VOL.038 SEP 24 - SEP 30 , 2021
VISION TIMES
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Biden:
US DOESN’T WANT
A‘NEW COLD WAR’ With China
By Leo Timm Vision Times
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ashington will not let relations with China slide to the point of a cold war, the White House said about a week after U.S. President Joe Biden told his counterpart Xi Jinping that the two leaders had a responsibility to make sure that “competition does not veer into conflict.” The U.S.-China trade war, COVID-19 pandemic, human rights abuses, and belligerent “wolf warrior” diplomacy by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have in recent years led to tensions between the world’s two largest economies. Some observers have characterized these tensions as a new cold war, echoing the 1945– 1989 standoff between the U.S. and Soviet Union that saw the world divided into two camps. Since taking office this January, the Biden administration has continued some of former president Donald Trump’s tough policies toward Beijing — including freedom-of-navigation operations in the South China Sea and supporting Taiwan — while stressing the need to compete with, rather than confront, Communist China. Jen Psaki, White House press
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secretary, explained on Sept. 20 that a cold war with China is “not the objective or the policy of the United States.” Over the weekend prior, United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres had expressed to the Associated Press his concerns about the U.S.-China relationship, saying that he hoped Beijing and Washington could cooperate on climate, trade, tech, and other fields. “Unfortunately, today we only have confrontation,” Guterres said. “We need to avoid at all cost a Cold War that would be different from the past one, and probably more dangerous and more difficult to manage.”
Competition, not conflict
Ahead of Biden’s Sept. 21 address to the U.N, Psaki stated that the president would “make absolutely clear that he is not looking to pursue a future, a new Cold War with any country in the world.” In his remarks, Biden spoke about the need for countries to cooperate on a wide range of issues ranging from COVID-19 vaccination to climate change prevention, cybersecurity, and counterterrorism. Referring to America’s longawaited, yet chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, Biden said that “instead of continuing to fight the
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Screenshot form Twitter
We’re not seeking — I’ll say it again — we are not seeking a new Cold War or a world divided into rigid blocs. --Biden
recognizing they’re essential and central to America’s enduring security and prosperity.” “We’re not seeking — I’ll say it again — we are not seeking a new Cold War or a world divided into rigid blocs,” Biden said. The president did not refer directly to China at any point in his speech, though he mentioned Xinjiang — the western region where the CCP has incarcerated and brutalized more than a million Muslims Uyghurs for their faith and ethnicity — in a general condemnation of religious oppression. Psaki said that Biden’s “view and this administration’s view, is that our relationship with China is one not of conflict, but of competition.” “While we may take issue with some means they [Beijing] engage in the world, we also have areas we will want to continue to work together.”
Xi-Biden talks
wars of the past, we are fixing our eyes on devoting our resources to the challenges that hold the keys to our collective future.” He said that America was “back at the table” with his having “prioritized rebuilding our alliances, revitalizing our partnerships, and
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Biden and Psaki’s remarks follow up on a phone call Biden had with Xi Jinping, in which the White House said that the leaders had “broad, strategic discussion.” The White House readout of the call was fairly brief, noting that Biden “underscored the United States’ enduring interest in peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and the world
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and the two leaders discussed the responsibility of both nations to ensure competition does not veer into conflict.” According to a Bloomberg news report, a senior official in the Biden administration said that the U.S. president had requested the conversation with Xi. The official said that Biden’s request came after the administration saw that CCP officials were “unwilling to engage in serious or substantive conversations” with U.S. officials, as seen in talks held earlier this year in Anchorage, Alaska, and China’s Tianjin city. Those summits saw the Communist Party cadres bombard their American counterparts with harsh invective, accusing the U.S. of conspiring against Beijing and trying to treat China as an unequal partner in the relationship. In Anchorage, CCP top diplomat Yang Jiechi openly claimed that the U.S. was in no position to compete with Beijing, saying that “the East is rising while the West is in decline.” The Chinese statement on the Xi-Biden call said that the Chinese leader noted “serious difficulty” in the bilateral relationship, and urged both countries to “bring China-U.S. relations back to the right track of stable development as soon as possible.”
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NATION
A2 | SEP 24 - SEP 30, 2021
VISION TIMES Adobe Stock
Vaccine Hesitant? US Researchers Are Engineering
LETTUCE & SPINACH TO CARRY mRNA COVID JABS By Neil Campbell Vision Times
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esearchers at a U.S.-based university have received a federal grant to study whether they can genetically engineer plants to carry Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines. The University of California Riverside announced in a Sept. 16 article on their website a project to examine “whether they can turn edible plants like lettuce into mRNA vaccine factories.” The endeavor has received a $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation and will be in collaboration with UC San Diego and Carnegie Mellon University.
The article says the experiment has three goals:
• Implanting “DNA containing
the mRNA vaccines” into the “part of plant cells where it will replicate”; • Demonstrating the plants can carry enough mRNA to be the same as an injection; • Determining dosage. The leader of the project, Riverside’s Juan Pablo Giraldo, said, “Ideally, a single plant would produce enough mRNA to vaccinate a single person,” adding the experiment is being done on spinach and lettuce with both “longterm goals of people growing it in their own gardens” and mass industrial production. The article says that researchers intend to engineer the plants’ chloroplasts, tiny mechanisms analogous to solar panels, to “express genes that aren’t naturally part of the plant.” Giraldo has achieved this result in previous studies “by sending foreign genetic material into plant
cells inside a protective casing,” notes the article. The process described is directly analogous to how the current generation of mRNA vaccines work in the human body. While conventional vaccines utilize an inactivated version of the virus one wishes to elicit an antibody response against, mRNA vaccines deliver billions of mRNA instructions into your cells, causing your cells to grow the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The spike protein is the iconic protrusions covering a corona (crown) virus, which the virus uses as a key to access cells for infection and replication. The mRNA approach causes the body to generate antibodies in response to the synthetically grown spike protein, rather than the full viral structure. In order to get the mRNA
instructions from the injection site and past the cellular membrane, the genetic material is encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles, a manmade fat. A March of 2021 article from Chemical and Engineering News explains the encapsulation in detail, “mRNA is incredibly delicate. Enzymes in the environment and in our bodies are quick to chop mRNA into pieces, making lab experiments difficult and the delivery of mRNA to our cells daunting. On top of that, mRNA strands are large and negatively charged and can’t simply waltz across the protective lipid membranes of cells.” “To protect the fragile molecule as it sneaks into cells, they turned to a delivery technology with origins older than the idea of mRNA therapy itself: tiny balls of fat called lipid nanoparticles, or LNPs.”
The article continues, “LNPs used in the COVID-19 vaccines contain just four ingredients: ionizable lipids whose positive charges bind to the negatively charged backbone of mRNA, pegylated lipids that help stabilize the particle, and phospholipids and cholesterol molecules that contribute to the particle’s structure.” “Thousands of these four components encapsulate mRNA, shield it from destructive enzymes, and shuttle it into cells, where the mRNA is unloaded and used to make proteins.” The article notes Giraldo is working on a second project, backed by a $1.6 million grant from the NSF, to use nanomaterials to inject nitrogen fertilizer directly into the chloroplasts of plants in an attempt to prevent farmers from having to add fertilizer to their soil.
