Say China in Enlglish

I. CHINA’S GEOGRAPHY

1.The Geographical Features of China

Area and Position

China is located in the Eastern Hemisphere, in East Asia on the west coast of the Pacific Ocean. The land area of China is 9.6 million square kilometers, making it the largest country in Asia. China is the third largest country in the world after Russia and Canada.
Territory of China: China extends from the main channel of the Heilongjiang River of Mohe, Heilongjiang Province to the Zengmu Reef of the Nansha Islands in the south, a total distance of 5,500 km. It goes from the confluence of the Heilongjiang and Wusuli rivers in the east to the Pamir Plateau in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in the west, a distance of 5,200 km. The land border is 22,800 km long and touches 15 foreign countries. The coastline of China is 18,000 km long.

Topography

China has a varied topography. It is high in the west and low in the east. The proportions of the varied topography are: mountainous regions make up 33 percent, plateaus 26 percent, basins 19 percent, plains 12 percent and hills 10 percent. China has many mountains. Of the 12 mountains over 8,000 meters high in the world, seven are in China. The great mountains form the outlines of many mountain systems(多山体系), plateaus, basins, plains and hills. All of these are influenced by mountains to a certain degree. The different mountain ranges have become important topographic boundaries and agricultural lines of demarcation .

China’s Topography “Superlatives”

The biggest sea area: China’s sea area includes the Bohai, Yellow, East China, and South China seas. The biggest one is the South China Sea. Its area is 3.6 million sq. km and the average water depth is over 1,200 meters.

The largest island: Taiwan is the largest island, with an area of 35,700 sq. km, followed by Hainan Island and Chongming Island.
The longest river: The Yangtze River, 6,300 km long, is the longest one in China. The Yellow River, 5,464 km long, is the second longest. The longest continental river in China is the Tarim River in Xinjiang, 2,137 km long.

The largest lake: Qinghai Lake is the largest in China with a total area of 4,583 sq. km. After this are Poyang Lake in Jiangxi Province, Dongting Lake in Hunan Province and Lake Tai in Jiangsu Province.
The highest mountain: Mount Qomolangma in Tibet, at 8,848 meters, is the highest mountain in the world, second by Qogir Peak of the Karakorum Mountains.

The largest basin: China has four large basins. Sichuan Basin is the largest outflow basin in China. Tarim Basin and Junggar Basin are the largest continental basins in China. Qaidam Basin in Qinghai is the highest basin; its bottom is at an elevation of 2,600-3,000 meters above sea level. It has rich mineral resources and has been known as the “treasure bowl.”

The highest plateau: There are four large plateaus in China. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is the highest in the world at an average elevation of 4,000 meters. Its area is 2.5 million sq. kilometers. After this are the Inner Mongolia Plateau, the Loess Plateau and the Yunnan-Guihou Plateau.

The largest plain: There are three large plains in China. The Northeast Plain is the largest, the North China Plain is the second and the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River Plain is the third.
The largest desert: Taklimakan Desert in Xinjiang is the largest desert, with an area of 327,400 sq. kilometers.

Temperature: The Tianchi Lake on Baitou Mountain in Jilin Province is the place with the lowest temperature in China. Its average annual temperature is –7.4ºC. The Xisha Islands in Guangdong Province have an average annual temperature of 26.4ºC.

Rainfall: The place with the greatest annual precipitation is Huoshaoliao in Taiwan Province. Its annual precipitation is over 8,400 mm. But the annual precipitation in Toksun in Xingjiang is less than 6 mm.

Sunshine: The place with the most sunshine time is Leng Lake in Qinghai Province, with its average annual sunshine totaling over 3,500 hours. But Mount Emei in Sichuan Province receives only 950 hours.
Wind speed: The greatest average annual wind speed is at Tianchi on Baitou Mountain in Jilin Province. The wind speed there is 11.7 meters per second. But Jinghong in Yunnan Province has winds of only a half-meter per second. The greatest wind speed can reach 70-75 meters per second in Taidong, Taiwan Province.
(China Today February 1996)

New Words and Expressions

average annual temperature年平均温度
confluence n. 汇合处
demarcation n. 分界；界限
elevation n. 海拔高度
loess n. 黄土
Zengmu Reef 曾母暗沙
middle and lower reaches 中下游
precipitation n. 降雨量
Topography “Superlatives” 地形之最
treasure bowl 聚宝盆
Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region新疆维吾尔自治区
reef n. 暗礁
plateau n. 高原

2.Famous Mountains in China

China is home to many famous mountains, such as the “Five Great Mountains”, the four sacred peaks of Buddhism, Huangshan and Lushan. Mountain areas cover two-thirds of the country.

英语中的分数表达法

The Five Great Mountains

“The Five Great Mountains,” located in the central China, were named according to the cardinal points on the compass, including Mount Tai to the east in Shandong Province, Mount Hua to the west in Shaanxi Province, Mount Heng to the south in Hunan Province, Mount Heng (same sound but different character in Chinese) to the north in Shanxi Province, and Mount Song in the center in Henan Province.

Mount Tai is in central Shandong Province to the south of the Yellow River, the second longest river in China. Its highest peak, Yuhuangding, is 1,545 meters above sea level, but absolute altitude and relative altitude are the highest within a circumference of several thousand kilometers.

英文里 “-” 的读法

Since the Qin Dynasty (221-209 B.C.) many Chinese emperors held various sacrifices and religious rites on Mount Tai, making the mountain a holy site. The Dai Temple at the foot of the mountain and steles on the mountain itself reflect the ancient culture of the area.
Mount Hua is located in Huayin County of Shaanxi Province. It got its name (“Hua” means flower in Chinese) because its five peaks resemble a blooming lotus, but it is also the most precipitous among China’s mountains. The Qianchidong Trail, just one meter wide, is the only path up to Mount Hua.
Mount Heng in Hunan is located on the west bank of the Xiangjiang River. It has 72 peaks, with the summit, Zhurong, 1,290 meters(one thousand two hundred and ninety meters) above sea level. Mount Heng, with its dense forests, is renowned as one of the most beautiful mountains in China.
Another mountain also named Heng is situated in northeastern Shanxi Province. The summit, Xuanwu peak is 2,017 meters above sea level. Beiyue temple was built atop the mountain about 1,000 years ago. The Hanging Temple was built halfway up the mountain over a precipice. Finally, the Ying County Wood pagoda, the oldest and largest of its kind in China, sits nearby.
Mount Song is located on the south bank of the Yellow River. Its summit is 1,500 meters above the sea level. The nearby Shaolin Temple is the birthplace of Zen Buddhism, and even today the temple’s collection of stupas is the largest in China. The Zhongyue Temple is also located here, one of the earliest Taoist temples in the country. The Songyang Academy nearby was one of the four great academies of ancient China.

The Four Sacred Mountains of Buddhism

Buddhism claims the most followers of any religion in China, and over time there came to be four mountains worshipped by the faithful: Wutai in Shanxi, Emei in Sichuan, Jiuhua in Anhui, and Putuo in Zhejiang.
Wutai has four peaks thoughtfully laid out by Mother Nature according to the natural points of the compass, with a fifth in the middle. They have been worn smooth and wide by time, hence the mountain’s name, “Five Terraces” or Wutai in Chinese. Wutai sits 3,000 meters above sea level. According to statistics, Wutai has more than 70 temples containing over 20,000 Buddhist statues.
Emei is located in western Sichuan Province. It features many attractive places, especially the summit, or “golden peak.” Atop the peak are many unusual scenes of nature such as “Buddha’s halo,” and the local monkeys that call Emei their home are well accustomed to the foibles of visitors.
Jiuhua is located in southern Anhui Province, and it too is home to many ancient Buddhist temples. There are seven Buddhist pagodas and over 60 temples still standing, including the Dharmakaya statue of the eminent monk Yingshen of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
Putuo is located in the East China Sea in northeast Zhejiang. There are three temples here, Puji, Fayu and Huiji, occupying a special position in Chinese Buddhist architecture.

Huangshan and Lushan

Huangshan in southern Anhui is well known for its karst formations, clouds, pine trees and hot springs. Huangshan is shrouded in boiling seas of clouds about 200 days a year, one of the main attractions in the area. Pine trees grow upon precipices, assuming strange shapes as they cling to the rocks. The “Yingke Pine Tree,” name just one, is a local landmark welcoming visitors. The local hot springs maintain a constant temperature year round. Huangshan is very popular with traditional Chinese landscape painters.
Lushan is located in northern Jiangxi. Like Huangshan, it is home to seas of clouds and mists, which become especially active during the summer solstice. In winter the clouds drop down to earth, and Lushan tries in vain to peak through the formations, succeeding momentarily only to be swallowed up again. Lushan is also well known for its summer resort facilities.

(China Today January 1997)

New Words and Expressions

altitude n 高度
Buddha’s halo 佛光
circumference n. 圆周；周围
foible n. 怪癖；癖好
karst n. 岩溶；水蚀石灰岩地区
Mount Heng 衡山
Mount Heng 恒山
precipice n. 悬崖；峭壁
precipitous a. 峻峭的；陡峭的
rite n. 仪式；典礼
sacrifice n. 献祭
shroud vt. 覆盖；掩蔽
stele n. 石碑
stupa n. 印度塔
summer solstice 夏至
terrace n. 平台；露台

3.China’s Three Major Plains

China has three major plains—the Northeast, the North, and the Middle-Lower Yangtze. These plains are primarily the result of alluvial silt build-up from rivers, lakes and seas. These densely populated plains occupy 1.1 million square kilometers, or 11 percent of the nation’s territory. They are flat and crisscrossed by a network of rivers and lakes, set off by fertile soil.

The Northeast Plain

The Northeast Plain is the largest in China, covering 350,000 square kilometers in Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning provinces and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The plain was formed by deposits from the Songhua, Nenjiang and Liaohe rivers. The Northeast Plain comprises the Songnen (Songhua and Nenjiang rivers), the Sanjiang (Songhua, Heilongjiang and Wusuli rivers) and the Liaohe basins.

The Northeast Plain has thick black soil. Much of the northern and northeastern reaches of the region was desolate grassland known as the “North Great Wilds” before 1949. With the setting up of many state farms since the 1950s, thousands of hectares of arable land have been created, which together with the mechanization of local farm work, has long since transformed the great wilds into one of China’s leading breadbaskets.

As one of the most important grain-growing regions in China, the Northeast Plain is famous for soybeans(大豆), wheat, corn, sorghum, and sugar beets. Natural forests on the plain, some of the largest in China, abound with deciduous and broadleaf trees such as Korean pines, larches, and lindens.
Harbin, on the Songnen Plain, is an important center for China’s machinery industry, and also is famous for paper-making , flax textiles, and sugar beet refineries. The rapid development of the Daqing Oilfield has made the Northeast Plain home to the largest petrochemical site in China.
Rich natural resources and convenient transport on the Liaohe plain have been indispensable in developing heavy industry. Mainstay industries here include iron and steel in Anshan and Benxi, shipyards and petrochemical processing in Dalian, and chemical fibers and other enterprises in Liaoyang.

The North Plain

The North Plain, the second largest in China, was created by the Yellow (the second longest river in China), Huaihe and Haihe rivers. The plain covers 300,000 square kilometers in Hebei, Shandong, Henan, Jiangsu and Anhui provinces. The Yellow River bisects the region into the Huanghuai Plain in the south and the Haihe plain in the north.

The North Plain has vast expanses of smooth, rich soil. Precipitation is high in the summer, and humid weather helps crops and fruit trees flourish. The North Plain remains China’s most important agricultural area, producing wheat(小麦), corn(玉米), rice, millet, sorghum, cotton, peanuts and various kinds of fruit. The northern part of the plain produces three harvests every two years, while the southern part enjoys two harvests each year.
Also found are extensive deposits of iron, [petroleum], coal (煤) and salt(盐). Oil pipelines link the North Plain’s Shengli and Degang oilfields with Daqing in northern China. This, in addition to flourishing transport by mail, road and coastal waters, provides favorable conditions for both light and heavy industry.
Beijing, the nation’s capital, sits on the northern edge of the plain. It has become an important scientific and technological research center over(during) the past half century.
Tianjing, on the Bohai Gulf, is the largest commercial port in northern China, and also a well developed industrial city that produces machinery, metallurgical products, [petrochemicals], textiles and food.
Tangshan has a long history of coal mining and ceramics manufacturing, and has vigorously developed a metallurgical industry of its own.

The Middle-Lower Yangtze River Plain

The plain is the third largest in China, covering 200,000 square kilometers in Human, Hubei, Anhui, Jiangxi, Jiangsu and Zhengjiang provinces. The Yangtze River plain is crisscrossed by rivers and studded with lakes. Poyang and Dongting lakes, two famous freshwater sites, are located here. Many rivers and lakes provide an endless supply of fish and other aquatic life. Situated between the streams are rice paddies(a field in which rice is grown), mulberry (桑树)and [tangerine]orchards, and fish ponds. The Yangtze Plain is one of China’s leading producers of rice, rapeseed crops, and [broad beans], The region has been called the “land of fish and rice” for thousands of years.
Three very important cities along the banks of the Yangzte are Shanghai, Nanjing and Wuhan. Shanghai is the largest port in China and the main communications hub for the lower Yangtze River region. The city plays a key role in directing goods and materials between the Yangtze River and other parts of the country. Textiles, metallurgy, chemicals, instruments and meters,machines, electronics(电子器件)and other light industrial products made in Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou and Wuhan have a leading market share throughout China.
(China Today December 1997)

New Words and Expressions

alluvial silt build-up 冲积的淤泥
arable a. 可耕的
aquatic a. 水生的
bisect vt. 把……分为二
breadbasket n. 产粮区
broad been 蚕豆
crisscross vt. 纵横交错
comprise vt. 由……组成
ceramics n. 陶瓷制品
deposit n. 沉积物
desolate a. 荒芜的
deciduous a. 落叶的
hectare a. 公顷（15亩）
humid a. 湿润的
indispensable a. 必不可少的
larch n. 落叶松
linden n. 椴数
mechanization n. 机械化
mainstay n. 骨干；主导
millet n. 小米；黍
metallurgical a. 冶金的
North Great Wilds 北大荒
petrochemical a. 石油化学的
peanut n. 花生
rapeseed n. 油菜子
soybean n. 大豆
sorghum n. 高粱
stud vt. 密布；散布
tangerine n. 柑橘

4.China’s Lakes

China has a lot of lakes, among them 2,800 lakes larger than one square kilometer and 13 lakes larger than 1,000 square kilometers, with a total area of 71,230 square kilometers. Besides natural lakes, there are many reservoirs .

Distribution

The lakes along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River have the function of regulating floods, and they are the sources of farmland irrigation and freshwater aquatic products. Poyang, Dongting, Taihu, Hongze and Chaohu lakes are the five major freshwater lakes of the country. Poyang Lake is the largest, located on the southern bank of the Yangtze River in northern Jiangxi Province, and the second largest is Dongting Lake on the southern bank of the Yangtze in northern Hunan Province Province. Taihu Lake, in southern Jiangsu Province. Has the most beautiful scenery of the five lakes. Hongze Lake is in northern Jiangsu, and the bottom of the lake is four to eight meters higher than the surrounding terrain, making it a “hanging lake.” Chaohu Lake is in central Anhui Province.

On the Qinghai- Tibetan Plateau there are large alpine lakes, most of which are continental salt lakes. The largest is Qinghai Lake, which is teeming with fish. Bird Island, on the lake, is world famous .

In the arid areas of northwestern China there are continental lakes on the low-lying land. With scarce precipitation and high evaporation, these lakes have little water and no outlets, so they are rich in raw chemicals(未经加工的矿物方面).

The lakes in the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau have their own feature. Most lakes are caused by subsidence of the earth’s crust, or the erosion of [limestone]. Dianchi Lake in the southern suburbs of Kunming is the largest lake on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau.

Superlatives

The largest lake is Qinghai Lake in Qinghai Province, covering 4,583 square kilometers. It is also the largest saltwater lake in China.
The largest freshwater lake is Poyang Lake in Jiangxi Province, covering 3,583 square kilometers. The lake area is one of the major commodity grain production bases in the country, and the lake teems with many varieties of fish, * more than a dozen species have high economic value*. The area is called “the land of rice and fish.”

of which 引导定语从句，先行词为fish, 使用which代替fish

The deepest lake is Tianchi Lake in the Changbai Mountains in Jilin Province, at an altitude of 2,194 meters above sea level. The average depth of the lake is 204 meters, and the deepest spot is 373 meters.
The lowest lake is Aydingkol Lake in the Turpan Basin in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The surface of the lake water is 154 meters below sea level.
The largest shifting lake is Lop Nur in Xinjiang Uygur /ˈwiːɡər/ Autonomous Region.
The largest barrier lake is Jingbo Lake in southern Heilongjiang Province. It is 45 kilometers from north to south and one to six kilometers from east to west, covering 90 square kilometers. The deepest spot is 50 meters. The lake has a storage capacity of 1.6 billion cubic meters.
The highest lake in the world is Lake Namco on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, at an altitude of 4,718 meters above sea level. It is 30 kilometers from north to south and 70 kilometers from east to west, covering an area of 1,940 square kilometers.
(China Today March 1997)

New Words and Expressions

alpine a. 高山的
arid a. 干旱的
Aydingkol Lake 艾丁湖
erosion n. 腐蚀；侵蚀
evaporation n. 蒸发
Lop Nur 罗布泊
limestone n. 石灰石
Lake Namco 纳木湖
subsidence n. 沉降
Turpan Basin 吐鲁番盆地
teem vi. 充满（with）

5.China’s Sea Areas

China’s 18,000 kilometers of coastline extend from the mouth of the Yalu River on the Sino-Korean (朝鲜) border in the north, to the mouth of the Beilun River in the Sino-[Vietnamese] border in the south. Along the coast are bays and harbor cities: Dalian, Qinghuangdao, Tianjin, Qingdao, Lianyungang, Nantong, Shanghai, Ningbo, Wenzhou, Xiamen, Shantou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Guangzhou, Zhanjiang and Beihai. China’s coastal cities, with their fine natural harbors and economic bases, are the areas with the most brisk development in reform and opening to the outside world.

这整个结构(独立主格)修饰areas

The seas to the east and southeast of China’s mainland are the Bohai Gulf, the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea and the South China Sea. The Bohai Gulf is an inland sea stretching deep into China’s mainland. Almost completely enclosed by the Liaodong Peninsula on the north and the Shangdong Peninsula on the south, it flows into the Yellow Sea at the Bohai Straits. It is 18 meters deep on average and covers 77,000 square kilometers.

查看地图: bigmap.jpg

Among China’s 5,000 islands, Taiwan is the largest, with Hainai next, and then Chongming near Shanghai. The South China Sea contains over 200 islands, islets, reefs and beaches, divided into the Dongsha, Xisha, Zhongsha and Nansha island groups. Zengmu Reef, China’s southernmost tip, is at 4º15’ N latitude.

China’s sea areas are rich in natural resources. Many beaches contain extensive saltworks. Among them, Changlu in Bohai Bay, Huaibei in Jiangsu and Yingge in Huainan are the most famous.

China’s most peripheral seas are shallow waters no deeper than 200 meters where marine organisms breed and grow. China has about 1.5 million square kilometers of fishing grounds, which comprise one-fourth of the world’s shallow-sea grounds. The fishing ground in the Zhoushan Islands in eastern Zhejiang is the largest in China. Of the 1,500 kinds of fish found in China’s seas, the most common are warm-water fish. China catches about 200 kinds of marketable fish. The greater croaker, the lesser croaker, hairtail and inkfish are China’s four most common types of seafood. 物称表达法

Other famous marine products are prawns and sea cucumbers from the Bohai Gulf and Yellow Sea, dried scallops and jellyfish from the East China Sea, oysters and mother-of-pearl from the South China Sea and swimming crabs from other regions. prawns, a special product of China, are famous throughout the world.
China’s coastal continental shelf is also rich in oil, natural gas and geothermal heat resources. China has discovered six major offshore oil and gas reserves, concentrated primarily in the East China Sea basin, and covering an area of more than 800,000 square kilometers.
(China Today June 1997)

New Words and Expressions

brisk a. 兴旺
croaker n. 黄花鱼
crab n. 蟹
geothermal a. 地热的
hairtail n. 带鱼
islet n. 小岛；岛状地带
inkfish n. 乌贼；墨鱼
jellyfish n. 水母；海蜇
latitude n. 纬度

6.China’s Three Large Deltas

China’s three large deltas are those of the Yangtze, Yellow and Zhujiang rivers.

The Yangtze River Delta

The Yangtze River is the longest river in China, with a total length of 6,300 kilometers. Originating on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the river flows into the East China Sea. The Yangtze River Delta, situated in southern Jiangsu and northern Zhejiang province, covers 100,000 square kilometers. Fourteen cities in the two provinces are located in the region, which has a population of 73 million. Shanghai is the main terminus for the delta. With its fertile soil, the Yangtze River Delta produces abundant grain, cotton, hemp and tea.

The delta is dotted with 250 lakes and a network of rivers totaling 40,000 kilometers. The Grand Canal, 1,794 kilometers long, flows from Beijing in the north to Hangzhou, the capital city of Zhejiang Province, in the south. The canal once linked northern and southern China, and facilitated the flow(here, flow used as a noun) of goods and materials across(=all over, all round) imperial China. Nearby, the Taihu Lake area in southern Jiangsu Province is known as a land of plenty because it is richly endowed by nature with abundant water and fish resources.

Many cities in the Yangtze River Delta have distinguishing features. Shanghai is a center for metallurgy, machine and ship building, textiles and chemicals, and serves as China’s leading industrial and technological base. About 80 percent of all things made in Shanghai are shipped to other parts of China. Shanghai now plays a leading role in the delta’s economic development.

Hangzhou is famous for its beautiful scenery around West Lake, plus other scenic spots and historical sites. It has rapidly developed its textile and especially its silk industries. Nearby, Suzhou is noted for its ancient Oriental gardens dating from as far back as the Song Dynasty (960-1279).

The Yellow River Delta

The yellow River is the second longest river in China and its valley is regarded as the cradle of Chinese civilization. Originating on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the river has the highest silt content in the world because it washes away much yellow soil as it flows through China’s Loess Plateau. Hence its name, the Yellow River.

The Yellow River Delta is situated in the Binzhou Prefecture near the City of Dongying in northwestern Shandong Province. It has a population of 5.2 million and covers an area of 18,000 square kilometers. The delta is very rich in arable land and other natural resources. In addition to 400,000 hectares of alkaline soil yet to be developed, the Yellow River adds 2,000 hectares of new land at its estuary every year.

• proven 过去分词作形容词

Proven petroleum reserves of 320 million tons and natural gas reserves of 23.2 billion cubic meters lie beneath vast stretches of beaches and mud flats used for producing salt, bittern and other industrial raw materials(工业原材料).

The Yellow River Delta is flanked by the Shandong Peninsula to the north(后置定语) and the Liaodong Peninsula to the east. It sits right at the confluence of China’s Bohai Economic Zone and the economic belt of the Yellow River reaches, separated from Japan and Korea to the east by the Yellow Sea. This favorable location will enable the area to become a major raw materials center for northeastern Asia in the future.

The Zhujiang River Delta

The Zhujiang (also known as Pearl) River is the fourth longest river in China, formed by the confluence of the Dongjiang, Beijiang and Xijiang rivers flowing down from Guangdong and Guangxi provinces. The Zhujiang River Delta is located at the entrance of the South China Sea, where it covers 40,000 square kilometers. Thirty-one cities and countries, including Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and Guangzhou, are located in the immediate region. The area has a population of 20 million.

Lying in the subtropical zone, the delta receives plenty of rainfall and its temperature is so mild that it seldom falls below zero centigrade even in the winter. An extensive network of rivers allows inland shipping to flourish.

The delta teems with rice, sugarcane, jute, various flowers and fruit, silkworms, and other special crops used to make famous brand-name products. Local industries include sugar refining, silk weaving, iron and steel, ship building and chemicals. The Zhujiang River Delta has favorable conditions for developing foreign trade because of its convenient transportation network, and its proximity to Hong Kong, Macao and other island on the South China Sea.

As a major industrial city, Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province, has been the host of China’s Imports and Exports Commodity Fair, held twice a year since 1957. At present, more attention is being given to finance, trade, energy, transportation, and new technology, turning Guangzhou into an international metropolis.

Almost 20 years ago, Guangdong was one of the first provinces to implement China’s opening policy. The Shenzhen Special Economic Zone was built on the site of a small fishing village. Now as a window to the outside world, the Shenzhen and Zhuhai special economic zones have set an example for the delta on how to develop technology and export-led industries. The cities of Zhongshan, Dongguan, Shunde and Nanhai have been nicknamed the “Four Little Tigers” of Guangdong Province, because of their rapid economic growth and improved living standards.

Situated on the eastern estuary of the Zhujiang River, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China is an international trade and financial center, surpassed only by New York and London. Hong Kong was handed over to China on July 1,1997, after it had been occupied by Britain for 156 years.

(China Today   October 1997)

New Words and Expressions

alkaline a. 含碱的；碱性的

bittern n. 盐卤

brand-name product 名牌产品

China’s Imports and Exports Commodity Fair 中国进出口商品交易会

jute n. 黄麻

prefecture n. 专区；地区

proximity n. 靠近；接近

endow vt. 赋予

estuary n. 港湾；河口湾

facilitate vt. 使便利；促进

flank vt. 位于……的侧面

hemp n. 大麻

subtropical a. 亚热带的；副热带的

Special Economic Zone 经济特区

terminus n. 终点

7.China’s Rivers

滋润华夏大地的江河
本文介绍了中国河流的分布、类型和特点，并集中介绍了长江、黄河
和京杭大运河的长度、流域面积以及他们在经济发展中所起的作用。

China has over 1,500 large rivers, including the Heilong, the Yellow River, the Huaihe, the Yangtze, and the Zhujiang. Seventy-nine of these rivers have a catchment area of over 10,000 square kilometers.
Most rivers in China cover great distances. The Yangtze River and the Yellow River are famous rivers throughout both Asia and the world. The overall length of the Yangtze River is 6,300km, third in the world after the Amazon of South America and the Nile of Africa. The Yellow River flows for 5,464 km, just a little shorter than the Mississippi, putting it in fifth place. In addition, the Lancang River (in its lower reaches known as the Mekong) in southwest China and the Heilong River in Northeast China rank seventh and ninth respectively. If we linked all these rivers within the boundaries of China together, the overall length would be 430,000 kilometers.
One of China’s major problems is that her rivers are not well distributed. Most of them are in southern and eastern China flowing from west to east into Pacific, such as the Yangtze, the Yellow, The Heilong and the Zhujiang. But a few, such as the Yarlung Zangbo (in its lower reaches called the Brahmaputra) and the Nujiang (in its lower reaches known as the Thanlwin), flow south into the Indian Ocean. The Ertix, in the northwest, is the only river which flows into the Arctic Ocean. In the past China also dug the 1,794-km-long Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. The Canal played an important role in facilitating trade between south and north before the advent of the railway.
According to regional differences between the south and north, geographers have divided China’s rivers into two types, southern and northern, taking the Qinling Mountains and the Huaihe River as the line of demarcation. The rivers south of the Qingling Mountains and the Huaihe have abundant water and maintain a strong current year-round. These rivers never freeze, nor do they become choked with silt, and their river valleys are a haven for luxuriant vegetation. They provide a convenient artery for shipping, as well as irrigation and hydropower. The rivers north of the demarcation line have a large flow in summer, but a small flow in winter. These rivers have a large silt content ad freeze in the winter, which is inconvenient for shipping and the utilization of water resources.
Of China’s many long rivers, the Yangtze and the Yellow are the most famous.
The Yangtze is the longest river in China, It originates in western Qinghai Province and flows through the middle of China, passing through Qinghai, Tibet, Sichuan, Yunnan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Anhui and Jiangsu, and empties into East China Sea at Shanghai. Its drainage area is 1.8 million square kilometers, making up one-fifth of China’s total area. The Yangtze River valley, with 24.67 million hectares of cultivated land, has always been an important agricultural base in China. Grain and cotton outputs make up more than 40 percent and 30 percent of China’s total respectively, and rapeseed, sesame, natural silk, tea and tobacco also flourish here. The Yangtze River is a main artery of water transportation between eastern and western China. The cruising range of its trunk stream and tributaries make up 70 percent of China’s total inland navigation. Its water transport capacity accounts for 80 percent of the total inland water transport capacity. Many cities along the Yangtze River, such as Chongqing, Wuhan, Nanjing and Shanghai, are not only important ports on the river, but also the economic centers of the regions in which they are located.
The Yellow River, the second longest river in China, originates in western Qinghai Province, flows through Qinghai, Sichuan, Gansu, Ningxia, Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Henan and Shandong from west to east, and finally empties into the Bohai Sea. With a large silt content and brownish yellow water, it gained the name Huanghe (yellow river). Before the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, the Yellow River flooded frequently, causing extensive damage in inundated areas, Thanks to the new government, after 40 years of harnessing and construction, the Yellow River hasn’t burst its banks in the past half century, and has brought great benefits to local people.
The Grand Canal, the oldest and longest man-made waterway in the world, stands together with the Great Wall as a magnificent and wondrous achievement of ancient China. The direction of the Grand Canal differs from natural rivers, as it flows from north to south. Construction of the Grand Canal lasted 1,779 years, from 486 B.C. to A.D. 1293. It began in Tongxian County, Beijing, and ends in the southern city of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, linking the Haihe, the Yellow, the Huaihe, the Yangtze and the Qiantang rivers, the main artery of communication between north and south in ancient China. Before stretches of it silted up over the last century, it brought the benefits of irrigation to surrounding people, and also promoted the economic and cultural development between northern and southern China.
(China Today February 1997)

New Words and Expressions

advent n. 出现；到来
the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal 京杭大运河
demarcation n. 分界；界定
the Ertix 额尔齐斯河[中、俄]
haven n. 避难所；（有掩护的）安全地方
the Brahmaputra 布拉马普特拉河[印、孟]
catchment area 汇水面积
drainage area 流域
inundate vt. 淹没
sesame n. 芝麻
the Thanlwin 萨尔温江[缅]

8.China’s Climate

复杂多样的气候

本文介绍了中国的气候特点。由于受季风和地形的影响，中国的
气候复杂多样。阅读本文你可以了解中国一些地区的月平均气温和最
低气温、年温差及降雨量。

China is situated on the eastern part of the Eurasian continent, the largest continent in the world. The country’s east coast faces the Pacific Ocean, the world’s largest ocean. China’s climate is influenced by strong monsoons that cause a northwestern wind in winter and a southwestern wind in summer.
Because of periodic changes in the monsoons and the influences of terrain, China’s diverse climate comprises four distinct seasons, as well as tropical rain forests, deserts, cold waves, cyclones, and spring showers. The monsoons cause rainfall and temperatures to fluctuate greatly from region to region. China’s temperatures range from tropical to temperate to frigid.
China’s January mean temperatures are much lower than temperatures in other countries at the same latitude; mean temperatures in July are much higher. For instance, Huma in China’s Heilongjiang Province is at the same latitude as London, England, (51º-52ºN). London’s January mean temperature is 3.7ºC, while in Huma it is –27.8ºC.
China’s highest monthly mean temperature is in July; its lowest monthly mean temperature is in January. Because of maritime influence, places such as Qingdao on the eastern coast may retain these high temperatures through August.
Southwestern China, which is influenced by monsoons coming from the Indian Ocean, has its highest yearly mean temperature in June, The rainy season begins after June as the temperature begins to drop in places like Lhasa.
The differences between the highest summer temperatures and the lowest winter temperatures increase gradually from south to north and from east to west. The annual difference in the Zhujiang River valley (southern china) is 15ºC, it is 25ºC in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River (south-central China), 30ºC in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River (north-central China), 34ºC-40ºC north of the Great Wall (northern China) and in the northeastern Liaohe River valley, and in excess of 40ºC in both the Heilong River valley (northeastern China) and in Turpan in Xingjiang (northwestern China).
Annual mean temperatures also differ among regions. The Xisha Islands and those areas south of them in the South China Sea have the highest annual mean temperature in China: more than 26ºC. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, with an average altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level, has an annual mean temperature below zero. Qomolangma (Mount Everest) has an annual mean temperature of –29C. The highest temperature appears in the Turpan Basin in Xingjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, where it reaches 49.6ºC; the lowest temperature appears in Mohe in Heilongjiang Province, where it reaches-52.3ºC.
Rainfalls in the three summer months constitute 60 percent of China’s total annual rainfalls decrease gradually from the southeastern coast (1,000-2.000mm, the highest is 8,408 mm in Taiwan) to 100-200 mm in the northwest. Eastern Xinjiang , the center of the Eurasian Continent and also the center of China’s arid regions, has an annual rainfall of less than 50 mm. Toksun in the Turpan Basin receives the least annual rainfall; only 3.9 mm.
China’s complex climate and its differences in temperature, humidity, and precipitation provide good conditions for agriculture, forestry, and animal husbandry. Many of the world’s animal and plant species can be found in China. China’s wild animal and fish species from 10 percent of the world’s total, while its bird species make up 15 percent. Giant pandas, golden monkeys, red-crowned cranes, and ginko trees are all unique to China.
(China Today July 1997)

New Words and Expressions

animal husbandry 畜牧业
Cyclone n. 气旋；旋风
Eurasian continent 欧亚大陆
fluctuate vi. 波动；起伏
frigid a. 寒冷的
ginko tree 银杏叶
monsoon n. 季风；季节风
maritime a. 海上的；海洋的
red-crowned crane 丹顶鹤
terrain n. 地带；地形
temperate a. 温和的

9.China’s Flora and Fauna

丰富的动植物群

中国有2000 多种野生动植物， 占世界总量的10%， 其中有100多
种珍稀动物，像大熊猫、金丝猴、扬子鳄，中华鲟、东北虎、丹顶鹤等。中国有7000多种木本植物，其中银杏树、水杉、银杉、台湾松、福建柏、鸽树等是中国特有的。

China has some of the most diverse wildlife in the world. Its 2,091 varieties of landbound animals account for 10 percent of all the world’s species. There are about 600 kinds of freshwater fish, and more than 1,500 varieties of saltwater fish in and around Chinese waters, 10 percent of the world’s marine life. China has as many as100 of the planet’s rarest animals, including the giant panda, the golden monkey, the white-lipped deer, the Yangtze River dolphin, and the Chinese and white sturgeons.
China has 1,186 varieties of birds and 56 species of wild pheasants, 13.5 percent and 20 percent of the respective world totals. The red-crowned and white cranes, black storks, swans, and yellow-bellied, white-crowned and long-tailed tragopans are all unusually rare birds.
Today there are nine natural birds reserves and 10 giant panda reserves in various parts of China. The Giant Panda Research Center of the China-World Wildlife Fund is located in Sichuan Province’s Wolong Nature Reserve.
The giant panda is one of China’s greatest treasures. This animal usually has a gentle disposition although it is as sturdy and large as a bear. It has white hair all over with black patches around its eyes and on its shoulders, ears and all four limbs. Because of these features, it is very cute despite its size.
Giant pandas only live in the remote high mountains of Sichuan and Northwestern China’s Shaanxi and Gansu provinces. These lovely creatures still retain some features of ancient mammals in their shape and body structure because they evolved from carnivorous animals into docile bamboo-eating giants. Pandas are of great importance in studying zoology as they are regarded as a valuable “living” fossil.
The golden monkey, an especially rare animal, exists only in the deep forests of Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Shannxi and Gansu. This animal is larger than its more common cousins and is covered all over with long, thin, golden-red, reddish-brown or silver gray hair. The males usually have golden-yellow hair on their shoulders up to one foot long that glitters in the sunshine like golden threads, hence the name, “golden monkey”.
Rather docile animals, golden monkeys usually live in groups; however, they are sharp witted and agile, being able to jump 20 meters or more using the resilience of tree branches. Thus, they are also nicknamed “flying monkey”.
The Manchurian Tiger is the largest in the world. There are 80 still alive, all in Northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. This tiger is one of the rarest animals in the world and is under intensive state protection.
The Yangtze River dolphin, a mammal, not a fish, is one of five varieties of freshwater marine mammals. There are 100 left and they survive only in the Yangtze River. The Yangtze River dolphin is one of rarest mammals in the world and now is dangerously close to extinction.
Fifteen species of cranes exist throughout the entire world. China has been gifted with nine varieties. The red-crowned crane is the most famous and id fond of living in reed marshes, usually in Heilongjiang Province. They mate for life and male and female will sometimes stay together for 60 years. Chinese regard this bird as symbol of longevity.
China’s geology helps grow abundant flora. Almost all plants native to the frigid, temperate and tropical zones of Northern Hemisphere can be found in China. China has 7,000 varieties of woody plants, and 2,000 kinds of broadleaf trees in 260 categories. Pine trees and Chinese firs are divided into 30 categories; China has these trees in 26 categories. The ginkgo, metasequoia, silver spruce, golden larch, Taiwan pine, Fujian cypress and dove tree all grow exclusively in China.
The ginkgo is a tall deciduous tree growing up to 40 meters. It can live to be several thousand years old and the trunk can be as thick as four meters in diameter. The ginkgo grows primarily in Sichuan and southwest China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Its timber provides good building materials, and is specially suited for making furniture and wood carvings.
The silver spruce is a tall evergreen belonging to the pine family. Its leaves, which are similar to the metasequoia’s, have two distinct silver ribs. The leaves glitter and sparkle in the breeze, hence the name. The silver spruce is the only evergreen growing in the Huaping forest of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and it also grows in the Jingo Mountains of Sichuan’s Nanchuan County. There are about400 remaining trees in all.
The dove tree is world famous as a decorative plant. Unfortunately, it has vanished from many countries, but still grows in China. The geography of Guizhou, Hubei and Sichuan provinces allows the dove tree to survive. When the flowers blossom, they resemble doves at rest.
(China Today September 1997)

New Words and Expressions

agile a. 敏捷的
cute a. 逗人喜爱的
carnivorous a. 食肉的
cypress n. 柏树
dolphin n. 海豚
disposition n. 性情
docile a. 驯良的
fauna n. 动物群
flora n. 植物群
giant panda 大熊猫
glitter vi. 闪闪发光
Manchuian Tiger 东北虎
metasequoia n. 水杉
pheasant n. 野鸡
resilience n. 回弹性
reed n. 芦苇
sturgeon n. 鲟
stork n. 鹳
sturdy a. 强壮的
spruce n. 云杉

10.China’s Nature Reserves

遍布全国的自然保护区

到1996年为止，中国已建立了799个自然保护区，其中四川卧龙、
吉林长白山等12个自然保护区被联合国教科文组织列为世界生物圈保
护区。中国的自然保护区分为六种类型，分别是：自然生态系统、珍稀鸟类和动物、
珍稀植物、自然景观、地形特征、自然资源六大保护区。

By 1996, China had set up 799 nature reserves covering 7 percent of the nation’s land. Of these, 106 are state-level reserves, including Wolong Nature Reserve in Sichuan Province, Baishuijiang in Gansu Province, Foping in Shaanxi Province, Mount Wuyi in Fujian Province, Huaping in Guanxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and Changbai Mountains in Jilin Province. The Wolong, Changbai Mountains, Dinghushan, and nine other nature reserves have been recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as parts of the world biosphere preservation zones.

Six Reserve Types

China’s nature reserves are divided into six categories. One is reserves for natural ecological systems. The Changbai Mountain Nature Reserve protects the ecology and natural scenery of a mountainous temperate zone. Mount Taibai Nature Reserve in Shaanxi Province maintains the ecological balance of one of China’s typical temperate zones. And, Mount Wuyi and Yunnan Province’s Xishuanbanna preserve the natural ecology of subtropical and tropical zones, respectively.
The second category is rare bird and animal reserves. Representatives of this type are the Tiebu Sika Deer Nature Reserve, and the Wolong and Wanglang Giant Panda reserves. Zhalong in Heilongjiang Province, and Melmeg and Xianghai in Jilin Province protect red-crowned cranes and the other precious birds and waterfowl that inhabit these areas.
The third type of reserve is for rare flora. Huaping Nature Reserve maintains endangered tree species such as the silver spruce and other evergreen broadleaf trees that grow in subtropical zones. Red dealtree forests (a type of pine) are protected in Heilongjiang Province’s Fenglin and Liangshui reserves. The Qinghai dragon spruce is protected in Gansu Province’s Dongda and Changling mountains nature reserves.
Natural scenery reserves are the fourth category. Typical of these are Jiuzhaigou and Jinyunshan in Sichuam Province; Xianrendong (Immortal Cave) and Fenghuangshan (phoenix Hill) in Liaoning Province; Jiangxi Province’s Mount Lushan Scenery Reserve; and Zhangjiajie State Forest in Hunan Province.
The fifth type, landform nature reserves, are found in Heilongjiang Province’s Wudalianchi and Shandong Province’s Shanwangwanjuan areas. The first protects volcanic formations and other scenic spots, while the latter is where rare bird fossils have been unearthed.
Mangrove forest nature reserves, or natural resource reserves, are the sixth type. They are located in the Dongzhai and Qinglan harbors of Guangdong Province.

Features of State-level Reserves

Dinghushan Nature Reserve, the first reserve in China, was set up in 1956 in Zhaoqing, Guangdong Province. It covers 1,140 hectares. Close to the Tropic of Cancer, subtropical monsoons give the reserve a rich growth of evergreen broadleaf trees and 2,400 varieties of plants.
Most of the reserve’s birds, plants and animals are on the State protection list. Protected plants include the spinulose tree fern and decorative trees and plants.
Protected rare birds and animals total 800 species, including the civet, white pheasant, and pangolin. UNESCO has designated the Dinghushan reserve a man and biosphere (MAB) research station.
Altun Nature Reserve, China’s largest reserve, is located in southern Xingjiang Ruoqiang County where Qinghai Province and Tibet Autonomous Region meet. Occupying 4.5 million hectares, the reserve is distinguished for its geomorphic features. Glaciers, Karsts, and tundra date from medieval times, and volcanic clusters date from the Quaternary Period. The western half of the reserve is desert; the eastern half is grasslands that are home to 400 animal and 240 plant species.
Mount Mashan (Horse Hill) Nature Reserve, China’s smallest reserve, covers only 3,000 square meters in the city of Jimo in Shandong Province. Just 213 meters above sea level, Horse Hill is shaped like a horse’s back. The reserve contains valuable geological formations, such as sedimentary, volcanic and metamorphic rocks; animals, plant and dinosaur fossils; and 120-million-year-old petrified wood. The largest piece of petrified wood discovered to date is 13 meters long and 85 centimeters in diameter
Mount Qomolangma (Everest) Nature Reserve is located 4,000 meters above sea level, the highest of China’s reserves. Situated in Tibet Autonomous Region along the border with Nepal, the reserve covers 3.382 million hectares; it includes four other 8,000-meter peaks. It is blessed with 2,101 species of angiosperms (orchids and roses), 20 species of conifers, 200 species of pteridophytes, 600 species of lichens and ferns, and 130 species of fungi.
The reserve has 50 varieties of wild animals, 2,000 species of birds and 20 types of fish, amphibians and reptiles. China’s first-class protected animals are the long-tailed leaf monkey, Tibetan wild donkey, leopard and snow leopard, and black pheasant. The snow leopard is the symbol for the reserve.
(China Today November 1997)

New Words and Expressions

angiosperm n. 被子植物
amphibian n. 两栖动物
biosphere n. 生物圈
civet n. 香猫
conifer n. 针叶树
karst n. 岩溶；水蚀石灰岩
lichen n. [植] 地衣
leopard n. 豹
mangrove n. 红树
metamorphic rock 变质岩
orchid n. 兰花
pangolin n. 穿山甲
petrified wood 石化木
Quaternary Period 第四纪时期
red dealtree 红松
dinosaur n. 恐龙

11.Four Great Inventions

Four great inventions: the compass, gunpowder, paper and movable type printing, were ancient China’s outstanding scientific and technological contributions to world civilization.

The Compass

The world’s first compass was made in China during the Warring States Period (475-221 B.C. ) by balancing¹ a piece of lodestone carved in the shape of a ladle on a smooth, flat plate and letting it spin. When it stopped, the handle always pointed to the south. After the Northern Song Dynasty (A.D. 960-1127) the Chinese people connected the compass with a square plate engraved with directional points, thus creating the basis for the compasses of today. China’s compass was introduced to Europe at the end of the 12th century and the beginning of the 13th century. Based on China’s compass, the Europeans made a more advanced model. After the appearance of the compass, it was used in geological prospecting, navigation, military affairs, production and daily life, and greatly promoted the development of the world’s navigational undertakings.

Gunpowder

The Chinese people invented gunpowder in the 7th century. As early as the Shang and Zhou Dynasty, Chinese discovered, through their experiments in metallurgy that charcoal burned easily. They also discovered during alchemical experiments looking for the key to immortality that sulphur and nitre have explosive properties. Afterward they found that if they mixed up the charcoal, sulphur and nitre and then lit them, they could cause strong explosions. Then, people started mixing up these materials in certain proportions. They researched and finally mastered the method of controlling the explosion, thus was gunpowder, perhaps the most influential discovery of the millennium.

After the invention of gunpowder, human beings suddenly had an unprecedented great force. At the end of the Tang Dynasty and the beginning of the Song Dynasty (10th century), gunpowder began to be used in weapons. From 1225 to 1248, gunpowder and firearms were introduced to Arab countries from India, and then taken to European countries from Arab regions.

Paper

Cai Lun, who lived during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), produced high quality paper using tree back, remnants of hemp, linen rags and other materials. He based his work on the experiences of his predecessors, who during the Western Han Dynasty were producing paper with silk floss and plant fiber. Cai, in addition to improving on this old method, could also mass-produce his paper. The invention of Cai Lun’s paper-making technique marked the ripening of China’s paper-making technique, and meanwhile enabled the people to leave behind them the days of writing on bamboo slips and cotton cloth.

China’s paper-making technology was introduced to Korea and Japan in the 7th century, taken to Arab countries from Central Asia and eventually to European countries during the 12th to 16th centuries. China’s paper-making technology played a great role in the European Renaissance and other cultural and scientific undertaking of the world.

Printing

The invention of China’s printing technique went through two stages, block printing and movable-type printing. Before this, the development of China’s paper-making industry and seal carving skills had prepared conditions for the invention of the movable-type printing Block printing invented in the middle of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) had serious shortcomings. Each page of a book required the carving of a plate, and for a book of any length this took several years. If another book was to be printed, another whole setup and procedure would have to begin. The problems involved in time, skilled engravers and material can be imagined. In the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), Bi Sheng invented the movable-type printing. He made clay types, one for each character, and then fired them for hardness. For typesetting, a square sheet of iron was prepared with a layer of resin, wax and paper ashes mixed and spread on it. The mixture was circumscribed with an iron frame. A plate was complete when the frame was full. This was heated over a fire until the mixture melted. The types were pressed down to the height of frame with a wooden broad and the plate was ready for printing. After printing, these types could be used again and again. In this way it not only saved time and money, but also increased the speed of publishing. Bi Sheng’s invention brought a qualitative leap to the printing technique.

Movable-type printing was introduced to Korea and Japan in the 8th century, and the to Arabia and Europe in the 12th century.

(China Today   June 1996)

New Words and Expressions

alchemical a. 炼金术的，炼丹术的

bamboo slip 竹简

block printing 刻板印刷

circumscribe vt. 限制；制约

geological prospecting 地质勘探

ladle n. 长丙勺子

lodestone n. 天然磁石

millennium n. 一千年

movable-type printing 活字印刷

nitre n. 硝石

remnant n. 零料；零布头

resin n. 松香；树脂

silk floss 乱丝；绪丝

sulphur n. 硫；硫磺

type n. 铅字；活字

type-setting 排字

the Warring State Period 战国时期

12.China’s National Flag, Emblem and Anthem

国旗、国徽和国歌
本文介绍了中华人民共和国的国旗、国徽和国歌的产生过程以及国旗和国徽图案的象征意义，同时也回顾了国歌“义勇军进行曲”产生的历史背景。

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National Flag

The National flag of the People’s Republic of China is a rectangular red flag. In the upper left section are five yellow stars—one big star in the center and four small stars in a semicircle on its right. The big star symbolizes the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the small ones symbolize the people rallying around the CPC.

