Many local govt apps are merely vanity projects

ONE AFTER ANOTHER, local governments have developed apps, which they claim allow residents greater convenience in the application procedures for certain issues. However, China Central Television recently found that many of these apps do not work. Southern Metropolis Daily comments:

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West's attempt to discredit China in Africa

Western countries mistake China's cooperation with Africa as something new, which is not the case. Although China's presence in Africa is more visible today than ever before, with increased trade, large infrastructure projects and loans, the friendship between China and Africa dates back to the 1950s and 1960s, when African countries were struggling for independence.

Holiday celebrations are not a zero-sum game

Due to a clerical error, my birthday was wrongly recorded, resulting in some people celebrating my birthday using the date of the lunar calendar and others the date of the solar calendar. I have tried to clarify and correct this in the past. But now I am in my mostly unglamorous middle-age life, I have given up trying to correct people, since I figure I can use all the celebrations I get. They just provide an excuse for having a good time with friends and family.

Belgium shows its confidence in Belt and Road

This year is the 10 anniversary of the 2008 calamity of Wall Street, following the fall of the Lehman Brothers, which caused the chronic global financial crisis and economic recession. The recent global stock market plunges, again originating in the United States, have been an unwelcome reminder of their volatility.

US moves to contain China create unnecessary tensions

Where China-US relations go will have a bearing on not just the bilateral relations between the two major powers, but also the stability of the entire world. As such, there is enough reason for the international community to show concern about the United States' plan to send Marine Expeditionary Units to East Asia as part of its efforts to contain China.

Nuclear issue still a thorn in current Korean détente

United States Vice-President Mike Pence went to Pyeongchang committed to foiling Pyongyang's alleged attempt to "hijack the message and imagery" of the Olympics.

Livecasting gives residents say in officials' performance evaluations

ON FRIDAY, the Beijing government held its performance evaluation conference, at which 60 local governmental departments and 16 district governments reported on their work in 2017 to a group of about 240 leading officials, legislative deputies and political advisers. The text record and photos of the meeting were posted in real time on social media. Legal Daily comments:

Home visits temper justice with mercy

SPRING FESTIVAL is traditionally a time for family reunions, and four prisons in Shanghai are allowing 10 inmates to visit their families from Thursday to Sunday. Beijing News comments:

Fire safety lessons to be learned from nanny's arson case

ON FRIDAY, Mo Huanjing, a nanny with heavy gambling debts, was sentenced to death by Hangzhou Intermediate People's Court after being found guilty of starting a fire that killed her employer's wife and children. China Daily writer Zhang Zhouxiang comments:

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China's winter sports industry set to boom

While bidding for the right to host the Winter Olympics, Beijing solemnly promised the international community to set an example for the development of winter sports.