Apr

Exotic Single Asian Women

The gorgeous Marilyn Walker and I did an interview for my friend, Sapna for The Asian Radio Show last Saturday, about what its like being single in the Asian community.

Marilyn Walker and I at The Asian Radio Show

Being an older single Asian woman is not easy. the Chinese called them 老处女、老小姐、老姑婆、倉底货、剩女、中女、卖剩蔗、箩底橙、摄灶罅、败犬。 The Japanese called them 負け犬. None of these are good words – it all implies an older single woman a loser.

There is a cultural element in pressuring Asian women to be married – Asian, with a very Confucius upbringing, believe for one to be successful, one needs to be able to manage a family. A girl who has a successful career is not enough if she cannot find a mate and have a family. Raising children, supporting your husband and looking after your parents and parents in law is more important than having a successful career.

In the show, both Marilyn and I spoke about how us Asian chicks are seen as either a bar girl who get picked up by an older white man, or a mistress. Many white men finds independent, successful, slightly older Asian women very attractive. Do a little search on “Asian Porn”, in the Western world, and you will find a lot of East Asian looking girls, who aren’t necessary 18 – 22 years old.

Older independent Asian women are attractive because:

Asian women are supposedly submissive – they know how look after the men well;
Independent women mean she does not need to be looked after and needs little care;
Asian women don’t age the same way – so even though they are 30, they look like 20-something – and more mature women are easier to talk to than a teenage girl;
and, Asian women is just more exotic. Right?

"Chinese" is a sexual orientation?

While single, older Asian women maybe more attractive it is simply sad that we are still being seen as an exotic erotic object. Sure, what girls don’t like to be told they are beautiful, smart, and perhaps, even someone’s fantasy?

Asian women do not need the pressure to be an erotic object; nor the pressure to set up families. The important thing is the freedom for any women, of any ethnicity, to be able to do whatever she wants to do and be whoever she wants to be.

Mar

Ethnicity, Employment, Opportunities

Yesterday, Wednesday 28 March 2012, the Future Dragonz, a group organised a panel discussion at the University of Auckland called “White or Wong? Unlocking the bamboo door”. It is a panel discussion about whether ethnicity plays a role in employment – that is, does ethnicity makes it harder to get a job in New Zealand?

Future Dragonz has successfully launched the Panel Discussion with a lot of media interests, including the Sunday Star Times and Close Up on TV1. This discussion about ethnicity and employment is an age-old story. It was on Campbell Live two years ago when a migrant job seeker went to Campbell Live to say that a speaker at one of the workshop by the Auckland Regional Migrant Services told them to change their names if they wanted a job in New Zealand.

At the Ethnic Panel meetings, we acknowledged that institutional racism exist in New Zealand and we need to take actions. The Huma Rights Commission raised the same issue with their Annual Review of Race Relations 2011. We know that many employers do not employ people who they think will have a difficulty fitting into their work culture; and many employers, either racist or just naive, would choose not to employ someone with an ethnic background regardless of how long they have lived in New Zealand. They are worried they won’t fit in.

Nonetheless, I have personally dealt with Kiwi expats who have worked overseas for many years and return to new Zealand without a job. Without a job not by choice, but with New Zealand employers telling them that they do not have New Zealand experiences.

Today’s world is harder, harder to find employment due to economic downturn. There are simply less money floating around. My advice to the migrant clients I used to work with is, the employer is paying to do this job, like it or not, they have the power. You wanted a job, and irrespective of your ethnicity, you should promote yourself to them so they will employ you.

While ethnicity plays a role, nothing is more important than your attitude and your abilities to show them why you are the best candidate. If the company is racist, for example, changing your name won’t change anything. At the end of the day, you will be there and they will see you. You can’t hide your ethnic looks from the employers.

We need action plans. We need to let the employers know why you should be employed. By 2020, more than 50% of Aucklanders are non-New Zealand European (and let’s not get into this definition for now). If employers need to meet their needs, that is, have employees to create their wealth, they simplyhave to employ those who aren’t New Zealand Europeans. It’s not their choice. As a matter of fact, they have no choice. There is simply no supply to meet your demand. I think this is quite a simple economic theory?

