 Letters and Blogs
(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-07-31 07:30 It's worth a debate Comment on Li Xing's column "Many things modern are great follies" (China Daily, July 24) Into the basket or into the toilet dish? That's the question! The question "why" into the basket is one all foreigners ask on their first time to China. Young Chinese usually don't know why, they just do as they were taught. The answer given to me by a Chinese of a certain age was: "The waste waters go directly to feed the fields." It was then obvious that toilet paper was not welcome. For 23 years I've written the answer given to me in my books and articles, and my Chinese editors never told me I was wrong. On the contrary, my young editors and Chinese readers often said I had thrown light on their minds. If I'm wrong - what I really want to know now! - I must apologize to thousands of persons I have misinformed. If the reason for not throwing paper in the squat/sitting toilets were "because it will block", let's just remind that Chinese toilets' pipes are straight instead of S-shaped as in the West. The pipes are also much larger, so I don't see why they would be blocked by paper when the Western toilets can "deliver the whole content" without problem. The question "why" will be asked again by thousands and thousands in this Olympic period. We better know what answer to give them. Lisa Carducci, living in Beijing via e-mail Workers should be protected more Comment on "Migrant workers to get help in AIDS fight" (July 29, 1983) I read with great interest your story regarding the plight of migrant workers and the central government's bid to ensure they will be treated fairly. First of all, I am a Canadian enjoying my fifth visit to China with my wife who is a native Beijinger. In Canada I have voiced my concerns and even written to newspapers to denounce uneducated views regarding human rights issues in China expressed by people who have never visited this country. I will continue to do so. Any serious human rights activist understands that social change even on a small scale is a huge undertaking because of logistics and attitudes that must be appropriately and respectfully confronted. Given the population and staggering logistics of such a huge population as China's it is an even more staggering success for China to have achieved what it has achieved in such a short time on a number of fronts too numerous to mention here. I applaud China whole-heartedly. I have traveled to many parts of China and in particular some areas not so rich in resources. I am ever astounded at the smiles on the faces of people I have met and the welcoming attitudes of these people from all levels of the social structure. I do have one concern regarding the challenges faced by some workers and those within my own family system here in Beijing regarding the enactment of the new labor laws. Both my brother-in-law and my sister-in-law were forced to accept new contracts or face losses of their jobs that they have both worked at for 11 years and nine years respectively. My sister-in-law was actually dismissed from her job for 3 months while her company realigned its position. She was then asked to sign a new contract and has now lost her nine years' seniority and also earns less now than she did before. Her husband faced the same situation. What can be done for undoubtedly hundreds of other families in the same situation who are afraid to step forward because they fear retaliation in a number of ways by their companies? Is there someone they can talk to or a phone number that could assist them? Any help you give me would certainly be appreciated. Also, if you happen to be looking for positive stories of foreigners' interactions with the Chinese I have several heart-warming experiences I would be delighted to share with your readers. Douglas A. Bartake via e-mail Readers' comments are welcome. Please send mail to Letters to the Editor, China Daily, 15 Huixin Dongjie, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029 China. Send faxes to (86-10) 6491-8377. Send e-mail to opinion@chinadaily.com.cn or letters@chinadaily.com.cn or to the individual columnists. China Daily reserves the right to edit all letters. Thank you. (China Daily 07/31/2008 page9) |
