Alice Li Yuan’s final project

see the link: http://www.ijs-global.com/class09/aliceliyuan/

Financial industry: tough time for white-collar workers

By Alice Li yuan

Hong Kong– IJS-Global– April 2– Tom, a second-year associate in a Hong Kong private equity firm, says he has just changed work location, not because he moved to another job, but because the company moved from Central to Causeway Bay. “Our rent in Bank of America Tower was 100 thousand a month, and now we only pay half of it. It’s a time to cut cost of course. We even begin to save paper, not to mention the fact that my boss only takes economy class for business trips now,” Tom explains.

For Tom Zhu, the biggest change occurs in his daily work. “Our function has modified since the financial tsunami. We used to focus on investment–that’s what PE does.  Now as the wealth of our shareholders has shrunk, we became conservative with investments. Basically, we’re just playing the role of corporate finance adviser for the moment to earn some commission,” he says. “It has been two months since I left Central. When I saw people working there, I feel kind of lost. I really want to go back to the centre of this financial city.”

Amy Du has already experienced twice acquisitions in her three-year professional career. ABN Amro, the company she originally worked for was bought by Fortis in early 2008. In October 2008, BNP Parisbas took control of Fortis’ operations in Belgium and Luxemburg and it will buy 75 percent of Fortis Bank from the two governments under new terms of sale agreed last month. “I feel strong uncertainty at work. Many fund managers in ABN got fired in the acquisition, and only two people survived in our department. I don’t know whether Fortis will cut more jobs or not. Even though I considered job-hopping, facing this crisis, I’d better stay where I am,” she says.

Unlike Amy, 25-year-old David Zhang thinks more about his future. Work in Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is not as fulfilling as it used to be. “Normally I have to work until ten o’clock at night, but now I can get off work at five thirty. There’s not much to do these days,” he says. “I feel bored and maybe one day I’ll get fired. So I find another job in Shanghai. It’s a small local consulting company, but it’s more stable!”

Sean Jiang was a junior analyst in Investment Banking Division of Macquarie Group. The whole project team he belonged to got dissolved four months ago. “I was given an allowance of three months, but I haven’t received any offer until now. What I’m doing is helping my friend’s company, called Shengjing Capital. It’s a one hundred percent banker refugee camp!” Sean says while smiling.

According to Labour Department, financial industry faces serious unemployment situation. C Tse, Commissioner for Labour said that the unemployment rate for financial industry reached 2.9% until the end of January. She also predicted that unemployment is hardly optimistic in the first half of this year.

A report released by International Labor Organization said that in the period between August 2007 and February 2009, more than 325 thousand people have been laid off in global financial industry. The report also pointed that the actual situation of unemployment might be much more serious than estimated and the financial industry will experience deeper cuts with the recession. According to the report, financial industry refers to banking, insurance, reinsurance, hedge fund, mutual fund and asset management company.

Group 5: China-U.S sea confrontations

Headline: Naval confrontation after Sino-U.S relations just got eased

Photographer:  to Hainan

Video: interview with experts/ambassador

A.  Send correspondent to press conference of Chinese Foreign Ministry, to cover the response of Chinese government towards the issue.

      The correspondent could conduct interviews with Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman，Ambassador of U.S. in Beijing, experts in military field and experts in Sino-U.S. Relation (Mr. Shi Yin Hong, Dean of Sino-U.S. Relation of Renmin University), to get various voices for the issue.

      We should also refer to the news reports released by international agency, to get U.S official reply.

      Potential interviewees: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu; experts in military field, Mr. Shi Yin Hong, or hopefully the navy officers who were conducting activities at the scene.

 B. Two sidebars- Vox pop: views about the incident (Who do you think is wrong?)–Hong Kong

                                  Backgrounder: timeline of Sino-US military relationship & recent Sino-US official moves (Feb. 20-22, Mar.8 and 9)

                                                               CNN report (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6RSkIy67P0)

 

 

Backgrounder of Prague Spring

In the early 1960s, Czechoslovakia suffered an economic recession. Antonin Novotny, president of the country, was forced to make liberal concessions and in 1965 he introduced a program of decentralization, but it had little impact on economy.

In January 1968, Antonin Novotny was replaced by Alexander Dubcek as party secretary. Dubcek made a speech where he stated: “We shall have to remove everything that strangles artistic and scientific creativeness.”  A series of reforms were introduced, which was known as the Prague Spring, including the abolition of censorship and the right of citizens to criticize the government,

The new reform program also included the creation of works councils in industry, increased rights for trade unions to bargain on behalf of its members and the right of farmers to form independent co-operatives.

