Chinese Lives

Original chinese article from:
http://www.backchina.com/newspage/2007/10/28/136192.shtml

Yesterday, 15 people got hurt while hundreds stampeded to claim their lower-priced soy oil, five minutes after Le Gou supermarket opened. Local sources said before 7 in the morning, people lived nearby started queueing at front door or side doors, holding promotion voucher delivered to their mail box by the supermarket. With this voucher, a 5L Soy oil originally priced 50.80 Yuan only cost 30.80 Yuan. Since only 3000 buckets were in offer, those came late could not redeem their vouchers.

5 minutes before the store open time, quequing people lost their patience, partly because many new joiners jumped queques, leaving those quequed behind raging angers. When the door opened, those who queued at back pushed and stampeded forward to reach the counter, which make many pushed down and run over by the flooded-ins. Ms Chen, who lost her shoes, stampeded on the hand, and had her mobile phone stolen, wished she had never been there.

The local police reacted quickly, arriving the scene in five minutes after some one called 110 (China’s emergency number) . The caotic scene was under control. Only the messy shoes everywhere scene witnessed the crazy pushing scenario .

In hospital, 19 stampede victims were accompanied by the supermarket staff. 14 had wrist bruised or twisted ankle, while a female customer were wounded badly, left in swollen head and several fractures.

Supermarket promotion ended in hospital treatments, was totally out of the plan for the supermarket side. However, they did take the responsibility to take care of the wounded. There was another scenario. When one man appeared at checkout with four cases of oils, 10 people, waiting nearby, asserted that he was given the oil by his relations in the store. Soon the poor man had two cases looted by them.

That was exciting and amusing, if you connected with Shanghai, the shining star city which outstands other cities in China. If I were you, I would not judge Shanghai and the people there with this single incidents.

On Tian Ya, the hottest grass-roots bbs, HBV (Hepatitis B) discrimination has been on for a while. With more and more HBV patients cried for equality in receiving education and jobs, the supporters, both patients and healthy people also expressed their hope that Chinese government could pass a law to forbid HBV discrimination.

People outside China may not be able to imagine how HBV patients fell biased in every aspect of life. For starters, children with the virus were normally refused entry into kindergarten or even elementary school. When they grew up, they would miss university for the same reason. For some lucky stars who made to the university, they met huge obstacles in finding a good job. All of these originated from health check, which was compulsory as a basic standard that schools and companies use to fail the incompetent ones.

How many HBV patients do China have? Acording to offical figures, 10% the population were HBV patients or the virus carriers. Most patients fell virused in the decades between 1960s and 1990s, when hygiene standards fell in hospital by reusing syringe on patients, especially on Children. These were the main reason for the HBV spread in China. With hypodermic syringe was enforced to use, the number of HBV comparatively remained unchanged for a couple of decades.

HBV patients were discriminated for a long time. I remember when I was young, my mother always shouted at me if I stayed a moment near the HBV patients in hospital. Though, I doubted a lot whether they were discrimintaed as badly as present, because my parents had colleagues keep working with the disease, while now you would lose the job if your health check showed your weakness.

I read this post tonight. It was by a 34 year old HBV man, who was really bad in keeping jobs and money. He did really well at his first job with a newly start company. But he was found out, and fired. And ten years later, the company became big in the industry and many his former colleague turned senior directors, so that he really felt unfair. What’s more worse, because of his disease, he had to change jobs often. Ten years’ time passed, and he made no career or money. In deep disappointment, he threatened that he would bombard China’s every land, and kill thousands, and curse the country.

His unusual post was replied by many. HBV responders shared their experience and urged the government to have pity on the 10% unhealthy population. They just could not understand why HBV was more biased than HIV, since HIV patients could get government funding for medication, while HBV patients were forced to give up their right for education and working.

