Nanhui, a suburb of Shanghai where my grandpa grew up, was farmland. There were fewer tall buildings, and very few cars on the road. Buses were used for public transportation. At night, you could see many stars. Prior to the reform and opening up period in China, air and water quality was much better. There were also more small animals.
Almost all of Shanghai’s old buildings have been demolished and replaced with high-rise homes and office buildings. The starry nights have been replaced with glittering skyscrapers, which my grandparents can see from their home. Shanghai and its suburbs have all expanded outward.
The transportation network has improved dramatically. The rail system is very fast and convenient.
Air and water quality degraded with the early stages of industrialization, as it did in the West. There are many cars on the roads now. Fertilizers and pesticides poisoned surface water and reduced the abundance of animal life like frogs and snakes. The Huangpu River turned black. In recent years, however, China has begun to take these problems very seriously. Public transit buses are being electrified. Chemicals are being restricted. The Huangpu River is now clear and has fish in it. Suzhou Lake has undergone remediation and the factories that once ringed it have been moved away.
While growing up in Nanhui, my grandpa would sleep outside when it was hot and gaze up at the starry sky.
To get to Nanhui or Qingpu, it would take 4-5 hours. To get to Nanhui, you would have to ride a bus, take a boat across the Huangpu River, take another bus, and walk the last kilometer or so.
Today, online shopping is very convenient. You can buy appliances and food online and have them delivered to your door.
The rail system is very fast. Now is only takes 1-2 hours to get to Nanhui or Qingpu. All you need to do is get on a train and transfer a couple times in between.
In addition to the interview, my grandpa wrote some thoughts down. Note: this is not the same as the video above.
From an ordinary person’s perspective, Shanghai has gone through large changes
Ever since the Reform and Opening Up, Shanghai has changed along with the rest of China. It can be said that it is changing with each passing day.
1. Housing: Almost all of Shanghai’s old houses have been demolished. The newly constructed buildings are all homes or offices that are many stories tall. In recent times, the residents of Hongzhen Old Street, which is near our home, have all been relocated. It is said that most of the relocated households receive money rather than new homes. This may also indicate that the housing needs of ordinary people have basically been met.
2. Transportation: Shanghai’s transportation network has already been greatly expanded and is very fast. 17 rail lines have been built and put into operation. To get to our childhood homes Nanhui and Qingpu, in the suburbs, you just need to get on at a nearby rail station. With just one in-station transfer, you can get to Nanhui and Qingpu – it is very convenient and fast. In the suburbs and rural areas, quite a few young households own private cars. New construction and urbanization has greatly expanded both the urban and suburban areas, and it is still ongoing.
3. Retirement income: The retirement income for retired employees has increased for more than 10 consecutive years. On average, it increases 5-6% each year, significantly improving the standard of living. In recent years, expenses for many major medical costs have been incorporated into health insurance coverage, giving ordinary people’s livelihoods a stronger safety net. It can be said that there is plenty of clothing and ample food.
4. Online shopping: Shopping on the internet is extremely popular, whether it’s for large home appliances and electronics or for everyday food items and gourmet food. Almost anything can be bought online, and it can be quickly delivered to your doorstep. Without even leaving the house, you can pretty much live a satisfactory life. This is an unprecedented change.
5. Globalization and internal exchange: From the perspective of the common people, you can see many products from all over the world on supermarket shelves, including items for daily use, food, fruits, seafood, etc. If you want it, it’s there. What’s more, the selection has been come more and more diverse and abundant. We can enjoy many wonderful products from around the world without leaving the country.
Final thoughts: Every night I spend about 2 hours watching international and Chinese news reports. I hope that our country grows in strength and prosperity and that the world becomes more and more beautiful!
For Stanley’s reading and review.
Your grandfather
01-22/2019