-Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the founding of People's Republic of China (PRC).

Shenzhou VII successfully returned to the capsule, and three astronauts walked out of the capsule with smiles. Shenzhou VII manned space flight was a complete success, achieving a landmark leap in the development of space technology in China. This is another great feat for China people to climb the world's scientific and technological peak, and it is also a precious gift and sincere blessing for the 60th birthday of the great motherland.

This year is very unusual in the history of the development of new China. In the face of severe challenges and difficulties, China's economy continued to maintain steady and rapid development, and various social undertakings were steadily advanced. The people of all ethnic groups throughout the country have made concerted efforts to overcome difficulties, made new steps and made new achievements on the road of reform, opening up and modernization. Since the beginning of this year, major natural disasters have occurred in China, such as the freezing rain and snow disaster and the Wenchuan earthquake in Sichuan. Especially after the Wenchuan earthquake in Sichuan, the people of the whole country launched a vigorous and earth-shattering struggle, and formed a great spirit of earthquake relief with unity, fearlessness, perseverance, people-oriented and respect for science. This spirit is precious, inspiring people in disaster areas to strengthen their confidence and courage and rebuild their beautiful homes; Encourage the people of the whole country to work hard to achieve the goal of building a well-off society in an all-round way.

The success of the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games has realized the century-old dream of the Chinese nation. China athletes won the first place in the total number of gold medals with excellent competitive ability and tenacious fighting spirit, creating the best result in history. The performances of the opening and closing ceremonies, the organization of the sports meeting, volunteer service, venue facilities and the mental outlook of the people of China left a deep and beautiful impression on the world, won high praise from the international community and gained rich material and spiritual wealth. The Beijing Olympic Games made the world know more about China, and China also went further to the world. The successful hosting of the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games indicates that the Chinese nation stands in the east of the world with a brand-new attitude, and the people of China are striding towards a better future.

In this extraordinary year, how many tragic, how many moved, how many dreams, how many glory, remembered in the hearts of the people of China, written into the picture of history. We deeply feel that the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Hu Jintao as the general secretary is firm and calm, commanding the overall situation, controlling all kinds of difficulties and complicated situations and overcoming all kinds of difficulties and obstacles, which is the strong leadership core of our great cause of building Socialism with Chinese characteristics. We deeply feel that reform and opening up is the only way for China to realize modernization. Looking back over the past 30 years, the China * * * Production Party and the people of China have written a magnificent epic of the Chinese nation's unremitting self-improvement and indomitable progress with indomitable enterprising spirit and magnificent innovative practice. Historical changes have taken place in China people, socialist China and the Communist Party of China (CPC). China people are proud of the "July 1st" flight and the successful hosting of the Olympic Games. People sincerely admire: * * the party is good, socialism is good, and reform and opening up are good.

We have made brilliant and great achievements, and we are bound to write a more magnificent chapter. China is standing at a new starting point of development. For the Chinese nation, it is in the fundamental interests of hundreds of millions of people to seize and make good use of the important strategic opportunity period, promote scientific development and build a harmonious society, and it is also a major strategic task before us. We should fully implement the spirit of the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, hold high the great banner of Socialism with Chinese characteristics, carry out in-depth activities to study and practice Scientific Outlook on Development, strive to take new steps in continuing to emancipate our minds, make new breakthroughs in persisting in reform and opening up, make new progress in promoting scientific development, achieve new results in promoting social harmony, and make unremitting efforts to win new victories in building a well-off society in an all-round way, create a new situation in Socialism with Chinese characteristics and realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

I wish the great motherland prosperity and the people of all ethnic groups in China happiness.

The Changes of Modern Social Life in China

First, the basic context of modern folk changes

The change of modern folk customs is an important part of the change of modern society, which is consistent with the transformation of modern society. The changes of modern folk customs involve all corners and levels of society. The following is a summary from eight aspects: etiquette, consumption, clothing, diet, residence, travel, festivals, weddings and funerals, and we can roughly see the basic context of modern folk customs changes.

1. Changes in etiquette and customs: For a long time after the Opium War, traditional social etiquette and customs, including appellation and meeting ceremony, still dominated the society. When people meet each other, they should bow, hold hands, run to worship and greet each other. Bowing is a gesture of greeting each other, but in feudal times it became a etiquette of respect and obedience to reflect the hierarchy of feudal society. Bowing down is mainly for elders, and the most solemn is three kneeling and nine knocking, which is generally used by peers as a way of bowing and handing over. Correspondingly, there are a set of titles such as "adult", "grandfather", "wife" and "old lady". However, after the founding of People's Republic of China (PRC), influenced by the western concept of equality, first of all, among the new intellectuals, they gradually adopted the methods of shaking hands and bowing, and replaced the previous titles with "Mr", "Ms", "Miss" and "Comrade". After the founding of the People's Republic of China 19 12, it was clearly stipulated that when offering sacrifices to Confucius, "in addition to the ceremony of running, three bows were changed and the sacrificial clothes were casual clothes." (Note: Worship, [Shanghai] Shenbao1965438+March 5, 2002. ) Soon, the old etiquette such as kowtow, worship, worship and exchange in social activities was explicitly abolished, and it was changed to bow and bow. In August of the same year 17, the government of the Republic of China promulgated the "Ritual System", which established the legal status of new etiquette in the form of law (Note: Oriental Magazine, Volume 9, No.41965438+September 2002. )。 Bowing and bowing, using the title of "Mr" and "Jun", embodies the equal relationship between people in modern society. In a word, new customs and habits, such as taking off your hat, bowing to the target, shaking hands and clapping, have gradually become the usual "civilized ceremony" and "civilized ceremony" in China, reflecting the progressive trend of social customs and habits. In addition, the popularity of ballroom dancing, birthday parties and colleagues' banquets in cities reflects the new changes in modern communication customs.

2. Changes in consumption customs: The invasion of modern western capitalism and the emergence and rapid development of new businesses in China have had a huge impact on traditional consumption customs and directly led to changes in consumption customs. During the Daoguang period after the Opium War, it became a fashion for the upper class to enjoy foreign goods, but at first it was limited to a few areas such as trading ports and wealthy bureaucratic families. By the end of 19, with the number of trading ports increasing to more than 70, foreign goods were consumed in all walks of life. Even in shops in remote traffic areas of Yunnan, you can see many foreign goods, including all kinds of halal, serge, feather yarn, flannel and so on. And its price is "not surprisingly expensive" (Note: Historical Materials of Modern Foreign Trade in China, edited by Gao Yao, [Beijing] Zhonghua Book Company, 1962, p.106-1kloc-0/07). Many "farmers also compete for foreign cloth", and middle-class families even think that going out to spin is not a luxury. "Most young people are like frost" (Noe: Song Yanzhai: Records of the Sages in Puyin Township, quoted from Yan Changhong: History of Modern Social Customs in China, Zhejiang People's Publishing House, 1992 edition, p. 82. )。 In addition, horse racing, rowing, tennis, football, western food, beer, western snacks, western drinks, amateur drama clubs, parks, indoor concerts, movies, electric lights, telephones, tap water, postal services, trams and other western lifestyles have all affected the changes in China people's consumption patterns and greatly changed the consumption structure and content of China people. In addition, taking Shanghai as an example, erotic consumption and amusement consumption have also become important contents in the consumption patterns of businessmen and the rich.

3. Changes of dress customs: China's dress customs have a long history, and there are colorful dresses in each era. In the Qing Dynasty, robes and mandarin jackets were the main costumes in China, while women wore cheongsam. The folk proverb says "peacock feathers, horseshoe sleeves". Clothing has the characteristics of strict hierarchy and advocating clothing, which is not in harmony with the equality requirements of modern people and the acceleration of life rhythm. To this end, some people in China began to accept western-style clothing. 19 In the 1950s, people in Hong Kong and Guangzhou imitated foreigners' dresses, and more Chinese businessmen wore formal dresses. During the Reform Movement of 1898, Kang Youwei advocated "Yi Fu". At the beginning of the 20th century, more and more young people wore suits. Wuzhou Middle School 1903, where Hu teaches, allows students to "wear foreign clothes to praise Confucius and Mencius" on New Year's Day (note: Hu autobiography, [Beijing] Modern History No.2 +098 1). ), it can be seen that there are not a few students wearing dresses. At that time, there were more international students wearing dresses. After the Qing Dynasty, there was a "dress craze". In Datong, people "changed their foreign clothes and hats in an unknown number" (note: "Pan please use domestic products", [Shanghai] declaration1965438+March 4, 2002. ), in a remote town, "civil and military dresses, crowned with felt and leather, are completely European for short-term use" (Note: Cili County Records of the Republic of China, volume 17, customs. )。 In addition, foreign-style shirts, sweaters, sweaters, trousers, gauze socks, rubber shoes and leather shoes are gradually becoming popular. In a word, the western factors in China's clothing are increasing. It is worth mentioning that the tunic suit is the most typical symbol of the combination of Chinese and western costumes in modern times.

