Defense budget hike is not out of the ordinary

China's defense budget has become a lightning rod for those keen to claim there is a threat from China, for whatever reason. This year has been no exception, with the announcement that China's defense budget is to grow by 8.1 percent prompting finger-pointing from the usual suspects.

5G an opportunity for China to take lead in next tech evolution

MORE THAN 2,300 telecommunication equipment manufacturers showcased their products at the world's largest gathering for the mobile industry, the Mobile World Congress held in Barcelona, from Feb 26 to March 1. Beijing Youth Daily comments:

Give workers more of the growth bonus

DATA from the National Bureau of Statistics show that the development gaps among Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province shrank last year, and integration of the three places, a key development strategy of the central authorities, has progressed. Beijing Youth Daily comments:

Food safety enhanced by info on ingredients in online meals to go

ON FRIDAY, Baidu and Ele me, the two main online platforms for takeaway food in Beijing, launched a system that requires their food providers to disclose the ingredients and nutritional information of their food. Beijing News comments:

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Reform and opening-up will continue

Premier Li Keqiang presented the Government Work Report to the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, on the first day of its annual session on Monday, which summarized China's achievements in the last five years and laid out plans and targets for this year.

Tax reduction could boost newborn population

"We will raise the personal income tax threshold and create expense deductions for items such as children's education and treatment for serious diseases, appropriately lightening burdens, and encouraging our people to increase their incomes and achieve prosperity through hard work."

Belt and Road lead the way to rising trade and investment

The Government Work Report delivered by Premier Li Keqiang on Monday reflected both the rosy and not-so-rosy sides of China's economic and social development.

Hollywood braced for best picture photo finish at Oscars

HOLLYWOOD, California - Hollywood is set for a reallife cliffhanger on Sunday at the Oscars - the race for best picture is coming down to the wire to cap an awards season overshadowed by scandal over sexual misconduct in showbiz.

Language lessons, soaring hotel prices in Kazan for World Cup

KAZAN, Russia - Restaurant staff are taking crash language courses and prices are rising as the predominantly Muslim capital of Russia's Olympic dreams prepares to host the World Cup.

Fearing mass shootings, some schools turn to armored equipment

BERLIN, United States - Linda Bragg wrote a "quote of the day" on the small whiteboard in her classroom, a teaching aid that can double as a bullet-resistant shield in the event of a school shooting.

Art of cigar rolling handed down in Cuba

HAVANA - Rolling cigars completely by hand is an art that has been passed down from generation to generation in Cuba.