Sunday, June 14, 2009

“Letter from China” by PNG students

Note: This is the first article for a new column on Sunday Chronicle, "Letter from China". This column will cover PNG students life experience in China. I am writing the article below by way of introduction but future articles will be covered by the students, while I embark on my current "Asia Pacific Perspective: China +" column. I hope that the new column will enrich Papua New Guineans about the new China today. I would like to hear your comments and suggestions. Send them to m_yakai@hotmail.com.
................

By Mathew Yakai in Beijing


Ni hao (hello) and greetings from Beijing. I am typing this letter from the 25th floor of Global Trade Center (GTC) in the Capital Beijing, China. This is a 28 story building.

It is summer and the temperature is around 30 in Beijing, extremely hot for me because my previous city, Changchun, which is not far from Russia was cold since I arrived there in September 2007. For me, at least Beijing is hot. Probably, I will get use to it after a week.

I left Changchun, the capital of Jilin province on Friday 5, 2009 for Beijing for an internship with Ramu NiCo Management (MCC) Limited, the company managing the Ramu Nickel-Cobalt Project in Ramu, Madang Province.

Hang on! Let me introduce Letter from China to you first. This is a personal initiative I have taken and discussed my idea with Sunday Chronicle management if such can be introduced.

The good publisher and Managing Director, Wesley Raminai accepted my idea that this column is a need for PNG readers.

I discussed that this column will cover articles, commentaries, letters and personal experiences and encounters by PNG students studying in Great China.

For those who have not been to China can not imagine how the people, the cities, the history, food and village lives are like in this vast land of 5000 years history

The recent anti-Asian sentiment in PNG in May 11 provoked my thought to open this column so that personal experiences of PNG students in China can be shared with the vast population to build common understanding.

Those keen readers of this paper will know that I have the column, “Asia Pacific Perspective: China +” which looks at how PNG can learn from China’s experience in this century. You are assured that my commentary is maintained.

I discussed with Wesley for this column and am thankful that Wesley and his management team have considered my proposal.

The ambition of this column, and any other columns on this paper are directly in line with Sunday Chronicle’s aim at encouraging developmental journalism. Chronicle is taking a major step in educating the people and the government in terms of information for the country’s development.

Negative news stories are not the priority of this newspaper, a new trend in PNGs’ media industry.

So from next week on, you will see different bylines from PNG students here in China. Most are going through some interesting experiences that they will share with you.

By way of introduction, I decided to start off with my brief experience in Beijing. As said earlier, I left Changchun, my host city for almost 20 months for Beijing on Friday 5.

D24 is my train from Changchun to Beijing which cost me 244 Yuan (K95.80) for a six hours trip. This is the fastest train in China one can take. The normal train would take 10 to 12 hours and believe me, this is back aching because if you only take a seat and not a bed, you will stress out.

I left at 7:13am and arrived in Beijing at 1:30pm. At the Beijing train station, Nick (Zuo Jianglong) who works with Ramu NiCo office in Beijing was waiting for me. Nick told me that he just returned from Madang visiting the Ramu Project.

We took a cab straight to Beijing Jian Ke Hotel where I produced my passport and checked in. If you are in China, it is important you have your passport where ever you go. There is nothing fussy about this but it’s to assist you incase you need help.

My hotel room is on the ground floor with two beds, a TV set, room telephone, hot and cold shower, jug, cloth drawer and daily room services. This is good enough.

The hotel is about ten minutes walk to the office, Beijing Global Trade Centre (GTC) where I typed this commentary. It is located at an ideal place, surrounded by several restaurants and shops within walking distance.

Those who have been to Beijing would know that GTC is located at Third Ring Road East in Dongchen District. The 25th floor is where Ramu NiCo Management (MCC) Limited office is located.

GTC is located to the south of the Olympic Games area, and it is only 3.2 km from the main venue for the 2008 Summer Olympics, 1.5 km from the Andingmen Bridge station of the subway line 2, 600 meters from the Hepingxi Bridge station of the subway line 5, and only minutes away from the Guangximen station of subway line 13.

From the office, I look across and see the Water Cube and Birds Nest, the two iconic buildings of 2008 Summer Olympic which is now attracting thousands of domestic and overseas tourists daily.

GTC is surrounded by more than 30 bus routes. The nearest bus station, Anzhenqiaodong is just on the right hand side of my desk. So you can imagine how convenient it is in Beijing.

I started my internship on Monday June 8. Being the only Papua New Guinean working amongst the Chinese staff is very challenging but exciting. By the way, I lived in China for more then a year and I am used to Chinese manners now.

Even I am not familiar with them, I found the Chinese people some of the helpful people on earth apart from my previous encounters with Japanese, Koreans, Indonesians, Americans, Australians, New Zealanders etc.

Liu Cheng known as Shirley handed me a card that will serve me for the rest of my internship. I will use this card to clock in and out, to open the electric glass door, for the lift, and importantly the meals for three a day.

A sum of 500 RMB (K196.30) was installed in the card. So I can use the card to pay for the meals at Tower A, Tower B or Tower C/D. The meals and accommodation, even my transport from Changchun to Beijing was paid for by Ramu NiCo.

