Editor,

(Comment on "Business needs no gov't intervention," December 20).

Right on! Eliminate the artificial barriers to opening (or registering) one's own business. This includes the mandatory capital deposits that range anywhere from 100,000 yuan (US$12,330) to more than 1 million yuan (US$123,300).

SMEs have long created the majority of America's new jobs. Not only that, but America's behemoths today were yesterday's SMEs. Think Microsoft started in the 1970s with a small group of 12 people, and Wal-Mart, started in the 1960s with just a handful of people.

Deana Nash, via e-mail

(China Daily 12/26/2005 page4)