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China's most memorable faces in 2008
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-01-02 16:25 -- Huang Guangyu
A police investigation of the mainland's richest man, Huang Guangyu, made Chinese rethink trying to become a much-admired business tycoon. Huang, 39, whose personal wealth is estimated at 43 billion yuan (more than 6 billion U.S. dollars), was detained on Nov. 24 on claims that he had manipulated share trading in two listed companies, Sanlian Commercial Co. and Beijing Centergate Technologies Co.. Nearly a month after his detainment, Huang was removed as the chairman of China's top electronics retailer GOME. His case revealed loopholes China ignored while concentrating on its economic growth. His detention also inspired people to call for a healthier market environment for business owners to compete in. -- Volunteers
Generosity, friendly attitudes and selflessness during the May 12 earthquake as well as the Olympics places volunteers on 2008's list. Statistics released by the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Youth League show more than five million volunteers helped out with relief work after the magnitude-8.0 Sichuan-based earthquake. An estimated 1.7 million people volunteered services during the Beijing Olympics, Liu Jian, director of the Beijing Organizating Committee for the Olympic Games Volunteer Department said. The volunteers' smiles were considered the "name card" China presented to the world's audience. -- Victims of tainted dairy products
China's dairy scandal was exposed in September after babies who were fed milk powder, produced by the Hebei Province-based Sanlu Group, developed kidney stones. Hundreds of thousands of parents had to take their children to hospitals for tests and medication, some traveling long distances. China says it was likely melamine-tainted products killed six babies. Another 294,000 infants suffered from urinary problems such as kidney stones. As of Nov. 27, a total of 861 babies were still in the hospital. The scandal led to the resignation of China's chief quality supervisor Li Changjiang. Several officials were sacked, arrests were made and the government is working on overhauling the country's dairy industry. -- Chinese soldiers
Chinese soldiers have been labeled as a group that contributes the most while reaping the least. December, naval vessels deployed to the coast of Somalia to escort merchant ships threatened by pirates. Disaster response and security is what mainly occupied soldiers' time in 2008. Official statistics show more than 130,000 soldiers, armed police and paramilitary personnel engaged in quake-relief work. Before the Beijing Olympic Games, an anti-terrorist force of nearly 100,000 commandos, police and troops was put on high alert for attempted terrorist attacks. They also worked throughout the Games to provide security. -- Migrant Workers
Farmers who travel to work in cities from rural areas have been a driving force behind China's fast-growing economy often working in construction, at factories, restaurants and serving as domestic servants and drivers. For the first time in 2008, three migrant workers, Zhu Xueqin, Hu Xiaoyan and Kang Houming were elected as deputies in the country's top legislature, the National People's Congress (NPC). They became the first representatives for the country's 210 million migrant laborers. -- The first generation after the implementation of China's one-child policy
The first generation born after the implementation of China's one-child policy in 1978 began to turn 30 this year. Better education and increased material wealth made them more worldly and open-minded than previous generations. To some extent, they represent the emerging China with an optimistic, confident and open outlook. However, some wonder whether their "self-centered qualities," such as obsessions with icons and hyper-consumerism can bolster the country's future.
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