Nick, who is an active young man with the Corporate Section of Ramu NiCo Office suggested on Monday 8 that Tower C/D which house the Golden Tripod Atpic serves delicious meals at cheap price.

Every lunch we would go there with two other beautiful young ladies Alice (Li Shuang) and Magret (Zhao Miao). Alice, Magret and Nick work under the Corporate Office which I am attached to.

So every lunch, we would go there. I am also frequenting the same restaurant for breakfast and dinner because the food is fresh and yummy.

On Monday 8 we were having lunch when Nick was talking about bettlenut in PNG. He was in Madang so he knew what he was saying. I frankly told him that it is one of the traditional nuts that is chewed by people of various ages.

Nick was surprised that a young boy at the age of 10 or 11 can chew. Nick was also surprised that men in PNG walk around with bush knife. He may have seen that in Ramu.

He was adamant that it was part of PNG culture but I had to explain that our ancestors never produced bush knife and what they carry around was introduced by the westerners.

He jokingly said that he wanted to buy one and bring to China. He even said that he asked a police mobile guarding the mine to hand over his rifle so he could play with it like a toy.

Nick is a person to talk with especially when you are tired after work, or when you want to have a good lunch with jokes.

Alice and Magret are two beautiful and well educated Chinese girls. Magret, Nick and Alice are all the brains behind the publicity work of the Ramu NiCo.

They produce the Ramu Nickel Updater, the Company’s newsletter and also manage the website http://www.ramunico.com/index_en.php which updates the interested readers and stakeholders the latest on Ramu Project.

They speak very good English. If you see a copy of the Updater then it will depict their level of English. I am amazed!

On Tuesday 9, Nick came to me with the sample copy of the Updater Volume 7 and found most of the articles very interesting. Especially the article on Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare’s visit to Beijing and Ramu NiCo Office. Sir Michael made his commitment towards the Ramu Project.

All of them have been very helpful during my first week internship. They made me feel at home amongst the whole Chinese staff. Well, I can confidently say that it has always been part of Chinese culture where they are around to help.

Never thought that one day I would do my internship on the 25th floor of Beijing Global Trade Center in Beijing.

After the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in USA, Beijing Global Trade Center can rightfully take its stand today. When I look down from the 25th floor, human beings and vehicles on the ground are like ants.

When I look across, I can see the iconic Water Cube and Birds Nest vividly. When I look up, the sky is unlimited.

As long as there is no limitation, GTC can grow as tall as she can. My mind is boggling and am amazed of the things going on here right now, even while typing this commentary.

But despite all these economic booms or glooms, I find out that Alice, Nick and Magret are very helpful in my daily work.

Despite their colors and ethnicity, I realize, and they do too, that we are all human being. We are born under the same sun, the rain nourished us, and the dusk shelters us.

We realize that as long as we live today and work on the 25th floor of GTC, we must be happy as human beings despite our ethnicity and nationality.

Note: Starting next week, PNG students in China will write about their experiences. For comments or inquiries, email m_yakai@hotmail.com or phone 15116988560

41 comments:

Anonymous said...

Re: Extra Commentary‏
From: wesley raminai
Sent: Tue 6/09/09 10:00 PM
To: Mathew Yakai

Its ok, the students can take the column....

--- On Tue, 9/6/09, Mathew Yakai wrote:


From: Mathew Yakai
Subject: Extra Commentary
To: "wesley raminai"
Received: Tuesday, 9 June, 2009, 10:05 AM


Hi Wesley.

Do you have any latest on the "extra column" on "Life in China" i requested. Please let me know.

Thanks

Mathew

Anonymous said...

New Column with Sunday Chronicle‏
From: Mathew Yakai (m_yakai@hotmail.com)
Sent: Wed 6/10/09 10:23 AM
PNG students in China


Dear Brothers.

Greetings from Beijing, the 25th floor of the Global Trade Center. After the collapse of World Trade Center, I am lucky to be on this 25th Floor and when I look down from the top, human beings on the ground are like ants. This depicts the power and strength China is gaining today. Out of my window, I can clearly see the Water Cube and Birds Nest. Planning to take a walk there this weekend. Albert, please keep your mobile on in case I get lost and need your help.

Brothers, God is always Good and He has big plans for us. I understand brother Jeffers was in Changchun, my city lately carrying out his usual Godly missions. And the coming Christain Students gathering in Shenyang this summer vacation will be his last. We shall keep him in our prayers.

Brothers, one of the main reasons for sending this email is to inform you that I have obtained permission from Sunday Chronicle MD to have another column. We can start writing this weekend. I will still maintain my "Asia Pacific Perspective: China +" column. This column will be "Life In China" and it will be written entirely by PNG students studying in China carrying the individual writers byline. Other PNGans working in China can also write. This column will basically cover your daily experience or you daily encounter in China. You can write on anything as long as its a personal appeal and of human interest. The main aim for this column is to give a humantstic feelings to PNGans how we are living and dwelling in China in PNG perspective. My column, "Asia Pacific Perspective: China +" will now strictly focus on Politics, Economics and Diplomacy. Brothers, given the situation back in PNG regarding anti-Asian sentiment, we can use this two columns to educate our people. I am convinced this is the way forward, apart from what brother Albert attempted last time with a awareness proposal. I tried with The National and Post Courier but they always go where the money is. Sunday Chronicle is a developmental newspaper and sees the need of our column. Chronicle is a widely read newspaper and I assure you that your writings will make big difference.

