Diplomacy in full swing in new era

Editor's note: The leadership of the Communist Party of China has wrapped up its first series of diplomatic efforts after the 19th National Congress of the CPC, which included US President Donald Trump's maiden visit to China, President Xi Jinping's speech at the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Vietnam, and Premier Li Keqiang's deliberations at the ASEAN+China (10+1) leaders' meeting in the Philippines. Three experts share their views on Chinese diplomacy in the "new era" and Asia-Pacific integration with China Daily's Cui Shoufeng. Excerpts follow:

Initiative set for bigger development role

After making significant headway in the past four years, the Belt and Road Initiative has entered the implementation stage and was even cited as a priority for further opening up the Chinese economy at the recent 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. We (Standard Chartered China) identify five reasons to be positive about the initiative.

The two engines of sustainable yet booming consumption

What started as a mere internet joke based on the day's "four-single-person" date in 2009 when Alibaba managed to register a one-day sales of 52 million yuan ($7.83 million) has this year helped the Chinese e-commerce giant to record sales of a jaw-dropping 168.2 billion yuan, 39.3 percent more than last year.

Right time for region to build economic community

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and China's relationship with the 10-member bloc is the most vibrant among the bloc's relations with its regional partners, not least because they share a similar view of the importance of interconnectivity, interdependence and cooperation.

People-centric development

The key to China's achievements over the past decades has been its leadership's understanding of the real needs of Chinese people. Increased fiscal inputs in education, healthcare, employment and other fields related to people's livelihoods, and efforts to promote an efficient and open market have enabled China's development fruits to be better shared among its people.

TV company wrong to broadcast interview that may influence trial

A CHINESE MOTHER whose daughter, a postgraduate student, died over a year ago in Tokyo after allegedly being attacked by a Chinese graduate student whose former girlfriend she was trying to defend, is seeking the death penalty in his trial. The verdict is due to be delivered by a Japanese court on Dec 11. Southern Metropolis Daily commented on Tuesday:

Square dancing rules set good example

ON MONDAY, the General Administration of Sport issued a detailed document to regulate square dancing, which forbids people square dancing in places such as martyrs' cemeteries or school grounds, while also requiring gymnasiums to allow square dancers access during certain hours. Thepaper.cn comments:

Parents putting too much stress on their children

A YOUNG CHILD in Shanghai was diagnosed with alopecia areata, or spot baldness, caused by too much stress. The two-and-a-half-year-old's mother sent him to five training classes - English, mathematics, fine arts, piano and public speaking - over the past two months in a bid to get him into a prestigious kindergarten next year. People's Daily comments:

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'Indo-Pacific' an 'America First' ploy

Editors' note: Just before and during his maiden trip to Asia as US president, Donald Trump reiterated the importance of promoting a free and open "Indo-Pacific region", a term rarely used by his predecessors. Three experts share their views on Trump's "subtle shift" in language with China Daily's Cui Shoufeng. Excerpts follow:

Elderly deserve better care and services

In his report to the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China on Oct 18, General Secretary Xi Jinping said China will adopt policies that will help foster a social environment in which senior citizens are respected, cared for and live happily. As part of that effort, senior citizens will receive integrated care and medical service, and the programs to provide better elderly care will be expedited.

Toward stronger China-South Africa ties

During the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the leadership made two key judgments: the principal contradiction of China has evolved into one between unbalanced and inadequate development and the people's ever-growing needs for a better life; and socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era.