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Drought linked to inflation
( China Daily)
Updated: 2010-03-29 09:02
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The devastating drought in southwestern China looks set to trigger a chain reaction in agriculture and supply of hydroelectric power, raising fears of inflations across the country, says an article in Shanghai Business Post. Excerpts:
This is the planting season for autumn crops. But the severe drought in the southwestern region has made it almost impossible to plant anything there. The output of cash crops such as rapeseed, medicinal material, tobacco, sugar, tea and flowers is likely to drop by a large margin, pushing their prices to a new high across the country.
The southwestern region generates most of the hydroelectric power supplied to the east. But since late last year its rivers have not been carrying enough water to generate sufficient power.
Guangdong is the one of the first provinces that has started using thermal power. And the soaring tariff for electricity testifies to the chain reaction of drought in the field of energy.
Maintaining the demand-and-supply balance of grains, cash crops and coal are essential to stabilize commodity prices. Continuous fluctuation in foundation prices raises the fear of across-the-board inflation.
Governments' passive reaction to natural calamities, especially the potential impact on economy and society, exposes its ignorance of the complex interdependence of development and the environment. That's why the emergency management system of natural disasters has to be updated immediately.
Bankruptcy of universities
Economist Gu Hailiang, president of Wuhan University, alleges that the bankruptcy of some higher education institutions is unavoidable because of the decline in the number of students. But universities are not as bankrupt as it sounds like, says an article of scol.com.cn. Excerpts:
The lack of students and uneven distribution of educational resources have caused an unprecedented crisis. Such crises shouldn't be ignored. Some higher education institutions, especially the private ones, will be forced to reform themselves to face new challenges. Or, they will be outdated soon.
The "great-leap-forward like" enrollment in higher education institutions initiated 10 years ago has given rise to a problematic structure. The lack of quality teachers and research faculties has turned out to be the greatest problem for some low-level education providers.
Higher education institution is going through a market selection process after 10 years of extensive development. Universities should maintain their balance with education and market demands, and should focus more on vocational education.
Education resources ought to be distributed reasonably in the neediest fields. So the crisis can be regarded as a turning point for the higher Chinese education turn to intensive development.
(China Daily 03/29/2010 page9)
