Expat's eye

I used to be amused by the commonly held belief among my friends back in Canada that China is a "backwater".

Now, after living in Hong Kong for 12 years, I am under no illusions of quaintness. And the impressions of my fellow North Americans are no longer amusing. They disappoint.

In this age of instant global communications, what exactly do these people not understand? How can they not know, now, that Shanghai leaves Toronto, Montreal or Calgary in the dust when it comes to urban planning.

They still think China a backwater, and I can't help but think it is partly because I underestimate their ignorance.

Perhaps these people's outdated concept of China has something to do with being afraid of change.

These days, I am urging those far away to see for themselves. They may lament something lost - the "9 million bicycles in Beijing" to quote the words of a popular English song - but it was never theirs to begin with. What they may really be lamenting is the imminent change in the worldwide status quo, and their place as "Westerner" in it.

In fact, as time goes on, I am convinced that some leaders cannot come to grips with what needs to be done in terms of seeing economic development as a global, environmental issue.

Joy Kingan

Via e-mail

Cutting gov't costs

Comment on "Wasteful spending by gov'ts criticized" (China Daily, May 16)

Unfortunately, the goal of efficiency conflicts with the goal of full employment, at least temporarily.

Full employment is a step to social stability. It is a worthwhile goal. Electronic operations to cut government expenditures will not work for a long time.

The systems are not ready for it. It will increase employment in the IT sector while lowering it elsewhere.

Carlos Romanov

On China Daily website

Grow more SMEs

Comment on "Develop small businesses to spread the wealth" (China Daily, May 16)

Growing more small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) especially in agriculture, manufacturing, technology and services, helps diversify the economy with less reliance on the few big enterprises.

These SMEs will compete for survival, become strong and grow into large enterprises over time. When these SMEs become large, new SMEs will be born to take their places.

When the cycle of SMEs coming into existence and growing into large enterprises is in place, it will naturally address the issue of employment, wealth distribution and the security of an economy.

Wizardpro

On China Daily website

Importance of play

Comment on "China's children too busy for playtime" (China Daily website, May 13)

To play is not only a relaxation but also another way of learning. Studying for more than eight hours a day is not an effective way to learn.

How to communicate with others is also a very important survival skill. Bookworm graduates will not be accustomed to the competitive society. EQ and IQ are both important.

Lily

On China Daily website

Share the wealth

Comment on "Gap leads to SOE salaries probe" (China Daily, May 15)

A fair distribution mechanism is badly needed. We should limit the irrationally high incomes of monopoly industries to pass along more wealth to where it is badly needed.

Every time I see coverage of people struggling against hardship, I ask myself: Where is the government, where's our social welfare?

John Chang

On China Daily website

(China Daily 05/17/2007 page11)