Students: Promote PNG in China

This article was published by Sunday Chronicle on Sunday 16th August, 2009 under "Asia Pacific Perspective: China +" column.
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By Mathew Yakai

THE last two articles in this column specifically looked at what potential students who will leave for studies in China this September will face.

In this article, I would like to reiterate the importance of promoting PNG in China. This is given the fact that the students will not only go to China to study in their specific subjects but also represent PNG in China in all their conducts.

In other words, they will be PNG’s student ambassadors in China in their respective rights. I had the privilege to represent PNG in China as a student and when looking back, I am satisfied, yet wish I could do more.

Those who had the chance to go abroad will know that the first thing one do when introducing himself/herself is stating his country of origin.

When in China, I had the same experience. When I tell Chinese students and friends, most of them don’t know where PNG is located. They think that PNG is some where in Africa or in USA.

They don’t believe that there are some black people living in the Pacific sharing land border with Indonesia. I went to an extent of convincing them that yes, am a native Papua New Guinean.

Even some international students do not know where PNG is located. So it is our responsibility as students in China to carry out the awareness of PNG and its uniqueness.

When I was in China, I engaged myself in many social activities with an aim to make known PNG to the broad Chinese students.

I do not blame them for not being familiar with PNG because PNG is not a major player in the region and world, like USA, Britain, Japan, Australia etc, or not like Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan etc which are associated with terrorism and attracting news headlines.

PNG is peaceful, yet unpopular to many. But the fact remains that PNG is so diverse with cultures and traditions and has one of the largest language (860) in the world. When I tell Chinese students and friends, they are amazed.

When you are in China, I assure you that many Chinese students would want to befriend with you. I made a lot of friends.

Their aim is to improve their spoken English and I used the opportunity to improve my Chinese and also know more about China. So once I became their friends, the first thing they learnt from me is of course my name and country.

Then I tell them more about PNG and eventually they are interested in PNG. Every weekends and afternoon of weekdays are occupied with either dinner or lunch with long chats.

I also became the member of biking club. During summer, we would bike to nearby cities like Jilin, Harbin, Shenyang and Dalian, including all little streets, parks, zoos etc within Changchun city.

In the biking club, we have more then 80 members. That also provided me the opportunity to promote PNG. And I also used the opportunity to know Changchun and other parts of China well through biking.

I suggest that one of the best ways to know China well is through biking. We decided to bike to Tibet but due to some problems in that province, we cancelled. But my dream to bike to Tibet, the highest city on earth still remains.

Another way I used to promote PNG is when talking to students in Universities and high schools. Teachers would invite me to speak to them about PNG.

When I am invited, I take my Tolai basket, and wear my highlands cap when presenting myself in front of the class. I run down all the interesting features of PNG and make all students love my country.

During that time, I also sing one or two traditional songs and reiterate to them the uniqueness of PNG. I also provide them with website address where they can read and know more about PNG.

One time I was invited to speak to an English class at Jilin University and one student asked me whether PNG recognized One China Policy and I told her that PNG does. She was so happy and thanked PNG government.

Another student asked me whether it is true that PNG men marry more then one women. I told them that it is happening even today. Then a female student asked if I will marry more then one wives and my answer was “no”.

I told her that it is repugnant to the general principal of humanity, and I feel that it is not fair on the part of our mothers and sisters in PNG. This is my own opinion.

I jokingly told them that if they want to have more then one child then they consider marrying a PNG national because in China, they have One Child Policy. All of them burst laughing!

All universities in China also have what they call Big Days. A day is designated by the foreign student office of individual universities where foreign students and Chinese students would showcase their countries.

I love this day because I get my self into PNGs traditional gear with my face painted to show-off PNG to the world.

I was so silly not taking with me the full traditional gear. I only took a Tolai basket and a highlands cap.

So when the Big Day approaches, I wear a Pacific laplap, carry my Tolai Basket, wear the Highlands cap with my face painted using a red and black marker.

At my stall, I print all the colored pictures of PNG culture and tradition and have them pasted on the wall with a small PNG flag while my laptop plays clips of PNG cultures and songs downloaded from youtube.

I also had a guitar so when the clip on my laptop plays, I strum the guitar and sing all the popular hit PNG songs. I make it so loud that I get the crowd around me.

Sometimes, I sing some of my traditional songs and that makes people puzzled. To be honest, I get the biggest crowd. Many come to me asking for more details.

At Jilin University, I am the only PNG student and I try to put up a one man show. Other PNG students in other universities do the same during their Big Days.

In the afternoon, respective students will be invited to the stage to perform one or two items from their countries. When my turn comes, I get my gear on with no shirt on and shout into the mic singing one of my traditional songs which was taught by my late mum.

When I take the stage, the crowd goes really wild because PNG’s culture is so unique and it amazes them.

Because of my active showcase, I have been invited to perform to a Russian delegation that visited Jilin University, and also was invited by Changchun TV to perform live. Many schools in Changchun also invited me to perform.

When I had these opportunities, I try to emphasize to them the name of my country, where it is located and why it is unique and fascinating. And am sure that from there, the audience Google to know more about PNG.

I am satisfied that at least I have promoted PNG in China. During my travel on trains and buses within China, I talked with people and they first asked where I am from. So I introduce them PNG and make them fully understand my country.

I wish I could do more to promote PNG in China. But I regret that I did not take with me some traditional costumes and artifacts to showcase them in China. Even T-Shirts and caps with PNG print on would be good to promote PNG in China.

Thus, for the new students who will leave in September might consider taking with them the following to promote PNG. Try to take some traditional costumes with you because when it comes to your Big Day, I am sure you will need them.

You must also buy some T-Shirts, caps with PNG flag and bird of paradise printed on. You may want to buy some string bags and caps and take with you and give them as presents to your Chinese friends. They will like it very much.

From my experience I must tell you that you may not treasure and realise how much you love PNG when you are in PNG. But once you are out of PNG, you will love PNG and you will be proud of your country.

To show your patriotism you will do all you can to promote PNG, in class to night clubs and other social activities. And one of the best means of promoting PNG is by having the costumes and original staff from PNG with you.

Most of our students who go overseas are “brown coconuts”. They are brown/black outside but inside them, they pretend to act like “whites”. They totally ignore their origin and do not actively promote PNG overseas.

Most time they go partying and engage themselves in other things, instead of promoting PNG. Well, they have their own choice.

But if we are to attract more tourists and investment then we need not to rely on the day’s government. As individuals we can do our part and being students overseas, we are rightly placed to do that.

I personally believe in this. “One can take me out from PNG but he/she can not take PNG out from me”. Where ever I go, work, live, study etc, I will still remain a proud Papua New Guinean.

The PNG flag will always fly in my action when I am abroad because my blood is thick from the land of thousand tribes and one day it shall return back to the Land.

Go, promote PNG in China and build that human gap between the people of China and PNG through student diplomacy.

Make us proud when you are in China while in PNG we pray to God to give you the wisdom and knowledge as you encounter the amazing China.

The Chinese people are kind and welcoming. You will eventually love them, the food and their hospitality.

Note: This column looks at what PNG can learn from China. The writer was a student in China and obtained his Masters Degree in International Relations. For queries and questions, email him on m_yakai@hotmail.com or SMS on 71489901

In Every story, there is a journey…!

Article published on Sunday Chronicle newspaper, PNG, on Sunday 16th August, 2009 under "Letter from China" column.
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By Livingstone Hosea in Guangzhou

I first of all would like to thank Mathew Yakai for this opportunity to share my story with the Sunday Chronicle readers through this column, “Letter from China”.

When I first arrived in Guangzhou, from Beijing, I wasn’t really sure whom to go around with. Everybody seems to have lost in their own world, carried away doing their own things and busy engaged in their daily activities.

Foreigners from all over the world, majority I guess from the African continent, the continent known as the, “Cradle of Humanity.”

I made friends from all over the world, but none really was what I regard as a true friend. It is much easier to make friends but yet, it’s another thing to really get into somebody. True friends are just totally different from just friends. However, the fact remained; true friendship does not come instantly.

It was a Sunday morning, the tallest building in Guangzhou, Tianhe zhongxin, stood against the blue sky. The morning sun was projected at a certain intensity that fits a morning sunbath. I and friends from Samoa walked out of school to see the surrounding environment and places.

A group of Chinese students passed by and out of curiosity we greeted each other and exchanged contacts. I met a girl named Jean. She wished to improve her spoken English and wished I could be her friend.

I agreed and we exchanged contacts, she then promised to introduce her boy friend to me. After a few days I met her boy friend (Roger), who I lately realized that he was studying in the same university as I was in. He was doing automation engineering.

Roger requested that, if I could find some free time, to teach them the book, “Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren”.

He saw this book on my bookshelf one night when he came for a visit. I agreed right away and said I would love to teach them some of the true principles that govern human behavior and motivates human conduct.

I was so happy that I found friends who were curious to learn. I felt the sense of completeness when I realized that what I have read became something that I could share with somebody.

Only then I realized that, what we learn from books and related sources are meant to be shared to advance the right principles of neighborhood living and right attitude, in this diverse human society.

We studied the book for almost a month or two. They lately admitted that they paid for a lesson similar to what we were learning, which cost them around K1500.00, and they asked if I would charge them.

I told them I was given free and I shall neither charge but give them free as well. They really appreciated everything and Roger never knew how to appreciate me, but thought it would be a better idea if he could take me to his home town, Sichuan Province.

The journey began on January 7. The misty winter morning was freezing cold. I grew up in the highlands of Papua New Guinea but the coldness, comparatively was something I couldn’t cope.

