Pyongyang gives sports diplomacy full play

The 17th Asian Games opens on Sept 19 in Incheon, the Republic of Korea, and has been aptly themed "Diversity Shines Here". Diversity will indeed shine in Incheon but it will shine for unity on the Korean Peninsula, because this is the first time the Democratic People's Republic of Korea will participate in a sports event in the ROK since the 2005 Asian Athletics Championships in Incheon and, more importantly, this is the DPRK's first presence in a major global event since its leader Kim Jong-un assumed office in 2012.

Letters

Parents and the issue of marriage

From the Chinese press

Instant noodle is not complete food

Asia-Pacific adapting to changes

The Asia-Pacific region is experiencing some profound changes, and its economies should be prepared for possible reshaping of economic patterns in an era of slower economic growth.

Sydney can help cities clean the seashore

For most holidaymakers flocking to Sydney's Bondi Beach, they probably do not know the city's most famous seashore resort was once heavily polluted: Its famous sandy beach was rubbish-laden and its seawater unsuitable for swimming due to water contamination.

Persist with anti-graft fight

HOW DO WE LOOK AT THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION if a government department turns out to be a den of corruption with the majority of its members being found to be involved in abusing their powers? Do we agree with some who claim that the fight has gone too far or do we adhere to the belief that zero-tolerance of corruption is the only way the campaign can triumph?

Supervisers also responsible

Electricity, crude oil, irrigation... one after another, corruption has been discovered in the local authorities governing natural resources. Such corruption is often hidden under the cover of higher threshold and technology qualities, calling for stricter supervision. Insiders say that a whole chain of corruption formed in Jiujiang, with professional agents purchasing project permits from officials and selling them to construction corporations. Dare anybody trust the quality of irrigation projects constructed this way?

Cartoon

Will China-India ties take 'orbital jump'?

China-India relations are poised to take the "orbital jump", says India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. Going by the growth of bilateral trade ties - which is expected to jump from $66.45 billion in 2012 to $100 billion by 2015 - that seems likely. But bilateral trade is characterized by an overwhelming trade deficit for India. The concern is apparently economic in nature but if enough attention is not paid to it, the good work done over the past few years to strengthen bilateral ties could be undone.

Independent Scotland will be a blow to UK

Will Scotland become an independent country? We will know the answer to the question by this weekend. Although opinion polls show a high percent of Scottish people favoring a "yes" vote, the ultimate result of the referendum remains uncertain, especially because influential British political figures, including Prime Minister David Cameron and Labour Party chief Ed Miliband, have rushed to Scotland to rally support for a "no" vote.

The elderly should not tell others to vacate seats

It is saddening to read reports on how senior citizens' request for seats in public transport vehicles have led to quarrels and even scuffles with younger people. If people had even the least "respect for the elderly and love for the young", or showed some mutual understanding, such sorry incidents could have been avoided.

Letters

US violates military aviation law