Georgia Asian Times Feb 1-15, 2016

Covering The Multicultural Asian American Community in Georgia

www.gasiantimes.com February 1-15, 2016

Iowa kicks off U.S. election process with complex caucus

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February 1-15, 2016 Georgia Asian Times

Georgia Asian Times February 1-15, 2016

Publisher: Li Wong Account Manager: Adrian West Contributors: Andrian Putra, May Lee, Mark Ho Photographer: Ben Hioe, Kat Merto

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All Rights Reserved: including those to reproduce this printing or parts thereof in any form without permission in writing from Georgia Asian Times. Established in 2004, the Georgia Asian Times is published by Asiamax Inc. All facts, opinions, and statements appearing within this publication are those of writers and editors themseleves, and are in no way to be construed as statements, positions, endorsements by Georgia Asian Times or its officers.

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GAT Calendar of Events GAT welcome submission of announcement pertaining to community related events.

Please email event, date, venue, and time to gat@gasiantimes.com.

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2016 NACA Chinese New Year Fundraising Dinner Date: Saturday, February 6, 2016 Time: 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm Venue: Canton House, 4825 Buford Highway Admission: $40 member, $80 non-member, $2000 Corporate For more info: xiaogengdeng@gmail. com “Tet” Lunar New Year-Honoring the Past, Moving towards the Future!

Organized by Vietnamese American Community of Georgia Date: Feb 7, 2016 Time: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm Venue: KAAGA Culture Center, 5900 Brook Hollow Parkway, Norcross GA 30071 For more info: www.vac-ga.org GAPABA’s 2016 Lunar New Year Banquet Date: Thursday, Feb 11, 2016 Time: 6:30 pm Venue: Oriental Pearl Restaurant, 5399 New Peachtree Rd. Chamblee, GA 30341

Admission: $20 members; $40 non-members For more info: www.gapaba.org 2016 Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival Date: Sat- Sun, Feb. 13-14, 2016 Time: 10 am – 4 pm Venue: Culture Center of Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in Atlanta 5377 New Peachtree Road, Chamblee, GA 30341 Ticket: $5 per person. Free admission for children under 3 1/2 ft.

For more info: www.facebook.com/AtlantaChineseLunarNewYearFestival Chinese New Year Reception Guest of Honor: Mr. Clement C.M. Leung, Hong Kong Commissioner to U.S. Presented by Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York Date: Thursday, Feb 18, 2016 Time: 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Venue: Oceans Ballroom, 246 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd. Atlanta GA 30313 For more info: gene@honggkongatlanta.com Strictly by invitation only.

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February 1-15, 2016 Georgia Asian Times

METRO ASIAN NEWS Georgia Vietnamese-American Chamber of Commerce celebrates Lunar New Year with black-tie gala Duluth, January 30, 2016 — The Georgia Vietnamese American Chamber of Commerce celebrates its annual Lunar New Year black-tie gala with over 300 invited business, community, and governmental leaders.

“I urge all of you to go out and vote in the upcoming elections. Your vote will make a difference and to represent the voice of Vietnamese American community in the community,” said Rep. B.J. Pak.

Among the invited guests are State Rep. B.J. Pak (Lilburn), Lori Christopher-Peachtree Corners City Council representative, and Nick Masimo-Director, Gwinnett Partnership.

Founded in 2011, the Georgia Vietnamese American Chamber of Commerce (GVACC) is a non-profit membership organization, 501 (c)(6), with the vision and mission to create sustainable competitive advantage for its general members and give back to the Vietnamese community.

“We are looking forward to a new year of collaboration and growth. With a theme of “Bigger and Better Business” – we seek to expand and further growth for Georgia’s Vietnamese business and entrepreneurship,” said Tim Le, President of Georgia Vietnamese American Chamber of Commerce.

As the voice of the Vietnamese business in Georgia, GVACC’s goal is to strengthen the Vietnamese business community through advocacy, promotion, education, networking, and unification.

State representative B.J. Pak delivers the keynote address at the gala event.

Republic Day celebration showcase India’s success Buckhead, January 26, 2016 — The Consulate General of India celebrated India’s 67th Republic Day at JW Marriott Atlanta Buckhead with over 300 invited guests.

Among the invited guests were Ambassador Judith Varnai Shorer, Consul General of Israel to the Southeast United States, John Padgett, Chairman of Georgia’s Republican Party, Ray Donato, Honorary Consul General of the Philippines, and R.J. (Pete) Amos, Chairman of Forsyth Board of Commissioners.

India have made significant stride in its economic progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to statement by Nagesh Singh, Consul General of India in Atlanta.

“India has become the world’s top destination for foreign direct investment,” said Consul General Singh.

He also reiterates the importance of the U.S. – India partnership in military cooperation, education, and security.

Consul General Singh also thanked the local Indian American community for their continuos support.

The Kurthi Dance Academy performed several dance numbers based on traditional and Bollywood influences. Guests were treated to authentic Indian cuisine and desserts.

Philippine American Chamber of Commerce Georgia elects 2016 Board and officers Doraville, January 28, 2016 — The Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Georgia (PACCGA) officially elects new officers and Board of Directors in a swearing-in ceremony by Rep. Pedro Marin. PACCGA celebrated its 21st anniversary and continue to make an impact in the local economy.

Americans. PACCGA can provide the necessary support and guidance to any entrepreneurs who wish to do so,” adds Ms. Valeriano.

Ms. Pia Valeriano was officially sworn in as the new President of PACCGA. She replaces outgoing President Eleanor Mae Pascual who remain as a member of the new Board.

List of 2016 PACCGA officers and Board of Directors: Pia Valeriano-President, Matthew Sinon-Vice President, Gigi Peters-Secretary, Ken Oroceo-Treasurer, Lalaine Dizon-Membership Director, Meg Bhuiyan-Program & Events Director, Willy Blanco-Public Relations Director, Doddy Ward-Audit Director, Bernie Utt-Finance & Admin Director, Didi O’Connor-Commmunity Outreach Director, Estrella Cramer-Tourism, Trade & Industry Director, Sarah Hawk-Legal Counsel, Ana Blackburn-Parliamentarian, and Eleanor Mae Pascual-Immediate Past President.

“My goal is to promote patronizing and to support the growth of local Filipino-American businesses in Georgia. Big or small — these businesses depends on our support to survive and to grow to the next level,” said PACGGA President Pia Valeriano, who owns a bed and breakfast operations in Palawan island, Philippines.

“I also like to encourage more entrepreneurship among Filipino

Rep. Pedro Marin provided the keynote remarks for the evening’s dinner banquet.

