Existentialism School Of Thought

Existentialism School Of Thought Existentialism is a school of thought that attempts to break down much of the foundations of thought itself, to allow for reasoning unbridled by preconceived notions. In a sense the idea attacks the structure of normal reasoning, in an effort to render what is thought to be known as questionable rather than inherent. However, it goes much deeper than that. It is a way of thinking that is almost impossible to sum up in a single sentence, paragraph, or even page. One could say it is a theory meant to allow human thinking and existence to define itself. While it can be explained, it somewhat of a theory that invents itself while it explains itself, while rendering every most every truth it creates about itself completely vulnerable to be reshaped by the truths it will later create. In fact many existential thinkers would reject the title of existentialist as to define their work, went against the very nature of their work. One of the earliest existentialist thinkers, Martin Heidegger, with his vast interest in experiences common to all humans, such as death and anxiety, addressed such definitive problems in existential thought as the relationship between an individuals self and the world around him. Ushered in many ideas that a more solidly defined existentialism would later draw its roots from. Heideggers interests and works involved topics, such as nihilism and the rejection of science. Another common ground most existential thinking roots itself in is phenomenology. Edmond Husserls phenomenological work was a resource for Heideggers transcendent views of the experiences of humans, stating that is found not as a property of an individual but rather it is a framework where the human mind meets the world around it. Other influential philosophers to Heidegger were Soren Kierkegaard and Friedrich Nietzsche, wherein lies the seed of the existence problem. Kierkegaard and Nietzsche, while both also focus on the meaning of the individual in a worldly setting, approach the problem from a more religious perspective. Kierkegaards view of existence states that the meaningfulness of a human emerges from the conflict of ethics and religious faith. Somewhat of a prelude to the concept of authenticity, Kierkegaard claims that subjectivity is truth, contrasting the objective view of the crowd which would make decisions or view reality based on the social norms of a given age. He feels that an individual seeking truth to their existence through objective science is an individual relieving their self of the burden of being their self. Nietzsches while viewing existence similarly, takes a more nihilistic approach, searching for meaning in the absence or collapse of theism and morality. Avoiding the existence of a norm, he would say that rather than a governing norm setting the standard or pace for the work, the norm should be internal to the work. Since the driving force in the lives of most men is the presence of an intrinsic meaning to life, nihilism could very easily be viewed as a philosophy of despair. Without a given reason to live, many would have no will to live. Nietzsche would see such an individual as weakly constituted, since he feels that the absence of such an intrinsic meaning provides an opportunity for the strong willed or creative individual to create meaning for their self. Where most would view the social norms as the responsibility of anyone in a society, Kierkegaard and Nietzsche would say that one who accepts those social norms is essentially forfeiting his worldly responsibility. With the idea of creating meaning or reason through living life, as opposed to living life for the sake of a given meaning or reason, these philosophers set the stage for the idea to be processed into something more systematic. Moving further into an era of thinking that would finally be referred to as Existentialism rather than bits and pieces of radical thinking, the work of philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre dives deep into the problem of existence. Focusing heavily on the individuals place in the world and giving meaning to the existence of every individual. It states that though the individual is not simply so powerful and meaningful that it transcends this world, the individual is however, transcendent to this world in that the individual has the power to create their own meaning of life while wrapped up in the very act of living it. Sartres mantra is existence precedes essence. This phrase is about as close as one can get to summarizing existentialism in a few words. The governing ideas in existentialism explain that what it means to be human simply cannot be explained, since that meaning is developed during the process of living life as a human. While again, this can be a depressing view since many would prefer to part of a greater whole, or existing for the purpose of a higher potential, it can be interpreted to show that we in fact are the higher potential, since we create our own meaning rather than bend to the will of a predetermined meaning. The human consciousness allows humans to constantly shape their own existence, thus shaping the world around them as they go along. Not only would it be difficult and uncomfortable for a sculptor to sit on his pottery wheel and stare at a lump of clay sitting in a chair as it whirs past his view with every rotation, it would also be very counterproductive. Entities which are not human have fixed properties which define them as well as their value in the world. For instance a stapler is an entity that staples. It was created with the purpose of stapling and its value as an entity lies in how well it can staple. So to staple is the essence of that entity. If it does not sufficiently pierce a stack of paper with a bracket shaped piece of metal, it does not have the option to instead choose to be a pair of scissors. However it does posses a weight and size, so a human using such an insufficient stapler, could choose to instead use it as a paperweight but this would be an improper use of a stapler as far as the staplers essence is concerned. While a human does posses properties such as weight and size, much like the stapler, the human is the only one of the two which can choose how to allocate those properties and in the absence of a given essence, there is no rule to govern what is proper and improper use of a human, except those rules de veloped by the human entity itself. With no predetermined value of a human, there is no governing rule to decide which humans governing rules should govern the rules of all humans. So every human is left to invent their own rules of life, and when viewed from a subjective stance, one clearly cannot simply produce a list of such rules which will work in all situations, and thus must constantly invent new rules as their life progresses. Such a method would render these rules to not be rules at all, but instead methods specific and useful to the given situation. Where a being such as a stapler instantiates its essence, which is to staple, at any moment that it is used to staple, a human being almost reverses the process, creating moments of essence through instantiating his or her consciousness in every moment of existence. If you are stapling, for the moment that you have committed yourself to the act of stapling, your essence has become to staple. Had you not previously existed with the desire to fasten two pieces of p aper to each other, then that essence could not possibly have been produced. In the same manner you chose to staple you could choose to forfeit the task in mid press, leaving a half extended staple and an indent in your stack of paper, at which point your essence would become that of a being who aborts the task of stapling. Just the same you could never have arrived at this essence without previously existing. So in an existential light, the meaning of existence comes to be at moment where properties of life and the nature of the world around the human meet the humans ability to decide what is or is not a property and how that property is to be put to effect. It is in the relationship of two key points in existential thought known as facticity and transcendence that human life arrives at existence. Facticity represents information that can be attained through third person investigation. One person viewing another could factually state their height, weight, skin color, race, class, hair color and number of other things about them. Just as one could take a third person stance on themselves and objectify their web of beliefs, character traits, likes and dislikes. The common point of view on such investigation would state that facticity manifests itself in your moods or the outcomes of a situation on your life, as a burden of sorts. One might say that since you stepped in a puddle, you are no w sad, as the feeling of sadness has been placed on your shoulders due to your careless mistake of stepping into water. A multitude of means could be used to determine why one would conclude such facticity from this event. Whether they fear germs in the puddle, ruined their expensive work shoes, or simply dislike being wet, the burden of sadness has been allocated to them and for the time being represents the facticity of their life. Transcendence refers to the factual as it always emerges in light of the possible. The possible is a result of choices and decisions, not forces. While forces govern the tendency of a disturbed puddle to splash the disturber, there are no forces outside of ones own mind set and internal choices to govern the resulting sadness. With such a transcendent ability to choose happiness over sadness, it seems unreasonable to choose to be sad. In this light existentialism can reject negative interpretations of the belief and show itself as humanism. In Sartres work entitled Existentialism is a Humanism he clearly defines ways in which existentialism can be extremely beneficial to humans, rather than a depression lack of reason or meaning for existence. With a race of beings so capable of constantly reinventing their own essence and the ability to make choices from a truly objective view point, limitless possibilities are opened up for the progress of existence. While a lion may not be smart enough to willingly and understanding allow a smarter being to make choices for it, for instance a human cannot reason with a lion why it should stay in its cage or why it should go to school and learn about a given trade so it can make a living later in life, it is also true that a lion cannot make its own choice to not become aggressive when threatened nor can it retain information about computer engineering in a manner which will al low the lion to become a successful computer engineer. The lion can only be forced and trained to work with those around it and it can never work with others for the sake of the benefit of the race as a whole. It seeks only to play out its instincts and desires, without the ability to consciously redirect either of them. In the view of the existentialist, to forfeit subjectivity and choice in order to replace it with following norms or given beliefs, is to forfeit what it is to be human, or according to many philosophers such as Sartre, the burden and responsibilities of being a human.

