Asian Geographic AG 01/2020 - 140 | Page 4

Chairman LIM Geok Khoon No. 140 • Issue 1/2020 CONTENTS CULTURE E DI TOR I A L Publisher/Editorial Director John THET • [email protected] Editor Shreya ACHARYA • [email protected] contributing Editor Ian BONGSO-SELDRUP • [email protected] DE S IG N Graphic Designer WONG Shee Leng • [email protected] contributing designer Tinhtwe JUSTIN • [email protected] Web/it Dutch CATALON • [email protected] A DV E R T I S I NG & M A R K ET I NG regional Business ManagerS Elysee TAN • [email protected] Desmond HO • [email protected] Jasmine TEE • [email protected] Project & Events Manager Ellfrance PHANG • [email protected] Marketing Manager Nora ISMAIL • [email protected] Events & Marketing Assistant Manager Karter LEE • [email protected] C I RC U L AT ION Senior traffic/production Manager Victor OW • [email protected] CON T R I BU TOR S Dr Jai ACHARYA Carl-Bernd KAEHLIG Amardeep SINGH 06 Wu Xing: The Five Corners of a Circle CULTURE 08 The Water Element REFLECTIONS 84 Sinking Cities REVEALED 92 The Blue God LITERATURE 100 Reading by the Shore TIMELESS 102 Clouds and Waves AG Passport 103 Spectacular Islands of Southeast Asia Southeast Asia boasts the greatest islands of the tropics, ideal for diving and snorkelling, lounging on the beach, and even hiking and trekking. These idyllic isles promise to cater to your every notion of a dream vacation spot Editorial Submissions • [email protected] Subscriptions • [email protected] Feedback • [email protected] FEATURE 20 Oceans Asia is caught between two huge oceans and in between is a complex geography of land & water that has given rise to some of the most fascinating & species-rich seas on our planet FEATURE 40 Seas While the definition of a sea is not completely set in stone, a sea is generally defined as a portion of the ocean that is partly surrounded by land FEATURE 52 Rivers Rivers have allowed for agriculture to flourish and provide hydration for millions. They are also a mighty sight to behold, carrying cultural and religious significance, and history that is encapsulated in each drop FEATURE 60 Water People Powerful, purifying, and mysterious, water bodies play a vital role in many cultures and religions. Some live and die by the waters, and some believe the deep blue is home to gods and goddesses FEATURE 78 Island Nations ON THE COVER Fisherman and bird, China PHOTO: KYAW BO BO HAN, FINALIST FOR IMAGES OF ASIA 2018 Copyright © 2020 by Asian Geographic Magazines Pte Ltd. No material may be reproduced without written permission. This publication is purchased with the understanding that information is presented from many sources for which there can be no warranty or responsibility by the publisher as to accuracy, originality, or completeness. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering product endorse- ments or providing instruction as a substitute for appropriate training by qualified sources. All content provided is accurate at the time of publishing. Unmarked Images are purchased from Shutterstock. MCI (P) 097/06/2019; PPS 1367/04/2013 (022956) ISSN 0219-3310 Please recycle.