To most people in the civilised world, the extreme reaction of some American political leaders of both Republican and Democratic parties towards the founder of Wikileaks Julian Assange is astonishing. The reaction of some Australian politicians including current Prime Minister is no exception. Luckily it did not translate into political persecution yet. We hope with more and more informed debate and discussion about the ‘leaks’ that we can prevent these kinds of reaction towards a citizen who is willing to share the truth. I believe it is the human’s knee-jerk reaction when they feel that their ego, safety, welfare and / or power are being threatens. However some politicians are opportunistic and try to gain power without thinking of its consequences. It is however dangerous for a civilised society to allow personal threat to be publicly aired without proper due process of law, and intimidate the life of a person who tries to convey the truth. Misguided person or mentally disturbed under the bad influence of preachers, can turn into a real terrorist like the blind followers of some religious and ideological bigots.

Informed debate and discussion help to solve human conflicts. It is so important that without them, rule of civilised law will fail and human beings will resort to force to suppress their opponents or perceived enemies, one way or the other including murders and wars.

American founder of democracy, Thomas Jefferson once said: “information is the currency of democracy.” Of course, he means accurate information and the truth; not propaganda and misconstrued news and events. History has shown that without proper safeguard of truth i.e. freedom of accurate information and presumption of innocence until proper rule of law and justice dictate, anyone in power can misuse their power to suppress their opponents and citizens.

One can never be complacent about what a civilised society has achieved. History showed that under bad influence of a political leader or leaders, it can turn a civilised society upside down overnight like the old Germany under Hitler, Iraq, China, Italy, Russia, Eastern Europe, Japan, and the old Roman Empire etc. All it takes for evil to triumph in a civilised society if ‘good people’ do nothing and overwhelmed by bad people and regime.

We need an International Court of Justice and a robust and efficient United Nations to keep an eye on rogue leaders and nations. Together in keeping an eye for ‘evil’ that we hope ‘good’ will conquer ‘evil’. We hope that we can also help to turn bad leaders/governments into good leaders/governments and prevent good leaders/governments from becoming bad leaders/governments. I believe that we are all human being with a soul and we d not need to behave like an animal with rule of the jungle. We all have a soft touch in our heart for doing ‘good’ to other including our perceived enemies. The reasons why ‘perceived enemies’ are behaving badly, are usually because they have acted on bad information and/or emotionally disturbed and misguided by bad propaganda and brainwashing.

On this note, I wish everybody including those ‘bad guy’ and ‘terrorist’ are able to turn over a new leaf in the New Year and enjoy happy times with their family and friends. May the truth, justice, rule of civilised laws and peace prevail.

Dr Ka Sing Chua

President

11 January 2011

會長的話

辯論和討論是人類文明的基礎

對文明世界的大多數人來說﹐美國共和黨和民主黨兩黨的領導人向Wikileak‘s Julian Assange 創始人做出強烈的政治反應都感到十分驚訝. 一些澳大利亞政界人士包括現任總理也不例外. 幸運的是此事件並沒有轉化為政治迫害. 我們希望能有越來越多關於'洩密'的辯論和討論去解決人類的衝突﹐可以防止對願意分享真相的公民做出不公平的行動.因為我相信當人們覺得自我，安全，福利和/或權力受到威脅時,人類的本能反應就會去因應。然而，一些政客是機會主義者, 他們試圖不計後果爭取更多政權. 如在這文明社會內, 容許這些人對個人發表的真實報告,不經適當法律程序就公開威脅及恐嚇一個人的生命是很危險的事. 有些被誤導或精神在不良影響下成為宗教或意識形態的盲從偏執狂,也可能變成一個真正的恐怖分子.

辯論和討論有助於解決人類衝突.因為沒有它們﹐文明法律的規則也無法施行﹐人類因此會訴諸武力去壓抑對手或潛在的敵人﹐包括謀殺和戰爭。

美國民主始創人Thomas Jefferson 曾經說過：“信息是民主貨幣“﹐當然，他的意思是指準確的信息和真相，不是政治宣傳和誤解的新聞事件. 歷史已經証明，如果沒有適當法律保障真理的自由, 和假定無罪直到正義的司法裁決，任何人都可能濫用手中的權力壓制他們的對手和公民.

人不能滿足於文明社會的成果. 歷史表明，壞的政治影領導人，可以一夜之間把一個文明的社會摧毀, 像希特勒統治下的舊德國﹔伊拉克，中國，意大利，俄羅斯，東歐，日本，和老羅馬帝國等, 如果文明社會的'好人'不站起來去反抗壞政權便會被邪惡取勝. .

我們需要一個國際法院和一個強大有力和有效的聯合國去監督各國家領導人的行為, 希望能引導壞政府走向和平之路, 保障民生. 人類是萬物之靈, 不像野獸弱肉強食. 我們也理解到壞領袖可能是因為受到不良的信息,情緒困擾或被誤導而做出壞的行為.

在此，我祝福每個人，包括那些'壞人'和'恐怖分子', 希望他們能改過自新，在新的一年，與家人和朋友享受快樂時光. 希望世上的真理，正義，文明法治能帶給世界和平.

蔡家聲醫生

會長

Reflection of Editor

Time passes and suddenly before you realise it, another New Year 2011 is on our doorstep.

This January issue is again full of information for you to enjoy and read over the New Year. The Chinese New Year will fall on 3 February 2011 with the welcoming year of Rabbit which symbolises kindness, generosity and harmony.

On this note I wish to appeal to all readers wherever you are around the world, to give generously if you can afford it, to victims of natural disasters; be it in Queensland, Victoria, Australia, Brazil, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, USA, China etc. The issue of Climate Change and associated extreme natural disasters caused by Climate Changes are current problems we all have to face. I am acknowledging the contributions of Australia in the Summit at Cancun recently. A lot still has to be done to make our world and your countries safer to live in.

In this issue, I am grateful for my friend and co-editor for writing an excellent Editorial. It emphasises the importance of good policy from the governments and the caring governance and measures adopted in times of natural disasters, citing Australia and China as examples. Thank you Yit Seng.

In this issue, we adopted series of Boyer’s lectures delivered by Professor Glyn Davis AC, Vice-Chancellor and principal of Melbourne University through the ABC radio broadcaster of Australia and the Asialinks essays from Melbourne University. It is an experiment of sharing some of these knowledge and information with our readers. Let us know if you like them.

Professor Tim Jackson from UK has some evolutionary idea of social reform and we would like to share some of his challenges with you as well.

Professor Da Hsuan Feng from Cheng Kung University Taiwan again shared some of his far sighted vision with us. He will soon be leaving that University as his tenure expires and we wish him well in his future venture.

Dave Wang also did not disappoint us with another article on Chinese Civilisation and its influence.

Because I am based in Australia, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the new Ambassador of PRC, H.E. Chen Yuming by publishing an article by him. I also take this opportunity to farewell my friend of 20 years, the Consul-General of PRC in Melbourne H.E. Shen Weilien who is leaving us in flying colour as his farewell speech indicated.

We also published the New Year greetings from President Hu Jintao and President Ma Yingjeou and hope closer relationship will be fostered in the New Year between PRC and ROC for the benefit of the Chinese people and the world.

No country is perfect. Any Government can learn from their mistakes and accept criticism. Any constructive criticism must find its way to the ears of our decision makers. We try to be independent and constructive with no agenda of our own. We publish articles sent by readers who criticise their own countries’ folly and we hope that will help their countries to improve in their governance and good practices. Chinese have a saying: if you hear criticism, try to change it if it is right; take it as an encouragement if you are not in the wrong. The role of an effective United Nations as an independent referee for the world is so crucial in coming years to maintain order and peace. We published an article by Secretary-General of United Nations Ban Ki-Moon to challenge leaders around the world on ways and means of supporting UN to fulfil its important role.

Finally I wish to thank all our contributors for sending along the articles. The success of this Emagazine depends on your articles. We also would like to acknowledge the contribution of Professor Tim Jackson, Professor Glyn Davis, ABC broadcaster of Australia, Asialinks of Melbourne University, FTChinese.com and many others for sharing the knowledge. Much appreciated to all our contributors as we are a non-profit voluntary organisation running a free website for you.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you

A Healthy, Happy and Successful New Year and enjoy the Year of Rabbit.

Dr Ka Sing Chua

Editor

21 January 2011

Donate to the flood relief appeal

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Last updated 6 January 2011

Wishing you and your FAMILY a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2011

恭祝聖誕新年好萬事如意

Proposal for an Independent Grammar School teaching bilangual English and Chinese curriclum in a Western country.

EDITOR'S NOTE

Education plays a very importnt part in charting the progress and future of a nation and its citizens. Below is an opening discussion on whether Chinese Australians should set up an independent School of their own like the Jews and Anglosaxons.

