Chinese kids once again dominated the World Olympic Mathematics Contest held in Canterbury, UK this year, winning 10 gold medals out of a total of 16. However, something embarrassing happened during the closing ceremony. According to media reports, the Chinese kids didn't prepare any gifts for their foreign counterparts, so when they were presented with their gifts, they could only return the favor by giving hard cash.

It appears that our kids only cared about the result of the competition, while the foreigners also emphasized friendship and communication. And while our kids at least had basic manners and returned the favor when they received gifts from their foreign contestants, it was terribly wrong to give cash, as it may have made the recipients think that the Chinese were paying for their gifts and not taking them seriously. This reflects a failure in our education system, under which our kids have come to believe that money can solve everything.

We are happy to see our kids winning the competition, but beneath their outstanding calculation skills, twisted characteristics have developed. We need to reform our education system to tackle this dangerous trend and make our kids good at both calculations and humanity.

China Youth Daily