Learning more is important

I would like to read about Chinese history, because growing up as a kid we never heard a thing about China other than it had 400 million people.

I think the Western world wanted to keep you a secret from the rest of us.

Some of your inventions were far ahead of us and we thought we created them.

It is about time someone got the facts right and we should know about it so history can be taught in its fullness.

Paul Picard, Rose Hill, Kansas, United States

via e-mail

Be more responsible

Comment on "Beijing's air quality fueling debate" (China Daily, Sept 22)

Who should be responsible for the current poor air quality in Beijing? Why didn't we pay more attention at the beginning when air quality was threatened by the increasing number of cars?

For the sake of car purchase taxes, stimulating private consumption and industries' contribution to GDP, we unwisely sacrificed our environment, such as air quality and water quality.

Ordinary people shouldn't become victims of this unwise decision.

Samuel,

on China Daily website

Excellent Games

I am writing to you as someone who both had the opportunity to travel to Beijing for the 2008 Paralympic Games and as an American architect with more than three decades' experience of practice. I must commend the organizers of the Games; the dedication and hard work that went into hosting and staging the event was evident everywhere.

As an architect who specializes in disabled access and universal design, I was simply overwhelmed by the opening ceremony.

As a first-time visitor to China I did not know what to expect. I soon learned that Beijing has spent 600 million yuan ($88 million) improving public access for the disabled. Getting around the city was made relatively simple because of a comprehensive transit system, including 400 accessible buses in use for the Games.

I was also informed that Beijing's portion of the Great Wall includes two lifts and a wheelchair ramp for disabled access; and the Palace Museum now has a barrier-free pathway to facilitate disabled access.

Beijing has made great strides in providing access for those who are physically challenged, and now has clearly established a new threshold for excellence in hosting the Olympic Games.

As someone who has dedicated a career toward enhancing access and universal design, I congratulate the people of Beijing and China on your remarkable achievement. Your continued pursuit of universal design standards to further enhance accessibility and remove barriers is encouraging. The work has just begun.

Sally Swanson, Sally Swanson Architects Inc

via e-mail

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(China Daily 09/23/2008 page9)