Michael Toh and Dr Ka Sing Chua

are keen to hear from anyone who is willing to support the idea of setting up an Independent Grammar School in Australia with bilingual Autralian curriculum of ENGLISH and Chinese medium combined. This will suit students in all Western countries where there is a demand from overseas Chinese communities alone. Send your proposal and ideas to contact@www.huarenworldnet.org or kasingchua@hotmail.com

See below the analysis of a scholar on the philosophical change of China, bringing back the traditional educational system on developing virtues among its citizenry, homogenous set of values throughout the hierarchy of the social system . This is the precisely the tenet upon which the Full Independent School with ‘Chinese Characteristics’ I’m proposing. It is quite enlightening to know that the entrenched social system in China for over 2000 years cannot be so easily destroyed and hopefully be maintained into the future with perhaps a revised universal set of moral values based on humanism.

Michael Toh and Dr Ka Sing Chua

From Communism to Confucianism: China’s Alternative to Liberal Democracy

http://www.digitalnpq.org/archive/2010_spring/06_bell.html

President's special message

Prevent War at all cost

Talk to your ‘enemy’ before killing one another

They are your ‘brothers and sisters’ too.

North Korea sounds like a bully. South Korea suffers from an uncivilized big brother’s bully. Should USA and China get involved as in 1950-1953 Korean war? Should other countries get involved as in the cold war period? If another open warfare is allowed to develop between North and South Korea, it will be another world tragedy repeating itself.

We have not learned enough from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan left alone many other regional civil wars in Africa and Middle East etc? How many more innocent citizens from both sides have to die before our world leaders learn how to govern in the rule of law and civilization.

Why is UN so incapable of stopping these wars? What is our International Court going to do with these war mongering ‘leaders’? Aren’t these “rogue leaders” suppose to be warned or face arrest before they even have a chance to launch a ‘war against humanity’? Aren’t they the murderers of another kind? Any war involved fatality including the ‘soldiers’, is a murderous act against humanity. This is especially so for those victims of wars and many innocent children and women who are usually left to face the consequences of losing their love one.

In my opinion, these “leaders” are not just the “North Korean leadership”. They included presidents and leadership of USA, China, Russia, Japan, France, UK, Germany, Australia, Israel, Palestine and any other leader who sent their citizens/soldiers to an open warfare. It is like a “gangsters’ warfare” in a large scale in defied of the golden rule of law and civilization of humankind. Please keep dialogue going till a compromised peaceful solution is reached no matter how long it will take. Punish only a few 'rogue leaders' after a peaceful solution has been reached and settled properly. Put 'ego' aside and bring in UN and International Court to settle 'border dispute'.

May our humanity and civilisation flourish.

Prevent war at all cost.

Dr Ka Sing Chua

www.www.huarenworldnet.org

www.chineseworldnet.org

Best regards Ka Sing Chua

朝鲜对美中关系的挑战

美国前国家安全顾问兹比格纽•布热津斯基为英国《金融时报》撰稿

字号

最大较大默认较小最小

背景

收藏电邮打印评论[68条] 英文对照

现在，我们面临朝鲜第二次实施的带有敌意的挑衅行为。第一次挑衅——用鱼雷攻击韩国军舰——是暗中进行的：鱼雷来源被刻意掩饰。但后果是明显和令人痛苦的。当前这一次行动显然是公开的。周二的攻击来源无疑是确定的。这是一次肆无忌惮的行动，甚至可以说是一种战争行为。

这引发了一些根本问题。如果这些行动是朝鲜有意为之，那就表明其政权已经有些精神失常。其盘算和行动难以靠理性思维理解。另一种可能是，它表明朝鲜政权已经失控。朝鲜政府的不同部门，包括部分军队，也许不经中央协调就可独自采取行动。这是一种更加不祥的可能性。
那么，世界如何处理这个长期困扰大国、但毫无解决迹象的问题？这里我们进入了另一个不确定领域，因为日益明显的是，我们正在处理的是中美这两个间接涉及但积极参与的大国的不同历史观之间的冲突。
就中国而言，我们在与一个传统上自信的政权打交道。它认为全球实力分布的结构性转变最终将有利于自己。它感觉自己实力在日渐增长，这促使其摆出极大的自我克制、甚至是被动的姿态，不愿改变现状。

另一个关注这些事件的大国——美国则处于非常不同的历史阶段。公众舆论日益认为历史趋势不利于美国。因此美国政府专注于必须做出集体回应，并且对其它国家相对不愿与其分担繁重责任感到沮丧。
让事情更糟的是，从中东到西南亚洲，美国基本上独自陷入了持续十年之久的倒霉冒险。最近，一个完全依赖美国的国家，成功阻碍了美国为中东和平做出的一些重大外交努力。
在这些背景下，我们可能发现自己陷入这样一种境地：中国支持不到位的低调回应，而这只会导致进一步的挑衅行为，而美国可能倾向推动的回应方式，将被中国视为一种危险的过度反应。
重要的是，美国总统巴拉克•奥巴马(Barack Obama)在与中国以及“六方会谈”其它主要国家的合作中，应向全球展示冷静、坚定的个人领导能力。如果我回到白宫情况室，自问能为总统提供什么建议，以下是我会说的。
奥巴马总统必须采取主动。对这种挑衅不能不当一回事，或交给外交官解决。奥巴马应该致电韩国总统李明博(Lee Myung-bak)，亲自而直接地再次保证：美国将提供支持。随后他应该致电中国国家主席胡锦涛表示严重关切。他应该致电日本首相菅直人(Naoto Kan)——日本是美国在太平洋的主要盟友，并且毗邻朝鲜。他还应该致电俄罗斯总统德米特里•梅德韦杰夫(Dmitry Medvedev)。随后美国国务卿希拉里•克林顿(Hillary Clinton)应该跟进这些电话，并着手准备将该事件提交至联合国安理会。
朝鲜一直悍然挑战国际社会，其方式是萨达姆•侯赛因(Saddam Hussein)至少不会公然采取的，伊朗也没有这么做。伊朗坚称（或许是在撒谎）其不谋求发展核武器。这是不同类型的挑战——我们的回应必须是坚持让他们拿出证据来。然而，朝鲜有些狂妄，它炫耀自己的核能力，目前又公然挑衅。
我们还必须讨论的是，能否在高科技和能源领域有选择地对朝鲜实施惩罚性的禁运。如果不是朝鲜拥有核武器，并表现出某种疯狂，这本来没什么大不了的。
但关键是，我们不应对中国采取对立的方式。制造大规模的公众敌意既不符合美国的利益，也不符合中国的利益。政府间的分歧是可控的：它们属于正常的国际事务。但如果你挑起公众情绪，此类危机就变得更难控制，也更加危险。
奥巴马致电胡锦涛应该是两个有着共同关切的领导人之间的通话。它不应是美方的要求，也不是警告，而应该是一种认定：我们各自的利益受到影响，做出有效回应符合两国的共同利益。
本文作者曾在1977年至1981年担任美国国家安全顾问

PRESS RELEASE
(embargo copy - please release after 12:00pm HK time today)

World Cities Meet in Hong Kong to take action on Climate Change

Hong Kong, November 5, 2010 (Firday) – The C40 Hong Kong Workshop ‘Low Carbon Cities for High Quality Living’ convened today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The C40 climate leadership group is an association of cities from the developed and the developing world that are already taking action on climate change. The Workshop brings cities together from around the C40 network for an exchange on latest best practises and thinking on low carbon living. The two key themes of the event are improving energy efficiency of existing and new buildings and developing and planning for the uptake of Electric Vehicles. Because cities have a significant role to play in regulating and managing buildings and transport, these sectors represent critical opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the impact of climate change.

Buildings alone represent an average of 60% of total global emissions, and there are more than 20 million vehicles in just 19 key C40 cities.

The C40 Hong Kong Workshop opening ceremony featured Donald Tsang, Hong Kong Chief Executive; Mayor David Miller of Toronto, Chair of the C40; Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York Chair-Elect of the C40; and Mayor Masondo of Johannesburg and Edward Yau Environment Minister for Hong Kong. Senior officials and technical staff from over 33 participating cities are attending in order to present and learn about some of the latest best practises from across the C40 network.

Many C40 cities have pioneered practises and policies to reduce GHG emissions and to adapt to global climate change. By holding workshops such as the one in Hong Kong cities can share best practices, build networks, identify collaborative projects and chart future actions to help tackle climate change.

“C40 Cities are already involved in large scale building retrofitting and energy efficiency projects across the world. This week’s workshop provides us all an opportunity to learn from each other, share ideas and accelerate the rate at which we can reduce GHG emissions”. Said Donald Tsang.

The building and transport sectors are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. By focusing on energy efficiency and electric vehicles this Hong Kong workshop is providing a crucial exchange that will help cities continue to lead in the fight against climate change,” said David Miller Mayor of Toronto, C40 Chair.

“The leaders of the world’s cities hold the future of humanity in our hands. It is in the power of all of us in the C40 to fill that future with promise, not peril,” said Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of NYC and C40 Chair Elect.

