Looking ahead: Hopes for 2016

(China Daily) Updated: 2016-01-01 07:47

5 Liu Liqing, founding country director of Marie Stopes International China

Young people at the ages of 10 to 24 comprise 22.67 percent of the total population in China. We believe that they will play a more and more significant role in advancing comprehensive sex education in 2016, because they are the key to the solution. More youth-related organizations such as youth leagues, volunteer teaching organizations and social work agencies have been engaged in comprehensive sex education in 2015. With the Chinese government attaching more importance to sex education now and in the future, we hope that more parents will be willing to honestly discuss issues of sexuality with their children, more local NGOs will integrate sex education into their programs, more public and private clinics and hospitals will provide youth-friendly sexual health services.

6 Xue Gang, volunteer dedicated to raising the quality of life of China's WWII veterans

The year 2015 was a very special year, not only because it marked the 70th anniversary of the end of the war, but because in the past 12 months I've witnessed the deaths of more veterans than in any previous year. There were 12 of them, the last having died on Dec 19. I have a feeling that I've entered a running competition with time, but am always on the losing end.

To see the veterans, especially those who fought the invading Japanese as Nationalist soldiers more than 70 years ago, passing through Tian'anmen Square as part of the celebratory military parade on Sept 3 was a huge emotional comfort－and boost－for anyone who has championed honoring to the nation's heroes for years.

However, as far as I know, the medals promised by the Central Government for every Chinese soldier who had fought for the sake of their country during the war haven't materialized for many of the veterans. This is largely due to the lack of commitment at various levels of local government.

It's my biggest hope that honors will arrive before it is too late.

7 Dai Bin, director of the China Tourism Academy

I am very confident that China will continue its fast-growth pace and see more innovations in the tourism industry in 2016.

Domestic tourism, as well as outbound and inbound tourism, will see rapid growth in visitor numbers, tourist consumption and revenue. Chinese tourists will enjoy more high-quality trips, thanks to the efforts of the tourism authorities and travel service providers. Tour companies in China will also see more mergers and acquisitions in the future.

Tourism will become a part of ordinary people's lives and will have a positive impact on the macro economy, investment, the job market and even the reputation of our country. "Tourism" diplomacy has helped China's voice be heard by the rest of the world.

8 Wesley Sneijder, soccer star from Holland and co-founder of Sport 8

I have seen the Chinese National soccer team's recent struggles in the World Cup Qualification matches. As you may recall, the Dutch football team also failed to qualify for next year's European Championship Finals. So I can definitely feel your pain. My company Sport 8 has been continuously bringing qualified Dutch coaches to China to help with soccer development, and I hope we can join forces to build a solid foundation in youth soccer training in China. This is the only way to create a soccer culture. Let's make it happen.