Some responders showed their sympathies. They said, now that HBV vaccine could bring safe protection for most people, the society should stop the discrimination. Also, they raised examples that living with HBV patients with no separation did not necessarily make healthy people get HBV. So, the panic on HBV was overstated probably by hospitals or medicine companies to raise their prestige or profit.

Original article from:
http://www.tianya.cn/new/publicforum/Content.asp?
strItem=free&idArticle=1033577

This post got hundreds of replies from a Chinese forum. In this post, the wife, with a full-time job, listed out her monthly expenses, which showed her family in an tight financial situation, and wanted to seek advice from others on the website.

The monthly income of her family was over 20,000 Yuan(more than 1300 Pounds), which was within the higher income earners’ range. Let’s have a look how she spent the money, and bear in mind that she lived in ShenZhen while her husband lived and worked in another city.

Rent 1500 Yuan

Mortgage payment 6300 Yuan

Family grocery bills(including husband) 2000 Yuan

Utility bill 600 Yuan

Land-line+mobile+Internet bill 350 Yuan

Work Lunch 300 Yuan

Party and socialising 800 Yuan

Preschool class tuition 800 Yuan

Child interests class 800 Yuan

Health Insurance and Car Insurance 750 Yuan

Books 200 Yuan

Clothes 1000 Yuan

Entertainment 500 Yuan

Fund investment 3000 Yuan

Medical expense 500 Yuan

Total 19800 Yuan

Unsurprisingly, this post received many unwelcoming comments, considering the lady was bragging off her wealth and extravagant living style, since her family income was much higher than most city white-collar families in the country. As they said, many overspend were avoidable, such as child’s education, clothes, because 1600 Yuan per month on a preschool age child was ridiculous, bear in mind that thousands Chinese families lived on 1600 Yuan monthly earnings.

Many lower income earners expressed their bitter sympathies that if the lady could be less extravagant, she should be fine. A few people made different versions expense list, exampled as below:

expense list for a cleaner couple

monthly salary: 600×2=1200 Yuan

extras: 200×2=400 Yuan

Income total: 1600 Yuan

Pay Out

Food bills: 50 Yuan (Packs of cheapest noodles, basic condiment like oil and salt. Free lunch and dinner provided by company)

Cigarettes: 10 Yuan (smoke leaves)

Rent: 250 Yuan (A 15 square meter room with a small toilet)

Utility bill: 20 Yuan (They have no television to save money)

Telephone bill: 10 Yuan (They have a pay as you mobile)

Transport fare: 8 Yuan ( Walk most time)

Socialising: 0 Yuan ( They meet friends at company dining hall)

Book: 0 Yuan ( They picked up books from litterings)

Insurance: 0 Yuan (They are healthy)

Clothes: 20 Yuan ( They buy from wholesale market)

Entertainment: 0 Yuan (Play cards or chat with friends)

Medical bill: 10 Yuan ( Buy cheap necessary pills, and avoid visiting doctors)

Share and fund investment: 0 Yuan ( Too far away)

Pay-out total: 378 Yuan

Yearly income: 1600×12=19200

Yearly payout: 378×12=4536

Yearly savings: 19200-4536=14664

Of the responders, there were ones in similar shoes. Most of them lived and worked in economically advanced big cities such as Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Living expenses nearly tripled compared to inland cities. It was really natural to spend money on quality life, otherwise what’s the meaning for working that hard. Almost all higher income family tried to put some money in saving, but they could not save many after they paid mortgage and other living expenses. However, there seemed to be a wiser man, who earned also 20,000 Yuan. He had paid off mortgage for first apartment, and started another one. One expense he did not have was child, which significantly made them financially better off, not to mention he got extra income from renting out his apartment. His advice was to live with what you have chosen, and moan less.

Original article from:
http://www.tianya.cn/New/PublicForum/Content.asp?
strItem=news&idArticle=89056

“Days ago, I met a lecturerer of China Aviation University on a diner meeting, and exchanged opinions on whether China should carry on the making big aircraft project. Friends at table were elites in the shares and investment professions. 9 people voted 9:0 against developing civil aircraft, and voted 4:5 for developing military aircraft.

