Opinion | Chinese names in Singapore and Malaysia aren’t weird; they reflect cultural diversity

Opinion | Chinese names in Singapore and Malaysia aren’t weird; they reflect cultural diversity

Someone had an issue with my name recently. It was not a person more familiar with European or English names – “Oh great! Why can’t he make it easier for everyone and call himself Matthew or Mark?” – nor was it a Hongkonger, like that officer from the Immigration Department from years before who had … Read more

Opinion | Why for some Chinese, ninth day of Lunar New Year is the most important: it’s the day they worship the Jade Emperor – and sugar cane is involved

Opinion | Why for some Chinese, ninth day of Lunar New Year is the most important: it’s the day they worship the Jade Emperor – and sugar cane is involved

This Sunday, February 18, is the ninth day of the Chinese New Year, a day when many of us will frankly be quite sick of the festive cheer and rich foods. But for people from Fujian province and some of its neighbouring regions in China’s southeast, or those whose ancestries can be traced back to … Read more