“I am looking forward to spending the next two days with representatives from across the globe. The C40 has consistently provided cities such as Johannesburg a global perspective on best practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This meeting will allow us to consider how we can take our existing innovative strategies in building efficiency and transport to the next level,” said Amos Masondo, Mayor of Johannesburg.

About C40

The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) is a group of the world’s largest cities committed to tackling climate change. The current chair of the C40 is Mayor David Miller of Toronto; the chair-elect of the C40 is Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg of New York. The C40 Large Cities Climate Leadership Group is comprised of the following cities: Addis Ababa, Athens, Bangkok, Beijing, Berlin, Bogotá, Buenos Aires, Cairo, Caracas, Chicago, Delhi, Dhaka, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Houston, Istanbul, Jakarta, Johannesburg, Karachi, Lagos, Lima, London, Los Angeles, Madrid, Melbourne, Mexico City, Moscow, Mumbai, New York City, Paris, Philadelphia, Rio de Janeiro, Rome, São Paulo, Seoul, Shanghai, Sydney, Toronto, Tokyo, and Warsaw. The C40 also has 19 affiliate cities: Amsterdam, Austin, Barcelona, Basel, Changwon, Copenhagen, Curitiba, Heidelberg, Ho Chi Minh City, Milan, New Orleans, Portland, Rotterdam, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Santiago de Chile, Seattle, Stockholm, and Yokohama. The Clinton Climate Initiative is the delivery partner of C40. The C40 also has initiatives with Arup, ECOS and the World Bank Institute.

President’s Message會長的話

The Earth we live in.

This issue our cover featured what the Earth we live in can become so uninhabitable if we have severe natural disaster like prolonged drought which will then deprive us all of drinkable fresh water and our vegetation will be abolished. It has been predicted by some scientists that one day the most precious commodity in this Earth may be the drinkable water. It may also become the most sought after commodity. It may become so rare and hard to get that people may be fighting for it to survive. This reminds me of the wild prediction of well known scientist Stephen Hawking that one day our planet may be destroyed by our own human being’s wanton use of our resources and that we have to move to another planet to live. Well, it remains a possibility that we do not know.

However we have some scientific evidence now that if the planet is allowed to become so warm that significant melting of Antartic and Artic icebelt may occur. The whole earth may be so affected by this climate changes that it could be flooded and buried by rising seawater. The other problem is that with the testing of atomic and nuclear bombs etc the earth may become so unstable that massive earthquakes and volcanic eruption that may cause huge tsunami waves and bury us all, and destroy the earth we live in. Scary it may sound but we have seen regional destruction with recent Tsunami wave in Indonesia and surrounding region and earthquakes and flooding in various part of the world that killed many of our brothers and sisters and destroyed their properties etc.

In order to protect our Earth and the planet we live in, it is better to err on the wrong side by taking some precautionary measures. The scientists all over the world are looking into this possibility. There are now evidence that the warming of the Earth may be due to the massive use of carbon energy with the process of globalisation and modernisation. If we can reduce our carbon pollution the Earth, it will not only stay cleaner but it will hopefully avoid extreme climate changes that can cause severe drought , earthquakes, flooding, volcanic eruption etc., which may eventually destroy us all.

Copenhagen Climate Summit has come and gone and we are still waiting for our wise politicians and governments a round the world to formulate some strategy to cope with potential climate changes and pollutions caused by our industralization and massive wanton use of carbon energy for our modern live styles.

There is still a lot of controversy surrounding this issue. I believe education is the key to the understanding of this issue and our decision makers must first learn about the possible consequences of the carbon pollution that will have on this Earth we share , breathe and live in.

WE know that no one can escape this problem as we travel round the world in our cars, planes and ships. We travel around the world to work and for holidays and pleasure. IT IS EVERYBODY’S RESPONSIBILITY TO SHARE THIS CONCERN and assists in every way we can to ensure that our future generation will inherit a healthy Earth to live in and pass on to the next generation. Let us all try to protect the environment and the Earth we live in.

References :Australian Academy of Science Report on Climate Changes 2010

http://www.science.org.au/policy/climatechange2010/index.html

Dr. Ka Sing Chua

President.
會長的話

我們居住的地球

這期封面的特別報導是如果我們居住的地球受到嚴重的自然災害如長期的乾旱, 造成飲用水不足和植物耕種的破壞, 將會使我們的地球變得不適合人類居住了. 一些科學家預測有一天在這個地球上最貴重的物品可能就是飲用的水。它也可能變得非常稀少而難以取得，人類可能因此為了生存而戰鬥, 讓我想起知名科學家史蒂芬霍金大膽的預測，有一天地球的資源可能會被人類肆意濫用而不得不前移到另一個星球上居住. 雖然我們還不知道但這種可能性是存在的.

不過，我們有一些科學證據，如果地球繼續暖化，南極和北極的冰層可能融化. 整個地球可能會因此受到這種暖化作用，海水上升, 會被洪水淹沒沉沒水中.。另一個問題是，隨著原子和核炸彈等的試爆, 地球變得很不穩定，大規模的地震和火山會爆發，引發巨大的海嘯波浪把人和財產淹沒，聽起來嚇人,但我們看到有些地區如印尼最近發生的海嘯, 和世界各地的地震和洪水, 奪去了了我們許多的兄弟姐妹的生命和摧毀了他們的財產.

為了保護我們安家立業的地球，我們最好要做好一些預防措施改正錯誤。世界各地科學家們在正在研究這個可能性. 既有證據顯示地球氣候暖化,可能是由於全球化和現代化過程中使用大量碳能源引起的. 如果我們能夠減少碳污染，就不僅能保持地球清潔，而且可避免極端氣候變化而導致嚴重的旱災，地震，洪水，火山爆發等災難 , 我們大家因此得以免於被毀滅.

哥本哈根氣候高峰會一次又一次的舉行，我們還在等待全球各地政府及睿智的政治家們規劃策略去因應工業化及現代化生活方式造成的潛在的氣候變化及大規模碳能源的濫用造成的污染。

這個議題仍有許多爭議, 我相信教育是主要關鍵, 決策者要先瞭解碳污染可能對這個我們賴以生存和我們息息相關的地球產生的嚴重後果。

當我們坐汽車，飛機和船隻去工作或旅行時，我們知道，沒有人能逃避這個問題,每個人都要分擔這份責任, 盡可能在各方面努力保護地球環境, 確保我們的下一代能繼續生活在健康的地球上. 讓我們大家努力保護地球環境吧!

參考連結 :-

References :Australian Academy of Science Report on Climate Changes 2010

http://www.science.org.au/policy/climatechange2010/index.html

EDITORIAL

We apologies for the delay of the publication of this September issue of Huaren Emagazine as we hope to capture some vision of the leaders of both PRC and ROC from their National Days' Speeches respectively.

We are very pleased to see that lots of cooperation and exchanges between the two governments and their people have happened last few short years. We applaud the signing of ECFA between the two Governments. We at www.huarenworldnet.org have always advocated closer cooperation based on the spirit of mutual benefit, assistance, security and prosperity for their people. Credit must be given to their respective leadership for achieving this historical break through. Much work still needs to be done for the eventual reunification of their country. We urge patient, goodwill and friendly cooperation in their further dialogue and negotiation to achieve the long term welfare for the Chinese people inside and outside China.

Peaceful cooperation with the spirit of give and take with genuine civilized humanity in mind makes commonsense for a win-win scenario for all people. This applies to all world citizens and nations if only their rulers and politicians have the decency and knowledge to do so. SADLY we still witness wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Middle East, Africa etc. These unrest and conflict do not reflect well on their decision makers and governments involved in these wars. Sadly it shows that their leaders are not decent enough and or not well informed and knowledgeable enough to see the folly of wars inflicted on their people and others. Sadly it happens to many supposedly “highly educated leaders” who started the wars. As a civilization, human society still has a long way to go to abolish wars at some local and global stages.

Nobel Peace prize is as good as its name implies. The Nobel Committee should have considered giving it, after President Obama, to China’s President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao for helping to lift millions out of poverty not just in China but other part of the world who have benefited from the economic success of China. They are also very active in promoting regional and global peace especially initiating peace talk and negotiation with North Korea and Asia pacific region. This may quicken China's political reform. We do not believe in jailing peaceful political opponent like Dr Liu Xiaobo as they could be good for the transformation of an old society to a new society but to award him with a Nobel Peace prize may be a bit misguided. China will change for the better regardless of this event. Criticism outside China especially from credible western leaders has some merit which should be taken on board for political reform of China which has been advocated by the leadership of President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao time and time again. However it needs time to undo the obstacles in front of them. A better and freer China with civilized rule of law in their society is their aim and ambition. Hence the promotion of a harmonious Chinese society is still a key policy for their political reform. They should therefore learn to be more generous and tolerant to the intellectual like Dr Liu Xiaobo as those intellectuals can assist in the peaceful transformation of a freer and more stable China for the common good of the Chinese people.

