China Daily Hong Kong - April 6 2018
China Daily Hong Kong - April 6 2018
China Daily Hong Kong - April 6 2018
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Craft across
generations
In an old town in Kashgar,
Xinjiang, earthenware
skills draw tourists. >p9 Sri Lanka offers visitors a rich experience >p11
COMMENTARY
Soybean High-level handshake
A
about 33 million metric t the start of his rapher is hard work — even and transcribe discussions an income when I was starting smart voice-recording soft- © 2018 ChinaDaily
career, Li Zhengjie before you’ve landed a client. All Rights Reserved
tons to China, one-third of during a two-hour seminar in out,” said Li, 36, who now leads ware is threatening their
Vol. 22 — No. 6531
China’s total imports. would scour the Twelve years on, the job is Beijing. Li and his wife, also a a team of 12 stenographers industry.
“While US farmers can streets, wander uni- still hard, but at least his stenographer, made about covering events across the Chi- “I’m kind of worried whether
benefit from healthy Sino- versity campuses and even income has increased. 1,800 yuan a month that year, nese capital. this job will still exist in the
US economic ties, the climb skyscrapers to drum up Li’s first client was a profes- but today they can earn up to However, some in the busi- years ahead,” said Pan Li, who
business. He quickly realized sor who paid him 160 yuan 30,000 yuan a month. ness fear breakthroughs in
See Soybeans, page 2 that being a freelance stenog- ($25) in March 2006 to record “I could barely imagine such artificial intelligence and See Typing, page 3
2 NATION Friday, April 6, 2018 CHINA DAILY HONG KONG EDITION
S
demand for such skills would soar worked for several months for a Beijing shortly after completing his tenographers are
over the following decade. local ad agency. But he was not hap- training. Stenographers typically among the people I
The prediction was correct, and py with the salary. start by transcribing audio files and problem since 2010, and I used to have met most regu-
all three have so far enjoyed decent “Then I saw a newspaper ad for a then progress to conferences, which worry my job may one day no longer larly during my seven
careers. Yet as demand begins to stenography training school that are high pressure but pay about 300 exist,” he said, adding that voice-rec- years working as a reporter.
drop due to new technologies, so are said the industry would be one of the yuan an hour. Li started working ognition software like that produced On many occasions while
incomes. most promising for the next 10 years conferences in 2008. by iFlytek is the No 1 reason why covering seminars and
Li mostly now works conferences, and promised high salaries,” he Ma from Hebei relocated to the
I’m the main bread- demand from journalists for tran- forums, I have relied on them
seminars and forums, but in 2006 he
was receiving a lot of business from
recalled. “At that time, none of my
friends and relatives had ever heard
capital in 2006 for the same reason
as Li. “Most of my clients were intro-
winner in my family scription services is drying up.
“When the conversation takes
for when I can’t split myself
in two to hear speeches being
journalists who wanted quick tran- of such a job.” duced by friends in the same indus-
try, and I was usually hired to do
because this job allows place in a very quiet environment
and all the speakers are talking loud-
given at the same time at dif-
ferent venues.
transcripts of media interviews,” the me to earn more mon- ly and clearly, such apps work better Sometimes I have observed
32-year-old said. and more efficiently than us the look of concentration on
Before long, she was regularly ey than my husband. humans,” he conceded. the faces of the stenogra-
working in the studios of China Cen- Yet he said he feels confident that phers sitting in front of me or
tral Television, the State broadcast- What’s more, it keeps such technology will not replace nearby, their fast-moving fin-
er, and Beijing TV, and by 2010, she conference stenographers, at least gers a blur as they type on
had helped produce transcripts of a me connected with the not in the short term. their shorthand machines.
number of high-profile shows, “I’ve never doubted the necessity Based on my experience,
including CCTV’s Legal Report.
outside for a human stenographer because they seldom talk to anyone,
“Those were the most exciting
experiences of my 20s,” she said,
world.” only we can recognize who is speak-
ing when, so we can record the cor-
no matter how bustling a
forum or conference might
laughing. “I didn’t know what a TV Ma Ruijuan, rect order of speakers,” Li said. “Plus, be. But I approached a stenog-
interview was like until I stepped stenographer in the environments at forums and rapher during a break at one
into a TV studio.” Hebei province conferences are usually too noisy for event because I was curious to
Ma eventually moved back to her voice translation apps to work effi- know how fast they can type
hometown with her husband and ciently.” and the rate of accuracy.
children, but she continues to work last month that will not only record Ma agrees, and added that most It was then that I learned
on interviews by receiving and send- court hearings, but also aid judges in interview recordings she works on about the structure and prin-
ing files through the internet. reviewing criminal cases. are also conducted in noisy environ- ciple involved in using their
“I’m the main breadwinner in my “We’re now able to use AI to help ments such as on streets or in res- shorthand machines.