In fact, it was the first time in my lifetime to experience winter. However, I was wrapped five times more then what I am used to. That at least kept me warm.

The train left Guangzhou and headed for Sichuan. The bullet headed fast moving snake was approaching everything in just a lash.

During that time my Chinese was not that good, I was in the midst of all Chinese nationals. I realized that I was the only foreigner amongst them.

Regardless, I felt some ease inside me because Roger was such a sociable guy. Additionally, I was doing some of the card tricks that I learnt as a teenager back then.

It all kept them amazed and they asked for more, but unfortunately I had limited skills, so I could not do more as to grant their request.

It was a sitting train and people were all over. We were lucky we had seats, but we were unlucky we couldn’t move freely. To walk to the rest room has taken us more than 20 minutes, actually it would have taken a person to reach that place within 1 minute.

I learnt that higher the populations there are disadvantages as well as advantages. People started speaking to me in Chinese. I did only one semester Chinese and my language fluency was not that competitive, but could just speak some basics.

Well I did exchange words with the people and they were surprised that I could at least say something in their language.

They started saying, “Zhe ge wai guo ren hui shuo Putonghua.” That means, this foreigner can speak Chinese.

Along the way I enjoyed the scene. Beautiful hills clothed with green coniferous trees, orange trees along dry ridges. High mountains standing tall in the far sight matching the horizon, lovely lakes and muddy rivers really brought to mind the architect and the great design of the great Almighty, Who is the perfect designer of all time.

Farmers were busy harvesting their crops. Dressing them, etc... They looked satisfied with what they were doing; they seem to be appreciative of where they are.

They seem not to envy but they loved where God has placed. Only then I understood the true concept of satisfaction and contentment.

Satisfaction and contentment brings purpose and true identity of who you are. The more I lived with these people the more I understood vividly the concept of satisfaction and contentment.

It was practical, not only a theoretical myth, because they live it and practice it. The guy who is collecting cardboards on the street is faithful to what he does. A waitress does her job dutifully with a round smile.

The cleaner cleans until they know that the place is clean enough. The people who sell their produce in the market bring the best for the people. They understand that we all live to complement our needs.

We all can never have a $1 million in our account to benefit the needs of human society but we can do what we can in little ways, after all it does. “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do something with love. (Mother Teresa)”

My trip was very rich because by observation I learnt more then what I could have.

After 33 hours we arrived in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province. A province next to the autonomous Tibet region, well known for its panda.

In the cloudy afternoon of January 9, the train station was colored by people from all over the province coming to receive their family members whom they will spend the winter break with.

Particularly, the very special event in China, the Chinese New Year, ”Zhongguo xinnian or qiun jie.”

It falls around January 28th and 29th; it's a time of feasting and togetherness. Chinese value relationships, it is much more similar to what we Papua New Guineans do.

Roger’s dad was there at the station to receive us. After a brief introduction we jumped into the taxi and headed for Wenjian, Roger’s resident.

Though it was a tiring trip I learnt a lot, it’s as if I had spent the whole night searching deep into a book. As a new scene unfolds a new chapter opens up. I still remember a Chinese proverb, “Traveling a ten thousand miles is far better then reading a thousand books.”

I wish I could write the complete story but I wish to complete it in the next write up. I hope you learn something from this article, because I have learnt a lot from my experience. In every story there is a journey if you would like to walk the journey then put yourself into it and start walking.

My friend Roger and her girl friend Jean have graduated. Jean graduated as an accountant and Roger as an automation engineer.

I am happy I met them and taught them for a little while. Which my pay was arranged by nature itself, God paid me in secret. The pay is the lifelong lessons that I have learnt while traveling to Roger’s hometown.

When you do something for someone, do not always expect to be rewarded because God knows the best He has for you.

He brings people into your life so that you could reap unseen blessings, blessings that you did not expect. Blessings in His own ways, at the right time and at the right place, God provides.

If you always expect something you will always be disappointed. If you always don’t expect something you will always have surprises.

Note: Livingstone Hosea is doing his BA in Civil Engineering at South China Technology, Guangzhou. He will graduate after 5 years. This column provides PNG student’s experience in China. Contact Mathew Yakai on m_yakai@hotmail.com for comments.

West looks east to China today

Article published in Sunday Chronicle under "Asia Pacific Perspective: China +", Papua New Guinea Sunday August 9, 2009
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By Mathew Yakai

LAST Sunday this commentary looked at what prospective Papua New Guinean students would expect in China when they leave for study early September this year.

Twenty students will leave. Some have read and asked more questions through e-mails.

I anticipated such questions because I did the same before knowing China well. Things mentioned last Sunday and now will not cover the vast landmass of China with its long history.

The best way to know China well is for one to get there and experience the surprises. But what I plan to mention here are some of my personal experiences in China and the fact that China is a major player in the world today.

One need not to go further then read and hear the news around us to realize that China today has a major influence in economy, diplomacy, politics and now Washington suspects that not long will be militarily.

West now looks east to China. PNG can not ignore the fact that the factory chimneys of China can be clearly seen when the sky over the Pacific Ocean is clear. What I mean is that China is in the region and PNG must adjust herself to accommodate China.

How PNG will accommodate China and work along with the country which has a long history with dynamic economy is pretty difficult. First and foremost is the language and culture.

Therefore, those students who will leave for China early September must know the fact that language and cultural differences are waiting to give a surprise.

Most e-mails received asked what kind of life they will expect and the language barrier including others.

If this is your first time to go to China and out of PNG then this is an experience in your life time. Take it!

It is very important you know that this century is the Asia Pacific Century and all is happening in China.

When the world was toppled with the World Financial Crises caused by the lone and declining hegemony (USA), China has maintained its GDP around 8 to 10 percent.

This stabilized the world economy with China, India and most of the developing countries seen taking the leading role. China stood tall amongst the rest given her surplus RMB in its reserve.

Before that, China has played host to the 2008 Olympic Game, successfully launched manned spacecraft while standing up against some of the devastating natural disasters in her history.

In 2010, China will host the Shanghai World Expo, hosting states, international organizations, multi-national companies and renowned research think-tanks to showcase their pride.

This is the China that new PNG students will experience. Now, there are many reasons why one should be in China. I share my experience, not to convince you to go but I see its better for PNG once you experience China at the personal level.

First, China is an interesting place to be, especially when more people were gaining wealth and the business environment is becoming more conducive. This will enable you to see some of the wealthy people in China and see for yourself how business is done, and you can compare that with PNG.

The first generations of Chinese entrepreneurs were beneficiaries of the open-door policy in 1978. They started their companies in 1993 and there were lots of opportunities, driven by the government. Those who were canny, creative and ruthless in seizing the opportunities made it.

Over the past three decades, the Chinese society evolved very quickly and now you see more philanthropists. You will acknowledge that after the Sichuan earthquake last year, they got these huge amounts of pressure on people with social position to publicly give.

In fact, China is a land of opportunity in every thing if you are comfortable with Chinese language.

According to a Shanghai based newspaper, London-born Sahr Johnny moved to Hong Kong in 1993 to teach English in the nearby city of Zhuhai in Guangdong province when he could not secure a job back home as Europe was in recession.

Knowing that proficiency in Chinese is a must to succeed in China, he brushed up on the language at a university in Beijing in 2004 to prepare for a career in the country.

Johnny had since worked for McCann Erickson in Hong Kong and Shanghai before setting up his own internet business.

I think China will continue to be an amazing growth success story, and its rich and diverse culture will continue to be a magnet for people around the world including Papua New Guinea students.

Johnny today plans to settle in China to witness more of the monumental change it has been going through since the Communist Party took over the leadership in 1949.

“I think my future is in China. I am comfortable here in terms of lifestyle and career. Speaking both Cantonese and Mandarin helps a lot, of course.”

“It also helps if you love the people and the culture,” he said.

I do not suggest you go and settle in China but I portray how some foreigners enjoy China today.

I attended Jilin University in the north east of China. At my university were students from all over the world.

We attended classes together. And what happens in a class comprises of students from all over the world is another story. Most don’t agree with your opinion when it comes to class discussion, especially on international and regional issues.

From that experience, I realized how ignorant I have been when I was in PNG, not even attempting to know the history and famous events around the world.

But I felt so privileged having heard and participated in class discussions and debates with such a group. Some times we call our university a mini United Nations, because it really represents students from this globe.

Most times, debates get nasty when sensitive issues are discussed. Some of them include the Tiananmen Square up-rise, China – Japan historical relationship and Shrine visit by Japanese leaders, the Iraq War etc.

When talking of poverty, African students will always dominate the discussion saying that they are rich and do not need lectures from the West, but have an option in China.

Such experiences made me realize that I have a clear view of the world and events of significance affecting PNG today.

In my opinion, China is intentionally providing scholarship to international students in thousands to go to China, interact amongst themselves and their Chinese colleagues so that the world is a global village comprising of upcoming leaders of Asia Pacific and the world.

As soon as one lands in Shanghai or Beijing, all you see is jungle of buildings. They are still building more sky scrapers and I wonder when they will stop.

In Beijing alone, the subway is getting so complicated. They are building more to cut down the traffic congestion and it is believed that in 2015, Beijing might debase British subway line.

Train and bus trips between cities in China are some of the interesting ones. I found out that its better one gets out for a travel to learn more about China then reading thousand pages and know little.

Even better is riding bicycle from one city to the other. An experience I suggest because you actually run through the cities and roads, even people will literally stop you when they see a foreigner. They do not try to rob foreigners but want to chat with.

If you are tired along the way then you can spend a night in some of the cheap places that would cost you around K10 per night. You will enjoy some of the best dishes too.

