Editor's Note: The following article was translated and edited from an article that appeared in a recent issue of IT Times Weekly. The article is a compilation of opinions from powerful political, business and academic figures in China, as published on their Sina Weibo accounts. The topics, which range from opinions on news media and education to economic development and the environment, provide a window into some of the modern views and insights coming from China.

1) Tan Weishan (@谭伟山) - Video Production Deputy Director, South Metropolis Daily
According to the Beijing Daily, "Recently, there have been countless negative reports coming from news media about food safety and doctor-patient conflicts. Chinese news media has been seduced by the Western concept of "Freedom of Press", and has forgotten its role in our society: to report the party line. This is its social duty, and it is done for the benefit of the people."In my opinion, the argument that "maintaining stability is Chinese media's most important duty" sounds like it's coming from interest groups. Negative news reports on food safety, doctor-patient conflicts, corruption of power and the demolition and relocation of people's homes are topics that are relevant to every person in China. There is nothing inherently Western about it.

To simply disregard general knowledge, while attempting to unite the country and the people against the people's news media is utterly shameless.

2) Huang Lihong (@黄立泓) - Harvard International Advisor
It seems that the Chinese government is being very generous this year. They have agreed to provide 100 billion USD in assistance to the EU in the second half of the year, as well as 10 billion USD in assistance to ASEAN. But that's not all. The government recently announced that it will also provide 4 billion USD in assistance to the 400,000 citizens of Brunei, the equivalent of 10,000 USD per person. However, as Chen Zhiwu (陈志武), a well known economist at Yale, pointed out, "America can use Chinese money, Africa can use Chinese money, North Korea can use Chinese money, the Chinese government can use Chinese money, Chinese government officials can use Chinese money, their children and their mistresses can use Chinese money… the only people that can't use Chinese money are ordinary Chinese people."

3) Wang Xuming (王旭明) - Former spokesperson of the Ministry of Education
Every time I look at a résumé for an official promotion without an M.A, a Ph.D, a Fellowship or another academic position, I wring my hands and sigh. That kind of profound knowledge; that rare academic qualification has been all but completely wiped away for government officials. I believe that the current higher education situation for government officials is wasteful, ridiculous and deceptive to the people. That being said, I must say that I like the Development and Reform Commission Head Zhang Ping (张平), his only educational background was a vocational secondary school, but he is quite good at his job nevertheless.

4) Li Dongsheng (李东生) - Chairman of the Board, TCL Group
Europeans, Americans and Japanese citizens are all able to enjoy their respective air quality and natural environment. Yet, 100 years ago the now clean cities in these countries were all full of polluting smokestacks. In particular, London—famous for its constant fog—suffered heavily from environmental pollution. The green movement has quickly changed this. Today, Chinese cities, rural areas and rivers all suffer from all sorts of environmental pollution. A major problem in China is the amount of garbage; society must address this large and important problem head on.
 

Source: IT Times Weekly
 

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