ChinaDaily (970619-8)

[Big Jim]

China Daily

97 / 06 / 19 /

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1. Temple eyewitness to treaty
2. 'Magic Mountain' comes to TV
3. Notes (Page 9, Date: 06/19/97)
4. Special school aids autistic boys
5. What's on (Page 10, Date: 06/19/97)
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Temple eyewitness to treaty

THE Chinese Government will resume the exercise of sovereignty over
Hong Kong at zero hour July 1, completely dispelling her more than 150
years of humiliation triggered by the Opium War (1840-1842).

After the memorable moment, Hong Kong will be an inseparable part of
the sacred motherland once again.

In order to celebrate such an important historic event, people of all
walks of life recently set up a 3 1/2-ton bronze bell at Jinghai
Temple Chinese Modern History Museum in Nanjing, capital of East
China's Jiangsu Province.

They moulded the 1.842-metre-high bell because British invaders and
Qing Dynasty government signed the Treaty of Nanking, the first
unequal treaty in the modern history of China, in 1842.

The signing of the infamous treaty forced the Qing Dynasty government
to cede Hong Kong to Britain, the initiator of the war.

It is at the temple that representatives from the two countries
negotiated the signing of the treaty.

Jinghai Temple "witnessed" how cruel British invaders encroached upon
China's territorial integrity and sovereignty, said Lu Zhongming, head
of the museum.

"Naturally, we put the bell at the 580-year-old temple. Ordinary
people are focusing more and more attention on the 2,800-square-metre
museum at present. On July 1, visitors will get a chance to beat the
bell if they want to express their happiness," Lu said.

"For a long time, the history of Jinghai Temple was closely related to
the humiliating history of the motherland," Lu added.

In June 1840, British colonists declared war on the Qing Dynasty
government so they could sell opium in China.

Two years later, British invaders occupied many coastal cities owing
to the backwardness and corruption of the feudal dynasty.

In July 1842, British warships navigated the Yangtze River and
captured the outskirts of Nanjing, a metropolis with flourishing
business and handicraft industry in East China at that time.

In the face of British aggression, patriotic people rose in
resistance. However, the Qing Dynasty government decided to hold talks
with British invasion troops for feudal rulers were scared by the
sophisticated weapons of the British aggressors.

In early August, representatives of the Qing Dynasty government
boarded a British warship to ask for armistice.

The weather was so hot both sides agreed to hold negotiations at the
historic temple which is located on the southern bank of the
meandering Yangtze River.

Records show that Qing Dynasty government officials were so weak that
they always yielded to the pressure of the British aggressors from
beginning to end, totally disregarding the resistance enthusiasm of
ordinary people.

On August 12, representatives from both sides held their first formal
talk at the temple.

At the very beginning, British aggressors tried to force Chinese
officials to accept the humiliating treaty at once, including ceding
territory and paying military expenditures.

In addition, they commanded all Chinese representatives to show their
certificates of appointment.

At the same time, all cannons on British warships pointed to the city
of Nanjing, bullying Chinese representatives into surrendering without
conditions.

Some British soldiers even established make-shift fortifications on
the river bank.

On the contrary, Chinese officials tried their best to flatter the
British invaders.

Wearing brand-new formal attire, Chinese representatives bowed to
their British counterparts. During the talks, Chinese soldiers served
the British representatives watermelon, tea, beef and various
pastries.

On the following day when the second talk was held, British invaders
threatened to launch an all-out attack on Nanjing at once if Chinese
officials did not abide by their command.

Qing Dynasty government representatives were intimidated into
submission.

Even before daybreak of August 14, all had already left on horseback
for the temple with their certificates.

In addition, Chinese troops dismantled all artificial barriers in the
Yangtze River so British negotiators' ships could reach the temple
more easily.

In short, Chinese representatives' unquestioning submission enabled
the third unequal conference to continue.

On August 24, Chinese officials and British aggressors held their
fourth talk at the temple.

As soon as the negotiation began, British aggressors kept defending
opium planting and trade. Chinese officials dared not refute their
fallacies.

Britain and the Qing Dynasty government signed the Treaty of Nanking
on August 29.