Culture :: essays papers

Culture The people of Aruba come primarily from European, African, and Latin American countries and the culture of the island reflects these varied backgrounds. The language, food, religion, and celebrations on Aruba are composed of a healthy mix of these countries. Aruba is closely tied to Holland because of its long occupation and present partnership in the Netherlands kingdom. The official language is Dutch, which is seen on the street signs, official documents, and many local newspapers. However, many aspects of Aruba’s culture reveal strong influences of contributing cultures, such as the common language Papiamento. Papiamento dates back to the sixteenth century, as a means for African slaves to communicate with their owners. Papiamento reflects the mentality and culture of the many peoples who have inhabited the region, including the Arawak and Carib Indians, African slaves, South American traders, Spanish conquers, Dutch merchants, Portuguese missionaries, and French and English settlers. While grammar is basic, many non-Arubans find its syntax and intonation challenging. Much of Papiamento has been handed down verbally from generation to generation. Its proverbs contain a simply stated wealth of philosophy and insight. Through humor and metaphor, utilizing food, animals, and objects from everyday life, Papiamento lends universal guidance and wisdom. Some popular phrases are â€Å"Bon Dia† for good morning, and â€Å"Masha Danki† for thank you. Aruban food is simple in preparation and taste. Mostly grilled without a lot of grease or spice, chicken, fish and vegetables are often accompanied by local vegetables such as corn, broccoli, potatoes or rice. Johnnycakes are fried biscuits prepared with slat fish (bacalaw) from Canada and Norway, which are popular in Aruba. Also popular are stews of beef, chicken, and goat, with ingredients of a cucumber called concomber and rice with black beans. Stuffed cheese, called keeshi yena, is a traditional Aruban dish dating back to the days of the Dutch West India Company. It was originally made by hollowing out the round Dutch cheeses and stuffing them with a mixture of chicken, vegetables, and spices. More modern recipes include raisins, grated cheese, breadcrumbs, olives, capers, and gherkins, and beef, fish or shrimp is sometimes used in lieu of chicken. Often eaten in place of bread is a cornmeal pudding similar to polenta. Slaves brought this recipe to the Caribbean from Wes t Africa. Culture :: essays papers Culture The people of Aruba come primarily from European, African, and Latin American countries and the culture of the island reflects these varied backgrounds. The language, food, religion, and celebrations on Aruba are composed of a healthy mix of these countries. Aruba is closely tied to Holland because of its long occupation and present partnership in the Netherlands kingdom. The official language is Dutch, which is seen on the street signs, official documents, and many local newspapers. However, many aspects of Aruba’s culture reveal strong influences of contributing cultures, such as the common language Papiamento. Papiamento dates back to the sixteenth century, as a means for African slaves to communicate with their owners. Papiamento reflects the mentality and culture of the many peoples who have inhabited the region, including the Arawak and Carib Indians, African slaves, South American traders, Spanish conquers, Dutch merchants, Portuguese missionaries, and French and English settlers. While grammar is basic, many non-Arubans find its syntax and intonation challenging. Much of Papiamento has been handed down verbally from generation to generation. Its proverbs contain a simply stated wealth of philosophy and insight. Through humor and metaphor, utilizing food, animals, and objects from everyday life, Papiamento lends universal guidance and wisdom. Some popular phrases are â€Å"Bon Dia† for good morning, and â€Å"Masha Danki† for thank you. Aruban food is simple in preparation and taste. Mostly grilled without a lot of grease or spice, chicken, fish and vegetables are often accompanied by local vegetables such as corn, broccoli, potatoes or rice. Johnnycakes are fried biscuits prepared with slat fish (bacalaw) from Canada and Norway, which are popular in Aruba. Also popular are stews of beef, chicken, and goat, with ingredients of a cucumber called concomber and rice with black beans. Stuffed cheese, called keeshi yena, is a traditional Aruban dish dating back to the days of the Dutch West India Company. It was originally made by hollowing out the round Dutch cheeses and stuffing them with a mixture of chicken, vegetables, and spices. More modern recipes include raisins, grated cheese, breadcrumbs, olives, capers, and gherkins, and beef, fish or shrimp is sometimes used in lieu of chicken. Often eaten in place of bread is a cornmeal pudding similar to polenta. Slaves brought this recipe to the Caribbean from Wes t Africa.

Banned For Life :: Essays Papers

Banned For Life In 1989 Pete Rose became banned from baseball after an investigation suggested that he bet on his own baseball games. Now, ten years later, a part infamous, part legendary Pete Rose is trying to convince baseball to take him back. Rose’s argument is supported by his accomplishments while playing and working as a manager, his support from the fans, and his relationship with the league officials. The Hall of Fame acknowledges the greatest players in baseball. Becoming a member is the most prestigious award in the game. When one is inducted into the Hall of Fame, that person becomes one of baseball’s most elite in the history of the game. Pete Rose holds numerous records and accomplishments that would unquestionably award him acceptance into the Hall had it not been for the scandalous acts he took part in. In 1982 Rose broke Hank Aaron’s carrier hits record, one which, at the time, was legendary. He is arguable the best hitter ever in the history of the game. Rose was not a player who tried to abuse the league. He was a player who played to win, who cared for his team, and who always played his hardest. Rose also holds the record for most games played, a stat which displays his devotion to the game. Even if he did not need to play, or did not want to play, he still showed up and gave it his all. Rose was one of baseball’s greatest pla yers and played at that level for seventeen years. These accomplishments obviously qualify a player for immediate acceptance from the first time a player became eligible for the Hall of Fame. However, in 1990, Rose signed an agreement which made him banned from baseball, and therefore, permanently ineligible for acceptance to the Hall of Fame. Twelve years later, an older and more mature Pete Rose wishes to become eligible for acceptance to the Hall of Fame. In the 1980’s, Rose, a general manager of his former team, the Cincinnati Reds, admitted to placing bets on certain sporting events outside of baseball. Banned For Life :: Essays Papers Banned For Life In 1989 Pete Rose became banned from baseball after an investigation suggested that he bet on his own baseball games. Now, ten years later, a part infamous, part legendary Pete Rose is trying to convince baseball to take him back. Rose’s argument is supported by his accomplishments while playing and working as a manager, his support from the fans, and his relationship with the league officials. The Hall of Fame acknowledges the greatest players in baseball. Becoming a member is the most prestigious award in the game. When one is inducted into the Hall of Fame, that person becomes one of baseball’s most elite in the history of the game. Pete Rose holds numerous records and accomplishments that would unquestionably award him acceptance into the Hall had it not been for the scandalous acts he took part in. In 1982 Rose broke Hank Aaron’s carrier hits record, one which, at the time, was legendary. He is arguable the best hitter ever in the history of the game. Rose was not a player who tried to abuse the league. He was a player who played to win, who cared for his team, and who always played his hardest. Rose also holds the record for most games played, a stat which displays his devotion to the game. Even if he did not need to play, or did not want to play, he still showed up and gave it his all. Rose was one of baseball’s greatest pla yers and played at that level for seventeen years. These accomplishments obviously qualify a player for immediate acceptance from the first time a player became eligible for the Hall of Fame. However, in 1990, Rose signed an agreement which made him banned from baseball, and therefore, permanently ineligible for acceptance to the Hall of Fame. Twelve years later, an older and more mature Pete Rose wishes to become eligible for acceptance to the Hall of Fame. In the 1980’s, Rose, a general manager of his former team, the Cincinnati Reds, admitted to placing bets on certain sporting events outside of baseball.

