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Slow growth an opportunity, not threat

After four disappointing years, Chinese economists have realized that slowing GDP growth - from a post-crisis peak of 12.8 percent in 2010 to about 7 percent today - is mainly structural, rather than cyclical. In other words, China's potential growth rate has settled onto a significantly lower plateau. While the country should be able to avoid a hard landing, its annual growth is likely to remain between 6 and 7 percent over the next decade. But this may not necessarily be bad news.

HK political reform by way of Basic Law

This year is the 25th year of the mandate of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, although it went into effect only on July 1, 1997. Representing the spirit of the "One Country, Two Systems" principle, the Basic Law has played a key role both in Hong Kong's return to China and in giving it a high degree of autonomy in internal affairs.

Beware of fast and furious way to disaster

As the seventh stunt-filled Fast and Furious opened in Beijing, a Lamborghini and a Ferrari, driven by "unemployed" youths, crashed in a tunnel near the Bird's Nest, China's National Stadium in Beijing, late Saturday night.

Obama faces tough task in lifting sanctions on Cuba

Soon after assuming office in 2009, US President Barack Obama had said the United States was seeking a new beginning with Cuba. Six years later, he was finally able to fulfill that promise: it is better late than never.

Clinton faces bumpy road ahead

Hillary Rodham Clinton announced her second bid for the US presidency on Sunday.

TV dramas must stop distorting facts

Are you tired of exaggerated Hollywood action movies that defy common sense? But once you watch some Chinese dramas on the war against Japanese invasion and occupation in the 1930s and 1940s, you will realize the Hollywood flicks are much better.

Obesity poses big threat to world

Today, more than 2.1 billion people - nearly 30 percent of the global population - are overweight or obese. That is nearly two and a half times the number of adults and children who are undernourished. Obesity is responsible for about 5 percent of deaths worldwide.

Veteran official back as climate negotiator

Beijing has taken a smart decision by retaining a "retired" minister as China's climate change representative, because he knows well the tough negotiators, such as Todd Stern of the United States, and the cards they are likely to play in the run-up to and at the crucial climate change conference in Paris in December.

US meddling will only increase regional tensions

Recent remarks from high-ranking US politicians on China's disputes in the South and East China seas with some of its neighbors breach the United States commitment not to take sides in the disputes. The US' inconsistency and capriciousness will only tarnish its own image and raise tensions in the region.

China still the locomotive

As China's economy enters a new normal with a moderately slower growth rate, a question may arise among some in other countries whether its economic train will give others a free ride like it did in the past and whether such a pick-me-up is still attractive.

Which department manages detention centers is the question

AT A RECENT CONFERENCE TO REVIEW THE DRAFT LAW on detention centers, which was organized by the China Law Society at the request of the State Council, experts fiercely debated whether detention centers should remain under the control of the police. Many law experts advocated putting them under the auspices of the Ministry of Justice to prevent police from abusing their powers. Comments: