Security Services

Oriental Outlook

June 26, 2014

From Chinese merchants ships being hijacked to factories being attacked and employees being kidnapped, Chinese enterprises going abroad, especially those with eyes set on Africa, are encountering increasingly severer safety threats.

In this issue,Oriental Outlooklooks at how Chinese companies are taking security risks abroad. Besides reporting to local police or Chinese embassies for help, some companies hire local security guards.

However, most Chinese companies abroad, especially small and medium-sized ones, cannot afford such services even though they could provide effective protection. In this regard, it is suggested that Chinese non-governmental organizations and the private sector should be encouraged to get involved in this sector by providing affordable security services for Chinese overseas enterprises.

Outlook Weekly

June 30, 2014

After decades of effort, Chinaís vocational education system has made remarkable progress. Vocational students have played a significant role in the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, with 60 percent of those working in such companies in 2012 being tertiary vocational school graduates.

Since most students attending vocational schools come from low-income families or showed weak academic performance at school, the education has endowed them with professional skills to start a decent career. In 2012, 90 percent of tertiary vocational school graduates were able to land a job and registered an average monthly salary of more than 2,700 yuan ($440) half a year after graduation. For most of them, their income could be doubled three years after graduation.

In spite of the progress being made, technicians are still insufficient. The All-China Federation of Trade Unions predicts that the country is in need of a minimum of 22-33 million more technicians in order to meet the labor demand fueled by ongoing urbanization.

Additionally, vocational schools are faced with continual problems like inadequate funds and weak teaching faculties, which should be addressed by carrying out structural reforms.

China Newsweek

June 30, 2014

Since 1984, whenChinamade the decision to expand its reform program from rural to urban areas at the Third Plenary Session of the 12th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the country has accelerated its transition to a market-based economy.

Back then, Chinese citizens actively responded to the decision and looked for new solutions for the countryís growth and prosperity. A lot of people gave up their stable jobs and started their own business, like Lenovoís co-founder and former Chief Executive Officer Liu Chuanzhi.

Today, 30 years later,China, having become the second largest economy in the world, is showing more respect for individual rights and has been embracing the international society with more openness. Efforts by Chinese citizens from all walks of life who have actively participated in the reforms, including Liu, are indispensable for the countryís achievements.

Faced in 2014 with choices as stark as three decades ago,Chinawill still choose reform, which will expand from the economy to an all-round transformation this time. By reviewing the past, the magazine believes there are lessons from 1984 that can inspire innovation for the next round of reforms.

Guangming Daily

July 14, 2014

Every year, during graduation season, many parents and students inChinahold lavish banquets to express gratitude to their teachers. This year, however, such banquets have been banned by the educational and disciplinary inspection authorities in a number of cities in a bid to prevent corruption and extravagance.

Originally, the banquet was a way to show gratitude. What mattered was not the cost of the meal, but the emotions and respect conveyed. However, huge demands have pushed the price of these celebratory feasts soaring, which, in turn, constitutes a huge financial burden for some parents who believe a more expensive banquet is equivalent to more respect. Some parents even seek preferential treatment for their children through treating teachers. Even worse, this harms equality between students and puts pressure on educators to treat every student with no bias.

In lieu of extravagant banquets, there are many other ways to express gratitude to educators. A thank-you card or a bouquet of flowers can equally convey a studentís appreciation, but studying hard and achieving something in oneís career are the best rewards for teachers.