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NATION
VISION TIMES
SEP 24 - SEP 30, 2021 | Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
A3
Biden’s Vaccine Mandate May Force LowIncome Area Hospital to Shut Down By Jonathan Walker Vision Times
Democrats Budget Provision Granting Amnesty to 8 Million Illegal Immigrants Blocked JOHAN ORDONEZ/AFP via Getty Images
By Todd Crawford Vision Times
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n Sunday Sept. 19 Senate parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, rejected a Democrat provision, nestled within their 3.5 trillion dollar social spending bill, intended to provide a path to citizenship for approximately 8-million illegal immigrants. MacDonough expressed that the Democrats’ provision is “by any standard a broad, incipient immigration policy,” that did not meet the stringent requisites that can be included in a budget resolution. In her decision MacDonough ruled that the Democrats’ proposal represented a “broad, new immigration policy” and that the policy change “substantially outweighs the budgetary impact of that change”, Politico reported. Had the provision passed it would have allowed immigrants
ABOVE:Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) speaks following a Democratic policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on September 14, 2021 in Washington, DC. Schumer spoke on the voting rights bill and the reconciliation. package. BOTTOM:Honduran migrants, part of a caravan heading to the United States, walk along a road in Camotan, Guatemala on January 16, 2021.
to apply for permanent residency, which in turn would have allowed them to receive federal benefits like Affordable Care Act healthcare subsidies, Medicaid, refundable tax credits, Supplemental Security Income and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or food stamps. The Congressional Budget Office’s preliminary estimate predicted that had the provision passed that it would have increased
budget deficits by $139.6 billion over a ten-year period. The provision intended to grant amnesty to four groups of illegal immigrants in the United States; former President Barack Obama’s “Dreamers”, individuals with temporary protected status (TPS) holders, agricultural workers, and essential workers, among others. “Dreamers” are illegal immigrants who entered the United States as children and were granted amnesty under Obama’s executive order titled, “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals” or DACA. Chuck Schumer, Senate Democratic Leader said Democrats were “deeply disappointed in this decision but the fight to provide lawful status for immigrants in budget reconciliation continues.” Schumer said that Democrats have already prepared proposals to address the matter and that he hopes to schedule additional meetings with MacDonough.
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Elizabeth Warren Encourages The Fed to ‘Break Up Scandal-Hit Wells Fargo’ By Jonathan Walker Vision Times
Democrat Senator Elizabeth Warren has written a letter to the Federal Reserve urging it to break up Wells Fargo. Wells Fargo is the third-largest bank in America in terms of assets. Warren sits on the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. In the letter addressed to Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, Warren asked the agency to take “immediate action” in response to Wells Fargo’s “inexcusable failure” to eliminate “abusive and unlawful practices” that have cost American consumers hundreds of millions of dollars. Warren asked the Federal Reserve to revoke Wells Fargo’s status as a Financial Holding Company (FHC) and mandate that the company separates its banking subsidiary from other www.visiontimes.com
financial activities. To achieve this, the Fed would have to use its authority under the Bank Holding Company Act. Warren also wants Wells Fargo to develop a plan to make sure that the bank’s 65 million customers using its consumer banking and lending services are protected through the transition. The senator cited several examples of Wells Fargo’s anti-consumer behavior: • Between Jan. 2012 and July 2016, over 800,000 people who had taken car loans from the bank were charged with auto insurance they never needed. As a result, 274,000 customers went into delinquency and 25,000 wrongful vehicle repossessions were carried out. • A report from Feb. 2019 showed that employees at Wells Fargo Wholesale Banking Division falsified signatures of clients and doctored paperwork from
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2016 in a bid to comply with a legal settlement. • In Aug. 2019, it was reported that Wells Fargo was closing customer accounts without having the necessary authorization. The bank subsequently charged overdraft fees on these accounts. • An investigation by Warren’s own staff in summer 2020 showed that Wells Fargo had put up to 1,600 customers into “forbearance” on their mortgages without gaining their consent. The decision potentially affected these people’s ability to refinance mortgages and the status of credit reports. On Sept. 13, the OCC also kicked off its civil trial of three former executives of Wells Fargo for their roles in a scandal that involved the use of millions of unauthorized or fraudulent customer accounts. OCC has asked for $19 million in damages to set-
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Democrat Senator Elizabeth Warren asked the Federal Reserve to revoke Wells Fargo’s status as a Financial Holding Company (FHC) . tle the matter. In addition, one of the executives is to be disbarred from the banking industry. ad.ny@visiontimes.com
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Joe Biden’s vaccine mandate for healthcare workers is putting rural hospitals at risk. Jerry Jasper, CEO at Brownfield Regional Medical Center, said he might be forced to shut down due to the mandate. In an interview with KCBD, Jasper explained that nursing agencies are already recruiting hospital staff with promises of higher wages. Though he encourages staff members to get vaccinated, not all of them have taken the jab. Jasper estimates that 20 to 25 percent of his staff will leave if a vaccine mandate is implemented. Losing these workers will likely shut down the institution. Jasper is also not given a choice whether or not to mandate vaccinations. According to Washington’s mandate, healthcare employees working at hospitals and facilities that receive Medicare or Medicaid must be vaccinated. Facilities that do not adhere to the mandate rules will likely lose Medicare and Medicaid subsidies. For Brownfield Regional Medical Center, these two programs account for up to 85 percent of their funding. “It’s huge in our rural community as all the other rural communities. We all have high poverty levels and stuff like that, so a lot of Medicaid usage in our communities and stuff like that,” Jasper told the media outlet. He is waiting to see if Texas joins the fight against Biden’s vaccine mandate. Larry Gray, the Seminole Hospital District CEO, agreed with Jasper on the issue. He said that a “large percentage” of their revenues come from Medicaid, Medicare, and similar products. Roughly 70 percent of his staff are vaccinated. Like Jasper, Gray also encourages vaccinations. However, he feels that a mandate is a “terrible message.” A report by the Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospital published in 2019 showed that 26 rural hospitals in the state had shut down in the previous decade. One of the key factors was the reduction in Medicare and Medicaid funds. Biden’s COVID-19 action plan mandates vaccines for healthcare workers and affects 17 million workers in the sector. Arizona’s Attorney General Mark Brnovich has already announced that he will be suing President Biden and other administration officials for the mandate. At a press conference, Brnovich stated that the president does not have any constitutional authority to insist that millions of Americans get vaccinated against their will. Another government vaccine mandate has also faced roadblocks in court. A New York federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order. It stops the state from enforcing its vaccine mandate on healthcare workers if they claim a religious exemption.
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CHINA
A4 | SEP 24 - SEP 30, 2021
VISION TIMES (Images: DAFOH)
Summit Discusses Forced Organ Harvesting: A ‘Vision of the World That We Are All Fighting Against’ oners of conscience for their organs, gave an overview of the legal landscape surrounding transplantation in China. “The rule of law does not exist in China. Instead of the rule of law, there is the rule of the Party.” Judge Kim Song of South Korea argued that the most available and convenient measure for countries around the world to use against China’s forced organ harvesting is the Magnitsky Act. The 2016, the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act authorized the U.S. government to sanction foreign persons implicated in human rights abuses anywhere in the world, freezing any U.S. assets they hold, and banning them from entry into the United States. Theresa Chu, a Taiwanese barrister, noted that “Forced organ harvesting is not only used to carry out the cleansing and genocide of Falun Gong practitioners and ethnic minority groups, such as Uyghurs, but is also implicated in massive economic profits from organ transplantation, transnational organ sales, transplant tourism, and organ brokerage.”
By Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting
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he first half of the six-part World Summit on Combating and Preventing Forced Organ Harvesting, held online, concluded on Sept. 19, drawing a large audience with over 200,000 view, brought together professionals from around the world in the fields of medicine, law, academia, law, and politics who presented stirring speeches and participated in live Q&A sessions.
