LETTERS

I have subscribed to China Today since becoming an English teacher more than 50 years ago. Now Im a retiree. Understandably， most retired English teachers can easily forget their language skills because they are no longer using it every day. Im an exception. I enjoy the English language more than ever and will never give it up. By constant reading and writing in English， Ive broadened my vision and enriched my knowledge. All this has something to do with China Today.

This is certainly a valuable and helpful magazine， a window through which one can get to know China in a comprehensive way. My favorite columns are Micro Fiction – so short， so vivid， and so instructive – and Special Report because it truly and objectively shows us what is happening in China now. However， I think On Chinese Media is unnecessary. Here， particularly， I have to say I really miss the translation contest （from English into Chinese）， which was cancelled a few years ago. Many Chinese readers need a chance to try their hand at this skill， so I hope you will consider reinstating it.

Shen Zulie

Hunan Province， China

I am a landscaper. Every month， I discover beautiful Chinese landscapes through the photos in your magazine. It is a joy to discover that Chinas persistence in environmental protection has gradually achieved a green transition and Beijing is not completely shrouded in thick， gray haze. In my view， vegetation is an important characteristic of a country， and a tool to promote tourism. I would like to find out more about the structure of ancient Chinese gardens and plants， and to exchange ideas on modern gardening with Chinese landscapers.

André Radigois

France

We often joke that the Chinese are everywhere. The Special Report of your August issue reflects this. China is building infrastructure on five continents！ Of course， you present this as a symbol of a great success， since China has become more and more influential in the international arena. Personally， Im glad to see that China is extending its market， providing development assistance to various countries， and lending money to nations that request it. But inevitably， in Europe， companies see it as the emergence of a more enterprising competitor， more advanced at certain levels. So I hope that China-EU cooperation will continue to achieve a balance in future developments.

Maurice Rateau

Franceendprint