As the only appointed political advisor from the Naxi ethnic group, Yang Yiben, also the vice
mayor of Lijiang City in Yunnan Province, has brought two proposals
with her to the Fifth Session of the Tenth National Committee of
the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in
Beijing, a far cry from the 14 that she presented at the First
Session in 2003. Yang's decision to keep proposal numbers down this
year reflect her focus and determination to drive home the need to
increase education investment in West China's rural areas and to
enhance protection of the country's cultural diversity.
Education in west China's rural areas
At last year's CPPCC session, Yang submitted two proposals on
rural education in the western regions calling on the central
government to increase investments in this area. In an interview
with China.org.cn, she revealed that her efforts last year bore
fruit. More funds were allocated, which enabled education
authorities to retain teachers, particularly in the more remote
areas.
Her proposal this year focuses on the children of migrant
workers who have been left behind in the villages while their
parents leave for the cities in search of work. These children are
sometimes referred to as "left behind children".
"Millions of farmers are flocking to China's cities, seeking
work in an effort to provide better lives for their families left
behind in rural homelands," Yang said.
"Once a father leaves his family, greater responsibility falls
on the children, not just in terms of household chores, but also in
looking after younger siblings, or even their grandparents.
"In school, 'left behind children' often fall into one of two
groups: they either top the academic tables, or languish at the
bottom. Problems related to the security, education, physical and
emotional well-being of these children who are normally in the care
of their aging grandparents or relatives are becoming an increasing
issue of concern.
"Although some migrant rural workers can afford to take their
children with them to where they work, it is almost impossible for
their children to be given equal education opportunities in the
cities because of the hukou (household registration) system.
"As a member of the CPPCC, I have the responsibility to speak
for all these migrant workers and their children who have no other
representative."
On unique ethnic culture protection
Yang is the pride of the 300,000 Nanxi people in Lijiang City
not only because of her position and status, but also because of
her untiring efforts in cultural protection.
Before she became Lijiang City's vice mayor, Yang worked on
ethnic culture research for more than 20 years. She has translated
17 ancient Dongba books into Chinese, and transcribed over 30,000
lines of Naxi folk songs in the Naxi text.
"The beauty of Lijiang City is not only in its splendid natural
scenery, but also in its unique ethnic culture that includes the
old town of Lijiang, which is a World Heritage site; ancient Dongba
literature; and its three rivers. If we are to practice viable
sustainable development, we must protect our culture."
In Yang's opinion, the old town is different from other World
Heritage sites in that it is neither a historical site nor a
museum. It is an organic community of people who continue to live
there. Protecting the town is a bit of a challenge for its
inhabitants and the local government because the people want
development.
"People live in the old town of Lijiang have a right to want
more comfortable and modernized living conditions. We cannot expect
them to continue with their aboriginal lifestyles just so we can
protect the site. We need to find the right balance between
protecting the culture and development.
"I submitted 14 proposals during the First Session of the Tenth
National Committee of the CPPCC. This year, I've only brought two
with me because I want to stress that our government needs to pay
more attention to the protection of ethnic cultures. My hope for
the future is that we are still able to tell the world of our
living cultural diversity, rather than describe it as something
that we used to have."
(China.org.cn by staff reporter Wu Nanlan, March 8, 2007)
