JUN. 1, 2014
ON THE WAY
ON THE WAY Breaking news! The influence of Malaysia MH370 and a terrorism attack in Kunming railway station have not passed yet, a knife attack happened in Guangzhou railway station at the early of May, but it does not effect people have a trip or go outside. When Guangzhou people are still struggling that using which APPs to call a taxi, and fighting with taxi drivers using the meter or not, some foreigners are exciting to take motorcycle taxi in Guangzhou. Summer holiday is coming, which is a good time to get a driver license, however, the test is easy or not that is a question. Open ON THE WAY, choose a mode of transportation, we will take you a wonderful trip without dangers.
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ON THE WAY, JUNE 1, 2014
ON THE WAY JUNE 1, 2014 Mika Wong
4. Travel By Train Don't Be Afraid --- Railway Station Can Defend The Terrorism Attack Stronger
Taylor Li
6. Malaysia Event: A Chance or A Disaster?
Kay Ye
8. Black Taxi
Hank Zhang 10. Cab-hailing Apps A Magical Way of Taking Cab Cover Designer:
Celia Zeng
13. To Pass Driving Test Easily? No way!
Juno Zhang
15. Rushing In Mega City
Juno Zhang
17. Activity In Guangzhou If you want to download this picture, please log in our website
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Travel By Train Don't Be Afraid Railway station can defend the terrorism attack stronger Mika Wong
R ailway
is the most popular public transportation in China, also in Guangzhou where is one of southern cities in China. Spring transport which is the special phenomenon l that only China attracts the nerve of people, because a huge group of people choose railway to came back to their hometown every Spring festival. Knife attack happened in the railway station of Guangzhou at the beginning of May which made the passengers anxious – the terrorism chopping case was happened. What did the railway security do during the riot event? How to keep the advantages of railway as the one of most popular transports in China today? Tang Shanyun, the security officer of Guangzhou Railway Group told about the chopping case happened recently in Guangzhou Railway Station. “That was happened at noon and someone said some people wanted to chop the others on the margin of railway
station,” Tang said, “The railway security just like us led the passegers entered the station as fast as we could just in order to protect them keep away from the terrorism attack and let the local police to disposed the situation.” Although there are some the security problems near the railway station, Tang explains the reason is not belong to railway security. “The terrorism attacks all happened in the periphery of railway station which is the precaution area of regional public security." Tang said, “Obviously, the recent attack happened in the streets near the railway station of chopping case.” He also added that if it is in the area of station public security which will be better because there are large group of policeman on duty for the public security in each railway station. The big station or starting station all administer by their own police station. The safety inspection is very rigorous in every station
and almost the lethal weapons are resisted outside the station. The plainclothes policeman on duty in each run of train and the railway staffs are 24-hour on duty. The power of reinformancement and emergency capacity of railway are quite good when the train face to the accident or challenge because it is supervised by halfmilitarization. The reason that lots of people choose railway to travel or business trip. He said compare with the plane flying in the sky, train has solid roadbed and it makes people feel more surefooted. The train drive on the anti-interference rail and command by strict dispatch, and the self-control instrument which settled down on the train can guarantee the train parking by signal though the driver in trouble compare to automobile. The railway is faster than water transport, also it would be the best choice that the travel within 300 to 1000 kilometers. During the process of railway building the railroad is insulated by the other roads and the staffs will report to the company if they find some problems on the everyday check. Each run of train is monitoring by surveillance video and the railway
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“G o traveling by train is a good choice that you would not be afraid and enjoy it!” companies located in the both sides of railway in order to enhance vigilance. The armed police and railway militia always guard the important railway facility.
---Tang Shanyuan
The security situation of railway station seems quite well but there are some information should be noticed for the traveler travel by train. Do not carry the daily necessities which inflammable and explosive on the train. Do not carry the control cutter of public security in case that the illegal people use it to hurt you. Keep your eyes on your valuables, the thieves is much more than terrorists now a day. Go with partners if you have a long trip and focus your words if you go alone. Do not be The policemen are on duty with guns in Guangzhou Railway Station. flurried when you Photography by Mika Wong in trouble and learn to how to protect yourself before you get hurt. Hold something defensive in hands to protect yourself. “The bad guys are around everywhere sometimes lost control of public security but railway still the most safe transport so far. Go traveling by train is a good choice that you would not be afraid and enjoy it!” Tang suggested to the public passages. ■
ON THE WAY, JUNE 1, 2014
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Malaysia Event: A Chance or A Disaster?
nini0928@hotmail.com
Taylor Li
"Different people have different views, some people think it is a chance, some think it is a diseaster." ---Xiaoyong Do
had received nearly eighty percent unsubscribe.”
During the Malaysia event, many people in China said that they won’t fly to Malaysia or transfer at there, some people are even afraid taking plane. Malaysia Airline discounts the tickets, but still many people are not willing to buy it. Some tourists who booked tickets before the event happened were cancelled them. Now, it has been a space of time, the ticket prices are rebounded.
Although many people were given up their tickets, there were such a group of people who used this chance to travel with little money. Xiaoyong is a senior tour pal, who only used 1000 yuan to buy a round-trip ticket to Malaysia, said: “Lots of my friends booked April’s tickets at February. But they all didn’t want them after the event. Even they couldn’t get all the money back, they still bouncing them. But I wasn’t.
you still dare to take Malaysia’s plane? Dare you go to Malaysia?
Cailin is a staff of Baiyun international Airport. “After the plane missing, the price of Malaysia plane was cutting down. The cheapest one is half of original price. Now, the price is recovered. For example, the ticket of Asia Airline has a kind of special offer. The plane from Guangzhou to Malaysia was only 1420 yuan. During the search of the missing plane, the normal fare was similar with the special offer. But now, the fare is back to 3485 yuan.”
“In spite of the problem of the plane, Malaysia is a worth country
The special offer of Asia Airline is very popular for many Chinese tourists because of the attracted price. Many people booked tickets at the early February, and bounced them at the end of March. The event made some people are afraid of flying. Yimi, who booked tickets to Malaysia in April 28th at January 23rd, said: “Before the event, I thought I was very lucky to grab ten pieces of tickets. I was very excited to have a good holiday with my family and friends in April. After the event happened, I was shocked. My friends advised me to bounce all tickets. Although my husband said he would go with me if I really want to go there, I refused him for safety. I was very touched by him. But I can overcome my fear, so we bounced all tickets. ” Online travel e-commerce platforms were busy to deal with the ticker bouncing. The Ctrip.com is one of an advantaged platform in China. Taolin, a staff of Ctrip, said: “After the news was published, we started receiving this kind of message, and now we
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People are ready for boarding in Bai Yun I
Malaysia is a worth country for tourists. So I brought a very cheap ticket to Malaysia. Luckily, I was home safely and I was very enjoyed in my trip. I think different people have different views. Some people who think like me that it is a chance, others think it is a disaster. ” There are also a group of people who hope the event can make their tickets cheaper. In early September of this year, I will fly to Britain from Guangzhou. Although the influence of Malaysia event is powerful, tickets to Britain are still without change. Huangxiao, a second year International Business student from GDUFS, said: “After the Malaysia event happened, I guessed the price of plane tickets to Britain would discount. But I am very disappointed about it only happened in Malaysia airline. Our tickers are similar prices as last year. I don't think this event will affect my mood.”
SIDEBAR Fly to Malaysia from Guangzhou
An accident, two different kinds of views. What did Malaysia event bring you? A chance or a disaster? ■
International Airport.
Photograph by Taylor Li
ON THE WAY, JUNE 1, 2014
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TAXI
Black Taxi Kay Ye I dare say taxi is a business card of a city’s
image, and it represents the city’s image in some extent. However, taxi drivers do not use the meter and refuse to take passengers that like a stain in a world’s famous painting. There are not any changes that Guangzhou’s taxi drivers do not use the meter in some areas of Guangzhou although it had been exposed by CCTV before. To be honest, I never met this situation in Guangzhou, but it exactly exists.