This is the procedure. Any student volunteer will write a 1,500 word article of human interest regarding his/her own experience and send to me with a picture. I will edit and send to Chronicle. The money raised from our articles will be held by Sunday Chronicle and donated to the needies like what we did for brother Michael at DWU. I am yet to negotiate for the settled amount and let you know later. So you see, we are killing three birds with one stone. 1. We are carrying out an awareness on China in PNG, 2. Raising funds to help the needy, 3. and giving you an exposure in PNG for a potential employment in the future.

So who will be the first to write? Any volunteers? If there is non then I have some interesting articles sent to me earlier by Jeffers. Take the honors and take the lead in PNGs development. This is your chance to make a difference.

Brother Albert, please forward this email to all the PNG students in China if you have their contacts. I dont have their contacts with me. Please CC to the embassy as well.

Together we can make a difference for a better PNG.

God bless

Mathew Yakai

Anonymous said...

Bro Mat,

Congratulations for securing that! You are an Agent of Change. I am proud of you for doing that. Many will talk alot but a few will stand up and take actions! What you have done to serve PNG as your capacity student and professional has done alot to PNG.

We will not see a change from anywhere. We must be the change that we wish and hope to see in PNG for good.

Blessings

Jeffers Teargun

Anonymous said...

Mat,

Congratulation for the new column again and a new place in Beijing now, you have keep us bind together and in touch with us all students during your 2 year study from your previous place. Now from Beijing , many new tidings will roll for the good of the nation for those of us abroad here and others coming later too
Definitely they will need your help for a lot of things here.

You keep up the good work in your profession.

Thanks.


Gene Drekeke Iyovo

http://genedrekeke.blogspot.com
Mobile: +86 15251529813
We can invent the future today!

Anonymous said...

From: Mathew Yakai
Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 9:04:11 PM
Subject: Students newspaper commentary

Dear Patriots.

Greetings to you all.

All of you have read about what has been happening back in PNG. Most interesting to me is the anti-Asian sentiment since May 11. The sentiment is a slap on my face when I have been personally promoting China in PNG through various ways in my capacity as a student. We all live in China and we know quite well about this country. And I need not to make further assessment.

But what I want to share with you and ask now is to join me is to educate our people back in PNG about China . Indeed, most of us came here with the negative thoughts about China . Now we see the real side of China . And imagine the clouds and confusion our people are still living in. That was one of the factors causing anti-Asian sentiment. Well, also we can not deny the ignorance by our successive and current government in failing to provide what the people need.

But as students here, what we can do now is to educate our people about China . Thus, I have gone far to negotiate for a newspaper column. I tried with the Post Courier and National Newspapers but both did not respond. However, Sunday Chronicle, the only weekly English newspaper gave me a column. I have agreed that this column will be used by the PNG students to promote China in PNG. The column’s name will be , “Letter from China ” and will carry your byline if you are the writer.

This is the arrangement.

1. You send me a 1,500 words article with a picture on your daily encounter in China in anything that is of human interest. Just tell a story and no need for thorough research with statistics. For example, your weekend outing with a Chinese family in a farming village. Tell us your experience with a picture.

2. Email the story to me and I will edit and send the final copy to the publisher

3. The little money made from the articles will be kept with Sunday Chronicle and upon agreed by all of us, we can donate to charity organization or relief efforts or any extraordinary events as students in China

4. Your writing will give you good exposure to your potential employers in the future. You will also help promote the understanding between PNG and Chinese people.

Ladies and gentlemen, if we are to change the perception of PNG and Chinese in PNG today, we are the agents and we shall take the lead. I am convinced this is the way forward.

For your information, I already have a column with the same newspaper and will not write any articles. I will only coordinate and get it published. If we can take this task rolling then I am sure we have big things coming up.

It’s said that histories are made by states men and women but why not we PNG students in China today. I am sure, former students under various scholarships to other countries have not done this. Ours must be unique because we are unique given that we are now living in a unique country given the unique global situation. This will be our contribution towards PNG’s development while being students here.

I am looking forward to receiving articles form you soon.

God bless

Mathew Yakai

Anonymous said...

Thanks Mathew for a wonderful idea. Gutpla tingting

I will certainly send in an article when i have finished with the essays.

All keep in touch

regards

Wellington
Xiamen university

Anonymous said...

Bro Matt:

A very constructive and helpful tool indeed. Up-keep that.

I shall forward you some 'Experiences in China ' from this end in due course.

Best regards,

Manson
China University of Geosciences
Wuhan

Anonymous said...

From: m_yakai@hotmail.com
Subject: RE: Picture
Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:04:39 +1000

Brother Tony.

If you have time then you can send me our group (you, me and Alberts) picture. I need for a story for my column in the papers in PNG. Take your time. Its not urgent!

