Argentina president under fire for tweets mocking Chinese accent

Feb. 4, 2015: Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, and Argentinian President Cristina Fernandez shake hands after signing documents following their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (AP Photo/Rolex Dela Pena)

Embattled Argentine President Cristina Fernandez, while on a state visit to China seeking badly needed investment, caused a furor Wednesday by joking about her hosts’ accents on Twitter.

Fernandez tried to mimic a Chinese accent by switching “r’s” with “l’s” in a tweet in Spanish that translates as: “Did they only come for lice and petloleum.”

A few minutes later, she added: “Sorry, the levels of ridiculousness and absurdity are so high they can only be digested with humor.”

The tweets came as she met with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

As of late Wednesday, there was no official response from China about the comments by Fernandez, a prolific tweeter who has 3.53 million followers.

But that didn’t stop the Twitterverse in the South American country and beyond from exploding with criticism of what many considered a racist tweet.

“Cristina Fernandez’s lack of tack and respect is incredible,” wrote @FaundezLafarga. “She goes to China looking for (economic) agreements and she makes fun of their accents.”

@GuyChazan wrote: “Faux pas in China. Really, this sort of joke went out of fashion in the 70s.”

The latest controversy comes as Fernandez struggles to distance herself from the mysterious death of prosecutor Alberto Nisman, who was found dead in his bathroom Jan. 18, hours before he was to elaborate on allegations that Fernandez helped shield Iranians connected to the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center that killed 85.

Fernandez has vehemently denied the accusations, saying Argentina had nothing to gain from such a deal. She has suggested that rogue elements in the intelligence services ordered Nisman’s hit, but has not elaborated.

Earlier this week, just as her visit to China was getting underway, investigators looking into Nisman’s death said they had found a of an arrest warrant for Fernandez that Nisman had written up. While he never presented it, the revelations brought Fernandez back to the center of the case.

On Wednesday, relatives of victims of the bombing marched with family members of the victims of Argentina’s military dictatorship and other national tragedies to demand an end to impunity and the truth about what happened to Nisman.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in front of Congress in Buenos Aires with the march ending in the famed Plaza de Mayo.

“The demand for truth and justice that relatives of the AMIA (Jewish center) victims are making is the same as what we want for the 30,000 people who disappeared” during the dictatorship, said Nora Cortinas, who co-founded the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo human rights group.

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Argentina president under fire for tweets mocking Chinese accent

Barbados to benfit from Chinese donation of LED lights, air-conditioning units

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Tuesday September 16, 2014, CMC – Barbados has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the People’s Republic of China resulting in the donation of 25,000 LED lights and 1000 air-conditioning units to support the island’s climate change efforts.

A government statement said that Energy Minister Darcy Boyce, who signed the agreement with Chinese Ambassador, Wang Ke noted that electricity accounted for a significant percentage of government’s operating costs estimated at more than BDS$100 million (One BDS dollar =US$0.50 cents) annually.

He said that lighting and air-conditioning accounted for the majority of electricity usage and costs.

In an effort to reduce these recurring expenses, the Energy Minister said government intended to retrofit 75 state-owned buildings with energy efficiency lighting. It is also planned to replace aging and inefficient air-conditioning units which have been identified through energy audits.

“It is the view of the government of Barbados that the utilisation of LEDs would reduce the energy consumption, through lighting, by 50 per cent in Government-owned buildings,” Boyce said, adding that replacing the air-conditioning units with more energy efficient models would also assist Barbados in complying with its international obligations to phase out the use of ozone depleting substances.

He said the saving as a result of the new Chinese donation is estimated BDS$1.4 million annually.

Boyce said that government’s original goal was to attain 29 per cent of electricity generation from renewable energy sources and a 22 per cent reduction in the use of electricity consumption by 2029.

He said these goals are expected to be achieved before that year.

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Barbados to benfit from Chinese donation of LED lights, air-conditioning units

VIDEO: Argentina"s growing Chinese ties

Chinese New Year is being celebrated by communities around the world.