One of Guangdong University of Foreign Studies’ students, Li Danni did not believe in my experiences, “You are lucky. The day when I came back to my school by taxi from Tianhe passengers’ station, but the driver said without a reason that he would not use the meter and I need to pay 80 RMB for it. “I had already waited there for an hour and I did not want to wait a taxi anymore. I guess that it is because of Tianhe passengers’ station, and the driver gets the psychological activity of the passengers.”
Traffic polic were inspecting if taxi driver use the meter.
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Matt Horn is a British but has already lived in China for 10 years. When he met this situation, he would lay down the meter by himself if the driver did not, even he would take a photo for a card which has information about taxi driver and the drivers are afraid of such behavior. I study in Guangzhou, and I have lives in Huiyang which is one of little backward areas in Guangdong province. If there is this phenomenon in Guangzhou, such a mega city, it must happen in Huiyang.
Photography by Wang Fu
kayip94@hotmail.com
“Motorcycle taxis are more flexible and cheap than normal taxi, but more dangerous. I would rather be sardine in bus than be dead under car.” -- Wang Fu However, Huiyang’s government has made up their mind to renovate disarray in recent month which taxi drivers do not us the meter, as a passenger and a local, I have to say that is really lovely! Therefore, the frequency of Wang Fu, the student who is a local people in Huiyang takes taxi is much more than before. She counts out several benefits on her fingers: “Since taxi drivers are force to use the meter, I just spent 60 RMB from my home to school, 120 RMB is the old price without using the meter.” Now the fare is really on sale! Huiyang is a small area, so motorcycle taxi becomes the main means of transportation. In Wang’s opinion, motorcycle taxis are more flexible and cheap than normal taxi, but more dangerous. She would rather be sardine in bus than be dead under car.
SIDEBAR Complaints guide: 1、A taxi show "empty" sign but do not stop - except car service, out of service, need reparing. 2、Remember license number and driver's work number 3、Tell the driver early where is your detail destination 4、Ask for relevant bill, likes invoice, toll charge
Complain hotline : The starting fare and the fare of per kilometer are so low and the rent of taxi is too high that taxi driver cannot earn their principal back.
Guangzhou Taxi: 96900 Huiyang Taxi: 3779625
Zhang Yiting disagrees with what Wang say: “In fact, I do not think this renovation will be successful. Except motorcycle taxi, foxy taxi drivers would get up to little tricks on the meter, passengers must lose their money.” “They would refuse passenger if distance is very short,” Zhang complains. “Once I need going to a school which is short distance, a driver asked cunningly for 25 RMB, also satirized that if I do not want, just call another taxi. That is really ridiculous!” How to let the taxi, a business card of a city, without flaw is not only depending on taxi drivers who really follow rules, but also the government. In other word, everyone bears his share of the res p o n s i b i l i t y f o r c r e a t i n g a wonderful trip mode. ■
ON THE WAY, JUNE 1, 2014
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TAXI
Hank Zhang
The cab is an indispensable means of transportation for the majority of citizens in Guangzhou. Can you imagine that one day you can take a cab for free? And you don't need queuing to wait for a taxi. Maybe you will say “Unbelievable!”, but it comes true today. Of course, this situation will not always happen, but other people must envy you for that time, which you got a cab by cab-hailing APP. Cab-hailing APPs are a hot topic from January to March, and there are two kinds of APP, one is DIDI which belongs to Tencent, the other one is KUAIDI which belongs to Alibaba, these two companies have a competition that in order to occupy the market. According to a report that DIDI spent 1.4 billions on kickbacks, so until now you still can take a cab free if you are lucky. Although kickbacks drop to 3 RMB now, have a lot of people uses it. Yao Zhefeng, a boy study in the Guangdong University Of Foreign Studies, “it’s a wonderful experience, I have already fallen in love with this APP, I will keep using it in the future, because I can imagine that it could make my life more convenient. “It can save you money, and more important is you can take a cab in some special place where it is difficult to see a cab.” Yao added. With more and more people used it, Cab-hailing APPs are expanding to a larger area. According Xinhua's report in last month, DIDI and KUAIDI, these two biggest cab-hailing APPs have added to the Wechat, Taobao and Alipay, which means that you can take a cab by Wechat, even using it to pay money, it is more close to public.
