MMC (10-03-2012)
True true, but if that archtype still exist an embassy worker is usually fairly close
MMC (10-03-2012)
Well, it generally makes going to the US for tourist less of a hassel, since right now the visa and screening reqs are about the highest you'd expect of any country that people might actually consider going to . so obviously any significant "de-regulation" so to speak is welcomed. this is also relavent to us on a political level since there are only about 30 country or so that the US give visa waiver to, and most of them are EU countries too.
But it is still quiet expensive, and the flights are long (these two are rather linked of course). and in recent years there are so many other places that have emerged as legitimate tourist destination that it has really sapped away the US's tourism industry (not helped by the fact that the US inflation rate in the last 2 decade have been above average.)
Still, the US does have some positives to look at, in the last 2 decades a lot more people are now legitimate tourist , 2+ decades ago Chinese tourist would be extremely limited, now they make up one of the largest bulk in the world for example.
Even in Taiwan, Tourism is basically the only real boom industry in the last 5 year, mostly due to the opening of Chinese tourists. lifting previously ridiculas restrictions.
http://rendezvous.blogs.nytimes.com/...ates-on-china/
What ole Henry Kissinger just said on the China issue. I think it's a level headed and very realistic / practicality oriented message, though obviously he ignors the context that both Obama and Romney are slaming China out of election needs and are fairly unlikely to go through with it in practice no matter who wins.
In remarks Wednesday afternoon before the debate, Mr. Kissinger, who has already endorsed Mr. Romney, said both candidates had been making irresponsible comments about China during the campaign.
“In each country there are domestic pressures that emphasize disagreements that arise, and we see that in our political campaign, in which both candidates are using language that I find extremely deplorable,” Mr. Kissinger said during a panel discussion at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington.
“Both used the word ‘cheat’ as applied to China, in trade,” Mr. Kissinger added, saying that “theoreticians” unschooled in the nuances of the U.S.-China relationship “want to turn this into a crusade.”
Dealing with China, Mr. Kissinger said, has become “the fundamental problem of American foreign policy right now.” But he also suggested there was a certain unanimity about the general U.S. approach: “The most nonpartisan foreign policy in America today is Chinese policy. Eight American administrations since 1971 have pursued essentially the same course.
“I am very hopeful that this will be continued. Relations with China now are good. There are many grievances on both sides but the basic objective is recognized by both sides.”
“I think peace and stability of the world,” Mr. Kissinger concluded, “depends on that.”
The Phillipine Government has made what is a major first step towards peace with it's main Muslim rebel group, opening the possibility of a new Muslim State.
The costly civil war over nearly 2 decades have claimed many lives and have been a chief source of instability in the country.... so any positive move is good.
In bigger news:
The New York Times threw out an investigative report that claims out going Premier Wen Jia Bao and his family are ridiculasly wealthy, not exactly news here but they gave a figure of 2.7 billion collective wealth (though that includes 3 generation and about a dozen family member) and hints that they played Wen's influence was the primary reason. in a rather unprecedented move Wen's family hired lawyers to fire back at the report, though only the "influence" part.
The article was predictablly shut down by PRC censors in China, though at least 10 MILLION Chinese still snuck past the firewall to see it.
This isn't exactly news per say. Wen's wife is China's most famous Jewlery busniess women is well known, and there's no one in that busniess who can make a name and isn't fabulously wealthy obviously. but Wen's probably amongst the best imaged Chinese senior official right now, as he is almost always at the front of any disastor relief and generally speak with a much more moderate tone than most . it's part of the whole comming power turnover to be sure that this article is thrown out at this particular point.
In lighter news. it should be good news for the US tourism industry that
A. due to the massive decline in Chinese tourist travel to Japan in the wake of the recent territory dispute, everyone else benifits. including the US.
B. in the current tourist trade fair show here in Taiwan, inquiries on US trips rose by a wooping 4x as a result of Taiwan being granted visa waiver status. reaching something of an all time high.
Lighter news again:
How much do you think this monster 60 inch TV should cost?
The answer is no more than 1300 USD, which is a obviously a crazy price. leave it up to Foxconn to find ways to make previously crazy expensive things affordable.
Foxconn announced yesterday in a joint venture with Sharp on this new TV, it also brings a new concept as they are hoping to market it like a cellphone, aka the low price comes with the requirement to bind deals with MOD providers .
From my POV, I think this will sell great in the US, but well totally bomb in Taiwan because......... well most of our houses are too small to fit a 60 inch TV :P
http://www.rifatkarlova.com
This guy just became the first foreigner to win Taiwan's equivalent of the Emmis a few days back, a rather interesting person in many ways.
He's Rifat Karlova, a Turkish person that majored in everything you think should have nothing to do with acting or entertainment, i.e politics and that sort of stuff.
But he's carving out quite a career for himself in Taiwan (and also some extend China) in recent years as a host and actor.