Chinese nationalism in renewed spotlight after online attacks on bottled water firm, Nobel Prize-winning author
” One change is probably how the says of” catalyst bao” (meaning” an affront to China” ) have become, as shown by these new circumstances. The charges against Nongfu Spring are merely ridiculous and silly, according to Assoc Prof. Yew, who is not known to criticize the Chinese Communist Party.
Mo Yan, after winning the Nobel Prize for Literature, faced criticism for being too close to the Chinese authorities. He was criticized by a number of rights activists and other authors, who claimed he was unworthy of the reward.
Professor Daniel Vukovich from the University of Hong Kong ( HKU) pointed out that Mo Yan is now being criticized online for being too much like a dissident, rather than being accused of being one.
” Part of what makes his job specific is truly that he does question what life was like in the countryside during the dark and afterward decades. This is not disloyal or against- China- if anyone it’s the opposite”, Prof Vukovich added.
However, questions have also been raised over the enthusiasm of these personal- proclaimed nationalists, and whether income is a element.
Wu Wanzheng, the journalist who sued Mo Yan, had launched a paid subscription services starting at 50 yuan per month, according to a report from China Digital Times, a US-based media website covering China, on March 13.  ,
According to the report, Mr. Wu had also launched his own Weibo business and begun bringing in products. Besides these, the journalist had even opened a “blogger’s special” membership on various platforms, including paid sections.
A Chinese blogger was criticized for using loyalty to profit from his content, according to an Al Jazeera report earlier this month.  ,
The vlogger’s claim that the Nanjing purchasing mall’s New Year’s decorations were political Chinese motifs sparked controversy online. State media CCTV therefore posted an article criticising the vlogger’s says, which was titled” Patriotism is never a business, accounts may come with information”.  ,
POPULIST NATIONALISM?
While HKU’s Prof. Vukovich anticipates that this recent incident wo n’t have an impact on the author’s reputation and livelihood, he argued that many people now seem more patriotic and proud to be Chinese than they did in the 1990s.  ,
So it may seem as though Mo Yan’s perceived views of the Party and country are more tenuous than they were in the past, when he had liberal critics overseas or in China.
In the case of Nongfu Spring, while framing it as an appearance of “intense nationalism”, Prof Vukovich argued that it “refers as much to democracy … as to nationalism”.
Democracy has not decreased since the 1990s, but he said,” If anything has changed, then now there are populist relationships within patriotism or Chinese political society, and this can be good or bad, depending on your opinion and what it is reacting to.”  ,
The optics of Nongfu Spring’s creator, a Taiwanese nationwide, and his son, a citizen, might have contributed to the political ire, according to Prof. Vukovich.
” Zhong Shanshan is the wealthiest man in China … and his brother, who will probably gain his whole fortune, is a US resident.  , How does this search for China? No fine at all”.
Japan finally raises interest rates as inflation wish comes true
For the first time in 17 times, Japan’s central bank has increased the cost of loans.
The Bank of the Japan ( BOJ) increased its key interest rate from -0.1 % to a range of 0 %- 0.1 %. Following an increase in customer costs, wages have increased.
In 2016, the banks cut the price below zero in an attempt to promote the country’s stagnating market.
The increase means that there are no more any nations with negative interest rates.
People have to pay to loan money in a bank when bad levels are in effect. Numerous nations have used them to encourage people to spend money more than deposit it in banks.
Additionally, the BOJ abandoned a policy known as supply curve power (YCC), which involved purchasing Chinese government bonds to command interest rates.
Since 2016, YCC scheme has been in place, but it has received criticism for causing distortions in markets by preventing long-term interest rates from rising.
Since chancellor Kazuo Ueda took office in April of last year, there had been a rise in expectations that the BOJ did suddenly raise rates.
The most recent official figures revealed that Japan’s core consumer prices remained at the company’s 2 % objective in January despite the rate of price increases having been slowed.
Nobuko Kobayashi from the consulting firm EY- Parthenon told the BBC that the country’s main firms had to raise wages for their employees to help them deal with the rising cost of living.
Earlier this month, Japan’s biggest firms agreed to raise pay by 5.28 %- the biggest pay hike in more than three decades.
Since the late 1990s, compensation in the nation have been declining as consumer prices have grown rapidly or even decreased.
However, Ms. Kobayashi believes that the business could benefit from the transfer of inflation.
