Chapter 42 14. New type of society

From cities to villages, from north to south, from east to west, China is full of amazing energy.China is developing rapidly, and vitality and creativity are the hallmarks of this society. What is changing in China?The entire Chinese society is undergoing changes, including the great transformation of modernization. China has entered the era of consumption. The number of Chinese stores and chain stores is unimaginable in Europe. No matter in the city center or in the suburbs, the shops in the streets and alleys are open from morning to night, and the prosperity is abnormal... The "world goal" of 300 million Chinese

More than 72% of Chinese people want to earn more money, 63% want to travel abroad, 55% want China to become the world's largest country, and 53% of Chinese want to own a brand-name car... 300 million Chinese go out every year travel. In 2010, the Chinese spent 35 billion euros abroad.Owning a villa, or at least a nice apartment, has become a common goal and is increasingly accepted by China's middle class. While chasing fashion, brands and new things, people are also emptying their wallets... For Chinese, consumption, entertainment and a better life, which symbolize wealth, dignity and social status.

But even as they become more autonomous, the Chinese retain their own "Gallic" qualities: hospitable, playful and sociable.Chinese society is always developing towards a "harmonious society".Whether it is among family members, friends or colleagues, Chinese people develop their social networks all the time. Chinese people are beginning to express themselves more and more in groups or among friends: they browse the streets and look in windows, look for discounts or sales, and buy luxury goods; they are active on the Internet and at work; they often eat in restaurants; they They like to make plans and travel; they take walks in beautiful parks; they participate in all kinds of social activities, cultural activities and sports.

China is changing, not only the young but also the old are starting to enjoy a life of ease and sometimes travel by plane with the kids. Who could have predicted such a dramatic change?The whole of China and Chinese society are undergoing rapid changes!This is unimaginable for Western countries.China is developing at an astonishing speed in all fields! The middle class is developing at an unprecedented speed... In 2011, people can no longer see the shadow of China in 2000, and it is even very different from China in 2005 and 2010. We have been visiting China every three years for the past 10 years, which has allowed us to witness the development of this country: what we have experienced, seen and felt in this country has become the past... Of course, every time Every time we come here, we will find the old landmarks and old friends, but China, its infrastructure, its rules and regulations, the way of life of the Chinese people and their energetic, positive attitude, these are completely different from the past up!Every time we come to China, we will see many big and small changes, and the life of Chinese people has become more comfortable and convenient.

China is the most populous country on earth. If China's population grows to 1.5 billion by 2015, it will face the challenge of population aging.At present, China's employment population is still at its peak and will last for more than ten years. By 2020, China will have abundant labor resources. Thanks to this favorable population environment and the country's economic development, the material and spiritual life of the elderly population will be guaranteed. By 2015, China's employed population will reach the peak of 1 billion people!Then it will decrease every year. The service industry related to the elderly is developing rapidly in China.China's population aging is expected to reach its peak around 2030 and will last for 20 years.By 2040, if this trend follows, China will have nearly 400 million elderly people.

China has been implementing a family planning policy.However, in order to better control the birth population and achieve the overall balance of China's population, it is expected that in the next few years, China will implement family planning policies that vary from place to place.Therefore, China must prepare for an aging population.Since 1990, the Chinese government has been paying attention to this matter. This is why the pensions and social security funds of state-owned and private companies must be concentrated in one national system. How China responds to its aging population will be decisive for the country's long-term prosperity and stability.

In terms of medical insurance, we have witnessed the reform process in China. In 2011, China's medical insurance had covered 90% of its population, about 1.2 billion people. Although China still has a long way to go in addressing the issue of inequality, with the continuous improvement of private and public medical infrastructure and continuous progress in various related fields, China has developed rapidly in the field of medical care. There is an urgent need for a permanent solution to this problem, starting with the eradication of exploitative child labor, where children are ruthlessly squeezed mentally and physically, even forced to work 14 hours a day.

However, in addition, in many developed and industrial countries, we also found some similar but more hidden problems.For example, in the United States, child labor also exists in agriculture.They are mainly children of Mexican immigrants or ethnic minorities.The existence of these exploitative child labor phenomena is ultimately caused by the extreme instability of life. In some rural areas of China, we can indeed see that in some families, children will help their parents with farm work.But there's more serious than that!We can see that certain contractors flout Chinese laws and regulations and trample on employees' basic human rights, including children's rights.

In China, we often see reports about "child trafficking" on the front pages of newspapers, and the Chinese government has been resolutely cracking down on human trafficking.The Chinese government strictly prohibits employers from accepting minors under the age of 16, otherwise they will be severely punished. Likewise, the state does not allow employers to make heavy work for minors between the ages of 16 and 18. The right to work, social security and the prohibition of child labor are all part of the basic rights of Chinese citizens. Like other countries that firmly resist child labor, China has implemented monitoring mechanisms for companies, but this is undoubtedly a difficult and onerous task for such a large country with a large population and a vast territory, let alone those who ignore National and international law for business too.

