From National Flag Guard to Farmer: A Chinese Veteran's Career Shift to Boost Rural Economy
In China, a former national flag guard, Zhang Zixuan, made headlines when he chose to leave his military career to become a farmer. The 31-year-old, who hails from a rural area in Hebei's Xingtai, was known as the "handsomest flag guard" during his time in the military, having flawlessly executed 7781 flag-raising and lowering ceremonies without error.
23 May 2024
His decision to turn to agriculture was inspired by an experience where he was invited to promote his hometown's agricultural products, leading him to establish an agricultural business. In the past two months, he has visited over a dozen places, indirectly benefiting more than 600 rural households by selling over 20,000 units of agricultural products. Zhang expressed his desire to work hard in assisting farmers and training the next generation of flag guards.
The topic of people leaving their jobs to pursue alternative careers has become a hot topic on Weibo, with many users expressing their admiration for Zhang's courage. Some commenters have expressed their belief that success is not determined by one's job title, but rather by one's inner qualities and external value. Others have praised Zhang for his bravery in leaving a stable job to help others, noting that success in any chosen field is dependent on persistence and the amplification of one's strengths.
In other news, the topic of Li Chengze, a character from a popular Chinese drama, has sparked controversy on Weibo. Li, who is often portrayed as cunning and manipulative, is said to have not received any genuine kindness from others. Viewers have expressed their sympathy for Li, who they believe is a victim of the imperial power struggle.
The show has sparked discussions about the realities of imperial power struggles, with many viewers noting the similarities between the show's storyline and real-life political machinations. Another popular topic on Weibo has been the controversial practice of "light fasting," where individuals limit their food intake for a short period.
According to health experts, light fasting is only suitable for individuals who are muscular, overweight, have a large waist circumference, high blood fat levels, or low insulin sensitivity. The practice is not recommended for individuals with weak self-control or those with limited time to adjust their diet. It is important to note that light fasting is not a quick fix for weight loss, as it primarily reduces water weight and muscle mass. To effectively reduce body fat, a balanced diet and regular exercise are crucial. The topic of light fasting has sparked a debate on Weibo, with many users expressing their skepticism over its effectiveness. Some have pointed out that the practice can lead to negative health consequences, such as hair loss, dizziness, muscle weakness, excessive sweating, and slowed reaction times. Others have criticized the practice as a fad, noting that it is not a sustainable or healthy approach to weight loss.
In the world of finance, the topic of employee compensation at Chinese banks has generated significant interest. According to reports, a customer service manager at a local bank in western China received a monthly salary of less than 1000 RMB after deducting mandatory insurance payments. This is a significant decrease from her previous monthly salary of over 2000 RMB.
The bank employee, identified only as Zhao Jia, is primarily responsible for deposit and retail business. However, the commission she receives for attracting new deposits has decreased significantly, causing her salary to plummet. At the same time, her personal loan quota has increased by nearly 10 times compared to last year. The issue of low employee compensation at Chinese banks has become a hot topic on Weibo, with many users expressing their outrage over the unfair treatment of bank employees. According to data from Wind, the average salary of employees at 42 listed Chinese banks has decreased by 13.95%. Seven listed banks have disclosed that they have recovered a total of 5280.97 million RMB in employee performance-based bonuses. The issue has raised concerns over the fairness of employee compensation in the banking industry and the potential impact on employee morale. In conclusion, the topics of career changes, controversial TV shows, light fasting, and employee compensation have generated significant interest and discussion on Weibo.
These topics highlight the diverse range of issues that are of concern to Chinese netizens, from personal health to financial stability. As the world's most populous country, China's impact on global trends and culture cannot be ignored, and these topics provide a window into the issues that are shaping the country's social and economic landscape.