My letter was published, see:
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/2013-02/27/content_16259243.htm
Don’t forget us cyclists, 27 February:
(China Daily 02/27/2013 page 9)
I applaud all the efforts being made to expand the subway and bus networks in Beijing. It is an important contribution to improve Beijing’s air quality. However, too little attention is paid to cyclists like me.
The city is putting a total of 50,000 rental bikes on the streets, but we cyclists are considered second class citizens.
Cars obstruct the bike lanes, and pedestrians love to walk in the lanes while they have all the space on the side walks.
People have a total disregard for us and if we complain we get very angry remarks. When will the police and the authorities act to guarantee the cyclists’ interests?
Gilbert, via e-mail
Now if only someone would do something about it…
Don’t only point the finger at China
Yes, we have many problems here in China. But as I mentioned in my book, we should not always point the finger at China. See here what still happens in the biggest democracy in the world:
“Just two months before full implementation of a landmark 2010 law mandating that all Indian children between the ages of six and 14 be in school, some 28 million are working instead, according to Unicef. Child workers can be found everywhere – in shops, kitchens, farms, factories and construction sites. The Indian Parliament may soon consider yet another law to ban child labour, but even activists say that more laws, while welcome, may do little to solve one of India’s most intractable problems.”
Read the full story:
Child labour in India rife despite tough laws
http://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/1159276/child-labour-india-rife-despite-tough-laws
Indian authorities fail to crack down on bosses despite a ban on youngsters working down pits
27 February, 2013 – SCMP
The New York Times in Khliehriat
U.S. politicians, supposed to lead the country
When one reads the following: Representative Paul C. Broun of Georgia, a former physician (whatever THAT means) said “Evolution, embryology and the Big Bang theory are lies straight from the pit of hell”, what can one expect from U.S. politicians?
We are in the 21st century, I thought. He joins a list of complete morons who say horrors like that. Well, some people elected them, so, they got what they wanted.
Fortunately, some others are more civilized.
I guess Broun does not believe men stepped on the moon too.
The Chinese government may at times be very annoying but some U.S. politicians suddenly make us feel good to be in China.
He surely reminds me of some other extremists. Dangerous people.
The cover-up of China’s soil pollution
“Report on mainland China’s soil pollution a ‘state secret’”, article in SCMP, 26 February:
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1158602/report-mainland-soil-pollution-state-secret
Ministry rejects request to make findings of five-year study of ground contamination public, leaving critics wondering what’s being hidden.
I love the statement. In other words: “Yes the situation is very grave, to the point you better don’t know, because this is China policy”. How more clear can that be. In my book I mention some data on soil pollution in China: agricultural land, 10% contaminated with heavy metals – official figure probably too low; contaminated soil under new apartment blocks. Add to that the alarming levels of water pollution, in rivers, lakes and underground, then you get the picture. Fortunately the Chinese people don’t swallow anymore the empty talk of the government. Yes, when will they learn “Serve the People”?
Color test for the brain
This is a test for your brain, some say, to indicate early forms of Alzheimer, not sure about that, seriously.
The test seems to be more applicable to Chinese people, due to the different structure of the brain functions (e.g. conflict between reading Chinese characters, color perception, listening to music …). We tested it with some Chinese friends, their first reaction was “it’s easy” till they started… What I did is to mimic the test into English. Have a try!