Doha is going the Durban way

The annual theatrics of the climate change conference has entered the second half of its intense but, by all accounts, futile negotiation process in Doha. If the world, especially the developing world, didn't get anything out of the Copenhagen climate conference in 2009, which was supposed to finalize a binding agreement to succeed the Kyoto Protocol, it cannot expect anything from Doha either.

The wrong decision

By approving an amendment to the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act concerning the Diaoyu Islands on Thursday, the US Senate is sending a dangerous signal that could have dire consequences for regional peace and stability.

Protecting farmers' rights

In a substantial step toward better protecting farmers' rights and interests, the State Council on Wednesday passed a draft law amendment revising the rules on compensation for land expropriation.

Way forward for new leadership

China will continue to rebound in the short term but its challenges will increase in the medium term. With reforms, though, China's new leadership can build on the country's huge long-term growth potential.

Nuclear power a key issue in Japan polls

Energy is indispensable when it comes to powering human civilization, and economic and social development. It is also a strategic resource for a country's economy, defense and security. No wonder, countries across the world have been trying to figure out how to ensure a stable and continuous supply of energy.

Letters

Too many rich kids rely on parents' wealth

From the Chinese Press

Chinese dream attainable through hard work

Fighting a dreaded disease

Vice-Premier Li Keqiang has promised to simplify the registration process of non-governmental organizations fighting HIV/AIDS and make it easier for them to collaborate with the government to combat the dreaded disease.

UN vote could revive peace process

Palestine won a landslide victory in the United Nations on Thursday in its journey toward statehood, with the world body voting to elevate its status from an "entity" to a "non-member observer state". With symbolic but implicit recognition of Palestine's statehood, the UN vote embodies the international community's rising support for Palestinian people's righteous claim.

Citizenship issue more than storm in a teacup

Three years ago, there was a public outcry after people found that more than 20 Chinese actors who possessed foreign passports had acted in an all-star blockbuster made to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Focus of Doha climate talks

The 18th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is under way in Doha, Qatar. This is the first time that the UN climate change conference has been held in a Gulf country. The State of Qatar is rich in gas and oil. In particular, it has the world's third-largest reserves of natural gas resources, accounting for about 13.5 percent of the world's total. The urban and suburban areas of Doha are a desert oasis, demonstrating once again the ability of humans to transform nature.

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