Photo from the National Library in Beijing - Photo by G. Brundage
Silk Road Virtual University - SRVU
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Founded: 2017
Updated: August 24, 2023
Updated: August 24, 2023
Quiz question: Does Malaysia import or export steel?
Read the linked article and find out - and why.  A view of Kuantan Port in Malaysia in July. Photo: He Zhuoqian/GT
BRI fuels infrastructure build-up, propelling trans-border shipment at Malaysia's Kuantan
2023.08.24 [GLOBAL TIMES] BRI fuels infrastructure build-up, propelling trans-border shipment at Malaysia's Kuantan / By Li Xuanmin and Zhao Juecheng in Kuantan Published: Aug 24, 2023 / Driving from the Kuantan Port to a nearby steel factory, a vaulted semi-open pipe is stretching along the coast, through which imported Brazilian and Australian iron ore are delivered to the factory's blast furnace and smelted into industrial metals. / The steel factory is operated by China-invested Alliance Steel, now the largest steel manufacturer in Malaysia in terms of yearly production. It produces over 4 million tons of steel every year, and 70 percent of the products are shipped to overseas markets through the deep-water Kuantan Port, including Europe, the US, other Southeast Asian countries and Africa. / Alliance Steel's trade volume along with another steel plant owned by Lange Steel at Kuantan accounts for almost 50 percent of the Kuantan Port's annual container throughput capacity, Ye Jingtao, general manager operation of Kuantan Port, told the Global Times. / The port, sitting at the eastern seaboard of Peninsular Malaysia, now has an annual cargo handling ability of 52 million tons, doubling from the level 10 years ago. It is also the largest port in Malaysia in terms of dry bulk commodity handling capacity of public terminal...
Mazlim Bin Husin said that the BRI has "obviously" enhanced connectivity between China and Malaysia. "We can reach further deeper in China, for example to the western region through sea-railway combined transportation." Read the rest of the article here: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202308/1296897.shtml Site editor's note: The Alliance/Malaysia joint venture is great not only for the country's trade balance, but also especially for the East Coast that has lagged significantly behind the rest of the country in so many ways. Now? It's becoming a leader, with a deep water port able to handle vessels SIX times larger than before this joint venture, providing jobs, and hope to this state, Malaysia, and the entire region.
Wanna add some excitement to your life?
Intrepid Silk Road Traveler, Kung Fu, Taekwondo, Karate, Judo, Kendo, Archery, etc. aficionado, and SR-VU Editor Coach Stone Dragon AKA Gregory Brundage, AKA Heng Wu, and AKA "G" has been told a million times he needs a newer map, however, says he's much more comfortable living before guns were invented. He is also planning for the next leg of his amazing EIGHT YEAR - SILK ROAD FRIENDSHIP TOUR journey to the South somewhere, within the next week or so. The exact destination, he says depends on the outcome of some mildly complex equations involving non-Euclidean geometry in n-dimensional space as a sub-factor in slightly more complex equations that include the Gini Coefficient and other such esoteric influences upon the probabilities governing the health of the Earth's ecology, human species survival, well-being and happiness.
Click on the logos below and fly over to a couple of the Silk Road University Editor's semi-new internet sites.
Different but related these sites are the culmination of years of work, and help build culture and sport bridges between east and west. Click on the logos above to visit.
Medical news
Newest evidence on the origin of COVID-19
August 2, 2022 https://www.currentaffairs.org/2022/08/why-the-chair-of-the-lancets-covid-19-commission-thinks-the-us-government-is-preventing-a-real-investigation-into-the-pandemic (For those not familiar with Lancet, it is one of the top three most respected medical journals in the world.)
With COVID-19 still a significant threat, it's probably a good time to take an on-line university class.
https://www.silkroadvirtualuniversity.org/moocs.html What is a university?
The word "university" is derived from the Latin universitas magistrorum et scholarium, “community of teachers and scholars.” A university is a collection of colleges, and a college is a place of learning. The word “college” comes from the Latin language and in ancient Rome a “collegium” was a place for people to live who shared a common interest in – a passion for - learning something. As more and more people journey online now, this is the place where one can learn many things, arts, sciences, business, and law up to and including the wisdom of the ages, for free.
Silk Road Virtual University (SRVU) has no buildings, no meetings and offers no degrees. But, if you simply love learning (as we do) this is a learning Central Processing Unit with roots along the entire Silk Road, and branches all over the world, past, present and future. 
World’s First University & Library https://mvslim.com/worlds-first-university-library-established-recreated-muslim-woman/
How would you like to start studying at Harvard, MIT, University of Southern California, or a hundred other universities - today - for free?
Sound impossible? It is possible. In fact, it's easy - well - some classes are more challenging than others! In any case, it's free! See the MOOCs page on the menu above. This is a seed - a very beginning. With help from schools and universities, research, community and religious centers, think tanks and business people - experts in all fields of knowledge along the Silk Road and the entire world, we will have universal free education for all in everyone's native language. Now, on this site you will find many things, the wisdom of the ages in fact, as well as free online university classes in English, Chinese, Thai, Urdu, Hindi, Russian, and Turkish.