family because this job allows me to judges review four types of cases, taurants. A stenotype has only 24
earn more money than my hus- namely homicide, theft, telecom Li said he ultimately believes his keys. The basic principle is
band,” she said. “What’s more, it fraud and illegal fundraising,” he said job can coexist with AI systems. almost the same as typing
keeps me connected with the out- at a news conference on March 5. As “It’s like radio versus television,” with a standard qwerty key-
side world.” he spoke, his words appeared on a he explained. “When TV arrived and board, as the input language
screen beside him almost instantly, became popular in every household, is pinyin. The difference is
Coexisting with AI demonstrating the speed and accura- many people were saying radio was that multiple keys can be
Courts are a major source of work cy of the company’s technology. a dying industry. Yet both are run- used simultaneously to spell
for stenographers, who record pro- Stenographer Li Zhengjie said the ning well today and simply have out entire words or phrases,
ceedings for the public record. How- rapid developments seen in AI in adjusted to cater to varying custom- saving a lot of time.
ever, tech tycoon Liu Qingfeng is recent years have raised concerns er demand. Stenographers are argua-
hoping to change that. about the future of his profession. “Such coexistence will also be bly little noticed, but they
Liu’s company, iFlytek — which is “I’ve been thinking about this seen between stenography and AI,” have an impact on many
headquartered in Hefei, Anhui prov- he added. industries, including those
ince, and makes language that affect our daily lives.
input software and voice- Contact the writer at My interview with Ma Rui-
recognition programs — zhangyue@chinadaily.com.cn juan, a stenographer based in
unveiled an AI system Handan, Hebei province, took
some time to complete for this
story due to her heavy work-
load. Not only do many of her
freelance assignments come
with tight deadlines, but she
also has two children and is
occupied much of the time
with housework.
Yet the 32-year-old told me
that, spiritually, she gains a
lot from the recordings she is
paid to transcribe. She has
spent hours listening to law-
yers, professors, reporters,
TV hosts and sometimes
celebrities. She told me
repeatedly that “this is some-
thing that truly attracts me to
the job”.
“If I didn’t choose to learn
this skill, probably I would
never have gone to Beijing. I
would not be able to meet
and hear from so many inter-
esting people on so many
exciting topics. I would not
have had the chance to step
onto a China Central TV stu-
dio set or even get to see how
a TV program is produced,”
she said. “All these are mil-
lions of miles away from my
native village.”
She barely thinks about
what effect the developments
in artificial intelligence
might have on her profes-
sion, she said, adding, “I’ll
continue to do this as long as
there is a demand.”
Her words reminded me of
my interview with Li Zheng-
jie, a stenographer in Beijing
with 12 years of experience. I
asked him whether he is con-
cerned about his profession
in the long run.
“I don’t think stenography
will be the only type of job
affected by the development
of AI. Many jobs will be
affected in the process of
transformation,” he said.
“Yet what’s important is
that the job has helped me
open a much more exciting
world, and I have moved my
life to a city such as Beijing.
I’m grateful for the change
and ready to face any poten-
tial changes in my career
with confidence and an open
LI MIN / CHINA DAILY mind.”
4 WORLD Friday, April 6, 2018 CHINA DAILY HONG KONG EDITION
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
SEOUL — The Republic of dential press center, and Yun The meeting was aimed at how many times he and Moon
PHILIPPINES Korea and the Democratic Kun-young, director for the ironing out the protocols, would meet on that day and
Tourist island People’s Republic of Korea on government situation room. security measures and media also whether parts of their King remembered
Thursday started talks to dis- The DPRK delegation was coverage of the summit, the meeting would be broadcast
ordered closed cuss security and protocol led by Kim Chang-son, an offi- ROK’s presidential office said. on live television.
President Rodrigo Duterte issues for the inter-Korean cial from the State Affairs “We had sincere talks for The two sides have agreed to
has approved the closure of summit later this month, the Commission. four hours straight,” said hold a working-level dialogue
the tourist island of Bora- ROK’s presidential office said. The working-level dialogue Kwun. on Saturday on communica-
cay for up to six months aft- The five-member ROK dele- came ahead of the first sum- He declined to give details, tions between Moon and Kim.
er saying the waters off its gation was led by Kim Sang- mit between ROK President saying the two sides will meet The leaders of the countries
famed white-sand beaches gyun, a senior director of the Moon Jae-in and top DPRK again for further discussions agreed to set up a direct hotline
had become a “cesspool” National Intelligence Service. leader Kim Jong-un scheduled on a date yet to be fixed. and have their first phone con-
due to overcrowding and Four other Blue House offi- for April 27 at Peace House, a The countries will need to versation before the meeting.
development. Tourism cials attending the meeting are Panmunjom building con- decide how Kim will arrive at A summit between Kim and
undersecretary Frederick Cho Han-ki, protocol secretary trolled by the ROK. the venue, including whether United States President
Algre said the shutdown to the president, Shin Yong- Kim would become the first he would cross the military Donald Trump is also antici-
will start on April 26. wook, a deputy chief for presi- DPRK leader to step onto ROK demarcation line by foot in a pated by the end of May. People take part in a silent rally on the National Mall to mark the
dential security service, Kwun soil since the 1950-1953 Kore- symbolic gesture. The coun- 50th anniversary of the assassination of civil rights leader Martin
AP—REUTERS—AFP Hyuk-ki, director of the presi- an War ended in armistice. tries also need to determine XINHUA—AP—AFP Luther King Jr. in Washington, on Wednesday. REUTERS
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Friday, April 6, 2018
5
COMMENT C H I N A DA I LY H O N G KO N G E D I T I O N
P
rofessor Benny Tai Yiu-ting achieving a perfect
says he does not promote Hong right angle upside
Kong’s independence, but he down, while working
wants China to become “demo- out at a park outside
the Legislative
cratic” in the way that he under-
Council in Tamar.
stands democracy. He portrays @DORISCLIFE /
the meeting in Taiwan in which INSTAGRAM
he participated as merely an exchange among Ho Lok-sang
those who cherish the values of democracy and The author is dean of business at the Chu Hai
freedom. Tai sees the positioning of the demo- College of Higher Education
I
is promoting his views religiously. He just took democratic institutions to ensure that new ways t is surprising that an academic ty and security, challenge the power of
as faith that people will somehow enjoy more of thinking may bring us new development. can create so much political the central government or use Hong
freedom and a better life after China is split into These new ways of thinking will still be tested, trouble in Hong Kong. Benny Kong to carry out sabotage activities
different chunks. In his view, the national inter- and if necessary replaced. This is the systematic Tai Yiu-ting, an associate profes- against the mainland was an act that
est is somehow better served when people of way of correcting errors and making for prog- sor of law at University of Hong Kong, crosses the “red line” and is “absolutely
different regions and ethnicities look after their ress… If we want to successfully solve problems attended a seminar in Taipei last week Paul Yeung impermissible”. The following actions
regional and ethnic interests and seek self-deter- never solved before, we must allow questioning and claimed that the SAR could con- The author is research officer of the taken by the SAR government revealed
mination. The organizer of the Taiwan forum and discussions.” The problem with this argu- sider “becoming an independent state”. One Country Two Systems Research its determination that “freedom of
that he attended, Yang Yueqing, says her group ment is that Li Yi’s inference that “democratic Tai surprised many by openly advocat- Institute. speech” should have a bottom line
aims at awakening Taiwan’s people to the nature institutions” are the only way that will allow ing “Hong Kong independence”. The when national security and social order
of the Communist Party of China and to arouse doubt and inquiry, and “democratic institutions” central government, the HKSAR Gov- are concerned.
anti-Communist sentiment. Tai would say that is understood to be party politics. Ironically, he ernment and the pro-establishment actions when he joined the forum. It is Tai’s actions also brought trouble
he is not against the CPC, because upon the and Tai do not question the “truth” that “party camp responded quickly by issuing a worth noting that the forum organizer to the opposition camp. It is obvious
realization of “democracy” the CPC can compete politics is the answer to the problem of good scathing condemnation. There is no Taiwan Youth Anti-Communist Corps that Tai intentionally tested a grey
with other parties to form a government if it is governance”. doubt that any attempt to separate is a pro-“Taiwan independence” group. area by touching a nerve of the central
popular. To Tai, democracy is all about competi- China is governed by the CPC, but the CPC Hong Kong from the motherland will What he said at the forum was not just government. However, the political
tion among different parties. He does not see the does not suppress discussions on policies in violate the national Constitution, the words, but deliberate political actions. risk is borne by the whole opposition
need for national unity. general. Actually policy consultations are com- Basic Law and relevant laws in Hong Indeed, Tai realized that the “free- camp. As noted by Professor Lau Siu-
Unfortunately, his views of China and of the mon. If there is any suppression, it is only Kong. dom” claim is invalid. In a separate kai, it was rare for the government to
CPC are too narrow. Along with Yang, he failed suppression of discussion that sets out to In response to such widespread con- statement issued on Friday night, issue a statement directly in response
to see the increasing freedom enjoyed by the overthrow the regime. Critics say that a gov- demnation, Tai tried to use “freedom Tai claimed he neither supported to comments made by an individual.
Chinese mainlanders — freedom from hunger, ernment needs opposition parties for “checks of speech” as an excuse to divert public the notion of “Hong Kong indepen- Tai’s attempt ruined efforts to rebuild
freedom to travel, freedom to run a business and balances”, but opposition parties are not attention. He accused the government dence”, nor would he advocate a “self- trust and harmony between the central
or to apply for jobs, freedom to form families, well known for successful checks and bal- of attacking free speech and insisted determination” referendum because government and the “pan-democrats”.
freedom to attend church services, freedom for ances. There are many political parties vying he had only suggested independence the “conditions are not yet ripe”. Tai’s Moreover, Tai’s case revealed the loop-
creative works. These days millions of mainland- for power in India, Indonesia, and Mexico. But could be one of the options for Hong sophistry reflects a guilty conscience, holes in the existing law, which are
ers write novels and poems and songs and post these countries fair worse than China in the Kong someday. However, the claim of which is equally evident in the opposi- unhelpful to safeguarding national
them on the internet. If Yang is concerned about fight against corruption. The “checks and bal- “freedom of speech” is hard to take. We tion camp’s response to condemnations security and therefore highlighted the
freedom, let her visit the mainland, and see for ances” in the United States made it difficult to all remember the illegal “Occupy Cen- of Tai. Superficially, they expressed need to enact legislation under Article
herself how mainland people go about their dai- follow through with healthcare reform, and tral” movement, which brought unrest concern about attacks on “freedom of 23 of the Basic Law.
