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Saturday, 14 April 2018

Strong navy steers more balanced, steady rise of China

https://youtu.be/yMdbdbU9zts https://youtu.be/WedQQeld8rE https://youtu.be/JsvlfyTyj9s https://youtu.be/vbFKyrGJU70 https://youtu.be/2Lixf9SpzxM  
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 https://youtu.be/e9O21AljMow

On April 12, Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made important remarks during a naval parade held in the South China Sea. The event is the largest maritime military parade in the history of the People's Republic of China, showcasing a new height of the People's Liberation Army Navy via its Liaoning carrier battle group and the new-generation nuclear submarine. China's ability to defend world and regional peace has reached another milestone.

During his speech, Xi noted that the mission of building a strong navy has never been more urgent. This is crucial to point out in today's international environment and his tone carried a robust sense of mission.

Xi has expressed in several key reports that China is closer than ever to achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. However, history reminds us that the closer we are to accomplishing a glorious goal, the more the pressure and risk. Building a strong navy, as well as national defense, has never been more significant to China.

After 40 years of reform and opening-up, China has risen to become the world's second largest economy. In this process, China has further advanced its unstoppable economic potential. However, China's elevated status, accompanied by its incredible progress, has attracted both friendly and hostile gestures. Thus, catching up in national defense is necessary to attain balanced growth. For any big nation, strong economic development without balanced efforts in national defense is a dangerous combination. This might give other powers the idea and temptation to subdue China with non-economic methods.

A country's navy is considered the force that bears most pressure, while also being the most active in the modern military. Despite all the military forces of a country, the navy usually stands at the forefront in crucial moments. The technologies for naval forces are complex and at a high cost, representing the refined strength of its country. Strong naval forces only belong to a powerful country, reflecting the accumulation of a nation's strength, and indicating the nation's future and destiny.

The step-by-step development of Chinese navy is steady and strong. Through the South China Sea military parade, Chinese people can see that part of China's economic strength is quickly converting to military strength. We can also predict that China's ability to convert between its strengths will be stronger in the future.

The logic of maintaining peace is different among major, mid-sized and small countries. China must objectively understand the security situations we are dealing with and build the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to show that it projects power and focuses on maintaining peace. This is an urgent task which requires racing against time.

China must ignore the noise of the "Chinese military threat" theory from some Western countries. The theory is a misrepresentation of China's role as the world's second-largest economy and its role in securing global peace. The theory is also a discrimination to China's status as one of the world's major powers.

To build a top-tier navy, China has a long way to go. To understand the enormous challenges China faces in building a blue-water navy, one should look at how other countries monitor and scrutinize China's foreign ports and naval supply checkpoints. Furthermore, China's navy needs to accumulate vast experience to become an effective instrument in China's toolbox for deterrence.

There are two essential strategic questions for China: How do we show others our determination in defending national interest under the thesis of 'China's peaceful rise'? How do we communicate our simultaneous dedication to world peace and resolution to fight aggression?

Many WWII-era ships are still commissioned by other navies around the world, and yet more than half of the ships participating in this parade started their service around the time of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. The Chinese navy has rapidly developed, and we believe it will continue to do so until it reaches its maturity. China will be more secure and the world more peaceful as the Chinese navy sails into the deep blue sea. - Global Times

Friday, 13 April 2018

China buyers eyeing Penang property in growing tourism

https://youtu.be/olQaqTyb6qo
Worthy investment: Mah Sing sales executive Victor Cheah (left) introducing the M Vista project to visitors at StarProperty.my Fair in Queensbay Mall, Penang.

Visitors checking out MTT Properties & Development Sdn Bhd’s Botanica CT Centre during the StarProperty.my Fair in Queensbay Mall, Penang.

PENANG recently come under the radar of investors from China, said Property Talk principal Steven Cheah.

“It used to be Australia that attracted their interests, but now it is Penang. So, we can expect to see potential house buyers from China at the fair,” he said.

Cheah was speaking at the sideline of the StarProperty.my Fair 2018 which opened at Queensbay Mall yesterday and will end on Sunday.

He said the China investors were interested in high-rise properties near the sea priced at around RM1mil to RM2mil.

Cheah added that house buyers were now more selective due to higher interest rates.

“Most of them will be paying attention to the new launches in the southwest district and in Seberang Prai, where it is still possible to find properties priced below RM500,000,” he said.

Cheah said with the right location, good road connectivity, product type and concept, demand for properties in Penang would still be strong.