You can also visit the famous parks and zoos in cities and towns throughout China, even the historical sites and scenic spots. My experience is that a one time visit to a place is not enough. You will have to visit many times to satisfactorily abstract the utility of the nature and place.

The exciting time is during the winter, when you have heavy snow downfall. The northern part of China experiences heavy snow. This will be your first surprise because it does not snow in PNG. Keep warm because it can affect your health.

Most of the lakes at your host cities will freeze and people use that to ski. Get out and have a chance on the ski-board but be very good at that because you might seriously hurt yourself.

There is more but let me finish with this. As a black person, you will get a lot of attention in China. It is not because Chinese are racist but for most, it will be the first time to see black person. Remember, most of them have not traveled abroad.

They will stare at you from the tip of your hair to the toe. Don’t be embarrassed. Speak a little Chinese to them and they will befriend you immediately.

Chinese people like to talk to foreigners and help foreigners. You will find them helpful. My regular travels within China have been made possible by those kind people, willing to help and importantly long hour jokes and fun in our long train journey across the huge China.

Importantly, you must study Chinese, at least the basic to enjoy your stay in China. The easiest way to improve your Chinese is to have a Chinese friend who may want to improve his/her English. For guys, having a Chinese girl friend is better. In the process of helping each other, you will improve your Chinese language and also know more about their culture.

They will even invite you to their homes to meet their family. Go and make as many friends as you could.

Parliament Raped PNG’s Constitution and Democracy

Article published by Sunday Chronicle under "letter from China", Papua New Guinea August Sunday 9, 2009.
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By Manson O’iki in Hubei, China

PARLIAMENT adjourned its sitting to mid November. It is a constitutional requirement that the Parliament meets no less than sixty six days in a year.

So far for this year, the Parliament has met for just over forty plus days. That means there are still 20 + days to make up between mid November and December.

We cannot be sure if this will happen but we can be sure from past history that they will not sit in the Haus Tambaran for more 3 or 4 days.

Realizing this, the opposition called for the referral of the Prime Minister (Sir Michael Somare), Speaker (Jeffery Nape) and MP responsible for Government Business (Paul Tiensten) to the Ombudsman Commission.

Prompted by this, Government back bencher & MP for Anglimp South Waghi (Maxton Graham) voted against the Governments decision to defer Parliament and also severed his parties tie with the Government.

He also alleged that the government has been issuing threatening memos to their back benchers and minor coalition partners to keep shut and just follow the governments’ decision or have your grants withheld.

We don’t have to be legal eagles to understand or analyze the non-compliance of the Parliament to the constitutional requirement under the leadership of Michael & National Alliance.
From a civil perspective, the whole scene was orchestrated to escape or delay the looming vote-of-no-confidence (there could have been hidden agendas as well) or maybe to cover up something else as usual or even just to buy time.

To be fair, who would not want to do something like this to stay in power? We’d all probably do the same, but that would purely be for SELF purposes.

We can’t probably hang the government for showing self interest, which is a normal human instinct/tendency but given the position they are in and the timing, this adjournment of parliament has to be condemned in the strongest way possible by every thinking citizen.

The following are two points that I wish to discuss:

1. Timing:

Definitely the next few months are very crucial to PNG for now and the future. We are at an economic cross road with the responsibility to choose on our behalf in the hands of the government.

Considering issue such as the LNG Gas Pipeline Project, Ramu Nickel Mine and the many others, this is not the time to postpone sitting.

What guarantee is there for the government to be making sound decision when there is no parliamentary sitting? This is absurd.

Mr. Graham’s discloser/allegation of threat adds fuel to fire. What we know is just the tip of the ice berg, and there is surely more to it than just that. It looks as though our government is dancing to someone else’s music and that its decisions are not independent.

More than that, I have no hesitation to say that the elected leaders who comprise the government have no heart for the people in any way at all. They would be sitting their assess in the parliament right now deliberating on our future by dealing with issues at hand.

Instead, they see it fit to call the Parliament off and conduct their own businesses or whatever else, who knows.

The simple question now is; what is there for the people of PNG if our parliamentarians are inconsiderate of our future or are probably perusing their own interest, with our mandate their magic spell?

At the end of it all, we the ordinary citizens of this country get left behind to leak our wounds. The parliamentarians fly away to their cozy nest and look down on us from way up high in all splendor and safety.

If for one moment we let our guards down, we will soon be caught just like those African countries with our pants down. This is simply due to the fact that our current or forecasted economic boom is based on non-renewable resources (oil, gas, copper, gold).

The moment our parliamentarian resort to SELF (as it is now) and misuse the mandate entrusted to them, we become like feathers in the wind. Our resources will be depleted in no time at all.

This is the time for our leaders to effectively play our cards with the population in mind more than self. If ever there was such a time, it is now more than ever.

From simple logic, why would an investor risk billions of money for a one meter thick gas pipe line running from Southern Highlands to Port Moresby? Imagine the distance and the magnitude of the project.

There is surely something more than what they are spending that the investors are going after. It does not matter if it is for a very short time or long. The fact of the matter is that they are sure of the return.

This is prime time for parliament to convene regularly instead of the reverse. Even if it means collaborating with the opposition they have to do it for the sake of the ordinary people.

I have no intention in going on preaching about this, as it is never ending. But what prompts me to write this, is to challenge each of you to think about what can be done about this.

As educated as you are, you’ve got to be stupid not to look and be able to see the looming black clouds. It’s going to be raining soon and we will get wet, not the MP’s.

If we have to do something, it has to be now, not tomorrow. We have better vision than our parents and forefathers. We have to look beyond our office enclosure, our tinted vehicles, our mansions, our bulging bank accounts and look into the future.

We don’t want to be raped and left naked when all has been taken from us. The bully tactic applied by the government just because of it having the number to do so is an act of absolute immorality.

More so, it is an act of sheer self desire and clear display of inconsideration, stupidity, insecurity, incompetency and so on, that any straight thinking Papua New Guinean will only be stupid too to stand watching without acting to the contrary.

Just like the MPs are thinking about themselves, why can we not think about ourselves, our future, our children, our relatives and do something about it when our elected leaders cannot?

2. Constitutional Violation

I like the way Bart Philemon summed the act of the government. He labeled the act of the government in hijacking the parliament as “Constitutional Rape/murder”. By all means this is true.

The law implied here is the number of the parliaments sitting days in a year. The Constitution clearly stipulates the minimum number of sitting days in a year to be no less than 66 days.

Without focusing on technicalities involved, the whole scene already denotes legal interpretation and those implicated are liable to be dished punitive measures. This is a calculated and deliberated misleading of the parliament by knowledgeable people, designed for SELF.

The government has deliberately displayed its defiance and dominion over the constitution. Or putting it simply, it has shown us that it is above the law. Unfortunately, acts of this nature are common among dictators, and if we are not careful we can end up under dictatorship.

On the face value of it, there should now be no delay in going after these thugs (the government) and its executives (Michael, Jeffery & Paul) be brought to justice.

Now is just the right time the three arms of the government should grasp to show their independence. The Judicial arm consisting of the Police, the Ombudsman, the Courts and the likes who implement the constitution should stamp their authority and uphold the law of the land without fear and favor.

But just by judging the way its taking shape, it looks as though the Judicial arm has no venom to bring the Executive arm to justice. Otherwise we can conclude they have some common grounds/links somewhere.

When this happens, it all becomes a ‘chasing of your own tail’ kind of scenario whereby we go around in circles.

The moment we condone this act, we in one way or the other are helping those white collar criminals rape and walk off free while a drug dealer caught selling marijuana for sustainability and school fee purposes is treated inhumanly and locked behind bars. Where is justice in cases like this?

In any democracy, an effective and service delivering government is the one that constantly rubs shoulders with the opposition, not walking over with its number might.

It is more dangerous if this might is employed to undermine even the Constitution as in our case. This is sure sign of step in the wrong direction.

Do we, as elites sit down and be spectators or are we supposed to be doing something? Each of us has a moral duty to one another and the country at large.

I have no suggestion or course of action for us to take, but I leave that to you to come up with.

The message must be passed on. We need collective force and idea to do something about this. It is my hope that we look outside our various confinements and think and act like creams of the society.

If it means going on a revolt then why not, though I personally don’t encourage that? The point is, we have to do something about the direction the government is heading to.

Those of you in centers such as Moresby, Hagen and Lae, please, work closely with individual & groups that are campaigning against this.

Help people to see the big picture and the future implications. People spill their blood in very civilized societies for minor issues than ours.

We have a problem at our door step that will leave lasting effects and we have a duty NOW to attend to it.

As I now leave the matter to you for further discussion & deliberation, I beg you to start THINKING BIG and look at the big picture. Let’s act responsibly if our elected leaders cannot.

Note: Manson O”iki studies Masters of Science in Petroleum Engineering at China University of Geosciences in Wuhan City, Hubei Province. For comments and queries, e-mail Mathew Yakai on: m_yakai@hotmail.com

New students: what to take to China?

Article for "Asia Pacific Perspective: China +"
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By Mathew Yakai

BEFORE Papua New Guinea gained political independence from Australia in 1975 and till the end of Cold War, we have seen, experienced and consumed all Western values

It started with education, to religion, governance system and ends up on the family dining table with fork, spoon and knife.

But given China’s peaceful rise today to the stage of regional and global prominence, the developing peripherals including Papua New Guinea (PNG) must change their foreign and economic policies to work along with China.

One important mechanism to realize the importance of China and accept its role in the region is to educate our populace about China in totality.

Being a product of Chinese education system in the past two years, I am compelled to see many young Papua New Guineans taking up studies in China, apart from our traditional education providers like Australia, New Zealand, USA, Britain and Japan.

For any one to study in China is a must given China’s growth today despite the global financial down turn, H1N1 epidemic, terrorism and many regional issues including the Korean Peninsula.

Thus, I am compelled to write this commentary to advise those who are interested to study in China. Stated here are my personal observations given my past experiences in China.

An email dated Monday July 27 from a potential student pose several questions on how he could accommodate his study in China.

He sought anonymity so I will use the pseudonym Malga Tais. Tais is an Eastern Highlander aged 24 and sought advice given that he is apparently granted Chinese government Scholarship to undertake Bachelor in Petroleum Engineering at the University of Geoscience (Wuhan) and is bound to leave later this month.

He is bound to do a one year Chinese language studies which is compulsory for undergraduates.

“Given your experience in China, I believe you could help me have a general perception about China – basically what I ought to know (challenges, opportunities etc).”

“Among others, my concern is how I am going to cope with courses conducted in Chinese and the cultural shocks out there. Also, the level/credential of education and the technology therewith”, Tais asked.

Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC) accepts more than 15 PNG students each year based on China’s academic calendar. Apart from Tais, am sure there will be others.

The question Tais asks could be of similar concern to others who will leave for China.

Thus, this column is proud to answer some of the questions based upon the writers’ personal experiences.

Tais’s main concerns can be specifically mentioned as follows; how to cope with courses conducted in Chinese, the cultural shocks, level/credentials of education and the technology.

Tais, your first query is how you can cope with courses in Chinese. From my experience, foreign students including PNG students are given scholarship to study as undergraduate, post graduate (masters and PhD) and other professional training and Chinese language.

CSC will specifically inform you of your study arrangement. I understand that you will do a year Chinese language studies before your major. This means that you are expected to study Chinese language for a year at a university designated in order to grasp the spoken and written capabilities.

You will later be moved to another university assigned to study your major program in Chinese language alone. Course works and lectures or instructions will be delivered in Chinese.

Chinese language is not that easy to grasp within one year. Chinese instructors and your university student office are aware of that. So after your one year language program, in most cases, they will deliver lectures in both Chinese and English until the time you are independently capable of standing Chinese language.

I have had friends who were in the same situation and they told me it was very challenging. But be assured that it will be very interesting to go through such.

Once you are accepted to go through such programs, it will be difficult to change when you are in China. Many international students have tried to change their major and study in English after they found out that lectures in Chinese was difficult for them. I suggest you discuss your situation with your lecturers and student office once you are in China so that they will help you to improve your Chinese language to cope with classes.

This may sound difficult but I can tell you that many international students have gone through. PNG students have also gone through that experience and now they are happy with where they are.

Second is the culture shock. You will face that, not with the Chinese but also other international students and foreigners you will meet at your campus. This is a rare and great opportunity for you. If this is your first time to travel overseas then take it. The culture shock in China will change your perception of the world and how to live and communicate with people of different culture, religion and ethnicity.

In China alone, they have 56 different ethnic groups and diverse culture like PNG. But the good thing is that the Chinese are very friendly people and they will always be around to help you from restaurants to train stations, hospitals to night clubs. Get there and get that shock and you will appreciate.

But let me warn you! Like any places in the world, there are also bad people in China. So be at the right place at the right time to avoid embarrassment.

You will love the place, the people, the infrastructures and many things that are in stock for you. China is a big country with long history and you will learn many things. Definitely, you will not be shocked but you will be attracted.

Third, you will come across a lot of challenges and opportunities. Now, this is a board area but I am looking at you as a student and what lies ahead for you after your graduation.

I think studying in China is a bonus for you and studying in Chinese language is a plus. Remember, China is a growing economy and you will be on the market if you do extremely well.

By the time you graduate, you are able to speak both Chinese and English. Where there is a land in the world, you find Chinese business and companies. It is predicted that Chinese language will be popularly spoken after English. More then 700 Confucius institutes are opened around the world teaching Chinese language and culture.

What an opportunity for you to go to China to live, eat, sleep, talk and study with Chinese in China. Imagine how your Chinese language capability after five or so will be like. You will be on the market with Chinese language capability, English, and your mother tongue plus your major. Tais, turn those challenges and opportunities into positive outcome.

This leads me to your final question on academic credentials and technologies. I should say that China has some of the best academic institutions in the world that are producing technologies that we use today.

Since China’s opening up and economic reform in 1978, the country has transformed itself in many ways to what it is today with Shanghai and Hong Kong being financial centers, the manned rocket sent to space recently and the spectacle Olympic Game in 2008.

Chinese brains in agriculture, IT and diplomacy are some of the best in the world. Most are graduates from Peking University, Tsinghua University and other top universities. Their government and institution train them in China and retain them and you can see where China is today.

From my personal experience, I can tell you that China’s education is focused in the current global trend. In my International Relations (IR) class, we closely look at global trend and the surrounding events, and try to use the conventional IR theories to explain and solve some of the global and regional issues.

But interestingly, the theories used today are Western traditional IR theories and do not apply to explain China’s growth and influence. So scholars and academics are working on new theories to explain China’s unprecedented economic growth.

Tais, in your respective study area, you will encounter such situation. The education system is encompassed around modern changes with historical reference and theories adopted to explain individual and specific circumstances.

After all, they will “give you the hook to fish”, and all is your responsibilities as a student.

Now I would like to provide other relevant information for you to consider before you leave for china.

Consider where you are going in terms of weather. The northern part of China is very cold and the southern part is very hot. The middle part is moderate.

In terms of food, you will love it. They have some of the delicious food in the world. Try to use chopstick too. There are western restaurants like KFC where you can visit. Foods are very cheap, depending on where you go.

Overall living expense in China is low. But if you will be in Beijing, Shanghai and most of the modern cities then I assure you that they are very expensive. Mind your spending. Beer and party will consume all your money.

Tais, you don’t need to buy new clothes and shoes etc from PNG. China will offer you quality clothes, shoes, watches, mobile phones etc on cheap and bargain prices. Take enough money with you for that. Get to the street sale and bargain your guts out. If you can not make it in Chinese then try with English. Remember, don’t show your money first before bargaining.

This is what I do. If they charge me 20 RMB then I go for 5 RMB. Their perception is that all foreigners are rich so they go triple pricing. I give them 5 RMB and show them exactly 5 RMB. They might bring it to 15 RMB or 10 RMB but I maintain my position. If they can’t accept then I pretend to walk away. They then run after me and accept the price.

Tais, this is very important. Before you leave for China, try and take some traditional costumes to promote PNG. Many Chinese don’t know much about PNG. We need you to promote our country. Take more PNG t-shirts, caps, bilums etc because you will make many Chinese friends. I experienced this.

Tais, if you have any specific questions then send them to my email address below. Others who are going to China and want to know detailed information can also email me.

In summary, China has many surprises, not only in class and outdoors but given her rapid growth today. Your education in China can open the door to your world in the future.

China awards Chinese language star to PNG student

Article for "Letter from China"
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By Jack Pokoe in Beijing

TWENTY-FIVE Papua New Guinean students have traveled to China on September 1, 2008 to study in various degree programs under the Chinese Government Scholarship.

Five of these students are currently studying at North China Electric Power University in Beijing.

One of these five students is Jack Pokoe who participated in the Year 2009 International students Chinese Speaking Competition which was held in Beijing. He was awarded Chinese Language Star by Beijing Chinese Education Network (BCEN).

Jack Pokoe is from beautiful Madang, Papua New Guinea (PNG) and currently studying Chinese language at North China Electric Power University, Changping District in Beijing for a Bachelor Degree in Software Engineering.

He presented his Chinese play with three of his Chinese Language course mates at Beijing Language and Culture University (BCLU) on April 19, 2009 and successfully reached the final competition.

The three course mates are from Antigua and Barbuda, Zimbabwe and Burundi respectively.

Other PNG students include Joel Hip, Joshua Oki and Charles Eto from Southern Highlands Province, each studying for a Bachelor Degree in Business Management, Computer Science and Technology and International Trade and Economics with Helen Baki were excluded in the competition.

Helen Baki is from West New Britain Province, who is studying for a Bachelor Degree in Environmental Science.

From April 18 to 19, 2009, Beijing Education Committee officially held the first Year 2009 International Students Chinese Speaking Competition in the main entrance language building of Beijing Language and Culture University, which saw 25 universities among a total of more than 32 universities in Beijing.

North China Electric Power University was selected with nearly 160 foreign students in Chinese programs around China to compete for the preliminary competition.

The foreign students who competed in the first competition included students from South Africa, North America, Russia, Sudan, South Korea, Vietnam, Australia, Pacific Islands and others.

The number of the pre-selected participants was over 160 foreign students, who were assessed continuously from morning until afternoon during these two days.

The assessment and selection was made along a combined judging panel of senior representatives from Beijing Education Committee (BEC) in conjunction with Beijing Chinese Education Network.

BEC made the selection and 60 contestants were qualified to enter the preliminary final, among whom Jack Pokoe and his three play language course mates, namely Dashier, Joseph and Daniela had been successfully promoted to the preliminary final because of his well-performed, historic and famous Chinese play titled “San Gu Maolu”, which in Chinese language means “Three Calls at the Thatched Cottage”.

This famous Chinese play is about a knowledgeable and talented man called Zhuge Liang, who had been heard of and searched three times by a person called Liu Bei.

In the third century, China was divided into three kingdoms: Wei in the north, Shu in the southwest and Wu in the southeast.

Shu was a weak state. The head of Shu, Liu Bei, was searching for talents everywhere for the kingdom. He heard of a very wise and knowledgeable man called Zhuge Liang who lived in Longzhong in Hubei province.

So Liu decided to invite him to be his prime minister to help strengthen the State of Shu.

In the year 207AD, Liu Bei with his sworn brother Zhang Fei traveled to Longzhong to ask Zhuge Liang to assist him. But Zhuge was not at home. Thus they had to return disappointedly.

Later, they came again. But again they failed to see Zhuge, because he had been wandering about for days and hadn't yet come back. This time, Liu Bei left a note expressing his meaning.

Some days passed, Liu wanted to make a third visit. Guan and Zhang wanted to stop him, but in vain.

This time, Zhuge Liang was at home but he was sleeping. Liu let Guan and Zhang stand at the door, and he stood by the bed.

When Zhuge woke up and saw him, he was moved by his sincerity. He complied with Liu's request and became his prime minister. With the help of Zhuge, Liu enlarged his territory and his kingdom became as strong as the Wu and Shu.

Later, people use it to describe people who invite someone in all sincerity and eagerness.

Beijing Chinese Education Network formally reported Jack on-line as the screenwriter and director of “Three Calls at the Thatched Cottage”, which now remains popular among the universities which participated in this multi competition, including BEC and BCEN.

BCEN owns a website which reports national and international educational events that occur in China.

This website, www.bjchinese.bjedu.cn reported “Three Calls at the Thatched Cottage”. Representing PNG as a whole, Jack has newly shown the potential that PNG students posses the knowledge to learn and study in Chinese language.

He has taken the initiative to write the play in Chinese language and performed the play together with three other foreign students.

In the ancient Chinese costume, this play was performed more expressively by the four students that BEC and BCEN promoted “Three Calls at the Thatched Cottage” to enter the preliminary final.

The spoken language and imitation of the natural Chinese speech was more expressive that the play was outstanding and talented among the other Chinese programs performance.

The preliminary final was held from April 25 to 26, 2009. The two preliminary contest dates opened officially with 60 programs, and this preliminary final was held in the Yifu Building of BLCU.

It was nit-picking for the appraisal committees to make the selections. The selections consisted of award selection at two different levels and selection to perform in the grand final events.

The strength of the preliminary contests was more intense, certainly could equal in strength like having several hundred programs performing.

The competition officially opened at 1:00 pm with splendid performance and earnest and charming question, and answer from each individual contestant.

The contestant’s Chinese speech let the audience held in straight high esteem, exclaimed that if one listened to the sound merely, perhaps it is difficult to imagine these are foreigner’s Chinese performance! The end already had aimed now by 8:00 pm.

The four contestants from North China Electric Power University have only studied for six months wore the Chinese ancient costume’s long gown sleeve played back ancient Chinese history.

The entire audience high tide and the applause were unceasing with the on-going performance.

The performance was so splendid because of the ancient talent showed by Jack and his three other play course mates. The other 59 programs unfolded but this talented performance resulted in the passing of the preliminary competition on April 26, 2009.

Under the international educational exchange centre leader’s management, passes through the screening were compared and a total of 26 programs were selected for the final competition.

The final objective and fairness elected most to have representative and Chinese art power final programs.

On May 22, 2009 a total of 26 programs were listed, however, only 16 programs were performed, including “Three Calls at the Cottage”.

The other 20 programs were listed for awards. The 16 programs were performed again at the main entrance building of BLCU but “Three Calls at the Thatched Cottage” was performed at Beijing Television (BTV) Station.

The contestants received awards as Year 2009 Chinese Language Stars but were categorized accordingly.

“Three Calls at the Thatched Cottage” was the only unique Chinese play among the other programs, of which the four contestants were specially awarded Year 2009 Chinese Language Stars.

Jack Pokoe was particularly awarded Year 2009 Chinese Language Star by BCEN as ‘Hanzi Zhixing’, which means “the Star of Chinese Characters”.

Note: Jack Pokoe is a PNG student at North China Electric Power University in Beijing. This column, “Letter from China” provides a forum for PNG students and workers in China to share their experience. Contact Mathew Yakai on m_yakai@hotmail.com for inquiries and further information.

I visited an historic Province in China

This article was published by Sunday Chronicle under "Letter from China" column on June 26, 2009
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By Tony Jack Manab in Beijing

ONCE again ni hao and xie xie (hallow and thank you) for you who have being constantly following up on my weekly articles on this column.

This weekend marks my second last article on the column as time is closing in for me to come back to Papua New Guinea.

On this note, I am content that with the number of articles I have written so far has at least given you fair information about China and its people.

Just as I stated in my past articles and so for this weekend, I am bringing you an interesting story about our visit to Chengdu city, the capital of Sichuan province.

Sichuan province has a total population of 48, 230, 000, situated at China’s south-west and dwells the upstream of the Yangtze River where spring, winter, warm summer is long and moist monsoon are heavily felt and has an average temperature of 33 degrees Celsius.

The province governs 12 locally administered levels, 3 autonomous prefectures, 124 counties and 18 county - level cities. With China’s reform and opening up foreign policy, 50 county cities in the province are now opening up to the outside world.

Agriculture is more developed in Sichuan with high yields of paddy rice, wheat, sugar cane, silkworm and tea thus known as the ‘Land of Abundance’.

Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan and is located west to the Sichuan Basin and near to Minjiang River which is an ideal area for hydraulic engineering.

Its irrigation canal net fans out as far as the Chengdu Plain. Chengdu is also known as China’s south-west financial, science and technological center.

With its far-reaching political, economical and educational developments, Chengdu remains one of the most important cities for the state economy.

Chengdu is also the country’s most historical city with relevant and evidential historical evidences from museums dating back to about 200 years AD.

We flew out of Beijing on Tuesday July 14 for Chengdu city and checked in at Garden City Hotel which is right in the heart of the city.

The whole afternoon was devoted to Sightseeing at Huanhua River Park and later visited Sichuan Provincial Museum.

Huanhua River exists as a traditional water way for the ancient dynasties dating back to 200 BC and currently remains as one of the famous sites for sightseeing for tourists visiting Chengdu city.

Sichuan Provincial Museum is in fact the largest museum ranking ahead of others and located amid the Huanhua River which is about 30 minutes drive from the hotel.

We were guided and led by several tour guides who were able to explain and tell us about the significance of different artifacts which were used during the ancient times of the Song, Qing, Han and Ming Dynasties.

It was amazing to see the images of pottery official figures and traditional knives that were once used during the Song Dynasty in between 960 and 1279 AD.

The pottery images were collected from Yangliu village. The ancient people used pottery as means to survival and performing cultural rituals.

In fact, the Pottery making industry developed in Sichuan Province in Han, Qing and Ming Dynasties and developed on original basis. These pottery wares were used as sacrificial utensils and funerary wares for worshipping the ancient gods, and the ancestors in the Han Dynasty for reflections of manorial economy and lavish burial ceremonies.

The molding and embossed decorations depicts different skills used in pottery making. For instance the combining skills of the plain appearances, vigorous, bold and unconstrained style, the internal charm and other reach local features of the pottery sculpture in Han Dynasty are fully represented.

There were also images of ancient tombs that consisted of the front door, the atria, the second door, the main court, the main palace, the middle court, the surrounding palace and the left, middle and right room of the palace.

The tomb reflects the infinite mausoleum burial system in early Han dynasty.

Wednesday July 15 was our second day in Chengdu city and we also spent the whole day visiting the San Xing Dui Museum and later went for a walk at Jinli Ancient Street which is about 2000 years old.

The San Xing Dui Museum stands out as one of the oldest museums in China and known for showcasing different tools that were used during the ancient time dating 2000 years from now.

The agricultural tools unearthed from tombs together with the large vine vessels imply that agriculture was developed and there was high productivity to generate surplus grains for brewing wine.

Stockbreeding and farming artifacts supplementing each other represents agricultural prosperity during the ancient times.

Miniature pottery sculptures unearthed and displayed at the museum in large quantity represents various themes and forms of humans, animals and plants.

These lively images freely created show a keen observation of life in the past and a heightened artistic sensibility of the ancient people.

On Thursday July 16, we had a half day visit to Shangzhi Shoe Limited Company and Jiaolong Industrial Port which are some of the leading institutions towards Sichuan’s gowning economy and to China’s booming economy.

In the afternoon we had a seminar with officials from Sichuan Provincial Department of Commerce. The theme of the seminar was Sichuan’s Foreign Trade, Sichuan’s investment environment, its development ranking and the effects of the 2008 Sichuan earth quake.

With regard to foreign trade, Sichuan Province has long standing economic relations with many developing countries and this contributes to its increase trade volume each year.

Reduced trade barriers are like an open door for Sichuan to enter into economic cooperation with the South East Asian nations as well as the Pacific region.

The officials also asserted that Sichuan would be an ideal investment environment for foreign companies when its new railways are completed.

Sea transportation does not seem to be a problem for bigger ships as there are big river passages that run to the seas.

On the industrial ratings, Sichuan ranks as China’s most inland comprehensive industrial base as it is the home to famous industries like Chengdu Electrical Appliances, Chengdu Kapok Steel and Iron, Sichuan oil and gas field, Zigong Chemical Industry, Neijiang Sugar Industry and Luzhou and Ipin Wine Industries.

China’s rapid development is the direct result of having ‘development zones’ in all its provinces.

These development zones are actually industrial cities that are described as the powerhouse for development in every province. This principle has tripled down to the provincial levels like Sichuan.

The two main purposes for development zones is to further the development process within counties.

Secondly, for a strong economic base to rely on in events when a natural disaster strikes.

For instance, the aftermath of the earthquake in the outskirts of Sichuan Province last year left more than 60, 0000 people dead, 20 million people homeless and towns and villages destroyed.