ly lives pursuing various creative activities. On helped create the subprime mortgage crisis. to society. The movement started from speech” by staging a protest on Mon- Charles T. Munger is a partner and
her Facebook page, she says she wants to pro- The “checks and balances” made it difficult to Tai’s ideas and discussions on civil dis- day. But that was merely a political friend of Warren Buffett. Even Buffett
mote the freedom from fear and the freedom to control the proliferation of gun ownership. As obedience in Hong Kong — all in the gesture. Only a few opposition par- appreciated Charles’ wisdom. In his
live as one pleases. She will be surprised to see recent US statistics noted: “Between 2014 and name of “freedom of speech”. Tai’s pro- ties — the League of Social Democrats, book, Poor Charlie’s Almanack, Charles
plenty of this freedom on the mainland, which is 2017, 56,755 Americans were killed by guns, file made the central government hard People’s Power and the Civic Party — shared with readers his key to success:
being promoted by the party she hates. including 2,710 children under the age of 12. In to believe that his comments are just participated in Monday’s protest, sug- The power of avoiding stupidity. “All I
A recent article by Li Chenjian of Peking Uni- that time, there have been 1,333 mass shootings an academic discussion. Moreover, Tai gesting that the rest of them decided to want to know is where I’m going to die.
versity titled “Hold on to the Right of Freedom — defined as incidents in which at least four argued that he had already published be absent. So I’ll never go there.”
of Questioning and Freedom of Thought” caught people are injured or killed — eight of them at similar remarks in newspapers earlier The response of the opposition camp Even though some people deliber-
the attention of columnist Li Yi, who restated elementary or high schools.” and there was nothing new about is noteworthy. They should remember ately challenged the bottom line, the
that one of the greatest values of science lies in A dogmatic intellectual is a contradiction in them. Tai tried to play down his actions the key message delivered by President opposition camp should not unwisely
its questioning and inquiring spirit. Even if a terms. Unfortunately for Hong Kong, Benny Tai as just expressing an “opinion”. The Xi Jinping last July. He said that any support such divisive people for the
scientist believes that he has found the truth, he is a living example of that. truth is Tai was conducting political attempt to endanger China’s sovereign- sake of their political lives.
W
hen Cushman egg” had been laid.
& Wakefield “Shanghai’s property boom Edward Cheung Kwok-ching, chief
executive of Cushman & Wakefield
launched what took off after the city hosted the Greater China, believes the
turned out to be APEC leaders’ summit in 2001 company’s future will reach a new
a long sustained push into Chi- with foreign companies flood- height by actively engaging itself
na’s nascent property market in ing in to set up branch offices in the country’s key development
the 1990s, it bore testimony to or regional headquarters in the strategies.
PARKER ZHENG / CHINA DAILY
the impending birth of a spec- metropolis. Hong Kong devel-
tacular boom that has drawn opers also got involved in large-
few parallels today anywhere
in the world.
One of the key witnesses
scale urban development proj-
ects in Shanghai,” reminisces
Cheung.
Empathy is what drives a successful corporate leader
to that campaign has been As a real-estate services pro- By LIN WENJIE in Hong Kong professional comportment, there are still some employ- graduates into its fold. It also up their minds on whatever
Edward Cheung Kwok-ching, vider from Hong Kong, Cush- cherrylin@chinadailyhk.com while emphasizing creative ees who have failed to do so. offers training programs for they would like to do, like job
chief executive officer of Cush- man & Wakefield initially served thinking, change, innovation Therefore, we need to con- them because “we can afford hopping. The world is chang-
man & Wakefield Greater Chi- mainly Hong Kong builders Edward Cheung Kwok- and the continual upgrade of tinue developing a customer- to train them”. ing every day, but a person
na, who has actively contrib- that are well-versed in devel- ching, chief executive of Cush- services. He believes a leader oriented culture.” Cheung recognizes the con- needs to be firm in achieving
uted to the “golden age” in the oping commercial real estate, man & Wakefield Greater Chi- should also have a clear goal On the technology side, tributions young people have their goals. Success comes
Chinese mainland’s real-estate extending all-round services like na, owes his corporate stand- for the company. Without it, Cushman & Wakefield has made to their businesses, for with hard work, sacrifice,
industry over the past three agency leasing, asset services, ing to his down-to-earth lead- the company and its staff will revolutionized the industry the young generation is the patience and all the other
decades. capital market activities, facil- ership style, having helmed a have no defined purpose and by using software, such as the mainstream consumer group things behind it.
He has helped the Chicago- ity services, or investment and 30-strong team for the past 25 nothing to strive for. “E-broker” — the first office now. But, on the other hand, Former chief executive
based commercial property ser- asset management. A number of years to the forefront of the He had set three goals two leasing and management he also sees young people as Leung Chun-ying, who
vices group evolve and spread landmark shopping malls and industry. years ago for the company to mobile application in the lacking perseverance, and founded C Y Leung & Co, is
its wings across the mainland, office buildings were built in To h i m , e m p a t h y — attain by 2020 — moderniz- industry. Created by Cushman who are prepared to give up a person who finds true pas-
raising its profile as a global Shanghai by Hong Kong inves- understanding the feelings, ing and internationalizing its & Wakefield itself, it is a plat- their goals easily. sion in his work, and has set
industry and market leader. tors from the year 2000. thoughts, and attitudes of oth- professional team; fostering form that delivers an accurate, “Most young people today a good example for all of us,”
Cheung started his career “A few years later, we saw ers — is the key prerequisite a customer-oriented culture professional and convenient do not have a long-term says Cheung.
