The best option for USA and the rest of the world is to accept that it is no longer the #1 world power. There is no way to stop China’s rise, unless USA goes to war with China in which case everybody loses.
But, as always, none of this is reported in the West. So most Americans, Brits and Europeans are unaware of the announcements that China has made regarding their plans and the actions that they are involved in.
Some Biden administration officials are pushing for the sale of TikTok's US branch, citing the so-called security concerns over the company's operations in the country, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.
One couldn't help but raise the suspicion that behind the so-called reasons of protecting US national security is the untold, hidden intention to seize Chinese technology.
While a forced sale may just be a proposal for discussion by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US, there is no denying that TikTok has been increasingly cornered in the US. This is not because its commercial operation has run into problems, but because it has faced growing political coercion from anti-China politicians in Washington.
At least 15 states across the US have banned TikTok on government devices in the past month. Many federal agencies, including the White House and the departments of defense, homeland security and state, have already banned TikTok from government-owned devices. The latest funding bill passed by the US Congress last week includes a measure banning TikTok from devices used by federal employees.
Two weeks ago, anti-China senators including Marco Rubio announced a legislation bid to block all transactions from any social media company "in or under the influence" of China and Russia, which could kick TikTok out of the US if the bill were to become law.
All of these bans or legislative efforts are on the grounds of the so-called national security threat. Without any solid evidence or proof, the charge has been frequently used by the US government in cracking down on TikTok for quite some time.
Former US President Donald Trump once attempted to force ByteDance to sell TikTok to US companies two years ago, but a US federal judge blocked the attempt, and further bids to argue the case were dropped when the Biden administration came to power.
Yet, as TikTok has gained a larger market share amid a challenging business climate, there has been a menacing resurfacing of national security risks, which offers a glimpse into the deterioration of regulatory environment in the US.
It is doubtful how much US national security is at stake that precipitated Washiington's crackdown on TikTok. Instead, it looks increasingly like a robbery of others' technology.
A report published by GroupM, a media buying agency owned by WPP, estimated earlier this month that TikTok doubled its advertising revenues in 2022, becoming the only big social media platform to garner rising advertising revenues this year, beating rivals like Meta and Snap.
What Washington cares about is not whether TikTok is free of security concerns, but the sheer commercial interests behind the rapid rise of TikTok. To put it bluntly, the US government never appeared interested in offering any solution to the so-called security problem.
The US use of government power to stigmatize or try to rob TikTok is nothing but a Washington driven effort to maintain its global hegemony. If anything, unfair treatments the company received in the US market have been sufficient enough to hurt its reputation and increase the political risks in the eyes of the investors and advertisers, which will inevitably squeeze the country's future development space.
To put it another way, it shows that Washington simply cannot allow a foreign company to grow competitive enough to challenge its American peers.
The reason why TikTok has been targeted by the US is because it represents the rise of a new algorithmic technology that has enabled it to become the most successful app in the world in recent years. This is the representative of Chinese high-tech companies gaining an advantage in international markets through their own innovations.
Indeed, when the former Trump administration tried to push through a forced sale of TikTok in 2020, China introduced a new export regulation requiring Beijing's approval for certain technology transfers, including recommendation algorithms. And it is beyond doubt that China will protect its own core technologies and will not allow technology robbery by any party.
Mushrooming of medical schools due to lack of foresight, says PSM chief
PSM chief says the government must take the blame for what he called a “messy situation” that resulted from its decision 20 years ago to start licensing too many medical schools.
Niaga AWANI: Wakeup Call | Brain drain is only a symptom
We speak to President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) EMIR Research, Dr Rais Hussin on brain drain phenomenon.
/i
Brain Drain - Malaysia
Cause for concern: Dr Noor Hisham said the migration of health professionals was fuelled by many reasons, including economic factors. — LOW BOON TAT/The Star
Migration of health professionals was fuelled by many reasons, including economic factors.
PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
PETALING JAYA - Malaysia’s healthcare sector is not the only one facing a brain drain as other skilled sectors are facing the same problem, top officials say, as they responded to comments by a leading academic that the country’s top university loses at least 30 of its best medical graduates to Singapore every year.
New Health Minister Zaliha Mustafa said the brain drain is definitely a loss, but insisted that the right skills be inculcated to ensure that Malaysians continue to receive the highest quality services.
She said she was aware of the recommendations of the Human Resources for Health Strategy of her predecessors, including on the recruitment of doctors, improving the quality of training with clearer career pathways and improving their working conditions.
Health director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah said on Friday: “The issue of brain drain cuts across the workforce. It’s across all specialities, not only in the medical field.”
On complaints by medical students of poor working conditions, bullying, low wages, as well as inadequate training and career opportunities, he said there was no guarantee that migration would stop even if these issues ceased.
He said the migration of health professionals was fuelled by many reasons, including economic factors.
“Singapore’s currency is three times better than ours. Many Johoreans cross over to work in Singapore, so can the same argument be used?
“Even Singapore’s healthcare system has a similar issue with its citizens migrating elsewhere like to Australia,” he added.
The issue of brain loss was raised on Thursday by Professor Adeeba Kamarulzaman, who said the top college, Universiti Malaya, loses at least 30 of its best and brightest medical graduates to Singapore every year.
The professor of medicine and infectious diseases at Universiti Malaya’s medical faculty said in a tweet on Thursday that the brain drain will continue if nothing is done to address issues such as a lack of clear training and career pathways for doctors, nurses and allied health professionals
A male nurse working in Singapore told The Star that working in the Republic provided him the opportunity to gain wider experience.
“Singapore practises international standards and if I want to find jobs in Australia, New Zealand or even the United Kingdom, it will be easy for me,” he said, adding that nurses in Singapore undergo procedure competency courses frequently.
Malaysian Medical Association president Muruga Raj Rajathurai said the government needed to take steps to provide better career prospects in terms of career advancement and remuneration.
“Better pay is among the main reasons the junior doctors are leaving to work abroad. It doesn’t help that the cost of living has gone up in the country.
“Issues such as the contract system, permanent positions and even burnout need to be resolved or doctors will lose hope in the system and leave for greener pastures,” he said on Friday.
National Association of Human Resources Malaysia president Zarina Ismail, who runs a recruitment agency, said her firm found employment for qualified Malaysians such as nurses, doctors, lecturers and oil and gas professionals to work overseas.
“Many of the nurses say they don’t make enough here to have any savings at the end of the month.
“That is why they choose to look for jobs in countries like Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries, where they can earn RM12,000 (S$3,700) monthly,” she said. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Holiday fitness hacks
The festive season usually means diets and workouts are out the window, but to assuage your guilt, try these tips to moderate the eating and get a little exercise in.
Chewingum g can actually help reduce food cravings and appetite, so pop some in after you’ve eaten enough at the party.
— AFP
ONCE again, Christmas is here.
Your diet and workout may go out the window today, but never mind; it’s a day to find some merriment to light up your heart.
Even if you’re not celebrating Christmas, everyone can savour the holiday and hope that present troubles will pass.
As Malaysians, no doubt the first thing we want to do is get together and feast today – and this activity will probably continue until 2023 rings in.
Excessive eating is one of the main reasons for the additional weight gain, but it is also due to lack of physical activity and exercise.
After bingeing on good food and drinks, we feel guilty and sign up for gym memberships – a new year, a new start.
That’s what we’d like to believe anyway! But, instead of going downhill speedily, why not put your brakes on and glide steadily down the slope for a softer landing?
Try these useful tips to stay fit this holiday season.
Eat before heading out
There will be plenty of parties, dinners, lunches and gatherings, even if they are small ones.
So, eat something before leaving home so that you won’t be tempted to overeat there.
Some people prefer to skip their meals for the day to enjoy the festive spreads later, but that only means you will be enticed to eat more and thwart your digestion.
Foregoing meals actually leads to faster weight gain.
If you have a lot of invitations, eat smaller meals and chew food well.
Remember, the slower you eat, the faster you’ll feel full.
Fill up on salads and veggies
Chances are, if you are at a big party, there will be a variety of dishes to choose from.
Fill up at least half your plate with salads (minimise the dressing) and veggies (potatoes don’t count) as these choices contain very few calories and sugar.
Also, sit further away from the food, especially desserts, so that you have to get up and walk to get second or third helpings. Every little walking step counts!
It also helps prevent you from continuing to pick at a certain food just because it is in front of you.
Load up on water
Drink a lot of water to satiate your appetite and keep hydrated.
It will also prevent a possible hangover if you go overboard with the alcohol.
A dry mouth and a nagging headache are classic symptoms of dehydration.
As a rule of thumb, experts recommend drinking one full glass of water for every alcoholic beverage that you consume.
Bear in mind to drink moderately, and if you’re driving, definitely stick to non-alcoholic beverages.
If you do have one too many alcoholic beverages, have a glass of warm water with lemon or a green tea the next morning.
This will help to activate your system and begin any detoxification process needed.
Also, just prior to going out, have something like some yoghurt and a banana – the protein contained in them slows down stomach digestion, and the potassium will assist in balancing out any salty foods that might exacerbate dehydration.
Many Christmas treats and snacks are full of salt or sugar, which tends to throw your metabolism completely out of balance (including when it come to alcohol), so nibble instead of gobble.
Chew gum after meals
If you chew gum after tucking into your meal, that minty fresh taste and the action of chewing will help you avoid going back for more helpings, even if you’re still hungry.
A few small studies have shown that chewing gum can help reduce cravings and appetite, as well as shave calories.
Research conducted by the University of Rhode Island, United States, found that people who chewed gum every day consumed 68 fewer calories and did not bingeeat later.
Plus, gum chewers actually burned about 5% more calories than non-gum chewers.
Go ahead, chew gum when you have the urge to snack and right after your meals to prevent mindless munching.
However, note that chewing gum can also lead to swallowing air, which can cause bloating, so if you are prone to getting “wind” in your tummy, ignore this tip.
Get out of the house
Fret not if you don’t receive any invitations this year as many are struggling to make ends meet.
Allocate time for family and perhaps plan some outdoor activities that do not involve costs.
Maybe a hike in the forest, a picnic in the park, a frolic in the playground or a walk about town – if the weather permits.
All these will help burn calories while keeping the children entertained.
Squeeze in some strength training
Staying active and maintaining a semblance of an exercise routine may seem like an impossible task with a calendar full of holiday parties and family obligations. But it can be done.
Plan to exercise in the morning before starting your day, when there are minimal distractions.
To maintain the muscle mass that you’ve worked so hard to build, perform your strength-training exercises as you can burn just as many calories as a cardiovascular workout in a shorter span of time.
No weights?
No problem, just use your own bodyweight – 20 minutes daily or every other day is enough during this period.
Here are some examples of exercises you can do:
> One-minute jumping jacks and/or marching on the spot with knees high (to warm up).
> Twenty parallel squats.
> Twenty walking lunges.
> A one-minute plank.
> Ten push-ups.
> Twenty bicycle crunches.
> Twenty tricep dips.
> Twenty duck squats (with legs separated and feet turned out).
Opting for meat dishes at the parties and buffets might even mean you will gain some extra muscle – definitely much better than gaining some extra fat!
So, stay healthy, indulge a little bit, keep your face masks on in crowded areas, and as Ella Fitzgerald would sing, Have yourself a merry little Christmas.
See you next year!
RevMathi urugappan is a certified fitness trainer who tries to battle gravity and continues to dance to express herself artistically and nourish her soul. For more information, email starhealth@thestar.com. my. The information contained in this column is for general educational purposes only. neither The Star nor the author gives any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to such information. The Star and the author disclaim all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
The Star Malaysia 25 Dec 2022REVATHI MURUGAPPAN starhealth@thestar.com.my
Making a reasonable argument is not a term in Washington's dictionary in the China-US power game.
Ned Price, US state department spokesperson, said on Monday that the US hopes China can address the current COVID-19 outbreak as "the toll of the virus is of concern to the rest of the world given the size of China's GDP, given the size of China's economy."
His remarks aren't surprising at all. Washington has been putting and will go on to put all of China's policies and measures under the prism of China-US competition. That means the wordings of the US side will be all about shaping an international atmosphere that benefits only the US.
When China's role in the global economy is mentioned, some very recent examples can be cited. In the just-concluded World Cup, products made in Yiwu, China's small commodity hub, have accounted for nearly 70 percent of the market share of World Cup merchandise, ranging from national flags, soccer balls to jerseys, according to the Yiwu Sports Goods Association. Made-in-China products, including but not limited to projectors and leggings, injected vigor into Black Friday, a traditional shopping bonanza in the West that kicked off on November 25, reports show. Last but not the least, the US announced in late November that it will extend its tariff exclusions for some Chinese medical products for an additional three months in order to continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
Responding to Price's remarks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Tuesday that in the past three years, China's COVID policy has provided maximum protection to people's lives and health, minimized COVID's impact on socioeconomic development, and bought precious time for understanding the virus on the basis of science, for research and development of vaccines and therapeutics, and for vaccinating more people across the country. We have achieved the most effective results at minimum cost.
Washington does not have a say in China's influence on the world economy. Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the IMF, said earlier this month that recalibrating COVID policies "can be very good for the Chinese people and economy, and also good for Asia and the world economy." Morgan Stanley raised its forecast for China's GDP in 2023 to 5.4 percent from its previous outlook of 5 percent, predicting that a rebound in activity will come earlier and be sharper than expected.
China is the only country that has earnestly fought the battle against COVID with strict measures for three years, unlike the US, which had given up fighting the virus long long ago. Just because China has taken the lead in reining in COVID, it is able to resume businesses and production in an efficient manner. In 2020, China was the only major world economy to grow in that pandemic-ravaged year. In 2021, China's GDP was $17.7 trillion, accounting for 18.5 percent of the global total.
In an interview with the Global Times, Sean Doherty, head of International Trade and Investment and member of the Executive Committee of the World Economic Forum, said that China shows tactical resilience in maintaining flexible supply chains amid the pandemic, while describing China as a role model in facilitating trade domestically and a leading power in the WTO's investment facilitation discussions.
However, it's another story in the US. Washington wasted no time politicizing the virus, launched an ideological warfare and divided the world when unity was badly needed the most amid the global public health crisis.
When the US needs to boost its economy, it tends to turn to unlimited quantitative easing, referred to as printing money wildly, which is aimed at attracting inflows of financial capital. But when its measures led to high inflation, which has been especially severe during the pandemic, the US starts to raise its interest rates, time and again. The aim is to make the US dollar stronger, attract investment capital from investors abroad seeking higher returns on American bonds and interest-rate products. But for other countries, the endless interest rate hikes are making it more and more expensive to service their dollar-denominated debts, causing currency depreciation and worsening inflation on their own soil. With the kits, like quantitative easing and raising interest rates, in its tool box, the US has been reaping benefits and wealth from the world.
This is the truth: When China makes contributions to the world economy during the pandemic, Washington is busy making deliberate transfer of wealth from the world to the US.
Despite Price's rhetoric, the world will see which side has been the problem. If Price does cares about the world economy, he should have advised the White House to restrain itself when disrupting global supply chains and provoking conflicts and even wars.
Whether it’s treating phobias, rehabilitating patients or raising safety standards, virtual reality has become a terrific tool for overcoming the obstacles posed by the real world.
Vr makes it practical to enact scenarios that would be impossible or too expensive to do in real life, reducing hassle for users while also cutting costs and saving time. The pods blast air and physically move in multiple directions to make the Vr experience more immersive. — 123rf.com
— Photos: angelin yeoh/the Star
IMAGINE you are flying on a plane when the sky grows dark, the weather becomes increasingly turbulent, the plane starts to shake, and your seat rattles violently.
While it would be distressing for anyone, it could be too much to handle for someone with a fear of flying.
However, putting them in such a situation under the supervision of a specialist may help them overcome their phobias.
Tanjina Ashraf Khan, CEO and founder of Mentcouch, a psychology centre in Kuala Lumpur, calls it exposure therapy and recommends it for those who want to overcome their extreme sense of fear over an object or situation.
She says that as they work with a therapist to learn how to deal with their anxiety, they will be gradually exposed to their phobias.
“What we want to see during the sessions is the person developing less anxiety toward their fears. We start with a scale of one to 10.
“At the beginning, they may rate their anxiety level as nine. When it gets to a six, that is progress,” she shares.
However, she says exposure therapies are difficult to conduct physically. For example, if a client has a fear of snakes or cockroaches, it’s not realistic to bring those elements into the room.
Enacting certain scenarios, such as getting on a plane, could also be costly.
“It could also be unsafe for the client if they suffer from severe panic attacks on the plane. We may have to request an emergency landing,” Mentcouch managing director Justin Kung adds.
This was the impetus for using virtual reality – just by putting on a VR headset, a person can be “transported” to a different place or situation safely.
“Most importantly, we can assure them that they are in control,” Tanjina says.
She explains that clients typically spend up to 30 minutes in VR while being monitored on a computer by a trained therapist.
Kung says: “We can communicate with them by giving visual commands. This way, they can stay immersed in the environment without too much outside interference.”
Mentcouch counsellor Syahirah Husna says: “We will typically take a break for 10 minutes and assess their anxiety level and talk about relaxation techniques such as deep breathing.
“When they are ready to continue, they can practise the techniques they’ve learned in their chosen environment.”
Apart from overcoming phobias, Mentcouch is using VR as part of its therapy for stress relief, in which an individual would be guided through techniques like muscle relaxation in a soothing virtual environment like a beach or forest.
“Some people have trouble concentrating during therapy, as they will be stressed thinking about work or what the traffic will be like when it’s time to go home,” she says, adding that such sessions will help them become more mindful and calm.
Kung agrees, saying, “They feel that with VR, less effort is required to help them relax.”
Raising the bar
Over at Taman Desa in KL, chartered physiotherapist Lian Yunperng is using VR as part of physiotherapy treatments, describing the virtual world as a “form of distraction from pain”.
“We recommend this specifically for people recovering from a stroke or those who may be living with chronic pain.
“They may find it difficult to lift an object due to their condition, so we help them achieve upper-limb movement by practising using VR,” says Lian, who owns and operates Ace Physiotherapy.
Lian starts a session by securing the headset for the patient and adjusting the focus so they can see clearly. Patients are not required to walk and will largely be sitting down.
“I will be guiding them throughout the process as I can view what they are seeing on my smartphone.
“The sensors will track their hands and they will be able to perform movements such as picking up an object like a stone or throwing a ball in the virtual environment,” he says.
They may also be tasked with completing a block puzzle. It starts off with three blocks, with the number of blocks and complexity increasing as the patient progresses.
Each VR session typically lasts about 10 to 15 minutes and after undergoing training for three months, Lian will measure patients’ progress by checking their muscle power.
“For severely debilitated patients, we hope to see improvements, including being able to perform movements such as making a fist, moving their fingers or lifting their wrist,” he says.
Lian first integrated VR as part of his physiotherapy services back in 2019 – while exploring ways to improve his services, he stumbled upon a crowdfunding campaign for a VR headset.
“The product was geared for gaming, but I was inspired by the possibilities and started to look into how I could use VR for rehab,” he says.
He eventually decided to go with Oculus after testing several products and finding apps that he felt would be suitable for his physiotherapy plan.
“The headset is light and portable. I don’t need cables (it uses a rechargeable battery) or to carry extra equipment such as monitors.
“I can get it ready in 10 minutes by using my phone and not waste my patient’s time,” he says.
Lian is careful not to introduce VR to patients without first assessing their suitability.
