There are more than 700k Work Permit holders working here. Last night’s
Talking Point’s topic was about whether to integrate these foreign
workers or to leave them alone. The general view was that Sinkies must
take the initiative to reach out to these transient workers, to get to
know them, to organise activities for them or to participate in their
activities. One went further to suggest that the foreign workers should
be involved in our grass root activities, even patrolling to keep the
place safe. My eyes are rolling. I could go on to elaborate more of the
things the panellists would want to do to make these workers feel
appreciated, to tell him how grateful we are for them to build our
homes, roads and infrastructure and to help to grow out economy. I would
like to add that we should invite them to our homes on their festivals
or holidays, and likewise when we are celebrating ours. We should also
celebrate their birthdays and show them how caring and gracious we are.
It keeps me thinking. How much time does an average Sinkie has to
socialise and integrate with the foreign workers? Does an average Sinkie
has time for his/her parents, siblings, Sinkie friends and neighbours?
Or are they so tired after work and would like to have some moments of
peace and rest for themselves? There is this presumption that the
Sinkies have a lot of free time and a lot of energy and money to spend
time with the foreign workers. Their well being is our responsibility,
the responsibility of all Sinkies.
There were some sensible views expressed, like these are workers here to
make a living. Give them a decent place to live, to rest and to play.
Give them decent working environment, take care of them and make sure
they are paid. Don’t cheat on them. These are the responsibilities of
the average Sinkies? What about their employers and recruitment agents
who benefited from their labour and fees? What about the govt that
collects fees from the workers to be here? Shouldn’t it be their
responsibilities to take good care of them?
Do we need to integrate them to our way of life or we integrate into
their way of life? Are they citizens that are going to be part of us?
Are they PRs that are here on a long term basis to live with us and try
to be one of us?
There is one very serious issue that ‘seow’ Sinkies are taking for
granted. These are very nice people, like the rioters in Little India. I
have to be fair here when making this comment. In every community or
group of people, the majority are nice or decent people. These include
the Sinkies. But in every group, including Sinkies, there is always that
5% or 10% that could turn bad when given the opportunity or temptation.
You want to take the risk with them? You know which one is going to be
bad? You want our innocent young girls to go and socialise and play with
them?
One source of trouble with people is familiarity. When people get to
know someone too well, they get to know the weaknesses and vulnerability
of that person. When people are invited to your homes, they get too
familiar and could have naughty and dangerous ideas. Think of the
stranger you brought home and trusted to take care of your old parents
and children. There are that 5% to 10% that could bring harm to you
while you try to be very nice, very gracious, very caring and very
clever.
My view, very subjective, is that the foreign workers should be left
alone to live their lives as long as we don’t mistreat them, don’t
exploit them, don’t abuse them. There is no need to want to be too
clever or too nice. But there will also be the 5% to 10% of Sinkies that
would want to be very nice to them. Go ahead and be nice.
Do not force it upon the average Sinkies to go and socialise and
integrate with strangers they have nothing to do with in their lives. Do
not ask for trouble when there is no need to. Do not create the
familiarity and the temptation to bring harm to oneself or family
members when there is no need to. They live their lives and the Sinkies
that choose to live their own lives should stay that way.
Sinkies don’t ‘kee seow’ and ask for trouble that you would curse
yourself later on. Many will be lucky and have good experiences and
stories to tell. Better to treat each other at arms length, unless one
has good reasons to be connected out of necessity or work, and be
cautiously and tentatively respectful and safe. Often kindness does not
beget kindness but harm and pain. That is the hard truth in life. But of
course, for those who have so much time and love for the foreign
workers, do not be affected by my cautionary comments. Go and do what
makes you happy and make the foreign workers happy.
Kopi Level - Green
5/14/2014
IBs divide and rule in the net
With the GE around the corner, the activities of the IBs are growing in
intensity. And their main objective is to divide the bloggers, drive a
wedge between them and let them go scratching at each other and forget
the important issues facing the people and country. Gullible netizens
are easily goaded to attack other netizens on the flimsiest excuse at
the provocations of the IBs. Netizens must be aware of such divide and
rule tactics, to break the netizens into different groups and better
still, to get them attacking one another.
The other major objective is to get the opposition parties and their supporters to go attacking each other and the parties. When the opposition parties and their supporters start to do that, what is there to do but to ride the waves to victory while the oppositions are rattled, scattered and battered by trying to kill each other. They will be kept so busy without knowing why.
Beware of the IBs. Some may post as anti govt and spewed a few angry words, but the intent is to sow discords and create division. This is the time for opposition parties and their supporters, and netizens/bloggers to stay united, and to avoid tearing at each other. There is a bigger goal to achieve, a better Singapore for the true blue citizens of this island. Beware of fakes and saboteurs and provocateurs.Watch what they are doing.
Kopi Level - Yellow
The other major objective is to get the opposition parties and their supporters to go attacking each other and the parties. When the opposition parties and their supporters start to do that, what is there to do but to ride the waves to victory while the oppositions are rattled, scattered and battered by trying to kill each other. They will be kept so busy without knowing why.
Beware of the IBs. Some may post as anti govt and spewed a few angry words, but the intent is to sow discords and create division. This is the time for opposition parties and their supporters, and netizens/bloggers to stay united, and to avoid tearing at each other. There is a bigger goal to achieve, a better Singapore for the true blue citizens of this island. Beware of fakes and saboteurs and provocateurs.Watch what they are doing.
Kopi Level - Yellow
American treachery and treason against Asians
Below is an article by JOHN TIFFANY which reveals the American treachery and treason in setting A Class Japanese war criminals free in exchange for thousands of tons of gold that Japan looted from China and other countries.