The Chinese community in the Argentinean capital Buenos Aires is preparing for its celebrations, as links between the two countries grow stronger.

Ignacia de los Reyes reports.

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VIDEO: Argentina"s growing Chinese ties

Holness: Gov"t must pay attention to Chinese workers issue

OPPOSITION Leader Andrew Holness says the Portia Simpson Miller-led Government is under an illusion as far as the issues concerning the employment of Chinese nationals on major investment projects in Jamaica are concerned.

“The Jamaicans are industrious people and I believe on projects being executed by the Chinese, there are Chinese labourers working, doing jobs that could very well be done by Jamaicans. That is an issue I am disappointed that you have brushed aside. It is an issue your Government needs to pay special attention to, you are under an illusion,” Holness said Tuesday yesterday after he raised the issue with the prime minister in Parliament.The Opposition leader prefaced his question off concerns, the most recent of which were raised by the Joint Industrial Council (JIC) of the building and construction industry. On Friday JIC blasted the Government for what it said were “egregious and misleading” statements in the media concerning the presence of Chinese workers on construction sites in the island.The council claimed that it had still photographs and videos showing Chinese workers doing common labourers’ work “while many skilled and unskilled (Jamaican) workers are unemployed.”But the prime minister, the latest Government member to comment on the matter, disputed those claims.“There is no large number of Chinese workers in the country. Let us be very careful the Chinese are very disciplined people and if they get something to do they are going to do it. I do not see anywhere in Jamaica a large quantity of Chinese traversing the streets or communities across the country,” she said,She further discounted comments by Opposition Spokesperson on Labour Pearnel Charles that her Administration, in another life, had negotiated a concession of a 40 per cent employment for Chinese labour on major projects.“They came to me and they asked for that to continue, I advised them that it was not in their interest, neither security nor otherwise. I would allow 100 per cent Chinese on any project where there is no Jamaicans available. Did your Government negotiate a percentage of Chinese labour on all major Chinese projects?” Charles asked.“If that exists, it was not negotiated under my Administration. No one would be able to get me to sign all work over to any category or class of persons and you know this and you are touching my heart in a bad way,” Simpson Miller said.“If we continue to have discussions this way, the question I want to ask is, is whether we want to say to the Chinese, do not invest in Jamaica. It would be dangerous for any Government not to protect the interest no matter what investment, of the Jamaican people,” she added.Last week, Labour Minister Derrick Kellier said for the period April 2012 to July 2013, a total 4,098 work permits were issued. He told members of the press that of this number, 1,741 — or 43 per cent — were given to Chinese nationals. He further admitted that for a number of these investments such as the ones the Chinese have made in Jamaica, there are conditionalities and employment ratios that are predetermined.(L-R) SIMPSON MILLER… there is no large number of Chinese workers in the country. HOLNESS… Government needs to pay special attention to the issue

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Holness: Gov"t must pay attention to Chinese workers issue

Chinese reggae band aims for global success

Entertainment

Wednesday, September 11, 2013 | 12:31 PM

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Reggae music may have originated in Jamaica, but a band from China has latched on to the sound and is building on the genre to create something pretty unique.Long Shen Dao’s distinct sound is now attracting fans around the world.Music acts from China, Japan and South Korea are taking the West by storm. The Asian pop stars are reaching beyond their home markets and achieving global success. Perhaps best known is South Korean singer Psy, whose video and dance Gangnam Style attracted billions globally.Dreaming of similar success is Beijing-based Long Shen Dao, China’s first ever reggae band.“Reggae is one of the easier genres of music with which to communicate with listeners,” said band member Guo Jian.But Long Shen Dao wants to be seen as more than just a Bob Marley tribute act. “It’s a mix of several different influences. Reggae is where we start, but then we bring in electronic music, traditional Chinese music and others,” Guo said.

