Financing channels will be expanded

The government will expand financing channels and introduce several pilot programs to boost the economy of its northeastern region to dispel fears of diminishing returns and a worsening business environment in the region, according to an official from the country's top economic regulator.

Heilongjiang case not a blot on all local govts, says NDRC official

The interference in the market activities of a private company in Heilongjiang province is an "isolated case," and should not be used to negate the progress being made on a friendlier business environment, said an official with China's top economic regulator.

IN BRIEF (Page 6)

Price wars intensify in ride-sharing sector

Chinese group-buying and dining information platform Meituan-Dianping has launched its ride-hailing services in seven cities along with a series of tempting policies, making no secret of its strong desire to challenge Didi Chuxing and others in the country's burgeoning ride-hailing market.

QQ users log into real world for adventure

Chinese tech giant Tencent Holdings Ltd, the largest global gaming provider by revenue and the operator of QQ, an instant messaging software service, has initiated a series of scientific exploration events aimed at encourage young people to explore the outside world, instead of being constantly absorbed online.

Multimodal freight train heading for Moscow

China COSCO Shipping Corp Ltd's first China-Russia multimodal transportation service kicked off on Friday from Tianjin, headed for Moscow with 46 containers measuring 40 feet (1,220 cm) long.

Modi should not create another setback for ties

After China and India defused the two-month long border standoff between their troops last year, both Beijing and New Dehli expressed their aspirations for smoother and more stable ties.

UK's focus ought to be EU

According to British media reports, the United Kingdom has held informal discussions with some of the members of the planned Trans-Pacific Partnership to explore the possibility of joining the group to boost its exports after it leaves the European Union.

Law needs to prevent tech giants from taking liberties with users

ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT, the leading domestic mobile payment service provider, Alipay released to users their annual billing records, yet a sentence in smaller font, which authorizes it to analyze users' data for other use, was found in its electronic agreement with the default choice being "I agree". China E-Commerce Research Center, a Hangzhou-based independent think tank, comments:

Even one bad apple can spoil tourist spots

AFTER A WRITER complained about a guesthouse in Shuangfeng Forest Farm in Hailin, Heilongjiang province, the local tourism bureau swiftly carried out an investigation and fined the owner of the guesthouse 59,000 yuan ($9,069) for fleecing tourists by charging exorbitant prices for rooms, services and food. Shenzhen News commented on Thursday:

These winter blue days must not be taken for granted

SO FAR THIS WINTER, the masks that used to be a common sight at this time of year have been less evident as the number of days with blue skies in Beijing and its surrounding regions has been much higher than in the recent past. China Youth Daily comments:

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