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Local News

An Expensive Chinese New Year

Happy Chinese New Year, soon! Things are getting worse than last time. This year, there’s isn’t any atmosphere. I guess no one is in the mood. Let’s see what is causing it.

First off, this year may be the highest rate of inflation than ever. Chinese orange, pork, meats, seafood, vegetables, those that import from China, suffered from the highest rate of inflation. It was to be said, China is suffering from all the natural disaster, causing their crop worse than last time. Plus because of the weather, it made the shipment delayed. Consumer Division had no choice but to raise price and causing everyone had to go through “THE EXPENSIVE CHINESE NEW YEARS”.

Second, ever since the Chinese New Song’s copyright controversial happens, you can’t hear a songs playing from shopping mall. Malaysian likes to shop; they spend most of their time in a shopping mall. A foreigner once comments that shopping mall is like our Malaysian second home. Before the controversial, you can hear them playing right after Christmas. It’s kind of reminding you that Chinese New Year is nearby, and get ready to shop in their shop. After the controversial happened, none of the shop dares to play. And even if they play, they don’t play it loudly like it used to. Thus, walking in a shopping mall with decorations, but without a proper song to play, it’s like a handicapped atmosphere. Though all the promotions and discounts are tempting, still it does not make any effort to it.

Thirdly, before the bus terminus at Pudu has shifted, wanderers are trying every way they could to get back home. After they shifted, people started to lose faith on the new services. It had been reported that the new place is full of confusion. There are no signboards to show which directions you are heading. The place is still under construction, making the bus scheduling a little outdated. So far, there’s no positive news came from it. Also, ever since all the buses accidents happened last year, people are afraid of taking bus. People can’t get all those images off their mind. They either choose to car pool or rather not going back at all.

But still, I believe everyone will find their way to work it out. There are many other options to choose. Like for some, they go for a holiday. Chinese New Year had always been a serious yet fun festival celebrated by Chinese. It symbolised reunion of a family. Wanderers come back home after a long time. The younger generations accepts wishes from elders. Though, for some, this year might be a bit hard to survive, still, it can’t stop a person from missing their family.

International News

Mr Hu To The Visit

China President, Hu Jintao made his step on USA on 18th January 2011. He was welcomed by. Later on, President Barack Obama dines with him in a private dinner. It was till then the next day, they get on business.

The purpose of Mr Hu to the visit was to discuss some “serious matters” with Mr Obama.

1. RMB Exchange Rate
2. Human Rights
3. Problems at Taiwan
4. Problems at North Korea
5. Disputed Areas
6. Military Confrontation
7. Energy and Environment Issues

The results of the discussion were a little joke (to me). Or rather shall i say their conversation were a little funny. Whenever Mr Obama made a statement, or he’s really trying to solve the problems, Mr Hu seems to either ignore it or change the topic.

Like for example, when they are discussing about the Human Rights issue, Mr Obama suggested that China should put a right act on making Human Rights as priority. But Mr Hu’s response was, they should respect each other path of development and be more focused on each other’s core interests.

Both men made a speech regarding Tibet and Taiwan’s issue. It seems that Mr Hu doesn't wants to make any further amendment and said, “A review of the history of our relations tells us that US-China relations will enjoy smooth and steady growth when the two countries handle well issues when each other’s major interests. Otherwise our relations will suffer constant trouble or even tension.”

While on Mr Obama’s side, he’s reaffirming the US position that Taiwan and Tibet are part of China.

After Mr Hu visit to US, I found that making a visit to such a powerful country, you must really fully prepare with your issues and statements. No matter how royalty the country is treating you, you should act like one leader that is prepared to solve problems that had been haunting your country for many years.

I might be a bit eccentric, but when our Prime Minister, Mr Najib paid a visit to US, Mr Obama doesn’t seem to be enthusiasm. He doesn’t welcomed Mr Najib to his private dinner. Mr Najib was unofficially welcomed by the Americans. Mr Najib left without anyone notice. (I think so.) When China decides to paid a visit, everything must be preparing royalty without any flaw. China indeed is a big country geographically and demographically, holding a big power, controlling Taiwan and Hong Kong. Of course, the Americans must pay fully attention to his visit. A small country like us doesn’t need all these attentions. Mr Obama might thought that a small country like us doesn’t need to be formal and all we want might just a bit attention from all way internationally. But when a BIG country like China came, flawless of schedule and arrangement must be made, in order to keep both parties a sustainable relationships.

After all, we Malaysia are just a small country. While China, with ambages answers can really make both parties stronger.