Chinese government had sufficient funds and administrative support from Chengdu and other development zones to do the rehabilitation work on infrastructures, rebuilding the cities and towns which are expected to take another two years before completion.

Food supply during the relief operation was sufficient to feed the victims and the government was able to find employments for people who lost their jobs due to the earthquake.

On Friday July 17, we visited the Biogas Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture where we were told about how the agriculture is so important to the economy of Sichuan province.

The agricultural sector is one of the major push factors to the booming economy of Sichuan.

In this regard the municipal government has set up sound policies to encourage the growth of the agricultural sector in the province.

Saturday July 18, marked the end of our field trip so checked out from Garden City Hotel after breakfast, and boarded for Beijing the same morning.

In conclusion, the field trip was basically an excursion for the participants to see and experience the outdoor realities of what we are actually learning from the seminar.

Next Sunday I will bring a concluding article based on my overall experience that will sum up the all lots of articles I have written so far.

For now, it’s Zai Jian (bye)

Note: Tony works with International Relations & Aid Oversight Unit, Dept of PM and NEC. He is currently in Beijing for a two months seminar on Economic Administration for Developing Countries. Tony will tell us more on his experience next Sunday. For comments, email m_yakai@hotmail.com. This column tells you the experience of Papua New Guineans in China.

Chinese are here to stay with us – Part 5

This article was published by Sunday Chronicle under "Asia Pacific Perspective: China +" column on Sunday July 26, 2009
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By Mathew Yakai

CHINESE nationals in PNG adopt practices of settlement without assimilating into local society, and also practices of frequent return to their original countries or re-migration to third countries.

In view of the fact that they consist of several sub-groups from various countries of origin, the contemporary PNG Chinese are made up of Chinese decedents from East and Southeast Asian countries who have different reasons to migrate.

The sojourning character of the PNG Chinese population is a consequence of these decedent’s strategic practices of settlement and migration.

It is often suggested that immigrant communities have a different character from people in the homeland because of their interactions with host societies.

Although the influence of the host society is crucial, the migrants’ experiences of the immigration and emigration processes also play an important part.

The strategic practices in selecting settlement or migration based on the individual’s circumstances have brought about the sojourning nature of the Chinese population in PNG.

One should not assume that the sojourning status of the ethnic Chinese in contemporary PNG is inherent and static.

Their hybrid and diasporic nature is molded by the environment in which they live.

The sojourning status of the ethnic Chinese of PNG should be seen as a consequence of their strategic practices.

Considering the sojourning status of the ethnic Chinese enables us to seize their ambiguous status.

To understand the dynamic nature of the sojourning status of the ethnic Chinese, it is necessary to look at the Chinese in PNG who react to domestic and transnational conditions in adopting strategic practices.

Some Chinese residents are anxious about their status as members of an ethnic minority which may attract attacks or other forms of violence from rascals and political rioters.

One local born Chinese man in Port Moresby describes his life as just like “doing business in jail.”

Because of the frequency of robbery, most of the houses and shops in the cities are surrounded by fences or barbed wire.

Some shops in Port Moresby hire security guards or keep watch dogs for protection.

This man was born in PNG and had run his own business in Port Moresby for a few decades. He decided to sell his shops after they were broken into. He also sold two of his properties and prepared to migrate to Australia.

The concern at the deterioration of socio-economic conditions is shared by Chinese new comers as well.

One woman from PRC working in Port Moresby is worried not only about her business, but also the possible fallout on the Chinese as an ethnic minority in the country.

She is afraid that anti- Chinese movements like those in Indonesia and Honiara may take place targeting the Chinese as a minority group engaged in business at a time when the PNG economy is depressed.

She could continue running her business in PNG, but says she cannot draw out a long-term plan because of those problems.

The instability of the PNG economy and society has affected the Chinese life style. Some Chinese are looking for alternative places to live. They have become reluctant exiles in a sense.

The Chinese in PNG have thus put both settlement and emigration strategies into practice.

In the late 1950s, Chinese old comers were allowed to acquire Australian citizenship which enabled them to go and stay in Australia.

They had also tended to go to Australia for higher education in the colonial period, largely because PNG did not have enough higher educational institutions.

Education was hence an important issue affecting their decisions relating to migration.

In the colonial era, Chinese students would return to and work in PNG after their graduation. But this changed after PNG attained independence.

Increasing numbers of Chinese students began to stay on in Australia even after graduation. The other members of their families in PNG would go to Australia to join them.

Citizenship in Australia led to the decision to migrate as a strategic practice, thus creating the transnational social space.

Like the old comers, some of the new comers also have strategies of migration.

The recent Chinese immigrants often go back and forth between PNG and their countries of origin.

Many Chinese new comers arrive in PNG as employees of companies, and do not necessarily come to stay permanently.

They will leave the country according to the terms of their contracts, or as a result of their own decisions.

The improvement in international transport also facilitates their frequent traveling out of and back to PNG.

Their status as transmigrant characterizes the Chinese new comers in contemporary PNG, and enhances the mobility of the Chinese community.

There are also many new comers who want to re-migrate to third countries in particular Australia, instead of going back to their countries of origin.

Some of them had intended to migrate to Australia in the first place, but came to PNG only because of its proximity to Australia; it was difficult for them to migrate to Australia directly.

Others want to re-migrate to other oceanic countries such as New Zealand and Guam.

For them, PNG is both a destination and a stepping stone for further migration.

This type of transnational re-migration is not easy to put into practice. It involves high costs and the need for a visa.

Most of the Chinese New comers cannot go to other countries as immigrants and they have to resort to strategies of settlement, if they do not wish to return to their countries of origin.

Settlement and remigration are two strategies open to them; the choice of either one is dependent on the conditions faced by the individual.

Since the colonial period, the migration pattern of Chinese in PNG has changed continuously.

Chinese society in PNG has changed from being a community of male sojourners with hopes of going back to China, to one made up of men and women with intentions to stay for various lengths of time in the country.

Intermarriage with local people, reunification with members of the family from China, and the increase of local born children made the Chinese community more settled.

However, since the eve of the independence, New socio- economic changes in PNG have made the Chinese more mobile, and once again, into sojourners.

The Chinese in PNG adopt practices of settlement without assimilating into local society, and also practices of frequent return to their original countries or re-migration to third countries.

In view of the fact that they consist of several sub-groups from various countries of origin, the contemporary PNG Chinese are made up of Chinese decedents from East and Southeast Asian countries who have different reasons to migrate.

The sojourning character of the PNG Chinese population is a consequence of these decedent’s strategic practices of settlement and migration.

It is often suggested that immigrant communities have a different character from people in the homeland because of their interactions with host societies.

Although the influence of the host society is crucial, the migrants’ experiences of the immigration and emigration processes also play an important part.

The strategic practices in selecting settlement or migration based on the individual’s circumstances have brought about the sojourning nature of the Chinese population in PNG.

One should not assume that the sojourning status of the ethnic Chinese in contemporary PNG is inherent and static.

Their hybrid and diasporic nature is molded by the environment in which they live.

The sojourning status of the ethnic Chinese of PNG should be seen as a consequence of their strategic practices.

Considering the sojourning status of the ethnic Chinese enables us to seize their ambiguous status.

To understand the dynamic nature of the sojourning status of the ethnic Chinese, it is necessary to look at the Chinese in PNG who react to domestic and transnational conditions in adopting strategic practices.

Note: This is the final series of how and why Chinese and people of Asian origin come to PNG. E-mail the writer on m_yakai@hotmail.com for queries and suggestions. This column acknowledges Tetsu Ichikawa for his contribution.

People must change attitude for PNG to develop

This article was published by Sunday Chronicle under "Letter from China" column
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By Gene Drekeke Iyovo in Wuxi City, China

PRIOR to 2007 July, I had negative perception about foreigners, especially people of Asian origins.

All I thought about them was that they were simple traders or investors from tucker shops to big mining operations.

I lived in my own isolated world while conscious of PNG’s path towards development.

Until the day I stepped out of Macau Airlines via Shanghai to Beijing in September 1, 2007, everything changed for me. I was bemused by the structures and buildings, roads and bridge, huge and gleaming, yet magnificent cities in China.

I was expecting to see the images of Kung Fu movies, the replica of Kunfu Gangs and knife welding warriors. But suddenly, the big modern Wuxi City with skyscrapers erected all up, in streets abundant with cheap food, efficient transport systems and everlasting smiles, depicting the curious looks of loving citizens.

Traveling by train to another huge city with million passengers on a daily bases, I kept thinking that PNG can not match this part of the great China!

Wuxi City was one of the ten cities of the Jiangsu province where I live and study today. It is a huge city, much bigger then Port Moresby alone. But interestingly, the citizens tell me that it’s the smallest and unpopular city in China. I see the opposite.

The road system is convenient, accessible and sustainable for all types of transport including bicycles, three wheeled vehicles, and electronic vehicles, even the pedestrians.

The roads are permanently built with bitumen and cement, pothole free and long lasting without regular maintenance.

I imagine our roads in PNG that experience potholes after three to four months of construction and have to go under regular maintenance or non at all leading to bumpy rides. We waste a lot of time and resources costing tax payers huge money.

The roads at Wuxi are affordable and connect all cities either by bus, train or private vehicles.

Farmers bring their produce easily using cheap and affordable transport means like three wheeled vehicles to supply the huge population that results in alleviating poverty and improving life styles.

The roads play major role in China’s magic economic rise! Mega highways are the real blood veins of China’s economic growth.

Transport ranges from luxurious kind to three wheeled cars and bicycles. Since roads are convenient and user friendly, cheaper means of transport are used making economic activities increase at a constant rate.

