Is the art of handwriting on way to death?

It is almost inevitable that typing will replace handwriting as the world becomes more computerized. In China, the invention of the Pinyin input method has made typing Chinese characters very convenient, both on computers and phones; one only has to choose the right character from a few that pop up on the screen. The more electronic gadgets people use, the less often they go through the elaborate sequence of strokes that make up Chinese characters.

Providing equal education will take time

Issuing a directive on how to improve school exams and enrol students, the State Council, China's cabinet, on Thursday reiterated the importance of curbing the craze of "school selection". It has made it clear that students can be admitted to only primary and middle schools in their neighborhood, or school district.

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China Billionaires Index 中国富豪榜 (zhong guo fu hao bang)

From the Chinese press

Students, don't fall prey to greed

End excessive pay for SOE executives

China's leaders have decided to cut the hefty salaries and restrict the expense accounts and other perks of top executives at large State-owned enterprises.

Leaders should set cooperative tone

US President Barack Obama is visiting Beijing to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit on Nov 10 and 11. However, it is his extra day in the Chinese capital on Nov 12 that is likely to attract the most attention, as he is due to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping for face-to-face talks, before they both head to Brisbane, Australia, for the G20 meeting on Nov 15 and 16.

Red Cross needs real reform

A NEW PERSON AT THE HELM SHOULD CERTAINLY bring something different to the infamous Red Cross Society of China.

Just show it has changed

When Zhao Baige took over as the presiding executive of the Red Cross Society of China three years ago, both she and the other executives had underestimated the efforts needed to regain public trust for the group. The public expected to see a total reform, but all she did was offer explanation after explanation. Let's hope the new leader takes deeper measures. The RCSC has faltered, not from any external scandal, but from its own refusal to change. That lesson should be learned by other industries that need to reform as well.

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Martyrs memorial boosts cross-Straits ties

To commemorate the first official memorial day of the Chinese people's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1937-1945) on Sept 3, top Chinese leaders paid their respects to the martyrs at the Museum of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

Innovation is the way for China's defense

Presiding over a meeting of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee on Aug 29, the country's top leader Xi Jinping asked the military to be more innovative in its approach to national defense in the year of a "new military revolution". The meeting, which featured military issues like strengthening national defense and preparedness, highlighted the leadership's determination to safeguard the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Modi's Japan visit a tale of promises

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Japan this week will be remembered for sweet tweets, temples visits, warm bear hugs and promises of Japanese investment and technology transfer. The visit, however, failed to clinch the much-hyped Indo-Japanese deals on nuclear cooperation, state-of-art US-2 amphibious planes and even a fast-train project linking Mumbai to Ahmedabad, capital of Gujarat province which Modi ruled as chief minister from 2001 to 2014, when he became India's prime minister.