Clarifying the debt risk

The thorough survey of the rapidly growing government-related debts speaks not only of the authorities' determination to deal with a key fiscal challenge that can and should be addressed timely.

A more multipolar world

The year 2013 has witnessed positive developments in some hot spot regional issues, which is clear proof that major powers in the world have enhanced their coordination and pragmatic cooperation on international issues, said an opinion piece in People's Daily on Monday.

Making judiciary more efficient

An independent judiciary is representative of the rule of law and guarantees that the legal system functions efficiently. The Decisions on Major Issues Concerning Comprehensively Deepening Reforms, issued by the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Communist Party of China Central Committee, lists "ensuring independently and fairly exercising judicial and procuratorial power according to law" as one of the goals of the reforms, reflecting the importance the authorities attach to judicial independence.

A sanctuary for overseas talents

The convening of the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Communist Party of China Central Committee and the adoption of the Decisions on Major Issues Concerning Comprehensively Deepening Reforms are major historic events to build a favorable environment for talent training and development.

Culture in plenum spotlight

Increasing China's soft power through more cultural exchanges and regular global communication has found place in the Decisions on Major Issues Concerning Comprehensively Deepening Reforms, issued by the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Communist Party of China Central Committee.

Lure of power needs taming

Bribery scandal in Hengyang shows strengthened efforts to build a clean and transparent election system are necessary

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Abe's shrine visit affronts world

Shinzo Abe visited the controversial Yasukuni Shrine that honors 14 World War II Class A war criminals on Thursday, making him the first sitting Japanese prime minister in seven years to set foot in the shrine.

No leniency to vote-buying

We have heard of vote-buying in village leader elections in rural communities. We have seen sporadic exposs of vote-buying on various other balloting occasions. But vote-buying at such a level and on such a scale and with such effrontery has no precedence in our memory.

Getting close to the people

President Xi Jinping surprised many by visiting a local Beijing eatery Saturday noon, where he lined up and paid for his own meal of pork buns, fried liver and vegetables. Photos and videos of his visit soon caused a stir on the Internet, with many micro blog users expressing their surprise and approval of Xi's pragmatic style of staying in touch with people.

The great malaise drags on

There's something dismal about writing year-end roundups in the half decade since the eruption of the 2008 global financial crisis. Yes, we avoided a Great Depression II, but only to emerge into a "great malaise", with barely increasing incomes for a large proportion of citizens in advanced economies. We can expect more of the same in 2014.

Chinese Dream to occupy center stage in 2014

'To sleep: Perchance to dream." Students of Shakespeare worldwide will recognize these words spoken by Hamlet. Dreams have inspired people and nations for centuries, perhaps none more so than the American Dream. Yet dreams are precious and can be broken. Britain's Electric Light Orchestra in their famous pop hit implored us to "hold on tight to your dream". China should do that next year as it rises to many challenges.