Knowing the Consequences of Choice

Over the past Spring Festival, I got involved in a family dispute. Right before I got home, four satellite channels of CCTV were added to the 14 channels we had already had. In prime time at night, they all had interesting shows. Therefore, the five of us -my parents, my brother and I -had to argue over what to watch. Finally, we argued that we should watch the "most interesting program"… If we could agree what that was.However, all of us there remember that for a long-time after we had TV, there were only one or two channels available. The increase in options reveals an important change in our life: the abundance of choice.Twenty year ago, we all dressed in one style and in one color. Today, we select from a wide varity of designs and shades.Twenty year ago, we read few newspapers. Today, we read English newspaper like the China Daily and 21st Century, as well as various Chinese newspapers.The emergence of choices marks the beginning of a new era in China's history; an era of diversity of material and cultural richness, and an era of the rebirth of the Chinese nation.We enjoy the abundance of choices. But this has not come easily. About 150 years ago, China was forced to open up its door by Western caroms and gunboats. It has been through the struggle and sacrifice of generations that we finally have gain the opportunity to choose for ourselves. The policy of reform and openness is the choice that has made all the difference.As others of my age, I'm too young to have experienced the time when the Chinese people had no right to choose. However, in the new century, it is time to ask: what dose choice really mean to us young people?I am a fourth -year medical major. An important choice for me, of course, is what to do upon graduation. I can go to graduate school, at home or abroad. I can go to work as a doctor. Indeed, this is not going to be an easy choice. I would love to work in such big cites as Beijing or shanghai. I would also love to return to my hometown, which is intimate, though slightly lagging in development. I would love to stay in the coasted area where life is exciting. I would also love to put down roots in central and western China, which is underdeveloped, but holds great potential.All of these sound good. But they are only possibilities. To those of us who are bewildered at the abundance of opportunities, I would like to say: To choose means take responsibility. When we are making choice for ourselves, we cannot casually say: "It's just my own business." As policy makers of the new century, we cannot fail to see our responsibility to those who share the earth with us.The traditional Chinese culture teaches us to study hard and work hard so as to honor our family. To me, however, this family is not just the five of us who quarreled over television program. Rather, it is the whole of the human family. As I am making my choices, I will not forget the smile of my teacher when I correctly spelled out the word "China" for the first time. I will not forget the happy faces of the boys and girls we helped to send back to school. I will not forget the tearful eyes of women and children in AFuhan, where millions are suffering from war, famine or poverty.All these people, known and unknown, make up our big human family. At different points, they came into my life and brother my perspective. Now as I am to make choices for myself, it is time to make efforts to improve their lives, because a world will benefit us all only if every one in it can lead a peaceful and happy life. Thank you!

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