Asia Blog: China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam

His Imperial Highness, Prince Regent, Nguyen Phuc Buu Chanh came to Cornell the other day to give a speech about the restoration of the remainder of the royal family to their place in Vietnam. Currently exiled, his lecture, “A Revival of Vietnamese Culture,” drew about 40 people, most of whom were taking Vietnamese language classes, or in the Cornell Vietnamese Association. Highlights included the singing of US and Vietnamese anthems, and a Vietnamese dinner at the end of the lecture.

The only point that the Prince Regent had to make, besides detailing the rich history of 19th - 20th century emperors, was:

“By the will of the people, the royal family of Vietnam will someday return to govern its people, as it had before.”

He was very hesitant to outline any particular plan for reinstating a Vietnamese monarchy, only saying that someday, the Vietnamese people will find fond memories of the old days, and hardship with their current government. At that time, monarchy would somehow “reappear” in Vietnam. Perhaps you can find more at his official website.

I have figured how to get them off of my cellphone camera now, so I’ll post photographs of the event:

HIH Nguyen Phuc Buu Chanh

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Today, the Asia Blog goes live on the Elliott Back Network. There’s already some exciting content beginning to appear–with more to come, courtesy of Sunhye. Our first writer on the Asia Blog, Sunny is an undeclared Arts & Science major at Cornell University. She’s smart, quirky, and loves to practice Kung Fu on unsuspecting CS majors. As a Korean international student from Canada, expect to hear a unique voice–Sunny’s voice.

Simon World has it’s bi-monthly Asian Blog roundup. Some highlights include:

• Truth via Eggs:
  

  The Chinese (and perhaps Asian in general) concept [of truth] depends on a human intent to deceive.

• Happy Corner:
  

  Suddenly, three to four students rush over to you. They lift you up, they split your legs apart and then they slam your sexual organ right into a post or a wall corner.

• Chinese Bloggers Arrive:
  

  I also see what Chinese bloggers’ energy, creativity and ingenuity has achieved over the last two short years to spread blogging from a handful of people to 600,000 and growing under the censorship regime.

• Kim’s Missing Portrait:
  

  A before-and-after photograph shows Kim’s portrait has been removed from its place beside his father’s, whatever that might mean.

In a Xinhuanet article today, the amazing Zhang Yueran, who started writing as early as 14 years old, is currently studying Computer Science at the National University of Singapore!

About her own work, she writes:

“I prefer extremity. In reality, many people adhere to the doctrines of mediocrity and abstinence. But most of the characters in my stories are quite the opposite, and they enjoy the feeling of being extreme. They maybe behave in this way because of my own preferences; the characters I like best are those who are of strong character and moral integrity. ”

I can’t find anywhere to buy her work in English, but Danwei points to some Chinese sites for you to check out.