For us, ethnic people, demonstrate to them why you are good and take away that ethnicity factor. I think our ethnicity are advantages; the abilities to speak different languages and maybe a great understanding of the country of origin, etc. Deep down it is still about your skills, experiences and personalities. I know, personally, I cannot be takeaway owner because I can’t cook. Yes I have the ethnic profile to do it (yeah, all Chinese have a takeaway shop or something), but I don’t have the skills to fulfill the role. Demonstrate to the world why you are amazing, and let your ethnicity and culture adds to your existing amazing qualities.

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Mar

Ethnicity a factor in Crafar Farm Opposition?

Waikato Times published an article and survey on whether ethnicity is a factor in Crafar Farm opposition, or is it simply, foreign investments.

I personally have a little reservation that Kiwis think ethnicity is not a factor in Crafar farm opposition. When James Cameron said he will come and purchase not long after the Crafar farm saga, everyone was supportive, and thinks he is going to generate economic benefits to NZ. He never ever said he will be here to make more movies and employ any New Zealanders. He is simply here to purchase a land for holiday home.

And when this showed up again few days ago, comments online was rude and racist. New Zealanders think this country can live without foreign investments. New Zealand’s debt is over $71.6billion, and borrowing over $300m per week. Our credit rating gone from AA+ to AA. The cost of Canterbury recovery is high. How do you think we can pay the debt off without turning into another Greece?

I had an interesting chat to someone who knows Crafar farm owners and said this debate has made it difficult for them. 1. They needed the money; 2. They don’t need the whole world to know that their farm is in receivership. The offer by iwi group was clearly too low to meet the debt owned.

I do support a New Zealand sale – only if they are able to meet the price. This issue about not selling anything to Chinese foreign investors s is giving New Zealand a very bad name; and also lost billions of dollars that foreign investors were going to invest.

New Zealanders need to be much more honest with them and admit that yes they have prejudices, and they do have issues with foreign investments, particularly with the Chinese. It is not wrong to accept that everyone have assumptions and prejudice of other people. It’s inate and important for survival. Realisations are the first step to move forward.

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Feb

You haven’t caught the Linsanity yet?

Jeremy Lin, whose parents grew up in Taiwan, was front-page news in the Taipei newspapers. But China is highlighting its ties to him also.

You haven’t heard of Jeremy Lin yet? Well you better Google him immediately! Jeremy Shu-How Lin 林書豪 is the first Asian American NBA player of Taiwanese decent and a regular church goer. Harvard University graduate, he is currently playing for New York Knicks.

Jeremy Lin has received a lot of attention not because he is Chinese. In fact, the other famous Chinese NBA player, Yao Ming, who is now retired, haven’t received as much attention as Jeremy Lin did over the last few weeks.

Jeremy helped the Knicks won 6 games in a row (as of 15 February 2012), and have scored over 38 points in one game, against another NBA legend Kobe Bryant. He has consistently scored more than 20 points per game. Creating a Lineffect.

Why Knicks won 6 in a row? Because of Jeremy Lin!

Jeremy Lin created an unexpected effect, you can use a programme online to create “Jeremy Lin Word Generator“. “Linsanity” and “Va-Lin-tines” are the only two that I know but undoubtedly you can create more.

Lin also created all these articles about what you can learn from him. (Note, it’s not ABOUT HIM, but FROM HIM. Guess you can always go to Wikipedia to learn about someone) You have the Forbes writing a story entitled “Just Lin, Baby! 10 Lessons Jeremy Lin Can Teach Us Before We Go To Work Monday Morning”, bloggers putting up “10 things we can learn from Jeremy Lin“, and CBS Sports putting up an article “Lin’s meteoric rise, impossible to explain, a tale of perseverance“.

Yes, suddenly it’s not so geeky to be an Asian American Harvard Grad. Even the American Show, “The Talk” had a discussion about Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s comments on Jeremy Lin. You also have the Fung Brothers who created two funny clips about how Asian American boys are just amazing.

Jeremy is not the cutest Asian American guy, nor the smartest even. Undoubtedly he has a star quality, and his achievements were amazing. Some people called him “God”. His impact was translated to Madison Square Garden’s stock, creating a 52 week high of $32.20.

The impact was more than just his star quality but how this is translated into business opportunities. Chinese worldwide are able to have access to Jeremy Lin’s videos globally and is one of the most searched for terms in Chinese speaking world. He has his own Weibo, Twitter and Facebook account. He is also due to visit Taiwan’s President Ma later this year as fellow alumni of Harvard.

Busisses could use Lin-effect to gain more, more than just the rise of stock. Product endorsements and original Jeremey Lin’s jerseys (yes replicas and other counterfeit jersey are already available in Asia!) are just some of the easy things to start off with.

Unlike Yao Ming, Jeremy Lin has a wider influences because of his identity. Being an Asian American, Americans naturally dawn to him because he is an “American” and share American values (as a person who openly talks about God and his believe). Being one of Taiwanese decent, he is able to reach into Chinese who are anti-Mainland Chinese, or unable to connect with the Mainland Chinese. And for many Mainland Chinese, they could only see him as Chinese and can’t wait to get a hold of him.

If a business is smart and wanted a Pan-Chinese connection globally, this is the chance. Americans complained that they are now owned by Chinese (the Chinese owns much of American’s bond and debt) and even Late Night with David Letterman joked about how all Americans will end up speaking Chinese. With Jeremy Lin, one can increase the Chinese-Americans relationship globally and perhaps used as a platform for further diplomatic advantages. Let the Linpossible begin!

Now only if New Zealand can find someone as cool as Jeremy Lin…

Feb

Rumours and communications – the difference between Chinese and the West

News of assassination of Kim Jong-Un on Twitter

“Chinese Twitter Says Kim Jong-Un Was Assassinated This Morning in Beijing”, says Twitter. According to Gawker.com, someone called Joe Xu posted on Weibo that Kim Jong-Un is assassinated because there are unusual activities at the North Korean Embassy in Beijing.

Gawker also said the rumours “exploded” on Weibo. Wait, I was only there a few minutes before I log onto Weibo and failed to see anything about Kim Jong-Un. I need to go back and do a search.

The trending posts were about the mysterious death of some swans in Wuhan. Did anyone not pick up Kim’s death, so was it hidden or “harmonised” and deleted? I typed in “金正恩” (Kim’s name in Chinese) and found that there were 123,360 search on him, beating the search on Valentine’s Day gifts (21,365). However, there were nothing on Weibo that suggested he is now officially dead.

Trending on Weibo

As The Atlantic rightly pointed out, why didn’t any Western media scattered around the world reported the mass shut down of the North Korean Embassy in Beijing, even though we know the North Koreans are always a little mysterious?

Why did the English media, including (the real one, not @BBCLiveNews) suddenly picked up this Weibo post about Kim Jung-Un? Despite the red tape by the Chinese government, there were some interesting posts before, including comments about the Wenzhou train disaster, and little were reported in the Western media.

Undoubtedly the situation in North Korea is a fascination to the Western world. Western media would not understand how Weibo is use in China. It is to discuss social issues, but more often, about life, horoscope, philosophy, celebrities… Social politics do not rank highly on the radar, because it is often removed due to the possibilities of it causing social unrests.

When one visit Weibo, it is important to remember that if a post will cause social unrests, it will be removed. For news like Kim Jung-Un’s death, which could cost so much uncertainty within the community, why would Weibo allows it to flow?

2012 New York Fashion Week trending

Oh by the way, just because over 123,000 people are searched for him does not make this topic “hot” on Weibo. It is still far from the 289,547 discussion on a 2012 AW New York Fashion Week.

Jan

Notice of Clarification 澄清啟事

My story about Dragon Baby has gone to a completely different direction than what was intended in the first place. What happened, happened. My friend suggested that I placed a notice of clarification, and this will also be the last time I will talk about this story.

