China in the News

[Anonymous]

Cindy, I too wonder why China makes some of the decisions that it makes. Some
from the trip that seem to be a parallel to your article and your thoughts regarding the article; what about the beautiful college that we experienced the tea demonstration? It boasted many debutant visitors to the tea presentation yet it had no running water and or functional restroom facilities. There are so many odd dichotomies in the Chinese society.

[Anonymous]

Today, April 25, 2007, The People's Daily published an article called, "Harmony, the essence of Chinese Culture." According to Ji Xianlin, a 96 year old professor from Beijing University(Please kill me if I teach that long!), who spoke at the International Forum on Tao Te Ching, "Chinese culture is described in different ways" (Guess this would be another Yin and Yang comment), and yet China has promoted the concept of harmony since ancient times and " in this day and age we (Ji expressed about China) are again putting forward the great idea of 'harmony'." "We hope the whole world can accept this idea, so that our global village can become more peaceful," he said. "Distances are contracting in our global village but problems are growing. Why?" asked the professor. The professor went on to answer his question, "Because the world has been following the law of the jungle, instead of seeking harmony." "China's notion of harmony will help people all over the world understand, respect and love each other and stop fighting," he stated. The professor went on further to say that people should co-exist peacefully with nature rather than "conquering it." "Humans should have a relationship with nature that stresses friendship, equality and mutual respect," he said. "It's wrong to say one should conquer the other."
Source: Xinhua

Comments: Whether this philosophy is applied to a large global village or a very small village like our own school communities or even departments, it is a very well taken commentary. Wish it would spread quickly both in China and everywhere else! I wish the professor could answer the distances question with some advice. I have experienced this concept myself upon occasion. Distances between people can sometimes be greatly reduced physically while problems can multiply emotionally or intellectually. Go figure!

-Susan Pavelka Gregg[Edit by="spavelkagregg on Apr 25, 7:17:06 PM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

Hey Lea,
Another article appeared on Monday, April 23 in the L.A. Times regarding the food tainting issue. The article entitled, "Soil pollution imperils food production" states that more than 10% of China's farmland is contaminated by solid waste and excessive fertilizer, along with heavy metals. The 'Born to be Wild' heavy metal contamination has affected over 12 million tons of grain per year covering roughly 30 million acres of land. The $2.59 billion dollars of loss is severly affecting the food security, according to a ministry official. Hmm, I don't remember any rice but the bread is made from grain right...how about the potatoes? Hey Lea and Elzbieta - maybe this is the cause of the 24 hour yaks in Li Jiang?
-Susan

[Anonymous]

Even dogs are being affected. China made the CNN national news on Tuesday evening (4/24) regarding the pet food problems. Two of the poisonous rice and wheat gluten additives have been traced to China. The FDA has attempted to get visas for inspectors, but the Chinese government has refused to issue these. I guess I was lucky to be a nobody when I needed my emergency visa for the trip. Obviously, with the headlong leap to economic capitalism, China will have to develop checks on those after a profit at any cost.

[Anonymous]

We definitely are a global village...poor animals!
Hopefully, something will be done soon to improve the situation.
With the influx of capitalism, it just isn't good for business, right?
-Susan

[Anonymous]

My illness on the trip, appeared to hit me after the fries. Perhaps, the oil used during the deep frying process was the blame for my upset stomach.

[Anonymous]

Today, the Daily Breeze shows a map of the intended Olympic torch route. The route could be the longest in Olympic history. The proposed route will take 130 days and will cover 85,000 miles. It will cross five continents bfore arriving back to Beijing for the start of the Games. The ony problem appears to be Taiwan. Taiwan has rejected its inclusion. The route is also to pass through the Himalayan region of Tibet, another political hot spot. It will be interesting to see what happens as China tries to promote the Olympic values of friendship.

[Anonymous]

It looks like more cars will be on the streets of Shanghai. The Chinanews reported that at the recent Shanghai Auto Show all the luxury cars were sold out. Most of them were sold at 2-10 millon yuan. Three Bentley cars were sold with the most expensive selling for 6.48 million yuan. Among the rest of the luxuary cars available for sale, a Maybach was marked with a selling price of 9,000,000 yuan. Porsche's, Maserati's and Ferrari's were also a hit. I think that bicycles are having some competition!

[Anonymous]

Yesterday, in the Chinanews, farmers are behind the urbanites by 7 years. According to a report, in 2006, Chinese farmers' living standards are only 53.2% of the urbanities. Although Chinese farmers' net income increased most rapidly in 2006 over the past ten years, compared with the net income growth of urbanites, such increase was still very slow.

[Anonymous]

While we were traveling this year in China Carole and I who are high school friends were commenting that while we were in high school in Rolling Hills the people are same age in CHina were experiencing the Cultural Revolution....and we aren't really THAT old!!!! It is hard to believe the changes happening in China and soooo fast. It is easier to believe it having been there two years in a row. Today in the TImes there was an article entitled Talen shortage makes MBA/s feel like MVP's in China. There is an entire generation in China who could not go to college during the Cultural Revolution. So that generation of upper management is missing today in China. The article stated "For this generation of young CHinese, the world is their playground." Thre are so many things they feel they can do. THey have this education, an economy that's 'booming, a country that's on the forefront of change." I still ponder about all the people on the fringe, the ones with no education, the ones living on so little, or driving the carts with horses through the streets with the "new" cars. Yes the Ying and the Yang keeps coming back to me...

Cathy

[Anonymous]

Susan, Lea, and Elzbietta,
Last year Louis and I were very ill. It lasted about a day and a half also. I cannot speak for Louis but, I had all of the shots, was one of the “pickiest” eaters, and still fell ill. People in the United States fall ill to these types of 24 hour flu bugs too. I know that we (the U.S.) have issues with food contamination as well. So what I guess that I am saying is that sometimes we over emphasize an event when it could be a simple as these things happen.

[Anonymous]

Cathy,
Nice historical overview. I learned something new. I have visited Chinatown recently. While there are many symbols of China, I find them a little less that authentic. The people for instance are not as kind as those we encountered in China; to me they seem more Americanized. They are more abrupt and capitalistic. The food too is a little more Americanized. The lamps are beautiful but you have some authentic lanterns purchased in a real little mom and pop shop in China! When one visits Chinatown it seems more of a tourist draw then what we experienced that evening in Lijang. I suppose we were the tourist draw there.

[Anonymous]

Theresa,
After my second attempt at the Great Wall, I might be tempted to take them up on the offer to carry me up the Yellow Mountain. I did do better this time around but, the air quality is poor and my asthma gets in the way of my progress. I wonder how many have taken them up on their offer. It still astounds me what one can do for a dollar in China.

[Anonymous]

Cathy,
I read your entry about censorship before we went to China. However it seemed more poignant this time after we went to the U.S. embassy and Lijang. I am sure that the U.S. Embassy is self explanatory but, in Lijang, at the hotel restaurant, an American woman who has lived in China for many years with her lawyer husband who helps Chinese lawyers “think outside of the box” as she put it; gave us her email and told us to be careful what we sent and said on the email ad it is censored and she has had to change her email many times while living in China. Interestingly enough, all who enter China are censored, not just the Chinese.

[Anonymous]

Becky,
I was amazed at the types of shoes some people were wearing while climbing the Great Wall. Some women were in leather boots and short heels. Climbing the Great Wall was one of my favorite parts of the trip. It was an incredible experience to climb the steps of this great historical site. It was a beautiful day also and it felt good to get out of the smoggy air of the city. I am impressed that you climbed a second time, especially having asthma because the steps were steep and the air was thicker because of the altitude.

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