China Warns Donald Trump

China has warned the US it could take "firm counter-measures" if Washington continues to show support for pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.

The warning came after US President Donald Trump signed the Human Rights and Democracy Act into law.

The act mandates an annual review, to check if Hong Kong has enough autonomy to justify special status with the US.

Mr Trump is currently seeking a deal with China, in order to end a trade war between the two countries.

"The US has been disregarding facts and distorting truth," a Chinese foreign ministry statement said.

"It openly backed violent criminals who rampantly smashed facilities, set fire, assaulted innocent civilians, trampled on the rule of law, and jeopardised social order."

The ministry threatened "counter measures" if the US continued "going down the wrong path".

What are the implications of the bill?

The new law requires Washington to monitor Beijing's actions in Hong Kong. The US could revoke the special trading status it has granted the territory if China undermines the city's rights and freedoms.

Among other things, Hong Kong's special status means it is not affected by US sanctions or tariffs placed on the mainland.

The bill also says the US should allow Hong Kong residents to obtain US visas if they have been arrested for being part of non-violent protests.

Analysts say the move could complicate negotiations between China and America to end their trade war.

What has the reaction been?

China's foreign ministry summoned the US ambassador to demand that Washington stops interfering in Chinese internal affairs.

Hong Kong's government also reacted, saying the American bill would send the wrong signal and would not help to ease the situation.

But a key activist in the Hong Kong protest movement, Joshua Wong, said the US law was a "remarkable achievement" for "all Hong Kongers".

How did the bill come about?

The bill was introduced in June in the early stages of the protests in Hong Kong, and was overwhelmingly approved by the House of Representatives last month.

Mr Trump said he signed it "out of respect for President Xi Jin Ping of China, and the people of Hong Kong".

He had previously been non-committal, saying he was "with" Hong Kong but also that Mr Xi was "an incredible guy".

However, the bill had widespread congressional support, which meant that even if he vetoed it, lawmakers could potentially have voted to overturn his decision.

The president also signed a second bill, which bans the export of crowd-control munitions to the police in Hong Kong - including tear gas, rubber bullets and stun guns.

"[The bills] are being enacted in the hope that leaders and representatives of China and Hong Kong will be able to amicably settle their differences, leading to long-term peace and prosperity for all," Mr Trump said.

What is the situation in Hong Kong?

The US move comes amid a lull in protests following a pro-democracy landslide in local elections.

Hong Kong's protests started in June against a proposed law to allow extradition to mainland China but it has since transformed into a larger pro-democracy movement.

The protests have also seen increasingly violent clashes, with police being attacked, and officers firing live bullets.

Protesters have thrown petrol bombs and attacked businesses seen as being pro-Beijing.

The protesters, meanwhile, have accused police of brutality.

On Sunday, Hong Kong held local council elections that were seen as a barometer of public opinion towards the government and the protesters.

The elections saw a landslide victory for the pro-democracy movement, with 17 of the 18 councils now controlled by pro-democracy councillors.

On Thursday, authorities moved into the Polytechnic University days after it had been the site of a fierce standoff between student activists and riot police.

The police said they had found hundreds of petrol bombs and other home-made devices, and were dusting them for fingerprints.

A search found no remaining activists at the site but it is thought there could still be about a dozen people still hiding inside.

Source: BBC News

The Starfish Airport

Beijing Daxing International Airport is Beijing's second international airport. It has been nicknamed "starfish" thanks to its unique shape. With an area of more than 1,000,000 m2 (11,000,000 sq ft); the terminal building is the largest single-structure airport terminal in the world, It was completed on 30/6/2019. The opening ceremony for the airport was held on 25/9/2019 with the airport opened to the public on 26/9/2019 (my birthday!:).

The airport is 65 kilometres South of Beijing Capital International Airport, and is planned to serve the catchment area of Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei.

After almost five years of construction, the US$ 11.4 billion facility features a 700,000 m2 (7,500,000 sq ft) terminal and sits on 47 km2 of land, making it the world's second-largest single-building airport terminal after Istanbul Airport's main terminal.

Building of this magnitude requires a team of professionals to turn dream into reality. The airport's master plan was drafted by NACO (Netherlands Airport Consultants) and features a ground transportation centre providing the airport with public transportation links to high-speed rail, metro, expressways, Beijing Airport Bus routes, local buses and inter-airport transportation system. The terminal building was designed by the late British star architect Zaha Hadid Architects (who also designed many iconic buildings in China and all over the world) and French planners ADPI, and executed by the Beijing Institute of Architectural Design (BIAD). It consists of a central hub with six curved spokes. The façade was designed by XinShan Curtainwall and Beijing Institute of Architectural Design. Arup was subcontracted by Beijing Institute of Architectural Design as the fire engineering consultant, while China IPPR International Engineering was responsible for security system and baggage system designs. BuroHappold Engineering, as part of the consortium, worked with the architects to integrate engineering solutions into the design of the airport.

Hong Kong design studio Lead 8 was appointed as lead designer of the integrated service building (the 6th pier) in 2018. The terminal, according to Lead 8, will encompass "a purposeful design of work spaces, with integrated retail, dining, and entertainment options for the large number of passengers expected," with plans to incorporate interactive pet hotels, a child care and nursery, hybrid online retail and dining, and a showroom for companies.

The gracious curve lines evident throughout the building are the signature architectural feature that was favoured by Zaha Hadid. The seamless curves elevate the building and make it feels as if it is ready to take off. What a clever way to make a big building perceived to be light and airy. Other notable buildings by Zaha Hadid in China include the Wangjing SOHO in Beijing and the Guangzhou Opera House.

Housing Along Transit Line

With the Penang State Government pushing for the Transport Master Plan to be implemented as a matter of urgency; we could soon see housing blocks emerge more densely along the public transport route mainly from Komtar to the airport or more commonly known as the Bayan Lepas LRT Line. 

This will involve the local town planning guidelines to be modified to cater for future demands of housing along the route as the lower income group residents would like to live near public transport for convenience and economic reasons. When fully implemented; Penang's skyline will significantly be altered or evolved to reflect this latest development.

Official announcement of incentives for developers who are willing to work together with the government in making this idea a reality as follow:

Penang State Government will establish a new guideline, Transit Oriented Development or better known as TOD in its efforts to complement and encourage housing development near Light Rapid Transit (LRT) service areas and public bus stations.

State Housing, Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said that in line with that goal, he asked Plan Malaysia and the two local councils to draft and provide TOD guidelines for Penang.  

“I have directed the Penang City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) to immediately prepare this draft taking into account aspects and jurisdictions of other countries that have practiced it.

“I expect both local authorities to prepare the first draft as early as the first quarter of next year (2020), so developers have time to plan for their housing project in the affected area,” he told a recent media conference here.

Also present was the Chief Minister, Y.A.B. Mr. Chow Kon Yeow, Pengkalan Kota State Assemblyman, Daniel Gooi Zi Sen and Jelutong Member of Parliament, R.S.N. Rayer.

Based on the LRT development project along the Komtar line to Bayan Lepas, there are 27 main stations of Phase 1 involving the construction of 20 stations from Komtar to Island A (Penang South Reclamation project, PSR) and Phase 2 (seven stations linking islands A, B and C).

Commenting on the new guidelines to be introduced, Jagdeep said that the State Government would give priority and incentives to developers developing housing schemes using the TOD method along those lines.

“As we all know, a total of 102,335 units of low-cost (LC), low-medium cost (LMC) and affordable (RMM) houses have been achieved so far involving various stages of preparation.

“To achieve Penang 2030 Vision, I have set a new target of 180,000 LC, LMC, RMM, with the remaining 78,000 units needed to be built by 2030.

“The development of the 78,000 units will follow this guideline based method (TOD) … we will also make major adjustments to the amount of parking allowed later in encouraging the public to use public transport while reducing vehicles and carbon footprints, thus making Penang more green, safe and sustainable, ”said Datuk Keramat assemblyman.

In addition, Jagdeep also expects public bus users by 2030 will increase to 30 percent on the island and 40 percent (Seberang).

“Based on the current ratio, the use of public buses is only four percent on the island and eight percent (Seberang).

“As such, we will try to identify more strategic locations for developing bus stations,” he said, adding that there are 1,711 bus stations throughout Penang with 404 rapid bus services on 71 routes.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

Old Is The New Gold

Sia Boey is one of the overdue and much anticipated urban rejuvenation project in Penang. The place played an important role in the early days of George Town but was later neglected to dilapidated state due to urban development in the vicinity. A lot of talks since then but no sign of any progress until recently. Photos of a drain teeming with Koi fish were being circulated in the social media for the past few months and have created quite a buzz among the netizens. It was touted to be the next big thing in Instagram friendly places in Penang. Finally it was opened to public recently. Official announcement from Buletin Mutiara below:

THE country’s first Urban Archeological Park at Sia Boey site (in the vicinity of Prangin Mall) was officially opened by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow this afternoon.

According to Chow, the park, which is part of the Komtar Phase 5 development project (total area of 5.73 acre), would be instrumental in telling the history of George Town.

The Sia Boey site is flanked by Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong and Jalan Magazine.

“Sia Boey was the trading hub during the earlier days in George Town and its activities were centred at the Prangin Canal where the 19th century Market Hall and shoplots are located.

“The Sia Boey Rejuvenation Project was launched on March 25, 2018 and the purpose of the project is to transform Sia Boey into an area of existing development as well as conserving heritage, green parks for a sustainable development.

“The project is also expected to add value to George Town’s Unesco sites since Jalan Lim Chwee Leong, where Sia Boay is situated, is considered to be the border of the Unesco heritage sites.

“The site (Sia Boey) is regarded as the buffer zone (Unesco heritage site), therefore it is important to retain its historical values,” added Chow.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by state Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee (Petach) chairman Yeoh Soon Hin, Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, Pengkala Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi and Penang Island City Council mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang.

“I hope that the renovated Market Hall, which will be open for public use, will be fully utilised.  Those who are interested in renting it can contact the PDC Setia Urus,” Chow said.

Part of the Sia Boey site will make way for the construction of the proposed LRT station under the Penang Transport Master Plan.

The Sia Boey Rejuvenation Project project is undertaken by the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) with the collaboration of George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) and Centre of Global Archeological Research USM.

Also present was PDC general manager Datuk Mohd Bazid Abdul Kahar.

The name ‘Sia Boey’ means the tail of a settlement in Hokkien and the Malays refer the site as ‘Ujong Pasir’ whereas the Tamil community calls it as” Kaalai Kadai’ during the 19th century.

Story by Tanushalini Moroter

Pix by Law Suun Ting

Source: Buletin Mutiara