There is a huge discussion within the Chinese community regarding the ’11.16′ accident of a kindergarten school bus in the Gansu Province. Some journalists have revealed that this was a privilege school bus from the Deqing County, Zhejiang Province. There are questions whether the model is being copied in other parts of the country.

In 2009, in order to consolidate the safety of school buses, the Deqing County government cooperated with the local coach company. The government invested an approximate 20 million yuan and bought four varieties of buses – 79 buses in total – for purposes of schools. Besides, there is a further 4 million yuan budget on running these school buses each year. About 6,000 students from primary schools and migrant schools in the Deqing County have benefited from these special school buses. In fact, the county government have now announced that these school buses shall have priority on the roads when carrying students – hence, they are now known as privilege school buses by the locals.

Compared to normal school buses, the special school buses in the Deqing County are made of much stronger material. Every seat has its own security belt, and the company has tested these seats to ensure that they will hold strong in a car accident. Moreover, the seats are made of flame retardant materials. The government has asked the company to set up an auto-photograph system in these buses to help identify dates for surveillance purposes. Nowadays, these school buses have been part of civil projects in Deqing. Although this project has now lasted for 6 years, it keeps improving and has received a lot of compliments from the locals.

Zhang Fan, chief director of the Deqing County government, is the leader of the school bus project. “It is very essential for the rural students to have school buses for going to schools,” Zhang said. “This is because they usually live far from schools. We have to guarantee their safety.” When talking about financial support, Zhang claimed that the school buses will not increase economic pressure on parents: “Every student needs to pay only 2 yuan every day, and the rest will paid by the county.” Zhang also said that the school buses are managed by the government, the coach company and another organizations. The staff is trained regularly along with regular checks being conducted on these buses.

Some Chinese netizens hope that these privilege school buses can be used in the whole country. Zhang pointed out that the Chinese government has not taken school buses as an important aspect of student safety: “We need a complete legal system to manage our school buses.”

Hui Luo is a Regional Representative for Asian Correspondent based in the UK. Hui writes about all things Mainland China.

According to Chinese law, it is illegal to sell and buy ovum. However, the media recently discovered an ovum black market in Beijing which was controlled by certain agencies. In fact, the market has had a complete industry chain, including body checks, collecting oocyte and surrogacy. Most of these agencies targeted female students from the best universities in Beijing, such as Peking University and Qinghua University. They called these students eggs providers. The price they offered them is quite high, sometimes up to 50,000 yuan (£5,000). Usually, the price for these providers depends on their background and their conditions. Although it is illegal, there are a lot of girls who have had experience as eggs providers.

When you search “eggs wanted” on the Internet, hundreds of thousands of advertisements pop up. For example, on the forum of Beijing Normal University, someone was offering 20,000 yuan (£2,000) as nutrition fee for a healthy egg. You can easily find a lot of asking prices and offers on nearly every university’s official forum.

What we know is that during the selling and buying, only the agencies can talk to the providers and the recipients. Firstly, the providers offer their details to the agencies, such as height, weight, blood group etc. Secondly, the agencies then circulate pictures to their clients of their candidates. Thirdly, after the clients have made their decision, the providers are sent for a body check. In order to avoid any problems, there are no contracts in this process.

The providers are then injected with medicine to push through the eggs. As one of the agencies revealed, these process are usually undertaken at private hospitals as it will not be permitted in public ones.

When we think about the ‘salary’ that the providers receive ranging from 5,000 yuan to 50,000 yuan, it seems that it is quite profitable. But actually, the recipients are required to pay ten times more than what the providers earn. This is the reason why there are increasing people who want to form agencies to invest in this business, even though it is against the law. Recently, these agencies have chosen hospitals in Hong Kong or in Southeast Asia to continue their operations – a safer option for them.

In my opinion, if people can donate sperm then why not donate eggs? I think the Chinese government should initiate a law to make egg donation legal. There are always a section of people who struggle to have babies for medical reasons. This is the main reason for the existence of sperm or egg donation which can help them have their own babies. In order to protect the rights and safety of the providers and the recipients, governments should have a sound law in place.

The black market in Beijing is the tip of the iceberg in China; I am sure there are other black markets in different parts of the country. If we ignore these problems today, it will result in horrible disasters for the future.

Hui Luo is a Regional Representative for Asian Correspondent based in the UK. Hui writes about all things Mainland China.

Chinese cinema and its music is conquering the world. Here is a list of 15 rising stars from the country’s stage:

• Han Geng

Born in 1984, Han was invited to join Korean singing group, Super Junior, when he was 19 years old. He is the first foreign artist who debuted in Korean. Korea is famous for its tough training on artists and we can only imagine that Han didn’t have it easy in Korea. Yet, today his story encourages a lot of youngsters in China who are pursuing their dreams.

• Zhang Liangying

Zhang was the winner of a Chinese talent show in 2005. After that achievement, she has trained for nearly a year before she released her first album. Zhang has a wonderful voice, especially good at higher pitches. It is no wonder then that she is called the ‘Dolphin Princess’ by her fans. In 2009, she was invited as a guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show.

• Zhang hanyu

Zhang is not a typical rising star as he is  now 47 years old now and was famous just 3 years ago. He became well-known thanks to a war movie. People were so impressed by his characterisation of a strong and persistent captain, that he received offers on a few more movies – all of which were box office winners.

• Fan Bingbing

Fan was an actress at first. But after she set up her own studio workshop, she has now become a star in different genres – from actress, to director to fashion. She is often invited to distinguished ceremonies, such as the Cannes Film Festival. Her red carpet attire is always hotly received, with a lot of compliments from international stylists and journalists. Fan has an outstanding personality which is one of the reasons behind her success.

• Jing Tian

Recent undergraduate from the Beijing Film Academy in acting, Jing released her first EP with 3 songs in 2007. And not just music, Jing is also the lead actress of Lust, Caution currently in the theatres that has caused quite a stir regarding her role in the film. Jing is known for her freshness and innocence and is expected to receive more opportunities after she has graduated.

• Xiao Shenyang

Xiao Shenyang is Shen He’s stage name. His master is the most famous Chinese sketch actor, Zhao Benshan. Zhao took Shen to the stage during the 2009 Spring Festival. From then on, there has been no looking back and Shen has been one of the hottest stars in China – and not just in sketch performances, but in movies, advertisements and business as well.

• Wang Luodan

Wang is your typical conventional beauty, but no doubt she has something that others do not. I would like to describe it as an atmosphere. Maybe this is because she has grown up in the Inner Mongolia Province with its unlimited plains and simpler life. In her acting, it is so easy to be moved by her role in the simplicity of her performance.

• Yang Mi

Yang is celebrated as one of the top four young actresses in China (the other three are Wang Luodan, Huang Shengyi and Liu Yifei). She started her acting career when she was only 4 years old. Since then, she has become an idol among those born in the 90s.

• Lin Gengxin

Lin is famous for acting in a programme that was an adaptation of a best-selling novel. Although he was not the lead actor, his attitude and performance received compliments from professionals and book fans alike. He even won the title of the best new male artist from Sohu recently. At 23 years of age, many believe he has a bright future in the film industry.

• Liu Yifei

Liu has been greatly influenced by her parents. Her father is a French teacher in Wuhan University and her mother is a celebrated dancer in China. Liu moved to America when she was 10 years old and when her parents divorced. But in 2002, shedecided to return to China and is now seen as one of the finest actresses in China – one with the most potential – by producers and directors alike. In fact, she has been signed onto William Morris Agent and has started her career in Hollywood already.

• Liu Shishi

Different from the others, Liu is a professional ballerina. She maintains that if she were not an actress, she would have continued dancing ballet on the stage. But she has the talent to act as is acting her dream. Between dance and a career in acting, Liu says that she has never regretted her choice.

• Huang Shengyi

28-year-old CEO of a media company, Huang graduated from the Beijing Film Academy in 2005 and was signed onto a company immediately. This businesswoman is not just an actress but also a singer, and she is proud of her acting skills – being able to cry in 10 seconds on cue.

• Wen Zhang

Wen has received a lot of best artist accolades at different events but continues to insist that he is still new to acting: “I am growing every minute, so I am a fresher every next second.” After successes in acting, Wen is not attempting to become a screenwriter. His drama, Simple Marriage, has become the hottest drama in 2010 and his movie, Love Is Not Blind, has raked in over 20 million at the box office – having appeared on cinemas as recently as 8th November.

• Ding Dang

Ding is a singer from mainland China but has built her reputation in Taiwan. She left her family when she was 18 to pursue her dream to be a singer. At first, she sang in pubs in Shanghai. She then released her first album in 2007 and has had five albums so far. She is good at performing romantic songs has an increasing popularity.

• Hu Xia

Hu is born in 1990 and is the youngest star in this ranking list. Winner of the 6th One Million Star in Taiwan, Hu released first album in 2010 and was invited to sing several theme songs for movies. Although he has not yet finished high school, he believes that he will go back to school one day.

Hui Luo is a Regional Representative for Asian Correspondent based in the UK. Hui writes about all things Mainland China.

I do not know exactly when people started to celebrate 11^th November (11/11) as Single’s Day. Usually, a crowd of single sisters and brothers will hang out on that night to cheer for the happiness of being single or to arrange mass blind-dates to get rid of their single status. And this year, it is called Super Single’s Day because it is 111111 (11^th November, 2011).

At first, people celebrated 11^th November just because it had 4 1′s in the date. 1 means single. In the beginning, this was celebrated by men. Men who don’t have girlfriends around their mid 20s are often at the receiving end of jokes. So, on the 11th November, single men gathered together to prove that friendship can be as important as love. Then women started to celebrate their own Single’s Day. Recently, some people even choose Single’s Day to express their love or to propose.

You can see thousands of advertisements promoting Super Single’s Day just after the Chinese National Day (1^st October, 2011). In fact, the best restaurants are all booked on that day, as is the Marriage Registry. The most popular line to propose on this day is: “Don’t you think to get rid of being single on Single’s Day is one of the most fabulous things in your life, and I am the one who can help you achieve that”.

Nowadays, more and more industries are finding great business opportunities in Single’s Day – such as PR companies, gifts businesses, restaurants and entertainment companies. Single’s Day in 2011 is not only Super Single’s Day but also a Friday, which means most people can continue their celebration on to the weekend. Even hotels and weekend tours have invested in advertising to try to boost their customers during this celebration.

There are a lot of events around the Chinese in the UK, such as single parties and blind-date parties. Would you like to attend or hold a party for your Super Single’s Day? Here are some tips for you. First, make sure you are attending the parties that you want, either celebrating you being single or breaking your single status. Second, be confident and beautiful and celebrate it like it is your birthday. Last but not least, remember that Single’s Day is not only for singles, you can have fun on that day even with your boyfriends or girlfriends!

Hui Luo is a Regional Representative for Asian Correspondent based in the UK. Hui writes about everything Mainland China.

This year is the 10-year anniversary of China being part of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). During the past ten years, Chinese people’s lives have been influenced greatly. One typical instance is that passenger cars are not out of reach for common families. Asian Correspondent journalist, Anastasia Wang, interviewed the vice president of the Chinese joint staff committee of passenger cars market and information, Zaishun Yang, and several white-collar workers in China.

Ten years ago, before China’s WTO accession, a Santana cost near £20,000 (RMB 200,000) in China. Now, one can just pay £10,000 (RMB 100,000) to own a Santana. White-collar workers in Beijing and Xi’an, Shanxi province, who responded to the interview, all bought a car in the past two years. The prices of their cars were £15,000 (RMB 150,000) on average. They all said that the price is acceptable and affordable, and that they don’t have to wait for years to get enough money to make this purchase. However, they also complained about the traffic conditions in their city.

Mr Yang said: “China’s WTO entry has benefited Chinese consumers a lot. First, they have more selections. People can look up the information of every car in the world on the internet. Second, as the tax is much lower, Chinese consumers do not have to worry about money for getting an ordinary car. Third, with the concept of 4S stores being brought into Chinese car culture, Chinese customers can enjoy better service.”

There is an interesting finding in these interviews, that is all the interviewees prefer products from Chinese-foreign joint ventures, such as the Shanghai-Volkswagen, and the FAW- Volkswagen. Sina, a famous Chinese portal website, produced a report on the performance of the Chinese vehicle market in the first half of 2011. The report demonstrated that among the ten best sellers, nine of them are produced by Chinese-foreign joint ventures.

Mr Yang gave his opinion on this phenomenon: “Admittedly, Chinese consumers prefer foreign products. But they are too expensive, most of the times. To compromise, they are chasing cars made in Chinese-foreign joint ventures. These mixed-bloods have advantages in perspectives of skills and prices.”

In terms of anthropology, some people believe that mixed-race babies are more beautiful and smarter than babies whose parents are from same ethnic groups. While in the field of industry, some people think that joint ventures can offer better choice for their customers – advanced foreign techniques and comparatively lower price, for instance. Thus, in the vehicle industry, the joint ventures bring together both techniques and markets.

Well, are there any shortcomings along with these advantages? The answer is yes. Mr Yang said: “Although their (joint ventures’) products have more customers, it does not mean that Chinese factories can earn that much. When we applaud the advanced techniques imported from foreign partners, we cannot ignore the fact that we pay for the right to use these techniques.

“Usually, the two partners can get 50% of the profits each. However, Chinese factories have to pay extra for the right to use these techniques. So our income is much less. What is more, we can use these techniques, but we don’t know the core theory. It is like we pay for the fish to eat, but we still have no idea about fishing. So we have to keep spending money.”

There is an old Chinese saying: “If you want to help someone, teach him to fish, not just offer him fish”. If the Chinese vehicle industry really wants not just a bigger market, but also the ability to produce for this market, they should never give up developing their own techniques instead of merely learning or borrowing from their partners.

Mr Yang also mentioned that these days, if some investors still hope to have a finger in the pie of the Chinese vehicle industry, they’d better put their money on spare parts production.

Anastasia Wang is a Regional Representative for Asian Correspondent based in Mainland China.

Less than 3 months and the Chinese Spring Festival, the biggest and the most important festival in China, will be on us. This means that the Spring Festival Gala is on its final preparation. And curiosity regarding the programme rundown is not just limited to the media, but has also affected the Chinese people.

According to the lunar calendar, 2012 is the ‘dragon year’ in China. The chief director of the Dragon Year Gala, Ha Wen, said that this year the public will have much easier access to the procedure unlike before, when there was a lot of effort put in trying to keep everything is kept under wraps until it goes live. Recently, we found a rundown, believed to be the Dragon Year Gala’s, on the Internet.

This rundown is detailed in every aspects, including time arrangements, names of every programme, performers, and even scripts. These details make this schedule more believable. It is said that this rundown was revealed by a staff of CCTV (Chinese Central Television). The rundown proves that the Dragon Year Gala has similar programmes to the Rabbit Year Gala held in 2011. However, the proportion of stars from Hong Kong and Taiwan is less than that in 2011.

Preparations for the Chinese Spring Festival. Pic: AP

However, Ha has denied these speculations to the Xiaoxiang Morning: “So far, we just confirmed that we will set up the whole show based on the Reunion topic. That is all.”

Besides, a lot of celebrities in the rundown have announced that they have not been contacted yet but have expressed that they would be happy to attend this national event.

