Comparing Asian Nationalities | Asian American Poll

COMPARING ASIAN NATIONALITIES
(Updated Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:21:22 PM to reflect the 100 most recent valid responses.)

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WHAT YOU SAY

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Historically speaking, Korean and Vietnamese have something in common. Both were colonized, influenced by China whether we like it or not. But Vietnam are more Chinese influenced because the Chinese stayed in Vietnam longer, more than 1,000 years compared to Korea, 600 years (?).

Talking about war, probably the Vietnamese are considered one of the best warriors in the world. As a matter of fact, Vietnam is the only country in East Asia defeated the Mongolian invasions (often came with half mil strong man) not only once but two times repeatedly in 1257 and 1287. Even the Middle Kingdom could not withstand it.
history can not changed Friday, November 15, 2002 at 08:05:40 (PST) [66.52.131.179]

Ironically, the "first Asian supermodel" belongs to none of the Asian nationalities mentioned above. Irina Pantaeva. Aren't Siberians Asian too?
What about Siberians? Friday, November 15, 2002 at 06:39:43 (PST) [144.132.5.8]

The 2nd emperor of Ming Dynasty nearly wiped out the Mongol threats. Like Tang Emperor Li Shimin who took the offensive against the Turks, Ming Emperor Yongle also took the offensive against Mongols in their very own steppes.

In the slanting light of an October sunset, the legend of Kara Koto's (Black City) violent and bloody end spreads across the sand in the Gobi. The year was 1372 AD, and the Mongol khan Kara Bator-his people protected inside these walls, which were taken by Genghis Khan in 1226 AD-was witnessing the end of Mongols' reign across Asia. Outside, the armies of China's ascending Ming Dynasty were massing, and they'd employed the surrounding Gobi desert as their deadliest weapon. Diverting the Black River, the city's water source that flowed just outside the fortress, the Chinese denied Kara Koto moisture for its gardens and wells. Then, they simply waited.

As the Black City's thirst grew deadly, Kara Bator recognized his fate. Insane with fury, he murdered his family-then turned his sword upon himself. After his suicide, Kara Bator's soldiers vainly continued inside Kara Koto's fortress, weakening beneath the sun. When the Ming Chinese finally attacked, they slaughtered the remaining Mongols like livestock, leaving bodies unburied, the garrison sacked, and a stain of blood and murder so dense on the sand it spawned the ghosts of today.

Years, later the Mongol capital of Kara Korum would also be sacked and burned to the groung by Emperor Yongle. But like the Huns of earlier who survived Han Chinese onslaught, the remnant Mongols fled and regrouped generations later to engage Ming again.

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As you see, even the Mongols lost their earlier martial skills through leisure and comfortable living.
yy Friday, November 15, 2002 at 00:20:30 (PST) [64.130.235.33]

latinalovingkoreanhombre,

Also, those mercenaries you referring to were mainly used during the latter part of Han and Tang Dynasties as well. When later generations of emperors become so fat, lazy, licentitious and full of leisure, it is the same with the society at large.

But, the early emperors of an ascending dynasty Han (Wudi), Tang (Li Shimin), Ming (Yongle) were in every given right, conquerors who laid the foundations of dynastic legitimacy and power. They had started from scratch. You must not forget that China itself is the size of Europe, and many of these Han and Tang emperors during the early reigns had increased China's borders north, south, east and west. They assimilated people of all races: Turkic Central Asians, Persians, Mongol/Tungus, Korean, Malay, Thai, Viets, Tibetans, etc. Some of it was done through physical conquest, but most succumbed in the end to higher civilization and technology of China.

The Chinese empires (all of them) were on the same scale as Roman Empire, Arabic Caliphates and Ottoman Empire.
yy Friday, November 15, 2002 at 00:07:48 (PST) [64.130.235.33]

latinalovinghombre,

When China was able to unify as in the case of Han and Tang Dynasties, you usually find very martial oriented emperors. That is why China expanded 10-fold during these 2 dynasties. The early part of Ming Dynasty was also martially oriented, but wealth and leisure had led to its decay as was in the case of the Song Dynasty.

In the past, no world power could really engage the Turkic and Mongol nomads. Look what the Huns did to Europe (they caused fall of Romans and coming of "Black Ages"). Likewise, no European army could withstand the Mongols and Ottoman Turks.

But, the Tang had driven the Turks out of China and even the decadent Song had resisted the Mongols longer than any European state did.

Korea never really fought the Mongols and Manchus. They often gave up without a fight, and the Mongols/Manchus did not really have a vested interest in Korea compared to China. The Koreans also paid annual tribute to Song and Ming Dynasties without conflicts. If Chinese are soft, then the Koreans were even more softer if you know the history.
yy Thursday, November 14, 2002 at 23:58:52 (PST) [64.130.235.33]

noname
"yea i understand how you feel. i feel the same way. but do you mean American history class or world history class? cuz kublai khan has got nothing to do with american history. but yea the viets, along with japan, were one of the few who mangaged to defeat the mongols. oh i heard the flying scissor kick techniques from vovinam (viet vo dao) vietnamese martial arts originated from fighting the mongols. it was used to take them off their horses"

To NONAME: I meant World History class.
By saying American= It means i was in a classroom in THE USA!
Take Notice Teachers abc@yahoo.com Thursday, November 14, 2002 at 18:24:29 (PST) [12.246.194.43]

To Chinatown

Does Genghis khan or Jurchens alive today? The Mongols have population less than city of Inchon. The Jurchens ancestors now are Koreans or Manchurians. China 1.2 billion people are now communist live in poverty. Korea remains divided between North and South. But just imagine if two Korea's were able to combine?? The force of 75 million people with nuclear bomb capability??? Korea beat China in mens basketball during 2002 Asian Game. Korea ranked fourth in 2002 World Cup. First Asian country to do in World cup soccer history. So what's the fuss with ancestors. The point should be how do they stand in past and present situation.

by Korea.
bostonSeoul jleeboston92@hotmail.com Thursday, November 14, 2002 at 17:09:46 (PST) [218.152.204.228]

Taiwanese HOKLO,

'the hoklo ethnic group is known to be fierce and like to take risks. again, it's about culture and perhaps genetics.'

How does the stand with the Cantonese and the Hakkas?

The Cantonese are the most cowardly, yet they are the most clever of the Southern Chinese. The Hakkas are the poorest, yet they are the most educated and intellectual of the Southern Chinese.

The Hoklo are the dumbest, because this is what I have noticed. But their ferocity and aggressiveness compensates their stupidity. I am not starting a conflict among the Chinese, these are my observations!

Perhaps evolution and different survival strategies made these groups different in disposition and outlook!

Btw, I am part Cantonese and part Teo Chiu.

Wouldn't 'intermarriage' between the different Asian groups and subgroups produce children with the best of the both worlds sort of thing?
LSD Thursday, November 14, 2002 at 09:18:49 (PST) [66.212.81.229]

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