Cab-haili A Magical Way
Tang Zeliang, a guy study in the South China Normal University where located in Guangzhou University City, he was really excited w h e n h e heard this news. T a n g had put the bank card and wechat binding. "Wechat is indispensable app for mobile phone now, everyone used it, because it's "At the end of last year, I installed the cab-hailing apps very convenient and easy to take a cab through Wechat, especially in the in my mobile phone," Chen Boguang said, a taxi driver university city." he said.
" I have fall in lov
---
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before every day, this makes me feel excellent. I got two phones now, one is for KUAIDI, the other is for DIDI." According to some data that about 30 percent of the Guangzhou taxi drivers have smart phone, more than 7000 cars using cab-hailing apps. However, there are two sides for every things, maybe in the future, all of people want to take a cab use this way, likes what Yao did, but some people who don't use it or don't have smart phone now, how about them? Waiting for a cab at the Baiyun mountain bus station, Li Hao, a college student from GDUFS. "I have waited for half an hour in the rain, no cab stop here, including some empty cab, "Li said in an annoyed voice. "they are talking on the phone while driving, I know they must be using cab-hailing APPs."
ing Apps y of Taking Cab
ve with this app!" -Yao Zhefeng said
"Take a taxi is becoming more and more difficult since the public use the cab-hailing APPs. It feels like rejected by the cab driver," Li said angrily, "this two apps need to bind your bank card, my card can't payment online, this is the reason why I cannot use it." Chen Boguang said:"When I got the customer information, I need to meet him as soon as possible, and I can't stop on the side of the road take other people." "I know it's unfair, but I have to do, it's not only for kickback, but also honesty." he explained.
The night screen has hung down, it's time to go home after work, crowded people swarm into bus stops. it's time to enjoy the convenience what the Cabhailing APPsÂŹ bring for you. The convenient are expanding to a larger area in Guangzhou. "We can receive 5 RMB from the app and citizens hope it could company as kickback each time, then the customer can get better and better. â– pay less 5 RMB, so I can earn more 50-100 RMB than
People waiting for a cab in the rain
PHOTOGRAPH BY HANK ZHANG
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Celia Zeng
To Pass Driving Test Easily? No Way! “China is the hardest country to get a driver’s license in the world.” ---Wu Lezhong W hat?
People need to spend more than one year to get driver license, unbelievable! When you saw the cars with yellow-red body and drives on the way slowly, which is no doubt that coaches are training students who prepare to participate in a difficult test how to drive. Driving test is so easy before, but now it is more difficult than College Entrance examination. Since this year, the requirement of driving test changed, the passing rate for candidates appeared downward phenomenon. I was took part in driving test in 2012, at that time, it is very simple. Moreover, I have just spent one month to get the license from registration. Whether people stuck in the middle of the old and new regulations?
Of course, Liu Wanshu is one of the people. She express that due to more people take part in driving test in Guangzhou, it spent her two years to line up, in fact, she just learn how to drive for only one year.
However, Chinese envy that Korean just spends seven days to get the license. Yeong Mis is the lucky person who is a Chinese but studying in Korea. She just spends only a week to learn and gets the license. Compare with Liu, it is a very short time.
“I think I am very unfortunately. Road test is my last test content, and I sandwiched between new and old stipulate,” she said. “My final test conducted in accordance with new requirements of the exam. Therefore, I fail the test in the first time, and I spend three times to pass it.”
“I think the driving test in Korean is easier than China. There is long-distance test in China, but not in Korean, which wastes a lot of time.” Yeong Mis said with happy.
