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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2019 17:23:57 GMT
Did anyone see the programme on BBC2 last night by Reggie Yates (apparently he's a DJ - showing my age now !) about the city of Shenzhen in southern China ? I didn't really know what to expect but it was pretty eye-opening.
Apparently 40 years ago Shenzhen was just a sleepy little fishing village near Hong Kong, and today it's got a population of around 12 million
and is one of the most hi-tech cities in the world. It's growth has been due to many large and small technology companies and individuals all moving to this city
and some of the technology that was shown last night was truly mind blowing. The speed of development and production was unbelievable and it makes the U.K. (and most
other places in the world) look like we're still living in the 19th century.
In the near future the Chinese plan to link 9 other cities in the region, including Hong Kong, into one absolutely huge techno mega-city with a population of around 100 million people.
Next week Reggie goes to Beijing. It's well worth a watch.
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Post by mattyd on Nov 18, 2019 19:32:07 GMT
Yup.
Having been to Shenzen dozens of time I really enjoyed it.
Believe you me, there is only one super power on this planet...
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Post by felonious on Nov 18, 2019 19:38:50 GMT
There's a programme on BBC4 tonight about the one child policy that looks interesting.
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Post by mattyd on Nov 18, 2019 19:40:24 GMT
When I was there one of my clients from Taiwan manufactured lamps and lights for Ikea.
Ikea constantly drove the prices down and down, eventually she told em to source elsewhere as they could get more for their products selling to the domestic market.
The point I am making is that there is a huge consumer market in China now that has a taste for western products and standards, and if Chinese manufacturers did turn off their supply chain to the likes of Walmart and their customers who would suffer the most.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2019 19:55:10 GMT
Some of the technology that they showed was just amazing - the instant translator, the 3D world mapping and control of all CCTV cameras everywhere. The shopping apps where you can literally buy anything from a tomato to an apartment or a new car without getting out of your chair, and the detailed way that they can "grab" any item and manipulate it from every angle, inside and out, to inspect it thoroughly.
I thought the end sequence of the apartment blocks all lit up and the choreographed music was amazing. At the same time the U.K. are still struggling to sort out Grenfell and other towers to hopefully avoid a repeat of Grenfell.
Still don't think I'd like to live there though - far too hectic for me.
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Post by mickmillslovechild on Nov 18, 2019 22:27:16 GMT
There's a programme on BBC4 tonight about the one child policy that looks interesting. The twin in China talking about how she wondered what a great life her sister was having in the US was genuinely tear jerking stuff: "I bet she has milk and bread for breakfast, i bet she has a wonderful life" |
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Post by felonious on Nov 19, 2019 6:10:50 GMT
There's a programme on BBC4 tonight about the one child policy that looks interesting. The twin in China talking about how she wondered what a great life her sister was having in the US was genuinely tear jerking stuff: "I bet she has milk and bread for breakfast, i bet she has a wonderful life" I only caught the first 20/25 minutes but it made for a grim watch. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2019 6:22:18 GMT
It was pretty chastening wasn't it. In principle I can see why the Chinese government introduced the rule to try to control the population numbers. However based on last night's prog the reality is often hard to accept or appreciate and certainly not just as easy as the theory would suggest it would be.
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Post by felonious on Nov 19, 2019 7:40:19 GMT
It was pretty chastening wasn't it. In principle I can see why the Chinese government introduced the rule to try to control the population numbers. However based on last night's prog the reality is often hard to accept or appreciate and certainly not just as easy as the theory would suggest it would be. The reality seemed to be enforced sterilisation with local party members being forced to carry out the orders. |
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Post by mickmillslovechild on Nov 19, 2019 9:48:43 GMT
It was pretty chastening wasn't it. In principle I can see why the Chinese government introduced the rule to try to control the population numbers. However based on last night's prog the reality is often hard to accept or appreciate and certainly not just as easy as the theory would suggest it would be. The reality seemed to be enforced sterilisation with local party members being forced to carry out the orders.
As well as "Family Planning" agents forcibly removing children from their families and people being so scared of the authorities that they had to leave babies out on the street and in the marketplace to either be taken by someone or for them to die from exposure. Truly horrific.
And the signage in all the towns was mad as well "Induce it, abort it, don't give birth to it"...."If you are found to have more than one child, your whole family will suffer"....."If you have more than one baby, you may hide it temporarily but it won't be for long"...."If you know anyone with more than one child, tell us and we reward you with $120". Seriously sinister.
The really sad thing is that they can't show that programme in China itself and make all the people aware of what was going on. The woman that narrated the whole thing said she had no idea of the reality of the situation whilst she was still living in China herself, as they were all taught that love for your country is also love for the flag and the party so presumed the govt. were great and all the things they did was for the overall good of the people (whilst in reality the orphanages, local authorities and govt. were making shitloads of money from removing babies from their families and then selling them abroad). She only found out the truth when she moved abroad and was away from all the propaganda.
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Post by Northy on Nov 19, 2019 10:23:29 GMT
Didn't know about it but will get it on catch up, cheers.
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Post by Vadiation_Ribe on Nov 19, 2019 21:07:11 GMT
I was on the fence about this (I've enjoyed every other travel-related programme I've seen Reggie Yates present or co-present though), but I'll check it out now. The BBC do some great 'travel' stuff. I love Simon Reeve's often eye-opening travels and that series two journalists travelled along each side of the Pakistan India border was very good.
