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Business class saver is around 2 to 2.5x economy saver. Compare to ticket price business class is about 4 to 5x to economy. Business class redemption is vfm.

Yup , have always redeem business tix on saver as to redeem econ is not worth it to me lo … used to redeem first class when with wife only but now with my daughter , not actually possible cos I notice that they only seems to max allow redemption for 2 first class tix and me kiam kanna refused to even pay for 1 tix lo …

I owned a few cars that have the auto-park feature...GS/GLC/clubman....but every time I tried to use the feature for novelty and maybe hoping that with technology advancement, it will be faster and smoother.... every time I find that I park faster manually...So the feature is essentially white elephant in all these cars I owned...😅

Why Mercedes skipped GLB when they’ve GLA, GLC, GLE, GLS? GLA too small while GLC too unnecessary, GLB would be just nice for a specific market segment. Only if there is a B Class Grand Tourer, I would have bought it. I waited for it ever since BMW came out with their 2 series Grand Tourer. A futile wait. Merc is missing a market segment in the absence of these 2 models. Anyone interested if such models eixst ?

Those people can parallel park their S class and 7 series easily, could be due to their car has auto parking assistant feature?! Nowadays even for sedan cars, the bonnet length not say very long, like last time cars. It is the car boot behind makes it difficult to parallel park the car. Hatchback don't have stick out car boot lo, so very easy to parallel park.

Vios/City cabin space vs altis/elantra is tiny difference given current car design. A civic has more cabin space than a mz6. Camry/accord cabin space is different class compared to mz6. Of course a CRV/Rav4 is also roomy and comfortable as it's more boxy. if u like to sit very upright, u would prefer SUV. If u like to slouch/lean back like me, then i prefer sedans. SUVs i never really feel comfortable in the seat.

I'm not good at parallel parking But parallel with a longer sedan is much harder. I can usually do an acceptable parallel pretty easily with the elantra, even though it's not my daily drive. But doing it with my accord is much harder. I would say it scales exponentially as the vehicle length goes up. Of course the easiest will be a subcompact like a Fit/mini. it's also easier if u drive a van, cos there's no bonnet length u have to adjust for. Like when I'm visiting my friend at his terrace sometimes, i will just drive the elantra. Admiration for the towkays who parallel their S class and 7 series.

Cannot say liddat. Sifu will remind u he pay full cash for his GLC ok?

@Vratenza , don't judge a book by its cover. Successful people dress simply https://www.davidwolfe.com/4-reasons-successful-dress-simply/ Just as I have seen some people driving Mercedes GLC but are cash poor.

Don't worry so much. Wr waited for 30 yrs. Let's wait for another 6 games At least we still have a world class coach... not sure what kind of coach we will have next season.. maybe Graham Potter Jokes aside... Man City played e tra time plus penalty... next opponent is Chelsea? Let's hope the real Cheksea turn up with ex Man City youth striker in form..

MCF HangOut X Lexus: LBX - Lexus latest addition to the self-charging full hybrid range <<<Click here to register>>> Experience the Future of Driving with the All-New Lexus LBX! Redefine innovation with the all-new LBX, setting the benchmark as the only self-charging full hybrid in its class. Technology Centered Around You Step into the future with the Tazuna cockpit concept, seamlessly integrating advanced technology for a truly intuitive driving experience with its steering wheel switches being seamlessly integrated with heads-up display. Plus, enjoy the convenience of Lexus Teammate Advanced Park and embrace effortless driving with Panoramic 360 view camera system. Safety That Ensures Absolute Confidence Drive with peace of mind, knowing you're protected by the best-in-class Lexus Safety System+. Lane tracing assist, blind spot monitoring, dynamic radar cruise control, and more work together to keep you safe on every journey. Driving a New Era of Design Witness the evolution of design with the updated Lexus spindle design, elevating the LBX with its commanding presence and exceptional aerodynamics. Crafted by our Takumi artisans, every detail exudes excellence, from precise stitching to luxurious door trims. Join us as we embark on this exciting journey into the future of automotive excellence with the all-new Lexus LBX! <<<Click here to register>>> <<<Click here to register>>> We extend a warm invitation to all keen and passionate individuals. Join us for the MCF Hangout with Lexus, where we'll showcase the latest addition to the range of Lexus self-charging full hybrids: the brand-new Lexus LBX! Register now to secure your spot and schedule a test drive to experience the exceptional comfort and exhilarating performance of the Lexus LBX firsthand! Limited slots available. Register now and enjoy exclusive Lexus MCF event promotion! Event details : Date: 9 May 2024, Thursday Time: 6 pm – 9.30 pm (Registration starts at 6 pm) Venue: 33 Leng Kee Road Parking is provided with limited slots <<<Click here to register>>> Registration Fee: $10 per registrant Test Drive Available!!! Lexus ES Lexus IS Lexus NX Lexus UX Lexus LBX <<<Click here to register>>> Exciting Quiz Hunt during the event Join us for an exciting quiz hunt activity featuring questions centered around Lexus LBX where one lucky winner will walk away with an incredible prize! Get ready to put your skills to the test and embark on a thrilling adventure with us! Event Highlights 6pm – 6.30pm: Registration Starts and Dinner commences 6.30pm – 6.35pm: Opening speech by Lexus General Manager, Adele 6.35pm – 6.45pm: Introduction and Editorial Talk from Sgcarmart 6.45pm – 7pm: Product Presentation by Lexus Sales Manager, Sean 7pm - 7.05pm: Group Photo Taking 7.05pm – 9.30pm: Test Drive + Quiz Hunt -end- <<<Click here to register>>> Member registration: Click here Non-member registration: Click here

SIA ditches ‘flight to nowhere’ idea, rolls out A380 restaurant, delivery menu and training facilities tour Read more at https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/sia-ditches-flight-nowhere-idea-rolls-out-a380-restaurant-delivery-menu-and-training SIA will be offering lunch to customers on board a parked superjumbo A380 at Changi Airport on two afternoons in October The airline abandoned the flight to nowhere idea after a review and has no plans to revive it From Oct 5, customers can order SIA’s First Class and Business Class food for a home dining experience with amenities intended to recreate the flight experience A behind-the-scenes tour of SIA’s training facility will be held over two November school holiday weekends and includes access to its flight simulator, a grooming workshop and wine tasting Read more at https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/sia-ditches-flight-nowhere-idea-rolls-out-a380-restaurant-delivery-menu-and-training SINGAPORE — Customers of Singapore Airlines (SIA) will soon be able to dine and explore one of its Airbus A380s on Oct 24 and 25 while the aircraft remains parked at Changi Airport, SIA said in a statement on Tuesday (Sept 29). Its initial idea for a short tour flight, or a “flight to nowhere”, was jettisoned after the airlines conducted a market study and a review, taking into account factors such as environmental implications and financial viability. “We currently have no plans to revive the idea,” a spokesman said in response to TODAY’s queries. In recent weeks, the idea attracted flak from people who were concerned about the carbon impact created by these flights, while others defended such flights — which a few airlines are pursuing — as a way to help the ailing national carrier cope with the Covid-19 pandemic. Mr Goh Choon Phong, SIA chief executive officer, said: “There has been a lot of interest in our customer engagement initiatives over the last few weeks, and I would like to thank everyone for their great ideas and suggestions. We are very encouraged by and grateful for the enthusiasm and passion that we have seen.” The latest Restaurant A380 @ Changi idea is part of a “suite of experiences” meant for SIA’s Singapore customers and fans over the next few weeks. These include a tour of its training facilities and a chance to enjoy SIA’s in-flight meals at home. Customers will be served lunch in a cabin of their choice on the double-decker superjumbo aircraft. An SIA spokesman said the aircraft will be parked and linked to a gatehold room, with diners entering the A380 via the aerobridge. SIA will also be applying for airport passes on behalf of the diners since the activity will be in a restricted area. Diners can choose from SIA’s signature international cuisine as well as from a special Peranakan menu designed by Singaporean chef Shermay Lee. Customers will also be given a showcase of its cabin crew uniform over the years and customers who turn up in traditional heritage wear, such as a sarong kebaya, cheongsam, saree, batik shirt or a kilt, will receive a special gift. Bookings for Restaurant A380 will begin on Oct 12 on SIA’s KrisShop website. Limited spots for a 15-minute tour of the A380’s interiors and private access areas are also available on a first come, first served basis. The statement said all health and safety measures will be put in place including thorough cleaning of the aircraft. Diners will be seated in groups of no more than five people with safe distancing between them. “We will be following restaurant rules for Restaurant A380 @ Changi so the number of diners allowed in (the aircraft) is dynamic at this point in time. We will be observing safe distancing between groups of diners, so that will be taken into account as well,” said its spokesman. SIA @ HOME For Oct 5, customers can order a meal from a range of 10 menus to be delivered to their homes. The menus were designed for its First Class and Business Class customers by four world-renowned chefs on SIA’s International Culinary Panel — Chef Georges Blanc of France, Chef Matt Moran of Australia, Chef Yoshihiro Murata of Japan and Chef Sanjeev Kapoor of India. SIA will also provide a First Class or Business Class amenity kit based on a package of their choice and customers get to keep limited edition dining ware and amenities such as crystal glasses, tableware sets and sleeper suits. A digital guide on how to heat and plate the dishes will be provided. Customers can “recreate the SIA onboard experience at home” by watching aircraft cabin videos and listening to a specially curated playlist. “Those who are looking to bring their SIA experience to the next level also have the option to Book-the-Chef through our cabin crew concierge, to enjoy the services of a private chef who will reheat, plate and serve the meal for customers in their homes,” said SIA. INSIDE SINGAPORE AIRLINES For two weekends during the November school holidays, in a rare move, SIA will also be opening up its training facilities to the public. “Perfect for kids and families, this is a rare opportunity to find out from our pilots and cabin crew what it takes to fly and serve in the skies. The tour will feature our latest cabin products and a look at where training on our flight simulators is conducted,” said SIA. Visitors can also pay for additional experiences — aviation enthusiasts can experience the training SIA pilots receive on its flight simulator, children can dress up as junior cabin crew for a day and keep their SIA uniforms, wine fans can learn about SIA’s wines from its air sommeliers, and customers can learn how to achieve the Singapore Girl look in a guided grooming workshop. They can also dine at the SIA canteen which will be serving in-flight cuisines for a fee. If visitors use SIA’s contactless payment app KrisPay, they can also earn air miles for these meals or if they buy merchandise at the tour. The tour dates are set for Nov 21, 22, 28 and 29, and bookings commence from Nov 1. SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE When asked if there are other initiatives in the pipeline, the spokesman said it will make an announcement at the appropriate time. Mr Goh said SIA came up with these activities to engage with its fans and customers at a time when Covid-19 has drastically reduced the number of flights operated by SIA Group. “These experiences offer something for everyone – from frequent flyers who miss our world-class in-cabin products and service, to couples and families who want an exclusive dining experience, and parents who are after an enjoyable activity-filled day with their children during the school holidays,” said Mr Goh. Read more at https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/sia-ditches-flight-nowhere-idea-rolls-out-a380-restaurant-delivery-menu-and-training

As long as he doesn't bring his relatives/kids into his party/GLC, can be considered not bad liao!

But the W220 that followed was the worst ever S Class. Full of cost cutting crap.

It look larger and sleeker... The length and size of the rear quart window pointing to a 7 seater variant?!

I don't fly a lot. But I am unfortunate being in a overbooked flight from PEK to SG for CNY in 2017. I arrived 2 hours before departure and all seats were taken. Kenna bumped into afternoon flight (My booked flight was morning). SQ recovery was good. SQ checked me into Wyndham Hotel with breakfast and lunch. In the afternoon, i damn scared kenna bumped again. I checked in 3 hours prior. My seat was Row 1 of Upper Deck of A380 Econ Class. Station Manager came and greeted me. I requested lounge access and no questions asked. When I was at the gate, Station Manager made sure i board together with 1st class. My cabin luggage was stored together with biz class on upper deck.

Organizer starts investigation any breach of code of conduct. Gues too much complain on weibo. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/beijing-half-marathon-he-jie-win-organisers-investigation-4265841 Beijing half marathon probes 'embarrassing' win by Chinese runner Footage shared widely online appeared to show three African runners deliberately allowing China's He Jie to win. BEIJING: Organisers of the Beijing half marathon said on Monday (Apr 15) they were investigating after footage shared widely online appeared to show three African runners deliberately allowing China's He Jie to win. Video clips of Sunday's race showed the Kenyans Robert Keter and Willy Mnangat, Dejene Hailu of Ethiopia and home runner He approaching the finish. The three African runners can be seen pointing to the finish line and apparently waving He out in front, while appearing to slow down. He, the 2023 Asian Games marathon gold medallist, won by one second. The four had stuck together throughout the course of just over 21km, a broadcaster noted. "We are investigating and will announce the results to the public once they are available," a person from the Beijing Sports Bureau, who wished to remain anonymous, told AFP. The event's organiser - the Beijing Sports Competition Management and International Exchange Center - also said an investigation had been launched. The incident received significant attention on Chinese social media site Weibo, with some users criticising what they saw as an "embarrassing" result. "This will certainly be the most embarrassing championship in He Jie's career," one wrote. "With such a major organiser and such a well-known event, this really pushes sportsmanship to the ground in shame," the post added. Long-distance running has boomed in recent years among China's middle class, but there have been numerous instances of cheating and poor organisation. In 2018, at a half-marathon in the southern city of Shenzhen, 258 runners were found to have cheated, including many who took shortcuts. Traffic cameras caught them darting through trees to join a different part of the race. In 2019 a woman was filmed riding a green-coloured rental bike in the Xuzhou International Marathon in eastern China. She was ordered by race officials to dismount the bike, only to get back on again afterwards.

