With sincerity US can build on consensus with China

No magic wand has been waved to make the differences between the United States and China vanish overnight. But the highly anticipated talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump over dinner in Buenos Aires on Saturday have produced a welcome consensus that the two sides will work on ways to resolve their differences: Most pressingly their trade dispute, which had been threatening to deteriorate into a full-on trade war with the prospect of additional tariffs looming on Jan 1.

Declaration shows G20 still embraces spirit of partnership

It is not easy for the leaders of different countries to reach an unanimous agreement on issues such as trade and climate change. The just concluded G20 Leaders' Summit in Buenos Aires reached a consensus on promoting "fair and sustainable development through an agenda that is people-centered, inclusive and forward-looking". It can therefore be considered an achievement in itself.

Nation continues to make progress in opening up to foreign investment

NOW IS THE TIME to invest in China not withdraw capital from the country, Wu Jianmin, president and CEO of East West Bank, wrote in article published by 21st Century Business Herald. Excerpts:

Law should ban smoking in public places

IN ITS PANEL DISCUSSION on the draft of the Promotion Law on Basic Medical Treatment and Public Health being reviewed by the legislature, experts of the Chinese Association on Tobacco Control suggested changing "smoking in public places should be controlled" to "smoking in indoor public places, indoor work places and public transport must be banned". Legal Daily comments:

Old friend who helped set the course for ties

Editor's note: George Herbert Walker Bush, World War II US naval aviator, Texas oil pioneer, and the 41st US president, died on Friday. He was 94. The People's Daily's WeChat account Xiakedao comments:

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Balancing the economy with the environment

This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up. In 1978, China's per capita GDP was $156.40 - the global average was $1,973.79. In 2017, the corresponding figures for China and the world were $8,826.99 and $10,714.47 - an increase of 56.4 times and 5.43 times, respectively. In 1978, about three-quarters of Chinese people lived in absolute poverty. By the end of this year, the corresponding figure is expected to be less than 1 percent - a rate of progress never seen in human history.

We can only look at the planet's future with hope

It's that time of the year world leaders seem extremely concerned about climate change, the changing weather conditions, the fate of humankind and the world it inhabits. Yet it is heartening to note some world leaders still spare a thought for the planet, even if for different reasons.

Rural tourism snaps into place

HEFEI - Home to two world cultural heritage villages, Xidi and Hongcun, and many ancient Hui-style buildings built of the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911), as well as beautiful natural scenery, Yixian county has many picturesque views that make it a paradise for photographers.

St. Regis Beijing fuses art and food in new menu

Danieli's Italian restaurant at the St. Regis Beijing has launched a new menu called Savor Love in Art - inspired by an art exhibition - to cater for the upcoming festival season.

Michelin-starred chef Nicolas Isnard planning Chinese hotel tour

Michelin-starred chef Nicolas Isnard is set to embark on his Chinese culinary journey this December, traveling across three cities in southern China that all boast abundant sunshine and deep histories.

Positive hopes for meeting if everyone is reasonable

Although no one can tell whether or not the widely anticipated meeting between the Chinese and United States leaders on the sidelines of the G20 summit will de-escalate the ongoing trade conflict, there can be little doubt that whatever the outcome is, it will have far-reaching consequences. Both Beijing and Washington know that. But to avert the less than desirable scenarios that have been talked about, both parties will have to be sensitive to each other's sensibilities. No party should count on the other side to do all the giving without getting anything in return.