The Chinese government plan to track every citizen sometime soon. The process is already being trialled in some towns. Every person starts with a set amount of points and loses them for things like not doing voluntary work! You get points for things like helping an old lady cross the road. Everything is monitored, and people can even be reported and docked points for gossiping. If you drop below a certain level of points, you may have to spend time in a cell or be banned from using public transport for a certain time.
Welcome to no genuine interactions, ever.
You thought 1984 was bad...
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Post by mattyd on Nov 19, 2019 21:17:42 GMT
Some of the technology that they showed was just amazing - the instant translator, the 3D world mapping and control of all CCTV cameras everywhere. The shopping apps where you can literally buy anything from a tomato to an apartment or a new car without getting out of your chair, and the detailed way that they can "grab" any item and manipulate it from every angle, inside and out, to inspect it thoroughly. I thought the end sequence of the apartment blocks all lit up and the choreographed music was amazing. At the same time the U.K. are still struggling to sort out Grenfell and other towers to hopefully avoid a repeat of Grenfell. Still don't think I'd like to live there though - far too hectic for me. Sadly Deeside, when I was in Shanghai there was an absolutely horrific tower block fire that killed 100's, I can still see it vividly, just awful, started by a welder setting fire to the green netting that you often see on refurbs. All of us lived in tower blocks and it sent a shiver down all of our spines just how vulnerable we all were. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2019 21:33:50 GMT
Some of the technology that they showed was just amazing - the instant translator, the 3D world mapping and control of all CCTV cameras everywhere. The shopping apps where you can literally buy anything from a tomato to an apartment or a new car without getting out of your chair, and the detailed way that they can "grab" any item and manipulate it from every angle, inside and out, to inspect it thoroughly. I thought the end sequence of the apartment blocks all lit up and the choreographed music was amazing. At the same time the U.K. are still struggling to sort out Grenfell and other towers to hopefully avoid a repeat of Grenfell. Still don't think I'd like to live there though - far too hectic for me. Sadly Deeside, when I was in Shanghai there was an absolutely horrific tower block fire that killed 100's, I can still see it vividly, just awful, started by a welder setting fire to the green netting that you often see on refurbs. All of us lived in tower blocks and it sent a shiver down all of our spines just how vulnerable we all were. Oh, very sorry to hear that Matty - I guess Shenzhen is the now and future, but there are still many older parts of towns and cities not up to the same hi-tech spec. I don't think that fire was reported over here but I may be mistaken. |
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Post by mattyd on Nov 19, 2019 21:39:08 GMT
Sadly Deeside, when I was in Shanghai there was an absolutely horrific tower block fire that killed 100's, I can still see it vividly, just awful, started by a welder setting fire to the green netting that you often see on refurbs. All of us lived in tower blocks and it sent a shiver down all of our spines just how vulnerable we all were. Oh, very sorry to hear that Matty - I guess Shenzhen is the now and future, but there are still many older parts of towns and cities not up to the same hi-tech spec. I don't think that fire was reported over here but I may be mistaken. Wasn't my actual block, was maybe 1/4 mile from mine, but for weeks after you could smell the stench. Officially 58 killed...But rumours were it was in the 100's. You can see the green netting that I mentioned. Attachment Deleted |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2019 21:44:56 GMT
Oh, very sorry to hear that Matty - I guess Shenzhen is the now and future, but there are still many older parts of towns and cities not up to the same hi-tech spec. I don't think that fire was reported over here but I may be mistaken. Wasn't my actual block, was maybe 1/4 mile from mine, but for weeks after you could smell the stench. Officially 58 killed...But rumours were it was in the 100's. You can see the green netting that I mentioned. View AttachmentIt's horrific isn't it and very worrying for you - "there but for the grace of god" and all that. |
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Post by bigjohnritchie on Jun 16, 2020 17:09:03 GMT
Didn't want to start a new thread....but this is the other side of China's great advance....a very complicated country....I don't think that it can be understood from one perspective.....Ive also read recently that there are skirmishes on the border with India, including Chinese soldiers being killed. Cultures are different but I would have thought that most of us would agree with this one ..........from the link... There are many videos on YouTube to evidence this, although they are not easy to watch. Despite how you feel about eating any animal, no living, sentient being should be abused or tortured for any reason, and no right-minded person can rationally argue otherwise. Dogs and cats suffer unspeakable horrors at the hands of farmers, traders and butchers - beaten, torched with fire, boiled alive, etc. Not all these animals are "farmed" - many are beloved, stolen pets. Petition · Yulin Government: Yulin Government: Stop the Yulin Dog Meat Festival! · Change.org www.change.org/p/yulin-government-yulin-government-stop-the-yulin-dog-meat-festival?source_location=petition_footer&algorithm=promoted&original_footer_petition_id=22760347&grid_position=4&pt=AVBldGl0aW9uAOpMoAAAAAAAXuj0nBSfOj0wZGM5ZjAwNg%3D%3D(Ps...I think that some of these petitions are pointless simply because they are ineffective) |
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Post by Timmypotter on Jun 16, 2020 18:00:50 GMT
Wasn't my actual block, was maybe 1/4 mile from mine, but for weeks after you could smell the stench. Officially 58 killed...But rumours were it was in the 100's. You can see the green netting that I mentioned. View AttachmentIt's horrific isn't it and very worrying for you - "there but for the grace of god" and all that. This hotel was built in 2018. Collapsed in 2 years. |
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