Anniversaries & Celebrations! – Page 255

China: Lunar Space Programme Targets Resources! (12.3.2024)

12/03/2024 Adrian (釋大道)

Yang is widely known for leading the design work on the Chang’e 5 robotic spacecraft that fulfilled China’s first lunar sample retrieval mission.

He was speaking on the side-lines of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, which concluded in Beijing on Sunday. He is a member of the CPPCC National Committee, the top political advisory body in China.

China began its lunar programme in 2004 and has launched six robotic probes since 2007. The most recent mission, Chang’e 5, landed on the moon in December 2020 and soon brought 1,731 grams of lunar rocks and soil back to Earth, achieving a historic accomplishment about 44 years after the last lunar substances were brought back from our nearest celestial neighbour.

Qing Dynasty: When the Last Chinese Imperial Ship Visited the West! (11.3.2024)

11/03/2024 Adrian (釋大道)

Afterwards, the U.S. Navy repeatedly invited the Qing Dynasty Fleet to visit the United States as a show of friendship. Therefore, on April 11th, 1911, Cheng Biguang (程璧光), the Commander of the “Hai Qi Hao” was ordered to weigh anchor in Shanghai on April 21st – and set sail to the United Kingdom, (thousands of miles away), to attend the Coronation of King George V – and then cross the Atlantic to visit New York, USA. The Baiyang Navy – at the end of the Qing Dynasty – was extremely modernized. The uniforms, Ceremonial Guards, and drill methods of the soldiers were all adopted from the West (specifically the UK). The Officers and soldiers of the “Hai Qi Hao” also cut off their Manchu braided poney-tails – officially integrating with the (modern) Western Navy.

China: Qing Dynasty Ship – “Qi Ying Hao” [耆英号] – First Modern Chinese Vessel to Visit the West – and Never to Return! (11.3.2024)

11/03/2024 Adrian (釋大道)

The purpose of the “Qi Ying Hao” voyage is not very clear – based upon the extant information available. Certain information suggests that the driving force behind the scenes was a British business group. These investment capitalists intended to have a Chinese sailing ship sail around the Cape of Good Hope – and then sail to the United Kingdom – as a symbolic gift for Queen Victoria!

According to researchers, the “Qi Ying Hao” was secretly sold to the British in August of 1846, because at that time China had legal restrictions that prohibited the sale of ships to foreigners. In order to keep it secret, all the British people changed into Chinese clothes and a Chinese person was temporarily appointed as the Captain. He also used the ship as his personal yacht – and sailed the boat from Guangzhou to Hong Kong.

My Shakespeare “Complete Works” Editions! (10.3.2024)

10/03/2024 Adrian (釋大道)

The first was in 1992 – purchased from a local WH Smiths in a place called ‘Tiverton’ in East Devon (I believe during the time that my Irish grandmother – Gladys Kilmurray – was very ill and when her British daughter and American grandchildren were visiting the UK from Seattle, US) – whilst the second was acquired from The Works in Torquay High Street in 2007 (five-years after my family had uprooted and migrated to the South Coast). Both are superb editions with the first being easy to carry around whilst the latter is a very large, impressive and “Grand” Limited Library Edition – designed as a “Reference” copy only NOT to be borrowed or moved about (it is far too heavy for that)! The first is compact – whilst the second is lavishly illustrated and easy to read.

Emails: The Homosocial World of King James I – as Recorded in Shakespeare’s Sonnets! (10.3.2024)

10/03/2024 Adrian (釋大道)

The Sonnets have been altered, suppressed and repressed over the last four hundred years – and particularly since the advent of the 1885 anti-gay laws in the UK (passed at the same time as the ancient Age of Consent of ’12’ was raised to ’13’ and then to ’16’ in quick succession) which were used to try and imprison Oscar Wilde in 1895. With the 1967 abolition of these anti-gay laws (which outlawed sexual activity between consenting adult men) – the Sonnets were once again lauded as masterpieces of observation and wit. I suspect that an updated edition of Arden will introduce a more astute LBGTQN+ interpretation – one that this community might well find inspiring and uplifting.

Flight MH370: 10 Years On – Malaysia May Renew Search! (9.3.2024)

09/03/2024 Adrian (釋大道)

In July 2018, the Malaysian government released a more than 800-page report, noting that the evidence led to an “incontrovertible conclusion” that it was under manual control, and it was deliberately flown out into the Indian Ocean. Until the wreckage is found, it will remain unknown as to who was at the controls of the Boeing 777 during that time. Loke, who was also transport minister at the time, described it as the final and full report.

On condition

Nearly four years after the release of the report, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said during a March 4 state visit to Australia that he would be “happy to reopen” the search for the missing MH370 “if there is compelling evidence”.

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