” Nice, if Japan can promote production and home demand. Poor, if inflation stays directly- driven by points like conflict and supply chain disruptions”.
The BOJ has indicated that there wo n’t be any further rate increases until the future because it anticipates that “accommodative financial conditions will be maintained for the time being.”
It seems probable that trade unions will press for smaller pay increases in the next year’s negotiations, according to Marcel Thieliant of Capital Economics, of research company.
We still anticipate inflation to fall below the BOJ’s target by the end of the year, so the Bank wo n’t feel the need to raise its policy rate any further because wage growth is at its peak this year.
In February, Japan’s main share index the Nikkei 225 hit an all- period closing high, surpassing the previous record set 34 years before.
In the final three months of 2023, the revised data revealed a 0.4 % increase in gross domestic product ( GDP ) in comparison to a year earlier.
Central banks around the world slashed attention costs as they attempted to counter the negative effects of border closures and lockdowns during the pandemic.
At the time some states, including Switzerland and Denmark, as well as the European Central Bank, introduced negative interest rates.
Since then, central bankers have aggressively increased interest rates to halt price increases, including the US Federal Reserve and the Bank of England.
Related Issues
Many hospitals in China stop newborn delivery services as birth rate drops
China’s population decreased for a second consecutive season in 2023 as COVID-19, a record-breaking low birth rate and higher deaths, accelerated a decline that officials fear will have serious long-term effects on the market’s growth possible. According to the most recent data available from China’s National Health Commission, the numberContinue Reading
Popular sandwich shop 46 Mittsu closes Everton Park outlet, new restaurant opening in April
We were prohibited from doing a lot of heavy eating or smoking meat because our store ( at Everton Park ) was a lesson mutual and had very few tables and chairs for clients to enjoy our meals.
INVESTED S$ 300, 000 INTO THE NEW Cafe
Say said the business was fine despite the fact that the Everton Park location had no dine-in license. He shared:” We made funds in Everton. Although the majority of it was used for renovations and home equipment ( at the upcoming new shop ), it is quite a sum.
He said they invested about S$ 300,000 into their new location close to Boat Quay, despite declining to disclose the amount of revenue made. It , costs around S$ 12, 000 to rent each month,” three days” their past rental rate.  ,
” It’s a plain device near the CBD, so that’s why the construction costs are higher, because we had to begin anything from earth zero”, he explained.  ,
As for whether they’re confident in recouping their investment, Say said:” Yes, it’s just the duration because we wo n’t know how customers will react. Because dinner company is fresh to us, we’re still relying on the noon group.
SMOKED Proteins WILL MAKE OCCASIONAL Looks
The towkays intend to restore their delicious smoked meats to the list for limited-time specials, along with salad and grain bowls, with the upgraded space. State said they’ll also be adding “eight to 10 new hamburgers”, including sarnies with smoked beef steak and grilled seafood.  ,
Their existing signatures, including the BEC ( a bacon, egg and cheese sando ) and AEC (avocado, egg and cheese sandwich ), will remain on the menu, all made with sourdough brioche bread from local bakery Pelle and Pepe.  ,
PAP will not seek Pritam Singh’s suspension from parliament while legal proceedings are ongoing
SINGAPORE: The People’s Action Party ( PAP ) will not seek the suspension of Pritam Singh as Member of Parliament ( MP ) while legal proceedings over his charges are ongoing. The Workers ‘ Party leader was charged with two counts on Tuesday ( Mar 19 ) forContinue Reading
Hawker stall Sam Leong St Chicken Rice now an air-conditioned restaurant
The owner’s family, who declined to give her name and age, told , 8days. sg , that her father’s knee had been hurting, and he was already planning to retire and go for foot operation.
He returned to his business after closing for the holiday season last year on the seventh day of Taiwanese New Year, and he went to the market to purchase materials. He had a heart attack at the business access, though. He wanted to plan a foot functioning, but he left before that”, shared his family.  ,
Due to his sudden passing, Uncle had been in speaks in 2022 to promote his business and plan for retirement. His wife explained:” Our son has his own career and did n’t want to take over the business, and I cannot cope with running the stall by myself. So we agreed when a fresh operator expressed an interest in acquiring.”
RESTAURANT UPGRADE
8days. According to SSG, Sam Leong St. Chicken Rice’s new user is the parent company of the well-known Henghwa food chain Putien, who has transformed the old-school coffeehouse into a game restaurant with air conditioning.
