Cheng Kaijia, an esteemed physicist and pioneer in nuclear science and technology, passed away in Beijing on November 17 at the age of 101.
Born in east Chinas Jiangsu Province in 1918, Cheng graduated with a bachelors degree in physics from Zhejiang University in 1941. In 1946, he began his studies at the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom, receiving a PhD in 1948.
After returning to China in 1950, Cheng participated in more than 30 nuclear experiments, including for the fi rst atomic and hydrogen bombs.
For over 20 years he lived in the Lop Nur nuclear test site in northwest Chinas Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region starting in 1963.
Cheng was elected academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1980. In 1999, he was awarded the “Two Bombs and One Satellite Meritorious Award” for his contribution to the development of the atomic and hydrogen bombs. Cheng won Chinas top science award in 2014.
Education Giant Sparks Controversy
Guangming Daily November 20
Yu Minhong, founder of the Englishlanguage training institution New Oriental, recently prompted controversy online for claiming in a speech that the depravity of Chinese women has led to the depravity of Chinese men and thereby the whole country. Yu claimed todays women prefer men who make a lot of money, driving Chinese men to become morally corrupt in a bid to increase their wealth.
Yus remarks have several illogical errors. First, the precondition of Yus argu- ment that Chinese women are depraved is groundless. The rate of Chinese womens participation in labor has remained at a high level, while women account for 52 percent of university graduates as of 2018, indicating that Chinese women are working harder than ever rather than relying on men to support them.
Second, in Yus eyes, a womans choice of husband can determine a countrys destiny. But a mans path is not dictated by women but by themselves. They are therefore in control of their own destiny.
Lastly, Yus assumption that a man capable of making money is automatically morally corrupt is also highly questionable. Possession of wealth doesnt equal immorality. Successful entrepreneurs should be respected as long as their wealth has been acquired through legal channels.
Expanding Imports
Oriental Outlook November 22
At the start of reform and opening up, China had a weak industrial foundation. Its industrial chain, technology and management processes were lagging behind developed countries. It was only through expanding imports that China managed to ascertain advanced technologies and equipment to improve its own industrial development capacity.
From 1978 to 2017, Chinas import market experienced remarkable growth, with the annual total import volume increasing from 18.7 billion yuan ($2.7 billion) to 12.5 trillion yuan ($1.8 trillion), an average rise of 18.1 percent year on year.
As the Chinese economy continues to grow, its role in global trade has undergone profound changes, with the country becoming an important market for global trade.
According to statistics from the World Bank, the share of Chinas imported goods and services in the global import market increased from 8.4 percent in 2011 to 9.7 percent in 2016. While the share of the three major economies, the United States, the Eurozone and Japan, declined by 0.4 percentage points during the same period. Chinas import market plays a stabilizing role in many regions, which is crucial to fueling economic growth.
Chinas attitude toward imports has remained unchanged. On the one hand, China needs imports to promote innovative growth by importing advanced equipment and to satisfy domestic consumers upgraded consumption needs. On the other hand, China has realized after 40 yearsgrowth that only opening up can promote continued development.
At present, the world economy is undergoing a profound adjustment, with protectionism and unilateralism surging and the established free trade system facing challenges. By holding the first China International Import Expo, China has once again demonstrated its stance to the world: Only by promoting opening up and cooperation can countries realize common development.
Lower-Level Offi cials Need More Attention
China Youth Daily November 19
A photo of Li Zhongkai, a local government official in Chuxiong, southwest Chinas Yunnan Province, has created a buzz online. The photo showed Li, with dazzling white hair, looking much older than his years. Many raised doubts about the authenticity of Lis age, who was supposedly born in 1980.
Lis colleagues stood by him, stating that this dramatic change in hair color was in fact due to hard work. Li worked in one of Chinas most remote regions in Dayao County for over three years. His hair turned white while he was working for the relocation project in Wanbi Township between 2011 and 2014.
The case has highlighted the lack of attention given to grassroot-level offi cials. Its common for these officials in impoverished areas to work extensive overtime, especially those in charge of poverty alleviation projects which relocate residents to more suitable living areas. Often one official takes on the workload of several people.
Grassroot-level officials should not lift other people out of poverty at the expense of their own health. Relevant government departments should give them adequate attention to reduce their load and enable them to enjoy an improved quality of life.
HONG KONG TYCOON RECEIVES OLYMPIC ORDER Timothy Fok Tsun-ting, President of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), was honored with the Silver Olympic Order by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for his outstanding achievements in sports and dedication to Olympic values on November 19.
The Olympic Order is the highest honor presented by the IOC to people who have made a signifi cant contribution to the development of international sports.
Born in 1946, Fok is the eldest son of Hong Kong real estate tycoon Henry Fok Ying-tung. He was educated at Millfield School, a boarding school in Somerset, England, and the University of Southern California.
He is a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong SAR, representing the sports, performing arts, cultural and publication sectors, and a member of the National Committee of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference, the countrys top political advisory body.
“Military policy and the military institution should be adjusted in accordance with the changing times as socialism with Chinese characteristics and national defense have entered the new era.”
Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, commenting on a new system of military policies and institutions, which is scheduled to be formed by 2022, on November 15
“The digital economy means an open economy. It has no future without opening up. China views the digital economy as a common opportunity for global development.”
Zhuang Rongwen, Director of the Cyberspace Administration of China, in a recent interview with Xinhua News Agency
“Those born in the 1990s have stronger self-awareness and are sensible and courageous when it comes to planning for the future. Corporate management should attempt to understand these characteristics and needs in an open and inclusive way and take measures to attract and train them.”
Chen Mei, senior manager of content marketing of LinkedIn China, pointing out that younger employees are migrating across cities more often than their predecessors to pursue their dream jobs on November 22
“China has developed an enormous technological capacity. It has spearheaded a pioneering path to artificial intelligence.”
Alejandro Ramos Esquivel, General Director of Mexicos state news agency Notimex, at the Caribbean Media Forum organized by Xinhua and Argentinas Federal System of Media and Public Content in Buenos Aires on November 19