Improved public transport key to solution

The idea of imposing a congestion charge on vehicles seems logical: With the government making it more expensive to drive, people who cannot afford to pay the congestion fee give up driving. Moreover, the congestion charge will be another source of revenue for the government.

We have a climate treaty - but at what cost?

After two weeks, huge amounts of political rhetoric, and much activity behind closed doors at the Paris climate change conference, we have a treaty. While there will be celebrations among activists, the Paris Treaty will do very little to rein in temperature reductions.

Good momentum of climate talks must be maintained

Global politicians, their teams and advisers in Paris had very good reasons to pack for home in a positive frame of mind, as they have avoided a failure like Copenhagen and successfully reached a legally binding agreement to fight climate woes.

Historical step toward low-carbon future

The 196 parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change made the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Paris a milestone in the world's endeavors to build a low-carbon future.

Residence permit breakthrough

China took a step forward in reforming the household registration system on Saturday, which is good news for the floating population of 253 million and for its ongoing urbanization.

Lack of public supervision led to ridiculous move of 'false sheep'

ACCORDING TO A RECENT REPORT BY PEOPLE'S DAILY, to create an impression of prosperity for their superiors who were conducting an a inspection tour, local officials got pupils with big white bags to spread out across a hillside so they would look like sheep when seen from a train. To end such practices, it is necessary to allow residents to supervise their officials, says a comment on Beijing News:

Peer pressure no excuse for corruption

"SO MANY OFFICIALS ARE CORRUPT; WHY PUNISH ME?" That's a complaint commonly heard by the nation's top disciplinary watchdog. Rampant corruption is no excuse for forgiving any corrupt official, says China Disciplinary Watch, the official newspaper of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection:

An ostrich policy is no answer to the public's queries

WHEN LIU YAPING was revealed to have been appointed the vice mayor of another county at the age of 28 before she came to Shenmu county in North China's Shaanxi province recently, it aroused public suspicion because it is really rare for someone so young to get such a position in China. When questioned, the local Party committee said it was an exception, but without giving any reason. The committee should explain the circumstances, says Southern Metropolis Daily:

Hot words

Points system for household registration

Cartoon

Weapon claim reflects DPRK's security concerns

On Thursday, Kim Yong-un, the leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was quoted by the Korean Central News Agency as saying his state is ready to defend its sovereignty and dignity with hydrogen bombs it had developed itself. That made headlines worldwide.

Errors will undermine media credibility

Many Chinese media outlets, old and new, are in the spotlight not for some praiseworthy cause, but for some unbelievable mistakes they have made in their reports. A Xinhua News Agency report on the meeting between President Xi Jinping and US President Barack Obama on Nov 30 on the sidelines of the just concluded Paris climate change conference ended up with a typo in its headline-using "Omaba" instead of Obama.