On the other hand, Ha said that the Gala would like to invite some famous people from the grassroots-level. However, she refused to cite any examples. A producer from a grassroots-talent show indicated that the programme was negotiating with CCTV to see whether it would be possible to have one show for them.

Sketch is one of the most attractive format in Spring Festival Gala. Zhao Ben-shan is the most famous and oldest actor in sketch performance. Thus he and his sketch for the Gala is always in the spotlight each year. And in 2012, Zhao will bring the new show, Western Daughter-in-law, with his apprentice Xiao Shen-yang.

Hui Luo is a Regional Representative for Asian Correspondent based in the UK. Hui writes about all things Mainland China.

Feng Shao-feng, the 2011 Ambassador of the Green Travel Pioneers, was invited as the Chinese representative to attend the 17^th United Nations Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa. Feng was the first Chinese male youth idol who joined this conference.

Nowadays, eco-friendly is no longer new to us. In fact, there are more and more people concerned about what we can do to protect the earth and to reduce the damages on the environment. In this Climate Change Conference 2011, most members, including China, are trying their best to provoke more people into contributing towards ecological activities.

As we all know, the sponsors of the conference will invite a representative of today’s youth who have been recognised for their excellent work in their specialised areas, including public welfare. And this is the first time that a Chinese national has been invited.

The chief executive of Green Travel Foundation, Dr. Zhang Jian-yu, explained the importance of this event: “He [Feng Shao-feng] is so excellent in eco-friendly activities, and also an influential person in China. Besides, Feng has a nice image in public which is very important for our representative.”

Feng told us that it was simple to protect the environment: “Take Green Travel as an example, using public transportation as often as you can. Compared to cars, bicycles and walking could be another better options as they are cheaper and healthier to your life.” Feng adde:, “It is my honour to attend the conference in South Africa. I cannot wait to show our Chinese passion in such a wonderful worldwide event.”

The 17^th Climate Change Conference hosted by the United Nations will be held from 28^th November to 9^th December.

Hui Luo is a Regional Representative for Asian Correspondent based in the UK. Hui reports about all things Mainland China.

Have you ever noticed that many Chinese people are obsessed with the colour red? Especially people around their mid 40s to their early 70s. This is because these people were born during the special time in China – the civil war or the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution.

When I was young, I had a particular class to learn the history of the Chinese national flag and the song. It is said that the red flag is a symbol of the soldiers’ blood; we should always keep in mind that our democracy was earned by our soldiers who scarified their own lives. Reviewing the historical archives of China, from books to films, you can find out that the colour red often has specific meaning – sometimes it is for leaders, sometimes it for justice, sometimes it is a symbol for heroes. I remembered an old movie called Spring. It talks about the civil war between 1920s to 1940s. I was around 10-years-old when I first saw it. I was impressed by it even at that age as even though it is a black and white movie, you can see only red in it – the red flag, the red scarf, and blood, everything in red. Because there is no other colour in it, the red is more pronounced than usual, making it scarier. I knew that it was purely a black and white film originally, but people painted the colour red during the editing. In China, red has its own historical infections.

We all know that brides will dress in red costumes during traditional Chinese weddings. In fact, red has been seen as an important element in Chinese tradition and culture. It always relates to luck, happiness and good wishes. So when the Chinese have to celebrate something, they would like to decorate with plenty of red. On the other hand, we take black or white as unlucky or symbols of sadness. We only use these colours in formal occasions or during funerals. However, recent trends indicate that Chinese couples will also choose a western wedding format with the bride in a white dress.

When I was young, my mother always designed red dresses, red ribbons and red shoes for me, especially during Chinese festivals. This made me hate the sight of red for a long time. However, I started to love red after I went to university. Suddenly, I feel that red is a colour of happiness and brightness – especially for the Chinese who have yellow skin, the colour can make you look healthy and energetic. When I went abroad for my studies to the UK, dressing in red with my Asian looks made it is easy for people to recognise and set me aside as Chinese.

I have a Polish friend who is in favour of green, I have a Scottish classmate who loves trellis design, and a Canadian friend who collects decorations with maples. Loving the colour red is an obsession for the Chinese, but I think to be in favour of something relating to your country is an obsession for everyone who loves their country. Such a fantastic obsession!

Hui Luo is a Regional Representative for Asian Correspondent writing on issues in mainland China. Hui is based in Cardiff, UK.

The past few weeks have seen the Australian media flooded with news and discussions about the Queen’s 16^th, and possibly last, visit to Australia. There have been discussions about her diet, itinerary and agenda for each city. Also, a little inevitable controversy has ensued with protesters who demand a republican form of government. On 20^th October, Her Majesty finally arrived in Canberra. She was greeted with cheers and a warm welcome. However, it seems as though being simply warm is not good enough, especially when it’s the Queen on the receiving end.

Amongst the various discussions, the latest controversy is regarding Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s bold decision to bow in front of the Queen instead of curtseying. Traditionally, men are supposed to perform a neck bow and women are supposed to do a small curtsy in front of the Queen. Without a doubt the PM’s act has triggered the media and put forward yet another debatable factor.

The ABC News has criticised her decision by describing the greeting as ‘wobbly’ and a royal mess. News.com.au titled their article “Look Julia, this is how you do it: Girl shows PM how you greet the Queen”. The Herald Sun however, published an article explaining the Prime Minister’s defence on her decision. They also posted a video titled ‘To curtsy or not to curtsy’. Even though the overall reaction has been critical, it does raise the question: Should Prime Minister Gillard have curtseyed?

Queen Elizabeth II meets with members of the public after arriving at Fairbairn airforce base in Canberra, Wednesday. Pic: AP

According to ABC News, Australia’s queen of etiquette, June Dally-Watkins, has strongly disapproved of Ms Gillard’s greeting. She described it as wobbly, rude and shameful. She also feels that the PM should have worn a hat.

On the other hand, Gillard defended her decision by stating that she was officially given the option to either curtsy or respectfully bow her head. She chose the latter as it was within her comfort zone. On the other hand, Governor-General Quentin Bryce received accolades for the way she greeted the Queen, which was considered respectful, polite and delightful.

Even though Australia is still a part of the commonwealth, in the Prime Minister’s defence, Australia has over the years developed its own unique and distinctive culture. Australia has never been as formal Britain – in fact in Australia, kindness, warmth and a genuine smile is considered above all else. Gillard expressed her respect and acknowledgement by bowing and politely shaking hands. Moreover, wearing a hat is far from customary in Australia. Since Australians are traditionally not imposing, there are not any hard and fast rules regarding behaviour as long as they are respectful. Hence, there were little girls curtseying and the Governor General herself chose to wear a hat.

A greeting tailored just for the Queen would not have attracted criticism, however, the flexibility and choice combined with endearment made it a true Aussie welcome.

Kritika Seksaria is a Regional Representative for Asian Correspondent based in Melbourne, Australia.

Today a book will appear in book stores around the world –  Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. At this moment, the Chinese version is almost done, and the editors are proofreading it for the last time. Asian Correspondent’s Anastasia Wang interviewed the chief editor of the Chinese version biography, Mr Zhao.

“It [the book] tells the world what Jobs has done and Apple’s development in the last 20 years,” Zhao said. “Walter Isaacson is a well-known biography writer. He interviewed more than 100 people for this book, including Jobs’ friends and rivals. This book is much more objective and detailed than others.”

Steve Jobs. Pic: AP.

It seems that Jobs always had innovative idea to reform the world and bring people’s life onto a brand-new stage, from the first personal computers to the iPod and iTunes (which changed the music industry). More recently, the iPhone has put the Internet in people’s pockets while the iPad is currently leading another revolution.

Without a doubt, he was a genius. “What the world is like now is what Jobs had imagined 20 years ago,” Zhao said. “All these ideas stayed in Jobs’ mind for 20 years. He just realized them one by one, no matter what barriers were in front of him. To me… he succeeds because he persists. He sticks to perfection. And when his partners agreed with him, their talents made a huge difference.”