In July 1968 the Soviet leadership announced that it had evidence that the Federal Republic of Germany was planning an invasion of the Sudetenland and asked permission to send in the Red Army to protect Czechoslovakia. Alexander Dubcek, aware that the Soviet forces could be used to bring an end to Prague Spring, declined the offer.

On 21st August, 1968, Czechoslovakia was invaded by members of the Warsaw Pact countries. In order to avoid bloodshed, the Czech government ordered its armed forces not to resist the invasion. Alexander Dubcek was taken to Moscow and the reform program in Czechoslovakia was abandoned.

Source: 

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/COLDprague.htm

Vox pop- Views about diet ads in Hong Kong

By Li Yuan

 

Hong Kong– IJS-Global– February 15– Several people were interviewed in Festival Walk by IJS-Global on 11 February about their view on diet ads in Hong Kong, especially those posted in MTR.

 

“These ads are really cheap. I mean they are very low-class. Some stars make ads for it (diet center). I think that’s not good. I don’t believe it. They are too thin,” said Miss Jiang, a 23-year-old college student.

 

“There are too many advertisements. They never think about the health, but only believe that slim shape is beauty. The girls in Hong Kong tend to be thin,” Mr. Zhu said, a 23-year-old salesman.

 

Mary, who has just got back from New Zealand, said that her sister went to diet center before. “It didn’t work for the first time, so she kept spending money on it,” she said. “Some of my friends also tried it before. They spent thousands of money, but it didn’t work at all. I think doing exercises is the best way.”

 

Mr. Liao, 80, retired, said that if girls want to be slim, the best way is to eat at home, because food in restaurants has too much oil.

 

“At my age, I don’t care much about losing weight. If you want to be slimmer, you can make your own body shape plan, such as healthy dieting and taking exercises. Don’t believe those ads in the MTR, the skinny celebrities are merely the show of the products. They have to be that slim,” said Mrs. Cheung, a 50-year old housewife.

 

Her view is also shared by a student from Hong Kong City University, Tsui Ming Ki. “The diet ads are fake. I don’t think to be skinny is a must, but a slim body can fit much more beautiful clothes. If the beauty salon provides the real healthy program, it can be accepted.”

 

Diet ads can be found not only in the paid areas of stations but also in the MTR trains. Many entertainment stars make ads for diet centers, including Carina Lau, wife of Tony Leung Chiu Wai. Diet centers often claim that they can help girls to lose several pounds within a few weeks by charging only low price.

vox pop interview

We find that there are many slimming ads in HK and girls in HK are generally slim.

 

What do you think about the slimming advertisements in HK?

 interview done in Festival Walk on 11,Feb

Mr. Zhu, sales,23-too much advertisements, never think about the health, only think that slim shape is beauty, the girls tend to be thin.

 

Miss Jiang, college student, 23  the ads are really low-class, some stars make ads for it, not that good. Don’t believe it, they are too thin.

 

Mary, middle-age, just got back from New Zealand-her sister participated before. It didn’t work at the first time, and keep spending money for it. Some of her friends tried it before, spending thousands of money, didn’t work. Doing sports is the best way.

 

Mr.Liao, retired, 80, got retired at 66, did business, worked for newspaper before- don’t know whether these ads work or not. The  best way is to eat at home, eat less oil.

 

Love for painting

– Face to face with Czech post-modern artist

 

By Alice Li Yuan

 

Prague-February 9-IJS-Global– In this cold, snowy season in Prague, everything seemed strangely tranquil and peaceful. The appearance of Jiří Votruba in Cibulky, the countryside of the city, proved that this is not a remote locality, but an inspiring place – a place that grows art. His personal studio is right there, about 40 square meters, not very spacious, but it’s where he spends most of his time. This simple and small room is filled with many one-man-tall colorful paintings of various figures. It is the latest series called Global People–the people he knows around the world—a Czech doctor couple, a Japanese friend, an Egyptian woman he met in Paris…This 63-year-old man is still working with full of passion.

 

On the way in his car to his house, which was about a 10-minute drive from his studio, he said because of financial crisis, some of his work has been cancelled. “But sometimes I think it’s important for people, especially for the western society — too much consumption. It’s not possible to carry on like this. People have to look into mirror and think,” said he, while a piece of soothing music in the disc was playing along side.