Georgia Asian Times February 1-15, 2016

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February 1-15, 2016 Georgia Asian Times

BUSINESS Beijing struggles to plug capital flight

Shanghai, January 25, 2016 -- As a slick slide presentation runs for the well-heeled investors jammed into the banqueting hall of Shanghai’s Renaissance Yangtze Hotel, an image flashes up of a grinning Chinese man pushing a wheelbarrow full of cash into Europe.

Another slide features a car bearing a Chinese flag preparing to drive into a pit. For wealthy Chinese, desperate to avoid further falls in a currency that has shed 6 percent against the dollar since August, the message is clear.

“The yuan will keep depreciating as time goes by, so we should swap the money we have in hand into tangible assets,” Li Xiaodong, chairman of Canaan Capital, tells his audience, while exhorting them to pull their money out of China while the going is still good and pour it into property in Spain and Portugal.

Canaan Capital is one of a swarm of asset management firms leaping to profit from Beijing’s latest policy headache: the swelling crowd of Chinese individuals and firms trying to get their money out of the world’s second biggest economy as its growth slows to a quarter-century low.

Weak real estate prices and the gyrations of the stock market, which plunged as much as 40 percent in a summer meltdown last year and has tumbled around 17 percent so far this year, have only encouraged the trend to seek better returns elsewhere.

The risk for policymakers is that so much money will exit China it will undo their efforts to cut the cost of credit domestically and reinvigorate flagging productive investment.

In graphs and numbers, Li’s slideshow ran through some of the reasons

why many of the 600 or so people who packed into his talk in late December are skeptical that the wobbly economy is turning around soon: an aging society, slowing growth, and the slide of the yuan against the dollar.

“Where was Li Kashing heading? He was heading to Europe,” Li quipped, drawing laughs for his reference to the Hong Kong multibillionaire, who has been trimming his exposure at home and buying utilities and telecoms assets in the West.

Legal outlets Thanks to incremental reforms to China’s capital account enacted while the yuan was still strong, it is easier than ever for Chinese companies and individuals to get money out legally.

They can buy property, or invest in offshore stocks, bonds or managed hedge funds; they can purchase offshore life insurance that can be used as collateral for further loans, or even buy a foreign company outright.

And their scope is not limited to Europe. One Shanghai-based investment company, Zengda, plans to guide Chinese money into mines, land and gas projects in Africa.

Others use trade and even tourism transactions to get money out of the country – contributing to the $200$500 billion Chinese tourists are estimated to spend abroad annually.

The trend has grown so rapidly that some international banks are bolstering their wealth management divisions, encouraged by data showing money pouring out of China.

China’s central bank and commercial banks sold a net 629 billion yuan ($95.61 billion) worth of foreign ex-

change in December, nearly triple the figure for the previous month.

One way of investing money overseas is through the Qualified Domestic Institutional Investor (QDII) pilot program, which allows Chinese mutual funds to buy offshore stocks.

“Clients come to me now, realizing that hedging makes sense,” said a private wealth manager at an international investment bank who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“I heard the QDII scheme was so popular that some brokerage firms were charging 6 percent just to use the quota, but people are still paying.

They’re afraid of depreciation.”

A second investment management source in Shanghai confirmed that the costs of borrowing QDII quota had shot up in recent weeks amid surging demand and short supply.

China Asset Management (Hong Kong) Ltd has recently launched a 150 million yuan ($22 million) hedge fund under QDII to invest overseas and is charging mainland investors 1 percent annually as a channel fee, in addition to subscription and management fees, according to sales document seen by Reuters.

Happy to help Policymakers fret that, instead of putting money into the research and development China wants to move its firms up the value chain, the executive elite will pour it into the elegant condos in downtown Lisbon that Canaan Capital is selling.

Unfortunately for Beijing, it is going to be very difficult to stem the tide, given many of the channels being used are legal and, in some ways, beneficial.

Beijing has, for example, been trying to make it easier for domestic companies to acquire overseas assets, seen as a way to increase Chinese influence and help firms move up the value chain by acquiring foreign competitors.

Any move to slow capital flight being disguised as M&A could impede strategic investments as well.

Beijing has also been trying to increase the international usage of the yuan, a project that could collapse if foreigners saw their money getting trapped in China.

Moreover, many of the funds are using the free trade zones China has rolled out in the last few years as part of a major reform push, which were specifically designed to make it easier for capital to cross the borders.

As a result, fund managers say that so far Beijing moved cautiously in its efforts to close the taps, halting quota issuance for easily controllable channels such as the QDII program, for instance, and pressing banks to tighten outflows.

Whether regulators will be forced to go further to defend monetary stability remains in question, but few expect the demand to go away.

“The huge level of individual and corporate savings which exist in China at present obviously cannot find a reasonable return on investment in China,” said Hao Zhou, Commerzbank analyst in Singapore.

“Consequently there is every chance that capital flight can become a long-standing affair.”

– Reuters

Georgia Asian Times February 1-15, 2016

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BUSINESS

Facebook shares soar as mobile drives big jump in ad sales San Diego, Jan 28 — Facebook Inc smashed investors’ expectations with a 52-per cent jump in quarterly revenue as it sold more ads targeted at a fast-growing number of mobile users, sending its shares sharply higher after hours.

With China sales weakening, Apple turns to India San Francisco, Jan 27 -- As red-hot sales in China show signs --f cooling, Apple Inc executives are touting India’s growing appetite for iPhones.

In an earnings call in which the company reported meager iPhone growth and forecast its first revenue drop in 13 years, the Indian market stood out as a rare bright spot for Apple.

Sales of the company’s flagship smartphone climbed 76 per cent in the country from the year-ago quarter, Apple Chief Financial Officer Luca Maestri said on the call.

And Apple CEO Tim Cook suggested more growth is on the horizon, noting the median age in India is just 27.

“I see the demographics there also being incredibly great for a consumer brand, and for people that really want the best product,” Cook said. “We have been putting increasingly more energy in India.”

Growth in India is a tantalizing prospect as Apple grapples with the economic downturn in China, its second largest market. While revenue in Greater China rose 14 per cent in the last quarter, Apple is beginning to see a shift in the economy, particularly in Hong Kong, Maestri told Reuters in an interview.

India cannot immediately offset Apple’s woes in China, said analyst

Neil Shah of Counterpoint Technology Market Research. The company averaged only about 450,000 smartphone shipments per quarter in India in 2015, compared with more than 15 million per quarter in China, Shah said.

What’s more, nearly 70 per cent of smartphones sell for less than US$150, leaving just a sliver of the market for Apple’s high-end phones. The company’s smartphone market share stands at less than 2 per cent, Shah said.

But the Indian market seems to be turning in Apple’s favor. With 4G coverage spreading, Indian consumers will likely be more open to investing in smartphones, Shah said.

Young consumers are already willing to spend heavily on the device at the center of their digital lives. As in China, Apple products are coveted status symbols.

“The love for the iPhone is there,” said Carolina Milanesi, chief of research and head of US business at Kantar Worldpanel ComTech, a consumer research firm.

Apple’s next task is expanding distribution in India, where its products are sold through third-party resellers. The company has filed an application with India’s Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion to open its own stores, an Indian official told Reuters earlier this month. -- Reuters

The world’s biggest online social network bucked the trend of underwhelming tech results from Apple Inc and eBay Inc, in the face of economic uncertainty around the world and a strong US dollar depressing the value of overseas sales.

“It’s phenomenal at these (currency headwind) levels that they’re accelerating to that level of growth,” said Rob Sanderson, an analyst at MKM Partners.

Facebook’s dominance in mobile advertising helped to allay Wall Street concerns over its heavy investments in messaging service WhatsApp and virtual reality unit Oculus, which have not yet generated profits.

“I don’t think there’s going to be too many people crying for them to start monetizing other properties anytime soon because the core business is so strong,” said Sanderson.

Facebook shares rose almost 12 per cent in after-hours trading to US$105.32.

They were helped by Chief Financial Officer David Wehner’s comment on a call with analysts that he expected operating expenses to increase by 30 to 40 per cent over the course of the year, a slower clip than last year.

Total revenue rose to US$5.84 billion from US$3.85 billion a year earlier, with ad revenue increasing 56.8 per cent to US$5.64 billion in the holiday shopping period, when spending on advertising typically spikes.

Excluding some items, the company earned 79 cents per share. Analysts on average had expected earnings of 68 cents per share and revenue of US$5.37 billion, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. Apart from focusing on mobile, Facebook has been ramping up spending on what it calls “big bets,” including virtual reality, artificial intelligence and drones to connect the remotest parts of the world to the Internet.

Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg, who returned from two months of paternity leave on Monday, has said virtual reality represents the next major computing platform.

In January, Facebook began taking orders for a consumer version of the Oculus Rift, a head-mounted virtual reality unit.

The company has also begun monetizing some of its other units, such as photo-sharing app Instagram, which surpassed 400 million users last year and began selling ads in September.

Facebook said mobile ads accounted for 80 per cent of total ad revenue in the quarter, compared with about 78 per cent in the third quarter and 69 per cent a year earlier.

“It’s much stronger ad growth than we were expecting,” said Ken Sena, an analyst at Evercore ISI. Facebook’s service is not available for users in China but it can sell ads to companies there.

“It signifies the importance of what they’re providing to advertisers,” he said.

“They’re making big investments and evidenced by their quarterly performance it seems to be working.”

The company, which has the world’s most popular smartphone app, has also been benefiting from a surge in video views that has attracted advertising dollars.

Facebook said it had 1.59 billion monthly active users as of December 31, up 14 per cent from the end of 2014. Of those, 1.44 billion used the service on mobile devices, an increase of 21 per cent.

Analysts had expected the company to report 1.58 billion monthly active users, with 1.43 billion accessing the service through smartphones and tablets, according to market research firm FactSet StreetAccount.

Up to yesterday’s close at US$94.45, Facebook’s stock had risen nearly 25 per cent in the past 12 months. — Reuters

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February 1-15, 2016 Georgia Asian Times

FOCUS

benefits from cheaper gasoline that we did when the economy was healthier,” said veteran oil economist and independent consultant Phil Verleger.

Dallas Federal Reserve President Robert Kaplan said another reason Americans appeared wary of spending what they saved at the pump could be that more and more of them were approaching retirement.

“They are conscious of that (and) they need to save more,” Kaplan told Reuters in an interview.

HALF THE BENEFIT

Cheap oil won’t juice the U.S. economy, according to poll Washington DC, Feb 1, 2016 — U.S. consumers are cautious about spending their windfall from cheap gasoline and are saving more, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll and official data, suggesting low oil prices are less of a boon for the U.S. economy than in the past.

needs and the majority have not used their windfall to buy big ticket items.

Over 40 percent of respondents said the savings had helped them pay down debts, according to the Jan. 15-27 online poll, which had a credibility interval of plus or minus 1.8 percentage points.

Commerce Department data shows that the crude’s 70 percent drop since mid-2014 cut households’ annual spending on gasoline and other energy products by US$115 billion, equivalent to roughly 0.5 percent of gross domestic product.

“It obviously hurts less when I go to the grocery store,” said Karen Joines, a recruiting firm product manager from Peachtree City, Georgia. Joines, who participated in the survey, estimates she saves US$30 a week thanks to cheaper gasoline but has no plans for big purchases, in part because she worries low prices will not last.

At the same time, however, savings increased by US$121 billion and while the data gives no indication where the money has come from, the survey suggests the windfall accounted for a significant part of the sum.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll shows 75 percent of 3,068 Americans who answered questions on gasoline savings said the extra money helped them cover basic

Some economists say such doubts and the still-fresh scars of the 20072009 recession could explain the muted effect of cheap gas on consumption.

For example, the economy only in mid2014 recovered the more than 7 million jobs lost during the downturn.

“We don’t seem to be getting the

The Dallas Fed, whose area includes the oil patches of Texas, Louisiana and New Mexico, estimates that a 50 percent fall in oil prices now adds around 0.5 percentage points to economic growth over a year, half of the impact seen before America’s oil boom.

One reason is that the oil sector has grown over the past decade, so spending and job cuts there weigh more on the whole economy. Cheaper oil also helps less because cars and machinery have become more fuel efficient, according to the Dallas Fed. Thanks to hydraulic fracturing and shale drilling boom that made the United States the world’s top oil producer in 2014, the nation also imports less oil than ever.

That goes to explain why in the public eye the modest benefits of cheap energy enjoyed by all get overshadowed by the havoc the oil slump wreaked in the energy sector and the nation’s oil patches.

and many deep into the red. Markets have grown so bearish about the sector that when oil producer Hess reported a fourth quarter loss of over US$1.8 billion, its shares have risen because investors had braced for even more damage.

Yet even as job losses and lost tax revenues hit oil-producing states such as Texas or Alaska, the drag on the U.S. economy as a whole has been limited.

The oil-dominated mining sector accounted for just 1.6 percent of GDP in the third quarter and jobs in oil and gas extraction and services account for 0.3 percent of U.S. employment, down from 0.4 percent during the boom years.

The investment in U.S. mining structures, which is dominated by oil and gas exploration and well drilling, has fallen at a US$70 billion annual rate since the fourth quarter of 2014, according to Commerce Department data. Yet as Goldman Sachs estimates the overall drop in energy investment subtracted only about 0.3 percentage points from 2015 economic growth.

Barclays economist Michael Gapen forecasts that a further decline in energy investment could knock another 0.2 percent from this year’s U.S. economic output.

The U.S. job market also appears robust enough to absorb job losses in the energy sector and related industries.

Goldman Sachs estimates such losses at 30,000 to 35,000 a month, but that compares with 292,000 jobs U.S. economy as a whole added last month.

- Reuters

Tumbling prices forced producers and oilfield services companies to slash budgets, driving some into bankruptcy

Georgia Asian Times February 1-15, 2016

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FEATURE

Iowa kicks off U.S. election process with complex caucus Washington DC, Feb 1, 2016 — On Feb 1, residents of the US state of Iowa will cast the first votes in the monthslong 2016 race for the White House.

Instead of holding primaries, the state hosts local meetings known as caucuses, which are organized by the Democratic and Republican parties as they launch the process to determine who will be their nominees in November’s general election.

The parties use distinct and different methods. Here’s a look at the crucial process, which can seem like a byzantine puzzle to those not familiar with it.

turn 18 by election day on November 8 are eligible to participate in the Feb 1 caucuses.

Turnout was about 20 per cent for Republicans in 2012 and 39 percent for Democrats in 2008, an exceptional year due to the high-profile clash between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

WHERE ARE THE POLLS? Each party organizes precinct meeting locations, mostly in public places like schools, libraries and other government buildings, but also in private homes.

WHO VOTES? In Iowa, as in many states, voters register as Democrat, Republican or independent. Among Iowa’s 3.1 million inhabitants, there are currently about 584,000 active Democratic voters, 611,000 active Republican voters, and 725,000 registered under no party affiliation, according to Iowa’s secretary of state.

Only Republicans can vote in Republican caucuses, and Democrats in Democratic caucuses. Voters are allowed to register on site. Those who

The Republican and Democratic caucuses are often located close to one another, sometimes just down the hall in the same building.

Democrats will host some 1,681 caucuses, and Republicans roughly the same. There will also be a virtual “tele-caucus” for US military personnel deployed out of state or overseas, and “satellite” caucuses at locations including nursing homes, where people are not mobile. For both parties, most meetings begin at 7pm local time (9am, Singapore time).

REPUBLICAN METHOD Republican voters gather at the appointed time and, after some organizational formalities, candidates’ representatives each make a short speech urging voters for support.

A secret ballot is then held. The polling station reports the results to the party, which aggregates the results from the precincts and announces the winner who has received the most votes at the state level.

The precinct results for Republicans - and for Democrats too - will be delivered via a new digital application specially developed by Microsoft, which will replace an outdated telephone system.

DEMOCRATIC METHOD It’s complicated. Among Democrats, there is no secret ballot, and some critics argue the process subverts the “one person, one vote” principle proclaimed by the US Supreme Court.

Following initial formalities, supporters of each candidate gather in one area of the caucus room - backers of Hillary Clinton, say, in one corner

and those favoring Bernie Sanders in another.

Candidate groups lacking a minimum of 15 per cent support are eliminated, and their backers are then invited to join another preference group. It is during this realignment that leaders try to rally supporters to their candidates.

The groups’ supporters are then counted, and a candidate is attributed a certain number of delegates proportionally. Due to rounding, a stronger candidate may end up with the same number of delegates as one with fewer caucus supporters.

These delegates are technically designated for county conventions in Iowa’s 99 counties. The evening is not over yet. The party calculates a ratio by which a candidate’s delegates to the state convention are determined, based on the number of county delegates a candidate receives.

The candidate who accrues the most state delegates, out of a total of 1,406, is proclaimed the winner of the party’s caucuses.

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EVENT

February 1-15, 2016 Georgia Asian Times

India’s Republic Day Celebration, Jan 26, 2016 JW Marriott Buckhead

Consul General Nagesh Singh delivers his Republic Day remarks to over 300 invited guests at the reception.

Georgia Asian Times February 1-15, 2016

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Event

Philippine American Chamber of Commerce Installation of Board & Officers (2016) Jan 28, 2016 Oreintal Pearl Restaurant

Rep. Pedro Marin officiates the swearing-in ceremony of 2016 Board and Officers of PACCGA.

Pia Valeriano, President of Philippine American Chamber of Commerce Georgia.

Georgia Vietnamese American Chamber of Commerce Lunar New Year Gala (2016) Sonesta Gwinnett Place Jan 30, 2016

Tim Le, President of Georgia Vietnamese American Chamber of Commerce delivers a welcome remark at the annual gala.

L-R: Dao Malaythong, Helen Nguyen, David Nguyen, Lori Christopher.

L-R: State Rep BJ Pak and Nick Masimo, Director, Gwinnett Partnership.

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February 1-15, 2016

Georgia Asian Times

LIFESTYLE The Year of the Fire Monkey: Tips for Moms!

By Eileen Wacker Nearly half of the globe’s population observes Chinese or Lunar New Year.

Chinese New Year, called Lunar New Year in Korea, has been celebrated for more than 4,000 years. Originating during the Shang Dynasty (about 17th–11th century B.C.), Chinese or Lunar New Year honors family and some deities, and, represents the advent of spring. In 2016, it is celebrated from February 8–23. The holiday begins with the second new moon following the winter solstice, unlike the New Year based on the Gregorian calendar, which begins on January 1st.

Let’s understand our monkey and what influence he/she may bring. Since the zodiac has twelve signs, a person is a monkey if born this year or turning any multiple of twelve. If someone you know is turning 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, discuss some big dreams with them. The monkeys are the innovators of the zodiac. Monkeys love to brainstorm and are full of ideas. They are smart and love to be challenged. The monkey is wise, energetic, and charismatic.

The monkey can be independent but is a loyal mate once committed. The monkeys are compassionate and generous, making them great mates.

On the flip side, the energetic, persuasive, and charming monkey is known to be a bit of a rascal. Monkeys are the pranksters of the zodiac, which can get them in trouble.

In this New Year, every mom should get ready to embrace a lot of energy, enthusiasm, and last minute shifts. It promises to be a lively, optimistic, and progressive year.

Even if you are not a monkey, you will be influenced by the Monkey’s energy. Here are considerations for moms to survive and thrive: Good energy Clean out your closet. Bring innovation into your kitchen. Buy a new gadget like a convection oven, to simplify your life.

Decorate with some bamboo (strong) and flowers. Leave empty space for new luck to enter your life. Always remember to dance with the luck. Don’t try to kidnap it.