Do you also think it is possible to write me a 1,500 word article about your experienc in Beijing, China now? I would like to publish for my column. I am sure it will be interesting for PNGans to read. You can basically tell the readers your previous opinion before coming to China, what you are encountering now, and some of those interesting things you face while in Beijing. Let me know if you can do. You dont have to be very academic with statistics but basically like writing an email or telling your experience to a friend. Let me know.

I opened a new column with Sunday Chronicle titled, "Letter from China" and your article with picture can be published there.

Thanks

Mathew

Anonymous said...

Dear Brother Mathew,

Thanks, that's a good idea and I like it. For sure I will write something and email it to you. You have to tell me when exactly you are planning to publish the article so will work according to your timing.

Sorry,we went visiting the Forbidden City so could not reply earlier.

Bro, was so worried that I lost the videos we took with Albert after putting my lap top for service on Monday. Maybe we should plan a time to go out and do the same when you and Albert are not busy.

However, I do have the still pictures here so I sending some to you and the group photo was taken during our visit to the Forbidden city.

Anyway thanks for taking me around last Sunday and you have a blessed night.

Tony.

Anonymous said...

Brother Jeffers.

I know you are busy but can you help me arrange those articles you have on your blog? I read them several time and they are interesting. Perhaps, I can publish them on the new column, "Letter from China". This Sunday, I will basically introduce the column but I can run number of your articles the following Sundays. I want you to start right from the beginning, from Madang after you graduated from Unitech to you final destination in Shenyang. And if possible, you can continue on with what you are doing now and we can end with the hand over ceremony. I see all your articles on your blog, and you also sent them to me but I want you to arrange them the way you wish them to be published. Arrange them in segments of 1,500 words and send each articles with a picture in different emails in the order of publishing dates.

Your experience are interesting readings for our people and especially the students back in PNG. I will appreciate your help in this regard. If you are really busy and can not do then let me know so I can arrange them. I will make reference to your blog in the published articles.

God bless

Mathew

Anonymous said...

thanks bro, we will see.

Blessings


Jeffers H Teargun

Anonymous said...

Bro Math,

Definetly a good approach you have proposed.

Worth participating and sharing experiences gained in China.

Tonny

Anonymous said...

Dear all,

Good afternoon. Mathew, a good suggestion, however, for me personally I've been so quiet since all this started back home bcos I just don't feel like talking about it at all. It really pains me when we are all becoming so pathetic about this people without knowing what is actually happening.

Mathew, gutpela toktok bilong yu tasol, mi wanpela bai mi ino inap salim ol kain samting olsem kam. Mi lukim planti samting em ino stret long ai bilong yet so I prefer to keep quiet.

Mi bai givim wanpela example tasol, mi lukluk raon long South China inap pinis, stat long Xinjiang Prov., Qinghai Prov., (Tibet na Sichuan Prov. - mi ino go yet), Guizhou Prov., Hunan Prov., Yunnan Prov., Guangxi Prov., Jiangxi Prov., Zhejiang Prov., na tu FUJIAN Prov. Yes, mi raon tu go hapsait long Macao, Hainan, na Hong Kong.

Ol planti lapun farmer mi save stap wantaim ol long en, tokim mi olsem tupela yangpela pikinini meri bilong mipela lus, 3pela meri pikinini bilong mipela lus, I am talking about those girls as young as 15-17 years. Ol dispela meri save go we? They end up in FUJIAN Province, ultimately making their way into Pom, Lae (PNG) and elsewhere. How it happens is a mystery? Tasol yumi save lukluk long pepa olsem ol sampela kapsait nambaot long boat, na kain olsem.

Long dispela Guangzhou city, na Guangdong Province mi stap long en, nogat wanpla man/meri gives a bloody dam shit yu foreigner or nogat. They call bloody all sorts of names to foreigners like lao wai (foreigner), hei gui (black ghost), diao mao (pubic hair). Eh, what the hell is all these shit? It really pains me when stubborn people don't understand what international relationship is? Country men and women, there is no place for you here, bai yumi go dai long ples ya.

And yet again, bai ol askim yu na tok, husait givim moni long yu. Gavman bilong mipela givim planti moni long yupela na yupela enjoy ah? It pains, husait enjoy ya? And enjoying what?

Plis, mi laikim bai yupela kam go raon long Xinjiang Prov., Qinghai Prov., (Tibet na Sichuan Prov. - mi ino go yet), Guizhou Prov., Hunan Prov., Yunnan Prov., Guangxi Prov., Jiangxi Prov., Zhejiang Prov., na tu FUJIAN Prov. and see for yourselves, first hand wanem samting mi toktok long en na bihain wokim ol dispela samting.

For me, bel rop bilong mi em stap long PNG so mi forever bai mi stap wantain ol grassroot long ples (PNG).

With that, God bless you all and good luck in your exams, thesis write-ups and whatever you do to gain the valuable knowledge that we all came for to return home to serve the very grassroots who have won my heart.

James

Anonymous said...

Bro james,

Very informative, very very informative. Gutpela save yu serim wantaim yumi olgeta.
thank yu.

For the PNG grassroots.


Gene

Anonymous said...

Mathew,

you have the right attitude, we all had some kind of experiences with these people. Let's all work together and see what we can do to turn this situation into something that will work well for all of us.

Rgds Miriam

Anonymous said...

Miriam,

This is why Mathew has been working so hard to not to promote China in PNG but how we can work together or handle them. While just being a student Mathew has done much better than any person which i congratulate him personally.
The recent column is for this course and i hope every one will contribute something directly and indirectly for the good course of PNG.

Gene

Anonymous said...

Hi everyone, please allow me to drop by this forum.

James what you've expressed is not something unique of China alone. These are the negative discourse of development found everywhere. Those people you've visited in Xinjiang, Qinghai from the west and Guangzhou, Guizhou, Fuzian from the southeastern China all have their own personal disatisfaction and frustration about the changes development bring to their society. While some may have benefited positively from economic development and changes there will always be someone who will be affected negatively. This is a natural discourse of development. It is not a Chinese culture.

About the discriminatory verbal beatings you received from your chinese friends, Im sorry but this is a global problem and not unique to Chinese. One of the oldest democracy and world's most developed society the United States of America (USA) took more than 200 years to remove racial discrimination from their society. Even today majority of the poors in US are the hispanic and coloured. Even in Papua New Guinea we called all Asians (Kongkong meaning Hongkong which was the largest British port in Asia during colonial era) without distinguishing their nationality. This is a racial statement. So my friend if the global community cannot solve the racial problem, how can the Chinese do it within only 30 years of openning up to the outside world.
While on that note; China's cultural and historical background is very rich and deep. I assume you know that and will not mentioned it here but only one thing that is their experience with foreigners. Especially those parts where you visited areas such as Guizhou, Guangzhou, Shanghai etc...even Hongkong and Maccau have a very bitter experience with foreingers. Despite of having one the world's oldest civilization they have been consistently humiliated by Westeners and Japanese. Their wives were raped infront of them by foreigners. Their houses and properties destroyed and they are forced to live under naked trees in cold winter nights. All these are recorded in Chinese history books and thought in every Chinese middle schools. My friend, foreigners in China have a very bad legacy and you cannot expect them to simply brush those out of their mind. The same is true of the African nations who have suffered from slave trade and massacre, they still have huge distrust for westerners. Even the Aborigenes in Australia..

Papua New Guineans needed to be educated about the realities of the increasingly world economic superpower. Their lack of information leads to wrong judgements that result in actions that are very detrimental to our development. If you are genuine to help the grass roots of PNG than better start by educating them.

James, I hope this is enough to make you reconsider your position. If you need more substantial information to decide please let us know.
Mathew you have done a great job and I salute you for that.

Cheers
Albert Tobby
Beijing


I beleive given your extensive travel in China, you probably have noticed the development achievements China has gain with the past 3 decades. Have you ever dare discussing with your old Chinese friends whose daughter disappeared about the change in living standard compared to the Mao-era or even early period of reform (1980's).

Anonymous said...

Dear Wantoks,

Its nice to know there are a lot of us around in china.
I would like to congratulate you all for leaving home and pursueing studies in china.

There are two very different views from PNG being expressed. There is no right or wrong and its good we are all able to discuss openly and find ways to interact with each other and also promote what is happening in China.

I am not here studying. I am working in HK and China.

I am based out of HK but regularily travel for business to. Donguann GZ. Shenzen Shanghai and Bejing.

One thing we all must be clear about is china will be a super power and your experiences and development is providing a medium for PNG to also prosper.

China does have a dark side and is expressed by the point of view of James. The majority of chinese in PNG Ilegally are from Fujian James is correct.

In regards to being racial. The chinese are more racial towards there own kind.
The Poorer provinces are looked down on and are abused regularily I have seen this on the factory Level. HK and Macau People racially slur Chinese Mainlanders and see them as unfit.

But this problem is world wide not only in China but Europe Australia America. Trust me I know I have travelled to all the above countries as well in the last year.

But the world has changed so much and is still changing and so will china. Its important we all take positive views and try to do what is best for ourselves family and country.

China will do more for PNG then the colonials have done for us but there will be a price.
Your experiences are important so that when that time comes we can make the right decision for PNG.

Take care and its nice to know there are a lot of wantoks around...

Wan bel stap

Joshua

P.S do you know the owner of the Sunday chronicle? He is a good man. Is he your contact or are you going through the editor ?

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Anonymous said...

Ol Wantok,

Good to read your comments. It only indicates that we are thinking, not only about China but PNG as well.

I want to send in an article later. For now mi gat planti wok long pinisim pastaim.

Brother Mathew, can we zero down to a specific idea we are trying to get across to our people. Are we writing about our adventures/experiences in China? Is the recent riot/protest back home our main focus? Or is it about rising China (peaceful development) and how PNG can benefit from this rise? In a nutshell, are we trying to promote China or endorse the actions of few people during the last months.

I know you will be editing but it may be too much for you if we send in conflicting views. Academically, it is the best thing to do. But we want to speak with one voice.

Tingting blo mi tasol

Lets start writing folks. We are certainly going to attract more readers for SC

Wellington
Xiamen

Anonymous said...

Great stuff Mr. Yakai. I shall be looking forward to a copy of the Chronicle this Sunday.
I am sure most readers will enjoy reading and learnig about China thru your contributions.