Creating a suitable condition and system for man is increasing the economic activities that improves and drives for a prosperous society China faces today.

The huge cities are filled with apples, watermelons, fish, shrimps, eggs, chicken, duck, pork, greens and vegetables whether processed or not at cheaper prices. Wonder how a constant supply is there in the heart of the city at certain price all year round? Well, efficient roads and transport!

But I wondered how China produces all these surplus agricultural produces?
My investigations lead to government - people relationships, especially the farmer relation is rigid.

The responsible government supplies the basic farming materials, impart agriculture knowledge and make the willing and readily available farmers to engage in intensive farming activities.

The necessary bills incurred on them are paid off and the farmers take full ownership in the farming entrepreneurship that maintains a constant supply to markets.

In this simple way, millions of farmers are rich and poverty is minimized and eventually eradicated in many parts of China.

The constant support from the government encourages the farmers and consequently, you find eels meat, shrimps, pork, apples, and other produce at cheap prices throughout the city at a constant price, despite the different weathers.

In PNG, it is rare to find an eel, shrimp, crab, mutton, pork, fish, and other food staff on a family dining table.

My first taste of shrimp was in China even though I worked and lived in the coastal city of Lae for the past 7 years that would have abundant supply of many sea produces, including shrimps.

It is embarrassing to compare PNG with China when PNG can do simple things successful but yet fail in many ways. Most of these things include agriculture, infrastructure developments, processing and other informal sectors.

Many Papua New Guineans are genuine but there are rampant lazy elites that make things fall their way or fail to disseminate their services for rightful progress in every sector.

The whole lots of population is thought to be lazy, beg, steal and are engaged in dishonest ways of life and make belief in lies and become overnight rich through corruption.

The PNG population is led to go astray as they are engaged in no knowledge no certificate jobs like thieveries, betel nut commerce, gambling and exotic and unrealistic life styles.

Imagine how many millions may be under that category for the rest of their lives as orphans lacking parental guidance.

Life is creativity and PNG lacks creativity. That is why we have a stagnant economic growth while the little ripples now are due to mining boom, but all will go and leave bunch of helpless individual who will not know how to make sweet potato bread or fix a bicycle tyre.

It was confirmed when the dim-witted games like state of origin played by some individuals in Australia and people in PNG have to die, violence and casualties at peak beam.

This was a big joke! A PNG mining engineer in Australia online chat laughed and joked a lot when he said no body knows who is Alan Langer or Willie Mason and no body cares about state of origin in his city.

It will be another government liability if the nation develops state of origin related syndrome.

In September 2008 after the glorious high tech Beijing Olympic Games, Shenzhou 7 rocket was launched.

Before the launching time, a handful of Chinese students came and watched on their internet TV for only 2-4 minutes then back to their work in our laboratory.

This was of surprise to me because I expected them or the city and the nation to be in jubilation with shouts and fireworks, coinciding with the bursting off of the rocket.

Forget the Australians’ who were there to watch the state of origin live but imagine the jubilation amongst the crazy Papua New Guineans in PNG on the game they regard second to God.

Though Shenzhou 7s’ success was the pride of China, these Chinese students and the entire nation did not show off but humbled themselves and went back to their respective jobs and studies to build a even better pride for China.

And in PNG, we are like the bunch of hungry dogs fighting over the bare bone (rugby ball and state of origin) that is played somewhere in Australia where most of us will not set foot on.

For a game that will not profit PNG in any way, a game played by unknown person who is nobody to the course of the nations’ development, who plays as part of his employment, for the increase of his salary and most importantly will not sympathize for those dead, wounded or broken families, friends due to this game.

It is ridiculous enough! This is a false glory, and it is now imperative that government has the responsibility to control this rubbish given the past and this year’s record of high violence and deaths reported.

I have also come to realize that, it is a rampant knowledge for under twelve years children to know all the players in a team, jersey numbers, full names, coach and other immediate data of the people involved, even the little ball works.

I wonder if such zeal can be used to emphasis in the right thing, educate for vigorous national development in all sectors.

Or better I would encourage the children to learn periodic elements, names and symbols, geography, Chinese characters, mathematics, or bible text and verses that would benefit the individual and the nation.

PNG ‘s development is at snail pace and human development is low, majority of enforcers who suppose to go to the people and implement , teach , and ensure projects progress are all air conditioned office layers.

High rate of violence and crime, poor diet, low agricultural products output and increased inadequate supply of goods and services will continue to increase as long as people’s focus are on fake glories.

If PNG will have to move forward in just ten years, there has to be major changes , for instances, make illegal all card games imported into the country, mobilize and cut all buai trees in the country, stop rugby games on TV etc.

If PNG wants change, change yourself first. Take some drastic change and abort some stupid attitudes.

If you want facts, look at Japan who makes car engines “made in Japan” running in New York city after her lost in WW11. Or look at China with double digit growth in economy and how they chase out foreign infiltrates, clean themselves up then go global and now in PNG too.

If PNG will have to grow, there will be sacrifices the government needs to make for the good of development. Leniency is a sin in itself that will drag PNG back.

State of origin, buai and other social influences are mentioned here as illustrations but are serious problems in PNG directing people’s mind into idleness and promote rampant poverty.

Shall we clean the cobweb or kill the spider?

Note: The writer is a postgraduate PNG student in China majoring in biofuels with research interests in biodiesel, bioethanol, biogas, production-processing and engineering from algae, jatropha, oil palm, industrial wastes at Jiangnan University, School of Biotechnology. For comments or inquiry, e-mail Mathew Yakai on m_yakai@hotmail.com

How to handle anti-Asian sentiment: address corruption

This article was published by Sunday Chronicle under Asia Pacific Persperctive: China + column
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THE Parliamentary Bi-partisan Committee appointed to probe the recent anti-Asian riot is unnecessary. Chairman Jamie Maxton-Graham asking the PNG tax payers through the government to allocate K3 million is rubbish.

This column believes that the Committee will not find the solutions in other centres and villages. The core of the problem is in Waigani and specifically the Government, and its cohorts, those people in power, especially the corrupt government 0fficials.

Mr. Graham knows well that simple people can not live poor for too long and so they turn upon the Asians. The successive governments failed to serve the people.

We need Waigani to act in providing and creating employment that will minimise and eventually solve the anti-Asian sentiments. We need action, not talking.

And there is another problem. Maxtion-Graham must tell this country that his report will be tabled in parliament and made public. Past reports on Moti saga, the Guns Report by Singorok and others were gagged, costing millions of tax payers’ money.

If politicians, influential people and even the government are implicated in Maxton-Grahams’ upcoming Report then do PNG expect it to be tabled? I doubt it!

This commentary suggest that the government should not waste K3 million on this Committee, instead allocate it to creating more employment opportunities.

During and after the anti-Asian sentiment, many people formed their independent opinions about the Chinese. One such person is David Kitchnoge, an account by profession based in Port Moresby.

David firmly believes that corruption is PNG’s worst enemy that led to anti-Asian sentiment. And this is the message for Maxton-Grahams’ Committee. The article represents David’s own opinion…

THE anti Chinese sentiments that exploded into pockets of looting in various centres around the nation must be properly analysed and appropriate actions taken to address it.

At the outset, let me say that the unrests were not acts of racism as some people would like us to believe. Any person from any country who has had the good fortune of engaging with Papua New Guineans at a personal level will tell you that we are not racists.

The riots were rather a manifestation of a complete collapse of our governance systems over the years. It was always bound to happen the very first time corrupt Papua New Guinean officials colluded with foreigners in breaking our laws.

If this is not clear enough, then we will truly miss a great opportunity to seriously address corruption in our country.

There is no one to blame for our predicament. As one of my friends said, the people have vented their anger at PNG and it was unfortunate that the China man was in its path.

But in saying that, I am not absolving the illegal Chinese immigrants of any wrong doing either. Yet instead of pointing fingers, we must focus on fighting the root cause of the problem to avoid such resentments in future.

And while we look at addressing corruption and its detrimental effects on our country, there are a number of things we should not ignore about the relevance of China to PNG.

Firstly, there are many different people of Chinese origin in our country, and they differ mainly by time of immigration. Descendants of those who came to PNG before independence, or the ‘old Chinese’ as researcher James Chin calls them, are equal Papua New Guineans like the indigenous people ourselves.

They continue to play major roles in the development of our country in the areas of politics, business, music and the arts. Who can ever forget the late Glen Low who wrote the beautiful uniting song Wan Kantri by the Barike Band?

Where PNG music would be today without the significant contributions made by Pacific Gold Studios and Chin H Meen, both PNG-Chinese owned businesses, is anybody’s guess.

I purposely single out these two eminent PNG-Chinese businesses because everyday indigenous Papua New Guineans throughout our country can easily identify with them through music.

Offcourse there are those that make you feel like a crook every time you walk into their shops. The types that sit on high stools or are perched above some unsuspecting places just under the roofs and watch your every move.

But I must admit they do it for a good reason too. A great majority of us have the tendency to be dishonest and walk out pocketing something from the shops, regardless of whether or not they are Chinese owned.

The ones that caused the uproar, though, are the ‘poor’ ones that are running filthy ‘kai’ bars with very minimal capital investments. This lot must be the ‘new Chinese’, judging by their poor understanding of and engagement with the local people.

The second but most important thing to recognise about China is that it has emerged over the last few years as one of the world’s economic super powers. And it could not have asked for a better time to increase its dominance of the world.

The global financial crisis has resulted in the shedding of substantial value by major listed companies around the globe, thereby creating a perfect opportunity for China to pounce. Their ambitious bid to take over nine mining assets of mining giant Rio Tinto in recent weeks is an example.

