Yiying's reflection: China's dilemma

China is facing a dilemma between pursuing higher economic growth and escalating pollution due to industrialisation. 

To allow economic growth is to industrialise - to build more factories to manufacture goods in demand. These manufactured goods are exported to the other countries to be sold. More factories allow more goods to be manufactured and sold at a faster rate, which means China can get more profits. 

However, the building of factories is causing an increase in the emission of harmful gases which pollute the air. These gases affect the people's health and also contribute to global warming. 

China has to decide if it is willing to sacrifice the well-being of its people and the world for its economy, or if it decides to forgo its economy for the sake of the health of the people.

China's One Child Policy

This policy allows parents to only have one child.

Advantages:

1) parents can devote all their time to their child

They do not need to split their attention, and can better interact with their only child. All the free time they have can be spent with that child, so the child gets more guidance from and bonding time with their parents. 

2) parents can be less financially burdened with just one child

They do not need to provide for so many people; they can just focus on their child's needs. 

Disadvantages:

1) the child will be lonely without the company of siblings

He has to spend his whole life without a single sibling, and although he can have many friends, their company will never be the same as one of a sibling. 

2) the child may become a spoiled and pampered brat

With the full attention of his parents showered on him, the child may start to develop bad mindsets. For example, he may think that everyone should pay attention to him like his parents do, and that the world orbits around him. He may take everything he has for granted. Nobody will like him and accept him into the society.

Hot and cool trends in China and Singapore!

In China:

Because Facebook and YouTube are banned, the Chinese use their own Chinese networking sites: Weibo, Baidu, Youku, and QQ mail. They have their own Internet slangs, which are very interesting.

In Singapore:

Singaporeans speak very obvious Singlish, and they are very active in networking sites like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc. They are obsessed with technological gadgets, and the young ones love to hang out at Starbucks.

GERALD CNY

Colour: RED

Red, as known to many, is one of the most popular decorative colours during Chinese New Year. It symbolizes good fortune and joy, which is why this colour is so commonly used. It is bright and vibrant, signifying a joyous, celebrative mood.

Symbol : Chinese zodiac signs

 

This used to excite me most when I was a kid, comparing zodiac signs with relatives and friends. It kind of feels like a representation of oneself, which I thought was pretty cool as it meant that I was a dragon (which in my opinion totally rocks). I first heard about the story about the animals when I was 8 or 9 and I was pretty disappointed and appalled by the fact that the dragon didnt win as it could even fly.

Image: Lion Dance

 

The Lion Dance is also a specialty of Chinese New Year or any other festive Chinese occasions. These skilled dancers will shock you with their ability to coordinate well with each other. It is usually a loud procession with the gigantic drums and all. I feel that these Lion Dancers deserve respect as they work hard practising their routine to perform for US.

Wienna's CNY

Colour: Orange 

 Orange symbolises mandarin orange and since it is a tradition to exchange mandarin oranges when visiting during the Chinese New Year, it symbolises the CNY.

Symbol: 

When the Chinese New year is here, people put up signs like this to welcome wealth, prosperity and happiness during the lunar new year and so to me, this represents the CNY! :) 

Images: 

This is family and to me, Chinese New year is a time for families to finally get to see each other, relax and bond together without the hectic work schedule and I find being together with your families during Chinese New year is very important. 

Yoon Yee's CNY

Colour: Gold

Other than red, gold is also a common colour seen during the Chinese New Yera period. Gold is seen as an auspicious colour as Chinese in the past used it as currency. 

Symbol: 福倒

This is a common Chinese New Year decoration, meaning that 福 is coming this new year. It symbolizes the wishes that people have for the new year, so I feel that this is an appropriate symbol. Huat ah!!!!

Image: Goodies

Of course, the celebrations cannot be complete without these yummy treats. There are always lots of these treats in every house you visit and I make sure I get a good helping of those. I love the pineapple tarts the best.

Yiying's CNY

Colour: RED

Red is the most commonly seen colour during Chinese New Year. It symbolises good luck and fortune. Seeing so much red around helps me get into the festive mood!

Symbol: RED PACKET

Red packets are often given out by the elderly to the younger generation, to give them well-wishes and blessings. I love receiving red packets as they contain money!

Image: LION DANCE

Lion dances are a must-see during Chinese New Year, as the agile 'lions' dance about excitedly, accompanied by loud drumming. I like watching lion dances with my relatives and family in Malaysia.