But what is free?

Is it free, if it is funded by tax payers? Or state-owned tobacco sales?

Most foreigners in China I expect to break above the 4800 RMB monthly income limit, and therefore be interested to know that their tax contributions provide (among other things) education to Chinese youth.

But Chinese not so much. Many do not earn over 3500 RMB a month, and especially not the typical villagers and parents in locales where children drop out of compulsory education.

I argue that however little people earn, they should have to provide even a marginal tax contribution to raise awareness about efficient spending of those contributions.

Then again, that may still not be in best interest of the Chinese state.

@bilingualexpat:

Yes, I agree that China is far behind many countries, and when measuring happiness in international level, money starts to play less important role.

China has obvious disadvantages when it comes to civil liberties and democracy for example. People in countries that are arguably better positioned in those aspects, that knowledge alone will make them feel better about their own lives - even if financially they would not fare relatively any better than average Chinese.

But these awards in OP were limited to Chinese cities and I assume to Chinese respondents (by huge proportion anyway).

In Chinese context, Chengu has still been boasting GDP growth in the double digits or very close anyway, and while few will admit that money brings happiness, increase in GDP will translate to some degree of hope and positive vibe among the Chinese residents.

In national level, China's double digit days are over, but they were there anyway at some point. Was it ever so for Kunming? (not that I know if it still is)

I don't get this part (or I probably do, but disagree wholeheartedly):

"an official at a county-level education bureau in Yunnan told local media in 2014, explaining the local attitudes. "By the time he finishes school, all the good girls would be married, and it'd be hard for him to find a wife.""

Is (was) this "official" saying that if a boy takes his compulsory education to the end and finishes school at 15-or-so old, all good girls are married by then?

Hello?

"No marriage may be contracted before the man has reached 22 years of age and the woman 20 years of age."

Perhaps the schools should have more classes about the laws of China, so at least the future generations wouldn't need to be sued to take their kids to school.

Well, I for one am closing on 5th full year in Kunming, and can not speak Chinese more than casual greetings or understanding how much money to give when I buy something.

Local spouse contributes a lot to avoid having to learn, and since neither of us are teachers, family happiness comes before frustrating teacher/student relationship.

Also, to me it seems that it gets easier to manage without Chinese every year - I suppose it is some kind of development both ways.

But I have been considering taking formal classes - not so much to hold a conversation, but as backup plan if things change career or otherwise.