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

Cartoon

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.

Family policy can succeed only with support

The policy allowing all couples to have two children has been in effect since Jan 1, but the authorities should improve policies related to pregnancy and childcare to raise China's total fertility rate. Since 2000 China has been in the lowest-low fertility rate trap, with the actual fertility rate being less than 1.3. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the total fertility rate in 2011, 2012 and 2013 was 1.04, 1.26 and 1.23, far below the population replacement rate, which has led to problems such as an aging population, "empty nest" families, gender imbalance and labor shortage.

A smoke-free China is a healthy China

Deputies to the National People's Congress, the top legislative body, and members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, or the top political advisory body, from around the country have descended (or will soon descend) on the capital to participate in the annual "two sessions". Since the Beijing local government passed the country's strongest anti-smoking law to date last year, visiting delegates will be able to enjoy a truly smoke-free environment in the city and during the course of the important discussions in the Great Hall of the People.

Internet-led financial innovation key to structural reforms

China's monetary easing policy to ensure ample liquidity in the financial system is welcome, but the fact remains that only more Internet-driven financial innovation can help such a favorable financial environment boost the country's job-creating small businesses.

Court case mirrors US world police mentality

The Hong Kong government has issued a statement in response to yet another example of wanton interference by the US government in the special administrative region's internal affairs.