A: Welcome to Letterbox. The first letter is from American listener Bert Varady. He is a top prize winner of the 60 Years of New China knowledge contest and was invited by CRI for a free trip to China at the end of last month.

B: In his letter, Bert says: "All my friends were excited to talk with me about my trip and I was just as excited to tell them what I saw, ate and did. I was extremely impressed by the high level of customer service and the professional appearance of those individuals providing the great service. It seemed like the Chinese people take pride in giving the diner, tourist, or shopper the highest level of service. There is no way I could ever duplicate the feelings, experiences and overall excitement. I would like to thank everyone at CRI who made this trip a 'trip of a lifetime'."

A: Gough Lui from Australia says: "I would like to express my many thanks to CRI for providing the service I have received and enjoyed. I have listened to CRI for three months, usually listening to whatever programs were on the air at the time I tuned in. I am a university student, and due to study requirements, I didn't have too much time to listen. I would usually spend my evenings or early mornings tuning around the band to find what I could hear. Your signals are usually very strong and easy to receive. I'm very interested in hearing news from around the world. It's a pity I can't understand Chinese, but I really enjoy your English programs. As the university vacation period is coming, I can have more time to listen to your programs."
 
B: The next letter comes from another new friend named Bianca. "I live in Manchester, UK. I studied Cantonese for one year many years ago. Right now I am training to become an English and German teacher. Part of my degree option is Oriental Culture, and that's where I research for my essay and presentation project. I have chosen it out of pure interest in Chinese culture. I came across your website whilst researching for my essay and presentation, and I found your site very interesting. We actually have some Chinese teachers in my university. The cultural difference is quite significant and I must say that I feel privileged to experience conversing with people from your side of the world."

A: Kenyan listener Mogire Machuki says: "Frontline is one of my favorite CRI programs. It always tries to bring us closer to the legal side of the Chinese society. To me the show is very educative, informative and enchanting. Its team deserves a credit for a well-done job. Please keep the program coming in. I hope it will always stay on CRI schedule."

B: And next, Indian listener Rahmtun Nisa writes in to ask about the retirement age of government employees in China.

A: In China, male employees of government departments usually retire at the age of 60, and females retire at 55.

B: But some people can apply to retire earlier if they meet certain requirements, such as suffering from serious diseases, losing the ability of work, or having worked for 30 years.

A: And finally, Israeli listener Ankit Awasthi wants to know what the main religion in China is and how many Buddhist temples there are in the country.

B: China is a country with diverse religious beliefs. Major religions include Buddhism, Taoism, Islam and Christianity.

A: Buddhism commands the largest number of followers in China, and there are more than 16,000 Buddhist temples across the country. 

A: That's all for today's letterbox. Listeners' Garden will continue after the break.