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Let's get close to the border regions
Source:Globaltimes.cn Published: 2012-3-8 18:33:00
Key border areas in China. Source: Globaltimes.cn
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Editor's Note |
| Promotional Video |
The trailor for "Let's get close to the border regions", a public welfare activity launched by the Global Times and Sina
| Hu Xijin's Communications with netizens on weibo |
| Netizens' Qustions |
Answers by Hu Xijin (the editor-in-Chief of Global Times) |
| @梅雨堂: Do you think there is now a trend of racial discrimination happening? Today, some Han people along with scholars feel the country has given too much preferential policy to minorities, which makes the Han people feel discriminated against along the border areas. | I don't encourage comparing the treatment between nations, and I think the regional gap in China is larger than what exists between other nations. The right way is to develop Xinjiang together with other nations, as people can only benefit when Xinjiang becomes developed, or treatment will be lowered no matter how advanced they become. |
| @目前还没有: China has a large minority population. Since we have suggested starting a "Border Festival," can we also supervise and urge the government to reinforce the values of their national culture, and to start language classes for their own language in college? Furthermore, can we increase the emphasis on the minority festivals and minority holidays? | The issue should be looked at from different aspects. The establishment of a border festival is to strengthen the collective sense of all Chinese and make border areas not so remote. Promoting minority culture is just a part and only one "coach" of the comprehensive development "train" in which all cultures can and should grow faster. |
| @bamboobird: "Border" is a very large concept, and the proposals for a "Border Festival" should involve a series of motions such as principles, ceremony, and time. So will this "Border Festival" be a nation-wide thing, or is it to only be celebrated along the border areas, like the Ice and Snow Festival? | We are not experts on festivals. We just feel the importance and necessity of having a Border Festival which was clarified last December it in the proposal. This year, many delegates and members actually proposed it which indicates our suggestion has won mass recognition. And of course we wish the Border Festival to be a nation-wide one, not like the "Ice and Snow Festival." |
| Voices From NPC Deputies and CPPCC Members |
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The border regions account for 60 percent of China's total territory of 9.6 million square kilometers and are rich in resources and unique scenery, which is very important for China's prosperity. However, many people feel the borderlands are far away from them as they are unfamiliar with them. |
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Many Chinese people lack knowledge of China's territory and are unclear about important towns in border regions, their history and current situations and China's disputes with other countries. Moreover, these border regions face many challenges. Due to a lack of economic development compared to the inland cities, an increasing number of residents have moved from the frontiers to the cities, shrinking the adult labor and talent pool. There is a large ethnic population in border regions, accounting for 15 percent of the total population in these areas, much higher than the average level in the rest of the country. The unbalanced economy in frontier regions will bring unharmonious elements to these areas. During the process of communicating with other ethnic groups, we should also protect the culture of minority groups. |
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Border regions are windows for friendly communication to overseas regions, multiple cultures and also good places for travel. People who work and live there have contributed to protecting the nation's interests, therefore we should support them |
| The proposal was hailed by deputies from border regions. | |
| Parhat Abdureym, an Uyghur professor at the Xinjiang Medical University in Urumqi | The day could enrich our lives together with other traditional and modern festivals |
| Counter Points |
| Pro | Anti |
| We always neglect the importance of the borders during peaceful times. However, the wellness we are enjoying is the result of a powerful border defense. | The name "Borders Day" is too sensitive, as celebrating this day inspires people to think of territory disputes while stimulating nationalism, which may cause unnecessary conflicts during inappropriate times. |
| The country has always highlighted the economic development of the eastern region but has paid less attention to its borders. Therefore, we should have a "Borders Day" to strengthen the value of those areas. However, the festival should not remain on the surface, and it should take the opportunity to promote local development. |
There is no need for such superficialities. Instead, the country can support the border areas through policies and economic help. Also, it should encourage more inland people to develop on their own, and achieve positive interaction between borders and the inland areas. |
| The country should promote our border areas more. We have made many contributions to the country, but our own economy is still lagging and the children of shepherds are unable to receive a decent education. | This is no more than formalism; while the key is to construct the border areas well. |
| Related GT reports |
Call for Border Area Festival reflects nation's respect for frontier regions
China's borderline has been changed numerous times. But Chinese civilization is prosper-ous and has never changed. The frontier is both the border-land and a key part of China's territory. Let's embrace it, warm to it and hold on to it. Frontier areas and frontier culture have been neglected for a long time and we should never keep our distance from them.
Border festival offers chance to understand frontiers
China's current development demands greater public understandings of border areas. Similar festivals show that a national border area festival, if established, would awaken people's interest in frontier regions and enhance national identity.
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| Fresh Weibo |
@胡锡进: The country is the last protective shield for the benefits of all the people around the country. Sometimes, we can't feel it. But it is what we can rely on to lead a peaceful life and further promote the improvement of our livelihood. As a result, we proposed to establish the "Borders Day" to remind people the significance of a nation.
@晓明: I think "Borders Day" is meant to remind people that we are Chinese wherever we go and to urge the government to take a firm stance over e the border issues in diplomacy. Territory is one of the most sacred properties of a country. I think the proposal is meaningful.
@Mr_Nye: It is a good idea to establish the "Borders Day", but it is far from enough to really boost the development there. People have a growing border awareness currently. It is more practical for the government to offer more economic support and dispatch more talents to the border areas, for example, increasing investment in those areas.
@蒲秀: Due to historical and geographical reasons, the economic conditions in many border areas lagged behind. The tough conditions show the hardships people endure in these areas. We should pay more attention to the residents and soldiers lived there. The establishment of the "Borders Day" can inspire the society to offer more help to the border areas.
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