1. Having a baby:

I have dreamed about having a baby for more than 6 months. I have expressed this on my Facebook. It is due to my age – being a 30-year-old single woman; I am increasingly worried about missing my chances of having a child of my own. It is selfish for sure, however, I know children born to older women suffer more health problems. It would cost the child more in the future.

Must I have a child now? No. I do, however, want to have a child before I turn 35.

2. Single women having children:

It’s not unusual. Both UK and NZ reported single women wanting children, many of them related to their age. It is not uncommon for single women in their late 20s and early 30s because biological clock is one you cannot control. Women only have so many years before they can have a child.

3. Story in the Herald:

I have agreed to help my friend, Lincoln Tan, to do a story about Dragon Baby because it is an interesting angle for many non-Chinese or non-Asians. As I have previously written, I don’t think Kiwis understand and are ready for the impact of Dragon Babies in Asia and in New Zealand.

4. Sperm Donor:

Saying that I accept the idea of sperm donor does not equal to accepting random offers from random people. By telling people that I want a child does not mean I am publically asking for offers. Should one want sperm donor, one can seek help from a fertility clinic. I have no intention of using one at the moment.

5. Publicity stunt:

I am not promoting anything and not getting paid for this story, and it is not a publicity stunt. As a matter of fact, I need to subject myself to nasty, hatred comments. I have decided to let the comments come public because I respect you’re your view even if it is different.

I am a 30-year-old woman looking for love since 2008. I have thought about having a baby, and I think it is okay for women to have a child before they are married. There is nothing wrong for a single woman to think about having a child or want a child. I am not looking for random men to have sex with to get impregnate. I don’t think anyone can make assumptions on others just based on one article.

I am passionate and spend a lot of my time bridging the gap between Asia and New Zealand through better understanding. That for me is far more important than having a baby in the Year of Dragon.

You are now welcome to unsubscribe me.

有關我的「龍寶寶」的故事已經完全跟原本的事實不符。但發生的已經發生了。我的朋友跟我說我該發一篇澄清聲明，這也是我最後一次對「龍寶寶」發表意見。

1. 有關生寶寶:

我過去六個月一直在想著寶寶。在臉書上也曾經說過。這可能是跟年紀開始大有關係-做為一個30歲的單身女人，越來越擔心我離有孩子的時間更遠。這可能很自私，但我也知到年紀大才生，孩子的健康也有影響。將來對小孩更壞。

我一定現在便有小孩嗎？並不。但我很希望在35歲前生小孩。

2. 單身女人想生孩子:

這不稀奇。在紐西蘭還是英國也有很多單身女人因為年紀的關係而想要小孩。很多二十尾、三十頭的單身女人都擔心她們的生理時鐘讓她們沒法生育，畢竟生孩子是有時間限制的。

3. 在先驅報的報導:

當時答應我朋友Lincoln Tan做有關「龍寶寶」的故事的原因是因為這對非華裔和非亞裔人來說應該是一個很有趣的故事。就如我先前所說，我覺得紐西蘭人還沒真正了解在亞洲這「龍寶寶」對紐西蘭的影響有多大。

4. 捐精:

說能接受捐精並不代表接受陌生人的貢獻。告訴別人我不排斥捐精也不代表我公開要求貢獻。如我須要捐獻，我可以到不育治療院。而目前也沒有這個想法。

5. 宣傳技倆:

我並不是推廣什麼，而我也沒收費，這不是宣傳技倆。其實我卻要接受使人難受和有敵意的評語。雖然大家的看法不同，但我尊重你的意見。

我是一個從2008年開始便在尋找愛的30歲女人。我有在想生寶寶的事，也覺得婚前懷孕並沒問題。覺得單身女人想要孩子也沒問題。我並不是希望隨便找個人生孩子。我也不想大家因為一條報導而有所猜測。

我對做為亞洲和紐西蘭之間作為一個橋樑很有熱忱也花了很多時間。這比在龍年有寶寶更為重要。

歡迎你取消訂閱。

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Jan

New Zealand and Dragon Baby – Has Kiwis caught on yet?

“Are you prepared for the baby boom for the Year of Dragon?” asked Mr Eric Chu, Mayor of New Taipei City, at a meeting to the Mayor Len Brown. “In 6 years time, there will be a problem with schools and education.”