with a major international mainland developers, who had and most important character to cater to clients’ needs; and service channel for develop- goal in their careers. Some Cheung earned his bach-
consultancy firm in Hong previously focused on devel- every leader should possess. digitalizing business opera- ers, tenants, government, of them may be interested elor’s degree in urban and
Kong back in 1987 — joining the oping residential real estate, “As we’re a property consul- tions, collecting information investors and intermediaries. in property today but, the environmental planning
ranks of property consultancy diversifying into the commer- tancy, we have to embrace our and data in order to generate Lack of talents could be one next day, they might want from the University of East
C Y Leung & Co which had cial sector. They would turn to humanness to raise productiv- consumption models. of the biggest challenges the to go into e-commerce. They Anglia, the United Kingdom.
been part of an Asian partner- us for consultation and help as ity. Empathy connects peo- “After the merger with company is facing, stresses lack a purpose and commit- As one of the leading figures
ship with US-based Debenham we are already an experienced ple. If you are a leader in an Cushman & Wakefield, we’re Cheung, because a service- ment in their endeavors. For in the real-estate industry, he
Thouard Zadelhoff (DTZ). DTZ service provider in that sec- organization, how you treat developing into an interna- oriented enterprise requires instance, they’re reluctant was appointed a member of
itself went on to merge with tor. With a growing number your team, suppliers and cli- tional platform, with more a myriad of talents in each to work overtime. I think the Shanghai Political Con-
Cushman & Wakefield in 2015 of mainland clients, our opera- ents makes all the difference and more businesses coming sector of the property indus- maybe because they are liv- sultative Conference by the
under a new identity and logo. tions have taken a big leap for- between remaining at zero from foreign clients, while try. But, all the companies ing in a material wealth age Shanghai municipal govern-
Cheung was named Cush- ward in the past decades,” says and becoming truly success- some mainland companies in the industry, developers, and everything is available to ment as the sole representa-
man & Wakefield’s business Cheung. ful. So, we have a mentorship also desire to go out, so we real estate agents, have been them without any hard work, tive of global real-estate ser-
development director for the program in the company to have to internationalize our- aggressively poaching talents. effort or patience. So, they vices providers.
mainland in 1993, helping to Different opportunities build up connections among selves to serve customers’ In this situation, Cushman & would like to pursue things He is also honorary chair-
establish the group’s Shanghai As the biggest player in the employees,” he says. needs. Secondly, although Wakefield holds a large scale leisurely,” Cheung says. man of the Hong Kong Gen-
office the same year. He was industry, Cushman & Wake- Cheung sees being rigor- we’ve asked staff to put the on-campus recruitment exer- “Young people should eral Chamber of Commerce
subsequently appointed gen- field has set up 18 offices across ous, honest and fair as his customer first for a long time, cise each year to get young think twice before making in Shanghai.
eral manager of the Shanghai the Chinese mainland in the
office, where he acquired exper- past 25 years. With the prop-
tise in planning and market- erty market having matured
ing residential and commercial in first-tier cities, the company and residential properties.” what they want, we understand component of the Belt and gram, while providing one-stop The company’s paramount
projects across the mainland, has gone into second and third- As many of its mainland the government’s plans quite Road Initiative as many of the urbanization services to meet objective at present is to con-
lifted the staff strength from tier cities to explore new oppor- clients are State-owned enter- clearly. That’s our advantage, countries and regions involved clients’ needs — from town stantly adapt itself to the
30 to more than 500, and took tunities. prises, Cushman & Wakefield so we’ve invested a lot of our are in great need of a modern regeneration to new zone devel- changing needs of custom-
up managerial responsibilities “The opportunities in first- has actively engaged itself in resources in it to meet the gov- environment to fuel their grow- opment. ers. “Developers are becom-
for consultancy and strategic tier and second-tier cities are the country’s key development ernment’s needs.” ing economies. But, many State- “We not only conduct pro- ing increasingly sophisticated.
planning. quite different. First-tier cities strategies, such as urbaniza- Cushman & Wakefield start- owned developers have little phase research, such as iden- For instance, they now want a
Looking back on his main- are now renewing the build- tion, the Belt and Road Initia- ed its Belt and Road project five understanding of the Belt and tifying how many houses or string of services instead of a
land stint, Cheung recalls that ings that were completed in tive, and the Guangdong-Hong years ago, building up connec- Road countries, so they come to apartments are needed and single service; they also want
the Chinese property sector or after 2000. But, in second- Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, tions with enterprises looking us for help. We then started the how much employment oppor- innovative ideas with effective
was still very much in the dol- tier cities, large-scale develop- where it has created a new busi- to expand overseas, and send- Belt and Road project which tunities we need to provide, but execution. Thus, we urgently
drums in the mid-1990s, with ment projects are still needed ness sector its competitors have ing research teams to African has made us unique in the also help to get businesses to set need to achieve high levels of
foreign enterprises having to meet the macro-economic yet to lay their hands on. or Central Asian countries to industry,” says Cheung. up offices in the towns. We have coordination and equip our-
limited access to the market. demand. Hangzhou, for “We’ve always been trying collect background informa- Cushman & Wakefield also a convergence service platform selves with more resources and
But, shortly after former lead- instance, has seen new econ- to differentiate ourselves from tion and do market analysis, helps to accelerate China’s that offers consulting, valuation talents to generate innovative
er Deng Xiaoping floated the omy enterprises mushroom our competitors and find where in order to design tailor-made urbanization program by sign- and advisory services, as well ideas.”
