5
June 2012
LETTERS
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A
poem by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty commenting on a porcelain bowl made in the Song Dynasty pointed out that the bigger an object is, the harder it is to keep. China was one of the most powerful countries in the world at the peak of Qianlong’s reign. The emperor realized at that time, however, that China could maintain its strength only if its people united. Today, China is standing at a crossroad. In the past two decades, it has witnesd remarkable economic and social achievements. China’s foreign currency rerve tops US $3 trillion. U.S. President Obama invited his Chine counterpart Hu Jintao to a state banquet at the White Hou last year, and at the beginning of this year, French President Sarkozy discusd the Euro crisis with Presi-dent Hu. Both events show that China has won worldwide recognition and respect in terms of its global status. But to keep the impetus for further development, the Chine people should always remember Emperor Qianlong’s poem.
David Young Beijing, China
S
ailing is more than just a sport. It involves passion and teaches many life lessons. When navigating the as, a sailor may be faced with life-threatening dangers. But Zhai Mo’s story tells us that sailing
can teach us to conquer fear – the fear of failure. In other words, no negative thoughts can be allowed when sailing. Such challenges and the determi-nation to succeed inspire me to be courageous when facing adversities in my own life.
Yang Bo
Jiangsu Province, China L
ast month I went to my father’s hometown
in a southern province, my cond visit in a decade. To my surpri, the rural community formerly buzzing with hospitable villagers is now mi-empty. I was told almost all young
and middle-aged residents had left for cities
to ek fortunes that cannot be made tending their rice fields. Entire families have moved out and not been back for years. The few who stay in the village to take care of their children have found jobs in factories t up following recent labor price hikes in coastal areas. Local lands are mostly left to waste, as there are not enough farmhands in the region to work on them. This worries me. If farmers stop grow-ing crops, how will the country feed its people? National curity is at risk if we de
pend
entirely on imports. Despite the slew of favor-able policies and subsidies for farming and farmers, the state has to do more to stimulate people’s interest in agriculture, which is the cornerstone of any human society.
Frank Gao Beijing, China
I
n recent years, an increasing number of young people in China prefer online shop-ping rvices provided by overas retailers. Take me as an example. Last year my favorite sneaker brand relead limited edition basket-ball shoes, but not in China. Thanks to online shopping, I could order the shoes online and have them delivered to my home. Many people choo international online shopping for its convenience and reasonable prices. But I prefer this way of shopping becau it offers a larger choice. As the world has become a global village, people can be informed of the latest news around the world with a click of the mou. It’s the same for fashionable products. To trendtters like the younger generation, online overas shopping is a perfect choice.
腊八节的诗句Hao Yufeng
Guangdong Province, China I
feel exceptionally proud that China’s private
new energy companies like ENN Group can make such amazing investments abroad. As a college student studying in the U.S., I
hope that one day I’ll have a chance to visit
the clean energy ecological center in Nevada that ENN has invested in. Perhaps I can find a job there after I graduate. Since global energy shortages were first en in 2004, energy curity and environmental conrvation are widely discusd topics in the world. Soaring oil prices, for instance, affect the daily life of almost everyone. I think it is urgent and wi for humankind to strive to develop alternative energy, in particular clean energy such as wind and solar power.
Wang Zihao
USA
W
hen there is a ri in the prices of basic food like pork or vegetables, the govern-ment steps in to bring prices down so that less well-off families can still afford them. But farmers at the bottom of our food supply chain are as, if not more, vulnerable than the urban poor, as they face high risks of losing their entire investments due to natural disasters, disruptions in sales channels or shifts in mar-ket demand. For example, last year banana growers in Hainan Province had to choo between lling their harvests at a paltry RMB 0.4 per kilo, far below the cost of production, or leaving them to rot in the field. Demand sharply plummeted following rumors that they were using a poisonous chemical to ripen their bananas. More attention and protection
should be given to the people who produce the stuff that sustains our lives.
Yu Minting
Haikou, Hainan Province
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6
CHInA TODAY
42
14
Happier Children, Better Future
China’s Double-digit Military Spending Increas Clarified SpeCIal RepoRt
14/ Happier Children, Better Future
For past decades governments, as well as enterpris, NGOs, institutions and philanthropists within and outside of China, have all done their part to help the children there who are less fortunate than most.
38/ China and turkey Reinforce Friendship
– CIPG Signs Cooperation Framework Agreement with Calik Holding The deal was one of many cooperation transactions agreed be-tween China and Turkey during Turkish Prime Minister Recep T ayyip Erdogan’s visit to China.
40/ Commemoration of 40 Years of Sino-Mexican Diplomatic ties
March 26 saw the launch ceremony in Mexico City of the photo al-bum Go Forward Hand in Hand , published by China International Publishing Group (CIPG).
eConoMY
42/ China’s Double-digit Military Spending Increas Clarified
China’s relative increa in military expenditure is much slower than that of GDP and overall government spending.
44/ Chine Mining enterpris in Zambia “Bad employers”?
In overlooking multiple faceted labor issues, Human Rights Watch has indiscriminately accud CNMC of deep-rooted, persistent hu-man rights misdemeanors.
SoCIetY/lIFe
50/ China’s agricultural Heritage
Agricultural heritage is a vital tool that can be harnesd to pre-rve and protect our environment, but traditional farming skills are struggling to survive in the shadow of rapid urbanization and the spread of modern farming technology.
CultuRe
54/ an architect Respectful of traditions and nature
养母猪“The recent process of urbanization in China invites debate on whether architecture should be anchored in tradition or look solely to the future. Wang Shu’s work is able to transcend that debate.
善举60/ Sanhe town洗衣机桶自洁
Riverside Romance in Central anhui
This ancient community is among China’s swathe of lesr-known old towns that are arguably as breathtaking as the famous few yet remain off the radar of most tourists. 38
China and turkey Reinforce Friendship – CIpG Signs Cooperation Framework agreement with Calik Holding
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7
海滨的意思
June 2012
China Today owns the copyright of articles and photos published in the magazine and its website. Permission is required for u by other publications.
5/ letteRS 8/ FoCuS
opInIon
47/ Hard Bas of China’s Soft power
48/ China’s Soft power: Room for Improvement
Man anD natuRe 66/ learn from ants
BRoWn eYeS, Blue eYeS 68/ Kids are a Worry!
69/ Happy Children, Hopeful tomorrows
精神疾病有哪些种类eaSt MeetS WeSt
57/ Stories from “africa Street”
pot luCK
64/ West lake Fish in piquant Sauce
CultuRal CuStoDIanS
读后感100字70/ Regional art, universal appeal
ConnoISSeuR
53/ Huang Zhou’s octavo Figures Album
IlluStRateD tCM 72/ Medical ethics
BooK RepoRt
骤然近义词
65/ Draw lessons from the Ri and Fall of International Financial Centers
aRounD CHIna 74/Zhenjiang Calls
one City’s History the Microcosm of a nation 80/Innovative nanchang
lanGuaGe CoRneR
82/lesson 6: Happy Birthday
VOL. 61 No. 6 JUNE 2012
54
an architect
Respectful of traditions and nature
50 China’s agricultural Heritage DepaRtMentS Copyright©博看网 All Rights Rerved.
