Episode 5 BBC News: The Editors

friend or enemy? Is nothing sacred in man's relentless drive for

development? Test Cricket, does it even have a future? Is modern life

Welcome to Tiananmen Square. Almost a quarter of a century ago, I

stood right on this spot and witnessed a massacre. Since then,

China has grown hugely in wealth and power. Under the last leader, China

seemed to turn itself into a super -- power. This year there's been a

new leadership. I have been given the BBC's first high-level political

interview in China in literally decades.

I put the question to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Is China on a

collision course with the West? TRANSLATION: We can absolutely avoid

that. Recently pth President and President Obama had an historic and

strategic meeting in California. The purpose of this meeting was to

explore a path of a giant country of relations. That was to avoid the

historical rule that emerging powers like China and existing powers like

the US are doomed to be in conflict. We have seen it in history when a

new giant country emerges it will have conflicts. However, the 21st

century calls for peace and and. So both China and the US have the

responsibility to explore a new path for giant country relations, as well

as a development path for China and relations. One of the problems that

people have in the West is that China supports so many regimes that

behave disgusting badly to their own people - why does China support

these countries? TRANSLATION: We think we should

stick in the internationally accepted principal of

nonintervention in other country's internal affairs. Every country

should promote and promote human rights. When it comes to

country-to-country relationships we should stick to non- of other

country's affairs. What about Syria, countries like the congo, where

China has sometimes supported some of the worst aspects of Government?

Like I said, we never lean towards anyone when dealing international

affairs. Any stand or measures we take are on

the merits of the case itself, and are based on purposes and principals

of the United Nations Charter and the five principals of peaceful

existence we hold. There's another problem that many

people in the West have with China's approach to the outside world - it

seems to be interest interested in obtaining the natural resources of

Asia, of Africa, of Latin America without any great concern for the

ecological damage that this may do. Is that a fair accusation to make

against China? We think that this is a completely mistaken concept, which

is mis-gided. The co-operate between China and

Latin American countries is beneficial. We build basic

infrastructures together with our African friends. We do constructions

there what we encourage is very strict.

Relationships between China and Britain often seem strain strained

over the years. At the moment, they seem particularly strained and not

as warm address we might have expected. Why -- as we might have

expected. Why is that? When China and UK relations are up and down

that is when relationship fails to be upheld, especially the core

interests of each other. The bilateral relationship is often

damaged during these times. The development of bilateral relations

between China and the UK should be based on the mutual trust of each

other. This is the political basis for political developments between

each side. Crow are really talking about the meet -- You are really

talking about the meeting that David Cameron had with the dally llama?

When it comes to issues that concern the core interests of China, the

Chinese Government must respond to the strong calls of Chinese people.

We hope that foreign Governments can respect the feelings of Chinese

people and understand the wish of Chinese people.

Do you expect that relations with Britain will be warmer now that

there's a new leadership in China? China-UK relations have had a solid

foundation for a healthy development. We hope that both sides

can push forward the bilateral relation based on mutual respect. It

serves the interests of both sides. It is the hope of the people of both

countries. Is that yes or no? I don't understand. I think the most

important thing is mutual respect, especially the respect of the core

interests of each other. Should the interests of each other. Should the

outside world expect Big changes from the Government of the

President? We think that China's current Government requires us to

remain open and deep in our relationship with the outside world.

During the process we hope that China's development can benefit

world peace and development. At the same time, world peace and

development can support China's long-term development.

The Chinese dream is similar. We hope China's development can achieve

a win-win result with the world. Afterwards, going through my notes,

it seemed to me that in spite of the highly formal way those answers were

expressed - well this is China after all - the aim was to show that China

does want a new start to its relationship with Britain and the

West. Two phrases jump out of it - a win-win result and the Chinese

dream. Realising the dream depends on achieving this win-win outcome.

So, is China a friend or an enemy? The answer I got here was, let's try

This is of course a place of the greatest beauty and historical

important. -- importance. Supposing they found oil under city over

there, would they extract it? What is relentless in man's drive for

development on this tiny planet of ours? Let's hear the views of our

The amazing White Cliffs of Dover. An incredible site sight, but more

than that, they are a key part of our island story. Everything from

wartime defiance to homecoming. I felt that myself when I was posted

abroad and came back on the ferry. They are certainly special. You

So, no-one would want to touch them, or would they? What if, and this is

pure purely hi per thetal, what if there was gold in the cliffs. Worth

�1 billion, some might touch it. If the gold was worth �1 trillion, well

how sacred would the cliffs look then? I first wondered about what we

value and whether everything has a price last year, visiting not the

limestone of the white cliffs, but the iron ore of the Amazon. The iron

at this vast mine is worth $1 trillion, so the rainforest does not

stand a chance. Last year I saw how much of the ocean floor is rich in

copper. Worth billions and in big demand. Even the sea bed is not off

limits. I am with a man from the National

Trust, which owns part of the white cliffs. Does he think they have a

price? Would you contemplate a gold mine in the white cliffs? I think

after a lot of soul-searching and a lot of internal reflection, and that

is a possibility. You would rather there was not gold in the white

cliffs? Yes.If there was, would you have to consider getting at it if it

was worth �1 trillion? If it was and the receipts came back to the

National Trust, then certainly we would want to look at it. We would

want to make sure we were not standing in the way of progress. We

would want to make sure it was the right progress. Even as someone as

sacred as this has a price? I think, So, should anything be sacred? Well,

attitudes keep changing according to the times. In 1971, there was a plan

to build a multi-storey car park here. Car was king. Economic

development was the priority. Then, one man said, hang on, there is

something more precious. If you go ahead, you risk losing something

extremely valuable right here. Brain Filp. He rescued the only

Roman house with painted walls this side of the Alps. Worth saving?

Previous generations just destroyed Previous generations just destroyed

this kind of thing. They said You cannot compromise with the car.

was it like for you? Just wait and see! You must have faced some stiff

opposition? That has been my career for over 40 years. Hostility?Yes.

We have had quite a few battles. Hate mail? No. Physical violence.

Against you for trying to save this. For saving sites like this

elsewhere. Above Dover, the western height heights fortress, the largest

of its kind in England, built in resist nap poll Leon. It has been

neglected for years. This, in England, has to be the most

important single military site because it is unique. There is

nothing else like it. In exchange for �5 million to do this place up,

the developers get to build a hotel very close by and 500 houses. A

compromise by the Government's own advisers. It is an enormous project

and actually rather vivid coming in here and smelling the damp. A huge

task to revive it. Purists, in the conservation movements would say you

are supping the devil by taking �5 million from a developer. It is the

modern approach, that we have to be more pragmatic than in the past.

There is little money going around. Certainly on that sort of a scale.

You would not get the money from any one else? There is no-one else we

can get the money to make the slightest difference to a place on

this scale. Just up the road, I am in what has been declared an area of

outstanding natural beauty. Hillary shows me where the 500 new houses

will go. It is a deal too far, she says.

Dover has been at the forefront of so many battles through the years.

This is a designated area that should never, ever be built on,

other than in absolutely appropriate Here at the foot of the white cliffs

this nature reserve looks like it has been here for years. In fact, it

is built on spoil from when they dug out the channel tunnel. At the time

it was met with fierce opposition. Now, 100,000 people enjoy this place

every year. So, develop or save? A difficult

balance becoming harder as the population grows.

Defining what is sacred has never been so contentious.

Oh, and in case you are wondering, there is not any gold in the white

I think this is one of the nicest places in the whole of Beijing. It

is called Unity Lake. A little oasis of peace and calm and beauty.

So much of the world is highly pressurised nowadays. Can it really

be good for us? Our contributing editor wonders whether modern life

ALARM OK, come on breakfast. Quick! Get

the milk! Come on! We are quite late. Mine is

an all or nothing life, conducted at speed. I never have much time to

chat to neighbours. I don't have time to sit in the local cafe and

never get enough sleep. My jam-packed life is not untypical.

The majority of us complain about too much work and a lack of time,

being constantly on the go has become the norm! We are working on

average an hour or two less than we used to 40 years ago. It does not

feel that way. We can work more flexibly now, thanks to Internet and

e-mail. It means we are never off I am not complaining. I have had

great opportunities that maybe as a woman I would not have had 50 years

ago. I value having a role in a wider spear than just the home. Is a

life led at this pace healthy? So many people complain about feeling

anxious and stressed. I know myself can get impatient and intolerant

sometimes. This is what you need to do - maybe not!

I overheard what you were saying. I think I can help. You need a slow

makeover. OK. Show me how. How come we are on the ice? I thought we

should be calming down. I love speed. There are times when speed is

what you want. Being on the ice is one of those times. You have to cut

lose and enjoy going fast. So my timetable is jam-packed. How would y

advise me to slow down? For most of us, do less. We are trying to do too

many things. Line up what you have for a week and cut from the bottom,

from what is least important. Switch off the gadgets. Turn off the Wi-Fi

and have moments to recharge. Get away from that distraction. I am

halfway towards a new me. I am curious to know what life might be

like in a place where modern life is not killing people, where things are

It may surprise fans of The Killing and The Bridge, but a major

international survey has Denmark scoring highest on the happiness

index. Perhaps it is all the top drama they consume. Maybe they could

teach me a thing or two about slowing down.