The aggressors' harsh terms turned China from an independent country
into a semi-colonial, semi-feudal society inch by inch.

Lu said Jinghai Temple has now become the symbol of China's
humiliating modern history.

"Having withstood winds and rains for hundreds of years, the temple
still stands firmly. It will remind Chinese people of their misfortune
forever," Lu said.
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_Date: 06/19/97_
_Author: Zhang Tianxin_

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'Magic Mountain' comes to TV

"I THINK everyone will feel 10 years younger after watching the fairy
tale 'Magic Mountain,' " said Li Dongsheng, vice-director of China
Central TV Station, at the recent closing ceremony of "Magic Mountain"
at Zhuozhou Cinema-production base in Hebei Province.

He has enough reason to say this. "Magic Mountain," a 52-part TV
animated series, is the first crystallization of Chinese and
Australian animation-production efforts which heralds the beginning of
co-ordination between Chinese animation producers and their foreign
counterparts.

"This is the first time Chinese children's programmes were produced
with a foreign country and invested in by both sides. The copyright
and profits are owned by both sides," said Li, "It is a successful
international co-operation and I hope this trend continues."

In October 1995, Yang Weiguang, vice-minister of Radio, Film and
Television, signed a co-production memorandum while visiting
Australia.

After that, both sides began to work out the programme.

It is co-produced by China Central TV Station, Australian Broadcasting
Corp and Australian Southern Star Entertainment.

The theme was conceived by both sides and written by Australian
playwright Claire Anderson. The set design and character are provided
by Australians. Directors are David Evans, Paul Finent and Li Lei.
Actors, photographers and designer of stage lamplights are all
Chinese.

Casting, which lasted from September to December 1996, was made at
Zhuozhou Cinema Base in Hebei Province. Production was finished in
Australia.

"Magic Mountain" is a children's fairy tale played by people cloaked
with the masks of animals. The drama is a 52-part series with each
part lasting about 10 minutes. It tells about stories happening
between a panda, lion, tortoise and dragon who live in the magic
mountain. Their peaceful lives are occasionally disturbed by friction
and confrontations among themselves.

The four animals are played by Zuo Xiangfeng, Li Yanyan, Xu Tongyang
and Jiang Tao, young actors from Shanxi Drama Troupe.

"We learned a lot from this co-ordination," said Zuo Xiangfeng, who
portrayed the little tortoise. "And I also learned some easy spoken
English from our Australian director."

This April at the Cannes TV Series Festival in France, "Magic
Mountain" sponsors threw a gala to promote the programme's premiere.

Representatives from 170 countries and regions such as Britain,
Germany, Spain, Norway and Poland took part in the premiere ceremony.

From June 1, Children's Day, "Magic Mountain" began to be screened on
dafengche (Big Windmill), CCTV's popular youngsters' programme.

"I hope the broadcasting of 'Magic Mountain' will mark the ongoing
co-operation between Australia and China," said Anderson, the
playwright, at the closing ceremony.

"I have three children who like to watch animated programmes. I am
worried they cannot discriminate between the good and the bad after
watching a low-quality programme. I know that it is not easy to make
good-quality children's programmes," said Graham Fletcher, cultural
and press affairs counsellor at the Australian embassy in Beijing.
"After watching 'Magic Mountain,' I was fascinated by the drama, and I
think my children are sure to like 'Magic Mountain.' "
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_Date: 06/19/97_
_Author: Fan Zhimin_

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Notes (Page 9, Date: 06/19/97)

Book on literature

"NORTHEAST China's Modern Literature Series" has been published in
Chinese by Shenyang Publishing House.

The 14 volumes collect the major novels, short stories, prose
writings, poems, dramas and literary criticism written by writers from
Northeast China between 1919 and 1949. It helps readers know better
the unique folk customs in this vast, wild land as well as local
people's sufferings and harsh struggles for survival. With Zhang Yumao
as the chief compiler, the books were completed in five years with the
efforts of professors, scholars, researchers and librarians in Beijing
and Northeast China.

Wood carving

"GRANDPARENTS," a giant wood carving, has been donated to Beijing
International Art Palace by a Chinese couple working in Tanzania. The
husband, Li Songshan, is chairman of the Makonde Arts Assn of
Tanzania. His wife, Han Rong, is the secretary-general.

