Making foster homes better

The Ministry of Civil Affairs' promise to revise the rules to make it easier for individuals to adopt orphans or abandoned children is welcome. However, that such a promise is the result of the death of seven orphans in a fire at their impoverished foster mother's home shows how necessary it is to match words with deeds.

Testing year for Asian economies

The growth rate of emerging Asian economies is expected to increase in 2013. But inflation and gloomy external conditions still pose a challenge for the macroeconomic policies of many of these economies. In the medium term, their growth rate will be higher than other regions but lower than it was before the global financial crisis. This squarely puts the focus on economic reform and restructuring.

Adding mortar to the BRICS

There has been meaningful progress in India-China relations recently and this year has begun on a positive note. This is significant given the leadership change in China.

Letters

Rethink family planning policy

From the Chinese Press

English acronyms not welcome

Priority for further reform

China has been facing obstacles in various aspects of reform. If the 7 to 8 percent annual growth rate is not maintained, many social problems will come to the fore, the most challenging of which is unemployment. Only by "making the cake bigger" will economic restructuring be achieved and these problems solved. So the question is: How to restructure the economy to make the cake bigger?

Cartoon

Philippines moves in wrong direction

While the tree craves calm, the wind will not subside. This is a proverb the Chinese media frequently quoted last year when commenting on the rifts between China and the Philippines over the South China Sea. At the start of the new year, the wind from Manila is again blowing in the wrong direction, as politicians in the country have made irresponsible remarks that will stir up new tensions in the disputed waters.

Reducing air pollution

When the level of airborne particles with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less, known as PM2.5, has reached more than 400 on average, and in some cases as high as 900, in as many as 33 cities in eastern and central China, and caused serious air pollution for days, there is no reason to underestimate the harm it does to people's health. Neither is there any reason for us to not reflect on what we've contributed to the smoggy days.

Inflation risks

Low-income families are feeling chilly not only because the coldest winter in about 30 years, but also because of China's resurging consumer inflation.

Focus on local air quality

Over the weekend many parts of northern China experienced serous air pollution. PM2.5 (particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometer in diameter) data in Beijing reached 470 to 490 on Saturday morning, which according to the Air Quality Index is the most polluted air quality. And heavy fog will continue to envelop a large swathe of East and Central China in several days.

Message of caution for Japan

The return of Liberal Democratic Party's Shinzo Abe to power is a culminating point for right-wing forces in Japan. Abe appears keen on making Japan's stance on militarism less apologetic by replacing the landmark 1995 Murayama statement (former prime minister Tomiichi Murayama had apologized for the Japanese atrocities committed during World War II).