Tag: Australia

CoVid-19 Corona Virus Face Mask Requirements by Country

Requirements to wear a cloth face mask, by country is evolving. Starting in Asia, acceptance has spread worldwide. This is an evolving situation, with more countries mandating use with time and social acceptance.

Maskenpflicht (mask duty) in German

Government Guidance Articles

China’s Border Control: Exit Ban or Bian Kong

China is well known for its ability to detain foreigners from exiting the country. It is often used to settle business conflict between foreigners and Chinese companies. The Chinese company contacts the police to say that a foreigner has not paid or lived up to some business dealing and Chinese border control puts a ban on the foreigner’s exit. These are called “exit bans“.

Bian kong, “边控“, short for bianjing kongzhi, “边境控制” is a system that can bar a foreigner from leaving China. We normally call it an “exit ban”

边控

边控即边境控制,它是为防止涉案的外国人或者中国公民因其借出境之机逃避司法机关追究法律责任,给境内的国家、集体或个人财产等带来重大损失,而通过法定程序在国边境口岸对之采取限制出境的一种保全措施

适用法律
编辑
目前国内关于边控的相关法律规定,主要是外国人出入境管理法、 《中华人民共和国公民出入境管理法》 (以下简称“两法”)和最高法院、最高检察院、公安部、国家安全部印发的《关于依法限制外国人和中国公民出境问题的若干规定》 (以下简称《若干规定》)以及公安部发布的一些部门规章等。总体上讲,这些规定比较原则,在适用中还需要不断地加以完善

The Skywhale Hot Air Balloon from an Australian Artist

I do love this thing and would love to see it live. We should all accept the imperfect and obviously different. This has hot air balloon ten large breasts that act like wings! Brilliant! Designed in Australia, made in Britain.

Skywhale balloon, designed by artist Patricia Piccinini , Australia. Controversial but strikingly beautiful.

Skywhale balloon, designed by artist Patricia Piccinini , Australia. Controversial but strikingly beautiful.

Chinese-Canadian Business People Working in China: Risky?

Over the years there have been many an example where business people of Chinese descent, Huaqiao or Huayi, have gone to China to do business, some commercial disputes have arisen, and these Chinese foreigners have been thrown in jail, passports confiscated, for a prolonged period of time. As someone with a business degree, and who can speak Chinese, this risk is more than a possibility.

This is not to say that non-Chinese business people have immunity. They have also been thrown into jail for commercial disputes, but seemingly not as often.

China’s Tactics of Influence in Foreign Countries

China is a sovereign country, the same as any other independent and the world must respect this. What is unique about China is their willingness to use any means to exert their influence far beyond Chinese jurisdiction. I see that here in Canada, but there are reports of the same tactics being used in Australia and New Zealand.

Tactics include:
Funding education programs that have a pro-Chinese viewpoint
There is great concern here in Canada about their funding tactics. While it is great to encourage the study of Mandarin language, China is using this platform to teach a pro-Chinese viewpoint to very young kids. More than worrisome, this is meddling in the internal affairs of Canada. The Toronto District School Board had signed an agreement with this group, but the decision was reversed.

Chinese Lawyer Xie Yang Tortured for Confession

Xie Yang, a Chinese Lawyer, tortured in Changsha, China, Jul 2015, is still in jail in the Changsha City Public Security No. 2 Detention Center. He has not been released.

Xie Yang, a Chinese Lawyer, tortured in Changsha, China, Jul 2015, is still in jail in the Changsha City Public Security No. 2 Detention Center. He has not been released.

Here I am, in Toronto, Canada, reading this translation about the torture of a Chinese lawyer, a human rights lawyer, Xie Yang 谢阳, in Changsha, China. I’m just not used to this kind of abuse on another human being. Yes, I’m soft. Under Canada’s legal system, torture in order to get a conviction would lead to the exclusion of all documents and evidence gained while under torture. This is just and fair. Evidence gained while using torture cannot be considered credible nor truthful. When someone fears for their life or the lives of their family and friends, they will admit to anything if pushed sufficiently hard. Truth is more important than just getting a conviction, as you may be convicting the wrong person.

Unexpected Site Visitors: Welcome

Welcome to my web site. If I can break the boredom of your day or put a smile on your face I am happy. These are some visitors that are unexpected but welcome. Most of these are government agencies, because I think it is odd that any government would be interested in my writing. There are lots of educational institutions that visit, but they are not as interesting to me. Note that just because they visit my site does not mean that they are hunting for bad stuff. It usually means that workers are human, looking for general life information and find it on my site for specific topics.

Toronto Buskerfest August 23 2012

We attended the Toronto Buskerfest on August 23 2012, on the Thursday because it was the cooler of the 4 day festival. I think we should have not attended the first day, because many of the acts seemed to not have arrived into Toronto yet. There was little juggling or unicycling, though still lots of comedy.

Jackie Wise from Ireland, magician, Toronto Buskerfest 2012, Toronto, Canada. Photo by Don Tai

Jackie Wise from Ireland, magician, Toronto Buskerfest 2012, Toronto, Canada. Photo by Don Tai

Austrailian Radio Station Prank Call was Immoral

Prank calling is not a new form of entertainment. When done with good taste it is harmless. The Australian radio station 2Day took their prank call way too far, abusing the helpfulness of two nurses, breaking the privacy of a pregnant woman (who happens to be from the British Royal family), and this they call entertainment? I call this a depraved act that someone with some morals should have said “No, this is not correct”. Some manager approved this stunt and the result was a breach of privacy of the pregnant woman as well as the unfortunate suicide of one of the nurses. Is this what 2Day FM calls entertainment? If I was not Canadian I would certainly call the sponsors of 2Day FM to complain that they are supporting an immoral radio station and would boycott their products.