Comment on "Premier vows to help startups" (China Daily, Jan 20)

Doing business in a free market is not easy. To succeed in business, an individual or group of individuals needs sufficient experience, knowledge and skills. And in today's drastically changing environment, only those that are prepared to take up challenges will inherit the future.

Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that the successful practices of the past will ensure success in the future, because if that were the case, there would never be room for improvement. History tells us that civilizations that could not cope with changes either declined or disappeared for good, which should be a good lesson for all.

The Chinese government must establish an official organization to ensure free and fair competition in the market, and encourage individuals and enterprises with new ideas to come forward to take up new challenges. China is different from Western countries such as the United States and so should be its approach to problems.

Of course, American companies that grow into global giants get the US government's support in all aspects, but the latter's role in their rise and success is hardly evident. This is one of many aspects the Chinese government and enterprises should explore.

Ghostbuster, on China Daily forum

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