In accordance with China Health Report 2003-07, citizens' average life expectancy reached 73 years in 2005.

It's encouraging to see the extended longevity, but according to the modern standard, long life expectancy is not necessarily an enjoyment to everyone. Longevity in reality is based on both the length and quality of life. As for the quality of life, people must enjoy psychological and physiological health, feeling happy with life.

Taking into consideration both the duration and quality of life, for the Chinese, it's not a certainty to say that the longevity of 73 years means increased happiness. Generally speaking, the Chinese on the whole live under relatively heavy burdens.

China has a high suicide rate, although it's not the country that has the highest one. Among the population aged from 15 to 34 years, suicide is the top killer and there are many more suicide attempts. Besides, psychiatric diseases have the highest incidence among serious diseases in China.

The improvement of the living environment is considered to be one of the biggest factors attributing to the prolonged life in the 20th century. However, China is among the most polluted countries, faced with frequent ecological disasters. Thus, to live to 73 years old in such an environment may not mean a happy life for most people.

Thus, it's unwise to take for granted that a lifespan of 73 years is absolute progress, as more efforts are needed to improve people's quality of life.

Yanzhao Metropolis Daily

Movie Crews Damage the Environment

Jiuzhaigou, a famous scenic spot in northwest China's Sichuan Province, has recently announced that it will no longer allow movies to be shot in the region due to the fragility of the ecological environment there.

In order to make money and promote itself, Jiuzhaigou has long promoted itself as a film location to production companies from around the world. However, movie shoots actually mean less income from admission tickets as the activities often force Jiuzhaigou authorities to turn visitors away. Besides, and more importantly, once the environment or places of interest are damaged, it's impossible to restore them, even if there is compensation from the movie makers.

Natural scenic spots are invaluable gifts of nature. It's irresponsible to damage them while making use of the breathtaking scenery. Given the frequent reports that certain movie crews have damaged natural scenic spots, it's wise for Jiuzhaigou to say no to this form of financial gain, and it is hoped that other scenic spots will follow this example.

Workers' Daily

Hands off Public Funds

In 2007, 52 officials in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, were punished for embezzling funds earmarked for local people's social security programs. The loophole is that a lot of such programs are not transparent in their operating procedures, so no one knows how the money is spent.

With the increased input into social security programs, how to make sure that these funds are really spent for the benefit of the people is becoming an urgent challenge.

After a social security fund misuse scandal in Shanghai was exposed in 2006, which led to the arrest of a handful of senior local officials and business executives, a transparent social security fund management system has now been set up in the city. Under this system, all incomes and payouts of the fund are open to scrutiny by the public.

Obviously, given the importance of social security funds to the lives of ordinary people, it's necessary to ensure the money goes where it is needed most, countrywide. After all, when there is an efficient auditing and supervisory system and when the process of spending the funds is under the sun, embezzlement will not be so easy and the people can enjoy what is rightfully theirs.

Guangzhou Daily

Starting From the Bottom

According to a blue paper released by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences on the country's social development, of the 5 million college graduates in 2007, 1 million failed to find employment.

The increasingly tight job market for college students is currently a major social concern. However, it's unfair to blame it on increased college enrollment.

It is widely recognized that in many cases, the programs offered by universities are outdated, impractical and usually can't meet social demand.

As for the students, even those who major in relatively popular programs, the special knowledge they possess and their actual capabilities are far from satisfying potential employers. Today's college students must admit that they are no longer "children of fortune" as their peers 20 years ago. Just because students have paid a lot for their higher education, this will not necessarily ensure them high-paid jobs.

If they can realize this fact, maybe it won't be so difficult to get a job. In 2007, 12 million people were employed, 3 million more than targeted. The reason is that many people chose to start up their careers at the grassroots level and in low-paid jobs. The important thing is that students must have a clear idea of what they are capable of doing and show their willingness to start a career from the bottom.

Oriental Morning Post