Working on these photos has brought back memories of all the places I’ve been to over the past few years. It’s a blessing to live in the modern world and be freely able to travel extensively and see new places, and experience new cultures. I hope I can do so for many more years to come.

Here are some samples of the album below, the full collection can be found on my Facebook album.

Enjoy~!

The book explains and examines the many complex factors which define, underline, and often potentially undermine the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) as it continues to weave the fine line of keeping its economy going along steadily whilst keeping its increasingly mobile, educated, spirited and critical populace happy, (or at least pre-occupied with other concerns), all the while having to deal with trade agreements and alliances, foreign partners and former foes, disputed regions and potential flashpoints both within and near the country.

Having opened up to the world with Nixon’s state visit in 1972 and furthermore in 1979 with Deng Xiaoping’s economic reforms of “socialism with capitalist characteristics” which have transformed the sleeping giant into an economic dragon in a generation, the CCP can no longer rely on trotting out the old Communist lines that once placated the masses as its increasingly sophisticated and educated populace no longer believe it. What the CCP has found as a substitute in motivating and rallying the public behind a uniting cause is to use nationalism as a basis to underpin Chinese identity and enable the CCP to continue with its agenda. The trouble comes though when its time to rein in the masses once their spleen has been opened to vent against a common foe (usually either Japan*, Taiwan or the US) before it either jeopardises foreign relations and trade, leads to war or – what the CCP fear the most – brings down the central communist Government.

* – The 2005 anti-Japanese demonstrations are one such notable example where the powers that be initially supported and allowed the masses to protest, before deciding to clamp down on the protests a month later as they were starting to impact negatively on China’s trade relationship with Japan and China’s image abroad.

The book clearly details and explains the many push-pull factors and balancing efforts the CCP and its many and various wings have to manipulate in order to achieve internal unity and stability whilst at the same time not jeopardise its foreign relations and trade on which the economy relies on to grow, as the CCP well know once the economy dips and jobs become scarce, the conditions become ripe for civil unrest which is the worst case scenario for the CCP.

Shirk’s book also looks at the power structures and hierarchy of the various branches of the CCP and China’s all-powerful military, whom the CCP know they must appease lest there be any military revolt.

Chinese – Fragile Superpower does a thorough job of explaining and detailing the many domestic and foreign issues which the CCP must manage to keep the world’s most populous, and 3rd largest (both physically and economically) nation progressing without disintegrating as the world is more intertwined than ever and China and the US, as the book demonstrates, are intricately connected so that if one economy collapses the other will too, and with that a massive black eye or worse for the world as a whole.

Now that China has been opened and its economy set rolling it simply cannot turn back. The CCP know this all too well and now are more fragile and paranoid than ever to keep the lid on firmly so that they stay in control.

A fascinating book and must-read for anyone interested in China, US-Chinese relations, China’s relations with its neighbours, and China’s many problems and issues with its huge, dynamic and diverse population.

If you’ve came across my previous entry written 20 minutes ago, you may be under the mistaken belief that I’m some kind of Asiaphobe, who believes nationalism,  intolerance, conflict and corruption is going to bury Asia before she rises, well frankly, you couldn’t be further from the truth. For I’m a firm believer in Asia – despite all her many and varied challenges – and believe that when this century’s out, it will be in Asia where the best decisions are made, where the young, beautiful and talented flock to, and where the poor, needy and aspiring hope to migrate. It’s already all around now and we’re only into the ninth year of the century!

Now, Asia’s got a mountain of challenges, issues and tensions which will take a mountain of courage, skill, determination and patience to overcome. But, these virtues Asia has in abundance. I’m a firm believer in the human resources of Asia’s rich, varied and hardworking populace. Here is where the bulk of this century’s geniuses, entrepreneurs and stars will be born. This is where hope will be inspired, this is where the poor will rise given the chance. Quite simply, Asia is the 21st century’s America of the 20th century.

But, for this to occur it will require Asia to move together towards a common, united and prosperous future such as that which the bulk of Europe have united towards. But, if you think it’s been nothing but a struggle getting Europe together – with her several millennia of painful history-  you ain’t seen nothing yet. But, Asia needs to do this to prosper and I firmly believe that Asia’s incredibly strong desire to prosper will unite the bulk of the continent – particularly the eastern half – towards a common future of prosperity not seen before. For, it will be – and already is – Asia with the largest, most populous cities and centres of employment, technology and industry. Each year, China and India combine graduate nearly as many university students as the population of Australia. Now, anywhere with that number of educated, intelligent young people entering the workforce has a brilliant future. And, although many are having trouble finding work at present, particularly in China, this is all but a temporary trend, and the Chinese dragon will flex her might again very soon.

