Will China run out of water by 2030?

China's ambitions are high. By 2020, it aims to double its 2010 GDP and per capita income of urban and rural residents both. China's economic track record has been impressive. It now has a middle class population of more than 300 million and has experienced the fastest ever economic growth over the past 30 years. But it may not be able to maintain this momentum unless it overcomes one of its core policy challenges: water, both in terms of quantity and quality.

The need is for rational urbanization

China's burgeoning urbanization has been a key driving force of its sustained economic development over the past decades. But it has also given rise to a series of problems that call for greater government efforts to make urbanization suitable for its economic conditions.

Letters

Why can't we all be friends?

From the Chinese Press

Wrong use of net freedom

Finding the right balance

At the Seventh East Asia Summit held at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, a consensus was reached on launching negotiations for the China-Japan-Republic of Korea Free Trade Area and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, in pursuit of an Asian free economic zone.

Cartoon

Cities can only be made more livable

If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap; if you want happiness for a day, go fishing; if you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune; if you want happiness for a lifetime, help someone else. This is what happiness is all about, at least for some. This is also what I want to say to the reporters from China Central Television, who kept asking people the question: "Are you happy?"

Transfer of pensions

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security is soliciting public opinion on temporary rules for the transfer of pension accounts among three different types of pension programs. These rules, due to take effect next year, are meant to protect the rights and interests of migrant workers and the urban unemployed and will hopefully be the prelude to the real integration of rural laborers into the cities as local residents.

High stakes at talks

Hopes are not high for the two-decade-old United Nations talks on climate change that resumed Monday in Doha. However, the stakes for mankind certainly are.

Importance of 1992 Consensus

Dec 3, 2012, marks the 20th anniversary of the 1992 Consensus for cross-Straits relations. The past four years, during which the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement and other economic, social, cultural and communication links were established, have seen the 1992 Consensus create "the most peaceful state of cross-Straits relations in 60 years", according to Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou.

Overwork extracts a high price

When Luo Yang, who was in charge of research and development on the J-15 carrier-based fighter jet, died of a heart attack on Sunday, he was working under extremely stressful conditions. He died on the day that the J-15 completed its first successful landing on the Liaoning, China's first aircraft carrier.

Letters

Let's protect natural habitats