Misperceptions root cause of frictions with China

Beijing's quarrels with Tokyo and Washington, whether about territorial disputes or so-called freedom of navigation, are essentially about international law.

Income tax needs quick fix

Despite calls for the current threshold for individual income tax to be raised, the standard has remained unchanged since it was raised from 2,000 yuan ($307) to 3,500 yuan in 2011.

Better let market forces decide if high-speed trains offer WiFi

WANG MENGSHU, an expert at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said at a panel discussion on the sidelines of the current annual session of the National People's Congress that WiFi should not be provided on high-speed trains, as it might disturb onboard communication signals and would also cost a lot in maintenance. He also encouraged passengers to enjoy the views, instead of fixing their eyes on the tiny screens of smartphones and laptops. However, on Tuesday Beijing Youth Daily said it should be market demand that decides whether the WiFi is offered on board trains or not:

Colleges have long way to go to end gender bias

SINCE SHANDONG UNIVERSITY INITIATED it in the early 1990s, so-called Girls' Day on Mar 7, one day before International Women's Day, has been celebrated by an increasing number of Chinese universities. On this day, male students are supposed to take care of their female peers, but in recent years some of them have resorted to banners embroidered with abusive quips that they then display on campus. Rednet.cn condemned such sexual harassment on Tuesday:

Social media chats have to observe law

AN ELDERLY COUPLE in Haidian district, Beijing, who were ridiculed by two other people in one of their chat groups because they grabbed e-hongbao, or red envelopes containing small amounts of cash, without immediately offering any in return, are taking the two who mocked them to court. The couple claim the two "friends" damaged their reputation in the chat group, and are asking for an apology along with compensation of 200 yuan ($30 dollars) from each. Haidian District People's Court has accepted the cases. Beijing Times said on Tuesday:

Hot words

Pain points for people's livelihoods

Cartoon

Provoking DPRK will not restore peace

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea on Monday warned of preemptive nuclear strikes against the United States and the Republic of Korea in response to their joint military exercise, which began on the same day and will continue to run through April 30. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have been rising after Pyongyang conducted its fourth nuclear test two months ago and launched a long-range rocket on Feb 7. In a show of defiance against the harsh sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council on March 2, the DPRK fired six short-range projectiles into the sea a day later. The latest UN resolution broadens the scope of financial sanctions and arms embargo on the DPRK, demanding that the country abandon all its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, and disassemble its nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction.

Income tax reform must progress in phases

The goal of individual income tax reform is to establish an income tax system that combines classified and comprehensive taxation systems. The current classified individual income tax system levies different kinds of taxes. It is convenient to manage, and it is easy to levy tax as it is deducted at source-for example, an employer deducts an employee's income tax while paying his/her salary.

More pediatricians needed for children's health

Had the long-awaited two-child policy not been announced at the end of last year, the severe shortage of pediatricians in China would probably have not attracted public attention. The irony is that the most populous nation is running short of not only babies, but also physicians to attend babies. While long queues and big crowds in Chinese public hospitals are not new, those in pediatric departments can be even more appalling. Waiting overnight just to register an ill child is fairly common experience for anxious parents and grandparents. Now, the expected baby boom and anticipated growing demand for child and maternal care have prompted medical policymakers to pay serious attention to the issue.

From the glass ceiling to a carpet of shards

As a boy growing up in post-war Korea, I remember asking about a tradition I observed: women going into labour would leave their shoes at the threshold and then look back in fear. "They are wondering if they will ever step into those shoes again," my mother explained.

Li's economic geography points the way forward

Premier Li Keqiang's daily work schedule during the annual session of the National People's Congress reflects China's changing economic geography.