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Chinese reggae band aims for global success

Police move to protect Chinese nationals in Jamaica

News

Thursday, August 29, 2013

THE Police High Command on Sunday met with officials of the Chinese Embassy, Chinese businessmen and members of their civic groups to discuss the frequent attacks on Chinese nationals in Jamaica, and steps being taken by the police to deal with the matter.The High Command, in updating the Chinese community on the risk assessment done by the National Intelligence Bureau, engaged them in full discussion on some of the practices that made members of their community vulnerable to crime.The police agreed to implement a raft of security measures to protect the Chinese community in Jamaica, and their businesses in particular, and announced the appointment of liaison officers to deal with issues affecting the Chinese.Assistant Commissioner of Police Devon Watkis was named as the national liaison officer and all divisional commanders will be liaison officers at their level, and are to make themselves readily available to receive calls and respond to e-mails.Both the police and members of the Chinese community agreed also to regular scheduled meetings at the High Command level as well as the divisional level to ensure the police are updated on matters that affect the Chinese and that speedy and appropriate responses are made.The police used the opportunity to reiterate the importance of the Chinese community and the value of its contribution to commerce in Jamaica, and gave the assurance that it is committed to a most comprehensive set of measures, which will assure them and their businesses in JamaicaFor their part, the Chinese promised to assist the process of communication by translating and holding discussions with their fellow countrymen on the measures agreed to on the role they will play.The frequent attacks on Chinese in Jamaica was raised by President Xi Jinping during talks with Jamaica’s Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller during her official visit to Beijing last week.Police believe Chinese in Jamaica are targeted because they travel with large amounts of cash as they do not use the formal banking system.

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Police move to protect Chinese nationals in Jamaica

Burrell calls on Chinese firm to develop football infrastructure

ASSOCIATE sponsor China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) has upped its investment in the nation’s top league with a $25 million injection, it was announced yesterday.

Of that total, there will be a direct payout of $23 million to organisers of the competition the Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA), with another $2 million going towards promotional activities and special incentives for coaches and players.Reacting to the announcement and commitment to football by the Chinese firm, president of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), Captain Horace Burrell, urged them further to look at considering investing in field development of clubs.“If your company (China Harbour) has decided to give each of the football clubs a proper football field, believe me, in years to come, you would be recognised and remembered as the company that changed the quality and standard of football in this country,” Burrell said at the launch of Red Stripe Premier League at the PLCA’s offices in New Kingston yesterday.“I challenge you, China Harbour, please,” said Burrell as he pleaded with a smiling CHEC deputy regional manager, Xiao Yan Ming, who was seated in the audience.The new season kicks off on September 15.As he pressed home his point for the need for total development of the game and the role of corporate Jamaica in this thrust, Burrell warned that the game is bound to stagnate if there isn’t an inclusive approach to growing it.“In reality, we must have additional sponsors if our league is to move forward. We must have better playing facilities, better organisation of clubs, so we have some way to go,” Burrell noted.CHEC’s communication manager, Jennifer Armond, said her company was pleased with its association with the league last season, therefore it was not difficult to re-commit.“The company enjoyed participating in the Premier League as sponsor last season and became aware that it would only be through continued commitment that sport would be able to reap significant results from our initial interest,” said Armond.Supreme Ventures Limited’s senior marketing officer, Andrei Roper, also announced his organisation’s commitment worth $10m through its brand, JustBet.Also, JUTC’s yesterday made it public its decision to continue its partnership with the league.Meanwhile, PLCA chairman Edward Seaga, made note of a change in league format and likened it to the changing formats in cricket that have resuscitated that sport in terms of spectatorship.“There have been many changes in many sports. Cricket moved from five days to one day and now to two-and-a-half hours and that was unveiled in the Limacol competition and the crowd loved it,” noted Seaga.“They loved the excitement in shorter time which gives the players impetus not to sit at the wicket but to give them the joy of seeing the ball rising over the boundaries,” said the former Prime Minister of Jamaica.“Football has had the problem of diminishing crowds depending on the teams, but it has been a long time since we see a really packed stadium.“At the clubs, spectatorship has not been what we wanted it to be except on Monday night because the innovation of the (title) sponsors Red Stripe, and that is one innovation that has helped us to grow more crowd,” added Seaga.“This year we have to undertake more changes. I am not in a position to give you the details at this time because the JFF is to consider the proposals we are making,” he added.It is expected that the league format with 38 games, introduced for the 2007/08 season, will be discarded. For this season, the 12 teams will play three rounds of 33 matches in the preliminary phases, after which the top-eight will then advance to the quarter-final stage in a home-and-away series. It is expected that this phase will see the number-one ranked team facing the number eight-ranked team; the number two vs number seven; number three vs number six; and number four vs number five.The four winners will then advance to the semi-finals, also on a home and away basis, with the two winners from that stage qualifying for the final.The two teams at the bottom of the table at the end of the third round will be relegated.A draw to decide the first set of games to kick off the season was done at yesterday’s press launch which pits defending champion Harbour View away to Sporting Central Academy, while runners-up Waterhouse host Boys’ Town in the marquee match-up on September 15.In the other games, Portmore United travel to Cavalier, Humble Lion play Arnett Gardens, promoted teams August Town and Rivoli United clash and Tivoli Gardens tackle Montego Bay United.China Harbour Engineering Company deputy regional manager, Xiao Yan Ming (left), presents the symbolic cheque of $23m to PLCA chairman Edward Seaga (centre) and JFF president Captain Horace Burrell at the launch of the new season in New Kingston yesterday. (PHOTO: MICHAEL GORDON).

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Burrell calls on Chinese firm to develop football infrastructure

Police on the hunt for four men who robbed Chinese residents

News

Friday, August 23, 2013

POLICE were still, trying to find four men who were involved in the robbery of a group of Chinese nationals Wednesday afternoon in Hope Pastures, St Andrew.Fitz Bailey, head of the St Andrew Central Police Division said the police have since launched a search for the men who remain on the run.“To my knowledge, none of the suspects have been held [as yet],” Senior Superintendent Fitz Bailey told the Jamaica Observer yesterday. He, however, gave an assurance that the police would intensify their manhunt for the robbers.The Constabulary Communication Network — the police’s information arm — reported that about 2:40 Wednesday afternoon, the men, posing as employees from a utility company, gained access to a residence on Hope Boulevard, after which they brandished guns and robbed the Chinese nationals of household appliances and an undetermined sum of money.They left in a motor car which was waiting for them near the gate to the premises.The police gave assurance to members of the Chinese community that this matter was getting the full attention of the investigators and appealed to members of the public to share whatever information they have about the incident.The robbery came just hours after the Xinhua news agency reported that Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, in a meeting with Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, asked the Jamaican Government to implement more favourable policies and take effective measures to protect the safety and legal interests of Chinese citizens and companies here.In the meantime, the police have asked individuals, particularly Chinese nationals, to exercise extreme caution when conducting business of any nature, and that they contact the police if they have doubts.The Jamaica Observer reported recently that Chinese were targeted by criminals, as well as rogue members of the constabulary, because a number of them carry around large amounts of cash as they do not use the banking system.A number of Chinese business operators are involved in he operation of wholesale establishments that specialise in the trading of food and drinks.The police are again assuring members of the Chinese community that this matter is getting the full attention of the investigators and are appealing to members of the public to share whatever information they have with them.

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Police on the hunt for four men who robbed Chinese residents

Chinese monks to showcase arts

Entertainment

Friday, August 02, 2013

CHINA’S Henan Cultural Performing Arts Group, comprising Shaolin monks and acrobats, will be performing at the Chinese Benevolent Association on Old Hope Road in St Andrew from August 5 to 7.According to Marcia Harford, event spokesperson, the performances are geared for the whole family.“It’s entertainment for the entire family. There’ll be real kung fu demonstrations as well as contortion acrobats,” she told the Jamaica Observer.“It is also a way of sharing the Chinese culture with Jamaica,” she continued.The 16-member outfit is expected to arrive in Jamaica on Sunday.“This is the first time they are performing in Jamaica,” the spokesperson said. “This is the second stop they are making on their Caribbean tour.The Shaolin monks will give demonstrations in kung fu fighting as well as with various weapons. The acrobatic troupe will display their expertise in spinning, balancing and contortion.There will be four shows: Monday to Wednesday at 7:00 pm; and two shows on Tuesday’s Independence Day at 11:00 am and 7:00 pm.

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Chinese monks to showcase arts

Why are the Chinese interested in Tonga?

27 July 2013 Last updated at 19:24 ET By John Pickford BBC News,Tonga No planes in sight on the runway at Nuku’alofa’s domestic airport The government of Tonga in the South Pacific has recently accepted a large gift from China – a turbo-prop aircraft for the kingdom’s new domestic airline. But the present has stirred up concerns about China’s growing role in the archipelago once known as the Friendly Islands.

The domestic airport in Tonga’s capital, Nuku’alofa, was eerily quiet. The friendly cafe, where three years ago I’d enjoyed the delicious locally-grown coffee, had gone. And there was no sign of my plane.

Waiting with me in the shade for something to happen was a young Chinese man, booked on the same flight, returning to his wife and grocery store on the island of Hapa’ai.

We started chatting and during our long wait I learned quite a bit about Johnny Wang. How he came to Tonga from Shanghai, while his two young children stay in China with his mother-in-law. He sends remittances and visits them during Chinese New Year. How he enjoys his new life on Hapa’ai. “Very quiet, very peaceful,” he says, “and easier to make money than in China.”

We started talking Tongan airline politics. How the Chinese government’s gift of a new passenger plane for inter-island flights had prompted the New Zealand-based company that had been providing a domestic air service to pull out, saying it couldn’t compete with a subsidised airline.

The Chinese-manufactured MA60 aircraft has been delivered. But no Western government has given it a safety certificate and New Zealand has just announced it’s suspending a multi-million dollar aid package to improve tourist infrastructure in Tonga until these safety concerns are resolved.

Tonga relies on tourists who visit for its natural beauty and wildlife

As the whale-watching season gets under way on outlying islands such as Hapa’ai and Vava’au, the flights fiasco is playing havoc with the tourist economy.

It’s also stirred up concerns among some Tongans that Chinese aid – generous, visible and impressive as it’s been in recent years – can be a mixed blessing. They describe urban roads laid without proper drainage so nearby houses get flooded when it rains, and grandiose public buildings, poorly adapted to a tropical, oceanic climate, that are costly to keep cool and maintain.

Cabinet minister Clive Edwards chose his words carefully. “Some of the buildings they’ve put up”, he told me, “are a disappointment”. I was sitting with him in his office in the Ministry of Justice. “Including this one?” I asked. He laughed, a deep Tongan guttural laugh.

The ‘disappointing’ ministry building

On islands across the Pacific, you’ll find very visible evidence of Chinese “big-project” aid: sports stadiums and parliament buildings, government offices, police stations.

Continue reading the main story Insight and analysis from BBC correspondents, journalists and writers from around the worldBroadcast on Radio 4 and BBC World ServiceIt’s their fish, potential mineral resources and votes in the UN that make these small Pacific nations of growing interest to Beijing.

In Tonga, China’s visibility is all the greater because of the several thousand-strong Chinese minority. There is a degree of tension between the two communities. From Tongans you hear phrases like, “the Chinese are bad drivers” and “the Chinese are everywhere”.

What is not in doubt, though, is the key role the Chinese play in the business sector, especially in the little family-run grocery stores, the Fale-Kaloas, as they’re called.

The Tongan extended family runs on the principle, “to each according to his need, from each according to his capacity”. But if you’re a Tongan trying to run a Fale-Kaloa and a relative turns up to say his grandfather’s died, there’s going to be a feast and you’re going to have to give me all the chicken in your shop, you’re not going to last long.

The plane did finally get me to Hapa’ai and a day later I’m cycling across a causeway between two small islands. There’s repair work going on and a Chinese foreman in charge.

I hear an engine revving behind me and a delivery van rumbles past. I note how clean and new it looks, compared with most vehicles on the island. It stops on the other side of the causeway and a head leans out of the front window and grins at me.

It’s Johnny Wang, my companion from the plane. I am delighted to see him, and his pale, smiling face suddenly looks so exotic on that lush green atoll beside the clear blue sea.

Then I remember I need some toothpaste and some new batteries for my torch and I realise that I am reassured by Mr Wang’s presence. I know he’ll have what I want.

Twenty minutes later I am inside his shop. It’s an emporium compared with the local competition – tools, footballs, rice, tinned food, nappies. And if he is asked for something he hasn’t got, he says he’ll try to get it.

As I cycled back with my toothpaste and batteries, I realised that whatever the future role of the Chinese state in Tonga, the niche Mr Wang is filling on Hapa’ai will be his to occupy for a long time.

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Why are the Chinese interested in Tonga?

Jamaica sugar operation drags Chinese company further in the red

HUA Lien International, an associate of Pan-Caribbean Sugar Company, has said that operations in Jamaica’s sugar industry may lead to a significant increase in losses for the period ending June 30, 2013.

The Chinese company made the disclosure in a profit warning document to shareholders and potential investors. It blamed foreign exchange losses from US dollar-denominated debts, and the decrease in fair value of biological assets due to extreme weather-related conditions, for losses at the group’s new operations in Jamaica.“The board believes that the main reasons attributable to the expected substantial operating loss of Jamaica sugar industry projects are the foreign exchange loss from the US dollar-denominated debts as a result of the depreciation in the value of the Jamaican dollar,” the document said, adding that “The decrease in fair value of biological assets as a result of the drought conditions and hurricane being experienced has negatively affected the growth, and so the expected sugar cane yields of the Jamaica Sugar Industry Projects.”However, the notification to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange highlighted that the company is in the process of finalising interim results for the period and that the announcement is based only on a preliminary assessment made by the board.Hua Lien International is a subsidiary of Pan-Caribbean’s parent, Complant International. Pan-Caribbean bought three Government of Jamaica owned sugar assets — Frome, Monymusk and Bernard Lodge — and committed to reviving the industrial and agricultural production plant and facilities by mid-August 2014.Complant and Hua Lien last year agreed to inject US$38 million and US$89 million, respectively, into a joint venture to purchase Pan -Caribbean Sugar. Some of the funds went towards the repayment of short-term loans and working capital.Meanwhile, the local sugar company on Wednesday said it made financial investments to the tune of US$160 million, which was expended in rolling stock, including tractors, trucks, graders, harvesters and factory equipment.But the company said it has incurred losses of equipment valued at $28.3 million due to security breaches.“There have been a plethora of security breaches within Pan-Caribbean Sugar Company which have resulted in the company incurring significant losses, and to date it has not been able to hold anyone accountable for such breaches,” the sugar company said in a press release.Consequently, 132 guards were sent on leave and the sugar company contracted a private security firm.In response to the move, workers of the sugar estate have been on strike.The company said it remains committed to facilitating timely discussions with the trade unions to ensure an effective resolution for the security employees placed on paid leave.Despite the industrial disputes, Pan-Caribbean said it is working towards improving operations and has taken steps to increase cane production by installing new irrigation systems and expanding areas under production.Pan–Caribbean Sugar Company associate Hua Lien International expects substantial operating loss in Jamaica sugar industry projects. Pan–Caribbean took control of three Government of Jamaica owned sugar assets.

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Jamaica sugar operation drags Chinese company further in the red