During World War II, Japan conquered a large swathe of the globe, including most of the Pacific islands and all of eastern Asia. Emperor Hirohito, portrayed as an innocent “marine biologist,” in reality directed the looting of the national treasures found throughout this large chunk of the world. These include the wealth of Britain, Netherlands and France, which had moved their gold to Asia “for safety’s sake,” and the national treasures of 13 Asian nations invaded by Japan.
Why they call it Yamashita’s gold is anyone’s guess. In reality, it was the treasure of Hirohito. Yamashita merely worked for Hirohito.
The royal family was put in charge of supervising the whole process, and as much booty as possible was taken to Japan. Many treasure ships were scuttled in Tokyo Bay, with an eye to salvaging the loot when the war was over.
Some of the treasure was first taken to the Philippines. But the Americans began sinking Japanese ships left and right, so the emperor and his family decided to hide much of the treasure in caves in the Philippines, expecting and hoping that the islands would remain in Japanese hands at the end of the war and the loot could then be recovered.
The routine was to select a good cave, fill it with treasure, and then blowup the entrance to the cave, with the workers sealed inside where they would soon die.
After the war, many secret deals were made by the United States government to let Japanese war criminals, especially the top criminal, the emperor, and the royal family, off the hook. In exchange, much of the stolen gold, silver, gems, antiquities etc was secretly taken by U.S. government insiders, particularly the Office of Strategic Services (OSS)/Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and various generals in the military. This is where the secret agency got its first big financing—under the table of course. This secret dealing was itself one of the greatest crimes of the 20th century.
Noted historians and respected investigative journalists Sterling and Peggy Seagrave, in their book Gold Warriors: America’s Secret Recovery of Yamashita’s Gold, documented the multibillion dollar World War II loot, valued at perhaps over 120 billion 1945 dollars.
In December 1937, Japan declared war on China and surrounded the capital city, which at that time was Nanking. Prince Chichibu, younger brother of Hirohito, had been chosen to direct the ultra-secret treasure-looting team. This team was given a code name of “the Golden Lily” after a poem the emperor had written, and 6,600 tons of gold were recovered from Nanking alone, plus silver and precious stones. That was just the beginning of the emperor’s loot-the-world operation....
Collection of wealth throughout the conquered lands continued. With over 5,000 years of Asia’s antiquity to pillage, the amounts collected were astronomical. With Shanghai in their hands, the Golden Lily team found themselves stretched to the limit keeping up with the collection and melting down of precious metals....
After the war, much of the hidden gold and treasure was gathered up by Severino Diaz Garcia Santa Romana, an OSS and CIA agent, known as Santy. Santy worked with U.S. General Edward Lansdale and other corrupt U.S. generals and politicians, to secrete the gold in foreign bank accounts. The stolen loot was utilized for a variety of purposes, in particular the financing of U.S. cloak-and-dagger operations.
By John Tiffany
During World War II, Japan conquered a large swathe of the globe, including most of the Pacific islands and all of eastern Asia. Emperor Hirohito, portrayed as an innocent “marine biologist,” in reality directed the looting of the national treasures found throughout this large chunk of the world. These include the wealth of Britain, Netherlands and France, which had moved their gold to Asia “for safety’s sake,” and the national treasures of 13 Asian nations invaded by Japan.
Why they call it Yamashita’s gold is anyone’s guess. In reality, it was the treasure of Hirohito. Yamashita merely worked for Hirohito.
The royal family was put in charge of supervising the whole process, and as much booty as possible was taken to Japan. Many treasure ships were scuttled in Tokyo Bay, with an eye to salvaging the loot when the war was over.
Some of the treasure was first taken to the Philippines. But the Americans began sinking Japanese ships left and right, so the emperor and his family decided to hide much of the treasure in caves in the Philippines, expecting and hoping that the islands would remain in Japanese hands at the end of the war and the loot could then be recovered.
The routine was to select a good cave, fill it with treasure, and then blowup the entrance to the cave, with the workers sealed inside where they would soon die.
After the war, many secret deals were made by the United States government to let Japanese war criminals, especially the top criminal, the emperor, and the royal family, off the hook. In exchange, much of the stolen gold, silver, gems, antiquities etc was secretly taken by U.S. government insiders, particularly the Office of Strategic Services (OSS)/Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and various generals in the military. This is where the secret agency got its first big financing—under the table of course. This secret dealing was itself one of the greatest crimes of the 20th century.
Noted historians and respected investigative journalists Sterling and Peggy Seagrave, in their book Gold Warriors: America’s Secret Recovery of Yamashita’s Gold, documented the multibillion dollar World War II loot, valued at perhaps over 120 billion 1945 dollars.
In December 1937, Japan declared war on China and surrounded the capital city, which at that time was Nanking. Prince Chichibu, younger brother of Hirohito, had been chosen to direct the ultra-secret treasure-looting team. This team was given a code name of “the Golden Lily” after a poem the emperor had written, and 6,600 tons of gold were recovered from Nanking alone, plus silver and precious stones. That was just the beginning of the emperor’s loot-the-world operation....
Yasuhito,
Prince Chichibu of Japan’s royal family, in Singapore, was very pleased
when his men found the treasures of Britain stored in Asian banks.
Another pleasant surprise experienced by Prince Chichibu was the
discovery that the Dutch had moved their treasures to the East Indies.
Not only did Japan have the wealth of the Asian continent, but they were
now rewarded with much of the European treasures as well.
Collection of wealth throughout the conquered lands continued. With over 5,000 years of Asia’s antiquity to pillage, the amounts collected were astronomical. With Shanghai in their hands, the Golden Lily team found themselves stretched to the limit keeping up with the collection and melting down of precious metals....
