Making good use of trade

At a moment when the United States is strongly pushing the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade deal as a foundation for "21st century trade", that the US' politically sensitive trade gap with China widened to $36.3 billion, as imports hit a record $45.7 billion in September, will likely further stoke the US' specious argument that China should not write the trade rules for 21st century.

Meeting between Xi and Ma sets good precedent for 'family affair'

XI JINPING AND MA YING-JEOU met and exchanged their visions with regards to the cross-Straits relations on Saturday afternoon in Singapore, marking the first meeting between leaders of the two sides of the Taiwan Straits since 1949. Comments:

Plastic surgery can be scarring and not fit for all

ABOUT 56,000 CHINESE visited the Republic of Korea for plastic surgery last year. But whether people should face disfigurement in the quest for beauty has sparked debate. Comments:

Students need proper sex education

A UNIVERSITY IN XI'AN, Northwest China's Shaanxi province, reportedly initiated an optional course in which all enrolled female students are required to sign a "letter of commitment" to say no to the premarital sex and extramarital affairs. Comments:

Hot words

Premier's talk on the economy

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Social protection key to poverty alleviation

China has an unmatched record of achievement in poverty reduction over the past three and a half decades - accounting for 72 percent of the global reduction in extreme poverty. Last month, at the United Nations General Assembly, President Xi Jinping reiterated China's ambitious targets to further reduce poverty, as 7 percent of the developing world's poor still live in China today.

Sales bonanza will not boost economy

The online shopping sale on Nov 11 has been put in the spotlight with analysts keen to find solid evidence of improving consumer demand that might bolster the slowing economy.

Mother's first embrace can be the gift of life

By the time you finish reading this article, a newborn infant will have died somewhere in the Western Pacific Region. This death, like many others, might have easily been prevented, and at minimal cost, through a package of simple, low-cost interventions starting with the first embrace - the simple act of ensuring skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby immediately after birth.

Youth exchanges hold promise of better ties in future

Winding up his third trip to China on October 31, Toshihiro Nikai, chairman of the General Council of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, was accompanied by 100 Chinese high school students paying a week-long visit to Japan. They were the first batch of 500 Chinese students invited to visit Japan.

Xi and Ma to energize exchanges

Top leader of the Chinese mainland Xi Jinping is scheduled to meet Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou in Singapore on Saturday, signaling a new high in cross-Straits exchanges and a new phase in the peaceful development of relations between the mainland and Taiwan.

Law amendment to help quash rumors

The ninth amendment to the Criminal Law that came into force on Nov 1 says a person fabricating and/or deliberately spreading false information on emergencies such as epidemics, or disaster or police cases through the Internet or other media is punishable by law. And if the person's action has led to serious consequences, he/she could be imprisoned for three to seven years.