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About The Asian reporter. (Portland, Or.) 1991-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 16, 2017)
ASIA / PACIFIC Page 4 n THE ASIAN REPORTER Vietnam resumes controversial water buffalo fighting By Hau Dinh October 16, 2017 China catching up to U.S. in foreign aid flow The Associated Press Continued from page 2 O SON, Vietnam — Vietnam’s annual water buffalo fighting festival resumed last month despite calls for an end to the traditional event because of its violence. The tournament was halted temporarily in July after a buffalo killed its owner on the fighting field. It was the first human fatality, although buffaloes have died in fights before. More safety measures, including re-enforced fences and tests of buffaloes for stimulants, have since been put in place. About 20,000 people crowded the stadium in the resort town of Do Son in Hai Phong to watch the finals, in which 16 buffaloes were pitted against each other. “I’m really happy and proud,” said Luu Dinh Toi, whose buffalo was the winner. Toi’s buffaloes have participated in many festivals, but this was the first time one of his was the winner. “I was the one who cut grass to feed my buffalo and stay with him overnight over the past year,” he said. “Today, my buffalo rewarded me for my care.” In accordance with tradition, all losing buffaloes were slaughtered right after the end of the tournament. The winning buffalo was to be killed the next day as a tribute to god. “I’m very sad that my buffalo will be slaughtered for god,” Toi said. “I feel like I’m losing something, but that’s the tradition left Heidelberg University, and William & Mary. “At the very top level, you could say the U.S. and China are now spending rivals when it comes to their financial transfers to other countries,” said Aid- Data’s executive director, Bradley C. Parks. China’s secretiveness about its spending has fuelled complaints its aid might prop up corrupt regimes or undercut envi- ronmental and human- rights standards western donors are trying to en- force. Attention to Chinese financing has increased as Beijing promotes its “Belt and Road Initiative,” a multibillion-dollar initia- tive to expand China’s trade links with Asia, Africa, and the Middle East by building ports, roads, and other facilities. About 23 percent of Chinese spending met the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Develop- ment’s definition of aid, or “official development assistance,” which requires at least 25 percent of a transfer to be a grant. By contrast, 93 percent of U.S. spending qualifies as aid. D CONTROVERSIAL CONTESTS. A man leads his winning buffalo off the fighting field in Do Son beach town, in Hai Phong, Vietnam. Vietnam’s water buffalo fighting festival resumed last month amid calls for an end to the traditional annual event because of its violence. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh) “This year’s festival is very disappointing,” he behind by our ancestors and I have no choice.” The death in early July sparked a heated said. “Our group had hoped that the deadly incident would serve as a warning ... but debate over whether to continue the festival. Nguyen Tam Thanh of the animal-welfare regrettably, the festival still went ahead and group Animals Asia in Vietnam said his group is the community’s ideas were not respected.” Buffalo fighting was halted during the opposed to events where animals are mal- Vietnam War and resumed in the late 1980s. treated or used to entertain people. Find where you belong. We’ll get you there by listening, learning and finding the loan that helps you achieve your home ownership dreams. bannerbank.com/home-loans Did you know that diabetes is the leading cause of adult blindness, kidney failure, and amputations? Diabetes is a growing problem for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. But you can manage your diabetes and stay healthy – now and in the future – by controlling your blood sugar levels. Keep your blood sugar close to normal by choosing healthy foods and getting regular exercise. Take your prescribed medications and test your blood sugar on a regular basis. Manage your diabetes. You’ll feel better and have more energy. Best of all, you will lower your chances for serious health problems. Call 1-800-860-8747 to learn more. Or visit www.ndep.nih.gov.