By
mid-1942 Prince Chichibu was faced with the challenge of where and how
to hide the treasures so that they could not be discovered after the
war. He decided the loot would have to be hidden in caves and tunnel
systems.
As
the Seagraves explain, a pivotal event in the recovery of the Golden
Lily caches was the torture of General Yamashita’s driver, who
eventually confessed the whereabouts of some of the repositories.
After the war, much of the hidden gold and treasure was gathered up by Severino Diaz Garcia Santa Romana, an OSS and CIA agent, known as Santy. Santy worked with U.S. General Edward Lansdale and other corrupt U.S. generals and politicians, to secrete the gold in foreign bank accounts. The stolen loot was utilized for a variety of purposes, in particular the financing of U.S. cloak-and-dagger operations.
The
booty was combined with more treasure stolen from the Nazis to create a
vast slush fund called the Black Eagle Trust, which ultimately became a
source of enormous corruption, luring many individuals into temptation
and, sometimes, death.
This
bloody gold gave the Truman administration access to virtually limitless
unvouchered funds for secret, and usually unconstitutional, operations.
It
also provided an asset base that was used by Washington to beef up the
treasuries of its allies, to bribe politicians and to manipulate
elections.
It is a vast story and in this space we can only point out some highlights. But the purpose of Gold Warriors,
by the Seagraves, is to reveal why so little is known of the massive
Japanese looting of the world, and the devious and unconstitutional role
Washington politicians and bureaucrats played in the taking over of
much of this booty and glossing over horrible Japanese atrocities,
especially by the emperor and royal family, and the cover-up of all of
this, which continues to this day. They have backed up their book with
extensive research, and it is a very important contribution to the field
of authentic, Revisionist history....
John Tiffany is assistant editor of THE BARNES REVIEW
magazine of revisionist history and nationalist thought and has been
interested in diverse ethnic groups and ancient history around the
world. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the
University of Michigan and is the copy editor for AMERICAN FREE PRESS.
- See more at: http://americanfreepress.net/?Manila testing Beijing's patience
By Liu Qiang (China Daily) Updated: 2014-05-12 07:41
Comments Print Mail Large Medium Small
Manila testing Beijing's patience
By Liu Qiang (China Daily) Updated: 2014-05-12 07:41
Comments Print Mail Large Medium Small
Manila testing Beijing's patience
On May 6, the Philippines again created trouble in the South China Sea by illegally detaining 11 Chinese fishermen and seizing a boat in the waters off China's Half Moon Shoal in the Nansha Islands. On the same day, the Philippine military announced a so-called South China Sea defense plan, saying that to protect the Philippines' "national interest", it will resist "China's increasingly assertive behavior in the South China Sea".
The Philippines has recently been creating trouble in the South China Sea. It has sent a supply ship to the Ren'ai Reef off China's Nansha Islands, held joint military exercises with the United States, illegally detained Chinese fishermen and boats, and announced a South China Sea "defense plan", highlighting its increasingly aggressive stance on the the South China Sea issue.
China has long been advocating the use of peaceful means to resolve international disputes and remains committed to resolving the South China Sea issue on the basis of universally accepted maritime laws, for which it has even put forward the idea of "shelving disputes and carrying out common development".
Some countries involved in the South China Sea disputes, including the Philippines, have taken China's tolerance as cowardice and are acting aggressively. The Philippines' provocative actions challenge China's ability to safeguard its national sovereignty. Since the Philippines does not measure up to China either in economic or military strength, why does it dare to repeatedly create trouble in the South China Sea?
The answer lies in the US-Philippine alliance. Before US President Barack Obama paid a state visit to the Philippines, the two countries signed the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, reinforcing the US-Philippine military alliance. The agreement gives American forces temporary access to selected military bases and allows them to preposition fighter jets and ships. Also, it allows US forces to train Philippine troops to strengthen their maritime defense, and improve their humanitarian assistance and disaster relief activities. Reassured by Washington's security commitment, an emboldened Manila is now trying to act tough over the South China Sea dispute.
The Philippines is not alone in thinking that it will become invincible because of its alliance with the US; some other Asian countries, too, think so. And the US is taking advantage of these countries to implement its strategic rebalancing to Asia to weave a new Asia-Pacific security pattern.
The US' strategic rebalancing has given the Philippines an opportunity to fish in troubled waters. The US believes that China's rapid rise has broken the balance of power in the Asia-Pacific, so it has to implement its "pivot to Asia" strategy.
Manila believes the main goal of Washington's rebalancing strategy is to prevent China from replacing the US as the dominant power in the Asia-Pacific. Encouraged by this assumption, the Philippines is using the US muscle to "legitimize" its illegal occupation of China's islands and reefs. The fact is, the US' rebalancing strategy has failed to restore peace and stability in the region. On the contrary, it has disrupted the relatively stable strategic situation and raised the risk of conflicts and clashes. Given such a situation, the US should persuade its allies not to create trouble in the South China Sea.
Besides, the collusion among some countries locked in disputes with China over the South China Sea has also prompted the Philippines to take provocative actions against China. The Philippines and Vietnam illegally occupy many of China's islands and reefs in the South China Sea. Therefore, the two countries usually act in collusion over the South China Sea issue.
Just a day after Manila detained 11 Chinese fishermen, Vietnamese vessels intentionally collided with Chinese vessels in order to disrupt normal drilling operations by the China side in its waters. The incident reflected that Hanoi and Manila have joined hands to hype up the South China Sea issue to illegally seize China's islands and reefs. What Manila doesn't realize is that, its provocative actions are like the proverbial rock, which it has lifted only to drop it on its feet.
