Missile defense test in pursuit of equilibrium

The brief statement by the Ministry of National Defense on Tuesday announcing China successfully tested ground-based mid-course anti-missile intercept technology within its territory on Monday marks a major step forward on the People's Liberation Army's path to modernization, as only a few countries have mastered the technology necessary to intercept a missile in flight.

Shared willingness needed to extend Olympics detente

Athletes of both sides of the divide on the Korean Peninsula are to parade together under a single flag and field a joint women's ice hockey team at the Winter Olympics, which begin in Pyeongchang, the Republic of Korea, this week. Most impressive of all, leading Pyongyang's delegation will be the 90-year-old Kim Yong-nam, the nominal head of state of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Information and digital technologies can help revitalize the rural economy

THE CENTRAL AUTHORITIES published this year's No 1 document on Sunday, setting out policies for the revitalization of the countryside. Beijing News commented on Tuesday:

Spammers on the brink of illegality

THE PUBLIC SECURITY MINISTRY started cracking down on illegal online information services in May. Since then, more than 200 criminal suspects have been seized in over 40 cases nationwide. Procuratorate Daily commented on Tuesday:

People should pay the price for rescue after stepping out of bounds

A LOCAL REGULATION came into effect on Jan 1 stipulating that those who illegally enter prohibited parts of the Mount Huangshan scenic area will have to pay the costs if they fall into difficulties and need rescuing. Hebnews.cn comments:

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Divergence between Trump's doctrine and Xi's thought

Still opportunities for China-US climate cooperation

Despite the growing signs of changing climate in 2017, with massive storms, flooding and wildfires, US President Donald Trump did not mention "climate change" in last week's State of the Union speech. He did not refer to "renewable energy" either, breaking from nearly all recent presidential addresses. Trump did say that he had "ended the war on American Energy", the "war on clean coal".

US attempting to meddle in Russian election

On Jan 29, the United States Department of the Treasury released a list of the names of a number of Russian oligarchs, senior Kremlin and government officials and chief executive officers of state companies who Washington perceives to have close relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

No 1 document gives rural strategy flesh on the bones

The fact that this is the 15th year in a row that the No 1 central document, an indicator of policy priority, has been devoted to agriculture, farmers and rural areas indicates how challenging rural issues are and how important they are for the country's food security, stability and people's well-being. While there has been marked rural and agricultural development over the years, some pressing issues have now become prominent, including the issue of the "left-behind" elderly and children and weak grassroots governance, which has led to environmental problems, among other things.

Nature of neighbors' relations

Given the sensitivity of China-India ties after last summer's trespassing across the border by Indian troops, it is no surprise that the Indian defense minister's recent visit to military posts along the border has provoked Chinese concerns. Yet the popularity of a new Bollywood movie among Chinese filmgoers highlights the warmth of relations between the peoples of the two countries.

Poverty alleviation efforts have to pass the test of time

THE CENTRAL AUTHORITIES have vowed to investigate any falsification of local governments in poverty alleviation data. Only the central authorities - no other departments - will be in charge of inspecting and assessing local governments' performance in poverty relief this year. Beijing News comments: