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(China Daily)
Updated: 2011-05-10 08:02

Topic: Commodity prices

The National Development and Reform Commission, the nation's economic planner, has arranged talks with industrial associations in an attempt to control the rising prices of commodities.

As a consumer, I applaud the move of open talks. Applying necessary administrative means to stabilize prices is necessary, but why didn't the commission arrange talks with large State-owned companies like PetroChina and Sinopec? Are only private enterprises being targeted? - ZHIZAIBIDE" ON QQ; FOLLOWERS: 25

I've seen a new phenomenon since talks - (companies are) reducing quantities so as not to raise the price. Prices are stable only in name. At the beginning of 2011, I fed on one steamed bun for each meal, but by the end I'll have to get three to eat my fill, although the bun price is still the same. What's the point of doing this?

"LIGANGGUANYUWOSHISHUIDEFUQIN" ON QQ; FOLLOWERS: 29

Enterprises that produce daily chemicals were asked not to increase prices of products, but most of the raw materials used by these enterprises come from petroleum, which has risen between 45 percent and 60 percent. The market order may prove worthless if price increases are permitted for companies that sell raw materials but prohibited for enterprises at the lower-end of the industry chain. - "WEN" ON QQ; FOLLOWERS: 48

Topic: Origami made of money

When Wang Yanyan celebrated her 12th birthday recently in Shanxi province, her parents held a lavish banquet in a high-class hotel and made dozens of origami models out of real 100-yuan and 50-yuan bank notes to hang around their daughter's neck.

Yanyan's classmates sat at the table, cast their envious eyes on the considerable amount of money and yearned for the coming of their own birthdays. This girl's life is ruined, eaten by money. In the future, who has the guts to marry her? The entire family is surnamed "Money". - "LUJUEN9988" ON SINA; FOLLOWERS: 65

It could be just for fun because they think the usual hongbao (a red envelope stuffed with cash) is not joyous enough. Perhaps the girl doesn't want to be wrapped up that way, but her parents forced her to do so.

"GUYUEXIANREN" ON SINA; FOLLOWERS: 12

As well as banquets, people (in Shanxi) use real paper money to hang around children's necks. The amount of money ranges from several hundred to several thousand. It's not an unusual thing, but the fact that many children begin to compare with each other will obviously have a negative effect on their lives.

"CHAOYANGSHUAIGE" ON SOHU; FOLLOWERS: 52

Topic: SWAT team backs workers

Chongqing authorities recently deployed SWAT officers to help migrant workers claim salaries owed by a rogue employer. Police arrested 20 or so "thugs" and a subcontractor who hired them to beat workers looking for their money.

What is wrong? You can't get the money you worked for and also have to suffer from being beaten? Police are supposed to back up disadvantaged groups like migrant workers. The public should thank them for upholding ordinary people's rights.

"KONGQINGDONG" ON SINA; FOLLOWERS: 36,005

Deploying SWAT police to help disadvantaged groups when they are in need is a good feature of Chongqing police. However, the action should not be duplicated. What a mess it would be if the police force were used to solve every dispute like this.

"YIJIECAOMIN" ON SINA; FOLLOWERS: 37,383

SWAT police were not deployed to demand (the workers') salaries. If a police officer had not accidentally seen the migrant workers being beaten and stepped in to help, causing himself to be beaten, the SWAT team may never have been deployed. This is not a permanent policy in Chongqing. The migrant workers were just lucky. - "SINING" ON SOHU; FOLLOWERS: 56

China Daily

(China Daily 05/10/2011)