Joan Of Arc Essay -- Essays Papers

Joan Of Arc Witchcraft is an on going concern throughout all ages in history. Many people believe in the power of darker forces. Most fear those with special gifts and begin to make accusations formulated through jealousy. Joan of Arc was one of those people that had many gifts and foresaw the future through divine intervention. Burned at the stake for being accused and tried as being a witch, she never gave up her pride or lost faith in her God. Joan was born in 1412 and lived in a small village called Domremy, which is located in the Champagne district of northeastern France. She grew up as the daughter of a farmer. Often working on the farm and tending to the animals, Joan lived the life of a peasant woman.1 She did not attend school and never learned to read or write. Even though she was illiterate she spent most of her time praying and attending church.2 At the age of thirteen she became aware of something she soon came to call "voices." Joan perceived these voices as being divine. Later on these voices Joan heard led her to reveal a secret outcome of a battle that only the king himself had knowledge of. After learning of Joan's prediction, the rightful king, Charles VII called her in to talk and Joan told him about her visions and prophecies.3 Meanwhile in France, the English began to gradually invade the central area. This was part of the One Hundred Years War, and the English threatened the city of Orleans. Orlean s is located eighty miles south of Paris and if the English would have captured the city, Paris would have probably been next.4 The only solution to this problem was to stop the English at Orleans. At age seventeen, Joan of Arc suited up for battle to lead her troops to Orleans and drive the French ... ... Press Ltd, 1996. 36. 16. Wheeler, Bonnie. Fresh Verdicts on Joan of Arc. New York: Gerland Publishing Inc., 1996. 58. 17. Michelet, Jules. Joan of Arc. New York: University of Michigan, 1957. 31. 18. Pernoud, 161. 19. Wheeler, 98. Bibliography - Beevers, John. Saint Joan of Arc. New York: Hanover House, 1959. - Lightbody, Charles. The Judgements of Joan. London: George Allen and Urwin Ltd., 1961 - Michelet, Jules. Joan of Arc. New York: University of Michigan, 1957. - Pernoud, Regine. Joan of Arc. New York: Stein and Day, 1966. - Warner, Marina. The Trial of Joan of Arc. Great Britain: Guernsey Press Ltd, 1996. - Wheeler, Bonnie. Fresh Verdicts on Joan of Arc. New York: Gerland Publishing Inc., 1996. - Winwar, Frances. The Saint and the Devil. New York: Harper and Brothers Publishers, 1948

Why I do it

It was a freezing cold morning in Farnham. I thought to myself ‘Why am I out of bed at this time on a Saturday morning?' My question was answered merely two minutes later as I managed the trick which I have been trying for the last week, a ‘topside sunny day.' ‘Nice man, nice,' was the call from the bench as I looked over at my friend Mark who was giving me the thumbs-up as I came swiftly out of the trick. I skated over to the bench lazily and took a seat next to Sam, Mark and Henri. ‘What time is the comp tomorrow?' I asked them. ‘Nine am bright and early,' replied Sam whilst getting up to skate over to the grindbox and attempt another amazing trick. ‘I know I need practice for the competition but skating at eight o'clock on a Saturday morning in the freezing cold is a bit too much,' I moaned as I put on another jumper. ‘You wanna go street for a bit?' asked Mark as he took off his skate and started fiddling with the laces. ‘Where are we gonna go? The sixth form college is too far, we're not allowed in Lidls and Redgrave rail is still wet from that rain during the night,' I complained. As I said this I was mostly thinking of my stomach, as I hadn't any breakfast yet. ‘You fancy going to Wimpy?' ‘I'm still banned,' said Sam almost proudly as he glided back to the bench having just done a perfect ‘topsoul.' Henri was being strangely quiet and he suddenly stood up, picked up his bag and said ‘well you can wait outside then.' Mark stood up sharply ‘as long as I can get some hot food I'm not bothered where it is.' On the way to Wimpy I thought constantly of the upcoming competition that was getting ever closer. As I imagined what it would be like to have about thirty or forty people stare at me for ten minutes butterflies suddenly came to my stomach and made me feel nervous and uncomfortable. I gripped my bag a little tighter with my freezing fingers and wished I had had the sense to bring the gloves I bought the day before. As I entered Wimpy I could feel the warmth of the deep-fat fryers and hear the voices of the Turkish men who worked there. We took a seat in the smoking section and looked at the menu. ‘Man I hate being able to see pictures of the food on the menu. It just makes it look pathetic when it arrives because it never looks the same,' said Mark miserably. ‘Just decide what you want and order I'm starving,' I told him as I had already decided on a large Wimpy breakfast consisting of sausage, bacon, eggs, tomatoes, beans and toast. ‘Can you add a toasted teacake to that?' I asked the waiter as I gave my order. I wolfed down the breakfast, even though I don't like tomatoes, and lit a cigarette. ‘Is anyone else nervous about the competition tomorrow?' I asked trying to hide the fact that I still had butterflies in my stomach despite having finished my breakfast. ‘No it's not big deal just think of it as another game of IYMTA. It's only really us, Ben, Carl and James that are entering anyway so there's not a lot of competition.' As Mark said this he was lazily puffing on a cigarette and leaning back on his chair. IMYTA is a game that we play where we skate against each other. It stands for I Match Your Trick Association. It is an annual competition involving professional skaters from around the world where one person does a trick and then everyone else has to do the same trick or they are given a letter. When you have all five letters you are out of the game. We played this regularly and hearing Mark put it like that I felt more relaxed about the competition. ‘Yeah I guess,' I replied as I leant back on my chair feeling relaxed for the first time since I heard about the competition. ‘I' m off home to get some sleep, I might come out later on,' I said as I left the restaurant. I skated to the bus stop feeling good and made it just in time to catch the 9:40 bus. When I arrived home I went straight upstairs, undressed and fell into bed. I fell asleep almost instantly as I hadn't had any sleep the previous night and was still tired from school on Friday. I dreamt of the competition. It was a warm, sunny day and it had just started. I smiled as I dropped in on the big ramp to go for my first big trick. I jumped, and as I was flying through the air I grabbed my feet and pulled them behind me then released them and landed perfectly to go up the other ramp and do a perfect 540 degree spin. The crowd was cheering and the judges were going wild. I skated round the entire park and did a 900-degree spin on the biggest ramp. I was about 9 feet in the air and I leant forward too much. My front wheels hit the ramp and I landed on my face. It hurt so much. I heard an ambulance somewhere in the distance but it was distorted somehow. It sounded more and more like a phone ringing. ‘Ian. Ian wake up you have a phone call!' I woke with a start. My heart leapt. It was a dream I realized. I stood up and put on my dressing gown trying to tell myself it was just a dream and that that wouldn't happen. My stomach had butterflies again. I took the phone from my mum. ‘Hello?' I said groggily. ‘What are you still doing in bed? The competition is half an hour away!' said Mark urgently. ‘What?! It's tomorrow stop joking around,' I said as I checked my watch. 