As requested by @Volvobrick Started even before I got the GLC Coupe. Was already looking at the Tesla for that first bite in EV, BUT a few things were not in order: 1. Infra, 2. Nascent stage and tech on all fronts, 3. Limited models to compare 2 years later, after much shopping and research, with the infra much improved, I went for it. These were the contendors: 1. Tesla Would have settled for it save for it being commonplace like the Rolla and not having a dedicated showroom (now have) put me off. Also, the feel and overall façade of the T3 was a put off. Literally an iPad on wheels 2. Ionic 5 This was also on the radar but there were limited units on the road and somehow, the design and cues just did not fit in. I could see how it had an appealing design, but was quickly taken off the list. Then, I went upmarket and here were the contendors: 3. Taycan Loved it at first sight, test and what was given. It had that oomph and all and was close to making the cut, but then my senses got to me…to pay $600/$700 plus k for that……into the bin. 4. EQC 400 Sure getter for me. Loved the design cues, overall feel, and with the GLC, it had the same feel as I was used to. Almost plonked for a used on, with 14k on the odo, but someone beat me to it. Fate, I guess......... 5. EQE 400 Went down a couple of times to have a look, but unit was not homologated as yet, and no test units avail, and then when the price was revealed, too hefty a tag for me. This would be my go to in future Then, the GLC got grumpy and I had the tyre blowout🤑..bitch…that was a sign. Car was already listed for sale, and had a few offers, but then this particular dealer (deals with EV only) sent me a msg. I did not reply, but 2 weeks later, I did reply and then voila: 6. i4 EV40 There was a unit avail for me to take, but was beaten to it. Not disheartened, I waited and then just after the blowout, dealer called me that he had the Portimac Blue unit and was to come in later. COE went up (105k) and I thought, there goes the price. Lo and behold, price maintained. Did a visit, and he allowed a test, and I placed my deposit on the spot. Car only has 1.4k on odo. Used for mgt to test, I was told Collected the car after my Iceland trip, and there was a poignant note to this, as when I was in Iceland, I truly saw the effects of global warming. Right before my eyes, I saw a breakoff of an iceberg from the Glacier and to me, Global warming is real… so that kinda edged me on. May be a mall part, but still a part, although some may say EV is another MotherEarthFUGGER ahhahaha So to end it all, those going on this journey, these would be your considerations on the EV choice: 1. Price – this is clear. Has to fit the pocket. Savings downstream are massive, but capital costs upfront. Look at BYD, they are promising 2. Charging – study the charging infra around your area. My area has no shortage of charging at all and suits my lifestyle 3. Range anxiety: This WILL be an issue, but will be gone after a week or so. Car can go to low 20% and still have range of 100km. Same as ICE 4. Savings: Somewhat negated by road tax BUT still save abt $3k/annually as monthly charging is around $150 vs Petrol previously $500...ccb PAP That’s all I have to say for now, but as and when I do have any inputs, I will add on. Others, please feel free to chime in. For charging and sites lobang, go here:

All econ class passengers don’t have to wait. But Biz class passengers have to wait 24hrs. Of course Beh song la

Xi Jinping signals intent to remain in power by revealing politburo with no successor https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/25/xi-jinping-signals-intent-power-successor-politburo-china China’s president unveils his all-male cabinet, but crucially no member is young enough to take the reins from Xi at the end of his second term Xi Jinping has kicked off his second term as leader of the world’s second largest economy, vowing to spearhead the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” and signalling his intent to tower over Chinese politics for decades to come. At just before noon on Wednesday, Xi unveiled the new line-up of China’s top ruling council – the Communist party’s politburo standing committee – leading six besuited comrades out into a blaze of camera flashes in the Great Hall of the People. “Here, on behalf of the newly elected central leadership, I wish to express our heartfelt thanks to all other members of the party for the trust they have placed in us. We will work diligently to meet our duty, fulfil our mission and be worthy of their trust,” Xi said in a 21-minute address that marks the formal start of his second term. Crucially, the all-male group contained no potential successor, since none of its five new members – all aged between 60 and 67 – is young enough to take the reins from Xi after the end of his second term, in 2022, and to then rule for the customary decade. Such is the secrecy that cloaks Chinese politics that the identities of the standing committee’s incoming members were known only as Xi escorted them out onto a scarlet-carpeted stage. Joining Xi and premier Li Keqiang on the elite committee are: Li Zhanshu, 67, Han Zheng, 63, Zhao Leji, 60, Wang Yang, 62 and Wang Huning, 62. “I still can’t get over the fact how the world’s second largest economy, which is declaring this new role of global leadership, is nearly as opaque as the North Korean political system,” said Jude Blanchette, an expert in Chinese politics from New York’s Conference Board research group. “I just find that absolutely striking and in a way almost unacceptable for a system that wants to play such a fundamental role in guiding and shaping the 21st century.” China’s propaganda apparatus has touted this week’s political show as an example of openness and transparency. However, a number of major western news organisations whose coverage of Xi’s rule has irked Beijing were excluded from Wednesday’s event without explanation including the BBC, the Financial Times, the Economist, the New York Times and the Guardian. In his address, Xi outlined his vision for what he called China’s “new era”, an era in which an emboldened and purified Communist party would play an even more prominent role in returning the country to its former glories. “It is my conviction that the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will become a reality,” he said, urging his party to become “the backbone of our nation.” “We should never entertain the idea of taking a breather or halting our steps. Instead, we must continue to rid ourselves of any virus that erodes the party’s fabric, make great efforts to foster a healthy political environment of integrity and generate waves of positive energy throughout our party which can build into a mighty nationwide force driving China’s development and progress.” Xi also pledged “a resolute push” to eradicate poverty, to “open China still wider to the world” and hinted at the more assertive and muscular role Beijing is expected to seek on the world stage in the years ahead. “With confidence and pride the Chinese people will be steadfast in upholding our country’s sovereignty, security and development interests,” he said. The unveiling of China’s new ruling council came one day after the end of the 19th party congress, a week-long political summit at which Xi established himself as the country’s most dominant leader since its revolutionary founder Mao Zedong. On Tuesday, Xi’s eponymous political philosophy was enshrined in the party’s constitution alongside those of Mao and Deng Xiaoping, the architect of China’s economic opening to the world. Experts say that momentous and highly symbolic achievement puts Xi in a virtually unassailable position at the pinnacle of the 89 million member organisation. Having failed to anoint a successor, he is now likely to be calling the shots in Chinese politics well into the 2030s. With Xi now entering his second, although perhaps no longer final five-year term, thoughts are turning to what the next stage of the Xi era might hold. Supporters claim that having used a ferocious anti-corruption campaign to purge rivals and consolidate his grip over the party during his first five-year term, Xi will now turn his mind to comprehensive reforms of China’s economy. “I think the real reform just began,” said Wang Wen, a pro-establishment scholar from a thinktank linked to Renmin University. Wang argued that Xi would enter his second term with “much more authority” and a greater ability to implement his blueprint for China. Such optimism was echoed in China’s party-run media on Wednesday as cadres lined up to heap praise on their all-powerful leader. “We firmly believe that if people all over the country roll up their sleeves under the guidance of Xi’s Thought … we will move steadily into the future with the irresistible force of a high-speed train,” Chen Meifang, a Shanghai railway official, was quoted astelling the