Comments on Zou Hanru's column "Make public transport more enticing" (China Daily, January 19, 2007)

First and foremost the Chinese driver needs to learn how to protect the pedestrians in front of him.

With the sure advance of auto numbers we are going to have a nightmare situation for pedestrians. Even now, cars roar down the public roads with no mercy for anyone trying to cross the roads.

Street lights are a rarity. As for overpasses, older citizens can barely climb the steep stairs. Autos never think of slowing down for those walking to the other side. The drivers are in command, rushing toward anyone that dares cross the street.

Field

On China Daily website

To be sure, the topic Mr Zou mentioned is a hot concern: the government's dilemma. China is a developing country. Economic rehabilitation has for ages depended on such principles as: first, the surging growth of GDP; second, diversified channels for investment, including the motor industry; third, domestic pivot industries, such as motor and petrol, can't help striving blindly to expand sales volume to contribute to State revenue, which plays a vital role in assessing their financial performance.

So based on these factors, the key point to improve the transport system tightly depends on the whole mechanism, from government strategy and planning to the concrete aspects.

Pragmatic measures will not be taken until the monopolization is broken and the real, flexible market mechanism penetrates into various industries.

Jonson Ding

On China Daily website

(China Daily 01/26/2007 page11)