With the development of society, the requirement of driving test has undergone enormous changes. More and more people feel very difficulty, even some people want to give it up. Moreover, a lot of people would like to get a license in a small city, because every person must wait in line first when they join in the driving test. “Except waiting for the exam, the tuition is 3000 RMB, I think it will rise in recent years,” Liu express. “I need to pay another 300 RMB to driving school, because I have already make-up test three times. I can understand the people who want to give up the test, they do not know simply what time they can get driver license.”
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Whether Korean license can be used in China or not? Wu Lezhong, an instructor works in Shuntong Driving School said that it could not use in China, and people still need taking part in the test in China. “If the department of transportation in China admits Korean license, I believe that many people would like to go there to take the test,” he express “This is a normal phenomenon, China is a hardest country to get driver’s license.” In April 2014, Guangzhou began to implement the policy of electronic road test, according to Guangzhou Police Department statistics that there are only 22.8% people who passed this test. What people whether take the test at this time? A lot of people will be very hesitant. Xu Libing, another instructor work in Gu-
Huahua0105@126.com
SIDEBAR Guangzhou Guangyuan Driving School Address: Yingbing Avenue South, Huadu District Website: http://hdgyjx.58.com.cn/ Telephone number: 13724811311 QQ number: 32333605 Contacts: Xu Libing
Shantou Shuntong Driving School Address: Longhu District, Shantou People participate in the long-distance driving test.
angzhou Driving School said that driving press that it is hard to answer, if the test becomes an essential lesson in peoples’ government does not change policies, it lives. would accumulated the number of people who fails the test, but they believe that the At the same time, police department government’s aim is that want to “road blames driving school and instructor are killer” becomes extinct. the reason why causes low passing rate, but Wu and Xu disagree with that. They In fact, no matter the test is difficult or think this is the government problem and easy, and the time of get license is quick or new policy leads to people give up. slow, Chinese driver’s test is still a difficult test. However, everyone must driving Does difficult issue of get driver’s license carefully and prevent the emergence of improve in the future? Two instructors ex- more “road killers”. ■
Website: http://shantou.haojiaolian.com/ jx187524.html Telephone number: 400-990-4811 Course: C1 Ordinary Class Tuition: 6000/per people
PHOTOGRAPH BY CELIA ZENG
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He is so exciting standing in the middle of road, smile and puts his arm, seem like speaking about:
"I can say that my Moto experience was really scary but also
PHOTOGRAPH BY KARL CHILD
C
ars were honking their horns, taxis were waiting on the street side, bikes with clear and melodious tinkle of bells, motorcycles with fire burst from the exhaust, sound of wrenching metal, and the sound of this Southern prosperity city of China were almost deafening. Some foreigners came from different country, some of them stayed here for a few days, some of them for long time, let us hear their voice.
Transport relax In April 13, some students and teachers who came from university of central Lancashire had visited Guangzhou for 10 days, Karl Child, a photography student who first time came to China with exciting. “Travelling to different places in Guangzhou is very easy, no matter. The price is very reasonable and it is also very safe.” “The traffic on the road is quite heavy most of time and drivers seem to be in rush to reach their destination however it seem to be very few accidents. ”He also said. Sarah Lawler, other Photography student:“ I found many similarities between Qatar and China, likes how the two countries are both growing so much, gaining reputation around the world, exporting and importing and developing.’
Moto Scary A Polish boy Bart Staszowski studies Photography in UCLan who nearly died under the Chinese old style Moto, he had fearful faces when he remind that moment: “I can say that my Moto experience was really scary but it also really exciting at the same time.” I remember that day, when we came back to campus after ice skating, Bart was interested by Moto which is traditional motorcycle with three wheels and "cloths" covered on it. This kind of Moto is improvement from normal motorcycle, and the body is made by iron, can accommodate four ordinary size adults. Then he begged us took that Moto, but all of us felt scare with it. Because it is not safe, they don’t need driving license and shuttle back and form between cars. But when I saw Bart’ gleeful look in his eye, obviously this poor boy have no idea how dangerous it is. After it started a while, Bart seems very nervous and scratched my arm tightly. With rumble and shake, we bumped along the track even the pavement in our crazy small space holding on to ours seats. We rolled down in the Moto and he hited his head again and again to the top.