These are called MOOCs - Massive Open Online Courses. Hopefully soon these will be joined by MOOCS in Arabic, Farsi, Dari, Tajik, Bengali, Tamil, Gujarati, Kashmiri, Punjabi, Pashto, Sindhi, Saraiki, and many other languages. See the MOOC page on Menu above. 
https://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places-africa/oldest-university-world-may-not-be-where-you-think-and-founder-may-also-021129
Istanbul - Photo by G. Brundage
Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) 大型在线课程（MOOCs） विशाल ओपन ऑनलाइन पाठ्यक्रम (एमओओसी) الدورات المكثفة المفتوحة عبر الإنترنت (موكس) Массивные открытые онлайн-курсы (MOOC) عظیم گسترش دوره های آنلاین (دوره های MOOC) بڑے پیمانے کھولیں آن لائن کورسز (MOOCs) Devasa Açık Çevrimiçi Kurslar (MOOC'ler) in many Silk Road languages Silk Road Country University Rankings, Contacts and Networks, Silk Road Research Centers & Other Silk Road Research Resources Most courses are free = NO MONEY = $00.00 Free University education from: Harvard, Stanford & MIT Universities, Peking University, and hundreds of other universities, all over the world in many different languages. International & Silk Road Country's Laws
International Laws and Silk Road Countries' Constitutions, National Laws, with a Focus on Labor and Investment Laws
https://www.silkroadvirtualuniversity.org/int-law.html 
Founder of the Archeological Museum in Istanbul
Don't wait for hope.
Go looking for it.
https://hopegrows.net/news/why-is-hope-so-important
Some ways to strengthen the immune System
COVID-19 and Sunshine
For country-by-country statistics on the spread of COVID-19 please check the sites below.
Information about COVID-19 seems to change almost daily making it rather difficult to know what to believe. In any case it is true meditation, prayer, moderate exercise, getting enough rest and sleep, eating natural whole foods - and keeping a positive, hopeful attitude - help stimulate the immune system.
Signing of RCEP: The Biggest event in world economic history
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) was signed Sunday November 15, 2020 by participating nations. It is a free trade agreement between the Asia-Pacific nations of Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. The 15 member countries account for about 30% of the world's population (2.2 billion people) and 30% of global GDP ($26.2 trillion) as of 2020, making it the biggest trade bloc in history.
This is good for the world because it can help stabilize the global economy. This is good for the Silk Roads because most of those countries are Silk Road countries. It is a pity India could not sign on at this time, but the door is left open. Initially the U.S. may not be too keen on RCEP, however also has a vested interest in having a stabilized world economy. Call it "enlightened self-interest." So, there is some good news in the world. https://asean.org/asean-hits-historic-milestone-signing-rcep/ https://asiasociety.org/policy-institute/rcep-agreement-another-wake-call-united-states-trade https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1207282.shtml SRVU - New Library
Two more nations sign up to China’s New Silk Road initiative
2021.11.28 China has committed to building a $184 million biomass plant in Guinea-Bissau, and is reportedly involved in several redevelopment projects in the country. Beijing is reportedly supporting a $48-million project aimed at renovating the antiquated telecommunications system and highway construction. Chinese investors have also expressed interest in the logging sector, deepwater fisheries and oil exploration. / Beijing is planning to help Eritrea to bring back trained labor, to develop infrastructure in the country, and “wean it off an agricultural base to a higher standard of industrialization.” Back in 2019, the China Shanghai Corporation for Foreign Economic and Technological Cooperation (SFECO) began construction of part of the 500km road between the country’s port city of Massawa and Assab harbor, both of which possess special economic zones. / The two African states inked the Memorandum of Understanding days before the forthcoming FOCAC Ministerial Forum in the Senegalese capital of Dakar, which kicks off on November 29... https://www.rt.com/business/541557-silk-road-eritrea-guinea-bissau/
Argentina Joins BRI
Argentina's decision helps stabilize South America's economy
12 Feb, 2022 As Argentina signs up to China’s belt and road, Beijing finds itself on a new path in Latin America - Argentina is the first of South America’s major economies to join Beijing’s infrastructure program - Their closer ties on currency will support Argentina’s financial stability and aids the internationalization of the yuan, says observer...
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3166744/argentina-signs-chinas-belt-and-road-beijing-finds-itself-new Upgraded China-ASEAN partnership amplifies RCEP co-op
NANNING, Nov. 23, 2021 (Xinhua) -- HF SPIRIT, a freighter sailing from Jakarta, capital of Indonesia, arrived at the Qinzhou Port in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on Nov. 20, bringing five reefer containers filled with fresh fruit."Indonesia's bananas, mangosteens, Thailand's coconuts, longan, durians and Vietnam's pitaya are the 'frequenters' on our ship," said Lu Xiaoshan, manager of the shipping department of the New Sitc International Shipping Agency (Shanghai) Co., Ltd's branch in Qinzhou.
The company in recent years has constantly added new routes to member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) thanks to robust China-ASEAN trade, Lu added. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of dialogue relations between China and ASEAN. Over the past three decades, trade between China and ASEAN has skyrocketed by 85 times. Last year, China remained ASEAN's largest trading partner for 12 consecutive years, while ASEAN became China's largest trading partner. https://eng.yidaiyilu.gov.cn/qwyw/rdxw/200585.htm Myanmar is open again for tourism!
For time travel through the ancient far east, Myanmar is a marvelous place to visit.
Though most people, and certainly the international media has pinned the Rohingya genocide solely on Myanmar's military, the editor of Silk Road University has done some research finding things there might not be what they appear in corporate owned news. A general good rule to remember is this: "The more natural resources a nation has, the less one should believe anything in the international "news" reports. 
Myanmar is one of the richest nations in the world in terms of natural resources, but foreign troublemakers have created very difficult times for everyone. Photo by https://www.unido.it/myanmar/ruby1.png
Is there hope for the Rohingya to return to their homelands in peace?
The research continues... 
Ruins of Bagan, 1999 Photo by Nicholas Kenrick, CC BY 2.0
Editor's Silk Road Journey
Last year I visited an old Buddhist temple in the northeast Isan region of Thailand called Wat Chai Sri. That temple is famed for colorful dramatic murals recounting the challenges and exploits of Lao-Thai hero called Sinxay (also spelled Synshai). Below is a short video and 1st draft literature review of published works on this amazing legendary character.
Visit to Khu Prapha ChaiKhu Prapha Chai Temple was built during the reign of Jayavarman VII (1181–1218). He is thought to be the king that transitioned the region from Hinduism to Buddhism, making him controversial in some circles. He also did an enormous amount of infrastructure building, including building a large series of hospitals attached to temples he sponsored.
Wikipedia has a good description of King Jayavarman. Below are a couple of short videos I took a few weeks ago. Make sure you have your sound on for those videos as the bird songs here in Thailand are reminiscent of the Garden of Eden I think. Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Brief Overview
Countries of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
As of December 2021, the number of countries that have joined the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China is 145. www.yidaiyilu.gov.cn The countries of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) are spread across all continents: 42 BRI countries are in Sub-Saharan Africa 34 BRI countries are in Europe & Central Asia (including 18 countries of the European Union (EU) that are part of the BRI) 25 BRI countries are in East Asia & pacific 20 BRI countries are in Latin America & Caribbean 18 BRI countries in Middle East & North Africa 6 BRI countries are in South East Asia Italy, the only west European country to sign a BRI MOU, is currently wobbling, as of May, 2023. On an economic scale with unlimited capitalism on one side, and even China's highly modified socialism on the other, China's economic system is far closer to that of Jesus the Christ: Matthew 19:21 It's Silk Road Travel Time!
Photharam Temple, near an absolutely lovely small/medium town called Bueng Kan at the very top of Isan Province along the Mekong River.
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SILK ROAD NEWS
2023.08.24 Xi says BRICS expansion historic, new starting point for cooperation
President Xi Jinping hailed the "historic" expansion of the BRICS, a group of leading emerging economies, to include six new members on Thursday, saying that the move marks a new starting point for BRICS cooperation and will inject new momentum for the mechanism. / Leaders of the five leading emerging economies announced the expansion of the grouping to include Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as new members at a special news conference during the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg on Thursday. They will become full members from Jan 1, 2024. / Speaking at the news conference, Xi said the expansion of the grouping spoke volumes for the resolve of BRICS to bolster solidarity and cooperation with other developing nations. https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202308/24/WS64e70c05a31035260b81e0b7.html
Editor's Note: BRICS was already the world's largest trading group. Now, its getting bigger. Cooperation has its rewards. 😉
Reading and viewing some Western news sources, China does nothing but cause trouble. That seems very strange.
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If the Chinese leadership was diabolically motivated to crush the west, why hasn't it used the above commodities as the US would most certainly have done for leverage? The answer is: A soft landing for everyone when some US leader finally figures out this entire new Cold War is a horrid nightmare invented by corporations to sell the "biggest war in history." Any reasonable person who does not resist that unmistakable agenda, does not travel or read enough.
Whereas after the Fall of Rome Europe spent the next 900 years in the horrid Dark and Medieval Eras, in the East there was the splendor of the the Abbasid caliphate also called the Golden Age of Islam (750 CE - 1258 CE), the rising glory of Constantinople and the Eastern Roman Empire, and in China great discoveries in all arts and sciences and "Golden Age" dynasties (e.g. the Tang Dynasty 618 to 906 CE) of it's own.
However, in the short-term, starting any day now, and definitely before the US Election Day in 2024, one can only expect "the other shoe to drop," in the South China Sea, and of course the global economy to crash with effects lasting decades at least. A few super-mega rich people will get richer, but 1 - 3 billion will die mostly of starvation, dirty water (slowly by diarrhea with cramps), and hundreds of new unknown contagious diseases when the freezers in the hundreds of US secret biological laboratories go off. A New Dark Ages is not what this world needs.
There has always been only one war.
Though some claim money to be their god, it has proven even less reliable as a stabilizing force than the traditions and laws of the ancient prophets and other sages, when measured in centuries and Millennia.
Even the total atheist has to agree with Newton's Second Law. Remember that "little thing?"
Force = Mass X Acceleration
The mass of a trillion dollar multi-national war industry that has in only a few years rapidly surrounded China and Russia is multiplied by acceleration and both air and sea "events" in the South China Sea are becoming more frequent, ever rapidly bring humanity closer to the precipice from which there is no retreat.
