'Turnkey' toys of no real value

During the holidays, I am under pressure from my son to buy him something called a Skylanders Giants Starter Set. I had never heard of such a thing, so I checked online and found that it is an expensive kit that comes with a game and a couple of creatures. It is a "starter kit", which means kids will have to collect additional Skylander figures, each of which costs around $15. Once collected, such figures cannot be taken apart, re-designed or reassembled. Children just collect more and more of them until the trend is replaced by the next big thing. As Spring Festival approaches, I am afraid many other parents face a similar situation.

Kerry rekindles hope

With the US Senate giving the green light to John Kerry's nomination in a lopsided vote on Tuesday, the Democratic Senator is set to replace Hillary Clinton as the country's top diplomat. How Kerry will make his mark on US foreign policy will be under close scrutiny.

Clear the smog

The unrelenting smog that is still shrouding central and northern China requires the nation to take more consistent and down-to-earth measures to combat the problem.

The Internet needs a safety net

China's first national standard related to personal information, issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology recently, will take effect on Feb 1. Though the Information Security Technology - Guidelines for Personal Information Protection Within Public and Commercial Services Information Systems lacks the force of law, it represents a substantial step forward in the protection of personal information in China.

Chinese films in the time of competition

The Mythical Ark: Adventures in Love & Happiness (2013), the fifth movie based on Chinese children's favorite animation series Pleasant Goat and Big Wolf, has turned out to be a big high-tech production full of adventures, environmentalism, love and friendship. In this sense, James Bond blockbuster Skyfall should have had a more appropriate name "Mother, Love Me Once Again", whose fantastic scenes succeed in telling only a simple and childish story.

Letters

Eateries introduce good policy

From the Chinese press

Renaming universities just a fad

Ishihara's dangerous dream

The seeds of the current crisis between China and Japan over the Diaoyu Islands originated with the national magistrate conference of Japan in April 2010 when the Japanese media tried hard to sensationalize the Chinese navy's normal activities.

Cartoon

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.