The Yegiora Files

By Bernard Yegiora The world we live in is changing at a rapid pace. This view unfortunately is not shared by many in the poor developing nations of the world, especially for those in the remote places up in the highlands, and even in the islands of PNG. For them change is happening at a snail pace. The City of Changchun where I live is a growing organism, with continuous construction going on; I wonder when the city will stop growing. I was surprised to see how fast the Chinese were able to build a 15 storey building in just 8 months. Beginning in spring last year, they worked really hard up until the beginning of winter. The building is now awaiting finishing touches, which will be done after the bone crunching northeast winter is over. In January last year, on my way to Harbin which is the capital city of Heilongjiang Province way up north close to the Russian boarder, I was fascinated by the complex mega highway. I noticed that some sections of the highway was elevated off the g

By Bernard Yegiora Anti-Chinese sentiments or Sinophobia is a deadly trend that is becoming more and more common as China continues to rise. It is defined as the dislike of or fear of China, its people or its culture. However, xenophobia is widespread in all societies of the world. In Iran, anti-American sentiments is strong, they see America as evil because of their arrogance. America in their bid to create a peaceful world have strongly gone against Iran’s nuclear ambitions, even though, Iran has assured the world that its nuclear program is for peace purposes. In PNG’s case, we have witnessed the ransacking of Asian businesses in 2009; mostly people of ethnic Chinese origin in major centers around the nation were targeted because of the disparity of wealth. This Sinophobia is dramatically growing day by day and could most probably lead to a major social up rising of far great magnitude than it predecessor. In retrospect, Chinese entrepreneurs have been in PNG before independence an

By Ilya Gridneff PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PNG Post-Courier, June 2, 2009) – A former Chinese dissident gets deported and growing anti-Chinese violence breaks out while the power of the local Asian mafia rises amid claims of widespread police corruption. It sounds like a plot for a Hollywood action thriller, but it’s just a slice of everyday life in Papua New Guinea. The opening scenes would show former Chinese government dissident Gu Kai being forced awake from his sleep and taken from his Port Moresby home, beaten by police, blindfolded, then taken hostage and driven to the outskirts of town. In a hotel room he is beaten again, forced to sign affidavits accusing the PNG police commissioner of corruption and when he refuses, the beatings continue. Next morning police and immigration department officials take the luggage-less, passport-less, battered and bruised man to the airport and deport him to Hong Kong. Allegations arise that behind the deportation is a mys

I haven’t quite got the same story as Steven to tell...but having arrived in Lae in the early 1970's, I recall many a Chinese shop. China town was well and truly established and trade stores were everywhere. I can clearly remember Chandra and his sister Ileana arriving from Indonesian and as they say the rest is history. Chandra has many different companies now; Papindo, Haus Bilas, just to name a couple and Ileana went sideways into property; hairdressing; leasing shops; shipping and must own a fair amount of land and property in the Port Moresby area. Like the puk puk building in Boroko...the SVS centre near 2 mile...the Plaza Guest House building in Waigani Drive nears the car club and much more. James Seeto I remember well as I used to play tennis with his daughter Belinda Seeto and of course Cedric Chee my husband's employer for over 14 years. The airline company was first known as Chee Air and later as Morobe Airways. I remember Mr Chee telling me what it was like

Just read the very interesting account of the history of PNG's Chinese and their hardships, struggles and challenges over the years since the German colonisation. I am always interested in the history of my country and this is one piece of historical account by Sir Ling James Seeto that has broadened my knowledge of my country.   I am from Matupit Island and I grew up in the late 60s at a time when the PNG or rather Rabaul-Chinese influence and presence was at its best. I knew the days of China Town and Malay Town and the Ambonese Club, the Quamintang (excuse my spelling), Atam and the list goes on.   The memories of a unique aroma of chinese food is very much alive and vivid in my mind; at around 6pm everyday, you would drive through Matupit Farm and Malay Twon and you would be totally overwhelmed by the sweet aroma of Chinese food.   There would be grand of Chinese ladies and men walking the streets, saying hello to their Tolai wantoks selling buai outiside the Chinese sh

THE relationship between China and Papua New Guinea can be traced back into the early colonial days even before any bilateral trade agreements were signed between the heads of the two countries. The relationship began informally perhaps in the early 1900’s at Matupit Island in East New Britain province which was then under German administration. Here on a strip of land between Matupit village and the then Rabaul yacht club rose the first China town in Rabaul, recalls long time Chinese business man and naturalised PNG citizen Sir Ling James Seeto. Back then the name was not China town but German village because everyone who lived there worked for the Germans. The Chinese were first recruited into the country by the Germans to do carpentry work, build boats, plumbing and other menial work. Sir Ling said at that time the Chinese were being recruited because they were the cheapest and reliable form of labour around. There was such a big influx of Chinese that everything was i

By diancangshan Ⅰ :   Chinese culture - Key concepts and values   China is the economic frontier of the 21st century, and with that comes unlimited promise, and maybe pitfalls. The Chinese are wary of foreign companies that they believe may only be there to make a quick buck. Nevertheless, the Chinese market is not without at least some rules of its own. Guanxi   - In literal terms, this central concept in Chinese culture means 'relationships' or 'connections'. Guanxi is a network of elaborate relationships promoting trust and co-operation and for centuries was the main way of accomplishing everyday tasks. Establishing a sincere, supportive relationship based on mutual respect is a fundamental aspect of Chinese culture. In the world of business, possessing the right guanxi is crucial for ensuring the minimization of difficulties and frustrations that are often encountered.   Mian-zi   - An important issue that should be considered throughout business