The Chinese domination of the world will mean an inevitable transmission of the Chinese ways of doing things including their values, morals and ethics to places and territories outside of their own.

Although we have dealt with Chinese businesses before, they are no way near the size of the players that are now dominating the world. As such, I believe we do not have enough retrospective experience about their corporate behaviours, values and business ethics to appropriately engage with them.

At the core of their corporate value systems is how they look at the human person in the context of business and profits.

Despite our limited engagements with Chinese corporations and, therefore, limited experience of their corporate behaviour, we do have the ability to read and learn about their activities in other places, especially in Africa where they are pouring in massive amounts of money.

From the stories I have read, I seem to be hearing a consistent line of sentiments that although they are bringing in huge investments to those poor African nations, they have a tendency to ignore the host countries’ legal requirements.

For example, Canadian based The Globe and Mail published an article titled “The dark underside of Chinese building boom” on Monday 22 June, that unearthed allegations of Chinese building companies operating in impoverished African countries such as Namibia and Malawi that disregard safety standards and pay their national employees well below the legislated minimum wage levels.

The obvious effects of this are that people’s lives are put at risk while local competitors are being driven out of business through cost undercuts emanating from unfair national labour compensation.

Since the host countries are desperate for injection of foreign direct investment to help resurrect their ailing economies, the balance of power has swung in favour of Chinese businesses who do whatever they want, regardless of how illegal they may be, and get away with it.

And there is no unlawful action that is more undignified than treating the human person as simply a factor of production without due regard to their well being.

It is exactly this element of desperation that really gets me nervous about us. There are commentators that say things about PNG that paint a picture of us as an economic wasteland that is in desperate need of foreign capital injection.

While some of what they say are true, most are simply nonsense because these people do not have half an appreciation of our ways of life that have sustained us for generations.

We do have our challenges to properly integrate into the modern economy, but we can not afford to show similar levels of desperation with foreign investors, especially Chinese, as shown by our African brothers: lest we play ourselves into their hands.

Knowing what we already know about them, albeit with very limited first hand experiences, we must tread with extreme caution when dealing with Chinese businesses that will be after raw materials from our country to quench their insatiable demands.

The government must recognise the global change of events and come up with appropriate policies and strategies that clearly define how we engage with the outside world.

Surely we can not be content with the status quo because the balance of economic power is changing with the emergence of China, and India to a lesser extent. The government does appear to be aware of this shift in power globally as evidenced by the Prime Minister Sir Somares’ visit to China two months ago.

But attracting Chinese investments is only one aspect of the serious relationship that is about to develop between our two countries. Do not believe for a moment that the Chinese will be here to help us develop our country.

The investors are business people and economic opportunists who are inevitably driven by profit. So it is important that we must prepare ourselves for the unknown territory that lies ahead and put in place appropriate safeguards to protect our own citizens, in case of any unexpected adverse corporate behaviour.

We must learn from the experiences of others elsewhere and ensure that we do not fall victims to the trap of economic desperation. PNG is a country with its own unique set of cultural, social and economic attributes and we must develop our modern economy at our own pace.

The best way to guard ourselves against the current forces of socio-economic demands is to ensure that the rule of law is respected in our country by everyone, both nationals and foreigners alike.

As a protection mechanism, we must urgently fix up our governance systems and processes and insist that these be followed at all costs and without fear or favour.

And all our dealings with foreigners must be done at complete arms length and at terms that are fair to our people.

But we will not achieve this if we do not rid ourselves of CORRUPTION first. Corruption strikes at the core of the recognition of and respect for the rule of law.

So we must actively fight corruption and re-establish credibility in our lawful systems and processes, the observance of which will deliver us from oppression and lead us to economic prosperity in the long term.

In closing, the Chinese are not the enemy. We are our own worst enemies if we do not use the recent anti-Asian/Chinese unrests as a good excuse to seriously address corruption.

Note: For comments and inquiries, email m_yakai@hotmail.com

Opening up and Friendship.

This article was published under the "Letter from China" column. Tony has been writing for three straight Sundays. Thanks Tony
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By Tony Jack Manab

I BRING you third greetings from Beijing as this is my third article for those of you who have being faithfully following up with the weekly Letters From China column.

Incase some of you might be posing questions on the significance of having “Letter from China” as a column with the Sunday Chronicle weekly newspaper in Port Moresby.

Generally, the aim and significance of this column is to inform Papua New Guineans back home of the highlights and experiences encountered by PNG students and other Papua New Guineans here in China.

While in PNG, I thought it was a great initiative by our students in China not knowing that one of these days I would be one of the contributors to the column.

I am glad to be a contributor to the column as I personally tend to view this column not just another “information kit” to write and feel good about it but far beyond ego and self-worth is our national interest.

I am adhering “national interest” as PNG being a small player in the international system needs bigger player countries like China to look to, see and learn from in order to achieve its national development aspirations.

Therefore, PNG students in China perceive the aforementioned column as an avenue in which we can indirectly promote and enhance the twining and diplomatic relations between PNG and the People’s Republic of China.

For this course, I willingly accepted when asked by Mathew Yakai to write on the column as a visiting student to China. I took it on as an opportunity and never regretted even to this day as a contributor to the column.

So on my part in continuing to write and constantly keeping you informed about China, the focus of this weekend’s article is on my general observations and experiences after a month and week of been in Beijing.

To begin with, I am so much amazed at how Chinese society in general relate to the outside world regardless of having one of odd systems of government and being a non-Christian nation. The picture they (Chinese) are portraying to the outside world is totally contrary to what we may perceive of them.

This is to say that in a matter of time and space China had proven to the international community that it is no longer a nation that once conducted its affairs on a “closed door principle” but now a new communist state that is a friend to all members of the international community.

To illustrate this better, China’s aspiration in the international arena is to convince other nations to realize that the 21st Century China is like a coin that has identical sides but tell a different story.

What seems to be the unusual and unseen side of the coin about China now represents Chinese new image within the international community.

I am convinced that China has successfully unveiled the other side of the coin and this is proven through its enhanced diplomatic relations with many countries around the world of which PNG is no exception.

Chinese government is considering this as a national success and would do the same to maintain its new international image after many years trying in vain to attract international attention especially in the areas of diplomacy and trade cooperation.

Moreover, countries around the world have now entered into formal diplomatic relations with China and have also entered into long term economic and investment cooperation.

On the other hand, China is also assisting in aid and technical training to especially the developing countries like Papua New Guinea.

China’s success in this area came as a result of “Reform, Opening Up Foreign Policy and Economic Development” after its cultural revolution in 1978.

Particularly, China’s “opening up in foreign trade policy” is one of the major pillars in China’s rapid industrialization process.

This is evident through many international investments institution stationed in the industrialized zones such as Beijing and Shanghai.

Other developed cities in Eastern coastal areas of China such as Suzhou, Changzhou and Tianjin are also adopting this national policy within their municipal governments.

The point I wishes to draw from the discussion is “Opening up and friendship” which may sound a bit simple but you would also agree with me that people and countries need each other as a matter of survival.

Through sharing and friendship, people and countries some what help each other to achieve success and development aspirations together. Such concept now remains the core of China’s national and foreign policies.

This concept of opening up and friendship has also tippled down and now affecting and influencing even the lowest level of the Chinese society.

This is to say that the Chinese people are so much open and friendly that you would always want to talk to a stranger anytime in town.

Regardless of the language barrier between you and them (Chinese), one word like “Ni Hao” (hellow in Chinese) would spark a long conversation and a long term relationship.

I admit the difficulties having to communicate with some of them but this was part of the process of me getting to know the Chinese people.

I had many funny and interesting encounters with some Chinese who are now my friends and helping me to speak Chinese.

I realized that I’ve proven myself wrong with my negative perceptions about the Chinese people before coming to China. I even disagreed when some PNG friends in Beijing told me that the Chinese people are so open and friendly.

Until now, I am so amazed that I have long list of local friends both on and off campus. I even had the opportunity of knowing some of the prominent government officials during the seminar.

This is to say that the Chinese people have this kind of attitude of willing and open to talk with other nationals.

Also the kind of courtesy we receive from our coordinators, facilitators and house keepers both on and off campus is unimaginable. They always check on the course participants to make sure we are all doing well.

Feeling home sick which is quite usual for many people when overseas for longer periods is not on our minds because of the friendly environment.

Instead, the thought of opening up and friendship has invaded our classroom, dinning hall, rooms, and moreover ourselves. We are now leaving like a big family where sense of unity is prevalent regardless of our national differences.

Well, this draws me to one conclusion and that is to adhere that, “opening and friendship” as somewhat become a lifestyle of Chinese society at all levels of relationships.

The kind of lifestyle and approach is the same has that contributed to achieving China’s overall development aspirations at all levels.

Last but not the least I leave this challenge to all Papua New Guineans. We need to come out of our “closed door” concept, open up for new grounds of friendship if you and I are serious in achieving our development aspirations.

Then and only when we will find new opportunities to advance in our development aspirations at our personal, family, provincial, national or at international level.

Next Sunday, I will bring to you another interesting article on our visit to Sichuan province. Sichuan is considered one of China’s major economic and development zones was devastated by the recent earthquake that killed millions and left millions of Chinese homeless recently.

Zai Jian (bye) for now!

Note: Tony works with International Relations & Aid Oversight Unit, Dept of PM and NEC. He is currently in Beijing for a two months seminar on Economic Administration for Developing Countries. Tony will tell us more on his experience next Sunday. For comments, email m_yakai@hotmail.com or call 15116988560. This column tells you the experience of Papua New Guineans in China.