In the past 12 months, China has carried out a number of measures to streamline its armed forces and prepare them for the challenges posed by modern warfare.
On the morning of Sept 3, 2015, I realized that President Xi Jinping was serious about overhauling the People's Liberation Army. Before inspecting a grand parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, Xi, who is also chairman of the Central Military Commission, China's top defense body, announced that troop numbers would be reduced by 300,000 in the coming years.
Migadde Calonnie had never seen snow before. Huddled in a heavy-duty winter jacket and sitting beside the Urumqi local who would act as her translator, guide, and driver for the next two days - she was certainly a long way away from her native Uganda.
It is only once I was cruising at 9,000 meters that I began to feel out of my depth. In a world of nonstop motion, strapping yourself to a chair for the afternoon can force self-critical thought. I began to doubt stuff. Namely, my ability to run 42 kilometers along slick mountainous terrain in subzero temperatures.
Zhou Jianping is one of the founders of the Urumqi Silk Road Ice and Snow Marathon, a race vying for the title of China's toughest winter marathon.
The New Year saw northern China shrouded in a cloud of thick smog that sent air pollution to hazardous levels and resulted in more than 60 cities imposing joint emergency measures, such as the suspension of manufacturing activity, to reduce emissions of noxious gases.
The arrival of a central inspection team resulted in four weeks of intense physical and psychological stress for Zhao Zhenwei, head of the environmental supervision bureau in Heilongjiang province.
Those suffering from occupational diseases will receive more welfare benefits following a newly issued plan urging local governments and companies to strengthen preventive measures.
Departments and ministries under the State Council, China's Cabinet, responded to a series of public concerns in the past week, mainly concerning the corporate tax burden and prevention of urban flooding.
Li Shuting could not hold back his tears on Dec 2, when a court of appeal overturned Nie Shubin's conviction for rape and murder, and proclaimed him innocent of all charges.
In the past 12 months, the Supreme People's Court, China's top judicial body, has improved judicial openness and introduced greater supervision of legal officers, paving the way for the public to "see" how the nation's courts work, according to leading officials.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|