After dinner, I googled aircraft production cost, better confirmed my original idea.

The information showed that the publicised budget was ranged between 50 and 60 billion Yuan. BUt would this be enough considering we were starting from scratch and at least estimated 20 year development process.

World widely speaking, demand increase were mainly in China, India, Mid-east and other few Asian countries. Boeing and Airbus aircraft focused to grab more aircraft order in China’s market . Estimate figures showed in 2023, China need 2200 aircraft; and before that time, most aircrafts must be made by either Boeing and Airbus. If our aircraft could make its debut after 20 year development process, there would be other matters such as safety, maintainance cost, customer loyalty and political factor to think about. Our own craft may be more expensive.

In fact, aircraft market were under the hands of Europe and US corporations. They were simply in the business much longer than us, and had done a good job. From patriotism, we expected to cathch up. But, if our aircraft turned less competitive, it did not make sense.

On the other hand, we achieved an balanced agreement on developing military aircraft, because when there was a war, our military equipment decided our intergrity as a country. Ironically, our tech advancement for 20 years time did not include making our own perfect aircraft engine. Our worry was if the Europe and US did not sell us engines, could our military aircraft fight enemy?”

This post has quite a lot replies within weeks.It shows that majority post replies support our aircraft project.

Their reasons are as follow:

1. Big aircraft project is necessary strategically in present world situation. For instance, it can make strengthen military defence and speed up performance in case of invasion.
2. Making big civil aircraft has economical benefits. For instance, it can increase domestic job opportunities and creat export revenues.

3. Government’s decision to develop big civil aircraft, actually aim to bring up the overall performance standards of relevant industry.

4. The 9 people are typical selfish and short-sighted, who care only present benefit. Our big aircraft project in back 70s failed out of this selfishness, and we should not let it happen again.

Only very few voices say no, because:

1. China has other places that urgently need government funding, such as retirement pension and medical insurance. This project will delay those problem to be processed.

2. Making big aircraft may be beyond our compacity for the moment, so that many doubts.

3. The political concerns about defence, are totally cold-war ideology, and not propriate for present day.

Original article from:

http://cache.tianya.cn/publicforum/content/feeling/1/
820995.shtml

This is a story about sterile husband and non-giving-up but disappointed wife.

I was married to him 4 years ago. we had a full health check before we planned for baby, and the result that he was sterile put us in more stress.

My husband was not good at his sex performance. We had sex twice a month, and average time was less than two minutes. He lost job lately, and started balding only aged 30. He was deeply stressed, partly because of sterility, and partly from his family’s great expectation on him. Because he had done great as student, his family expected him to bring in more money.

We were living on my salary, while he was jobless. Even though we were tight on income, I never thought about giving up on him. We saw many doctors and tried numerous prescriptions. After spending 20,000 Yuan on medicine, we had to accept the sentence. Then, my husband sunk into very low spirit. He stopped communication, and we were like strangers living under same roof.

His family were not nice people as mine. They were rough and too practical. Since they knew their son was sterile, my mother-in-law implied to me that they wouldn’t blame me if I got pregnant from outside marriage.

I lived desperate and painful. How I wished my husband could be same caring and close as before. Last month, I suggest devoice. He begged me to change mind at the last minute. But marriage was tasteless to either of us. So why we bother to keep it? I wouldn’t care his sterility if he could just love me as before. I just couldn’t accept that he totally changed.

Opinions from others:

1. Your husband still loved you, but his inability humilated himself, which make him can’t face your marriage. If you are a good woman, I wish you could be happy couples. But sexless marriage is too cruel for anyone.

2. I suggest you give him some time to build up his confidence in life. If your effort is fruitless, then get a new life.

3. The main problems are two: your husband is sterile and he is not competitive in jobs. I think the latter problem matters more, because not all couple are keen on having a baby, but almost every couple care about expense and income.

4. Women are practical and materialistic. They have many excuses to dump poor or unsuccessful men. But aren’t marriage is to support each other for better or worse?

5. You can have only one life, so make your own choice and never regret.

Indecisive is worse than decadence.

In big city’s streets, restaurants always outnumber toilets.

You’ve got to look to a better side.

Hurting words are sharper blades that wound you deeper.

We pick several days of a year to be holidays or festivals, for the reason that we are used to find some excuses to love our family.

Employees work hard not to be laid off; while bosses pay less than desirable salary to keep the labor.

Boss is like a gas can, who let out pressure on you every single day.

Life is about choices.

Having a talent can not make you monetary powerful.

We help friends not at the price of adding too much burden on our shoulder.

Wealth gives you ability to enjoy happiness.

All your essential expenses are budgeted upon how much you have in the pocket.

Careful, more careful, better than regretful.

Self-esteem is the best cure to every fatal failure.

Friend, do not attempt to remove every single shortcoming, because you simply can’t. However, if you manage to use every single advantage, you will make success.

Original Chinese article: http://www.tianya.cn/new/publicforum/Content.asp?strItem=no04
&idArticle=660842

A widely-discussed post talking about whether to help others.
http://www.tianya.cn/new/publicforum/Content.asp?
strItem=no04&idArticle=657110

“A senior male citizen in his 70s fell down on head, bleeding and unconscious. It was mid-noon many passengers walking by, but nobody approached to help. 5 young passers walked closer but were cautioned by another fortysome woman to be careful. Finally a young girl helped the old man to sit up and cleaned blood with tissue paper. However, she was soon asked by the on-watchers to leave him alone. She left after calling the police, and the old man fell again down on the cement pavement landing.”

The authenticity of the story is still under doubt by some responders, although the pictures speak loud. Partial ideas are this may be created purposefully by certain secret agent. (conspiracy theory)

Part of comments approve the truth of it, because a similar case has people fear to help others. Majority comments agree that people watching do want to help, but just can’t, because they don’t want to be hurt for doing the right thing.

People’s fears begun a few weeks ago, when Nan Jing Justice Court made a disputative verdict on a national known case, in which the kind helper was branded guilty .The verdict was based on the speculation that there was not a right incentive for Peng YU, the kind young man, to help the old lady who fell down so lot, if he was totally innocent.

According to most comments, this case might be the triger that lead people to avoid doing good deeds. There are comments that indicate the lack of government practical support to be direct reason. They just can’t afford to be hero.

As a matter of fact, after China stopped free and cheap medical service decades ago, comparatively smaller parts of population are cared for by medical insurance provided by the government. Most people fear if they get ill, so let alone to get in trouble when help those ill or wounded.

However, some comments feel that our social practice is down grading when a lot people believe material interest is the priority, so that they forget the tradition good virtues and values in our culture.

Quite a few responders consider that we’d better mind our own business before good deeds are recognized and heros are supported by the society.

Below is a hot discussion on present university graduate’s role change. A univerity graduate working as a shop assistant, whether it is a waste of talent?
http://www.tianya.cn/new/publicforum/Content.asp?
strItem=no20&idArticle=132063

“He graduated from a national top-100 prestigious university. Living in an expensive city of Shen Zhen, he still stuggled to make the ends meet. 3 jobs within the past 2 years, his salary remained the bottom 1500-2000RMB monthly, which was impossible to pay off debts his family owed for his 4-year university expense.

His present job in an optical shop required no higher than a GCSE equivalent in China, he was perplexed as for whether he wasted huge money and time on completing the university degree.”

Opinions from the forum：

Voice 1: Being a sales assistant is a waste of talent. If he does have ambitions, why not wait for next opportunity, because long time manual work will stop him going up the ladder, given that he would be too exhausted to look for other jobs.

