Drawing from its neighbours' practices, the adoption of a centrally planned economy, with a strategy of high-speed industrialisation, with emphasis on heavy industry, was preferred. It was a mistake in hindsight. It idolised the utility of a planned economy and mistakenly regarded the market economy as necessarily capitalistic. The pride of the nation was placed ahead of the welfare of its people.

In the adolescent phase, further mistakes were made. To improve modernisation efforts, the Great Leap Forward encouraged peasants to form people's communes and industrial workers to increase steel production by all possible means. Another significant mistake was made with the Cultural Revolution. The end result was slowed production and an almost bankrupt national economy. Again, the pursuit of an ideologically-driven development led to mass starvation.

Luckily, the installation of Deng Xiaoping as leader in the late 1970s, marked the effective end of the socialist model of modernisation.

Economic development was still a key priority in the new market system of modernisation, with state-owned enterprises coexisting with other forms of ownership. Although science and education were not given attention in the early years, greater focus will be given as a basic means towards national revival. China's economic growth has lifted millions out of absolute poverty. But its leaders must learn from the past.

Development without consideration for the welfare of the nation's citizens will have disastrous consequences.

Human-centred growth that takes into account such items as provision of health, education and care for the environment will lead to not only an economically strong China, but a healthy and prosperous society that will serve the nation in the future.

Reza Hasmath, Toronto, Canada

What happened to the HK spirit?

I think Lu Ping is right that Hong Kong should stop relying on Beijing and that we must improve ourselves ('Stand on your own feet and start thinking', September 29).

If we go back a few decades, Hong Kong was still a very small city.

However through our diligence we became successful.

Many people moonlighted during those years.

They worked extremely hard. It was known as the Hong Kong spirit.

We did not have much help from China or Britain and yet we were able to progress and make improvements.

Now Hong Kong faces many competitors, such as Singapore and Shanghai.

Although help from Beijing can offer us some advantages, we ought to work hard for ourselves.

We should return to the Hong Kong spirit.

Toby Rosner Chan, Sha Tin

Many ways to boost economy

I support what Leung Chun-ying has said about helping the poor in Hong Kong ('Exco chief says city's development has slowed', September 25).

There is no doubt the government needs to help low-income groups and speed up economic growth so that the living standards of Hong Kong people can improve. Nowadays, Hong Kong relies for its economic growth n the financial sector, which requires professionals with good qualifications.

Middle-aged people who only received a primary and secondary education find it difficult to get a job and a living wage.

In the long term, the government should try and revive the industrial sector in Hong Kong. This would provide a lot of job opportunities.

New industries established in Hong Kong would provide a lot of jobs.

Help should be offered to enable the creative and hi-tech industries to flourish.

Also, the administration should start the major infrastructure projects it has planned, as soon as possible. They would lead to many job opportunities.

A construction worker on an infrastructure project can earn a stable income.

June Chan Chung-wai, Tung Chung

Tranquillity: a lost commodity

We know heaven is a tranquil place and heaven on earth in Hong Kong exists at Holy Spirit Seminary.

If Public Eye (with Michael Chugani) took the time to visit Holy Spirit Seminary it would find that inner peace it has been longing for ('Tranquillity, what tranquillity?', September 23).

When rector Father Benedict Lam Cho-ming says the construction noise from the MTR's South Island Line will disturb the tranquillity of the seminary, he is right on the money.

Public Eye should stop bashing this priest who is just trying to protect one of the few peaceful places left in the SAR and start calling for a more tranquil Hong Kong.

At the rate this city is going it will one day turn into one giant shopping mall. Is that what Public Eye is advocating?

Tranquillity is what is missing and what we need to pray for in this city.

William Chow, seminarian, Holy Spirit Seminary

Why 'cool shops' are hot

To pick up on a point made in J. Garner's letter ('We must aim for buildings that are more environment-friendly', September 30), I agree that Hong Kong shop owners should be more wary of leaving their shop doors wide open and letting air-conditioning escape onto the streets. There are movements in North America that encourage the closing of shop doors to prevent such wastage and leakage.

The shops which comply are known as 'Cool Shops' and they usually display a sticker on the window that lets shoppers know they care about the environment.

More likely than not, these 'Cool Shops' also embrace other eco-friendly initiatives such as energy-efficient lighting and offering cloth bags instead of plastic ones.

Such movements not only help the environment but allow small to medium business owners to do their part for the environment when all too often emphasis is placed on the big corporations.

Can 'Cool Shops' be a movement here in Hong Kong, too? Any takers?

Sophia Chan-Combrink, Central

Pedestrians can buy time

On a recent trip to Singapore I discovered that the authorities are implementing a scheme where senior citizens can touch their EZ (Octopus) card on a reader at pedestrian crossings to get a few extra seconds to cross the road.

This is a brilliant innovation based on existing technology and I hope this can be considered here too.

Bill Galvin, Kennedy Town