Right to paid leave needs to be protected proactively

ACCORDING TO the Department of Human Resources and Social Security in Sichuan province, Southwest China, less than 5 percent of employees involved in payment disputes have sought to independently defend their right to paid leave in recent years. Beijing News says it is the responsibility of the relevant local authorities to protect the rights of workers whether or not there are any complaints of their rights being violated.

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Silk Road vision for the developing world

In 2015, global headlines reflected mounting concerns about China's slowing economy and whether the country could maintain its reform momentum and complete its shift to a new growth model based on higher domestic consumption and expanded services.

Tricky transitions to manage in 2016

Global growth in 2016 will be disappointing and uneven. The global economy's medium-term growth prospects have weakened as well, because potential growth is being held back by low productivity, aging populations, and the legacies of the global financial crisis. High debt, low investment, and weak banks continue to burden some advanced economies, especially in Europe; and many emerging economies continue to face adjustments after their post-crisis credit and investment boom.

The great economic malaise continues

The year 2015 has been a hard one all around. Brazil fell into recession. China's economy experienced its first serious bumps after almost four decades of breakneck growth. The eurozone managed to avoid a meltdown over Greece, but its near-stagnation has continued, contributing to what surely will be viewed as a lost decade. For the United States, 2015 is supposed to be the year that finally closed the book on the Great Recession that began back in 2008; instead, the US recovery has been middling.

The ideas that are changing everyday life

Imagine a mirror that can take your body measurements within five minutes and create virtual images of you trying on new clothes without the trouble of taking them on and off.

Garment firm shifts its focus to robotics

Fancy your own robot at home, responding to your every need, even talking to you during lonely nights? Not a problem.

Global efforts vital for Web governance

The Second World Internet Conference ended on Friday with industry leaders calling for concerted global efforts to boost Internet usage and governance.

Industries to benefit from smart workshops

When you think of workshops in manufacturing companies, you would often associate them with lines of workers standing or sitting in front of an assembly line, busy at work.

Blue skies ahead for cloud services

Cloud computing will become even more important in the next few years and create new growth opportunities for companies, experts said.

M&S puts stamp on Beijing

Marks & Spencer Plc, the British clothing and food retailer, opened its first flagship store in Beijing on Friday as part of its strategy to increase its presence in large cities in China.