And remember the equation for momentum? Mass times velocity.
What about acceleration?
However, in the short-term, starting any day now, and definitely before the US Election Day in 2024, one can only expect "the other shoe to drop," in the South China Sea, and of course the global economy to crash with effects lasting decades at least. A few super-mega rich people will get richer, but 1 - 3 billion will die mostly of starvation, dirty water (slowly by diarrhea with cramps), and hundreds of new unknown contagious diseases when the freezers in the hundreds of US secret biological laboratories go off. A New Dark Ages is not what this world needs.
There has always been only one war.
Though some claim money to be their god, it has proven even less reliable as a stabilizing force than the traditions and laws of the ancient prophets and other sages, when measured in centuries and Millennia.
Even the total atheist has to agree with Newton's Second Law. Remember that "little thing?"
Force = Mass X Acceleration
The mass of a trillion dollar multi-national war industry that has in only a few years rapidly surrounded China and Russia is multiplied by acceleration and both air and sea "events" in the South China Sea are becoming more frequent, ever rapidly bring humanity closer to the precipice from which there is no retreat.
And remember the equation for momentum? Mass times velocity.
What about acceleration?
US history also verifies the inescapably high probability of the US initiating violent conflict against China in the near future. The US virtually always starts off their wars of aggression with ever-accelerating barrages of complete lies/fictions they call "disinformation" permeating the corporate-owned international "news" for years, then then "bang" something happens and the war begins, always blaming the US's target somehow. Years later, inevitably the truth comes about, and pundits call it a "mistake," maybe, without any payment of reparations, or mechanism to prevent future profit-driven wars.
The modernists who worship money are making too many fatal mistakes not just for the world, but themselves.
Given that all of Asia is on the chopping block at this time, there is no better time than now for Silk Road Solidarity.
The plan is not for just Taiwan to become exactly like Ukraine, but rather all of Asia in a beat down on China with predictable blow-back. That was the original insane plan from 2011: Pivot to Asia.
National leaders with US bases of any kind, Naval ports, etc., all around Asia and Europe really need to to collectively get together and collectively force (economically bludgeon) a stop to this US instigated madness in the South China Sea and Ukraine NOW, TODAY, and back off all those warships and other weapons of mass destruction before its too late.
Any minute of any day now can be too late. This is not something to debate. This is something to do now.
Only an Asian/African/Latin bargaining collective has the economic clout to twist the EU's arm into forcing the US to back off the insane plots of theirs in the South China Sea and Ukraine.
Does anyone have a better plan?
It was never China's primary plan to militarily "take" Taiwan and everyone who knows anything about Asia knows that. The intention was always to wait until Taiwan wanted to rejoin the motherland.
What family could ask for less? That is, obviously, the optimal solution, no?
But, it seems westerners have forgotten family, looking at the news from the west these days. So, maybe they don't know, could never even imagine that families work together to solve problems. They don't destroy each other. But, Westerners, growing up in worlds ruled by dog-eat-dog savagery, worshiping mass killers every day of their lives, in grim replay of ancient Spartan sadism and Medieval feudalistic drama might not know any better. Believing in the fiction of "American Manifest Destiny" is just another way of saying "God said White People should rule the world forever." Tell me it ain't so Joe.
And so, the leaders of China and Russia remain patient, keep to the straight path, and pray, even if not openly, the west can auto-correct before its too late for everyone.
Why should people from the other side of the world come in here with trillions of dollars of weapons of mass destruction and drive a wedge in this ancient family?
Just how many more Holy Commandments are we talking about shattering here?
- By "Forgotten Red Dust"
Sour grapes, unlimited hubris and aggression have always come at the highest prices in history. It is invariable. There are no exceptions.
The modernists who worship money are making too many fatal mistakes not just for the world, but themselves.
Given that all of Asia is on the chopping block at this time, there is no better time than now for Silk Road Solidarity.
The plan is not for just Taiwan to become exactly like Ukraine, but rather all of Asia in a beat down on China with predictable blow-back. That was the original insane plan from 2011: Pivot to Asia.
National leaders with US bases of any kind, Naval ports, etc., all around Asia and Europe really need to to collectively get together and collectively force (economically bludgeon) a stop to this US instigated madness in the South China Sea and Ukraine NOW, TODAY, and back off all those warships and other weapons of mass destruction before its too late.
Any minute of any day now can be too late. This is not something to debate. This is something to do now.
Only an Asian/African/Latin bargaining collective has the economic clout to twist the EU's arm into forcing the US to back off the insane plots of theirs in the South China Sea and Ukraine.
Does anyone have a better plan?
It was never China's primary plan to militarily "take" Taiwan and everyone who knows anything about Asia knows that. The intention was always to wait until Taiwan wanted to rejoin the motherland.
What family could ask for less? That is, obviously, the optimal solution, no?
