World, Nation are Concerns

A recent survey has revealed that Chinese college students are not satisfied with being "bookworms" only, but are interested in various issues ranging from international events to personal matters.

Ninety-six per cent of the students polled expressed concern for issues such as the Sino-US bilateral agreement on China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO); the Taiwan question; the return of Macao to the motherland and the 50th anniversary of the People's Republic of China, according to the Ministry of Education which revealed the survey's results Friday.

The survey was conducted among more than 16,000 students in 75 colleges and universities in Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin municipalities, and Hubei, Guangdong, Shaanxi, Jiangsu and Jiangxi provinces.

Most students had a high regard for the central government's strategy to "revitalize the nation through science and education" and the country's anti-smuggling measures implemented during the past few years.

More than 80 per cent of the students said China has made remarkable progress in the reform of State-owned enterprises, ruling the country by law and in improving morale of society, the survey indicated.

Ninety-three per cent of the students viewed the central government's actions against the Falungong cult as "very necessary."

The survey also found that college students are optimistic about the country's economic and political situations.

More than 93 per cent of the students said they believe the country's political situation is stable.

Eighty-four per cent of the students reported confidence in national economic growth this year. Another 79 per cent and 74 per cent of students said they were optimistic about China's economic development during the next three to 10 years.

Eighty-five per cent reported they felt the Sino-US agreement on China's entry into the WTO was a "a win-win co-operation."

The surveyed students agreed that China has scored great achievements in economic and social development, since the Chinese Communist Party was founded in 1921, since the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949, and especially since the country implemented its reform and opening-up policies in 1979.





People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/