Over the past decades, we have adopted a competitive education system.
It has its advantages and drawbacks as explained here.
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1798
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1798
Friday, August 09, 2019
Which type of democratic system is better?
Should a country adopt a democratic system and which system should it adopt? How can Singapore change its political system?
How the Chinese Communist Party make their major decisions
I have been following this two week meeting of the Chinese Communist Party to understand how decisions are made within the CCP.
President Xi may be very powerful in China, but he still needs to get the support of the party leaders, including the previous leaders who have retired from the government.
Some of the hard liners wanted China to take a harder stand against America. President Xi has to convince them to support his approach.
Read this report from South China Morning Post
After Communist Party summer retreat, Xi Jinping is sticking to his policies
President has held at least four high-level meetings since the Beidaihe session wrapped up, but analysts say there are no signs of any big changes
President Xi Jinping appears to have successfully rallied the party around him at the Beidaihe meetings.
The annual gathering allows the leaders to break from their day-to-day work and engage with each other in a relaxed, informal setting where they can socialise and have discussions.
It has taken on an almost mystic status in Chinese politics, known as the place where major decisions are made while the country’s two dozen most powerful people are on their summer break.
This year, amid an escalating trade war with the US, a slowing economy and growing discontent at home, some China watchers were expecting Xi would face more pressure to make changes.
“Some people are saying, we are getting ourselves into trouble because we have been too tough, or we have been overly ambitious, we have become too impatient in showing that we are strong enough to resist US pressure,” said Wang Zhengxu, a professor of Chinese politics at the University of Nottingham’s China campus in Ningbo.
But Wang and others agreed that signals coming out of China after the Beidaihe retreat showed that Xi had things tightly under his control.
This is what happened in Beidaihe.
President Xi may be very powerful in China, but he still needs to get the support of the party leaders, including the previous leaders who have retired from the government.
Some of the hard liners wanted China to take a harder stand against America. President Xi has to convince them to support his approach.
Read this report from South China Morning Post
After Communist Party summer retreat, Xi Jinping is sticking to his policies
President has held at least four high-level meetings since the Beidaihe session wrapped up, but analysts say there are no signs of any big changes
President Xi Jinping appears to have successfully rallied the party around him at the Beidaihe meetings.
The annual gathering allows the leaders to break from their day-to-day work and engage with each other in a relaxed, informal setting where they can socialise and have discussions.
It has taken on an almost mystic status in Chinese politics, known as the place where major decisions are made while the country’s two dozen most powerful people are on their summer break.
This year, amid an escalating trade war with the US, a slowing economy and growing discontent at home, some China watchers were expecting Xi would face more pressure to make changes.
“Some people are saying, we are getting ourselves into trouble because we have been too tough, or we have been overly ambitious, we have become too impatient in showing that we are strong enough to resist US pressure,” said Wang Zhengxu, a professor of Chinese politics at the University of Nottingham’s China campus in Ningbo.
But Wang and others agreed that signals coming out of China after the Beidaihe retreat showed that Xi had things tightly under his control.
This is what happened in Beidaihe.
First, the president called a meeting with the country’s top generals and demanded that the military show absolute loyalty to the party. He also vowed to deepen the anti-corruption campaign to clean up the world’s largest fighting force.
Two days later, Xi chaired a five-yearly propaganda and ideological work conference. Speaking to top officials, media chiefs and editors, the president called on them to close ranks around the “party core” and unify minds.
He followed this with another key meeting on law and order, asking officials to deepen reforms and safeguard the constitution. That call came after major constitutional revisions were made in March, including the controversial move to scrap presidential term limits.
Xi chaired a meeting on his signature “Belt and Road Initiative” at which he defended the trade and infrastructure strategy against criticism from Western countries.
Amid this flurry of activity, there have been subtle changes indicating a softer tone, but there has been no sign of any fundamental change to Xi’s key policies.
Analysts said it showed that Xi had successfully rallied the party around him at the Beidaihe meetings.
“So far, it hasn’t gotten out of control. After Beidaihe, [Xi] needs to continue to signal that things are still in order – that I am still in charge, and the direction the party points to is still the right direction,” Wang said.
While the trade war has given his critics more leeway to articulate their concerns, Xi remains the most powerful leader in China for decades, and any political dissent is too weak to substantially change the policy direction, said Steve Tsang, director of the SOAS China Institute in London.
“When things get tough, some noises will be made, but it doesn’t change the basic equation of the power balance,” he said. “Xi is still very, very powerful. What I think we may be seeing is that because these kinds of noises are now being heard – and much sooner I think than Xi was expecting – he will probably do even more to tighten up his power.”
After Tsinghua University law professor Xu Zhangrun criticised Xi’s administration in a widely circulated article, Beijing rolled out an extensive campaign to promote a “patriotic striving spirit” among Chinese intellectuals.
Meanwhile, the latest commentary from party mouthpiece People’s Daily on Wednesday said Xi “profoundly analysed the domestic and international situation” and had taken the right steps to safeguard the country’s security during a “critical period in China’s national rejuvenation
He followed this with another key meeting on law and order, asking officials to deepen reforms and safeguard the constitution. That call came after major constitutional revisions were made in March, including the controversial move to scrap presidential term limits.
Xi chaired a meeting on his signature “Belt and Road Initiative” at which he defended the trade and infrastructure strategy against criticism from Western countries.
Amid this flurry of activity, there have been subtle changes indicating a softer tone, but there has been no sign of any fundamental change to Xi’s key policies.
Analysts said it showed that Xi had successfully rallied the party around him at the Beidaihe meetings.
“So far, it hasn’t gotten out of control. After Beidaihe, [Xi] needs to continue to signal that things are still in order – that I am still in charge, and the direction the party points to is still the right direction,” Wang said.
While the trade war has given his critics more leeway to articulate their concerns, Xi remains the most powerful leader in China for decades, and any political dissent is too weak to substantially change the policy direction, said Steve Tsang, director of the SOAS China Institute in London.
“When things get tough, some noises will be made, but it doesn’t change the basic equation of the power balance,” he said. “Xi is still very, very powerful. What I think we may be seeing is that because these kinds of noises are now being heard – and much sooner I think than Xi was expecting – he will probably do even more to tighten up his power.”
After Tsinghua University law professor Xu Zhangrun criticised Xi’s administration in a widely circulated article, Beijing rolled out an extensive campaign to promote a “patriotic striving spirit” among Chinese intellectuals.
Meanwhile, the latest commentary from party mouthpiece People’s Daily on Wednesday said Xi “profoundly analysed the domestic and international situation” and had taken the right steps to safeguard the country’s security during a “critical period in China’s national rejuvenation
Analysts say Xi’s rhetoric appears to be an effort to play down China’s technological advances – given US fears that Chinese industrial policies will allow it to overtake America – as well as the belt and road plan amid “debt trap diplomacy” fears, particularly after the Malaysian government suspended two key projects.
“The Belt and Road Initiative is an economic cooperation initiative, not a geopolitical or military alliance,” Xi was quoted as saying by state news agency Xinhua. “It is an open and inclusive process,
and not about creating exclusive circles or a China club.”
But while Beijing has sought to allay suspicions about the belt and road plan, even softening its outward posture on the strategy, observers say it is unlikely the government will make any substantial policy changes to Xi’s pet project – or to China’s approach to the trade war with the US.
In fact, his recent speeches “indicate that he’s not satisfied with progress and wants tighter party control and better management of propaganda, the military, the legal system, and the belt and road”, said Michael Kovrig, senior adviser for the International Crisis Group.
Zhang Baohui, a political science professor from Lingnan University in Hong Kong, also said there had been no major changes.
“People who were expecting policy adjustments were proven to be wrong,” Zhang said. “Xi cannot afford to admit mistakes in his policies – that would further embolden his critics.”
and not about creating exclusive circles or a China club.”
But while Beijing has sought to allay suspicions about the belt and road plan, even softening its outward posture on the strategy, observers say it is unlikely the government will make any substantial policy changes to Xi’s pet project – or to China’s approach to the trade war with the US.
In fact, his recent speeches “indicate that he’s not satisfied with progress and wants tighter party control and better management of propaganda, the military, the legal system, and the belt and road”, said Michael Kovrig, senior adviser for the International Crisis Group.
Zhang Baohui, a political science professor from Lingnan University in Hong Kong, also said there had been no major changes.
“People who were expecting policy adjustments were proven to be wrong,” Zhang said. “Xi cannot afford to admit mistakes in his policies – that would further embolden his critics.”
Wisdom of the Crowd - choice of prizes
You have a choice of prizes when you win 10 points for voting in this website.
