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The tragedy of a business model

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-03-02 07:47

A business family returned to its village in Tiantai county of Zhejiang province for Spring Festival but the celebrations turned into a tragedy when their five children drowned in a pond. The incident reflects some defects of the famous "Zhejiang business model", says a commentator in Dongfang Daily. Excerpts:

Five children drowned in a fishpond in Tiantai county of Zhejiang province where their family of businesspeople had returned to celebrate Spring Festival. Many people have blamed the lack of railings around the pond for the tragedy.

If that be the case, why hasn't such tragedy struck families staying in the village? The fact is village kids are familiar with the slippery slopes around such ponds, especially in winter, and "outside" kids are not. Many of Zhejiang's businesspeople may have risen from villages and towns to build commercial empires both at home and abroad. But they have not taught their children the wonders or warned them of the dangers of village life. They have failed to build the emotional bonds in their children that would have tied them to their roots and bestowed on them a distinct identity. This has resulted in a serious brain drain from Zhejiang.

Realize Wen's dream

To realize what Premier Wen Jiabao said recently - let people live more happily with more dignity - the authorities have to improve their performance on several fronts, says Shanghai Business Daily. Excerpts:

Premier Wen Jiabao said while greeting a large group of people for Spring Festival that we should let people live more happily with more dignity. To make that happen the authorities have to improve governance by focusing on several aspects.

First, they have to solve the problem of inequitable distribution of wealth and resources, and narrow the income gap in society.

They have to improve public services to reach them to every person. Second, the government has to break monopolies and give private players more room in the market. Recent years have seen a rising trend of re-nationalization of enterprises, which restricts the freedom of private companies and goes against the goal of creating social wealth and eliminating poverty.

People deserve a certain degree of political freedom. So the authorities should grant people more rights and opportunities to enable them to participate in the management of State affairs.

(China Daily 03/02/2010 page9)