Reforms to build a xiaokang society in China

China aims to build a xiaokang (moderately prosperous) society in a comprehensive manner and eliminate extreme poverty by the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) period.

Protecting wildlife vital for human beings

World Wildlife Day, celebrated on March 3 every year, gives us an occasion to celebrate and appreciate the many beautiful plants and animals that share our planet. It is also an occasion to raise awareness about the interdependence of wildlife, people and sustainable development, and to demonstrate why the continued presence of wildlife is vital for human being's well-being.

HK rioters need to be brought to justice

Many people have been calling for an independent study into the cause of the recent riot in the Mong Kok area of Hong Kong. If the terms of reference are set right, an independent study may indeed prove useful. For example, reports say social media tools have increasingly been used by individuals and organizations to politically radicalize people.

Growing public anger reflects widespread feelings of impotence

Queuing up recently in a post office in Cleveland Park, Washington, D.C., a woman complained tome about the long line of customers being serviced by only one clerk. She then angrily provided a long list of what is going wrong in the United States.

Welcome willingness to tackle sensitive issues

Even prior to his maiden show as spokesman for the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference at Wednesday's news conference, what Wang Guoqing said had already turned heads.

High military budget necessary

As the annual session of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, draws near, there has been a growing number of foreign media reports speculating that "a considerable rise" in China's military spending will be announced. Some have suggested a 20 percent rise.

Halting house-purchase subsidies helps correct distortion of market

ON TUESDAY, the government of Shenyang, the capital of northeastern China's Liaoning province, issued a guideline lowering the down payment requirements for house purchases in the city to as low as zero, and subsidizing purchases by college students and fresh graduates to encourage sales. The higher authorities suspended the guidelines on Tuesday night. An article in Beijing Youth Daily commented on Wednesday:

Ambassadors can be sure of further opening-up

THE US, Canadian, German and Japanese ambassadors to China reportedly wrote to the country's Minister of Public Security on Jan 27 to voice unease about three new or planned laws, including the Anti-Terrorism Law, which they described as "vague", saying it could create "a climate of uncertainty among investors". Hans Dietmar Schweisgut, ambassador of the European Union Delegation to China, sent a letter expressing similar concerns a day later. China has every reason to protect its legitimate interests while integrating into the global economic order, said Global Times on Wednesday.

Peking University is good, but not 100% perfect

IN THE LIST of China's Top 100 Universities in 2015, published by Wuhan University's Research Center for China Science Evaluation, Peking University came top with a perfect score, serving as the standard points. Beijing News questioned the rankings on Tuesday:

Hot words

Gender imbalance

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Chinese economy still full of power

A glass is filled halfway with water. Pessimists would say it's half empty, while optimists would say it's half full. The same is true when it comes to the Chinese economy. Quite a few pessimists have been forecasting doom and gloom since the beginning of the year. However, they have failed to see the country's resilience and the new driving forces that have emerged.