HK has to get full democracy in 'gradual and steady' way

Although the central authorities have time and again reiterated its promise of introducing universal suffrage in Hong Kong, some people are still skeptical, ignoring even the efforts it has made under the legal framework for the development of democracy in Hong Kong.

What's the best way to protect wildlife?

Killing animals for animals' good. Not many will buy the explanation given by Nature Conservancy to defend Chinese e-commerce tycoon Jack Ma's hunting spree in Britain. Ma, who is also a director on the board of the animal protection group, hunted 11 stags in Britain two years ago. In a recent report on Chinese nouveaux riches, The Sunday Times describes their newfound "wild" hobbies and says that Ma, founder of e-commerce giant Alibaba Group, and his 11 traveling companies spent ￡36,000 pounds to rent a castle and hire a helicopter for their hunting trip.

Improve system to get more organ donors

The biggest illegal human organ trading case in China, unearthed in Jiangxi province in June, entered the second stage of trial this week. The gang running the human organ racket is said to have made more than 1.5 million yuan ($243,545) by selling 23 kidneys of 40 "potential suppliers" but paid the victims less than 25,000 yuan.

From the Chinese press

Tradition versus safety hazard

Japan cannot disguise its past

When Japan is criticized for not atoning and apologizing for its imperial army's invasion of other Asian countries, it feels wronged. But the Yushukan, a museum standing on the grounds of the Yasukuni Shrine in central Tokyo, is proving Japan's critics have it right.

US should stop trying to make waves

The call from US Secretary of State John Kerry for a freeze on so-called provocative acts in the South China Sea at a regional meeting held in Myanmar over the weekend is just another example of the United States' meddling in the disputes.

Government not above law

ON THE ONE HAND, THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES in Beijing insist that they have conducted "intensive" and "active communication" with newsstands operators as well as the local newspaper and periodical retail company, the legal proprietor of the facilities, before "moving and changing" the 72 street-side kiosks in Chaoyang district. And that "most" operators had "agreed in principle".

Newsstands add cultural value

It is illogical that the same authority that had good reasons for introducing the newsstands originally is now demolishing them without proper warning before the contracts expire. Such conflicting actions are actually an abuse of public power whereby the urban authorities feel they can simply ban or demolish something that gets in the way of their idea of a modern city. But, it is unwise to make regulations just for ease of management, which is undoubtedly a simple and crude mode of administration.

Cartoon

Anti-trust move is fair, not targeted at foreign firms

When Rio Tinto employees were arrested for the theft of trade secrets and espionage in 2009 they accused China of using them as a bargaining chip in iron ore price negotiations.

Help helpers to help more people

If you are a resident of Southwest China's Sichuan province and have the tendency to come to people's rescue, you'd better be careful the next time you risk your life to save others. To put it more correctly, the local authorities in Sichuan will recognize you as a good Samaritan for your selfless act of courage only if you help a stranger within the province. For people who cannot help coming to the rescue of others, this could be a moral punishment.

Approach suicide stories gingerly

One of my frustrations living in China for three years was not being able to get accurate information. Sometimes the reason was badly worded surveys and other times suspicious research.