idea of developing Shanghai’s in the city as more and more our advantages lie. As we have projects for its clients in every ing an agreement with the as investment and financing
Pudong New Area, Cheung people work there, boosting many State-owned clients, we single market. China Center for Urban Devel- services for the urbanization Contact the writer at
was convinced the “golden demand for both commercial found that we understand “Real estate is an important opment to start a research pro- projects,” Cheung says. cherrylin@chinadailyhk.com
Ancient China
Editor’s note: This is an extract from The Governing Principles of
Ancient China, based on 360 passages excerpted from the origi-
nal compilation titled Qunshu Zhiyao, or The Compilation of Books
Workers need more protection in their sunset years
T
and Writings on Important Governing Principles. Commissioned he Hong Kong SAR tiatives when she took office
by Emperor Tang Taizong of the Tang Dynasty in the seventh cen-
Government is said last year. To make it accept-
tury, the book contains advice, methods and historical notes on
the successes and failures of the imperial governments of China. to be finalizing a able to both employers and
Today it continues to be relevant as a source of inspiration for self- proposal to address workers, the new proposal,
improvement, family management and interpersonal relations. a highly controversial clause details of which have yet to be Chief Executive
in the pension fund scheme revealed, would almost cer- Carrie Lam Cheng
204. 故君人者,愛民而安,好士而榮,兩者無一焉而 that has practically denied tainly involve a much larger Yuet-ngor set
亡也。明分職,序事業,拔材官能,莫不治理, employees any severance pay injection of government fund- reforming the
則公道達而私門塞矣,公義明而私事息矣。如 on retirement. ing than what was previously pension scheme, the
是,則德厚者進,而佞悅者止;貪利者退,而 An earlier government recommended to compensate Mandatory Provident
廉節者起。 (卷三十八 孫卿子) proposal seeking to balance employers for the additional Fund, as one of her
the interests of employers costs involved. major policy initiatives
A leader who loves his people will be able to make them when she assumed
feel safe and at peace. If he enjoys learning from the and workers was roundly As such, there would be
office in 2017. PROVIDED
sages, he will be able to bring prosperity to the country. rejected. Both sides refused little excuse for the powerful TO CHINA DAILY
Without these, his own safety as well as that of the to accept the compromise employers’ groups to reject it.
country will be placed in peril. When a ruler clearly formula which was considered Doing so against the backdrop hike would threaten the liveli- to replace the woefully inad- when it was launched in late
understands the responsibilities of his job and is able to by employers to be too costly of a booming stock market hood of low-income families equate MPF evaporated due 2000.
distinguish the relative degrees of urgency in each of his for business, while employees and escalating property prices who are already burdened by to the high costs involved, and Amid a rapidly graying
tasks, and chooses virtuous and able people to run the complained that it fell far would deepen social discon- soaring rentals. The rising cost which was branded by the population, more workers
government in an orderly way, righteousness will flour- short of meeting their basic tent already fueled by the wid- of living and static wages have government as unsustainable. are set to retire in the coming
ish and private sidedeals will cease. Subsequently, virtu- demand. ening wealth gap. made it difficult for many For that reason, it’s all the years. The MPF, in its present
ous and able people will be given important posts while Chief Executive Carrie Lam Despite a robust job mar- households to save up decent more important for workers form, provides little meaning-
flatterers will be restrained. Those who seek personal Cheng Yuet-ngor set reform- ket, average workers’ wages amounts of money for retire- to fight for a better deal under ful protection. Reform is long
benefits will be dismissed, and those who are incorrupt- ing the pension scheme — the have remained almost static ment. the existing system, which was overdue, and the responsible
ible will be entrusted with greater responsibilities. Mandatory Provident Fund — for many years. Inflation has Previous talk of introducing seen to have made too many thing for employers to do is to
Scroll 38: Sun Qing Zi as one of her major policy ini- remained low, and any price a universal pension scheme compromises to employers share the added costs.
8 READ Friday, April 6, 2018 CHINA DAILY HONG KONG EDITION
The watchman
of earthenware
in Kashgar
N
early every family in the old town of earthenware workshops during the heyday of
Kashgar in the Xinjiang Uygur the craft. However, no more than five work-
autonomous region owns pieces of shops have survived the assaults of modern
local earthenware, whether they be industry, and earthenware is no longer a neces-
dishes, cups, bottles or bowls, and those made sity for Kashgar’s residents.
by Tursun Zunun are the best-known. “Without the government’s protection and
As the sixth generation of earthenware mak- the development of tourism here, earthenware
ers in the old town of Kashgar, Tursun grew up craftsmanship would probably be lost forever,”
making pottery with his father and grandfa- Tursun said.
ther. His home is seated in the old town’s south- As an inheritor of intangible cultural heri-
eastern highland, facing the Tuman River that tage, he receives a subsidy of 4,800 yuan ($764)
runs through Kashgar. It has become the choice annually from the government. In addition, the
location for tourists who want to learn about repair of the old town and the influx of tourists
earthenware. The ideal location of his home has have injected much vigor into his workshop.
made it a gathering place for craftsman who Outside Tursun’s home, a massive Ferris
can use the clay that lies conveniently in the wheel displays the old town’s modernity and
nearby river. vitality with the ancient winding Tuman River
Tursun said there were more than a hundred as its backdrop.