So, why isn't modern life killing the Danes. It is not because they

are all so happy. Well, they work on average fewer hours than we do. They

earn less than we do too. A lower proportion work very long hours. Is

that it then? Work less? How do they get on in life? Aren't they

ambitious for more? They are ambitious, but they don't

like to show the ambition. They like to succeed, but not in public.

see! You can have relations with people who are very different from

yourself. So, you play golf with a dustman or you are in a tennis club

with someone living a different life to you. People don't take it

seriously. You accept different lifestyles. There's no right or

wrong life. You can choose a life Say goodbye. Phil and Tanya know all

about choices. He is British, she is Danish and their life with their

toddler is different from mine. the UK, I was really working

extremely long hours and also the commute was taking me a lot of time

during the week, which meant if we based our family there, I would

really have had limited opportunity to see my wife and charily and she

would have -- Charlie and she would have to have the task of bringing up

the family. Perhaps the measures are different to London and there is

less focus on money, status and what sort of house you live in. It is

lovely. Thank you very much. I will see you tonight. Goodbye.

Family life is very healthy in Denmark. Most of the women work.

Those with small children compete to pick them up early from nursery so

they can spend quality time with them in the afternoon.

Danes seem more contented than the British. Material wealth or at least

flaunting it is not so important. You don't see so often fancy cars.

Because they work shorter hours they are at home and can socialise

mid-week. It is Phil's birthday. I have been invited to the

celebration. Hi. Happy birthday. Thank you for inviting me. This

looks love lovely. Do you want some champagne? Go on. I am slowing down.

I think modern life in the UK is sort of killing us slowly really. It

is so stressful. Is your life here killing you?

Not mine. I see those people walking home with

the prams and they are walking chatting. That makes me happy to see

people have their time together. It is really important.

Could I live in a society like Denmark? Sure. Could I live a less

killing life in the UK? Tricky, given that everyone is intent on

achievement. In the rat life it is possible to learn the face. The pace

of live is overwhelming sometimes. My own personal fight back has

The famous bird's nest stadium from, the huge hugely successful Beijing

Olympics. One sport that has only once been seen at the Olympics is

cricket, back in 19 oh 00. -- 1900. Maybe it is not surprising given a

traditional, international Test match takes five self-indulgent days

to play out. Can something like that really survive in today's fast-paced

world? Does Test Cricket have any future at all? Something for David

Bond, our sports editor, to consider. It is a classic English

scene. Played out on village greens across the country every summer

weekend. Cricket has always treasured its traditions and

history. The winds of change are Cricket has been played here at

Sheffield Park since 1845. Back in the late Victorian era it hosted

international matches. The Australians played here then. These

days it is used by club cricketers T common theme, the common ambition

for anyone to play this sport is to dream of Test Cricket. That was

always my dream, ever since I started to play this game as a kid.

Unfortunately my talent didn't quite match the ambition.

It might seem odd to be posing a question about the state of Test

Cricket in the middle of an Ashes summer T oldest rivalry in the sport

is still a big draw. The popularity and success of these dramatic

matches underline the indifference to the five-day game in other

countries. Nowhere has been more indifferent

than India. The game's financial and political powerhouse.

Here, the Indian Premier League calls the shots. Packing stadiums

with a newer, shorter version. 20 over cricket or T 20 always has a

result and is over in about three India's passion for the game is

beyond doubt. Here at the Oval, fans have turned out in huge numbers to

watch their heroes play. But that is not always the case

these days for Tests back home. So, what format do these supporters

prefer? T20.Why? It is short and very exciting. Would you go and

watch a Test match? No. Not me. Test is cricket. T20 is more fun. It

is more of a crowd-puller. T20. Why?Action, result. I like

Test Cricket. You don't like the T20?

He likes the cricket. He doesn't understand toofrp about

cricket Twenty20 or Test Cricket. The absence of a consensus shows the

problem for the game. It is not just in India. South Africa, New Zealand

and Sri Lanka have all seen a decline in Test match attendances.

Taunton has been graced by some of the finest Test players. Botham,

Richards and Garner, just three of the names from the glorious past.

The current crop of players face a dilemma they never faced - whether

to goer Test Cricket or the cash -- to go for Test Cricket or the cash

of T20. It is a debate dividing dressing rooms around the world.

goal, as an early kid, was to play for England. That is what I wanted

to do. I am cloudy because I came out the back end of the T20. It was

never an issue for me. Maybe now this is a question for the young

kids. You talk about your boy wants to play Twenty20 cricket and that is

all he wants to do. He has no interest in hitting the boy with a

high elbow. He is nine. He wants to be doing the reverse sweeps. Why is

there a problem with that? There is not a problem. I don't understand

why it is a problem if someone wants to play Twenty20 cricket around the

world and earn money. I don't see an issue. It is easier for guys to sit

behind a computer and criticise that. When someone gets an

opportunity, it is their life, their career. It is no-one else's.

The challenge for those who run the sport is to find a way of making

Test Cricket more rewarding for future generations of players and

plans. Night-time tests with pink balls is one of the more radical

options. From 2017, the four best countries will play each other in a

new world Test championship. The International Cricket Council knows

it has to do something. How much of a problem do you think Test Cricket

has? I am optimistic about the future of Test Cricket. The majority

of the current players certainly still view succeeding in their

careers at Test level as the ultimate objective. Yes, maybe