Rising East, emerging West

Expect a better 2014. World economic growth should pick up and inflation should stay benign. But the way growth plays out will depend largely on policy changes in the US and China, the world's two largest economies. Will incoming US Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen be able to finish unwinding the Fed's five-year-old quantitative easing (QE) program without hurting the fragile recovery? Can Premier Li Keqiang execute the boldest set of economic reforms in three decades to turn China into a more sustainable, consumer-driven economy? We think the answer is "Yes" to both questions.

Christmas no threat to Chinese culture

Many Westerners may be surprised at the way Chinese people have made Christmas a festival of their own. More surprising for them would be the ease with which Chinese people have added so many Chinese elements to an essentially Western celebration.

Letters

Govt must ensure sustainable growth

From the Chinese Press

Zhang Ziyi case an eye opener

US QE policy change risks

Greater macroeconomic and fiscal stability mean China is in a better position than other emerging economies to withstand effects

Cartoon

Churning money does economy no good

Zhou Xiaochuan, the head of China's central bank, has on various occasions reminded the financial sector about the importance of serving the real economy rather than becoming an isolated money churning machine pumping up a virtual economy.

Express delivery overhaul

One death and seven injuries from parcels contaminated with a highly toxic chemical signify that the express delivery sector is in urgent need of an overhaul.

Treasure the progress so far

The principles of mutual respect and reciprocity should prevail when the parties negotiating on the Iranian nuclear issue push for substantial results, a People's Daily editorial said on Friday.

Importance of Mao's diplomacy

Chairman Mao Zedong was the main architect of New China's foreign policy. Being a keen observer of international relations, Mao adjusted China's foreign policy to suit the global strategic situation. With Mao's 120th birth anniversary to be celebrated on Dec 26, it's time to re-explore his strategic thinking that still has its importance today.

US response to China's ADIZ biased

Beijing's announcement of a new Air Defense Identification Zone over the East China Sea on Nov 23 has evoked an angry response from the United States and its principal East Asian allies, Japan and the Republic of Korea. On Dec 17, US Secretary of State John Kerry said that Washington will not recognize China's ADIZ.

What's the buzz

With 500 million users (100 million of them outside of China) and the fifth most-downloaded smartphone app in the world, WeChat appears to be well on its way to establishing itself as China's first global Internet brand, says a commentary in a US media outlet. Are you a WeChat user? And do you think WeChat has the potential to become a global brand? These are the questions that China Daily's mobile phone news readers respond to below: