International prejudice has long misrep-resented Chinese products as low-price, low-tech and of inferior quality. Anyone with a grain of common sense knows that, in a country whose manufacturers have mastered the most advanced technologies in fields that include aeronautic engineering that have sent man into space, and which runs the worlds fastest trains, this is not true. But as this stigma still hangs over Chinese products as a whole, like it or not, the countrys factories must abide stringently by international rules and standards and upgrade services. Manufacturers should also refrain from the practice of undercutting to avoid becoming mired in a price war where no one wins. The government, meanwhile, needs to carry out better supervision and finalize relevant legislation. The reputation of our exports relates directly to our national image and pride.

Wang Wanting

Anhui Province, China

Despite being blind, Sabriye Tenberken works miracles in helping blind children get an education and learn the skills necessary to make a living.Sabriye and her husband help blind children attain literacy, which is the key to independence, equality and opportunity, and whats more important, an affirmative attitude to life. As far as I can tell, although blind students have been integrated into public schools for decades, they remain hampered by low expectations. Many educators mistakenly believe that poor academic performance by blind children is due to fundamental incapacity. It is, however, a proven fact that when provided with equal education and adequate services, many disabled children display the ability to excel in the general curriculum. Knowledge, confidence and social acceptance are the three most important things to people with disabilities.

Lisa Engelsen

South Africa

The topic of man and nature is one central to human life. I believe that humanitys close relationship with nature is the foundation of a harmonious society, and that human beings should not interfere with the eco-system or violate its laws. Man has for centuries tried all possible ways of putting natural resources and energy to use. Advanced technologies have indeed promoted our social development, but at the same time caused adverse environmental changes. Humankind must cease over-exploitation and bring into effect more rational and effective ways of using our fast depleting resources. Nobody wants to see our beautiful planet become a lifeless rock.We need to consider our future and that of all living creatures.

Qin Lan

Heilongjiang Province, China

I came to the U.S. two years ago to take up postgraduate study. I met on campus a fellow Chinese girl whose family, who are back in China, sent her here when she was 16 to attend high school. For the first few years she stayed with an American host family, and since carrying on to higher education has lived on campus. I was shocked to discover through our talks that she lacks the most fundamental knowledge about her motherland, and that when I remarked on this she seemed not to care. This, sadly, is an undesirable side effect of international education. The growing numbers of ever-young- er Chinese student – some of them pre-teen– that head abroad for study face the real prospect of losing their Chinese identity and connection with their native culture. The gravity of such a loss could outweigh the benefits of being able to speak fluent English and of holding an international diploma.

Qian Haoyu

U.S.A.

Most places in China are repositories for facets of its distinct culture. Rapid social development, however, raises immense challenges to the preservation of our national treasures. I see a decline in many important cultural heritage sites, and that they are hard-pressed to survive amid excessive exploration and inappropriate use. Changing lifestyles have also had negative impact on the cultural heritage of Chinas ethnic groups and their relevance today. Our traditional culture must now contend with the growing trend of urbanization, industrialization, globalization and mass construction across the country. It needs only one generation to neglect our cultural legacy for it to be lost forever. We must hence take action to better protect our cultural relics and also the custodians of our culture. It is they who preserve our identity and history as a nation.

Yang Lu

Sichuan Province, China