One of the most serious problems is that many migrant workers will lose jobs. This may affect social stability, especially in underdeveloped rural areas. Thus, it's urgent for governments in regions that are home to large numbers of migrant workers make use of their time before the Spring Festival by giving returned workers vocational training. This could help some of them start up their own businesses and others become more competitive in future job hunting.

In the past, because of the many job opportunities and the lack of technical and financial support, farmers were all interested in working for companies in economically developed areas and had little interest in running their own businesses. Now, since job opportunities are diminishing, it's possible to reverse this trend. Of course, to realize this, the government needs to give more favorable policies in areas such as financing and tax concessions. It's far better to be proactive than to be held hostage by the economic turmoil.

Yanzhao Metropolis Daily

Corrupt Cops Need Help

On November 8, a police bureau in coal-rich Shenmu County, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, held a meeting where local coalmine owners were required to donate approximately 3 million yuan ($430,000) in exchange for a "safer living and business environment."

Police officers involved in this scandal are guilty of corruption. The "money-for-security" deal, however, reveals the plight under which China's grassroots police agencies are operating.

Many grassroots police agencies are working in an appalling conditions without computers, cars or even fixed office spaces. In some extreme cases, police officers in some underdeveloped regions don't even get regular salary payments and have to rely on bank loans to provide the means for dealing with criminal cases. However, the responsibility on their shoulders is by no means lighter than their counterparts in financially strong regions.

The limited budget prevents the smooth operation of some grassroots police agencies, which sometimes forces them to raise operational funds through illegal fines and unauthorized charges on local businesses.

While society is blaming some police officers, such as those involved in the Shenmu scandal, for being corrupt, the government must do something to help. First of all, sufficient allocations to grassroots police agencies should be guaranteed. Meanwhile, stringent measures should be put in place to prevent ongoing corruption of this nature.

Guangzhou Daily

Refined Arts for All

The government of south China's Shenzhen City is reportedly finalizing a program to subsidize performing events, such as dramas and classical symphonic concerts, so that more low-priced tickets will be available to ordinary citizens. According to the Shenzhen Culture Bureau, 20 percent of all tickets will be priced lower than 100 yuan ($15) and 10 percent will be lower than 50 yuan ($7.5) after the subsidies are offered.

Any form of art, if not shared with ordinary people, is unlikely to gain deep acceptance and become sustainable. In today's China, many artists and art performance troupes overemphasize profits and neglect the ordinary people's demand for refined art. It's unacceptable for a ticket to cost the equivalent of an ordinary worker's monthly salary.

The government needs to better satisfy the cultural demand of the people. When more people are influenced by refined art, they are going to act in a more refined way and the overall cultural environment will improve.

It's hoped more cities will follow Shenzhen's example so that more Chinese will be able to enjoy refined art.

Workers' Daily