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The Rickshaw Report: Xi speaks at World Conference on Women

The Rickshaw Report:Women’s Rights 1. Last Sunday, Xi Jinping co-hosted a summit at the UN headquarters in NY in order to promote women’s rights. China’s first lady, Peng Liyuan, also gave a speech at the event, calling for better education in order to improve the livelihoods of women. Do you think China serves as a fitting role model to other nations on this topic? Countries all over the world should respect women, and encourage girls to have better access to education. Xi has done a very good job. I heard that he has pledged, on behalf of China, to donate 10 billion Yuan to UN Women (Editor: the figure is actually 10 million US Dollars). I think China is the first country to do this, so this may encourage other countries to give financial aid as well to UN Women, and also lead the other nations to pay more attention to women’s rights ( Editor: In fact, several other countries have alsob donated to UN Women. Switzerland’s donation to the institution has actually exceeded China’s contribution.) 2. What can China teach other countries on this issue? Gender inequality is prevalent is several countries across the globe. China is setting a good example to such nations. At the summit, Xi highlighted China’s efforts to strengthen gender equality…but I cannot remember the […]

Uncategorized Dec 30, 2015

The Rickshaw Report: China and the UK

1. What do Chinese people think of the UK? On the whole, we think Brits are polite and well-mannered. However, this is just a generalization – of course, there can be exceptions! 2. The UK and China have had their ups and downs. They fought each other during the Opium Wars, and the British – alongside the French – were even responsible for the burning down of the old Summer Palace. How is the relationship now? Look, people sometimes have disagreements with their colleagues, however, cooperation lies in everyone’s interests. Friendships can go up and down, but as long as their mutual interests will exist, so will the friendship. 3. One of the UK’s top politicians wants his homeland to become China’s best partner in the West. What are your thoughts? Both countries are trying to make use of each other, but doesn’t mean that they are also trying to help each other. As for the negative episodes of the past, like the Opium Wars, both UK and China have moved past these – its all water under the bridge now. 4. After the UK announced its membership of the China-led AIIB, the USA accused the UK of ‘constant accommodation’ to China. What do you make of this? The USA seriously accuses the UK of this? This reminds me of […]

Uncategorized Dec 22, 2015

Another Day in the UK, Another Jeremy makes the Headlines.

However, this time it’s not Corbyn, the controversial newly-elected leader of the Labour party, who is at the centre of the attention, but rather the UK Health minister. Jeremy Hunt, the Conservative MP has been facing a furious backlash from both the media and the public after suggesting that Brits should work as hard as the Chinese. Whilst attending a Conservative conference, the politician argued that tax credits cuts were intended to incentivise the British public to work harder, and mark an important shift in the UK’s wor culture by “creating a pathway to independence, self-respect and dignity,” encouraging the public that one’s dignity is not contingent on their financial status but rather on the extent that they toil. Hunt put forth that : “We want this to be one of the most successful countries in the world in 20, 30, 40 years’ time. There’s a pretty difficult question that we have to answer, which is essentially: are we going to be a country which is prepared to work hard in the way that Asian economies are prepared to work hard, in the way that Americans are prepared to work hard?” And to the great astonishment of absolutely no one, it did not take long for Hunt to experience the glare of the British media, as they retaliated with scorching […]

Uncategorized Dec 14, 2015

The Rickshaw Report : China’s Military Parade

1. 70 years ago, China’s “War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression ” came to an end. How are Sino-Japanese relations now? Of course, the relationship is not good. Look at the tensions over the Diaoyu Island, and the history between China and Japan. 2. US President Obama, UK Prime Minister David Cameron and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have declined to attend the parade. Why do you think that is? Perhaps they due to tensions in the South China Sea, or other reasons maybe. I am not sure. Abe will not join because of the bad history between China and Japan. 3. According to the Chinese media, over the past week, Beijing’s air has been at its cleanest in almost three years. Does the difference in air quality affect your mood? This is the cleanest air I have ever seen in Beijing! It makes me happy. 4. President Putin attended China’s V-day celebrations. How is he perceived in China? Some Chinese say Putin is a handsome guy, but more importantly he is a very good friend to China. He came to support China at the parade. China and Russia have a strong relationship. 5. In the run up to the parade, there have been many security measures – certain roads will be blocked off, both of Beijing’s airports and public parks […]

Uncategorized Dec 7, 2015