Beijing Daily. However, such hopefulness is widely disputed. Blanchette said he expected to see a “super-sized version” of Xi’s first-term policies in his second stint, as China’s leader pursued what he saw as his “program of Chinese greatness”. That would mean accelerating efforts to build a modern, battle-ready military that could begin to push the United States further and further out of what China saw as its Pacific backyard; an increasingly assertive foreign policy in regions such as the South and East China seas; and continued efforts to promote a hi-tech economic revolution by championing huge companies that were either controlled or heavily aligned with the state. It would also mean that the Communist party – and the Communist party only – would continue to lay down the law, in all aspects of Chinese society. In an editorial celebrating the start of Xi’s “new era” on Wednesday, the People’s Daily, the party’s mouthpiece, argued: “History has shown and will continue to show that without the leadership of the Chinese Communist party, the idea of national rejuvenation is a fantasy.” “We should hunker in for a long winter of tight political control,” Blanchette predicted. We should hunker in for a long winter of tight political control Jude Blanchette Elizabeth Economy, the director for Asia studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, said she saw this week’s congress “as affirmation of the direction in which Xi has already been moving the party as opposed to a point at which now we are going to see the real Xi Jinping and his real reforms emerge”. She added: “I think what we are going to see is an intensification along the same lines.” Economy balked at the suggestion that Xi – whose first term has witnessed an unusually fierce crackdown on party opponents and human rights – might suddenly emerge as a political reformer. “I don’t think a crypto-liberal would do what he has been doing over the past five years. I don’t think a crypto-liberal lets Liu Xiaobo die in jail, and the arrests and the intensification of the attacks on the [human rights] lawyers. That is not a crypto-liberal,” she said. Blanchette said Xi had shown a remarkable “mastery of the political system” in China during his first term in power: “The second question though is does that mean he has an omniscience or an omnipotence to deal with all the significant challenges that China is facing? “There is a huge list of challenges that Xi Jinping has to deal with,” he added, pointing to a gradually slowing economy, a looming debt crisis and the possibility of a nuclear conflagration on its doorstep. “He now has the power to do it. But how he deals with these challenges will be one of the most important indicators of whether or not he is able to stay on for the term that he feels he deserves.” Additional reporting by Wang Zhen. What 'Xi Jinping Thought' Stands For https://www.forbes.com/sites/salvatorebabones/2017/10/22/what-does-xi-jinping-thought-mean-and-how-does-it-compare-to-america-first/#2bfee5ab3262 Xi Jinping is universally regarded as China's most powerful leader since Deng Xiaoping, and perhaps since Mao Zedong. Both Deng and Mao left their marks in the charter of the Communist Party of China, and the rumor is that Xi will be their first successor to do the same. Mao's "mass line" and Deng's "seeking truth from facts" have become official tenets of Communist Party dogma. Xi's "socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era" may soon join these august concepts as official truth. But just what does "Xi Jinping Thought" really consist of? To answer that question, it helps to compare Xi's governing principles to those of the four preceding "paramount leaders" of China's Communist Party. Xi versus Mao Xi Jinping is most often compared to Mao Zedong, China's revolutionary leader, red emperor and communist theologian. Mao's political maxims were collected in the Little Red Book once read by leftist college students and Latin American guerillas. Mao Zedong thought is not all that bad, if you happen to be planning a people's revolution to overthrow your government. Unlike Lenin and most European Marxists, Mao taught that revolutions had to come from below. And unlike most revolutionaries, he still fought to overthrow the government even when he was the government. The infamous Cultural Revolution that rocked Chinese society from 1966-1976 was the result. Xi is no revolutionary, and he is certainly no Mao. Xi'sChinese Dream is a "moderately prosperous society," not a communist utopia. Xi does talk a lot about "national rejuvenation," but that's really just a way to avoid using the Western word for what he really means: renaissance. Xi's Chinese renaissance is all about China's space program, high speed rail network and high technology parks. But a real Chinese renaissance requires the reversal of China's long-term brain drain to the United States and other English-speaking countries. The problem? Most Chinese scientists are unwilling to give up their tenured positions overseas to take a chance on a permanent return to China. Barring a reversal of epic proportions, in 2021 Xi will preside over the centenary of the Chinese Communist Party. That will be as good a time as any to finally lay Mao Zedong Thought to rest for good. If Xi has his way, they may just take the opportunity to bury Mao along with it. He's been waiting long enough. Xi versus Deng Soon after the death of Mao, his long-time frenemy