In the broad sense of costume folklore, dressing and dressing are an organic unity. Such as tattoos, makeup, hairstyles, ornaments, foot binding, etc. Before and after the Opium War, when westerners came to China, the first thing they saw were men with long braids and women with feet bound. "For many years, all of Europe thought that China people were the most ridiculous and strange people in the world; Their shaved hair, braided hair, squint eyes, strange clothes and disfigured female feet have long provided subjects for cartoonists who make funny things. (Note: Harry: Biography of the Taiping Revolution, translated by Wang Weizhou, Shanghai Ancient Books Publishing House, 1997, p. 5 1. )。 Men dragging big braid, wearing wide robes, and women wrapped in feet, this is the basic costume of the Qing people in China. However, after the 80s of 19, the image of China people in this kind of clothing has changed obviously. First of all, some missionaries in China first advocated Tianzu. Reformists take the lead in opposing foot binding and advocating foot binding. 1883, Kang Youwei set up a foot-binding society in Nanhai County, Guangdong Province; 1896, a foot-binding society in Guangzhou; 1897, a foot-binding society was set up in Shanghai by Liang Qichao and others, which soon spread all over the southeast coastal areas. During the Reform Movement of 1898, Emperor Guangxu also issued an imperial edict prohibiting foot binding. 190 1 year, Empress Dowager Cixi issued an imperial edict prohibiting foot binding. 19 12 After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Sun Yat-sen, the interim president, ordered the Ministry of Internal Affairs to persuade all provinces to ban foot binding. From the perspective of opposing traditional morality and striving for women's liberation, the movement of not binding feet has anti-feudal political significance and is a profound social revolution.

Braided hair was a symbol of male image in Qing Dynasty, but it was the result of Manchu customs assimilating Han nationality. In front of foreigners, it has become the national symbol of China people, and this national symbol, in the modern civilized world, has become a symbol of "backwardness" and "uncivilized" that runs counter to the trend of short hair world.

During the Reform Movement of 1898, Kang Youwei publicly asked the Qing government to "cut off the hair and change the clothes into yuan folds" for Emperor Guangxu, and the broad masses of enlightened people also issued the voice of braiding. The Qing government even allowed officials and people to have their hair cut freely at 19 1 1. After the outbreak of the Revolution of 1911, braids were cut off one after another. At that time, there were even many barbershops instead of many "barbers". Even Yuan Shikai cut off his braid. The establishment of the Republic of China brought the popularity of short hair.

4. Changes in food customs: China is a country with developed food culture in the world. In the Qing Dynasty, Sichuan cuisine, Guangdong cuisine, Shandong cuisine and other local cuisines and snacks gradually formed. For a long time after the Opium War, the eating habits of China society did not change significantly. However, with the further infiltration of western culture, some western diets were gradually introduced into China. After the middle of19th century, western diets became popular in some coastal trading cities. 1876, Ge noticed that the western restaurant in Hongkou, Shanghai had "China people also go to eat" (Note: Ge et al.: Miscellaneous Notes on Shanghai, Song Nan Meng Lu, Shanghai Meng Ying, Shanghai Ancient Books Publishing House, 1989 edition, p. 30. )。 In the 1980s and 1990s, western restaurants in Tianjin and Beijing opened one after another, becoming more and more famous. Looking through the Ta Kung Pao of this period, we can often see advertisements of "Dining Hall" such as "Pinsheng Building" and "Deyi Building", saying that they specialize in "English and French cuisine" and "inviting foreign chefs to prepare western food" (Note: Ta Kung Pao on May 25 and August 23, 2008). )。 Western-style restaurants in Beijing are of high grade, such as "Six Kingdoms Hotel, Dechang Hotel and Chang 'an Hotel, all of which are western-style feasts" (Note: Hu Pu 'an, ed. : The second volume "China Ethnic Customs", Shanghai Bookstore, 1986 edition, page 2. ), and even people from all walks of life come in and out of it. After Xinhai, eating western food became the fashion in some big cities. Haichang Tai Hansheng wrote in "Song Bin Zhuzhi Ci": "I love champagne when I try to taste the fragrance, taste the western taste at first, and dazzle the knife." (Note: Gu Shouquan: A Survey of Customs and Monuments in Shanghai, [Shanghai] East China Normal University Press, 1993 Edition, No.465438). In short, in the fashion of "foreign flavor", foods with western flavor are gradually welcomed by China people, such as beer, champagne, milk tea, soft drinks, popsicles, ice cream and so on. It shows that western-style diet has caused great changes in China's dietary customs and enriched the daily life of our people.