But, it seems westerners have forgotten family, looking at the news from the west these days. So, maybe they don't know, could never even imagine that families work together to solve problems. They don't destroy each other. But, Westerners, growing up in worlds ruled by dog-eat-dog savagery, worshiping mass killers every day of their lives, in grim replay of ancient Spartan sadism and Medieval feudalistic drama might not know any better. Believing in the fiction of "American Manifest Destiny" is just another way of saying "God said White People should rule the world forever." Tell me it ain't so Joe.
And so, the leaders of China and Russia remain patient, keep to the straight path, and pray, even if not openly, the west can auto-correct before its too late for everyone.
Why should people from the other side of the world come in here with trillions of dollars of weapons of mass destruction and drive a wedge in this ancient family?
Just how many more Holy Commandments are we talking about shattering here?
- By "Forgotten Red Dust"
Sour grapes, unlimited hubris and aggression have always come at the highest prices in history. It is invariable. There are no exceptions.
The Silk Roads still are, and always were the...
...of the world!
China-Central
Asia Summit
May 16 A huge China-Central Asia Summit is being held in Xi’an this week.
Leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Note that they are all Muslim countries and border Xinjiang.
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1290889.shtml
Leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Note that they are all Muslim countries and border Xinjiang.
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1290889.shtml
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘢 𝘪𝘯 12.5 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴 𝘣𝘺 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯
By Gordon Dumoulin, October 27, 2022
Last summer Thailand and China agreed upon completing the 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮-𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗱, 𝗱𝗼𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 as soon as possible, with ambition to be operational by 2028.
Thailand’s first high-speed rail line connecting #Bangkok and Nong Khai, the border city with Laos in north-east of Thailand (about 600km) will be the extension of the 1,000km China-Laos high-speed railway already in operation since last December from Laos capital #Vientiane to #Kunming, the capital of China’s southern #Yunnan province. Both railways will be connected by a bridge over the #Mekong river to link Nong Khai and Vientiane.
The new high speed railway between Bangkok and Nong Khai in Thailand will cut train travel time from today's 9.5 hours to 2.5 hours and Vientiane can be reached from Bangkok in less than 3 hours (with a flight taking about 1 hour).
Last summer Thailand and China agreed upon completing the 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮-𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗱, 𝗱𝗼𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 as soon as possible, with ambition to be operational by 2028.
Thailand’s first high-speed rail line connecting #Bangkok and Nong Khai, the border city with Laos in north-east of Thailand (about 600km) will be the extension of the 1,000km China-Laos high-speed railway already in operation since last December from Laos capital #Vientiane to #Kunming, the capital of China’s southern #Yunnan province. Both railways will be connected by a bridge over the #Mekong river to link Nong Khai and Vientiane.
The new high speed railway between Bangkok and Nong Khai in Thailand will cut train travel time from today's 9.5 hours to 2.5 hours and Vientiane can be reached from Bangkok in less than 3 hours (with a flight taking about 1 hour).
The China-Thailand high speed railway is part of the 3,900 km-long central route of the 𝗣𝗮𝗻-𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 between China and ASEAN—one of the most dynamic and fastest growing regions in the world. The end station will be #Singapore linking Singapore and Kunming (and all major cities on the way in #Malaysia, #Thailand, #Laos and #China) by an 18-hour high speed train travel.
Plans for other high speed train routes within the railway network between China and Singapore are also on the table, on the East side through #Vietnam and #Cambodia and on the West side through #Myanmar.
The Pan-Asia railway network will be a game changer for 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮-𝗔𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗡 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻, not the least also for #cargo . As an alternative to the marine shipping routes through the South China sea and Malacca Strait, the inlands will be much more accessible for trade.
The railway network is a great vehicle for the #RCEP 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽, world’s largest free trade agreement between #ASEAN nations, #China, #Japan, #Korea, #Australia and #NewZealand. The RCEP came into effect early this year.
#connectivity #highspeedrail #inclusiveness #asia #southeastasia #railway
Plans for other high speed train routes within the railway network between China and Singapore are also on the table, on the East side through #Vietnam and #Cambodia and on the West side through #Myanmar.
The Pan-Asia railway network will be a game changer for 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮-𝗔𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗡 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻, not the least also for #cargo . As an alternative to the marine shipping routes through the South China sea and Malacca Strait, the inlands will be much more accessible for trade.
The railway network is a great vehicle for the #RCEP 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽, world’s largest free trade agreement between #ASEAN nations, #China, #Japan, #Korea, #Australia and #NewZealand. The RCEP came into effect early this year.
#connectivity #highspeedrail #inclusiveness #asia #southeastasia #railway
How to build a railway!
Article above posted by author Gordon Dumoulin, October 27, 2022 on Linked-In. Permission to reprint granted Oct. 29. Thank you Sir. An excellent overview of BRI developments here in South Asia.
Shanghai Cooperation Organization huge success
2022.09.17 SCO expands membership and intl appeal as President Xi outlines priorities of solidarity, shared benefits, By GT staff reporters Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states on Friday made fruitful achievements by signing the Samarkand Declaration and a raft of documents and statements for not only regional countries but also the international community, showing the world the organization's and regional countries' joint pursuit of stability and development amid a complicated global geopolitical situation.
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202209/1275441.shtml
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202209/1275441.shtml
There are alternatives to "life" in the Matrix.
By Jahobr - Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=63377056
Research your Silk Road Dream Destination and hit the road...