3Sun it said. Oh my God I thought. I slept right through. ‘I will be there don't worry,' I mumbled quickly and hung up. I ran upstairs, threw my clothes on and picked my bag up. I half-fell down the stairs in my haste and put my skates on. As I flew down the hill towards Farnham skatepark I had the feeling I had forgotten something important. It was as cold as the previous day but I had no time to be cold. I skated faster. I arrived at the skatepark five minutes later out of breath and threw my bag down. ‘Where have you been?' asked Sam. ‘In bed,' I answered quickly and I went straight to the biggest ramp and started warming up. I was skating quite well, I managed to spin a 540 and land but then I tried to ‘Truespin topside pornstar' and my feet missed the right spot and before I knew what happened I was lying on the floor. I got straight back up and thought to myself ‘this is not going to beat me.' I skated hard for another 15 minutes before the announcer had finished setting up his equipment and announced that the competition was about to start. It was the BMX'S category first so I had a twenty-minute break before I had to skate again. I rolled lazily over to the bench where my friends were sitting, sat down and lit a cigarette. ‘Why do they have to have a BMXers competition anyway?' asked Mark indignantly. ‘There's only five of them.' ‘Because it gives us something to laugh at,' retorted Henri. I couldn't join in their jokes and laughter. I was too busy thinking about the trick I had been working on for two weeks. A bio flip. To do it I had to do sort of a front flip but instead of going over my head and landing forwards, I had to throw myself over my right shoulder and land backwards. I had only tried it twice and never landed it. None of the others knew I had been trying it or that I even planned to attempt it. The BMX competition was cut short because of an injury and the announcer told all the rollerbladers to make their way to the ramps. I hastily threw my cigarette to the floor and skated up the ramp. As I stood at the top of the ramp I looked around at the people in the crowd. There were so many. ‘You have 15 minutes,' came the voice over the speaker. ‘Go!' I jumped into the ramp and immediately went into a four foot high ‘mute grab' over the funbox and neatly stalled on the other ramp. My heart jumped as I went back down the ramp backwards and did a 360 spin over the funbox. I was skating better than I had skated in a long time and I had a moment where my butterflies and doubts had gone and I was just confident. This was it. I dropped in on the smaller ramp and did a 180 spin over the funbox so I could go backwards into the trick. I could see a photographer in the front of the crowd aim his camera at me. I went up the ramp backwards and threw myself as hard as I could over my shoulder. For a second it was like time stood still. I had pulled my legs in so that I was like a ball in the air. I brought my legs back round so I could land near the bottom of the ramp. Suddenly it felt like I was going to spin too much and land on my knees. But somehow I managed to lean back a tiny bit and land on my feet and roll away. The crowd were shouting and the photographer was going mad. I could hear the announcer shouting ‘He's done it, he's done it.' Mark and the others had stopped skating to watch my bio flip but Mark had come over and shook my hand and said ‘nice one.' The others were standing with their mouths open as if they had never seen a bio flip before. Henri skated up to me and said ‘I never thought you would do that.' It suddenly occurred to me as the speakers told me that I had come first that this is why I do it.

Formal Public Architecture and its Role in Establishing, Reproducing and Maintaining Power

Question 6: Formal public architecture is frequently associated with political and spiritual power, but different theoretical attacks to the subject will concentrate on really different features and methods of analysis. Discourse the major schools of idea on formal public architecture and its function in set uping, reproducing, and keeping power. Illustrate these differences through two illustrations – one from the Old World and the other from the New World. Many thoughts exist on how architecture and the animalism of reinforced environments status interpersonal interaction and prolong political and ideological dealingss. The topic of architecture is of importance to archeologists in that it is frequently a canvas for social or cultural alteration. This treatment explores the different major schools of idea on formal public architecture and its function in set uping, reproducing, and keeping power. By supplying two illustrations separated non merely by clip but besides by location, this paper explores how these different positions and how the archeologists who use them undertake this type of research. On analyzing how power can be established through architecture, many archeologists and research workers have turned to the Ancient Maya. The Ancient Maya had a complex political system, which was surely propagated through architecture ( Weigand 1991 ) . It is argued that exclusionary/network and corporate schemes â€Å"can be connected to specific establishments, frequently associated with formalistic built space† ( Beekman 2013:2 ) . Inclusive group individuality is characteristic of Maya society, and it is maintained through ceremonial and ritual. Formally designed infinites â€Å"have restricted maps in service to the societal hierarchy of a polity† ( Weigand 1991:93 ) . Beekman ( 2013 ) argues for four types of formal architecture ( characteristic of the Teuchitlan Tradition ) that is seen during the Late Formative-Early Authoritative period as methods of political constitution and care: shaft grave, guachimonton constructions, ball tribunals and elect families. Located under great public constructions, shaft graves are seen as an exclusionary scheme from which Maya elites drew attending to the wealth and connection of their line of descent. Beekman ( 2013:4 ) argues that â€Å"the grave in the ceremonial centres therefore demonstrated greater genealogical deepness for group claims to the rubrics or ceremonial places associated with the public architecture†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Guachimontones, which are round pyramid-like constructions, played an of import function in public ceremonials such as banquets, musical public presentations and ceremonial rites. Important ceremonial functions were shared among several higher ranking groups due to their ownership o f sacred cognition: â€Å"Holding a privileged place within the circles and take parting in these ceremonials allowed elect households to roll up increased prestigiousness, reproducing their place and solidifying their societal distance from subjects† ( Beekman 2013:5 ) . Ballcourts in Maya civilization are another premier illustration of power: â€Å"†¦ squads or persons could potentially stand out through presentations of their skill† ( Beekman 2013:6 ) . Last, elect families farther demonstrated group inclusiveness and the overall power of a group. The size and comparative intimacy to ceremonial centres suggests social inequality – that some descendent groups had more entree to resources than others. Concentrating on the Kingdom of Dahomey, which was a cardinal participant in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, Monroe ( 2010:368 ) examines the function of royal castle design in circulating societal and political order: â€Å" [ he argues ] that royal castle design therefore served as a material constituent of broader political schemes deployed by Dahomean male monarchs to anchor a vision of order and societal hierarchy in politically disruptive times.† As the slave trade grew during the 17th century, Dahomean elites gained entree to great wealth. As the land became more and more politically and economically stable, the elites began to raise excessive royal castles. These royal castles materialized political power in a figure of of import ways: â€Å"On the one manus, the constructions themselves materialized the coercive power of the state†¦ On the other manus, these castles served as the phases upon which the one-year ceremonials were performed, and during which huge me asures of wealth were distributed to the public† ( Monroe 2010:378 ) . The distribution of wealth, the public show of human forfeit and the incorporation of coercive symbols of province authorization nowadays in the architecture’s constellation served to foreground both the redistributive and coercive maps of the province. Similarly, historical scenes embedded in the walls of these castles served as a primary tool for bring forthing a sense of historical continuity and case in point for governing persons. The interior infinite set to further reenforce Dahomean elect power: â€Å"It was within such courtyards that most affairs of province were discussed, and certain more private elements of the state’s ritual rhythm were conducted† ( Monroe 2010:379 ) . From exterior to interior, architecture and the infinite it created stood to enforce a political, ideological and societal power over the Dahomey landscape. These illustrations stand as clear grounds that architecture is and can be used as a medium to set up and keep political power. As the survey of architecture in archeology is turning in popularity, there stands this demand to develop specific attacks: â€Å"Instead of being listed and categorized as an artefact, possibly utile for dating or as graphics, constructions are animating new theory and methodological analysis with which to analyze them† ( Drennan 2010:2 ) . The major schools of idea on formal