S
ome years ago, Xu Zaiji
moved out from his old fami-
ly home in Putang village in
East China’s Jiangxi prov-
ince that had been passed down from
generation to generation for about
400 years to an apartment in a near-
by city, part of a trend that left the vil-
lage almost empty. In March, the 66-
year-old moved back to his old house
after its renovation. This time, Xu is
part of a growing trend in which vil-
lagers are renovating their dilapidat-
ed old houses and returning to the
village where they grew up.
“If they are in good condition, the
old houses are cool in summer and
warm in winter. I don’t like living in
my city apartment as it was too hot,”
says Xu. Some of Xu’s relatives plan
to return to live with him in the
newly renovated 300-square-meter
house with open courtyard.
Unlike those in other places who
replace their old houses with mod-
ern buildings, people in Jinxi just
build new ones not far away from
their villages when they decide to
move out of their old homes.
Putang village has more than 60
old traditional houses dating back
to the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing
(1644-1911) dynasties. With stone
walls and wooden interior struc-
tures, all of them are either in poor
condition or on the verge of col-
lapse. Renovating them can cost
tens of thousands yuan, which is
expensive for villagers who make
their livings farming rice fields. The
average yearly per capita income An aerial view of the old houses in Zhuqiao village, Jinxi county in East China’s Jiangxi province. PHOTOS PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY
among the villages is less than
10,000 yuan ($1,580), says Xu.
To renovate Xu’s house and trans-
form it into a house more comforta-
ble for living cost about 700,000
yuan, which he was unable to afford.
In fact, Xu paid about 300, 000 yuan
and the rest was provided by the
local government and Saving Tradi-
tional Houses Initiatives, a program
run by the China Foundation for
Cultural Heritage Conservation.
On March 18, the foundation
launched its second round of reno-
vations in Jinxi county, which has
101 ancient villages with about
11,000 traditional houses built more From left: Zhuqiao village hosts a qipao show to attract tourists. Qipao is one of the traditional Chinese dresses for women; a dragon dance in the village square.
than 400 years ago, the majority of
which are in urgent need of repair.
Over two years, the foundation sands of old houses need to rehabili- based on each house owner’s finan- introduced it to the architecture
will spend 80 million yuan on reno- A village’s history and culture is tating for their original owners. cial status. school of Tsinghua University as a
vating old houses in Jinxi county, “In Jinxi, people were blind to the Also, some companies and even study base for its students.
with 40 million yuan provided by reflected on its buildings. Without the value of their homes. They just left individuals have come to Jinxi to Last year, she donated a sum of
the Ministry of Finance and State their houses and moved to cities. help fix up the old houses. money to help renovate an old
Administration of Cultural Heri-
old houses, there will be nothing left.” But things have changed in recent He Yan, director of the Tsinghua house in Zhuqiao village. Most of
tage, and 40 million yuan by the years, and I have started getting Heritage Institute for Digitalization, the villagers are descendants of sen-
local government. Li Xiaojie, director of the China Foundation for Cultural Heritage Conservation orders from local villagers,” says Yu. has been impressed by the big scale ior officials or scholars in the Ming
Li Xiaojie, director of the China Last year, Yu and his team, which of various ancient villages in Jinxi, and Qing dynasties.
Foundation for Cultural Heritage has expanded to 80, including car- where small, mid-sized and big “It’s not a big sum money for me.
Conservation, says that a decade penters, carvers and painters, reno- ancient villages can be found In two weeks, the repairs were com-
ago, many experts lamented that renovation program two years ago in repairing their houses, says Li. vated more than 30 old houses in his depending on their locale. pleted, very quick,” she says.
traditional villages were quickly dis- Songyang in Zhejiang province, hometown. The number of orders he He’s team has spent three years Fu Qingyuan, an expert on
appearing. However, since 2012, the where ancient houses built hun- Passing on traditions used to receive was just four or five. doing research on 68 ancient villa- ancient village protection, also
central government has been lead- dreds of years ago were carefully ren- Yu Xuting started renovating old “People realize that old houses ges in the area, gathering data on donated a sum of money last year.
ing efforts to revitalize them to stop ovated, attracting many young houses in villages in 2008, when he were not useless as they thought the ancient houses, establishing a He says he wanted to set an example
them from disappearing. people to return to the villages. only had a few men working with before. And they do respect the lega- kind of village archive and help so more individuals would protect
“China’s 5,000-year history of However, the number of him. A local from Jinxi county, the cy of their ancestors as long as they making videos for documentary these ancient houses.
agriculture is rooted in its villages. ancient houses in Jinxi is far more 40-year-old used to travel to other have money to repair it,” Yu says. use, all for free. Now, her company is Fu says the essence of Chinese
And a village’s history and culture is than that in Songyang, while the places to restore old houses bought Between 50 to 70 percent of the assisting the locals by providing gui- architecture lies in the wooden
reflected on its buildings. Without government’s financial support is by rich people from rural areas. Now cost of renovating the houses in dance on how to repair their old structures of old village houses.
the old houses, there will be nothing the same. It means that it’s more he has decided to devote the next Jinxi is being covered by the local houses appropriately. “It’s more than simply repairing a
left,” says Li. difficult and needs local house few years into fixing up old houses government and the Saving Tradi- For He, the area is a treasure trove house. It’s about passing on our tra-
Li’s foundation launched its first owners to be more active in in local villages in Jinxi, where thou- tional Houses Initiatives program of Chinese architecture. She has ditions to future generations.”
ISLAND PARADISE
From the ruins in Sigiriya and the temple in Kandy, to an elephant orphanage,
Xu Lin offers visitors a mixed experience in Sri Lanka
I
t’s almost dusk. And I can just Starting from there, a series of vertigi-
about see the bats hanging If you go nous staircases on a large rock take me to
upside down on trees far away. the upper palace — the best place to enjoy
Gradually, the trees seem more It’s convenient to charter a vehicle for a beautiful sunset.
white as flocks of egrets arrive to roost. the whole trip and the driver will take It’s not uncommon to bump into mon-
The bats then fill the sky, signifying a you wherever you like. Please bargain keys or stray dogs during the climb.
change of shift. The bats and the egrets when you hop into a tuk-tuk, or an auto From Sigiriya, we head to the city of
seem to take turns to rest on the trees. rickshaw. Wear a mask to avoid dust Kandy which is famous for the Sri Dalada
The site is close to Yala National Park, during the safari tour. Carry sunblock Maligawa temple where the Sacred Tooth
Sri Lanka. And I am amazed by the beau- and mosquito repellent. Relic of Lord Buddha is kept.
ty of the wildlife even before my safari The temple’s grand festival, Kandy Esa-
tour in the park. la Perahera, is held in July and August
The next day, I wake up at 5:30 am and annually.
carry my breakfast to a vehicle. home to injured and maimed elephants The Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeni-
Our tour guide has sharp eyes, so it’s and abandoned baby elephants. ya, in Kandy boasts exotic species of plants
easily to spot wild boar, crocodiles, pea- It is noon when we get there. And a such as orchids, spices and palm trees.
cocks, lizards, elephants and deer. herd of elephants are crossing a road aft- From Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, I take a
It’s better to carry a pair of binoculars er taking a shower in the lake, while a train to enjoy views of the tea plantations
to see different species of birds. policeman directs traffic. and forests on both sides.
The park has one of the highest leop- Besides watching elephants shower My next stop is the old town of Galle
ard densities in the world. and feeding them, tourists can also buy and its fortifications, which in 1988 was
But seeing one really depends on your notebooks and postcards made from ele- designated as a UNESCO World Heritage
luck, as a large cat can appear and vanish phant dung. Site.
in an instant. About two hours’ drive from there is A sea port for trade during the 14th
On the trip, my friend suddenly spots a Sigiriya, or lion rock, one of the finest century, Galle has now become a popular
black leopard descending from a tree. We examples of ancient urban planning. destination for tourists from home and
then try to track it down for about half an It was listed as a UNESCO World Heri- abroad.
hour, but never see it again. tage Site in 1982. Its architecture is typically European
More Chinese tourists are traveling to The fortress complex, built by King due to its colonial history, when it was
Sri Lanka for encounters with animals, Kashyapa during the 5th century, controlled by Portugal, the Netherlands
the sea and its cultural heritage. includes the ruins of an ancient palace on and Great Britain.
The prices also make a difference. the flat-topped summit of an enormous Galle now has churches, old hotels and
For example, it’s much cheaper to do a rock about 200 meters high. stores that sell jewelry, spices and tea.
wild safari in Sri Lanka than in Africa. After the king’s death, the site was used And local children practice cricket on
For most travelers, their first stop in Sri as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th the playgrounds.
Lanka is Negombo, home to Bandara- century. It’s pleasant to walk along the well-pre-
naike International Airport. There, I am fascinated by the gardens served Galle Fort and enjoy the breeze
At Negombo’s fish markets, fishermen and ponds and their symmetry. from the Indian Ocean.
unload their catch and vendors hawk It’s breathtaking to climb the spiral Finally, on a train from Galle to Colom-
seafood. stairs attached to sheer walls that lead to bo, the country’s commercial capital, I
Also, fish are arranged in an orderly the colorful frescoes. am excited to see the Indian Ocean just
manner on straw mats along the beach to Then, I come to a small plateau and see beyond the windows.
be dried. a pair of gigantic lion’s paws carved into That train journey also marks the end
For those who love elephants, a visit to the bedrock. of my satisfying trip to Sri Lanka. From top: At Negombo’s fish markets,fish are arranged in an orderly manner on straw mats
the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage is a It was an entrance originally built in along the beach to be dried; a monkey at Sigiriya, or lion rock, a fortress complex built by
must. The orphanage, established in 1975 the form of a lion but its upper parts have Contact the writer at King Kashyapa during the 5th century; elephants play with each other at the Pinnawela Ele-
by the Sri Lanka Wildlife department, is been destroyed. xulin@chinadaily.com.cn phant Orphanage.
From left: Meera Mosque in Galle Fort; a railway station in Sri Lanka; local residents at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya; Damro Tea Plantation. PHOTOS BY XU LIN / CHINA DAILY
SPORTS
Friday, April 6, 2018
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