Related News
Civilization plan for Xi'an sparks uproar
By Wang Xiang |
June 22, 2010, Tuesday
|
Online Edition
Online Edition
AT least half of the residents in northwest China's Xi'an City should be able to speak over 900 English sentences by 2015 – according to a new city vision unveiled by its leaders.
The plan by the city's social science academy and Civilization Office immediately sparked online criticism about its impracticality after Chinese Business View revealed the decision today.
The head of Xi'an Civilization Office Yang Yibo listed several obstacles: "Too many lowly educated migrant workers from the countryside, too few immigrant talents from outside the country, and too lenient punishments for public littering and spitting."
Yang said these problems would be tackled in 10 years through citywide education campaigns and harsh penalties. The plan envisages that by 2020, most Xi'an natives would be fluent in English. In their spare time, residents would read ancient Chinese poems as well as verse by Goethe and Pushkin, the report said.
Zhang Yongchun with Xi'an Social Science Academy said residents would be transformed into international citizens through an education campaign to spread good manners.
At least one-third of outdoor advertising would celebrate the city's glorious history, Zhang said, with most residents able to introduce its wonders in English to visitors.
However, one Internet user pointed out that not many Xi'an residents could even speak good Mandarin.
The plan by the city's social science academy and Civilization Office immediately sparked online criticism about its impracticality after Chinese Business View revealed the decision today.
The head of Xi'an Civilization Office Yang Yibo listed several obstacles: "Too many lowly educated migrant workers from the countryside, too few immigrant talents from outside the country, and too lenient punishments for public littering and spitting."
Yang said these problems would be tackled in 10 years through citywide education campaigns and harsh penalties. The plan envisages that by 2020, most Xi'an natives would be fluent in English. In their spare time, residents would read ancient Chinese poems as well as verse by Goethe and Pushkin, the report said.
Zhang Yongchun with Xi'an Social Science Academy said residents would be transformed into international citizens through an education campaign to spread good manners.
At least one-third of outdoor advertising would celebrate the city's glorious history, Zhang said, with most residents able to introduce its wonders in English to visitors.
However, one Internet user pointed out that not many Xi'an residents could even speak good Mandarin.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