architecture can be divided into three classs: functional ( processual ) , structural ( post-processual ) and societal ( political economic system ) . Advocates of the functional attack embracing a materialist mentality in covering with architecture: â€Å"The functional attack asserts that the significance of objects ( including edifices ) prevarications in their intent or use† ( Johnston and Gonlin 1998:150 ) . Function is defined in economic and societal organisational terms—what a edifice or room is used for. The functional attack to formal architecture is mostly classificatory and descriptive. Buildings are categorized by ‘type’ based on these maps. Function is established by look intoing the formal belongingss of architecture, the presence or absence of characteristics and the composing of artifact gatherings found within them. This attack spawns from colony surveies, which is the relationship between the spacial patterning of colonies on the natural landscape and the ecological determiners of colony ( Willey et al. 1965 ) . In that the processual position looks a natural environment-human behaviour relationship, a displacement in linguistic communication so allows processual thoughts and methods to be applied in look intoing a built environment-human behaviour relationship. Spatial model ing methods, when look intoing architecture, expression at the distribution of architectural signifiers within a site every bit good as spacial distribution within edifices. Space within these constructions plays merely as of import of a function in functional analyses: â€Å"There is a organic structure of social-spatial theory associated with infinite sentence structure that posits a instead rigorous and deterministic relationship among edifices, motion, and societal relations.† ( Smith 2011:176 ) . How infinites within a construction are arranged and related to one another and how a edifice mediates the relationships between its residents and visitants. This perspective focal points on the importance of motion within built environments and the significance of entree ( restricted vs. unfastened ) for societal interaction: â€Å" [ Functional attacks ] work on the premise that the infinite around edifices is structured such that aliens can travel approximately, but merely dwellers and certain aliens ( visitants ) are allowed inside constructions. Inhabitants have an investing of power and are the accountants, while visitants entre or star as topics of the system and are hence controlled† ( Markus 1993:13 ) . That is to state, architecture and the infinite within it functions as a agency of inequality – the effort of power. A figure of designers and authors have held the position that architecture is a symbolically-representative linguistic communication and that edifices can be read as texts The structural attack takes on a different mentality when analyzing architecture. Culture is viewed as an conceptional screen or significance system through which persons conceptualize themselves, others and the universe around them ( Bourdieu 1985 and Giddens 1979, 1982 ) . Cardinal to this position is the premise that persons reproduce and express cultural constructions by ordaining them in day-to-day pattern ( Hodder 1989 ) . Peoples draw from a reservoir of corporal memories accumulated over the class of a life-time: â€Å" [ Architectural design ] is an eminently matter-of-fact human activity, with, to boot inventive, allusory, and less touchable implications† ( Patel 2009:1 ) . It is an extension of a culture’s individuality and of personal individuality. It is world. Architectural design is a procedure whereby societal groups make picks refering several perennial sets of activities. Space solidifies societal significances. Structural attacks are is concerned with the ways in which contrivers and designers design metropoliss and edifices are used to pass on specific messages, typically of a societal, ideologicall and political nature ( Smith 2010 ) . The construct of â€Å"materialization of ideology† ( DeMarrais et al. 1996 ) is closely related to this attack in that formal architecture becomes both a vehicle for communicating of significances and a phase for reproduction of those significances in the context of day-to-day pattern. Formal architecture is perceived as â€Å"‘structuring structures’ – culturally loaded infinites that socialize by promoting patterns consistent with the significances that they encode† ( Johnston and Gonlin 1998:145 ) . Social control as a mechanism of power is encoded in architecture, which serves as a phase where constructions of power, privilege and inequality are created, enacted and re-created. Additionally, a societal attack, which follows much of the dogmas of political economic system, investigates the dwellers or users of a peculiar infinite as socioeconomic entities. It is contended that topographic point devising is an inherently elect pattern: â€Å"†¦ [ it suggests ] that topographic points are needfully programmed and designed in agreement with certain involvements – chiefly the chase of agreeableness, net income, position and political power† ( Dovey 1999:1 ) . Power is non inertly embedded in reinforced signifier, but alternatively actively mediated through it. Social attacks allow for a better apprehension of the political kineticss of topographic point – how stratification of topographic point every bit good as of persons and groups – are established and maintained. As societal units become progressively specialised, artifacts with high symbolic content – particularly built environments – are needed to assist incor porate a society’s disparate parts ( Rathje and Schiffer 1982 ) . There is a demand for both separation and togetherness. In this, architecture refers to the societal circulation of significances, values and pleasances and to the procedures of organizing societal individualities and societal relationships. Architecture is seen as a agency of resource control. By using these positions to the illustrations provided earlier in this treatment, we see merely how archeologists begin to take out architecture’s function in complex behaviour. On the one manus, functionalists would see the Dahomey royal castles every bit working as topographic points of abode every bit good as centres of historical chronology, assembly and distribution. Correspondingly, the architectural signifiers of the Teuchitlan tradition map as centres of entombment, ceremonial, abode and competition/sport. The infinites within these architectural types map as schemes of inclusion and exclusion. These castles served to tag passages between spheres such as inside/outside, sacred/sacrilegious, public/private and elite/commoner. On the other manus, structuralists would see these constructions as active participants in the conditioning of human experience. These construction contain of import information, which is critical for successful wayfinding. At one degree, both illustrationsperformedelite power across urban landscapes, doing symbolic claims to the nature of province authorization and supplying phases upon which historical claims to political legitimacy were expressed. However, no less of import were the ways in which the mundane pattern of political relations was shaped by the internal deferrals of these constructions. This transmutation was marked by an addition in both the segregation of political activities and control over motion within these infinites. These all can be argued as influential factors in how one non merely perceives his universe but besides how one identifies himself. Furthermore, the societal position sees that the Dahomean castles and the constructions of the Teuchitlan tradition speak to a more economic stance on power: entree and control over resources. In that these constructions have cosmogonic undertones and are straight tied to ceremonial rites, the inclusionary and exclusionary patterns suggest control over ritual cognition. By restricting entree to such cognition, we see an effort and support of the power. We see opposition and rapprochement. These architectural constructions and the activities held within them are meant to divide and convey together. In all, architectural surveies within archeology must be able to get by with its rich spacial and communicative facets. Functional attacks are of import, but we must travel beyond this. As Hiller and Hanson ( 1984: 27 ) architecture and its relation to power demand to â€Å"be non so much a byproduct of the societal alterations, but an intrinsic portion of them and even to some extent causative of them.† As laid out by Tilley ( 1996:162 ) , the survey of architecture in archeology genuinely conceptualizes how infinite is used to intercede experience: â€Å" [ Space is ] experient and known through the motion of the human organic structure in infinite and through time.† These positions lend of import penetrations that have aided to the treatment of power as materialized through architecture. We see how map, significance and command all play a portion in the rise and care of power. 1

