Speaker
1: |
This
healthy appetite belongs to 15-year-old school boy [Ouyang], the only son of
Senor [Party] [Cardas]. He's part of a growing
group of kids in single-child China who are over-pampered and overfed. |
Speaker
2: |
[foreign]. |
Speaker
1: |
Like
many others his size, Oyung spends summer holidays
at a camp for children aged between 14 and 16. For two and a half hours every
day, they run, twist and jump away the kilos. |
|
The
instructors believe if kids today can kick their sedentary habits, most of
the weight will simply roll away. |
Speaker
2: |
[foreign]. |
Speaker
1: |
Summer
camp at Beijing's 402 Middle School isn't just about getting kids to lose
weight. There's a much more important national goal. Next June, these
children will sit in high school entrance exams. If they fail the sports
component, an 800-meter run, long jump and throwing the shot put, it can mean
going to a basic school rather than a prestigious one. |
|
For
Chinese put a child's education above everything. |
Speaker
2: |
[foreign]. |
Speaker
1: |
Why
do children have to be good at sport in order to succeed academically? |
Speaker
2: |
[foreign]. |
Speaker
1: |
Not
surprisingly, this doesn't impress kids like Oyung. |
Ouyang: |
[foreign]. |
Speaker
1: |
Four
weeks into the camp, a break from the usual routine. So, the programme
doesn't become monotonous, Mr. [Gong] has organised a mini-biathlon, a
30-kilometer bike ride to be followed by a brisk walk up to the top of the
Fragrant Hills. I've been asked to join them to give the children a morale boost. |
|
After
two hours at gentle pace, we arrive at the so-called Fragrant Hills on the
outskirts of Beijing. A specialist has been invited along to administer
Chinese medicine. In this case, to balance the tired inner elements of the
youngsters restoring their energy in preparation for the hour long climb.
Others preferred to revive their energy with a few saturated fats. |
|
After
a little rest, the long march begins. Unbeknownst tot he
kids, this foreign correspondent has other plans like playing [truant]. |
|
An
hour later, and it was well worth all the effort, even if I did come near the
back of the class. But where is Oyung? [foreign] |
Speaker
2: |
Oyung [foreign00:04:49]. |
Speaker
1: |
We
wait and wait, but Ouyung never shows. It's left to
the others to savour their success. |
Child: |
[foreign]. |
Speaker
1: |
Do
you think you've lost weight? |
Child: |
[foreign]. |
Speaker
5: |
[foreign]. |
Speaker
1: |
All
this while the reconcentrate Ouyung
is back home bucking the system. Why didn't you climb up the hill with the
rest of your class? |
Speaker
2: |
[foreign]. |
Speaker
1: |
Did
you try? |
Speaker
2: |
Sure.
[foreign]. |
Speaker
1: |
He
knows that in 12 months time his fitness or lack of
it could send him to a lousy school, which would bring disappointment and humiliation
to his parents. But this is, after all, his second year at summer camp, and
there's been little progress in the battle of the bulge. At least in the
comfort of his bedroom, with the touch of a button, someone else can do the
running around for him. |