Voice 2: University degree does not mean ability. Many responders argue that job positions are decided by ability not degree. If you graduated with no brains, or you are not capable to show your brains, basic manual jobs are what you deserve.

Voice 3: Many responders cheer him up, asking him to regard this as an experience only. If he is strong enough, he will realize his dreams. They believe that university degree’s value will show in how he succeeds his job, rather than what his job is.

Voice 4: Some university students show worries for themselves. Under such intense job situation, those without a prestigious university degree, may find no job at all.

Analysis

In the end of 1970s, China recovered it higher education system, by recruiting talents through examination, which continues today. This exam lasts 3 days, which was on 7th, 8thand 9th of July, but moved a month earlier in 2003.

This exam is expected by millions family as a key to enter their children’s bright future. If any child succeeds entering, their whole family, including extensive family relatives, will feel as a family honor and pride. It is enrooted from the ancient time, when emperor chose talents from all over the country as his students. The people chosen became “guan”, meaning superior than grassroots, functions as the nowadays civil servants.

University students were the best of all competitors, and they did not need to look for job, because the government took care of them from the day they won the competition. Therefore, university students were wearing an invisible crown to most people.

However things changed quickly. Since 1996, limits were lifted to let in more university students. After that, in one decade’s time, a bad circle of more graduates, higher tuition fees and fewer jobs took its form. Meanwhile, number of college education for skilled workers were dwindling.

University entry examination should be but do not function well as diverting different talents to each suitable place. Many those who pay huge extras expect a well-paid and easy job, such as civil servants or engineers in big national owned corporations. So, the market is in a more applicant, less job offers situation; too many applications for national owned office job, while in many regions, highly skilled manual workers are desperately needed.

Like the fellow in this story, many university graduates only expect gain without thinking about painstaking efforts. After all, crown-wearing university students’ golden time passed. They should reassess the society, and starts some real work. As in Mao’s time, students were encouraged to join farmers working in the field, and studying from a master in factories. I don’t mean Mao’s time has no problem. But students then were more spiritually fulfilled as well as physically capable than most students now.

A very widely-discussed post in TianYa, the most popular discuss board in China.

http://www.tianya.cn/new/publicforum/Content.asp?
strItem=news&idArticle=88617

“Chinese industry workers are facing unprecedented financial pressures, with living expenses and housing cost rocket up. One freelance economic writer named Xue Yong, claims that government should raise pay levels for them.

His article was cited by a forum member under the topic of how much Chinese industry workers should be paid. First of all, he brought it on table that compared with workers in the west, Chinese factory workers earned too mean salary. Based on figures of GDP, he suggested that a monthly income about 3246RMB(405$) plus affordable family medical insurance should be offered to them.

He also pointed out that the official figures on workers’ pay situation was not precise. For instance, Chinese workers officially earn 1726RMB every month. In fact, the real pay figure varied according to factory profits and different economic regions. Though workers in big cities and special regions were paid higher than the in-land smaller factory workers, both felt great pressure from housing, education and medical bills. Xue’s article expressed great sympathy to workers, and wish they could live a better life if their pay get promoted nationally.”

Some responders doubt whether 3246 is out of scientific calculation because apparantly it is based on taking the whole GDP as workers’ contribution. If 500 million industry workers were paid that much, it would cost half the GDP.

Some comments claim that income as an economic phenomenon, should be decided by the market rather than government. Also, they imply the job is paid concerning training cost and product values; therefore workers’ pay is less competitive compared with other more knowledge demanding jobs.

In this topic, you can find speakers are calm when dealing with this sensitive issue. They agree that 50 million farmers and 10 million farmer-workers more urgently need attention and help from government. Most of farmers and farmer-workers live on themselves, and receive far less welfare benefit from society, while they feed the whole nation.

In all, most speakers agree that government should take more responsibility in citizen’s welfare by providing a lawful insurance and retirement benefit system. When a real market order is set up, workers’ pay will be regulated by the market and the problem solved.