Reuben Kalaung
CS Ministry
PH: (675) 323 2496
FAX: (675) 323 0407

Anonymous said...

Albert,

Wantok, I am not talking about those who are lured into cities by civilization. Mi toktok long meri ol raskol kidnapim ol, karim ol go long Fujian, salim ol or karim ol go long narapala ples olsem PNG. Olsem na bai yu lukim olsem planti ol bai ol i tok olsem ol bilong Fujian.

My friend, i luk olsem yu sori tru long ol Saina ya. Olsem wanem long ol lain bilong yu yet (PNG)? Do you have a bit of sympathy for your own kind? I don't think so which is reflective of what you have been saying so far.

Taim yumi toktok long ol kain sensitive issues olsem, em gutpela long yumi mas be reserved in what we say. Anyway, should I find time I sure will send in something about education, science and technology and agricultural development in China, which I owe a lot to CSC, but NOT about BUSINESS and/or travel.

Finally, before you say something, try to analyze whether ol lain bilong yumi yet (PNG) bai wanbel long yumi tu o nogat.

Regards.

James.

Anonymous said...

James,

Firstly I commend you for changing your position and willing to participate constructively to a very simple and humble course to help educate the masses of Papua New Guineans.

I think what we are discussing here is something that is very close to our hearts; i.e. PNG's Development! I don't think anyone in this forum is inconsiderate to the socio-economic realities of our beautiful motherland, and its people.

I hate to make forum like this turn into personal point-scoring platform. It is better for all of us to have an open mind and see the totality of the issue at hand. James if you can scroll down and read my previous email, I am not being pro-Chinese as you alluded to. I am giving you a comprehensive view of the issues which you raised in your previous email in response to Mr. Yakai's. Instead of narrowly judging the Chinese like you did, I am trying to help you see the issues from a broader macro-perspective. An holistic view as per say.

Issues like transnational human trafficking, corruption, racial discrimination etc..have multiple dimensions. Therefore as learned PNG let us not narrowly make judgments and criticism without carefully assessing and analyzing their complexities. Instead of throwing flawed questions and remarks at each other, please lets make this forum constructive by presenting more objective and comprehensive arguments.

Lets not see this collumn in the Sunday Chronicle as something we do to return favors for being Sponsored by the CSC. This may seem to be the obvious view for many Papua New Guineans, it is not our real intentions. Our country despite being very rich in natural and human resources, yet we are increasingly developing a poor society. All these happened under western hegemony. The rise of China provides an alternative development path. Instead of depending on Western institutions like IMF, World Bank or AsuAid which forces PNG into the vicious circle of dependency and debt ridden country, we now have a leaverage which is China. Congo (Kinsasha) and Angola refuse to accept IMF and World Bank funds and turned towards China.. Except Congo (whose impact is yet to be assessed), Angola is progressing well on its new development path. The country which suffered from decades of civil war, political instability, poverty and underdevelopment under western hegemony has now experienced stable growth in the last five years with the aid from China.

There is much to gain from China's rise. Given that we have the largest land area among the small developing economies of the Pacific island states, comparatively huge human resource, not to mentioned the rich natural resources, we have a very good comparative adventage from many other countries in the Aisia-Pacific region. Papua New Guinea have the potential to become the manufacturing hub of the Pacific if we coorperate well with China.
One of the main hinderance is the socio-cultural differences such as language which is a main barrier to this cooperation. There is no Papua New Guineans who can be able to bridge this gap better than you Papua New Guineans studying and working here in China. While individual of us can do it in a our own capacity when we go back home, a collective approach like educational awareness through media will have alot of impact. It is better to start now while studying in China. This will establish a platform for further actions to be taken when you return home after your studies.

So James, if you are woried about helping Papua New Guineans better start punching your keyboards and stop making alot of noise asking insanse questions.

God Bless Papua New Guinea

Albert Tobby
Beijing

Anonymous said...

Albert,

Ok....Maybe I am INSANE as you termed so I will stay out of this forum bcos I think I will contribute nothing useful. Albert and others who know a great deal about what is happening can go ahead and start punching your keyboards.

Albert...yes, I am everything punching my keyboards to learn what I came to China for. That I think should be our priority and let those responsible for destroying our image repair that image. If you are part and parcel of that group, go ahead and educate them.

Countrymen and women, what I talked about was just one example, and there are many other things that continue to haunt me, so I will rather not punch the keyboard anymore.

Brother Mathew, I'm sorry to say that I will not be sending in any article as I stated in the last email I addressed to Albert. This is a good initiative of yours so continue with it. Should I find time and once my insanity is done with, I will make a commitment to send you a comprehensive view of education and agricultural development in China which maybe of interest to readers.

In the meantime, I will put my effort and time into my work and once I'm done, I will come back to you.

James

Anonymous said...

James and Albert,

Sorry just add to what Mathew said, i want to add that we study different fields and our language are also different whether in writing or speaking.

About the issues lets fight facts and figures, as professionals we do not fight with emotions. But we must understand, we need each other from different fields to speak the same language for benefit of PNG. I know both of you are patriotic minds wanting PNG to move forward.

