|
Letters and Blogs
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-09-23 08:23 My humble thanks To the wonderful people of Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, I must first admit to being a neophyte to Asian travel and experience with only short visits to this wonderful area. However, as my first visit to Hong Kong draws to a close, I feel the need to say "Thank you" to all the friendly, accepting and tolerant peoples of Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland. As a somewhat "stereotypical" American, I can sometimes be blamed for the usual inadequacies of knowledge surrounding Asian people and culture. For that, I humbly apologize. All that aside, I simply wanted to say thanks for graciously accepting my somewhat delayed learning curve and allowing me to feel a small part of your community by, at all times, answering my questions, helping me assimilate and generally being gracious during all aspects of my short but very exciting visit. I very much look forward to seeing you all again soon. Lastly, congratulations on the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Frank Russo, US via e-mail Let locals have sense of fairness Recently, a former vice-chairman of Guizhou Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference said that the economic backwardness of Guizhou, a less-developed western province, was related to its Lei Feng spirit, i.e. sacrificing its own interest for the sake of others' welfare. Lei Feng was a soldier who was praised by Chairman Mao for his altruism. How could the altruist virtue impede economic development? This vice-chairman gave a few reasons: First, Guizhou is abundant in coal. The thermal power plants there transmit electricity to economic hubs in eastern China with a price of only 0.3 yuan (less than five US cents) per kilowatt-hour. With the increase of coal prices, the profits of the plants are getting less and less. Hence, these plants can't turn in much tax to the local treasury. Second, Guizhou is a province with abundant phosphorus resource, which is a critical raw material for fertilizer. According to tax preference policies, however, phosphorus used for making fertilizer is classified as a kind of agricultural production, and enterprises involving in this business are tax-free. Third, the biggest gold mine of China is in Guizhou. But gold is controlled by the State. In my opinion, we must reform the wealth distribution mechanism. We should quicken the pace of financial reform and allocate enough money to compensate the less-developed areas for their great contribution to our country's speedy development and let locals gain substantial benefit. That could help the building of a harmonious society. Liu Dongming via e-mail (China Daily 09/23/2009 page9) |