“They must not have conditions like epilepsy or severe balance issues. If they feel dizzy while using VR, then the treatment will cease,” he says.
The feedback for incorporating VR as part of the physiotherapy treatment has been encouraging, saysLian, adding that most patients were open to it.
“They get to try something new and there’s a fun element to it,” he says.
Training tech
Fun is the last thing on the minds of workers at the Genting Tunnel East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) construction site in Bentong, Pahang, as they have to be on their toes to stay safe and minimise risks.
“Safety is a priority for everyone. It is compulsory to attend safety training due to the exposure to various types of hazards,” says Datuk Osman Haron, the health, safety and environment director for China Communications Construction ECRL, the main contractor for the ECRL project owned by Malaysia Rail Link (MRL).
To improve and enhance safety awareness levels at the site, the company said it set up a VR Safety Experience Hall to allow its workers to learn about safety in a more immersive environment.
It has two VR safety experiences, the first being a VR pod that simulates the experience of a fast-moving vehicle.
In a demo, the pod simulated a bumpy cart ride with tight turns and steep slopes in a snowy mountain that was made more real by its ability to blast air and physically move in multiple directions.
“There are trainings to simulate car crashes and falling from great heights. The experiences are meant to serve as reminders to workers to always perform safety checks when on site and to equip themselves with the required gear,” Osman adds.
The other VR service gives the worker freedom of movement within a designated area, allowing him or her to pick up tools and operate them in a virtual world. Depending on the chosen scenario – it’s claimed to offer up to 100 options, including one that was inspired by real construction tragedies in China – the dangers they face will be different.
Workers may find themselves operating a crane, only for the hosting cable to snap and injure others, or drilling in a tunnel while standing on an unsteady platform that would break.
After each experience, a pop-up will show the actions that led to the mishap.
For example, in the first scenario, the cable could have snapped because no prior inspection was conducted to ensure all equipment was in order, and in the second, it could be due to workers not wearing safety harnesses and the scaffolding not being built according to safety standards. “
Typically, workers would have to sit through hour-long briefings on safety and they may not retain all the information due to the static setting.
“By experiencing what could happen if they are not aware of precautionary measures with VR, it will be a more beneficial learning experience,” Osman says.
Untapped uses
Osman admits, however, that VR can’t replace all aspects of safety training, as practical experience is still an important aspect.
For example, workers have to learn how to operate machinery in real life so that they can feel the “weight” and how objects move in certain weather conditions.
“For some aspects of safety training, we try to find ways to combine it with VR, as it has the advantage of helping workers fully visualise situations,” he says.
He adds that VR also helps to remove constraints such as the need to be in various locations and facilities for training.
“We’ve had issues where training could not be conducted because the trainer was not there.
“But with VR, there is no such issue. We can also upgrade the software with new experiences to keep our workers updated with new safety guidelines when they move to a new site,” he says.
Meanwhile, Tanjina says that with VR “moving fast”, she sees the potential of it being used for online sessions with both the therapist and patient appearing as 3D avatars.
What’s crucial now, she says, is to create more awareness about the benefits of VR and other forms of technology in mental health treatment.
“People were not open to technology being used as part of mental health treatment until the pandemic opened opportunities for people to try online therapy.
“The biggest hurdle is helping more people become aware of the benefits of technology in certain aspects,” she says.
Lian agrees, saying that people have to be more open to trying new forms of tech for physiotherapy treatment.
He claims that robotics, such as an exoskeleton, can be incorporated into rehabilitation therapies, and that an Ai-powered device is being developed to assist stroke patients in performing movements.
“I encourage people to think outside the box and not be limited to what they have learned in university.
“Go to expos and conferences to learn about tech advancements in health. I would also advise them to look into the science and research behind it,” he says.
Osman adds that, in addition to VR, the company is relying on technology such as drones to monitor remote areas that are difficult to access by humans.
“We are closely following the development of technology in various fields to see how it can be implemented.
“Technology is very much an important aspect of what we do,” he says.