The national flag was designed on the basis of consulting the broad masses. In July 1949 the preparatory committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) solicited opinions on the national flag’s design from all people of the country and overseas Chinese. Finally this design was selected on. Its designer was Zeng Liangsong, a staff member of the former Shanghai Modern Economic News Agency.

National Emblem

The national Emblem of the People’s Republic of China is the Tian’anmen Gate in the center illuminated by five stars and encircled by ears of grain and a cogwheel. It symbolizes the people’s democratic dictatorship established in New China, led by the working classand based on the alliance of workers and peasants. On June 18, 1950 the Second session of the First National Committee of the CPPCC adopted the People’s Republic of China’s national Emblem and its explanation. On September 20 of the same year, Chairman Mao Zedong ordered the promulgation of the national emblem of the People’s Republic of China.

On the eve of the birth of the People’s Republic of China, on October 1,1949 Qinghua University and the Central Academy of Fine Arts set up a national emblem design group. They solicited several hundred designs from around the country. Through their repeated comparisons and improvements, the design of the present national emblem was completed. On the national emblem the Tian’anmen Gate is the Emblem of the national spirit; the ears of grain and the cogwheel symbolize the peasants and workers, and the five stars indicate the unity of the people throughout the country under the leadership of the CPC.

National Anthem

The National Anthem of the People’s Republic of China is the “March of the Volunteers” written by Tian han and with music by Nie Er². In 1935 the Japanese invaded China. The creation of the “March of the Volunteers” at that time, when the nation’s existence was in peril, encouraged people to rise against the Japanese aggressors and defend the country. This song had a far-reaching influence among the masses and played a great role in arousing the Chinese people’s patriotic spirit. Therefore, it was made the tentative national anthem at the First CPPCC session, held in September 1949, so as to show that the Chinese people value their revolutionary tradition and are constantly vigilant in peace time.

We made it the national anthem. → It was made the national anthem.

On December 4, 1982 the Fifth session of the Fifth National People’s Congress adopted the resolution on the People’ s Republic of China’s national anthem. From then on, the “March of the Volunteers” became the national anthem of the PRC(People’ s Republic of China).

(China Today   January 1996)

New Words and Expressions

the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference 中国人民政治协商会议

rectangular a. 矩形的；长方形的

rally vt. 团结

solicit vt. 征求

cogwheel n. 齿轮

emblem n. 国徽

promulgation n. 颁布；公布

tentative a. 暂时的；暂定的

vigilant a. 警备着的；警惕着的

13.China’s Administrative Divisions

According to the Constitution of People’s Republic of China, the administrations of China are as follows: The country is divided into provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government. (定语) Provinces and autonomous regions are divided into autonomous Prefecture, counties, autonomous counties and cities. Counties and autonomous counties are divided into townships, ethnic townships and towns. Municipality directly under the central government and other large cities are divided into districts and counties. Autonomous prefectures are divided into counties, autonomous counties, and cities. All autonomous regions, autonomous prefectures and autonomous counties are autonomous areas of ethnic groups. At present China has 23 provinces, 5 autonomous regions (Tibet Autonomous Region, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region) and 4 municipalities directly under the central government (Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin and Chongqing).

Taiwan is a province of China. It has been part of China’s territory since ancient times. Now it is under the rule of the Kuomintang. The government of the People’s Republic of China put forward that after the unification of the mainland and Taiwan, Taiwan could establish a special administrative region and practice a system different from the mainland. But we resolutely oppose the idea of “Taiwan independence”.

Hong Kong is located to the east of the mouth of the Zhujiang River in Guangdong Province facing the South China Sea. In 1840, British launched the Opium War and from 1841 to 1898 forced the Qing Dynasty to sign a series of treaties which ceded Hong Kong to Britain. Hong Kong returned to China on July 1, 1997. According to the policy of “one country, two systems,” Hong Kong has become a special Administrative region of the People’s Republic of China. After China resumed its exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong, the Chinese government guaranteed that Hong Kong’s present social and economic systems, lifestyle, free harbor position, world trade and financial center positions were not changed and the laws remained basically the same. Hong Kong is able to keep and develop economic relations with other countries and regions.

Macao is located to the west of the mouth of the Zhujiang River in Guangdong Province. In 1553, Portugal invaded and occupied Macao, According to the joint statement signed by the Chinese and Portuguese government the Chinese government resumed its exercise of sovereignty over Macao on December 20, 1999. The Chinese government expressed the following Macao’s return, the same “one country, two systems” policy could be implemented as has been in Hong Kong.

as has been 定语从句修饰 policy

(Excerpts from China Today   January 2000)

New Words and Expressions

cede vt. 割与；让与

ethnic a. 种族的

implement vt. 履行，贯彻

Opium War 鸦片战争

resume vt. 恢复

sovereignty n. 主权

unification n. 统一

14.The State Structure of China

China’s constitution stipulates: “The National People’s Congress (NPC) of the People’s Republic of China is the highest organ of state power.” The NPC is composed of deputies elected by the provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government, and by the armed forces. The law stipulates that the number of deputies cannot exceed 3,000 and the assignment of the number of deputies is decided by the Standing Committee of the NPC which has broad representation. The NPC is elected for a term of five years and reelected every five years.

Structure of the Central Government

The State Council, that is, the Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China, is the executive body of the highest organ of state power. The function of the State Council is to carry out the constitution, laws and resolutions adopted by the NPC and its standing committee. It is responsible and reports on its work to the NPC or its standing committee and accepts their supervision.

The State Council is composed of the premier, vice-premier, state Councilors, ministers in charge of ministries and commissions, the auditor-general, and the secretary-general. The National People’s Congress decides on the choice of the premier of the State Council upon nomination by the President of the People’s Republic of China, and decide on the choice of the vice-premiers, state councillors, ministers in charge of ministries or commissions and the auditor-general and the secretary-general of the State Council upon nomination by the premier, and the President of the state has the power to appoint and remove them from office. While in session, the National People’s Congress also has the power to decide on the choice of the ministers in charge of ministries and commissions, the auditor-general, and the secretary-general upon nomination by the premier of the State Council. The term of the office of the State Council is five years, and the premier, vice-premier and state councillors shall serve no more than two consecutive term.

The premier has overall responsibility for the State Council. As the head of the government, the premier directs the work of the State Council and has overall leadership, and the power of decision making and personnel nominations. The premier of the State Council has a lot of power, but his final decision must be predicated on democracy. It is stipulated in the law that major issues in the State Council’s work must be discussed and decided by the State Council meeting.

The State Council set up many administrative departments that are in charge of various affairs of state. Each ministry has a minister and several vice-ministers, and each commission has a chairman and several vice-chairmen. Under the ministry there are bureaus, departments and offices, thus forming the central government’s administrative system.

Structure of the Local Government

The local people’s government includes the highest administrative and management organs of provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the central government, prefectures, counties, districts, townships and town. The local people’s governments are, on one hand, executive bodies of local organs of state power, the different-leveled local people’s congresses and their standing committee; on the other hand, they must obey the unified leadership of the central government and their superior-government organs, and be responsible and report to the higher authorities.

The highest chief executives of the local people’s government are governor, chairman of an autonomous region, mayor, head of a prefecture, magistrate, district head and township head, all of which have the help of several deputies. The position of the chief and the deputy of the local people’s government at different levels are all appointed and removed by the people’s congress of the corresponding level. The standing committee of the local people’s congress chooses the secretary-generals, department heads, and directors of local people’s government of a corresponding level. Office terms for local people’s governments above the county level are five years and those below county level (including county level) are three years.

The main functions and powers of the local people’s governments are to carry out the resolutions of their corresponding-level people’s congresses and their standing committees, to execute the next higher people’s government’s decisions and orders and to issue decisions and orders; to carry out the plans and budgets of national economy and social development, and to manage the local economic, cultural and other administrative works of their respective administrative areas; to protect state, collective and private property, maintain public order, safeguard collective and private rights prescribed by the Constitution or law; to submit proposals within the limits of their authority, to the people’s congress and its standing committee at the corresponding level, and conduct various works assigned b the next higher organ.

(Excerpts from China Today   May 1996)

New Words and Expressions

the auditor-general 总审计长

budget n. 预算；预算案

commission n. 委员会

consecutive a. 连续的

execute vt. 履行；执行

magistrate n. 县长

municipality directly under the central government 直辖市

the National People’s Congress (NPC) 全国人民代表大会

predicate vt. 使依据；使基于

the secretary-general 秘书长

the standing committee 常务委员会

the State Council 国务院

15.China’s Democratic Parties

In China, besides the Communist Party of China (CPC), which is the ruling party, there are eight democratic parties which participate in the state and government affairs led by the CPC. They were formed and developed gradually in the struggle against imperialism and the reactionary Kuomintang regime. In 1949 these parties and CPC participated in the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and established the People’s Republic of China.
Revolutionary Committee of the Kuomintang. The party was founded on January 1, 1948. In November 1949 the committee and the Kuomintang’s other democratic factions merged, but the name remained the Revolutionary Committee of the Kuomintang.
The committee was initiated by the democratic factions and other democratic personages. It inherited and carried forward Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s patriotic, revolutionary and progressive spirit. At present, the party is trying to promote the peaceful reunification of China. It is playing an important role in strengthening contacts with compatriots from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao and overseas Chinese and in publicizing the principles and policies of peaceful reunification.

China Democratic League. The league was founded in October 1941 and was originally called the League of Democratic Political Groups. It took its present name in September 1944 at a national congress of the league.

Most of its members are intellectuals in cultural and educational circles. Now the league is putting emphasis on culture, science, technology and education. It urges its members to lend scientific and technological consultation, run schools, aid the frontier and poor areas, and conduct exchanges with foreign countries.

China Democratic National Construction Association. The association was founded in December 1945. Its members are mainly patriotic industrialists and businessmen, and some intellectuals linked with these people. The association has formed close links with economic circles. It actively provides advisory services on economic issues, contributing its share to improving economic performance of enterprises, spreading science and technology, revitalizing agriculture through science and education, and aiding the frontier areas. It has done a good job of uniting overseas personages and introducing funds, technology and talents into China.

China Association for Promoting Democracy. Members of this association, which was founded in Shanghai on December 30,1945, are mostly intellectuals from cultural, educational, educational and publishing circles. The association has made suggestions on important political issues, such as the country’s economic construction and reforms in education, culture and publishing. It assists the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government in implementing policies toward intellectuals, safeguarding the rights and interests of teachers, running spare-time schools, giving lectures, organizing experts and scholars to lecture in various places, and aiding the frontier areas and areas inhabited by minority ethnic groups.

Chinese Peasants’ and Workers’ Democratic Party. Originally named the provisional Action Committee of the Kuomintang which was founded in August 1930, it adopted its present name in 1947. Members are mostly intellectuals from health and medical, cultural and educational circles. Now the party is devoted to the development of science, technology, culture, education and health.

China Zhi Gong Dang. This party was founded in October 1925 in San Francisco, by the Hong Men Zhi Gong Tang. Before 1949, when the People’s Republic of China was founded, the grassroots organizations of the party were all abroad, mainly in America and Southeast Asia. Members of the Zhi Gong Dang made great contributions to China’s national liberation. Now most members are returned overseas Chinese and relatives of overseas Chinese, who have extensive international contacts. The party takes advantage of this fact to actively unite overseas Chinese, and has done a lot of work in receiving overseas Chinese visiting China or giving lectures, and in introducing funds, technology, talents and equipment, and in promoting foreign trade.

Jiu San Society. Founded in 1944 by a group of intellectuals from cultural, educational and scientific circles engaged in the movement for democracy, the society took as its name the Democracy and Science Society. On September 3, 1945, in commemoration of the victory in the international war against fascism, it adopted its present name (“Jiu San” means “September 3rd” in Chinese). Its members are mainly intellectuals from scientific and technological circles. The society actively conducts intellectual development, scientific and technological consultations, runs schools and aids frontier and poor areas.

Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League. The league was founded by natives of Taiwan Province engaged in patriotic and democratic activities in November 1947. It adheres to the principle of “one country, two systems,” and is making contributions to the peaceful reunification of China. At the same time, the league assists the government in implementing policies towards Taiwanese residents, and receives Taiwanese visiting relatives or sightseeing on the mainland. It plays an important role in strengthening links between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits, in introducing funds and technology, and in promoting peaceful reunification.

Cooperation between the CPC and the democratic parties started during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1937-1945). In the 1930s various democratic parties participated in the national anti-Japan united front, adhering to the principle of resistance, democracy and progress. After the victory over Japan, these democratic parties, together with the CPC, opposed the Kuomintang’s reactionary policies and dictatorship. They demanded democracy and peace, thus making their contributions to the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

After the founding of the People’s Republic in 1949, the CPC became the ruling party, and various democratic parties also participated in the government under leadership of the CPC. Multiparty cooperation under the leadership of the CPC is the political system in China and is being perfected gradually. This system is different from a multi-party or two-party system of Western capitalist countries, and also different from one-party systems in some countries. The basic characteristics of the Chinese system are: (1) Adherence to the CPC’s basic line of the primary stage of socialism as the political foundation of cooperation between the CPC and democratic parties; (2) Taking “long-term coexistence, mutual supervision, treating each other with all sincerity, and sharing weal or woe’ as the basic principle of cooperation between the CPC and democratic parties .The CPC is the ruling party, and all democratic parties are parties participating in the government. The CPC and various democratic parties all take the Constitution as the cardinal principle of their activities. Within the qualifications of the rights as stipulated by the Constitution and laws, all democratic parties enjoy political freedom, organizational independence and legal equality.

(Excerpts from China Today   September 1996)

New Words and Expressions

commemoration n.  几年

constitution n. 宪法

faction n. 派别；宗派

grassroots n. 基层

peaceful reunification 和平统一

compatriot n. 同胞

provisional a. 临时的

long-term coexistence, mutual supervision, treating each other with all sincerity, and sharing weal or woe 长期共存，互相监督，肝胆相照，荣辱与共

16.The Chinese Trade Unions

Chinese Trade Unions are a mass organization of the working class formed voluntarily by Chinese workers and staff members. It is stipulated in the Constitution of the Chinese Trade Unions that membership is open to all manual laborers and professionals of enterprises, undertakings and State organs within the territory of China living on wage or salary as their main source of income, provided they accept the Constitution of the Trade Unions of the People’s Republic of China, irrespective of nationality, race, sex, occupation, religious belief and educational background.

There are national and local industrial union organizations applying the organizational principle of combining leadership along industrial lines. To establish local trade unions in provinces, municipalities and counties to lead the industrial union organizations and the local union organizations The All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) is the leading organization of each local federation of trade unions and industrial unions.

The supreme organ of the Chinese Trade Unions is the National Congress of Trade Unions. It is convened once every five years. The Executive Committee is the executive organ when the Congress is not in session. When the Executive Committee is in recess, the Presidium exercises supreme power. The Secretariat is established under the Presidium and takes care of routine work for the ACFTU. Today there are 16 national industrial unions with 583,000 basic union organizations and 102 million members under the leadership of the ACFTU.

The Chinese Trade Unions take the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China as the fundamental criterion for their activities, and conduct their work in accordance with relevant laws and the Constitution of the Chinese Trade Unions.

The major functions of the Chinese Trade Unions are as follows: to protect the legitimate interests and democratic rights of workers and staff members; to mobilize and organize the workers and staff members to take an active part in economic and social development; to represent and organize workers and staff members as they take part in the administration of the State and social affairs and to involve them in democratic management of Chinese businesses; and to see that workers and staff members constantly improve their ideological and ethical qualities and enhance their scientific, technical and cultural abilities.

Since China’s reform and opening to the outside world, the development of foreign-funded enterprises, private businesses and township enterprises has attracted renewed attention. These enterprises have set up trade unions to coordinate labor relations, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of employees, the most important task of the Chinese Trade Unions. Today 47,300 union organizations have been set up in foreign-funded enterprises with 4,718,900 members, 5,404 union organizations have been set up in private businesses with 207,000 members, and 64,718 union organizations have been set up in township enterprises with 4,171,600 members.

In their international activities, the Chinese Trade Unions follow the principle of independence and broad contacts and strive to establish friendly relations with trade unions in various countries on the basis of independence, equality, mutual respect and non-interference. Today the ACFTU has forged relations with trade union federations in over 140 countries and regions.

(Excerpts from China Today   October 1996)

New Words and Expressions

convene vt. 召集，召开

ethical a. 道德的

irrespective a. 不考虑的；不顾的（of）

ideological a. 思想的

legitimate a. 合法的

presidium n. 主席团；常务委员会

recess n. 休会

secretariat n. 秘书处；书记处

The All-China Federation of Trade Unions中华全国总工会

17.China’s Academic Degree System

On January 1, 1981, the “Regulations on Academic Degrees of the People’s Republic of China” was issued and put into effect, making the establishment of an independent and complete academic degree system in China.

China’s academic degrees have the same characteristics as those in most other countries. According to the different stages of higher education, the academic degrees shall be of three grades: the bachelor’s degree, the master’s degree and doctorate degree.

Bachelor’s Degree

Undergraduates should complete all required courses and then may be graduated after an examination. The bachelor’s degree shall be conferred on graduates from institutions of higher learning who have good academic records and have attained the following academic standards: having a good grasp of basic theories, specialized knowledge and basic skills in the discipline concerned and having initially acquired the ability to undertake scientific research or to engage in specialized technical work. The educational system of general institutes of higher learning is that students stay for 4 years, but some colleges of science and engineering require 5 years; medical universities require 5 to 7 years.

Master’s Degree

The master’s degree shall be conferred on postgraduates in institutions of higher learning or scientific research institutes on persons wit qualifications equivalent to postgraduates upon graduation, who have passed examinations in the required courses for the master’s degree and successfully defended their dissertations and have attained the following academic standards: having a firm grasp of basic theories and systematic specialized knowledge in the discipline concerned; and having the ability to undertake scientific research or to engage in specialized technical work independently. The length of schooling of master’s candidates is 2 to 3 years.

Doctorate Degree

The doctorate degree shall be conferred on postgraduates in institutions of higher learning or scientific research institutes or persons with qualifications equivalent to postgraduates on graduation, who have passed examinations in the required courses for the doctor’s degree and successfully defended their dissertations and have attained the following academic standards: having a firm and comprehensive grasp of basic theories and profound and systematic specialized knowledge in the discipline concerned; having the ability to undertake independent scientific research and having made creative achievements in science or in specialized technology. The length of schooling of doctoral candidates is 3 years.

Upon the recommendation of relevant specialists and with the approval of the degree-conferring units, those who have written important works or made inventions, discoveries or other contributions to the development of science or special technologies may be exempt from examinations in the required courses for the doctorate degree.

According to the “Regulations on Academic Degrees of the People’s Republic of China,” the bachelor’s degree shall be conferred by those institutions of higher learning authorized by the State Council. The master’s and doctorate degrees shall be conferred by those institutions of higher learning and scientific research institutes authorized by the State Council. During the past 15 years since the regulations were put into effect, China has conferred over 4 million bachelor’s degrees, more than 300,000 master’s degrees and 2,000 doctorate degrees.

(China Today   August 1996)

New Words and Expressions

bachelor’s degree 学士学位

confer vt. 授予（称号，学位等）

dissertation n.（学位）论文

doctorate degree 博士学位

exempt a. 被免除的；被豁免的

initially ad. 最初；开始

master’s degree 硕士学位

II. CHINA’S POLITICS, MAJOR POLICIES AND FOREIGN RELATIONSHIP

1.Healthy Sino-U.S. Ties Serve Both Sides

Every sign shows that both China and the United States intend to stay on the path of cooperation, despite the fact that the two have been involved in recent heated debates over the revaluation of China’s currency and the U.S. trade deficit with China.

A heated discussion or quarrel is one where the people involved are angry and excited.

In the political field, heads of state and senior officials of both countries have met frequently since China’s new leadership took power.

The two countries have also seen more progress in bilateral exchange and cooperation between its two armies in recent years, thanks to efforts made by and support from leaders in both countries.

Trade and investment cooperation is of great significance to bilateral relations, and are the cornerstone of stable bilateral ties. After the Cold War, although the U.S. policy toward China swung³, ties between the two countries have not been suspended nor reserved. An important reason for this is that economic and trade ties gradually developed into an important aspect of bilateral relations, becoming a major driving force in political relations.

Compared with the Cold War and post-Cold War periods, the foundation for Sino-U.S. relations is stronger. Current bilateral relations are based on the convergence of the strategic interests of both countries.

China’s urgent goal is to enhance comprehensive national strength and build a well-off country. So improving economic growth is China’s top priority. To this end, China needs to avoid any economic attacks from outside the country.

On the U.S. side, it sees its first task as eradicating the threat of international terrorism. The September 11 terrorist attacks made the United States shift its strategic focus to fighting terrorism, changing its foreign policy and strategic process. At the same time, it changed background for its China policy.

The U.S.-led global anti-terrorism campaign, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq that the United States launched and the nuclear crisis on the Korean Peninsula have forced hardliners in the Bush administration to reconsider their policies toward China. The United States has encountered unexpected setbacks in the reconstruction of Iraq and the peace process in the Middle East. On both issues, it needs China’s cooperation.

The nuclear issue, which began last October, has made little substantial progress despite the multi-party talks. It implies failure on the part of the Bush administration’s attempts to resolve the issue through isolation and containment of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korean (DPRK). To break the current dead lock with the DPRK, prevent escalation of the nuclear crisis and resolve the issue diplomatically, the United States depends very much on China.

But it cannot be ignored that China and the United States still have different opinions on some issues, particularly on the Taiwan issue and on human rights. These things are unstable elements that will affect bilateral relations, and that will not disappear any time soon.

More importantly, out of consideration for global strategic interests, the United States still sees China as a potential rival, leaving elements of containment in U.S. foreign policy with China.

Many people now believe that the United States is expanding its geopolitical strategic interests by taking advantage of the anti-terrorism campaign and increasing its military presence in areas surrounding China. This no doubt places additional military pressure on China.

Additionally, in the history of Sino-U.S. relations, bilateral ties have been greatly affected by U.S. domestic affairs, especially in presidential election years. Chinese analysts warn that Sino-U.S. relations may see fluctuations as the 2004 U.S. presidential election draws near.

As for the Taiwan issue, which is a key bilateral relations question, the Bush administration has not completely abandoned the Cold War strategy of holding down China using the Taiwan issue.

The White House has also not abandoned weapon trade with Taiwan; and Washington recently increased arms sales to Taiwan and strengthened military cooperation with the island. Next year is an election year in Taiwan, and to create more support, the Taiwan authorities have engaged in separatist rhetorics and actions to create new tension across the Taiwan Straits. This will also test Sino-U.S. relations.

But as former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger said at a recent seminar sponsored by the China Institute for International Strategies Studies—one of China’s most prestigious research bodies—the fundamental interests of the United States and China are parallel, and U.S.-China relations are in their “most constructive period” in 30 years. The smooth development of bilateral ties serves the basic interests of the people of both countries, and will also contribute to maintaining world peace, stability and development. Given this, it is safe to say that it will be impossible to derail either side from the track of mutual cooperation.

(Excerpted from Beijing Review   November 2003)

New Words and Expressions

deficit n. 赤字

bilateral a. 双边的

cornerstone n. 奠基石

suspend vt. 中止；暂停

reverse vt. 使倒退；使倒转

convergence n. 为共同利益而结合；会聚；集中

containment n. 遏制；抑制

top priority 应予以最优先考虑的事

eradicate vt. 根除；消除

Korean Peninsula 朝鲜半岛

hardliner n. 主张强硬路线者；鹰派

setback n. 阻碍；挫折

imply vt. 意指

deadlock n. 僵局

2.Cross-Strait Direct Links Urged

“The sooner to realize the ‘three direct links(trade, mail and air and shipping services across the Taiwan Strait),’ the better,” said Wang Wung-ching, Board Chairman of the Taiwan-based Formosa Plastics Group, and C. Y. Kao, Chairman of the Uni-President Group, another Taiwan company, recently in a joint press statement.

“There are absolutely no barriers on the mainland side to realize the ‘three direct links,’ and we hope Taiwan authorities will send nongovernmental organizations to the mainland to negotiate this issue,” said spokesman Zhang Mingqing of the state Council Taiwan Affairs Office on May 29.

“Three Direct Links” Proposal Popular in Taiwan

Results of several opinion polls conducted in Taiwan indicate that over 70 percent of Taiwan people are in favor of establishing the “three direct links,” which, they believe will benefit Taiwan enormously.

Personages from Taiwan business circles hold that the delaying of the “three direct links” by Taiwan authorities is detrimental to the improvement of Taiwan’s investment environment, resulting in a stagnation or even recession of its economy. Statistics indicate that nongovernmental investment in Taiwan fell by 27 percent last year. Business people believe that Taiwan’s economic prospects look increasingly bleak. If Taiwan authorities still stick to the “three no’s” principle—no direct trade, mail, and air and shipping services—instead of taking effective measures, Taiwan’s economy will recover slowly. At the same time, foreign investors may also shy away from investing in Taiwan. Statistics show that foreign investment in Taiwan fell by 33 percent last year, compared with the previous year, and that of the first four months of this year fell by 39 percent when compared with the same period of last year. Many multinationals have even moved their Asian headquarters from Taiwan to mainland cities, such as Shanghai.

Taiwan people have also expressed dissatisfaction with Taiwan authorities’ refusal to establish the “three direct links” proposed by China’s mainland. Over the past years, nongovernmental cross-strait exchanges and commercial activities have increased significantly. The number of Taiwan enterprises investing in the mainland has reached 62,351, with a total capital value of $139.41billion.BothfiguressurpassedtheofficialstatisticsannouncedbyTaiwanandthemainland.Cross-straittradehasexceed$30 billion annually, and every year over 3 million Taiwanese visit the mainland either to travel or visit family relatives. A lack of direct air and shipping services across the Taiwan Strait costs Taiwan more than NT$100 billion each year in additional expenses. The tome wasted is uncountable. Therefore, many Taiwan business people complain about the inconveniences of travel.

Observers noted that an appeal for an early realization of the cross-strait “three direct links” is on the rise in Taiwan.

Obstacles by Taiwan Authorities

At the may 29 press conference, Zhang Mingqing pointed out that 23 years have passed since the first proposal for the “three direct links” was issued, but it has not been realized yet, due to Taiwan authorities’ obstruction.

Chen Yunlin, Director of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, highly spoke of Wang Wung-ching, C. Y. Kao and other Taiwan entrepreneurs for their efforts to realize cross-strait links. He hoped that they would soon acquire authorization of Taiwan authorities to the mainland for talks on related issues. His statement fully reflects the mainland’s sincerity on this issue. However, Taiwan authorities continue to evade this issue under the pretexts of so-called “security,” “dignity” and “equality,” despite the wide appeal of the Taiwan public for the realization of the “three direct links.” Chen Shui-bian attempts to bypass this issue, saying that Taiwan will negotiate with the mainland under the principle of not being degraded, localized and marginalized. However, he added that standpoints, topics, time and place of negotiations should not be set in advance. Chen’s speech is actually aimed at promoting the “two-states theory.” Furthermore, some Taiwan officials even said the “three direct links” proposal would not be feasible until March 2004. All these indicate that Taiwan authorities are deceiving the public by playing tricks.

The majority of Taiwan people believe that establishing “three direct links” is purely an internal economic affair across the Strait, and that political factors should be excluded. Taiwan’s deliberate delay is therefore against the will of the people.

Hope for Early Cross-Strait “Three Direct Links”

Chen Yunlin’s May 21 speech on non-governmental negotiations attracted widespread response in Taiwan. Thus, many newspapers in Taipei called for Taiwan authorities to react immediately and positively.

Taiwan’s economic _Daily New_s emphasized the importance and urgency of realizing the “three links,” as this is the only way to a better future for Taiwan industries.

An editorial published in the _Commercial Time_s also urged Taiwan authorities to adopt a pragmatic attitude to push forward the “three direct links” through negotiations with the mainland. This would improve cross-strait economic patterns and better serve the interests of the people on both sides.

An editorial published in the China Times held that Taiwan can maintain its competitiveness in the Asian economy only by establishing direct transportation links with the mainland as early as possible, which will simultaneously have definite and positive effects on the long-term development of Taiwan.

“One-China” Principle the Precondition of “Three Direct Links”

In his May 21 speech on negotiations on opening the “three direct links” between China’s mainland and Taiwan, Chen Yunlin reiterated the basic stand of the mainland—directness and reciprocity based on the principle of one China. This provides s solid foundation for the establishment of the cross-strait links, he said.

At the press conference on May 29, Zhang Mingqing also stressed that so long as the opening of the “three direct links” is treated as an internal affair of a country, it can be handled through people-to-people, industry-to-industry and corporation-to –corporation consultation. It is the simplest way to reach an agreement. It has been proved by the negotiation on direct telecommunications service links in 1990 and on pilot direct shipping service links in 1997.

Zhang also pointed out that Taiwan authorities should shoulder the responsibility for the suspension of contacts, consultations and negotiations between the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait and the Strait Exchange Foundation. Former Taiwan leader Lee Teng-hui’s “two-states theory,” and subsequently, current Taiwan authorities’ refusal to accept the one-China principle have both damaged the foundation of the negotiations. There would be no talks between the two organizations until the foundation is restored. Zhang added that the mainland will not have any contact or negotiations with any organizations or individuals from Taiwan, as long as the DPP continues to cling to its “Taiwan independence” program.

(Excerpted from Beijing Review     July 2002)

New Words and Expressions

barrier n. 障碍

three direct links 直接三通（大三通）

opinion polls 民意保险

personage n. 要人；名流

detrimental a. 有害的

stagnation n. 停滞；萧条

recession n. 衰退；后退

bleak a. 暗淡的

shy away 避开

NT$ 新台币元

obstruction n. 阻挡；阻挠

entrepreneur n. 企业家

evade vt. 回避

pretext n. 借口；托词

bypass vt. 回避

degrade vt. 使降级；使降格

localize vt. 使地方化

marginalize vt. 使边缘化

editorial n. 社论

pragmatic a. 实际的；重实效的

precondition n. 前提；先决条件

reiterate vt. 重申

reciprocity n. 交流；互惠

consultation n. 商量；磋商

DPP: Democratic Progressive Party（台）民主进步党（简称民进党）

3.Direct Selections: A Key Step Toward Self-Government at the Grassroots Level

Dongyuanxincun is the first community in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, to have direct elections, which took place in January. To date, all communities in the city have introduced this practice. The elections include such procedures as the establishment of an electoral committee, registration of voters, nomination of candidates, and secret voting. Each candidate must have at least 10 signatures of local residents in support of his or her candidacy. Names of formal candidates are published fives days before the voting date. Three rounds of elections are conducted. Voting is done by secret ballot, votes are counted openly, and results are announced on the spot.

Legislation and Practice

The municipal government is the highest administrative organ of a Chinese city. Under it are district governments, under whose jurisdiction are sub-district offices. These governments and government departments at different levels exercise administrative power in areas under their respective jurisdiction. Under sub-district offices, residents committees are residential self-government organizations of various communities and the lowest-level management bodies, without administrative power, in a city.

The Organic Law of the Urban Residents Committees of the People’s Republic of China, promulgated in 1989, prescribes provisions on the nature, tasks, composition of members, and method of formation of an urban residents committee. The law stipulates: “An urban residents committee shall be a mass organization for self-government at the grassroots level, in which the residents manage their own affairs, educate themselves, and serve their own needs.”

According to the law, “The tasks of a residents committee shall include: handling the public affairs and public welfare services of the residents in the local residential area; mediating disputes among the residents; assisting in the maintenance of public security; assisting the local people’s government or its agency in its work related to the interests of the residents, such as public health, family planning, special care for family members of revolutionary martyrs and servicemen, social relief, and juvenile education; and conveying the residents’ opinions and demands and making suggestions to the local people’s government or its agency.”

At present, residents committees are established not only on the basis of the number of households of a residential area, but also in consideration of the identification and interests of local residents. Stress is also placed on the independence of a community. In the past, higher-level government governed all personnel, finance and property affairs of a community residents committee, which lacked independence. Today, as the residents directly elect them, the residents committees are responsible to and subject to the supervision of the residents’ representative conference in their areas. In addition to a certain amount of appropriation given by the district government, the committee can develop the community economy based on its resources, and can also receive donations.

The direct community elections have a far-reaching influence on the promotion of urban democratic grassroots elections. It also promotes the building of a community democratic system, under which community members enjoy democratic rights in managing their own affairs, educating themselves and serving their own needs, noted Ma Xueli, Vice President of the China Association of Social Workers.

As they are now directly responsible to their constituency, residents committees and other community bodies have changed the focus of their work. No longer an organ exercising administration on behalf of the government, they are now community service institutions.

The day after its election, the Jiudaowan Community Residents Committee held its first meeting, discussing hoe to better serve the needs of local residents. It plans to build a fitness park as its first present to the local people.

As the direct community election is being carried out on a trial basis, different practices have emerged in different cities, especially concerning such issues as who have the right to participate in elections.

According to Shanghai’s regulations concerning the direct elections in 2000, residents who have reached the age of 18 and have a registered local permanent residence have the right to vote and stand for election. The inhabitants without a local registered permanent residence do not have such rights.

Guangzhou stipulates that regarding residents from outside Guangzhou, only those who have a registered residence in Guangdong Province have the right to vote and stand for election.

The election of the Jiudaowan Community Residents Committee in Beijing was open to any residents from outside Beijing. More than 70 of the 100 nonnative residents of Jiudaowan are at least 18 years old. They all enjoyed their right to vote and stand for election.

The current Organic Law of the Urban Residents Committees lacks provisions concerning issues such as whether enterprises and institutions in a community can participate in community management. This has aroused much concern in relevant departments. The Ministry of Civil Affairs is conducting a thorough investigation. Based on suggestions from various provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions on community building, the ministry will submit its proposals on the amendments to the Organic Law of the Urban Residents Committees to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress later this year.

(_Excerpted from Beijing Review   Octobe_r 2002)

New Words and Expressions

grassroots n. 基层

to date 到此为止

electoral committee 选举委员会

registration of voters 选民登记

nomination of candidate 候选人提名

candidacy n. 候选人资格

Secret ballot 无记名投票

on the spot 当场

attachment to 热爱；依恋

administrative organ 行政机构

jurisdiction n. 管辖

promulgate vt. 颁布

prescribe vt. 规定

provision n. 条款；规定

amendment n. 修正；修订案

stipulate v. 规定

mediate vt. 调解

maintenance n. 维持；维护

martyr n. 烈士

relief n. 救济

juvenile a. 青少年的；青少年

household n. 家庭；户

be subject to 受制于；受支配的

appropriation n. 拨款

constituency n. 全体选民；选区选民

donation n. 捐赠

fitness park 健身公园

stand for election 做…的候选人；参加…的竞选

4.Anti-Corruption: A Long-Term Task

Any ruling party or government inevitably faces the challenge of fighting corruption while in power.

ruling adjective

having control over a particular group, country, etc. 统治的；支配的；占统治地位的
the ruling party
执政党

In 2001, discipline inspection and supervision organizations in China investigated and solved 174,633 cases, and penalized 175,364 people involved in corrupt practices in accordance with Party and administrative rules. Among these, there were 6,076 officials at county level; 497 at Prefecture level; and 16 at provincial or ministerial level. Between January and October 2001, procuratorial organizations in China investigated and prosecuted 40,716 cases involving embezzlement, bribery and neglect of duty, including 17,344 major cases involving 2,771 officials above county level. During the same period, courts at various levels tried 15,416 cases involving embezzlement, bribery and misuse of State funds, as well as 1,272 cases involving neglect of duty.

The corruption cases investigated and dealt with last year registered a new high in recent years in terms of the number of cases and people involved. On the one hand, these figures reflected the frequent occurrence of corruption in china; and on the other hand, the severe punishment of 16 provincial government officials for corruption reveals the firm resolution of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese Government to combat corruption.

Severely Punishing Corrupt High-Ranking Officials

Of the above-mentioned 16 provincial government officials, 10 were punished for corruption. Consequently, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the Ministry of Supervision expelled them from the Party and removed them from government employment. Those who violated the Criminal Law were transmitted to the judicial departments to investigate their criminal liabilities according to law. These officials included Li Jiating, former Governor of Yunnan Province, Li Jizhou, former Vice-minister of the Ministry of Public Security, Wang Leyi, former Vice-Commissioner of the General Administration of Customs, and Mu Suixin, former Mayor and Deputy Secretary of the CPC Central Committee of Shenyang, Liaoning Province.

Between December 1994 and the first half of 1997, Li Jizhou accepted large bribes from Lai Changxing, head of a large-scale smuggling group in Xiamen, many times. At Lai’s request, he interfered in the investigation of an oil tanker suspected of smuggling and also offered conveniences for Lai’s company. Between November 1994 and August 1995, Li and his mistress accepted large bribes from smuggler Liang Yaohua, helped Liang establish the Xinyinghao Development Co., Ltd. in Guangzhou, and interfered in the public security organizations’ investigation of that company’s smuggling. He also accepted large bribes and cash in the form of gifts from other people.

On November 12, 2001, Beijing Higher People’s court announced the final adjudication of Li Jizhou’s case involving bribery and neglect of duty, imposing death penalty with a two-year reprieve on Li, depriving him of political rights for life, and confiscating all his personal property.

Between April 1993and December 1996, Mu Suixin was Director of the Department of Construction of Liaoning Province, and then Vice Governor of Liaoning Province. Then between January 1997 and December 2000, he became Deputy Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Mayor of Shenyang. During this period, Mu illicitly obtained material benefits by accepting bribes worth 5.148 million yuan, including 3.32 million yuan in valuables.

On November 13, 2001, the Higher People’s Court of Liaoning Province approved of sentencing Mu to death with a two-year reprieve.

Anti-Corruption Attracts Public Attention

The corruption of high-ranking officials of the Party and administrative organizations has roused the indignation and attention of the public.

The TV serial, Black Hole, recently broadcast on many TV stations, stirred strong reactions among the public. The Black Hole is said to have disclosed, to a certain extent, the corruption of high-ranking officials: A criminal clique in a city offers bribes to lure officials of the Party, government, customs, and public security organizations, and under their umbrella, rampantly smuggles and trades the smuggled goods, and commits murders and robberies. While cracking down on this criminal clique, public security organizations faced interference from various aspects. Consequently, they paid a high price for eventually eliminating this criminal clique.

A public survey conducted last year by the Center for Monitoring China’s Economic Prosperity under the State Statistics Bureau showed that the Chinese public is very concerned about anti-corruption reports, and thinks China has a long way to go in its fight against corruption.

When asked about China’s progress in building a clean and honest government, 31.2 percent of the respondents said the country had made considerable progress; 33.6 percent said it had made average progress; while 35.2 percent said the progress was not enough.

The survey also indicated that the public hope the government could gradually establish systems and institutions to eliminate corruption and severely punish corrupt officials, to ensure healthy social development.

Legal Support Is Crucial for Eliminating Corruption

• Criminal Law Amendment Suggested.

The People’s Daily recently carried a signed article suggesting the amendment of the provision in the Criminal Law concerning the charge for owning a large amount of property of unexplained sources. Provision One, Article 395 of the Criminal Law stipulates that, “If the property or expenses of government employees considerably exceed their legitimate income, they may be ordered to clarify the sources. If they fail to prove the legitimacy of the sources, the difference will be treated as illegal, and their property will be confiscated. The persons involved will be imprisoned or placed under detention for forced labor for a maximum period of five years.”

This provision defines the charge of owning large amounts of property of unexplained sources. In the past 13 years since its stipulation, it has played an important role in cracking down on embezzlement and punishing corrupt officials. However, due to the change of situation in the past two years, this provision is no longer a sufficient means to fight corruption.

• Experience Should Be Drawn from Various Aspects.

In April 2001, relevant departments held a symposium in Beijing on drawing upon experiences of the U.S. to build an honest government. After the symposium, the Chinese press interviewed Morton Rosenberg, a specialist in American public law in the American Law Division of the Congressional Research Service of the U.S. Library of Congress and a long-time consultant for the U.S. Congress.

Since combating corruption is not an isolated issue confined to one nation, we should draw upon the experiences of each other, said Rosenberg.

He added that the U.S. Congress adopted the Freedom of Information Act in 1996 and the Government-in-the-Sunshine Law I 1976, which gave citizens maximum information and the government minimum privacy.

Rosenberg said he noticed that the amended Criminal Law of China comprises the charge of owning a large amount of property from unexplained sources, which draws upon relevant principles of the U.S., and that this indicates good prospects of Sino-U.S. cooperation in combating corruption.

(Excerpted from Beijing Review   February 2002)

5.Great Capital: A Solution to the “Agriculture, Countryside and Farmers” Problem

China is a great agricultural country, with a farming population that constitutes two-thirds of its national total. Since reform and opening to the outside world, China’s agricultural production has developed rapidly. The total agricultural production for 2000 was 3.3 times that of 1978, and the average annual growth rate was the highest worldwide. Since the late 1990s, however, farmers’ incomes have stagnated, and have in some areas dropped by sizable margins. The gap in income between urban and rural inhabitants has thus widened. In addition, owing to historical and other factors, agriculture does not have a rational structure, and development in urban and rural areas is disproportionate, in favor of the farmer. The “agriculture, countryside and farmers” problem is currently a nationwide point of focus. In Premier Zhu Rongji’s report on government work delivered at he NPC session earlier this year, it was listed the second most important task. China’s entry into the WTO has, moreover, brought great pressure to bear on China’s agriculture. Resolution of the onerous “agriculture, countryside and farmers” issue is, therefore, imperative.

One possible solution to this problem would be to invest “great capital,” meaning capital a large scale in great amounts, in agriculture, and in promoting its industrialization.

China’s rural areas have an abundant labor force but land resources appear to be scarce. Owing to limited investment by individual farm households, and to system-oriented restrictions over along period of time, the market value of land is low, and distribution of land resources is irrational. Among the three basic factors of land, labor force and capital, therefore, only capital is scarce. Introducing great capital could make a significant change. First, great capital could bring about a scale effect and scale economy. The output-linked contract responsibility system greatly aroused the initiative of farmers in production, and promoted the rapid development of China’s agriculture. But in recent years, the shortcomings of scattered operations have gradually emerged. Individual farm households are not able to obtain market information, resulting in “blind” growing. This is one of the main reasons why farmers’ incomes have stagnated.

The introduction of great capital could concentrate scattered farmland, allowing rural dwellers to be employed in two-tier operations. This would optimize management through unified planning, and scale effect in production could be realized. Also, the introduction of great capital would facilitate the affordable introduction of advanced science and technology to agriculture, thereby further developing agricultural resources, building a huge market network, avoiding market risks, and increasing profit potential. The introduction of great capital may, in addition, help to accelerate the urbanization process. Enterprises could improve their investment environment (such as communications, farmland transformation, and other service facilities), and absorb the surplus labor force through in-depth processing of farm products, so as to alleviate the conundrum of “large population but little land.”

The state of industrialization of agriculture through introducing great capital is, however, less than satisfactory. Existing cooperation is still on a small scale, and distribution is narrow in scope, especially in the central and western areas. Yet the unique geographical environment of the central and western areas provides unique conditions for developing agriculture with local characteristics. For instance, these areas have great potential for further development in planting, forestry and animal husbandry, and provide many opportunities. Through participating in agricultural development with local characteristics, enterprises could also play an important role in promoting development in the central and western areas. They could increase local farmers’ incomes, which would narrow the gaps between urban and rural areas, and between the western regions and the more developed eastern areas.

In recent years, the Chinese government has intensified its efforts to support agricultural development. One important aspect of this drive has been to increase investment in agriculture and infrastructure in rural areas, aiming to improve conditions of production and widen the scope of means to a livelihood, and also to protect the ecological environment. Development of science and technology and talent is also a major priority. These measures are aimed at creating a better environment for investment in agriculture. Meanwhile, the Chinese government, while actively encouraging investment of domestic private capital in agriculture, has also worked out preferential policies to attract overseas investment. It is hoped that overseas investors will participate in “transforming traditional agriculture, developing modern agriculture, and promoting the industrialization of agriculture.”

Since China’s entry into the WTO, its agricultural sector has opened wider to the outside world. The expanding market means that China’s agriculture abounds with investment opportunities. There is reason to believe that agricultural profits and government encouragement will draw large amounts of capital into agriculture, and that the “agriculture, countryside and farmers” problem will be solved in “win-win” mode.

(Excerpted from China Today   July 2002)

6.All-Round Fight Against Terrorism

After the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Chinese Government has reiterated on many occasions that it has always been opposed to all forms of terrorism. The nation has since intensified anti-terrorist efforts and actively participated in the global anti-terrorist campaign.

International Cooperation

China has contributed greatly to international anti-terrorist cooperation, sources with China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Before the September 11 incident, it has acceded to or signed the majority of international anti-terrorist conventions, including the International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings and the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism. It also voted for a series of related resolutions adopted by the UN General Assembly and the Security Council, and carried out dynamic anti-terrorist negotiations and dialogues with concerned countries.

When he learned of the September 11 terrorist attacks, Chinese President Jiang Zemin immediately conveyed a message to U.S. President George W. Bush, condemning the terrorist attacks and expressing sympathy for the victims. Since then, China has actively participated in international negotiations over anti-terrorist issues, and offered explicit support for the U.S.-led military operations directed against terrorist forces in Afghanistan.

After the war started, China enhanced its military precautions along the Sino-Afghan border and shared intelligences with the U.S. side, in efforts to prevent and suppress remnants of the Al Qaeda networks bound for China. Meanwhile, it energetically in the fields of combating terrorism, as well as investigating and arresting international terrorists, via Interpol.

Vice Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing also revealed that the Chinese Government has extended support and assistance to the U.s. combat against terrorism in the fields of diplomacy, intelligence, finance and law enforcement, and both sides have established a mechanism for middle- and long-term exchange and cooperation.

Anti-Terrorist Measures

On June 15, 2001, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan founded the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and adopted the Shanghai Convention on Combating Terrorism, Separatism and Extremism, vowing to strengthen multilateral cooperation and jointly combat these three evil forces.

adjective joint → jointly

involving two or more people together 联合的；共同的

a joint account (= a bank account in the name of more than one person, for example a husband and wife)
联名账户
The report was a joint effort (= we worked on it together).
这个报告是大家共同努力的成果。
They finished in joint first place.
他们获得并列第一。
They were joint owners of the house (= they owned it together).
他们共同拥有这栋房子。

The tasks have become increasingly urgent given the September 11 event. While hastening the establishment of a regional anti-terrorist agency in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan, shanghai Cooperation Organization members enhanced their collaboration in suppressing the “East Turkistan” separatists, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan and Chechen-based terrorist forces.

The “East Turkistan” terrorists are active both inside and outside Chinese territory, with the aim of splitting China. They are closely connected with international terrorist forces. They have the support of Osama bin Laden, ranging from financial and material aid to terrorist training, and constitute an important part of his terrorist forces. Many of them have received training I Al Qaeda networks’ camps in Afghanistan, and were then secretly sent back to China to carry out terrorist activities. Since the early 1990s, the “East Turkistan” terrorist forces have been responsible for more than 200 terrorist incidents in China.

On June 29, two “East Turkestan” gunmen killed Wang Jianping, consul at the Chinese Embassy to Kyrgyzstan, and his driver in the center of Bishkek. The terrorist forces even warned the Chinese Government not to arrest its members, not to extradite Taliban prisoners of Uygur origin from the United States and not to exploit petroleum and gas resources in Xinjiang. Otherwise, it threatened, similar incidents would happen in Beijing’s central regions.

The establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization set the diplomatic and legal base for the joint anti-terrorist actions between China, Russia and the Central Asian nations, announced Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan.

Legal Support

The Standing Committee of the Ninth National People’s Congress adopted the Third Amendment to the Criminal Law last December, intensifying the crackdown on terrorist forces in China.

The amendment gave detailed explanations of the criminal responsibility of a variety of terrorist activities, including spreading poisonous, radioactive or contagious material; sponsoring terrorism and executing terrorist activities; manufacturing, trade, transporting, storing, and stealing or robbing, poisonous, radioactive or contagious material; and fabricating threats of explosion, bio-chemical attacks, radiation and other terrorist information, or knowingly disseminating terrorist information of a fabricated nature. It also stipulates that people who organize and direct terrorist activities should be severely punished.

In light of the spirit the amendment, a campaign against separatism, terrorism and extremism was launched in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region beginning this spring.

Professor Wang Jianping said that the adoption to the third Amendment to the Criminal Law is an important measure of China’s top legislature dealing with the current need to combat terrorism.

In addition to the amendment, Wang stated, China’s Civil Aviation Law also contains clear-cut stipulations regarding the hijacking of aircraft and other related terrorist activities, and the NPC Standing Committee has enacted special statutes on some crimes of a terrorist nature.

Considering the menace of terrorism, China has taken a series of strong countermeasures in the administrative, judicial, economic and security fields.

(Excerpted from Beijing Review   September 2002)

7.Tackling Food Safety Problem

People are feeling increasingly threatened by problems of food safety. Incidents of food poisoning caused by microorganisms are on the rise, resulting in frequent poisonings and death. The food safety problem has begun to draw great attention.

Government Efforts

The Chinese Government listed food safety as one of the 12 key scientific and technological projects during the 10th Five-Year Plan (2001-05) period. Together with the Ministry of Health, the State General Administration for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, and the Ministry of agriculture, the Ministry of Science and Technologies concerning food safety, to perfect related technological standards and inspection systems in line with international practice, taking into account existing problems and challenges encountered after China’s WTO accession.

On June, 26 experts from authoritative organizations in China, headed by Lu Liangshu, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Vice President of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences, passed the feasibility study report after heated discussion and careful inspection.

The report involves four aspects: the research of inspection technology and food safety equipment, construction of a monitoring and evaluation system of food safety, accumulation of technological data, and development of control technology in the production and circulation process.

This marked the start of the Food Safety Monitoring System Project, to be completed before 2005 with 150-million-yuan investment.

Report by the media on dangers to food safety, include rice polished by mineral oil, flour mixed with formaldehyde and vegetables with residue chemical fertilizers. Therefore, the Chinese Government is determined to establish a market access system of agricultural products and carry out a program of New Century Action of Pollution-Free Food.

Liu Zhenwei, director of the department of market and economic information of the Ministry of Agriculture, said, “The Ministry of Agriculture will tackle problems concerning fertilizers, prohibited animal medicines and additives to ensure food safety. Production and sale supervision is the major way to control the quality of agricultural products. Prior to the large-scale establishment of this system, it will be piloted in the cities of Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai and Shenzhen.”

Although restrictions will be placed on farmers and distributors, the establishment of the system will be beneficial in the long run. If consumers do not trust food quality, they will not buy them. On the other hand, if they are assured of the quality, the total purchased amount will increase, Liu added.

He also said that the Ministry of Agriculture would soon formulate and revise respective standards on all stages of production so as to develop superior, safe and hygienic agricultural products.

To satisfy urgent market needs, 30 quality inspection centers at the ministerial level were built. Preparation work of establishing quality authenticity centers for livestock products, animal medicine and feed is under way.

A New System

As consumers became aware of the incident of meat that had water injected into it, some enterprises created a brand sale system in the production and marketing of pork. They promised to sell superior pork, not injected with water and safe from disease. Commitments of a series of indicators to microorganism, heavy metal and residue chemical content were made, and quality insurance by the insurance company provided . If they failed, consumers could get compensation. This strongly impacted on the original production and marketing organism of the pork market, from the breeding of pigs to the safety management pattern.

Some noted that the superficially simple and normal market competition of pork production and marketing reflects the different standards and system of food safety.

The Yinxiang Company, which began pork brand sales in April, pointed out that the biggest difference between their pork and others is that they have taken strict measures to ensure quality throughout production to the final sale stage. On the basis of state and local relevant regulations, they formulated strict standards. Pigs are now raised under the supervision of the company, according to contracts signed. The purchase, transportation and sales are also under supervision of the company. Samples are sent to provincial inspection center to be tested each month, and the sale of unqualified samples is prohibited.

Chen Jiaxiang, Associate Professor of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, said that not only epidemic disease but also another 15 aspects, including residue fertilizer and heavy metal, and microorganism content, were included in the pollution-free pork indicators issued by the Ministry of Agriculture. Current market supervision focuses mainly on the prevention of diseased pork and pork with addictives. Given this, the commitment made by the Yinxiang Company is ahead of the times, meeting consumer’s needs.

Some experts also believe that standards are just one aspect of the whole problem. Traditional safety system and management pattern should be changed, considering the present pattern of production and marketing—separate raising centralized slaughter and separate sales.

（Excerpted from Beijing Review   July 2002）

8.China Strives to Catch up with Strong Software Countries

Beginning this year, China used computer testing as a requirement for employing and appraising professional personnel for the first time. Domestically produced WPS Office was selected as one of the software programs used in the test.

The use of domestically produced software in a national test indicates that the Chinese Government is paying more attention to the software industry, and that China’s software quality has improved. However, experts noted that although China’s software industry has initially taken shape, the gap between China and world leading software developers, such as India, has not been obviously narrowed, and some unsatisfying factors, therefore still exist. Related Chinese departments have set a goal for its software production: Catching up with India in two years.

Solution to Deep-Rooted Problem

Li Jian, Director of the Hi-Tech Development and Industrialization Department under the Ministry of Science and Technology, noted that deep-rooted problems in China’s software industry should not be overlooked in its efforts to catch up with advanced countries. Problems include the small scale of the sector and the scattered distribution of producers; less competitiveness of the industry, caused by a shortage of core technology; and market disorder and rampant software piracy.

Li noted that the reasons behind the problems include the lack of study on the development strategy of the software sector, less understanding of the law of development, and a failure in implementing state policies, including supporting software enterprises to list on the stock market and establishing a software venture investment fund.

India is a major software country, and its most successful point lies in its promulgation and accomplishment of a development strategy, based on its national conditions. “We should learn from them,”Li continued.

Li also noted that China is working hard to solve the problems so as to promote the coordinated development of both software and hardware, and stimulate domestic demand. Efforts should be taken step by step, he added.

However, the development of the software industry cannot be separated from that of computers. With its strong capability in computer research and production, China currently ranks fourth in world computer production. In 2000, the output value of China’s information industry exceeded 1,000 billion yuan, 10 times that of India. Experts noted that, unlike India, China would most likely increase the export of computers first, and then promote the export of software.

Owing to its uneven development of software products used in different fields, the related department divided them into groups and proposed corresponding requirement for their software production. Enterprises which produce software in great demand, including that used for education, finance, administration and the processing of information in the Chinese language, are required to expand their production scale. Those that have no advantages in the market, but have a bearing on state interests and are of strategic significance, are allowed to assumed a certain share in production.

Experts suggested that identical treatment should be given to private and state-owned enterprises in the course of developing the software sector. Efforts should be made to enhance the construction of a software park to bring the advantages of integrated forces and large-scale affects of enterprises into full play, and thus create a sound environment for the development of enterprises. This is aimed at turning Chinese software enterprises into famous companies. Like the large firms in India.

Using Copyright Software

Last August, the National Copyright Administration, the State Development Planning Commission, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Information Industry jointly issued a circular, requiring government departments to take lead in using copyright software. It stated that government departments must list the expense involved in purchasing copyright software in their budgets. Those who are involved in copyright infringement via the use of pirated products should assume not only civil liability, but also administrative responsibility. Software sector, which have greatly suffered from the rampant use of pirated products, warmly welcomes this decision.

At the end of 2001,Beijing conducted an overhaul of software used by government departments, and tested the quality of all domestically deed software products. The aim was to choose the best software for government departments, based on the principles of fairness, justness and opening up. A form of bidding was also applied. During this process the government made great investments. As a result, about 27,000 sets of office and antivirus software, developed by seven enterprises and worth 15 million yuan, were selected. A total of 67 governmental institutions now use these software, and this government action has won great social approval.

The huge amount of government purchase has crested a stable market for Chinese software enterprises, and has brought a reshuffle opportunity to the market. Enterprises obtaining orders from the government will gain more capital, and will therefore develop further. However, those dealing with retail and small batches of purchases are likely to face threats. It is estimated that when the government purchase project is implemented, China’s proportion of copyright software in the market will reach 35 percent. Beijing will be bound to forge a tide around the country to buy copyright software. This will create a larger space for the development of the software industry. Government purchase and efforts to protect intellectual property rights will stimulate the growth of software industry. China has currently about 3 million public servants. This means a market of 10 billion yuan when each uses locally produced software. Hence, it is estimated that the next 10 years will be the fastest development period in China’s software industry.

The government’s decision has also stimulated software enterprises to scramble for the market. Since the end of last year, copyright software, priced similar to that of pirated copies, has been put on the market. The products’ fine quality and good performances have attracted many buyers.

Copyright Protection

China’s newly revised Rules on Computer Software Protection came into effect this year. The document has expanded the copyright protection scope to terminal software users. Under the rules, any unit or individual involved in copyright infringement will be punished according to the law. Some will even have to bear personal responsibility for the crime.

Punishing pirated software users by law was included in the original rules promulgated on June 4, 1991, and was therefore not a newly added one. But since too many people used pirated software, they escaped punishment.

Software is different from other technology-based products, as it is quite easy to copy. Therefore, we must severely punish rule violators. As the software sector is based on creativity, intelligence and hi-tech, its development not only needs governmental support in investment, tax and the employment of talented personnel, but also a favourable environment for intellectual protection, Xu said.

The International Software Society estimated that if the ratio of pirated software rate drop盘ed by 6 percent, the sales value of copyright software could increase by 100 percent.

Software Master’s Degree

During the weeklong May Day holidays this year, the 300-seat-auditorum at the Postgraduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was packed every day with people listening to lectures on the software master’s degree examination in early June. In two years, China’s first batch of domestically trained software masters will emerge from this group of people.

The software master’s degree was initiated and approved by the State Council at the end of last year. The Postgraduate Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Peking University and 29 other universities software personnel are currently scattered in a random and uneven structure. First, China has several thousand software companies, but they employ only 250,000 people. Only a few India, enterprises of this scale are numerous.

The Chinese academy of Sciences will show “respect for personality in management” and follow a student-centered education system. To meet market demands, the academy has introduced advanced teaching materials from other countries and invited high-ranking technicians from famous software companies, including Microsoft and Motorola, to discuss course scheduling.

Studies have demonstrated that the two factors for the success of the U.S Silicon Valley are its implementation of stock options and venture investment funds. The software industry, with its typical hi-tech characteristics, needs support in these two aspects. The high-cost and frequent flow of talented software personnel determines the effectiveness of the stock options. Hence, China can experiment in stock options while the practice of the system is in its infancy. The introduction of stock options can play an effective role in providing incentives for talented personnel, and in their retention.

(Excerpted from Beijing Review   June 2002)

9.Changing out life by a finger

In the late 1980s, when mobile phones first appeared on China’s mainland, they were a symbol of statue or wealth, as they were used only by high-ranking staff members at foreign trade related companies, or newly wealthy self-employed individuals. But today, the phenomenon of mobile phones ringing one after another is commonplace in public places of large cities. With more and more people owning mobile phones, they are no longer considered a luxury. They have exerted their influence and even changed some people’s lives.

China now has approximately 161.59 million mobile phones users. One person in 11 owns a mobile phone. China is overtaking the United States as the country with the largest number of mobile phone users. Mobile communication have accounted for 48 percent of China’s total telecommunications business, and have become a major factor in maintaining the successive growth of the country’s telecommunications industry.

Necessities of Life

A survey done in July 2001 showed that more than 40 percent of adults in 10 of China’s large cities own a mobile phone.      

The Horizon Research Co. released a study report on mobile phone consumption and well-received mobile phone brands in 10 Chinese cities, after conducting a survey among 4,000 households in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Wuhan, Nanjing, Shenyang, Xi’an, Zhengzhou and Jinan.

The report says that in these large cities, about 10.5 percent of those who already own a mobile phone and planning to buy a new mobile phone in the coming year, and that about 12.2 percent of those who do not own one, are planning to buy one.

The survey showed that Shanghai ranks first in ownership of mobile phones, reaching 54.5 percent of adults, with 34 percent saying they would buy a new phone or replace an old one in the coming year. This large market has enticed many of mobile phone producers to settle in Shanghai. Nanjing ranks second behind Shanghai, with the two figures hitting 47.9 percent and 31 percent, respectively.

Beijing and Guangzhou have seen a similar phenomenon with one out of very two adults in either city owning a mobile phone, just slightly less than Shanghai. However, the number of mobile phone owners who have bought three of more mobile phone is 10 percent higher in Beijing and Guangzhou that in Shanghai, indicating the longer history of mobile phone in the two cities. This also shows that Beijing and Guangzhou citizens are eager to have the newest products.

The other six cities in the study all vary in their level of mobile phone consumption. Although large cities like Beijing and Shanghai are among the first in the total number of mobile phone users, smaller cities are fueling the growth of mobile phone consumption. In short, the popularization of mobile phones in large cities is an increasing trend, and is playing an increasingly important role in life of the average consumer.

A Fashion Statement

For young people, mobile phones are not only a communication tool, but also a fashion symbol and a necessity in expressing one’s personality. While in the past, people viewed mobile phones merely as a way of communication, or perhaps as a status symbol, people today enjoy the fashion aspects of their mobile phones. Mobile phones will certainly become important to whom daily life will become more and more difficult without them.

Youth always keep abreast of the latest fad. Not long ago, students taking mobile phones with them to school was controversial; now it has become commonplace. A survey showed that about 60 percent of students at Guangzhou’s colleges and universities have a mobile phone. Mai, a student of Zhongshan University, said mobile phones are quite popular among the students. In his class, more than half the students have a mobile phone. This figure is even higher among freshmen and seniors.

The number of high school students using mobile phones is also increasing. In Shenzhen, a student going to school with a mobile phone is no longer new. Teachers say that in the past few years, mobile phones have become very popular among students and this trend is continuing this year. The students tend toward phones that are fashionable and delicate and have multiple functions. The most advanced phones with prices of around 5,000 yuan are common. 

In addition to keeping in touch with their parents, senior university students usually use mobile phones to find a part time job, employment after graduation, or arrange a rendezvous with their sweethearts. Many underachieving high school college students use their mobile phones to chat with their classmates.

Young consumers like to change their mobile phones often, and this is seen as a way to display their personality. Some people have gotten used to judging another person by his or her mobile phone. When purchasing a new phone, they often change the phone’s screen, ring tones, phone pouch and ever the way they hold the phone. The smallest change is likely to be the mark of a shifting fad.

Short Messages

Sending a short message as a new year’s greeting was very popular during this year’s Spring Festival holidays, the largest among China’s traditional festivals. With the click of a button, people could receive a greet number of will-wishing messages. Wu Ping received more than 20 within the first 10 minutes after midnight during Spring Festival. Wu’s husband even received a message from one of his friends in the United States, and joked that making an international call is too expensive and the telephone lines are often busy, so sending a short message is a better idea.

Short messaging is being lauded by an increasing number of people. A survey shows that apart from making calls, Chinese character input and short messaging have become two main functions of mobile phones. Short messaging is increasingly seen as an alternative way to communicating with each other through short message, and the practice surfing the web via one’s mobile phone is increasing. Mobile phones that cannot input Chinese characters are being frowned on and disregarded by customers.

(Excerpted from Beijing Review   June 2002)

III. China’s Economy and Reform

1.Banking on Reform

A position in a state-owned bank was once called the Golden Rice Bowl—a stable, lifelong source of income for many. But today downsizing and layoffs are common occurrences as state banks rush to follow their reform timetables.

“From 1998-2002, the four state-owned commercial banks had closed about 45,000 branches, about 1,800 of which were county-level branches, and laid off 250,000 employees,” Tang Shuangning, Vice Chairman of the China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC), announced on November 11.

abbreviation
The four banks are the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), the Agricultural Bank of China (ABC), the Bank of China (BOC) and the China Construction Bank (CCB).

Tang said that according to the bank reform goals outlined by the CBRC, which caused the “big four” to downsize, “qualified banks will be allowed to reconstruct themselves into state-holding limited companies and those well-prepared are encouraged to issue [initial public offerings] according to the rules of the market.”

Reorganization through downsizing, improving efficiency and seek listing—the four banks seem to have decided the way to realize the goal of reform.

No Bread is Buttered for Life

According to an official with the CCB, presently all of the bank’s staff—from directors of different departments in the head office to tellers in branches at various levels—are facing an “unprecedented” team reshuffle. By the end of August 2003, six heads of departments in the head office were demoted while nine lower officials were promoted. This “capital operation,” or change in employment structure has been piloted in some provincial branches as well, making changes in all areas of the employment system, the salary system and the labor system.

“Unemployment is a danger for incompetent management personnel for now, to say nothing of the average tellers,” the CCB official added. “ Branches which fail to profit might be closed in the near future.”

In recent years, the “big four” banks had created detailed downsizing plans each year, and some plans even stipulated the exact number people to fire in some provincial branches.

Officials from the human resources department of the BOC said most of the closed branches were located in areas densely populated with bank branches and the laid-offs were mostly old and poor-educated.

While downsizing, some banks have also started to sign annual contracts with tellers, and those who fail to meet employment expectations will be dismissed. It seems that the days of the Golden Bowl have come to an end.

Bigger Is Not Necessarily Better

On October 24, the Asian Banker, a Singapore-based magazine, published The Asian Banker 300, ranking the region’s top commercial banks in 2003. BOC ranked 100th, ICBC 157th, and both ABC and CCB ranked 176th.

An analyst with the Asian Banker said the magazine based its ranking methodology of Asia’s Strongest Banks on four major performance criteria including conventional asset size calculation—financial and operational parameters, asset quality and improvement in profit margins and assets vis-à-vis the previous year.

The four state-owned commercial banks have always been China’s major banking sector players. Of the assets totaling 26.5 trillion yuan ($3.2trillion)supervisedbytheCBRC,14.5trillionyuan($1.75 trillion) belongs to them. For the moment, the “big four” share lends to 90 percent of major state-owned enterprises and 75 percent of major government-sponsored construction projects in China.

If only asset size was measured, the four banks would rank in the top 10 Asia-wide. The “strongest banks” ranking, however, reflected their weak performance in the profitability stakes.

The problem is largely due to the fact that state banks are still making low-yielding, policy-directed financing to a number of failing state-owned enterprises.

“These organizations are still registering minuscule returns at a quarter that of share holding banks,” said Li-May Chew. For instance, return on assets for the “big four” were barely 0.14 percent and return on equity 3.2 percent in 2002.

By September 2003, non-performing loans (NPLs) announced for 18.7 percent of China’s total bank lending. NPLs in the “big four”, for example, made up 21.4 percent of the total loans, while the amount in government-run policy banks was 18.1 percent. In joint-stock banks the number shrank a bit more to 8.4 percent.

By comparison, China operations of foreign banks had fewer non-performing loans. City Bank and the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp (HSBC) registered NPL ratio of 2.7 percent and 3 percent, respectively. The massive NPLs weigh on Chinese banks, especially the four state-owned commercial banks, and weaken their competitiveness in the market.

According to the WTO membership commitment made by the Chinese Government, the country will open up the banking sector by 2006, allowing foreign banks to compete with their Chinese counterparts fairly.

The ongoing restructuring of the four state-owned commercial banks is essential to the thorough reform of a bank, said Tang Shuangning.

Looking for a Listing

More attention is being given to the real intent behind the four banks massive downsizing project. They want a public listing.

In May 2000, Zhou Xiaochuan, then Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), proposed in an article published in the leading People’s Daily that state banks be allowed to pursue a listing. This marked the first call from senior Chinese officials for listing for Chinese banks.

Soon after, Dai Xianglong, then Governor of the People’s Bank of China, the central bank, affirmed. “State-owned commercial banks are allowed to restructure themselves into state-holding banks and then we support those qualified to pursue an IPO overseas”.

Since then, public listing has become an important goal for Chinese banks. But bad assets and loans have kept the four state-owned commercial banks out of running, since they cannot meet an important requirement—bad loans should account for no more than 10 percent of a bank’s total lending.

Encouragingly, bad assets and loans of the “big four” had decreased in 2002 and 2003. Industry sources revealed that all the four banks have devised their schedules for listing. CCB, for example, handed in its listing plan to the State Council for approval in February 2003. But the reply did not nod the application and instead asked for more careful preparations. Experts interpreted the reply as meaning that CCB should carry out more serious reforms in teams of corporate governance, operation mechanism, personnel management and other core aspects.

BOC has also been active in listing on the stock market, which is scheduled for 2005. To ensure the objective’s fulfillment, the bank announced in March 2003 to reduce the NPLs to 15 percent of its total lending before the end of 2004, while boosting returns on equity (ROE) to 8 percent, returns on assets (ROA) to 0.7 percent and after-tax profits to 20 billion yuan ($2.42 billion).

Meanwhile, the other two of the “big four” banks are more prudent with their listing plans. ICBC allegedly has decided to aim for a listing between 2006-07. ABC, however, stressed only to spare no efforts to reduce its bad assets and loans. Experts believed ABC’s undecided listing timetable is mainly due to its comparatively worse assets conditions.

Liu Mingkang, Chairman of CBRC, stressed that there is no uniform roadmap and timetable for Chinese banks’ IPOs.

“Experience tells us that they need the help of intermediate agencies to fulfill the requirements necessary to list,” he added.

(Beijing Review   January 8 2004)

2.Consumer Empowerment

You have had a pay increase and you are busy trying to decide how to spend all that extra cash. What will you do with your newfound wealth? Go surfing or skiing? Or how about splashing out on a bigger apartment or that fancy cell phone you have had your eye on?

More and more people are beginning to own more than one apartment. In a typical case, a young couple would have a small apartment in the city proper and a villa-style one in the suburbs for weekend events. Housing has become a leading item of consumption for Chinese individuals, who find themselves supported with more and more mortgage loans.

When one look at hot spots for consumption in 2004, housing stands out. According to Liu Zhifeng, Vice Minister of Construction, the average per-capita living space of urban residents is 22.8 square meters, and that of rural people is 26 square meters.

The government plans to increase the per-capita living space for urban residents to32 square meters by 2020. It means that China should build a staggering 14 billion square meters of living space from 2003 to 2020.

In the breakdown, 280 million square meters will satisfy the need of residents to expand their living space; 260 million square meters will be for new emigrants into cities; and about 11 billion square meters need to be renovated.

If depreciation takes 50 years, 220 million square meters of living space will have to be built every year.

Investment in commercial housing is 564.7 billion yuan ($68billion)inthefirst11monthsof2003,up27.5percentoverthesameperiodin2002.Theaveragesalepricewas2,456yuan($296) per square meter, up 4.8 percent. But prices in Zhejiang Province, Shanghai and Chongqing all surged by more than 10 percent.

However, the government has sounded the alarm that the idle space is growing. So far about 100 million square meters finished apartments nationwide lie idle. Of this, 42 million square meters have been idle for more than one year.

Many people are spending more on health, especially after SARS. There are no uniform national statistics about spending on health, but some local figures may help create a basic picture. Based on Horizon’s survey of five cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Chengdu and Guangzhou), a Beijinger spends about 1,000 yuan ($120)ayearinthegym.Takingintoconsiderationthecity’spopulationof13million,Beijing’shealthmarketcouldbeworth10.5billionyuan($1.26 billion) a year.

Telecommunications is another hot area of consumption. Statistics from the Ministry of Information Industry shows that the number of mobile phone users increased by 28.5 million to reach 234 million in the first half of 2003, up 32.9 percent over the same period in 2002.

Fixed telephone users increased by 23.4 million, or 19.6 percent, to reach 238 million. In the breakdown, urban users increased by 15.2 million to reach 151 million, and rural users increased by 8.17 million to reach 87 million.

Mobile phones contributed 48.8 percent to the country’s overall telecommunications revenue, while fixed phone (local call service) contributed 31.9 percent.

What else is money being spent on? An analysis of government statistics and experts opinions point the way to cars, travel and insurance.

According to a report by the World Tourism and Travel Council, Chinese individuals will spend 610.8 billion yuan ($73.6billion)ontravelin2004,[[accountsfor|accountingfor]]10percentofthecountry’stotalindividualconsumerspending.Inthemeantime,58.4billionyuan(7.03billion)willbespentoncommercialtravel,up10.9percentover2003.TheAmericanExpressisevenmoreoptimistictothepotentialofcommercialtravel.Itfindsthat53percentoftheChinesepeoplesurveyedsaytheywilltraveloncommercialpurposesin2004.TheAmericanExpressestimatesChina’sannualspendingoncommercialtravelat$10.3 billion, making up 17 percent of the Asian market.

A national survey by the China Center for Economic Monitoring finds that more than 60 percent of Chinese people plan to travel outside China in the next one or two years.

Information from the China Association of Automotive Industry shows that 1.5 million cars were sold in the first 10 months of 2003, up 68 percent over the same period the year before. This surpassed the total number of cars sold in 2002, which was 1.08 million. The association expects the total car sales by the end of 2003 to hit 1.9 million.

The Central Government had expected China’s demand for cars to be at about 1.2 million in 2005. Obviously this goal has been met ahead of time. All major car producers in China registered a double-digit growth in sales. For example, Tianjin Xiali saw its sales in the first 10 months 0f 2003 up by 93 percent over the same period in 2002, while Shanghai GM’s sales grew by 71 percent.

The insurance industry looks promising, too, as evidenced by the enthusiasm of the global investors for the shares of China Life, which went public in New York and Hong Kong in the middle of December of 2003. Statistics from the China Insurance Regulatory Commission shows a whopping increase in the revenues of insurance companies in the past few years. For example, all the insurance companies’ revenue in October 2003 was 32.2 billion yuan ($3.89billion),comparedwith24.8billionyuan($3 billion) in October 2002. In the breakdown, revenue from health insurance saw the biggest jump, from 9.4 billion yuan ($1.13billion)inOctober2002to20.2billionyuan($2.42 billion) in October 2003.

The result conforms to the findings of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) that medical care is the number one item of spending for urban residents in the first half of 2003. Yao Jingyuan, Spokesman for the NBS, says that investment contributed 4.3 percentage points to the GDP growth rate of 8 percent in 2002, while consumption contributed 3.4 percentage points and exports 0.3 percentage points.

Having reviewed a number of hot spots of consumption, it is necessary to point out that consumption has yet to become a powerful engine of Chinese economy. Chen Dehua, a professor of economics from Peking University, says consumption cannot power the economy if the country’s wealth gap continues to widen.

Figures speak volumes. In the first nine months of 2003, investment contributed 64 percent of the national economics growth, while consumption contributed only 35 percent. In Chen’s opinion, the vast majority of Chinese consumers have a low income, who would, but not necessarily could, afford to spend a lot.                                      

 (Beijing Review   January 1 2004)

3.China’s Roadmap to Sustainable Development

After a decade of work, sustainable development strategies have been applied in various sectors in China. This has allowed economics development to progress in harmony with the nation’s resources and environment.

Over the last five years, China has spent 580 billion yuan ($70.05 billion) on environmental protection and environmental conservation. The volume of discharge of major pollutants nationwide has so been reduced by 10 percent. Meanwhile, 502.7 hectares of hillside and about 2.16 million hectares of cultivated land were reforested. All these efforts have laid a more solid foundation for urban sustainable development.

One of the Chinese Government’s goals is to increase the rate of urbanization, with an aim to promote sustainable development through urbanization. The country’s urbanization level rose from 26.4 percent in 1990 to 37.7 percent in 2001.

China also made more investments in public facilities over the last five years. Last year, China’s average daily water supply increased 8.18 million cubic meters, and the natural gas storage capacity grew 2.8 million cubic meters. Newly built city roads extended 6,859 km, daily urban sewage disposal capacity rose 7.07 million cubic meters and the daily disposal capacity of urban consumer garbage increased 14,388 tons. In addition, as an important part of the nation’s sustainable development strategy, the greening area coverage in Chinese cities has increased from 21 percent a decade ago to 30 percent at present.

Cooperation With Other Asian Countries

Chinese Ministry of Construction (MOC) holds an annual consulting program with its Japanese counterpart, covering topics like urban landscaping, sewage treatment and city road works. China is now ready to launch an urban intelligence transportation system (ITS). A Japanese Government program to give capital and technological aid to developing countries is being negotiated.

China also cooperates with the Republic of Korea (ROK), and is preparing to send sewage treatment personnel to the ROK for further training.

The Urban Sewage Charge and Management, a technological aid program provided by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for China, was launched in May 2002. The total investment stood at $870,000,with$695,000 from ADB and $175,000 from China.

The UN-Habitat, the United Nations agency responsible for promoting sustainable urbanization, and MOC had talks on China’s participation in the Water for Asian Cities Program

According to the Millennium Development Goal, by 2015, the proportion of people without safe drinking water and basic sanitation would be halved. To meet this goal, an addition 1.5 billion people in Asia should be provided with adequate sanitation and an addition 980 million people should have access to the safe drinking water.

With more sustainable development work happening between China and other Asian countries, there should be more cooperation programs. And as economic and trade activities increase, inter-government cooperation should be strengthened.

The MOC issued a circular in late 2002 that said the urban public facility market should be opened, including investment, management and operations. This would allow more domestic and overseas capital into the market. The introduction of more capital, technology and management expertise will be sure to promote sustainable development in Chinese cities.

To achieve sustainable development in Asia, a fair international economic order, as well as a new trade system, is needed. Developed countries should fully understand the difficulties, including capital shortage and debt, faced by developing countries, and should erase trade protection measures. Furthermore, developing countries should participate more in international cooperation and competition, so as to improve sustainable development.

Key Points for Sustainable Development in China

◆ Water treatment. Based on its experiences in treating polluted water from the Huaihe River—mainly in Anhui Province, China has started water treatment projects along the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, the Three Georges Reservoir, the middle reaches of the Yellow River and the Songhuajiang River in Heilongjiang Province.

All cities are required to build sewage treatment facilities. By 2005, the nation’s urban sewage treatment rate is expected to reach 45 percent, and newly added capacity of daily garbage treatment to reach 150,000 tons. Fees will be charged for sewage and garbage treatment.

◆ Air pollution control. Urban air pollution control projects will be implemented in heavy industrial and residential areas. In 2005, sulphur dioxide discharge should be reduced by 20 percent from that measured in 2000.

◆ Scientific planning. In China, the function and scales of all cities should be determined through scientific and rational planning. Urban population should be controlled in an effort to improve the population’s quality.

◆ Investment in public facilities. An urban construction investment system, mainly funded by financial revenue and augmented through other channels, should be created. Prices for public utilities, such as water, gas and heating supply, mass transportation and sewage treatment, should be adjusted to or should approach a profitable level.

◆ Subsidiary facilities. China should step up its efforts to build sewage treatment and drainage subsidiary facilities. Sewage treatment capacity should be improved and its commercial and industrialization process be promoted.

◆ Public transportation. Public transportation should dominate urban transportation. The nation’s largest cities should make plans to build subway and light rail lines, while other big cities should focus on a rapid ground public transportation network.

◆ Gas supply and central heating. The nation needs to take a chance on the West-East Natural Gas Transmission Project and count on the fact that it will be able to strengthen the construction of gas facilities. Central heating should be encouraged while the urban heating system is reformed.

◆ Garbage treatment capacity. The nation should implement a garbage classification and recycling system. It should restrict the over-packaging of commodities and the use of one-time consumer goods. More garbage treatment facilities should be built at a faster rate, equipped with good technology and equipment. There should be a fee for urban garbage treatment, and more attention should be paid to urban natural life.

◆ More housing reform. China needs to build a system for the supply of commercial, economically affordable and low-income residents. Preferential policies should be given to disadvantaged groups.

◆ Social welfare system. The government should provide unemployment benefits to laid-off workers and disabled people that allow them to live above the poverty line. Technical training and career education should also be provided to encourage them to get employment and find new jobs.                                                                                                                                    

(Beijing Review   October 23 2003)

4.Economy Needs A Healthy Environment

No Growth Without Fit Environment

Prior to the mid-1990s, only specialists in China were aware of the relationship between the deteriorating environment and economic growth. Government departments failed to pay enough attention to the ecological issue brought about by economic development. The public also had no sense of seeing the ecological environment as an essential factor of production. Only in 1998 when flood disasters occurred in the Yangtze River Valley, did top government officials have a stronger sense of the need for ecological protection. Thereafter, policies concerning environmental protection were formulated, such as restoring cultivated land to forests and grassland. However, the degree of the ecological deterioration is far beyond that of the Yangtze River flood.

The rapid growth of the Chinese economy is facing a “new structural crisis” that is highly short of ecological resources and essential factors for production. Taking exports for example, the price of Chinese-made commodities is very low in international markets, but the low price, to a great extent, is at the cost of sacrificing the environment. Under the current ecological situation, further economic growth must be oriented toward large-scale “production” of essential factors to protect the ecological environment. This means that we must make up for the huge damage caused to the environment in the past several decades, and eliminate economic bubbles caused by its overuse.

Protection of the ecological environment needs large-scale investment, but such investment can produce little benefits under the current economic structure. Therefore, enterprises have no motivation for making investment in this area, and it has to rely on the government. However, the government is also short of money. The gravity of the problem lies in the fact that many Chinese people have not realized just what serious damage has been done to the ecological environment.

Cycle Economy

In regard to technology, the serious ecological problem stems from three aspects: The fast growth of resources consumption; low efficiency of resources utilization; and low rate of resource recycle.

In regard to resource consumption, China’s growth rate of consumption is surprising. For example, the country’s steel consumption in1983 was 30 million tons, but soared to 250 million tons in 2003, up eight-fold in 20 years, or accounting for 40 percent of the world’s total consumption volume. The cement consumption is about 800 million tons, a rise of eight-fold over 1983, or making up 50 percent of the world’s total. Power consumption has exceeded Japan, ranking second in the world to the United States. The future sees China’s industrial structure remaining in a stage with heavy and chemical industries as the mainstay, and high energy consuming and high polluting industries continuing to dominate.

In regard to the efficiency of resources utilization, China is still in an extensive growth period. For instance, there is a great gap between China and developed countries in terms of energy utilization per unit of GDP, China stands at a level of 11.5, as compared with 1 of Japan, 1.33 of Italy, 1.5 of France and Germany, 2.17 of Britain, 2.67 of the United States and 3.5 of the Canada.

In terms of regeneration of resources, the reutilization rate of resources in China is far lower than developed countries. For example, the recycling use rate of water resources is over 50 percent lower than that of developed countries. The utilization rate of resources for recycling is also universally low and despite the environmental pollution caused by great numbers of used vehicle tires, brought on by the emerging auto industry, the recycling rate is only about 10 percent far lower than that of developed countries.

Therefore, China must energetically raise its resource utilization rate for economic development, improve the recycling of resources, stress reprocessing and use of waste products, so as to realize rapid growth of its economy while not increasing or even reducing the consumption of primitive resources, not increasing or even reducing pollutant discharge and not damaging or even restoring the environment. These are the technical features of a cycle economy.

No doubt developing a cycle economy is a fundamental way to solve the contradiction between rapid economic growth and the increasingly deteriorated environment. It is the only logical way to eliminate the ecological bubbles and new structural crisis in the economic growth.

Micro-Mechanism

The deteriorating environment has aroused the concern of the Party and the government. At the Assembly of the Global Environment Facility held in 2002, former president Jiang Zemin said that only when China institutes a cycle economy, which stresses efficient use of resources and protection of environment, can it realize sustainable development. At a central working forum on population, resources and environment held in 2003, Party General Secretary Hu Jintao called for efforts to step up the shifting of economic growth patterns, through applying the concept of a cycle economy in regional development. Hu said this should apply in the construction of cities and towns, as well as activities of production. Since 2000, China has established ecological pilot provinces, including Hainan, and one cycle economy experiment province. Currently Shaanxi, Anhui and some other provinces are also drawing up their plans for a cycle economy.

There is, however, a sharp contradiction between the activities of ecological protection and economic development, mainly demonstrated in the following two aspects: First, some enterprises and localities are pursuing economic profits at the cost of environment without paying a cent. Second, benefits of a cycle economy cannot be gained in a short term under the current economic structure. The two problems show that ecological environment bubbles and new structure crisis are in fact a product of the economic system.

With no obligation to develop a cycle economy and enjoy the overall benefits it brings, enterprises clearly need to be guided in this respect by the government, which should take the lead in ensuring sound ecological environmental protection.

（Beijing Review   March 11 2004）

5.China’s Torch Program: 15 Years Of Hi-Tech Success

“China’s new and high technology industries have developed very rapidly in recent years, laying a foundation for cooperation and exchange with the outside world,” said Minister of Science and Technology Xu Guanhua at a press conference held by the Information Office of the State Council on September 16.

The China Torch Program (CTP) is a guiding program designed to develop new and high technology industries in China. In the 1980s, the new technology revolution swept across the world. In 1988, the Chinese Government made a strategic decision to “develop high technology and realize industrialization.” The CTP was approved by the State Council in August 1988, and China began to develop its new and high technology industries.

This program has been viewed as one important component in the national strategy to “revitalize the country through science and education,” in line with the general policy reform and opening up to the outside world and in an attempt to actualize China’s potential and advantages in science and technology. The program promotes commercialization, industrialization and internationalization of new and high technology research results in the context of a market economy.

Statistics show that indices across the board in STIPs increased at an average annual rate of 50 percent over the last 10 years. In 2002, economic growth in STIPs accounted for 22 percent of the national’s total. Beijing Zhongguancun and Shanghai STIPs generated over 100 billion yuan ($12.1billion);andthetotalincomeof11STIPsincludingNanjingandShenzhenexceed40billionyuan($4.83 billion).

In 1995, the CTP began to nurture regional pillar industries and hi-tech specialized industries. The Ministry of Science and Technology, local governments and their science and technology management departments cooperated with each other to establish enterprise clusters. The clusters are technology intensive with distinctive industrial features. They will show how technology can be used in a variety of industries, and support and contribute to local economic growth. Altogether, 39 Torch Program hi-tech industrial bases have been built.

Tongling Electronic Materials Base in Anhui Province is one of Torch Program hi-tech industrial base. In 2002, the output value of the base amounted to 2.1 billion yuan ($254 million), which accounted for 5.8 percent of Tongling City’s GDP. One of its subsidiaries, Tongfeng Co., ranked first in the world in terms of its pillar product, electrical film, which holds over 45 percent of the global market share.

Point to the industrial base’s achievements over the past 15 years, Minister Xu Guanhua said, “The key to developing new and high technology industries is human resource development.” The CTP has also stressed protection of legal rights for employees, encouraging enterprises to set up incentive-based mechanism in order to create enthusiasm among personnel. By the end of 2002, there were over 14,000 PhDs and 80,000 Master’s degree holders working in various science and technology parks, including a large number of young and middle-aged entrepreneurs.

It is one of the necessary missions of CTP to strengthen international cooperation and place China’s new and high technology industries on a path toward globalization. The CTP is looking to develop extensive, equal, mutually beneficial cooperative relations with various countries and regions around the world. Through exchange and cooperation with scientific, technological, financial, industrial and commercial communities abroad, the CTP aims to send China’s new and high technology products onto the international market. Currently, export and import volumes of hi-tech products have exceeded textiles, ranking second in country’s total foreign trade, next only to machinery and electrical products.

In Xu’s opinion, this achievement comes not only from the input of the foreign investment, but also from the rapid export of hi-tech products with Chinese intellectual property rights. From 1999, China began to facilitate the transfer of the technology in order to produce more competitive products in the international market.

China has established science parks in foreign countries, including the United States and Russia, to showcase Chinese hi-tech products and to enable foreign products to have equal access to the Chinese market. “ During this process, China has in line with WTO rules provided equal opportunities for hi-tech enterprises both at home and abroad,” Xu added.

(Beijing Review   October 9 2003)

New Words and Expressions

revitalize v. 使恢复生机；振兴

indices across the board 综合指数

incentive n. 刺激；奖励

facilitate v. 促进；推进

actualize v. 实现

pillar industry 支柱产业

entrepreneur n. 企业家

showcase v. 使显出优点

6.Further SOE Reform

State-owned enterprise (SOE) reform is key to China’s economic restructuring. Now a new state assets regulatory and management system will lead to a significant breakthrough in the reform of SOEs.

The State Council restructuring focuses on the establishment of the State Asset Management Commission (SAMC), said participants in the first sessions of 10th National People’s Congress and the 10th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. This is an important move by the Central Government to speed up reform of the state assets management system.

The reform of the state assets management system has entered on implementation phase, since the 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) proposed the task of deepening the reform of the state assets management system, and this year’s Central Economic Working Conference defined SOE and state assets management reforms as priorities in the four major reforms.

This round of SOE reform will witness two breakthroughs, symbolized by the establishment of SAMC. One breakthrough is that State assets will be withdrawn from competitive industries and only remain in a few monopoly industries that have a great influence on national economy. The other is that the original state assets management system featuring state ownership and management at different levels, which has been in place for over 20 years, will be transferred to a system featuring State ownership and property rights at different levels.

SAMC will merge functions of SOE management, originally carried out by several ministries, and establish a new state assets management system, thus integrating rights with obligations and duties, and combining the administration of assets, personnel and other affairs and changing the multi-channel management system into one channel. SAMC will become the only institution managing state assets, controlling and developing hundreds or even thousands of companies and groups with international competitive strength. This marks the depths of SOE reform.

Inevitable Change

Since the early 1980s, the Chinese Government has carried out SOE reform, from practicing contract system in SOEs to enhancing efficiency by laying off redundant SOEs’ employees and establishing corporate governance and a modern corporate system. Unfortunately, these measures failed to effectively resolve the fundamental problems besetting SOEs.

The original state assets management system has been plagued by several problems. The Central Government, as the sole representative of state assets, finds it hard to carry out its duties and take all-round responsibility for state assets, as many departments and agencies share administration and management. Under such a system, the State Development Planning Commission takes charge of authorizing SOEs’ projects, the State Economic and Trade Commission administers SOEs’ operation, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security regulates wages and welfare, and personnel departments and working communities of large enterprises appoint and remove SOE managers. Another problem is that SOE owners are not in place. Also, functions of enterprises have not been separated from government in some areas. The intervention of local governments in SOE operation has made SOEs incapable of making decisions by themselves or assuming sole responsibility for their profits and losses.

Extensive and In-depth

According to the requirements proposed in the report of the 16th CPC National Congress, the reform of the state assets management system should give full play to the initiative of both central and local authorities, on the precondition of upholding state ownership. The state should make laws and regulation and establish a state assets management system under which the Central Government and local government undertake the responsibilities of investors on behalf of the state, having equities, combining rights with obligations and duties, and administering assets, personnel and other affairs. As the Central Government will establish the SAMC, provincial authorities will correspondingly set up state assets management bodies. The reform will focus on the following aspects:

First, under the reform system, the Central Government and local authorities will assume the responsibilities of investors on behalf of the state with equities. This differs the original policy whereby the State Council exercised the function of the state asset ownership and the local authorities only had management rights, diversifying investment entry and forming a regulated corporate governance structure.

 Second, the new system combines the administration of assets, personnel and other affairs and balances rights, duties and obligations. For many years, the administration has been divided and varied departments could claim the ownership of state assets and issue orders to SOEs, but shifted responsibilities onto others when problems arose. The new system will clarify responsible departments and thus help preserve and add value to state assets and establish rational incentive and restraint mechanisms.

Third, the Central Government and local authorities will function as investors in the new system. The Central Government represents the state in performing investor functions in large-scale SOEs, infrastructure projects and natural resources that have a vital bearing on the lifeline of the national economy and security, while local authority represents the state in performing the functions of investors with regard to other state assets.

Critical Problems

Zhang Wenkui, Deputy Director of the Enterprises Institute under the Development Research Center of the State Council, pointed out that the state assets management reform should not evade the following critical problems:

Firstly, with numerous SOEs and the large amount of assets involved, a reasonable definition of the property right relations between the Central Government and local authorities is fundamental for the state assets management system.

Secondly, the new state assets management bodies will play the role of managers. How then can they exercise their administrative powers without restraining enterprises too much? When SOE investors at present, they should ensure the SOEs’ decision-making power and property. The state should especially consider the possibility that local authorities will intensify their interventions in SOEs once granted the rights of management on behalf of the state, thus leading to a new independence of enterprises on governments.

Thirdly, how will the new state assets management bodies administer enterprises?

Zhang Zhuoyuan, a research fellow at the Institute for Economic Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Science and a leader of the team for drafting the economic report of the 16th CPC National Congress, is a heavyweight figure involved in the design of the state assets management system reform. He said that the state should formulate a law on state assets so as to regulate the state assets management system reform. The State Council is now formulating a regulation concerning state assets management. The establishment of the new state assets management system will be carried out by the central and local governments within the legal framework.

  (Beijing Review   March 20 2003)

New Words and Expressions

asset n. 资产；财产

priority n. 重点；应优先解决的问题

beset v. 困扰；威胁

initiative n. 主动性；积极性

regulatory a. 管理的

enhance v. 提高；增强

plague v. 烦扰

evade v. 回避；避开

7.Buy Cheap, Sell High

Like a giant board game, “managing cities” has become popular among officials of China’s municipal governments in recent years. The leaders treat the city as a kind of special commodity-introducing market and commercial operation to seek the maximum economic and social benefits.

Many cities nationwide have spent lots of time and money on large-scale urban infrastructure projects. However, funds have often come up short, so many local governments take advantage of land — the city’s largest resource.

According to a survey from the Ministry of Land and Resources (MLR), since the 1990s, large areas of land have been sold by some local governments in the name of “managing cities”, to build large-scale residential and commercial buildings, development zones, and even small towns.

In economically developed cities, land markets are in fierce competition. To make huge profits, local officials often get low-price land through planned-economic methods and then sell it on the market at high prices.

According to an MLR survey, land requisition fees in some areas are less than 10 percent of the land cost, and the fees charged for some construction projects remain the same as that of 10 years ago. However, during land transactions, the land prices have become extraordinarily high, for instance, the original market price of a 0.07-hectare property could be 40,000 yuan, but now the price soars to 1 million yuan.

Requisitioning land at a low price and selling it at a high price has become a quick way for local governments to create political achievements and increase fiscal revenue. I n some localities, 35 percent, or even 60 percent of their fiscal revenue comes from land transfer transactions.

It is a sharp contrast. On one hand, local governments gain large amounts of income through the transfer of land-use rights, while on the other, farmers’ compensation fees for requisitioned land are terribly low. Some local governments even retain and embezzle the compensation fees and fail to pay back farmers’ losses. Statistics show that for the past several years, the average annual fees charged on land transfer transaction by local governments exceeded 45 billion yuan, while at the same time the compensation fees paid are 9.17 billion yuan.

“From a short-term of view, large-scale land transfers seem to have boosted economic development, but in the long run, it will be hard to positively propel the local economy through the provisional increase in fiscal revenue,” said Liu Shuying, a research fellow with the Development Research Center of the State Council. “Moreover, it may even result in some problems—for example skyrocketing land costs will increase city operating costs while the over- use of land resources will speed up a recession in the land market.”

Land speculation has paved the way for officials to abuse their power. To obtain properties at low prices, some estate developers collaborate with local officials and make under-the-table land transactions. They gain land use rights before paying for land transfer fees, and then transfer the rights at a high price, thus making huge amounts of profits during the process.

In some economically backward areas, competition in the land market is not so fierce. Local governments cannot make huge profits by selling land-use rights, so local officials transfer land at low prices to attract outside investment. Fenyang City of Shanxi Province has already officially announced through documents that the municipal will charge no land-use fees for investors. And the local government of Tangshan City in Hebei Province once openly declared that it would provide land to investors at a price of one yuan per 0.07 hectare of land.

Luring investors through low prices goes against the original idea of land development, but without a sound legal supervision system, fierce competition in the real estate industry has triggered serious problems and led to the loss of state-owned property.

According to Chinese law, land requisition rights can only be obtained through the government, and property can be requisitioned by the state only on condition that the land is for public use. The land administration department is the only functional department allowed to implement land requisition on behalf of the government. The abuse of land requisition has caused chaos in the regard. The rights to state-owned lands were casually transferred in the name of attracting investment or city construction projects without considering whether the investment projects would actually benefit the government.

