Fireworks ban will kill a tradition_其他_趣味英语-查字典英语网

Fireworks ban will kill a tradition

The call for resumption of the fireworks ban also reminds me of what President Hu Jintao has criticized as "zheteng." In his speech at a conference marking the 30th anniversary of China's launch of the reform and opening-up drive, President Hu called for "bu zheteng," or "no more zheteng."

Though it is hard to find a precise English equivalent, "zheteng" literally means "senseless vacillation between alternatives," referring to the practice of repeatedly changing the development orientation of a certain cause or taking sudden moves that lead to troubles.

In recent years, we have witnessed many instances of zheteng. For example, the content of "education reform" has changed several times, ranging from "turning education into an (profit-making) industry" to "expanding enrollment of university students" to "practicing 'quality education' in schools." The problems brought along by these moves are manifest. Parents and students, who suffered the most from these problems, are the strongest opponents of zheteng in the field of education.

With regard to the issue of fireworks, I think we also need to stop "zheteng." All the problems of loud noises and injuries caused by fireworks are easy to settle. So long as the authorities are serious in monitoring and banning the production, trafficking and sale of powerful and dangerous kinds of fireworks, there is no need to give up this joyful way of celebrating our traditional festivals.