Topic Reading-Vol.3466/10/7/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Princess Mako: Japanese royal to finally marry commoner boyfriend

The Imperial House of Japan, the world's longest-running hereditary dynasty, doesn’t allow a female emperor under the current constitution, though there were eight in its 1360-year-old history. Under the post-war constitution, the emperor is "the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people," and is not involved in politics. Other members of the Imperial Family, both male and female, perform ceremonial and social duties. Princess Mako, the first daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito, was supposed to marry her former college classmate in 2018. However, because of the fiancé’s mother’s financial scandal, their marriage was suspended, and he went to the US to study law. Three years later after he graduated a law school and became a lawyer in New York, their marriage was announced again. They are now set to marry later this month. Once married, Princess Mako will leave the royal family and become an ordinary citizen. Because of the uncelebrated nature of the scandalous path to marriage, she declined to receive the one-time payment that is usually paid to a female member when she leaves the royal family. They will live in the US after marriage, just like Harry and Meghan from the British royal family.

Enjoy reading the text and learn about another royal couple who will leave their own country.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58758317

Topic Reading-Vol.3465/10/6/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Overseas fans banned from 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics

The Tokyo Summer Games were held inside empty stadiums due to COVID-19 precautions, which disappointed the athletes and fans in Japan and from abroad, sponsors who made a substantial investment, and Japan’s Olympic Organization that lost ticket revenues. And furthermore, the decision was made at the very last minute so that staff, volunteers, and supporting institutions were all screwed. The confusion seemed to have been caused by Japan’s easy-going, populism politics.

Now, China is hosting the 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in the coming winter. The nation is implementing the zero-tolerant policy towards Covid-19, imposing a 21-day quarantine on all incoming travelers from abroad (Vol.3464), and has no intention to loosen it for the international sports event. In the meantime, they want to make the event as exciting as they can for the athletes, fans, and sponsors while meeting the financial requirements, ticket sales. How? They will allow only fully vaccinated participates to enter the country and move around under a closed-loop management system. They can move freely but they will be tested daily just like all the other domestic participants and workforce who run and support the event. As for the fans, no spectators from abroad are allowed but those who live in Mainland China. So, the stadiums and event venues will be filled but only with Chinese fans. This way, they can host the event in a way almost as same as usual Olympic games. They can sell tickets as usual, and sponsors can expect good visibility. More importantly, China made the decision months before the event so that all the people and organizations concerned can plan and prepare for the event in advance. A lesson seems to have been learned well.

Enjoy reading the article about how the 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games are going to be held.

https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2021/9/29/winter-olympics-2022-china-to-allow-fans-only-from-mainland

Topic Reading-Vol.3464/10/5/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

China has built a 5,000-room quarantine center for overseas arrivals. It could be the first of many

China is one of the few countries that has successfully contained coronavirus outbreaks. Over one billion people, accounting for 70% of the nation’s population, have already been fully vaccinated, which could have achieved herd immunity. Also, China’s uncompromising, zero-tolerance strategy towards the coronavirus now mandates three-week quarantine for all incoming travelers from abroad. While other democratic, or populist countries are loosening travel restrictions for vaccinated travelers, Chinese leaders don’t seem to think this coronavirus pandemic will end in any foreseeable future and decided to build large-scale quarantine facilities in major entry cities. The first of its kind was built in Guangzhou, a major industrial and commercial city in Southern China near Hong Kong. The 5,000-room international health station was constructed by over 4,000 workers in just three months. Another example of China’s massive project with amazing speed and scale. There is a video chat camera and an AI thermometer in each room, and all the meals are delivered by robots to minimize direct contact with the quarantined travelers. You may be surprised by the sheer scale of the facility but more are being built. It’s simple math. Each international flight could bring in 300-or-so passengers and they would be all quarantined for three weeks. How many flights will they be able to accept?

Enjoy reading the article and learn about China’s determination to prevent the Covid-19 outbreak.