"I love Guangzhou, Guangzhou welcome you."
really exciting at the same time." ---Bart Staszowski
I can extremely empathy with him, then I start pat his back and told him we still survive and experience since we were born. He keep asking question bout safe, shocked how the driver didn’t care about any rules and it is legal. After back to hotel, he told every one his story and expressed he never do it again. When we arrived, the driver asked me translate what Bart said. He is a safety driver and never happen any accident for ten year since he start this business.
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Traffic change An Australia leather business man Grosse Smith was full of emotional thoughts: “I have lived in China for six year, and I felt a lot of changing in this few years. The road became wider, transportation become more convenient, and the motorcycle became less than that time. He explained he often face to difficulties with both public and private transport when he starts business in China and lives in the burbs, or more rurally: “I stay in China once in two month, and was hard to find taxi near my apartment before a few days ago, it should waste my time to walk outside. But now I can easy find taxi and luckily I can find some driver who can understand simple English, and it is very convenient communication for me, transportations help me easily to get airport.
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more time on the way, let you stop at any Connaught large rod like parking lot,” he said. “On the contrary, my apartment is near time museum where relatively remote suburban areas and traffic conditions are not good enough, and less likely to impress guests. He said traffic is effecting his life and work.” Usually I do not go out by especially without my Chinese friend, because it is not too can speak English, if I went out alone. I like doing business here and took participated in every Canton Fair by metro, but bus and metro always crowd of people inside especially within Canton Fair. Sometimes I even cannot find a place to stand.
I like took taxi outside, because it is very cheap price here and I “Normally I would not went to airport at rush hour, because the should bring my luggage with business material. road is jam packed with various vehicles, and then I should spent Foreigner’s shadow on the road, they are hear honking in their car. ■
"I can say that my Moto experience was
really scary but also really exciting at the same time." ---Bart Staszowski
The street always full of people and heavy traffic on the street, city changing also reflect on their traffic.
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PHOTOGRAPH BY KARL CHILD
Carmen: Classical Flamenco by Murcia national dance troupe HOW TO GET THERE (From Canton Tower to Guangzhou Opera House): Convenient: Take taxi – about 17 RMB
Stage Plays: “The Clown loves beauty” debuts in Guangzhou HOW TO GET THERE (From Canton Tower to Youyi Theater): Convenient: Take taxi – about 40 RMB
Complex: Take APM bus than get off on Guangzhou Opera House. (2 stops) WHEN: Saturday, September 20, 20:00 ~ 22:00 CHARGE:
Complex: 1. Take line 3 of Metro than get off on Zhujiang Xincheng. (1 stop) 2. E x c h a n g e t o l i n e 5 t h a n g e t o ff o n Guangzhou Railway Station, exit D4. (7 stops) 3. Walk to Youyi Theater. (340m) WHEN: Saturday, June 7, 20:00 ~ 22:00 & Sunday, June 8, 20:00 ~ 22:00
IN guangzhou Talk about Dragon Boat Festival HOW TO GET THERE (From Canton Tower to Guangdong Provincial Museum): Convenient: Take taxi – about 16 RMB Complex: 1. APM bus than get off on Guangzhou Opera House. (2 stops) 2. Walk to Guangdong Provincial Museum. (510m) WHEN: S u n d a y, J u n e 1 , 15:00 ~ 16: 30
CHARGE: 180 ~680 RMB
Love photography: Take a photo for marriage registration HOW TO GET THERE (From Canton Tower to Civil affairs bureau in Liwan): Convenient: Take taxi – about 38 RMB Complex: 1. Take line 3 of metro than get off on Tiyuxi. (2 stops) 2. Exchange to line 1 than get off Changshou Road, exit B. (8 stops) 3. Walk to Cicil affairs bureau in Liwan. (500m)
WHEN: CHARGE: Free
Thursday, July 31, 08:00 ~ 17:30 CHARGE: Free ON THE WAY, JUNE 1, 2014
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ng Celia Ze
Hank Zha ng
Juno Zhang
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Taylor Li
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