 

It’s not hard to imagine what it should look like for an artist’s home, but still, it’s surprising to see big paintings on the wall, which are very impressive – a gay dancer sitting on the floor holding his high-heel shoes with hands or a denim painting on which a lady wearing bikini standing on the beach. The house is full of his love for painting. Sitting in front of his huge flower painting work, Votruba said he began doing this since 18 years old. After he graduated from faculty of architecture in university, he kept painting as he was working in an architecture research institute. Slowly, this original hobby became his most important occupation until now. “Art for me is looking for beauty,” he said. And he is still on his way to this destination. He now calls himself as a post-modern artist, as he expresses his strong feelings in the paintings. “Everything is mixed. Art is not anymore like ‘isms’. You can get anything you want.”

 

If you have seen his works by any chance, you may find he adores bright, vivid color. “I like colorful life. Beautiful colors are always very positive for people’s thinking, and I think it’s due to my family where I was grown up. There has been always a lot of fun, funny atmosphere, very optimistic. I have this optimistic feeling from my childhood,” he said. “Each human being is looking for beauty in his life, so I think I’m doing the same. This is my way of expression.” Having his own exhibition since 1983, Votruba’s paintings have been presented at almost 50 exhibitions in 14 countries around the world, mostly in Europe and also in Japan. “One series before these figures, it’s called ‘Too Much Love’. It’s a kind of messy paintings with many small things, pop icons and symbols and so on. It’s about the love the consumption gave us…But in fact I’m laughing at this kind of love — artificial love,” he said.

 

As a man gone through the regime changing from communism to capitalism, Votruba also reflects the society evolution in his paintings. “When we are in the communist regime, some 19 years ago, I made painting when I was looking for the nature. I was doing grey houses with the opening, and at the end with shiny nature. It was lack of freedom. And I was looking for the freedom in the nature, but since then, it has changed…My last paintings are kind of pop art. It’s because since 1989, the regime changing to capitalism. Capitalism brought consumption. Suddenly you feel the totality of money, and pop art is a method to laugh at this pop culture and mass consumption. So the last series like ‘Swimming Pools’ or others mostly react to this life in consumption, because every thing is very shiny, very beautiful,” he explained. “Consumer society is attractive, but I don’t like it. I’m criticizing it. For instance, this painting [pointing to the huge flower painting behind him] was inspired when I was in Madagascar, very poor country. They go out wrapped with clothes, with this flower patterns. This is exactly taken from the textiles of these people. They still find the beauty in the nature, but we are finding the beauty in brands.”

 

Being a painter as well as an illustrator and graphic designer, Votruba is quite satisfied with his today’s success. He does illustrations of literature for kids and makes graphical designs of historical Prague for tourists to understand the charm of the city. “I live all my life in this city and I always loved it very much…I know the city very well, and it was my goal to show the important architecture items by a very easy way to the visitors. It’s kind of advertisement.” And it did work. His designs are very attractive for tourists, and the lovely city is fully represented on his postcards.

 

Maybe one day you will also happen to see those postcards in a souvenir shop, and then find your unforgettable memory for the city.

Passion for Eve’s dinner remains under financial crisis

 

 By Alice Li Yuan

 

Shenzhen – February 2 – IJS-Global – Facing recession caused by the financial tsunami, a Shenzhen based restaurant called Chung’s Cuisine was not influenced regarding dinner booking on the Lunar New Year’s Eve, January 25, according to its manager Ann Chen.

 

“We worried about a fall in bookings, but the situation turned out to be good. Almost all the tables were booked up,” Chen said. “We had a special offer for the Eve’s dinner, and we didn’t charge consumers for the service fee.”

 

Located in the DiWang Tower, the landmark of Shenzhen, Chung’s Cuisine opened in May 2007. When the global financial crisis broke out, the restaurant introduced “Tsunami Prices” to attract customers. All the dim sum items for morning tea are eight yuan.

 

Chen said usually many white-collars working around like to have lunch here, but only few people come to eat for dinner. She hopes the business will get better in the Year of the Ox.

 

Meanwhile, Yang Jie, manager of Wai Po Qiao restaurant in Baoan district, said 80 percent of the seats were booked a week before the Eve of Spring Festival.

 

“Both the main hall and the private rooms were fully seated, and most of the meals were held for companies annual dinner,” said Yang.

 

Shi Gong Hui, a seafood restaurant in Futian district, also welcomed many guests on the Eve.

 

According to Tan Ming Shan, a 25-year-old technician of a software test company, the restaurant divided dinner time into two parts; one was before 8p.m., the other from 8 to 10p.m., as his family reunion dinner was asked to finish before 8p.m. in order to leave seats for the next table.

