"The topic of my speech is: Worse City, Worse Life. – I know this
is a little different from the Expo motto, but it’s my real experience
from life."
Han Han is one of the most successful bloggers in the world. His blog
has attracted more than 200 million clicks. He is an idol for the young
generation in China not only because he is a famous author and race car
driver, but also because he provokes the authorities. When he begins
his speech with these words at an official event in the run-up to the
Expo, all TV and radio coverage is cut off. After all, the motto of the
Expo should be "Better City, Better Life".
But this has nothing to do with the reality, says Han Han. The real
estate prices are soaring to unreachable heights. And many city dwellers
are becoming so-called "mortgage slaves".
Bildunterschrift:
Despite frantic construction, apartments in megacities like
Shanghai are small and expensive
"Mortgage slaves"
The most popular TV series last year was called "Living like a
Snail". The heroine lives with her husband in a tiny room – like a snail
– because they want to save money to buy their own apartment.
She says, "every morning when I open my eyes, a long list of numbers
jump into my mind: mortgages 6000 yuan per month (650 euros
or 860 dollars ), food and clothes 2500, the cost of kindergarten 1500,
gifts for officials 600, transport 580, property management 340, phone
costs 250, gas, water and electricity 200. I have to earn at least 400
yuan per day. I cannot relax for even a day. I don't think about the
future. I have no future. My future is now, in this moment."
Lin Lin is 29 and has been living in Shanghai for four years. The
freelancer enjoys her job and her way of life: a lot of free time to
read and jog and meet friends. For her the transportation system in
Shanghai is acceptable, especially when compared with that in Beijing.
No place to take a breather
Sun Hong, too, is satisfied with the subway system. The 30 year old
IT expert enjoys the convenience of the sport facilities, the shopping
malls, and the infrastructure. But the city lacks places where people
can take a breather and relax, he says.
Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes
mit der Bildunterschrift: Shanghai's
parks are only small green islands in the city
"Shanghai is the economic and financial centre of China. The tempo of
life here is very fast. But there is no place where you can rest. The
parks are too small and boring. I wish we could have some green meadows,
a bit of nature in the city, where you can find your peace of mind."
Focus only on GDP
Something needs to be done, agrees Hu Xingdou, sociology professor at
the Beijing University of Science and Technology.
Bildunterschrift:
Großansicht des Bildes
mit der Bildunterschrift: Sociologist
Hu Xingdou says urbanization is needed, but should be more balanced
"The city administrations focus only on GDP. They want to attract
more investment, construct more factories, and build more skyscrapers.
The well-being of the people is secondary."
Hu Xingdou believes that urbanisation and the increasing number of
megacities is a positive development. Resources can be better allocated
and wealth faster generated in cities. But the quality of life in
China’s megacities leaves a lot to be desired. It is still a long way to
"Better City, Better Life".
Author: Miao Tian
Editor: Grahame Lucas
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5518793,00.html
