Rio Tinto, Sinosteel extend Aussie venture

Mining giant Rio Tinto Plc and China's Sinosteel Corp have extended their Australian joint venture to supply another 70 million metric tons of iron ore over the next five years, expanding one of the longest-running partnerships in the two countries' trade relationship.

IN BRIEF (Page 6)

Property market rebounds but housing stocks flat

China's property sector staged a revival in March, with real estate investment, sales, housing new starts and funding all rebounding strongly.

Shares fall amid speculation on government stimulus program

Stocks fell on Friday, led by commodity companies, amid speculation that improving economic data in March and a surge in new credit will prompt authorities to refrain from adding stimulus.

Short-term changes pave way for long-term reform

With statisticians reporting good news about many aspects of the Chinese economy, one can be almost certain it will encounter fewer storms than last year.

Carter sends wrong message

Overseas trips by politicians and military leaders are all about sending messages. So what messages are being sent by US Defense Secretary Ash Carter's ongoing visit to the Philippines?

Lessons can be learned from ROK exporting its cultural products

SONG JOONG-KI, the pop star from the Republic of Korea who recently won fame in China with his performance in the TV series Descendants of the Sun, was invited to be an ambassador for the country's tourism industry at an event in Beijing on Monday. Guangzhou Daily commented on Thursday:

Childcare not just a family issue

After the implementation of the universal two-child policy in the Chinese mainland, many aged grandparents have said they will be unable to look after another child. China Youth Daily commented on Thursday:

Work diary reveals problems in grassroots governance

A RESEARCHER IN politics at Hubei University of Economics in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei province, wrote a diary while working temporarily in a forestry department in a county-level district in the northwest of the province. Media reports quoting 96 entries from his diary have stirred heated discussions about grassroots officialdom. Beijing News commented on Wednesday:

HOT WORDS

Special college enrollment plan for rural students

Stronger vaccine supervision to help restore confidence

Inefficient government supervision and the dereliction of duty by officials are mainly to blame for the flaws in the vaccine distribution system exposed by the recent scandal of a criminal network selling improperly stored and expired vaccines.

Fraud suspects' return politicized

Following Kenya's recent repatriation of eight Taiwan-born people to the Chinese mainland after their acquittal on telecommunication fraud charges, Taiwan authorities lodged a "solemn protest" to the mainland, demanding it immediately transfer the eight to the island.