PLA women set to fly over Tiananmen Square

All the sixteen female pilots of PLA's jet fighters are reportedly ready to perform flyover above the Tiananmen Square in Beijing, where the Monument to the People's Heroes is situated. The Chinese Revolution is not only about political change and economic development but also social transformation, such as women's liberation and empowerment. Now, women in China are found in all branches of the nation's armed services that consist of the People's Liberation Army, People's Armed Police, People's Militia and ordinary Public Security or Gong An police.

China to show new weaponry to mark rebirth

American debate on Afghanistan still ongoing

The operational request for more American soldiers to be deployed to Afganistan has now been officially submitted to the Pentagon. But, it seems that there are still debates going on. Given the combination of critical factors, it is indeed difficult for the conflicting positions to be reconciled soon. In any case, the United States is a stable and mature democracy which establishes civilian authority over the armed forces. The American military is still the most powerful in the world in terms of budgetary allocation, advanced technology and force projectability.

American general denies "rift" with president

China to show new weaponry to mark rebirth

The military hardware to be displayed as well as paraded in Beijing on the National Day celebration of New China will surely be observed and studied closely by other countries in the world. J-10, the indigenously designed and manufactured jet fighters for the air forces of PLA, are fairly likely to be exhibited at the military parade to be held on 1 Oct.

China to salute martyrs & honour forerunners

China to salute martyrs & honour forerunners

Although the failed first republic (1912-1949) of the Chinese nation is now defunct, its respectable founder Dr. Sun Yat Sen ( 1866-1925 ) is still popularly remembered as well as officially honoured in New China as the greatest forerunner of the modern Chinese Revolution. Dr. Sun inspired a republican movement that ended the Qing Dynasty in 1911. The national day of New China, that falls on 1 October, is an occasion to salute martyrs and honour forerunners of the two-stage revolution.

Humble birth of New China's national anthem

American general denies "rift" with president

General Stanley McChrystal has reportedly denied that there is "a rift" between himself and President Barack Obama. The American military reportedly insists on more troops to be put on ground in Afghanistan. In constitutional terms, President Obama is the Commander-in-Chief.

McCain for more USA boots on Afghan ground

Humble birth of New China's national anthem

The national anthem of the People' s Republic of China (PRC), namely The March of the Volunteers actually originates from a song in a 1935 Chinese- language movie, Children of Troubled Times. China and the world have surely changed, but the stirring song continues to be sung as the anthem of the country with the largest population in the world.

Glimpses of New China's 1999 military parade

McCain for more USA boots on Afghan ground

US Senator McCain (Republican) is reportedly in favour of increase of American troops for the US-led campaign in Afghanistan. He has also observed "a disconnect" between the White House and leaders of the American military on strategic assessment of the war in Afghanistan.

Division in America over Afghanistan deepens

Division in America over Afghanistan deepens

The USA military is reportedly "frustrated" with the White House over war strategy in Afghanistan. The Times describes it as "an open rift". The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has also reported that the Pentagon "is rebuffing congressional calls for the top US commander (Gen. Stanley McChrystal ) in Afghanistan to personally make the case for the war". Earlier, State Secretary Hillary Clinton reportedly defended President Obama and ticked off the military in an interview with PBS television.

Clinton defends Obama & rebukes US military

Clinton defends Obama & rebukes US military

America's Secretary of State Hillary R. Clinton has reportedly come to the public defence of President Obama against the US military, which requests for more boots to be put on the solid ground in Afghanistan. The public debate in America on the war in Afghanistan, in a political atmosphre that has been heated up by the controversial probe on the alleged CIA tortures and decision to scrap the missile defence system in eastern Europe, is fast becoming emotional as the stakes are high. By the way, the United States is a very mature and stable democracy, as the Constitution establishes civilian control over the armed forces.

War strategy for Afghanistan divides America

War strategy for Afghanistan divides America

Whatever our opinions on President Obama's continuing indecision on the war in Afghanistan, the reality is that the American society is, to put it fairly honestly, deeply divided over the issue for many reasons. In any case, Obama cannot indefinitely delay making a clear and firm decision on the war in Afghanistan as there is also cost of indecision to be borne later not only by the United States, but also its war allies.

America debates war strategy for Afghanistan

Singaporean rediscovery of value in Mandarin

Many Singaporeans have begun to love the Chinese language again as the language, once looked down as peasants' mumbo-jumbo or feared as 'secret codes' of triads or revolutionaries 'in the Far East', has now assumed global importance in many vital fields of human endeavours. Of course, English is still a very important and major language of the world to be learned and mastered in Singapore, China and elsewhere.

Chinese mastering English with right mindset

Chinese mastering English with right mindset

While more and more Westerners are learning Chinese, many people in China are also increasingly keen to master other major languages of the world, like English. To be sure, mistakes and errors are made but there is quite a positive mindset or attitude to make corrections. The first government-sponsored institution for the studies of foreign languages named Tong Wen Guan was set up with royal patronage in Beijing on 24 August, 1862 as a programme for "self-strengthening".