Surveys on the use of land for various construction projects carried out by 16 provincial (prefectural, municipal) land and resource departments showed that in past 10 years, land requisition conducted by the government not only included infrastructure projects like transportation, energy and water conservancy, but also involved industrial, commercial and real estate projects, as well as projects for schools and enterprises, which accounted for 22 percent and 13 percent respectively of the total requisitioned lands are used for public benefit, with vast areas of land are used for commercial purposes.

Chen Weibang, Chief Planner of the Ministry of Construction, said that the idea that managing cities is the same as running land reflects an unhealthy “get-rich-quick” attitude, which can only result in corruption in the land market.

Chen said that realizing the optimal allocation of land resources, as well as establishing the value of land assets through market economy, will play important roles in alleviating pressures that stem from a lack of urban construction capital. This will also improve cities’ infrastructure construction and facilitate the urbanization process. So, land management is key in city management, ha said. However, running cities does not only depend on managing land, nor does it only mean to transfer land use rights without any limitation. To a large extent, carrying out urban construction by means of transferring land could easily hinder future economic development, Chen said.

So far, actual requisitioned land in China’s coastal cities has already exceeded the planned quota. In some cities, the quota for construction-use land for 2010 was met in 2001. This will no doubt make future city planning and development more difficult.

“ The government should map out land planning with timely control and regulate land utilization and the total quantities in land supply,” Chen said. “ Using land to create so-called political achievements and achieve instant economic results should be banned.”

(Beijing Review   July 31 2003)

New Words and Expressions

a board game 棋盘游戏

requisition n. 征用

compensation n. 补偿

propel v. 推进；驱动

recession n. 衰退；不景气s

peculation n. 投机买卖；投机活动

alleviate v. 减轻；缓和

infrastructure n. 基础设施

transaction n. 交易

embezzle v. 贪污

skyrocket v. （指物价等）飞涨

water conservancy 水利

optimal a. 最佳的；最好的

quota n. 定额；最高限额

8.Medical Insurance Reform

In 1988, the Chinese Government began reforms on the free medical care system for employees in governmental institutions, and a labor protection medical care system for workers in state-owned enterprises. In 1994, the State Council decided to conduct experimental reforms in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, and in Jiujiang, Jiangxi Province. In 1996, the pilot was extended to more than 40 cities, including Xiamen and Chengdu.

The promulgation of Decision of the State Council on Establishing the Basic Medical Insurance System for Urban Employees marked the full implementation of the new medical insurance reform. This is a key policy in China’s medical insurance system, transferring it from a work unit assurance system to a social insurance system, from a social welfare guarantee system to a system of mutual restraint. By March 2002, the new medical insurance system covered 99 percent of China’s urban areas.

Professor Wang Yanzhong, from the Chinese Academy of Social Science, believes the implementation of the medical insurance system is another great success in China’s economic structural reform.

Medical Insurance Reform Is the General Trend of Social Development

The public health service and labor protection medicare was established in the 1950s, increasingly deterring China’s social development. First, government at different levels and work units are encumbered with employees’ medical expenses. Total medical expenses paid by local governments and work units in China increased by 16.2 percent annually, from 27 billion yuan in 1990 to 77.3 billion yuan in 1997. This is beyond their financial capacity. Second, the old system lacked efficient supervision, so wasting money and medicine become a common practice, with some employees over-treated themselves or sharing free medicine with their family members. Third, because of the low level of socialized management and service, employees’ medical treatment differs greatly among industries, work units and enterprises. Many employees cannot enjoy basic medical insurance. In some underdeveloped enterprises, the per-capita annual medical subsidies are around 50 yuan and many employees cannot have their medical expenses reimbursed. Fourth, the old medical system does not cover everyone. Employees of some foreign-funded, joint-stock or private enterprises and individual businesses were not given basic medical insurance.

In view of this situation, Wang said that reform of the medical insurance system is essential. Under the socialist market economy, the government must disintegrate all risks caused by market competition through establishing endowments, medical and unemployment insurance social stability.

Socialization of Medical Insurance

Wang Dongjin, Vice Minister of Labor and Social Security, said, “ We must achieve the following three goals by medical insurance reform. First, welfare guarantee must be changed to social insurance and replace the decentralized management by work units with socialized management, to plan medical insurance funds as a whole. The basic premium must be jointly paid by work units and employees to unify rights and duties. Second, the coverage of the medical insurance should be expanded to all urban residents. Third, medical establishments are encouraged to lower their costs and improve service levels.”

Wang said the new medical insurance system would cover all enterprises, public institutions, social organizations and nongovernmental institutions in Beijing.

Medical establishments must improve to meet the needs of medical reform. The Decision of the State Council on Establishing the Basic Medical Insurance System for Urban Employees states that employees who have medical insurance also have the right to choose their own hospitals and doctors. Hospitals will have to reform their structure, lower medical costs and improve their service to vie for patients.

Lightening the State’s Fiscal Burden

“The implementation of the medical insurance system can help the Beijing Municipal Government reduce its annual expense by several billion yuan,” said Zhang Dafa, Director of the Insurance Department under the Beijing Labor and Social Security Bureau.

Medical expenses in 1998 reached 10.2 billion yuan. After the reform, in 2001, the revenue of basic medical insurance funds was 3.5 billion yuan, barring 2.6 billion yuan on personal accounts, and expenditures was 3.38 billion yuan. The overall surplus was 120 million yuan, greatly lightening the State’s fiscal burden.

Citizens Support Reform

Gao Zhiwei of Beijing No.3 Machine Tool Works joined the basic medical insurance scheme in early 2001. “Now, I do not need to worry whether I can get my medical expenses reimbursed.” With a pile of medical treatment receipts for 1999 and 2000, which must be reimbursed according to agreement. But I cannot get them refunded now. After the medical insurance reform, I need not worry about this problem.” Zhang said medical treatment receipts of Beijingers that cannot be reimbursed total 1 billion yuan.

A survey, conducted by the Beijing Labor and Social Security Bureau in April 2002 among 4.43 million current and retired employees, showed that 83 percent supported the reform. Of those surveyed, 99 percent insisted that local governments should strengthen supervision of medical services, establish a competitive mechanism and market operational system for producing and distributing medicines, so as to achieve the goal of “spending less and enjoying better medical services.”

 (Beijing Review   August 1 2002)

New Words and Expressions

promulgation n. 颁布；宣布；公布

reimburse v. 补偿；报销

premium n. 保险费

bar v. 阻挡；拦住

deter v. 拦住；阻止

disintegrate v. 衰微；瓦解

vie v. 竞争；争夺fiscal burden 财政负担

9.Increasing Farmers’ Income: Key to National Economic Growth

Increasing farmers’ income, a long-standing concern of the Chinese Government, becomes a harder nut to crack under the present new circumstances—China’s WTO entry. China’s agriculture is facing new challenges. Chinese farm produce, low in scientific content, lacks competitive advantages on the international market in terms of price. The entry of the high-quality foreign agriculture products will make it more difficult to raise the price of the domestic products. This will affect the production of the related farm products, which will in return exert an impact on the employment of rural laborers. If those surplus labors are unable to find jobs, farmers will have greater difficulties increasing their income.

Adjusting Economic Structure

Over the past few years, China has made active efforts to explore effective means for structural adjustments in accordance with the requirements of agricultural development in the new era, and achieved results. The Minister of Agriculture Du Qinglin said that in the coming years, the adjustment of the Chinese agricultural structure would give priority to the following four aspects:

Adjusting the mix of the agricultural production and giving full play to regional comparative advantages;

Developing high-quality, special-purpose and pollution-free farm produce and improving the quality of farm produce in an all-round way;

Developing the farm produce processing industry and increasing the added value of farm produce;

Promoting adjustment of rural employment structure and accelerating transfer of rural surplus laborers.

Reducing the Number of Farmers

While Chinese cities are facing increasing unemployment, rural areas have also witnessed a swelling population of surplus farmers. Statistics show that China now has about 150 million surplus rural laborers, a number which will increase by another 6 million annually in the coming years, due to a further reduction in farmlands and improvement of agricultural productivity.

Yang Zhongshu, Standing Committee Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), holds that China, a country with abundant labor resources and insufficient farmland resources, should vigorously develop labor and technology-intensive agricultural products and increase the internal employment capacity of agriculture. He believes this is a rational approach for restructuring agricultural production, as well as the right option for absorbing surplus agricultural manpower.

Of the current Chinese rural laborers, those who are illiterate or semi-illiterate form 16 percent of the total; those who have received primary school education constitute 40 percent; and those who have received vocational education or training make up only 5 percent. The low educational level of the rural labor force is aggravating the excess of rural labors. Export suggest that the supply of the low-quality laborers could be altered through enhanced education and training, thus providing more employment opportunities. They believe this is key to resolving the redundancy of the rural labor force.

Experts also suggest that an employment service system be established, providing a guarantee for the transfer of the rural labor force.

Implementing Tax-for-Fee Reform

Increasing farmers’ income should start with reducing their burdens, said Wu Shuqing, Member of the NPC Financial and Economic Committee.

Records show that the per-capita net income of Chinese farmers increased 12.6 percent annually on average between 1994-99, while various agricultural taxes on them rose 12.7 percent during the same period. Overstaffed town and township government institutions were also basically supported by farmers, which added to the burden of farmers.

Tax-for-fee reform in rural areas is widely considered a policy aimed at fundamentally reducing farmers’ burdens and guaranteeing their income. This on-going reform aims to straighten out various taxes and fees levied on farmers by grassroots government institutions, and abolish irrational fees before introducing a uniform agricultural tax.

At the Second Session of the Ninth NPC held in March 1999, Premier Zhu demanded that relevant departments loses no time in working out and implementing the tax-for-fee reform program in rural areas. The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council jointly issued a circular in April 2000, deciding to carry out experiments with rural tax-for-fee reform in Anhui Province and some counties in other provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities. The experiments were aimed of a regular rural tax/fee system and for fundamental lightening of farmers’ loads.

Premier Zhu has reiterated that while drastically reducing farmers’ burdens during the rural tax-for-fee reform, measures should be taken to ensure necessary expenses for normal work and development of township and villages, especially the outlay for compulsory education in rural areas.

It is reported that tax-for-fee reform, which has been handicapped due to financial difficulties at county and town-ship levels, will be pushed forward in midst of the Central Government’s increase in financial transfer payment. In his report delivered at this year’s NPC session, Finance Minister Xiang Huaicheng said the trial of the reform will be expanded to one-third of China’s provinces, and for this, the central finance will increase 15 billion yuan in special transfer payments.

(Beijing Review   April 18 2002)

New Words and Expressions

surplus labor 剩余劳动力

option n. 选择 

aggravate v. 加剧；加重；恶化 

tax-for-fee 费改税

levy v. 征收；征集

reiterate v. 重申

trial n. 试验

labor-and technology-intensive 劳动与技术密集型的 

semi-illiterate a. 半文盲的

redundancy n. 多余；过多

overstaffed a. 超编的；人浮于事的 

municipality n. 直辖市；自治市

outlay n. 花费；开支

10.  China’s Telecom Industry

突飞猛进的中国电信业

| | |---| |内容 提要|

                                   随着中国加入世界贸易组织，中国的电信业面临着前所未有的机遇和挑战。       中国电信采取了结构重组的措施，以期增强企业的活力和竞争力。

Were it not for the WTO, the year 2001 would have had no special significance for the Chinese economy, which saw no turning point and few new reform measures.

However, 2001 was indeed a special year—one of the suspense amid stability, and all due to the WTO.

Only when the terms for entering the WTO were finally made known did the public come to know exactly “what China will gain and lose.”

Those who try to look beyond to the “post-WTO” era with help of various data, however, forget or intentionally ignore the fact that China’s entry into the WTO was a comprehensive decision, and not one limited to economic factors. If the consequences of China’s entry were to be judged solely according to changes in the market share it occupies, this would have obviated the need for the decade or so China has taken to accomplish this goal. The sounding of the hammer in Doha does not signal the ending, but rather the beginning of the “suspense of entering the WTO.” It will take three or five years to see the exact consequences of this move. Will the WTO prove to be of great advantage to China, or will we be defeated by it? Many Chinese enterprises and trades are faced with this seesaw of the possibility.

Structural Reorganization

The idea that China first began to deal with the challenges posed by the WTO in 2001 is a misconception. Several years previously, certain reform measures had already been taken, particularly within certain major industries, such as agriculture, finance (banking, insurance, securities), the automobile industry, and telecommunications.

The significance of announcing the plan to segment and reorganize China’s communication industry is not, therefore, the ultimate realization of a long-drawn reform. In my opinion, it heralds a whole series of reform plans. These plans have the common characteristic of cultivating vigorous market competition through readjustment within industry, and their purpose is to promote the development of various industries, as well as to help absorb the inevitable economics impact that will occur when overseas firms enter the Chinese market. In the coming years, the terms “segmentation” and “reorganization” will be the most frequently used and closely associated with the “WTO.”

Disappearance of a “Dinosaur”

On December 11, 2001, the first day of China’s entry to the WTO, the plan to segment China Telecom was announced. This was the second plan of its kind since 2000, and even more stringent. It entails China Telecom’s capital and equipment in 10 northern provinces merging with two other Chinese telecommunications enterprises (China Netcom Corporation Ltd., and China Jitong Netcom Corporation Ltd.), to form the China Network Communications Group Company (China Netcom). China Telecom’s southern entities will be reorganized into a new company that will retain the name “China Telecom Group Company.” This means that six powerful communications enterprises (the other four being China Mobile, China Unicom, China Railcom and ChinaSat) will form new competitive matrix, and a large proportion of capital and equipment will be reallocated from the original China Telecom to other telecom enterprises.

The Ministry of the Information Industry is executing the segmentation, and since February, the reorganized companies have begun to appear one by one.

Within this operation, two principles are followed. First, 30 percent of the national long-distance telecommunications network will be reallocated from the original China Telecom to China Netcom. Second, the local telecommunications network in ten northern provinces will also be reallocated from the original China Telecom to China Netcom. The new China Telecom is to retain local networks in 21 provinces in the south and the west.

Segmentation Brings Prosperity

When recalling the changes of the past few years, the determination of the Chinese government to transform the telecommunications industry is plain to see, as are the results it has achieved. In 1998, the segmentation of China Telecom, known as the “dinosaur”, began to be discussed. At that time, this company monopolized almost all telecommunications business, such as fixed and mobile telephones, satellite communications and paging services. Consequently there were frequent complains of poor service and inadequate supplies.

Consumers soon become aware of the benefits of the market competition. They saw the price of mobile and fixed communications, and access to the Internet steadily drops. In 2001, a price war was waged among various enterprises, and the discount telephone cards and telecommunications advertising became a common phenomenon. That year, there were new reports every now and then of certain enterprises criticizing their counterparts for their ruthlessly competitive price-cutting tactics, which was a matter for mediation by the relevant government department, something hitherto unheard of.

Some analysts predict that once the reorganizations enterprises is complete, the prices of various telecommunications service will fall even faster, and in the wake of such reductions, the rate of development in China’s telecommunications industry will redouble.

In the Name of the WTO

In China, it is not only the telecommunications industry that faces a huge impact from the country’s entry into WTO, and neither is it the only industry that is changing.

For a number of years, many economic reform measures have been incorporated into China’s WTO entry. One widely held opinion has been, “Without reform, it is impossible for China to enter into the WTO,” its implication being that reforms have been purely for the purpose of entering the WTO. This is ill conceived. Although China’s entry into the WTO will bring great challenges to the Chinese economy, they can and will be met. In the process of reform and opening over the past two decades, great changes have taken place. Foreign-funded enterprises and the non-public sector each occupy one third of the market share, and the road to market economy is now irreversible. It is therefore evident that these reforms have not merely been for the purpose of entering the WTO.

In recent years, China’s economic reform has deepened, and some sensitive industries, such as finance, telecommunications and core manufacturing, have opened to non-public enterprises and foreign capital. The Chinese economy is now geared to international norms as a matter of necessity. Whether or not China joins the WTO, these economic reforms are essential, but the WTO has nonetheless constituted motivation for them. In order to meet the coming challenges, various sectors have accelerated their pace of reform, and obstacles have been smoothed away.

For example, there was concern in some areas that the splitting of China Telecom would be to its detriment, especially in view of the practice in other countries, where enterprises are being expanded through merger. If not for the WTO entry, this point of view could well have become predominant.

The reality is that China Telecom is a dinosaur, huge but without vitality. Its segmentation will help cultivate the concept of market competition, which in its original state would have been impossible in the international market, as it would have wasted market resources, and obstructed the development of other enterprises.

This is the role the WTO plays. In the years to come, it will be not only the telecommunications industry that enters a new stage, but also, through reform and development, the entire Chinese economy.

(China Today   April 2002)

New Words and Expressions

obviate v. 排除；消除

herald v. 宣布……即将来临

stringent a. 严格的；严厉的 

reallocate v. 重新分配

tactic n. 手段；策略

in the wake of 随……之后到来

detriment n. 损害；伤害

seesaw  n. 一长串的起伏

merge v. 合并 

matrix n. 矩阵   

wage v. 开始；进行（战争，运动） 

mediation n. 调停；调解  

irreversible a. 不可逆转的  [[merger|  

me]]rger n. 合并

11. Non-public Economy Survives Two Decades

The non-public economy has played an important role in China’s economic reforms over the past two decades, bringing about great changes to the economy and society. Since 1982, China has revised its Constitution three times, validating and elevating the status of the non-public sector within its system of a socialist market economy. The development of this sector has, however, been hampered by its failure to achieve status equal to that of its “big brother” public-owned sector, or of policy-favored foreign and Sino-foreign joint-venture enterprises.

Development and Associated Problems

The private economy first emerged in the countryside at the end of the “culture revolution” (1966-1976) as a necessary measure to ease unemployment and inadequate commodity supplies. The family contract responsibility system implemented in rural areas at the early stage of China’s reform generated a sizable increase in rural savings, which were channeled into non-public economic concerns.

Later, this new entities appeared in the cities. They posed a challenge to state-owned enterprises, but also assisted in their reforms by giving employment to laid-off workers. By the end of 2001, the non-public sector (self-employed individuals engaged in industrial and commercial undertakings, and private businesses) generated about 60 percent of China’s GDP and employed 130 million people, becoming China’s second largest employer, next to farming. Statistics further indicate that local per capita income related closely to the development of the sector.

The non-public economy did not, however, have legitimate status, although attitudes towards it began to change after implementation of the reform and opening policy. It was officially recognized in 1982 revision of the Constitution, and constitutional revisions in 1988 and 1999 further enhanced its legal status.

Yet, despite these improvements and its significance as regards output value and a source of employment, the non-public sector is still not given due credit as a major element within the national economy, nor awarded the right to equal competition. According to revisions in the Chinese Constitution stipulations of 1988, a non-public enterprise could register as a self-employed individual only, with unlimited liability, and an employment ceiling of eight workers. These restrictions remained in force until 1998.

Most private businesses are run on a family basis. According to a 1997 investigation jointly conducted by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, 50 percent of the proprietors of 1,947 private businesses in 250 cities over 21 provinces employed their spouses, and more than 20 percent employed their adult off-spring. It was also found that 26 percent of these businesses were managed by the proprietor him/herself, 17 percent by his/her relatives, and five percent by his/her fellow townspeople. Less than half were managed by anyone completely unrelated. In about 50 percent of these businesses, important decision-making was the responsibility of the owner, and only in 15 percent of the cases was decision- making entrusted to a board of directors. Such practices have restricted the development of the private enterprises.

Another problem of private business is that the interests of workers are neglected. Employees, particularly those from the countryside, are generally obliged to work unreasonably long hours, and payment of salaries is often delayed. There is no insurance, pension, or medical entitlement, and living and working conditions are very poor. All these factors spark off frequent labor disputes. According to statistics from Shanghai, the rate of labor disputes within private businesses is higher than in any other type of enterprise. Yet a scarcity of jobs forces workers, mostly farmers and those laid-off by state-owned enterprises, to accept such conditions.

More than 80 percent of private businesses have no labor unions to protect the interests of their workers, and an absence of communication between employers and employees exacerbates matters.

Prospects

One particularly successful aspect of Chinese economic reforms has been implementation of a “two-track” system, where the market economy is fostered in tandem with the planned economy. As from 1993, the planned economy gradually began to gravitate towards the market economy track. The distorted pricing system was rectified, and a more competitive environment began to emerge, as the low efficiency and general losses of the state-owned sector also became painfully apparent.

Reform of state-owned enterprises is clearly essential for China’s economic development. No ideal reform mode has yet been formulated, but when it is, development of the non-public economy will provide vital backup in its provision of alternative employment for the inevitably large numbers of laid-off workers. An enhanced non-public economy is therefore crucial to the smooth implementation of state-owned enterprises reforms.

The success of reforms is also dependent on state-owned enterprises streamlining their efficiency and competitive power by competing with non-public enterprises. On the whole, non-public and state-owned enterprises complement each other, and there should be an inter-flow of human resources, capital and information between them. With state-owned enterprises on a non-competitive basis, surviving solely on government support, and operating with no exchange or reciprocity with the non-public sector, there was no hope of them over being able to operate efficiently and profitably.

It is generally believed that China’s market order will get on track after its WTO entry, and WTO rules and stipulations will undoubtedly have a positive influence on the non-public economy. Certain bilateral and multilateral agreements directly involved non-public enterprises. For example, the agreement between China and United States stipulates that a certain percentage of China’s grain importation must be undertaken by non-public enterprises. The State Development Planning Commission has announced that the areas open to foreign investors also applies to domestic investors. This will provide still more opportunities for non-public enterprises. In the WTO era, the reduction of tariffs will gradually change China’s domestic economic structure, and formerly state monopolized and capital-concentrated trades will be most affected when confronted with strong competition. Most non-public enterprises are, however, engaged in labor-intensive trade, so to them the WTO is a beneficent rather than threatening prospect.

China’s entry into the WTO means that obstacles formerly restricting the non-public sector will gradually dissolve. With adequate labor resources and ready capital, China’s non-public economy has brilliant development prospects.

(China Today   August 2002)

New Words and Expressions

validate _v._使具有法律效力；认可

hamper v. 束缚；妨碍

liability n. 有责任或义务

entitlement n. 有权得到的东西

exacerbate v. 使…恶化；加剧

in tandem 一前一后地

rectify v. 改正；纠正

reciprocity n. 互相让步或互惠

multilateral a. 多边的

monopolize v. 垄断            

bilateral a. 双边的  

elevate v. 将……提到更高的地位

legitimate a. 法定的；合法的

proprietor n. 所有者；业主；老板 

labor dispute 劳动纠纷；劳动争议 

foster v. 培养；鼓励；促进 

gravitate v. 转向 

streamline v. 使效率更高；作用更大   

tariff n. 关税

12.Earnings Gap Needs Bridging

The wealth of China’s rich expands at 15 percent annually, while that of the low-income class at only 4-5% percent. What is needed to close this gap?

In general, income distribution can be divided into three types: small gap, wide gap and large middle. Each of them has advantages and disadvantages.

Small Gap. This is characterized by a small difference between high and low earners. The merit of this type is that people feel equal and do not need to keep up with “the Joneses.” The flaw, however, is that people’s contributions to economic development cannot be clearly demonstrated, thus industrious people cannot be awarded and lazy ones cannot be fired.

Wide Gap. The difference between the high income and the average level of income is quite wide. The number of high-income earners is quite limited, and while a small group of people earns an average income, the majority live in poverty or just have basic food and clothing. Therefore, the per-capita income cannot represent the income level of the majority. The advantage of this type lies in breaking down egalitarianism and encouraging competition, enabling some people to get rich first. But this will widen the gap between the rich and the poor. Most people’s living standard cannot keep pace with the national economic growth, which is harmful to maintain the stability of the society and sustainable economic development.

Large Middle. This type throws up a limited number of both rich and poor, as the majority remain at the middle class level. The gap of income in this type is wider than that of the small gap but smaller than wide gap. Here there is only a small group of people at the bottom level, enabling the government to easily provide relief to them and therefore maintain a stable society. It also encourages competition.

Income Situation in China

Currently China’s per-capita income has reached $800, which is the bottom line of a moderate-income country, and its per-capita GDP reaching the income levels of a medium developed country. But these figures cannot reflect the income level of the majority, due to its wide gap in income distribution as shown by the following data released by the People’s Bank of China.

The richest people, though accounting for only 20 percent of the total population, own 80 percent of the country’s total individual bank savings, while the other 80 percent of the people own the remaining 20 percent bank savings.

At a press conference held during the National People’s Congress in 2003, Premier Wen Jiabao revealed that if the poverty was set at 625 yuan ($75.48)forannualper-capitaincome,thenumberofChina’sruralpoverty-strickenpopulationwouldbe30millionandifthestandardraiseto825yuan($99.64), the poor population would hit 90 million, representing 64 percent of the country’s total. They constitute the bottom of the wide gap diagram—the people with the lowest income in China.

Worse still, the gap of income is widening. The wealth of the 1 million richest citizens of China is expanding at the rate of 15 percent annually, while that of the middle class is increasing at 10 percent, but that of the low-income class at only 4-5 percent.

Given this, efforts should be made to shift China’s income distribution method from the wide gap model to the middle level model. Only in this way, can the country maintain sustainable and rapid economic development. For this purpose, improvements should be made in the following areas:

First, revising China’s macro-economic control system to narrow the gap between the high income earners and the middle level earners to 10-fold from present 12.5 fold, the gap between the middle level and bottom level to two-fold from the current three-fold, and the gap between the high and the bottom level to 20-fold from the present 33-fold. Gini coefficients are used in the world as the benchmark measuring the gap between the rich and the poor. According to the United Nations, the Gini coefficients of 0.2 represent an absolute equality, 0.2-0.3 percent means relative equality, 0.3-0.4 is relatively reasonable, 0.4-0.5 refers to big gap and 0.6 indicates a sharp difference. In international practice, 0.4 is seen the warning level.

Second, implementing a proper income distribution policy. Under the policy, more attention should be paid to tax charged on wealthy income earners. A preferential policy should be developed for those living under the poverty line and those with low-income and wanting to start up a career. This could be in the form of market access, loans and tax, as well as providing technologies, information, and technologies for their self-development. As for middle level income earners, the government should guide them to upgrade their technical skills and instill a competitive edge, with which they can deal with world market challenges and contribute to sustainable development.

Third, establishing a new type of educational system to promote employment. Currently, the wide gap in income is partly attributable to the low employment rate which is the result of people’s old ideology and the unreasonable educational structure. Under the market economic system, job opportunities are created by market order. But people have not given up the old ideology of relying on the government to designate a job to them, which was practiced in China for several decades before its introduction of reform and opening-up policy.

Another reason for the low employment rate is improper structure of the current educational system. In China there are insufficient people who have received higher education, both in urban and rural areas. Those with the educational background of senior middle schools and universities respectively account for only 25 percent and 9 percent of that of the United States. Yet, there is a strange situation in China: It is hard for senior middle school graduates to find a job in the countryside and hard for university graduates to be employed in cities. This phenomenon indicates that the current educational system failed to keep abreast with the development of market economy. Hence, a new system bridging the education sector and market should be set up.

Fourth, establishing a social security system, which covers medical care, the support of the aged, and the aid of the unemployed, disabled and injured. The system is required to conform to the level of national economic development and define the rights and obligations of aid-receiving people, so as to prevent the arbitrary use and waste of the funds ear-market for social security.

Fifth, stepping up the pace of urbanization. China’s current urbanization rate is only 32 percent, far from 80 percent—the goal set by the government. The difference between agricultural and non-agricultural household registrations should be called off to promote the flow of rural laborers. To step up urbanization and agricultural industrialization, efforts should be made in building cities and towns and settlement of the migrant population, which is expected to improve the structure of income.

(Beijing Review   March 18 2004)

New Words and Expressions

keep up with the Jones 要在地位和物质方面比得上周围的人

industrious a. 勤劳的；勤奋的

throw up 使某事物引起注意

coefficient n. 系数

benchmark n. （供比较用的）样板或参照点

attributable a. 可归属或归因于…的

designate v. 给某人（称号，职位，地位）

arbitrary a. 任意的

per-capita income 人均收入

equalitarianism n. 平均主义

keep pace with 并驾齐驱；齐头并进

poverty-stricken a. 贫困的

instill v. 逐步使某人获得

a competitive edge 竞争力

ideology n. 思想；思想意识

keep abreast with 跟上

earmark v. 指定，拨出

13.Housing Reform

Overheated or Not?

We should not blindly describe the real estate sector as being “overheated.” Certainly, an over-optimistic anticipation of property price has led to blind investment in some places. But that is an isolated phenomenon, which does not tell the whole story.

Some would argue that the current supply of houses outweighs the demand, as the country’s idle space has reached 100 million square meters. But can we infer from this figure that the real estate sector is overheated?

Let’s pause and consider. Suppose 20 percent of urban households want to improve their living conditions and each of them expect to enlarge their houses by 20 square meters. With both figures underestimated, there would be 27 million urban households wanting to buy larger houses and 540 million square meters of properties should be available in total.

This calculation is By no means unrealistic. You can feel that the huge demand is real from your daily contacts with friends. Now my question is: Do we have idle space of 540 million square meters?

Suppose further that commodity prices would rise as a resulted overheated investment. But have we witnessed a rise in the prices of bricks, tiles or stones? No. China’s overall price level has just inched up by 0.3 percent. It does not indicate inflation.

Suppose again that an overheated real estate sector has siphoned too much capital from other sectors of the economy. But have we witnessed a shortage of funds in other sectors? No. Have we witnessed a real interest rate higher than the nominal one? No. This is the biggest difference between the real estate today and that in the early 1990s.

Where Does the Money Come From?

China boasts sufficient funds for the development of the real estate sector. The problem is: Who shall bridge the supply and demand, and how?

Banks have traditionally acted as a bridge between those who have money and those who need money. However, banks are typically risk-averse and should not become the major financier for real estate development.

Then who in the world should provide the money needed? The first is the real estate developer itself. It has to use its own capital to start with. The second financier should be large developers, which, either on their own or via banks, issue short- term or mid-term bonds in the open market to raise the money needed. In this way, bondholders share the risks with the developer. The third financier should be banks, which repackage (or securitize) real estate loans and sell them in the bond market. In so doing, banks have diversified their risks. The last financier should be those banks which provide their own capital, or the developer itself, which recoups money in advance from sales to buyers.

Who Shall Bear the Risks?

That the real estate sector is risky is well known. The question is who shall bear the risks.

First, the real estate developer has to bear the risk of its own investment. If the price of a property is forecast to fall by at most 30 percent, the real estate developer will have to provide their own funds, equaling 30 percent of the total investment. If the price eventually drops by 40 percent, fund suppliers other than the developer will bear the loss of 10 percentage points.

Banks are another bearer of the risks, as they provide mortgage loans. In China, bank loans make up a considerable part of the total investment in a real estate project, while the developer itself has contributed too little. This means the developer has unduly shifted much of its risks to banks, or even to construction companies or buyers. In fact, a large amount of capital of the construction companies and buyers also come from banks.

How to Sell luxury Houses

China is confronting difficulties—people with low and middle incomes cannot afford to buy property, while conversely many luxury houses on the market cannot find buyers. Some people suggested that the government should encourage real estate developers to build affordable houses, by offering them a preferential loan. In the meantime, it should give preferential policies to the people with low and middle income for purchasing property.

The policy on social equality should not be extended to capital and housing markets. Banks and real estate developers are not duty bound to realize equality in housing conditions for everyone. To help low-and middle-income households buy a house, government’s discount loans can be introduced. To those who still cannot afford a house with the help of discount loans, the government can provide subsidies for renting a house. By so doing, the function of government policy and market will be separated. Otherwise, the competitive nature of the market will become twisted.

It is worthy to make clear whether there are too many luxury houses but less affordable houses. The answer is definitely not. If we just narrow our sights on empty luxury houses and low-and middle-income people who cannot afford to buy these luxury houses, we compound the problem.

The empty 200-square-meter luxury houses can be linked with the poor in the following sequential way: People who are living in 160-square-meter apartment can sell their existing apartment and buy a new 200-square-meter luxury house. Those who now have a residence of 120 square meters can buy the 160-square-meter apartment after selling their residence. The sequence of house size in square meters is 200, 160, 120, 90, 60 and 30. Each category moves to buy the house of the next size up, it will allow migrant workers from rural areas without accommodation to buy the 30-square meter rooms. In this manner two objectives are solved. Empty luxury homes are occupied and homeless workers get a chance to own their own property.

Luxury houses can be sold in this “separate way,” preventing the need to demolish these houses to build cheap ones, or give low-and middle-income people enough subsidies to buy luxury houses.

In this way most people can solve their housing problem through the market. People who depend on government subsidies to solve housing problem would not exceed 10 percent based on the experience of other countries, developed and developing.

Efforts should be made to accelerate the development of the second-grade market to spur the flow of housing resources.

 (Beijing Review   January 15 2004)

New Words and Expressions

the real estate sector 房地产领域

siphone v. 吮吸；吸纳 

bond n. 公债；债券

securitize v. 抵押贷款

unduly ad. 不适当地；不正当地

demolish v. 拆除

outweigh v. 在价值（或重要性、影响等）上超过

inch up 缓慢地增长

risk-averse 不喜欢冒险（风险）

repackage v. 把…作为整体推销

recoup v. 补偿；偿还

subsidy n. 补助金；津贴

a preferential loan 优惠贷款

14.Tax Playing Field Leveled

It is widely believed that the new, unified business income tax rate would be 25 percent, though the State Administration of Taxation has not yet confirmed anything. In line with the country’s 10th Five-Year Plan (2001-2005), a new unified tax law will soon be put into practice.

Unfair Play

Different tax laws have created a major problem for China’s current business income taxation system. At present, domestic enterprises pay income taxes according to the Provision Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Enterprise Income Tax, while foreign-funded companies follow the Income Tax Law of the People’s Republic of China for Enterprises With Foreign Investment and Foreign Enterprises. As a result of the different taxation systems and tax rates, the tax burden borne by domestic enterprises almost doubles that of foreign-funded companies.

Giving preferential treatment to foreign-funded companies has been a common practice in many regions of China. Take Hefei Ancor Optoelectronic Machinery Co. Ltd. in Anhui Province for example. A foreign-funded hi-tech enterprise, Hefei Ancor was established in 1994, with initial registered capital of 3.14 million ($379,227), of which foreign capital accounted for 62 percent.

Located in the national-level Hefei New and High Technology Development Zone, Ancor enjoys various favorable taxation terms. Although its nominal tax rate stands at 24 percent, it actually pays a mere 12 percent. In addition, the local government also exempted the company from the 3 percent local tax.

Professor Liu Heng from the Central University of Finance and Economics pointed out that preferential tax terms helped attracting foreign capital in the early period of the country’s reform and opening up. “But today’s economic situation is much different from those days, and different tax rates are very likely to result in the success or failure of an enterprise in market competition,” he said. Especially after China’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), such tax system violates the principle of tax neutrality, as well as WTO principles of free trade and fair competition, said Professor Liu.

Effects on Domestic and Foreign Firms

A source close to the top management of Ancor revealed that preferential tax terms are the primary reason for the rapid development of the company. According to this source, Ancor’s profits stood at 1.55 million yuan ($187,198)in1997,increasedto6.75millionyuan($815,217) in 2000 and soared to 11.21 million yuan ($1.35 million) in 2001.

However, the company has no intention to withdraw capital from China even if the country unifies its tax rates at 25 percent, according to the source.

There are two reasons: One is that Ancor invests in China because of its good investment environment rather than merely the favorable taxation terms. Second, the company has already transferred a considerable amount of capital over the past years of operation in China, by means of transfer pricing.

Generally speaking, the cost of foreign investment in China is no higher than 5 percent, she noted, while American companies annually enjoy around 10 percent of returns on investment. Based on the 5-percentage-point difference, American investors had already transferred billions of dollars of profits out of China by February 2003 when their actual investment reached $41 billion.

According to an insider in tax profession, through transfer pricing, foreign businesses’ taxable amount of income has been greatly reduced, therefore, their performance may not be so sensitive to the raised tax rate after unification.

On the contrary, domestic enterprises, which have been paying higher tax rates, are looking forward to the tax reform.

According to participants in the drafting of the new tax law, in future, private enterprises will only need to pay personal income tax and no business income tax.

The new tax law will also replace the former region-oriented preferential policies with industry-oriented preferential policies and the preferential tax terms will materialize in multiple, flexible forms, such as direct reduction and exemption, and accelerated depreciation and pre-tax deduction.

(Beijing Review   February 12 2004)

New Words and Expressions

unify v. 使（某物）成为一体；使一致

foreign funded companies 外资企业

nominal a. 名义上的；象征性的

neutrality n. 中性；中立

materialize v. 实现；成为现实

accelerate v. 加速

in line with 按照；根据

national-level 国家级的

accession n. 加入 

draft v. 起草

exemption _v._免除；豁免

IV. CHINA’s Culture, Education, Science and Technology

1.Education: Paying the Price

At the end of last year, a story made front pages in major domestic newspapers stating that China’s education ranked second only to real estate in terms of profit gaining.

Early this January, Zhou Ji, Minister of Education, revealed illegal education charge cases and related penalties for 2003 at a press conference of the Information Office of the State Council. A total of 853 million yuan ($103.02million)ofillegaleducationalchargeswereuncoveredand639millionyuan($77.174 million) were checked up and refunded. A total of 2,488 people were convicted, including 359 headmasters who were dismissed from their posts.

This is the largest crack down on illegal educational charges in the past 10 years. Under the threat of severe punishment by the Central Government, cases have dropped in number but violators are devising more sophisticated schemes, which is still a challenge for law enforcers.

China presently has more than 1 million schools of various levels that enroll more than 318 million students, including 190 million students receiving compulsory education. Therefore, as the most stable consumer group, students have become the financial resources.

In some rural areas, local governments collect fees from students for a steady source of finance. In some cases, fines for violating family planning and fees for road construction are also imposed on students.

Growing Irregularities

Six-year-old Hu Yin will be a primary school student this September and his parents have devised various measures to ensure his successful entry into school. In order to enable the boy to go to a well-known primary school, they asked influential friends for help but still have to pay an extra of 80,000 yuan ($9,662),afee10,000($1208) higher than that of the previous year. It is a considerable amount for the Hu family with monthly income of 8,000 yuan ($966).

“Other fees can be much higher,” said the father, who added that his brother’s child received a mark six points lower than the requisite minimum score on a well-known middle school entrance examination. In order to study at the school they had to pay 60,000 yuan ($7246.38)—10,000yuan($1,208) for one point.

“Even though, many parents are distressed because they cannot find guanxi, or influential help from friends, to pay the money. Everybody wants to vie for the limited seats at a well-known school. Look at the keen competition in current employment market. I am willing to send my child to a well-known school even I have to borrow money to pay the fees from my relatives and friends,” said the father.

Sharing the Financial Burden

In the past five years, the proportion of China’s financial allocation to education in its GDP rose from 2.5 percent to 3.41 percent last year. Taking the rapid growth of the country’s GDP into consideration, this is a rather large increase.

However, the figure is lower than the average among developing countries and falls short of the stipulated proportion of 4 percent in the Compendium of China’s Educational Reform and Development. China still needs to invest another 80 to 100 billion yuan ($9.66-12.08 billion) in education annually to meet the average educational spending of developing countries.

The growth of the national fiscal budget for education cannot meet the demands of education development. Much of the annual budget increase goes to salary raises, leaving little for other amenities. In some rural primary and middle school, there are sometimes no public funds at all. The financial shortage consequently becomes the excuse for illegal charges by local governments.

According to Article 54 of the Education Law, with the increase of GDP, local governments should accordingly increase budgetary appropriations to education. However, China’s economic development is imbalanced regionally and many counties do not have the ability to invest in education because of their financial deficits. Statistics show that the financial deficits at the county level exceeded 40 percent by the 1990s and this figure even reached 60 percent in central and western regions.

If schools in these regions act strictly according to the Compulsory Education Law, charging no tuition and reducing and exempting other fees for students from impoverished families, local government funding for compulsory education in rural areas in central and western regions should increase 3 billion yuan ($362.32million).Addingthattofundingforsomeplacestryingtoobtainthenine-yearcompulsoryeducation,China’stotalfinancialshortageforeducationwillreach37billionyuan($4.47 billion). This is a huge burden for China whose total expenditure for compulsory education is only 150 billion yuan ($18.12 billion).

Meanwhile, the number of students receiving compulsory education continues to increase. If governments do not adopt measures to increase educational imputs, compulsory education will be in dire straits. In fact, the Compulsory Education Law has taken this into consideration and stipulates that the state should financially assist poor areas to administer compulsory education.

“Government funding for education is insufficient even though the school usually can’t receive the allocations in full amount,” said Liang Wanqing, Deputy Principal at Xiamen Binglang Middle School. She said that besides daily expenses, educational funds should mainly be used to improve teaching conditions and facilities. “If government allocation is insufficient or does not reach schools timely, schools may be compelled to impose fees illegally,” she added.

Keeping Education Public

Some people suggest readjusting financial sources for education. Minister Zhou stated that the Chinese Government frowns upon the idea of profit-making education. He said that education is a public affair, which is explicitly stipulated in the Education Law. He maintains that governments at all levels should avoid profit-making education in policies. Education should not be used to make money and solve fiscal problems for local governments.

“Education should not be equated with other industries or businesses. Profit-making education will exert a negative influence on the social function of education by weakening the government role of conducting macro control and ensuring social justice,” he said.

Despite the fact that the Central Government has never endorsed the idea of profit-making education, a large number of local governments treat education as profit industry. In some places, “market-oriented operation of education” is even put into the files of local governments or local peoples’ congresses, expecting school profits to make up their fiscal shortage.

Experts pointed out that profit-making education would mean China’s education funding would mainly come from private investment and individuals instead of from donation and public funds. Investments need returns and chase profits. “Relying too much on self-operation and profits will surely weaken the nature of education—public welfare,” they said.

Qiao Xinsheng, a professor at Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, noted that state fiscal measures should be used to assist impoverished areas to carry out compulsory education according to law. Measures should be taken to arrange state educational appropriations and effectively implement governmental obligations. A fair and reasonable funding system for education should be established, starting from improving basic education. Qiao suggested that the National People’s Congress establish an education planning commission to take the responsibility of assessing the national appropriations and utilization of education funds.

Zhou stated that the Chinese Government’s goal for funding education is to raise budgetary appropriations for education to 4 percent of the GDP in a relatively short period. Regarding improvement on meeting China’s financial needs in education, Zhou said that Education Promotion Acts in 2003-07, published by the Ministry of Education, states that an educational fiscal policy should be established corresponding to the national fiscal system. According to the Act, the budgetary appropriations for education should be higher than they are currently; per-capita expenses for students on campus should rise gradually; and teachers’ salary and public spending per student should gradually go up.

In 2003, the Central Government held the first working conference on rural education and clearly laid out the position of China’s rural education: Education should be the priority in rural development; and education in rural areas should be the priority in national education development. A series of initiatives have been taken including the placing of several dozen billion yuan into a special fund.

According to Zhou, local governments and education receivers should more reasonably share education costs of non-compulsory education and students should be charged according to family income. Fund raising channels should be broadened and effective mechanisms should be established to stimulate private donation. Additionally, a system will be established to improve financial assistance to students from impoverished families. Colleges and universities will strengthen loan and aid systems to help poor students.

“Non-governmental education is encouraged to share education costs,” said the minister, “But this concept is not equivalent to profit-making education.”

（Beijing Review   February 12 2004）

New Words and Expressions

Information office of the State Council国务院新闻办公室

check up 核对；检验

refund v.  归还, 退还, 偿还

violator n. 违反者

law enforcer 法律执行者

impose vt. 强加

requisite a. 必需的；必不可少的；必要的

vie for 竞争

compendium n. 纲要, 概略

fiscal budget 财政预算

amenities n. 生活福利设施

budgetary appropriation 预算拨款

financial deficit 财政赤字, 预算赤字

exceed v.  超越, 胜过

The Compulsory Education Law 义务教育法

in dire straits 陷于困境

equate v.  使相等；等同

endorse v.  认可；签署

fiscal shortage 财政短缺

initiative n. 为解决困难而采取的行动

2. Distance Education Flourishes

Distance education in china has gone through three stages of development. Originally it was conducted through correspondence-dissipating knowledge by sending students printed material to read. Later, radio and TV programs were used. Now students can learn interactively with teachers in a digital environment, with the help of computer network and multimedia technology.

The third stage was initiated in 1997, when China had some 250 million students enrolled in schools. Including those studying via adult education, overall student numbers reached 330 million. To deal with relatively scarce teaching resources and reverse the unsatisfactory education situation, China decided to promote online learning through advanced information technology and teaching programs. This modern form of distance learning is developing rapidly.

Bridging the Regional Gap in Education

Although living in rural areas, many primary pupils in Gansu province receive a first-class education, identical to that of students in cities, through the broadband network and educational VCDs.

Distance learning programs are an effective way to bridge the educational gap between economically developed and impoverished areas.

CERNET (China Education and Research Network) is connecting institutions of higher learning with local primary and high schools electronically, serving a platform to optimize the configuration of China’s limited education resource and provide better service for impoverished areas.

Gaining Development momentum

The 15th National Congress of the Communist Party of China listed the task of “rejuvenating the country though science and education” among China’s top priorities. At this election, premier Zhu Rongji announced that carrying out this strategy would be a primary task if this government. The modern Distance Education Project was one of the eight projects implementing the strategy, aim at forming an open educational network and a lifelong education system.

In 1998, the state council approved the ministry of Education’s “Education program for the 21sh Century,” which put forward to bring China’s distance education undertakings onto a scientific, systematic and standard path of development to successfully this task. From 1999 to 2001, the Central Government appropriated 10 billion yuan to guarantee the smooth implementation of all related projects.

The Ministry of Education always gives support to distance learning and has promulgated a series of concrete measures, which include providing necessary hardwares in its initial phase of capital to development then huge amounts of capital to develop application software. Teaching and multimedia software development fully exploits the technological advantages of institutions of higher learning to build databases for multi-level education.

The Ministry of Education had so far granted permission to 45 universities to establish network technology schools devoted to on-line education and carry out distance-learning programs. More than 240,000 students have enrolled in those schools, which have 51 majors and offer almost 300 disciplines. Network education currently covers 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government.

A growing number of schools and educational institutions have begun to carry our cooperation with overseas counterparts. A years ago the south Ocean Development Group, which operates several private boarding schools and two junior high schools, announced to collaborate with Nobel Learning Communities, a U.S. company listed at Nasdaq. The strategic partnership aim at building an on-line communication system between “Nobel” schools and “Sough Ocean” schools in China.

An Educational Revolution

Education experts say distance learning is indeed an educational revolution. It is an efficient way say to improve the overall education level of the Chinese nation and explore the potential continuing learning and life-long learning market.

Professor Hu Dongcheng, vice President of Tsinghua University, believes modern distance education would make universities more open than ever. He revealed a group of students would receive their master’s degree from Tsinghua this year after they complete their distance learning programs.

China’s distance education is still underdeveloped. It needs further research and exploration in areas such as theory, educational modes, on-line resources development, network technology, teaching management, operational systems and quality control. Judging from the current situation network still lags far behind foreign countries.

The education market will change gradually with the development of distance learning. With the advancement of educational reforms, the scale of on-line education will expand. As a result, many companied investing in network education, which was previously engaged in development of education software, have begun to carry out on-line teaching programs. Their advantage lies in their rich experience in developing multimedia software, but the emphasis has not yet shifted, website construction. Most primary and high schools’ web pages are used to complement classroom teaching. Their advantage is their expertise in curricular with capital operation, technology and market survey and exploitation. The most urgent task facing China’s distance learning is now to reconfigure and optimize resource.

(Excerpts from Beijing Review   August 15 2002)

New Words and Expressions

dissipate vt. 散播（知识）

interactively ad. 互动地

via prep. 经；通过；经由

Nasdaq n. 纳斯达克指数

expertise n. 专门技术

curricular arrangement 课程设置

market survey and exploration 市场调查

reconfigure v.  重新装配；改装

3. A Higher Threshold for PhD Students

Education reform has been one of the forever issues in China, and one of the things that critics keep attacking has been its rigid examination system, a system that, as once Mao Zedong said, “takes the students as the enemy.”

Now that every part of Chinese life is under reform, universities are beginning to tinker on their exam systems, to change from focusing on memorizing textbooks to creative thinking, and from allowing the students only one change to allowing them multiple chances.

As it’s reform plan (not reform in action as yet) is arousing widespread controversy, the 105-year-old Peking University is also trying to modernize the exam system for its PhD students.

As the number of doctoral applicants surges, Peking University (Beida) is changing its rules of recruitment so that fewer applicants can cross the threshold. But concerns arise as to whether the new rules are fair.

In 2003, about 3,400 students applied for doctoral programs at Beida, up from 2,700 in 2002. the surge in the number makes it almost impossible for admission staff to interview all the applicants.

In the past, interviews were given to all applicants immediately after written tests. But now, interviewers find it unrealistic to talk to all the interviewees faces to face.

“The time to interview an applicant averages only about 10 or 15 minutes,” said Sheng Yuhai, Director of the Admission Office of the Graduate school, Peking University.

From 2004, the traditional two-part admission process-written tests plus interview-will give way to a three-step process: written tests, tests, submission of application materials, and a second round of examinations.

Written tests are scheduled on March 13 and 14, 2004. From February 23 to March 19, applicants must submit application materials to schools and departments they apply for. Base on written tests and application materials, the schools and departments must will comprehensively review the applicants and choose candidates for the second round of examination.

In previous years, applicants submitted application materials in October or November. These materials often became obsolete at the time of enrollment in March or April of the next year, making it difficult for admissions staff the qualifications of the applicants. By requiring prospective students to submit application materials three weeks before and one week after the written tests, the university now hopes to get more “fresh” stuff.

In the second round of examinations, both written test and interview would be used to assess applicants’ academic background, foreign language proficiency, and the ability to reason and innovate. A group of directors, instead of individual directors, will decide the final results.

Since the standard of the second round of examinations is as objective as that of written tests, there might be some concerns about the fairness of the process. Sheng Yuhgai told Beijing Review that the university would adopt some measures to ensure a fair process.

Sheng said that one of the these measures, beginning next year, is that schools and departments within the university will have a 30 percent say in whether a student is account for a certain percentage. Applicants will be interviewed by a group of seven to nine directors instead of individual directors. Every member of an interviewing group makes his or her own decision separately, and the final decision will be made by a group consensus.

Another planned measure is the “sunshine” project. In this project, schools and departments publish a list of successful applicants online after every stage of the process. In the name list, grade and position of all the applicants are available. In recent years, this has been a common practice at Beida and few applicants have complained.

(Excerpts from Beijing Review   September 4 2002)

New Words and Expressions

threshold _n._门槛；入门，开端

tinker vt. 修补；修理；改进

obsolete a. 陈旧的

prospective a. 未来的；可能要成为的

group consensus 团体一致通过

4. Hunt for Talent, Fight for Survival

China’s newly created government agency, the State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC), recently put out advertisements for seven senior executive positions in a few key state-sector corporations.

Altogether 463 applications came in response, from a dozen or so countries. As of October 23, news came that SASAC was ready to hold an exam for a number of chosen applicants.

Hiring from the open market, a practice that was introduced into China by international investors two decades ago, has become a widespread practice for Chinese companies, including the largest ones under the direct guidance of the SASAC.

In all major business cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, as more people are seeking opportunities through job agencies, the senior corporate staff are receiving increasing calls from the executive search services, or headhunters.

For the most rapidly developing economy in the world that is taking in the largest amount of foreign direct investment among all developing countries, there must be a great market for the human resources-based services.

But how big is the market? How is it going to grow? How are the international headhunters going to build their brand names? How are the local executive search companies doing to cope with the competition?

It is not surprising that headhunting didn’t catch on quickly in China---the very word conjures to mind bloody pictures of ancient hunters carrying animal heads as trophies. But for good reason the Chinese people have accepted the concept at last, and human talent anxiously sought by companies in China rather than wild game is the ultimate prize.

Executive search, which is another more professional name for headhunting, is dedicated to the recruitment of chief executives and chief operating officers, although some companies offer additional services like leadership development and management assessment.

In China, however, headhunters are often mistakenly confused with job agencies in general, which transmit information between employers and candidates for technical and shop-floor positions. Compared with job agencies, headhunting companies are far fewer in number.

New Competition

By now, some of the domestic headhunters may have already closed down. In their place, foreign recruitment firms are springing up, which are companies that entered the China market in the early 1990s as representative offices and were not allowed to do business in an open and massive way.

It was not until 2001 that overseas firm were allowed to form headhunting joint ventures (JVs) with their local partners, on the condition that they could hold no more than 50 percent of the JV’s equity rights. These JV restrictions have remained valid since.

Although it’s like “dancing with handcuffs,” as some commentators noted in the domestic business press, these JVs all represent powerful competitors. They are international giants that boast brandname, rich experience and abundant capital, such as Korn/Ferry International and Heidrick & Struggles.

Surveys show that headhunting agencies tend to target their China operations in large cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin. By the end of 2002, official statistics show that there were 37 professional headhunting companies in Beijing, of which six were foreign invested. This is because these cities not only have large talent pools, but also huge demand for their search service.

It is estimated that China’s executive recruitment marker is worth about $2 billion. Shenzhen, in the past 20 years, has seen its talent pool grow by more than 100 times; and it is predicted that this year there will be 10 million people looking for new positions all over the country.

While many foreign companies endeavor to increase their share in this lucrative market, none of them has been able to gain a national presence because, until now, the industry has largely been locally based. Since the market has been divided between domestic and foreign executive search companies, there seems only slim chance for either the foreign headhunters or the domestic ones to dominate the market any time soon. In the long run, perhaps, both sides will have to learn to work with, or at least live with, one another.

Localization VS Relocation

Abundant capital, advanced management and rich professional experiences are three points usually used to describe the advantages of using a foreign headhunter.

Their greatest disadvantage, according to many analysts, is “localization,” something seldom overlooked in international business dealings.

It is reasonable to assume that a lack of cultural understanding can lead to market failure. After all, only when a headhunter truly appreciates the local market is he or she able to pick out the right person for the job.

Since no one case is identical with another, it is very hard for executive search agencies to achieve an economy of scale, Ji added. Headhunting companies usually don’t need a large crew and turnover costs, so in this way management and funds are not as critical as they are in manufacturing, which often offers a large amount of identical products.

And the professional experience, he said, may not necessarily be an advantage since many foreign firms gain their professional experience abroad, not in China.

In addition, multinational headhunting firms must grapple with the fact that their target customer base, transnational companies, are using local professionals rather then bringing in foreign assignees. Unilever, an international conglomerate that produces everyday commodities, directly employs 6000 Chinese and local professionals that account for 90 percent of its senior managerial positions.

Failure to address this trend can lead to a disastrous result. Barkers Norman Broadbent, a London-based international company providing recruitment services, was the first foreign headhunter in China. Four years after its entry it faded out of the market, reportedly because it ignored the need for localized services.

China has only given the nod to the creation of joint ventures with foreign capital in the executive sector and the Beijing Personnel Bureau said this is because the market is far from mature. The vulnerability of domestic recruitment firms is considered another important reason for the protective policy.

Lack of protective understanding about the industry is perhaps one of the biggest challengers facing domestic headhunters. Lured by the profitable market, small recruitment firm have been set up one after another, but many have no more equipment than a phone, a fax machine and a desk. Management skills or professional knowledge is seldom their concern, and they hastily collect and distribute information. These companies do not survive the market for long.

Low credibility is another hurdle for domestic headhunting companies to overcome. After nearly 10 years of development, the industry has seen a group of pioneers and also survivors who have mastered the art of employee search. Foreign headhunters, famed for their history and experience, enjoy both the trust and orders of foreign-funded companies and large domestic enterprises.

At the same time Chinese headhunters have to struggle through the stage of building credibility, while supplying cheaper services to homegrown enterprises of all sizes.

Can Both Sides Win?

Some analysts believe that foreign and domestic headhunters may be able to join their efforts to enlarge the market, creating a possible scenario in which both sides come out winners.

It is estimated that if 10 percent of the 6 million registered enterprises spend an average of $6000ayearonrecruitment,thenthetotalmarketvaluewillreach$3.6 billion, a large fraction of which will hopefully go to headhunters.

A more properly regulated market is also a mutual wish of foreign and domestic headhunters. The recent news that the Beijing Talent Consulting Agency sued one of its clients for receiving payment for its services aroused the concern of many headhunters who have begun to call for the establishment of a credit system for both clients and headhunting companies.

(Excerpts from Beijing Review   November 20 2002)

New Words and Expressions

headhunter n. 用高薪征聘人才者；挖人墙脚者

ultimate prize 最后地战利品

conjure to mind使某事物浮现于脑际

recruitment n. 征募；吸收新成员

shop-floor n. 工厂的劳方

massive a. 大规模的

valid a. 有效的

handcuff n. 手铐

talent pool 人才储备

endeavor vi. 尽力；努力

lucrative a. 有利的

localization n. 地方化

relocation n. 迁移

turnover n. 周转；营业额；流通量

grapple with 尽力克服

assignee n. 代理人；受托人

conglomerate n. 大公司；企业集团

vulnerability n. 弱点

credibility n. 可信性

5. Piracy Wars

Have you read the Chinese edition of the Adventures of Tintin, a famous cartoon series created by Herge, the Father of Belgian strip cartoon, in 1929? If so, you may have read a pirated copy. The Chinese edition originally publishing House entered Chinese bookstores in May 2001,with the China children Publishing House authorized as the exclusive publisher of the 22-volume series on the mainland. But less than two months later, pirated books appeared on the market.

China is intensifying its fight against piracy in all sectors, though the battle is though as there lacks an effective way to stop the blackmarket.

Two Cultural Copies

The China Children Publishing House complained to the National Copyright Administration (NCA) that Tintin books sold online through joyo.com and 8848.net.cn were pirated.

NCA found that Zhong Ziren, an editor in charge of the Chinese edition of the cartoon series in the China Children Publishing House, was involved in pirating the book. In June of 2001, Zhong copied over 50 disks of the book and turned them over to Su Zhikun and Chen Lai, who worked outside the press and were responsible for printing the blackmarket copies. Altogether they pirated 5,000 sets of the Adventures of Tintin, with illegal business volume exceeding 2.7million yuan ($326,000).

On November 22, 2002 the Dongcheng District People’s Court of Beijing delivered a verdict. For copyright infringement, Zhong Ziren was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment with a fine of 30,000 yuan ($3623).SuZhikunreceivedfourandahalfyears’imprisonmentaswellasafineof2000yuan($2415), and Chen Lai four years’ imprisonment with a fine of 20,000 yuan ($2415).

In June 2003, the Guangdong Julong Law Firm filed a complaint with the Guangzhou Copyright Bureau on behalf of eight companies from the United States, Britain and Canada. The suit charged the Longchuangjie Art Shop in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province, with producing and selling their copyrighted art products without permission.

The Guangzhou Copyright Bureau swooped down on the shop and its factory on July 9, finding that 105,000 of the137, 000 decorative pictures seized were copied from the copyrighted artwork of the eight companies.

In this case, a man from Taiwan was blamed to have provided the duplicated pictures to the Longchuangjie Art Shop. As he could not come to Guangzhou for inquiry, the sources for his prints could not be confirmed. This left the Guangzhou Copyright Bureau with no adequate grounds for administrative punishment, and therefore, the two parties involved chose mediation.

They both reconciled. The Longchangjie Art Shop admitted to have infringed upon the copyright of the eight companies and agreed to stop producing and selling their copyrighted artwork; and the foreign parties agreed not to demand other legal responsibilities of the shop. On August 27, under the supervision of the Guangzhou Copyright Bureau and the plaintiffs, the shop destroyed all the pirated pictures.

These two cases are only a drop in the ocean of China’s efforts against piracy. In order to speed up economic, cultural and scientific development, the Chinese Government is working even harder to protect copyrights.

Piracy Crackdown

In China, both courts and government agencies provide legal copyright protection. Courts at various levels are responsible for judicial procedures in civil and criminal cases involving copyrights infringement, playing an important role in copyright protection.

Copyright administrations at various levels are responsible for enforcing laws and regulations related to copyright protection, cracking down on copyright infringement, protecting legal rights and interests of copyright holders and educating people about copyright laws.

Crackdown on the smuggling of pirated disks is another battle in the war against piracy. From 1997 to October 2003, at least 300 million pirate disks were confiscated by customs and frontier inspection stations all over the country. In Guangdong Province alone, over 40 million fake disks were taken in more than 18 cases during the first six months of this year. On August 12, the Customs General Administration, State Press and Publishing Administration, National Copyright Administration and the National Office to Eliminate Pornography and Illegal Publications jointly launched a nationwide campaign to destroy pirated disks, during with 42 million fake disks were destroyed.

Strengthening law enforcement measures and handing out severe punishments are the responsibilities of copyright administrations. To fulfill these responsibilities, copyright administrations nationwide have focused on cleaning up the market.

As the core of the information industry, the software sector plays a basic and strategic role in the development of the national economy. In 2000, the State Council issued a document to develop the domestic soft ware industry, and later formulated a series of policies to support the software industry’s development and encourage tough crackdown on pirated software.

In September 2002, it reaffirmed the importance of cleaning up the software market in a four-year outline for promoting the country’s software industry. In June this year, the National Copyright Administration, the Ministry of Information Industry, the Ministry of Public Security and the State Administration for Industry and Commerce jointly issued a circular that pushed for a more severe crackdown on pirated software.

The circular provides the principles, objectives and detailed measures necessary to stop pirated software. On September 8, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu undertook joint actions to battle pirated software, capturing 240,000 disks on that day.

(Beijing Review   December 18 2002)

New Words and Expressions

piracy n. 侵犯版权；盗版

the Adventures of Tintin 《丁丁历险记》

Herge 埃尔热

Strip cartoon 连环漫画

verdict n. 裁决；判决

copyright infringement 版权侵犯

Swoop down on 猛扑向

mediation n. 仲裁；调停；调解

confiscate vt. 没收；充公

6.Finding the Breakthrough for Chinese Film

AT the end of 2001, the film, Big Shot’s Funeral, amazed the whole of Chinese moviedom by its 37 million yuan box office success. Invested by Columbia (Asia) Co., Ltd., and directed by celebrated Chinese director Feng Xiaogang, the film is about a few Chinese people who believe they can make a fortune by organizing the funeral of a noted American director who has died while shooting a film in Chin_a._ Skilful techniques have been employed in this movie to satirize Chinese cultural circles. As a commercial film director, Feng Xiaogang has a large following, but he is also criticized for his mundane films that are seen by some as a means to ingratiate himself with the masses. Whether or not Feng, his audience, or Chinese film circles share the same opinion, with the coming of foreign movies and foreign investment, the main question is, can Chinese films survive, or do they face certain death? Finding a breakthrough for Chinese films has become a common goal.

Chinese Films in 2001

Not one of the films made in the year 2001 could be called a masterpiece, and out of the 100 or so Chinese movies produced each year, only ten or so have been successful at the box office.

The Southern Weekend sponsored the Most Appreciated Chinese Film of the Media in 2001, which covered two levels: that most appreciated by readers of the media, and that most appreciated by film critics. Out of the 14 movies contending, Gua Sha Treatment was the most appreciated by readers. Using the commercial Hollywood film narrative approach, this film centers on the phenomenon of culture shock, and serves as a bridge between different cultures, affecting both Eastern and Western audiences. According to statistics, Gua Sha Treatment earned 15 million yuan at the box office--- a considerable amount for a Chinese film.

The most appreciated film by media critics was Big Shot’s Funeral, which documents Feng Xiaogang’s search for a breakthrough, indicated through his change of theme from that of the everyday life of small potatoes to one of the vast and opulent background of a bubble economy. Although Big Shot’s Funeral made a breakthrough due to its incredible plot, it nevertheless constitutes Feng Xiaogang’s compromise of his artistic integrity in order to adapt to the conventions of commercial films.

In the year 2001, Taiwan was faced with the similar problem of finding a breakthrough point. However, it was good to see that there were a number of films shot in, and reflecting the life of people in inland China at Taiwan’s 38th Golden Horse Award. The big news from this year’s awards was that two mainlanders, Liu Ye and Chun Hoi Lu, both from Central Drama Institute in Beijing, won Best Actor and Best Actress awards for their performances in Lanyu and Durian Durian.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was undoubtedly the most successful film of 2001. It established a niche within international filmdom for Chinese film.

A number of new films that started shooting in 2001 that are to be screened in 2002, include the period costume film, Heroes by Zhang Yimou, and The Heroes of Heaven and Earth by He Ping. Directed by Lu Chuan and starring Jiang Wen, Xun Qiang (Looking for the Gun) is a promising commercial art film, and Spring in a Small City, a 1930s film classic, has been re-shot by Tian Zhuangzhuang. Being Together with You is currently being filmed by Chen Kaige, and Li Shaohong is to direct the film, Baby. With so many excellent directors, good prospects are indicated for the Chinese film industry in 2002.

The Coming of Hollywood Films

In 1995, The Fugitive was imported, marking the advent of Hollywood movies. According to Yang Buting, chairman of the board of directors of the Chinese Film Group Co., Ltd., with China’s entry into the WTO, the Chinese film industry will face big challenges. How can Chinese films survive the increase of imported films given its current quality and quantity? The key problem is how to adapt the operational mechanism of the industry to a market economy, as sooner or later it will face competition from foreign invested cinemas, advanced foreign film technology and management, and a possible brain drain.

With a population of 1.3 billion, China is a huge potential market, and it is no wonder that Hollywood keeps close contact with Chinese governmental and non-governmental organizations. At the end of 2000, a Chinese film delegation, headed by Zhao Shi, deputy director of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, visited the USA, and was warmly received by 20th Century Fox. At the invitation of the American Film Association, another Chinese film delegation was welcomed and hosted by Warner Brothers Co., Ltd. Other famous film companies such as MGM, Universal Pictures, Disney, and paramount Pictures are currently working out their most opportune time to march into Chin_a._

Taking into account the opportunities provided by China’s entry into the WTO, as well as the commitment of the Chinese government, it is estimated that Hollywood will enter China in three steps. The first will be to invest in the building of cinemas. There is currently a cinema for every 9,000 Americans, whereas China has only one for every 122,000 people. The promulgation of the Movie Management Regulations on February 1st, 2001, made private cinemas legal, thus breaking the monopoly of state-owned cinemas. The second step relates to the current restrictions on foreign movies. From this year onwards, the import of foreign movies will increase from 10 to 20 per year, while in the coming three years it will increase to 50. The third and final step will be the full-scale entry of Hollywood movies into Chin_a._

Finding a Breakthrough

With the coming of Hollywood movies, Chinese films will meet challenges and fierce competition, which will also act as a stimulus for its development.

The carryover of the planned economy has obstructed the development of Chinese film in such aspects as management, fund administration, production, and distribution, but China’s entry into the WTO will provide it with numerous opportunities.

As regards management, the slogan “the customer is god” will be raised, as it is important for film directors and producers to define their audience, as only then can they create a free and competitive market environment.

Funding has also been a big problem for the development of the Chinese film industry. In recent years, however, the state has adjusted its policies and sanctioned private investment. Meanwhile, relevant departments have worked out preferential policies aimed at developing the film industry. It is estimated that five years after China’s entry into the WTO, annual potential box office sales will be in the region of US $1,000 million to 1,500 million, with an annual increase of over 15 percent.

On November 12, 2001, through the joint efforts of the China International Trust and Investment Corporation, the biggest investment company in China, and the Chinese Film Group Co., Ltd., the Century Hero Investment Co., Ltd., was established, marked by the launch of Chen Kaige’s film Being Together With You. This indicates a good start for Chinese film in its search for a breakthrough.

(China Today   April 2002)

New Words and Expressions

Big Shot’s Funeral 《大腕》

Being Together With You 《和你在一起》

Gua Sha Treatment 《刮痧》

Lanyu and Durian Durian

《榴莲飘香》

Heroes 《英雄》

The Heroes of Heaven and Earth 《天地英雄》

Xun Qiang 《寻枪》

Spring in a Small City 《小城之春》

following n. 追随者

mundane a. 世俗的；平凡的

ingratiate vt. 使迎合；使讨好

opulent a. 富余的；丰富的；丰饶的；繁茂的

niche n. 适当的职位

advent n. 到来；出现

promulgation n. 颁布

carryover n. 遗留物

opportune a. 正好的；恰好的；及时、适宜的；

20th Century Fox 二十世纪福克斯电影公司

Warner Brothers Co., Ltd. 华纳兄弟影业公司

MGM  Metro-Goldmyn-Mayer（美国）米高梅电影制片公司

Universal Pictures 环球影片公司

paramount Pictures 派拉蒙影业公司

7.Go West

Driving southwest from the gray city of Lanzhou, the provincial capital of Gansu Province, one is soon in a different world. The road, which winds along a river, is lined by emerald fields, dotted by the colorful homes of the Tibetan minority which dominates this area, their houses recognizable by the colorful roof-top prayer flags flapping in the wind.

Here there is little sign of the economic miracle that has transformed much of coastal China. There is little evidence of any industry, with most people appearing to eke out a simple living straining over patches of watermelon or fields of vegetables. It’s not difficult to see why tens of millions of rural Chinese have fled inland areas for cities where they can earn several times the annual income at home.

It is villages like this that are the staging ground for what could prove to be the biggest economic challenge the Chinese government has had to face attracting jobs and foreign investment to the country’s impoverished inland areas.

Traditionally, a quarter of China’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has concentrated in coastal provinces. But China realizes it can’t rely on surging exports forever, and making matters worse, consumer spending has been soft for several years, and prices have been flat.

Economists say China will have to find a new engine to drive economic growth, and that the economy could get a big push if the heavily populated hinterland were to receive an injection of much needed investment capital.

The Central Government kicked off a major campaign in 2000 to narrow the gap between inland and coastal areas. The campaign, dubbed xijin, or “Go West,” is being spearheaded by President Jiang Zemin and Premier Zhu Rongji, who expect it to achieve several goals: the expansion of inland markets to reduce the nation’s dependence on exports and the boosting of consumer spending to stimulate economic growth. More important, the government hopes that investment in these inland areas will provide new job opportunities for the workers being laid off from ailing State-owned enterprises.

Unfortunately, foreign investors and even many major domestic enterprises have been reluctant to invest in the underdeveloped western region, much of which is landlocked, mountainous and difficult to reach by rail, highway or river, and which suffers from a lack of other infrastructure.

“Development will depend on business people and whether they feel they can make a profit,” says Wang Xiaolu, Deputy Director of the National Economic Research Institute in Beijing. “Up till now, they have not believed investing in inland areas was very profitable.”

The Government is thus calling for massive funds to be poured into the region to improve the investment climate. Plans call for the construction of some 20,000 miles of new roads, a Sichuan-Guangxi expressway, 2,500 miles of new rail lines, and the building of about two dozen new airports over the coming decade, at a cost of billions of U.S. dollars.

In 2000, the Central Government pledged 70 percent of its US$396billionsubsidyforlocalgovernmentsforinfrastructureprojectssuchasroadsandtelecomnetworks.ItalsoissuedmorethanUS$12 billion in bonds to build natural gap pipelines and power plants. Banks are also being told to devote a large share of their lending portfolios to borrowers in interior areas. The China Industrial and Commercial Bank has been instructed to hand 70 percent of its loans to inland areas, up from the previous 40 percent.

Local officials, who lack business experience, have been falling over each other in an effort to attract investment, cutting taxes and utility fees, providing easier access to financing, and inviting    multinational companies to visit their areas.

The Government is looking to Hong Kong entrepreneurs to give the campaign a boost.

“Hong Kong capital played a key role in our open door policy,” Premier Zhu is reported to have said in en eternal briefing in May. “They showed the way for Western and Asian corporations in the first dozen-odd years of the open door policy.”

Premier Zhu continued to say that as Hong Kong business people had set the pace for overseas investment along China’s coastal areas, they should now do the same for the huge hinterland.

Last May, a high-profile delegation of more than 200 of Hong Kong’s top businesspeople, led by administrative Secretary Donald Tsang, took part in a 10-day tour of China’s western areas, traveling on a special Dragonair charter flight. Premier Zhu, who received the delegation in Beijing, urged members to invest boldly in the west, promising that those that did would “surely join the ranks of the 10 richest men in Hong Kong.”

Local provincial leaders were told to go all out in selling the advantages of their areas, and they showed a great deal of enthusiasm. The provinces of Shaanxi, Sichuan and Xinjiang alone put forth 527 joint venture proposals worth of 17 billion yuan, ranging from hitech to agricultural projects.

Deals were singed to build hotels in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, concrete plants in Guizhou and a factory to turn out traditional Chinese medicine in Ningxia. Nina Wang, chairwoman of the ChinaChem Group, and one of the world’s richest women with a net worth of US$1.2 billion, said she would put money into a number of small projects, including a vineyard in Xinjiang. Dragonair of Hong Kong reached an agreement with Xinjiang Airlines to begin running new flights to the area.

One of the more interesting ideas was a plan raised by the chairwoman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board to build luxury tourism rail lines linking the territory with famous tourist sites in Western China, including Xi’an, home of the terracotta warriors, and the mysterious Silk Road.

Although the group announced plans to invest in less than two-dozen projects, with a total investment of just US$30 million, there are hopes that more projects may come out of the trip.

Several big multinationals have already taken the plunge into China’s hinterland. Siemens has invested in a fiber-optic cable project in Chengdu and railway and traffic control systems in Xi’an. Pratt & Whitney has set up three facories in Chengdu, Xi’an and Zhuzhou to produce aircraft engine parts.

Xi’an has convinced both foreign and domestic companies to set up in its high-tech industrial zones, offering low taxes, inexpensive land, reliable power and roads, and a number of research institutes. IBM has agreed to develop software to be used in managing the zone, and Hewlett-Packard will open an e-commerce R&D center there.

Still, attracting foreign investment has not been easy. Of the more than US$300billioninforeigninvestmentthatChinahasgranted,justUS$9.9 billion has gone into the hinterland.

Experts say, however, that as infrastructure improves in inland areas, and as costs shoot up in coastal areas, that more and more foreign and local companies will discover the potential of western China’s untapped markets and ready labor pool, where urban workers earn half of the average salary in prosperous coastal cities.

If this happens, new jobs will be provided for tens of million of unemployed workers, and higher consumer growth, providing the country with the engine it needs to fuel the Chinese economy for years to come.

(Beijing Review   January 17 2002)

New Words and Expressions

emerald a. 翠绿的

flap vi. 迎风招展

eke out a living 勉强维持生活

hinterland n. 内地；穷乡僻壤

spearhead vi. 充当先锋；带头做某事

landlocked a. 为陆地所包围的

infrastructure n. 基础设施 

falling over 争先恐后

multinational companies 跨国公司

high-profile a. 高层的；职位高的

take the plunge into 冒险尝试

Siemens 西门子公司

fiber-optic cable 光纤电缆

IBM 美国国际商用机器公司

Hewlett-Packard 惠普公司

R&D 研发

untapped a. 未经开发的

8.Yao Ming: The Chinese NBA Player

On making his debut at the 8th National Games in 1997, Yao Ming was a big hit. At a height of 2.26 meters, he had a promising hook shot, fluidity, and speed. He is considered a basketball genius by those in the know. Today, Yao Ming, selected No. 1 in the NBA Draft 2002, is famous throughout the world.

Coincidence

Born in Shanghai in 1980, Yao Ming, with his towering stature and unquestioning parental support, has the prerequisites perfect for a basketball player. His parents were both basketball stars in the early 1970s, his father, 2.08-meter-tall Yao Zhiyuan, having been a top player in the Shanghai men’s basketball team, and mother, Fang Fengdi, at 1.88 meters, who was captain of the Chinese women’s basketball team.

Yao’s first contact with basketball did not leave him with a very positive impression. During a game in grade three of his primary school, the teacher asked who could shoot from the foul line. “Yao Ming,” was the Unanimous response. “This made me very proud at that time, but one of my classmates did better than me, and this remained a sore point for some time,” said Yao Ming with a wry smile. “Such was my first close contact with basketball.”

Yaoming’s height gained him entry into the Shanghai Juvenile Sports School water polo team, but it was, ironically, his tallness that made coordination with fellow team members difficult. He then switched to the basketball team.

Tempering

On entering Juvenile Sports School at the age of 12, Yao Ming began to live the life of an athlete: one of monotonous routine, but imbued with vitality.

In 1994, his sterling performance gained Yao Ming a transfer from Shanghai Xuhui District Juvenile Amateur Sports School to the Shanghai Youth Team, and the supervision of coaches Chen Dechun and Wang Qun. “At that time, I trained four times a day — a total of 10 hours. In order to help me master the basic skills, Mr. Wang was very strict. If I slackened my pace, he would punish me.” Even talking about it reactivates Yao Ming’s lingering fears, because although the young Yao Ming understood that this was all for his own good, his youth generally inclined him towards taking it easy.

Yao Ming expresses heartfelt gratitude to his coaches, as it was their rigor that shaped his mastery of basic skills that led to his later brilliance.

In 1997, and at a height of 2.12 meters, 18-year-old Yao Ming joined the Shanghai Sharks. This marked the beginning of his professional basketball career. Since then, Yao Ming has shone. In the technical analysis of that season, the number of his blocks came second only to Wang Zhizhi of the Bayi Rockets, and the same year he won the Sportsmanship Award. More important still, Yao Ming has developed a deep love for basketball and is completely devoted to the game.

Pain and Injury

Along with passion and vitality, sports also entail pain and injury. When grabbing for a rebound during a league match held in 1998, the forward of the opposing team stepped on and fractured Yao Ming’s left foot. Yao Ming had no choice but to cease training and be suspended from play.

“My foot was placed in a cast for one and a half months, and it was difficult to walk, let alone run and jump.” This accident caused Yao Ming’s team to lose several matches in the following league season.

Yao Ming continued training by exercising his upper limbs and practicing ball-control, and was able to pinpoint the reason for his injury--- lack of strength.

The injury did not, however, demoralize Yao Ming, and he talked and laughed as before, joking about his foot, which was encased in over five kilograms of plaster cast.

Turning Point

Having weathered stringent preparation, the turning point in Yao Ming’s life came when he joined the National Youth Basketball Team. This entailed going to France with two of his team members, and attending the European basketball training camp. One week of training not only broadened his vision, but also helped him gain confidence. Having learned so much from his international contemporaries, Yao Ming is optimistic about the future, his goal being “To be the best center forward in China.”

In 1998, Yao Ming went to the USA to attend the Nike Juvenile Basketball Summer Camp. His two 3-pointer left a deep impression on Michael Jordan. “Why not join the NBA; you can play the center forward with the Chicago Bulls,” said Jordan with a smile, patting Yao Ming on the shoulder. From then on, all Yao Ming’s ambitions fused into joining the NBA, and at the same time, the American NBA had its eyes on him.

Over the past few years, difficulties and hardships have helped Yao Ming grow from a rookie player into China’s No. 1 center forward. As a member of the Chinese Men’s Basketball Team, he has participated in nearly all international competitions, including the 1998 Asian Games, 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, the 2001 Universiade, and the East Asian Games. He has, In addition, distinguished himself assisting the Sharks in winning the CBA final championship.

Yao Ming is now to play as No. 11 in the Houston Rockets. Yao considers number 11 as auspicious; as to him it symbolizes smoothness and success.

On being asked by a CCTV reporter about his NBA career objectives, Yao Ming said, “Apart from Iverson and Duncan, few No.1 selected in the NBA drafts have given an outstanding performance. To improve my skills, I must set myself exacting targets. It doesn’t matter whether I win the final championship or not. As long as I have tried my best, I will have no regrets.”

(China Today   September 2002)

New Words and Expressions

debut n.v.  初次登场；开张

fluidity n. 流动性；灵活性

in the know 知内情的；熟悉内幕的

towering a. 高耸的

stature n. 身高

foul line 边界

wry smile苦笑

imbue with 浸透

sterling a. 高质量的

slacken vt. 减缓；放慢；松弛

entail vt. 使蒙受；使承担

rebound v.  n.  回弹

forward n. 前锋

fracture vt.（使）碎裂；（使）破裂

suspend v.  暂停; 终止

pinpoint v.  查明

demoralize vt. 使士气受挫

encase vt. 包扎

plaster cast 石膏绷带

stringent a. 严厉的；严格的；苛刻的

3-pointer n. 三分球

fuse into 溶化；变成

rookie n. 新手

universiade 世界大学生运动会

auspicious a. 吉祥的；幸运的

9. More Chinese Tourists Go Abroad

Spring Festival or Chinese lunar New Year, the most important traditional festival in china, falls on February 12 this year. In large cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, the number of people registered to travel abroad during Spring Festival has been on the rise. In the early February, some travel agencies in Guangzhou already left no vacancies for their Southeast Asia tour packages for the month. In Shanghai, however some agencies and busy increasing flight tickets and tour routes for overseas travel purpose. Traveling abroad has become a major activity of residents of these large cities.

Latest statistics show that in 2001, at least 10 million Chinese citizens went abroad for tourism purposes with the total expense surpassing US$10 billion. In a couple of years, the number of Chinese citizens touring abroad will lead that of other Asian countries. The World Tourism Organization predicts that by 2020,China will lead the world in this area.

Experts analyze that China’s economy is developing in full swing and RMB remains strong, while currencies of other Asian countries are devaluating. This enables Chinese people to go abroad at their own expense.

Better-off Chinese Step Into the World

Along with national economic development, the income of Chinese is increasing. In 2001, per-capita income of urban citizens increased by 8.2 percent over the previous year, and net per-capita income of farmers rose by 4 percent. The total savings deposits of urban and rural residents reached a record high of 7 billion yuan, or an increase of more than 800 billion yuan when compared with the beginning of 2001. The consumption is brisk, with motor vehicle, housing, information, tourism and education becoming five major consumer items.

Per-capita GDP in large cities like Beijing and Guangzhou reached US$3,000in2001,whilethatofShanghaihitUS$4,000 a year earlier, leading other part of China in this respect, with the exception of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. This also helped Shanghai match countries and regions with middle- or high-level incomes.

An article in the Hong Kong-based Asian weekly said that after the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States, some countries’ airlines closed down or reduced employees. But the airlines of China’s mainland increased 1,376 flights, making it the country with the swiftest growth of tourists going abroad.

Restrictions on Overseas Tours Lifted

It was once impossible for Chinese citizens to undertake overseas tours

First, the price was too high. For instance, in 1995, when Thailand opened its door to Chinese tourists, the price of a six-day tour with round-trip ticket was over 6,000 yuan. Today the price is too lower. In the 1990s, travel agencies in Guangdong charged 20,000-30,000 yuan for a tour to Australia and New Zealand, which now costs only 10,000 yuan.

Second, many people were baffled by the complicated procedures for touring abroad. Today, the procedure is simplified with the promulgation of a series of policies. The Entry and Exit office of Beijing Public Security Bureau announced that as of January 1 this year, an invitation letter from the targeted tourist destination is not required when a Chinese citizen applies for a transnational tour. The registration card that was once issued with passports has been cancelled, as a guarantee for overseas tours.

On November 22,2001,the Entry-Exit Department of the Ministry of Public Security announced six reform measures:

• Prolong the term of validity of visas to Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan;

• Delegating the power of singing visas of foreign tourist groups to the port visa-singing department;

• Eliminating the requirement of an invitation letter from the targeted overseas destination and exit registration card that was previously issued along with the passport;

• Opening special entry passageways for Chinese citizens in 10 large cities;

• By 2005,citizens living in large and medium-size cities will be able to apply for a passport with their household registration cards and identification cards. Shanghai, Zhuhai, Shunde and some other cities will be pilots for the introduction of this practice. Provinces municipalities and autonomous regions will be able to select one or two large or medium-sized cities as pilots to implement the measure, with the approval of the Ministry of Public Security.

The simplified procedure provides an obvious convenience to tourists. Xu Chunguang, Deputy Manager of the Marking Department of CITS Guangdong Branch, said it presently takes one month to complete procedures for an overseas tour, but before procedure simplification, it look two months. In the near future, it will be shortened to two weeks. By then, people will be able make plans for their tours more easily.

A New Tourist Exporter

China is a world-acknowledged new tourist exporter in Asia. An authoritative survey showed that in 2000,the number of China’s tourists going abroad topped 10 million, with expenses of US$100.6 billion. By 2005,tourists will reach 16.4 million.

An official with the national tourism administration said that many countries have expressed their desire to be tourist destination of Chinese people as early as possible, in the hope of entering the huge market China offers. Some have established representative offices in China; others have come to seek cooperation on tourism affairs.

(Beijing Review   February 14 2002)

New Words and Expressions

The World Tourism Organization 国际旅游组织

in full swing 全面开展；达到高潮

currency n. 货币

devaluate v. （使）贬值

per-capita income 人均收入

savings deposit 储蓄存款

brisk a. 活跃

baffle vt. 困惑；阻碍；为难

prolong vt. 延长；拖延

validity n. 有效期；合法性

delegate vt. 托付；授权

The National Tourism Administration 国家旅游局

10.Keeping Drugs Out of the Games

China is taking a zero tolerance stance on drug use for the upcoming
Olympics in Athens and Beijing

On January 13, 2004, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao signed a decree making public the Anti-Doping Regulations, the first of its kind in Chin_a._ Coming into effect on March 1, the statute, comprising six chapters and 47 articles, calls on related government departments to crack down on the use of drugs among athletes.

First Sports Anti-Doping Law

“The enforcement of the regulations shows the determination of the Chinese Government in fighting drug use among athletes,” said Yuan Weimin, Director of the State General Administration of Sport (SGAS), at an anti-doping forum attended by officials from the departments of discipline inspection, food and drugs, health, commerce, education, customs as well as the Chinese Olympic Committee (COC) on February 29. “The regulations stipulate the rights and responsibilities of related government departments, which have been very supportive ever since we started drafting the regulations,” he added.

According to Li Furong, Deputy Director of SGAS, China started its efforts to control athlete drug use early in 1989. That year, the State Commission of Sports, the predecessor of the SGAS, issued the provisional Regulations on Drug Control in National Sports Events, with the principle of “strict prohibition, examination and punishment.” Since then, the State Commission of Sports (SGAS since 1998) and COC have drawn up over 30 anti-doping provisions.

According to SGAS statistics released in early February, 2003, a total of 4,896 tests were conducted among Chinese athletes, of which 16 positive cases were found, or 0.33 percent. Most of the 16 positive cases were punished while a few are still under investigatio_n._ In recent years, China has conducted at least 4,000 tests per year with positive rates remaining around 0.4 percent, much lower than the average of the international sports community.

Despite such achievements, positive cases were still found. The image of Chinese athletes was tainted in the 1990s following several positive cases, most notably among swimmers. More than 30 athletes and officials got the axe after seven swimmers failed their drug tests for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

The issue extends beyond athletes using drugs. It also involves the source of drugs, including production, distribution, importation and exportation, as well as facilitating or even coaxing athletes into taking drugs by coaches or other working staff.

China has become one of the few countries in the world that have issued laws on athletic drug use. An official with the COC Anti-Doping Commission told Beijing Review that only a few countries in the world have issued a specific statute in this regard. They include France and Italy, he said.

Teaming Up Against Drugs

Previous provisions of the SGAS focused mainly on drug abuse by athletes and coaches, but lacked regulations on drug production and distribution, for example. The new regulations call for a more comprehensive effort against drugs.

Previously uncontrolled anabolic agents and peptide hormones will be under tight supervisio_n._ The banned drugs have been made public in a revised catalogue by the sports administration in cooperation with the afore-mentioned government departments. The list also refers much to the 2004 version of the prohibition list that the World Anti-Doping Agency publishes.

Doctors too will help enforcement of the new law, as they will receive training to understand the drugs and methods to treat athletes. “The Ministry of Health will inform hospitals that doctors, including surgeons, physicians and pharmacists are required to be familiar with the list of the banned drugs,” said Wu Mingjiang, Director of the Department of Medical Administration of the Ministry of Health.

“They should know how to properly treat athlete patients involved in drugs,” Wu said, adding that doctors should avoid prescribing medicine containing any of the substances on the list.

Preparing for Athens & 2008

According to Li Furong, drug abuse is a problem every sports organization faces. Issuing the Anti-Doping Regulations raises Chinese standards to that of the IOC and conforms to the expectations of the international sports community. “The step shows China’s determination to minimize drug use among athletes at the 29th Olympics in Beijing. When bidding for the 2008 Olympics, we committed to the IOC and the whole world and now, we will fulfill our commitment,” said Li.

The objective of the SGAS is to try to make it so that no Chinese athletes will test positive at the Athens Games this summer. Tetrahydrogestrinone, a new kind of anabolic steroid, has been banned in China, said a COC Anti-Doping Commission official. Other anti-doping specifications will be disclosed in the near future, according to him.

In collaboration with the COC Anti-Doping Commission and the CDCC, the BOCOG will train all anti-doping test center managers at different Olympic venues. It will select and send senior anti-doping managers to Athens for further training and participation in the drafting of the anti-doping plan of the 2004 Olympics. Wang said BOCOG would join hands with the IOC to hold anti-doping education courses.

(Beijing Review   April 1 2004)

New Words and Expressions

decree n. 法令；政令

The Anti-doping Regulations 反兴奋剂法规

statute n. 法令；条例

predecessor n. 前身

provisional a. 临时的

taint vt. 玷污；败坏

get the axe 被解雇

coax vt. 哄骗

anabolic a. [生化]合成代谢的

peptide hormones 缩氨酸荷尔蒙

IOC 国际奥林匹克委员会

COC中国奥林匹克委员会

BOCOG 北京奥组委

11.Olympic Investment War

Beijing’s preparation to host the world’s largest sports gala got a key boost in September 1. At a grand ceremony in Beijing, the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Olympic Games (BOCOG) formally launched its marking program. President Jacques Rogge of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), who missed the celebration of the release of the Beijing Olympic logo, was present at the ceremony along with local officials and business people from home and abro_ad._

“The marking plan was formulated in line with the Olympic marketing principles and will provide and maximize capital, goods, technology and services vital for the staging of the 2008 Olympic Games,” said BOCOG official.

What they didn’t mention is that an Olympic-related investment war has also begu_n._

On august 4, two days after the official logo of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games was released, boxes of Coca-Cola drinks featuring the logo were waiting for sale in Beijing supermarkets. They quickly sold out.

As the first top global sponsor authorized by the BOCOG to used the new logo, Coca-Cola has a head start by seizing a golden opportunity for brand promotion, and triggered an “investment war.”

“The Olympic Games, as the world top sports games, is a tremendous commercial platform that will provide business opportunities for enterprises both at home and abroad and greatly affect them” said Li Xiaoyun, an official of Coca-Cola Beverage Ltd. (China). Li said that in the next five years, the company plans to continuously increase its investment in Beijing aimed at the huge market of the 2008 Olympic Games.

Other enterprises have followed suit through formulating a series of marking and investment plans in the capital.

Right to use the Beijing Olympic logo are the key to this investment, and so protecting those intellectual property rights have become a hot issue.

Jiang Xiaoyu, vice president of the BOCOG, said that the logo is far more influential than other trademarks, and is the “most valuable asset” during the marketing of the games. Selling the rights to use the Olympic emblem is one of the most important channels for Beijing to pay for the huge cost of hosting the games, he said.

There are three levels of sponsorship modes to companies: The IOC’ TOP (The Olympic Program) sponsor, the Olympic Games sponsor and the sponsor for the state Olympic committee.

Top sponsors authorized by the IOC enjoy a series of privileges, including the right to use the Olympic Games emblem. According to the program, only one enterprise can be chosen as a TOP sponsor from each industry. It means that two soft drink each industry. It means that two soft drink producers cannot both be TOP sponsors, giving one the definite edge and increased incentive to bid for the spot.

So far, nine global sponsors have planned to continue their agreements with the IOC for the 2005-08 TOP program. Actually that number is quite high, said an anonymous official in charge of the IOC’s marketing affairs. It indicated that multinationals are quite confident about implementing their global marketing strategy in Beijing.

According to the LOC practice over the past several years, the number of global TOP sponsors should on more than 12, and so there are a few vacancies left for the 2008 games. However, due to the huge investment, TOP sponsors are usually world famous multinationals. Ordinary enterprises cannot pay the price to join the program.

China to date has to domestic TOP sponsors, but some large enterprises have shown growing interest in the program. “We are holding talking with some Chinese enterprises in this regard,” said Gerhard Heiberg, Chairman of the IOC Marketing Commission, adding that he hopes that Chinese companies may have an opportunity to join the TOP grogram.

Courting Beijing

Many first-class transnational companies are enhancing their efforts to gain a foothold in the market created by Beijing Olympic Games. For instance, to gain the sponsorship from the automobile industry, enterprises from Germany, the United States and the Republic of Korea have held several round of talks with related Chinese authorities, but have not reached a final result.

In addition, multinationals engaged in telecommunications and other fields have tried to enter China’s market through direct investing as Olympic sponsors.

To win the business opportunity generated by the Olympic Games, competitions have been carried out through different channels. Some officials of many countries of foreign ambassadors to China have paid special visits to the BOCOG, in a bid to seek a little favoritism for their homeland enterprises.

The Australian chamber of Commerce gave an overall introduction to Beijing officials about its experience in hosting the Olympic Games and invited 50 renowned executives to hold an exhibition to show its achievements in architecture in September this year in Beijing. The French Government organized delegations composed of top-level enterprises in environmental protection and public transportation to Beijing, with an aim to show their edge in those fields.

During the next five years, a total of 280 billion yuan (&33.82billion) is to be invested in construction around Beijing, and 64 percent of the capital would be used for infrastructure projects-including building new sports venues and renovating existing ones, improving airports, public transportation systems and expressways, as well as gas, electricity and water supply, sewage treatment and river control.

Beijing plans to strengthen current TV program broadcasting and broadband telecommunication systems for Olympic sports venues and the Olympic Village, and has pledge to increase the mobile phone penetrating rate from the current 30 percent to 60 percent by 2008.

Fifteen stadiums and gymnasiums are to be built for the 2008 Olympic Games. Beside the National stadium that has completed the bidding process, international bidding for the other six projects are underway.

The hiding for Olympic projects has brought a lot of world-renowned construction companies to Beijing. Almost every project up for bid has more than five bidders, coming from France, the United States, Australia and Britain, as well as China’s Taiwan province and Hong Kong Special Administrative Regio_n._

(Beijing Review   September 4 2002)

New Words and Expressions

in line with 符合

head start 领先

intellectual property rights 知识产权

trademark n. 商标

emblem n. 徽章；象征

edge n. 优势

incentive n. 动机

bid for 投标

transnational companies 跨国公司

gain a foothold 立足

bidding n. 投标；出价

bidder n. 投标人；出价人

12. Psychological Health of the Youth Cause for Concern

ON February 23, 2002 a student named Liu Haiyang from Tsinghua University threw vitriol over the black bears on Bear Hill in Beijing Zoo, causing one bear to suffer serious and extensive burns, and completely blinding another. Liu was caught on the spot. His explanation was that he was testing the bears’ sensitivity to the acid.

Millions of TV viewers were incensed by the incident, particularly by Liu’s cold, indifferent demeanor on being interviewed. All condemned his callous behavior. Sociologists, educators, psychologists and criminologists later expressed their opinions and made comments on the incident. Instances of juvenile delinquency, such as campus violence, rape, truancy, and running away from home, have previously occurred, but nothing has aroused such widespread controversy as Liu’s cold sadism, that is so removed from the conduct generally associated with a student from China’s most prestigious university.

There was, however, more to come, and further items of bad news occurred, one after another. On being advised by his school that he should leave after failing several exams, a Beijing university student decided to commit suicide, but first killed his father and grandmother so as to spare their grief on his death. A 13-year-old Sichuan Province girl ran away from home recently in pursuit of her favorite movie star, and has not been seen since. People are beginning to ask: what is the matter with our children, and where is Chinese education going wrong?

