ECONOMICS: China VS Singapore

Why must Singapore not be complacent in her achievements?

After reading the 5 articles, I've realised that both China and Singapore are in fact, learning from each other about their different economical strengths and weaknesses.

It was said that Shanghai 'retained its title as the world’s busiest container port for a fifth consecutive year after widening the gap with its closest rival Singapore.' 

'Singapore handled 33.9 million 20-foot containers last year, according to a statement posted on the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore’s website dated Jan. 16. Last month, Shanghai said it expects to process about 35.2 million boxes in 2014. A year before, the gap between the two ports was about 1 million boxes.

        'Shanghai, Shenzhen and other ports in China are dominating the global container-shipping market while the facility in Ningbo overtook South Korea’s Busan last year as the world’s fifth-busiest harbor. Seven of the world’s 10 top container ports were in China in 2013, with Hong Kong coming in at fourth.' 

This shows that China is way ahead of Singapore in terms of economical progress by shipping and the container-shipping market. Even though Singapore is trailing close behind Shanghai in terms of the container-shipping market, she must not be complacent, and learn from China how they operate and maintain their top position in the shipping market.

 It is also talked about how China's politicans are also learning from our way of governing Singapore. It is quoted, 'A stream of Chinese Communist Party officials have been traveling to Singapore to learn from the experiences of the island nation, which has developed as a hub of the Southeast Asian economy during decades of People's Action Party rule.' 

In a recent class, the students were divided into groups of four to five, and each group debated one of China's urban problems, including transportation, the environment, health care and waste disposal.

China wants to learn from us, and this shows that they are willing to learn about our governing system, to improve the lives of their people, and this is why I mentioned that Singapore and China need to learn from each other in order to do well economically and the well-being of their people. 
Singapore should not be complacent just because they did well in a few areas, because other countries, like China, are learning from our way of 'operating' day by day.If we are complacent, we would most likely get 'overrun' by other countries who are learning from us and using our methods. This very likely possible situation would be a very ironic and embarrassing one. To avoid this, Singapore should not be complacent with her already 'great' achievements. Singapore should also start learning from her neighbouring countries, too. Although we can  

321 reflection of (lesson on) ageing population - megen

reflection on ageing population in SG and in CHINA

3 things i've found out: 1) China recently scrapped their one-child policy.
                                     2) Singapore had a two-child policy that was scrapped not long after.
                                     3) Both Singapore and China now has an ageing population.
2 perceptions i've gained: 1) A one-child/two-child policy can be beneficial to the country's economy
                                          2) With a rapidly ageing population, both SG and CHINA will have to resort to a lot more measures to bring up the population again.

1 question i have: Did China ever think of the consequence of an ageing population when they first established the one-child policy?

Megen's Chingay Reflection

CHINGAY REFLECTION

questions;
1) What do you think the purpose of Chingay 2016 is?

It is to inspire people to take step out and to make a contribution for Singapore's future as well as present, and to treat oneself like a 'light' that will lead future generations to a successful and brighter future and legacy.

2) How has this changed since the first Chingay and why do you think this change happened?

The original purpose of Chingay was to compensate for the ban of firecrackers back in 1973, and with all its grandeur and gaiety, will do an equally good job to 'drive away all the evil spirits'. It then took a multiracial flavour from 1976, and the purpose of this change was to bring all the people of Singapore, regardless of race, language, or religion, together as one to celebrate and take a glimpse into each other's cultures.

3) Do you think the organizers have successfully fulfilled the purpose?

Yes, the parade was indeed very bright and lively, fulfilling the 'lights' and 'bright' of the theme of Chingay 2016. Many young people were volunteers (showing seats to spectators or performing) and it does inspire many more teenagers to step forward and help with major events such as Chingay, or even strive to make a contribution to the country. Many different floats were decorated with representatives of CHINESE, MALAY, AND INDIAN cultures, and the performers on the floats were all of different races, showing that Singapore is indeed multi-racial country, and that people of different races SHOULD take the time to be friends with one another. 

reflection on poverty(megen's)

original question: what are your thoughts about poverty? does being rich necessarily mean happiness?

reflection: Whenever I hear the word 'poverty', I always will think of those scenarios I see on the newspaper about old people or people with disabilities. Poverty is a word that is not often heard of in Singapore, however replaced with 'bankruptcy', etc.
Poverty would always be associated with beggars along the streets, or some circle of swindlers that use children to cheat people out of their money if they sympathize with the children. The media will always blow these matters up, but they would never focus on the real life situations of POVERTY.
Poverty should be acknowledged by other people who classified as more 'privileged'.
We always take things for granted, and if the media would focus more on the less dramatized part of poverty, many people would start to realise that poverty is an actual real life issue happening around them.
And no, being rich doesn't necessarily mean happiness. You may be rich, but like they say,'money cannot buy you happiness', no matter the amount of jewelry or clothes you have, they can make up for intimacy or any other forms of relationships.

The EXTRAORDINARY in the ORDINARY(megen's reflection)

This is a picture of the school's softball team, practicing and training on the field under the hot sun. It had rained before I took this photo, so it was very humid and stuffy. If it was me on the field, I would have kept complaining about the heat and humidity, but it looks like the softball team has no complaints and grudges about it.They are extraordinary to me as this is  representative of them not giving up despite anything they get thrown in their faces, and also the problems they face if there's a downpour before their game really would have me in a tantrum. This picture of them training may look very ordinary, however this shows RVians' fighting spirit and their desire to win and attain glory for our school.

Megen's 200 word Self Introduction :3

Hi, I am Megen, and I'm from class 2A. My current role in the class is welfare representative, and I was a science rep last year (a very fun experience :)) My primary school was CHIJ Our Lady Queen of Peace, an IJ school not many people know of, but I managed to know a few really nice people there :D
So far, life in RVHS is enjoyable, and much more exciting and 'colourful' than primary school. My CCA is EL Drama, and i enjoy these CCA sessions a lot as we are very close to the seniors and we always will have fun during CCA.
My family consists of my parents, and a younger brother who is six years younger than me. Although the HUGE age gap (SIX YEARS!!!), we still try to get along, but there will be occasional/very often fights and arguments that piss off my parents.
My hobbies and interests revolve around listening to music(korean and sometimes english music), reading and watching comedies(2 broke girls :DDD). 
Personality wise, I can be very unreasonable, fierce, and sometimes very impulsive. But I do cherish my friendships a lot, and although I can really mess things up, I make it a point not to wake up my 'monster'.
My goals this year are to slim down (im very fat:(((((((), get more fit, to improve my guitar skills and to get better grades. I will definitely have to put my mind to all these goals and to be persistent(especially the 'get fit' part :'D). 
For this year's OELP, I'm REALLYYY looking forward to the trip and hope to bond with other classmates whom I don't know very well.
China/Taiwan this year will be very interesting for me as I've never been there before, so I'm going to try have fun every minute of the trip!!!!
Megen:)