Session 1
Transplant medicine at a crossroad: an ethics-based profession usurped and repurposed for genocide
Medical professionals from Taiwan, Germany, Ireland, and the United States agreed that organ harvesting from nonconsenting prisoners of conscience in China is a gross violation of internationally accepted human rights and medical ethics. The medical profession should be guided by altruistic ideals rather than financial gain. The global medical community is called upon to choose between ethical action or complicity in crimes against humanity. Dr. Raymond Scalettar, MD, Professor Emeritus, George Washington University, and former Chair of the Board of Trustees of the American Medical Association (AMA), pointed out serious ethical concerns that were raised when the Annals of Surgery published an article by Chinese transplant surgeons who found matching lungs for an elderly COVID-19 pneumonia patient in only 3 to 4 days. “In the United States, with a huge registry of transplant donors much larger than China, the minimal wait time for this type of donor… is 15 days.” Since 2000, China has developed a highly lucrative organ transplant industry that is an opaque system with no transparency or traceability. The actual number of transplant surgeries performed far exceeds official government national statistics. There are many large major hospital centers that rely on organ transplants as the main source of revenue. Shi-Wei Huang, MD, Director of Urology, Taiwan University Hospital, Yunlin Branch, Taiwan, said that transplant tourism from Taiwan began in the 1990s with patients going to China to receive kidney transplants. Those www.visiontimes.com
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Session 3
Politicians, as the stewards and leaders of society, have a responsibility to combat forced organ harvesting
Founded in 2006, Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting (DAFOH) raises awareness and informs the medical community and society about the unethical organ harvesting, with a particular focus on China. numbers increased rapidly after 2000 though, soon after the onset of the persecution of Falun Gong in 1999, with patients flocking to China from Taiwan as well as from South Korea, Japan, ADVERTISING INQUIRIES
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Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Western countries. Dr. Huang said, “In China, as long as human rights violations persist and the CCP remains opaque about information and data, transplant abuse is unlikely to disappear.”
Session 2
Pursuing accountability for forced organ harvesting
Legal experts from Canada, South Korea, Spain, and Taiwan discussed the legal precedents of past and current efforts to combat live forced organ harvesting. They recommended that countries unite in their efforts to pursue legislative action to stop China’s transplant atrocities and punish perpetrators and accomplices. David Matas, world renowned for being among the first to research and expose China’s mass killing of pris-
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Government leaders and policymakers from Sweden, France, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States unanimously condemned and called for an end to China’s human rights abuses, particularly the regime’s statesponsored forced organ harvesting of prisoners of conscience, and stood united in advocacy for the global adoption of accepted human values and ethical norms. Steve Chabot, U.S. Congressman from the State of Ohio, said that, “The public overall is mostly unaware of this horrific practice, much less than it occurs on a vast scale.” He concluded that “a world that conforms to the values of the CCP is one in which those who don't tow the party line can be put in a concentration camp or have their organs harvested. That's a vision for a world that nobody wants to live in. And that's the vision of the world that we are all fighting against.” The Summit will continue starting Friday, Sept. 24 and will end Sept. 26 with the launch of a new Universal Declaration on forced organ harvesting. 703-868-1509
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CHINA
VISION TIMES
SEP 24 - SEP 30, 2021 |
The NIH Has Funded 265 Research Papers Collaborating With China’s Military Since 2005
SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images
By Neil Campbell Vision Times
Multiple agencies under the U.S. National Institutes of Health have funded more than 250 studies authored by researchers with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), according to a new report. The story, broken by National Pulse on Sept. 20, found 265 studies authored by PLA researchers and funded by NIH grants since 2005. The investigation discovered the most frequent Chinese Communist Party (CCP) entity in the package is the PLA General Hospital in Beijing. The research also found at least 11 other PLA controlled hospitals in the NIH’s database that have received U.S. funding, in addition to a researcher from the Wuhan General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command. The discovery comes after NIH Director Francis Collins admitted during a radio interview in June that
Joe Biden (2nd L) tours the Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, on February 11, 2021. Biden is flanked by (from R) Kizzmekia S. Corbett, Francis Collins, White House COVID Coordinator Jeffrey Zients, Anthony Fauci, and Barney S. Graham. The NIH has funded 265 research papers collaborating with the Chinese Communist Party’s People’s Liberation Army since 2005.
the U.S. government had no control over how grant money it awarded to the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) through Peter Daszak and his EcoHealth Alliance was used.
Collins said, “When we give a grant… it has terms attached to it of what it is that the grantee is supposed to be doing with those funds… And we trust the grantee
to be honest and not deceptive.” “The grant funds that went to Wuhan, which were a subcontract from EcoHealth, were very specifically aimed to try to cate-
A5
gorize viruses that they could isolate from bats in Chinese caves, we had a good reason to want to know more about, given SARS and MERS that had come out of there.” In July, National Pulse reported that Collins also serves on the Advisory Board for the International Conference on Genomics, an event organized by the notorious Chinese genetic data collection company BGI Genomics and the China National GeneBank. BGI’s Chairman, Yang Huanming, who Collins referred to as a “friend” during his speech at the conference, is also connected to the PLA via research papers, according to a Jan. 30 Reuters article, while BGI Genomics itself also has extensive ties to the PLA. In 2010, Collins signed the NIH into a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSCF), a state-run organization controlled by the CCP’s Ministry of Science and Technology. The NSCF similarly has extensive ties to the PLA. In June, National Pulse likewise found 75 studies funded by the NSCF and performed by researchers from the PLA General Hospital.
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Last-minute Debt Deal Keeps Evergrande Afloat, but Crisis Is Far From Over By Todd Crawford Vision Times
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he Evergrande Group has struck a last minute deal to avoid defaulting on a bond payment worth an estimated $35.9 million that is due this Thursday Sept. 23.
Evergrande, China's largest property developer, is facing a liquidity crisis with total debts of around $300 billion. “In a statement filed with the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in mainland China, Hengda Real Estate Group said it had reached an agreement with holders of the onshore bond over the repay-
This aerial photo taken on September 17, 2021 shows a housing complex by Chinese property developer Evergrande in Huaian in China's eastern Jiangsu province.
ment,” the BBC reported. No details were revealed concerning how the deal was structured and whether or not interest would be paid only that the bond “has already been resolved through private negotiations.” The announcement offered some relief for concerned investors. The China Evergrande Group’s stock rose by 47.5 percent following news of the deal after shedding nearly 90 percent of its value in the past 14-months. The temporary reprieve is just that, temporary. The developer, with reported liabilities in excess of $300 billion dollars is also due
to make a $83.5 million dollar interest payment on an overseas bond this Thursday as well. No announcement concerning how China’s second largest property developer by sales intends on satisfying the payment has been made. Under agreements with investors, the Evergrande Group has a 30-day grace period before missed payments on the offshore bond would be considered in default. It’s critical time required for the developer to either find cash to satisfy the debt or to negotiate new terms. The company’s solvency problems are sending shock waves
across global markets over concerns that it is close to collapse. The company has started to repay investors in its wealth management products (WMPs) with property as it struggles to find enough cash to meet its liabilities. On Monday, Sept. 20 Evergrande reportedly missed interest payments to at least two of its biggest lenders. Earlier in September the Evergrande Group had trading of its bonds temporarily suspended by China’s stock exchanges after “abnormal fluctuations” were discovered in the price of the company’s corporate bonds.
Recently, protests erupted across China at numerous properties owned and operated by the indebted real estate company with home buyers, retail investors and even Evergrande’s own employees speaking out against how the struggling company is managing their WMPs. The company, which employs upwards of 200,000 people and claims to indirectly generate 3.8 million jobs in China, has a presence in more than 280 cities throughout China. Its bankruptcy would have devastating effects on the Chinese economy and the wider global market.