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/show_prize.aspx
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/show_prize.aspx
WOTC - Vote of adults with families
Wisdom of the Crowd: 70% of the participants in this survey said that the working adults with families will vote against the PAP. 30% said that they will vote for PAP.
See the detailed result in
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1490
See the detailed result in
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1490
WOTC - Vote of less educated older folks
Wisdom of the Crowd: 72% of the participants in this survey said that the less educated older folks for vote for the PAP. 28% said they will vote against the PAP.
See the detailed result in
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1489
See the detailed result in
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1489
Thursday, August 08, 2019
Feedback from the public
Read the feedback given by the public on the issues affecting Singaporeans and vote if you agree or disagree with the feedback.
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/most_view.aspx
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/most_view.aspx
WOTC - How will the older educated Singaporeans vote?
Wisdom of the Crowd: 70% of the participants in this survey said that the older educated Singaporeans will vote against the PAP at the next general election. 30% said that they will vote for PAP.
See their reasons in
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1486
See their reasons in
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1486
WOTC - Does PAP take governance seriously?
Wisdom of the Crowd: 88% of the participants in this survey said that the PAP does not take governance seriously. 12% said they did.
See the breakdown of the votes in
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1486
See the breakdown of the votes in
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1486
Wednesday, August 07, 2019
Feedback with most views
Here are the feedback with the most views. They include letters written to the newspapers.
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/most_view.aspx
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/most_view.aspx
Financial support for foreign students
The education minister said that the government spends $238 million a year on scholarship and tuition grants for international students. This is only a small part of the $13 billion that the government spends on education, of which a large part is spent on educating local students.
Some Singaporeans are unhappy that they or their parents have to take up study loans while the government funds international students. Furthermore, the places taken up by the international students could have been given to local students who otherwise have to go to overseas universities to pursue their university degree at high cost.
I wish to share my views on this issue:
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1790
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1790
Wisdom of the Crowd
Vote on these issues:
1. Did the govt dealt with the Hyflux problem correctly?
2. Who should be given a place in the university?
3. Should university places be reserved exclusively for local students?
4. Who manipulates the currency of a country?
Give your vote in
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/active_issue.aspx
1. Did the govt dealt with the Hyflux problem correctly?
2. Who should be given a place in the university?
3. Should university places be reserved exclusively for local students?
4. Who manipulates the currency of a country?
Give your vote in
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/active_issue.aspx
Should PMDs be allowed to use the pavement?
The minister said that if PMDs are not allowed to use the pedestrian pavement, the riders will be forced to use the road and many accidents would happen.
An opponent commented - is it better to have accidents happen on the PMD riders or the pedestrians?
Here are my views
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1789
An opponent commented - is it better to have accidents happen on the PMD riders or the pedestrians?
Here are my views
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1789
Swiss standard of living
I dedicate this song to all those people who are still sore that GCT did not give them the Swiss standard of living that they were "promised".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-eclUz-RYI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-eclUz-RYI
WOTC - section 377A of the constitution
Wisdom of the Crowd: 59% of the participants in this survey said that section 377A of the constitution should be repealed. The remaining 41% voted to keep this provision.
See the detailed result in
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1484
See the detailed result in
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1484
WOTC - Charging of PMDs
Wisdom of the crowd: 59% of the participants in this survey said that the owners should not charge their PMDs at residential premises. The other 41% asked for adequate safeguard to prevent fires.
See the detailed result in
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1484
See the detailed result in
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1484
Tuesday, August 06, 2019
Reform the education system
90% of the participants in my Facebook poll said that we have to reform the education system, and not tinker with it.
In this post, I suggest how the education system should be reformed. Do you agree with my suggestion? If not, how do you want to reform it?
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1780
In this post, I suggest how the education system should be reformed. Do you agree with my suggestion? If not, how do you want to reform it?
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1780
Reduce suicide rate among youths
To reduce the high suicide rate of youths, we need to give everyone a chance to make a living by doing any of the jobs - academic or non-academic, that is needed in our economy.
Here is my suggestion. Do you agree with this approach?
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1781
Here is my suggestion. Do you agree with this approach?
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1781
Why is customer service in China so much better than Singapore?
I want to share my experience of customer service in China compared to Singapore. You call the big difference.
What is the source of the problem? It is just, may a say, a stupid SOP adopted by Singapore organizations.
Read this post
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1788
What is the source of the problem? It is just, may a say, a stupid SOP adopted by Singapore organizations.
Read this post
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1788
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