Multiple measures required to counter US sanctions against Chinese businesses

CHINA HAS expressed its strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to the US sanctions on ZTE Corp, one of its largest telecommunications equipment makers. The US Commerce Department on Monday banned US suppliers from selling components to ZTE, claiming the company "illicitly exported" controlled items to Iran in contravention of US law. Global Times on Wednesday said China needs to better protect the legal interests of its enterprises:

Consumption tax prompts overseas buying

ACCORDING TO the Ministry of Commerce, Chinese consumption overseas grew by 27.8 percent each year on average between 2005 and 2015. The enthusiasm for shopping overseas will remain high unless there is a decrease in consumption tax, said the Shanghai-based thepaper.cn on Wednesday:

Money at heart of audition for companions

AROUND 300 single women in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan, China's southwestern province, participated in an audition on Tuesday that was tailor-made for a bunch of bachelors reportedly with assets of over 50 million yuan ($8 million). Twelve women were selected to accompany the bachelors on a trip to Dubai in West Asia in June. The organizer plans to stage similar auditions in another 30 cities. Jschina.com.cn commented on Wednesday:

Hot words

Mistake-tolerant mechanism

Cartoon

Time to target grassroots corruption

No one is immune to disciplinary investigation, and that includes the deputies of the people's congresses at all levels, said Fu Ying, spokeswoman for the fourth session of the 12th National People's Congress, China's top legislature, at a news conference on Friday.

Navigation freedom no excuse for interference

The United States was back again in the South China Sea recently, this time with a muscle-flexing navy fleet in a greater show of strength. The US Navy John C. Stennis strike group exited the South China Sea on March 6 after six days of debut "routine operations" since its regularly scheduled deployment began Jan 15, putting the Asia-Pacific region on high alert and leaving many wondering what are the signals behind the move and what impact it will have on regional peace and stability.

Making head and tail of eco-problems

Purple haze. For those who grew up in the 1960s and 1970s, the words bring back memories of the electrifying Jimi Hedrix and his more electrifying ways with the guitar. For many living in North China today, they may sound more like one of the stanzas in the song: Purple haze all in my eyes/Don't know if it's day or night/You got me blowin', blowin' my mind/Is it tomorrow, or just the end of time?

Better help consumers do the heavy lifting

To turn domestic consumption into an engine powerful enough to make up for the slack of other growth drivers, lawmakers and policymakers should make full use of the ongoing session of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, to boost and meet consumers' upgraded demand for quality goods and services.

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: