Chinese society – Page 4

The Rickshaw Report: Xi speaks at World Conference on Women

The Rickshaw Report:Women’s Rights 1. Last Sunday, Xi Jinping co-hosted a summit at the UN headquarters in NY in order to promote women’s rights. China’s first lady, Peng Liyuan, also gave a speech at the event, calling for better education in order to improve the livelihoods of women. Do you think China serves as a fitting role model to other nations on this topic? Countries all over the world should respect women, and encourage girls to have better access to education. Xi has done a very good job. I heard that he has pledged, on behalf of China, to donate 10 billion Yuan to UN Women (Editor: the figure is actually 10 million US Dollars). I think China is the first country to do this, so this may encourage other countries to give financial aid as well to UN Women, and also lead the other nations to pay more attention to women’s rights ( Editor: In fact, several other countries have alsob donated to UN Women. Switzerland’s donation to the institution has actually exceeded China’s contribution.) 2. What can China teach other countries on this issue? Gender inequality is prevalent is several countries across the globe. China is setting a good example to such nations. At the summit, Xi highlighted China’s efforts to strengthen gender equality…but I cannot remember the […]

Uncategorized Dec 30, 2015

The Rickshaw Report: China and the UK

1. What do Chinese people think of the UK? On the whole, we think Brits are polite and well-mannered. However, this is just a generalization – of course, there can be exceptions! 2. The UK and China have had their ups and downs. They fought each other during the Opium Wars, and the British – alongside the French – were even responsible for the burning down of the old Summer Palace. How is the relationship now? Look, people sometimes have disagreements with their colleagues, however, cooperation lies in everyone’s interests. Friendships can go up and down, but as long as their mutual interests will exist, so will the friendship. 3. One of the UK’s top politicians wants his homeland to become China’s best partner in the West. What are your thoughts? Both countries are trying to make use of each other, but doesn’t mean that they are also trying to help each other. As for the negative episodes of the past, like the Opium Wars, both UK and China have moved past these – its all water under the bridge now. 4. After the UK announced its membership of the China-led AIIB, the USA accused the UK of ‘constant accommodation’ to China. What do you make of this? The USA seriously accuses the UK of this? This reminds me of […]

Uncategorized Dec 22, 2015

Another Day in the UK, Another Jeremy makes the Headlines.

However, this time it’s not Corbyn, the controversial newly-elected leader of the Labour party, who is at the centre of the attention, but rather the UK Health minister. Jeremy Hunt, the Conservative MP has been facing a furious backlash from both the media and the public after suggesting that Brits should work as hard as the Chinese. Whilst attending a Conservative conference, the politician argued that tax credits cuts were intended to incentivise the British public to work harder, and mark an important shift in the UK’s wor culture by “creating a pathway to independence, self-respect and dignity,” encouraging the public that one’s dignity is not contingent on their financial status but rather on the extent that they toil. Hunt put forth that : “We want this to be one of the most successful countries in the world in 20, 30, 40 years’ time. There’s a pretty difficult question that we have to answer, which is essentially: are we going to be a country which is prepared to work hard in the way that Asian economies are prepared to work hard, in the way that Americans are prepared to work hard?” And to the great astonishment of absolutely no one, it did not take long for Hunt to experience the glare of the British media, as they retaliated with scorching […]

Uncategorized Dec 14, 2015

CCTV’s Pollution Survival Guide: Smile and Be Positive

Desperately seeking blue skies? Depressed by the gloomy smog? Worried about the health risks of spending a series of days and nights being enveloped by toxic air? Well, snap out of it, you sissy! That’s right! According to China Central Television (CCTV), its high-time to recheck that attitude! “Smile and try to be positive (hopefully there will be less smog tomorrow,)” declared CCTVNews on December 8th – the very day of Beijing issued its historic first ever red alert in reaction to the city’s dire air pollution. The alert lasted three days; from 7am on Tuesday the 8th of December til noon on Thursday the 10th of December when the haze cleared. Factories, constructions sites and schools were closed, and millions of cars were also ordered not to drive in a bid to improve the air quality. Indeed, CCTV’s word’s almost echo those sung by Annie, the famous musical orphan : “The sun will come out tomorrow/Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow/ There’ll be sun.” Nothing quite like some Broadway panache, to liven up the mood, eh？ Not only was the guidance helpful (and all that jazz), but it was also accompanied with an equally tasteful illustration of five beaming jellybean-like creatures wriggling around in delight. Perhaps these merry little characters were indulging in a cheeky, little pollution party – […]

Uncategorized Dec 10, 2015

The Rickshaw Report: China and Smoking

1.A study has shown that two-thirds of young Chinese men are smokers. Why do you think Chinese people start this dangerous habit? It think its down to their lifestyle. 2. Do you think smoking tobacco has become a part of Chinese culture? What? Culture? I do not think so. It depends on your individual habits. However, it is true that when Chinese people want to give gifts, a box of cigarettes is regarded as a good choice. But only if your intended recipient is a smoker! 3. Are you a smoker? No, I do not smoke. In elementary school, my friends would offer me cigarettes. It seemed impolite to decline, so I smoked the cigarettes. However, after a while, my throat began to hurt and I got a cough. Since that point, I never smoked. 4. According to a medical journal, Lancet, tobacco will be responsible for the deaths of two million Chinese people by 2030. If things continue at this rate, the number of deaths will reach three million by 2050. Do you think the public is aware of the health risks caused by smoking tobacco? No, I still see many people smoking in public places. 5. Can you name some health risks? If you smoke for a very long time, your lungs will become dark, and your throat […]

Uncategorized Dec 2, 2015

Why Did the U.S. Same-sex Marriage Decision Excite Chinese Millenials?

With the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on June 26 in favor of the right for same-sex couples to marry under the U.S. Constitution across all 50 states, a tidal wave of celebration among America’s LGBT communities and their supporters washed through social media, even flowing from America’s Golden Gate Bridge across the Pacific to the shores of China. No sooner had the proclamation been issued by the SCOTUS than a multitude of reposts concerning the news appeared across Chinese social media networks such as WeChat (similar to WhatsApp) and Weibo (China’s version of Twitter). Many wrote congratulatory or complimentary words with their reposts, some even commending the decision as a “truly historic human victory.” However, a large proportion of those cheering the news in China – a country where same-sex relationships still suffer under considerable social stigma – do not belong to the country’s LGBT community. So what is motivating straight Chinese people to celebrate a new age in the U.S.? China is no different from much of the developed and newly-industrialized world in that there is a growing acceptance of homosexuality among urban young people. This largely-educated demographic is also more likely to be active online, enlivened by the benign Internet atmosphere when discussing gay issues and films. An obvious difference from the social landscape of, say, 10 years […]

Uncategorized Jul 13, 2015