The overwhelming global trend is of peace, development and cooperation. So, the Philippines will be opposed by countries that are eager to maintain peace and stability in the region. And ultimately, the Philippine people will protest against the US' strengthened military presence in their country because of the painful memories of American colonial rule in the Philippines.
Moreover, given the progress of a "new type of major-power relationship" between China and the US, Washington might eventually disappoint its Asian allies when it comes to their disputes with Beijing. After all, US foreign policy has always given priority to its own interests. Also, it is doubtful whether the US will enter into full confrontation with China and seriously damage its interests just to humor its allies.
Above all, the Philippines should stop creating trouble in the South China Sea and testing Beijing's patience, because even with US help it cannot win an all-out confrontation with China. It's time the Philippines realized that the countries occupying Chinese territory will end up paying heavy price.
Furthermore, the South China Sea disputes are between China and some Southeast Asian countries. So, the involvement of other parties will only complicate the matter further. China has always advocated friendly negotiations with disputing countries to resolve the disputes, because it believes that they can properly handle the issue to maintain peace and stability in the region. If the Philippines (and other disputing countries) share this belief, it must release the Chinese fishermen as soon as possible, instead of complicating the matter further.
The author is a professor and director of International Security Research Center, affiliated to PLA International Relations University.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manila testing Beijing's patience
On May 6, the Philippines again created trouble in the South China Sea by illegally detaining 11 Chinese fishermen and seizing a boat in the waters off China's Half Moon Shoal in the Nansha Islands. On the same day, the Philippine military announced a so-called South China Sea defense plan, saying that to protect the Philippines' "national interest", it will resist "China's increasingly assertive behavior in the South China Sea".
The Philippines has recently been creating trouble in the South China Sea. It has sent a supply ship to the Ren'ai Reef off China's Nansha Islands, held joint military exercises with the United States, illegally detained Chinese fishermen and boats, and announced a South China Sea "defense plan", highlighting its increasingly aggressive stance on the the South China Sea issue.
China has long been advocating the use of peaceful means to resolve international disputes and remains committed to resolving the South China Sea issue on the basis of universally accepted maritime laws, for which it has even put forward the idea of "shelving disputes and carrying out common development".
Some countries involved in the South China Sea disputes, including the Philippines, have taken China's tolerance as cowardice and are acting aggressively. The Philippines' provocative actions challenge China's ability to safeguard its national sovereignty. Since the Philippines does not measure up to China either in economic or military strength, why does it dare to repeatedly create trouble in the South China Sea?
The answer lies in the US-Philippine alliance. Before US President Barack Obama paid a state visit to the Philippines, the two countries signed the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, reinforcing the US-Philippine military alliance. The agreement gives American forces temporary access to selected military bases and allows them to preposition fighter jets and ships. Also, it allows US forces to train Philippine troops to strengthen their maritime defense, and improve their humanitarian assistance and disaster relief activities. Reassured by Washington's security commitment, an emboldened Manila is now trying to act tough over the South China Sea dispute.
The Philippines is not alone in thinking that it will become invincible because of its alliance with the US; some other Asian countries, too, think so. And the US is taking advantage of these countries to implement its strategic rebalancing to Asia to weave a new Asia-Pacific security pattern.
The US' strategic rebalancing has given the Philippines an opportunity to fish in troubled waters. The US believes that China's rapid rise has broken the balance of power in the Asia-Pacific, so it has to implement its "pivot to Asia" strategy.
Manila believes the main goal of Washington's rebalancing strategy is to prevent China from replacing the US as the dominant power in the Asia-Pacific. Encouraged by this assumption, the Philippines is using the US muscle to "legitimize" its illegal occupation of China's islands and reefs. The fact is, the US' rebalancing strategy has failed to restore peace and stability in the region. On the contrary, it has disrupted the relatively stable strategic situation and raised the risk of conflicts and clashes. Given such a situation, the US should persuade its allies not to create trouble in the South China Sea.
Besides, the collusion among some countries locked in disputes with China over the South China Sea has also prompted the Philippines to take provocative actions against China. The Philippines and Vietnam illegally occupy many of China's islands and reefs in the South China Sea. Therefore, the two countries usually act in collusion over the South China Sea issue.
Just a day after Manila detained 11 Chinese fishermen, Vietnamese vessels intentionally collided with Chinese vessels in order to disrupt normal drilling operations by the China side in its waters. The incident reflected that Hanoi and Manila have joined hands to hype up the South China Sea issue to illegally seize China's islands and reefs. What Manila doesn't realize is that, its provocative actions are like the proverbial rock, which it has lifted only to drop it on its feet.
The overwhelming global trend is of peace, development and cooperation. So, the Philippines will be opposed by countries that are eager to maintain peace and stability in the region. And ultimately, the Philippine people will protest against the US' strengthened military presence in their country because of the painful memories of American colonial rule in the Philippines.
Moreover, given the progress of a "new type of major-power relationship" between China and the US, Washington might eventually disappoint its Asian allies when it comes to their disputes with Beijing. After all, US foreign policy has always given priority to its own interests. Also, it is doubtful whether the US will enter into full confrontation with China and seriously damage its interests just to humor its allies.
Above all, the Philippines should stop creating trouble in the South China Sea and testing Beijing's patience, because even with US help it cannot win an all-out confrontation with China. It's time the Philippines realized that the countries occupying Chinese territory will end up paying heavy price.