In this issue we featured the vision of Premier WenJiabao and President Ma Ying Jeou respectively. We also published ideas of various leaders including former Prime Ministers of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew and Malaysia Dr Mahathir Mohammed, former PM of Australia Kevin Rudd etc.

We are really pleased to have so many articles sent to us covering a variety of issues and topics. We sincerely thank all the new and old contributors. I would like to particularly welcome my friends Gim Teh from Melbourne and Michael Toh from Sydney Australia for their first contribution. I also hope one day I will be able to catch up personally with all the contributors from around the world. If you happen to be in Melbourne Australia, do drop me a line. TO ALL our readers, I hope you will take time to enjoy reading all the articles in English and Chinese.

It is a big task to complete this issue. I am indebted to my guest Editor Dr Yit Seng Yow for not only helping to contribute a well balanced article “Acclimatizing the Peaceful Rise of China”, he also helped me to put the whole magazine together. Again, our gratitude also goes to Matthew Lee for designing the Cover. A theme which I stressed in my President Message that we all should learn to protect our environment, the mother Earth and the planet we share and live in.

Last but not least, I would like to thank our voluntary hard working webmaster James Yin for chipping in all the year round updating our website and our sponsor Webalive.com.au.

Finally to all our contacts around the world, who keep sending us information on various Huaren activities and articles which we can share with you. We would like to hear from every corner of the world where Huaren reside. Please send us any credible Huaren community websites so that we can link them all up at www.huarenworldnet.org We are an independent, non-profit voluntary global networking organization website with an independent Mission for all Huaren. We welcome your suggestion and support in order to be able to do more for you as an information exchange website for Huaren.

Happy reading

Dr Ka Sing Chua

Editor

WHF Mission Statement

To ensure that Huaren are treated with dignity wherever they are, by promoting the well-beings of all peoples, and by cultivating in Huaren and non-Huaren the spirit of living together as communities of equal citizens.

Objectives

To serve as a forum for Huaren around the world to discuss issues which concern them and address those concerns where appropriate.
To foster understanding and relationships among Huaren and non-Huaren.
To promote civil societies based on the rule of law, democracy, liberty, universal values, human rights, and fair and equal access to resources.
To foster the development of a non-partisan national, regional and international network to support and promote a worldwide peace movement committed to transparent and accountable governance.
To promote the culture of peace through non-discriminatory multicultural policies based on mutual respect, tolerance, the sharing of resources/information and the elimination of poverty through sustainable development.
To encourage and support Huaren in their fair and active participation in the political, educational, social, cultural and economic processes of their respective countries.
To form strategic alliances with Huaren and non-Huaren organisations worldwide with common aims and objectives.

*** Huaren are people of Chinese origin by birth, descent and heritage inside and outside China.***

Dragon 100 Young Chinese Leaders Forum 2011 (24 July - 1 Aug 2011)

UBUNTU Statement; Disarmament, at last

上海世博會全區自由行

Chinese Lunar New Year

The Chinese New Year is celebrated at the second new moon after the winter solstice and falls between 21 January and 19 February on the Gregorian calendar. The year 2011 translates to the Chinese year 4708-4709.
Chinese New Year is the longest and most important celebration in the Chinese calendar.
Chinese New Year starts with the New Moon on the first day of the new year and ends on the full moon 15 days later. The 15th day of the new year is called the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated at night with lantern displays and children carrying lanterns in a parade.
The Chinese calendar is based on a combination of lunar and solar movements. The lunar cycle is about 29.5 days. In order to "catch up" with the solar calendar the Chinese insert an extra month once every few years (seven years out of a 19-yearcycle). This is the same as adding an extra day on leap year. The years are arranged in major cycles of 60 years. This is why, according to the solar calendar, the Chinese New Year falls on a different date each year.
New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are celebrated as a family affair, a time of reunion and thanksgiving. The celebration was traditionally highlighted with a religious ceremony given in honour of Heaven and Earth, the gods of the household and the family ancestors.
The sacrifice to the ancestors, the most vital of all the rituals, united the living members with those who had passed away. Departed relatives are remembered with great respect because they were responsible for laying the foundations for the fortune and glory of the family.
The presence of the ancestors is acknowledged on New Year's Eve with a dinner arranged for them at the family banquet table. The spirits of the ancestors, together with the living, celebrate the onset of the New Year as one great community. The communal feast called "surrounding the stove" or weilu. It symbolizes family unity and honours the past and present generations.
During Chinese New Year celebrations, people wear red clothes; give children 'lucky money' in red envelopes and set off firecrackers. Red symbolizes fire, which the Chinese believe drives away bad luck. Family members gather at each other's homes for extravagant meals.

The 15-Day Celebration of Chinese New Year

The first day of the Lunar New Year is "the welcoming of the gods of the heavens and earth." Many people abstain from meat on the first day of the new year because it is believed that this will ensure long and happy lives for them.
On the second day, the Chinese pray to their ancestors as well as to all the gods. They are extra kind to dogs and feed them well as it is believed that the second day is the birthday of all dogs.
The third and fourth days are for the sons-in-laws to pay respect to their parents-in-law.
The fifth day is called Po Woo. On that day people stay home to welcome the God of Wealth. No one visits families and friends on the fifth day because it will bring both parties bad luck.
On the sixth to the 10th day, the Chinese visit their relatives and friends freely. They also visit the temples to pray for good fortune and health.
The seventh day of the New Year is the day for farmers to display their produce. These farmers make a drink from seven types of vegetables to celebrate the occasion. The seventh day is also considered the birthday of human beings. Noodles are eaten to promote longevity and raw fish for success.
On the eighth day the Fujian people have another family reunion dinner, and at midnight they pray to Tian Gong, the God of Heaven.
The ninth day is to make offerings to the Jade Emperor.
The 10th through the 12th are days that friends and relatives should be invited for dinner. After so much rich food, on the 13th day you should have simple rice congee and mustard greens (choi sum) to cleanse the system.
The 14th day should be for preparations to celebrate the Lantern Festival which is to be held on the 15th night. Chinese New Year ends with the lantern festival, where people hang decorated lanterns in temples and carry lanterns to an evening parade under the light of the full moon. The highlight of the lantern festival is often the dragon dance. The dragon can stretch over 30 meters long and is typically made of silk, paper and bamboo.

Traditional New Year Foods

Probably more food is consumed during the New Year celebrations than any other time of the year. Vast amounts of traditional food are prepared for family and friends, as well as those close to us who have die.
On New Year's Day, the Chinese family will eat a vegetarian dish called jai. Although the various ingredients in jai are root vegetables or fibrous vegetables, many people attribute various superstitious aspects to them:

Lotus seed - signify having many male offspring
Ginkgo nut - represents silver ingots
Black moss seaweed - is a homonym for exceeding in wealth
Dried bean curd is another homonym for fulfilment of wealth and happiness
Bamboo shoots - is a term which sounds like "wishing that everything would be well"
Fresh bean curd or tofu is not included as it is white and unlucky for New Year as the colour signifies death and misfortune.

Other foods include a whole fish, to represent togetherness and abundance, and a chicken for prosperity. The chicken must be presented with a head, tail and feet to symbolize completeness. Noodles should be uncut, as they represent long life.

In south China, the favourite and most typical dishes were nian gao, sweet steamed glutinous rice pudding and zong zi (glutinous rice wrapped up in reed leaves), another popular delicacy.

In the north, steamed-wheat bread (man tou) and small meat dumplings were the preferred food. The tremendous amount of food prepared at this time was meant to symbolize abundance and wealth for the household.

Chinese New Year Decorations

Prior to New Year's Day, Chinese families decorate their living rooms with vases of pretty blossoms, platters of oranges and tangerines and a candy tray with eight varieties of dried sweet fruit. On walls and doors are poetic couplets, happy wishes written on red paper. These messages sound better than the typical fortune cookie messages. For instance, "May you enjoy continuous good health" and "May the Star of Happiness, the Star of Wealth and the Star of Longevity shine on you" are especially positive couplets.

Plants and Flowers
Every traditional Chinese household should also have live blooming plants to symbolize rebirth and new growth. Flowers are believed to be symbolic of wealth and high positions in one's career. Lucky is the home with a plant that blooms on New Year's Day, for that foretells a year of prosperity. In more elaborate settings, plum blossoms just starting to bloom are arranged with bamboo and pine sprigs, the grouping symbolizing friends & harmony; the plum blossom also signifies reliability and perseverance; the bamboo is known for its compatibility, its utility and its flexible stems for furniture and other articles; the evergreen pine evokes longevity and steadiness. Other highly prized flowers are the pussy willow, azalea, peony and water lily or narcissus.
The Chinese firmly believe that without flowers, there would be no formation of any fruits. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to have flowers and floral decorations.
They are the emblems of reawakening of nature; they are also intimately connected with superstition and with the wish for happiness during the ensuing year.

