Introducing Foreign Talents

Oriental Outlook

July 11, 2013

About 30 years ago, China decided to recruit foreign talents to help build the country. In this issue, Oriental Outlook reviews this strategy and the difficulties that arose as China sought to attract foreign experts after its long period of isolation from the outside world.

After years of effort, China has more foreign experts involved in the nation's scientific research, education, and even policy consulting processes. For example, Pan Liening, a statistician and sociologist from Norway who now uses this Chinese name, proposed an original survey approach to make emergency disaster relief and reconstruction efforts better match victims' real needs.

As China advances, it is embracing the world and foreign ideas with an increasingly open attitude, recruiting experts not only in the physical sciences, but also in the humanities and social sciences. Talented individuals are vital to a nation's development. Experts have suggested that there should be more supporting policies that address issues like the education of foreign experts' children so that they will be more willing to work in China.

Grain Security

China Economic Weekly

July 1, 2013

Grain security has been a top concern for China as the country must feed one-fifth of the world's population while having less than 9 percent of the world's arable land. Although the nation's grain output will likely grow for the 10th consecutive year, the rapid growth of China's grain supply cannot match the rising speed of grain consumption due to the nation's rapid urbanization.  

The magazine notes that the pollution and repurposing of farmland, the enthusiastic pursuit of urbanization and industrialization by local governments, and a shortage of labor forces and agricultural experts in rural areas are all factors threatening the nation's grain security.

China must be able to count on itself to feed its large population. Experts believe the solution to grain issues is to improve yields per unit of area, which requires improvements in agricultural infrastructure, technological innovation, more government subsidies and a complete industrial chain for grain products.

Problems in Education

Outlook Weekly

July 8, 2013

Ever since China restored its college entrance examination system in 1977, the country's education system has undergone reforms and made significant progress. But at the same time, various problems have arisen.

Although great importance has been attached to the concept of education for all-round development, exam-oriented education still dominates the curricula used in most schools. Many teachers do not focus on teaching their students to be well-rounded individuals. In their eyes, raising students' test scores is more important than cultivating virtue.

One reason for the difficulty in advancing education for all-round development is that many people think that promoting such education could not raise students' scores in college entrance examinations and thus would lower enrollment rates. Although education for all-round development and exam-oriented education are different, promoting the former will not necessarily lower enrollment rates.

Heating Risks

Xinmin Evening News

July 8, 2013

Shanghai has been repeatedly hit by  heat waves this summer. In response to the dangers of working in extreme heat, Li Ming, Deputy to the Shanghai Municipal People's Congress, recently suggested upgrading protection measures for laborers working under the hot sun. In addition to high temperature protections, Li suggested forming comprehensive safety measures for laborers in certain industries.

Any industry that requires people to work in hot weather conditions should formulate specific regulations to ensure that laborers are protected from the hot weather. The manufacturing industry is one industry that should implement such regulations. A large number of people working in manufacturing have to wear heavy protective overalls while at work, despite high temperatures. Although upgraded cooling overalls have been made available, many companies will not voluntarily buy them for workers. The lack of legal requirements has added to their reluctance.

Besides this, some companies don't abide by vacation laws. Workers on the production line are often forced to work while ill. The labor and social security administration departments should carefully monitor these companies. In addition, periodic physical examinations for employees should also be made a legal requirement.