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Thailand faces ASEAN economic test

Much has been said and written about the ASEAN Economic Community, or AEC, and its far-reaching implications for Thailand. During the past two years, Thailand has been the most active within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as far as the AEC campaign is concerned. As much as 8 billion baht ($244.62 million) in various forms have been spent to "raise awareness and preparedness of Thailand and the Thai people for the AEC".

Keep forex reserves healthy

The speed at which China has built its foreign exchange reserves, the world's largest, is alarming. It should now take all possible measures to boost outward investment and increase imports to slow down, if not stop, excessive capital inflows.

No luxury clubs in parks

Have you seen luxuriously decorated buildings that occupy large portions of public parks, with "members only" notice hanging on their gates? They are expected to disappear, going by a notice issued by the Beijing municipal government. The notice says all luxury entertainment clubs in public parks must be shut down and from now on, no part of a park would be rented out for similar use.

Rein in speed of debt rise

At the end of last year, the National Audit Office released the results of its long-awaited updated survey of China's local government debt, which totalled 17.9 trillion yuan ($2.95 trillion) in June 2013, up from 10.7 trillion yuan at the end of 2010, when the previous tally by the NAO took place.

Going out for a taste of China

Goubuli, or Go Believe, believes it can "go out". The Chinese eatery giant based in Tianjin, which is known for its stuffed steamed buns, is in the final stages of talks to buy a chain of US coffeehouses in the first half of this year. When the deal is completed, Goubuli will acquire hundreds of stores in more than 40 countries and regions worldwide, and the deal will be the biggest acquisition of an overseas eatery chain by a Chinese company. Zhang Yansen, Goubuli's chairman, said that the company is seeking to use the coffee chain's business network to promote Chinese cuisine overseas.

Letters

Joint efforts to fight air pollution

UK's visa rules out of step with the times

The debate surrounding the United Kingdom's China visa rules has come back into the spotlight after both David Cameron and George Osborne made trade trips to the country. Cameron led a trade delegation which included more than 100 UK business leaders at the end of last year signalling the importance of China to the current premiership.

Cause for public diplomacy

The global media have increasingly proved their usefulness in public diplomacy in recent years. Many governments have competitively engaged in public diplomacy through the media to make their countries look attractive and friendly to foreigners, and help others to understand their positions in the international arena.

If Abe has his way, history would vanish

Japan has been looking over its shoulder since the United States said it was "disappointed that the Japanese leader has taken an action that will exacerbate tensions with Japan's neighbors". Japan took it as a "rare" statement and was shocked.

No let up for the corrupt

Officials who assumed that the intensity of the fight against corruption last year would lose its momentum should give up their wishful thinking and pay attention to what Party leader Xi Jinping said at the third plenum of the 18th CPC Central Commission for Disciplinary Inspection on Tuesday.

S. Sudan needs global help

Chinese diplomats have frequently taken part in negotiations to resolve burning regional and global issues because China is committed to shouldering more international responsibilities and protecting its interests, said an opinion article in People's Daily on Monday.