Potential house buyers checking out BinWan Development Sdn Bhd’s Gelugor Heights during StarProperty.my Fair in Queensbay Mall, Penang. Potential house buyers checking out BinWan Development Sdn Bhd’s Gelugor Heights during StarProperty.my Fair in Queensbay Mall, Penang.

“Malaysia’s strong fundamentals augur well for the outlook going forward.

“Malaysia’s population is young with an average age of 30 to 31 years old, and many people are still looking to start a family. This is a good sign for the property market.

“There will be weaknesses in between as the market is adjusting to the supply and demand situation.

“From the medium to long term perspective, property is still one of the choice investments preferred by investors,” he said.

Meanwhile, Yew Chor Hian, who hails from Kedah, said he was interested in a high-rise property priced at around RM600,000.

“I work in Bayan Baru, so I am interested to stay on the island.

Visitors renewing The Star newspaper subscription at The Star info counter at the fair.
Visitors renewing The Star newspaper subscription at The Star info counter at the fair.

“The size and location are important to me,” he added.

Australian Ray Stubb said he was looking for a high-rise condominium.

“We are interested in getting a unit near the sea,” he said.

A total of 17 exhibitors are displaying their products at the fair, of which 15 are developers.

The developers are SPNB Aspirasi Sdn Bhd, Mah Sing Group Bhd, Ewein Zenith Sdn Bhd, Iconic Land Sdn Bhd, Regata Maju Sdn Bhd, JKP Sdn Bhd, SP Setia Bhd, MTT Properties & Development, Galeri Tropika Sdn Bhd, Devoteshens Sdn Bhd, Binwan Development Sdn Bhd, Bertam Properties Sdn Bhd, Corfield Development Sdn Bhd, Penang Development Corporation and Pembangunan Rasa Sempurna Sdn Bhd.

The other two exhibitors are Property Talk, a Penang-based real estate agency, and East West One Marketing Sdn Bhd, which is an oil palm investment company.

The Star by David Tanby david Tan


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The crowd checking out a scale model of The Zen project that is part of Parcel 3 of Penang World City in Bayan Mutiara. – Photos: GARY CHEN/The Star
The crowd checking out a scale model of The Zen project that is part of Parcel 3 of Penang World City in Bayan Mutiara. – Photos: GARY CHEN/The Star

 

Residential property sales improves, but overhang situation 

“The market is still soft, but things are improving following the strong economic growth in 2017,” Nordin(inset picture) told reporters after the launch of the Property Market Report 2017 here yesterday
“The market is still soft, but things are improving following the strong economic growth in 2017,” Nordin(inset picture) told reporters after the launch of the Property Market Report 2017 here yesterday

 

How good is property as an asset class today? - Business News 

 

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 Bringing smiles to house buyers

Tuesday, 10 April 2018

MCA launches its general election manifesto - a plan for better future


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KUALA LUMPUR: MCA has unveiled the party's manifesto for the general election, just some 12 hours after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak revealed Barisan Nasional's manifesto on Saturday (April 7) night.

Party president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai outlined MCA's 10 promises and 10 initiatives for the next five years, which will complement Barisan's manifesto.

He said MCA will become the key driver of various initiatives targeting the masses with its main pillar being youth empowerment.

Liow also stressed on the party's commitment towards transforming MCA-established education institutions into a global education hub, the second pillar of MCA's 14th General Election manifesto.



"As MCA's roots still rest with the lower income groups, we must also continue to look after the well being of the people requiring assistance. This is the third pillar, social economic well-being.

"In order for this agenda to succeed, a multi-racial approach must be adopted to tackle various issues that confront the community.

"The party will continue to reach out to understand their needs through active stakeholder engagements," Liow said during the unveiling ceremony at Wisma MCA here on Sunday morning.

This is the first time MCA is having its own manifesto for the general election.

MCA's 10 promises are:

1. Safeguard moderation - Uphold the Federal Constitution and Rukun Negara

2. Ensure checks and balances - Represent the constitutional rights of Malaysian Chinese and other communities

3. Youth and women empowerment - New businesses, jobs and training opportunities - Appoint
youth and women into key positions - Reskilling youths for digital revolution

4. Enhance the quality of Chinese education - Committed towards recognising the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) - Systematic approach in construction of new SJK(C)s and allocations