Singer complains face used for deepfake pornography
PUBLISHED: 19 Mar 2024 at 14: 07
Violette Wautier, a song, complained to the police on Tuesday that her face was being used to create fake porn.
When she filed the fee at the officers Technology Crime Suppression Division, the 30-year-old Thai-German performer was accompanied by her attorney. She said that her mouth was being used without her assent, on other people’s bodies, in both however pictures and videos being spread online.
She claimed that her supporters had received the porn after seeing it. She had to record the issue to defend herself because it was very concerning to her.
” I was shocked in the first place. As a person, I feel bad about it and I was worried that I could get misunderstood”, Ms Wautier said.
She cautioned against forwarding the content because it was against the law.
She urged other victims of for misconduct to contact the police so that those concerned could be held accountable.
Vivian Balakrishnan meets Palestinian leaders, expresses Singapore’s concern about dire humanitarian situation in Gaza
SINGAPORE:  , Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan met the leaders of the , Palestinian Authority ( PA ) during his visit to Ramallah on Monday ( Mar 18 ), amid the war between Israel and , Hamas militants. Dr Balakrishnan called on , Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and his goodContinue Reading
Singapore Post completes strategic review; group to be reorganised into three business units
The board, according to SingPost Chairman Simon Israel, believes that the group’s share price “does not properly reflect the fundamental value of the company.” ” This is especially obvious considering the value of the SingPost Centre, the team’s American company and the team’s progress potential”, Mr Israel said. SingPost’s shareContinue Reading
Takaful Tech: Ouch! champions digital transformation in Malaysia’s takaful sector
- Aims to modernise traditional takaful via a user-friendly digital platform
- Launches Jaga Generasi campaign to empower M’sians financially during Ramadan
Over 60% of Malaysians are not insured with any takaful plans. In an effort to reduce these numbers, Ouch!, which claims to be the first digital takaful operator recognized by the BNM Regulatory Sandbox, is shepherding a new era of financial protection.
In a statement, the firm said it aims to revolutionise traditional takaful by utilising technology to create an accessible digital platform and introducing programs such as the Kita Cover Challenge to engage its community.
This Ramadan, Ouch! has introduced the Jaga Generasi campaign, an initiative to empower more Malaysians to secure their financial well-being during this time of reflection and charity. In a gesture of solidarity and giving back to the community, Ouch! will donate US$2.12 (RM10) Touch ‘n Go vouchers, which can be used for buka puasa, and an additional RM10 to its charity partner, Pertiwi, with each certificate sold.
As a fully digitalised takaful platform, Ouch! prioritises technology to streamline all processes for a more accessible, affordable, and efficient takaful experience. Participants can start with a quick coverage calculator on the application to determine their ideal protection plan in mere minutes. Additionally, certificate holders can still customise their plans to further tailor them to their needs at any given time – providing a level of personalization unmatched in traditional models.
Shazy Noorazman, CEO of Ouch!, said, “When it comes to takaful tech or insurtech, it is not just a matter of taking an existing product and selling it online. We need to reach out to the 20 million Malaysians who are not insured by any takaful protection plans, which is why at Ouch!, everything is digitalised to make the process easier and less complicated.”
He added that with Ouch!’s innovative back-end processes, the company is able to promote better engagement with its participants to use the platform to obtain information and manage their takaful plans. “We are providing an affordable, transparent, and efficient takaful solution for all Malaysians.”
Seeking to broaden takaful access for more Malaysians. The Kita Cover Challenge motivates members to spread the word by offering up to US$528 (RM2,500) for 25 successful referrals. Furthermore, both the referrer and new member will earn bonus points (equivalent to RM10) with their Ouch! Pusara Pro membership.
“We envision the Kita Cover Challenge, together with our Jaga Generasi efforts, welcoming more Malaysians into the Ouch! Family and creating a space where everyone looks out for each other’s financial health, just like Takaful intends,” Shazy added.
Participants can sign up for the Ouch! Pusara Pro plans online without additional fees, granting users full control over their takaful certificates. Adopting a paperless approach, the application provides secure and easy access to all necessary information. Ouch! also has an integrated communication channel within their website and mobile application, offering participants a centralised hub for all interactions related to their takaful services.
Ouch! is set to expand its suite of solutions, soon offering members a comprehensive range of options including medical, travel, and personal accident plans, all accessible through the website and app.
Download the application from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.