Chinese people traditionally revere educatio_n._ The ancient Chinese so evaluated the function of education: “……Only when a person is well cultivated can his family be regulated; only when families are regulated can the country be rightly governed; and only when the country is rightly governed will there be peace under Heave_n._” A popular ancient Chinese expression describes educated people as the country’s “supporting pillars.”

Educational Misconceptions

There are, however, two sides to every coi_n._ As the indispensable role education plays in promoting social progress and nourishing the human mind and spirit is generally recognized, so also is its immediate utility, which has inevitably brought problems.

Misconception One: Utilitarianism

Current education places less emphasis on instruction in ethics, self-cultivation, and social obligations and duties than does the traditional educational approach. This is particularly the case now, as China is in the throes of economic transition, and the moral standards, sense of values and social responsibility so firmly adhered to in the past appear to be disintegrating. Some people have rapidly increased their wealth, while others have been laid off, and remain unemployed. This social situation has thrust utilitarianism upon the family, and on scholastic and social education, and the result in some cases is a distortion of human nature.

Misconception Two: Examination Success

Like many countries, China selects personnel on the basis of examination results. There is no doubt that examinations play a dominant role in propelling social progress. The university entrance examination system in China encourages students to study hard and acquire knowledge for the benefit of society, but China’s huge population and underdeveloped economy preclude existing educational institutions from meeting the needs of all college applicants. In order to enter a school of higher learning, therefore, children are obliged to study very hard from a young age, and there is too much of a bias within Chinese education toward examination success.

Yet children who enter a college are not necessarily all successful. Sociologists and educators have studied many “success” stories and discovered that most such students feel a sense of frustration and self-denial. This is because for so many years “success” has been the sole indicator of their value, and has distorted and debilitated their capacity to assess their other inherent qualities. Moreover, an entirely bookish education has deprived them of the chance to acquire psychological self-esteem, or to understand and apply practical social skills. Such students function adequately under smooth, uneventful circumstances, but once they encounter frustration or adversity, may react with excessive “countermeasures.”

Misconception Three: Division of Science and Liberal Arts

For several decades the college entrance examinations have been broadly divided into science and liberal arts majors. To succeed within such an examination system, therefore, students concentrate their energies on one of the two. Liberal arts students are consequently limited in their knowledge and grasp of science, and the reverse is true of science students and humanities. Such a system deprives students of access to comprehensive knowledge.

Lack of Psychological Guidance

Of all the misconceptions, errors and gaps that current education has been found to contain, it is generally agreed that psychological education is now the most imperative need of Chinese childre_n._

It is reported that China currently has 30 million young people with psychological problems. Primary and middle school students facing psychological challenges account for between 21.6 and 32 percent of the total, and the figure for university students stands at between 16 and 25.4 percent. Both are on the increase.

No Chinese educational institution has yet established a psychological health system, and psychological education within primary and middle schools remains fundamentally nonexistent. Psychologists and analysts are also thin on the ground. In most cases, therefore, children are left to weather their own way through the course of their psychological development.

Lending a Helping Hand

After a re-examination of the concept of psychological, environmental and humane education, Yuan Guiren, vice minister of education, pointed out that the family, school and society at large should function as one body in order to educate children into healthy well-rounded individuals. To this end, many educators and specialists have offered their ideas. Experts on family education have recently put forth the concept of “self-reliance,” which has been widely accepted. The essence of this idea is that children should learn to focus on themselves — on their own health, growth and development. In order to care for their own wellbeing, they should not only develop healthy living habits and take an active part in physical activities, but also learn to understand, accept, control and adapt themselves to society and to communicate with others. In the process of teaching their children how to take care of themselves, parents are guiding them towards being responsible for their own lives.

In any event, it is encouraging to see that Chinese education is taking measures, by studying proven overseas educational experience, to rectify its misconceptions.

(China Today   June 2002)

New Words and Expressions

incense vt. 激怒

demeanor n. 行为；风度

callous a. 无情的；冷淡的

unanimously ad. 全体一致的；无异议的

criminologist n. 犯罪学者；刑事学家

juvenile delinquency 少年犯罪

truancy n. 逃学；旷课

sadism n. 虐待狂；病态的残忍

revere v.  尊敬；敬畏；崇敬

ethics n. 伦理道德规范

throes n. 剧痛；阵痛

disintegrating v. （使）分解；（使）碎裂）

distortion n. 扭曲；变形

frustration n. 挫败；挫折；受挫

self-denial n. 自我否定

debilitate vt. 使衰弱；使虚弱

weather vt. 使受风吹雨打；经受住

humane education 仁慈教育

well-rounded a. 全面发展的

well-being n. 康乐；安宁； 福利

rectify vt. 矫正；调整

13.Traditional Chinese Medicine: Tried and True

It was at the end of 2002, when no one suspected a global epidemic was about to break out, that SARS claimed its first victims.

It soon became apparent that SARS was a new, highly contagious disease. Within a few months, it had spread to more than 30 countries and regions, infecting several thousands of people.

The World Health Organization (WHO) gave it the name Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, and measured its fatality rate at between 14 and 15 percent.

In the nationwide campaign against SARS that was subsequently launched, the potency of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) decisively emerged.

TCM doctors and theoreticians that participated in this battle had never heard of SARS, but were familiar with this type of disease by virtue of their vocation’s long history. The “retention of pathogenic heat in the lungs” as recorded in the Yellow Emperor’s Canon of Internal Medicine more than 2,000 years ago was a condition with symptoms similar to those of SARS. When doctors of TCM and Western medicine joined forces, therefore, they adopted a unique therapy that combined Chinese ancient traditions with Western contemporary scientific technology.

The main danger of SARS is dyspneic respiration caused by damaged pulmonary functions. Its main symptom of high fever develops into respiratory distress Syndrome, and eventually pulmonary fibrosis. In the Western based treatment of SARS, therefore, various TCM prepared medications and injections were administered.

Scientific contrasts and analyses of data prove the efficacy of this combined therapy. It brings down fever, and alleviates the other symptoms of shortness of breath, dry coughing, and fatigue. TCM therapy maintains the normal degree of blood oxygen saturation, keeping fluctuations to a minimum. Combined therapy also calls for fewer steroids than would otherwise be necessary for the treatment of patients with severe symptoms.

In April 2003, WHO experts visited the Guangdong Provincial TCM Hospital and confirmed the effectiveness of combined Western/TCM therapy in treatment of SARS.

Experienced in Epidemics

China has a long history of fighting epidemics.

Its earliest recorded epidemic occurred in the 7th century BC, after which they occurred with increasing frequency. In the Qin (221 - 206 BC) and Han (206 BC-AD 220) dynasties 13 were recorded. A further 64 occurred during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) there were more than 100 epidemics. This acceleration may be attributed to population growth and changes in lifestyle brought about by economic development. Each epidemic brought with it a greater degree of human suffering and economic disaster.

Zhang Zhongjing (150-219), a famous doctor of the Han Dynasty, was born into a distinguished family of altogether 200 members. In one decade, two-thirds of them, along with countless others throughout the social strata, died in epidemics. This made Zhang decide to study medicine. He held the position of governor of Changsha, and took two days each month to receive and treat patients in his office. Zhang eventually resigned his official post and dedicated himself entirely to medicine. He became one of the most famous doctors in Chinese history, and his work, A Treatise on Febrile Diseases, is regarded as a traditional Chinese medicine classic.

Traditional Chinese medicine stresses the necessity to treat the roots, as well as symptoms, of a disease. In line with the basic theory of TCM and its concept of bad air, therefore, when fighting epidemics its practitioners adopt the strategy of positional warfare in order to effect a permanent cure. This means that in addition to using medication to kill germs and viruses, they also closely monitor, consolidate and strengthen the human immune system.

According to contemporary immunology, there are two categories of human immunity: specific and non-specific. Specific immunity refers to antibodies that fight a specific germ or virus, while non-specific immunity constitutes antibodies to any invasion of the human body. It is the latter on which TCM applications focus when fighting epidemics.

Rich Reserves

Since ancient times the Chinese people have regarded herbal medicine and foodstuffs as endowments of nature. According to TCM theory, medicine and food share the same origi_n._ Most of the medical ingredients listed in the Shennong Herbal Classic are everyday foods such as rice, wheat, dates, Chinese yams, edible fungus, lilies, ginger, and garlic. Chinese ancients believed that besides treating disease, these medicines also had a wide application in the general maintenance of good health. Sun Simiao, a famous ancient doctor, said, “A doctor must first clearly determine the cause of disease, and use natural foods to cure it. If these fail, he may then use medicatio_n._”

Traditional Chinese medicine is based on yin/yang — the opposing, complementary principles of nature — and the five elements of metal, wood, water, fire and earth, believed by ancients to be the basic components of the physical universe. In compiling prescriptions, TCM doctors adopt the strategy of “governing a country,” the principle being to employ “monarch, minister, assistant and guide,” referring to the various roles played by the components of a prescriptio_n._ Ancient TCM doctors thus introduced ethics and politics into the realm of medicine.

The earliest Chinese script, the jiaguwen, inscribed on animal bones or tortoise shells, was found on a TCM ingredient — longgu, in 1899. Longgu are fossilized fragments of animal bones and tortoise shells that, according to pharmacopoeia, function as a sedative. Wang Yirong, an official of the Qing Dynasty Guozijian (Directorate of Education), was an ancient graphologist. On falling ill one day, he was given a prescription, which included longgu. Before taking it, he noticed it bore inscribed strokes. On looking more closely, he discovered the longgu to be fragments of tortoise shell inscribed with the names of monarchs from remote antiquity. It later transpired that inscribed longgu were used in ancient divination rituals, so this discovery of jiaguwen dramatically changed its function

Nowadays, the treasure house of traditional Chinese medicine has something for everyone. Cosmeticians use it to make up prescriptions for weight reduction and skin care, and the catering trade to formulate health food and beverages.

(China Today   August 2003)

New Words and Expressions

epidemic n. 流行病

SARS 非典型性肺炎

contagious a. 传染性的; 会传染的

fatality rate 死亡率

subsequently ad. 后来，随后

launch vt. 发动; 发起

potency 力量

theoretician n. 理论家

vocation n. 行业; 职业

retention n. 保持力

pathogenic a. 致病的; 病原的; 发病的

Yellow Emperor’s Canon of Internal Medicine 《黄帝内经》

dyspneic a. 呼吸困难的

pulmonary a. 肺部的

fibrosis n. 纤维化; 纤维症

efficacy n. 功效; 效验

alleviate vt. 减轻; 使（痛苦）易于忍受

steroid n. （生化）类固醇

A Treatise on Febrile Disease 《伤寒杂病论》

immunology n.（生）免疫学

endowment n. 馈赠

Chinese yam 山药

edible fungus 食用菌类

prescription n. 处方，药方

“monarch, minister, assistant and guide”

pharmacopoeia n. 药典

sedative n. 镇静剂

directorate n. 董事会

graphologist n. 笔相家

transpire vt. 得知

divination ritual 占卜仪式

cosmetician n. 美容品业者，化装

14. Perspectives on a New Life

WHAT does life mean? According to the traditional Chinese mentality, it means to clothe, feed and shelter oneself, and to be mobile. Today, these staples still apply, alongside an additional two: entertainment and educatio_n._ The acquisition of two more essentials within a definition of the meaning of life indicates, from another perspective, changes and improvements to life in Chin_a._

Clothing - A Personality Statement

Selecting wardrobe items is a very personal matter, but in the past choice did not enter into it. Anyone lucky enough to be able to choose what they wore stood out from the crowd, causing a social outrage of dimensions sufficient to stifle any inclination towards individual flair in choice of attire. The young of today never saw, nor ever will see, the “blue army” of unisex outfits worn 20 years ago, when buying a new item of daily wear required long and careful deliberatio_n._

Today, clothes are relatively inexpensive, and the amount spent on them represents a relatively small proportion of the average income. As clothing is no longer a weighty financial issue, more consumers follow world fashion trends, and accessories are increasingly indispensable wardrobe items. There is far more concern about which shoes, or what purse should accompany a certain outfit, than its actual cost. The Chinese people have never been so decisive or “fearless” as they are today in their choice of dress. The streets in large metropolises and small cities abound with young people making their personalized fashion statements.

Nutrition - a Scientific Attitude

The Chinese people are noted for their discerning eating habits. This is not surprising, given the country’s age-old culinary history of diversified cuisine and refined gastronomy. Prior to the 1980s, straitened financial circumstances prevented access of the majority to their epicurean heritage, but an improved diet was of primary importance for opening up and reform. The problem of “feeding the stomach” was, therefore, resolved 10 years ago. There is more concern now about levels of nutrition and food values. Since dishes on the dinner table became so much more lavish, diseases caused by eating rich food are now all too commo_n._ Warnings are constantly issued about elevated levels of hypertension, hyperlipaemia, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes. This has, ironically, resulted in nostalgia for the simple diet of more spartan times, and corn and potherbs, designated 20 years ago as “peasant” food, are in popular demand.

Housing - Home Sweet Home

Housing construction over the past decade or so has been rapid and widespread in cities large and small around Chin_a._ The speed at which new buildings appear in Beijing has given rise to the observation that the city changes to a lesser degree every year, on a greater scale every three years, and to the extent of being unrecognizable every five years. The world has never seen such a pace of transformatio_n._

The common people benefit most from this change. The extended family arrangement of two, or even three generations living under one roof is phasing out. The majority of people today have far greater opportunity to live in comfortable, spacious accommodation, with a tasteful decor. European- and American-style housing and remodeling have come very much into vogue on the real estate market these past two years. Real estate developers and furniture manufacturers proudly proclaim that their products “follow the latest trends of the European and American market.”

Family Cars - Individualized Taste

Twenty years ago, Beijing’s urban residents lived mainly within the second ring road - a distance easily covered by bicycle. The third ring road and districts beyond were considered strictly suburban, and therefore staid. Today, certain sections of the third ring road have become prime real estate areas, and a similar phenomenon is also occurring in other cities.

Traveling around the capital by bicycle is more easily said than done. Rapid developments in public transit, taxis, and subways have, however, greatly alleviated the transport issue. Moreover, the rapid increase in family cars over the past five years has kindled in the subconscious of the average citizen dreams of an auto age.

The question now is not one of whether or not to buy a car, but of buying one that is reliable, and reasonably priced. The cheapest car these days costs some 30,000 yuan (approximately US $3,600). According to a reliable news source in Beijing, purchasers must now wait two or three months after paying for a Polo before its keys are actually handed over. There are now more new models. It is reported that in this last quarter of 2002, over a dozen new models have appeared on the market. Car dealers are only too happy at the prospect of another busy season, and have taken measures such as incentive purchases and customized remodeling services to keep the market brisk. The latter measure is, however, unlikely to win wide patronage, as few people can afford to remodel their car to their own specifications.

Entertainment - What Life Returns

Life improvements are exemplified by the time available to spend on pure entertainment. Leisure pastimes are spiritual sustenance to the Chinese.

In recent years numerous modes of entertainment have emerged, such as audio-visual gadgets, stage performances, and square galas. Even residents of a rural county like Beijing’s Yanqing spend their evenings outdoors in a square, either performing or watching singing, dancing and other folk arts.

In recent years tourism has become a part of people’s lives. It is reported that over the past five years, the mobility radius of ordinary Chinese people has increased by at least 1,000 kilometers. They first made trips to their provincial capital city, and later to large metropolises like Beijing and Shanghai. Now they go as far away as Bangkok, or even Sydney. Statistics show that last year Chinese sightseers on the streets of Paris numbered 600,000.

Education - A Down Payment for the Future

Sightseeing apart, on what else might extra money be spent? Most parents opt for their children’s schooling. When making any kind of purchase, Chinese people generally haggle and bargain , but not when it comes to educatio_n._ At some schools it may simply not be possible for parents to get their children enrolled, even after standing hours in a long queue waiting to pay school fees. Investing in education both by the government and citizens alike has never been as popular as it is today.

Changes in life modes can be both uplifting and fraught with setbacks. Life in China has nonetheless undergone bold and steady advances. Frustrations may lurk, but life still promises more heartening changes.

(China Today   November 2002)

New Words and Expressions

staple n. 主要成分

stifle vt. 使窒息；抑制

flair n. 才能；本领

attire n. 服装

unisex a. 男女皆宜的

outfit n. 服装

discerning a. 有辨识能力的

culinary a. 厨房的；烹调用的

cuisine n. 烹调法；烹饪；烹调风格

refined a. 精致的；优雅的

gastronomy n. 美食法；烹饪法；享乐主义

epicurean a. 享乐主义的；美食者的

lavish a. 过分丰富的；浪费的

hypertension n. 高血压；过度紧张

hyperlipaemia n. 高血脂

hypercholestrolemia n. 高胆固醇

diabetes n. 糖尿病

spartan a. 简朴的；节约的

potherbs n. 熟食叶用菜；野菜

décor n. 装修

vogue n. 时尚；流行；时髦

staid a. 呆板的

incentive a. 激励的

customized a. 定制；用户化

remodeling n. 重新塑造；改造；改变 

brisk a. 活跃的；健康的

patronage n. 支持；光顾；惠顾

spiritual sustenance 精神支柱

gala n. （体育、社交等）特别场合；盛会

mobility radius 活动范围

metropolis n. 大都会；大城市

opt vt. 选择

haggle vi. 争价

be fraught with 充满的

15.Talented Women of Ancient China

In feudal times, imperial exams were the main channel through which men of letters entered officialdom. Unfortunately only men were eligible to take these examinations. Su Xun, a great scholar of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), had two sons that both passed the highest imperial examination and went on to become famous poets. He also had a daughter, Su Xiaomei, who was as intelligent and gifted as her brothers. Her father Su Xun is said to have remarked⁴, “It’s a pity Su Xiaomei was not born male, or there would be three successful imperial examination candidates in our family.” He is not, however, recorded⁵ as ever trying to change the system that so disregarded his daughter’s and other women’s talents and capabilities.

This inequitable convention forced untold intelligent and artistic women to remain in obscurity, but a few were able to emerge and illuminate their epochs. Two such outstanding women — Wu Zetian and Shangguan Wan’er — lived during the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

invaluable Administratrix

figurative to ascend the throne (= become king or queen)
In 690, Empress Dowager Wu Zetian rose from her position as controller of the imperial court and ascended the throne.

She was the only female ever to reign as monarch in Chinese history.

Shangguan Wan’er had been Wu Zetian’s trusted aide prior to her enthronement, and for several decades the destiny of the Tang Empire was in the hands of these two exceptional women. Historical data show that they were instrumental in maintaining the stability, prosperity and development of the Tang Dynasty. Their successful partnership was, however, hard earned⁶.

Shangguan Wan’er (664-710) was born into an official’s family. Her grandfather Shangguan Yi, important official and influential poet of the early Tang Dynasty, was involved in a power struggle during Emperor Gaozong’s reign and was, along with Shangguan Wan’er’s father, executed by Wu Zetian. Shangguan Wan’er’s mother and her one-month-old daughter subsequently became slaves at the imperial palace. Wan’er’s initial impression of Wu Zetian was therefore influenced by two generations of her family having died at the hands of this female despot. After participating in administration of imperial affairs, however, Wan’er gradually saw that the empress was a learned, versatile and insightful woman, and a conscientious monarch who governed wisely and loved the people.

Shangguan Wan’er learned reading and writing from female officials in the imperial palace. She read extensively, and early showed talent for writing prose and poetry. Wu Zetian stumbled upon poems written by the 14-year-old Wan’er in the crown prince’s study, and was so impressed that she appointed Wan’er her personal secretary. The empress later gave Wan’er the responsibility of drafting edicts, and would discuss state affairs with her before making any decisions. Eventually all memorials submitted to Wu Zetian were first read by Wan’er for her opinion before being approved by the empress. By the age of 19, Wan’er was the most powerful person in the imperial court, second only to Wu Zetian herself.

Inheritrix of a Historical Undertaking

Another outstanding woman was Ban Zhao (49-120) whose father Ban Biao was author of the “sequel to the Records of the Historian,” and whose elder brother Ban Gu was also a famous historia_n._

Upon Ban Biao’s death, Ban Gu embarked on compiling the “Chronicles of the Han Dynasty,” an endeavor he continued for more than 20 years until A.D. 92, when he became involved in a power struggle in the imperial court and died in priso_n. It then fell to his sister Ban Zhao to finish the chronicles. On completion the work, written in ancient obscure characters, was impossible for lay people to re_ad. Emperor Hedi, particularly appreciative of Ban Zhao’s talents, ordered her to give lectures on it at the imperial library, as well on Confucian classics at the imperial palace for the benefit of his wives and concubines. Ban Zhao was later advisor to Empress Dowager Deng. On Ban’s death the empress was so stricken that she gave her a state funeral.

Apart from her knowledge of historiography, Ban Zhao was also accomplished in literature, and wrote much poetry and prose. Her daughter-in-law compiled these works into three volumes entitled “Collection of A Master.” Unfortunately most did not survive the passage of time, and only eight poems remain, one the famous “Ode to Eastern Expedition” (Dongzheng Fu).

Over a century later, another talented woman, Cai Wenji, emerged. Her life experience was similar to that of Ban Zhao’s, but she suffered a great deal more. Her best known work is the epic poem “Eighteen Verses Sung to a Barbarian Whistle” (Hujia Shibapai).

Cai Wenji was a gifted musician, learned and versatile. She was daughter of Cai Yong, a famous scholar of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220). He died in prison in the warlord years, and Cai Wenji was captured by invading Xiongnu whose chieftain married her, and whom she bore two sons. Twelve years later, Cao Cao, ruler of the State of Wei during the Three Kingdoms Period, and a good friend of Cai Yong, paid a huge ransom for her retur_n._ Cai Wenji was ecstatic at being freed, but sorely grieved at parting with her sons. Her “Eighteen Verses Sung to a Barbarian Whistle” reflect her conflicting emotions on being released.

Her father, the scholar Cai Yong, had amassed a collection of 4,000 books in which Cao Cao expressed interest. Cai Wenji sadly told him that they were all lost, but that she could write more than 400 works from memory. This she did and presented to Cao Cao. Cai Wenji thus left a precious heritage.

Outstanding Poetess and Compiler

Li Qingzhao (1084-1151) was born of scholarly parents, and as an infant could recite over a hundred ancient poems. By the time she had reached her teens she was proficient in chess, calligraphy, painting and the lute, and wrote extraordinary poetry. She had all the accomplishments of a scholar.

At the age of 18 Li Qingzhao married Zhao Mingcheng, son of the prime minister, and the couple lived in Qingzhou. Zhao Mingcheng differed from the usual profligate sons of officials, being eager to learn and dedicated to his career. He was a keen collector of antiques and an expert on epigraphy. The couple lived a studious, frugal life, their only extravagance being works of painted and sculpted art.

Zhao Mingcheng began to compile his monumental work, “Notes on Ancient Bronze and Stone Inscriptions,” in 1117. Then in 1128 Jin troops captured Qingzhou and burned down the couple’s house, together with their collection of cultural relics. Zhao Mingcheng died of illness on his way to his post in 1129, and Li Qingzhao fled to Hangzhou with a host of other refugees, where she settled. A few years later, she collated her husband’s manuscripts and finished compiling his work. The whole collection comprised 30 volumes, including 2,000 rubbings and more than 500 essays.

Li Qingzhao was a ci poetess, and eventually developed a school of her ow_n._ At that time ci poetry fell into two schools: euphemistic and heroic. Li Qingzhao’s poems were of the former school, but her starkly eloquent poems had none of the floweriness of that of her peers. Li Qingzhao’s poetry became known to later generations as the Yi’an style, and she is now regarded as leader of the euphemistic school.

Being suppressed by feudal ethics must have been particularly unbearable to women of sagacity and talent like Su Xiaomei, Shangguan Wan’er, Ban Zhao, Cai Wenji and Li Qingzhao. It is tragic to consider how few others were able to emerge and contribute what they had to Chin_a._ One wonders how different the course of Chinese history might have been, had more women earlier participated in its arts and government.

(China Today   February 2004)

New Words and Expressions

iImperial exams  科举考试

officialdom _n._官场

eligible a.  符合条件的; 合格的

inequitable a. 不公平的; 不公正的

aide n. 助手; 副官

enthronement n. 即位; 登基典礼

instrumental a. 有助于

despot n. 专制君主; 暴君

versatile a. 多才多艺的; 多面手的

insightful a. 富有洞察力的; 有深刻见解的

stumble upon  偶然发现

edict n. 布告; 法令

memorial n. 奏章

lay a. 外行的

historiography n. 编史

profligate a. 放荡的，肆意挥霍的

epigraphy n. 金石学

studious a. 勤学的，认真的

frugal a. 节俭的，朴素的

extravagant a. 奢侈的，浪费的

collate v.  比较

rubbings n. 拓片

ci poetess n. 女词人

euphemistic a. 婉约的

heroic a. 豪放的

starkly a.  完全地，绝对地

Yi’an style 易安风格

V. SOCIAL HOT ISSUES

1.SARS Changes China

Humorous text messages like: “Softly I outline your ears, gently I touch your cheeks, and sweetly I kiss your lips… But don’t mistake me for anything but a gauze mask. Wear me whenever you go out,” are being transmitted by the capital’s many mobile phone users. The Chinese people may now be able to treat the SARS virus with humor, but its first appearance caused widespread fear and panic.

A Rude Jolt

SARS has changed China and the life of the Chinese people.

The most obvious change can be seen in the government’s handling of the SARS epidemic since April 20. Leaders have made no attempt to refute, or remain indifferent to criticisms leveled against them. The Chinese government has been frank, and taken full responsibility. As Vice-Premier and new Minister of Health Wu Yi said, it was incumbent on the government to apologize and make amends for not being more open with the public medi_a._ Each problem was squarely faced and the necessary drastic measures take_n._ Dereliction of duty on the part of the former minister of Health and the mayor of Beijing resulted in their being removed from office, and on April 21 the government began making daily public reports on the gravity of the epidemic. The media now gives timely bulletins on the current situation, indicating China’s transparency at home and within the international community.

The government’s openness and willingness to admit its mistakes have increased public confidence. According to one survey, most people said that if they or a member of their family were to manifest SARS type symptoms, they would immediately report to the relevant authority and take the necessary preventive and control measures as stipulated by the government. Although less than 20 percent was totally satisfied with the government’s openness as regards the release of information, about 70 percent said they were relatively satisfied, indicating their recognition and support of the government’s work.

Health and Sanitation — A Matter of Deep Concern

During the SARS epidemic period, the media repeatedly emphasized how physical exercise increases immunity. Soon the Chinese people could be seen sporting and exercising in all ways, on streets and down alleyways, playing badminton, kicking shuttlecocks, and throwing frisbees. Beijing’s subway stations were emblazoned with large-format body-building club advertisements that read, “An invitation to you, me and him to get together and sweat is better for us all than one to go out and eat.”

During the SARS epidemic period, stores in almost all shopping malls were empty, other than the major exception of supermarkets selling daily-use articles and sports equipment stores. Badminton shuttlecocks, ping-pong and basketballs rapidly sold out in most shopping malls, and prices of motorized treadmills shot up.

Trade in city bicycle shops once again became brisk, to the extent that in some places advance orders were necessary. Ms Wang, who works at a foreign company, said, “The weather is getting warm. Going to work by bicycle builds up the physique and increases immunity. This way I can also avoid crowded buses. Choosing to travel by bicycle is an obvious and effective SARS preventive method.”

A normal hygiene habit that increased multifold during the SARS epidemic period was that of washing the hands, evident in the consumption of running water in Beijing, which as from mid-April increased by 350,000 cubic meters per day.

Yet another change was in public attitudes towards spitting. Some time ago a special organization was set up in Beijing with the aim of eradicating the bad but common habit of spitting. It had minimal effect. Since the SARS epidemic, however, spitting is now completely proscribed in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, and a 50 to 200 Yuan fine has been imposed. There are also special police patrols and volunteers in Beijing whose purpose is to stamp out this unhygienic, disease spreading habit.

Conventional eating habits also came in for criticism during the SARS epidemic period, particularly that of diners eating from one plate. In the traditional Chinese view, several friends taking food from same plate is an expression of good will. In the interests of preventing the spread of SARS, however, the China Association of Catering Enterprises advocated the serving of individual portions in restaurants throughout the country.

Health concerns have extended to the housing market. In Guangzhou, apartments with good ventilation and air convection are in the greatest demand. Adequate environmental protection and greening is no longer enough for the now more health conscious buyers.

SARS has forced a re-evaluation of the whole concept of good health and the quality of life.

Cherishing Family and Friends

The SARS epidemic period brought home to people just how important their families are to them. There began to be less social intercourse and a greater emphasis on family life. Urban men started going home directly after work to be with their family members, rather than making any stops on the way to meet with clients, or hanging out with their colleagues.

Some sociologists say that SARS may have widened the physical distance between people, but that it has nevertheless made absolutely clear to all how, in this global village, people are interdependent. There are consequently altered attitudes towards money, work and traditional values. After being quarantined or confined to their homes for a period of time, many people became more open-minded, and keen to reaffirm their interpersonal relations. People began to call their relatives far from home more often, there was less grumbling, and generally more concern for the good of the whole.

As one scholar pointed out, recent developments in China’s market economy brought about a new wave of individualism, and therefore selfishness, but ”… the SARS crisis made us consider once more the common good.”

In a recent survey in China, the question, “If you were a doctor, what would you do on being confronted by the SARS crisis?” was asked. Of those that answered, 45 percent said that they would go to the front line on their own initiative, and 49 percent that they would stay at their current post. A further 80 percent answered, “Despite the danger, I would volunteer for SARS prevention and control activities.”

The impact of the “all for one and one for all” concept that has emerged in the fight against SARS on interpersonal and possibly international relations will be far-reaching.

Respect Wildlife

There is no denying that the Chinese people are creative when tapping food resources. There are gourmets who joke, “I have eaten all things that fly other than airplanes, all that crawl other than tanks, everything in water other than ships, all four legged beings apart from chairs, and all bipeds other than humans.”

In a survey conducted by the China State Forestry Bureau in 21 big and medium-sized cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, 46 percent of those interviewed admitted to having eaten wild animals—38.3 percent out of curiosity, and 54.8 percent in the belief that such meat is of high nutritional value and acts as a tonic.

Although it has not been definitely established that the SARS virus originated in a wild animal, the Chinese people have nonetheless begun to rethink their dietary habits. SARS has curtailed curiosity about the taste of game meat.

In the past, China’s administration of the catering trade handled cases of rare or endangered species as menu items from the point of view of wildlife protection, rather than from that of epidemic preventio_n._ Since the epidemic, however, the Chinese catering trade has implemented anti-SARS measures, and the China Cuisine Association has required of it a reduction in the supply of game meat. The State Forestry Bureau and the State Administration of Industry and Commerce issued a joint circular, ordering the cessation of hunting, sale, purchase, transportation, and import and export of wild game, as well as overall monitoring of domestication and breeding of wild animals. It was also reported that the chefs of Shanghai issued a joint written refusal to prepare game dishes. On May 10, the Shenzhen City Wildlife Protection Station published a circular, announcing suspension of “permits for wildlife business, operation and utilization,” revoking all permits previously issued. Shenzhen is also to make laws prohibiting the consumption of game meat and establishing areas where hunting is permanently prohibited.

Promoting Network Subsistence

The SARS epidemic caused empty public buses and overloaded public communications. Buses in Beijing are normally packed to the limit, but in April it was a different story, as many work units allowed their staff members to work from home, or gave them extended leave.

Guo Haitong, aged 13, is a student in Class Three, Grade One of the Beijing Yuyuantan Middle School. On April 23, all primary and middle schools in Beijing suspended classes, but students received a circular informing them that teachers would give online classes through the Internet and on T_V._ On April 30, three websites jointly opened online classes for primary and middle school students. Starting in May, Guo could take lessons given by the best teachers in Beijing by means of the computer and T_V._

“I had never bought anything on the Internet until recently, when I found a purchasing channel that is both cheap and convenient. I think shopping over the Internet will become the vogue before long,” said Ms Cheng who works for a Public Relations company.

It is estimated that in 2002, electronic commodities sold on the Internet totaled 1.5-2.0 billion Yua_n._ During the SARS epidemic period many people were reluctant to go to shopping malls. Instead, they did shopping on the Internet.

According to alibab_a._com, on April 17 it displayed more than 9,000 items of commercial opportunity, a scale it had maintained since March. During the same period in 2002 and in 2001, however, the figure was around 3,000.

According to statistics provided by Eachnet.com, the largest of its kind in the country, after the breakout of the SARS epidemic, requirements for the release of information increased sharply. That on the availability of gauze masks, disinfectant and vitamins increased six-fold, and actual transactions increased ten-fold. Pan Yan, manager of Eachnet.com sports and travel goods section, said that in April an average 500 buyers made orders each day, averaging one transaction every 3.5 minutes.

Some shopping malls began to access new markets by providing online services. The manager of one shop said, “With online shopping, our sales will not be affected by bad weather or any other serious epidemics.”

China’s Internet has developed rapidly in recent years. There are now tens of millions of netizens, and broadband access is available in various big cities. During the panic period of the SARS epidemic, China’s broadband network was invaluable for enabling work to be done at home, giving lessons to students, online shopping, and for its ability to transmit messages on the state of the epidemic, as well as providing various kinds of online entertainment and exchange.

Life online has become a new lifestyle mode for many people. According to 263.com, the online time of its users has increased 20 percent.

Some people have even gone so far as to conduct their wedding ceremonies on the Internet. In Chongqing, a newlywed couple that planned to marry on April 26, and that had been making preparations for more than two months, canceled their wedding to avoid the risk of spreading SARS. Instead they bought a digital camera and held an online wedding, over which they toasted their friends and relatives, and received congratulations.

Face-to-face chatting has changed to online chat. Some people say that the Internet makes people less sociable, and that they would rather chat in a virtual chat room than talk to their colleagues in the same office. But it is undeniable that during the SARS epidemic period the Internet brought people closer.

The indispensability of the Internet in the midst of the SARS crisis has aroused the attention of the general public. Chinese people have begun to think, the SARS epidemic apart, shouldn’t we re-examine our attitude towards information technology? Although the number of Chinese netizens reached 59.1 million at the end of 2002, surpassing the number in Japan, in proportion to China’s huge population of 1.3 billion, it is still minimal.

This crisis has in addition been a warning to all Chinese companies yet to build their own internal networks. When something unexpected happens, can they keep up their normal pace of work? An investigation indicates that 26 percent of the companies on China’s mainland are taking appropriate actio_n._ Although this figure is much lower than that in Hong Kong (53 percent) and Singapore (48 percent), it is approaching the figure in Canada (28 percent).

How can the whole of China be placed online, so that the Internet plays a more important role in China’s modernization drive? And how is it that this utterly unforeseen crisis has been so considerably alleviated by the Internet? These questions have caused the Chinese people to ponder more deeply the issue of building a well-off society in an all-round way.

                                  （Excerpts from China Today   July 2003）

New Words and Expressions

jolt n. 震惊

refute vt. 驳斥；否认

indifferent a. 冷漠的；不注意的

incumbent _a._职责所在的；负有义务的

make amends 赔偿；补偿

squarely ad. 坦率地

dereliction n. 玩忽职守

manifest vt. 显示

symptom n. [医]症状；征兆

stipulate vi. 规定

immunity n. 免疫性

emblazon vt. 装饰

mall n. 购物商场；商业街

shuttlecock n. 羽毛球

treadmill n. 踏车

shoot up 暴涨；飞涨

physique n. 体格；体形

hygiene n. 卫生；卫生学

multifold a. 多种的；多方面的

eradicate vt. 根除；扑灭

proscribe vt. 禁止；阻止

stamp out 毁掉；根除

advocate vt. 提倡；主张

ventilation n. 通风；通风装置

convection n. 对流

hang out 停留

interdependent a. 相互依赖的；互助的

confine vt. 限制

confront vt. 面临；遭遇

do sth. on one’s own initiative 主动地做某事

tap vt. 开发；利用

gourmet n. 美食家

biped n. 两足动物

tonic n. 补药；滋补品

curtail vt. 剥夺

cessation n. 停止

game n. 野味

transaction n. 交易

newlywed n. 新近结婚的人

indispensability n. 不可缺少

alleviate vt. 减轻；缓和

2.Should Pets Be Killed to Prevent and Control SARS?

Although the cause of SARS has not yet been concluded, and no substantial progress has been made in studies on the relationship between fauna and this infectious disease, animals are suspected of being the root of the SARS pathoge_n._ This is because Hong Kong experts at first revealed that SARS had a relationship with animals, and that the first case of the epidemic was discovered in Guangdong Province, where people eat a variety of wildlife.

On April 29, the State Forestry Bureau and the State Administration for Industry and Commerce issued an urgent circular, demanding a halt on the hunting, sale, purchase, transportation, import and export of wild animals in all localities, and calling for the monitoring and control of all wild animal breeding places. Correspondingly, some provinces and cities have taken measures to implement this circular.

On May 5, the Shenyang Forestry Bureau in northeast China’s Liaoning Province announced a ban on direct contact between humans and animals, to prevent SARS cross-infection. Experts also warned that wantonly eating wildlife is not only destructive for the ecological environment, but is also a health threat.

Hearing that SARS is directly connected to animals, people in some residential communities began to capture and kill pet cats and dogs. Related rules have been formulated in many places to restrict the activities of pets, such as not allowing them to go outdoors or take public transport.

Some communities warned that if an animal there was suspected of carrying SARS, all pets there would be killed including stray dogs and cats. But other experts said that blaming the cause of SARS on animals was groundless, and that taking actions to kill pets was just plain wrong. Animal protection organizations appealed for a halt to the killing of pets, calling to publicize the true relationship between SARS virus and animals, and to treat animals with a scientific, reasonable, civilized and ethical attitude.

It is Wrong to Kill Pets

Professor Lin Degui (Director of the Clinical Medicine School of the China Agricultural University): It has not been proved that SARS virus originally came from animas, it is just something that scientists have deduced. The accusation that pets caused the epidemic is groundless, and blindly capturing and killing them is wrong. Canine coronavirus, which has been in existence for a long time, only infects dogs. No one, anywhere in the world, including dog owners or veterinary surgeons, has ever been infected with it. Feline coronavirus, which cannot cause SARS, is easily killed with normal disinfectants. An analysis of the lung fibers and gene sequences of SARS patients has indicated that the SARS virus has only a minor relationship with feline coronavirus.

Zu Shuxian (Epidemiology Professor of Anhui University): Original coronaviruses of animals are different from that of human being. Animal coronaviruses only spread among like species, not among different species and people. Judging from its ferocious nature and gene sequence, SARS virus is probably the result of a sudden change of a coronavirus, or the restructuring of a human and animal coronavirus. Even if the SARS coronavirus is derived from a certain animal coronavirus, the two viruses become different in nature. We found that monkeys can be infected with the SARS virus, but we cannot conclude that they are its source and, therefore, should be killed.

Similarly, most scientists believe that the AIDS virus comes from higher primates, but today’s rampant AIDS virus is one affecting humans, not primates. The primate virus still does not infect people, disputing the idea that the same virus infects both humans and animals.

A report from Hong Kong University laboratory showed that SARS virus probably came from animals, but there is no proof that cats and dogs carry it. Capturing and killing pets is not an action included in measures advised by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Chinese Government to prevent and control SARS. Taking the best methods to prevent SARS is the only way to effectively control the epidemic.

Doctor Zhang Li (Chinese representative of International Fund for Animal Welfare of IFAW): Panic towards SARS is understandable, but, from a scientific point of view, the killing of pets is groundless and irresponsible. Even the WHO does not confirm that pets were the source of SARS. Companion animals such as dogs and cats have lived with human for thousands of years. During this long period of time, we have never found that they carry any ferocious virus that severely threatens people’s lives. No research organization has concluded that pets are the source or carrier of the SARS virus. In addition, pets enjoy the same living conditions and food as we do, thereby, external conditions for virus production and change are nonexistent.

Even if the SARS virus is derived from animals, they must be those that live in the wild. Only by touching or eating them can people become infected. Thereby, the habit of wantonly eating wild animals or keeping them as pets is probably the real cause. The rampant SARS virus cannot be regarded as a reason for killing innocent small companion animals. Any action should follow laws or have a scientific base. In Hong Kong, where SARS first ran rampant, the epidemic situation has been greatly improved, with the number of those infected gradually dropping, but there have been no reports of any large-scale destruction of household pets.

Pet eradication measures were carried out in some residential communities on China’s mainland, but this action did noting toward helping prevent or control SARS. Instead, it misled the masses, caused greater panic, and distracted people’s efforts to fight against the infectious disease. IFAW and animal-lovers are calling for society to stop killing innocent animals, both for their sake, and for humankind.

Some Pets Pose Health Risks

Wu Ming (Nanjing Citizen): Though there exists no evidence proving that pets can transmit the SARS virus, we cannot guarantee so far that the spread of SARS has no relation with pets at all. It is advisable for our government to kill dogs in order to forestall serious results in the future.

Wang Xingwu(Vice-chief physician with the Public Health Supervision Office of Shaanxi Province): As early as in the 1930s, coronavirus, the killer SARS virus, was found in chickens. At this critical time, all possible means of transmitting SARS virus should be eradicated. Therefore, it is wise to keep a close watch on pets.

What should households with pets pay attention to then? Good sanitation is a must. Elders and children should stay away from pets. Wearing a facemask is necessary when feeding animals. People who have contact with pets should wash their hands afterwards. Keen attention should be paid to the physical conditions of pets.

（Excerpts from Beijing Review   May 29 2003）

New Words and Expressions

fauna n. 动物群

pathogen n. 病原体；病原菌

epidemic n. 流行病

the State Forestry Bureau 国家林业局

circular n. 函件；公告

wantonly ad. 放纵地

the State Administration for Industry and Commerce 国家工商管理局

stray a. 迷失的；流浪的

veterinary n. 兽医

feline a. 猫科的

coronavirus n. 冠状病毒

disinfectant n. 消毒剂

ferocious a. 残忍的；凶猛的

restructure vt. 更改结构；重建构造

primate n. 灵长类的动物

rampant a. 猖獗的；猛烈的

dispute vt. 反驳；怀疑

WHO abbr. 世界卫生组织(the World Health Organization)

panic n. 惊恐；恐慌

distract vt. 使分心；使心情烦乱

sanitation n. 公共卫生；公共卫生设施

3.Prevention Better Than Cure

Since the Chinese mainland’s first case of bird flu was reported in Dingdang Town of Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in late January, governments at all levels of both bird flu-stricken and non-bird flu-stricken areas throughout the country have been on high alert.

The head of the rural credit co-operative in Xiao’s hometown said poultry farming had maintained a particularly sound momentum over recent years, with a loan of 740,000 yuan ($89,371) to fund 150 specialized poultry farmers given out this year. Now, however, poultry inside the 3-km radius of epidemic-hit area were all slaughtered and those outside the area not sellable. Although farmers suffered severe losses, they still show great understanding and support for the government’s prevention measures.

Rural Actions

A county specializing in poultry farming, Guangde borders Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui provinces.

to form a border of (something) : to define the edge of (something)形成…的边界；成为…的界线
Tall trees border the avenue.
街道两边是大树。
Two rivers border the city.
两条河绕城流淌。
— usually used as (be) bordered通常用作(be) bordered
The neighborhood is bordered by Main Street on the north and the river on the south.
这个街区北面是主街，南面临河。
streets bordered by oak trees
两边是橡树的街道

The county government was quick to act against bird flu right after the outbreak of the epidemic. On January 29, an emergency blockade was imposed on the 3 km around the core infected area. Checkpoints were established to quarantine vehicles. The poultry market of the village was also closed down to prevent the spread of the flu. On January 30, 20 work teams sent by the county government slaughtered all poultry in infected areas, before burning and burying the carcasses in deep pits after a complete quarantine. In addition, the county sent 500 suits of protective clothing, gloves and facemasks to the village, and people who had come into contact with the poultry received temperature checks twice daily. The infected area remained under quarantine to prevent further infections.

The township prepared two burial sites far from villagers for the 30,000 heads of slaughtered poultry. One of them, marked by a large red sign, reading “Affected Area—No admittance,” was a 400-square-meter-wide and 4-meter-deep pit. All poultry that were seized at the infected area were put into large canvas bags and thrown into the pit. Villagers sprayed the dead birds with disinfectant, lit a fire, sprayed the disinfectant again and then buried the birds. About 10,000 birds were disposed of in this manner.

Poultry breeders in Yangtan Township, who suffered from the bird flu, have already received 350,000 yuan ($42,270.53) in national compensatio_n._ compensation to specialized poultry farmers is also under way and although it can’t make up for all the losses, farmers are still optimistic about the breeding industry after the epidemic.

Like Guangde County, all areas hit by bird flu have taken timely and effective measures to curb the epidemic. To date no cases of human bird flu infection have been reported in Chin_a._

Tight Control

With more bird flu reports cropping up, the nation has moved quickly to step up measures to contain the spread of the virus.

China’s capital Beijing, hit hard by last year’s SARS epidemic, has stepped up checks for the bird flu virus that is sweeping across Asi_a._ Beijing is conducting 24-hour checks in all air, road, and rail links with outside areas and poultry slaughter and processing has been stopped at all markets.

The capital, which has not yet reported any outbreaks of the deadly disease, has set up 200 bird flu monitoring stations. It has also banned the import of live chickens from other provinces. With spot checks at its borders, it halted three trucks with 6,000 live chickens from neighboring Hebei Province.

The city’s center for disease control has set up hotlines for residents to phone in suspected cases. Samples of poultry in Haidian District have so far all tested negative.

Beijing residents and the municipal government are particularly sensitive to the prospect of a bird flu outbreak after suffering badly from the outbreak of severe acute respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

The Beijing Agriculture Bureau has stored about four million bird flu vaccines and more are still coming i_n._ This number, together with those prepared by the districts and counties, are enough to meet the demand for preventing bird flu in the city. Niu Youcheng, Vice Mayor of Beijing in charge of agriculture and public health, said they would rather let the validity dates of the vaccines expire, than instill panic among citizens. “This is the necessary cost we must pay,” he said.

The Beijing Health Bureau requires that all medical staff involved in prevention work receive special training.

The prevention work will remain intensive, since migrant workers and students who left the city for their hometowns during the Spring Festival holidays are now coming back, said government officials.

Wuhan, capital of central China’s Hubei Province, has decided to vaccinate all poultry in the city. All poultry farms, slaughterhouses and markets should conduct daily quarantines. Five checkpoints have been established to step up quarantine and disinfection of poultry products. The city has also introduced a quick reporting system of bird flu cases, including “zero reporting,” meaning statistics on bird flu cases should be reported even if there is no such cases. Any occurrence of the cases must report to the city government within one hour and personnel responding to the epidemic must reach the infected site in the prescribed time and take measures to deal with it.

China’s coastal Shandong Province exports about 230,000-350,000 tons of poultry meat annually, accounting for over 50 percent of the national export of poultry products. So far, there is no report of any outbreaks of the virus in the province.

All poultry has been vaccinated and farms are being managed under strict control. Meanwhile, road checks are conducted to prevent the disease from leaking i_n._ It also practices a 24-hour monitoring and the “zero reporting” system. Departments such as disease control have established a joint task force to deal with any possible cases.

Heilongjiang Province in northeast China has established a complete monitoring system, and stepped up checks on farms, poultry processing enterprises and restaurants. When raw chickens and ducks are sold, every 20 of them must obtain a quarantine certificate. Frozen poultry products that do not have a quarantine certificate are not allowed into the market.

Fujian Province in southeast China has intensified checks at airports and seaports. Passengers are required to fill in the entry health forms. Poultry and relevant products from the infected areas are banned, and those that have arrived are to be returned or destroyed.

In addition, China has intensified check on international mail, intercepting or destroying any forbidden objects. It also imposes strict quarantine on international vessels or planes that stopover in Chinese ports.

