No reason to go high

Comment on "Stocks slide to lowest in 19 months" (China Daily, August 12)

This really isn't too surprising.

1) The Chinese stock market was overvalued. Everyone thought they were going to make their fortune and kept running up the prices of stocks by continuing on their buying binge.

In one way, the US subprime crisis is similar to the Chinese stock market, where people thought their homes and stock shares would continue to get more profits.

2) There are some major economic adjustments taking place in the US and in Europe. We are living in times of a worldwide economy, so no country is in a secure vacuum and protected from economic downturns.

3) Why would anyone expect the Olympics to protect the Chinese economy and the Chinese stock market?

Nissan3

on China Daily website

Wish you success

Comment on Liu Shinan's column "Unity, honor central to Chinese ethos" (China Daily, July 9)

I hope you all enjoy the Games and may success grace your nation.

No Western nation comes to your country with clean hands, so do not feel put out by the media campaign of jealousy and fear. They have no power in their punches, they are like domestic puppies, loud noise and no bite.

I feel with Chinese humility you will understand the situation with the West - the embattled troops in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, detracting economic situation, the housing corruption by greedy banks and unpopular political parties. These ingredients make their behavior very panicky and their talks verbal garbage to defend fickle impotency.

Rupert Beverley, a Jamaican in UK

via e-mail

Please be a bridge instead of a wall

Dear friends, welcome to Beijing!

As an ordinary Chinese, I sincerely hope that we can be a bridge, rather than a barrier, between China and the rest of the world.

With due respect, I call on people to check your preconception to lead your real perception.

Please don't demonize China, or the Chinese government, because most accusations of China and the Chinese government turn out to be false.

As for us ordinary Chinese people, we know what we want and we know how to achieve them.

We have already made great contributions to the Games; please don't mock our passion for the Olympics.

Please don't distort our purpose of hosting the sports gala. It's really simple - peace and mutual understanding. We Chinese people just want the world to know and understand China better. Olympics is a good opportunity for exchanges.

It's really naive to hope that Olympics will solve all problems of China. But the Games has exerted a great positive influence on people's lives.

Any guess that Chinese are ignorant of the outside world is presumptuous. Please don't judge us with your Western standards

As for some human rights groups, please don't criticize China with double standards, don't be harsh on China while turning blind to human rights problems in your own countries.

We admit China has many problems as any other country does, and we know that the Western media's thirst for negative news to attract readers. However, news reporting should still give priority to objectivity and truth.

China needs friends, but advice should come from friends whose intention is sincere and whose wishes are good rather than humiliating or ironical, and definitely not just for hostility sake.

Biased reports not only hurt us but also harm your own people by cheating them.

Please, report China as it is, and where it is, giving your readers a real impression of China. That can also bring you good sales too.

The Chinese word for media is "mei ti", which we call all news agencies. "Mei" in olden days in China was the marriage maker, somebody who tried to bring people together.

I hope the media can play the role of bridges that promote understanding instead of a wall that blocks it.

"Passion & Reasoning", an ordinary Chinese

via e-mail

Great display

My husband and I are ordinary Americans who watched the opening ceremonies. I made sure to record all five hours, feeling that it would be epic and thus historical. I was right.

This effort was mind-boggling. It will be a long time before any other country surpasses, much less meets (if it is even possible), the artistry, technological application and incredible effort put out by so many. Thank you for this incredible display that will live on in the minds of the world for years to come.

Lice Stordal, from Louisiana, the US

via e-mail

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(China Daily 08/13/2008 page11)