Terracotta Army

Terracotta Army

         

http://www.chinatourguide.com/xian/terracotta_warriors_details.html

 The Terracotta Army is a part of a massive burial tomb built for Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. There are over 8,000 life size statues of soldiers buried along with the emperor. The reason why this tomb was built was due to the fact that Emperor Qin wanted to live forever. He also spent a huge amount of resources building for himself the largest single tomb built to a leader in the history of the world. He felt this huge army would protect him and help him to keep his power in the afterlife. The soldiers of the Terracotta Army are life-size statues. All of them have different facial features! That means none of them looks alike. They also have different ranks and facial expressions such as calm or angry. The soldiers were even designed with different clothing and armor. Men from the cavalry are dressed different than foot soldiers. Some soldiers don't have armor. Perhaps they were supposed to be scouts or spies. 

In my opinion, Emperor Qin was able to "think big" as he knew he should build his tomb early and due to his selfishness, he wants hundreds or soldiers to accompany him even at death. It took years to build the tomb and the laborers were put to death to keep it a secret. However, he was too cruel to force the laborers to follow him to death. I guess Emperor Qin was too afraid of death and wanted to rule forever. The Terracotta Army was much of importance to China as it was a great attraction to be built. To me, it was so unbelievable to be able to build such a huge tomb. I can learn that Chinese believes in afterlife a lot and wants to have a good life even after death. The history has made a huge impact on Chinese even till today.

-Teo Lian Wei Vesy (20) 2E

Beijing National Stadium

Beijing National Stadium

http://beijingbirdsnest.wordpress.com/architecture/architechural-influence/

http://flavorwire.com/167567/over-36-hours-later-chinese-artist-ai-weiwei-still-missing/

Beijing national stadium, which is also known as "The Bird's Nest" is one of the most famous sports buildings in the world .It is located at the Olympic Green, in the heart of Beijing.The design was awarded to a submission from the Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron in April 2003 after a bidding process that included 13 final submissions. The design, which originated from the study of Chinese ceramics, implemented steel beams in order to hide supports for the retractable roof; giving the stadium the appearance of a bird's nest. Leading Chinese artist Ai Weiwei was the artistic consultant on the project. The retractable roof was later removed from the design after inspiring the stadium's most recognizable aspect. The stadium is located in the Olympic Green and one of the main ideas behind the design was to create an icon for China and the city of Beijing. The shape was chosen so that it would express something related to the Chinese traditions and culture, thus tourists can understand more about these values; its circular form represents Heaven while the adjacent square resembles the Chinese symbol for Earth. In fact, the stadium grew to symbolize the entire city during the Summer Olympics of 2008, and it has remained a highly popular tourist attraction even after the Games, receiving thousands of visitors from abroad and across China every year. However, even though this stadium was a very famous tourist attraction, the flow of visitors gradually decreased.At the beginning the stadium was designed to accommodate 80,000 spectators. Then the capacity was increased to 91,000 seatsout of which 11,000 were temporary placed on the terrace of the top floor in front of the restaurants. To build the stadium, it took 17,000 workers and 44,000 tons of steel for the structure that rises six floors above the ground. Because of Beijing’s geological characteristics, the stadium was also conceived to withstand major earthquakes and has become structurally even more secure since it was decided not to proceed with a roof because of its cost. 

"Our goal was to create an architectural building that could be utilized after the 2008 Olympics," said the Herzog & De Meuron architect. To further celebrate the work a film was produced that narrates all the stages of the stadium construction. I find that China is taking this project seriously, despite the fact that the cost to build this stadium was indeed very high. 

Feelings 

The unique design of the stadium makes this stadium stand out as a genuine and true structure that takes its inspiration from traditional sources such as Chinese traditions and cultures, which turns this concept into a proper, 21st century building that combines contemporary architecture and technology with local beliefs and ideas. 

I find this design very interesting and special because this stadium is actually an icon for China and the city of Beijing, and the shape was chosen to express things related to Chinese values and cultures, thus I find this very unique and we can learn a lot from this just by looking at the shape and structure of this stadium. Also, the stadium was built to withstand an earthquake measuring up to 8 on the Richter scale. In addition, the building is protected from storms by absorbers. The building's plaited construction enables effective ventilation and allows rays of the sun to reach the stadium's grass playing surface. I find that the Chinese government is doing their best to protect not just the building , but also to protect us. I feel that China is being very careful and thoughtful as they even thought of this problem and at least tried ways it solve the problems and improve the building structure. From a distance this building looks like a colossal ship, but also like an immense nest and in which our minds can imagine China as a large bird that has just taken flight, gaining freedom perhaps. 

-Yeo Yu Zhen (23) 2E

Advantages and disadvantages of One party Rule.

Advantages

-no conflict with other parties

-run the country smoothly with its policies

-steer the nation in one direction.

Disadvantages

-lack of voice from opposing parties,lack of balance in laws

Singapore

PRIME Minister Lee Hsien Loong thinks there is simply insufficient talent to form two good political parties.

But it is more than just that. Let us compare a country which has a plural party system against one with a single party, like India and China.

Both countries have huge populations and a largely homogenous culture. And although the two nations are growing well economically, it is evident that China is performing better.

I think this can be attributed to China's one-party state (albeit a communist one).

Having a single party allows the leaders to steer the country in one direction.

On the other hand, a two-party or multi-party system forces each party to serve party interests, sometimes at the expense of the country's progress.

For instance, developing infrastructure may benefit the nation but a good plan may be stymied by the opposition along party lines.

Often enough, a country traverses laterally economically and languishes, such as the United States where progress has been stagnant for the past decade because one political party is trying to outdo the other.

The economies of Asian tigers Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea and Singapore have been thriving despite the lack of natural resources.

But what sets Singapore apart is that it has emerged relatively unscathed from the latest financial crisis.

I believe it is because our single-party government steered the country in one direction.

Bigger nations with a two-party or multi-party system can afford to falter and recover. For a small country like Singapore, there is no room for second chances.

-Gwen Su

Advantages and Disadvantages of One Party Rule

Advantages

1) Formulate a long-term plan for national development

2)Ensure stabilization of its policies without being affected by the alternation of parties with different positions and ideologies.

Disadvantages

1) Freedom can be restricted or limited. 

2) This form of government leads to communism. 

3) Not all voices are heard or represented in a one party system. 

4) The existence of separate parties runs counter to national unity

Singapore

Singaporean politics have been dominated by the People's Action Party (PAP) since the 1959 general election when Lee Kuan Yew became Singapore's first prime minister. The PAP has been in government and won every General Election since then. Singapore left the Commonwealth in 1963 to join the Federation of Malaysia, but was expelled from the Federation in 1965 after Lee Kuan Yew disagreed with the federal government in Kuala Lumpur. Foreign political analysts and several opposition parties including the Workers' Party of Singapore and the Singapore Democratic Party have argued that Singapore is a de facto one-party state.

-Teo Lian Wei Vesy (20) 2E

Advantages and disadvantages of One Party Rule

Advantages of one party rule 

-more unity in government

-things can be done faster as there is no competition of interests

-More efficient, effective reaction to emerging challenges and problems 

-less corruption

-more responsible 

Disadvantages

-no democracy

-lack of representation, no one to counter argue decisions made 

-not all voices are heard and represented 

-less variety of ideas 

Situation in Singapore

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong thinks there is simply insufficient talent to form two good political parties ("2-party system not workable here")

But it is more than just that. Let's compare a country which has a plural party system against one with a single party, like India and China.

Both countries have huge populations and a largely homogenous culture. And although the two nations are growing well economically, it is evident that China is performing better.

I think this can be attributed to China's one-party state 

The advantage of having a single party allows the leaders to steer the country in one direction.

On the other hand, a two-party or multi-party system forces each party to serve party interests, sometimes at the expense of the country's progress.

For instance, developing infrastructure may benefit the nation but a good plan may be stymied by the opposition along party lines.

Often enough, a country traverses laterally economically and languishes, such as the United States where progress has been stagnant for the past decade because one political party is trying to outdo the other.

Bigger nations with a two-party or multi-party system can afford to falter and recover. For a small country like Singapore, I don't think there is any room for second chances. 

Yeo Yu Zhen (23) 2E

Profiles

YuZhen 

Im in CLDDS Chinese debate. I'm  in love with kpop. Sleep makes me happy :D One of my wishes is to meet kpop stars ((-; 

Gwen 

I am in RV chorale. I love kpop and my favourite groups are Big Bang, EXO, Infinite and B.A.P. I love music and my hobbies are singing and dancing. I love YG entertainment.<3 LA5TMINUTE OHORAT

Vesy

I am in CO. I love EXO and my favourite member is Suho and Sehun. My favourite colour is Red. One of my wish is to meet EXO. LA5TMINUTE YEHET:*

Winnie

Netball.  I like kpop.

Nigel 

Orewa Nigeru desu

肉をすき

a CID post reflection

Its been three weeks since the start of our CID lessons. during this short period of time, i have learnt many new and valuable lessons. The raison d'être of CID is to inculcate and develop our critical thinking and expand our knowledge of the world instead of living in out merry well. A few months from now, the CID lessons we have been through will prepare us for the enrapturing, albeit harrowing trip to mid Asia. After the trip, we are required to share our wonderful experiences with the whole school on the day of Learning Symposium. We too were instructed to create a brand new blog to document our findings and reflect on our prominent lessons, and also cultivate the habit of journalism.
From the second and third lessons, I have learnt that a picture does paint a thousand words. Its brazen lines, the distinct pallete of colours, a picture paints a scene, a story, a life. There is a difference between seeing and looking; a picture can be looked at without its meaning and backstory seen. The implicit meanings, the flummoxing contenance of the lady in the painting. I have indeed learnt much from CID.

Chinese New Year is over, and as a reflection of my languid actions, here is what I personally feel about Chinese New Year.

Colours of The New Year.

Symbol of The Year of New

Picture of Chinese New Year

-Done by : Nigel Tan (29)