Furthermore, the South China Sea disputes are between China and some Southeast Asian countries. So, the involvement of other parties will only complicate the matter further. China has always advocated friendly negotiations with disputing countries to resolve the disputes, because it believes that they can properly handle the issue to maintain peace and stability in the region. If the Philippines
Manila testing Beijing's patience
By Liu Qiang (China Daily) Updated: 2014-05-12 07:41
Comments Print Mail Large Medium Small
Manila testing Beijing's patience
On May 6, the Philippines again created trouble in the South China Sea by illegally detaining 11 Chinese fishermen and seizing a boat in the waters off China's Half Moon Shoal in the Nansha Islands. On the same day, the Philippine military announced a so-called South China Sea defense plan, saying that to protect the Philippines' "national interest", it will resist "China's increasingly assertive behavior in the South China Sea".
The Philippines has recently been creating trouble in the South China Sea. It has sent a supply ship to the Ren'ai Reef off China's Nansha Islands, held joint military exercises with the United States, illegally detained Chinese fishermen and boats, and announced a South China Sea "defense plan", highlighting its increasingly aggressive stance on the the South China Sea issue.
China has long been advocating the use of peaceful means to resolve international disputes and remains committed to resolving the South China Sea issue on the basis of universally accepted maritime laws, for which it has even put forward the idea of "shelving disputes and carrying out common development".
Some countries involved in the South China Sea disputes, including the Philippines, have taken China's tolerance as cowardice and are acting aggressively. The Philippines' provocative actions challenge China's ability to safeguard its national sovereignty. Since the Philippines does not measure up to China either in economic or military strength, why does it dare to repeatedly create trouble in the South China Sea?
The answer lies in the US-Philippine alliance. Before US President Barack Obama paid a state visit to the Philippines, the two countries signed the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, reinforcing the US-Philippine military alliance. The agreement gives American forces temporary access to selected military bases and allows them to preposition fighter jets and ships. Also, it allows US forces to train Philippine troops to strengthen their maritime defense, and improve their humanitarian assistance and disaster relief activities. Reassured by Washington's security commitment, an emboldened Manila is now trying to act tough over the South China Sea dispute.
The Philippines is not alone in thinking that it will become invincible because of its alliance with the US; some other Asian countries, too, think so. And the US is taking advantage of these countries to implement its strategic rebalancing to Asia to weave a new Asia-Pacific security pattern.
The US' strategic rebalancing has given the Philippines an opportunity to fish in troubled waters. The US believes that China's rapid rise has broken the balance of power in the Asia-Pacific, so it has to implement its "pivot to Asia" strategy.
Manila believes the main goal of Washington's rebalancing strategy is to prevent China from replacing the US as the dominant power in the Asia-Pacific. Encouraged by this assumption, the Philippines is using the US muscle to "legitimize" its illegal occupation of China's islands and reefs. The fact is, the US' rebalancing strategy has failed to restore peace and stability in the region. On the contrary, it has disrupted the relatively stable strategic situation and raised the risk of conflicts and clashes. Given such a situation, the US should persuade its allies not to create trouble in the South China Sea.
Besides, the collusion among some countries locked in disputes with China over the South China Sea has also prompted the Philippines to take provocative actions against China. The Philippines and Vietnam illegally occupy many of China's islands and reefs in the South China Sea. Therefore, the two countries usually act in collusion over the South China Sea issue.
Just a day after Manila detained 11 Chinese fishermen, Vietnamese vessels intentionally collided with Chinese vessels in order to disrupt normal drilling operations by the China side in its waters. The incident reflected that Hanoi and Manila have joined hands to hype up the South China Sea issue to illegally seize China's islands and reefs. What Manila doesn't realize is that, its provocative actions are like the proverbial rock, which it has lifted only to drop it on its feet.
The overwhelming global trend is of peace, development and cooperation. So, the Philippines will be opposed by countries that are eager to maintain peace and stability in the region. And ultimately, the Philippine people will protest against the US' strengthened military presence in their country because of the painful memories of American colonial rule in the Philippines.
Moreover, given the progress of a "new type of major-power relationship" between China and the US, Washington might eventually disappoint its Asian allies when it comes to their disputes with Beijing. After all, US foreign policy has always given priority to its own interests. Also, it is doubtful whether the US will enter into full confrontation with China and seriously damage its interests just to humor its allies.
Above all, the Philippines should stop creating trouble in the South China Sea and testing Beijing's patience, because even with US help it cannot win an all-out confrontation with China. It's time the Philippines realized that the countries occupying Chinese territory will end up paying heavy price.
Furthermore, the South China Sea disputes are between China and some Southeast Asian countries. So, the involvement of other parties will only complicate the matter further. China has always advocated friendly negotiations with disputing countries to resolve the disputes, because it believes that they can properly handle the issue to maintain peace and stability in the region. If the Philippines (and other disputing countries) share this belief, it must release the Chinese fishermen as soon as possible, instead of complicating the matter further.
The author is a professor and director of International Security Research Center, affiliated to PLA International Relations University.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(and other disputing countries) share this belief, it must release the Chinese fishermen as soon as possible, instead of complicating the matter further.
The author is a professor and director of International Security Research Center, affiliated to PLA International Relations University.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comments Print Mail Large Medium Small
Manila testing Beijing's patience
By Liu Qiang (China Daily) Updated: 2014-05-12 07:41
Comments Print Mail Large Medium Small
Manila testing Beijing's patience
On May 6, the Philippines again created trouble in the South China Sea by illegally detaining 11 Chinese fishermen and seizing a boat in the waters off China's Half Moon Shoal in the Nansha Islands. On the same day, the Philippine military announced a so-called South China Sea defense plan, saying that to protect the Philippines' "national interest", it will resist "China's increasingly assertive behavior in the South China Sea".
The Philippines has recently been creating trouble in the South China Sea. It has sent a supply ship to the Ren'ai Reef off China's Nansha Islands, held joint military exercises with the United States, illegally detained Chinese fishermen and boats, and announced a South China Sea "defense plan", highlighting its increasingly aggressive stance on the the South China Sea issue.
China has long been advocating the use of peaceful means to resolve international disputes and remains committed to resolving the South China Sea issue on the basis of universally accepted maritime laws, for which it has even put forward the idea of "shelving disputes and carrying out common development".
Some countries involved in the South China Sea disputes, including the Philippines, have taken China's tolerance as cowardice and are acting aggressively. The Philippines' provocative actions challenge China's ability to safeguard its national sovereignty. Since the Philippines does not measure up to China either in economic or military strength, why does it dare to repeatedly create trouble in the South China Sea?
The answer lies in the US-Philippine alliance. Before US President Barack Obama paid a state visit to the Philippines, the two countries signed the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, reinforcing the US-Philippine military alliance. The agreement gives American forces temporary access to selected military bases and allows them to preposition fighter jets and ships. Also, it allows US forces to train Philippine troops to strengthen their maritime defense, and improve their humanitarian assistance and disaster relief activities. Reassured by Washington's security commitment, an emboldened Manila is now trying to act tough over the South China Sea dispute.
The Philippines is not alone in thinking that it will become invincible because of its alliance with the US; some other Asian countries, too, think so. And the US is taking advantage of these countries to implement its strategic rebalancing to Asia to weave a new Asia-Pacific security pattern.
The US' strategic rebalancing has given the Philippines an opportunity to fish in troubled waters. The US believes that China's rapid rise has broken the balance of power in the Asia-Pacific, so it has to implement its "pivot to Asia" strategy.
Manila believes the main goal of Washington's rebalancing strategy is to prevent China from replacing the US as the dominant power in the Asia-Pacific. Encouraged by this assumption, the Philippines is using the US muscle to "legitimize" its illegal occupation of China's islands and reefs. The fact is, the US' rebalancing strategy has failed to restore peace and stability in the region. On the contrary, it has disrupted the relatively stable strategic situation and raised the risk of conflicts and clashes. Given such a situation, the US should persuade its allies not to create trouble in the South China Sea.
Besides, the collusion among some countries locked in disputes with China over the South China Sea has also prompted the Philippines to take provocative actions against China. The Philippines and Vietnam illegally occupy many of China's islands and reefs in the South China Sea. Therefore, the two countries usually act in collusion over the South China Sea issue.
Just a day after Manila detained 11 Chinese fishermen, Vietnamese vessels intentionally collided with Chinese vessels in order to disrupt normal drilling operations by the China side in its waters. The incident reflected that Hanoi and Manila have joined hands to hype up the South China Sea issue to illegally seize China's islands and reefs. What Manila doesn't realize is that, its provocative actions are like the proverbial rock, which it has lifted only to drop it on its feet.
The overwhelming global trend is of peace, development and cooperation. So, the Philippines will be opposed by countries that are eager to maintain peace and stability in the region. And ultimately, the Philippine people will protest against the US' strengthened military presence in their country because of the painful memories of American colonial rule in the Philippines.
Moreover, given the progress of a "new type of major-power relationship" between China and the US, Washington might eventually disappoint its Asian allies when it comes to their disputes with Beijing. After all, US foreign policy has always given priority to its own interests. Also, it is doubtful whether the US will enter into full confrontation with China and seriously damage its interests just to humor its allies.
Above all, the Philippines should stop creating trouble in the South China Sea and testing Beijing's patience, because even with US help it cannot win an all-out confrontation with China. It's time the Philippines realized that the countries occupying Chinese territory will end up paying heavy price.
Furthermore, the South China Sea disputes are between China and some Southeast Asian countries. So, the involvement of other parties will only complicate the matter further. China has always advocated friendly negotiations with disputing countries to resolve the disputes, because it believes that they can properly handle the issue to maintain peace and stability in the region. If the Philippines (and other disputing countries) share this belief, it must release the Chinese fishermen as soon as possible, instead of complicating the matter further.
The author is a professor and director of International Security Research Center, affiliated to PLA International Relations University.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manila testing Beijing's patience
On May 6, the Philippines again created trouble in the South China Sea by illegally detaining 11 Chinese fishermen and seizing a boat in the waters off China's Half Moon Shoal in the Nansha Islands. On the same day, the Philippine military announced a so-called South China Sea defense plan, saying that to protect the Philippines' "national interest", it will resist "China's increasingly assertive behavior in the South China Sea".
The Philippines has recently been creating trouble in the South China Sea. It has sent a supply ship to the Ren'ai Reef off China's Nansha Islands, held joint military exercises with the United States, illegally detained Chinese fishermen and boats, and announced a South China Sea "defense plan", highlighting its increasingly aggressive stance on the the South China Sea issue.
China has long been advocating the use of peaceful means to resolve international disputes and remains committed to resolving the South China Sea issue on the basis of universally accepted maritime laws, for which it has even put forward the idea of "shelving disputes and carrying out common development".
Some countries involved in the South China Sea disputes, including the Philippines, have taken China's tolerance as cowardice and are acting aggressively. The Philippines' provocative actions challenge China's ability to safeguard its national sovereignty. Since the Philippines does not measure up to China either in economic or military strength, why does it dare to repeatedly create trouble in the South China Sea?
The answer lies in the US-Philippine alliance. Before US President Barack Obama paid a state visit to the Philippines, the two countries signed the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, reinforcing the US-Philippine military alliance. The agreement gives American forces temporary access to selected military bases and allows them to preposition fighter jets and ships. Also, it allows US forces to train Philippine troops to strengthen their maritime defense, and improve their humanitarian assistance and disaster relief activities. Reassured by Washington's security commitment, an emboldened Manila is now trying to act tough over the South China Sea dispute.