Oranges and Tangerines
Etiquette dictates that you must bring a bag of oranges and tangerines and enclose a lai see when visiting family or friends anytime during the two-week long Chinese New Year celebration. Tangerines with leaves intact assure that one's relationship with the other remains secure. For newlyweds, this represents the branching of the couple into a family with many children. Oranges and tangerines are symbols for abundant happiness.

Candy Tray
The candy tray arranged in either a circle or octagon is called "The Tray of Togetherness" and has a dazzling array of candy to start the New Year sweetly. After taking several pieces of candy from the tray, adults places a red envelope (lai see) on the centre compartment of the tray. Each item represents some kind of good fortune.

Candied melon - growth and good health
Red melon seed - dyed red to symbolize joy, happiness, truth and sincerity
Lychee nut - strong family relationships
Cumquat - prosperity (gold)
Coconut - togetherness
Peanuts - long life
Longan - many good sons
Lotus seed - many children

Chinese Zodiac

The Chinese lunar calendar is arranged in major cycles of 60 years; and minor cycle of 12 years. Each successive year is named after one of 12 animals, and these 12-year cycles are continuously repeated.
There are different versions of the story behind the development of the Chinese zodiac, but all the versions are based around a race called by an Emperor to determine the animals to be represented.
The cunning Rat hitched a ride on the back of the Ox and crossed the winning line first. The Rat was followed (in order) by Ox (Cow), Tiger, Rabbit (Cat), Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram (Goat, Sheep), Monkey, Rooster (Chicken), Dog and Pig (Boar).
According to the Chinese zodiac, you take on the characteristics of the animal associated with the year of your birth, but those characteristics are also influenced by what time of day you're born, what fixed element you belong to (water, metal, wood, fire, earth), as well as the influence of Yin and Yang.

The Chinese zodiac for the next 12 years is:
2010 – Tiger
2011 – Rabbit
2012 – Dragon
2013 – Snake
2014 – Horse
2015 - Sheep (Goat)
2016 – Monkey
2017 – Rooster
2018 – Dog
2019 – Pig
2020 – Rat
2021 - Ox

Help for Haiti

Eddie --

On Tuesday, a catastrophic earthquake struck near Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but the death toll -- already in the thousands -- is climbing fast.

This is the worst earthquake to hit the area in more than 200 years. Entire communities have been ripped apart and as many as 3 million people have been directly affected, including tens of thousands of American citizens who are in Haiti.

Our neighbors in Haiti are racing to confront the enormous devastation -- and this community can help.

Click here for more information about essential relief efforts and ways you can help today.

Footage is pouring in of homes collapsing, Haitians carrying injured family members, and hospitals being overrun in what was already the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere.

I have directed my administration to respond with a swift, coordinated, and aggressive effort to save lives. Personnel from the United States and our partners in the international community are on the ground in damaged areas right now, working side by side with the Haitian people. They're providing much-needed food, water, and sanitation supplies, saving lives and helping local communities start to rebuild.

Despite the fact that we are experiencing tough times here at home, I encourage those who can to reach out and help. It's in times like these that we must show the kind of compassion and humanity that has defined the best of our national character for generations.

Click here to find out what you can do:

http://my.democrats.org/Haiti

As this story continues to unfold, I hope you will continue to keep the people of Haiti in your thoughts and prayers, as well as the many Haitian-Americans who have done so much to enrich our country and who are worried about friends and loved ones in this time of need.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

王小良和“美国开国元勋与中国”研究

(声明:刊用本报图文务经书面授权，注明摘自《侨报周刊》及作者。)

作者:管黎明时间:2009-12-14 14:22:07 点击:66次

过去的一百年是中国向西方学习的一百年，但在20世纪之前，中国在农业、水利、建筑、陶瓷、纺织等各方面所取得的成就却被多国效彷。在美国，独立战争前后，富兰克林、杰斐逊、华盛顿等开国元勋就曾吸收和借鉴了中国文化，用以指导新大陆的建设。这一过程长期以来并没有引起历史学家们的注意。

直到十多年前，在亚利桑纳大学攻读博士学位的王小良在查找资料时，注意到富兰克林在书信中屡屡提及中国，随后的调查开启了他历时十多年的“美国开国元勋与中国”的研究。他的研究日益受到美国眾多研究机构、政界人士及学者的关注。甚至连作过前总统肯尼迪和现任总统奥巴马顾问的前参议员Harris Wofford在两年前访问中国时，还特地带上了王小良的著作。

本期“纽约故事”，让我们走近王小良，走近他的“美国开国元勋与中国”的研究。

北美殖民地和中国风
中国文化在18世纪北美殖民地的流行可能是今天的人们所无法想象的。王小良在他的研究中引述了前总统克林顿的一番话表示，中国作为“一个有著很强创造力、知识和财富的国家”，其对美国的影响早在美国诞生之前便已开始了。从印刷到诗歌，从医药到数学，再到指南针以及人道主义的哲学，中国对世界文明的许多最早的贡献直到今天还在丰富著我们的生活。

在美国建国之前，殖民地时期的居民们早已熟悉中国和中国的许多产品，这些产品通常被作为“新鲜事物”来对待。对于那些过著清教徒生活的早期居民来说，遥远的中华帝国是他们所珍视的茶和丝绸的来源。到18世纪中期，殖民地的商人们从中国运来了大量的中国家具、墙纸、丝绸和瓷器，这些商品不但成为上层人物的奢侈品，也逐渐在社会的中低层散播开来。

王小良在查阅和研究了当时的大量书信、个人日记等文献后认为，当时美国社会的许多领袖人物，包括富兰克林、杰斐逊和华盛顿，都对中国的文化有著强烈的兴趣。他们不单是对中国的商品感兴趣，更希望学习中国社会是如何制造这些商品，同时又是如何通过制造这些商品来发展自己的经济的。

富兰克林一度非常努力地在殖民地提倡发展养蚕业，认为丝绸不但让中国人有衣可穿，而且还可以用来出口，繁荣自己国家的经济。当他远在欧洲的时候，通过女儿来信得知北美许多人开始尝试制作丝绸，他感到由衷的高兴。

杰斐逊在得知中国的某些旱稻品种在欧洲生长得非常不错时，竭力从欧洲的朋友那里获取这些旱稻的种子，他希望将这些旱稻移植到南卡罗来纳的种植园里，这样可以解决水稻带来的许多问题。其中的一个问题关于种植水稻的奴隶，他们由于长期浸泡水中，得了很多疾病。通过引进中国品种，这些奴隶可以不再受各种疾病的困扰。

乔治·华盛顿一度非常努力地在自己的花园里种植来自中国的花草，希望他们能够在北美的土壤中繁衍开来。而纽约等地的商人效彷中国的运河系统在纽约和奥本尼之间建立了自己的运河，直到今天这条运河对纽约经济的影响仍清晰可见。

值得一提的是，富兰克林等当时北美社会的菁英大多从欧洲出版的传教士撰写的图书和从事远东贸易的商人那里获得有关中国的各种知识和商品，许多到达美洲的商品，如茶叶，也都是从欧洲转运而来，早期的中美直接贸易直到18中期才真正开始。

华盛顿和早期中美贸易

说到中国对早期美国的影响，贸易自然是不能忽略的一个方面。王小良在他的“与中国通商”（With China We Trade）一文中提到了华盛顿当年对开发中美贸易的关注。

独立战争后的美国，虽然摆脱了殖民地地位，但得面对大英帝国在欧洲市场上对美国的全面封锁。如果不能重振战后的美国经济，那麽政治上的独立肯定无法长久。在这种时刻，与远在东方的中国进行贸易对新生的美国至关重要。

1784年2月，第一艘驶往中国的美国船只——“中国皇后号”（Empress of China），在纽约码头启程，驶往中国的广东。华盛顿本人亲自签署了“船书”（Sea letter，国际航海中表明船只身份的文书）。这无疑显示了美国的开国总统对与中国进行贸易往来的重视，他希望“中国皇后号”能为新生的国家打开新的航路，新的市场和建立新的贸易伙伴。

“中国皇后号”携带了北美为数不多的可能引起中国商人兴趣的商品——阿帕拉契亚山脉的人参和美州特产的红酒和白酒，以及一些动物皮毛，其中人参占了主要的比例。一年后“皇后号”返回，带回了大量的茶叶和茶具，茶叶主要是产自福建的武夷茶（在北美和欧洲被称为Bohea），这些商品令资助“皇后号”的商人们获得了数倍于当初投资的利润。

“中国皇后号”的成功激发了纽约、费城以及奥本尼等地的大批商人的兴趣，他们纷纷资助和修建船只，扩展与中国的贸易。而中国的广东对于当时的美国来说，无疑是全世界不多的贸易中心之一。