(Excerpts from Beijing Review   February 19 2004)

New Words and Expressions

alert n. 警惕；警报

momentum n. 动力；要素

radius n. 半径；范围

epidemic n. 时疫；疫疾流行

slaughter v. 屠宰；屠杀

border vt. 与…接壤；接近

blockade n. 封锁；堵塞

impose on 利用；施加影响

quarantine vt. 对…进行检疫；隔离

carcass n.（屠宰后）畜体；（动物的）尸体

pit n. 深坑；深渊；陷阱

canvas n. 帆布

spray vt. 喷射；喷撒

disinfectant n. 消毒剂

compensation n. 补偿；赔偿

curb vt. 抑制；控制

crop up 突然出现；突然发生

step up 提升；提高

sweep vi. 席卷

outbreak n.（疾病的）发作；（战争的）爆发

so far 到目前为止； 就此范围(程度)来说

municipal a. 市政的；地方性的

acute a. [医]急性的

respiratory a. 呼吸的

Syndrome n. 综合病症

vaccine n. 疫苗；牛痘疫苗

expire vi. 期满；终止

instill vt. 灌输

intensify vt. 加强

intercept vt. 中途拦截

stop over 中途下车；短暂停留

4.Goodbye, Agricultural Tax

China has taken a decisive step to gradually reduce the financial burden on farmers, thanks to the government’s promise to abolish agricultural tax.

On March 5 at the opening of the 2004 session of the country’s top legislature—the National People’s Congress (NPC), Premier Wen Jiabao said the government would scrap the agricultural tax for good. Beginning this year, the 8.4 percent agricultural tax rate will be reduced gradually and eliminated entirely within five years.

Today, Chinese farmers pay three major taxes—agricultural tax, tax on special farm produce and tax on slaughtering animals.

According to the No.1 Document issued by the State Council earlier this year, the government will slash the agricultural tax rate by 1 percentage point this year and abolish taxes on special farm produce, except tobacco crops.

It is estimated that the cut of the tax by 1 percentage point this year is expected to slash the financial burden on farmers by 7 billion yuan ($845million),andtheabolitionoftaxesonspecialfarmproducewouldreducefarmers’financialburdenby4.8billionyuan($580 million).

The Third Plenary Session of the 16th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held last November outlined the objective to unify the urban and rural tax systems. The policies unveiled this year indicate that the country has made a key step forward in this regard.

Current Tax System Unfair

China might be the only country in the world to levy a comparatively high agricultural tax on farmers, which currently stands at an average of 8.4 percent.

The agricultural tax includes a series of taxes levied on any collectives and individuals engaged in or obtaining incomes from farm productio_n._ Under the current system, any farming of land, no matter whether that land is barren or fertile, or the farmer rich or poor, is taxable because the land belongs to the country.

At present, the income gap between farmers and urban residents is still widening. The most recent statistics show that in 2003, farmers’ annual per-capita net income was 2,622 yuan ($316.67)whiletheannualper-capitadisposableincomeofurbanresidentswasabout8,500yuan($1,026). The volume of the agricultural tax seems small, but it still means a lot to farmers and negatively impacts the consumption and production of the over-burdened farmers.

Currently the country has different tax systems for cities and rural areas. Wang Daoshu, an official with the State Administration of Taxation (SAT), reasoned that in cities, taxes are usually levied on net profits and not on costs. That means some costs are deducted before individuals or companies are taxed. For example, city dwellers only start to pay income tax when they earn more than 800 yuan ($96.7). But in rural areas, the levy of agriculture tax, for example, is based on grain production, no matter how much farmers have invested and how much they have earned. If the tax department sets a tax threshold for farmers as they do for city dwellers, most farmers won’t need to pay taxes or would pay less.

Wang Daoshu said the importance of scrapping agricultural tax also lies in creating a unified tax system and providing farmers an equal social status as other taxpayers.

Experts also believe that abolishing agricultural tax would help reduce farm production costs and encourage farmers to enlarge grain acreage, which is of strategically significance to China’s grain security. China has a large population but limited farmland, and agricultural tax adds more pressures on farm production costs, dampening farmers’ enthusiasm in grain growing.

Wang said China lags far behind the United States, Japan and the European Union in terms of subsidizing farmers. The adoption of policies including slashing agricultural tax will directly support agricultural development.

Analysts say it is basically the right time to launch the protection mechanism on agriculture and farmers. So far, China has established a complete national economic system, with the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2003 exceeding 11 trillion yuan ($1.33trillion),per-capitaGDPtopping$1,000, rural laborers reduced to 50 percent of total employees and urban residents growing to nearly 40 percent of the entire populatio_n._ All these macro-economic indicators show that it is time for the industrial sector to support agriculture and the urban area to help promote development of the countryside.

Additional Reforms Needed

Experts say scrapping agricultural tax shouldn’t pose a threat to the country’s tax revenue. China’s total fiscal revenue in 2003 was 2.17 trillion yuan ($262.08billion),agrowthof20.3percentyearonyear.Ofthetotal,agriculturaltaxrevenue[[accountsfor|accountedfor]]about2.3percent,whichstoodat33.8billionyuan($4.08 billion).

However, the agricultural tax is an important revenue source for local governments, which have been harassed by tight budgets since the tax reform in 1994 that channeled nearly 60 percent of tax revenues to the central government coffers.

So far only Beijing and Zhejiang Province, whose governments have high financial revenues, have promised to abolish agricultural taxes this year. In some poor areas of the Chinese hinterland, agricultural taxes make up one quarter of local government revenues.

During the NPC session in early March, Finance Minister Jin Renqing said the Central Government would increase transfer payments to local governments in 2004, especially those in the central and western regions, to promote balanced development.

The huge debts are mainly the result of failed investment projects of local governments and the cost of supporting redundant government workers.

Unless a way is found to cut the debts of local governments and decisive measures to cut unnecessary government workers in grass-roots administrations, local governments may seek to collect money from farmers in ways other than agricultural tax, Wei said.

As a result, even after the tax is completely phased out, there is no guarantee that farmers will not be faced with new arbitrary local fees, said Li Ping, an expert on Chinese agriculture with the Rural Development Institute in Seattle.

Put Into Practice

From 2004, Beijing will scrap the agricultural tax and realize zero tax in agricultural productio_n._ The policy would reduce farmers’ annual financial burdens by about 80 million yuan ($9.66million).Thatistosay,thetaxonfarmersinBeijingwouldbereducedfrom27.3yuan($3.29) last year to almost nothing.

Last year, Beijing implemented an overall tax-to-fee reform on township financial management systems, while reducing the number of redundant townships. So far, Beijing’s townships have been reduced from 257 to 193 in number, and the number of township officials and village cadres decreased respectively by 20 and 22 percent.

Similar reforms also took place in Shanghai and Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces from last year. Just as Xu Shanda, Deputy Director of SAT, put it: “Abolishing agricultural tax is an irreversible trend.”

(Excerpts from Beijing Review   April 1 2004)

New Words and Expressions

legislature n. 立法机关；立法机构

scrap vt. 废弃

slash vt. 削减

abolition n. 废除；取消

levy vt. 征收；征税

net income 纯收益；净收入

deduct vt. 扣除；减除

threshold n. 起点；最低限度

in terms of ad. 根据；在…方面

subsidize vt. 资助；津贴

gross domestic product (GDP) 国内生产总值

macro-economics n. 宏观经济学

revenue n. 国家的收入；税收

harass vt. 使烦恼；骚扰

hinterland n. 穷乡僻壤；偏僻地区

grass-roots a. 基层的；农村的

phase out v. 使逐步淘汰；逐渐停止

arbitrary a. 任意的；专断的

tax-to-fee reform 税费改革

cadre n. 干部

irreversible a. 不能逆转的

5.Making It Legal

Since its founding in 1949, the People’s Republic of China has gone through a maze of twists and turns in establishing the rule of law. Since the end of the 1970s, China has begun to rebuild its legal system, which had taken a hammering during the Cultural Revolution (1966-76), and in 1999 an amendment to the Constitution included an article stipulating, “The People’s Republic of China governs the country according to law and makes it a socialist country ruled by law.”

During the past 20 years, China has been moving toward its target of ruling the country by law, and has gained remarkable progress.

The year 2003 witnessed unusual progress in China’s building of its legal system. First, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) unanimously adopted the Amendment to the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China (Draft), indicating that the Constitutional amendment has entered the statutory procedure. Second, the Measures for the Assistance and Administration of Persons Without Assured Living Sources in Cities were put into effect to replace the former Measures for Internment and Deportation of Urban Vagrants and Beggars. Changes from “Internment and deportation” to “assistance and administration” show progress in China’s political civilization which emphasizes human rights. And third, the new Regulations on Marriage Registration were put in force, canceling some old regulations that were considered obsolete.

Ruling the Country by Law

China’s building of its legal system finally got on to the right track after the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held in 1978, and especially after the practice of ruling the country by law was set up.

Since the First Session of the First NPC was held in 1954, the NPC has become the only state organ to exercise legislative power. It has the power to amend the Constitution and to enact laws, and its Standing Committee has the power to interpret laws and enact statutes.

But in the following 50 years, legislation in China was confronted with many obstacles. From the extension of the Anti-Rightist Campaign (1957-58) to the end of the Cultural Revolution in 1976, continuous political movements brought distressing losses to the country’s legislatio_n._ During this 20-year period the NPC enacted no other laws besides the second Constitution in 1975, and its Standing Committee also enacted very few statutes and regulations. And domestically, only autonomous regions had legislative power. So legislative activities then were at a standstill.

After those setbacks, the Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee finally put the development of socialist democracy and strengthening of a socialist legal system on the agend_a._ And China’s legislation stepped into a new phase.

In July 1979, the Second Session of the Fifth NPC adopted seven laws, restarting legislative activities. Statistics show that from 1979 to December 29, 1998, when the Sixth Meeting of the Ninth NPC Standing Committee was concluded, the NPC and its Standing Committee altogether discussed and approved 347 laws and related decisions apart from the new Constitution, which was adopted in 1982.

In the past six years, the NPC and its Standing Committee have speeded up the legislative course even faster, enacting and revising related laws and regulations in accordance with the new situation after China’s entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO). Up to the end of 2002, around 400 laws, 1,000 administrative regulations and 10,000 local ordinances had been formulated and amended. Those laws, regulations and rules apply to a wide range of areas in social life. And a relatively complete system of law, including those basic laws like the Constitution, Administrative Law, Civil Law, Economic Law, Criminal Law and Procedure Law as well as other laws, has been formed.

In particular, in March 1996, approved by the Fourth Session of the Eighth NPC, “governing the country according to law and building a socialist country with a sound legal system” was written as an objective into the Ninth Five-Year Plan (1996-2000) for National Economic and Social Development and the Outline of Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2010. In 1997, the 15th CPC National Congress reaffirmed the stance of governing the country according to law, and changed “building a socialist country with a sound legal system” into “making it a socialist country ruled by law.” In 1999, it was formally written into the country’s basic law by the NPC in the form of a Constitutional amendment.

Administrative Licenses

On August 27, 2003, the Law on Administrative Licenses was enacted after seven years of efforts, and will go into effect on July 1 this year. It emphasizes that the administrative examination and approval should be lawful, effective, impartial and for the convenience of people, and shows that government behavior should be honest, transparent, responsible and reasonable. The enactment of the law was another milestone in the Chinese administrative legal system, in succession to the promulgation and enforcement of the Administrative Procedure Law in 1989 and the Administrative Punishment Law in 1996.

About 80 percent of the current laws in China are implemented by the administrative organs. The Law on Administrative Licenses, the Administrative Procedure Law, the Law on State compensation and the Administrative Reconsideration Law will play an important role in regulating and supervising the administrative and law enforcement behavior. The promulgation of the Law on Administrative Licenses brings the administrative examination and approval of the government onto the track of legalization and standardizatio_n._ New laws will help promote the transformation of government functions, and guarantee the lawful rights of citizens, legal entities and other organizations.

Enhanced Awareness of Law

China’s introduction of reform and opening up ushered its legislation into a fast development er_a._ But with so many laws coming out in such a short period, how should they be made known to ordinary people so that they can use them to protect their legitimate rights and interests while avoiding wrong doings due to ignorance of the law? The spreading of general legal knowledge among the people became a vital link. From 1985 on, China implemented three five-year programs on spreading legal knowledge, and the fourth one has now been started. Up to now, about 800 million people in China have received basic legal educatio_n._

December 4 has been designated as National Law promulgation Day. Intensive and continuous publicity on legal knowledge has helped enhance citizens’ awareness of law.

During this process, leaders, especially those of the Central Government, take the lead to learn the laws, setting up a very positive example. Since the first lecture on legal knowledge was held by the CPC Central Committee on December 9, 1994, over 10 such kind of lectures have been held. And from 1998, the NPC Standing Committee invited law experts to give lectures on law to its members in a planned way. Driven by those central leaders, local Party committees, governments and people’s congresses have also invited experts to give law lectures. Their initiative in learning improves the role of law in the country, and enhances citizens’ awareness of law.

Following International Practices

To follow international practices is a new task for the legislature after China’s entry into the WTO. Two years after its WTO accession, China has overhauled related laws, regulations and rules, and set up a uniform, complete and transparent system of foreign economic laws and regulations, which is in accordance with the socialist market economy as well as WTO rules and international practices.

Around China’s entry into the WTO, the NPC and its Standing Committee, the State Council and its subordinate departments, the Supreme People’s Court, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, local people’s congresses and local governments carried out related work to meet the requirements of the WTO.

On one hand, they amended, supplemented or abolished laws, regulations, rules, judicial interpretation and other measures related to WTO rules, to bring them into line with the basic principles and related stipulations of WTO rules. On the other, they formulated and d a series of administrative regulations and rules, and stepped up the transition of related WTO rules into domestic laws.

From July 2000 to December 2001 before China’s formal entry into the WTO, the NPC and its Standing Committee respectively amended the Law on Chinese-Foreign Equity Joint Ventures, the Law on Chinese-Foreign Contractual Joint Ventures, the Law on Foreign-Capital Enterprises, the Customs Law, the patent Law, the Trademark Law, the Copyright Law, etc., to fulfill China’s commitment. And after its WTO accession, China amended the Law on the Inspection of Import and Export Commodities and the Law of Insurance respectively in April and October in 2002.

Since September 2001, local people’s congresses and local governments have also amended local laws and regulations related to the WTO rules under the unified arrangement of the Central Government. And the work is now almost done.

Openness and transparency of the legal system is the basic principle of the WTO. This is also in line with the basic requirements of promoting democracy and the legal system, practicing governing the country according to law and making it a socialist country ruled by law.

Many laws formulated by the NPC and its Standing Committee, like the Administrative Procedure Law, the Law on Land Administration, the Contract Law and the Marriage Law, were published in full in newspapers for discussion among the people before official adoptio_n._

The Law on Legislation approved by the NPC in 2000 defines a basic principle, that is, to promote democracy, to ensure people’s involvement of legislation in a variety of ways, and to guarantee the openness and transparency of the legal system. It is specified by the Legislation Law that the drafting of laws and administrative regulations should listen to the opinions of related departments, organizations and people, in the forms of symposia, seminars, hearings, etc. Important law drafts may be publicized to the whole of society to invite opinions. And listening to different opinions has actually become an indispensable procedure in legislative decision making in Chin_a._

There are still more laws to be formulated by the NPC Standing Committee and its legislative organs, such as the ongoing work of enacting the Civil Code. The draft of the Foreign Exchange Law will be submitted to the NPC Standing Committee for deliberation in due time. In addition, the Anti-Monopoly Law, Anti-Dumping Law and the Anti-Subsidies Law will also be enacted, and the Law Against Unfair Competition will be supplemented and amended. And the Administrative Law will be further taken as means to regulate government administrative behavior.

（Excerpts from Beijing Review   March 4 2004）

New Words and Expressions

the Standing Committee 常务委员会

the National People’s Congress 全国人民代表大会

unanimously ad. 全体一致地；无异议地

amendment n. 修正案；对法案、宪法的正式修改、增补或改变

constitution n. 宪法

statutory a. 法令的；法定的

internment n. 扣留, 收容

deportation n. 移送；驱逐

vagrant n. 流浪者

obsolete a. 废弃的；过时的

the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China 中国共产党第11届三中全会

enact vt. 制定法律；颁布

statute n. 法令；条例

the Anti-Rightist Campaign 反右派运动

standstill n. 停顿；停滞

setback n. 挫折

agenda n. 议程

speed up 加速

regulation n. 规章

ordinance n. 法令；条例

reaffirm vt. 重申

stance n. 姿态

the Law on Administrative Licenses 行政许可法

impartial a. 公平的

milestone n. 里程碑

promulgation n. 颁布

legitimate a. 合法的

from…on 从…(时间)以后[以来]；从…时起

implement vt. 贯彻；执行

enhance vt. 提高；增强

accession n. 接收

overhaul vt. 彻底检查；革新

the State Council 国务院

the Supreme People’s Court 最高人民法院

the Supreme People’s Procuratorate 最高人民检察院

supplement vt. 补充

abolish vt. 废止；废除

judicial a. 司法的

stipulation n. 约定；契约

promulgate vt. 发布；公布

equity n. 公平

patent n. 专利权

unified a. 统一的

ongoing a. 正在进行的

submit vt. 递交；提交

deliberation n. 商议；考虑

6.Legal Assistance: Government Duty

When getting back his 800-yuan ($96.6)salary,defaultedbyhisformeremployer,fromtheTaiyuanLegalAidCenter,WangXiangjun,amigrantworkerfromShanxiProvince,wasmovedtotearsandrenderedspeechless.Needingmoneytopayhiswife’smedicaltreatment,Wang’sfamilyhadhadhardfinancialtimes.Toreceivethemoney,Wangdemandedseveraltimesfromhisformeremployerinanothercity,butfailedeachtime.Hehadspentnearly100yuan($12.1) on travel, without any result except mental and physical exhaustio_n._

Wang, unable to afford to go to court, had no alternative but to turn to the Taiyuan Legal Aid Center. To his surprise, Wang got his payment not long after. He considers himself very lucky for he had assumed that legal aid centers could do little.

As of September 1, 2003, when Wang got his money back, the Regulations on Legal Aid, the first statute of its kind in China, was put into effect. This means that a legal aid mechanism in China is on the path of implementatio_n._

Article 3 of the regulations stipulates, “Legal aid is the responsibility of government. Governments at the county level and above shall adopt positive measures to advance legal aid work, provide financial support for legal aid and ensure that legal aid services are coordinated in tandem with social and economic development.” This is the first time in China that a law says legal aid is a responsibility of the state, not merely a moral assertio_n._

“The purpose of the regulations is to ensure poor citizens and persons in special circumstances have access to necessary legal services, so that fair, open and just enforcement of law can be realized,” said Jiang Xiaoyang, a constitution doctorate at the Law School of Peking University.

Legal aid service in China is developing faster than ever. Since the Regulations on Legal Aid were adopted, many local governments have formulated their own statutes to ensure the sound and rapid development of legal assistance. At the end of last year, the Ministry of Justice organized a nationwide public activity called “Legal Aid in China” which has helped create a healthy public opinion environment for the development of legal aid service.

With the development of legal aid service, people of disadvantaged groups like Wang Xiangjun will not have to count on “good luck” to get access to legal aid. “According to the Regulations on Legal Aid, it is a right, not a charity, for all qualified citizens to receive legal aid,” said Xiao Xianfu, a scholar with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Toward Comprehensive Legislation

In China, 17 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions have issued regulations regarding legal aid.

In order to ensure equal access to legal services for the poor, in early 1994, the Ministry of Justice launched a legal aid mechanism on a trial basis in some large and medium-sized cities. In 1996, legal aid stipulations were added to the Criminal Procedure Law and the Law on Lawyers. In January 2002, the Regulations on Legal Aid were listed in the legislation agenda of the Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council. On July 16, 2003, the 15th Executive Meeting of the State Council formally adopted the regulations.

Statistics from the Legal Aid Center of the Ministry of Justice show that from 1997 to 2003, legal aid institutions all over the country provide consulting services to over 6.4 million people and offered assistance in 800,000 cases. Altogether 970,000 people had their rights protected through legal aid services.

According to a Xinhua report, in 2003, legal aid institutions in Chongqing Municipality in southwest China helped nearly 15,000 people, who could not afford lawsuits, recover 115 million yuan ($13.9 million) in arrears of wages.

In the past several years, legal aid services have developed rapidly in China, but are still far from meeting high demands. According to Yang Yong, a lawyer with the Legal Aid Center of the Ministry of Justice, every year, there are 700,000 cases in China that need legal aid, but only 170,000 of these actually obtained assistance.

In Yang’s opinion, this is mainly due to the shortage of legal aid funding. In many cities, legal aid funding mainly comes from government appropriations. At present, legal aid appropriations per person are only 6 fen (0.72 cent) and subsidies to each legal aid case averages only 60 yuan ($7.2).

Aid Itself Needs ‘Assistance’

Financial constraint remains the largest obstacle to the development of China’s legal aid service. How can the system overcome this “bottleneck”? According to the Regulations on Legal Aid, governments at all levels should provide financial support for the service. This year, governments in Shanxi, Chongqing and other localities have begun to include legal aid expenditure in their fiscal budgets. In Chongqing, the use of legal aid funds will be made public on a regular basis, subjecting it to the supervision of financial and audit departments.

Notwithstanding this progress, Minister of Justice Zhang Fusen maintains that it is difficult for legal aid to wholly rely on local budgetary appropriations because of disparate economic development in different regions of Chin_a._ As a public welfare undertaking, equitable legal aid requires contribution from a diverse number of sources as possible to supplement poorer areas. To this end, the Chinese Government has established the China Legal Aid Foundation to raise and manage donations from home and abro_ad._

In December 2003, GM China donated 175,000 yuan ($21,135) to establish a special fund in the Student Legal Aid Center of East China University of Politics and Law in Shanghai. This is the first time that a transnational company has provided “aid” to a non-governmental legal aid organization in Chin_a._

Another obstacle to China’s legal aid service is the lack of law professionals. According to China Comment, a bimonthly magazine of the Xinhua News Agency, as of September 2003, there were about 9,000 full-time staff engaged in legal aid service in Chin_a._ Only half of them were qualified lawyers.

Full-time lawyers are vital assets to legal aid. But a mere 4,500 lawyers are far from enough considering the demand for legal assistance in 170,000-plus cases handled each year and for consulting service to 6.4 million visitors and inquiries for legal advice. Moreover, because of low salaries, many lawyers are not willing to work in legal aid institutions.

At present, there are about 120,000 lawyers in Chin_a._ According to the Law on Lawyers, a lawyer is required to provide assistance in one to three legal aid cases each year. However, since financial appropriations for legal aid service are limited, government subsidies cannot adequately compensate lawyers’ expenses. Therefore, under present conditions, it is unrealistic that a large number of private lawyers will devote themselves to legal aid service.

Some experts call for drawing up supporting regulations in order to provide talented lawyers incentives to work for legal aid, improve legal service quality and raise compensation for legal aid professionals.

（Excerpts from Beijing Review   February 12 2004）

New Words and Expressions

default vt. 未履行；拖欠

mechanism n. 机构；机制

stipulate v. 规定

in tandem ad. 一前一后地

doctorate n. 博士学位

the Ministry of Justice 司法部

the Regulations on Legal Aid 法律援助条例

lawsuit n. 诉讼(尤指非刑事案件)

appropriation n. 拨款

subsidy n. 补助金；政府特拨款

constraint n. 约束；限制

expenditure n. 花费；开支

subject to v. 使服从

notwithstanding prep. 虽然；尽管

disparate a. 不相同的；不能互相比拟的

equitable a. 公平的；公正的

asset n. 财产；资产

draw up v. 草拟

incentive n. 动机；鼓励

7.It’s Payback Time

After taking out a student loan every young graduate is faced with the eventuality of one day paying back their dues. For Li Yi, a recent graduate from the Central University of Finance and Economics, December 20 is that day.

Li will pay a 200-yuan installment every three months, until the 3,000-yuan loan he took out in 2000 is paid off. “The student loan helped me a lot when I went through my hardest time. It reduced my financial burden and enabled me to finish my college educatio_n._ Now with a job and stable income, I will repay the loan bit by bit. I will be a man of my word,” Li said.

People like Li are welcomed by banks, but moneylenders usually feel worried when repayment is due, for not every borrower is this credible.

Credibility Crisis

At the beginning of every new term, application forms for student loans were always piled high on the office tables of the Haidian Sub-branch of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), whose business area is home to dozens of institutions of higher learning.

One of the banking institutions that grant most student loans in Beijing, the bank has lent 107 million yuan ($12.92 million) to 6,867 students by the end of July this year.

Launched in 1999, state-sponsored student loan schemes have led to two opportunities every year for college students to apply for financial aid from four state-owned commercial banks---the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of China and the China Construction Bank. Latest figures from the Ministry of Education indicate that in the year 2002 alone, 2.06 billion yuan ($248.79 million) worth of student loans were granted nationwide to help 250,000 students suffering from a tight family budget, to successfully graduate.

However, it is becoming an increasing problem in recovering the debt as more and more graduated borrowers are dragging their feet when it comes to repayment. An employee the ICBC Haidian Sub-branch told Beijing Review, that although it is known that the 20th of March, June, September and December is the seasonal repayment deadline, there were still four out of its 183 student loan debtors who didn’t repay on time by March 20 this year, making a default rate of 2.18 percent. The figure rose sharply to 55 out of 473 by June 20, resulting in the default rate reaching 11.63 percent, he added.

The ICBC Haidian Sub-branch is not the only bank facing such problem. The Beijing Branch of the ICBC endures a student loan arrears rate of 10 percent, in contrast with lower than 0.1 percent arrears rate in other consumer credit.

When the ICBC launched the student loan program in September 1999, more than 43 institutions of higher learning entered into contracts with it, learning entered into contracts with it, leading to 430 million yuan ($51.93 million) in student loans. The contracts require the student borrowers to inform the bank about the names and addresses of their employers as soon as they graduate, and to start to repay the debt by season within one year after graduatio_n._

Since December 20, 2001, 1,250 student debtors have got their debt due, but to date, there are still 119, or nearly 10 percent, who have left 100,300 yuan ($12,113.53) outstanding accounts unpaid.

Personal credibility is the only thing that lenders can resort to, commented a teacher with the Administration Office of Student Record of Beijing Normal University. All the university can do he said is to search and record the students’ new addresses, which are frequently changed with their jobs. To address this problem, the university is considering whether or not pre-graduation credibility education is necessary, according to the teacher.

Embarrassed Banks

Banks are confronted with three kinds of risks when making a student loan, said Ju Gang, Manager of the Consumer Credit Department of Gansu Branch of the ICBC. First, repayment depends on whether students can afford it on their future income. Either unsuccessful job hunting or unstable income would hamper the repayment. Second, student financial aid is warranted only by individual credibility, social supervision and the banks’ right to publicized personal details of debtors---all three inadequate to ensure a forced repayment. Third, movement’s discount policies are not enough to compensate great risks facing lending banks.

What banks get from student loans is only a promise that the principal and interest will be repaid, in sharp contrast with housing and car mortgage, which are much more secure for banks, experts said.

Call for Credibility

On October 22 this year, 115 students from a university in Shanghai failed to repay the interest of their student loans on time. By making their departments and names public, the university caused uproar among both opponents and supporters.

Regulations on management of student loans announced by the central People’s Bank of China (PBC) on August 26, 2000 has made it clear that student loan applicants have to sign contracts with banks and promise to keep contact with banks after graduatio_n._ If the loan is defaulted by more than one year without an extension application is made, the lenders have the right to announce debtors’ names and personal ID for other parties’ reference. Cao Yujuan, head of the Department of Credit Policy of the PBC, also indicated that the central bank, the Ministry of Education and commercial banks are setting down to establishing an information-sharing system on overdue student loans. Media advertising, police assistance and university cooperation are all possible methods to address the problem, Cao explained.

However, for sociologist Yu Hai, blacklist is not the best solutio_n._ “The problem of repayment of student loans should be treated more as a technical challenge than a moral one,” he suggested. And the “technical method” is likely to be an administrative system that allocates a national ID to every debtor who will be restricted by information contained on the ID wherever they go.

The Ministry of Education has been determined to tackle the problem with its “individual information inquiry system of student debtors.” Since 2002, the system has been collecting credibility information of student debtors that is shared by the whole banking system. If a student’s credibility level falls because he or she is in default on a loan, that student is unlikely to get more lending form any bank and his or her time will be made rather difficult.

Tang Jun, who works for the Institute of Sociology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, concludes that the problem of defaulting student loans can be boiled down to an immature legal system, which mete out too light punishment to debtors.

(Excerpts from Beijing Review   December 4 2003)

New Words and Expressions

eventuality n. 可能发生的事

due n. [pl. ]应付款

due a. 应付的；到期的

moneylender n. 放债者

drag (one’s) feet  有意拖延

arrear n. 欠款

resort to v. 诉诸于；采取

hamper vt. 妨碍；牵制

warrant vt. 担保；保证

discount n. 贴现；减息贷款

mortgage n. 抵押

allocate vt. 分配；配给

the Ministry of Education 教育部

tackle vt. 应付；解决

boil down to 等于；归结为

mete vt. 分配；给予

8.Reform: One Word That Shakes a 105-year-old University

It has never really stopped, but it has never got very far. Bright and beautiful as it is, a reform of China’s university system has remained a vision, for one generation of students and scholars after another to forever dream about.

Now it’s time the dream come true—according to Prof. Zhang Weiying, 44-year-old economist who has participated in the debate over many of China’s reform policies, and his colleagues from the nation’s prestigious Peking University (also called Beida).

A plan, drafted by Prof. Zhang, now Assistant President of the university, is being circulated on the 105-year-old Chinese garden-like campus of Beida, and is giving rise to a storm that is about to turn the deeply entrenched system upside dow_n._

The question that Beida asks is straightforward: What does it take to make our university one of the world’s first class institution of learning?

The first and second drafts of the plan to reform professor’s employment and promotion, submitted on May 12 and June 16, have created a stir inside and outside the university gates.

Those who oppose the plan believe it will destroy the humanistic spirit of academic research and education, and that young lecturers and associate professors must bear the brunt of reform. Those for the plan believe that Peking University will be undertaking a long needed historical leap forward. For or against the plan, one thing is clear—the reform will influence hiring and promotion systems in Chinese colleges and universities nationwide.

Prof. Zhang Weiying declared, “The educational system is the only part of the planned economy that has remained fundamentally unchanged,” and that the Beida reform is in fact falling behind in China’s reform and opening up.

U.S. Model Vs. Planned Economy

The first fortress to be smashed is the de-facto lifetime employment of the faculty. At a recent occasion, Zhang pointed out, since Beida has the best students that China can ever produce, “society has the natural right” to demand that each teacher of Peking University is also the best in the natio_n._

Min Weifang, Secretary of the Party Committee of Peking University and an expert in educational economics, concurred that the key to Beida’s goal is the quality of teaching. The key to the quality of teaching in turn lies in structuring a rational personnel system.

“Teachers, once employed, are rarely dismissed, and their promotion is basically internal, without the pressure of external competitio_n._ Without competition, the quality of China’s entire system of higher education is compromised,” he said.

The proposed reform plan requires that in principle new teachers cannot be recruited from the university’s graduates, and an appraisal system, based on a structure called the professor committee, will be introduced to the recruitment and promotion of all teaching staff.

To replace the old “iron rice bowl,” a new system is designed on the basis of the “tenure-track” system popular in the universities in the United States, also known as the “up-or-out” system.

Peking University has more than 8,000 employees, including an authorized 2,235 strong teaching staff, and more than 1,800 teachers have the title of professor or associate professor. The reform will directly affect more than 3,000 people, mostly lecturers and associate professor.

According to the reform plan, there will be four official teaching titles at Peking University: assistant, lecturer, associate professor and professor. Only professors will have positions until retirement, while the rest of the teaching staff, including associate professors, will be dismissed if they do not earn a promotion to full professorships.

However, as the plan is implemented, those who have worked for 24 years or longer at the university or those who have worked for 10 continuous years or longer and will retire in less than 10 years according to state stipulation, may work at the university until they reach legal retirement age.

Xu Zhihong, president of Peking University, said it takes a long time to build a world-class university, and it will take about 17 years for his university to attain the goal. Whether the goal can be achieved depends on many internal and external elements. The present reform aims to make the university more competitive in order to attract outstanding teachers, as well as the best students in the country.

Fair or Unfair?

Amid the debate, young lecturers and associate professor strongly oppose the plan, which some say unfairly weeds them out of the university. According to the plan, newly recruited lecturers and associate professors can have a two-term contract and during this time they have two chances to apply for promotio_n._

If no promotion is granted, they must leave in a year with no chance to renew their contracts, except for associate professors who have already obtained tenure.

“Such reform will turn young teachers at Peking University into a disadvantaged group without the guarantee of safety and dignity,” said a young associate professor who wished to remain anonymous.

He added that the threat of unemployment built into the plan will turn academic research into a task undertake purely for survival. Much cherished academic ideals and intellectual pursuit, the heritage of a Peking University education, will become less relevant.

But not all young teachers criticize the reform. Jiang Guohua, a lecturer at the Guanghua School of Management, supports the pla_n._ “Workers can be laid off. Why shouldn’t college teachers be the same?” he asked.

A professor involved in the reform plan also disagreed with young teachers who believe they are under attack. He said that teaching at Peking University is a privilege rather than a right. “You must prove that you’re competent and let others know that you’ve earned the position of professor.”

“If I were an associate professor, I would leave. I believe my departure is a loss for Peking University, not for myself,” said Prof. Qian Liqun who retired from the Chinese Language Department last year, but still highly respected by students. Qian takes issue with a clause in the first draft that says, except for in a few special disciplines, newly employed professors must be able to lecture in at least one foreign language. Qian said this implies that teachers who have never studied overseas are not qualified to be professors at Peking University.

“This is ridiculous. If they put the scheme into practice the result will be disastrous. A first-class university in their eyes is basically an American university,” said the professor. Many others share Qian’s indignation, and this point has triggered some of the more heated debates among scholars.

Li Qiang, a member of the working group for personnel reform, disagrees. With a PhD degree from a university in London and returned from the University of Chicago as a visiting scholar, Li seems like a typical “returnee,” who has all the advantages that Qian does not.

  Bur Li said he is more than just a “returnee,” adding that he had been a farmer for more than 20 years before he went abro_ad._ In his opinion, “Being able to give lectures in one foreign language” is totally different from “being required to give lecturers in a foreign language.” As teachers at Peking University have more chances for international exchange, it is necessary for them to speak a foreign language.

Legal Matters

Zhao Xiaoli at the Law School in Peking University said that the contract system outlined in the reform plan is not the invention of Peking University or its reformers. Article 17 of the Teacher Law of the People’s Republic of China stipulates, “School and other educational institutions shall gradually adopt the system of teacher employment under contract.”

What makes the reform plan different is the proposed tenure-track system and how it will affect teachers who have already signed work contracts with the university, for the reform will alter contracts unilaterally. Peking University as the employer must have the approval of teachers when it China’s Labor Law as well. The stipulation that “anyone who fails to be promoted within the specified period of time shall be dismissed,” is not in accordance with any of the statutory conditions for dismissal as laid out in Articles 25 and 26 of the Labor Law.

Quality of Teaching

Sociologist Sun Zhengping, a professor at Tsinghua University with a degree form Peking University, is concerned. With regard to the personnel reform for Peking University, he points out that most people who applaud reform proposals have no direct relation with the university, and that most who are critical or wary of the reform are connected in some way with it, mostly its teachers and graduates.

Sun said that when it comes to personnel reform at institutions of higher learning, priority should be given to two essential aspects—the establishment of a fair and effective academic evaluation mechanism, and an overhaul of official rank in China’s universities.

Prof. Yang Dongping from the Beijing Institute of Technology said that reforms in professional title and promotion systems at Peking University are only the beginning. The modern college system, which values free academic study as its core, springs from a system wherein freedom is the premise for seeking truth, and China’s current task is to rebuild a modern college system through reform.

China can’t build an international level first-class university if it fails to establish an effective academic mechanism and if professors have no academic rights. Yang believes that the university reform will be somewhat unfair to younger teachers, and that their interests should be taken into account.

If teachers are the sole reform targets, the reform is doomed to fail. I am not a graduate of Peking University, so I don’t understand the so-called ‘Peking University spirit.’ But what I do see is that the reform in the name of revitalizing this great spirit—operated and controlled by administrative and academic authorities—has infringed on teachers’ interests by requiring them to sacrifice teaching for a certain spirit or ideal, while not altering the bureaucracy’s power and interests.”

Set to Continue

Despite the fierce debate, the university reform is set to continue.

Secretary Min Weifang pointed out that the university’s reform has naturally drawn wide attention because it will affect so many people’s immediate interests. He also said it is understandable that some teachers disagree with the reform. But, Min said, “We must pay a cost for the reform. After all, though most people are used to the outdated system, progress requires reform. It is our responsibility to build Peking University into a world-class academic institution through reform.”

According to Min, in 1994, the university set the goal to turn a world-class university. In May 1998, President Jiang Zemin put forth the goal of creating a couple of world-class universities in a speech delivered at the centennial anniversary of Peking University, thus including the effort into the country’s development strategy.

Although opinions differ on how the personnel system should be reformed, everyone agrees that reform is essential. Problems that have long existed at Peking University and other institutions of higher learning must be addressed through reform. Now the only thing is to decide what actions will be take_n._

Chen Xiaoyu, Associate Professor in the Graduate School of Education at Peking University, believes that universities have historically played a conservative role, and have always rejected reform of any kind on the pretext of academic freedom. If reform can alter deep-rooted academic power, reforms covering other aspects of university life will be much easier, Chen said.

In its second reform proposal, Peking University authorities adopted some reasonable suggestions from teachers, including the protection of advantageous disciplines, evaluation of the work of all professors to teach in a foreign language. Sources say the third draft will be released in September for public comment.

(Excerpts from Beijing Review   August 7 2003)

New Words and Expressions

prestigious a. 享有声望的；有名望的

circulate v.  (使)运行；(使)传播

entrenched a. 确立的；不容易改的

turn … upside down v. 完全颠倒

submit v. 提交

stir n. 骚动；激动的反应

humanistic a. 人文主义的

brunt n. 冲击；冲势

bear the brunt of 首当其冲

undertake vt. 着手; 进行

leap n. 跳跃；飞跃

fortress n. 堡垒

de facto a. 事实上的；实际的

faculty n. 大学全体教师；中学全体教师

concur vi. 同意；赞成

compromise v. 损害；危及

recruit v. 招募；吸收

appraisal n. 鉴定；评估

iron rice bowl 铁饭碗

tenure n. 保有权；任期；终身职位

professorship n. 教授之职

stipulation n. 约定；条款；契约

attain v. 获得；达到

weed out v. 清除

ridiculous a. 荒谬的；可笑的

disastrous a. 损失惨重的；灾难性的

trigger vt. 引发；引起

article n. 条款；章程

stipulate v. 规定；约定

unilaterally ad. 单方面地；单边地

statutory a. 法令的；法定的

overhaul n. 彻底检查；大检修

premise n. 前提；(法律)前述事实

take into account v. 重视；考虑

be doomed to 注定

revitalize vt. 使有新的活力；使得复兴

infringe vi. 侵害

bureaucracy n. 官僚；官僚机构

put forth v. 提出

pretext n. 借口；托辞

9.Education For Sale

September 1 this year meant totally different things for Wang Nan, a 12-year-old Beijing girl, and her father Wang Weiqing. For the younger Wang, it was the first day of middle school. But for the older Wang, it was the beginning of new round of heavy financial burdens.

“I earn a little more than 30,000 yuan ($3,600) a year,” said Wang, “but I have hard time affording my daughter’s educational fees.”

In Beijing, primary school graduates must enroll in middle schools close to their homes. If a student chooses a different school, usually better than the designated one, his or her family must pay a large fee to make the switch. For Wang Nan, this fee equaled 50,000 yuan ($6,000). This was only the beginning. In the coming years, the cost of the girl’s education is expected to consume the larger part of her parent’s income.

With the start of a new school year in China, random educational fees have become a top public concern. As of September 15, the National Development and Reform Commission with other related departments joints launched a nationwide crackdown on additional school fees. In the most severe inspection in 10 years, Minister of Education Zhou Ji warned that a president of any school that illegally charged extra school fees would be removed from office.

The Ministry of Education stipulates that primary and middle schools across the country should have a uniform fee schedule. Only textbook fees and some extras are allowed at primary and junior middle schools; and only tuition fees and some extras are allowed at senior middle schools. Unfortunately, many schools fail to observe these rules, and some have allegedly levied up to 20 extra charges despite clear-cut government bans.

Statistics from the Ministry of Education should that 2,566 cases of random fees were discovered in the first seven months of this year.

“The superfluous fees charged over the last 10 years have been conservatively estimated at more than 200 billion yuan (about $24 billion),” said education experts.

Of these fees, the amount charged on students who wish to choose their schools forms the largest part. Since there are still remarkable disparities in teaching quality across schools, a large number of Chinese parents are willing to buy their children seats in schools with outstanding staff and good facilities. In 2002, China had a total of 98,800 middle schools and 456,900 primary schools, of which provincial- and city-level major schools accounted for only 2 percent. Conservatively, those major schools collected more than 27 billion yuan (about $3.26billion)thatyearfromstudentswhochosetoswitchintothoseschools.InGuangzhou—acitywiththecountry’shighestper-capitaannualdisposableincomeof13,380($1,600)—spending on school fees is estimated as high as 180,000 yuan ($21,700) for a single student.

Compared with primary and middle schools, illegal charging at institutions of higher learning is even more astonishing. High tuition fees and a variety of extra fees have put many average-income families with college students in debt, even forcing some students from very poor families to leave school. Though the state now provides tuition loans to financially strapped college students, the beneficiaries make up less than 5 percent of the total population is need.

A Plague of Fees

Illegal educational charging began in China at the end of the 1980s. Before that, education in the country was free, with the Central Government bearing all expenses.

In the 1985, the Decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Reform of Educational System stipulated that management of basic education should be under local government control. According to this decision, central and provincial governments were to carry 9 percent and 13 percent of the national educational spending respectively, while the rest of the amount was assigned to lower governments.

However, funds earmarked for education have long fallen short of real need. According to Zhou Mansheng, Deputy Director of the Education Development Research Center under the Ministry of Educational, education expenditure took a comparatively high proportion of the country’s GDP in the 1980s, but it fell to between 2.3 and 2.7 percent afterward. With a slight rebound in recent years, that figure was only 2.79 percent in 2002. This is far less than the world average of 4.2 percent. In less developed rural areas in Guizhou, Shanxi and Qinghai provinces, local governments have even removed education from their budgets. Under these circumstances, a lot of grass-roots governments have to pass expenses on to students.

The country’s 180 million primary and middle school students also constitute a massive and stable consumer base for some government departments, institutions and enterprises. Some rural governments that cannot reach all households have used students to collect fees, even charging students for the construction of roads.

“Shortage in state input and mismanagement are the root causes of illegal educational fees,” said Deputy Director Zhou.

Since 1995, the government has taken measures to rectify the problem. In 1996, the State Education Commission, the State Planning Commission and the Ministry of Finance jointly issued four regulations that contained explicit rules for charging students. These rules covered elementary schools, middle schools, secondary vocational schools and institutions of higher learning. They also included related approval and supervision procedures. Last year, the finance and education ministries created additional regulations, requiring schools throughout the country to make public all charges, including the reasons for these fees, departments that approved these fees and complaint hotlines. A circular issued by these two ministries also required financial exemptions for students from very poor households through transparent procedures.

In the last five years, the Ministry of Education and local educational authorities checked more than 470,000 primary schools and 120,000 middle schools across the country, investigating over 30,000 incidents of illegal school charges worth 1.5 billion yuan. Nearly 4,600 persons involved have been punished; and in the last year and a half alone, more than 130 headmasters were dismissed.

Nevertheless, punishment alone has not stopped this decade-long problem.

Wang Jiamian, head of the National Research Team on Psychological Health Education for Primary and Middle School Students, said that the most effective way to stop illegal fees is to create a down-to-the-earth system comprised of practical measures, rather than depend on publicity campaigns, self-discipline, random checks and investigation of single cases.

“The key is to create a system that generously awards parents willing to complain and severely punished wrongdoers,” said the professor.

Wang suggested that, in addition to educational authorities, discipline inspection commissions at all levels and the media should also be allowed to handle illegal fee complaints to prevent retaliation against families. “This would subject school fees to public scrutiny,” he predicted.

(Excerpts from Beijing Review   September_ 25 2003)

New Words and Expressions

designated a. 指定的；派定的

random a. 任意的；胡乱的

crackdown n. 制裁；打击

uniform a. 统一的；始终如一的

allegedly ad. 所谓地

clear-cut a. 清晰的；明确的

superfluous a. 多余的

plague n. 麻烦；苦恼

earmark vt. 指拨（款项）；指定（特殊用途）

expenditure n. 花费；消耗

rebound n. 回弹；反弹

rectify vt. 矫正；调整

vocational school 职业学校

complaint hotline 投诉热线

retaliation n. 报复

scrutiny n. 详细审查；监督

10.Just the Job

Looking for a job is now the most troubling aspect of life for many Chinese families. This has been found by a recent survey undertaken by the Sociology Department of Nanjing University, together with Nanjing Investigation and Analysis Center on Public Affairs.

The government is acutely aware that unemployment is a great challenge for China’s future well-being, and how to solve the employment problem was on top of the agenda at the just-closed annual sessions of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). According to the Second Session of the 10th NPC, a total of 8.3 billion yuan ($1 billion) from the 2004 central budget will be set aside for the employment project, to intensify job creation and social security work in an effort to further improve people’s lives.

In the Government Work Report, China’s “State of the Union,” approved in this session, intensifying job creation and social security work has been listed as one of the major tasks for 2004. Premier Wen Jiabao pointed out, “Doing everything possible to create more jobs is one of the major responsibilities of the government. Our targets for 2004 are to create 9 million jobs for urban residents and get 5 million laid-off workers reemployed.” He said that it is imperative to continue to implement a proactive employment policy, and especially ensure that fiscal policy, credit support and tax and fee cuts and exemptions policies are put into practice.

Wen said that efforts should be made to expand the avenues for employment by promoting flexible and diverse types of employment, while encouraging people to find jobs on their own or become self-employed. The government will support efforts of large and medium-sized state-owned enterprises to separate their secondary lines of business from their core business, turn their secondary lines into independent companies, and reassign their redundant employees to these new companies, the premier said.

He said that the government will focus the support on the reemployment of laid-off workers in old industrial bases, cities and industrial and mining areas whose locally available natural resources have been exhausted, and the defense industry and the coal and logging industries.

According to the premier, China will improve the system of employment services to provide better job training and guidance. The premier said that this year is another peak year for college graduates entering the job market and ex-servicemen being transferred to civilian jobs, so the government needs to work hard to provide them with effective employment guidance and services.

Creating 9 Million Jobs

Related to the premier’s Government Work report, Qiu Xiaohua, Deputy Director of the National Bureau of Statistics believes that there are practical ways to realize the target of creating 9 million jobs for urban residents. He said that according to the current coefficient of employment, a 1 percent increase of the national economy will provide 700,000 to 800,000 job positions. Based on the projected 7 percent increase of the national economy this year, nearly 5 to 5.6 million-job positions would be provided. So to keep a fast and steady economic growth will lay a solid foundation for creating new jobs.

Qiu said that with the advancement of industrial restructuring, especially the development of the tertiary industry and the non-public economy, a large number of jobs would be created. The number of people engaged in tertiary industry accounted for 28.6 percent of the total labor force in 2002, compared with 18.5 percent in 1990. And the number is still growing. The newly created jobs will be mainly in the service sectors, small and medium enterprises and non-public enterprises. The service industry will play an important role in creating more jobs and taking in more laid-off workers.

Zhang Mingliang, an NPC deputy from the Chongqing delegation to the session, has his own view on the employment problem. His wife is still unemployed since her former enterprise has poor economic benefits. Talking about employment, Zhang said, “Operated under the old planned economic system, state-owned enterprises can hardly avoid some temporary difficulties in the market economy. We understand that. But we think the key to the reemployment of those displaced people depends on the joint efforts of the government, the enterprises and the workers. The government should intensify policy guidance, and set in place practical ways to help, like skills training and small loans. It is also about laid-off workers readjusting their attitudes and reintegrating into society as soon as possible.”

