No gun culture

Comments on Raymond Zhou's column "Employee rights at core" (China Daily, September 1-2)

I have read the article in the China Daily and I cannot resist commenting.

If the story is true, I cannot imagine anyone is allowed to have a gun in this country. It is even worse that "Pierre" had used it in an office environment. This behavior is totally unacceptable whatever it is an expat or a Chinese.

I am a Canadian and at home, we still have debates on whether it is right to own a gun. In general, opinion is against it and I totally endorse this position. I have been living temporarily in the US where almost everyone can own a gun. It does give you a totally different perspective. You never know if a person is mad enough to shoot first and then ask questions.

Please do not allow people to have guns in China. It is definitely not the way to build a harmonious society.

Luc Roy

Ex-pat Guangzhou, Canadian

Via e-mail

Role of English

Comment on Zou Hanru's column "Warding off the English invasion" (China Daily, August 31)

Most Chinese today, if not all, are trying to speak English and this could be diverting their attention from the mother tongue. You go out on the streets in the cities and villages and you will find anyone seeing a foreigner will try to say a word or two to him or her in English.

Let me also add that it is not a bad thing to learn a foreign language, but the problem arises in Chinese newspapers and TV programs using English words.

Every country in the world is trying hard to fight the dominance of English in their languages and so should the Chinese.

I conclude by saying that learn English but do not let it influence your native language.

Sulemana Abdul-Hanan

Via e-mail

Pleasant visit

Comments on Li Xing' column "Why is it so hard to go to the Great Wall?" (China Daily, August 30)

I visited the Great Wall a few weeks ago.

We had a Chinese tour operator, a good guide from Beijing and an excellent general tour guide from Shanghai.

We enjoyed our stay, because, we learned some Chinese words and phrases, like no, thank you, and we don't have money.

These phrases and a smile prevented us from trouble. And, Chinese people who want to sell something, are much more friendly than those in Africa or Arabia. Our time in China was really great.

Johannes

On China Daily website

Why not go to Jinshanling, it is much more interesting.

Badaling has become too commercialized.

Georgian

On China Daily website

There are many options other than the Badaling section Great Wall. These places are not packed with tourists or resemble an amusement park degrading a historical wonder. These places are: Simatai, Mutianyu, Huanghuacheng, Jiankou, Huangyaguan, Xifengkou, Jiumenkou...

Froy

On China Daily website

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(China Daily 09/06/2007 page10)