5. Setting forth education in the world stage - Modernise and globalise education through UTAR, TARUC and Vtar

6. Harnessing the Belt and Road Initiative - Connectivity with China and Asean - Open up trade opportunities in China

7. Digital economy and innovation - Help SMEs ride on wave of e-commerce

8. Quantum leap in business and finance - Establish the Kojadi Co-operative Bank - Enhance the functions of the Secretariat For the Advancement Of Malaysian Entrepreneurs (SAME)

9. Neo-urbanised townships - Transforming new villages

10. Accessible healthcare - Establish UTAR Hospital with Western and complementary medicine

MCA's 10 initiatives are: 
 

1. Establish a Central Monitoring Unit

- monitor fair and effective implementation of government policies

2. Global and regional connectivity

- MCA Belt and Road Centre to strengthen ties with China
- make Malaysia a gateway to China’s Belt and Road Initiative in Asean

3. Establish a Digital Economy and Innovation Council
- gather feedback for formulation of policies and legislation

4. World class tertiary education
- UTAR to set up teaching hospital in Kampar

5. Developing the next generation
- transform TARUC into full-fledged technical university

6. Technical and vocational education training
- expand Vtar Institute into a well-equipped TVET development and training institution

7. Wealth generation for SMEs and lower and middle income groups
- introduce an investment scheme for Malaysian Chinese

8. Neo-urbanised townships
- stimulate and modernise new villages

9. Protecting welfare of women, children and the elderly
- champion the progress of women in Malaysia
- help stateless Malaysians get citizenship
- ensure enforcement of legislation against paedophiles

10. Continue outreach services for the community through the:
- Public Services and Complaints Bureau
- Chang Ming Thien Foundation
- 1MCA Medical Foundation
- Legal Advisory and Women’s Aid Centre

A plan for better future

Manifesto aims to lessen burdens the community faces now


KUALA LUMPUR: The rising cost of living and the widening income gap are what the public is most concerned about these days, says Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

The MCA president said the urgency of the situation prompted MCA to come out with specific actions to address it in the next five years.

These actions are listed out in MCA’s 14th General Election Manifesto with 10 promises and 10 initiatives which the party must implement, he added.

Ready for battle: Liow, MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong and other senior party leaders at the launch of the manifesto at Wisma MCA in Kuala Lumpur. — SAM THAM/The Star

“This also needs the support of the Government, including allocations for execution.

“The MCA’s performance in this election will have a direct impact on the party’s efforts to help the people,” Liow said when launching the manifesto at Wisma MCA here yesterday.

On GE14, Liow said voters aged between 21 and 35 made up 45% of total voters.

“The youth play an important role in the country’s economic development and democracy,” he said when outlining the manifesto, which focuses on steps to help the people, especially youth, to progress.

Full turnout: MCA members listening to Liow’s presentation of the manifesto for GE14 during the launch at the Wisma MCA in Kuala Lumpur.

It spans education, training, jobs, business and investment opportunities.

Saying that the MCA’s political struggle is for the long haul, Liow assured the people that the party would not make empty promises to fish for votes.

On that note, Liow said it was important to not only address current issues but also to create favourable conditions for the Chinese community’s youth to face new challenges.

“There will be major changes in the global economy, labour market and business.

“The digital revolution will not only encourage the growth of a new economy but also change the lifestyle of future generations.

“The youth of today will dominate in this major change,” he said.

Saying that education is the foundation of every nation, he pointed out that the 69-year-old MCA’s role in the sector has evolved to meet changing times, from pre-school to primary school, vocational training to tertiary education.

Liow and MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (left) with the manifesto booklet.

Singling out the party’s 16-year-old Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), which is ranked second in Malaysia after Universiti Malaya by Times Higher Education, he said it is in the process of setting up its teaching hospital in Kampar, Perak.

“UTAR Hospital is set to be a premier healthcare institution that combines modern and complementary medicine like traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda,” he said of the party’s promise to provide accessible and quality healthcare to the rakyat.

In confronting global competition and pressure from the rising cost of living, Liow said MCA promises to open up more economic opportunities, including setting up Kojadi Co-operative Bank with branches in various states to provide financing for young entrepreneurs and small to medium enterprises.

“Times have changed. While we face more challenges, we also encounter more development opportunities,” he said of how the party consistently works hard to help the community brave the changing times.

On the country’s 465 new villages set up by the British colonial government with MCA’s help during the Emergency (1948-1960) to cut contacts between the Chinese community and communists of the era, Liow said those “barbed-wire” settlements have evolved over the decades.

He said MCA has drawn up plans for a digital revolution in these villages to rejuvenate them.



Sources: The Star, by foong pek yee, tho xin yi, and royce tan