The Silk Roads as a complete series of interconnected looping paths from Xi'an China, across Asia to Istanbul, Greece, Rome and Italy in the west, and from Russia in the north to Sri Lanka in the south, is about 2,000 years old, though some parts are much older.
For those with a thirst for Silk Road history, it is well known that those ancient roads prospered because of healthy trade. Trade fosters friendships, and friendships foster bonds that can last for centuries and millennia. Like a musical instrument, there are from time to time disharmonious reverberations from unfortunate disturbances, yet with time old harmonies return and beautiful new harmonies emerge.
Made-in-China Jakarta-Bandung high-speed trains debut on Indonesian soil
by Xinhua, Editor: huaxia, 2022-09-03
https://english.news.cn/20220903/9bb8bf54dc1e453ca37831e662a020db/c.html
https://english.news.cn/20220903/9bb8bf54dc1e453ca37831e662a020db/c.html
Thai Government steps up efforts for closer rail links with Laos and China
See: www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40018542 (August 5, 2022)
A twentieth-century depiction of a Roman triumph celebrated by Julius Caesar. Caesar, riding in the chariot, wears the solid Tyrian purple toga picta. Photo by PMRMaeyaert - Own work CC BY-SA 4.0
From the time Julius Caesar it was a common practice for the Caesar to have a man stand next him in the chariot while parading through the streets, repeating into his ear: "Remember, you are only a man, you are only a man" A kindly and wise reminder for some people who might forget that now and then.
It is a long painful road to peace when one is starving.
And, best estimates are 25 thousand people starve to death every day.
https://www.un.org/en/chronicle/article/losing-25000-hunger-every-day
Should one ruthless country rule the whole world forever ("hegemony in perpetuity"), while worshiping nothing but money and power while global starvation reaches epidemic highs?
And, best estimates are 25 thousand people starve to death every day.
https://www.un.org/en/chronicle/article/losing-25000-hunger-every-day
Should one ruthless country rule the whole world forever ("hegemony in perpetuity"), while worshiping nothing but money and power while global starvation reaches epidemic highs?
Belt and Road in Myanmar
To benefit China-Myanmar trade flow Dali-Baoshan rail link, by Global New Light of Myanmar, August 04, 2022
A first section of the Dali-Ruili railway, which will connect Dali in Yunnan Province with Muse in northern Myanmar, was opened recently. As a result of the route, South-East Asian countries, including China and Myanmar, will be able to exchange goods more easily.
The Dali-Baoshan railway section, part of the Dali-Ruili railway, which took 14 years to build, is now running in Baoshan city.
Baoshan city is situated in southern Yunnan Province and connects with Myanmar. Upon the successful opening of the Dali-Baoshan route, China and Myanmar will be able to exchange goods more easily.
As part of the MoU between Myanmar and China governments, there are a lot of projects that support BRI. There is an MoU for the improvement of processes at the Ruili-Muse border trade collaboration zone, as well as an MoU for cooperation between Mandalay Region and Yunnan Province regarding the Myanmar Economic Corridor.
In China, the Baoshan-Ruili sector system is currently being constructed, and once the whole route is completed, China-Myanmar international railway can be completed. — TWA/GNLM
https://www.gnlm.com.mm/to-benefit-china-myanmar-trade-flow-dali-baoshan-rail-link/#article-title
A first section of the Dali-Ruili railway, which will connect Dali in Yunnan Province with Muse in northern Myanmar, was opened recently. As a result of the route, South-East Asian countries, including China and Myanmar, will be able to exchange goods more easily.
The Dali-Baoshan railway section, part of the Dali-Ruili railway, which took 14 years to build, is now running in Baoshan city.
Baoshan city is situated in southern Yunnan Province and connects with Myanmar. Upon the successful opening of the Dali-Baoshan route, China and Myanmar will be able to exchange goods more easily.
As part of the MoU between Myanmar and China governments, there are a lot of projects that support BRI. There is an MoU for the improvement of processes at the Ruili-Muse border trade collaboration zone, as well as an MoU for cooperation between Mandalay Region and Yunnan Province regarding the Myanmar Economic Corridor.
In China, the Baoshan-Ruili sector system is currently being constructed, and once the whole route is completed, China-Myanmar international railway can be completed. — TWA/GNLM
https://www.gnlm.com.mm/to-benefit-china-myanmar-trade-flow-dali-baoshan-rail-link/#article-title
"Jesus said unto him, 'If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.'"
KJV Mathew 19:21
KJV Mathew 19:21
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All the Holy Prophets, and founders of all the great religions and philosophies are from and lived along the ancient Silk Roads. Unfortunately, a large group of very ambitious, but ridiculously deluded criminals seem to think they can cut it in two again.
They seem to have forgotten it is not 1945 any more. Live, hopefully and prayerfully, and learn. - Site Editor |
The Silk Roads always were the HEART of the world and STILL ARE, more than ever...