5. Changes in living customs: There are great differences between Chinese and western living customs, including urbanization and customs. Royal architecture is an outstanding representative of ancient architecture in China, but it has obvious grade difference with the folk houses. The quadrangles in Beijing, the caves in the northwest plateau, the patios and quadrangles in the south, the diaojiao buildings and earth buildings of ethnic minorities in the southwest, and the felt bags in the northern grassland are all typical forms of traditional houses in China. Usually, the traditional houses in China are mainly bungalows, which is mainly related to China's vast land and backward building materials and technology. In modern times, due to the influence of western architectural style and the improvement of urbanization level, China people began to build Western-style or semi-Western-style houses at some trading ports, and the fashion of "huá n ① hu ② imitating Western-style" appeared. In the History of China Customs, Deng said, "Gardens, pavilions and pavilions in the late Qing Dynasty also participated in western-style architecture, and the capital can be seen almost everywhere." In Tianjin, Xiaoyanglou has gradually replaced the quadrangles in the north and become a new trend of local bedroom architecture. In Shenyang, "the building is magnificent and familiar with France and Europe, so the building is even clouds, the sky is high and beautiful, and it stretches for dozens of miles" (note: "Fengtian Tongzhi" volume 97, customs 3, bedroom. ); In Qingdao, "most of the houses in the city are European-style buildings" (Note: Yuan Rongcuo: Social Records of Jiaoao People, p. 72. ); Hankou is "an inch of land and an inch of gold, the sun is waning, Chinese and western factories are flourishing, and the horn wins" (note: preface to Xiakou County Records of the Republic of China). ); In addition to building a large number of Western-style buildings, there are also China folk houses-Alleys influenced by Western architectural styles. Influenced by Shanghai, Hankou, Nanjing, Fuzhou, Tianjin, Qingdao and other places have also built Lane houses near concessions, docks and commercial centers. In addition, with the introduction of western-style buildings, steel, cement, machine-made bricks and tiles, building hardware, running water and electric lights are also widely used. The living customs of modern China residents, especially urban residents, have undergone tremendous changes.

6. Changes in tourism customs: Tourism customs are closely related to traffic. In traditional society, the main means of transportation are horse-drawn carriages, ox carts, shoulders (sedan chairs), wooden boats, horseback riding, donkey riding and camel riding. Its * * * features multi-purpose animal, human or natural forces, slow speed and small range of activities. Backward traffic will inevitably lead to social backwardness. In modern times, with the introduction of western trains, ships, trams, cars, bicycles and motorcycles, the traditional means of transportation in China gradually changed. People suddenly changed from "country people" to "people". After the rise of the automobile, the old concept of "men and women are not close" was broken, and "it is not too much for men and women to sit together". )。 Great changes have taken place in traditional ways of communication.

7. Changes in festival customs: The festival customs of the Chinese nation are unique. Generally speaking, the modern Lunar New Year still follows the folk customs formed since ancient times, such as New Year's Day (Spring Festival), Lantern Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival and Laba Festival. But these festivals are based on the traditional calendar, belong to the product of feudal agricultural civilization, and are full of traditional folk beliefs. Therefore, their backwardness in adapting to modern industrial society is very obvious. There was an appeal to change the calendar in the late Qing Dynasty. 19 10, Liang Qichao wrote a paper on "Changing the solar calendar", and advocated replacing the lunar calendar with the solar calendar (Note: Liang Qichao's Drinking Rooms 25, [Beijing] Zhonghua Book Company 1989, p. 1-2. )。 After the establishment of the government of the Republic of China, on June 5438+0912,65438+10.2, it was categorically announced that the whole country would switch to the solar calendar in order to be consistent with the international calendar. Changing the calendar will inevitably lead to a change in the holiday habits of 20-year-olds. First of all, some meaningful new festivals and anniversaries have appeared in people's political life and daily life. In the early years of the Republic of China, besides the founding day of the Republic of China (1 1 month) and the National Day (10 10/01October), there were also revolutionary martyrs' memorial day (March 29th) and national humiliation. In the1920s and191930s, there was International Women's Day (March 8th). Especially influenced by western customs, Christmas and Valentine's Day are also very popular in cities. All these add luster to the festivals and seasonal customs in China.

8. Changes in wedding and funeral customs: Wedding is a folk form to mark and celebrate marriage. The main marriage form of modern Han nationality is still feudal arranged marriage. Influenced by the concept of equality between men and women and western wedding customs,1In 1950s and 1960s, a small number of scholar-officials who had close contacts with foreigners adopted western wedding ceremonies. "The day before yesterday was Chunfu's wedding day, and a wedding ceremony was held." (Note: Shanghai People's Publishing House: Diaries of the Qing Dynasty, Shanghai People's Publishing House, 1982, p. 250. )。 During the Guangxu period, in economically developed areas, there was a phenomenon of marriage regardless of family background, and western-style weddings gradually had an impact. 19 At the end of the 20th century, the form of civilized marriage became popular in big cities and coastal trading ports. "Civilized marriage prevailed at the turn of Guangxuan, originated in the commercial port of metropolis, and gradually spread in the mainland" (Note: Tsui Hark: Book V of Clearing Banknotes, [Beijing] Zhonghua Book Company 1984, p. 6544. )。 Civilized marriage, except that the wedding place is not in the church, and the priest does not care about extramarital affairs, many ceremonies are generally transplanted from western ceremonies. Although there are some contents of traditional weddings in China, the spirit and form are basically westernized. In a word, the popularity of "civilized marriage" in modern trading ports and coastal towns, after all, reflects the changes of marriage customs in China, and represents the correct direction of the changes of marriage customs in the late Qing Dynasty.

I am lucky to live in a modern society with advanced technology. The development of modern science and technology has brought unprecedented convenience and speed to our life and study, and new changes are taking place in our life every day.

So what was life like twenty years ago, or even thirty years ago? That is to look for answers from parents' memories. I heard that when my father was a child, the only household appliance in the family was the transistor radio, which my grandfather regarded as a treasure at that time. There is no running water at home, and I have to go to Dachuan, two kilometers away, to fetch water every day. Electric lights can only be used for two or three hours every day, and the light is as weak as fireflies. In summer, every family will go out to enjoy the cool, because there was no electric fan at that time. Speaking of getting dressed, it's hard to imagine. Dad said that at that time, buying clothes and fabrics relied on something called "cloth tickets". Only during the Spring Festival can you wear new clothes, and there are only two colors: blue and green. There is only one bus a day to the county seat, which is as crowded as bamboo shoots. Food is simpler. Just eat vegetables three or five times a month. When the food is not enough, add some miscellaneous grains such as shredded sweet potatoes. Hearing this, I can't help feeling: how can mom and dad's life be like that?

What is our life now? Just tell me about my family. My family lives in a three-story building. I have my own small study since I was a child. There are spacious desks, bright lights, my beloved electronic organ and various school supplies in the study. There are various color TVs, refrigerators, air conditioners, stereos, microwave ovens, electric fans and automatic washing machines at home. When I want to check the study materials, I just need to turn on the computer, and the world is in front of me. Students' birthdays, or anything that needs to be contacted, all I need is a few clicks of the mouse, an e-card or email. My favorite thing is to go to the supermarket. My mother will buy me many snacks and beautiful clothes. My parents took me to a buffet and KFC the other day. It was really delicious. I also heard from my dad that our family needs buyers to use cars in the future. By then, it will be more convenient for us to go out to play.

Our family is just a microcosm of society, the times are developing rapidly, and the future life will be better.

I watched the video lecture today, and saw the new changes in China and the new face of life. I don't know if I don't know, but I was shocked at first sight. It is unbelievable and surprising that China has changed so much.

China, with a history of 5,000 years of civilization, has now become a country with advanced science and technology. Let's start with the train.

Today, the train speed in China has increased by six times, and today's China Railway ranks third in the world. Among them, the Qinghai-Tibet Railway is the railway with the highest altitude and the longest route in the world. As is known to all, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is a particularly anoxic place. For the prosperity of the motherland, road builders risked their lives to finally build the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. The birth of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway is a great miracle. The train went to a place that foreigners declared impossible. The people of China are ambitious, confident and capable. A foreign friend once said, "China people are never possible." Now China is rich in materials, because we can transport them to all parts of the country by railway.

Now, the Central People's Government has also exempted rural children from tuition and miscellaneous fees. Now rural parents don't have to worry about their children's tuition and fees, and they don't have to worry about their children not going to school.

Today's children are happy, the cement road has been repaired to the door, and they no longer have to live in shanty towns where air leaks in winter and rain leaks in rainy days. Now, 2 1.2 million square meters of shanty towns have disappeared. As the saying goes, to get rich, build roads first. You see, the road has been repaired, and since then people have embarked on the road of getting rich and running on the road of well-off.

In some remote mountain villages, every village is now covered, and remote mountain villages are no exception. Everyone bought a big color TV, so that the children in those mountain villages could see the outside world and the old people who had never been out of the mountain villages could feel the breath outside.

The world is yours and ours. The future of China is in our hands. In order to have a good future in China, I hereby declare to all my classmates in China: Struggle, work hard, let our 5,000-year-old China once again create miracles, and let those who look down on China look at us with new eyes and work hard!