As mentioned earlier, Asia faces challenges. And, that’s putting it extremely mildly. Never before in the history of mankind has there been a continent with as many people, with as much as overcrowding, with as much and increasing environmental degradation, with as much as illness and disease, and with as grinding poverty. But, as East Asia has and continues to show, it is possible to overcome such challenges with a committed, focused, industrious, well-educated, talented and hardworking population. China, India and the SE Asian nations of Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia are closely following in the footsteps of Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan; and many others will soon follow suit.

Not to overlook West Asia and the Middle East where small nation-states such as the United Arab Emirates and Qatar are showing the way by taking creative steps and diversifying their wealth for the inevitable decline of oil wealth. Other Middle East nations and nearby nations such as Iran will no doubt eventually follow suit and modernise, whilst also becoming more accommodating and secular to move towards a brighter, more even and prosperous future.

Now, you may think this is pie in the sky optimism – or that I’ve just taken some illicit substances. But, I honestly believe Asia will become a more united, wealthy and prosperous continent matching and eventually overtaking the traditional realms of wealth and influence – Europe and North America, who will not wither, just not prosper at the same exponential rates as Asia.

There will be some areas, some countries and some pockets of Asia in which the bubble of prosperity will not either not arrive or not be realised to the same magnitude as elsewhere for a myriad of reasons. But, the same is true for Europe and North America now. Look at Albania in Europe, or more tellingly, Haiti in North America. Growth and wealth distribution will not be even and for every Asian success story this century, there are bound to be a few Albanias and Haitis to go along with it. But, all in all, the Asian future now is a lot brighter than it has been for the last 400 years.

When I think of my 18-month old nephew in Australia I can’t help but think that his future will be intricately connected with Asia through one way or another. It is Australia that is in a prime position to take full advantage of Asia’s prosperity being the largest Western nation close to Asia. Australia’s future – like my nephew’s – will be increasingly linked with Asia’s, and if Australia is to prosper it needs to strategically and carefully manqge to hitch a ride without jeopardising its own future, core beliefs or prosperity in doing so. I really hope my nephew learns an Asian language at a young age to get a headstart in jumping on the Asian bandwagon. Maybe that’s where I come in as the Korean tutor.

Make no mistake, the future is Asian. If you have kids, get them learning an Asian language, if you have money look to Asia for opportunities to increase it, if you have nothing going look towards Asia, perhaps it can give you a job or opportunity you never thought existed. That’s what it did to me six years ago. Now, I’ve just got to be more pro-active and work on this opportunity I’ve been provided in the most exciting and dynamic corner of the planet.

Asian nationalism often revolves around the main – or until recently in ethnically homogeneous nations such as Japan and South Korea, essentially only – ethnic group, whereby children are often taught and in many cases indoctrinated to foster a strong love of country, (majority) ethnic and national identity. A shot of national identity and pride may be good in small doses to foster a co-operative, harmonious and communal society. But, when this national identity and pride is indoctrinated to levels that excludes others – be they native-born residents of minority ethnicity, migrants or foreign nationals, that’s when the slope gets a bit slippery. If all your neighbours feel the same way with the same sense of strong national pride in a vast yet crowded and increasingly powerful and influential continent that’s when things start to look increasingly troublesome for the future. And, when the nationalism takes the form of resentment, animosity, intolerance or downright hatred towards your neighbours for past, present or perceived future atrocities, that’s when things feel like they’re starting to resemble a warm summer’s day in 1914′s  Sarajevo.

Don’t think for a minute that the West is immune from its own version of nationalism – these links with provide examples of ethnic-based nationalism/conflict in Western nations: example 1 from the US, example 2 from the UK, and example 3 from Australia. The main difference between these examples and the situation throughout most of Asia is that in the vast majority of secular Western nations, nationalism is not indoctrinated by the State, is not actively taught in school curriculum, not as widespread and no longer institutionalised yet, still unfortunately largely existent but in many cases punished.

The situation is quite different in many parts of Asia however. Let’s look at the multi-ethnic, multi-religious state of Malaysia for example, where the majority Muslim Malay population are advantaged through the Bumiputera policy at the expense of other ethnic groups – most notably Chinese- and Indian-Malaysians. Or, South Korea, yes South Korea not North Korea, where snippets of Korean nationalism – often taking the form of anti-American or anti-Japanese sentiment yet curiously rarely significant anti-Chinese sentiment – can be found expressed here and here.