Any discussion here is not personal, speak like enemies but eat and drink like brothers and sisters.
Brother James, do not let words let you down, stand like man we need each and everyone to make a good team for PNG tomorrow.


Gene Drekeke Iyovo

http://genedrekeke.blogspot.com
Mobile: +86 15251529813
We can invent the future today!

Anonymous said...

Hi Bro Mat,

This is very interesting but waht I feel too bad about is
the way our wordings are employed.

There is a saying, "If somebody becomes the iron you be the clay." That is
the best way to bring people back to the right path.
Those abusive words, are not really encouraging. Pointing fingers are also not encouraging.
When we make our statements I believe that a general statement, which you made most, with
specifically targeted information could be much more helpful.

Otherwise, good comments.

Regards,
Stones

Anonymous said...

James and Albert,

We do not want you guys to go further than this. Albert, you do not have to reply to James last email. IF you want, just send an appology for some misunderstanding here.

I understood James idea on his first email as a point to bring out good and bad sides of all this. That was good that he pointed out that we have to see in a broader perspective.

Its good to work with someone who is in the opposition. Maybe he has some good arguements and reasons. Its better and more important to have some NOs in forum like this so that we have to friction out things and settle for what is good. IF we all say YES, YES, we will fall into pit.

The word 'insane', Albert mentioned must have refered to those questions James asked. But, James got it as different (even not only James but others will get the same meaning). "Insane questions may come from insane people" and James saw it this way.

Words released can not take it back. Its better to be mindful of words before we touch those keyboards.

Albert can sent an email through this forum to appologize and lets work together here...

Blessings

Jeffers

Anonymous said...

Mathew,

Okay, brother. Thanks and I will submit article based on what is happening here in the South.

You have a safe weekend too and may the Good Lord bless and protect you.

Best wishes in your internship.

James

Anonymous said...

Jeffers,

Okay. While I comment Mathew's initiative for securing a colunm in the Sunday Times, my arguement is that we should not write our people off bcos wanem samting ol wokim is triggered by a cause and yumi mas take time to understand this causes and say things.

But olsem mipela kamap emotional liklik for what, I myself don't understand too, so em orait. After all we are brothers, fighting for the same cause. Should I have time to come to BJ, I will surely look for Albert and have a beer together. Thats for sure. I know Bill, Danny and Angelo are anxiously waiting out there.

What has been said in the our previous emails are things that will pace the way forward. Nothing bad about that.

Anyway, God bless and good luck to you all in your studies.

James.

Anonymous said...

Mathew,

Brother, nothing personal about that. Such are things that have to be said for we are all fighting for the same cause. If I am in BJ now, Albert and I will be having a beer out there together right now.

Mi toktok olsem wanem samting yumi toktok lukluk long tupela side wantaim. Ol gutpela samting bai yumi benefit from and the nogut samting that comes with it. Nogut bai yumi bagarapim sindaun bilong yumi bihain.

Na tu yumi mas save olsem what is ours is our birth right, papa God givim ol dispela samting long yumi. Yumi noken salim birth right of ours. Nao em taim bilong yumi long critically look at and weigh out the goods and bads before we talk about issues that will surely affect our future.

Mathew, mi sori tru olsem yu kisim dispela tingting. Sorry again and God bless you all.

James.

Anonymous said...

James,

Firstly I apologize for using a irrational word, which affects you. I did not mean that you are insane but the questions that you pose, if you can remember them are very unnecessary to the scope of our discussions. Honestly it irritates me. I don't want to quote them again here but I assume you know exactly what I am referring to. That question in its very nature is harebrained.

If you have an argument, than construct very clear and objective argument, instead of posing skeleton questions.

Jeffers, I agree that we need to be selective with our words. I regret using only one word which jeopardize my whole argument. I now learnt a lesson of how powerful only one word can tsunami away the whole meaning of the paragraph or article.

I really appreciate James points. We need some opposition voice in this forum and as Jeffers said, we do not need to be always agreeing with each other. We have to disagree to agree. I don't have a problem debating issues in this forum as long as it does not get too personal. Engaging in intense debates will help us sharpen our minds, to think objectively. I encourage healthy and constructive debates.

Please do not take things personally when issues are debated here. It is for our good that we have such discussions. Public policy formulation and implementation in Papua New Guinea over the century did not deliver the desired results because of lack of constructive debates. There were only few people who claim to know all things, made all the decisions with some foreign consultants (either from WB, IMF or UN) and others just follow. Issues were not debated properly. Well, we cannot allow this in our generation. It stops here, period. Today everything either good or bad must be debated properly and looked at from all perspective and dimensions before it become a policy instruments for actions.

In this respect I acknowledge James views on the negative implications of the Sunday Chronicle collumn. However me arguing against you does not mean that you change your position, unless you are convince by what I said and rationally decided to change. As Mathew said, continue to write about all experiences either bad or good. There is no restriction but as he said, he reserved the right for edition befor publication.

Cheers
Albert Tobby

Anonymous said...

Hello Everyone!

So interested to have my email box full to make up for my spare time reading ideas and critics to whom they may be.