Compulsory education for children in China continues until the age of 16.Currently, the usual working time regime is 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week. At present, with the help of laws, China has basically established a work standardization management system. The core of the reform includes working hours, rest time, holidays, wages, "prohibition of child labor", special protection for workers, protection for underage workers (16 to 18 years old), job distribution, safety issues, occupational health, etc. . For Chinese society, children are always the focus of family and collective attention.

The only child is often the only hope for Chinese families, so they are usually well-educated and pampered, sometimes even spoiled, by their parents and family.The general trend of society predestined them to excel academically, learn art and culture, and develop morally, intellectually, physically, aesthetically and physically to ensure a bright future for them. In terms of daily life, more and more Chinese people are beginning to like "delicious French wine", and are beginning to be interested in traditional and contemporary art; they are very keen on big Western brands, and love to soak in hot springs, just for blind preferences …they want higher education, luxury products and beauty treatments.They are also keen on political life, love to chase fashion, stars, and are also very interested in religion. How many words to describe contemporary Chinese society: house, money, sex, car and power?Of course not, at least not quite.But that's what we feel when we watch those Chinese TV dramas that are currently on the air.Along with it are other game shows, news, sports, fun contests, and those historical blockbusters. The new generation of young people has a more varied lifestyle, a new style of freedom (unassuming and harmonious) like "May 1968", or a quiet Woodstock style...   For example, the best rock concerts are called "China's Woodstock" by young Chinese.For many of them, the past ten years, and the decades to come, have been the golden age of their lives!They know the history of their country and their parents very well. When they see their development, it is like looking at themselves in the mirror. From TV, video, games, sports, music, the Internet, and all kinds of classic and fashionable fashion trends, we can all see the vigorous development of China's new society!Various evening parties and theater advertisements representing new things in an ultra-modern society are constantly attracting attention!Young businesses and new individual ideas are also emerging.In the coming decades, it will be these young people who will accelerate China's modernization process. In a large southern city, we can see 4×4 wide-body sedans, convertibles, and limousines with dark windows. Some stylishly dressed young people with big pockets go in and out of clubs and other occasions with their friends.Their philosophy of life is: entertain yourself and enjoy life.This is modern Chinese society... In this new Chinese society, cultural centers, movie theaters, and "clubs" such as "super discotheques" are in full swing. For gays, they can find absolute freedom on the Internet, and meet friends in the "circle" in the real world - the "destination" may be one of the many gay bars in Beijing .There are more than 2,000 homosexuals from all social classes in China gathered here, and they come to the bar every week. Of course, there is no "cohabitation agreement" (PACS) here, and there is no gay marriage... In the gay field, China's situation is very similar to Europe in 2000.Recently, the media reported a case of a gay wedding in Beijing, which, like in France, was just a formality and is not currently recognized by national law. Only when the concept of the entire Chinese society has changed, can we consider changing the legal provisions like Western countries or other places... Ancient society was very tolerant of homosexuality, and even ancient emperors can find similar ethos. The historical image of gay men has been recorded in successive dynasties and has never disappeared.As long as homosexuals fulfill their obligations as children—marry and continue the family line, their behavior can still be tolerated by the family. Since the 1980s, the social resistance forces (Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and other schools) have gradually increased their tolerance for homosexuality. Homosexuality was no longer punished by law in 1997. In 2001, the word "homosexual" was crossed off the list of "mentally ill".Since then, topics related to homosexuality have become university research projects and are well known to most young people, and people no longer turn pale when talking about homosexuality. Love and sex are no longer taboo topics in China!In this regard, the Chinese are very liberal, even very pragmatic!Divorce is common in China, and abortion is not illegal here.Except for China in the last century, Chinese society has always been tolerant and open when it comes to sexual topics. In China, there is no pornography!Young people in China are modern and romantic, they have their lovers or girlfriends (boyfriends), but they usually get married around the age of 27 - when their income has stabilized and they have a clear future. Chinese people keep their traditional and ancient values.Chinese people are secular, but more and more people think that this is also a good way to brainstorm: everyone has different beliefs and ideas, and in such an increasingly tense modern society, it is easier to generate a new life Coordinates and reference points, which are very necessary. Today, we have countless reasons to enjoy life!Although "Valentine's Day" in the West and China are two different festivals, they both symbolize romantic love and a better life.Going to a restaurant or going to McDonald's to "scrub a meal", go shopping before going bowling, jog, have your hair done, take a luxurious sauna, take a jacuzzi... For the Chinese, all these spiritual and material enjoyments mean Enjoy the beauty of your new life! However, all of this is as it should be.After more than 30 years of hard work, China has created a happy life for 1.3 billion Chinese people today; this country, which was once considered poor and backward, has now developed into a world power. As the future leader of the world, China has a very optimistic prospect, which is inseparable from the tears and sweat of our ancestors and their great sacrifices.The Chinese know how to raise their children to understand the true meaning of work, respect and patriotism.