What he raised was the Dragon Baby phenomenon in the Greater China area. While all people can thnk about is how stupid I was to mention I want a Dragon Baby, what the articles and stories was really telling was the story of Dragon Baby Boom. Yet New Zealand had no idea how this could impac them.

“A record-high value for milk powder, butter, and cheese exports led a 4.3 percent increase in the seasonally adjusted value of exports in the December 2011 quarter, Statistics New Zealand said today.” Said Statistics New Zealand. Radio New Zealand and Enbar in China also reported New Zealand market share for whole milk powder in China has increased to 93% last year.”

New Zealand supermarkets were forced to ration baby formula to customers to stop exporters from clearing the shelves and selling to China. Photo / NZ Herald

Zealanders are not aware of the crazy milk power shortage in China. Chinese are buying them up at supermarkets, and supermarkets have to restrict the number of milk powder customers can by. There are many one-day-deals online stores in Chin that were selling New Zealand’s milk powder, real and fake. Chinese owned souvenir shops are selling milk powder for Chinee customers to send or take back to China. There are even loistics companies who help send milk powder back to China.

What New Zealanders are unaware of, shortage of milk powder in New Zealand is only a beginning. With the expected baby boom in China, the demands for milk powder will increase. Chinese of all ages take milk powder, old and young. The demand for expecting mothers will be just as great as new born babies.

Babies needs for milk powder is not a one-year thing; but at leas 6 years. New Zealanders have not came into terms on the economic and social impact Dragon Baby Boom has. Actions and planning should start now or those who suffer are Kiwis.

Jan

New Zealand and the Chinese Communites in New Zealand

My section for the documentary “Both Worlds” finally comes to an end. I am finally wrapping up my part of my story, even though I feel a little sluggish and upbeat today to complete it.

As some would know, Both Worlds is a documentary on 1.5/2nd Generation New Zealanders, and how they live their lives here in NZ. And some would also know, my part is about my journey looking for love; as a 1.5er, I believe it is hard to find someone who understands what it means to be a 1.5er. And what it means when it comes to looking for love.

I have had assumptions about what Chinese and non-Chinese may think about relationships. Assumed that Chinese maybe more traditional, that they want their partner in a certain way, and I would never fit in.

When I spoke to my friend, he actually told me I was wrong. No – not all traditional Chinese men wants their wives to stay home and cook. As a matter of fact, women’s rights in China is way higher than here in New Zealand.

And in New Zealand, we know how women needs to fight for their rights.

My assumptions on the Dragon Baby saga was equally wrong, and I thought the Chinese will be negative, having a child before marriage?

The feedback on the English platforms were generally negative. In Chinese’s Weibo, they were generally positive and even supportive.

I am still not sure why, but I remember my mom reminded me that her friend’s mother told her daughter to have child when they were still in a de facto relationship, because they now remained childless and their relationship ended.

Over the last few weeks, I am proving myself wrong again and again. I have been making inappropriate assumptions about Chinese and New Zealanders. That perhaps Chinese are more conservatives and New Zealanders are not.

I am glad I am proving myself wrong. This allows me to learn to find out more an talk to someone before I make any judgements.

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Jan

Weibo – What New Zealand Businesses Are Missing Out

I’ve been using Weibo for about a year now. Weibo, short form for micro-blogging, have been very popular in China and many overseas Chinese. Most Western online social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Youtube are banned in China; a recent story reported that the Founder of Twitter was unable to use Twitter in China.

Twitter and Facebook were seen as dangerous to keeping China stable and harmonized. We know they are responsible for a number of revolutions such as the Jasmine and Occupy movements in 2011. The Chinese government has every reason to be cautious with the use of social media.

Weibo hardly featured on Western news; partly because it is only written in Chinese. This uses the same concept of Twitter, 140 characters. What many Westerners do not understand is that 140 Chinese characters are a lot more than 140 English alphabets. It can be a whole paragraph.

Weibo is a little more complex than Twitter. Pictures can be modified on the site before it is posted, so you can add special Lomo effect or you can even post a mosaic of 9 photos as one. Your photos are also watermarked, so no one else can steal your photos and claim it is theirs.

You can also add a number of other things such as videos, (animated emoticons), poll, you name it. It is a lot more interactive than Twitter.

What he Western World is missing out is the conversation that goes on in Weibo. Aside from the repost of celebrity news, horoscopes, nail arts, fashion, food, is the stories of everyday life of everyday person. This included their thoughts on what happened in the news. The Chinese government may monitor the website, but it could take up to 1 hour before it is removed. Before it is removed, more than half a million people would have seen it. Screen shots can be taken and reposted as an image, making it harder for the officials to remove their posts.

There is also a vast economic benefit to local retailers and businesses that the Western World is not tapping into. In New Zealand, there is a huge number of international students, and students who returned to China, who are using Weibo and keeping abreast on what’s coming up in Auckland and New Zealand. The only official Weibo by New Zealand businesses are Air New Zealand, Tourism New Zealand and Zespri. All other New Zealand businesses are mainly Chinese owned, even those like Vodafone and 2Degrees, who have an account on Weibo, are operated by Chinese store owners.

The effect of Weibo is phenomenal. Asian Fusion, a South East Asian restaurant based on High Street, has been using it to promote their buffet to their Chinese community. Their Groupon deals were sold out in hours; their restaurant was always fully booked, and now become one of the most successful eatery in Auckland.

As I had previously written, the Chinese community posted stories about how they supported or participated in the Rugby World Cup. Weibo is also an important medium to promote social integration.

If you are a business who wanted to increase your business with the Chinese community and have been wondering why your Online Social Media failed – try Weibo. It is a much more effective way, both impact and economically.

Dec

2011 Reflections – Identity Part One – Language

I call myself a 1.5 generation Hong Kong Chinese New Zealander. Language abilities is one of the advantage I have living here in New Zealand.

I speak fluent Cantonese, Mandarin and English; read and write traditional and simplified Chinese, as well, as of course, English.

Cantonese is a language that originated in Canton/Guangzhou in southern Chinese, and often regarded as the prestige dialect of Yue Chinese.

Cantonese is spoken by the majority population of Hong Kong and Macau, and by overseas Chinese communities such as New Zealand. It is therefore the most widely spoken Chinese dialect in the world.

Cantonese have been an issue raised within the Chinese community lately. The Guangzhou People’s Government have decided to ban the use of Cantonese on public broadcast such as radio and TV. All signs, except for heritage signs, can only be written simplified Chinese.

This caused an outraged amongst Cantonese speakers, more so with those in Hong Kong.

Chinese government’s banning a language to be used in the public is effectively a way to remove the cultural and historical practices of Cantonese, the language and the historical context. Cantonese language retained many of the ancient languages and belief.

It has been seen by the public that the Chinese government wants to unify the greater China and banning the minoriy practices to avoid separation of the country. The fear that this could increase separations and decrease the integration into the greater system.

In New Zealand, there is much discussion about keeping ones’ language, such as the public promotion of Maori Language Week, Somoan Language Week, the promotion of kohanga Reo in the Auckland Plan, etc. There is little done to preserved the traditional Asian languages; perhaps because most people share the believes that Asians should “integrade” into New Zealand and therefore there are little needs for them to preserve their language.

Cantonese is also dying in New Zealand. There is a Chinese Heritage Poll Tax Trust, which one of the aim is to “learning and use of the Cantonese language”. The Auckland Chinese Community Centre received funding from the Trust to run Cantonese classes, and unfortuantely not widely promoted and supported by the community.

The outrageous thing is when World TV’s own Cantonese radio station, 99.4fm, decided to play a number of Mandarin programmes, because “the advertisers say their customers are mostly Mandarin speaking.” Why decide to run a Cantonese radio station that plays Mandarin programme?

In 2012, I hope to find a way to promote the use and cultural heritage of Cantonese. Cantonese is my identiy, and it is my mother tongue. It is important to protect it.

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Bevan Chuang – The World Of 1.5 Generation Hong Kong Chinese Aucklander

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