Urbanization going astray

According to the latest official data, the number of new urban zones constructed and planned by local governments exceeded 3,500 by the end of May. That is almost two for each county.

Covering up bad news is not the right response by governments

WHEN A FIRE BROKE OUT at an enterprise in Dezhou in East China's Shandong province on Wednesday, a local TV journalist tried to report what was happening, but said he was prevented from doing so by a group of men who assaulted him and seized his camera. The version of events given by the local police has aroused widespread doubts, and Xinhua News Agency has called for an investigation by higher authorities to find out the truth:

Criminal penalty for delinquents in question

A 13-YEAR-OLD BOY in Southwest China's Sichuan province severely burnt the face of a 24-year-old woman by throwing gasoline on her and setting it alight, while trying to rob her of her cellphone. The woman was severely hurt, yet the boy did not receive any criminal penalty because of his age. It is time to lower the minimum age for criminal responsibility, comments Southern Metropolis Daily:

New move to make life easier for people

WHEN APPLYING for something from a government department, people are always required to show certificates, for which they have to visit one government department after another in what can become a vicious circle.

The Games' effects on Brazilian economy

Brazil has made great efforts as the host for the 2016 Olympic Games. One year after hosting the FIFA World Cup, this sequencing of events was seen as a unique opportunity to promote needed investment in infrastructure (transportation facilities in particular) as well as a window of opportunity to showcase Brazil's beauty and hence attract a good deal of tourists.

Pirates' league or soccer for the people

As China has resolved to become a superpower in world soccer within a generation, it can pick the best examples and avoid the worst excesses. At base camp it can decide how it wants to reach the peak.

Chance to set things right for world economy

The theme of the 11th G20 Leaders' Summit, "building an innovative, invigorated, interconnected and inclusive world economy", will help China better play its role in world economic development as well as encourage it to promote its innovative mechanism to deepen the interconnectivity of and boost the global economy. China has been the main driver of world economic growth but as the host of the G20 summit - scheduled for Sept 4-5 in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province - its global role has acquired greater importance because of the global economic slowdown and dwindling trade, and developed countries, including the United States, inability to use innovation to tide over the economic problems.

Seeds of success lie in the dreams of youngsters

Should we take elementary schoolers' dreams seriously?

Cartoon

Alarm bells after Ausgrid bids barred

Treasurer Morrison said electricity network included critical power services

IN BRIEF (Page 8)

PCCW, Tencent invest in STX Entertainment

PCCW Ltd and Tencent Holdings Ltd are leading an investment round in STX Entertainment, giving the distributor of the feature films Bad Moms and The Gift funds to build its TV division, expand internationally and acquire digital media startups.