一个有趣的细节是，前往广东的商人们不久便发现当地的人们对产自北美的酒类很快便失去了兴趣。

富兰克林的中国缘
本杰明·富兰克林是美国历史上人尽皆知的人物，他的《穷理察年书》畅销至今。然而，鲜有人知道富兰克林曾对孔子思想有所研究，他还曾企图效法中国的长城来抵御法国殖民者和北美印第安人侵袭。

王小良在他的“本杰明·富兰克林、乔治·华盛顿、托马斯·杰斐逊和中国文明”一文中表示，美国文明并非只是欧洲文明的一个延伸，在美国文明形成的过程中，开国元勋们从中国文明中吸取了许多积极有用的元素，用他们来指导新国家的建设。这其中最有代表性的便是富兰克林深入研究，并在美国推行孔子个人修养理念的历史。

富兰克林最早接触到孔子的学说是在欧洲，而不是在美国。早在1724年，富兰克林借钱前往伦敦，目的是去购买一台印刷设备。他利用在伦敦的时间拼命研读各种书籍，其中一本便是1691年伦敦出版的《孔子道德学说》（The Morals of Confucius），其中有关君子如何修养自己的身心，然后向子民传播，以及“修身、齐家、养性”等理念给年轻的富兰克林留下了深刻的印象，以至于他将其中一段话特地印在了1737年3月出版的《宾州纪事报》（Pennsylvania Gazette）上，与殖民地的读者分享。

王小良引用作者Edmund Morgan在《本杰明·富兰克林》一书中的话表示，在富兰克林最终决定了自己的行为准则和信仰后，他并不挂在嘴上，而是在行动中处处以这些思想为指导，来决定自己的作人和处世方式。

在22岁那年，富兰克林列出了他所认为的最重要的13条作人的“美德”或准则，来完善自己的人格。王小良在将这些准则进行研究之后认为，毫无疑问它们是受到了孔子思想的启发。他并将这十三条准则同孔子的学说一一对比，说明了它们的相似性。

在1737－1738年间，富兰克林在他的《宾州纪事报》上刊登了一系列介绍孔子思想的文章，标题为《孔子道德摘选》（From the Morals of Confucius）。他在文中认为，孔子的思想解决了三个方面的问题：人们应当如何来培养自己的情操，规范自己的行为；用什麽样的方法来指导别人；人们应当如何尊重和致力于社会公益。

除了孔子思想外，富兰克林对中国的长城也深有研究。在1754至1763年殖民地对抗北美印第安人和他们的法国盟友的战争中，身处宾州的富兰克林力主修建一座类似于中国的长城的城墙，来保护殖民地的居民。

王小良在研究中发现，富兰克林是在1756年修建了他的“北美版”的长城，当时他率领500名殖民地士兵负责保卫宾夕法尼亚，以确保当地的居民不受法国人和印第安人的侵袭。在给好友Samuel Rhodes的一封信中，富兰克林明确表示，单单修建碉堡并不能保证我们的安全，必须修建一座象中国那样的城墙，把殖民地的两端都连起来，这样才能起到保护的作用。虽然这座“长城”没有被保存下来，但根据富兰克林的儿子后来的作证，那座城墙对法国人和印第安人构成了巨大的障碍，令他们无法进入殖民地核心区域。

此外，富兰克林也积极在北美殖民地推动丝绸业的发展，希望借丝绸来推动殖民地的经济。富兰克林一度对他的同事宣称，如果人们觉得种小麦没有意思，那麽他们应当考虑养蚕和制作丝绸，生产麻布和丝绸对于美国内陆来说再合适不过。他并引用中国为例表示，中国的丝绸业的发达使得这个国家人人都可以用丝绸来做衣服穿，同时他们还可以把多余的丝绸用来出口，而后来这些丝绸便传遍了印度和欧洲等地。

富兰克林对中国的陶瓷制品也非常看重，甚至将美国比作一个“尊贵的中国花瓶”。在独立战争胜利后，他一度表示，现在在美国“人们终于可以来看护自己的中国花瓶”了。

杰斐逊和中国建筑
自18世纪初开始，中国的建筑和家具风格在北美逐渐流行开来，人们视这些来自遥远的中华帝国的设计为流行时尚。当时的家具如座椅和橱柜等流行一种 “Chinese Chippendale”的风格，其典型特点便是在顶部拥有像宝塔一样的曲线，刻上龙的图案，以及两边的“耳朵”往上翘起。

上述的设计风格不单被用在家具中，在建筑上也经常被采用。根据王小良博士的研究，美国的另一位开国元勋杰斐逊，便是最早推崇中国设计风格的人之一。

杰斐逊本人对于花园非常钟爱，认为对于一位绅士来说，花园是建筑必不可少的一部分。而美国的宽广和肥沃的土地让人们可以不需花费便可以造出绝美的花园。杰斐逊在考虑修建自己的花园时，对采用中国的园林设计风格表现出了非常大的兴趣。他最终在朋友的帮助下，在花园的屋顶、门廊和过道的栏杆中采用了许多中国的元素。

杰斐逊在弗吉尼亚州的庄园Monticello至今被视为美国最珍贵的建筑遗产之一。而杰斐逊本人也将其视为自己的建筑理念和各种建筑尝试的体现。这是一座意大利文艺复兴风格的建筑，但在其中的墙壁装饰和护栏上采用了许多中国雕花格子的设计，这一设计也被他用在了位于Farmington和 Barboursville的两处住所内。

根据王小良的研究，杰斐逊在晚年曾一度考虑修建一座有中国式屋顶的建筑，以及几座中国式的亭子。他在1771年的笔记中明确表示，他希望修建一座方形的 “中国庙宇”（a square　“Chinese Temple”）。据记载，建筑两层高，其中一边要有四根柱子。杰斐逊写道，“和普通的（意大利式）Tuscan风格相比，我更倾向于这些中国的庙宇设计。”

王小良认为，杰斐逊的庄园建筑在他生前和去世后，都被来自世界各地的人瞻仰，因此，人们有理由相信，他的设计风格和理念影响了各地的人，其中的中国元素无疑也会被无数的人注意到。王小良引述一名研究者Kiersten Larsen Davis在评价殖民地时期美国对中国装饰艺术的追随时表示，“在他的私人居所里包含的中国元素，使得杰斐逊的Monticello庄园成为了杰斐逊本人对中国文化的推崇的公共展示。”、

·王小良简介·

来自中国东北的王小良早在80年代末便在西雅图的华盛顿大学作访问学者，后来于1993到2000年在亚利桑纳大学先后获得硕士和博士学位。他现在是纽约皇后区图书馆赫利斯（Hollis）分馆的馆长，同时也是圣约翰大学的兼职教授。

近年来，王小良先后在中国、美国、意大利、澳大利亚、印度等地的媒体和杂志发表二十余篇论文，其中包括《亚洲旱稻与奴隶的生活环境：托马斯，杰弗逊将亚洲旱稻移植到美国的努力》；《本杰明弗兰克林，乔治华盛顿，托马斯杰弗逊与中华文明》；《我们（美国）同中国贸易》；《托马斯杰裴逊与中国建筑：中华文明与美国建国前的北美洲》；《所有后代都会铭记我的遗产》，《汤姆斯杰裴逊和传说中的中国王子》；《本杰明富兰克林在北美推动中国丝绸文化》；《美国开国元勋与中国陶瓷》；《本杰明富兰克林与中国长城》；《本杰明富兰克林与中华文明》；《探讨本杰明富兰克林的道德生活》；以及《本杰明富兰克林与中国文化》等。

王小良的研究在几个月前获得《纽约时报》『新思想』栏目的特别推荐。而他本人过去几年里也先后应邀到伦敦的富兰克林故居、意大利国家美国研究中心、美国克利弗兰图书馆、弗吉尼亚州的杰裴逊国际研究中心和费城等地发表演讲，赢得了眾多学者和公共人士的赞赏和支持。目前他正计划将自己的许多英文著作翻成中文结集出版。

An Invitation To Join Us . . .

THE STATE OF CHINESE AMERICA: A COMMUNITY FORUM

WHEN: December 12, 2009, Saturday 12:00-3:30PM

WHERE: Monterey Park City Hall Council Chambers

320 West Newmark Avenue

Monterey Park, CA 91754

Free and open to the public

RSVP requested: call (310) 825.2974 or email: aascrsvp@aasc.ucla.edu

UCLA Asian American Studies Center and the Chinese American Studies Endowment invite the Los Angeles community to join and participate in an exciting first-ever community roundtable in Monterey Park, which brings together academic and community leaders to discuss "The State of Chinese America." The event is part of the 40th anniversary celebration of the Asian American Studies Center and the other three ethnic studies research centers at UCLA.

Our speakers will help to address the "issues of the day" including civil rights and the law, Chinese American political organizing and participation, and the future role of Chinese Americans and U.S.-China relations.

Speakers will include: Gilbert Hom and Suellen Cheng, the Chinese American Studies Endowment; Stewart Kwoh, co-founder and president of the Asian Pacific America Legal Center; L. Ling-chi Wang, professor emeritus at UC Berkeley; Honorable California Assembly member Mike Eng of the 49th District; Dr. Tritia Toyota, adjunct assistant professor at UCLA; and Dr. David Yoo, professor at Claremont -McKenna College.

Welcome to Our Community Roundtable!

-How can Chinese Americans fully participate - politically and socially - in today's society?

-Can Chinese Americans make a difference in future U.S-China relations?

-What social, cultural, and political resources do we have to create a better American society for all?

For the past 40 years, the UCLA Asian American Studies Center has served the nation through its research, teaching, and the training of community leaders.

Co-Sponsors: Chinese Historical Society of Southern California; CAUSE-Center for Asian Americans United for Empowerment; Chinese American Museum; Chinese American Citizen's Alliance

Dear Chinatownolgists,
This week, we go to China, the cultural homeland of overseas Chinese.
We are visitng the Temple of Heaven, a major cultural icon that grace many China made products that were exported all over the world.
In the article, we will also tell you a "must do" if you want to be an emperor but we cannot guarantee the success or length of your reign as you will discover.
Click here: http://www.chinatownology.com/Temple_of_Heaven.htmlthe
Happy Reading
Chinatownology
www.chinatownology.com

Dear Chinatownologists,
This week, we visit the archway in Bangkok Chinatown.
Archways are a common sight in Chinatowns around the world but the archway in Bangkok Chinatown is unique in many respects.
It was built for the Thai King's birthday and also have other royal associations.
Click here to find out: http://www.chinatownology.com/Archway_Bangkok_Chinatown.html
Bangkok Chinatown is also one of the archways featured in our Chinatownology Archway poll.
If you have not cast your vote, click here to vote: http://www.chinatownology.com/chinatown_archway_poll.html

We will be announcing our results very soon.
Happy Reading
Chinatownology
www.chinatownology.com

Dear Chinatownologists,
There are many Chinese emperors and they can be referred to by many names.
This week's article identifies the various ways a Chinese Emperor can be referred to.
You will of course be pleased to know that we have a choice today but in the past, using a wrong name can cost you your life.

Click here for story: http://www.chinatownology.com/emperor_names.html
Happy Reading
Chinatownology
www.chinatownology.com

Dear Chinatownologists,
Its the year of the tiger or année du tigre in French.
We are still in the Chinese New Year period so we like to share with you 3 stories of Chinese New Year in Paris.
See how the Chinese in Paris Chinatown in 13 arrondissement cout down to the new year.
In the video clips, you can also see a martial arts performance by Non Chinese French!
See : http://www.chinatownology.com/2010_Chinese_New_Year_eve_Paris_Chinatown.html
Then of course the tiger arrives and in Paric Chinatown in 20 arrondissement, you can see fireworks and lion dance.
See: http://www.chinatownology.com/2010_Chinese_New_Year_Paris_Chinatown.html
Finally, here is how Paris welcome the Chinese New Year Big Time with a Chinese New Year parade in Paris City Hall:
http://www.chinatownology.com/2010_Paris_Chinese_New_Year.html
Happy new year and Happy reading.
Chinatownology
www.chinatownology.com

Dear Chinatownologists,
The year of the Tiger will arrive in 3 days time!
As part of our Chinese New Year series, here are reports of 2 Chinatowns getting ready to welcome the Tiger:
Yangon Chinatown:http://www.chinatownology.com/2010_chinese_new_year_yangon.html

Singapore Chinatown:http://www.chinatownology.com/2010_chinese_new_year_singapore.html

Happy reading and Happy Chinese New Year
Chinatownology
www.chinatownology.com

Dear Chinatownologists,
Happy New Year. Its the start of a new year so we like to share a heartwarming story.
This story is set in Vientiane, Laos in a small Chinese temple along the beach.
A little kitten turns up one day and befriends a little girl there who has been taking care of the kitten.
If you visit Vientiane, do consider dropping a bag of cat food for the little girl's freind.
Read our story and see the kitten at: http://www.chinatownology.com/vientiane_fude_temple.html
Happy new year and happy reading
Chinatownology
www.chinatownology.com

Dear Chinatownologists,
This week, we asked if an overthrown Ming emperor had fled to Nanyang (South East Asia) and if the famous Admiral Cheng Ho was dispatched to arrest him.
http://www.chinatownology.com/ming_emperor_overseas.html
Meanwhile, we have 10 more days before the Chinatown Archway poll close and we have a tie this time so all other move up one notch.
However, one very special Chinatown's archway has very consistent results at the bottom!
See the latest results here: http://www.chinatownology.com/chinatown_archway_poll.html
If you disagree or have not voted, you have 10 more days so hurry!
Happy reading
Chinatownology
www.chinatownology.com

Dear Chinatownologists,

This week, we present you with a Mazu temple in San Francisco USA, the 8th Mazu temple we have covered so far.

It was founded by Cantonese migrants and is one of the oldest temples in San Francisco.

If you visit the temple and hang around for a while, you will see that devotees to this temple includes Chinese (of course) but also Caucasian.

Here's the link: http://www.chinatownology.com/tin_how_temple.html

Meanwhile, in our last story, Geylang Chinatown poll, 67% of respondents consider Geylang as a Chinatown.

If you have not voted, heres the link: http://www.chinatownology.com/poll_world.html

Happy reading, happy polling

Chinatownology.com

www.chinatownology.com

Stop Press

I am very pleased to see the news below that mainland China Government and people are assisting people in Taiwan affected by the typhoon disaster. Their effort must be congratulated. Good to see people in Taiwan and mainland are now able to help each other in times of need and natural disasters.

All-out effort to help Taiwan with typhoon relief

The Chinese mainland will provide any necessary relief materials needed by Taiwan people affected by Typhoon Morakot, which struck the island last weekend, Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee pledged Saturday.

"We are highly concerned about the disaster rescue and relief work on the island, and we would like to do anything we can," said an official with the office.

The office had requested factories to manufacture portable shelters day and night, and the first batch would arrive in Taiwan Monday at the soonest, said the official, but he did not say how many shelters it would comprise.

The confirmed death toll from Typhoon Morakot on the island was 121 people as of 8 a.m. Saturday, but Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou said Friday it could reach 500 with about 380 more victims in Kaohsiung's Hsiaolin village.

It was the worst typhoon to hit Taiwan in nearly half a century. At least 53 people are missing and 45 injured, after Morakot devastated central and southern parts of the island.

On Friday the mainland office said it was collecting supplies and donations, as well as preparing to send rescue and health care teams to the island.

Mainland Red Cross organizations, banks, Buddhist associations and large companies had donated millions of yuan to help with the relief work, said the Taiwan Work Office official.

(Xinhua News Agency August 16, 2009)

大陆为台受灾同胞捐款已达七亿八千多万元人民币日期：2009-8-22 来源：新华网

记者从国务院台办获悉，截至目前，大陆各界为台湾受灾同胞的捐款已达七亿八千多万元人民币。国务院台办发言人杨毅接受本社记者采访时介绍说，“莫拉克”台风造成台湾中南部重大灾情，牵动着大陆同胞的心。大陆各界纷纷伸出援助之手，截至目前，大陆各界为台湾受灾同胞的捐款已达七亿八千一百八十万元人民币。杨毅表示，两岸同胞是血脉相连的一家人。台湾同胞的困难就是我们的困难。我们将继续向台湾同胞提供救灾援助，支持台湾同胞搞好灾后重建。另悉，八月二十日晚，东方卫视、天津卫视、江苏卫视、浙江卫视、湖南卫视和深圳卫视等六家电视台共同举办 “跨越海峡的爱心――援助台湾受灾同胞赈灾晚会”，经最终统计，晚会共募得善款三亿五千一百四十万元人民币，其中，大陆三亿三千万元，港澳九百二十四万元，海外一千二百一十五万元。
		编辑：王志浩

Our sincere congatulations to Gary Locke following his appointment by Barack Obama as Commerce Secretary of USA. See details below from 80-20.

He is third Chinese American appointed in President Obama's Cabinet. We wish them all the best in their career.