The 3.4-metre-tall wood carving was created in 1996 by Salum Ali
Chuma, one of four famous contemporary sculptors in Tanzania. The Lis
bought and donated it to China to express their love for their
motherland and strengthen art exchanges between China and Tanzania.

'Red Torrent'

"RED Torrent," a feature film made by Lanzhou Film Studio, is
considered an ode to patriotism and heroism.

In the beginning of 1937, the western-route troops of the Chinese
Workers and Peasants Red Army were ordered to enter the Gansu Corridor
to seek an "international passageway" for the Red Army. Unfortunately
the troops were besieged by enemies in Qilian Mountains. Most soldiers
were killed and the few survivors rushed to the anti-Japanese
battlefront like a red torrent.

The film is written by Dong Hanhe, Sun Zhongxin and Wang Jiada, and
directed by Sun Qingguo.

Selected fables

THE Chinese-English version of "Selected Fables of Jin Jiang,"
published by Chinese Literature Press (Beijing), is recommended as a
good reader for children.

Jin Jiang is a noted contemporary fable writer who has been writing
fables for more than 30 years. He has published 12 books of fables.
This version, including 50 fables in all, represents highlights of Jin
Jiang's fables. Terse and interesting, each fable vividly reflects the
social life and spirit of the time. It contains a profound philosophy
of life and appeals to readers' intelligence and affords much food for
thought.

Joint exhibition

WOMEN artists from Beijing and Hong Kong will hold a joint exhibition
in China Art Gallery from July 3 to 9 to celebrate Hong Kong's return
to the motherland.

On show are 200 pieces of traditional Chinese painting, oil,
engraving, watercolour, sculptor, craft and stagecraft by more than
100 women artists from Beijing and Hong Kong. The show is sponsored by
the Beijing Women Artists Club, a 116-member professional group, and
Hong Kong Modern Women Artists' Society. Representatives from the
latter will come to Beijing to take part in activities during the
show. (CD News)
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_Date: 06/19/97_
_Author: _

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Special school aids autistic boys

IT was not an ordinary kindergarten scene.

Ten boys, ranging in age from 3 to 7, accompanied by their parents and
teachers, were exercising in the play yard.

Most youngsters moved in a mechanical manner and had difficulty in
understanding even the simplest instructions from their parents.

Some made no response at all, no matter how many times they were asked
to raise their legs or how loudly their parents talked to them.

Half the boys were mute and those who could speak uttered only
senseless words or phrases.

These children have all been diagnosed as autistic.

Autism is a severe mental disorder that starts in infancy or early
childhood and severely impairs a child's ability to adapt to his or
her environment or to relate to other people.

It is a rare disorder afflicting about five children per 10,000
births. Boys are three times more likely than girls to develop the
disorder.

The 10 boys in the school yard are among the few lucky ones given the
chance to receive special training at the Star-rain Education Centre,
founded in 1993 and the first one in China for autistic children.

The founder Tian Huiping is neither a doctor nor a teacher of special
education, but the mother of an autistic boy.

Like many other parents of autistic children, Tian, 32, when her son
Tao Tao was first diagnosed as autistic eight years ago, had no idea
what autism was.

Since the doctors in Chongqing failed to offer further help to Tian
and Tao Tao, she quit her job in Chongqing Architecture Technology
College in Sichuan Province where she taught German, and brought
4-year-old Tao Tao to Beijing to see the doctor.

But her hopes were shattered when doctors in Beijing told her the
chances for her son's recovery were next to none.

The causes of the disease and medical treatment for it have yet to be
discovered.

During Tian's stay in the capital, she attended a lecture on autism
given by Professor Cai Yizhou from Taiwan.

Tian learned that people suffering from autism may be highly
intelligent and that education can help autistic children.

She decided if the doctors couldn't help she would do something. She
began to train Tao Tao to do basic routines of daily living.

Besides talking, Tian first tried to teach her son skills like washing
hands, dressing and toileting. But what troubled her most was how to
train him to be more adaptable to the outside world.

But it was not easy at all.

Tian once helped him to recognize the way home. At first, Tao Tao
seemed to be able to remember the stores on the way and find the way
by himself. But one day he failed because one of the stores was closed
and looked different from when it was open.

However, Tian's efforts paid off. Tao Tao was able to take care of
himself and was admitted to a school for retarded children.
Occasionally, he could help her with some errands like buying a bottle
of milk.

Encouraged by her son's noticeable progress, Tian came up with an
idea: "Maybe my experience would be of help to other parents of
autistic children."

With 100,000 yuan ($11,000) donated by a women's organization, Tian
set up the Star-rain Education Centre in May 1993. Eight autistic
children from all over the country were first admitted. Most of their
parents got to know Tian when they sought help in Beijing.

But the road for Tian and the centre was rough from the very
beginning, Tian said.

"I didn't want the centre to be a special kindergarten where autistic
youngsters were only better looked after," Tian said. "I hoped these
kids could receive special education here."

But the five teachers at Star-rain were not sure what the efficient
and scientific ways were to educate the children.

At first the curriculum was simple and boring, recalled Wang Guoguang,
who majored in preschool education at Beijing Normal University and
began to work as a teacher at Star-rain in 1994.

In addition to learning about teaching from actually teaching, Tian
and the teachers started to study Western works on the education of
autistic youngsters because Western countries had been working longer
with autistic children.

Step by step, a practical and professional system was developed.

After being admitted to Star-rain, autistic youngsters are first
assessed and then teachers prepare an individualized education
programme for each one.

The curriculum includes language learning, music and physical
exercise.

"We tried to be more skillful than before,"said Wang.

The teachers used to spend a whole class teaching the children one
thing, such as clapping their hands and sounding the vowel 'ah.'

But now they teach in a more interesting way. For instance, in the
music class, they teach children to sing, to clap their hands or to
pass a ball to each other with the music.

When the children leave Star-rain, they are evaluated and, if
possible, the centre will make the follow-up survey of the children.

"We found Western ways sometimes wouldn't work if we only copied them
without considering actual conditions in China," said Tian.

The community in China has so far failed to offer long-term special
education and services for autistic children and thus parents play the
most significant role in educating autistic children, Tian said.

Some of them know little of autism and they only cherish the hope that
one day a miracle will happen and the autism symptoms will fade away.

Therefore, the training of parents who have autistic children has
become the most prominent task for Star-rain.

Parents of autistic children have been required to take part in the
education programme at Star-rain since late 1995.

The centre teaches parents to understand what autism is and to realize
that proper education will greatly benefit their autistic children.

Teachers hold regular discussions with the parents, carefully
listening to their opinions, answering their questions and helping
them release their distress.

Above all, the role once played solely by teachers is taken on by the
parents, who help their child complete the curricula during the three
months in Star-rain.

Teachers, however, carefully monitor parents' performance as well as
those of the children and offer instruction or demonstration if
necessary.

Teachers have told the parents time and again that autistic children
have been helped by a structured, directive educational approach in
which the child's appropriate responses are rewarded.

"Give him a kiss or a hug. Just show your praise in any way the child
would like, no matter how little his progress is," Tian told the
parents. "If you don't respond to your child's performance, how will
your child learn to respond to your words."

"We can't teach a child much in three months but it doesn't matter,"
said Tian. "What matters is if the parents can grasp the essence of
educating their children in this period of time."

Chen Chunyang, a 4-year-old boy from Liaoning Province, made marked
improvement over the past two months.

"He seldom spoke before coming to Star-rain," Chen's mother said. "Now
he's more willing to talk and play with other kids."

It was also a good lesson for her as well, she added, which made her
realize that everything should be based on the activities of daily
life.

"I hope one day he will be able to care for himself and enter
society," she said.

But none of the parents are sure how soon that day might come.

Xiao Xiao, a boy of 4 from Beijing, was a newcomer to Star-rain, and
also the only child who still wore diapers.

"It's my full-time job to take care of him since his parents had work
to do," said Xiao Xiao's grandfather, a retiree of 56.

Every morning he brought the boy to Star-rain and spent a whole day
accompanying and "studying" with him.

"I have to keep a close eye on him wherever he goes or whatever he
does, otherwise I can't imagine what would happen to him," the
grandfather said. "It's really tiring. Sometimes I hardly have
strength to take a breath after a whole day of baby-sitting."