Shake it up. Although a solid routine is the cornerstone to a mom preserving her sanity, let your children be inventive this year. I know it’s risky! There are no blank spaces on the calendar. I’m not suggesting going off on wild tangents. Monkeys don’t belong in rabbit holes! Ideas are excellent, and the fodder of invention, but as a mom of four, I’ve never said, “no idea is a bad idea!” to my children because there are absolutely bad ideas. Like when my daughter turned my bathtub into a spore’s laboratory. Or, my son only packed Halloween costumes for a family vacation. My other son tried to convince me that only eating off the dollar-value menus was a good idea that would save us lots of money.

Defend your rowdy child, the one who talks at the wrong time in class and moves around a lot. If you have multiple kids, you likely have one. I’m going to tell the teacher, “It’s to be expected in the Year of the Monkey.” I’ll say it with a straight face. The teacher will likely hesitate before responding, not wanting to come across as culturally clumsy. I’ll follow up with, “This year is not silence of the lambs – the sheep was last year!” Of course I’ll look a little crazy but my child is forever getting shushed and told to sit still. He is not disrespectful; he’s just busy at the wrong times.

This is the year of the good mom.

Monkey moms are cheerful, flexible, wise and loyal. Go a little bit easier on yourself.

This is the year to be fun mommy. Appeal to your children’s sense of adventure and you will win them over. Be playful. Moms, do not be the place where fun goes to die!

I’m not underestimating the challenge. I’m sometimes tempted to cheat and let my child win in Sorry or Trouble just so it can end. And every kid’s menu has games like word search and tic/tac/toe. It’s exhausting!

Be chatty with your kids. Little kids love to chat and ask questions. This year, even if they ask 431 random questions every day, which they will, let it amuse you, not wear you down. Because the Chatty Cathies are going to be even more chatty in the Year of the Monkey.

The monkey is considerate and values a strong relationship and romance. Although the monkey can be jealous and need reas-

suring, this mate will always try to work it out. This is a year for second chances in a relationship. The monkey likes fire, passion and light; but the monkey does not want to get burned. Monkeys do not like it when their partners have hidden agendas.

Monkeys are definitely the poop throwers at the zoo. Here are some things to avoid if you don’t want to end up with poop thrown your way.

If you are a snobby mommy that engages in mom shaming, tone it down or you will be taken down a notch. Put away your Whole Foods and Lululemon bags if they’re just to show how cool you are. And if you get on a soapbox about how the result of your excellent parenting is perfect children, you’ll be called on it this year. Keep judgy thoughts in a thought bubble to avoid a confrontation.

Unlike the collaborative year of the sheep, avoid group-think and group collectives. Be a problem solver. If you love working in a group or team, don’t steal credit for anyone’s, but especially the monkey’s, ideas. The monkey can be arrogant, egotistical and crafty when challenged or crossed. You can still be the idea person with a monkey. They love brainstorming too so they do not feel threatened by others having good ideas.

Keep jokes light hearted or you could get in trouble with the sensitive types that hate to be teased. Be especially wary of moms with bumper stickers that call the rest of us out. Or a mom that randomly yells out, “Reading stars are going to be the death of me!” She needs a hug, not to be teased.

Dish it out in a playful way and be ready to take it too. Don’t take every suggestion as a criticism. You have to be thick-skinned in the year of the monkey.

Open up your house, no matter how cold.

For the week leading up to the New Year, open the windows to let the stale air of the past exit and new opportunities and good luck sweep in. Kids love to open and close things. On New Year’s night, if you are awake at midnight, open a door or window briefly and feel the good luck breeze wash over you. Look up into the sky to imagine all the possibilities. Many Chinese families gaze up at the moon and stars, and comfort

themselves that a far away loved one is looking at the same sky.

Feast together. On New Year’s Day, share a meal with your family and talk about the future and its possibilities. Do not talk about the past! Eat at a traditional Chinese restaurant if you can. Dumplings are wonderful and most kids love them, or try wonton soup with white rice. If you can get the kids to eat it, seafood represents wealth. If you eat in, serve long noodles, which represent long life, with chopsticks.

Slurping is an acceptable and authentic sign that the meal is being enjoyed.

The monkey is generous so be a giver.

Give small gifts to children. Little pouches or red envelopes with small tokens or money are lucky for children, and well as for the giver. Donate items as you de-clutter; these are gifts to others as well. Overall, be generous with love and be generous with praise.

I was holding a glass of wine and my son asked, “What are you doing?” I said, “Research for the Year of the Monkey.”

He was instantly suspicious. “Do monkeys like wine? I don’t think they do. I think it’s against the law. They would go to monkey jail.” I said, “Well this year red is an unlucky color and white is a lucky color, so I’m going all in with Sauvignon Blanc.”

I pointed to my screen. “See? It says right here that red is unlucky this year and white is lucky.” He rolled his eyes and walked out.

Wish your Asian friends and neighbors a successful monkey year. They will appreciate your sentiment and be impressed with your cultural knowledge. And since the monkey is known for big moves, follow your passion. Anything can happen this year. Don’t plan every move. Embrace your inner monkey!

Eileen Wacker, a Harvard Business School graduate, has lived and worked in seven different countries, including the United States. She commuted to Asia for nearly three years as part of a business development team, which sparked her interest in Asian culture. A mom of four, she’s the multiple-award-winning author of the Fujimini Adventure Series for children, as well as the upcoming book for women, The Mom’s Code. For more information, please visit ONCEKids.com.

Georgia Asian Times February 1-15, 2016

Page 13

SPORTS

F1 drivers want cockpit safety device for 2017 London, January 26, 2016 - Formula One drivers are calling for a new safety device to be installed in their cockpits from 2017, hoping the so-called “halo” will prevent the lethal threat posed by flying debris.

Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) chairman Alexander Wurz said on Monday that his members wanted “swift implementation” of the design initially suggested by Mercedes – a bar attached to the car that curves around the driver’s head and is supported in front by an upright strut.

Mourinho wants van Gaal’s job at Manchester United, says report London, January 25, 2016 -- Jose Mourinho has written a six-page letter to Manchester United outlining his credentials to succeed under-fire Louis van Gaal as manager, media reports suggested.

The Independent today claimed 52-year-old Mourinho, out of work since parting ways with Chelsea in December, outlines in detail his blueprint to resuscitate the Old Trafford giants who slumped to a 1-0 loss to Southampton yesterday.

The timing of Mourinho’s reported contact with United is interesting as frustrated Old Trafford fans booed their team off the pitch in the aftermath of their latest setback.

According to the report, the Portuguese coach used the letter to pledge his commitment to adapting his style of management and how he would overhaul the squad.

Mourinho has been linked with the United job before when Alex Ferguson left to be replaced by David Moyes in 2013.

As well as two spells at Chelsea, Mourinho has also coached Porto, Inter Milan and Real Madrid.

Formula One has been testing various ways of improving head protection, weighing up the pros and cons of the halo compared with completely closed canopies, an option that some people fear could trap the driver in the event of a crash.

The halo is designed to be removed quickly in such cases. Its backers say it does not significantly obstruct the line of sight.

“The research the FIA experts have done is very thorough and the process has brought forward a clear solution,” said the Austrian, who retired as a driver last year and now works on safety with the sport’s governing body.

“Now the drivers feel it’s time to implement the extra protection at the latest in 2017,” he told the BBC. Improving head protection became a priority after the deaths last year of Briton Justin Wilson, a former F1 racer who suffered head injuries from debris

in an IndyCar crash, and Frenchman Jules Bianchi.

Bianchi, Formula One’s first driver fatality in 21 years, died in July, nine months after suffering severe head injuries at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix when his car skidded off and hit a recovery tractor.

In 2009, Brazilian Felipe Massa suffered near-fatal injuries when hit on the helmet by a bouncing spring during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix for Ferrari. He recovered and now races for Williams.

Wurz said that backing from the drivers should make the introduction of the halo “a formality”.

“Obviously structural changes are required to the chassis but, with almost a one-year lead time, I don’t see any technical person speaking against such substantial safety improvements, especially given the last big accidents in open-wheel racing involved head injuries,” he said.

FIA safety director Laurent Mekies told reporters last October that a head protection device could be introduced in 2017 if tests produced satisfactory results.

Team technical directors are due to have a regular meeting with the FIA on Friday to discuss changes for the 2017 season and beyond. – Reuters

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February 1-15, 2016 Georgia Asian Times

SPORTS

Liverpool reach League Cup final after penalty drama London, Jan 27 — Simon Mignolet produced a decisive spot-kick save from Marc Muniesa as Liverpool edged Stoke City 6-5 on penalties at Anfield today to reach the League Cup final.

After Marko Arnautovic had cancelled out Liverpool’s 1-0 aggregate lead with a goal that seemed to have been scored from an offside position, the game went to extra time and then penalties, and with Mignolet thwarting Muniesa, it was left to Joe Allen to net the decisive spot-kick.

Following some slapdash recent displays, it was a much-needed breakthrough for Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, appointed in October, whose side will face either Manchester City or Merseyside rivals Everton in the final on February 28.

“Their goal was double offside, but in the end, we had luck in the penalty shootout,” Klopp told Sky Sports.

“Over the whole 120 minutes, the players, crowd and Liverpool deserved it. Wembley is a cool place to play football, but we go there to win. It’s not much fun to lose.”

It will be Liverpool’s first major final since 2012, when they won the last of

their eight League Cups and lost to Chelsea in the FA Cup final.

Mark Hughes’s Stoke had eliminated holders Chelsea in round four, but despite recording a first win inside 90 minutes at Anfield since March 1959, they fell short in their bid to reach their first League Cup final since they won the tournament in 1972.

“I’m really proud of what the players produced,” said Hughes.

“I can’t fault any of them. I thought we were the dominant team, but we’re not the ones going to Wembley, unfortunately.”

It took until the first minute of extra time for Liverpool to register a shot on target from open play, Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland saving a toe-poke from Roberto Firmino.

But Stoke substitute Marco van Ginkel twice went closer, and each time from Peter Crouch flick-ons, first scuffing a shot against the right-hand post and then testing Mignolet with a volley.

Sakho block With Liverpool substitute Jordon Ibe skewing a shot over late on, the game

went to penalties and after each side had squandered a spot-kick — Mignolet saving from Crouch, Emre Can hitting the post — it went to sudden death.

Van Ginkel and Lucas Leiva scored, but Belgium international Mignolet — maligned for some shaky recent performances — plunged to his left to parry Muniesa’s spot-kick and Allen stepped up to settle the semi-final by planting the ball into the top-right corner.

Liverpool’s fragility beneath the high ball was demonstrated anew in Saturday’s madcap 5-4 win at Norwich City and Hughes sought to target their aerial vulnerability by awarding one-time Anfield native Crouch only his fifth start of the season.

The gangly former England striker got his head to plenty of balls, but it was from an approach more in keeping with Stoke’s football this season that the hosts procured their best first-half chances.

Two opportunities fell to Jon Walters. From Arnautovic’s through-ball in the 14th minute the Irishman saw a shot deflected over and when Erik Pieters’s pass was allowed to bounce through to him eight minutes later,

he shot wide under pressure from the sliding Mamadou Sakho.

A tame first half was trundling towards its conclusion when Stoke struck in stoppage time, Bojan Krkic crossing from the right and Arnautovic stealing in behind Kolo Toure to side-foot home.

Liverpool’s defenders appealed in vain to the linesman, but television replays confirmed that the Austrian had been offside.

The home fans’ boos became roars early in the second half as Liverpool looked to reassert their advantage, with Butland diverting a drilled shot by Firmino onto the post.

The hosts’ defensive weaknesses remained apparent, however, and it took a last-ditch block from Sakho to thwart Walters after Liverpool had failed to clear a free-kick from Pieters.

With a late Liverpool penalty appeal for handball against Pieters dismissed by referee Jon Moss, the game went to extra time.

Georgia Asian Times February 1-15, 2016

Page 15

HEALTH Expecting mothers should eat omega-3 and -6 for child’s development The health benefits of fish as a rich source of omega-3 are already well known, but a new Japanese study has now found further evidence to suggest that ensuring adequate consumption of omega-3 when pregnant can have a beneficial effect on the child’s development, with researchers also believing they have found out why.

The fatty acids omega-6 and omega-3 are both essential nutrients for the body, however in today’s modern world rather than eat a balance of the two our diets normally include an excess of omega-6 and too little omega-3, of which fish is a great source.

Earlier research on the intake of omega oils during pregnancy has already shown the importance of a diet with balanced levels of both of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids for improved brain function in children,

however until now the reason why was unknown.

To research further, a team from Tohoku University’s School of Medicine in Japan fed an ‘unbalanced’ diet – rich in omega-6 but low in omage-3 – to pregnant female mice.

When the female’s offspring were born the researchers noticed that not only did they have a smaller brain, but the offspring showed abnormal emotional behavior and higher anxiety levels in adulthood, even though they were fed a nutritionally optimal and omega-6 and omega-3 balanced diet from a young age.

Looking at the results Professor Noriko Osumi, the study’s lead author, now believes this abnormal brain behavior was caused by the premature aging of fetal neural stem cells, the

cells which produce brain cells, as a result of an imbalance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.

The team concluded that an excessive consumption of omega-6 by the mother while pregnant, with too low an s key for expecting mothers to improve their children’s health.

reduce the risk of chronic inflammatory disease by 52%, and another 2013 study, this time by the Harvard School of Public Health, finding that fish oil supplements, also known as omega-3 fatty acid capsules, could help reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes.

The findings were published in the journal Stem Cells intake of omega-3, can have long-lasting effects on the offspring’s mental state, with the results of the study suggesting that more a more balanced intake of omega-3 and omega-6 i.

An increased intake of omega-3 from regular fish consumption has also been shown to have many other health benefits, with a 2013 study by the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm finding that the omega-3 fatty acids in fish can

Blueberries, citrus fruits, red wine can help reduce erectile dysfunction A new collaborative study between Harvard University in the US and the University of East Anglia in the UK has found that a diet full of flavonoid-rich foods can help reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction, a condition which affects up to half of all middle-aged and older men.

Exercise is already known to be beneficial for those suffering from erectile dysfunction, however this is a pioneering study in terms of looking at how the condition can be improved by eating a diet rich in flavonoids, the compounds found in many plant-based food and drinks – including fruit and vegetables, tea, herbs, and even wine – that are known to have an antioxidant effect on the body.

To conduct their research the two teams looked at more than 50,000 middle-aged men and questioned them at four-year intervals on their ability

to have and maintain an erection that enabled them to take part in sexual intercourse.

The men were questioned in 2000, 2004, and again in 2008. They were also asked to provide a history of their erectile dysfunction that dated back to 1986.

Information on their diet was also collected every four years, with the team focusing on the effects of six commonly consumed different types of flavonoids.

More than one third of the men reported that they suffered from erectile dysfunction, however the results showed that those consuming a diet rich in flavonoids were less likely to suffer from the condition, with just a few portions a week of flavonoid-rich foods decreasing the likelihood of suffering from erectile dysfunction by

10%, with the strongest benefits seen in men under the age of 70.

A diet high in fruit also reduced the risk by 14%, and when combining a flavonoid-rich diet with exercise, the risk was reduced even further, by 21%.

The research also showed that eating a flavonoid-rich diet is as beneficial for those suffering from erectile dysfunction as briskly walking for up to five hours a week.

Of the six flavonoids studied, the team found three in particular to be the most beneficial: anthocyanins, found in blueberries, cherries, blackberries, radishes and black currants; and flavanones and flavones, which are found in citrus fruits. The most popular sources of these three flavonoids in the US are strawberries, blueberries, red wine, apples, pears, and citrus products.

And according to Dr Eric Rimm, se-

nior author on the study, a diet rich in flavonoids could also have additional benefits, “As well as improving sexual health for middle-aged men, there is another important benefit linked to heart health.

Erectile dysfunction is often an early barometer of poor vascular function and offers a critical opportunity to intervene and prevent cardiovascular disease, heart attack and even death.

“Men with erectile dysfunction are likely to be highly motivated to make healthier lifestyle choices, such as exercising more and eating the right foods – which would greatly benefit their long-term cardiovascular health as well.”

The research was published this week in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

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February 1-15, 2016 Georgia Asian Times

Misc Asia

Heroine’s welcome home for Philippines’ Miss Universe Manila, Jan 25, 2016 — Confetti rained down as tens of thousands of shrieking fans paralyzed traffic in the Philippine capital on Monday to welcome the newly crowned Miss Universe, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach.

Beauty pageants are incredibly popular in the nation of 100 million people, who seek heroes partly to uplift their spirits from crushing poverty, frequent natural disasters and crippling corruption.

The 26-year-old model and actress, looking regal in a flowing blue-green gown, waved the Philippine flag while perched on a float designed in the fashion of her diamond and sapphire crown.

Such frenzied homecoming parades have in recent years been seen only for eight-time world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, who will retire after fighting American Timothy Bradley in April to build a political career.

The adoring crowd, many of whom stepped out of their offices and schools, jammed Manila’s streets and snapped pictures of only the third Filipina to win the Miss Universe title.

The New York-based Miss Universe pageant is particularly popular in the Philippines, a former US colony.

Many others screamed and waved at Wurtzbach from the windows of their high-rise offices as busloads of policemen were deployed to secure the homecoming parade.

“We are very proud that the new Miss Universe is from the Philippines.

We’ve waited 42 years for this,” said nurse Rosalinda Shappit, 61, who sneaked out of work to catch a glimpse of Wurtzbach, at the parade.

“Life is hard, but her victory somehow gives us hope.”

“We’ve been waiting for this crown for a long time now,” Wurtzbach told reporters in Manila on Sunday.

“I don’t think a lot of people know how big of a deal Miss Universe is to the Philippines. It brings a lot of honor and a lot of pride to the country.”

Uplifting the nation Wurtzbach fan Miguelito Herrera, 47, travelled four hours by bus from Cabanatuan City, a commercial centre north of Manila, to join Monday’s parade.

Herrera credited his love of beauty

pageants with helping him overcome bouts of depression after he was laid off from his job as a soda salesman in 2003, and after his mother died from heatstroke in 2013.

Being unemployed, Herrera said he was too broke to see a psychologist.

“When I see beauty queens, the feeling is so uplifting. It’s like we can endure so much, so many problems. They inspire a lot of people,” said Herrera, wearing a white shirt with Wurtzbach’s picture printed on it.

Like many other Filipinas who have been successful in international pageants, the Philippine-German Wurtzbach is poised for a successful career in entertainment.

She said in an interview on Sunday she had her eyes set on a Hollywood career.

“I want to be the Filipina Bond girl,” said Wurtzbach, who was a model and small-time television actress in the Philippines before her breakthrough moment.

Wurtzbach was crowned Miss Universe in Las Vegas last month following an epic blunder that played out to an estimated one billion people watching

on television around the world.

The pageant host, American comedian Steve Harvey, mistakenly announced Colombian Ariadna Gutierrez as Miss Universe and then corrected himself minutes later.

The outgoing Miss Universe, Paulina Vega, took the crown from her humiliated and sobbing compatriot and placed it on Wurtzbach’s head.

Wurtzbach said on Sunday she would use her new high-profile platform to raise awareness about HIV, especially in her home country where infections are rising.

Her week-long homecoming itinerary also includes courtesy calls on parliament and on President Benigno Aquino, a 55-year-old bachelor whom she was rumored to have dated briefly.

Georgia Asian Times February 1-15, 2016

Page 17

Misc Asia Pro-business Vietnam PM left out of nominations for party leadership Hanoi, Jan 24 — Top decision-makers in Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party have agreed on one nomination for each of the country’s four key leadership posts, a top official said today, a line-up that excludes the country’s powerful prime minister.

