Promoting peace on Korean Peninsula

The international community is closely watching what is going on in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, speculating whether or when it will conduct another nuclear test.

Sino-Japan ties not easy to improve

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reiterated on Feb 1 that Japan-China relations remain one of the most important bilateral relations for Japan and should be improved overall.

What's the buzz

With Spring Festival round the corner, people working or studying away from home must be preparing to return to their families to celebrate the occasion. Besides, they must also be worrying about what gifts to carry for their parents. Some of China Daily's mobile phone newsreaders tell us what they will gift their parents.

Letters

Not a scientific study

Banks' responsibilities

International disputes and conflicts have occurred frequently in recent years as more Chinese corporations actively carry out transnational strategies. For Chinese commercial banks overseas, some of the conflicts have been caused by their lack of understanding of the importance of fulfilling their social responsibilities.

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Mature financial futures market needed

In its fervent bid to realize its dream to be a world-class financial center, Shanghai has established a market for almost everything. But the various elements that are essential to the development of those markets are mostly absent. As a result, the markets are prevented from fulfilling their designed functions.

For world security

Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Song Tao made a significant point when he elaborated on a more active role for emerging economies in international affairs at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday. Song said emerging economies have thrived within the current international system, and ensuring the smooth voyage of the boat is in the interest of all countries as both the emerging and developed countries ride in the same boat.

Rural development

Despite the increase in grain output and the incomes of rural villagers for nine consecutive years, long-term and sustainable agricultural production and improving the quality of villagers' livelihoods is still a hard nut to crack.

China's year of challenges

The decision of the 2013 Central Economic Working Conference is to raise the quality of economic growth and make it more result-oriented by focusing on "six musts".

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Time to avoid another scar on humanity

Going by the developments of the past two years in the Middle East and North Africa, it seems someone has opened a Pandora's box in the region. Worse, it appears there is no end to the region's woes as crises in countries like Syria get from bad to worse and threaten to spill over into other places.