Strictly punish sellers and buyers of children

ACCORDING TO A LATEST JUDICIAL INTERPRETATION RELEASED by the Supreme People's Court on Thursday, acts that lure children under the age of 6 away from their parents or guardians will be defined as "infant stealing", which may result in 10 years behind bars at the minimum, even the death penalty under serious circumstances. Daily Sunshine, a newspaper based in Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong province, commented on Friday:

Local authorities have duty to protect cultural heritage

THE COMPOUND surrounding Dayun Temple in Shangluo, Northwest China's Shaanxi province, has been encroached upon by the construction of a new development. This has caused damage to several relics including an ancient mulberry tree and four houses built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Beijing News commented on Saturday:

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These words got a buzz and more out of 2016

Editor's Note: This is the last one of our six-part year-end review series. Today, four commentators review China's society and give their predictions for next year.

Two-child policy has demographic limits

The new family planning policy allowing all couples to have two children took effect on Jan 1, but the number of newborns this year has been less than expected. The total number of newborns is expected to be just over 17.5 million, which is only 950,000 more than the 16.55 million in 2015, and 630,000 more than the 16.87 million in 2014.

Real people, real issues deserve media focus

Whenever I check my cellphone for news, I'm greeted by entertainment news promos: One celebrity is having an extramarital affair while another faces a divorce. Sometimes these promos are hidden under the cover of "social news" in order to attract more clicks.

Internet ushers in new age of charity

The development of internet-based charity activities has been amazing this year. Three landmark developments - legislation, the total amount of online donation, and rational public discussions - deserve the credit for the progress.

More taxation reform will stop capital flight

That China's largest automobile glass-maker Fuyao Group will invest $600 million to build a 2,000-worker factory in Moraine, Ohio, should set off alarm bells, prompting the Chinese government to lower taxes and operational costs for manufacturing industries to prevent the drain of Chinese capital and jobs.

Navarro another blow to US-China ties

US president-elect Donald Trump is known for his anti-China rhetoric on the campaign trail, such as threatening to impose up to 45 percent tariffs on Chinese products and calling China a currency manipulator.

Playing to the crowd in the role of their savior

Since the original author has been dead for quite a few years now, I guess he won't mind me changing his words slightly and saying: Shocking acts are in danger of being committed on the unscrupulous initiative of a few individuals, with the blessing of others, and with the passive acquiescence of more.

Open, frequent exchanges for better UK ties

As the British and Chinese governments concluded their latest strategic dialogue on Dec 20, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to a Sino-British "golden era" amid the uncertainty created by Brexit, the world today looks very different from October 2015, when President Xi Jinping paid a high-profile state visit to the United Kingdom.

Major centers look for ways to cure 'big city disease'

Editor's note: This is the last in a series of special reports looking at the effects of hukou, China's household registration system, on the lives of ordinary citizens who have left their homes to work in other areas and regions.