US military spending will never be enough

The US national debt clock near Times Square was ticking in the $16-trillion range when I left New York two years ago. On Tuesday, it had crossed $18.102 trillion. This means that each of the 319 million Americans owes a debt of more than $56,000.

Two sides to the tax amendment coin

The highlight of the draft amendments to the Taxation Administration Law is the introduction of taxpayer IDs for individual citizens.

Officials must abide by law

Given that a country's prosperity, progress and its social harmony and stability are inseparable from a sound legal system, the Communist Party of China has made it a historical political responsibility for it to establish the rule of law for the country, says a People's Daily editorial.

Trade unions must represent workers, not local authorities

THE ALL-CHINA FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS recently published 10 cases of companies violating workers' rights. It especially criticized Foxconn, the largest device manufacturer in the world and one of the main iPhone and iPad manufacturers, for "arranging extra hours for workers" over long periods, which resulted in psychological problems, even suicides. Comments:

Risk review for gold as liquor additive

THE NATIONAL HEALTH AND FAMILY PLANNING COMMISSION recently published a draft document on its website, suggesting it intends to allow the addition of powdered gold foil to products. The move aroused debate because traditional Chinese medicine believes gold, as a heavy metal, is harmful to health if eaten. An anonymous member of the staff said a liquor company had urged them to do so, but as yet there has been no official explanation. Comments:

Raising public awareness of GM safety

CHINA WILL raise public awareness of the safety of genetically modified, or GM technology, according to the No 1 Central Document issued by the Party and the State Council on Feb 1. Comments:

Hot words

Corruption of people around officials

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Growing China is repaying the world

The ongoing modernization drive in China is one of the largest in human history. It will provide modern living conditions to an estimated 1.5 billion people - that is, one and half times the combined population of the developed world - by the middle of the 21st century.

Elephant and dragon hug mutual interests

The specific reference to the South China Sea disputes, along with the forward movement on the US-India nuclear deal, in the joint statement issued by US President Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Jan 25, is seen by analysts and some Indian media outlets as a significant outcome of Obama's recent visit to India. The US-India joint statement issued in September 2014 during Modi's visit to the US too had mentioned the maritime disputes in the South China Sea.

Big data can help build better cities for the poor

The rate of migration to cities in East Asia is very high. People move to urban areas in search of more jobs and a better life. But urbanization comes with risks that can prolong impoverishment and lack of opportunity instead of improving prospects. Once cities are built, their urban form and land-use patterns are locked in for generations. Getting it right prevents spending decades and large sums of money trying to undo mistakes.

Inclusive mind is crucial for social progress

'What is it about our clothes that other people seem unable to resist? Is dressing like us about wanting to be like us? Clearly, this is about more than just clothes. It is about embracing an entire popular culture that extends through music and movies, to say nothing of the soft drinks and fast food." This is what Niall Ferguson says in his book, Civilization: The West and the Rest, about how Western values with industrial power behind them have been embraced by the rest of the world over the past more than one century.