Douyin, Chinese Version of TikTok, Limits Kids to 40 Minutes a Day By Leo Timm Vision Times
Minors in China are now only allowed to use Douyin — the original, mainland Chinese version of video site TikTok — between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. for 40 minutes a day, according to new regulations introduced by www.visiontimes.com
Douyin’s owning company ByteDance on Saturday, Sept. 18. The rules are enforced via a “youth mode” that underage users must use upon authenticating their identities with the app, which has 600 million users in the People’s Republic. As with its overseas version, Douyin, which literally translates to “shaking sound,” has seen extreme
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popularity among young users. Apart from their common Beijingbased parent company ByteDance, Douyin and TikTok are completely separate platforms. Beijing bans all major Western social media sites, though tech-savvy Chinese use VPNs to access them. Douyin’s regulations come on the heels of a recent rule by the Chinese government that limits
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minors to just 3 hours of online gaming per week — one hour each per Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. “In another similarity to video game restrictions, though, keeping children off Douyin could prove difficult to enforce. Users could find ways of circumventing the restrictions, possibly just by using a parent’s identity or account,” the Hong Kong-based South China Morning ad.ny@visiontimes.com
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Post reported on Sept. 20. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has made moves against the Chinese tech and entertainment sectors in recent months, with some observers speculating that the shift reflects political struggle between CCP general secretary Xi Jinping and opposing factions with sway in the business environment.
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WORLD
A6 | SEP 24 - SEP 30, 2021
VISION TIMES
Trudeau Fails in Bid to Secure Majority Government; New Government Looks a Lot Like the Old One gh’s New Democratic Party (NDP) walked away with one additional seat after winning 25 spots in parliament. n an election that few wanted While the controversial Peoand that cost the Canadian ple’s Party of Canada (PPC), led taxpayer an estimated $600 by Maxime Bernier, did not win million, Justin Trudeau’s Liberal any seats the party attracted over Party of Canada (LPC) — hoping 814 thousand votes, a performance to gain enough seats in parliament that is considered respectable after to secure a majority government only forming in 2019. — only managed to secure a single The Green Party, led by Annamie additional seat, leaving them in a Paul, who lost in her riding, only position nearly identical to what secured two seats. After months they were in prior to the election. of infighting Paul, who hardly While results are still trickling left her riding to campaign, is not in, and mail in ballots are still expected to survive as leader of the being counted, it’s clear Trudeau’s Green Party. liberals have won enough seats to Singh’s NDP is perhaps the bigsecure a minority government gest winner this round. The prowith 148 seats confirmed won and gressives, while being far from another 10 that are expected to be forming an official opposition, awarded to them once counting is have a platform that aligns more complete. Trudeau’s LPC won a with the liberals and if Trudeau total of 157 seats in 2019. In order wants to efficiently pass legislation to win a majority government in he will have to court the NDP’s Canada, a party needs to win a 25 Members of Parliament in the minimum of 170 seats. face of a strong conservative oppoErin O’Toole’s Conservative sition. Party of Canada (CPC), after winTrudeau, who faced harsh critning the popular vote, will again icism for calling an early election form the official opposition in while many regions in Canada Canadian parliament. contend with a fourth Canadian Prime MinisThe CPC shed two wave of coronavirus, ter and Liberal leader is perhaps the biggest seats in the election Justin Trudeau makes a finishing off election speech during a camloser of the night. night with 119 seats paign stop on SeptemThe prime minister, ber 13, 2021 in Vanwho prior to calling compared to 121 in couver, Canada. The 2019. the election was ridCanadian federal elecThe Bloc Québécois, tion will be held one ing a wave of high Canada’s French sep- week from today on approval ratings, only September 20. aratist party led by managed to shed support making it more Yves-Francois Blanchet secured 34 difficult for him to seats, an increase forward an agenda of two seats from that does not have the backing of a majority 2019. Jagmeet Sinof Canadians. By Todd Crawford Vision Times
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Image: Jeff Vinnick/ Getty Images
A neighbour of Zmarai Ahmadi, stands amid the debris of Ahmadi's house that was damaged in a US drone strike in the Kwaja Burga neighbourhood of Kabul on September 18, 2021.(Image: HOSHANG HASHIMI/AFP via Getty Images)
Washington Admits Afghan Airstrike Killed Innocent People, Not ISIS Terrorists By Jonathan Walker Vision Times
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U.S. military investigation has concluded that an airstrike that was targeted at a potential ISIS-K terrorist ended up killing innocent people. The airstrike took place on Aug. 29, just a few days after an ISIS-K suicide bomber killed over 170 Afghans and 13 U.S. military personnel in a bomb blast at the Hamid Karzai International airport in Kabul. After the bombing, intelligence agencies warned of a potential second attack. A critical piece of intelligence was that a white Toyota Corolla could be a “key element” in the next attack. U.S. officials soon began tracking the activities of Zemari Ahmadi, an aid worker who was employed by California-based Nutrition and Education International. Ahmadi used to drive a white Toyota Corolla. Ahmadi was seen at a location believed to be a “key area of interest” to potential attackers. After tracking his vehicle for eight hours. U.S. officials decided to carry out the airstrike. At that time, they saw various men getting into the car and being dropped off at different locations.
Target was an aid worker
Ahmadi and nine members of his family, including seven children, were killed in the attack, which happened just a day before the U.S. officially withdrew from Afghanistan. Ahmadi’s employer had apparently applied for moving him into the U.S.
The U.S. has admitted that 10 innocent people were killed in an Afghan airstrike on Aug. 29. On Sept. 17, Marine Gen. Kenneth McKenzie Jr., commander of U.S. Central Command, announced at a Pentagon briefing the results of his investigation on the issue. McKenzie admitted that he was “convinced” that the target was only an aid worker. Calling the airstrike a “mistake,” he took full responsibility for the strike and its tragic outcome. “We now assess that it is unlikely that the vehicle and those who died were associated with ISIS-K or were a direct threat to U.S. forces… I offer my profound condolences to
the family and friends of those who were killed. This strike was taken in the earnest belief that it would prevent an imminent threat to our forces,” McKenzie said.
An ‘unbelievable tragedy’
The Pentagon had earlier claimed that the airstrike had triggered secondary explosions and that these explosions may have killed the civilians. However, three weapons experts told the New York Times that there were no signs of a secondary explosion near the burnedout Toyota vehicle, whether it be destroyed vegetation or blownout walls. The revelation that innocent Afghans were killed due to the U.S. airstrike has attracted criticism from several quarters. Democrat Representative Ro Khanna termed it an “unbelievable tragedy” and called for “more transparency and oversight” to ensure that such incidents never happen again.“Biden’s Pentagon admits that they killed 10 innocent people in Kabul, not the targeted ISIS-K terrorists. Meanwhile, Biden is taking a vacation on the beach, shirking off responsibility, holding no one accountable. Biden is a disgrace.” Republican Representative Andy Biggs said in a tweet.
Almost 3 Tons of Heroin From Afghanistan Discovered at Indian Border Port By Kalina Valqurey Vision Times
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2.7 billion worth of heroin from Afghanistan was seized by Indian officials on its way to the international trade hub of Delhi on Monday, September 20. The deadly drug was discovered in containers marked ‘talc’ and was being transported across the border by two people of Indian nationality. One container weighed 4,409 pounds and another weighed half that much. www.visiontimes.com
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at Mundra Port discovered the contraband. Afghanistan is the world’s largest producer of heroin, fueling an estimated 80 to 90 percent of the world’s production. Raw heroin is extracted from buds of the opium poppy, and farmers in Afghanistan have been reported as being taxed on their opium production in previous years, fueling local and broader economies. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimated that production of heroin
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created 120,000 jobs in Afghanistan in 2018. The Taliban forbade the growing of opium poppies when they were previously in power, however, reports detail that in 2021, the cultivation of poppies and related production of heroin in Afghanistan have fueled the Taliban’s rise to power. According to The Guardian, the economy of the conflict-torn country leaned upon international donors with a stake in the previous government, with foreign aid and assistance for development making up more than
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A poppy field in Afghan.(JAVED TANVEER/ AFP via Getty Images)
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42% the GDP last year. Although this funded three-quarters of public expenditure, infrastructure remained a challenge for local economies, according to UNODC. Presently, the international donors of previous years are unwilling to offer support to the Taliban, throwing farmers into a worse situation and undermining any efforts to move poor farmers in the countryside away from illicit trade. The Taliban has been considered one of the most richly funded insurgencies in the world.
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TOPIC
VISION TIMES
SEP 24 - SEP 30, 2021 |
The Emperor’s Journey to the Moon Palace
A7
Shizhao / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
STORIES ABOUT THE CHINESE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL By Ally Wang
Wednesday, Sept. 21, marks this year’s Moon festival, also known as the MidAutumn Festival. It's one of the largest holidays in China and in the surrounding countries. Why do people celebrate this day? And where did it get its name from? Let's dig deep into the history and origin of this festivity.
It was said that on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival during his early reign, Emperor Xuanzong was invited to visit the moon by his Daoist friend.
‘Garments of Rainbows and Feathers’
T
he origin of the MidAutumn Festival goes back to the Zhou Dynasty, some 3,000 years ago. The kings of the Zhou Dynasty called themselves tian zi (天子), or "Son of Heaven." They believed the heavens bestowed the mandate of governance on whomever was most fit to rule. Therefore, every king dared not to behave without virtue, and during special days of the year, or whenever anything bad happened, they would try to find fault within themselves and worship the heavens for an answer. The Book of Rites recorded that the king would worship the sun on the March equinox and worship the Moon on the September equinox. The annual grand worshipping ceremonies made an impact among commoners. People also started worshipping the moon on or around this day. Eventually, people shifted the date from the September equinox to the 15th day of the 8th month on the Chinese lunar calendar. Since the lunar calendar is based upon the moon's phases, the 15th day of the month will always be a full moon. By the early Tang Dynasty, it had developed into an official holiday. The celebration grew bigger and bigger with each dynasty. And now it's one of the most celebrated holidays across Asian countries. Chinese people call this holiday Zhong Qiu Jie (中秋節), which translates to Mid-Autumn Festival. Ancient Chinese people considered the 7th, 8th, and 9th months on the lunar calendar to be the autumn season. The 15th day of the 8th month is right in the middle of the season. And that's why it's called "Mid-Autumn Festival." The "Moon Festival" is just a nickname since this festival is deeply related to the moon. www.visiontimes.com
The Book of Rites recorded that the king would worship the sun on the March equinox and worship the Moon on the September equinox.
You might have heard of the story of Chang'e, who flew to the Moon Palace after drinking magical elixir and became the Goddess of the Moon. But today we're going to talk about another famous story that was recorded in multiple ancient texts from the Tang Dynasty. It's about Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and his magical experience on the moon. It was said that on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival during his early reign, Emperor Xuanzong was invited to visit the moon by his Daoist friend. The Daoist used his supernormal ability and built a large silver bridge that went directly to the moon. The two of them walked a long way and finally reached the Moon Palace. The emperor saw hundreds of divine deities dancing in the palace. The accompanying music was out of this world—literally— and the dance was elegant beyond description. The emperor asked, "what song is that?" and the answer was "ni shang yu yi qu" which translates to “garments of rainbows and feathers.” After the emperor came back from the moon, he recalled what he heard from memory and composed a song with the same title. Many poets praised how heavenly the melody was. Unfortunately, this music has been lost.
Mid-Autumn traditions The most important activity during the Mid-Autumn Festival was, of course, worshipping the moon. Chinese people also loved admiring the moon. There were so many poems written about the moon. The most famous one is Quiet Night Thought (靜夜思), written by Li Bai.
Mooncakes were sometimes called "reunion cakes." The whole family would share it together. Other than mooncakes, people would also give each other watermelons and other fruits as gifts.
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Chang'e, who flew to the Moon Palace after drinking magical elixir and became the Goddess of the Moon.(Image:National Palace Museum/ CC BY 4.0)
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床前明月光 疑是地上霜 舉頭望明月 低頭思故鄉 Bright moonlight shines before my bed Appearing like frost on the floor I raise my head to view the bright moon Then lower it, thinking of my homeland Just like the poem implies, this holiday is also about reunion. If the wife went back to her parents for a visit, she would return home to her husband on this day. Mooncakes were sometimes called "reunion cakes." The whole family would share it together. Other than mooncakes, people would also give each other watermelons and other fruits as gifts. Eating crabs was also popular because they would get meatier and sweeter during autumn. Additionally, the 8th month of the Chinese lunar calendar is called the month of osmanthus, so people would admire osmanthus flowers and make osmanthus wine. The most exciting activity was tide watching and still is today. The Qiantang River is known for the world's largest tidal bore, and the best time to view it is between the 15th and 18th day of the 8th month on the lunar calendar. So it has become a tradition to watch tidal bores on the Mid-Autumn Festival. This article is based on Ally’s original video on the Mid-Autumn Festival, available on her YouTube channel Five Thousand Years.
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ART
A8 | SEP 24 - SEP 30, 2021
The Blossoming of Imagination:
Italian Renaissance Drawing By Tim Gebhart
S
implistic and paradoxically expressive, drawings and the merits of the craft have begun to be showcased in many art institutions around the world. From the recent exhibit “Michelangelo: Divine Draftsman and Designer” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York to the upcoming UK tour of Leonardo DaVinci’s drawings starting in February of 2019, these exhibitions serve to
highlight the importance of drawing in the art world and its usefulness to artists in developing their craft. In the span of two centuries, from 1420 to 1640, drawing developed to its zenith in terms of an independent art form that was able to convey the imagination in new ways. The doodles, sketches, and drafts of the period give us an insight into the minds of the
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working artists as they used the medium to lay plans, scribble thumbnails for large canvases, or study the designs of nature and the human figure. At the same time, the arts shifted from the church as the center of learning for the visual language to studios and academies. And with the shift, art moved from being iconographic in nature to being capable of exploring and expressing the infinite nuances of the human condition. But also, paradoxically, an interest in the sacred blossomed to full flower. Led by the reverence for the Hellenic culture and classical studies, the Italian Renaissance saw the flourishing of self-exploration in the arts and aesthetics along with the development of the sacred sciences. Italian culture at its height put spirituality and morality at its foundation, and these, in turn, were reflected in innovations in the arts. The deep understanding of the divine imbued some artists’ works, like those of Michelangelo, with a vitality and sacredness that could not be conveyed by skill alone.
“AnAngel”byBartolomeoPassarotti(1529–1592).Penandbrownink,overtraces of black chalk, on beige paper. Rogers Fund, 1964. (The Metropolitan Museum of Art)
True Mastery: Cultivating a Gracious Style
“The First Fruits of the Earth Offered to Saturn” by Giorgio Vasari (1511–1574). Renaissance artists looked back to the ancient classic themes to express nuances of the human condition. (The Metropolitan Museum of Art)
The “gratiosa aria,” or gracious style, was an Italian concept for an artist’s own unique, personal expression developed through years of study. Included in the meaning is the idea that the artist has mastered the ability to depict subjects with grace and beauty. Cennino Cennini, in his “Craftsman’s Handbook” or “Libro dell’Arte,” discusses emulation of other artists to learn from their cultivated personal style and their sense of beauty to grasp what choices they made to render subjects in a certain way. “If you follow the course of one man through constant practice, your intelligence would have to be crude indeed for you not to get some nourishment from it. Then you will find, if nature has granted you any imagination at all, that you will eventually acquire a style individual to yourself.” In addition, before gratiosa aria could be fully cultivated and before being able to reproduce its qualities externally, the artist had to develop his or her own character. The motive or intent in pursuit of the arts is most important. Cennini also stated: “It is the impulse
“Studies of Hands” by Andrea del Sarto (1486–1530). Red chalk, lined. Bequest of Walter C. Baker, 1971. (The Metropolitan Adobeby Stock “Paradise” Federico Zuccaro(1540/42–1609). (The Metropolitan Museum of Art)
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ART
VISION TIMES
SEP 24 - SEP 30, 2021 |
A9
“Paradise” by Federico Zuccaro (1540/42– 1609). Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, watercolor, gouache, highlighted with white gouache, left and central sections squared in red chalk, on three sheets of brown paper, joined vertically. A piece of brown paper with figures of Christ, the Virgin, and St. John the Baptist has been affixed at the center of the drawing. Rogers Fund, 1961. (The Metropolitan Museum of Art)
Drawing of Minerva, attributed to Sandro Botticelli’s workshop. The drawing emphasizes the flowing feminine lines Botticelli “Virgin and Child Attended by Angels,” attributed to Filippino Lippi (circa 1457–1504). Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, high- was known for. (Public Domain) lighted with white gouache. Rogers Fund, 1968. (The Metropolitan Museum of Art)
of a noble mind which moves some toward this art, pleasing to them through their natural love … There are some who follow the arts from poverty and necessity, also for gain, and for the love of the art; but those who pursue them from love of the art and true nobleness of mind are to be commended above all others.” Cennini basically stated that an artist’s pursuit of fame and gain for their sake alone should be tossed out the window. Without a proper state of mind, one would be too insecure and emotionally unstable to fully consider the intricacies of rendering subject matter beyond one’s own immediate, volatile state. Frank Zöllner’s extensive book on Sandro Botticelli states that “individual style was gaining ground in the 15th century as an identifiable mode of personal composition.” Thus, artists had more freedom to portray the depths of character, emotion, and personality. Specifically, Botticelli’s “maniera,” or individual style, had adapted to his subject matter— often women—to embody the calm and nurturing energy of the feminine archetype. Botticelli’s refined use of line characterized the inner strength and airy qualities of the feminine, with refined, wavy, yet confident lines. Many of the women in Botticelli’s paintings offer a salve for chaos with a calm, nurturing, and elegant presence. The Italian Renaissance artists understood that aesthetics can produce a sensation or a feeling in the viewer in a positive way. The benefits of manifesting grace in the arts were intrinsically understood. With an understanding of grace and noble characteristics, artists www.visiontimes.com
could not only render their works to be aesthetically pleasing, but also harmonize them and bring serenity to those enjoying the art.
Tools of the Trade
Drawing, in its early days, required a lot more than just putting charcoal to paper. It was an undertaking that saw artists literally clambering over the landscape for the materials they needed, and discriminating among a vast array of variables in terms of the consistency and quality of the materials.
If nature has granted you any imagination at all, that you will eventually acquire a style individual to yourself. --Cennino Cennini
Often, natural black and red chalk is unreliable for making a consistent line because it varies so much in how dense or porous it is. The black chalk dug from quarries in Germany had been prized by Giorgio Vasari as having the best quality, though other artists preferred chalk from other regions. When found, good quality chalk, for example, was purchased by artists in large blocks at quarries and chiseled to the right size for drawing. In fact, many of the original tools, including brushes, pencils, gessoes, mediums, and fixatives used by the early artists, werecrafted by the artists themselves. Nothing was a straightforward process. According to “Master Draw-
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ings of the Italian Renaissance” by Claire Van Cleave, the ink Leonardo DaVinci preferred for his note-taking and sketches came from iron gall procured from oak trees, mixed with wine and gum arabic. It was a witch’s brew that artists learned to concoct themselves. The crude materials for drawing also impacted how artists developed their drawings. Ink, chalk, and charcoal were very difficult to erase. Lines, compositions, and the images one wanted to produce had to be clearly established in the mind before an artist executed a piece. Thus, the intimate relationship the artists had with their materials, and the benefits to their craft provided by that relationship, enforced foresight and economy. As a result, artists would train themselves to hold an image in their minds and then execute it. It is the same technique of repetition an actor would use in learning lines in a script. Through a continued process of strengthening their mental faculties, artists would be able to hold images in their minds and achieve greater detail and accuracy in their work.
drawing can be described as reverse-engineering of the world and transcribing itinto a visual form. Anatomy, the study of drapery, the properties of light and their interpretation through line, foreshortening, and shadows all had to be meticulously studied in order to directly engage the world analytically and then be reproduced on paper. In order to develop accuracy, the eyes had to be retrained. Almost all artists know that the eyes deceive. The eyes and their connection to the brain can be counterintuitive and mysterious. Our brain condenses the nearly infinite amount of information into easy-to-understand symbols to quickly process the world around us. We see humans every day, but drawing people accurately requires an in-depth study of anatomy. Such a study breaks down the natural inclination of the brain to overly simplify a scene. This not only helps the artist more accurately portray the human form, but also helps to draw the human body without a reference. When
unhindered by references, artists can easily recreate anything from their imaginations. Yet, on the whole, drawings should not be confused with finished works. Before his death, Michelangelo Buonarroti burned many of the drawings he used in preparation for his works, possibly so no one in the future would confuse them with his finished works. In some of his practice drawings that remain, we can see his procedures, anatomical renderings, and even glimpses into his thought process in executing his works. And, sometimes we even see beyond the artists’ working methods to their personalities. In a sketch of a face and eyes in profile that Michelangelo made for his students to copy and study, he added a note at the bottom of the drawing. Michelangelo encouraged his student with “patience Andrea.” In the looser and unedited realm of drawing, the trials, tribulations, and the human element emerges more strongly than in a finished piece. Perhaps this is the most valuable quality of these drawings.
The Methods
The methods artists favored in their craft varied considerably. Many artists used rapid sketches and slowly refined a composition as they progressed, a method called “primo pensiero.” Some artists completed refined studies of figures, with all of the information included for the final composition or painting, as in the case of the detailed drawing by Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino (known as Raphael). Whatever purpose drawing eventually served, the craft had to be learned first. In one sense,
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“The Virgin and Child With Saint Martina” by Pietro da Cortona (1596–1669). Pen and brown ink, over black chalk. Gift of Cornelius Vanderbilt, 1880. (The Metropolitan Museum of Art)
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WISDOM
A10 | SEP 24 - SEP 30, 2021
VISION TIMES
Stories From the Students’ Rules :
Of Etiquette and Propriety At the end of Di Zi Gui’s third chapter, "Discretion in Daily Life,” it is written:
By Vision Times Staff “Standards for Being a Good Student and Child” (Di Zi Gui, 弟子規) is a traThe ditional Chinese textbook for children that teaches morals and proper etiquette.
用人物 須明求 倘不問 即為偷
It was written by Li Yuxiu in the Qing Dynasty, during the reign of Emperor Kang Xi (1661-1722). In this series, we present some ancient Chinese stories that exemplify the valuable lessons from the Di Zi Gui. In this installment, we present some ancient Chinese stories that exemplify the valuable lessons taught in the third chapter of Di Zi Gui— "Discretion in Daily Life."
The Di Zi Gui says: 將入門 問孰存 將上堂 聲必揚
Before opening a door Ask who is there Before you enter the hall Make your voice heard 人問誰 對以名 吾與我 不分明
When someone asks “who” Reply with your name “I” and “me” Are unclear These simple acts of courteousness are important habits to develop. As the following stories from Chinese history demonstrate, they can have an impact from family matters to national affairs.
To use something that belongs to another You must make a clear request If you do not ask It is the same as stealing
Three visits to the thatched cottage
借人物 及時還 後有急 借不難
In the lead-up to the Three Kingdoms era, nobleman Liu Bei was searching for capable men to assist him in restoring the Han Dynasty. The well-known hermit Sima Hui told him: “In this region, there are two such people — the ‘Crouching Dragon’ and the ‘Young Phoenix.’” Liu Bei came to realize that the “Crouching Dragon” was actually Zhuge Liang, a rare genius residing in a thatched cottage hidden deep in the recesses of the countryside. It was winter, and Liu Bei personally trekked over 10 miles through deep winter snow to visit Zhuge Liang’s home. His first two trips were fruitless: the talented man was gone or asleep. Only on the third visit did Zhuge Liang meet with his guest. Zhuge Liang was impressed by Liu Bei’s patience, and saw that he was a man of worthy character. Liu Bei, meanwhile, admired Zhuge Liang for his knowledge and wisdom, and requested that he aid him in his cause. The latter agreed to be Liu’s military strategist, and used his skills to protect Liu Bei’s restored Han Dynasty for many years.
Mencius’ mother teaches him propriety In ancient China, men and women held each other to high standards of conduct. Even in a marriage, it was expected that husband and wife “respect each other like guests” (相敬如賓). During the Warring States Period, the scholar Mencius entered a private room in his residence to find his wife relaxing in an undignified squat. Feeling his wife had breached the code of propriety, he became angry, and later complained about the incident to his mother. He even considered divorcing his wife over the issue. Mencius’ mother was a wise and patient woman who had raised her son alone. She listened to the story before responding. “It is you who have no propriety, not your wife,” she told him. “The rules of propriety means that when you are about to enter a room, you have to ask who is inside; raise your voice when you walk into a hall; lower your gaze when you open a door. These rules exist so others can prepare themselves for your presence.” Mencius immediately realized that he was the one at fault, and mended his ways. Because of his exemplary mother, Mencius became a person of strong moral clarity. He is known as the greatest Confucian philosopher apart from Confucius himself.
When borrowing something from another Return it on time When you have some future emergency It won’t be difficult to find a helping hand
Governing oneself with the right principles is a choice we make based on our beliefs and life purpose: how responsible we are with our lives, what path or direction we set ourselves on, and choosing to do the right thing.
Xu Heng refuses to pick wild pears Xu Heng (許衡), a noted scholar of Confucian Rationalism, put this into practice at a young age by not picking fruit that didn’t belong to him. The years in which Xu Heng lived were filled with warfare as the Mongols invaded China and set up their own dynasty, the Yuan empire. When he was a child, Xu and his family were displaced by the chaos and became refugees. One time, he and a group of other children were playing together. It was a hot day and they soon became tired and thirsty. The children noticed a pear tree by the road and helped themselves to its fruit. Xu Heng, however, did not join his friends to eat the pears. They asked him why. He simply said: “I cannot take things that do not belong to me.” Xu Heng’s friends thought his thinking was too rigid. One of them retorted: “You know what the current state of our country is like; the war has created turmoil and chaos, and people are dying or fleeing the country. Besides, this pear tree does not belong to anybody, why can’t we pick some pears to eat? Wouldn’t it be stupid not to eat some?” Xu Heng solemnly replied, “Perhaps this pear tree is indeed without an owner. But since we don’t know for sure, how can we disregard our conscience and assume that it doesn’t have an owner? Should we just do as we please and eat something that doesn’t belong to us?” Despite his age, Xu Heng already knew to govern himself with moral principles. Let alone his friends; most adults in their situation would have had a hard time understanding his point of view. Despite this incident, Xu Heng continued to stick to his moral code instead of conforming to prevailing societal norms and beliefs. He studied diligently and became the leading scholar in the court of the Mongol ruler Kublai Khan (1215–1294). Governing oneself with the right principles is a choice we make based on our beliefs and life purpose: how responsible we are with our lives, what path or direction we set ourselves on, and choosing to do the right thing.
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LIFESTYLE
VISION TIMES
SEP 24 - SEP 30, 2021 |
A11
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KelvinHelmholtz wave
The highest aspiration for many sky gazers, these clouds, named after physicists William Kelvin and Hermann von Helmholtz who uncovered the mystery of their formation, can be seen everywhere in the world, but you must be quick. They only last a few minutes before disappearing. When swift, warm air that flows over slower, cooler air, it creates a shearing force; which, with the right difference in speed, causes the tops of the denser ripples to roll up, surge forward and tip over in a series of vortices, just like waves breaking in the ocean. Although they are serene in appearance, these waves signify instability in the air and unsafe flying conditions.
Fallstreak holes Mackerel sky
Mammatus
Virga
Fallstreak holes start out as puncture wounds in altocumulus and cirrocumulus clouds when an airplane pierces through the cloud layers. These mid to high altitude clouds are composed of water particles much colder than zero degrees Celsius, yet they remain liquid due to the lack of “seed particles” on which ice crystals would form. The air movement around a penetrating plane is able to generate these necessary particles, which quickly accumulate additional crystals and begin to drop. As ice drops from the area it forms a circular hole in the cloud, which can expand to become a gaping 50km diameter void within an hour.
Mammatus clouds formations feature clusters of pouches hanging from the base, with the shapes varying from the classic protruding shape to a long tube hanging from the cloud. These clouds are formed from sinking pockets of cold, moist air, seen from the anvil of a storm or from clouds in a storm’s wake. A likely explanation for the formation of these clouds is based on “negative buoyancy,” where updrafts carry air dense with ice crystals into air too light to support it. The ice evaporates as it sinks, causing the air around it to cool and sink, thereby pulling the cloud into pouch-like shapes.
When rain or snow starts to fall, but then quickly evaporates, it forms a sort of dangling effect. Virga, from the Latin word for “branch,” or “rod,” are fanciful clouds reminiscent of jellyfish drifting in the open ocean. When they form at high elevations, they can create very beautiful cloudlets. Deserts are the best place to see these, as they provide the warm, dry air necessary to quickly evaporate the precipitation. They are a harbinger of heavy rains, however. Even though the air below is too dry for precipitation, the evaporation process cools it, increasing humidity until the conditions are ripe for actual rain or snow. Whether you are able to catch sight of one of these amazing formations or not, the sky in all its boundless mystery is sure to hold some truth that you are seeking. When we feel that life is too heavily laden with troubles, take a lesson from the clouds. As Jasleen Kaur Gumber observed: “Clouds are on top for a reason. They float so high because they refuse to carry any burden!”
Mackerel sky refers to skies of rippled cirrocumulus clouds which can mimic the scales of a mackerel. High in the sky and illuminated by the afternoon sun, a mackerel sky is made up of ice crystals and appears in a pattern of small wispy clouds spread thinly and regularly across the sky. These clouds can be an indicator of warm winds from a nearby thunderstorm. As the old mariner’s rhyme goes, “Mares’ tails and mackerel scales make lofty ships to carry low sails.” The ripples form when humid air at the edge of a storm system pushes past cooler, resistant air.
