Institution building urgent for social development

In his book Uncertain Future, Singapore scholar Zheng Yongnian proposes that China needs to build a consumer society, so it can rely on its domestic demand for sustainable development. However, such a society requires an institutional foundation, which China is lacking.

See bigger corruption picture

THAT FOUR KEY OFFICIALS OF A SINGLE PROVINCE were placed under investigation during the past week alone can be seen as a barometer for the momentum of the current anti-graft fight. Close connections with local businesspeople are reportedly characteristic of these ranking officials in North China's Shanxi, which is a wealthy coal-producing province.

Let market decide in mining

Among the many causes of the rampant corruption in Shanxi, one of the most important is power's decisive and unbridled role in allocating the province's rich coal-mining resources. To hit the root, what is needed is granting the market a bigger say in the allocation of resources and preventing power from seeking illegal gains. That applies to Shanxi and all other regions with natural resources.

Cartoon

Protect farmers against droughts

Low rainfall and scorching heat in recent months have caused severe drought in a number of China's major crop producing regions, some of which are facing the worst drought in over half a century. Concerns about China's food security dominate discussions on the drought, but a more likely threat is the drought's negative impact on the incomes of farmers, especially poor smallholders.

Ferguson a wake-up call for US

For decades, the American government and elite have been using human rights as a weapon against other countries. The US has been publishing white papers every year passing judgment on other countries' human rights records - as if it were the official arbitrator of human rights performance in the world - while continuing to rampantly violate human rights both at home and abroad blatantly.

Rest hope on battlers, not billionaires

We Australians get a lot of free advice from billionaires on how to deal with our largest trading partner, China. First, we had media mogul James Packer saying that we didn't "bow enough" or treat our trading partners with enough deference. At the other end of the spectrum is Minerology owner Clive Palmer.

Letters

Sorry for tycoon's remarks

From the Chinese press

Make seeking sexual favor a crime

Beijing can't afford a slip in HK

NPC Standing Committee rules out 'civil nomination' for chief executive in 2017 election in special administrative region

Cartoon

Let everyone feel the joy of paid vacation

In downtown Brussels, traffic is starting to pick up, and bars and restaurants in the Schumann area where European Union institutions are located are becoming crowded again as EU officials return to their offices after healing their weary minds during paid vacations. Even German Chancellor Angela Merkel, UK Prime Minister David Cameron and other top politicians took time out from their schedules despite their heavy responsibilities, including the fight over seats in the ongoing EU leadership transition, worsening security situation and the bleak economic growth prospects.