Originally posted by lemontree
View Post
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Kung Hei Fat Choy
Collapse
X
-
Happy Year of the羊
Is the yang a goat, sheep or ram? Tastes vary, but whatever the translation, this year is going to be interesting. Man-made vehicles will visit the far reaches of the solar system, including flying by Pluto and other chilly rocks. And, if all goes according to plan, an unmanned ship from China will land on our own moon.
Israel and Egypt (among many others) will hold presidential elections and the UK House of Commons is due for a reshuffle. In a welcome sign of optimism, Lithuania on January 1 became the 19th EU member to adopt the euro (10 others, including Monaco, Kosovo and Montenegro use the currency without being full members).
The last Year of the Yang saw SARS empty the streets of Hong Kong, and the one before that marked the end of Japan’s asset price bubble and the Soviet Union. Three cycles back, the US and China established diplomatic relations and 48 years ago was the famous Summer of Love.
The longer, 60 year Wood Yang cycle ushered in Scrabble, Kermit the Frog, McDonald’s, Disneyland, the Guinness Book of Records, and Parkinson’s Law (work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion). ASEAN’s precursor, the South-east Asia Treaty Organisation (SEATO) was founded. Among famous people celebrating a full cycle are Premier Li Keqiang (李克强), Nobel Laureate Mo Yan (莫言, or 管谟业) and Hong Kong's Chow Yun-fat (周潤發).
Bi-cycling in at 120 years are X-rays, HP Sauce and a patent on the automobile. Among the tri-cyclers are photography, and the City of Melbourne, established in 1835. Four cycles back, James Watt built the first steam engine and tea taxes lost their flavour in Boston (1775).
Looking ahead
What does 2015 hold in store? Global growth remains sluggish, particularly in Europe and increasingly in Japan. In the quarter century prior to the North Atlantic Financial Crisis, the US generated 27.7% of global growth, but it expected to produce only about 18% this year. China, which added 12% to the world’s GDP pre-crisis should contribute over 20%. Europe and Japan will see their share fall from more than 25% to barely 7.5%.
Germany, which accounts for about one-third of the Euro Zone’s total growth, will contribute less to the world total than either ASEAN or India. The latter drove global GDP faster than Germany in the ten years prior to the crisis, and is likely to continue to do so in this decade.
. . . and, don't forget the Lai See!
Attached FilesTrust me?
I'm an economist!
Comment
-
For the first time in more than 30 years, I'm getting enough rest and feeling pretty solvent.
Yep, Chinese New Year in London is very different ... and much, much less expensive!
Hey, Col Yu, what was the fiscal hit this year?Trust me?
I'm an economist!
Comment
-
Originally posted by DOR View PostHey, Col Yu, what was the fiscal hit this year?Last edited by Officer of Engineers; 09 Feb 16,, 13:19.Chimo
Comment
-
Originally posted by DOR View PostFor the first time in more than 30 years, I'm getting enough rest and feeling pretty solvent.
Yep, Chinese New Year in London is very different ... and much, much less expensive!
Hey, Col Yu, what was the fiscal hit this year?
Oh yeah, happy new year everyone!"Only Nixon can go to China." -- Old Vulcan proverb.
Comment
Comment