OPINION> Liu Shinan
Going home: In pursuit of a better life
By Liu Shinan (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-01-21 07:47

Internet news portals reported yesterday that about 100,000 rural migrant workers in Guangdong province were on the G321 Highway to Sichuan, Guangxi, Guizhou and other inland provinces riding motorcycles to return to their homes for the upcoming Spring Festival holidays. Looking at the photos of heavily-clad men carrying their wives and oversized luggage on the back seats of the vehicles, I felt tears welling up my eyes.

Besides being touched once again by the Chinese people's traditional determination to reunite with their family members for the Lunar New Year no matter how far they are from home, I was particularly moved by these migrant workers' courage and optimism to defy the freezing weather and possible hazards on the daunting journeys. The journeys can be as long as several thousand kilometers and could take them several days to finish.

Equally touching is the news that local public security departments set up temporary reserves along the highway providing free tea, gruel and raincoat to the migrant workers. The police even offered escorts to the bikers when it was foggy or raining.

Chunyun, or transportation during the Spring Festival period, is unique to China. Hundreds of millions of people on the move - by all transport means - during a period of about 20-plus days is definitely a spectacular scene that is not seen in any other country. Obtaining a ticket on train, bus or plane is the top concern for all those who work away from their homes. The public's complaints about the difficulty in going home are so loud that President Hu Jintao ordered the Ministry of Railway a few days ago to do everything it could to solve the problem. The Ministry of Transport, which is in charge of highway transportation, also pledged that long-distance buses will "guarantee ferrying all passengers to their homes before Spring Festival."

Despite all these difficulties, Chinese people want to go home at the end of every year. Netizens posted comments on the Internet saying that what they most expect now is the moment when they can say: "Mum, I'm back."

For all who work away from home, reunion with their loved ones in the Lunar New Year holiday is the best, or one of the best, remunerations for all the hardships they have endured during the year. Bringing money and gifts home to their aged parents and young children is their greatest joy after a year's hard work. These are the values of Chinese culture that have remained for thousands of years.

And they are the strongest motivation to support the Chinese in their struggles against all adversities.

The world economy is suffering the worst recession in decades. The impact on the Chinese economy is also showing its signs. But Chinese people seem confident of their country's capability to overcome the difficulty. The joyful atmosphere and brisk sales in commodity markets throughout the country as well as the busy traffic on highways and railways reflect this confidence and optimism.

Chinese people are optimistic by nature. They never panic in the face of disasters and difficulties. And they are realistic about their goals. The ordinary people only hope to improve their lives to a moderately well-to-do level, as is demonstrated by their relatively affluent way of celebrating the Lunar New Year. They know what they are striving for and are determined to work hard to reach that goal.

The migrant workers riding motorcycles rather than donkeys on their way towards a happy family reunion may best symbolize most Chinese common people's determination and confidence to realize their goal of a better life.

E-mail: liushinan@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 01/21/2009 page8)