 

On the other hand, Chen Shao Hua, Secretary-General of Shenzhen Food Service Association, said the overall amount of reservation in restaurants was expected to be reduced by 20 percent compared to previous years, according to Sina online news quoting Shenzhen Special Zone Daily on January 20.

 

It also reported that Chuan Ren Wei Dao, a popular restaurant which serves Sichuan cuisine, had only four tables booked until then, almost three times fewer than last year.

 

Similarly, Sina stated that a restaurant in suburban district of Shenzhen, had one third of private rooms reserved and the main hall booking situation was even worse.

 

Spring Festival is a significant traditional festival for Chinese people. It is a time for family reunion and praying for happiness for the coming year. Eating outside becomes a trend when a big family gathers, as it is a way to save dinner preparation time to have fun.

Assignment 1 story outline

Story outline

 A Czech post-modern artist

 Idea of  story: bought some interesting postcards by chance in a souvenir shop, and found the designer’s contact information on them

 Location of  interview: the artist — Jiri Votruba’s home (countryside of  Prague)

 Interview content:

1. recent work: paintings of Global People
2. career as a painter
3. inspiration of work and  style of paintings
4. Prague in his eyes and in his works (both under communism regime and regime nowadays)
5. Influence of financial crisis on his life

 This is a story not only about the visit of city, but also the inside beauty of  the city of art – an artist living his whole life in Prague.

 

Assignment 1 Part A

Plagiarism is the first thing we come to learn seriously when we entered the university. Not only professors but also university guidelines tell us not to plagiarize others’ work, or we will receive F grade for our assignments and the courses.

Tony T.N. Hung defines plagiarism in Avoiding Plagiarism as following: “Plagiarism means taking someone else’s words or ideas and passing them off as your own.” He thinks plagiarism is worse than theft, and he explains that plagiarizing others’ words or ideas is not only stealing them from their owners, but also presenting them to other people as if they were yours. “It is doubly dishonest – stealing what belongs to others, and pretending to be more intelligent and knowledgeable than you really are, or to have done work that you haven’t actually done.”[1] Meanwhile, the University of North Carolina Honor Court, also has its definition of plagiarism: “The deliberate or reckless representation of another’s words, thoughts, or ideas as one’s own without attribution in connection with submission of academic work, whether graded or otherwise.”[2] Also, in the New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy (Houghton Mifflin Company, 2005), plagiarism is defined as literacy theft. “Plagiarism occurs when a writer duplicates another writer’s language or ideas and then calls the work his or her own. Copyright laws protect writers’ words as their legal property. To avoid the charge of plagiarism, writers take care to credit those from whom they borrow and quote.”[3]

Understanding the meaning of plagiarism is the basis to avoid it. Some of the explanations above have already made the suggestions in order to get rid of the act of plagiarizing. The Writing Center of University of North Carolina gives some guidelines to follow:[4]

1.      put all direct quotes in quotation marks.

2.      cite the source even if you changed the words used by the author into synonyms or you paraphrased the ideas to which you referred.

On the other hand, Internet plagiarism is easy to commit with the dissemination of information brought by the new technology – Internet. Everything is accessible with a click of mouse, not only articles but also pictures. Generally, you have to credit the source when you post a picture downloaded from the Internet on your own blog. But sometimes it is not enough, especially when the picture is indicated with words like: all rights reserved, it is not allowed to reproduce the picture without permission. In this case, if you still want to post the picture, you have to contact its owner and ask for his permission first, otherwise, you are likely to violate his copyright. So we should be alert to any form of plagiarism in writing and posting things on our own blog.

 

Bibliography

 

Tony T.N. Hung, Avoiding Plagiarism. Available at http://buar.hkbu.edu.hk/index.php/current_students_and_alumni/academic_guidelines/avoiding_plagiarism

 

The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Plagiarism. Retrieved from http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/plagiarism.html

 

plagiarism. (n.d.). The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. Retrieved from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/plagiarism

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[1] Tony T.N. Hung, Avoiding Plagiarism. Available at http://buar.hkbu.edu.hk/index.php/current_students_and_alumni/academic_guidelines/avoiding_plagiarism

[2] The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Plagiarism. Retrieved from http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/plagiarism.html

[3] plagiarism. (n.d.). The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. Retrieved from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/plagiarism

[4] The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Plagiarism. Retrieved from http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/plagiarism.html

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