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Chinese military increases transparency

It is good to learn that China is making progress in upgrading its military equipment in a bid to heighten its ability to defend its land and waters, deter possible threats and contribute to regional peace and stability.

Frugal wining and dining

The lavish banquets funded by public coffers that have been brought to public awareness lately indicate the new leadership's vowed battle against extravagance, a long-running official malpractice, and its renewed advocacy of frugality will not be easy.

More breathing space

During China's uphill battle against its appalling air pollution, a consensus is urgently needed that inaction is no longer an option.

Tackle challenges in farming sector

The agricultural and rural transformation in China has been remarkable in the last few decades. The impressive growth in the agricultural and rural sector and significant reduction in poverty have been accompanied by a large decline in the agricultural labor force, with agriculture's share in total employment falling from 71 percent in 1978 to about 40 percent in 2008.

DPRK needs handling with care

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea's satellite launch in December and recent announcement that it would conduct a "higher-level nuclear test", and the reaction they have evoked from some countries are increasing tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Letters

Give up dirty, harmful habits

From the Chinese press

Brazil fire a warning for Chinese

The unloved dollar standard

Since the end of World War II, the US dollar has been used to invoice most global trade, serving as the intermediary currency for clearing international payments among banks and dominating official foreign-exchange reserves. This arrangement has often been criticized, but is there any viable alternative?

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Powering private sector job creation

Six hundred million is a staggering number. Yet, that's how many new jobs the world needs by 2020 just to keep up with its surging population. And about two-thirds of those jobs need to be created in Asia - that's some 25 million jobs a year.

Caution in growth

Officials and economists alike seem to be sure that China's year-on-year growth will exceed 8 percent this year. While the existing data underpin such optimism, China faces both domestic and international challenges in maintaining stable growth.