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/09/29/china/guangzhou-covid-quarantine-center-mic-intl-hnk/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.3463/10/4/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

World can learn from Chinese afforestation

Unlike reforestation, which restores an area that has been deforested, afforestation is the process of introducing trees and tree seedlings to an area that has previously not been forested. Afforestation can be done through tree planting and seeding, naturally or artificially. It is regarded as one of the prospective methods to fight climate concerns, as it increases the soil quality and organic carbon levels into the soil, avoiding desertification.

China has been very active in afforestation for the last four decades even though the forest area per capita is still far lower than the international average. In fact, the amount of planted forest has exceeded 80 million hectares and still growing. China claims afforestation has generated a remarkable improvement in local diversity and lifted more than 100,000 rural residents from poverty. Apart from the self-claimed achievement, China’s goal to afforest 36,000 square kilometers each year in their new five-year plan is an ambitious but respectable commitment to sustainable and green development.

Enjoy reading the article and learn about China’s afforestation.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202109/29/WS6153bdc4a310cdd39bc6c3f9.html

Topic Reading-Vol.3462/10/3/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

South Korea's President Moon says it's time to consider a ban on eating dog meat

Dog meat is used for traditional, cultural, ritualistic, or ordinary dishes in many countries throughout the world while such practice is regarded as inhumane in other cultures. In Asia, dog meat dishes are popular in some regions and for some generations, especially in China and Korea. There are dedicated herders, butchers, markets, and restaurants for dog meat in those countries. However, as dogs are becoming more popular as humans' companions, the practice of eating dog meat is viewed less favorably. Now, South Korea’s outgoing President Moon Jae-in recently suggested that the country consider prohibiting dog meat consumption. As the next presidential election is scheduled within half-year, contenders for the election may have to raise their voices on this controversial issue even though it is not as essential for the economy, national security, and Covid-19. Will this become one of the pivotal points in the election?

Enjoy reading the article and think about why it is such a controversial topic in some countries.

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/09/27/asia/south-korea-dog-meat-ban-intl-hnk/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.3461/10/2/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Afghanistan: Taliban ban Helmand barbers from trimming beards

Historically, social attitudes toward male beards have varied widely. While Islam considers a full beard is important and even mandates it as part of their observance, other cultures view a beard as out of fashion or unhygienic. Also, beards are grown to protect the wearer’s face from cold air or direct sunlight. But even among Muslims, beards are regarded differently by Islamic tradition. Some mandate beard and prohibit shaving it while others just recommend beard and permit shaving or trimming it. In Shia, the length of a beard is limited, and therefore trimming is allowed while prohibiting shaving. In Taliban-led Afghanistan, shaving or trimming beards is now regarded as a violation of Islamic law and officially prohibited in some regions. It seems that they are reviving the strict rulings which took place between 1996 and 2001. Barbers are told not to shave or trim anyone’s beard. They enjoyed the shaving and trimming business for the last 15 years under American influence but now they need to look for other opportunities for their business and livelihood. What will young girls, who aren’t used to unshaven, untrimmed beards, think of men?

Read the article and learn of the changes in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58700159

Topic Reading-Vol.3460/10/1/2021

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Iceland misses out on Europe's first female-majority parliament after recount

Iceland is an island country in the North Atlantic Ocean whose central volcanic plateau is erupting almost constantly. With a population of just 371,000, Iceland is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. The Nordic island country has been a leader in gender equality, ensuring equal pay for men and women and granting the same parental leave to both the father and mother. Also, it elected the first female president four decades ago. However, women haven’t represented the majority of the parliament yet. The latest election’s result briefly showed they won 33 of the 63 seats of the parliament, but the later recount proved 30, or 47.6%. Even though not all the female representatives always vote for the same measure, it would have been a historical achievement if they had won the majority in the parliament. A bit of disappointment for women but a satisfactory result for the parties that gained more seats regardless of their gender.

Enjoy reading the article and learn about Iceland’s latest election results.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-58698490