We see for ourselves whats happening here and in PNG. But only thing that troubles me even from back home is ONLY to see (if there is any possibility) HEART of PARLIMENT HOUSE to be BLOWN up with HONESTY, including Departmental Heads and the list goes.

"THE COLUMN" is a brilliant arrangement our brother made. I know patriots here in China will understand and know bad side and the vice versa before punching keyboards. This is very sensitive. If you are lost, let me suggest you, Please never mention about China or PNG or any kind of related disciplines.

The fact (if you don't know), GOOD and BAD is everywhere,.....................

PLEASE IF YOU REALLY MEAN WHAT WE SHARE HERE, keep it as a secret and a treasure till we proceed to the PLACE ITSELF. Our sayings today in our small online forum and even the COLUMN will NEVER change even a single percentage of the things we see today. But they are not bad, its good for MINDS SHARPENS ANOTHER MIND and also THE MORE WE SPEAK THE MORE WE DIG DEEP.

WE ALL KNOW but just as part of my contribution to our forum, please let me say this. Back in my UNI in Lae, I was known as the CREAM of the NATION, and here in China I have another name "PATRIOTS". However, whatever the upcoming NAME and the current, PLEASE lets all have a teachable and a humble heart.

WISH YOU ALL THE BEST IN YOUR exams, projects and thesis.

LOVE YOU ALL!

Tony,...........

Anonymous said...

good morning everyone,

greetings from xiamen.

if you have finished all your school work or you want to take a weekend off from work, come down to beautiful xiamen. we have touch rugby and beach party going on tomorrow. but more importantly,you will enjoy the "clean" air for those of you from the big and crowded cities.

its a good place to start up a topic for the "column".

yupla mas raun kam. bro, Jeffers came so close to meeting us.

wellington navasivu

Anonymous said...

Folks.

Do you love poem? Sometimes, you can convey your heart through poem. In China it is known that you can win the heart of a girl if you write a good poem for her.

Anyway, I did a little poem that was published by The National titled, "I Love China so as PNG". You can read from the link http://www.thenational.com.pg/061209/wkender15.php

Happy weekend.

Mathew

Anonymous said...

Hellow Mathew,

Thank you for choosing to share with me. At the moment, I am communicating with a PNG student studying in China.

It is good to at least know a little bit about China through the eyes of our people in China.

Regards,

Ambo

Anonymous said...

Dear Mr. Yakai,

It is with great pleasure to know that one of my very best and kind person from Tambul is in China.

Hey! Do you remember me? It’s me Gabby. Steven Timbi, Sent Mong and others in Tambul High School. I do think you still remember me and the boys.

Anyway, I was surprised to have read an article you have written in Sunday Chronicle regarding China’s close tie with PNG. It was exciting to have read that article.

How long have you been in China since leaving 93 FM? I once met you in Waigani in 1997, I guess.

Hey.. I’ve some work to do and will email more stories from PNG as the day progresses.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Enjoy your stay in China.

Walte kanambil wa..

Your best friend/desk mate/class mate.

Regards,

Thomas Gabby Daiye

Anonymous said...

Yes Bro,

The column I read yesterday was called “Letter from China”. I saw a picture of you holding onto a magazine about Ramu Nickel Mine. You were on the 25th floor of your office with the Chinese woman with a glass and the other one on your right.

Wonderful pictures.

How do I send the money to you and how will I receive the laptop if you buy once? Please let me know.

Thank you.

Gabby

Anonymous said...

Bro Mathew,

While I appreciate yours and articles of fellow PNG students studying in China, your views are often swayed towards your host country. That is expected because studying there you’re made to look through the glasses of your host. Although, you might have the opportunity to see the issues in PNG from a reverse angle, that should not blur the ground reality of issues in PNG. However, you have the opportunity to see the same issues from the opposite angels and I would ask for more objective analysis and judgments. We can only speak from our experience that your host country is a country we need to be careful when engaged in business with them and that is from the evidence based on our coalface experience here at home. Like some friends on this forum I agree that we do not need them for our development, but because of the global and economic forces the government through their usual unscrupulous dealings have invited them to do business here. But for who’s benefit? Ok economic development but for whom? The country always loses because the developer extracts all the resources at our expense - without any due consideration of long term impacts and compromising ethics – let’s face they are known gross human rights abuse. One can argue that local economy booms from such investments but from the different experiences we’ve had thus far the landowners are inflated for few years and deflated beyond the level they started with. The Chinese in their quest for power will suck out our resources and gone the next day and we leave all the detrimental effects to our future generations for short-term gains. Just to accommodate these Chinese the government comprises our laws to bring those who will not qualify under normal circumstances. Well, that’s part of the loosing party’s package for such engagements. I am intruded but a brother on this forum who shared the concept of land/resource ownership and bringing in developer to negotiate for their management fees. That’s a path I would rather take than the 6% BSA deal as a big victory for landowners.

Any developer invited by the country should operate within the jurisdictions and parameters set by the country. As citizens we have every right to suspect anomalies when rules are bent to accommodate others outside the boundaries which not only apply to Chinese but all who come to the country.

Anyhow, as journalist you’d appreciate the importance of fair reporting but more so investigate reporting. I would prefer to read objective and fair analysis of PNG issues through Chinese glasses.

Thanks

fr

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