Education is the life’s work of Zhang Baoqing, but money now is his top concern. The former vice minister of education supervises the China Education Development Foundation (CEDF), the country’s first publicly funded organization of its kind.
　　By the end of November, the foundation had raised 264 million yuan, including a donation of 3 million yuan from former Chinese Premier Li Peng. More than 13,000 students from impoverished families have been included in its aid program, with total payments reaching 40 million yuan.
　　But Zhang pays more attention to the 200,000 applications for help his foundation has received. Throughout the country, there are 40 million students in schools at all levels in danger of dropping out due to financial difficulties, according to official statistics.
　　At the inauguration of the CEDF in March, Zhang said the organization was established to mobilize all sectors of society to contribute to the establishment of an efficient relief system for students in difficulties.
　　From then on, Zhang, 62, has launched a nationwide fundraising campaign. “No matter how big or small a donation is, we welcome it,” he said.
　　Zhang attributes his dedication to helping poor students to a wholehearted gratitude for the government sponsorship that helped him through his school years. He said his next objective is to increase the available capital of CEDF to 1 billion yuan and make its working procedures more transparent.
　　Despite the increasing strength of CEDF, Zhang stresses that nongovernmental relief organizations can only play a supplementary role in aiding poor students and calls for governments at all levels to increase the coverage of the state-run student loan system.
　　Prior to his retirement from the government in October 2005, the outspoken opponent of the commercialization of education had repeatedly advocated that education is a kind of public service and the government is obliged to invest in it.
　　“It is not only the government’s responsibility to help students in difficulties, but the responsibility of us all.”
　　
　　Zhang Baoqing
　　
　　“The state supports nongovernmental organizations engaged in relief efforts for students from poverty-stricken families and encourages all sectors of society to contribute to educational development, so as to build a more extensive network for this purpose.”
　　
　　Chen Zhili, Councilor of the State Council
　　
　　“This government believes strongly that the time has come for national reconciliation.”
　　Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, speaking to the House of Commons hours before the parliament overwhelmingly adopted a resolution on November 28 stating that Quebec Province represents a “nation” within Canada
　　“Religions are for peace and reconciliation-they should not be interpreted otherwise.”
　　Pope Benedict XVI, calling for “authentic dialogue” between religions during his visit to Turkey
　　“We have to remain by the side of one another and share the sorrows and happy moments of each other.”
　　Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, pledging help for security and peace in Iraq during a meeting with his Iraqi counterpart Jalal Talabani in Tehran
　　“Increased demand for energy from China isn’t the only thing driving up the global oil price. In fact, market fundamentals demonstrate that as long as investment goes to fueling oil production, there will be enough oil at affordable prices for the world economy.”
　　Noe Van Hulst, Director of Long-term Cooperation and Policy Analysis at the International Energy Agency
　　“The issue for us is to make sure we are extremely well-planned and ready for the six-party talks [on the Korean nuclear issue], which we do anticipate will get going at some point very soon.”
　　

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