Xiao Xiao's grandmother fell sick a week ago because of caring for the
boy. "I don't know how long I can hold on yet," the grandfather said.

Over the past five years, Star-rain has admitted more than 350
autistic youngsters. Its reputation is expanding at home and abroad.

However, a lack of financial support is still the biggest headache for
Tian and the centre.

During the five years the centre has been open, it has moved four
times in order to find a suitable place for autistic children.

The centre once rented three classrooms in a primary school in eastern
Beijing.

But the school would not permit the Star-rain children to go out onto
the school grounds during school hours in case their behaviour
disturbed the school students.

Yet, Star-rain has had its voice heard and received generous support
from all sides. Enterprises, institutions and individuals from home
and abroad have extended their willing hands to Star-rain, either
donating equipment or money.

With 400,000 yuan pooled by China Charity and some institutions from
Germany, Austria and Japan, Tian bought a two-storey house in an
eastern suburb of Beijing as the centre's fifth home late last year.

"The children finally got their own play yard where they are able to
enjoy games in the sun," said Tian.
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_Date: 06/19/97_
_Author: Ou Shuyi_

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What's on (Page 10, Date: 06/19/97)

CONCERTS

Chorus Performances -- The Kona Community Chorus, a US-based volunteer
performing arts organization, will give two performances in Beijing.

The event is sponsored by Kingsway Tours-Golden Ark Travel Co Ltd and
Cosco International Travel Inc.

The first performance will be given at 7:15 pm on June 21 at the
Central Conservatory of Music, and the second at 7:15 pm on June 22 at
the Beijing Theatre.

For free tickets, please call: 6526-3834 or 6522-3405 6512-1188 ext
5614, 5621

Accordion Show -- Another Music Appreciation Course presents two
accordion concerts, helping amateur players to pass the examinations
of the China Central Conservatory of Music.

Lecturers include Jiang Jie, Li Yuqiu, Ren Shirong and Yang Guoli.

Time: 2 pm, June 21

Location: Beijing Concert Hall, 1 Beixinhuajie

Telephone: 6605-5812

Huang Anlun -- Composer Huang Anlun is to conduct the China Youth
Symphony Orchestra playing his own compositions.

Sponsored by the Central Conservatory of Music, the musicians will
play Huang's "Symphony Overture," "Violin Concerto" and suites from
the ballet "Dunhuang Dream."

Time: 7:30 pm, June 19

Location: Beijing Concert Hall, 1 Beixinhuajie

Telephone: 6605-5812

Piano Works -- Teachers and students of the Central Conservatory of
Music will play works by Bartok, Debussy, Poulenc, Prokovief, Ravel
and Stravinsky.

Yang Ming will give the accompanying lecture.

Time: 7:30 pm, June 19

Location: the Art Salon of Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza, 48 Wangfujing
Dajie

Telephone: 6512-5063

(This concert is to be re-staged at Beijing Concert Hall at 7:30 pm,
June 20

Classical Guitar -- Four students majoring in classical guitar at the
Central Conservatory of Music are to do guitar solos and concertos.

Accompanied by the String Band of the China Film Symphony Orchestra
with Wu Zhengmin being the concert master, the four young guitarists,
Yang Xuefei, Li Jiajiong, Li Jie and Chen Chuan will play "Hungarian
Fantasia,"

Time: 7:30 pm, June 21

Location: the Art Salon of Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza, 48 Wangfujing
Dajie

Telephone: 6512-5063 or 6513-3388 ext 1209

Mezzo Sopranos -- Ten of China's top mezzo sopranos will gather to
stage two concerts.

Among them are Guan Mucun, De Dema, Wang Lei, Wu Meimei, Xia Heng and
Lu Wei. They will sing 20 songs including "Song of Toast," "Do You
Know That Place," "Flowing Water in the Little Creek," "No Longer
Sad," "The Merry Grassland, My Home Town" and "The Lonely Shepherd."

Time: 7:30 pm, June 19, 26

Location: Beijing Concert Hall, 1 Beixinhuajie

Telephone: 6605-5812
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_Date: 06/19/97_
_Author: _

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