Rebalancing of the economy

Once again, all eyes are on emerging markets. Long the darlings of the global growth sweepstakes, they are being battered in early 2014. Perceptions of resilience have given way to fears of vulnerability.

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Right wing forces are behind Abe

On Dec 26, Japanese Prime Minster Shinzo Abe visited the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, where 14 Class-A war criminals convicted in the Tokyo Trials are enshrined. Abe totally ignored the consequences of stepping into the shrine to offer his so-called prayers to the spirits of Japan's war dead. In fact, the visit was an act of homage to his spiritual belief, a strong impetus to Japan's right-wing forces, as well as a challenge to the victory against fascism and the post-war international order.

United against terrorism

There is never any justification for the killing of innocent people on any grounds and at any time.

Modernizing governance

Whether or not China can sustain its unprecedented growth miracle after decades of rapid economic expansion is largely dependent on whether the dividends from a new round of reforms can be released, says a Xinhua commentary.

Grave and complex terrorist situation

Terrorism has always accompanied human civilization, but it has become especially rampant in the 21st century. After the terrorist attacks on the United States on Sept 11, 2001, and the US-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, it has spread to more countries and regions. While Afghanistan, Pakistan and some other countries in North Africa or the Middle East continue suffering from organized attacks, the US, Russia, the Britain, and even China have also fallen victim to them.

What's the buzz

With the annual sessions of the National People's Congress and the National Committee of the Chinese Political Consultative Conference beginning, what are the issues that concern you most this year? What kind of proposals would you raise if you were an NPC deputy?

Letters

Abe doing a disservice to Japan

Human Rights Record of the United States in 2013

Editor's Note: The State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China published a report titled "Human Rights Record of the United States in 2013" on Friday. Following is the report's full text.

Respect for right to development

China and the US need to extend their regular exchanges and contacts to manage their differences and avoid misunderstandings

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Courage needed for a country fit to live in

The persistent choking smog that shrouded Beijing and the nearby area for the past week made headlines around the world. The smog, with the PM2.5 reading going above 500, was so bad that it prompted the World Health Organization to declare a health crisis. "Nuclear winter", "uninhabitable" and "life expectancy cut by five years" were just some of the dreadful words filling the media reports.