Robust PLA needed to better defend nation

The ongoing China Central TV documentary Carrying the Reform Through to the End emphasizes the importance of a strong military to realize the Chinese Dream. China needs to synchronize its military strength with its economic and social development to better protect its national interests. And as President Xi Jinping, also chairman of the Central Military Commission, has reiterated, it is important to modernize the military along with its weapons and equipment, and the technologies it uses to better safeguard the sovereignty and integrity of China.

It is never too late for India to mend its way

In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday, the Ministry of Defense warned New Delhi not to "harbor any illusions" about deriving possible gains from its adventure in sending troops across the demarcated and mutually recognized Sikkim section of the border into Chinese territory.

Environment no small matter

A special inspection by the central government from Feb 12 to March 3 found that Qilian Mountain National Nature Reserve in Gansu province had failed to resolve its long-existing pollution problems and environmental degradation despite being ordered to rectify the problems. Mining and exploitation activities inside the reserve destroyed the vegetation cover and eroded the soil and 14 mines were still working even after the central government banned the practice in the nature reserve in 2014.

Bikes-on-demand have to be kept out of young kids' hands

THE PARENTS OF AN 11-YEAR-OLD BOY, who was killed in a collision with a coach while riding one of Ofo's short-term hire bikes in Shanghai four months ago, are suing the company and the coach driver. They are asking for 8.78 million yuan ($1.32 million) in compensation and have urged Ofo to replace all its bike locks with safer ones. Southern Metropolis Daily commented on Monday:

Rabies risk requires dogs be controlled

OVER THE PAST 30 DAYS two people have died of rabies. A Shanghai resident died two months after he was bitten by a stray dog, as did a woman in Xi'an, Northwest China's Shaanxi province. Thepaper.cn commented on Monday:

Not cool to be chilled at cost of environment

IN THE SUMMER OF 2007, the State Council, China's Cabinet, issued a notice demanding air-conditioned public buildings keep the indoor temperature not lower than 26 C in summer and not higher than 20 C in winter, and instructed that windows and doors be kept shut, so as to save energy and reduce emissions. Yet some shopping malls and department stores in Beijing keep their indoor temperature at such a low level, while keeping their doors open, that people shiver when they step inside. Beijing Youth Daily comments:

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Xiongan's success hinges on prudence

The ongoing CCTV documentary Carry the Reform Through to the End has become a buzzword among Chinese people, highlighting the achievements of the reforms over the past five years under the leadership of the Communist Party of China with Xi Jinping as its core.

Second-child policy will restore social balance

The change in the family planning policy, which allows couples across China to have two children, is one of the biggest policy developments in the past five years. The comprehensive reforms, which includes the easing of the one-child policy, were unveiled at the Third Plenum of the 18th Communist Party of China Central Committee in 2013.

Pension reform to benefit senior citizens

Pensions not only help senior citizens lead a decent life, but also can promote re-employment. Since pensions are important public goods, especially in an aging society, it is important to reduce the risks associated with them by, among other things, maintaining a substantial basic pension fund and further strengthening the pension system.

Mainland cities could learn from HK plan for low-income housing

Hong Kong is well-known for its exorbitant housing prices and rents as well as cramped living spaces. With a severe shortage in the housing supply, high and ever-rising rents, low-income families in the city that do not own their own properties or enjoy public housing have no choice but to live in tiny subdivided apartments.

Withdrawal of its troops is India's best recourse

The trespassing in Chinese territory by Indian troops has now dragged into a second month. The longer they remain on the Chinese side of the long-demarcated and mutually recognized Sikkim section of the border, the less room there will be for peacefully ending the crisis.