A total of 794 people died in traffic accidents over the National Day holiday. Even though this number is 46.4 percent less compared to the same time last year, the number is still astonishing.

This is the present day China, where the total amount of traffic deaths in 2011 was about 60,000. However, compared to about a decade ago, China's traffic safety has improved a lot, although it is still some way behind developed countries.

This situation isn't limited to the field of traffic safety. While the country is developing rapidly, many problems still exist.

There are numerous debates currently taking place in China. All of them focus on one topic: Should we view China through the prism of historical development or compare it with other developed countries?

We should view China from both perspectives. It would be foolish for us to differentiate or politicize them. Only taking the first perspective will lead to complacency and arrogance. If the second perspective dominates public opinion, people will totally negate the progress China has made.

Chinese public opinion had been led by the first perspective. Problems were ignored and the nation was described as one that made triumphant advances.

In recent years, the second perspective has spread rapidly in the field of public opinion. It is natural for people to ignore the progress China has made during the last few decades from this perspective.

Indeed, there are many problems in China. That's because the country's level of development is still very low. China is in an awkward period in which the nation is encountering difficulties in striking a balance between development and problems caused by development. 

China should continuously re-examine itself. It is normal for people to have complaints. However, the majority of Chinese people should not express surprise about China's problems, but should understand them.

We cannot only use "good" or "bad" to judge a complex country like China. There are various indications that show China's situation is promising and the country is developing rapidly. China has to develop itself because there are problems. China has the capability to handle these problems. To assert whether the problems are good or not would be to misunderstand China's development.