Learning the lessons of history

The setback suffered by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Liberal Democratic Party in Sunday's local election should be a warning to Japanese politicians trying to change the country's pacifist Constitution and expand the military's role. The LDP lost the vote to fill the open governor's post in Shiga prefecture in western Japan, which shows Abe's move to build a full-fledged military is against Japanese voters' wishes.

More good journalists needed

In sharp contrast to the limited coverage of CCTV star anchor Rui Chenggang in the official media, social and new media are full of reports on his "being taken away by the procuratorate", with comments spreading fast and wide on WeChat.

Letters

Helicopter parents harmful to kids

From the Chinese press

Prof should pay for crime if guilty

Japan needs unjaundiced view

A dose of sobriety and acceptance of historical truths are the remedy for the rightist sickness clouding its vision and preventing healthy ties with China

Cartoon

Trade in power and money harms the nation

When the corruption case of Gu Junshan, former deputy head of the logistics department of the People's Liberation Army, was made public earlier this year, I was shocked by the fact, revealed by insiders, that the lieutenant general and veteran Communist Party member "never believed in the political creed" of the atheist party but instead "worshipped ghosts and deities".

Violence breeds violence

ISRAEL LAUNCHED ITS NOW WEEK-OLD assault on the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip believing that the intimidating barrage would bring peace. But instead of bringing Hamas to its knees, the bloodshed may sink the Israelis deeper in a vicious circle of violent interaction, not only with Hamas, but the Palestinians as a whole.

Both Israel and Hamas defiant

Through its military action, Israel mainly aims at deterring Hamas, so that it dare not or cannot launch rockets from the north of Gaza; that's why they are relying on air strikes and trying not to get drawn into a ground battle.

BRICS must go for a 'Rio Consensus'

Conveniently scheduled at the end of the World Cup, the sixth BRICS summit presents the leaders of five emerging economies a truly historic opportunity, not least because it is likely to see the establishment of a new development bank and reserve currency pool arrangement.

Govt must keep public buses safe

Last Friday, a suspect surnamed Chen tried to set a bus on fire in Changsha, Hunan province, but failed, confessing he was unemployed and did so to "enjoy free meals behind bars". The incident happened just five days after the Hangzhou bus fire. On July 5, 32 passengers suffered burns and injuries when a suspect set fire to a bus in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province.

Letters

Can China lead in education?