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Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Do not misread China, Victor Gao on How the US Misunderstands China

 

 


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Victor Gao: ‘China has become a very powerful force promoting peace



Victor Gao 

Victor Zhikai Gao[a] (born 1962) is a Chinese lawyer, businessman,[1] and academic who is the vice president of the Beijing-based Center for China and Globalization (CCG).

Gao is an expert on international relations at Soochow University,[2] where he is a Chair Professor. Gao is also a member of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, a minor and non-oppositional party under the direction of the Chinese Communist Party.[3] He was formerly a translator for Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping.[4][5][6]

Early life and education

Gao was raised in rural China during the 1970s.[7] He attended high school in Southern China. When Chinese Communist Party leader Deng Xiaoping reopened universities during the Chinese economic reform, Gao convinced local authorities to allow him to take the Gaokao for college admission in 1977 before he had graduated high school.[8]

Gao received a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English language and literature from Soochow University in 1981,[9] then earned a Master of Arts (M.A.) in English language and literature from Beijing University of Foreign Studies in 1983. He pursued graduate studies in the United States at Yale University, where he graduated with a master's degree in political science in 1990 and then a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Yale Law School in 1993.[10] He was admitted to the New York State Bar Association in 1994.[11]

Career

From 1983 to 1988, Gao was a translator for Deng Xiaoping.[7] He was also a member of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 1983 to 1989 at the United Nations Secretariat in New York. After leaving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1988, Gao was recommended by Henry Kissinger to study at Yale University, where he earned a Juris Doctor degree from Yale Law School in 1993. Then he was a policy adviser for the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission from 1999 to 2000.[12]

Gao has been an investment banker for Morgan Stanley.[13] He is a director of the China National Association of International Studies[14] and an executive director of Beijing Private Equity Association.[15] Gao is the vice president of the Center for China and Globalization.[16]

According to Foreign Policy, "Gao was once treated as a reputable interlocutor in U.S.–China relations."[17]

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Hong Kong

In 2014, Gao condemned pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong as illegal and provocative.[18] He supports the 2020 Hong Kong National Security Law.[19]


Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Be cautious, students told as influenza wave hits schools and kindies

 

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PETALING JAYA: With schools and kindergartens not spared from the current influenza wave hitting the country, the alert is out for children to take extra precautionary measures.

Health experts want special emphasis given to children as most cases have been detected in schools.

Public health expert Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh called for the affected schools to be closed after being sanitised.

She said children with influenza-­like illness (ILI) symptoms should stay home, while those with severe acute respiratory illness (Sari) should seek treatment at the hospital.

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“Children are also encouraged to get a flu jab. Annual vaccination is necessary because influenza viruses change over time and the vaccine is updated each year.

“The vaccine is suitable for individuals aged six months and older,” she said when contacted.

The Health Ministry has repor­ted a nationwide increase in ILI cases, with 97 clusters detected in the latest epidemiolo­gical week – a sharp jump from just 14 the week before.

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Most outbreaks were recorded in schools and kindergartens, mainly in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

On Saturday, the ministry reminded that early treatment was important to prevent serious complications.

It said that while influenza was usually resolved without specific treatment, those who experienced symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, body aches or fatigue should seek medical attention, mainly children and those at high risk.

The ministry also urged the public to practise proper cough etiquette, maintain regular hand hygiene, avoid crowded places when unwell and wear face masks if they were symptomatic.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said his ministry will discuss with the Education Ministry on further action to contain the spread of the virus in schools.

He also sought to reassure the public that the situation remained under control despite a concerning number of outbreaks.

Prof Sharifa Ezat, who is Univer­siti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s School of Liberal Studies dean, said high-risk groups in­­cluded the elderly, those with comor­bidi­ties, cancer patients and pregnant women.

She added that other groups, such as healthcare workers, teachers with high student load and those handling work which involves meeting a lot of people, should also mask up to protect themselves.

Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president Datuk Dr Thiru­navukarasu Rajoo urged the public to take sensible precautions with cases of Influenza A and B continuing to rise nationwide.

He said the increase in flu clusters being detected by the Health Ministry was not unusual during this time of the year, but stressed that vigilance is key to preventing a further spread.

“Good hygiene remains our best defence – wash your hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes and wear a mask if feeling unwell or in crowded areas,” he said.

Dr Thirunavukarasu advised those with persistent high fever, severe cough, chest discomfort or breathing difficulties to seek immediate medical attention, especially if symptoms did not improve after a few days.

President of the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia Dr Kuljit Singh said the resulting increase in demand for flu vaccines is still manageable.

“We have stock from suppliers, despite the surge in cases,” he said, adding that demand for the jab usually goes up during the flu season.

Former Medical Practitioners Coalition Association of Malaysia president Dr Raj Kumar Maharajah also said there is enough stock of the vaccine at the moment.

“Many are coming in for vaccines due to the influenza outbreak,” he said.

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Penang launches Silicon Island at World Expo

 

Ambitious plan: Chow described Silicon Island as one of Penang’s most ambitious projects, a 920ha reclaimed land development in southern Penang that mirrors Japan’s own Yumeshima Island.

“Silicon Island is not just a piece of land, it is a promise that Penang will continue to lead where innovation meets sustainability,” 


OSAKA: Penang has launched Silicon Island at the World Expo 2025, marking a historic milestone in a journey to reaffirm its position as the Silicon Valley of the East.

The launch, officiated by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, showcased the state’s bold vision to elevate Malaysia’s standing in the global electrical and electronics (E&E) industry while driving sustainable economic growth for decades to come.

In his keynote address, Chow drew parallels between Silicon Island and Yumeshima Island – the site of the World Expo – highlighting how this masterfully planned reclaimed island is set to become a world-class hub for innovation, technology and logistics, echoing the success of leading global tech clusters.

Chow described Silicon Island as one of Penang’s most ambitious projects, a 920ha reclaimed land development in southern Penang that mirrors Japan’s own Yumeshima Island.

“Silicon Island is not just a piece of land, it is a promise that Penang will continue to lead where innovation meets sustainability,” he said.

Strategically located just mi­­nutes from Penang International Airport, Silicon Island is designed to provide seamless global connectivity, enabling efficient movement of goods and talent – an essential advantage for the fast-growing E&E industry and its time-sensitive supply chains.

Meanwhile, the development of SilicoEight Samurain Island also pays tribute to Penang’s pioneering past.

Inspired by the legacy of the “Eight Samurai” – the trailblazing multinational corporations that established Penang’s first E&E ecosystem in Bayan Lepas – this project applies decades of hard-earned experience to captivate the world once again.

For the past 50 years, Bayan Lepas has been the lynchpin of Penang’s economy, anchoring Malaysia’s rise as a global E&E powerhouse. The next 50 years will be defined by Silicon Island – Penang’s new frontier for innovation, investment and sustainable growth.

Beyond industry, Silicon Island introduces a unique tourism proposition, blending innovation with lifestyle to create a destination where technology, sustainability and culture converge.