I was hosing the garden at the front of our apartments earlier this morning, and this large gang (20-30 people) of elderly Chinese went past, picking up rubbish in the street. It suddenly clicked that this was 'clean-up Australia' day.
What interested me was the involvement of this group of elderly Chinese, and I assume that this is likely happening across Sydney in all the many suburbs that have become 'Chinese' in the last 35 years. And, its that 'sinification' that is one of my many interests.
The USA now has (it is said) some three million Chinese from PRC China. This is one of the most intriguing social trends that I have ever seen (or, read of) and its happening when young Chinese who go 'west' for their education are increasingly returning to China (about 80% I believe) , but perhaps leaving an apartment behind as an investment.
It was Jan. 29, 1979 when USA President Jimmy Carter and the Chinese leader (without much in the way of titles) signed an accord. One of the points in the accord was that Chinese would be free to leave China, and its said that when this point was discussed, and Carter stated the point, Deng responded by asking, "Mr President, How many Chinese do you think you want?" If Carter answered it does not seem to have been recorded.
The suburb where I live is not quite fully "Chinese," but far more than in 1999 when I moved here. Now nearly all the shops (but not the large supermarkets) are owned by Chinese. There are times when the only people on the shopping streets are Chinese. There are some 17 shops selling Chinese groceries. and near as many specialising in selling Australian products to Chinese tourists. Interesting isn't it?
I was sent to a specialist dentist last week in Hurstville, a suburb I know well from my childhood. It was very "British" in those days. But now, the dentist was Chinese, the surgery was staffed by Chinese. Nearly every street front shop is Chinese, and most of the people on the street are Chinese.
I count about 10 suburbs in Sydney that are now Chinese, and in all of these construction development companies from China (with local government approval) are building large tower blocks. At a rough count I think about 1000 new apartments will come on the market in 7 to 10 floor projects in my suburb.
In neighbouring Burwood, the apartment blocks are even larger and taller. Cant estimate the number of new apartments there. Sales offices, from desks in shopping centres to very large shop fronts staffed by Chinese, seem to be everywhere. Non-resident Chinese are allowed to buy new apartments (only), and they seem to be sold out in many cases.
Last night, the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade was held in Sydney (I didn't go - but both the Prime Minister and the federal leader of the opposition did). My gayxjw friend did go to watch (he did not go into the parade - he isn't quite up to baring his torso these days.) He called this morning and told me that there were lots of Asians watching including many older ones who may may have been tourists looking for a bit of local color.
Asians have different cultural sensitivies, once in the mountains to Sydney's west, I watched a group of Chinese ladies looking at some bronze statues of native Australians (no live ones left in that area) The statues (correctly) were naked, and these mature ladies were having great fun photographing each other rubbing the genitals of the statues, they were not the first, because the said genitals shone with the bright finish of polished bronze..
Just some random thoughts.