China Today (5A06)

Date: 21/09/2023

Citizenship and Social Development Book Sharing

Seeing the increasingly significant role of China in the global arena, young people like you and me in Hong Kong need to take the initiative to learn more about the current situation and development of the mainland. So, what are the ways to learn more? Textbooks? Social Media?

Today, I am happy to introduce a magazine called “China Today” from which you may get access to updated information about the progress of China in areas like aerospace engineering, deep sea exploration, some social and environmental issues.

In an article about achievements in high end technology, you will learn more about the innovation-driven development in China these days. Pioneering national projects are carried out in fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum information, integrated circuits, life and health and the deep sea. Say for the new generation of AI, China has made breakthroughs in advanced theories, research and development of dedicated chips, built platforms for open-source algorithms such as deep learning frameworks, learning reasoning, images, graphics, voice, video and other fields.

“China Today” magazine deals with some social issues too. It has reported on the efforts played by the government in battling poverty. With the rolling out of large-scale, planned and organized poverty alleviation schemes, its poverty problem has been improved. In poverty-stricken areas like Guizhou, Ningxia, schools have been built and expanded, health centres and medical training centres have been funded and built.

On the issue of climate change, it mentions that the world has already been warmed by about 1.2C since the industrial era began and temperatures will keep rising unless governments around the world make steep cuts to emissions. Fellow schoolmates, scenes of the huge fires that took place in Hawaii and Canada during the summer holidays are still vivid in my mind. Both disasters caused hundred deaths and many homeless almost overnight. As one of the world's leading countries, China has taken a more proactive role in combating climate change over the last few years. The report "Climate Change - A Risk Assessment," recognized China's remarkable achievements in carbon emissions. As the report suggests, by the end of 2014, the growth rate of China's carbon emissions had approached zero, and carbon intensity had decreased 33 percent compared with the 2005 level. At the Climate Ambition Summit 2020, State President Xi announced that China will reach peak carbon emissions by 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2060. A clean environment can significantly improve people’s health and attract foreign investors. This saves resources in medical care and introduces new capital sources for the country.

If you are interested in the issues about China, “China Today” magazine is surely a great choice. You may borrow this magazine from our school library. I hope you liked my sharing today. Thank you.