"A distant disturbance at one end of the road trembled along its length like an electric current, so that the pressure of pastoral tribes along the Great Wall, in a relentless chain reaction, might unleash the Huns over Europe. A disaster could not occur in Asia, wrote Cicero, that did not shake the Roman economy to its foundations." (Shadow of the Silk Road, by Colin Thubron)
"A distant disturbance at one end of the road trembled along its length like an electric current, so that the pressure of pastoral tribes along the Great Wall, in a relentless chain reaction, might unleash the Huns over Europe. A disaster could not occur in Asia, wrote Cicero, that did not shake the Roman economy to its foundations." (Shadow of the Silk Road, by Colin Thubron)
As more and more governments are spending increasing percentages of their national economies on defense every year, it's a real good idea for schools everywhere to offer conflict resolution classes. www.coursera.org has some great classes on this. Some conflict resolution curriculum can also be found here on SRVU.
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http://www.google.com/ping?sitemap=<https://www.silkroadvirtualuniversity.org/>
Soon, I hope to add to this site:
- Silk Road Agricultural Sciences for framing, soil sciences, reversing desertification, new research on fertilizers and safe pesticides, etc.
- Silk Road Architecture - history, current, and future, (use of CAD and other software)
- Silk Road Arts, Music, Dance, Paintings, Sculpture and Martial Arts
- Business: Accounting (use of Excel and other software), management, marketing, communications, taxation, finance, small business development, etc.
- Silk Road Construction and Engineering - Country by country directory of C & E resources
- Silk Road Diplomacy, past, present and future; Databases of resources for learning diplomacy and contacting different kinds of mediators, negotiators and diplomats for resolving different kinds of issues and conflicts
- Silk Road Ecology - Study of ecosystems, preserving and reversing ecological problems caused by people, plant and animal protection, seed and planting projects
- Silk Road Employment Center
- Engineering including chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, materials & other
- Silk Road Fashion, Ancient and Modern
- Silk Road Gems and Jewelry - Gem detection, mining, cutting, polishing, appraisal/sorting, jewelry design and manufacture
- Silk Road and World Humanitarian Relief Organizations
- Silk Road Law - Ancient Silk Road Laws/History of Law, and links to modern legal databases regarding trade, immigration and taxation
- Silk Road Philosophies and Religions, past, present and future
- Silk Road Travelers, Ancient and Modern
- And... whatever else comes to mind as useful...
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Quran on wisdom, learning and knowledge
If anyone travels on a road in search of knowledge, God will cause him to travel on one of the roads of Paradise.
He who issues forth in search of knowledge is busy in the cause of God till he returns from his quest.
Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave
Four things support the world: the learning of the wise, the justice of the great, the prayers of the good, and the valor of the brave.”
Good and evil are not alike. Repel evil with that which is best. And lo, he between whom and thyself was enmity will become as though he were a warm friend. But none is granted it save those who are steadfast; and none is granted it save those who possess a large share of good. (Al Quran 41:35-36)
If anyone travels on a road in search of knowledge, God will cause him to travel on one of the roads of Paradise.
He who issues forth in search of knowledge is busy in the cause of God till he returns from his quest.
Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave
Four things support the world: the learning of the wise, the justice of the great, the prayers of the good, and the valor of the brave.”
Good and evil are not alike. Repel evil with that which is best. And lo, he between whom and thyself was enmity will become as though he were a warm friend. But none is granted it save those who are steadfast; and none is granted it save those who possess a large share of good. (Al Quran 41:35-36)
Bible on wisdom, learning and knowledge
“For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.” Ecclesiastes 7:12
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2
“An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.” Proverbs 18:15
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16
“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge.” 2 Peter 1:5
Confucius on wisdom, learning and knowledge
“Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace.
"By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest."
"Acquire new knowledge whilst thinking over the old, and you may become a teacher of others."
"At home, a young man should be a good son, when outside he should treat others like his brothers, his behavior should be one of trustworthy and proper, and should love the multitude at large and keep himself close to people of benevolence and morality. If after all these activities, he has any energy to spare, he should read widely to stay cultivated."
"He who excels in study can follow an official career.”
"When I walk along with two others, from at least one I will be able to learn."
Taoism on wisdom, learning and knowledge
“Knowing others is intelligence;
knowing yourself is true wisdom.
Mastering others is strength;
mastering yourself is true power.”
“The truth is not always beautiful, nor beautiful words the truth.”
“A man with outward courage dares to die; a man with inner courage dares to live.”
“The wise man is one who, knows, what he does not know.”
“He who conquers others is strong; he who conquers himself is mighty"
“Countless words count less than the silent balance between yin and yang”
“The Master has no possessions. The more he does for others, the happier he is.
The more he gives to others, the wealthier he is.”
“If you want to know me, look inside your heart.”
Buddhism on wisdom, learning and knowledge
“A man is not called wise because he talks and talks again; but if he is peaceful, loving and fearless then he is in truth called wise.” Gautama Buddha, The Dhammapada: The Sayings of the Buddha
“Greater in battle than the man who would conquer a thousand-thousand men,
is he who would conquer just one, himself.
Better to conquer yourself than others.
When you've trained yourself, living in constant self-control, neither a deva nor gandhabba, nor a Mara banded with Brahmas, could turn that triumph back into defeat.” Gautama Buddha
“Yes I am, I am also a Muslim, a Christian, a Buddhist, and a Jew.” Mahatma Gandhi
“Better than a thousand hollow words is one word that brings peace.” Gautama Buddha, The Dhammapada
Hinduism on wisdom, learning and knowledge
“He who is possessed of supreme knowledge by concentration of mind, must have his senses under control, like spirited steeds controlled by a charioteer.” Katha Upanishad (iii, 6).