CCTV in China now also broadcasts in Russian

Glimpses of New China's 1999 military parade

The previous military parade in China was held 10 years ago when the second republic of the Chinese nation celebrated the 50th anniversary of its inauguration in the aftermath of a three-year civil war in China between the conventional army of the Nationalists and a combination of irregular and regular forces of the Communists which were built up during the eight years of War Of Resistance against Japan's invasion. Immanuel C.Y. Hsu's The Rise of Modern China, first written in 1970, is still a very instructive English-language introduction to the subject. Peter Zarrow's China in War and Revolution, 1895-1949 is also useful.

China to select 15 more women as astronauts

China to select 15 more women as astronauts

China's official Xinhua news agency has finally confirmed that sixteen female pilots (pix) of the PLA- Air Force will parade its jet fighters in Beijing on 1 October. Xinhua also reported that the republic is also in the process of selecting 15 more females to be trained as astronauts. In the feudal past, women in China were accorded inferior position in the society but as Chairman Mao once observed : "women can hold up half of the sky". The liberation and also progressive empowerment of women is certainly one of the very great contributions of the Chinese Revolution to the betterment of the human condition in modern time.

Female pilots & PLA's jet fighters in limelight

Joan Baez still sings with passion for freedom

Joan Baez, another highly popular singer of American folk songs, such as We Shall Overcome during the 1960's, is going to tour Britain from 1 October, 2009. Her voice was still stirring when she performed at a personal concert held in the German City of Erfurt on 13 March, 2007.

Personal tribute to Mary Travers (1936-2009)

Personal tribute to Mary Travers (1936-2009)

The voice of Mary Travers in truly unforgettable songs, like 500 Miles and Blowing In The Wind will doubtlessly live on forever as a powerful and enduring inspiration for peace. Thank you very much, Mary. (RIP)

In deep memory of Mary Travers (1936-2009)

In deep memory of Mary Travers (1936-2009)

It is certainly sad for me to hear that one of the memorable American singers Mary Traver has passed away just now at 72. The humanistic voice of Mary remains a very cherished part of my childhood memory.

Festive greetings to Muslim & Chinese friends

Clare Street would like to wish all Muslim readers and friends Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Chinese readers and friends, happy Zhongqiu. To fellow Malaysians of all cultural identities: Selamat Balik Kampung

Female pilots & PLA's jet fighters in limelight

According to news reports in China as well as Hong Kong, the sixteen female pilots to parade jet fighters in Beijing on 1st October are only the first batch of graduates, and many more are being trained. Some observers of military affairs in the Chinese-language cybersphere are guessing what types of jet fighters of the PLA are going to be shown; and whether female combatants of the PLA Marine Corp (PLAMC) are going to show up at the military march is also being widely discussed. Women in China are now found in all branches of the country's armed services that consist of the People's Liberation Army, People's Armed Police, People's Militia and ordinary Public Security or Gong An police.

16 Chinese women to parade PLA jet fighters

16 Chinese women to parade PLA jet fighters

Sixteen female pilots of the jet fighters of PLA's Air Force have been assigned to demonstrate their skills at the military parade to be held in Beijing on 1 October to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the inauguration of New China. The liberation and also empowerment of women has been a very important agenda of the Chinese Revolution.

New China ready for stunning military parade

New China ready for stunning military parade

The highlight of the 60th anniversary of the founding of New China in Beijing on 1 October is doubtlessly the military parade of the People's Liberation Army, People's Armed Police and People's Militia which also consist of a significant number of women. In the feudal past, women
were oppressed, marginalised and not treated as being equal to men.

America debates war strategy for Afghanistan

The fairly pressing question of how best for the United States to deal with the not-really-inspiring military situation in Afghanistan is being debated in Washington D.C. It seems that there is a partisan division on whether America should increase its troops for the protracted war. There are now reports indicating that the insurgency has spread fast, and it has affected 80 % of the territory of that mountainous country. Steve Coll's Ghost Wars remains the best introduction to the relevant prelude to the incessant and extremely violent conflicts in the region.

Obama: US must renew fight against Al Qaeda

Obama: US must renew fight against Al Qaeda

President Obama has just reportedly said that the United States must renew the fight against Al Qaeda which is blamed for the asymetrical and highly coordinated attacks in Washington DC and New York on 11 September, 2001. The attacks prompted former president George W. Bush to launch the USA-led war in Afghanistan to dislodge the Taliban regime that harboured Al Qaeda and also its leader Osama bin Laden. Recently, Obama reiterated that the on-going war in Afghanistan is a "war of necessity" but indecision in Washington DC on the operational request for more American troops "to do the job" is still very evident.

Afghanistan poses difficult choices for Obama

CCTV in China now also broadcasts in Russian

After launching its 24-hour programmes in Arabic, China's official TV station (CCTV) has also started to broadcast in the Russian language. Many masterpieces of Russian literature, such as Nikolai Ostrovsky' s How The Steel Was Tempered have been translated into the Chinese language. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are officially accepted as the diplomatic languages of the United Nations. CCTV now broadcasts in all the six United Nations' working languages. China Radio International (CRI) is on air in forty one other languages.

Mark Rowswell speaks Mandarin with passion

Victor Hugo's deep message in Les Miserables

Xiao Qing's younger brother Xiao Qiang has just visited my house and borrowed my Les Misreables VCDs. I really hope it would facilitate his understanding of the really deep message of Hugo' s magnum opus. I bought the VCDs in the mid-90s and the superb musical is now online.

Another timeless masterpiece of Victor Hugo

Sharing spirit of Ramadhan in neighbourhood

My wife Po Chin and I had murtabak as well as kebab for dinner in our house just now. We purchased the Muslim food from the open-air and crowded Ramadhan food center in USJ 4 that is in our neighbourhood. We are looking forward to sharing the blessing of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Moon Cake Festival 2009 falls on 3rd October

Moon Cake Festival 2009 falls on 3rd October

The Zhongqiu (or Mid-Autumn) Festival for this year will fall on 3 Oct (Sat) which coincides with the fifteen day of the eighth month in the Chinese calender. It is more widely known as the Moon Cake Festival. Four other commonly accepted festivals of the Chinese community in Malaysia and Singapore are Xinnian, Qingming, Duanwu and Dongzhi.

Best wishes for Ramadhan from James' family

Mark Rowswell speaks Mandarin with passion

Mr. Mark Henry Rowswell @ Da Shan has clearly shown that mastering another language and even speaking it with native passion is actually not that difficult after all. @ Da Shan is a very well-known personality in mainland China even among old folks and children in its hinterland. Australia' s PM Kevin Rudd is another very famous Mandarin-speaking Westerner in China where more and more of her people are now keen to learn English and other widely used languages of the modern world. Both Chinese and English are official languages of the United Nations.

Chinese translation of Cherie Blair' s memoirs

Three-day rendezvous in Bangkok memorable

During the three-day Bangkok rendezvous with Chin Peng, his counsel Chan Kok Keong (left) and I also took the opportunity to pay a visit to the legendary Siam Society whose specialist library, bookshop as well as other intellectual facilities are simply impressive. The rendezvous has also given me a rare chance to sembang-sembang with Raja Aziz Addruse (center) whose clarity of mind and good English are striking.

Chin Peng sets examples for multiculturalism

Chin Peng sets examples for multiculturalism

Throughout the three-day rendezvous, Chin Peng communicated fairly effectively with Raja Aziz Addruse, Tommy Thomas and other guests in English although he also speaks fluent Malay, Chinese and Thai. He loves to wear batik shirts and enjoys eating Chinese food. Chin Peng also happily joined some of us every morning for European breakfast.

Chin Peng keeps moderate & healthy lifestyle

Chin Peng keeps moderate & healthy lifestyle

Chin Peng does not smoke cigarettes or drink any hard liquor. But, he said he used to consume appropriate amount of beer in younger days, when he also enjoyed playing harmonica and table-tennis fairly much. He recalled that two of the Charlie Chaplin movies he watched in Ipoh in the prewar years were Modern Times and The Great Dictator. Chin Peng added that he has cut down Internet- surfing times considerably because of the difficulties to cope with the avalanche of information. Born in Sitiawan in Perak, he is approaching eighty five years of age.

Home stories still thrill Chin Peng very much

Home stories still thrill Chin Peng very much

In the three-day rendezvous last week in Bangkok, nothing seemed to exite Chin Peng (left) more than news and stories of human interests from his homeland. One of his lawyers, Patrick Leong ( right) and his two lovely children could really excite him with their own obsevations.

Chin Peng as a good listener of diverse views

Chin Peng as a good listener of diverse views

Chin Peng admitted that, very unlike his other comrades like Abdullah CD, Rashid Maidin, P. Veerasenan, S.A. Ganapathy and also Eng Ming Ching, he has never been good at public speaking on stage. However, those who have met and talked to him agree that Chin Peng is a good listener of diverse views. He once travelled to London, Canberra and Singapore to engage those who disagreed with and even opposed him in dialogues. Chin Peng speaks Malay, Chinese, English and also Thai. In the rendezvous in Bangkok last week, Chin Peng was evidently very interested in listening to young voices and he adviced Malaysian kids and teenagers "to study very hard" and " to seek more knowledge" in order " to make better choices later in life" after they have grown up.

M'sian rendezvous with Chin Peng in Bangkok

M'sian rendezvous with Chin Peng in Bangkok

Other than Raja Aziz Addruse and Tommy Thomas, CPM veteran Chin Peng also met his lawyer from Ipoh, Chan Kok Keong (right; standing) and his two legal assistants Grace Wong (second from left; standing) and Beh Cha Yong (third from left; standing). Another lawyer, Patrick Leong and his two children ( not in picture ) also joined the three-day rendezvous in Bangkok, where many thoughts were freely exchanged.

Tommy Thomas meets Chin Peng face-to-face