Positive Factors

After hearing the premier’s Government Work Report, Mo Rong, a research fellow with the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, expressed his opinion on employment and social security problems. “Although the employment situation is grave in 2004, there are still four positive factors,” said Mo.

The first factor, according to Mo, is the high attention placed by the Party and government on employment. The Third Plenary Session of the 16th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China raised the thought of harmonized development of the economy and society, further emphasizing the importance of expanding employment, implementing proactive employment policy and trying to improve the environment for seeking employment and getting self-employed. Second, China’s economy keeps growing fast, which will provide a foundation for increasing job opportunities and adjusting employment structure. Third, the successive formulation of related measures for implementing the proactive employment policy provides guarantees for people who have the most difficulty in seeking jobs. And last, further clarification of the employment policy for college graduates has gradually broken through the old system’s obstacles, and provided good conditions for college graduates to get employed.

The Ministry of Labor and Social Security has clearly pointed the way ahead by stating their intention to work hard to carry out a series of employment and reemployment policies, make sure the target of newly increased job positions and reemployment for lay-offs this year will be met, and solve the problem of reemployment for 1.2 million people who have difficulty in seeking new jobs. And all the while the urban registered unemployment rate will be kept around 4.7 percent this year.

（Excerpts from Beijing Review   March 18 2004）

New Words and Expressions

acutely ad. 尖锐地；剧烈地

agenda n. 议程

budget n. 预算

set aside v. 留出

imperative a. 紧急的；必要的

proactive a. 主动的；抢先的

fiscal policy 财政政策；财务方针

exemption n. 免税

state-owned enterprise 国有企业

ex-serviceman n. 退役军人；复员军人

deputy director 局长；处长

the National Bureau of Statistics 国家统计局

coefficient n. [数]系数；率

the tertiary industry 第三产业

11.Projects for The 2008 Olympic Games

Liu Qi, President of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the 29th Olympiad (BOCOG), said recently that 2003 is an important year in making preparations for the 2008 Olympic Games.

Since 2002, four major preparations have been completed: First, a coordinating committee for the construction of Olympic Games gymnasiums and stadiums was established in March 2002. Second, blueprints were drawn for the Olympic Green and Wukesong Culture and Sports Center, and international bids were invited for detailed plans. Third, many relevant projects have been completed, including relocation of residents on construction sites, land leveling, stadium design, and the laying of pipes. Construction of infrastructure facilities will begin early this year. Finally, the bidding for legal entities to take charge of constructing gymnasiums and stadiums has entered its second phrase.

According to Liu, the plan, design and construction of all Olympic Games projects is subject to open bidding. “It calls for an innovative spirit to bring the bidding into line with common international practices, and simultaneously make it tally with China’s national conditions.

Liu emphasized supervision over construction of Olympic Games projects. The 2008 Beijing event is expected to be a “sunshine project,” with no waste or corruption. To achieve this, supervision should be strengthened. A supervising and auditing organization, consisting of representatives from both the Central Government and the Beijing municipal government, deputies to the National Consultative Conference, eminent personages and experts has been established to independently exercise supervising, with an emphasis on funds, material supply, personnel and major issues related to construction projects. A bidding activity supervising organization was also set up. All items concerned, including responsible units, investments and project progress, will be made public.

Departments involved in technology support, environmental protection and security reaffirmed that they will strengthen their work, and devise feasible plans at an early date.

According to its schedule, Beijing will determine the 2008 Olympic Games’ emblem this April, and will take this opportunity to promote the Olympic spirit among the public. Market development programs, including various kinds of assistance activities, will be launched in late May.

The market development preparatory work for the 2008 Olympic Games is being carried out intensely. In cooperation with domestic authoritative organizations, BOCOG has conducted a survey among potential sponsors and assisted the State Council and the Beijing municipal government in implementing two regulations on the protection of intellectual property rights concerning the Olympic Games.

This year, Beijing will accelerate subway construction, including the Olympic feeder line as well as the No.5 and No.10 lines, which will help ease traffic congestion during the Olympic Games. Construction of the No.4 line will begin before the end of this year.

Beijing is making efforts to improving its environment, with focus on controlling air pollution and strengthening sewage disposal. In 2002, the goal of raising the rate of days with grade II or better air quality to 55 percent was fulfilled four days ahead of schedule. A goal was set for 2003 to raise the rate to 60 percent, or 219 days. Continuous efforts will be made to afforest the city. Green areas will be expanded, and a number of scenic and cultural sites to reproduce features of the ancient city of Beijing will be built. Between the fifth and sixth ring roads, a green loop will be created.

Rivers will also be cleaned. Before 2004, Beijing will focus on cleaning the north city moat. The plan has been worked out and construction will begin this year.

BOCOG has set up a rational and effective working frame since it was established on December 13, 2001. It is composed of 14 departments and several coordinating mechanisms. BOCOG Vice-President Jiang Xiaoyu stated that new departments would be added to enhance the committee’s work efficiency and quality.

Guided by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), BOCOG began to draft its overall work plan in November 2001, and finished the first draft in February 2002. On the occasion of the anniversary of Beijing’s successful bid for the 2008 Olympic Games, the Beijing municipal government and BOCOG jointly issued the Beijing Olympic Action Plan and put it into implementation. The Action Plan is composed of an overall plan and nine specialized plans on the construction of gymnasiums and stadiums, environmental protection, transportation, science and technology, culture and other fields. The program sets the main tasks for in the coming six years.

The Coordination Commission for the Games of the 29th Olympiad plays an important role in coordinating with BOCOG on behalf of the IOC. On December 3 and 4, the commission, headed by Hein Verbruggen, held its first plenary session in Beijing. Participants thought highly of the preparatory work that the Chinese Government and the Beijing municipal government have done. They were deeply impressed by BOCOG’s effectiveness and professionalism.

“According to the Olympic Action Plan, the preparation period will last until June 2003, with a focus on decision making. BOCOG has placed its emphasis on decision making since it was founded,” said Cao Sui, a research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences. After being revised up to 40 times during eight months, the action plan has been condensed form 30,000 to 16,000 Chinese characters, with every single sentence carefully weighed.

A BOCOG spokesperson stated that the preparation process is one for building a new Beijing to usher in a brand-new Olympic event.

Liu Qi outlined the way to achieve the goal of “new Beijing, great Olympics.” Beijing should make efforts to be the first modernized Chinese city with its per-capita GDP reaching $6,000 by 2008. Meanwhile, material, political and spiritual civilizations should be developed in a coordinated way. All preparatory work for the Olympiad should be conducted to implement the idea of “green Olympics, hi-tech Olympics and people’s Olympics.” To achieve this, it is essential to develop advanced productive forces. Beijing should from a new economic pattern that is guided by high technologies, propped up by modern manufacturing industries and boomed by modern service sectors. The annual growth of Beijing’s GDP should exceed 9 percent. “Only on the basis o a new Beijing and successfully host the Olympiad,” Liu added.

(Excerpts from Beijing Review   January 30 2003)

New Words and Expressions

gymnasium n. 体育馆

stadium n. 露天大型运动场

bid n. 出价；投标

infrastructure n. 基本设施

legal entity 法人实体

innovative a. 创新的

tally vi. 符合

auditing n. 查帐；审核

the Beijing municipal government 北京市政府

deputy n. 代表；代理人

eminent a. 杰出的；卓越的

personage n. 名人；显赫之人

devise vt. 做出(计划)；想出(办法),

intellectual property rights 知识产权

accelerate vt.  加速

feeder n. 支线

congestion n. 交通堵塞

sewage disposal污水处理

afforest vt. 造林；绿化

moat n. 护城河

the International Olympic Committee (IOC) 国际奥林匹克委员会

on behalf of ad. 代表…

plenary session 全会；全体会议

usher _vt._展示；引导

per-capita ad. 每人；按人口平均计算

prop vt. 支撑；维持

boom vi. 迅速发展；趋于繁荣

12.China vs. AIDS

China’s first HIV positive diagnosis was in 1985, the victim an Argentine-American. At that time most Chinese, medical workers included, thought of AIDS as a phenomenon occurring outside of China. Twenty years later, the number of HIV/AIDS patients has risen alarmingly. In 2003, the Chinese Ministry of Health launched an AIDS Epidemiological Investigation across China with the support of the WHO and UN AIDS Program. Its results show that there are currently 840,000 HIV carriers, including 80,000 people with full-blown AIDS, in 31 Chinese provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions. This means China has the second highest in Asia and 14th in the world. Statistics from the Chinese Venereal Disease and AIDS Prevention Association indicate that the majority of Chinese HIV carriers are young to middle aged, more than half of them between the ages of 20 and 29.

Statistics also show that 68 percent of AIDS cases in China are because of intravenous drug use. Blood collection and transfusion of plasma account for a further 9.7 percent; 1.5 percent of cases occur through use of blood products; 7.2 percent have been infected through sexual intercourse and in 0.2 percent of cases the virus has passed from mother to infant. The latter two causes of HIV/AIDS infection have seen an increase in recent years. The cause of the remaining 13.4 percent of cases is unknown. Experts predict that unless drastic measures are taken, the number of HIV/AIDS cases will surpass 10 million by 2010.

Knowledge of AIDS to Be Popularized

Chinese people have long assumed AIDS to be a purely sexually transmitted disease. On November 17, 2003, China Central Television website issued an AIDS awareness questionnaire, and within three months 23,750 netizens had responded. Results showed that 23.71 percent believed sexual intercourse to be the main cause of the spread of AIDS, while 23.10 percent saw blood transfusions as the culprit; 20.49 percent ticked drug abuse; 17.64 percent thought it was mainly passed on from mother to child; and 8 percent thought AIDS could be contracted from insect bites. Only 58.15 percent knew that December 1st is World AIDS Day. 

Low AIDS awareness means that the majority of Chinese people do not know how AIDS spreads. Many rural dwellers refuse to buy grains and vegetables grown in villages that have cases of HIV/AIDS, and it has been reported that inhabitants of villages neighboring those with AIDS cases close and curtain all windows facing them in the belief they can thus avoid being infected. Even tricycle drivers refuse to go to villages where there is HIV/AIDS. Young residents of these villages are consequently hard put to find marriage partners.

A social survey in Neijiang City in China’s southwestern Sichuan Province shows that of the 1,184 people investigated, 88 percent believe that people with HIV/AIDS should be isolated. Out of the 33.3 percent of HIV carriers that publicly declared their condition, 92 percent were subsequently socially ostracized. As frankness brought these brave few prejudice rather than sympathy and support, the majority of HIV carriers do not dare to tell anyone they are HIV positive. This further increases the risk of spreading AIDS.

China: Declaring War on AIDS

On November 26, 2003, China Central Television broadcast an advertisement for condoms as protection against AIDS. This was the first sexually oriented, in the sense of AIDS prevention, Chinese commercial ever shown on CCTV. Although it ran for less than two weeks, it nevertheless signaled China’s serious intent to fight AIDS.

The looming threat of AIDS has prompted the Chinese central government to increase its investment in AIDS prevention and treatment. When the China AIDS Prevention Fund was first established in 1996, it was allocated funds of just 5 million yuan each year. Since 2001 this has increased to 100 million yuan.

In March 2003, the Chinese Ministry of Health signed Comprehensive AIDS Prevention and Control Experimental Region Target Management Responsibility agreements with 11 provincial level health organizations. Soon after, 51 AIDS prevention and control experimental regions started giving free medical treatment to people infected with HIV/AIDS. There are currently only 3,000 or so Chinese PWHA receiving free drug cocktail treatment, but the government plans to set up a total 124 such experimental regions in three years.

On December 1, 2003 Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao went to Ditan Hospital in Beijing to meet three AIDS patients. He shook them by hands and talked with them. This marked the first time a Chinese premier had visited AIDS patients. On February 18, 2004, 76 medical and financial workers from Henan Province, where it is believed HIV/AIDS is spreading most rapidly, went to villages with a high percentage of HIV/AIDS infected inhabitants. They will live next door or close to HIV/AIDS victims for a year and help establish HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. They will also provide free medical treatment, free anonymous HIV testing, free education for AIDS orphans, free intervention to prevent mother-infant transmission, and free care for elders.

(Excerpts from China Today   April 2004)

New Words and Expressions

HIV abbr. 人体免疫缺损病毒，艾滋病病毒(human immunodeficiency virus)

AIDS abbr. 爱滋病, 获得性免疫功能丧失综合症(Acquired Immure Deficiency Syndrome)

diagnosis n. 诊断

epidemiological a. 流行病学的

intravenous a. 静脉注射的

transfusion n.  [医]输血；输液

plasma n. 血浆

culprit n. 罪犯；事故的原因

ostracize vt. 放逐；排斥

loom vi.（危险、忧虑等）阴森地临近；令人担忧

allocate vt. 分配；划拨

13.The Choice Against Corruption

Corruption of government officials is not a new problem, but as more and cases are uncovered, the Communist Party of China (CPC), which has been in rule for 54 years, is now faced with a decision: A major crackdown in which many high-ranking Party members may lose their jobs, or a cover-up. And in this, like in so many other challenges to the new administration, the Party has decided to face the problem head-on, answering calls by the public to clean up their act.

Evolving Battle

The CPC has been fighting corruption since the founding of the PRC. After China adopted the policy of reform and opening up in 1978, corruption gradually became a persistent social problem. Since the 1990s in particular, corruption has kept escalating, giving rise to more and more public complaints.

The amount of money involved in corruption cases has become larger. According to the Tsinghua report on 66 corruption cases involving provincial/ministerial officials since 1978, none involved more than 100,000 yuan before 1992, but after 1992, 27 cases involved money surpassing 100,000 yuan, of which 12 involved money surpassing 1 million yuan ($120,773)andfourinvolvedover10millionyuan($1.21 million).

Craftier tricks are also employed nowadays in corruption. Corrupt officials silently allow their family or subordinates to seek benefits while avoiding being part of it themselves. Beginning from the 1980s, to prevent the appearance of a “power economy,” the Chinese Government has repeatedly prohibited the children of officials, especially high-ranking officials, from doing commercial business. Nevertheless, the offspring of many officials are still engaged in commercial business either openly or secretly.

Li Bo is the son of Li Jiating, former Governor of Yunnan province. The media reported that before the father was unmasked, the son had been “a powerful character in Yunnan’s business community” because “he was backed by a father who was the governor of the province.” Banks were like the son’s own, because “he could charge whichever sector that was the most lucrative with huge amounts of bank loans.”

Liu Fangren, former Secretary of the CPC Guizhou Provincial Committee who was investigated and punished earlier this year, outdid Li Jiating in corruption. According to information disclosed by the CCDI, Liu provided many conveniences to his daughter-in-law in her speculative reselling of projects. The woman’s illegal gains exceeded 21.8 million yuan ($2.63 million).

Meanwhile, many corrupt officials have begun to “optionize” their powers, i.e. instead of seeking immediate interests, they reap all the benefits after some years, or even after they are retired.

Owing to the use of better-disguised and craftier means, it now takes longer to detect corrupt officials. Data released by the Center for China Studies showed that from 1980 to 1992, the time span from an official’s committed crime to exposure was about 1.4 years on average, which extended to 3.3 years from 1993 to 1997, and reached 6.3 years from 1998 to 2002.

Moreover, most of the corrupt officials are found in connection with other cases instead of being directly discovered. In some cases, officials even ascend in their career while being corrupt. According to the Tsinghua report, among the 36 offences involving senior officials with available documents for investigation, 29, or 80.6 percent, came to light in connection with other cases.

Collective corruption with the Party/government chief at the core is also a trend. In the last three or four years, the procuratorial organ of an economically developed city in south China has filed 219 cases of collective corruption of investigations, which account for 71 percent of the cases filed in the same period of time. In these cases of collective corruption, about 60 percent are characterized by the participation of the “chief”.

According to media reports, Liu Fangren was known among Guizhou residents as the “chief commander of corrupt officials” and close to 100 officials at various levels were involved in corrupt practices with him. In the case of “office buying and selling” by Ma Zhaode, former Director of Hainan Provincial Administration for Industry and Commerce, the “chiefs” of the Administrations for industry and commerce in the province’s eight counties and cities were involved. These corrupt officials formed a body of interests, adding difficulties to anti-corruption efforts.

Cancer of the ‘Chief System’

The Chinese Government has been relentless in cracking down upon various corrupts practices. Nonetheless, corruption has kept spreading. Why?

“In view of the cases brought to investigation, the corruption of some senior officials is not only a result of their ideological degradation, but also a demonstration of a lack of effective supervision,” said Wu Guanzheng, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the CCDI. “To strengthen supervision, especially supervision on provincial-level officials, is a major issue needing to be tackled,” he said.

“China’s power supervision system can hardly play its due role and many ‘chiefs’ abuse their powers without limitation, which is the fundamental reason for the fast spread of corruption,” said Professor Wang Changjiang.

According to Li Yongzhong, an anticorruption expert at the CCDI research office, the current system of Party committee leadership in China can be called the “chief system” regarding the power structure. The most striking characteristic of such a system is that the chief has the final say in everything. It is also true with other “chiefs” in the leadership with their respective field of authority.

The “supremacy” of the chiefs in their respective areas or fields turns out to be the hotbed for their abuse of power. The CPC Constitution stipulates that in making major decisions, a Party committee shall usually go through the procedure of democratic centralism.

When the members of the Party committee vote for a decision, the vote cast by the chief, the secretary of the Party committee, should be an ordinary vote. However, for personal purposes, the chief can often manipulate the “authority” in his hand to hamper the decision or pass the decision.

In some localities, a chief can also decide on the promotion, degradation, appointment or dismissal of a functionary. The procuratorate and the organ for discipline inspection, as supervisory organs of local power, are also under the “leadership” of the chief and can hardly play their supervisory roles.

For those opposing the chief or reporting the chief’s misdeed to upper authorities, the chief can easily take revenge—from the light punishment of degradation or dismissal to the heavy punishment of criminal penalties. Given that, even the chief is corrupt, the local organ for discipline inspection and the judicial organ as well “usually dare not intervene, nor are they willing to intervene or capable of intervention.” Meanwhile, the common people “dare not speak out though they feel indignant.”

Hu Jianxue, former Secretary of the CPC Tai’an Municipal Committee of Shandong Province, feared nothing in his corrupt practices. In his words, “ An official at my level should receive no supervision.”

“To effectively check the rising momentum of corruption, anti-corruption measures targeting at individuals after all the harms have been done are not enough; we must go to the system for the roots,” said Wang Changjiang. “The ‘chief system’ should be reformed. With power decentralized and balanced, the chief will not be able to do whatever he wants, thus reducing the chances of corruption.”

(Excerpts from Beijing Review   October 16 2003)

New Words and Expressions

crackdown n. 严历手段；惩罚行动

cover-up n. 掩盖手段［手法］

head-on ad. 迎面地；直接地

persistent a. 持续的

escalate vi. 逐步升级

ministerial a. 部长级的; 部的

crafty a. 狡猾的；诡计多端的

unmask vt. 揭露；暴露

outdo vt. 超越；胜过; 打败

speculative a. 投机的

reap vt. 获得；收获

disguise vt. 伪装；隐瞒；掩饰

crafty a. 狡诈的；善于骗人的

ascend vi. 向上走

offence n. 犯罪；犯法

procuratorial a. 代理人的；代诉的

ideological a. 意识形态的；思想上的

abuse vt. 滥用；妄用

supremacy n. 最高权力；最高位置

democratic centralism 民主集中制

misdeed n. 罪行；恶劣行为

momentum n. 动力；要素

14.Oh Boy, Where Are the Girls?

It doesn’t matter that China is planning to train female astronauts, or that gender equality is now an integral part of the country’s human rights focus—when it comes to the crunch, young couples in China’s countryside would still tell you, “We want a boy!” when asked of their child gender preference when starting a family.

Though the birthrate in China dropped from 33.43 per thousand in 1970 to 14.03 per thousand in 2000, which led to over 300 million fewer births, thanks to birth-control policies over three decades, the “obsession with boys” still pervades in Chinese thinking, especially in the countryside, and that has spiraled out of control over recent years and resulted in alarmingly abnormal newborn gender ratios in the world’s most populous nation.

Li Weixiong, Vice Chairman of the Population, Resources and Environment Sub-Committee of the 10th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), warned at the annual CPPCC session in early March that some 30-40 million Chinese men of marrying age might have to remain single by 2020, if the climbing abnormal newborn gender ratio is not held in check.

According to the fifth national census in 2000, China’s newborn girl/boy ratio rose from 100:108 in 1982 to 100:117 in 2000, whereas the normal proportion should be 100:104-107.

“This is By no means a sensational prediction,” said Li. “The great disparities between male and female newborns mean a serious threat to building a moderately prosperous society.” The disproportion of male to female has become more and more serious, especially in the rural areas, Li said in a keynote speech.

According to Qin Dewen, a CPPCC National Committee member from Anhui Province who came up with a proposal analyzing the country’s gender imbalance, the newborn gender ratio of the province stood at 100:111.97 in 1990, which rose to 100:116.14 in 1995 and rocketed to 100:129 in 2000.

In west China’s Shaanxi Province, the newborn gender ratio of the second child over recent years topped 100:253.5 in a county, which would result in almost 20,000 bachelors in the county 20 years from now, if the situation is allowed to continue unchecked.

Li Weixiong said such serious gender disproportion poses a major threat to the healthy, harmonious and sustainable growth of the nation’s population and could trigger such crimes and social problems as mercenary marriages, abduction of women and prostitution.

Mentalities Deep-Rooted

The centuries-old family tradition of preferring a son to a daughter is the top reason behind the climbing newborn gender imbalance. According to a special survey carried out in 2003, of Anhui Province’s 580 married women of childbearing age, 56.8 percent of those desiring to have a boy are doing so of their own volition, and 62.3 percent are doing so to satisfy their parents.

Social, environmental and economic conditions can also not be ignored. Chinese parents believe a son could bring more income and will be a better provider in their senior years. This way of thinking is partly due to a lack of a social security system. About 33 percent and 35 percent of respondents said they want a boy to provide more labor and be the breadwinner. Some 36.7 percent of respondents agree that having a boy could raise their family status and earn respect from other people.

The survey also confirms that girls-only families find more difficulties in life. Moreover, the meager reward to those families, stipulated by the government, are inadequate. Only 60-70 percent of medical checks and contraception operations are free of charge, and a mere 6.9 percent of money for health care is cashed in. With no incentive, those families have no choice but to try by all means to have a boy.

Technology Misused

Hi-tech can be the source of trouble if misused, said Li, pointing to the practice of women having CT-gender screenings of their embryos—so couples can select boys during the pregnancy rather than girls—is out of control in some areas of China.

In the 1980s, the main methods for gender selection in rural areas were dumping or drowning baby girls. Nowadays, however, CT-gender screenings and induced abortions are becoming more and more popular. Though China has maternal, child-care and family planning laws that forbid embryo gender screening, enforcement is slack, said Li.

Surveys show that CT-gender screenings have become half-open and door-to-door services in the countryside, with fees dropping from 200 yuan ($24.15)to15yuan($1.81). sampled examinations in Anhui in 2002 indicated that unborn fetuses accounted for 5.29 percent of the total newborns, most of them having died of induced abortion just because of gender selection.

More Care for Girls

Thanks to the tight reins on population growth over more than three decades, China has become one of the world’s low birth-rate nations. But departments at all levels should now pay more attention to maintaining the population composition, said Qin Dewen.

Experts say stricter enforcement of the ban against gender selection should be undertaken, with those who practice it punished. They called for departments of health, public security and justice to join hands in the campaign, and also urged the elimination of gender discrimination against girls beginning with pregnancy and for society to show more care toward girls.

According to Qin, Huaiyuan County of Anhui Province has launched a “care for girls” campaign to promote the idea of gender equality and improve the living standards of girls-only families. Chaohu City of the province has used money from the international foundation—Ford Foundation —to provide legal aid and job opportunities to girls-only families. The newborn gender ratio there has approached the normal standard in three years.

The Chinese Government has set a timetable for the year 2010 to bring the gender ratio among newborn babies back to normal and officials said a new concept toward marriage and reproduction would take shape by then. If not, the only good news might be that in the foreseeable future, young women in China can bide their time in making marital decisions. They could be very selective, picking from the very best the male gene pool has to offer.

（Excerpts from Beijing Review   April 1 2004）

VI. MAJOR TRADITIONAL FESTIVALS

1.Spring Festival

Spring Festival, the traditional Chinese New Year’s Day, is China’s most important national holiday. The date of the new year is still determined by the lunar calendar even though the government of the Republic of China adopted the international Gregorian calendar in 1912. New Year’s Day typically occurs sometime in early spring (February).

Almost everyone in China’s cities enjoys at least three days off work to celebrate spring Festival, and the celebration lasts even longer in rural areas: from the eighth day of the last month of the lunar year to the fifteenth day of the first month of the following lunar years. Rural residents use this time, following a year’s hard work and prior to the spring planting, to rest and relax as the climate in northern China is still quite cold.

The Han people (the majority ethnic group in China, accounting for more than 90 percent of the population) have a tradition of eating laba-rice porridge with beans, nuts and dried fruit—on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. This pastime symbolizes the peasants’ wishes for an abundant harvest and healthy animals.

Starting on the twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month people clean their houses, decorate them with paper-cuts and streamers, shop for special Spring Festival foods and gifts, and begin preparing the New year’s banquet.

On the day before New Year’s day, many families decorate their front doors with a pair of couplets designating good fortune. These couplets are written in fine calligraphy on long strips of red paper. The text of the sentiments expressed are for happiness, good health, bumper harvest, family harmony and prosperity. Special pictures are placed in different rooms to dispel evil spirits and bring the family tranquility and happiness throughout the coming year.

Children set off firecrackers, play games and carry colorful lanterns in hand as they visit friends. Parents keep busy preparing the New Year’s Eve dinner and making jiaozi—dumplings with meat and vegetable fillings. Dumplings are an indispensable food for northerners during their New Year’s celebratio_n._

In olden times, jiaozi were thought to scare away evil spirits, misfortune and disease. Today this well-loved dish is as closely associated with Spring Festival as turkey is with Thanksgiving in the United States.

Chinese have been making jiaozi for more than 1,600 years, but the preparation of this delicious food varies by regio_n._ One variety is made with fillings of meat, Chinese cabbage or other vegetables, peanut and sesames oils, with ginger, green onion and salt for flavoring. Another variety is filled with eggs and dried shrimp along with Chinese cabbage, Chinese chives and other flavorings.

On New Year’s Day people traditionally eat dumplings made with egg and shrimp fillings to encourage a year of peace. Families in some rural areas have a custom of wrapping a small piece of candy or a coin in one of the dumplings. The person who eats this dumpling is considered lucky and will have a happy and prosperous new year.

Following dinner, most families watch special holiday variety shows on television, which last well into new Year’s Day. Many families stay up very late, some even stay up all night, playing cards, laughing, chatting, or telling stories to the childre_n._

At midnight a barrage of firecrackers breaks the silence and after the cocks crow, every family conducts a New Year’s ceremony. Everyone, old and young, dresses in their best before offering sacrifices to their gods and ancestors.

The reunion meal in northern China consists of jiaozi. Old and young sit around the dinner table waiting to be served while the women boil the dumplings. If family members cannot join the reunion meal, a pair of chopsticks, a cup of wine and a bowl are laid out for them to symbolize the family’s best wishes.

On New Year’s Day the children receive gifts of money in red envelopes from their parents and grandparents. But, the most popular celebrating activity is young people expressing wishes of good fortune and health to the family elders. Other children enjoy visiting with friends, neighbors and relatives because they are treated to fruit, pastry and candy while their parents drink tea, wine or beer.

The celebrating climax occurs on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month during the Lantern Festival. At night lantern shows or lion dances are performed, luring visitors to the fun, whether it’s in the city or the countryside.

(Excerpts from China Today   January 1998)

New Words and Expressions

barrage n. 火网；倾泻

chive n. 细香葱

couplet n. 对联；对句

dispel vt. 驱赶；赶跑

ginger n. 生姜

Gregorian calendar 格里历（即阳历）

onion n. 洋葱

paper-cut n. 剪纸

pastry n. 糕点

reunion meal 团圆饭

streamer n. 横幅

tranquility n. 安宁

2.Lantern Festival

The Lantern Festival occurs on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month according to the old Chinese calendar, when a full moon provides enough light for the various ceremonies and activities traditionally held throughout China. Customarily, family members reunite for a meal of Yuanxiao, round, sweet dumplings made of glutinous rice flour served in soup, which symbolize a wish for the family’s happiness and good luck all year.

Custom dictates that the holiday be enlivened with lanterns hung throughout the house, lantern shows, Yuanko (a popular rural folk dance), stilt walkers and dragon dances. The history of this merriment dates back 1,900 years to the Han Dynasty when Emperor Mingdi sat on the throne (58~75). Mingdi ordered lanterns lit in every palace and monastery on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month in homage to Buddh_a._ Since then various activities, such as lantern shows, fairs, and evening parties to guess riddles related to lanterns, have been organized in different parts of Chin_a._

The lanterns usually are made of thin bamboo strips, straw, rattan, metal or animal horns and covered with red paper or gauze. They come in various shapes and sizes. Some are classified as palace lanterns while others are revolving lanterns that feature fables or pictures of animals. Now technology and electronics are being used in festival lanterns, and neon lights side by side with traditional Chinese paper lanterns add more festivity to the holiday for both urban and rural dwellers.

Dragon dances originated with ancient ceremonies for the Dragon King. At first these dances were a prayer for favorable weather. Today performers are more concerned with demonstrating their skills or unique techniques for simulating a drago_n._ Making a dragon for this dance using colorful paper or silk fabric requires special skills and craftsmanship.

Stilt walking, a recreational activity in rural areas, combines dance, drama and physical agility. Chinese stilts are usually 20 to 90 centimeters high. Using various props, performers play folk heroes or roles from popular dramas.

Yuanko is a very common folk dance among Chinese in northern China A yuanko can be performed by two or three people who recreate a simple story line, or by several dozen dancers who act out complicated dramas. A performer’s sense of humor, plus colorful props such as colored ribbons, paper fans, or handkerchiefs make a yuanko a unique cultural celebration, especially when combined with stilt walkers and dragon dances.

Round sweet dumplings traditionally are eaten for happiness on the Lantern festival. Today these dumplings also are a popular dessert in China, and come in two varieties: one is made of white and brown sugar, sweet-scented osmanthus, nuts and sesame seeds; the other has meat and vegetable fillings. Recently Chinese have begun adding chocolate for a truly unique flavor, even though traditional boiled dumplings, fried sweet dumplings are becoming popular.

(Excerpts from China Today   February 1998)

New Words and Expressions

agility n. 敏捷

enliven vt. 使有生气；使活跃

gauze n. 薄纱

glutinous rice 糯米

homage n. 尊敬；敬意

ingredient n. 配料；成分

monastery n. 庙宇；寺庙

neon n. [化]氖；氖气灯；霓虹灯

rattan n. 藤；藤条

ribbon n. 缎带；丝带

stilt walking 踩高跷

sweet-scented osmanthus 桂花

yangko n. 秧歌

3.Qingming Festival

Qingming (Pure Brightness) is a traditional festival highlighted by worship at ancestral graves. Usually it falls between April 4~6. The festival marks the fifth solar term of the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, which divides the year into 24 such terms according to the position of the earth as it orbits the sun. The names of the terms are used as guideposts for agriculture and certain Chinese festivals in China. Qingming marks the start of spring plowing in China’s north and of spring sowing in the south. At this time people also customarily make offerings to family ancestors, go on outings and flying kites.

Following tradition, people used to pay their respects to their ancestors by sweeping family graves clean of the winter’s debris. But today this festival is also a memorial day for revolutionary martyrs. People from government offices, schools and other social organizations visit public cemeteries and express their esteem by placing a bouquet of freshly cut flowers, a bunch of budding willow branches or a wreath of cypress and pine on the tomb of a martyr.

At this time of year the days grow longer and the sun warmer, bringing enchanting springtime scenery. Many people take advantage of the opportunity to escape the city and enjoy the beauty of nature, breathe in fresh air and renew their optimism.

Swinging used to be a favorite pastime for women and children. It evolved with Chinese ancestors, who used to search for food on trees and used rattan vines to swing out and reach the food they wanted. In ancient times, people believed that swinging from vines was good for building an agile and strong physique resistant to illness, and a good way to relax as well. Today swinging is still thought to contribute to one’s good health, to balance brain functions, and to cultivate courage. What a pity that this pastime, easily enjoyed by all, is no longer popular in China, except among children playing in the park or on the school playground.

Kite manufacturing and flying, Kites are made in various styles by professional or amateur artists of different schools. Eulogized as China’s kite capital, the city of Weifang in the northern province of Shandong hosts an International Kite Fair and kite-flying tournament every spring just before Qingming. The event attracts numerous contestants from all over the world and a growing number of tourists from home and abroad.

In kite making extremely thin strips of bamboo or wood are used to construct a frame, which is then covered with paper or gauze. Painting and mounting are vitally important. The kites are made to resemble animals, figures and musical instrument. Some have rigid wings while others have movable ones. Some can even make sounds like an organ, a gong or a drum while flying. With the application of new technology to kite making, China has an ever-growing variety of these exquisitely shaped and patterned creations.

This Chinese folk art was introduced to Southeast Asia and trope between the eighth and sixteenth centuries. Now kite flying has become fashionable throughout the world, and the art of kite making has been cited in “Science and Civilization in China” by Joseph Needham as an important technical invention from China that has contributed to the dissemination of Chinese culture.

(Excerpts from China Today   April 1998)

New Words and Expressions

bouquet n. 花束

cypress n. 柏树

contestant n. 竞争者；参加比赛者

dissemination n. 播种;传播

epicenter n. 中心；集中点

eulogize vt. 颂扬；赞扬

exquisitely ad. 精巧地；精致的

gong n. 锣; 铜锣

solar term 气节

wreath _n._花圈；花环

4.Dragon Boat Festival

The fifth day of the fifth lunar month is a traditional Chinese festival dedicated to the great patriotic poet Qu Yuan for his devotion to his native state. 

Qu Yuan lived in the state of Chu during the Warring States period (475~221 B.C.). Chu was in condtant danger of being invaded by the state of Qin, the strongest among the seven states then existing in central china. As one of the dukes, Qu Yuan advocated that Chu should join forces with the neighboring state of Qi to fight against Qin’s troops. However, his patriotism and dedication were betrayed by capitulators who slandered him. The king of Chu believed them and sent Qu Yuan into exile. He wrote many immortal masterpieces exposing the corrupt and incompetent feudal regime. In his autobiographic works he expresses his political position and his ambition of rejuvenating his state. When Qu Yuan heard that Qin troops had occupied the Chu capital, he threw himself into the Miluo River in despair on the fifth day the fifth lunar month.

Local people honor the memory of Qu Yuan on this day by holding dragon-boat races. It is said that the boat races were regarded as a symbol of the people’s attempt to rescue Qu Yuan. For a long time now they have been a popular sport. China has a long history of making big wooden boats sport. The prow is a carved dragon’s head, and the body id made in a dragon-like shape or following the design of fish, birds or shrimp. It is painted red, yellow, black or white according to the taste of the oarsmen. Different size boats hold different numbers of oarsmen, seated in pairs. Boat races are held in rivers going either up or downstream or from bank to bank, following the strict rules and regulations set by the State Physical Culture and Sports Commission. Winners are awarded trophies. Every year the “Qu Yuan Cup” is held in China. The boat race is also very popular in Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia.

It is a tradition to eat zongzi, pyramid-shaped dumplings made of glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves, with different fillings added for interest. According to one popular story, such dumplings were thrown into the river as food for the fish and shrimp to keep them from eating QuYuan’s body. These dumplings now are boiled and eaten on the holiday. Suzhou in Jiangsu province and Ningbo and Jiaxin in Zhejiang province are known for their zongzi with date and sweet bean paste, ham, or bacon filling. Beijing is famous for date and preserved fruit fillings. They are made in various shape, three-or four-cornered, or in the shape of a pillow, ax, ox horn and pagoda. The largest ones may weigh half a kilogram. For more than 2,000 years, people not only in China but also in Southeast Asia, Japan and Vietnam have maintained the tradition of eating zongzi on the Dragon Boat Festival.

Coming in the lull between spring plowing and summer weeding, the festival is celebrated in a variety of ways. It has overtones of spring purification, and in the south it is the occasion for a good house cleaning to protect against various diseases that may come with the hot weather.

On this day it is also customary to take a drink of wine containing realgar, rub the wine on children’s forehead, and sprinkle it on beds and mosquito nets to keep away insects.

                            (Excerpts from China Today   May 1998)

New Words and Expressions

capitulator n. 投降者

lull n. 间歇；暂停

oarsman n. 划船手

overtone n. 联想；暗示

prow n. 船头

pyramid-shaped dumpling 粽子

realgar n. 雄黄

reed n. 芦苇

rejuvenate vt. 使恢复活力

slander _vt._诽谤；诋毁

trophy _n._奖品；银杯

5.Mid-Autumn Festival

The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month.

The festival originated in the imperial moon-worshipping ceremonies held when the moon was at its fullest on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month. Later on moon-worshipping was adopted by nobles and high officials. When the practice became prevalent among ordinary people, it became a true national festival.

Celebrations are held at night with moon cakes playing a predominant role. These are small round tarts baked with different fruit fillings—date, pear, apple and pomegranate among others. People used to lay out a feast with good wine. When the moon was rising in a clear sky, they would place the moon cakes and fresh fruit on a table as an offering. Even today a family will sit around the table, enjoying the beautiful moon and eating moon cakes and fruit. Those who are away from home try to return for a family reunion, giving the occasion its other name—Family Reunion Festival.

Guangzhou, Beijing, Suzhou and Ningbo are all renowned for their special brand of moon cakes. In the days leading up to the Festival, stores compete for customers by advertising new varieties of exquisitely wrapped cakes, which people buy for themselves or as gifts for friends and relatives.

China is a large multiethnic country, and ethnic group observe the festival in their own fashion.

A popular legend among the Dai ethnic group says that Yan Jian, the third son of the Heavenly King, became the moon after his death. Yan Jian is reputed to have once led the Dai in staving off an enemy invasion. Thus, they make sacrificial offerings of delicious food to the moon while ceremonially firing guns. Boys pray to the moon for success in their future careers, and girls pray for beauty.

The Miao, who live in the mountains of Guangzhou Province, hold a harvest celebration at this time of year. They make glutinous rice cakes and butcher cattle and sheep for their feast. In the evening when the moon is at its roundest, people enjoy the scene while drinking rice wine.

The Miao will also sing and dance in the bright moonlight to the accompaniment of reed pipes. The young sing songs of love “as pure as the moon.” They also hold pipe and singing contests. In addition to entertainment, this is also a way for the young to find a beloved. Before bidding each other farewell that night, couples exchange waistbands as tokens of affection. This symbolizes that they are engaged and will marry the following spring when the flowers bloom and the days turn pleasantly warm.

The Tibetans have their own tradition for the Mid-autumn Festival. In the evening, groups of children and young people set out to find the moon’s reflection. They won’t return home for moon cakes until they have checked all the rivers and lakes nearby.

Since the Mongolians in northern China are avid equestrians, they celebrate by riding their horses at full gallop on the vast grassland as the full moon rises in the east. Some of them will stay up until it sets in the west.

Times change and young Chinese no longer follow all the traditional customs. Today, many celebrate by going to a concert, coffee shop, bar, and club for amusement or by taking a short sightseeing trip to a scenic spot.

(Excerpts from China Today   November 1998)

New Words and Expressions

avid a. 渴望的；做起（某事）尽头十足的

equestrian n. 骑马者；骑手

pomegranate n. 石榴；石榴树

prevalent a. 流行的；盛行的

stave vt. 挡开；避开

tart n. 果馅饼；小烘饼

token n. 标志；象征

6.National Day

On October 1, 1949, more than 300,000 people flocked to Tian’anmen Square to witness the ceremonies for the founding of the People’s Republic of China. At 3 o’clock that afternoon, the band struck up the national anthem while a 54-gun salute fired 28 volleys into the air over Beijing.

Chairman Mao Zedong, on the rostrum of Tian’anmen with other government and party leaders, solemnly proclaimed the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. He himself hoisted the new red flag with five yellow stars.

As an introduction to the grand military parade to follow, Zhu De, Commander-in-Chief of the People’s Liberation Army, read a general staff statement ordering the PLA to swiftly clean up all remaining Kuomintang forces and liberate the people still living in Kuomintang-controlled areas.

The birth of new China ushered in a new era in the nation’s history. It symbolized the country’s move from a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society to a democratic one. October 1 was declared National Day and a public holiday. People are given two days off from work and many take advantage of the opportunity to make a short outing.

On the eve of National Day, the premier of the State Council offers a reception in the Great Hall of the people in Beijing. The country’s political, social and cultural leaders get together with guests from around the world to celebrate the anniversary. Chinese embassies and consulates abroad also hold celebrations, and heads of state commonly send China messages of congratulations.

In Beijing the day is marked by a festive atmosphere. Office buildings, schools, factories and apartment blocks decorated with red lanterns and colorful flags. Many varieties of flowers bloom at this time years, lending color and beauty to the capital. A newly painted portrait of Chairman Mao Zedong is hung on the red wall of the Gate of Heavenly Peace, and a portrait of the great revolutionary leader Dr. Sun Yat-Sen is raised in the center of the square. Thousands of pots of flowers are smartly arranged in terraces to create a beautiful backdrop. The fountains of the Jinshui River, the moat of the Forbidden City, are dazzling and attract many viewers in the evening when they are illuminated.

A special gala commemoration is usually held every five years, but in 1997 the celebrations were special because of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland a few months earlier. All the trees around Tian’anmen Square and along Chang’an Boulevard were hung with lights, brightening the Beijing night. In addition, 65 strings of brilliantly colored lights spanned Chang’an Boulevard between Xidan to the west and Dongdan to the east, turning the wide avenue into a true wonderland. Two ten-meter-long rainbow arches representing gates were put up on the Jianguomen and Fuxingmen overpasses on the boulevard, each outfitted with thousands of multi-colored light bulbs and fluorescent tubes symbolizing China’s bright and colorful future.

(Excerpts from China Today   October 1998)

New Words and Expressions

boulevard n. 干道；林荫大道

consulate n. 领事馆

fluorescent a. 荧光的；发荧光的

hoist vt. 升起

moat n. 护城河

outfit vt. 装备；配备

the rostrum of Tian’anmen 天安门城楼

salute n. 礼炮

volley n. 排枪射击；排炮射击

usher vt. 宣告；引进

7.Double Ninth Festival

The traditional Double Ninth festival is on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. In ancient time, numbers were mysterious and were divided into yin and yang. As the number nine was yang, the ninth day of the ninth lunar month was double yang.

There is a legend about the festival. In the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), a man named Huan Jing was a disciple of Fei Zhangfang, a Taoist Sage. One day the master predicted a disaster world befall Huan’s family on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. To ward it off, Huan’s family was told to go out mountain climbing, and to take along a bag full of the red fruit of the medicinal cornel.

ward off
prevent someone or something from harming or affecting one.
”she put up a hand as if to ward him off”

Huan heeded the advice and no ill befell his family. After the news spread, people believed that climbing mountains on the special day would dispel bad luck and bring good fortune. As the custom took root, it became a traditional holiday.

Researchers explain that the holiday originated in rites of worship to the heavenly God held on high land by China’s northern nomadic groups in ancient times. The higher they climbed in worship, the more devout they were. Cultural exchange gradually popularized this custom on the Central Plains of the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River. Eventually it became a national celebration.

Autumn is the best season to climb mountains, as the weather is pleasant, the sky clear and the air crisp. People revel in the beautiful autumn scenes, and enjoy the fresh air and warm sunshine. As a pastime, mountain climbing is good for keeping fit. The fragrant cornel can be used as herbal medicine. It may not possess the magic to exorcise evil spirits, but it does repel mosquitoes. That is why mountain climbers often carry a bundle of the plant.

Chrysanthemums are in full bloom in autumn. Chrysanthemum shows are usually held in big cities across China and attract numerous visitors, because the chrysanthemum is eulogized as the “gentleman” of flowers. Chrysanthemum tea is believed to purify the heart and improve eyesight.

Recently the Double Ninth Festival has been given another title, the Festival of Respect for the Aged. In the tradition of respect for elders in China, the government calls on relevant department throughout the country to organize activeties to help senior citizens. This includes offering financial aid to those with difficulties and care for those who have on children.

The Double Ninth Festival Garden Gathering has been ten times in the Park of Eight Great Temples (Badachu) since 1988. Each year, it attracts more than 200,000 active elder participants with its entertainment and other activities, including free health care consultation offered to the elderly by Beijing’s major hospital.

(Excerpts from China Today   September 1998)

New Words and Expressions

cornel n. 山芙蓉

chrysanthemum n. 菊花

devout a. 虔诚的

exorcise vt. 驱除

heed vt. 注意；留意

nomadic a. 游牧的

revel vi. 狂欢；作乐

sage n. 哲人；圣人；贤人

ward vt. 防止；避开

8.Laba Rice Porridge Festival

The majority Han Chinese have long followed the tradition of eating laba rice porridge on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. The date usually falls in min-January and is a traditional Chinese festival.

Legend about the origin of this festivity abounds One maintains that over 3,000 years ago sacrificial rites were held in the twelfth lunar month when people offered up their prey to the gods of heaven and earth. The Chinese characters for the hunt and the twelfth month (lie and la) were interchangeable then, and ever since la has been used to refer to both. Since the festival was held on the eighth day of the last month, people later appended the number eighth (ba in Chinese), giving us the current laba.

Buddhism was well accepted in the areas inhabited Han Chinese, who believed that Sakyamuni, the first Buddha and founder of the religion, attained enlightenment on 12/8. Sutras were chanted in the temples and rice porridge with beans, nuts and dried fruit was prepared for the Buddha. With time the custom extended, especially in rural areas where peasants would pray for a plentiful harvest in this way.

There is, however, another touching story. When Sakyamuni was on his way into the high mountains in his quest for understanding and enlightenment, he grew tired and hungry. Exhausted from days of walking, he passed into unconsciousness by a river in Indi_a._ A shepherdess found him there and fed him her lunch—porridge made with beans and rice. With such nourishment he was able to continue his journey. After six years of strict discipline, he finally realized his dream of full enlightenment on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. Ever since, monks have prepared rice porridge on the eve ad held a ceremony the following day, during which they chant the sutras and offer porridge to Buddha. Thus, the tradition of eating laba porridge was based in religion, though with time the food itself became a popular winter dish especially in cold northern Chi_na._

Laba porridge is made with local specialties such as ginkgo fruits, water chestnuts, chestnuts, lotus seeds and red beans in addition to the rice. Actually eight ingredients are used, cooked with sugar to make the porridge wonderfully sweet. Northerners prefer to use glutinous rice, red beans, dates, lotus sees, dried longan pulp, walnuts, pine nuts and other dried fruits in their porridge; southerners like a salty porridge prepared with rice, soybeans, peanuts, broad beans, taro, water chestnuts, walnuts, vegetables and diced meat. Some people like to add cinnamon and other condiments to inject flavor. Controlling the heat is of great importance in the outcome. At the start, the flame must be high, but the fire is then turned down to let the porridge simmer until it begins to emit avery delicious smell. The process is time-consuming but not complicated.

Laba porridge is not only easy to prepare, but also a nutritious winter food because it contains amino acids, protein and other vitamins people need. Cooked nuts and dried fruit are good for smoothing nerves, nourishing one’s heart and vitality, and strengthening the spleen. Perhaps that is why it is also called babao (Eight Treasure) porridge.

(_China Today   Decembe_r 1998)

Footnotes

1. to put your body or sth else into a position where it is steady and does not fall ↩

2. 独立主格作定语 ↩

3. to change or make sb/sth change from one opinion, mood, etc. to another ↩

4. to say or write a comment about sth/sb ↩

5. to write (something) down so that it can be used or seen again in the future ↩

6. to get sth that you deserve, usually because of sth good you have done or because of the good qualities you have 应得；博得；赢得 ↩