Dear Editor:
I enjoyed reading November discussion of breast feeding, and I found myself in agreement. The Universal Daily News of October 10, 1992 reported that a foreign medical center "carried out a study on mental dexterity in 32 babies and discovered that breast-fed babies were 40 percent sharper than their formula-fed counterparts." To put it another way, breast-fed babies are perhaps smarter than those who drink formula, and the advantages of breast feeding are unquestionable.
But is breast feeding 100 percent good in all cases? It is my impression (based on reading medical news) that some diseases can be passed from a mother to a child through her milk. These include hepatitis and the much-feared AIDS (this is still being debated, but it is hard to imagine that it is not so) . Your report was clearly advocating breast feeding and didn't mention any of these potential problems. I don't know if your sources of information were at fault or it was an oversight of the magazine.
Yan Lin, United States
Editor's Note:
Thanks for pointing out these oversights. We have given a call to Chen Li-mei, the public health director of the National Defense Medical Center, and she completely confirms your doubts. As for why our report didn't touch on these issues, it is mainly because the cases of AIDS in Taiwan are still few and health organizations are very thorough about inoculating newborns for hepatitis B. Hence we were perhaps a little unbalanced in extolling the virtues of breast feeding. In order to make amends, we have reprinted your letter in full.
Dear Editor:
I am writing to compliment you and your staff on a wonderful magazine. I have been reading it for just over a year now, having been introduced to it by a friend. I particularly enjoy its bilingual format as it helps me to better my knowledge of the written Chinese language.
One of my favorite sections is "Overseas Reports." I am a second-generation ethnic Chinese, born and bred in New Zealand. I have a keen interest in Chinese living in other parts of the world, and Sinorama gives a fascinating account of fellow Chinese in some very surprising countries.
The first Chinese arrived in New Zealand in 1866, primarily to work in the gold fields on the South Island. As with other countries where Chinese have settled, the Chinese have a colorful history here. Just as elsewhere, there are "established families"--now up to five generations--and more recent immigrants.
It is interesting to note the different backgrounds of these two groups. While many of the recent arrivals are business immigrants from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and to a lesser extent Southeast Asia, families who have been here for more than two generations, share a rural, peasant background from distinct areas of Kwangtung Province. Perhaps you might consider in the future some articles about the Chinese and their history and contributions to New Zealand society? I like to feel that the Chinese in New Zealand have always enjoyed a very good reputation for hard work and a sense of family.
While it is sad that eventually the Chinese in this country may lose their "Chineseness," especially where language is concerned, it is probably worth noting that among younger generations there appears to be a revival of interest in their culture and heritage. It is very encouraging to see younger people such as myself appreciating the rich and colorful heritage of our ancestors. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office here in Wellington organizes an annual study tour to Chientan, Taipei in conjunction with the China Youth Corps. I have a friend who has recently returned from this year's trip, and he had an absolutely fantastic time. He told me that one of the best things about the trip was getting to meet Chinese youths from places such as South Africa, Fiji, Australia and The Solomon Islands. It has been some time since I visited Taiwan, and after hearing about the wonderful places my friend visited, I intend to visit again soon.
It may be of interest to other readers that the structure of Chinese society here is beginning to change. In the past the Chinese were primarily involved in the laundry, fruit and vegetable, and restaurant trades. Today many of the newer generations are respected lawyers, doctors, dentists, accountants and members of many other professions. I wish to congratulate the Sinorama staff again on putting out such a valuable and interesting publication.
Steven Sue, New Zealand