Summary:
In a recent meeting in Xinhua, the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao underscored the relative importance of math, science, education, culture, health, and sports fields in China. According to Premier Wen, "a country's prosperity not only lies in its economic development, but also its social progress." This meeting of the State Council, or Cabinet, was held on January 25, and was meant to report the country's economic and social development blueprint for the next Five Year Plan. According the the Premier, sports and culture have a great bearing on the welfare of the country and its future. Representatives from fields in math, science, and entertainment were invited to give suggestions at the meeting. Participants at the plenary meeting agreed that social development "had taken up an increasing proportion of the government work report in the past few years." In terms of education, much discussion was made about rural education and technological reform in such areas. Public cultural services and medical care options were introduced in regards to the rural areas of China as well.
Significance:
This article represents an interesting idea and notion that China is perhaps starting to become more modern, at least in terms of entertainment and social outlets such as sports. Although the Premier stressed math and science, he also talked about rural reform and innovation. This seems to be a major cleavage in Chinese society, as there are many differences between the urban Chinese and the rural farmers and villagers. Another such cleavage is represented in the cultural makeup of the people in rural areas; many are not of the traditional Han Chinese descent. What I found interesting, however, is that the government seems to be trying to bring the rural areas in closer to the big cities by means of providing them with reform and change. This seems like the opposite of devolution, and it certainly shows the strong unitary state which is China.
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