Now, let’s briefly cast the spotlight over to China who right now have been actively bullying a sovereign Western nation, Australia, into not allowing a film by Uighur activist, Rebiya Kadeer, to be shown at an International Film Festival in Melbourne. Not to mention the litany of sins committed under State-sponsored oppression of minority ethnic and religious groups within China most notably in Tibet and Xinjiang. And, that’s just the tip of the iceberg believe me.

Anyone whose followed the news since the Partition of 1947 will know the bitter, simmering, hot/cold conflict between Muslim-majority Pakistan and Hindu-majority India has already spawned four wars, numerous terrorist attacks and proliferation of nuclear weapons by both parties. The heart of this ongoing conflict lies largely along nationalist and religious lines, with the threat of increased conflict ever present. It’s in the world’s best interests that the 2nd most populous and 12th richest, and the 6th most populous and 48th richest nations never go to war again!

Not too mention the continued simmering bitterness, envy, tension, animosity and hatred towards Japan as a direct result of – and perceived lack of repatriations since – Japanese atrocities committed during the first half of the 20th century until 1945 throughout East and large parts of Southeast Asia, most notably in China and Korea, where decades-old, past Japanese atrocities are still actively taught and fresh on peoples’ minds. This bitterness is also exacerbated by the belief that Japan hasn’t made enough acknowledgments and repatriations both financially and emotionally for these past atrocities.  To this, Japan hasn’t helped the situation by occasionally revising its school texts to either distort, downplay, or put a positive spin on Japanese occupation and subsequent Japanese atrocities, whilst occasionally displaying strong insensitivity by having leaders attend the Yasukuni War Shine honouring Japanese soldiers and criminals, often architects of the most heinous atrocities. The still pronounced anti-Japanese sentiment in China and South Korea occasionally bubbles to the surface such as during the ongoing Dokdo/Takeshima dispute between South Korea and Japan. As China continues its progression to superpower status and with the global power shift that comes with this, you just have to hope that China, Japan, and South Korea in the middle, can find a way to resolve the issues of the past and look towards a prosperous, peaceful future for the sake not only of themselves but the entire world.

This post has only barely scratched the surface of Asian nationalism with its varying forms, intensity and manifestations. Here’s hoping 21st century Asia can find a way to resolve its many issues and find a way towards a more united, peaceful and prosperous future as this century- and most likely the one or two after -  is Asia’s century and the world cannot continue prosper, or even survive, with a divided, broken Asia. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen and that Asia learns from the lessons Europe learnt the hard way during the 20th century.

That said, I do feel the need to move on, to try something new, to broaden my horizons, to take a punt and take a risk as for the last few years I haven’t done that enough and nothing’s worse for me than when I’m treading water as I’m increasingly doing at the moment. Often it takes a lot of courage to move on and that’s one area where I do often settle for what’s comfortable, what’s acceptable, what’s normal, what’s decent – rather than just taking a punt and going out there. If it wasn’t for me taking a punt six years ago, I wouldn’t have ever landed here.

So, I’ve been thinking lately and a big part of me wants to try my hand at China. I’ve always been interested in the land, its people, history, cultures, languages, and traditions; and perhaps it’s time to further acquaint myself with the Middle Kingdom. I’ve started looking online as to the possibilities of teaching and studying at the same time. There are quite a few study programs over there but they are quite pricy and seem to not leave much time for work – if that is indeed possible under the required Visa.

The city I’d most like to study in is Qingdao, which just across the Yellow Sea from Korea. Qingdao’s a fairly interesting and, judging by the photos, beautiful place which came to prominence when it was firstly a German concession at the turn of the 20th century and then consequently, and very controversially, was transferred to Japan along with surrounding Shandong province following the Treaty of Versailles after World War I. This very unpopular decision played a significant part in the May Fourth Movement and subsequent birth of the Chinese Communist Party. The Germans left their mark however with beautiful German colonial architecture still intact and perhaps more importantly, China’s number one beer, Tsingtao.

Another, and more costly, option I’ve been pondering lately is returning home and returning to school to study a Masters of Asian Studies. Having been in East Asia for the last six years I’ve developed a keen interest in the languages, politics, current affairs, histories, cultures and traditions of the nations in this region. Since ANU has the best program in Australia, I’d naturally want to go there but unfortunately they don’t do distance study and as such I’d have to live in Canberra! Though, I think I could manage that, managing my finances while studying there may be more difficult. Perhaps, I should just look at community colleges and programs. Or, gasp get a real job back home!

But, just as sure as Menzies had his critics, he surely had his followers in greater numbers. So much so that his book went on to become a bestseller, spawned a host of supportive websites (including his own where people can leave their own research and accounts of Chinese discoveries), and spawned several documentaries with talk of feature films being in the mix. Menzies, who possesses a passion for his topic which is uncontrollable and frankly, contagious, brushed aside all criticisms saying that a lot of these critics have based their lives and professional careers around the most accepted beliefs that Columbus and the Europeans were the first to reach the Americas and as such they have the most to lose and understandably are going out of their way to debunk his claims.

1421 described how during the peak of the Ming dynasty in its expansionary, outward-looking phase, great fleets of Chinese fleets led by the great general, Zheng He, would set forth from Nanjing onto Southeast Asia, India and Africa exchanging goods, knowledge and wealth in return for each provinces’ acceptance that the Middle Kingdom was their rightful superior. Many provinces indeed enjoyed the transfer of goods, materials and knowledge from the ‘benevolent father’ and warmly provided dowries for their superiors from the Middle Kingdom. Indeed, it’s irrefutable that there were established trade links between China, Southeast Asia, India, the Middle East and possibly Africa with ports such Guangzhou, Malacca, Kerala, Mombasa possessing ample evidence of significant trade to and from East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East and Africa.

Menzies goes one step further in 1421 to assert that the Chinese didn’t just stop with the Indian Ocean on their quest for worldwide discovery and power, that they indeed traveled to any points of the globe including the Americas, Africa, Australia and even as far afield as Greenland. To back these claims, Menzies points to evidence, which truth be told is quite convincing in the Americas, particularly in certain pockets of the Americas to somewhat dubious when it comes to Greenland, Australia and farther afield. But, despite its downsides where Menzies almost seems to be trying too hard to find a link when there quite likely isn’t one, all in all I came out of the book a believer – believing that there was at least some Chinese settlement, discovery, transfer of knowledge and trade in the New World before the conventional history of  the Europeans being the first to ‘discover’ the New World. Polynesia in particular, is one region of the world where there was no doubt at least some Chinese interaction within the last 1000 years before Cook and co. came around due to DNA evidence, and flora and fauna species.

So, this leads onto to 1434 where Menzies goes one step further in his claims to say that it was indeed the Chinese – through their trade, interaction and transfer of knowledge – who provided the spark to ignite the renaissance and awaken Europe from its prolonged coma of nigh on a millenia. Menzies uses some quite compelling points to indicate that there must have been at least some transfer of knowledge, ideas and philosphies for there to have been this sudden renaissance, where in the space of less than 60 years Europe all of a sudden made significant gains in the fields of astronomy, cartography, geography, weaponry, navigation and shipbuilding. All of which fields the Chinese had superior and exisitng knowledge, and wherby the Europeans seemed to have had an uncanny knack of replicating these products, ideas and philosophies to such a degree that it points to more than coincidence.

But, if the Chinese interacted with the West, why isn’t there any existing Western literature of these grand fleets of learned Oriental gentleman setting forth on the ports of Europe and dispelling their infinite knowledge and wisdom? This is one point that Menzies can’t adequately address in my opinion and one that you can’t help but question yourself. I, for one, am sure that the Chinese – who before their self-imposed retreat from the mid-1400′s onwards were superior to most any civilisation in a host of fields by several centuries and definitely beleive that they did indeed managed to set foot on many lands previously claimed to have been ‘discovered’ by Europeans. I also firmly believe that the transfer of knowledge, goods and materials circulated from Asia to Europe via established Indian Ocean trade routes and the Silk Road. However, I am not as certain as Menzies as to the validity of Chinese vessals actually traveling to Europe as I’m sure had it been the case I’m sure there would have more than snippets of anedoctal evidence to back these claims. That said, I enjoyed 1434 a lot. Perhaps not quite as much as 1421 which really did manage to sink me into the prospect of China having set forth and discovering all these ‘new’ lands. But, nevertheless it’s a great read with some very valid points made along the way. No doubt there are some parts which seem more dubious than others but as I mentioned before, Menzies’ infectious enthusiasm makes you want to believe it all regardless. I gave it 4 and a half stars. I believe no matter what your views on history are, it’s an interesting and exciting read. Whether you believe it’s actual history or pseudo-history, it’s worth a read for you to decide.

The thing I really appreciate about writers such as Menzies and Jared Diamond is their knowledge of their subjects, enthusiasm, thirst for more knowledge and ability to write in layman’s terms about topics which many people may previously thought of as dry and boring into interesting, fascinating and compelling reads. If you have a love for history, geography and social sciences such as myself, I strong recommend you check out their books.

Who knows? Maybe I am Chinese after all!

It’s a frequent event which reaches its peak around this time of year in spring due to prevailing winds and relative dryness, though in recent decades has intensified due to China’s rapid modernisation and consequent deforestation and increased industrial output, along with continuing desertification now encroaching Beijing itself.

The air quality during this time can slightly bad to downright dangerous for your health, and health practitioners recommend limiting outdoor activities to varying degrees depending upon the daily dust levels.Today is proving to be a particularly unhealthy day throughout the Korean peninsula (from here, click onto the Korean map featuring Real Time Air Quality Data – best viewed through Internet Explorer). Even Suncheon, which is usually spared the worst of the dust flows is experiencing Hazardous levels today in which all outdoor activity is advised against. Indeed walking to work this morning, I can feel my throat gets slightly sore and raspy, not a great day for being outdoors despite the sunny – albeit hazy – conditions. Video chronicling this phenomena below:

* It’s actually worse now that the video displayed above taken 30 minutes ago. But, seeing as my throat already slightly hurts I can’t  be bothered taking any more footage and exposing myself to any more dust than I need to!

For whatever reason, I’ve been interested in learning Chinese characters again lately and I decided to find out the Hanzi of various Chinese cities, at the same time learning their Korean names and the result is this table below. I couldn’t find the Korean for all the city names and I didn’t want to guess what they were.

Chinese cities ~ 中国城市

in English, Pinyin, traditional & simplified Chinese, and Korean characters

Scene from Beijing's closing ceremony

Truth be told – despite all the goings on this year before the Games commmenced, before the American stabbing, the funny business to do with the opening ceremony, the funny business to do with the hiring procedures of female volunteers, the funny business of having pre-pubescent 14 year olds winning gymnastics gold medals, and the  impossibility of legal protests – Beijing actually did a great job and pulled off a wonderful and memorable Olympic games.

Michael Phelps - an unattractive bugger with a face you'd like to smack but you gotta give him credit, he sure can swim

Being in Korea I was feasted on a steady diet of any and every sport which contained a Korean competitor and as such had the pleasure watching hour after hour of Women’s Handball, Archery, Badminton, Female Weightlifting, Judo, Taekwondo and Table Tennis – truly breathtaking stuff! Luckily, by the time the second week had rolled over, most Korean competitors had competed their events so I was able to see a healthy dose of athletics amongst other sports.

The man of the Games would have to be Michael Phelps with his incredible eight gold medals. Though, on a personal note, I found Usain Bolt‘s performances more memorable not only because of his domination and the relative ease at which he won his three gold medals – but largely because I had the pleasure of seeing his three gold medals live which unfortunately wasn’t the case for me with Michael Phelps’ triumphs.

Usain Bolt cruises to victory in world record time in the mens 100 metre sprint

In the end, it seemed almost everyone was happy. The Chinese won the gold medal tally; the US, the overall tally; the Poms beat the Aussies; Australia beat Korea; the Koreans beat the Japanese; the Russians beat Georgia;  and Afghanistan and East Timor – amongst others -  won their first ever Olympic medals. Good stuff.

Bring on London. If Boris Johnson‘s speech is anything to go by, we’re in for a great time …

Chinese drummers at the commencement of the opening ceremony

You can say what you want about China but they sure know how to make an entrance, holding an opening ceremony costing the equivalent of a third-world nation’s annual GDP. It was bold, colourful, extravagant, with a couple of nice military touches just to let you know the Middle Kingdom is charge of the whole thing for the next 16 days not the IOC.

Chinese military in firm control of the Chinese flag

Chinese ethnic minority dancers in native dress overlooking the ceremony

One World, One Dream with China on top seemed to be the theme of the ceremony. I did like the focus on China’s history and culture, complete with its 55 distinct ethnic minorities proudly displaying their native dress (and not being persecuted by Han Chinese….). London’s got a tough job to beat that opening ceremony in four year’s time.

The Olympics rings illuminated

In the meantime, it looks like war in Georgia over South Ossetia with Russian troops entering via air and land. US troops are based in the West-looking, EU-aspiring former Soviet republic and it seems Mother Russia won’t let that happen. What would Stalin say? He was ethnic Georgian after all. So much for peace during the games.

Let the Games begin!

The torch is lit

Opening ceremony gallery available here.