Chinese hostels as good as British hotels

What Li Xing has experienced is the reality that the UK has been in a steady decline on almost all fronts since the mid- 1970s.

Rickety hotels with poor plumbing and a lack of certainty in regard to normal amenities like hot water are becoming the norm these days. Most backpacker hostels in China are better than most British hotels.

It appears though, Li Xing didn't experience the delights of the UK's railways, which are appalling and frightfully expensive. In contrast, China has one of the best and least expensive railway services in the world.

Even British education is living off glories of the past.

While the top 10 British universities are certainly world class, there are many not worth going to.

If there is one area where China needs to improve it's in higher education. Most of the courses being taught in China's many colleges and universities are largely irrelevant to the job market in China. That is why there is a lack of skilled workers.

Of course, us foreign teachers were supposed to plug this gap but most of us are only thought to be good enough to teach oral English even if we have PhDs and have taught in some of the best universities in the West.

However, given China's rapid development, I'm sure it won't be long before the Government steps in and makes sure that its many universities and colleges are of a high enough standard to limit the number of young Chinese willing to pay the kind of money that will allow them to complete their education overseas.

Ross Grainger

Via email

Examination 1977 a new beginning

Depicted as the collective memories of one generation, the film Examination 1977 tells a story about a group of youth struggling to attend the 1977 National Higher Education Entrance Examination, hoping to get admission to colleges and change their fate after the "cultural revolution (1966-76)".

Ironically, what the "cultural revolution" really meant was the most cultureless years China has ever experienced. In the name of re-education, hundreds of thousands of young people were sent to the countryside to learn from farmers and were deprived of the right of learning in schools.

"It is a black humor in red times," said Jiang Haiyang, the director.

Youthful passion for knowledge and desire was sparked again by the news Deng Xiaoping reinstated the entrance examination in 1977. And 1977, the year after the cultural revolution and before 1978 when the reform and opening-up policy was adopted, is regarded as a turning point of not only one generation but an entire nation.

Just as one line in this movie runs: " The resumption of the entrance exam was more important than the exam itself."

It restored our respect for knowledge and individual choice.

Huang Zheying

Via email

Learn the meaning of life in Qingming Festival

Comments on the photos "Nation mourns ahead of Qingming Festival" (China Daily website, April 3, 2009)

I become gradually more concerned with this special Chinese festival, Qingming. My thoughts and feelings often focus on the value or purpose of one's life. At the time, I miss my parents, wife, brother, and grandmother much more.

We would cherish our families, our life and ourselves much more if we knew the brevity of our lives.

We should work harder and enjoy our lives.

George

on China Daily website

It's good to see the resuscitation of the traditional Qingming Festival. Since last year, our important traditional festivals have been brought back in the form of official public holidays. We can care more about family, life and friendship in this festival.

This is the cultural way we Chinese are accustomed to.

Wolfgang

on China Daily website

Readers' comments are welcome. Please send mail to Letters to the Editor, China Daily, 15 Huixin Dongjie, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029 China. Send faxes to (86-10) 6491-8377. Send e-mail to opinion@chinadaily.com.cn or letters@chinadaily.com.cn or to the individual columnists. China Daily reserves the right to edit all letters. Thank you.

(China Daily 04/07/2009 page9)