The Philippines is not alone in thinking that it will become invincible because of its alliance with the US; some other Asian countries, too, think so. And the US is taking advantage of these countries to implement its strategic rebalancing to Asia to weave a new Asia-Pacific security pattern.
The US' strategic rebalancing has given the Philippines an opportunity to fish in troubled waters. The US believes that China's rapid rise has broken the balance of power in the Asia-Pacific, so it has to implement its "pivot to Asia" strategy.
Manila believes the main goal of Washington's rebalancing strategy is to prevent China from replacing the US as the dominant power in the Asia-Pacific. Encouraged by this assumption, the Philippines is using the US muscle to "legitimize" its illegal occupation of China's islands and reefs. The fact is, the US' rebalancing strategy has failed to restore peace and stability in the region. On the contrary, it has disrupted the relatively stable strategic situation and raised the risk of conflicts and clashes. Given such a situation, the US should persuade its allies not to create trouble in the South China Sea.
Besides, the collusion among some countries locked in disputes with China over the South China Sea has also prompted the Philippines to take provocative actions against China. The Philippines and Vietnam illegally occupy many of China's islands and reefs in the South China Sea. Therefore, the two countries usually act in collusion over the South China Sea issue.
Just a day after Manila detained 11 Chinese fishermen, Vietnamese vessels intentionally collided with Chinese vessels in order to disrupt normal drilling operations by the China side in its waters. The incident reflected that Hanoi and Manila have joined hands to hype up the South China Sea issue to illegally seize China's islands and reefs. What Manila doesn't realize is that, its provocative actions are like the proverbial rock, which it has lifted only to drop it on its feet.
The overwhelming global trend is of peace, development and cooperation. So, the Philippines will be opposed by countries that are eager to maintain peace and stability in the region. And ultimately, the Philippine people will protest against the US' strengthened military presence in their country because of the painful memories of American colonial rule in the Philippines.
Moreover, given the progress of a "new type of major-power relationship" between China and the US, Washington might eventually disappoint its Asian allies when it comes to their disputes with Beijing. After all, US foreign policy has always given priority to its own interests. Also, it is doubtful whether the US will enter into full confrontation with China and seriously damage its interests just to humor its allies.
Above all, the Philippines should stop creating trouble in the South China Sea and testing Beijing's patience, because even with US help it cannot win an all-out confrontation with China. It's time the Philippines realized that the countries occupying Chinese territory will end up paying heavy price.
Furthermore, the South China Sea disputes are between China and some Southeast Asian countries. So, the involvement of other parties will only complicate the matter further. China has always advocated friendly negotiations with disputing countries to resolve the disputes, because it believes that they can properly handle the issue to maintain peace and stability in the region. If the Philippines
Manila testing Beijing's patience
By Liu Qiang (China Daily) Updated: 2014-05-12 07:41
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Manila testing Beijing's patience
On May 6, the Philippines again created trouble in the South China Sea by illegally detaining 11 Chinese fishermen and seizing a boat in the waters off China's Half Moon Shoal in the Nansha Islands. On the same day, the Philippine military announced a so-called South China Sea defense plan, saying that to protect the Philippines' "national interest", it will resist "China's increasingly assertive behavior in the South China Sea".
The Philippines has recently been creating trouble in the South China Sea. It has sent a supply ship to the Ren'ai Reef off China's Nansha Islands, held joint military exercises with the United States, illegally detained Chinese fishermen and boats, and announced a South China Sea "defense plan", highlighting its increasingly aggressive stance on the the South China Sea issue.
China has long been advocating the use of peaceful means to resolve international disputes and remains committed to resolving the South China Sea issue on the basis of universally accepted maritime laws, for which it has even put forward the idea of "shelving disputes and carrying out common development".
Some countries involved in the South China Sea disputes, including the Philippines, have taken China's tolerance as cowardice and are acting aggressively. The Philippines' provocative actions challenge China's ability to safeguard its national sovereignty. Since the Philippines does not measure up to China either in economic or military strength, why does it dare to repeatedly create trouble in the South China Sea?
The answer lies in the US-Philippine alliance. Before US President Barack Obama paid a state visit to the Philippines, the two countries signed the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, reinforcing the US-Philippine military alliance. The agreement gives American forces temporary access to selected military bases and allows them to preposition fighter jets and ships. Also, it allows US forces to train Philippine troops to strengthen their maritime defense, and improve their humanitarian assistance and disaster relief activities. Reassured by Washington's security commitment, an emboldened Manila is now trying to act tough over the South China Sea dispute.
The Philippines is not alone in thinking that it will become invincible because of its alliance with the US; some other Asian countries, too, think so. And the US is taking advantage of these countries to implement its strategic rebalancing to Asia to weave a new Asia-Pacific security pattern.
The US' strategic rebalancing has given the Philippines an opportunity to fish in troubled waters. The US believes that China's rapid rise has broken the balance of power in the Asia-Pacific, so it has to implement its "pivot to Asia" strategy.
Manila believes the main goal of Washington's rebalancing strategy is to prevent China from replacing the US as the dominant power in the Asia-Pacific. Encouraged by this assumption, the Philippines is using the US muscle to "legitimize" its illegal occupation of China's islands and reefs. The fact is, the US' rebalancing strategy has failed to restore peace and stability in the region. On the contrary, it has disrupted the relatively stable strategic situation and raised the risk of conflicts and clashes. Given such a situation, the US should persuade its allies not to create trouble in the South China Sea.
Besides, the collusion among some countries locked in disputes with China over the South China Sea has also prompted the Philippines to take provocative actions against China. The Philippines and Vietnam illegally occupy many of China's islands and reefs in the South China Sea. Therefore, the two countries usually act in collusion over the South China Sea issue.
Just a day after Manila detained 11 Chinese fishermen, Vietnamese vessels intentionally collided with Chinese vessels in order to disrupt normal drilling operations by the China side in its waters. The incident reflected that Hanoi and Manila have joined hands to hype up the South China Sea issue to illegally seize China's islands and reefs. What Manila doesn't realize is that, its provocative actions are like the proverbial rock, which it has lifted only to drop it on its feet.
The overwhelming global trend is of peace, development and cooperation. So, the Philippines will be opposed by countries that are eager to maintain peace and stability in the region. And ultimately, the Philippine people will protest against the US' strengthened military presence in their country because of the painful memories of American colonial rule in the Philippines.
Moreover, given the progress of a "new type of major-power relationship" between China and the US, Washington might eventually disappoint its Asian allies when it comes to their disputes with Beijing. After all, US foreign policy has always given priority to its own interests. Also, it is doubtful whether the US will enter into full confrontation with China and seriously damage its interests just to humor its allies.
Above all, the Philippines should stop creating trouble in the South China Sea and testing Beijing's patience, because even with US help it cannot win an all-out confrontation with China. It's time the Philippines realized that the countries occupying Chinese territory will end up paying heavy price.
Furthermore, the South China Sea disputes are between China and some Southeast Asian countries. So, the involvement of other parties will only complicate the matter further. China has always advocated friendly negotiations with disputing countries to resolve the disputes, because it believes that they can properly handle the issue to maintain peace and stability in the region. If the Philippines (and other disputing countries) share this belief, it must release the Chinese fishermen as soon as possible, instead of complicating the matter further.
The author is a professor and director of International Security Research Center, affiliated to PLA International Relations University.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(and other disputing countries) share this belief, it must release the Chinese fishermen as soon as possible, instead of complicating the matter further.
The author is a professor and director of International Security Research Center, affiliated to PLA International Relations University.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How much is CPF collecting from the workforce
The current CPF contribution rate is 16% from employer and 20% from the
employee making a total of 36% of the monthly income. Using an average
salary of $3,000 and 2 million employees (for simplicity in calculation)
contributing to the CPF, just ball park, the monthly contributions work
out to be (36% x 3000 x 2m) $2.16b or $25.92b a year. Now that is an
awfully big sum of money going into the CPF.
To those who are prudent and responsible, this is not simply a lot of money to play with but a lot to money to return with interest. They will be very careful not to touch this money but to manage it with extreme care while under their safe keeping. It is other people’s money, the CPF members’ money that must be returned.
But if you have a bunch of crooks, like in a rogue govt, they will be easily tempted to spend it, to act clever, to think of getting bigger returns without knowing that the bigger the returns the higher the risk of losing it. Some will capriciously be thinking of behaving like rich men and go flashing the money to everyone and even wanting to flaunt the wealth by throwing some around. It is such a nice feeling to have so much money to play with. And if not enough, no worry, the tap is flowing and every month there will be another $2b flowing in, unlimited supply of money.
It is so easy to go shopping or to act like philanthropists and give whenever someone comes asking. It is really a very nice feeling, spending OPM. Spend first, don’t worry about tomorrow and how to pay back. This is the risk of this country when there is so much money freely available and the high living low thinking will just do that, help themselves to live well. Who cares what comes tomorrow. Tomorrow is someone else’s problem. It is OPM!
Any govt in power has to be very careful to guard against rogues who think of nothing about spending such easy money. It is so easy to spend, so easy to give away. But don’t forget, the time to pay back will come and will come sooner than they think. Singapore really has a very happy problem with money. No wonder everyone is feeling so rich, pay and pay, give and give. Who needs money, come, come to Sin City. Just ask and will be given.
Ultimately where does the money come from? Ultimately whose money ended up given away? The CPF is the people’s money and must be returned. Not returning is not an option, not under any pretence or any funny schemes. You can’t cheat an honest man.
PS. Actually you can cheat an honest man in Sin City when an honest man is a daft Sinkie.
Kopi Level - Yellow
To those who are prudent and responsible, this is not simply a lot of money to play with but a lot to money to return with interest. They will be very careful not to touch this money but to manage it with extreme care while under their safe keeping. It is other people’s money, the CPF members’ money that must be returned.
But if you have a bunch of crooks, like in a rogue govt, they will be easily tempted to spend it, to act clever, to think of getting bigger returns without knowing that the bigger the returns the higher the risk of losing it. Some will capriciously be thinking of behaving like rich men and go flashing the money to everyone and even wanting to flaunt the wealth by throwing some around. It is such a nice feeling to have so much money to play with. And if not enough, no worry, the tap is flowing and every month there will be another $2b flowing in, unlimited supply of money.
It is so easy to go shopping or to act like philanthropists and give whenever someone comes asking. It is really a very nice feeling, spending OPM. Spend first, don’t worry about tomorrow and how to pay back. This is the risk of this country when there is so much money freely available and the high living low thinking will just do that, help themselves to live well. Who cares what comes tomorrow. Tomorrow is someone else’s problem. It is OPM!
Any govt in power has to be very careful to guard against rogues who think of nothing about spending such easy money. It is so easy to spend, so easy to give away. But don’t forget, the time to pay back will come and will come sooner than they think. Singapore really has a very happy problem with money. No wonder everyone is feeling so rich, pay and pay, give and give. Who needs money, come, come to Sin City. Just ask and will be given.
Ultimately where does the money come from? Ultimately whose money ended up given away? The CPF is the people’s money and must be returned. Not returning is not an option, not under any pretence or any funny schemes. You can’t cheat an honest man.
PS. Actually you can cheat an honest man in Sin City when an honest man is a daft Sinkie.
Kopi Level - Yellow
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