Bliss English Club

The new year is coming! Bliss Taipei wishes you a fruitful and wonderful lunar new year!

P.S. There is no meeting during new year holiday, and the coming up meeting is on 22nd, Feb by Jeff Chang.

Blissers, Happy Chinese New Year!!!

As we are celebrating on Chinese New Year, let’s review the following review of last meeting and await our next gathering on 2/20. Enjoy your vacation and look forward to seeing you then.

"The Longest Journey of Culture in the Longest Country” by Kevin Cheng @2016/1/23

Recap:

Host Kevin Cheng introduced the longest country on earth – Chile to us in various aspects – from history, culture to trade.

Introduction:

Chile’s population is 17 million and capital city is Santiago de Chile. The population of Santiago de Chile is approximately 6.3 million. In other words, around 1/3 Chilean lives in its capital.In addition, the Literacy Rate is 98.6% and Life Expectancy is 76 Years (Men)& 82 Years (Women)

History:

The Chile was controlled by theSpanish in 1541 for a number of years.

Chile broke from Spanish rule anddeclared independence on September 18, 1810. The Chilean War of Independence led to nearly a decadeof violence and warring that eventually ceased in 1818. During the growth stages of Chile due to the economic prosperity of mineral-rich territory, Boliviaattempted to impose a tax on of Chilean mining companies. Strong disapproval by Chile and a secretallies agreement with Bolivia and Peru initiated the War of the Pacific (1879 - 1883).

Geography:

The rugged Andes Mountains isolate Chile, specifically from its neighboring countries ofArgentina, Bolivia, and Peru. These rugged lands also offerprosperous minerals and natural resources. The Chilean mountainscontain an abundance of copper, iron ore, timber, and lithium.

Cultural overview:

Language:

The language spoken is Spanish or as they call it in Chile, Castellano.

Religion and Family:

More than 60 percent of the population is Roman Catholic. However, over the past decade the percentageof Catholics used to be larger, it is now slowly diminishing.

Sports:

The most common sport in Chile is Soccer, or Football.

Popular Culture:

Pablo Neruda is amongst the most well-known poets in contemporary history. He was born in Chile andwas also a diplomat.

Food and Wine:

Chileans cuisine consists of a wide selection of seafood plates,along with wine. The typical wine there is Sauvignon Blanc, which is usually paired with any food that contains seafood.In addition, the Cabernet is paired with red meats.

Chile Business Environment:

Strength:

Chile is rich in copper => Driver of export growth

Prudent fiscal and monetary policy => Macroeconomic stability and growth

Weakness:

Exports are the main economic growth drivers => Vulnerability to external demand shocks

Strong dependence on oil imports =>Vulnerable to supply shocks

Opportunities:

Strong political stability, sound macroeconomic fundamentals makes Chile an attractive destination for foreign investment.

Chile is using countercyclical fiscal policies to prop up economicgrowth in times of sluggish demand.

Threats:

Income inequality is significant in Chile, social recovery needed tosustain long-term recovery.

Changing external demand could result in a shift in Chile’s economy.

**Meeting picture and new comers (Helmer Liao, Jackson Huang, Nania Huang) as attachments.