years, change cars, upgrade to a bigger house, and all other actions in line with "keeping up with the Joneses".

* Not sharing information on studies, work, or even where to get the best deals with classmates, casual friends or colleagues.

* Fear of the unknown probably make some kiasu people unfriendly and not want to talk to strangers or help someone in need.

* Road hogging and deliberate prevention of others cars from overtaking for fear of losing face.

Most kiasu behaviours are easy to spot and quite predictable. Sad to say, they are not very creative or imaginative coming up with tricks to get ahead. Most of these actions are probably quite harmless. Besides, kiasu people like to play safe and do not want to break the law.  They can look really staid and silly.

Positives

To be kiasu may not be all that bad. Sometimes it may be necessary to take intitiaves and extra precautions.  

For instance, to take up insurance, spread one's risks, diversify investments / commitments, put in place security measures and safeguards against hazards and natural disasters, may be considered as kiasu acts by those who live by the day and do not plan ahead.  More abhorent are those who do not work for their goals and try to find short cuts. 

Sportsmen train very hard, rare prodigy must be nurtured, nerds are highly driven to acquire knowledge and create new things for the world. Young eager beavers can sometimes be overzealous and excessive in their pursuit of knowledge, wealth, or spirituality. That's all fine as long as they do not intrude into others' space and achieve at the expense of others or their own lives. Some people are just naturally motivated to achieve high standards. It is for the common good of mankind to have such intelligent and driven people in the midst.

It would not be fair to say that kiasu behaviour is predominantly present in a single race, culture or country. There are traits of such behaviour everywhere. It depends on how keen or desperate people. They should learn to be cool, set priorities right and not let their greed get the better of them.  To suppress the urge to be kiasu, there are some wise sayings admonishing people not to go overboard as the results can be counterproductive.

Would you be offended if you are called kiasu as a person or as a part of a collective group. Most people will probably laugh it off if the comment is not intended to be malicious.


However, the liberal and extensive use of the term "kiasu" has led to its overusage.  Anything associated with anti-social and competitive behaviour can be misinterpreted as "kiasu" though there many be other more appropriate adjectives to fit the description. Ponder. Do not be kiasu.