Dr Ka Sing CHUA

President

www.chinesworldnet.org

www.www.huarenworldnet.org

EXCITING News! Gary Locke & Hilda Solis

中國僑聯主席林軍7日訪台，與華僑救國聯合總會簽署協議。僑聯總會理事長簡漢生表示，兩岸僑社合作的第一步，就是要先往來，雙方捐棄成見、拋開恩怨、放下敵意。現在大陸僑聯人員到海外訪問，會到台灣僑社去拜會；他去海外訪問時，也會安排到大陸僑社訪問。
　　中國僑聯是由中國大陸歸僑、僑眷組成的全國性人民團體。林軍是中共第17屆中央候補委員，曾經在2000年時來台訪問並參觀裕隆汽車，他這次是以中國僑聯主席身分率團來台，除拜會華僑救國聯合總會外，並拜會立法院長王金平、海基會董事長江丙坤、國民黨主席吳伯雄、榮譽主席連戰等人。
　　針對上述一事，僑務委員會委員長吳英毅9日接受媒體詢問時表示，「有朋友來台灣談事情，我很高興」，如果林軍一行有意願到僑委會坐坐，就兩岸僑務的合作議題交換意見，「我也非常歡迎」。
　　他指出，兩岸僑界的互動已不需要像以前那樣劍拔弩張，只要能促進僑界和諧、提升僑社在當地國的地位，並使兩岸僑界人士相互支持，僑委會樂觀其成。

Dear Chinatownologists,
2 weeks ago, we talked about a deceased Chinatown - Limehouse Chinatown in UK.
This week, we talk about the birth of a new Chinatown - Geylang Chinatown - The People's Chinatown.
Of course, the debate continues as some have rejected it as a Chinatown.
We invite you to take a look at this article and then vote if you consider Geylang as a Chinatown.
http://www.chinatownology.com/chinatown_geylang.html
Happy reading
Chinatownlogy
www.chinatownology.com

Dear Chinatownologists,
In this week's article, we present you with the story of Overseas Chinese in Malaysia, part of Malaysia's "Truly Asia".
http://www.chinatownology.com/overseas_chinese_malaysia.html
Meanwhile, we have updated the results of "My favourite Chinatown archway" poll.
Washington Chinatown's archway has emerged as the most popular archway after lagging behind as the 2nd or 3rd position.
For that matter, the ranking of all other arches have also changed.
Interestingly, the Chinatown with the least favourite archway is the only archway whose ranking have remained unchanged throughout the poll period.
It has managed to stay consistently at the bottom of the list.
Guess which one it is - http://www.chinatownology.com/chinatown_archway_poll.html
The results are not finalised yet as the poll remains open. So for those who have note voted, do it before 31 Dec when we close the poll sealing the fate of the archways.....
To vote: http://www.chinatownology.com/archways.html
Happy reading
Chinatownology
www.chinatownology.com

Dear Chinatownologists,
The UNESCO has decleared Nanyin as a "Intangible Cultural Heritage". With such happy news, its great that this week's story has a Nanyin element.
We take a look at the Mid Autumn celebration in a Hokkien Temple in Cholon, Ho Chi Minh Chinatown in Vietnam.
Nanyin, Green Lion, Dragon dance, 8 immortals and Lion dance were part of the celebration.
Heres the link and there is a video clip of Nanyin performance too: http://www.chinatownology.com/2009_mid_autumn_cholon.html
Happy reading
chinatownology
www.chinatownology.com

Dear Chinatownologists,
Mid Autumn Festival is just around the corner. We present you with two stories:
Yangon Chinatown welcomes Mid Autumn: http://www.chinatownology.com/2009_mid_autumn_yangon_chinatown.html
See how overseas Chinese in Yangon are preparing to welcome the Mid Autumn festival.
Mascot moon cakes: http://www.chinatownology.com/mooncake_mascot.html
What are mascot moon cakes and what is the most interesting mascot moon cake?
Happy Reading and happy Mid Autumn
Chinatownology
www.chinatownology.com

Dear Chinatownologists,

Today's story is about the oldest Buddhist monastery in Singapore, the Shuang Lin Monastery.
Founded in 1898, it is the first and oldest Chinese Buddhist Monastery in Singapore and one of the grandest in the region.
The 10th Abbot Venerable Pu Liang was executed by the Japanese after the fall of Singapore in 1942 and dcumented in a recent book "Light on the Lotus Hill"
http://www.chinatownology.com/shuang_lin_monastery.html

In conjunction with this story, Chinatownologists in Singapore or those visiting are also invited to a free tour of the monastery on 29 Aug 2009.
Click here for details to reserve your place: http://www.chinatownology.com/noticeboard.html

Happy reading and for those who are coming, see you at the monastery.

Chinatownology
www.chinatownology.com

Dear Chinatownologists,

A few weeks ago, the most well travelled Singaporean Mr. Tan Wee Cheng, shared the history of his father's clan assoication in Singapore.
On 24 October 2004, the committee members gathered to make an important decision.

To find out what major decision was made, see: http://www.chinatownology.com/hye_kia_nam_li_tang_yeo_wui_cs.html

Chinatownology
www.chinatownology.com

Dear Chinatownologists,
This week, we visit Vientiane Chinatown in Laos.
Vientine has an old Chinese community whose numbers had been reduced with the younger generations leaving.
On the other hand, new migrants are coming form PR China. The inflow has of course created some tensions.
http://www.chinatownology.com/Chinatown_Vientiane.html
We have also added a flag counter so every visit from a new country earns us a flag on the website.
Happy reading
Chinatownology.com
www.chinatownology.com

Dear Chinatownologists,
This week, we explore the Romance of the Three Kingdoms giving you an introduction of this famous and popular legend and novel.

We have included several pictures of sites related to the Three Kingdoms period.
These sites are now submerged by the waters of the Three Gorges project so very precious images.

Here is the link: http://www.chinatownology.com/Romance_of_the_Three_Kingdoms.html

Last but not least, we thank Chinatownologists for feedback and suggestions.
We have added a share button for facebook members in this story.for your easy sharing with friends.

Happy Reading
Chinatownology
www.chinatownology.com

Dear Chinatownologists,
This week we visit the Chinatown in Amsterdam, Holland.
Amsterdam Chinatown evolved in the 1980s and is considered one of the youngest Chinatowns.
Yet, despite it "youth", Amsterdam Chinatown is the home to the largest Chinese Buddhist Monstery in Europe.
http://www.chinatownology.com/chinatown_amsterdam.html
Amsterdam Chinatown is the no 16 Chinatown we covered so far with more to come of course.
You can see the list of Chinatowns here: http://www.chinatownology.com/chinatowns_of_the_world.html
Happy reading
Chinatownology
www.chinatownology.com

美国众议院通过决议纪念孔子诞辰2560周年
2009年10月30日 16:01:56 　来源：新华网

新华网华盛顿１０月２９日电（记者王薇　杨晴川）据美国众议院网站２９日报道，美国众议院２８日通过决议，纪念孔子诞辰２５６０周年，认可他为世界哲学和社会政治思想作出的巨大贡献。
这份决议由得克萨斯州众议员格林代表另外４１名众议员提出。
决议说，孔子在公元前５５１年９月２８日出生于现在中国山东省曲阜。他是历史上最伟大的思想家、教育家和社会哲学家之一。他的哲学思想对世界各国的社会和政治思想产生了影响并且仍在发挥影响力。
决议特别指出，孔子倡导自省、自修、真诚和社会关系中的相互尊重，以在个人和公共生活中实现公正和道义，体现最高境界的道德品质。此外，孔子《论语》中所说的“己所不欲，勿施于人”和“己欲立而立人，己欲达而达人”是一种道德品行的典范，也能促进人类和谐。
决议还说，孔子认为，政府应建立在忠诚、尊老和承认家庭重要性基础上，而政界人士必须成为诚实和道德的模范。这些都提醒着人们，要以至高荣誉和尊重履行自己的职责.

Conference: 60 and Beyond - China’s Modernisation and the Roles of Hong Kong

研討會：中國發展與香港角色

Jointly organized by SynergyNet,Centre For Comparative And Public Law, HKU, Civic Exchange and Hong Kong Policy Research Institute, the captioned event: "60 and Beyond - China’s Modernisation and the Roles of Hong Kong" is going to be held on 21 Nov with the following details:

新力量網絡聯同香港大學比較法及公法研究中心、思匯政策研究所、香港政策研究所於11月21日舉辦大型研討會「中國發展與香港角色」，詳情如下：

Date 日期：21st November 2009 (Saturday) 2009年11月21日 (星期六)
Time 時間：9:00am - 5:30 pm
Place 地點：Rayson Huang Theatre, Hong Kong University 香港大學黃麗松講堂 (Map | 地圖)
Language 語言：Chinese and English (Cantonese-English Simultaneous Interpretation provided) 粵語／英語（設有「粵語 - 英語」即場傳譯）

2010 Premiers Award NSW

BC CBMP International Advisory Board Welcomes New Member Olivia Ho Cheng

UCLA: New Director of the UCLA Asian American Studies Center Appointed, Professor David K. Yoo

生活讀書兩得意大陸學生在成大沒有鄉愁

Welcoming Comments to the 23rd Spring School on Particles and Fields

Report of the University of California Board of Regents meeting

UCLA AASC: Job Opportunity, Assistant Editor, Asian American Studies Center Press

我的第二故鄉—華人金僑獎短片徵選活動

金僑獎「我的第二故鄉」短片徵選開跑

大陸清華大學校長顧秉林拜會成大校長賴明詔院士　雙方期許在既有合作基礎上，擴大合作事項

UCLA AASC: 2010 Statistical Portrait of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders

兩岸風雲會這個節目線上收聽的網址