A five year-old girl goes to school and comes home bloody from a beating; she won't be able to eat normally for over a week due to the injuries to her mouth. The beating was administered by her teacher.
Her father goes to the school to pursue the matter, and he is beaten and permanently disabled. The beating was administered by another teacher at the school. The mother of the child is sent to a re-education centre for almost two years.
The young girl cries as she relates this story to a Radio Netherlands correspondent for the worldwide edition of The State We're In (March 27).
China has laws to prevent such atrocities, but even on the fringes of Beijing the reality is that minor officials such as teachers and local police are ''cronied up'' and untouchable, and laws can become tools for inflicting further injustice.
As I listened to the horrific violations pile up, one on top of another, and being a former teacher myself, I felt a cold rage at the perpetrators.
And not only at them but at the vast and evidently unaccountable Chinese bureaucracy that makes and tolerates them.
I think it is commendable, and even desirable, that Mr Rudd wants closer ties to a more engaged China.
But it may be the case that China is, more than most nations, chimerical.
China is such a complex aggregation that one cannot be sure what it is, let alone how best to relate to it.
Ross Kelly, Monash
Rudd in subterfuge
While the blowtorch is being applied to the Minister for Defence for what seems a paltry misdemeanour, the Prime Minister is getting away with his secret meeting with Chinese Propaganda Minister Li Changchun absolutely scot free.
No one will deny China is an important trading partner and intergovernmental talks should be held frequently to promote Australia's interests. But to hold secret talks and not even inform the media or issue a press release is not only arrogant, it is totally reprehensible, and the Prime Minister should be thoroughly condemned for his behaviour. The Opposition and media should be demanding a complete and open statement as to the exact discussions undertaken by Mr Rudd and Mr Li. Subterfuge should never be part of the PM's portfolio.
N. Bailey, Murrumbateman
Some of us Australians suffer from acute Sinophobia: an irrational fear of ''the Yellow Peril''.
Sinophobia is really another form of xenophobia, of people whose lifestyle differs markedly from our own.
However, let's not forget that Chinese migrants to the US, Canada Australia and other countries have shown they are capable of being Westernised in a short period.
Australia has nothing to fear but fear itself. The correct policy is to cooperate with the noble Chinese who realise that the cultivation of cultural, spiritual and material wellbeing among nations will be to the mutual benefit of all.
In passing, let's remember that although the global financial crisis started in America the upturn will come from China. So it's in Australia's national interest to rid herself of undue animosity and join China in helping build a brave new world.
Martinho de Souza, Giralang
Difference of a year
I distinctly remember, this time last year, Mike O'Shaughnessy calling Earth Hour a waste of time. This year, he's in favour of it (Letters, March 28) .
Next thing you know, he'll be out fishing and roo shooting.
Shane Jasprizza, Dunlop
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