Canada Continues its Historic World Cup Run

The Canadian men's team celebrate Eustaquio's goal

I was too nervous to watch Canada play against South Africa today in the World Cup. But millions of others tuned in with excitement.

The game was even shown at Vancouver International Airport, where screens at the luggage carousel broadcast the game so that passengers were informed of the score (0-0) at the time.

The game on at YVR

And then at the 92nd minute Stephen Eustaquio scored the only goal of the match and Canadians were ecstatic.

Although Canada did not rank at the top of its group, the men's team have certainly made historic strides in this year's World Cup, and Canadians are not taking it for granted.

They are celebrating every win and relishing every moment. Some die-hard fans splashed thousands of dollars to be in Inglewood, California to witness Canada's first time in the knock-out stage.

And now Canada advances further to play against either Morocco or the Netherlands on July 4 in Texas.

Meanwhile coach Jesse Marsch publicly praised his players in a huddle on the pitch after the game.

"Canadian heroes for the future children of this country, who play this sport," he said. "This sport has a big future because of you guys. You should be so proud of who you are. You should be so proud of this game -- you never lost belief. You went after it, point after point, moment after moment. You are Canadian heroes."

Marsch (in grey) praising the team post-game

The American coach was criticised for doing the post-match pep talk out in the open, but Marsch is unapologetic. 

Perhaps it's a tactic, or showing off his leadership skills. Or he wants to show Canadians are too modest and he wanted to openly pat them on the back.

Whatever it is, it's working and the team seems fired up for the next match.

And so are we! O Canada!

Hong Kong has a Piano Star

Sham (centre), with Ozel of the US (left), and Starikov of Israel

Over the weekend, 29-year-old Aristo Sham Ching-tao was awarded first prize in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in Forth Worth, Texas, the first time a Hongkonger has won this prestigious event.

He and 27 other competitors from 15 countries went through four gruelling rounds over two-and-a-half weeks. Vitaly Starikov of Israel won silver, and Evren Ozel of the United States was handed bronze.

The competition is held every four years and the Van Cliburn competition has an age limit of 30, so Sham is very lucky to win it this year.

Lee hopes to get Sham to perform in Hong Kong

Sham's award of a gold medal comes with a cash prize of US$100,000, international concert tours, a live album recording contract, career management support, and his performance wardrobe supplied by Neiman Marcus.

After news of Sham's win, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the government would work hard to arrange for the pianist to perform in the city.

"If Aristo will find time to make a few performances in Hong Kong, it will really get us even more excited," he said. 

"We will work hard to see whether we can make it happen."

Looking at his website, the last time Sham performed in Hong Kong was in December, and before that September... perhaps the government could swing a concert or two soon?

Chinese Migrants Smuggle into the US

Chinese migrants trying to communicate with border patrol

Reaching the United States has always been the goal of many Chinese and after China lifted all Covid-19 restrictions, its residents are fleeing by the droves.

The constant lockdowns during the pandemic caused them to think of their escape plans, with many looking for ways to get out.

In 2023 over 6,500 were apprehended

While the uber rich have their consultants to help them move their money out and themselves, it's the middle class folks who also want to make a go of it in the US.

Some are doing it the official way by applying for a visa to the US Consulate in their respective cities, while others have found another, more arduous way to get into America.

Several media reports including this Reuters report has found that these Chinese people buy a ticket to Ecuador -- because they can enter visa-free -- and from there pay smugglers up to US$50,000 to get them across to Fronton, Texas, the US-Mexico border city.

Through doing their research online, these migrants discover they cannot bring any belongings with them, only the basic necessities -- many bring battery power packs -- and footwear like Crocs and hiking boots.

How many are making the trek?

In the six months since October 22, there have been 6,500 Chinese apprehended by border patrol, the highest on record, a more than 15-fold increase from a year ago, according to US Customs and Border Protection data.

Once these migrants get to the border at Fronton, they are instructed to find the cemetery where the border patrol is based. Many of them seek asylum because they fear persecution at home for example on religious grounds. Asylum seekers from China won in US immigration court 58 percent of the time. If they are successful, then they can apply for work permits and then start working legally in 180 days. It is not clear what happens to the other 42 percent who don't get asylum. 

The migrants are mostly men, some with young families

Of those who make the perilous journey, are they happier on the other side? Too early to tell, but many bring their young children with them on these long journeys.

No matter how much the Chinese government is promoting its economy as booming post-Covid, its people are leaving the country. 

China may have the second biggest economy in the world, but other nationalities are not trying to smuggle themselves into the Middle Kingdom...