With the release of the new book we will all be able to get a better idea of what made this great man tick.

Singapore is a city of contradictions. Is it a bustling metropolis? An exotic tropical island? A ruthless Asian Tiger? It’s impossible to sum up the unique country in a single phrase, but we can separate the truth from exaggeration. Here’s a look at 10 common misperceptions.

1.     Singapore in China.
Yes, Singapore is 74% Chinese. No, it’s not a part of China. In fact, Singapore is located in Southeast Asia, just south of Malaysia, 3,801 kilometers from Shanghai. While Chinese culture is a big part of Singaporean life, it’s just one aspect of its vibrant mishmash of multiethnic local traditions. Chinese New Year is a big deal, but so are Hari Raya, Deepavali and Christmas.

2.     Singaporeans can’t speak English.
Non-Singaporeans are frequently astonished when they discover that Singaporeans can speak fluent English. In fact, English is the primary language of business, government and instruction here. While Chinese, Malay and Tamil are commonly used as well, almost everyone is bilingual to some extent.

3.    Singapore is run by an authoritarian regime.
The People’s Action Party dominates elections, government bureaucracy and the media. There is little chance of any opposition making a serious impact on institutions and policy. This may have been true in the past, but Singapore’s socio-political landscape is changing rapidly.

Pic: AP.

The recent general and presidential elections are the best testaments to this. Newly elected President Dr. Tony Tan faced fierce competition despite strong support from the PAP and was elected by the skin of his teeth. Most dissent used to take place online and was often tinged with self-defeatist resignation. Today it is quickly spilling into the mainstream and demanding serious consideration by the powers that be.

4.       Singapore is a nanny state.
You can’t chew gum, smoke weed or graffiti public transport for fear of caning or death by hanging. US comedian Seth Rogen got quite a few Singaporeans riled up when he painted the city as a “barbaric… and frightening… benevolent dictatorship” in an interview with Conan O’Brien.

While there is harsh corporal punishment for crimes involving drugs, rape, murder, vandalism and so forth, the idea that Singaporeans are living in blissful ignorance under the iron fist of totalitarianism is false. Singaporeans are well aware that the restrictions placed on them are excessive compared with other countries, but generally agree that the safety and cleanliness they enjoy are a worthy pay-off. The average law-abiding citizen would have no reason to be concerned with the cane or noose anyway.

As for visitors, they are made well aware of the rules before they enter the country and it makes sense that they should be expected to follow them – just as any Singaporean should be expected to abide by the rules of whatever country they are in. Also, it isn’t illegal to chew gum here, just to import and sell it.

5.     Singaporeans are uptight.
They can’t take a joke – look how they overreacted to that hilarious Seth Rogen video! This seems to stem from a perception that Asians in general lack the ability to laugh at themselves. I beg to differ. Take a look at this popular blog and website for Singaporean self-deprecation at its finest.

6.      Singaporeans are apathetic and uninformed.
There is a big difference between indifference and ignorance. It is almost impossible in this day and age to be completely oblivious to the news of the day, especially when controversial issues arise. It might be true that Singaporeans are less likely to speak up for fear of sanction, but that should not be mistaken for a lack of concern.

Pic: AP.

Some might say that the lackluster showing at the attempt to “Occupy Singapore” is a symptom of passivity, but there are many other ways to achieve constructive change. The fact that such a protest was attempted, no matter how ineffectively, is proof that Singaporeans are anything but apathetic, much less uninformed.

7.        Singaporean kids have no fun.
Is Singapore full of Tiger Mums (and Dads)? Well, one couple did make it onto an episode of “World’s Strictest Parents.” Singapore’s education system definitely places a strong emphasis on grades, especially since children start taking standardized tests at the tender age of 12. But children all over the world are facing increased pressure to excel in school, and parents can be equally strict everywhere. There are “cram schools” in India, China, the United Kingdom, the United States… the list goes on. Children here are just like their counterparts in other countries. There are those who study way too hard, and those who hardly study at all.

8.    Singapore has no local Arts scene.
Singapore is sterile and boring – it’s only concerned with economic growth. No one is going to make a living as a singer, actor or painter. Local artistes certainly do have a tough time competing against the wave of Hollywood movies, TV shows and music that have consumed the island. But they are an ever-growing presence.

Pick up a copy of Juice, Singapore’s premier “indie” magazine, for a look into the not-so-underground world of local music. Playwrights like Dick Lee and Alfian bin Sa’at are household names. TV shows like The Pupil, Singapore’s first legal drama, and The Noose, a hilarious satirical fake-news program, are light-years ahead of previous locally produced fare.

In 2010, Singaporeans took part in an average of 92 arts- and culture- related activities everyday. It looks like that number is poised to increase as more young people choose to go to schools like the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and LASALLE College of the Arts over traditional universities.

Pic: AP.

9.      Singaporean men are whipped.
I blame this on articles like this. Somewhere along the way, a caricature of Singaporean men as metrosexual, handbag-carrying wimps has emerged. We are talking about men who have had to spend two years in mandatory military training. They know how to fire guns, survive in the jungle and scale really high walls. In all seriousness, there is no way to prove or disprove this charge. To each his own.

10.     Singaporean women are materialistic.
They are more interested in finding a man who can provide for them than “true love” (whatever that means). They want designer handbags, luxury cars and beautiful houses. Sarong Party Girls are constantly on the prowl for rich Caucasian men who can introduce them to the high life. There are those who argue that there is a fine line between materialism and pragmatism. I tried to get a response from Singaporean women but none of them could be reached. Prada had just announced a 50% storewide discount.

Sharon Chen is a Regional Representative for Asian Correspondent based in Singapore. You can follow her on Twitter @thisissharons

I just finished a book called Chinese Cinderella which is written by Adeline Yen Mah. This autobiography is the story of an unwanted daughter in China. Adeline Yen Mah’s family considered her to be bad luck because her mother died giving birth to her. They discriminated against her and made her feel unwanted all her life.

Though the book tracks her life from the 1930s to 1950s, what this unwanted daughter went through is still happening in China today.

Adeline Yen Mah was seen as a “bad luck” girl because of her mother’s death. But at least she was lucky enough to be born into a wealthy family and had a chance to go to university in England, which changed her destiny.

However, most of the unwanted daughters in China have tragic lives and no way to escape. We all know that boys are valued more than girls in China. You can see that there are always more girls than boys in orphanages. Most of the boys in orphanages are either mentally or physically disabled.

The general trend is that the lower the education level, the stronger the desire among couples to have sons. And the more children they have, the poorer they are. Because the mother might not be able to work due to pregnancy, and the father is unable to earn enough money to feed the new babies, children may be abandoned, and it is the daughters that are always the first to go. You can easily find such stories in the media.

What impresses me so much in Adeline’s book is the character of her stepmother. Adeline’s stepmother is a typical storybook stepmother. She is mean, cruel, and spoiled her own children but discriminated against the stepchildren. The author was scared of her stepmother her whole life. So much so that she did not start to write the book until her stepmother died in 1990. It is obvious that nearly all the sadness in Adeline’s experience came from her stepmother.

The fact is that books and TV dramas instilled in me a dim view of stepmothers from an early age.

In fact, I have a bad image of stepmothers from the series drama when I was young.  I was so scared to have a stepmother that I kept asking my mother whether she felt well or not, and I begged her that if she was going to divorce my father then to please take me with her as it seems a stepfather is better than a stepmother.

But just recently, I was so surprised to find out that the wife of my new landlady is a stepmother. She treats her two stepsons with kindness and great patience. After reading this book, I kept thinking about my landlady and her stepsons and I have to admit that there are some really good stepmothers out there. But as my landlady confided, it was not easy to be a stepmother, especially when the children compare you to their biological mother. They will blame the stepmother for the split in their family. Stepmothers have to spend more time and effort to build better relationships with their stepchildren.

Hui Luo is a Regional Representative for Asian Correspondent writing on issues in mainland China. Hui is based in Cardiff, UK.

For the sixth year running, the World Bank’s annual “Doing Business” survey has named Singapore the easiest place in the world to set up a business. This year’s survey included a new measure, the “distance to frontier,” which shows how much “the regulatory environment for local entrepreneurs in each economy has changed over time.”

From AFP:

For the report, the World Bank gathered information on changes in legal frameworks, administrative procedures and technical obstacles in launching or expanding a business.

The Washington-based development lender also drew on public institutions, universities, legal experts and entrepreneurs to measure trading conditions.

It’s no surprise that Singapore came out tops, given its open-borders policy and generous corporate tax breaks. Jennifer Granholm, former governor of the US state of Michigan, discussed the secret to Singapore’s success in an recent interview with Jon Stewart.

She recounted asking a panel of multinational CEOs which country has the best formula for attracting their investment.

They all said Singapore.

They said that Singapore has got an economic development strategy where they have identified their strengths as a nation. They are targeting foreign investment – foreign companies to come to build off of those strengths so that people can be hired.

[Singapore says] ‘When you come here we’ll give you streamlined permitting, we’ll give you access to capital so you can get your technology and your equipment in the ground, we’ll link you up with supply chains so that you’ve got a cluster around you.’

They have a strategy.

This is neither the tightly controlled state-run capitalism practiced in China nor the idealistic laissez faire approach traditionally championed by the US. Rather, she suggests, it is simply an effective partnership between government and the private sector. And it just might be what is needed to create those elusive jobs in America. Bringing in foreign MNCs and fostering local entrepreneurship would help revive the economy and get people back to work.

It is difficult to imagine Americans embracing such a proposal given the current backlash against corporations and foreign competition. As companies fear overregulation and citizens resent the influence of corporate interests, how can the two come together? Does this come down to a question of separating economics from politics?

The World Bank’s ideology, a legacy of Western liberal democratic principles dating back to the Washington Consensus, runs contrary to Singapore’s “government knows best” philosophy. Granholm herself dismisses the country’s political system as “basically a dictatorship.” Yet, both the World Bank and Granholm clearly approve of Singapore’s economics.

Every country is built on core beliefs that influence its basic structure in fundamental ways. All states are naturally resistant to change. But perhaps the US has something to learn, even if it is from an unexpected source like Singapore.

Sharon Chen is a Regional Representative for Asian Correspondent based in Singapore.

 Have you been impressed by the dragon dress displayed by Bingbing Fan, a famous Chinese actress, at the Cannes festival red carpet? Not only on the international red carpet, Chinese actresses also try to do their best at home. 

Along with Chinese movies received some awards in some international filmfests, and China has its own film festival – the Shanghai Film Festival, Chinese female movie stars have appeared in many festivals and given various fashion shows on every red carpet. 

Actually, compared to the film and awards, actresses’ dresses can often attract more attention and arouse more discussions on the internet. So, it seems that the fashion show do help those girls be famous or more famous at home. However, how does it work abroad? At the end of the day, they gave the show to hunt opportunities in foreign market, didn’t they? 

Miss Fan’s dragon dress was a huge topic, so huge that when another actress copied this idea in China, she also got big attention and both of their pictures occupied the important positions in the entertainment section for many days. Other than such discussions, what we and she really expect are invitations to some Hollywood movies and the opportunity to show the world the quality of Chinese movies. But there is no hint yet.

Well, once upon a time, in the 1930s’, a Chinese well-known actress walked out and reached London. She didn’t give any show but received great treatment – she was invited and given a tour to British movie manufactory, and was asked to sign for foreign stars and take pictures with them. She is Die Hu, the movie queen in China at that time. After her, nobody else has been so concerned.

She was famous for leading in Chinese action movies. In those days, Chinese action movies and Hu’s “Kungfu” were fascinating to non-Chinese audiences. They were admired. This admiration still works when it helps Bruce Li, Jackie Chan and Jet Li become the most famous action actor in Hollywood, and helps Chinese director An Li back to the stage when he succeeded in directing the Chinese action movie Crouching tiger, hidden dragon.

But what is weird is that most of those movies are produced by Hollywood rather than Chinese film industry. From then on, many Chinese movie stars seek to have a place in Hollywood, like wearing unexpected dresses. Well, why not produce something really influential ourselves, by all means, there is a biggest market in China. Maybe it is time to have a third –wood apart from Hollywood and Bollywood.

In a dialogue session at the World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention, Singapore’s former prime minister Mr. Lee Kuan Yew shared his concerns over the erosion of the Chinese language. The Straits Times reports:

Mr. Lee… is… concerned that some 30 years after English became the first language, the pendulum is now swinging too much in the opposite direction.

Many younger Singaporeans may now lose out from not being able to speak Mandarin, he said, stressing that Chinese Singaporeans who gave up Chinese were losing ‘something very valuable’.

They would lack self-confidence as ethnic Chinese and would also not be able to take advantage of the rise of China and its attractive market of 1.3 billion people.

Lee Kuan Yew is worried about the erosion of the Chinese language in Singapore. Pic: AP.

Language is a curious thing in this multi-cultural country. There are four official languages: English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil. In school, lessons are conducted in English but a second language is mandatory. Students also have the option of learning a third language, most often German, French or Japanese.

As a rapidly globalizing majority Chinese population surrounded by Malay-speaking Muslim nations, it is no surprise that Singapore faces a “language identity crisis.” Aside from deciding which language should dominate, debate has arisen recently over the use of “contemporary” American English over “antiquated” Queen’s English, a legacy of British colonialism. Singlish, a colloquial form of English, has been simultaneously embraced and disdained by locals, often seen as appropriate only in specific social situations.

Inculcating bilingualism has consistently been a cornerstone of the People’s Action Party’s public policy. There have been various campaigns encouraging Singaporeans to both “Speak Good English” and remember how “cool” their mother tongues can be. Candidates for public office often use the ability to speak in multiple languages and dialects to prove their solidarity with the everyday man.

A Poster for a "Han Yu Cool (Chinese is Cool)" Campaign launched in 2006

A Poster for a "Speak Good English" Campaign Launched This Year

Singaporeans are told from a young age that our bilingualism is an asset. It reflects our enlightened nature and places us in prime position to reap benefit from the gulf between East and West. All this hopes to maintain the image, both domestically and overseas, of an internationally competitive nation that holds fast to its cultural roots.

But, it is easy to forget just how difficult it is to be effectively bilingual. One has to be constantly exposed to both languages in different forms – books, TV, and music – and in association with different subject matter – news, pop culture, and technical jargon – to keep them in tiptop condition. Attending mandatory language classes from the ages of 7-19 does not automatically make one fluent.

For decades, Singapore has whole-heartedly opened its shores to the English-speaking world. We welcome Western businesses and expats with little hesitation, readily send scholars over for “better” educations, and have become so well-versed in their popular culture it has permeated virtually all aspects of local life.

Today, as China continues to become a bigger player on the international stage, more and more Chinese Singaporeans emphasize their bilingualism. We add Chinese to the “languages” sections of our Facebook pages, LinkedIn profiles and résumés, regardless of our actual ability. We tell our children that they have to master the language to succeed in the future.

How we speak is indelibly tied to our sense of self. It encompasses how we think, how we communicate and how others perceive us. In an increasingly connected world where cosmopolitanism is quickly becoming a prized possession, perhaps bilingualism has become a commodity. And, where there is little ability to back up the claim, a myth.

Sharon Chen is a Regional Representative for Asian Correspondent based in Singapore.

A report released by the Ministry of Manpower on Tuesday paints a rosy picture of Singapore employment.

Infographic available at http://www.mom.gov.sg/Documents/statistics-publications/Infographic/mrsd_infographic_singaporeans_in_the_workforce_111011.pdf

According to the report, 77% of Singaporeans aged 25 to 64 were employed in 2010 and the citizen labor force participation rose from 63.7% in 2001 to 64.7% in 2010. However, numbers for the older population (aged 55 to 64) fell behind Japan, South Korea and the United States. In particular, the proportion of employed older women remained lower than in many economies. Singaporeans’ median monthly income from work grew by 11%.

The Straits Times has also reported that 68% of Singapore companies plan to hire over the next two years, according to a poll conducted by office-solutions provider Regus. It stressed that the job market is optimistic despite the current economic downturn:

National business sentiment and activity do not seem to be unduly affected, with businesses actively investing in their most valuable asset: people power.

A clear move towards more flexible working practices was also observed, with firms looking to hire more freelancers, graduates and remote workers as they ‘seek competitive advantage now and growth in the months to come’, Regus said.

The firm added that 50 per cent of companies indicated plans to hire more freelance staff, while 32 per cent planned to employ more remote workers.

This is good news for the majority of the population, although it must be noted that some question if the numbers truly reflect higher wages and better prospects for all, especially given Singapore’s manufacturing slowdown. Older workers are still disadvantaged and the growing trend of “flexible working practices” – contract workers, interns, and freelancers – has implications that are yet to be seen.

Drunkenness is a vice; of which ‘shouting’ is a parasite, said an Australian wowser in the 1800s. ‘Shouting’ is the Australian term describing the popular trend of buying a round of drinks for a group of fellow drinkers. Australia’s passion for shouting and more evidently its love for liquor dates back to the convict era.

According to some sources, the colony’s inhabitants drank more alcohol per capita than any other time in human history. At the time of Australian colonisation, it was the norm in Europe to drink heavily. Thus, when European fleets arrived, they brought with them the tradition of heavy drinking that turned into a significant ritual of male solidarity.

Alcohol was relevant economically as well because spirits were used in barter and convicts were partly paid in rum. Therefore rum became a currency of the colony and made sense out of the following statement:

“The population of Sydney (circa 1806) was divided into two classes, those who sold rum and those who drank it” – Dr George Macakness

Pic: AP.

Besides ‘shouting’, the other popular drinking practice in Australia is called ‘work and bust’. It is the custom of long lasting binge drinking after a period of hard work in the bush.

‘Work and bust’ is still applicable to Australian culture even though it is not always associated with people working in the bush. Regardless of the profession, Aussies love to enjoy their booze when knackered.

In my experience, university life was spiced up by the prospect of going to the on campus pub in between or after classes. Moreover, last day of class or important presentations and seminars more often than not consisted of professors bringing in beer, wine and, one time, tequila shots!

In this day and age people are more conscious about the ill effects of alcohol. Increasing awareness on health issues has reduced the trend of binge drinking. However, the culture has never disregarded the tradition of enjoying their liquor. Aussies love to drink with their meals. A glass of wine with lunch or dinner is looked upon as a harmless and comforting norm. Barbecues, one of the most traditional Australian cuisines, are also best complimented with beer.

Per capita consumption of alcohol in Australia is high by world standards. Australia is ranked within the top 30 highest alcohol-consuming nations, out of a total of 180 countries. Recent estimates state that the per capita consumption of alcohol is 9.88 litres of pure alcohol in 2007.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, over the past 50 years, the level of apparent consumption of different alcoholic beverages has changed substantially; in particular, the proportion of pure alcohol available for consumption in the form of beer has decreased from 76% to 43%, while the proportions of wine have increased from 12% to 37% and spirits from 12% to 19%

The possibility for the increased demand for wine is largely due to the fact that it can be relished with food and is healthier than beer. Moreover, wine prices are significantly lower than beer and spirits, often being marked down to $3.99 a bottle.

For Aussies, the culture of drinking kicks in at the age of 18 and becomes a significant aspect of social and sporting events. Although it has come a long way from the days of rum barter, special days on the Australian calendar are incomplete without alcohol.

Kritika Seksaria is a Regional Representative for Asian Correspondent based in Melbourne, Australia.

When a foreigner meets with a Chinese person who is or was studying journalism, thew will always ask, “what do you think about being a journalist in China?”. Have you ever been that foreigner before? I have been that Chinese person many times.

“I admit that there are a lot of restrictions on news reporting in China. But I don’t think it is such a tough environment as the Western media presents. As far as I am concerned, the circumstances for Chinese journalists are much better than before, even better than five years ago. Especially with the help of social media, journalists have more choices to gather information as well as tell the truth to the public.”

This is my typical answer to the question, and it is also a sincere answer.

We know that Facebook, Twitter and many other websites are blocked in China. You may wonder why the citizens can bear these things. In my point of view, it is because we do not need to use these websites in our daily life. We have Chinese Facebook and Twitter, we call them Renren and Weibo. For the people who do not need to keep in touch with foreigners, these social media can provide all the services they are looking for.

I think the problems are not that we cannot enjoy a free Internet in China, but how much the Chinese can express themselves.

Most of Chinese are not interested in politics, on the surface at least. The reason for that is because there are too many sensitive topics in it which are against the censorship laws. You may cross the line so easily even you didn’t intend to.

You can imagine how difficult it is for Chinese journalists to work in Mainland China. There are so many rules and principles that you have to follow. Theoretically, you can do anything you want as long as you do not break the rules.

Fortunately we have social media now. The government could easily cover something up in the past, but nowadays, with the help of social media, the public do not need to wait for information from the mass media. Besides, everyone can be a news reporter by using Renren or Weibo.

When there is an emergency, usually it is a scandal, the government keeps blocking the media at first. But then they find that there are hundreds of thousands of tweets about it. Apparently, some of them are true but most of them are exaggerating or misleading. So the government has to release the whole investigation through the media at last. People would call it the power of public awareness, such as the tragedy of the Chinese bullet trains and the scandal of the Chinese Red Cross.

To be honest, I do not want to be a journalist in China. Being a journalist in China is still more like a PR for the government. I believe the saddest thing for a journalist is that you can not tell the truth to the public, instead you have write down the words which you are asked to. I would like to keep my distance from the Chinese government, I think it is a better way to observe what the current situations look like in China.

Want to have your own business in China, but worrying about which industry you should invest in? Here are some insider suggestions.

Fast Food Industry
Fast food is famous by for being time saving, convenient and not expensive. Usually, lunch time for offices is no more than two hours. People would like to spend more time resting than eating. So fast food has become a main choice for them. With the development of the fast food industry, some related industries have been expanded as well, such as the semi-finished food products processing industry.

Building Contractors
I think you must have heard about how crazy the housing price is in China. But no matter how high it is, to buy a house is a dream for every Chinese. Thus, builders are listed in second place. It is estimated by experts that the property boom will last for at least another 10 years. In China, a building contractor can receive up to 10% from the project.

Green Environmental Protection Project
Talking about the hot issues in the 21^st century, environmental protection has to be in there. We have realised that renewable energy is the future of human beings. China is a country which consumes a great deal of energy every year. Consequently, not only the government but also the whole society desires to find a good way to develop the economy as well as protect the environment.

Human Resources Outsourcing Service
Although China has had a better recovery after the economic crisis, nearly all industries have different levels of loss. As a result, it is obvious that the labour market is a little in depression. But companies cannot be operated without people, so more and more people are trying another type of employment – HR outsourcing service. This new service can arrange enough work force for you in a particular duration.

Organic Food Service
Organic food is no longer a new product in the market. In fact, more and more people will look for it on shops’ shelves. Compared to eating different kinds of health products, it is better to eat healthier directly. Besides, organic food is a industry that helps the environment. By guaranteeing the high quality of the food from the ground to the table, we can enjoy the safer, healthier and better meals.

E-commerce
E-commerce has improved its outstanding performance in business as it saves a lot of resource for both the industries and the customers. Take 360buy.com as an example, it is just an E-commerce company on the Internet. It has not so much promotion over the years. The reason that it built up its reputation in online shopping so quickly is because its customers’ word-of-mouth advertising. There are 1.4 billion people in China, if you can earn good feedback from a group of people then word of your business can spread pretty fast.

Psychology Service
Psychology has a long-time misunderstanding in China. People who go to see a psychology doctor will be thought to be insane. But science has proved that mental problems or weakness is not insanity. And more and more people are suffering from these psychological problems as they are living under heavy pressures and fast-speed lifestyles.

Domestic Auto Industry
The Chinese government has developed its highway infrastructure in the past couple of decades. Automobiles are not merely the transportation tools but can be an icon, a hobby, as well as a collection. We can see that not only the sales market is expanding, but also the related industries, such as car accessories, maintenance and cleaning services.

Interior Decoration Industry
Interior decoration is another industry which related to housing. People are fond of decorating their own houses. It is said that the in the cities citizens would like to spend at least 20 thousand yuan (US$3,150) on their houses on average.

Real Estate
As we said before, houses are very important for Chinese. Although the real estate industry is listed 10th, we can see that it might be the industry that has the greatest potential to help you become a millionaire or billionaire by one project. The premise is that you have enough funds to invest in it.

The Noose, a hilarious satirical news program from Singapore, has been nominated for an International Emmy Award. It will compete against three other shows in the ‘Comedy’ category: Benidorm Bastards from Belgium, Breaking Up from Brazil, and Facejacker from the United Kingdom. The winner will be announced in New York City this November.

A caricature of The Noose's team of madcap reporters

This is surprising, and delightful, news for citizens of the small island city-state better known internationally for its strict laws and cautious media. But, does a show like The Noose really signal greater freedom of speech for the country?

Satire has always been a powerful tool of dissent. It uses the liberation of comedy to express genuine concerns. Whether it functions within a liberal society, like The Daily Show with Jon Stewart in the United States or a repressive one, like Parazit in Iran, it gives voice to alternative views that might be rejected in less palatable form. It is also a useful outlet for those under real threat of censure or even punishment: “I was just kidding!” is a useful excuse when confronted by your dictator’s henchmen. Of course, it can also be a double-edged sword: while it encourages critical thinking and develops shrewder citizens, it can also create a cynicism that is counterproductive to a true understanding of the issues at hand.

In Singapore, political satire has become a crucial part of the growing online culture that played a major role in the recent general and presidential elections. Personalities like Mr. Brown and websites like talkingcock.com mercilessly mocked the candidates and their campaign antics with videos and memes that quickly went viral through Facebook and Twitter. @Fake_PMLee, a parody of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, has over 17,000 followers. The irreverent feed makes constant reference to the close relationship Lee shares with Singapore’s founding father, tweeting recently:

“My dad says losing a GRC is not a disaster for Singapore. Finding alternative employment for 5 ex-Ministers/MPs is still manageable.”
In comparison, The Noose is tame humor. It rarely deals directly with the political, choosing instead to poke fun at social or cultural phenomena that is already widely acknowledged as absurd. Produced and broadcast by Mediacorp, wholly owned by government investment arm Temasek Holdings, the prime time show appears to be a government-sanctioned attempt to embrace this trend without actually questioning the wider structures of Singaporean life. Recurring characters such as Leticia Bongnino and Lulu (played by the wonderfully talented Michelle Chong) are caricatures of domestic helpers and immigrants from the People’s Republic of China that employ familiar stereotypes and lack the self-awareness to sincerely address the difficulties these groups face.

Certainly, it is unfair to demand anything more than laughs from The Noose as it doesn’t claim to have any higher ambition than entertainment. Yet, one still wonders if this form of “satire” dilutes the power of others who harness the medium to examine important subject matter.

Watch a clip of The Noose here:

The Noose: Leticia Bongnino, Celebrity Maid

Sharon Chen is a Regional Representative for Asian Correspondent based in Singapore.

The spectacular view of Surfer’s Paradise was further embellished this weekend as 357 bikini clad women strutted by the beach at the Surfers Paradise bikini parade. The event has made its mark on the Guinness Book of World Record, smashing the previous record set by Cayman Islands of 331 women in bikinis parading by the beach.

Bikini clad women strut their stuff in Surfers Paradise Sunday. Pic: David Clark, goldcoast.com.au.

Australian Guinness World Record adjudicator Chris Sheedy was on hand to officially declare the record attempt a success. According to a news report in the Herald Sun, he states:

Today 361 girls walked through the counter but there had to be a few disqualifications because they were not wearing bikinis. Unfortunately for the Cayman Islands they have had their record smashed because 357 walked through the count today.

As the sun was shining over the beach, the women walked by in glamorous colours ranging from pink, yellow, and red to all time favourites such as black and white. The sassy look was topped with hot pink caps worn by most of the women forming a uniform pattern as they walked by.

A newscast by Sky News mentions that the line stretched more than 200 metres and was rather distracting. Bikini inventor Paula Stafford, who introduced the two-piece bathing suit to Australia 65 years ago, honoured the event with her very cheery and graceful presence. Strutting around in her pants, shirt and the signature pink cap, Stafford told Sky News:

“I think it’s wonderful! It’s so exciting!”

The colourful event is expected to boost the tourism in Queensland, as it becomes the bikini capital of the world.

A large part of Queensland’s economy is dependent on tourism and the massive floods this year seem to have naturally deterred tourists from considering it as a holiday destination.

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan said tourism is vital to the Queensland economy, contributing over $9 billion per annum, with 51 million visitors last year.

The Gillard government along with the Queensland government announced a $10 million Tourism Industry Support Package to provide a vital boost for the many families and small businesses that depend on Queensland’s reputation as one of the world’s most attractive tourist locations.

Kritika Seksaria is a Regional Representative for Asian Correspondent based in Melbourne, Australia.

Debate rages on over Singapore’s controversial Internal Security Act despite the government’s unequivocal rejection of calls to repeal the act or form a Commission of Inquiry to investigate detentions made under it.

The ISA was passed in 1960 by a newly independent Malaya facing dangerous communist insurgents. It allowed the government to arrest individuals suspected of threatening the country’s security without warrant and detain them indefinitely without trial. When Singapore and Malaysia separated in 1965, both retained the ISA in slightly different forms.

Two weeks ago, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak announced plans to repeal the country’s controversial Internal Security Act (ISA). This prompted calls for Singapore to do likewise, bolstered by a statement made in 1991 by then Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong that Singapore would “seriously consider” abolishing its ISA if Malaysia were to do so.

The Ministry of Home Affairs made its case for keeping the ISA, declaring it has only been used “sparingly” and “no person has ever been detained only for their political beliefs.” It argued that the ISA “continues to be relevant and crucial as a measure of last resort for keeping the country safe and secure.”

Following this, 16 former detainees responded with a petition demanding an end to the act. They pointed out that political detainees have been imprisoned for up to 26 years, far longer than the 30 days permitted by the act, and relayed from personal experience the practice of unfair or absent trials.

The prized place the protection of human rights has come to occupy in international parlance makes the problem even trickier. Countries like Singapore and Malaysia have, time and again, championed so-called “Asian Values” in their attempt to carve out a place in a “Western” international system governed by liberal norms. Yet, I wonder if this takes cultural relativism too far, turning it into a “battle of moral one-upsmanship” that overlooks the individual lives at stake.

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad encapsulated the paradox when he expressed his support for his government’s decision in terms of winning the “moral high ground” over other developed countries. He compared those detained under the act to those currently held in Guantanamo Bay, saying:

Previously, they [the US] criticised Malaysia for purportedly being cruel by detaining people without trial. But they are the ones doing it now.

The desire to prove one’s moral legitimacy seems inconsistent with the appeal to human rights underlying such a decision. Associate Professor Bilveer Singh of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies has also suggested that Prime Minister Najib Razak’s decision was ‘driven primarily by domestic political considerations.’

Last week, the United Nations Human Rights Council concluded its first Universal Periodic Review of Singapore, a peer review process that each country undergoes every four years to ascertain its progress on human rights. On the list of changes Singapore has to make: repeal the ISA and other preventive detention laws.

Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said:

Singapore commits to human rights reform only at the margins, well away from any measures that would ensure meaningful freedom of association, expression, and assembly, which the government considers threatening to its unchallenged power.

Like every country facing the nebulous yet undeniable threat of terrorism, Singapore faces the difficult task of weighing security against the rights of the citizens it seeks to protect. It remains to be seen if, and how, the Singapore government can continue to justify such a divisive set of laws domestically and internationally.

Sharon Chen is a Regional Representative for Asian Correspondent based in Singapore.

One Child Policy is a policy with strong Chinese characteristics. As the term suggests, it means usually every family should only have one child. There are some exceptions, such as when one of the couple is doing a job as listed as dangerous or the partners are both the only child in their own families.

It is estimated that China has a population of 1.4 billion people. However, an age crisis is expected in the next 20 years. This means fewer workers and more welfare cost, and the abolition of the policy is a hot issue in China these days. In fact, Guangdong Province has applied to become an experimental area where every couple can have two children, but this has been rejected by the government.

A Chinese man lifts his child onto his shoulders as they pose for a picture in front of a portrait of late communist leader Mao Zedong in Beijing, China. Pic: AP.

This policy started in 1980. Although in some areas couples can have the second child if the first one is a girl, most couples have to follow the law to have only child. However, maybe the plan has worked too well. It was said that China would not have aging crisis until 2020. However, the figure came from China’s statistics bureau shows that China has turned into an aging society in 1999.

The low birth rate and the high demand of labor is problematic. It is funny to see that social scholars insist on the importance of the One Child Policy and development scholars emphasize the need for more young workers.

The policy has been successful in curbing population growth. However, it has also caused big differences between the percentages of male and female in the Chinese population – 120 boys for every 100 girls. Most countries in Asia have a long history as strong patriarchal societies. Consequently, Chinese families will prefer sons rather than daughters. Nowadays, such discriminations have changed a lot; but they still exist in China, even the major cities such as Shanghai.

As a girl living in Guangdong Province in China, I think it is unbelievable that Guangdong wants to abolish this policy because it thinks it has conducted it so well that it is time for their citizens to have two children.

Actually, most areas in Guangdong Province are doing quite well under this policy, except Chaoshan Area. People in this area not only prefer boys, but are insisting on having boys. In China, there is something called Hukou, which is an identification to show which province you belong to. It is said that if you have a child that breaks the One Child Policy, this child will not receive his or her Hukou. Without a Hukou, you might cannot go to schools or get support from the welfare system. But this policy has a problem – people who do not care whether their children have a Hukou or not simply ignore the policy.

But people living in Chaoshan Area have a much cleverer method. Here is an example: My friend’s elder sister found she was pregnant, which was her first child. As it is illegal to have the type-B ultrasonic to examine the baby’s gender, she will not know whether it is a boy or a girl until it is born. So she applied for an unpaid year off from work until she had given birth. She had a baby girl, so she decided not to claim a Hukou for her daughter. Meanwhile, the company knew that she had had a child, but as she gave birth during unpaid leave, her actions were not linked to the company. The company did not need to claim the new birth to the government. So according to the official documents, my friend’s sister has no children right now.

It is ridiculous, but it is common in the Chaoshan Area. And I believe in other areas they will have different ways to have children in secret. That is why so many national or foreign scholars say that the real size of the Chinese population has been underestimated.

In my opinion, the One Child Policy cannot be abolished right now. If everyone follows the rules now, hopefully the policy can be abolished in the future.

I did not consider studying abroad until the last year in my undergraduate study. Honestly, the most important reason for me to study in the UK is that I think this experience will highlight my CV. But now I am so happy that I made such a decision, which has changed my life forever.

Talking about the differences between Chinese Education and British Education, the most impressive image for me is the relationship between the teachers and the students.

We are taught to call our teachers with a Mr, Miss in front their surnames in China. No matter how close you are with your teachers, they are still your teachers. In other words, you have to show your respect to them anytime and anyplace. Moreover, you are not allowed to argue with your teachers as what they say is always right. If you disagree with your teachers, you are foolish or you are a bad student. The situation is better once you reach university, but only a little.

While in the UK, the teachers told us that we should only can call them by their first names in the first day. I was so surprised by this. It took me a while to get the hang of this, but I did after a few embarrassing moments.

Sara, Howard, Verica, Tony, Angela, these are my tutors names. I am so familiar with them, which makes it easier to forget their surnames. But I like them, I like talking with them rather than Mr Who or Ms Who. Calling by first names really shortens the distance between the teachers and the students, especially international students. We come here with a different culture and customs, and starting off on first-name terms breaks down a lot of barriers.

The other thing I cannot learn from the Chinese education is that the teachers can say “sorry” to the students as well. The first time I heard the “sorry” from my teacher was when the teacher had made some mistakes about a definition in the PowerPoint. In fact, it was not a big mistake as he did not update the definition according to the newest version. We would not know if he did not tell us. And he sent the email to correct the definition that night with his sincere apologies.

At first, I thought it was over exaggerated. But then I realise that it is very common in western countries. In their point of view, everyone in the teaching and learning process can be a teacher as well as a student. Students can learn knowledge under guidance from the lecturers and professors. Meanwhile, the teachers can improve their academic experience by teaching as every student will bring something new to the debate.

Thus, we can see that there will be discussions in the class not only between students but also between the students and teacher. In my experience, these arguments are another type of learning.

Generally, freedom is the most outstanding characteristic when I am thinking about western education. Freedom is for both teachers and students. I believe this is one of the most important reasons that why western countries can achieve higher and better educational outcomes compared to China.

Currently, in London, police have been circulating pictures of suspected rioters to the mainstream media in the hope that the general public can provide information on their location. A community effort is needed to bring these rioters to justice.

While a few years ago, in 2001, the British government was focused on helping pave a smooth transition of ethnic minorities in Britain, it seems that the conversation has now moved on.  The youth responsible for the riots were of various ethnicities and faiths and joined together to protest against growing social inequality in their community.   These, amongst others, included reasons such as unemployment, cuts to public funding as well as unfair police powers with the incessant stop – and – search regime.

The Guardian newspaper has commissioned a useful online series titled ‘Behind the Riots’ which showcase these views in the different areas of Salford, Brixton, Wood Green, Hackney, Clapham and Birmingham.

During the riots in Birmingham, three Pakistani men were tragically killed by a ‘hit-and-run’ accident while they were protecting a mosque from rioters who were looting the city. In other places, such as West Bromwich, a large number of Sikhs came out with sticks and metal bars to protect their place of worship from rioters.

This bravery by Asians to defend their community and homes was extended to east London, where computer shop owner, Mahbub Alam, indicated to the Telegraph that his community was determined to protect their businesses and way of life from the rioters so that they did not suffer like other communities across London.

The Asian community has also been on the mind of Bobby Friction, DJ from the BBC Asian Network. He tweeted that even though over the last ten years, Asian/ Muslim men were demonised by the media, more than any other group, he was proud that they did not riot in London at this time.

Rochelle Sampy is a Regional Representative for Asian Correspondent and is based in London, UK.