“Foreign direct investment in China rises 12% in first half” (The Straits Times)

 

Facts:

-         China’s foreign direct investment is currently US$6.6 billion

-         China was the world’s 4^th largest recipient of foreign direct investment last year after US, UK and France (according to the UN)

-         Pull factors: Low manufacturing costs and a pool of 1.3 billion increasingly affluent consumers are luring foreign companies to set up factories in China.

-         Due to investment inflows, China is now the world’s biggest producer of cell phones, computers and clothes.

 

Evaluation:

-         Remember Economics? Trade surplus invites resentment from the US, causing it to slap protectionism and this has worsen their bilateral relationship (Read ConnECT issue 2007.2 for further details. haha =P)

-         1.3 billion of increasingly affluent consumers translate into more consumerism in China, which may have a dampening effect on its environment. The fact that currently China becomes the world’s most polluting country (defeating the US) is perhaps one growing concern.

-         Environmental concern may due to irresponsibility of those manufacturing factories. The environment concerns are played down by the need to develop economically and efficiently.

 

Relevant questions:

1. How far can a balance be achieved between environmental conservation and economic progress?
2. Consider the importance of speed in modern society
3. The term “superpower” is no longer relevant. How far DYA with this statement?

by Christina Amanda

“Failed PSLE on first try? NorthLight offers place” (The Straits Times)

 

NorthLight

-         vocational school

-         students learn skills like electricity, retail, cookery, mechanical, healthcare or landscape (ITE skills)

-         mathematic class à use Google Earth to find their school, then introduce concept of area and perimeter

-         economics class à given real fast food menus, decide what is the best value for their money

-         seems to successfully helped students who are uninterested in primary school classes

 

Evaluation

This is a form of alternative education available (ITE for primary school students) so that rather than spending another year in primary school (where they are likely to be interested and enthusiastic in classes), NorthLight will strengthen their skills instead.

However, we shall not forget the impact that may result from this kind of “streaming”. Isn’t such streaming too early, and shouldn’t instead these children be given extra tuition or more help in studies? Such streaming may end up in negative stereotypes. Besides, such students may not be able to compete in a highly competitive environment in Singapore, end up getting a lower-paid job and this becomes a viscous cycle.

 

Relevant questions:

1. Does the government of your country pay enough attention to the needs of the sick and disadvantaged?
2. “Education needs to reinvent itself to remain relevant.” Assess the education system in your country in the light of this statement.
3. Do schools adequately prepare students for the real world?

by Christina Amanda

Top Official calls for new food safety laws

Summary: 

• A top health official has called for more integration within China’s fragmented food regulatory system yesterday to boost its troubled safety record.
• The military warned that unsafe food could undermine its combat-readiness.
• New laws were needed to strengthen food safety supervision by coordinating the duties of competing government agencies.
• The lack of a centrally controlled regulatory system is considered a key defect underpinning China’s perennial food and drug safety woes.
• Blurred lines of authority and divided responsibilities often enable the country’s countless illegal operations to escape detection.
• A specially developed food quality control system would be employed at 39 Olympic test events starting from Aug 8.
• Foods and drugs are special products, and manufacturers and sellers cannot only go after economic gain.
• Rising pork prices have also led to some farmers force-feeding their pigs with wastewater to increase their weight before slaughtered.

Personal Comments: 

o       This article is related to questions on “Governance and Politics”. For example, “what may a county’s citizens justly demand of their government?”

o       Related to questions on “health”. For example, “how far do you agree that our health is in our own hands?”

o       Possible questions:

- Food is serious business. Comment.

- Assess how effectively your country ensures the safety of her people.

 

§         Since food is one of the essential things we need for survival, this matter should not be taken lightly. Of course, the government ruling the country should have the largest role in improving and regulating the quality of the food her country produces or imports.

§         Define the lines of authority clearly and prevent divided responsibilities to prevent illegal operations from happening.

§         Food safety problems can have serious negative impact on the country.

-The number of tourists may decrease.

-The citizens of the country may live in fear over their health and safety of the food they consume everyday.  

         *Source: The Straits Times     Saturday, July 14, 2007

By Wei Bin