“Knowledge is the third eye of man, which gives him insight into all affairs and teaches him how to act.” (Subhishitaratnasandhoha p. 194)
“That which liberates us is education.” “Sa vidya ya vimuktaye.”
"All differences in this world are of degree, and not of kind, because oneness is the secret of everything." Swami Vivekananda
Persian Proverbs on wisdom, learning and knowledge
He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not is a fool, shun him. He who knows not, and knows that he knows not, is a child, teach him. He who knows, and knows not that he knows, is asleep, wake him. He who knows, and knows that he knows is wise.
One pound of learning requires ten pounds of common sense to apply it.
Learn good manners from those who don’t have them.
If the teacher be corrupt, the world will be corrupt.
Thinking well is wise,; planning well, wiser, but doing well is the wisest of them all.
Doubt is the key to knowledge.
Thinking is the essence of wisdom.
Turkic Proverbs on wisdom, learning and knowledge
It is not disgraceful to ask, it is disgraceful not to know.
The tree branch should be bent when it is young.
Beauty passes, wisdom remains.
Dogs bark, but the caravan goes on.
It is more difficult than teaching a camel to jump (than to reason with fool).
Demand a task from a lazy person, and be ready to receive advice.
“For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.” Ecclesiastes 7:12
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2
“An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.” Proverbs 18:15
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16
“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge.” 2 Peter 1:5
Confucius on wisdom, learning and knowledge
“Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace.
"By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest."
"Acquire new knowledge whilst thinking over the old, and you may become a teacher of others."
"At home, a young man should be a good son, when outside he should treat others like his brothers, his behavior should be one of trustworthy and proper, and should love the multitude at large and keep himself close to people of benevolence and morality. If after all these activities, he has any energy to spare, he should read widely to stay cultivated."
"He who excels in study can follow an official career.”
"When I walk along with two others, from at least one I will be able to learn."
Taoism on wisdom, learning and knowledge
“Knowing others is intelligence;
knowing yourself is true wisdom.
Mastering others is strength;
mastering yourself is true power.”
“The truth is not always beautiful, nor beautiful words the truth.”
“A man with outward courage dares to die; a man with inner courage dares to live.”
“The wise man is one who, knows, what he does not know.”
“He who conquers others is strong; he who conquers himself is mighty"
“Countless words count less than the silent balance between yin and yang”
“The Master has no possessions. The more he does for others, the happier he is.
The more he gives to others, the wealthier he is.”
“If you want to know me, look inside your heart.”
Buddhism on wisdom, learning and knowledge
“A man is not called wise because he talks and talks again; but if he is peaceful, loving and fearless then he is in truth called wise.” Gautama Buddha, The Dhammapada: The Sayings of the Buddha
“Greater in battle than the man who would conquer a thousand-thousand men,
is he who would conquer just one, himself.
Better to conquer yourself than others.
When you've trained yourself, living in constant self-control, neither a deva nor gandhabba, nor a Mara banded with Brahmas, could turn that triumph back into defeat.” Gautama Buddha
“Yes I am, I am also a Muslim, a Christian, a Buddhist, and a Jew.” Mahatma Gandhi
“Better than a thousand hollow words is one word that brings peace.” Gautama Buddha, The Dhammapada
Hinduism on wisdom, learning and knowledge
“He who is possessed of supreme knowledge by concentration of mind, must have his senses under control, like spirited steeds controlled by a charioteer.” Katha Upanishad (iii, 6).
“Knowledge is the third eye of man, which gives him insight into all affairs and teaches him how to act.” (Subhishitaratnasandhoha p. 194)
“That which liberates us is education.” “Sa vidya ya vimuktaye.”
"All differences in this world are of degree, and not of kind, because oneness is the secret of everything." Swami Vivekananda
Persian Proverbs on wisdom, learning and knowledge
He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not is a fool, shun him. He who knows not, and knows that he knows not, is a child, teach him. He who knows, and knows not that he knows, is asleep, wake him. He who knows, and knows that he knows is wise.
One pound of learning requires ten pounds of common sense to apply it.
Learn good manners from those who don’t have them.
If the teacher be corrupt, the world will be corrupt.
Thinking well is wise,; planning well, wiser, but doing well is the wisest of them all.
Doubt is the key to knowledge.
Thinking is the essence of wisdom.
Turkic Proverbs on wisdom, learning and knowledge
It is not disgraceful to ask, it is disgraceful not to know.
The tree branch should be bent when it is young.
Beauty passes, wisdom remains.
Dogs bark, but the caravan goes on.
It is more difficult than teaching a camel to jump (than to reason with fool).
Demand a task from a lazy person, and be ready to receive advice.
Also see: www.silkroadresearchcenter.org - a sister-site to www.silkroadvirtualuniversity.org
Peace with dignity for all.
Peace with dignity for all.
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And please, wear a mask.
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Some other internet sites by SRV-U's Director
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