How the 'smart age' could revolutionize old age

The future of senior care in China may soon be represented by a 40-centimeter-high human-shaped robot with a large round screen.

When home becomes a prison

Elegantly adorned with three rings, a pearl necklace and a watch encrusted with diamonds that indicate material well-being, Bao Meiyuan said her life is boring and intellectually poor. The 86-year-old Shanghai resident, who has four children, six grandchildren and two great-grand children, is desperate for someone to talk to.

Difficulties won't stop reform, Li says

China's financial system is under control and reforms will not stop despite temporary government intervention, Premier Li Keqiang told the heads of financial institutions at a meeting on Friday.

Military leader pledges cooperation

Vice-Chairman of the Central Military Commission Fan Changlong said China "will never recklessly resort to the use of force" even on issues regarding sovereignty, and China's construction of islands in the South China Sea helps provide better public services to the world.

Growth outlook good, despite headwinds

China's economy faces strong external headwinds, even though its contribution to world growth this year is likely to exceed that of the United States, the country's vice-finance minister said.

Satellite to better connect Silk Road

Nations in South and Southeast Asia as well as Oceania will soon benefit from a communications satellite China launched over the weekend for a Hong Kong-based operator, said project managers.

IN BRIEF (Page 4)

New rail network set to boost 'cluster'

Wang Jingting, a native of Tangshan in Hebei province, lives and works in Beijing. On weekends and holidays, she either drives or takes a train back to Tangshan to relax or attend family functions.

Airports to help fuel traffic integration

As part of the transportation integration process in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei cluster, local authorities have strengthened efforts to improve the civil aviation network to enable it to meet customer demand.

Experts call for more private capital

Private investment should be encouraged to help fund the massive construction costs of the new intercity railway in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei cluster, according to experts.

Eliminating poverty by 2020 a challenge

Since it launched its reform and opening-up in the late 1970s, China has made great achievements in alleviation of poverty in the country. However, it still faces great challenges to achieve the goal of completely eliminating poverty and pulling the poor above the current standard set by the central government by 2020. More efforts are needed to support further reform and innovation to achieve this goal.

More, not fancier, public toilets in real need

Hopping onto the bandwagon of the national development strategy Internet Plus, the nation's capital Beijing is planning to build its own "public toilet plus".