Stay curious and open to the surrounding environment

Last year was my second as a reporter. During it, I met a wide range of people across the country, from high-level talent to grassroots workers. Maintaining one’s curiosity about current events is crucial for a reporter, and that message was constantly reinforced last year.

The rapid developments in the sharing economy and the internet in recent years have seen a growing number of people providing services on a casual basis for companies that operate via online apps. They work as designated drivers and couriers, and also deliver food to homes and offices.

This undoubtedly brings greater convenience to our daily lives, and many of us are grateful for the amazing development of China’s information technology sector.

However, pertinent questions behind these developments rarely come to people’s minds, such as the fact that many of these casual employees are unable to claim compensation if they are injured in the course of their work.

That may seem strange to many people, who will no doubt ask why these workers do not have access to employment injury insurance to prevent such hardships.

After all, Chinese law stipulates that employers must provide necessary social security for employees. In truth, though, few of these companies need to provide social security. That’s because the flexible, new service model promoted by online apps is not covered by existing laws.

About 70 million people were working in this online service sector in 2017, and the number is expected to hit 100 million in 2020, according to the State Information Center at the National Development and Reform Commission.

Last year, I went abroad for the first time, but by sea rather than air. I boarded a giant container ship bound for Valencia, Spain.

The route we followed is part of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, which is part of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Upon reaching Valencia, I contacted a consignee, a Chinese merchant who purchases a range of made-in-China goods and sells them to local stores.

“Inexpensive, but of decent quality” — that was how a senior couple, both former Carrefour employees, described the Chinese commodities. After hearing that, I understood how the new Silk Road is benefiting people worldwide.

So, just remain curious and stay open to things around me. That’s what I learned in 2018.