9
Clouds
to P ut You on Cloud Ni ne By Darren Maung
S
kygazing has long been a nourishing practice for the mind. When feeling overwhelmed or hopeless, peering into the limitless depths of the sky can help put things into perspective. Whether it be a starry night sky, or the blue sky spotted with clouds, it evokes a sense for the vastness of time and space, namely, awe. Numerous studies suggest that our sense of well being is enhanced by experiencing awe. With continued and even increasing limits on our lives due to pandemic panic, we may be searching ever more earnestly for a boost from above. On any given day, there is sure to be something spectacular in the sky. These nine unusual cloud formations are worth watching out for.
Nacreous
Nacreous clouds are named from the French word “nacré” or “mother of pearl.” These clouds are usually formed at the poles during the winter, when temperatures fall below -83°C at the stratosphere, causing the moisture to condense into clouds of ice crystals. When illuminated by sunlight, the ice crystals scatter and diffract light, forming the iridescent colors that give the clouds a magical appearance.
Supercell storm Asperitas Lenticular cloud Asperitas is a cloud so unusual clouds Supercells are a rare storm cloud associated with tornadoes, with a power rivalled only by hurricanes. A mesocyclone, or continuously spiraling updraft, allows these clouds to sustain a storm for many hours; unlike most storm clouds, where a separation of the updraft and downdraft inevitably weakens the storm in a short time.
Why do I love clouds? Because you can’t save a cloud like you can save a leaf or a flower or a rock. Clouds are now. --Terry Gilmet
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that it was not recognized under any of the accepted cloud classifications: cumulus, cirrus, stratus, or nimbus. The identifying characteristic of these rarities is their wild, chaotic pattern on the underside. They can appear to be threatening dark waves in the sky as they follow thunderstorms across the North American plains, yet they vanish before turning into storms themselves. In 2008, Gavin Pretor-Pinney of the Cloud Appreciation Society proposed the new name “asperatus,” meaning “roughened” or “agitated” for this yet un-named cloud. In June 2015, the modified name of “asperitas” was accepted into the World Meteorological Organisation’s International Cloud Atlas. ad.ny@visiontimes.com
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Lenticular clouds are named for their smooth, lense-like shape, formed when stable and humid air streams over a mountain, causing large-scale “standing waves” to form when the air flows down. Moisture in the air condenses to form the lenticular clouds when the temperature at the crest of the wave drops to the dew point. These clouds tend to hold their form, even as they are blown by a steady wind, making them appear eerily similar to extraterrestrial spacecraft. Some believe these to be an explanation for many UFO sightings.
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HEALTH
A12 | SEP 24 - SEP 30, 2021
VISION TIMES
Salt Water & a Side of Lemon
Drink solé Water first thing in the morning. It helps increase energy naturally. A touch of lemon, to enhance flavor and function Lemons are high in Vitamin C, which helps to keep illnesses at bay. Phagocytes and t-cells make use of Vitamin C to combat and destroy bacteria and viruses, making lemon juice an effective immune booster. Lemons’ fiber and acidity aid digestion and reduce blood sugar spikes. Lemon juice has been proven to reduce the glycemic index of any food to which it is added. Despite their acidity, lemons have a powerful alkalizing impact on the body once they are metabolized. Vitamin C is believed to be effective in removing toxins from the body, and many use it as a detoxifying flush. It is also a powerful antioxidant which neutralizes free radicals that cause cellular harm.
Start Your Day With
Solé By Simone Jonker
S
olé (pronounced so-lay) is a traditional health drink dating back to Roman times. Legend has it that this drink was named after the sun when the Roman sun goddess blessed the source of this nourishing drink with her presence. In simplest terms, it is pure water saturated with sea salt and all the minerals it contains. Many believe that taking a bit of this every morning has health benefits, which can be further enhanced with a squeeze of fresh lemon. Let’s look at how it works.
What is ‘solé’ water? Solé is an electrolyte-rich brine. Himalayan sea salt crystals are added to clean, filtered water and allowed to sit until the water is saturated. It may take a week or more, adding a bit each day. When ready, a small amount of Solé is added to a glass of warm water. In this recipe, we top it off with the juice of 1⁄2 a fresh lemon.
Warm salt and lemon tonic recipe • 1 glass Mason jar, with a plastic lid • 1-2 cups Himalayan sea salt • Filtered water • 1/2 Lemon
Natural sea salt and its nourishing qualities
Method
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pik Fre e
Himalayan sea salt boasts 84 trace minerals that can help keep your body in balance and in good working order. Unlike refined salt, it is not linked with high blood pressure, and is a good substitute for those who need to watch their sodium intake. Including sea salt in your diet can aid in the prevention of the formation and progression of atherosclerosis and diabetes-related heart disease, among many other health benefits. The onset of osteoporosis and other bone diseases may drain calcium and other minerals from bones. Because sea salt is naturally mineral-rich and alkalizing, it may also benefit bone health. Salt aids the adrenals by gently raising blood pressure. Research shows that natural sea salt does not contribute to high blood pressure as regular, refined table salt does. Sea salt is more balanced with its many essential minerals, and does not induce edema. Sea salt-laced water is more likely to reduce blood pressure and strengthen the veins. It can also normalize an irregular pulse. Sea salt stimulates digestive enzymes, which aid digestion and ease constipation. Sea Salt also promotes food and water absorption. Ulcers, kidney stones, and gallstones are all caused by excess uric acid in the body. Staying hydrated is one of the best ways to avoid kidney stones. Because sea salt prevents dehydration, this saltwater combination may help prevent kidney stone formation and dissolve existing stones. Electrolyte imbalances and dehydration often cause muscle pain and headaches.
1 Fill the jar 1/4 full with Himalayan sea salt crystals. 2 Fill up the jar with filtered water, leaving 1-2 inches at the top. 3 Cover the solution with a plastic cap. 4 Shake and let the solution sit for 24 hours. 5 There is no need to refrigerate as Sole is a natural fungicide and anti-bacterial. 6 After 24 hours, check to see whether there is remaining salt at the bottom of the jar. If all the crystals have dissolved, add a bit more sea salt. 7 When the salt no longer dissolves, the water is saturated and Solé is ready to use 8 Fill a glass with warm filtered water. 9 Add 1 teaspoon solé water to your glass, more or less to taste. 10 Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into your cordial. Drink solé Water first thing in the morning. It helps increase energy naturally. A glass of warm lemon and solé water would be a good substitute for your morning coffee. It is ideal to take it on an empty stomach to reap the full benefits.
Sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium all serve to relax the muscles, and the antiinflammatory properties of magnesium can relieve headaches. Sea salt’s soothing minerals like magnesium and calcium may help you sleep. Sea salt helps decrease stress chemicals cortisol and adrenaline. For those who suffer from sleeplessness, substituting coffee with salt water and lemon naturally helps balance energy levels. The typical Western diet is high in refined foods. This results in an acidic pH in our bodies and blood, which is linked with a number of health concerns. Himalayan salt helps to alkalize the body and prevent inflammation and illness by supplying the body with essential trace minerals.
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Simple shortcut method 1 A pinch of fine Himalayan sea salt 2 A glass of warm water 3 Juice of half a lemon Mix ingredients until dissolved and drink. That’s it! Although the brine is more nourishing because it has been soaked over time, this quick substitute will provide some of the same advantages as the solé brine.
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