A poem by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty commenting on a porcelain bowl made in the Song Dynasty pointed out that the bigger an object is, the harder it is to keep. China was one of the most powerful countries in the world at the peak of Qianlongs reign. The emperor realized at that time, however, that China could maintain its strength only if its people united. Today, China is standing at a crossroad. In the past two decades, it has witnessed remarkable economic and social achievements. Chinas foreign currency reserve tops US $3 trillion. U.S. President Obama invited his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao to a state banquet at the White House last year, and at the beginning of this year, French President Sarkozy discussed the Euro crisis with President Hu. Both events show that China has won worldwide recognition and respect in terms of its global status. But to keep the impetus for further development, the Chinese people should always remember Emperor Qianlongs poem.

David Young

Beijing,China

Sailing is more than just a sport. It involves passion and teaches many life lessons. When navigating the seas, a sailor may be faced with life-threatening dangers.But Zhai Mos story tells us that sailing can teach us to conquer fear – the fear of failure. In other words, no negative thoughts can be allowed when sailing. Such challenges and the determination to succeed inspire me to be courageous when facing adversities in my own life.

Yang Bo

Jiangsu Province, China

Last month I went to my fathers hometown in a southern province, my second visit in a decade. To my surprise, the rural community formerly buzzing with hospitable villagers is now semi-empty. I was told almost all young and middle-aged residents had left for cities to seek fortunes that cannot be made tending their rice fields. Entire families have moved out and not been back for years. The few who stay in the village to take care of their children have found jobs in factories set up following recent labor price hikes in coastal areas. Local lands are mostly left to waste, as there are not enough farmhands in the region to work on them. This worries me. If farmers stop growing crops, how will the country feed its people? National security is at risk if we depend entirely on imports.Despite the slew of favorable policies and subsidies for farming and farmers, the state has to do more to stimulate peoples interest in agriculture, which is the cornerstone of any human society.

Frank Gao

Beijing, China

In recent years, an increasing number of young people in China prefer online shopping services provided by overseas retailers. Take me as an example. Last year my favorite sneaker brand released limited edition basketball shoes, but not in China. Thanks to online shopping, I could order the shoes online and have them delivered to my home. Many people choose international online shopping for its convenience and reasonable prices. ButI prefer this way of shopping because it offers a larger choice. As the world has become a global village, people can be informed of the latest news around the world with a click of the mouse. Its the same for fashionable products. To trendsetters like the younger generation, online overseas shopping is a perfect choice.

Hao Yufeng

Guangdong Province, China

I feel exceptionally proud that Chinas private new energy companies like ENN Group can make such amazing investments abroad. As a college student studying in the U.S., I hope that one day Ill have a chance to visit the clean energy ecological center in Nevada that ENN has invested in. Perhaps I can find a job there after I graduate. Since global energy shortages were first seen in 2004, energy security and environmental conservation are widely discussed topics in the world. Soaring oil prices, for instance, affect the daily life of almost everyone. I think it is urgent and wise for humankind to strive to develop alternative energy, in particular clean energy such as wind and solar power.

Wang Zihao

USA

When there is a rise in the prices of basic food like pork or vegetables, the government steps in to bring prices down so that less well-off families can still afford them. But farmers at the bottom of our food supply chain are as, if not more, vulnerable than the urban poor, as they face high risks of losing their entire investments due to natural disasters, disruptions in sales channels or shifts in market demand. For example, last year banana growers in Hainan Province had to choose between selling their harvests at a paltry RMB 0.4 per kilo, far below the cost of production, or leaving them to rot in the field. Demand sharply plummeted following rumors that they were using a poisonous chemical to ripen their bananas. More attention and protection should be given to the people who produce the stuff that sustains our lives.

Yu Minting

Haikou, Hainan Province