Influence to Hong Kong as an International Logistics Hub

[pic] Influence to Hong Kong as an international logistics hub – under the â€Å"Framework Agreement on Hong Kong and Guangdong Co-operation† | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Influence to Hong Kong as an international logistics hub – under the â€Å"Framework Agreement on Hong Kong nd Guangdong Co-operation† cvnru1ulicenen6. iewst4d)0/su18. 4h06k244-055322175 (on ABSTRACT On 7 April 2010, The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, and the Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Huang Huahua, signed the Framework Agreement on Hong Kong and Guangdong Co-operation. The Framework Agreement builds on years of closely co-operation between Hong Kong and Guangdong. This report reviews the development of Co-operation Agreement between Guangdong and Hong Kong and the implementation of Hong Kong’s logistics industry based on the agreement.To fully understand this Framework Agreement, we explore the challenges confronting Hong Kong as an international logistic hub and event ually acquire some benefits through the co-operation of Hong Kong and Guangdong. REVIEW THE DEVELOPMENT OF CO-OPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN PEARL RIVER DELTA AND HONG KONG The Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement – CEPA (signed on June 2003) CEPA introduced liberalization measures for various â€Å"Hong Kong service suppliers†.Logistics industry is one of the â€Å"Hong Kong service suppliers† and recognized to set up wholly-owned enterprises in mainland to provide logistics, international freight forwarding, storage, warehousing, road transport and shipping services. This arrangement not only provided opportunities to Hong Kong logistics companies to access mainland market but also liberated trade in goods and trade in services between mainland and Hong Kong.Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Co-operation Framework Agreement (signed on June 2004) The Pearl River Delta region(PRD), as known as â€Å"9+2†, which includes Guangdong, Fuji an, Jiangxi, Guangxi, Hainan, Hunan, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Hong Kong and Macau. Under this agreement, the Pearl River Delta region cooperated closely and intensively in infrastructure, trade, industry, investment and other areas. Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau have entered a new stage of economic integration. Pan-Pearl River Delta Logistics Development Co-operation Agreement (signed on July 2005) Logistics industry acts as an important role in economic development.This agreement aimed to strengthen the coordination on logistics planning; logistics and transport system; logistics information system and human resources development and technological innovation. It was a remarkable stage of model logistics development in PRD. Framework Agreement on Hong Kong and Guangdong Co-operation (signed on July 2010) To continue the implementation of CEPA, the Framework Agreement on Hong Kong and Guangdong Co-operation clearly defined the social economic development between Hong Kong and Guang dong.It enhanced Hong Kong’s position as an international financial centre and expedited the development of financial services industries in Guangdong; it also facilitated the flow of key factors such as people, goods, information and capital across the boundary to build an international aviation, shipping and logistics hub and a world-class modern economic circulation sphere. A series of environmental protection plans have been carried out to create a high quality living area among the PRD.CO-OPERATION INITIATIVES ON CUSTOMS CLEARANCE OF GOODS The Framework Agreement on Hong Kong and Guangdong Co-operation has included infrastructure projects to enhance logistics development and communication and cross-boundary development. To achieve the facilitation of the flow of goods across the boundary, Hong Kong and Guangdong have put forward a number of specific policies and measures. Hong Kong Government advocated the standardization of the information and data required by the custo ms of the mainland.Hong Kong first launched the electronic Road Cargo System (ROCARS) in May 2010 to enable seamless clearance of road cargoes. With this new electronic information platform and building on the foundation of mutual co-operation and benefit, Hong Kong and Mainland Customs are able to make further contribution to enhance customs clearance efficiency and facilitate cross-boundary movement of goods. Road Cargo System (ROCARS) The present customs clearance arrangement at land boundary control points (LBCP), a truck driver has to stop first at an Immigration kiosk and then a Customs kiosk.He delivers a paper manifest which contains relevant cargo information at the latter to a Customs officer who determines on the spot whether physical inspection is necessary. It needs to wait for a moment until it is approved by the Customs. ROCARS allows Customs Officers to perform risk profiling before a truck arrives at LBCP. A shipper or agent needs to provide cargo data in eight fiel ds to the Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) electronically before the cargo enters or exits Hong Kong by truck. Meanwhile, the shipper or agent receives a customs reference number for his consignment.The driver of a laden truck needs to report to C&ED within 30 minutes before his truck arriving LBCP, together with the customs reference number of the consignment concerned received from the shipper and his vehicle registration number. If it is not selected by the Customs, no physical inspection is required. Benefits of ROCARS ROCARS allows the Customs officers conduct risk profiling on every cargo consignment in advance and determine whether a truck needs to be inspected. All cross-boundary trucks, except those are selected for inspection, they enjoy seamless customs clearance at the land boundary.It increases the efficiency and shortens the time for customs clearance of road cargoes; it also ensures a smooth flow of land boundary traffic. For the transportation and logistics indus try, many truck drivers deliver a loaded container from China factory via Hong Kong and the goods are to be transshipped overseas by liner vessel. ROCARS can enhance speedy and secure movement of cargoes between Hong Kong and China. As a result, cargoes can be delivered on time to liner vessel stably and reliable. It encourages the development of Hong Kong as an international logistics hub.COLLABORATION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY To facilitate information flow and service integration towards Hong Kong and Mainland, Hong Kong started to develop and operate the Digital Trade and Transportation Network (DTTN) on 2005. The aim of DTTN is to lower the barriers for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to enjoy e-commerce; it provides Hong Kong and the PRD with an e-infrastructure to secure the region’s place as a leading international logistics hub. Digital Trade and Transportation Network (DTTN)DTTN is an e-platform to connect the organizations in trading , logistics and financial industries and to enable them to exchange business documents electronically with their trading partners. It supports the whole supply chains, including Sellers and Buyers, Carriers, Freight Forwarders, Terminals, Government and Agencies, Inspection Agencies, Insurance Institutions and Banking Institutions; it provides a wide range of services on message routing and transformation, data inheritance, statistical and analytical reporting.Over 80 major documents such as Purchase or Sales order, Packing list, Shipping order, House waybill, Customs clearance or Letter of Credit†¦etc can be supported by DTTN service which facilitates the information flow and service integration on trading, logistics, finance, import and export businesses. Benefits of DTTN DTTN enables new business opportunities for logistic service providers to provide value-add services; Hong Kong logistics industry can compete as premium service leader on high quality value-added services r ather than merely competing on cost.Logistics information flow is one of the key factors for the companies to achieve success. DTTN help to maximize the benefits of e-logistics by utilizing a cost effective infrastructure. It is a neutral, secure and reliable e-platform for trading and logistics communities which can smooth the whole international logistics operation and improve our competitiveness. It further promotes regional integration and enhances the supply-chain efficiency. IMPLEMENTATION OF INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTSWith an excellent infrastructure and telecommunications facilities, a well established financial and legal system, a good international connections and a free market for trading. Hong Kong enjoys a number of competitive advantages in developing logistic industry. Facing the rapid growth of logistics development in Guangdong province, to strengthen Hong Kong’s position as an international logistic hub, HKSAR Government is urged to develop a closer corporation between Hong Kong and PRD.The Framework Agreement on Hong Kong and Guangdong Co-operation which specified several policies on expediting the construction of cross-boundary highway, rail links and ancillary works; building a high class navigation network in PRD; improving the mechanism of the five major airports in the PDR; proactively seeking national support for enlarging the air space in the PDR; supporting the aviation status of each airport, building a network of short-haul helicopter services in the PRD. Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB)The HMZB project connects Hong Kong, Macau and the major cities in PRD, there will be a loop of high speed linkage among Zhuhai, Guangzhou, Dongguan, Guangxi, Hainan and other south western part of mainland. (Figure 1. ) [pic] Figure 1: Retrieved from Highway Department http://www. nzcchk. com/IBC%202009%2014%20-%20Hong%20Kong%20Zuhai%20Macau%20Bridge%20Project. pdf It consists of three sections (Figure 2). The western section is a link road within Zhuhai and the Zhuhai-Macao Boundary Crossing Facilities (ZMBCF). TheZhuhai Link Road will connect ZMBCF to the inland area of Zhuhai. The middle section is the HZMB Main Bridge. [pic] Figure 2: Retrieved from Highway Department http://www. nzcchk. com/IBC%202009%2014%20-%20Hong%20Kong%20Zuhai%20Macau%20Bridge%20Project. pdf The eastern section is within Hong Kong, there will be a Hong Kong Link Road (HKLR) to connect the HZMB Main Bridge to the Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities (HKBCF). Meanwhile, the tunnel of HKLR will also connect Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) to the HKBCF.HKBCF will serve as a strategic multi-model transportation hub, HKBCF will include construction cargo and passenger related facilities, public transport interchange, open road tolling system and some Government buildings will be set up in there. It is believed that the HMZB will bring more road haulage service between Hong Kong and mainland, in connection with the bridge, a highway is to b e built to connect Tuen Mun and Chek Lap Lok( TMCLK Link and the Tuen Mun Western Bypass) in order to meet the traffic demand between Northwest New Territories (NWNT) and North Lantau via HKBCF. (Figure 3) [pic]Figure 3: Retrieved from Highway Department http://www. nzcchk. com/IBC%202009%2014%20-%20Hong%20Kong%20Zuhai%20Macau%20Bridge%20Project. pdf Impacts of the HZMB The journey between Hong Kong and the Western PRD can be shortened to within three hours, it will take around 30mins from Zhuhai to Hong Kong International Airport which will significantly reduce the cost and time for passenger and good flow between Hong Kong and the Western PRD. In addition, the HZMB will bring tremendous benefit to Hong Kong, the Mainland and Macao in the areas of economic development, tourism, finance, logistics and ultural exchange. Hong Kong’s logistics industry will not only be able to get more business in the PRD but also extend their services into the inland area of the Mainland includ ing the resource-rich Sichuan Province. Hence, it further enhances Hong Kong’s status as an international transportation and aviation hub. Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Express Line (WEL) To promote the development of Qianhai and NWNT and enhance the co-operation between the two airports in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, there will be a cross boundary railway, WEL, to connect the western part of Hong Kong and Shenzhen, including the two airports.From now the mainland destinations of HKIA mainly are the mainland cities far away from Hong Kong such as Shanghai and Beijing. Facing the rapid economic development in Mainland, the demand for domestic flights will continue to increase; there will be the same demand of international flights of international transit flight via Hong Kong. It is believed that WEL helps to connect the two airports between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, it will help the two cities in achieving a win-win situation by complementing each other and enhancing competitiveness. Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL)To expedite the construction of various cross-boundary transport infrastructures between Hong Kong and Mainland, XRL will connect Hong Kong with the Mainland’s national high-speed railway network which will significantly reduce the journey time. XRL is an express rail to link up Hong Kong with Guangzhou via Futian and Longhua in Shenzhen and Humen in Dongguan. The terminus in Guangzhou will be located at Shibi, which is the centre of the Guangzhou-Foshan metropolitan area. The Mainland section of XRL will start from Shibi and enter Hong Kong via Huanggang. (figure 4) [pic] Figure 4: Retrieved from Legislative Council brief http://legco. gov. k/yr09-10/english/panels/tp/tp_rdp/papers/tp_rdp1022-thb200910a-e. pdf The Hong Kong Section is started from Huangguan, there will be an underground railway running from Huanggang to West Kowloon Terminus at the West Kowloon District, and between the Airport Express Kowloon Station and t he West Rail Austin Station. [pic] Figure 5: Retrieved from Legislative Council brief http://legco. gov. hk/yr07-08/english/panels/tp/tp_rdp/papers/tp_rdp-thbtcr11658199-e. pdf Impacts of the XRL XRL is vitally important to Hong Kong. It will connect Hong Kong with the Mainland's national high-speed railway network and significantly reduce the journey time.A trip between Hong Kong and Shibi on the XRL will only take 48 minutes, to Wuhan in five hours, and to Shanghai and Beijing in about eight and 10 hours respectively. The XRL will terminate at the New Guangzhou Passenger Terminus at Shibi in Guangzhou. Shibi, together with the stations at Beijing, Shanghai and Wuhan, are designated as the four major national railway passenger hubs of the Mainland. The Terminus is planned to become a mega transport hub. Hence, XRL will help reinforce Hong Kong’s status as a transport, financial and commercial hub of China.It will support the sustained growth of our four traditional economic pillars – Financial services, tourism, logistics, business support and professional services. CONSOLIDATING HONG KONG’S DEVELOPMENT AS AN INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING AND LOGISTICS CENTRE Positioning of Hong Kong International Airport(HKIA) HKIA is the word’s busiest cargo airport, it has handled a record high of 4. 13 million tonnes of cargo in 2010. To meet the anticipated growth in demand, a new air cargo terminal is being constructed and is expected to commence operation in early 2013; the cargo-handling capacity will be increased.In long term, building a third runway is necessary to meet the forecast growth of passenger and cargo handling up to 2030. It will maintain the competitive edge of Hong Kong as an international and regional aviation centre. In view of increasing aircraft movements in PRD region, air routes and airspace open for civil aviation are insufficient, flights on many air routes have to make an additional detour or fly to a certain flight level t o ensure safety, it increased the flight time and flight delay in Mainland is always happened from time to time.To meet the aviation development needs and strengthen the economies between Hong Kong and Mainland, HKSAR government has to formulate a development plan for future air spaces capacity of the HKIA as well as the positioning of HKIA in accordance with its function as mentioned in the Framework Agreement to avoid the traffic congestion in the airspace over the PRD region. Measures to enhance the maritime port’s competitiveness To reinforce Hong Kong's position as a renowned international maritime centre and it is believed that a well established international business and maritime network is necessary.With regard to port expansion, HKSAR Government is looking for the right location for Container Terminal 10, which may be required as early as 2015. It will be other local transportation projects to shorten the travelling time of goods and commuters within the territory. The