President Obama has finished his three-day visit in China. His visit caused a wide concern on Chinese websites. Our researcher Helen Hu has been looking into websites to get people’s comments to Obama's visit:
Most internet users think the visit was positive. Some have said the joint China-US statement will be good for relations between the two countries as well as world peace and development. But other people are worried that the US will not fulfill its commitment. They say we still need to wait and see. Some people are even more pessimistic, describing the statements as "empty talk."
Some Internet commentators say they still don't fully trust the US. For example, some say they don't believe the US will support the mainland's unification with Taiwan. Others say it’s impossible for the US to give up trade protectionism.
It seems Obama has left a good impression on most internet users. He is being described as charming, smart, honest and good at giving speeches. Many net users were interested in seeing president Obama holding an umbrella as he walked from his plane on his arrival in Shanghai. Many people were impressed to see the president holding the umbrella himself, rather than getting other people to hold it for him. Some described Obama as being as elegant as a Hollywood star. But others said he is good at talking but not walking the walk.
Huge changes in China’s society over the past thirty years have also meant big changes in what are considered “good” or “bad” jobs. From a time when virtually every citizen worked for the State, to the boom in entrepreneurship and private business from the 80s onwards – perceptions changed drastically. Now, in tighter economic times a good state job is once again seen as a safe bet. But what about respect? Educators have almost always held a high place in Chinese Society - but is the relatively poorly paid job of teacher still respected – or have other career choices replaced it? That’s what we went out and asked in today’s Straight from the Street.
With corruption cropping up in many areas of society as we've just heard, we asked ordinary Chinese citizens for their views on the topic. Here's what they had to say in today's edition of Straight from the Street.
Following on from that case of classroom beating, we went out onto the streets of Beijing to ask people here: Is it ever OK for teachers to use physical punishments in the classroom? Here’s what people had to say in today’s Straight from the Street.