LETTERS

Employment， or unemployment， will remain a big issue for Chinese leaders in the new year. But it is primarily something that the individuals concerned， rather than policymakers， must deal with. Jobs give people dignity and the means to a living. Finding good jobs in such a populous country is not easy， but where theres a will theres a way. There are those that simply dont try to fi nd work， or that go about it halfheartedly. Consistent learning can increase the chances of success. Broad social contacts also help. But whats most important is trying ones best to fi nd a fulfi lling job.

Anderson Tang

hong Kong SAR， China

There was a huge reaction to the central governments announcement of the new family planning policy that allows couples where either party is the only child to have two children. After the fuss subsided， however， it became clear that not many of the couples that qualify have decided to have a second child. People in this group were born in the early to mid-1980s， shortly after the family planning policy was introduced. Now in their late 20s and early 30s， many are not yet established in their careers and have onerous fi nancial commitments. There is also a tendency among this group， being only children themselves， to be more self-centered. They consequently lack either the fi nancial means or motivation to have more children， if any at all. It is the generation preceding them， born in the 1970s， which has a strong desire for a second child. But as they mostly have siblings they do not qualify. This generation is more infl uenced by traditional values， especially those relating to family. Many own property， have stable jobs and have paid off their mortgages. But it will likely be some time before China further relaxes its family planning policy.

zhao Fei

Tianjin， China

I was born in Beijing， but have never listened to Zhihua Temple Jing Music. Im ashamed to admit this， but nevertheless think that the relevant authorities are partly to blame. As your report states， this music is a main element of the invaluable cultural heritage of northern China， if not China as a whole. Yet its inheritors have dwindled to six， and no one appears to be interested in studying or performing this splendid musical heritage. The government should do more to prevent it from disappearing， such as by increasing relevant funding and drawing public attention to it. The musicians in this ancient temple might then earn more appropriate salaries as well as the honor they deserve for their dedication.

zhu Youde

Beijing， Cina