Hong Kong Shipping Register is the first-rate service offered by the Hong Kong maritime cluster. To maintain the reputation of the Hong Kong Shipping Register, the Hong Kong Marine Department will work closely with the industry to enhance the standards of Hong Kong ships and increase the competitiveness of the Register.Such as providing e-services for expanding one-stop shop services for ship registration, strengthening pre-registration quality control and enhancing coordination with the relevant Mainland authorities to offer better protection for Hong Kong ships. Hong Kong can also provide higher value-added services like maritime insurance, ship financing, international arbitration and logistic management to form a stronger industrial cluster.POSITIONING HONG KONG AND GUANGDONG AS A MODERN ECONIMIC CIRCULATION SPHERE To reinforce Hong Kong’s position as a logistics and maritime centre, Hong Kong needs to have first-class infrastructure facilities in parallel with hard i nfrastructure development. Banking and Bond Business The Framework Agreement deepens the Hong Kong’s RMB trade settlement and finance businesses at local level. It provides a best platform for Mainland authorities and Hong Kong Monetary Authority to jointly discuss and investigate how to expedite the application of RMB outside the China and continuously improve the RMB trade settlement services.It also facilitates the bond services, the qualified Guangdong financial organizations and companies can issue RMB bonds in Hong Kong. This approach creates many different financial channels to both sides and supports the development of Hong Kong’s RMB bond services simultaneously. Securities Services For securities business, the Framework Agreement pushes forward connection and mutual co-operation in respect of talents, knowledge, products, and institutions between both sides.In addition, more Guangdong financial organizations and companies are encouraged to raise funds in Hong Kong and to be Hong Kong listed companies. In order to strengthen the collaboration of securities services between Hong Kong and Guangdong, the supplement VI of Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) was signed in 2009 which permitted securities organizations in Mainland and Hong Kong to establish securities investment consultancies in joint venture mode. Insurance ServicesWith the support of Framework Agreement, the qualified Hong Kong financial organizations can set up legal institutions with insurance services in Guangdong and this facilitates Hong Kong insurance organizations to develop business in Mainland by lowering the entry requirements of Mainland insurance market. The supplement IV of CEPA helps Hong Kong insurance agents to set up wholly-owned companies in Mainland. The collaboration of China Insurance Regulatory Commission and Office of the Commissioner of Insurance in Hong Kong can continuously be increased.Developing international logis tics hub in Hong Kong and PRD region The Framework Agreement helps the development of financial logistics service in Hong Kong by integrating supply, production and sales and formed the financial supply chain system. It was the revolution of third-party logistics services in Hong Kong. Financial logistics service has became gradually popular that combined with logistics and financial products. The ability of third-party logistics services and operating profit has been improved; logistic companies can expand financing channels, reduce financing costs and improve capital management efficiency.The new third-party logistics service definitely drives toward the goal of win-win supply chain. Logistics companies can activate occupied costs of idle raw materials and finished products for optimizing companies’ resources. The provision of financial logistics service can enhance companies’ integrated logistics services and competitiveness; it further increases the business scale as well as the value-added services. The enhanced financial costing and broad financing channels reduce the capital utilization of raw materials and semi-finished products.Moreover, the optimal capital allocation can reduce the procurement costs, expand sales volume and increase the companies’ sales profits. For further support, financial logistics services help companies to expand the size of loans for smoothing the cash flow, reduce credit risk and support the disposal of bad assets. The combination of logistics services and financial services which provides an integrated supply chain financial plan, it also increases the competitive advantage and profits.Through the financial logistic services, the warehouse logistic companies can achieve multilateral success; enhance customers’ capital capability and responsiveness to market risk. It encourages customers to deal with the warehouse goods processing and facilitates the interactive information sharing of goods, large amount of goods storage and high goods turnover rate. The diversified payment methods can maximize customers’ capital settlement. Therefore, customers’ pressure on accounts receivable can be reduced.With the connection of logistics and insurance industries, it provides a comprehensive logistics insurance service for all supply chain activities and items. It includes equipment damage, goods delivery, property and facilities, operation safety of trucks and other means of transport, and employee insurance, etc. Through the enhanced financial services, increased financial channels and the supports of Mainland banks and insurance companies, the logistics industry in Hong Kong obtains abundant resources to develop the financial logistics services, logistics routes and business in Mainland.Foreign enterprises also can take Hong Kong and Guangdong as a platform to invest in mainland market, in returns, Hong Kong acts as a bridgehead for Mainland enterprises to â€Å"go global † and establishes their head office in Hong Kong and promotes their business to global markets. CONCLUSION Hong Kong is the gateway of China and positioned in the heart of Asia; we can reach all major Asian countries within four hours and half of the world's population within five hours by plane.However, facing the changes of global economic structure and the worldwide trend of forming a regional economic co-operation and competition, it is difficult for an individual city to compete at its own. As such Hong Kong has to strengthen itself by co-operating with Mainland, particularly PRD region in Guangdong, to search for larger market hinterland so as to maintain its long term competitiveness. Under the outline of the Framework Agreement on Hong Kong Guangdong Co-operation, Hong Kong has to work towards betterment by consolidating innovation into its existing pillar industries, including finance, trading, shipping and logistics.To enhance our competitiveness, Hong Kong has conti nued investing in key infrastructure projects to maintain an efficient multi-modal transport network which covering air, land and sea to meet the different needs. Major infrastructure projects like HZMB, XRL and WEL, which materialize the â€Å"one-hour intercity circle† for people in PRD region and enforce a sound regional system of marine, land and air transport integration within this region. To facilitate the logistic flow and customs procedures, ROCARS has been introduced on the customs clearance.Some other recommendations on customs procedures can be considered in future, for instance, a mutual recognition of the examination results of cross-boundary vehicles, relaxation of the restrictions on Hong Kong trucks with valid licenses to travel in Mainland, as well as a centralized electronic communication platform on other control points to shorten the customs clearance time. In parallel with hard infrastructure development, Hong Kong should continue to develop the required software, particularly in the expansion of our aviation network, nurturing fresh talent and IT development.Hong Kong should make use the advantage of legal system and professional service, an extensive shipping and aviation network so as to provide a high value-added logistic services like pick-and pack and inventory management services. We believe that maintaining a closely correlation between Hong Kong’s hard and soft infrastructure is one of the factors to sustain our economic growth and prosperity. To further reinforce Hong Kong’s position as an international logistic hub and a gateway for Asia to access global markets, we have to tie with the co-operation and development of mainland.Last but not lease, we do believe we shall always empower ourselves to meet the great challenges and proactively identify new engines of economic growth of Hong Kong. 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