Deng Xiaoping put paid to the Cultural Revolution and started China on the path to opening and reform that it has followed for the last 40 years. Famous for saying that it was OK for some people to get rich before others, Deng was repeatedly condemned by Mao as a "capitalist roader" -- which, as soon as Mao died, is exactly what he turned out to be. To facilitate his economic reform agenda, Deng urged that China should "keep a low profile" in international affairs, biding its time while building its strength. Xi'sstrive for achievement strategy couldn't be more different. In his landmark Communist Party Congress speech, Xi pledged that China would have a "world class" military by 2050, in line with his policy of relentless maritime expansion in the South China Sea. Xi has departed radically from Deng's advice on foreign policy, but what Xi shares with Deng is a staunchly conservative preference for order over chaos. Deng ruthlessly suppressed the Tiananmen Square democracy movement in order to preserve the rule of the Communist Party. Xi has much more subtly turned the screws on political dissent using the more discriminating but perhaps more effective tools of online surveillanceand selective imprisonment. As the ever-quotable Deng said himself, "it doesn't matter whether the cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice." Xi versus Jiang Deng Xiaoing's successor Jiang Zemin is perhaps best remembered for the fact that everything done under his leadership was done "with Chinese characteristics." Deng may have coined the phrase "socialism with Chinese characteristics" to justify his introduction of the market into China's planned economy, but under Jiangthe phrase became a standing joke. Jiang Zemin codified these Chinese characteristics into the "Three Represents": the idea that in addition to the poor, the Communist Party of China would also represent China's business and cultural elites. Under Xi, this has evolved into the Two Represents, and if China's new rich get their way it may soon degenerate back into a novel kind of One Represent. Xi versus Hu Hu Jintao's major contribution to the intellectual life of the Communist Party was to bring Confucius back into the fold. Long prescribed under Mao as the reactionary idol of the pre-revolutionary patriarchy, today Confucius is back in China, with no small thanks to Hu, who rehabilitated Confucian thought, reopened Confucian temples, and chartered the Confucius Institutes to become China's cultural ambassadors to the world. Hu's trademark slogan was the "harmonious society" -- i.e., trust the government and don't complain and everyone can live in harmony. No word on what thenotoriously cranky sage, who got himself successively kicked out of ten different countries for criticizing their poor leadership, might have thought of this. Hu later extended the harmonious society to the harmonious world (i.e., trust China and don't complain and the world can live in harmony). With his One Belt, One Road expansionism and South China Sea island building, Xi seems keen to continue Hu's expansive foreign policy program, only with even less emphasis on the "harmonious" part of the equation. "Party First" Xi Jinping Thought, in a nutshell, seems to boil down to something resembling "America First, with Chinese Characteristics." By all accounts, Xi and U.S. President Donald Trump got along surprisingly well at their first meeting in April, perhaps because at a level deeper than mere speech they spoke the same language. If Xi's political philosophy isn't exactly China First, it is something close to it but at the same time distinctively Chinese: something like "Party First." And putting the interests of the Communist Party first is one thing he shares with all of his predecessors. Like Deng, Xi is a pragmatist who will stay on the capitalist road so long as it leads to much greater wealth than any other. Like Jiang, he is very happy to lead a ruling party dominated by his country's business elite. Like his immediate predecessor Hu, he is crafty enough to use patriotism and ethnic pride as tools to keep ordinary Chinese (if not necessarily China's minority groups) on his side. And like Mao, Xi seems to be ruthless enough to succeed in making his own Chinese Dream a reality. As long as he continues to put the Party first, Xi is likely to maintain his grip on power -- and the Party's loyalty. And as long as the Party puts Xi first, he is likely to have no cause to complain. Xi Jinping Thought may not sell as many books as Mao's did, but come 2021 it will be Xi who sets the course for the next 100 years of the Communist Party of China.

The EV6 marketing is indeed funny.... But for the mercedes c-class it does looks very appealing as it cheaper than the 3 series..... but the expo list lrice is 250,888 not sure if theres anymore discount or overtrade. Anyone enquired and willing to share pls?

Then forget it, i wont buy, just drive my GLC and Jimny until COE drops more, which it will. i might even renew my COE for GLC when the time comes. I am kiam ka na

Lol....AMDK pay economy expect biz? https://www.airlineratings.com/featured/oh-for-some-economy-class-consideration/

Despite the disappointing nature of the defeat and performance, the Liverpool fans displayed their class by reportedly applauding the Atalanta players on the pitch. “Atalanta players being applauded off by the home fans,” Pearce reports. A nice touch on a quite dreadful evening.