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Trumping the yuan in a volatile world

At the recently concluded World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, President Xi Jinping mounted a robust defense of globalization, reaffirming his country's "open-door" policy and pledging never to seek to start a trade war or to benefit from depreciation of its currency. Soon after, US President Donald Trump, in his inaugural address, effectively made the opposite pledge: using the word "protect" seven times, he confirmed that his "America First" doctrine means protectionism.

Belittle not the humble glutinous rice ball

North and South China are distinguished not only by geography and weather, but also by the way people there prepare their food. Northerners cannot understand how jellied bean curd can be sweet, just as southerners cannot fathom why rice dumplings have to be anything but salty.

Fight against climate change exemplary

In the story of the Chinese zodiac, the rooster is the 10th animal to cross the river and the Jade Emperor's finish line. But it did not cross alone. It found a small raft, and invited the goat and the monkey to join him on the crossing. The goat and the monkey helped clear the weeds, and navigate the raft toward the opposite bank. With teamwork, they arrived together. Pleased with their work, the Jade Emperor gave them all a year on the zodiac.

Made in USA is hypocritical political correctness

US President Donald Trump won the 2016 election partly by cashing in on people's anger over excessive political correctness. Yet his words and deeds are cultivating a new political correctness in his country.

Laying the foundations for long-term prosperity

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying delivered his last policy address on Jan 18. Many people did not expect anything new from it as the current administration is in its final phase. But the policy address did give us some surprises. It is the longest one in the history of the Hong Kong SAR. In the conclusion of his speech, Leung said that "Today, all commitments in my election manifesto have basically been implemented". Some may question this statement as the housing, retirement protection, and poverty issues have yet to be completely solved.

In elections, trying to please everyone is clearly unrealistic

Early this week, news broke that a candidate for the next Chief Executive election intends to resume the electoral reform process, while pledging to adopt a gentler approach to implementation of Article 23 of the Basic Law.

Reality check will show double trap is avoidable

Top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi's call for "American friends" to "brush up" on World War II history may not ring any bells with Washington, because, unlike then, the two countries today are not fighting shoulder to shoulder against a common enemy.

Reserves no cause for concern

China's foreign exchange reserves dropped to $2.99 trillion in January, falling below the $3 trillion level for the first time since early 2011.

Tighter monetary policy would help stop speculation by SOEs

AS EARLY AS 2010, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission issued a document that required the majority of State-owned enterprises under the supervision of the central government to exit from the real estate sector. However, seven years have passed and SOEs are increasingly active in the realty market. Beijing News comments:

Phasing out subsidies puts green cars on right track

THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT has said it will cut subsidies to new energy vehicles by 20 percent this year from 2016 levels, and urged local governments not to offer subsidies that exceed 50 percent of those provided by the central government. Changjiang Daily commented on Wednesday:

Capital cities mustn't grow as parasites

THE MUNICIPAL government of Jinan, East China's Shandong province, not satisfied with the city's status as provincial capital, recently called on the entire province to give the city more support in order to make it the leading city in the province in terms of GDP as well. Beijing News commented on Wednesday: