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Westward Ho!
February 27, 2000
Since PRC occupies such a large land mass in Asia, her boundaries include a variety of ethnic groups, topographical situations, and climatical environments that have made the country, in a sense, a mess. Chinese history has witnessed more than a thousand wars, big or small, caused by political, economical, or ethnic problems.
The advent of the communist regime had given the Chinese people untold hardships until its revisionist , Teng, the "Shortie", came to the rescue with capitalistic solution. It has been called “Opening and Reform” ever since.
Since then, people both inside and outside of China have seen dizzy prosperity in the coastal provinces. The industrialization of the Chinese Southeast has enlarged the economic gap between the wealthy and poor parts (western) of China, which consist of 19 provinces, regions of autonomy, special municipalities, and the residence to 720 million plus people living in a destitute condition. These regions are variously called “old" (communist-occupied before its coming to power), "few" (minorities), "border" (far from the central government), "needy" areas. The multitude of problems, including both races and religion, have caused conflicts that are coming to a dangerous point and may cause an explosion in China
In response, the communist regime has recently proclaimed a policy “to reconstruct the west”. Measures of priority include:
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Allocate big appropriations for infrastructure in the region.
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Strengthen environmental protection, such as stopping the relentless expansion of agricultural land and even restoring forest and grass lands.
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Favorable investment policy and tax holidays for domestic and foreign investments
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Expand the number of economic projects.
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This new commitment to the western region of China will bring many opportunities for investors, opportunites that will have a high rate-of-return. However, because of the diversity of ethnic communities, religious practices, land language issues in the region, a local partner or adviser is essential. We are ready to provide the right contacts in this area of high opportunity.
E-mail: VJCHANG@hotmail.com
Tel/Fax USA : (301) 438-7439
"GONG XI FA CAI"
February 8, 2000
Once upon a time, in very early Chinese history, there was a legendary, ferocious beast by the name of NIEN (Year). it came out periodically, from no where to kill and munch human beings. Since men were then unable to fight physically against it, they made use of their experience and wisdom to discover this scoundrel's habit:
1) It appeared on the first day of the first moon of the lunar calendar;
2) It was afraid of loud noise.
So at the next new year's eve, our ancestors hid in their houses and set off firecrackers at midnight. When the beast came out, for the last time, it not only found no food but was also frightened to death by the noisy firecrackers. Since then, on the new year day, people congratulate each other for not being eaten by NIAN.
As the years went by and economic activity became more important in people's lives, the Chinese coupled CONGRATULATIONS (gong xi) with BECOME WEALTHY (fa cai)
At this moment the author is here in malaysia celebrating with other Chinese friends the year of the dragon.
What is the most important rite on Chinese New Year's day? It is to WELCOME THE GOD OF WEALTH. But, from which direction this god is coming? Astrologists predict that he will come from the south. As it turns out, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and others of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Nations) are in the southeast of Asia , the direction where the god of wealth lives. This god is already here, evidenced by the Malaysian economy's extraordinary progress. For instance, its car sales in 1999 incresed by 78% as compared to the same period in1998. It is further predicted that the growth of car sales in 2000 will continue to increase by 21%. Dinner parties and IN SIN(bottoms up) are everywhere.
The author wishes to invite all our webbrowsers to join the Chinese
all over the world in wishing GONG XI FA CAI to one and all.
E-mail: VJCHANG@hotmail.com
Tel/Fax USA : (301) 438-7439
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