Cost of restructuring bearable

Since China has made clear its resolve to promote the restructuring of sectors plagued by excessive overcapacity, there has been speculation at home and abroad whether the country will launch a new round of large-scale layoffs from factories.

Curb realty speculation in big cities, spur destocking in others

CHINA'S FIRST-TIER CITIES, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Shenzhen, have witnessed a steady drop in housing inventory, after the central government issued a series of policies aimed at clearing a property glut in the country. Third- and fourth-tier cities, however, still have a long way to go in destocking their inventories. Governments at all levels are supposed to tailor their real estate policies based on local market conditions, said People's Daily on Tuesday.

Forcing victims to drop cases no solution to pollution

IN APRIL 2014, more than 300 children in Dapu town, Central China's Hunan province, were reported to be ill due to lead poisoning, with the finger of blame pointed at local company Meilun Dye and Chemical Plant. Fifty-three families sued the plant, yet the local government "persuaded" most of them to withdraw the case; of the 13 that insisted, only two got a compensation of 26,372 yuan ($4,112), according to a recent ruling. Gmw.cn said on Monday:

Father of jailed teenager shows lack of morals

ZHANG XINLEI was sentenced to six years in prison for his role in brutal gang attacks against two fellow Chinese teenagers in south California, the United States on Feb 17. In an interview with local media after the sentence, Zhang Fan, the father of the 19-year-old, showed his ignorance of some fundamental issues just like his son. Qianjiang Evening News said on Monday:

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Efficient economy through diplomacy

The year 2016 will usher in the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20), whose core economic goal is to build a high quality and efficient economy. In the current global economic and political environment, which is very different from the past, China needs to use economic diplomacy and all the economic tools at its disposal to achieve the goals.

Realty glut not a major concern for big cities

China's housing market is recovering, but unevenly. First-tier cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, have seen a real estate boom in the first two months of the year, with housing inventory dropping after the government issued a series of policies aimed at clearing the property glut across the country.

The dilemma of more taxes for better welfare

China has taken major strides in terms of social security and protection. Policies have been built on a combination of social insurance, social assistance and welfare services. And of major importance is the nine-year free and compulsory education for all. Increasingly larger percentages of the population, including the most vulnerable groups, such as poor rural residents, the unemployed and - to a gradually larger extent - migrant workers, have been included in social policies. Minimum living standards schemes, as well as medical insurance and pension schemes have been introduced, although with a fragmented structure and variations in organization, scope of implementation, entitlements and benefit generosity based on people's hukou (household registration) status and other criteria. Therefore, benefits are for many very modest.

Nothing unpatriotic about people who love to spend abroad

Since many outbound Chinese tourists are more interested in shopping than traveling, it is fair to call them shopaholics. They spend money on virtually everything, from high-end electronic appliances and luxury goods to daily necessities, such as skin cream and anti-cold medicine.

Calming troubled seas with claimant parties

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his colleagues spare no effort, miss no opportunity, to clarify and defend the country's stance regarding the South China Sea.

Poisoning of Taiwan's politics

In the countdown to when newly elected Taiwan leader Tsai Ying-wen is due to take office in May, separatists on the island seem to be accelerating their activities aimed at "de-sinification".