Southern Metropolitan News survey has been given since 1989 and cited Guangzhou residents as saying that “love” came after “money” on the value ladder. In 2008 “love” slipped even lower down the value chain for most Guangzhou people, according to a survey by the Guangzhou Social Trend and Public Opinion Study Center. The center has conducted a survey each year since 1990. Another finding of the survey is that money has universally meant more than love in the eyes of women in Guangzhou for all years the survey has been given. To understand the prevailing preference for money over love in today’s China requires a little tinkering with Hungarian Sandor Petofi’s famous poem. The original: Liberty and love, these two I must have / For my love I will sacrifice / My life /For liberty / will sacrifice / My love. There are people in China who still hold onto Petofi’s noble idea, but for many, the poem’s last two lines should be turned around: For money I will sacrifice my love.
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