The Bonds That Bind

When we look at the map of the world, at times we can see certain patterns emerging in the affairs of geopolitics and society relationships. Here we look at twinning bondships between entities destined to be related by culture, history and geography. Canada and the USA were born from the age of conquest, colonialism and search for resources. Their borders are almost a straight clean cut line between their two territories. Yet they share a past of intense French and British rivalries, the stampede across Indigenous lands and culture, plus the westward push of settlement by adventurers and economic driven migrants. In the 21st century, Canadians have a distinct character from Americans - and yet they are intertwined on the world stage as part of the Five Eyes Alliance boosted by Washington D.C. to counter the rising powers of Russia and China. Britain oversaw an Empire where the sun did not set, but now has a reduced political, military and economic influence, with only 16 nations still recognising the British Monarch in their governance Constitutions. Its hitherto dominant future with continental Europe has hence changed with Brexit. The English Channel no longer unites but separates. Millennials love the previous rather easy access of entry either way between the EU and the UK, whether for weekend jaunts, jobs or Jamon ham, but alas this is no more. Britain may next have to pay more attention to citizens of other countries still loyal to the Crown, like Australia, Canada, New Zealand and small islands in the South Pacific, Carribean and Indian Oceans. Malaysia and Singapore are siblings who have gone so many separate ways. Both entities were born in the cauldron of colonialism, spice trade and geopolitics. The demographics in both nations consist of similar races but only in different numbers. Singapore is an island republic vulnerable to socio-political developments in constitutional monarchy Malaysia, from which it is separated by two short causeways. One nation has no natural resources but is a key shipping and aviation hub. The other has resources that stretch across Asia's southern most peninsular and the island of Borneo. Their separate histories since political independence is a minefield of contrasts in population management, macro economic dynamics and building of sovereign wealth. Australia and New Zealand continue to be the cradles of unpolluted produce, useful commodities and key minerals in demand. Both nations in the Antipodes still have Governor-Generals representing Queen Elizabeth II. One has a formalised treaty with its Indigenous peoples, the other still has a long road to go. The farmer, the herder and the miner are the heroes who established the foundations of each country. The government of Aetorea positions itself with a more independent stance in world politics, taking care of the unique intetests of an essentially small nation. The governments of Australia has followed the lead of the USA since the Pacific War, although the nation has a land size not much less than America, although hugely underpopulated. The ocean between these two countries is fondly referred to as the Ditch. The population of either Melbourne or Sydney can encompass the whole of New Zealand. Denizens of both nations share many common values and traits, but also differ on finer nuances. Both economies have in the past 20 years built up an inherent over trade and economic dependence on a rising China, but with their government leaders reacting with different sophistication levels. Taiwan lies off the mainland Fujian coast of China. This island was less significant in Chinese imperial history, until the Ming Dynasty and the arrival of the Portugese and Dutch seafarers and missionaries. It was colonised by Japan until the end of the Second World War and the arrival of the Chinese Nationalist Kuomintang escaping from the Communist victory in China in 1949. The USA has maintained a strong strategic interest in Taiwan as the island industralised and boomed economically as one of the Asian economic tigers. The spectacular financial, trade and economic growth of mainland China has since surpassed that of Taiwan. Pakistan and contemporary India were carved out of bureaucratic decisions made out of London in the late 1940s, but each continue to suffer the religious, social and political consequences to this very day. The land evolved from Hindu traditions and experienced significant Buddhist, Aryan, Persian and Mughal culture before succumbing to British imperialism. A base of a major civilisation, the two countries have been courted by conflicting world powers and each of its governments seem to fortify behind its different primary religious emphasis. Yet it has its people migrated overseas, making discernible and acknowledged impacts on medicine, politics and technology in western countries. #yongkevthoughts

The Giants of the Silo Trail - Victoria

Panda Yum Cha, North Ryde NSW

 

I was given a real treat in joining friends for a Cantonese Yum Cha (drink tea) or Dian Xin (Touch of the Heart)
at my old stomping ground of the Macquarie Shopping Centre, near Macquarie University.

Panda Yum Cha, North Ryde NSW

Steamed choices can be more healthy.  The Siew Mai or Prawn-Pork dumplings on the right stood in a class of its own here. Forefront of photo are bundles of glutinous rice, with shrimp and pork bits, wrapped in lotus leaves before they are steamed in their bamboo cradles.

Fong Chau or Phoenix Claws - they are really braised chicken feet cooked with chili black beans and a Char Siew sauce, amongst other things. An item of a definite acquired taste, but this dish boosts immunity, restores our own skin regeneration, strengthens our bodily joints and moderates blood pressure.

The success of a Yum Cha dish is in its texture of bite, flavour and choice of fresh ingredients.

My top preferred dishes, all small serve, at yum cha sessions generally are:

1. Siew Mai (steamed prawn pork dainty dumplings).

2. Char Siew So (Baked pork buns with lovely pastry).

3.  Stir fried flat noodles with caramelised wok heat with tender meat slices of your choice.

4.   Roast duck slices served with thin bread sliders and 

garnished with sauce and veg.

5.  Fish maw steamed in wrapped soy bean rolls.

Katoomba Revisited

The Blue Mountains in New South Wales, over a two hours drive one way west inland from the Sydney Harbour Bridge, has been a consistent tourist destination for both domestic and overseas visitors.  Its main hub, Katoomba, seem to have its buildings frozen in time, especially in the town centre.

I understand this clever native fauna comes to have fast food as lunch almost every day along Katoomba Street.

It is interesting to come across Malaysian street food in Katoomba.  Above is a serve of the Nasi Lemak, with coconut milk flavoured steamed rice, accompanied by yummy Rendang chicken curry, peanuts and other garnishings.  You can have your feed at the Unique Patisserie, formerly owned by Chinese from Malaysia but now run by a Vietnamese couple, Mr and Mrs Phan.   Do try their Bak Kut Teh but avoid their Char Koay Teow.  On the day of our visit, their Tamarind Laksa was over sourish and the pastry of their pies not encouraging on the bite.   

There was a crowd waiting in front of this cafe restaurant, which cleverly has only eight items on its hybrid menu which includes Chinese slider Baos, Bali fried rice and other offerings like a scene from a backpacker and hipster's shared memories.

 Over the railway bridge, Katoomba harks back to another era in its feel, architecture and size.   Not far away are the Three Sisters at Echo Point and the iconic view of primeval cliffs that epitomise our perception of the Blue Mountains in their natural glory.

What Is Your National Vulnerability?

 

The Republic of Singapore is significantly reinforcing the need to review reliability and diversity in supplies of its imports, food and foreign worker availability. The period after Covid 19 arrived has changed many assumptions in cross border travel, trade and mobility of talent.

Accessibility to niche and common ingredients has affected its restaurants.  Eggs had to be imported from Poland.  Special cuts of beef from Australia dwindled.
Prices of imported items in deli supermarkets doubled.

The links of globalisation have been disrupted. An island nation that relies so much on air travel has been jolted off a key pillar of its usual economic drivers.

What kind of vital security does your society cannot afford to lose?

No one nation has everything covered in socio-economic needs.  It is not only a pandemic that brings to greater focus a country's vulnerabilities, but war, natural disasters and technological change.

South Korean society prefers peace time security to continue its impressive economic growth.  Saddled geographically between North Korea, China and Japan, it has more geopolitical risks than most other countries. 

South Africa can yearn for social and economic cohesion security.  In a rainbow nation with several languages, cultures and internal economic disparity, unique challenges arise from its dramatic past in order to fulfil its future potential.

The USA has recently experienced continuing racial divisiveness, declining public infrastructure issues,  polarisation of political beliefs and actions, mayhem from widespread gun ownership use, mismanagement of an epidemic and public safety problems. Together the various States and the Union face a critical problem in society restoration security.

Corruption, deepening social divides based on racial and religious differences plus political upheavals plague the Federation of Malaysia.   This multi-ethnic nation lacks a united cohesion security in order to put its house in order.

Myanmar and Thailand  have strong cultural and national identities ruled by governments with military backgrounds.  Recent street protests suggest differences in agreement of governance security.

Australia has back up petroleum  reserves stored in another country.  Its long term dependence on coal driven sources and mineral resources of its rich lodes can be facing changes.  Its domestic manufacturing base has been sadly whittled away.  This continental nation has an economy so dependent on foreign buyers, markets and political sentiment.  Australia does face a lack of a self sufficient, independent and resilient security.

Scandinavian and Baltic nations continue to live in the political, economic and geographical hinterland of both Russia and Germany.  Most important to these less populated and culturally different countries is embedding a stronger geopolitical security.

The island nations of the South Pacific are vulnerable to rising sea levels, micro economic disruptions and political influences from bigger nations.  They yearn for climate change and geopolitical security.

The United Kingdom continues to evolve in a downsized manner, moving on from days of the Industrial Revolution, Empire, the European Union and worldwide influence.  The make up of its society has changed in demographics, economy and flavour of political union.  The UK seeks a significant purpose and future role security.

New Zealand, seemingly always at the edge of the World, continues to have ground breaking leadership in the way she conducts herself.   This nation asserts its more independent stance in world affairs even if she can viewed as part of the Five Eyes as concocted by the USA.   Her indigenous Maoris perhaps have the highest degree of governance participation for any so called Western nation.   A society and nation also so in touch with Mother Earth, she perhaps yearns for better natural disaster management security.

Russia spans so wide across its breadth, has a heritage of a rich and yet convulsive history, plus being so different in its political bearing after the fall of its royalty.   It is a behemoth of a civilisation yearning for better economic management and social order security.

India can be a multitude of people, cultures and economic variety.  Its Hindu core is emphasised by the contemporary Government, even if the land has had various waves of influences from the Persians, Arabs,Moghuls and British, amongst others.  This ancient land continues the need for economic, food and political cohesion security.

China has had thousands of years developing its own culture, philosophy and traditions.  Its meteoric rise in economic, technological and national purpose over the past 30 years has changed the character of the chess board of the world stage.  Yet it continues to battle the challenges of getting better security in international acceptance, population management and self reliance.

#yongkevthoughts