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I spent per week in Rugao, Jiangsu, a third- or four-tier metropolis about 200 km northwest of Shanghai, collaborating within the twentieth Asian Masters Athletics Championship. I went there with a easy expectation, aside from attempting to get into the finals of the 100m occasion for the 65-69 age group, to take some good pictures of historic structure, of a China earlier than improvement wipes away its previous. I lugged alongside my SLR, which I usually donโt carry particularly after I was there to run and never sightseeing. It was a chunk of bags that I must bear with me for the entire journey.
I didnโt get to see what I wished to see in Rugao, a metropolis well-known for having probably the most centenarians alive in China. We arrived at Rugao at practically midnight and the primary sight of Rugao was within the morning, from the window of Wenfeng Metropolis Lodge. There, proper in entrance of me, have been rows and rows of neatly constructed and good high quality low-rise properties of fairly latest origin. And there have been many high-rise condominiums rising within the distance. The streets have been landscaped and manicured and never a lot completely different from Singapore.
The infrastructure of Rugao was all the pieces a contemporary metropolis would have, not a third-tier metropolis away from the futuristic coastal cities. I managed to sneak away into the villages and alongside the way in which the sight was of newly constructed farmersโ properties, constructed simply behind the small dwelling quarters of the previous. The few remnants of the previous that have been nonetheless standing have been rebuilt and served the homeowners of their greater properties as storerooms or garages.
The one items of the previous left in Rugao have been the mansion of Mo Biqiang and Dong Xiaowan and a nicely preserved patch of low historic homes proper within the coronary heart of the town. These homes nonetheless function dwelling quarters to some residents and small business enterprises. The mansion and the homes have been some 400 years previous and stood there to remind the individuals of the lifestyle of their ancestors.
What actually impressed me was the sight of the individuals of Rugao. The individuals have been fairly nicely off, nicely heeled, dwelling in good high quality properties and searching very contented with their lives. The youngsters, the youth and the younger have been a nice shock. They have been all on the stadium throughout the Opening Ceremony for the Asian Masters. Some have been there to carry out, some have been there as spectators to this worldwide occasions. And the unpredictable occurred, the sky opened up, and everybody was moist. However the youth and youngsters got here nicely ready, with a skinny clear raincoat over their costumes and their newest stylish put on.
The rain didnโt dampen their free spirit. They ran, however to the stadium, not away. They have been there to have fun a giant worldwide occasion, to welcome the guests to their residence city. What was written throughout their faces was a way forward for hope, confidence and nicely being. Their innocence, their free spirit, their laughter, there was not a touch of concern or uncertainties in them, as they celebrated life. The faces of the Rugao kids immediately are the faces of pleasure, of a contented younger individuals dwelling for now and for a greater tomorrow as younger individuals ought to.
China immediately has reached a degree the place the individuals might reside life, get pleasure from peace and be themselves with out a fear. Such a privilege solely comes about when the nation is powerful and affluent and nicely managed. The youngsters and youth of Rugao are a manifestation of the kids and youth of China immediately, dwelling in a time when safety and prosperity are a brand new regular. To reside a contented and cheerful lifetime of lots, being younger and having fun with rising up as kids and younger adults shielded from the vagaries of life, with a vibrant and safe future {that a} sturdy and affluent China has bestowed upon them. The youngsters and youth of Rugao and throughout China are the brand new China, a individuals blessed to reside a life by no means the identical because the dad and mom and grandparents of previous China. That is the brand new China and the China Dream.
The creator is a political observer from Singapore.
The opinions expressed listed below are these of the author and do not symbolize views of China Every day and China Every day web site.
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