Double murder suspect caught in Hong Kong to return to U.S. Hong Kong, Jan 26, 2016 — A Chinese national arrested in Hong Kong for allegedly murdering two teenage nephews in the United States agreed to be extradited today, but claimed there were “problems” with the charges.

Shi Deyun, 44, was detained by police at Hong Kong airport Saturday after taking a direct flight from Los Angeles.

Police scrambled to reach Shi after being notified by US counterparts when he was already aboard the flight, detective Senior Inspector Jonathan Close told reporters.

“We didn’t have a lot of time – we acted quickly and got him, very very luckily,” said Close.

Following medical checks, Shi was formally arrested yesterday.

He is accused of murdering his nephews aged 15 and 16 after his wife filed for divorce, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Shi had already attacked his wife who was the sister of the boys’ father, the report said.

Shi, who had scratches on his face when he appeared in a Hong Kong district court Monday, agreed to be extradited to the US and said he wanted to return “as soon as possible”.

Local media had reported he was heading to mainland China, which unlike Hong Kong does not have an extradition treaty with the US. Shi said he had not been fleeing but was transiting through Hong Kong to deal with business in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen.

“The allegations against me include a lot of problems,” Shi told the court through an interpreter.

“I would like to give a clear account to the US government.”

Judge Clement Lee remanded him in custody despite his application for bail.

The bodies of the boys were discovered by their mother at their home in the city Friday.

The case was adjourned until February 11 pending a full extradition request from the US.

Both teens had suffered “blunt force trauma” to their bodies, the paper reported.

Hong Kong police’s Close said that once the extradition had been fully approved, US marshals would come to the city within 30 days to collect Shi.

The nominations still require endorsement at the party’s ongoing five-yearly congress, but add weight to speculation of a political exit for Nguyen Tan Dung, the pro-business premier widely considered a modernizer and credited with a wave of recent moves to liberalize the fast-growing economy.

Dung, 66, was until recently widely tipped by diplomats and analysts to become the next party chief, which could have strengthened the hand of his progressive faction.

His exit could slow the momentum of further reform, although experts say there is still an outside chance for him to mount a fightback during the congress by calling on his support among the wider party.

During an interview with some local media today, Vu Trong Kim, Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, confirmed leaked reports that a recent party meeting had nominated incumbent General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, 71, to extend his tenure and Dung had withdrawn from the contest when the politburo was agreeing its candidates.

An audio recording of the comments was heard by Reuters in which Kim, a member of the outgoing central committee, praised Dung and said there was 100 per cent politburo support for Trong.

Public comments from the party on internal politburo processes are rare in Vietnam.

“I very much welcome comrade Nguyen Tan Dung and some other comrades in the politburo who voluntarily withdrew from being nominees

to gather credit for comrade Nguyen Phu Trong,” Kim said.

Slim chance Normally considered a stale, procedural affair, the current congress has attracted a buzz of excitement and social media speculation in Vietnam about the possibility of a leadership showdown during a drawn-out and secretive internal election.

Kim confirmed the agreed nominations, besides Trong, were Minister of Public Security Tran Dai Quang for president, Dung’s deputy, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, for prime minister and Legislative Vice-Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan to head the National Assembly.

Some experts and diplomats familiar with the arcane inner workings of the Communist Party believe Dung’s popularity and cultivation of broad party backing means he could be put back in contention, should he choose to fight.

Dung would need to be nominated during the congress to become a new central committee member, but to stand a chance of becoming leader he would have to decline that nomination, they say. The 1,510 congress delegates could then vote to reject his attempt to withdraw, thus keeping him in the race.

Dung’s office did not respond to a request by Reuters for comment.

Analysts say Dung is an ambitious figure, decisive in implementing policy and his exclusion ahead of the congress suggests concerns among the party’s old guard that he could test Vietnam’s traditional consensus leadership model.

Edmund Malesky, an expert on Vietnamese politics at Duke University, said congress was not scripted and key to any outcome was a central committee “way more powerful” than those of other communist states.

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February 1-15, 2016 Georgia Asian Times

TRAVEL

Five breathtaking Australian landscapes to visit Sydney, Jan 27, 2016 — To mark Australia day yesterday, the country’s tourism agency launched a new campaign to lure more international travelers Down Under.

And while Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef are still must-see sights, other lesser-known landscapes are worth exploring. Here’s a look at some of Oz’s most stunning sights off the well-trodden tourist track.

Blue Mountains Two hours by train from Sydney, the Blue Mountains get their name from the blue haze given off by the Eucalyptus trees covering their slopes.

Lake Hillier Australia offers tourists all kinds of weird and wonderful sights, like this bubblegum-pink lake on Middle Island in the Recherche archipelago off the south coast of Western Australia.

The lake’s water contains a very high concentration of salt, giving it a bright pink color.

Still, this 600-meter-long lake has maintained some of its mystique, as scientists are still trying to understand why the water contains quite so much salt.

Daintree Rainforest

The site’s dramatic landscapes are easy to explore aboard one of several cable car routes and a bus tour, which take curious visitors to high-altitude peaks and low areas of dense, humid forest.

Tourists shouldn’t leave without a photo of the “Three Sisters,” three prominent rocks lined up side by side.

As the stars of an Aboriginal legend, the rocks have become the mascots of the Blue Mountains.

On the northeast coast of Queensland, north of Cairns, intrepid explorers can head for Daintree Rainforest, Australia’s largest tropical forest. The region boasts a high level of biological diversity with one of the most complex ecosystems on Earth.

Nature-lovers will be blown away by the scenery as well as the wildlife.

This primeval forest is, for example, home to the famous green tree frog, a protected species in Australia. What’s

more, 90 per cent of Australian species of butterflies and bats live in the forest.

The Pinnacles desert The Pinnacles desert is another strange sight for visitors to behold.

Found in the Nambung National Park, to the north of Perth in Western Australia, this sandy desert is home to a striking set of limestone rock formations spread across the site.

These natural pillars are all different heights, with some towering up to four meters tall.

Kings Canyon While North America has its Grand Canyon, Australia has Kings Canyon. There’s more to the Northern Territory than Uluru (Ayers Rock), as around

300km from the famous Aboriginal landmark, the Watarrka National Park is a breathtaking sight.

Located at the Western end of the George Gill Range, the Park is home to rock formations, steep gorges and the gaping Kings Canyon. Look out for the rock formations resembling animals that inspired Aboriginal legends.

Tourists can explore the area with the 6km Kings Canyon Rim Walk, which takes in the cliff tops before dropping down the canyon to a lush waterhole lined with prehistoric ferns.