The contradiction that is Japan

When I told one of my friends in late November that I would visit Japan for a one-week holiday, he assured me I would love it. "Almost all the people who I know have visited the country enjoyed the trip," he said. He was not wrong.

Chinese Dream is to have a 'common world'

At the closing ceremony of the first session of the 12th National People's Congress in 2013, President Xi Jinping re-emphasized the "two centennial goals" as well as the Chinese Dream to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. He reiterated that the Chinese Dream is to build a rich and strong country, rejuvenate the people and help them live a happy life. To realize this great dream, Xi urged people of all ethnic groups to make unremitting efforts.

Lock in low carbon urbanization

Forward-looking planning and revised evaluation criteria for government officials are needed to ensure greener growth

Cartoon

Abe's actions an inauspicious start to year

Japan's attitude toward its heinous World War II history has long caused tension with its two main neighbors, China and the Republic of Korea. And there has been no sign that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe intends to ease the tension in 2014; instead it looks like he intends to inflame it further.

Leading by example

Why has the Party leadership bothered about the seemingly small matter of officials' smoking habits, to the extent that it issued a notice on Sunday requiring officials not to smoke in public venues, when it might be thought to have bigger fish to fry?

A new starting point

On Jan 1, 1979 China and the United States established formal diplomatic ties. Thirty-five years later our two countries have never been so interdependent. We are at a new historical point and can steer bilateral ties to an even higher level for the benefit of the two peoples and the peoples of the world, said a People's Daily Overseas Edition opinion piece published on New Year's Day.

China, EU partners in reform

As we begin 2014, Europe has reached a turning point. The financial sector is more stable. The recovery of the European Union economy is expected to gather some speed this year. We are near to completing the "Banking Union", which will ensure we have a comprehensive framework for dealing with bank crises and break the negative link between sovereigns and failing banks. EU member countries are doing what they need to do to repair their public finances. Europe must implement a wide-ranging program of necessary reforms and improve the competitiveness of the European economy.

Flavor Chinese fast food with success

Qing Feng steamed bun chain restaurant has been popular among Beijing residents, especially students, because of its inexpensive local dishes. But it never expected more than 400 people to queue up outside its outlet to get a table and, surprisingly, order the same combo meal. The chain restaurant's 21-yuan ($3.46) combo meal has become the "President Xi Jinping combo" from Sunday, a day after the president visited one of its outlets in Xicheng district and enjoyed the dish.

Hot words

President's set meal 主席套餐 (zhu xi tao can)

From the Chinese press

Test for anti-corruption drive

Forge ahead into the future

Thirty-five years ago on Jan 1, China and the United States entered into official diplomatic relations. It is fair to say that this historic event in 1979 exerted the greatest strategic impact on international relations in the latter half of the 20th century. It not only opened a new page in the history of China-US relations, but also had a far-reaching impact on the evolving international environment.